SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:51 P.M. ET: 

IMMIGRATION TOP ISSUE – From Gallup:  "PRINCETON, NJ -- With thousands of undocumented immigrant minors crossing the nation's southern border in recent months, the percentage of Americans citing immigration as the top problem has surged to 17% this month, up from 5% in June, and the highest seen since 2006. As a result, immigration now virtually ties 'dissatisfaction with government,' at 16%, as the primary issue Americans think of when asked to name the country's top problem."  Of course, The New York Times will probably interpret this as meaning that Americans want more illegal immigrants, not fewer.  That's the way those guys think.

ALLAH ON MARS – From AP:  "DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Having scaled the heights of Earth with the world's tallest tower, the United Arab Emirates is now aiming for the stars, or just a little bit closer, with an ambitions trip to Mars. The energy-rich country on the eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula announced plans Wednesday to send the first unmanned Arab spaceship to Mars in 2021.  The ruler of the UAE's emirate of Dubai, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said the mission will prove the Arab world is still capable of delivering scientific contributions to humanity, despite the many conflicts across the Middle East."  Question:  If they find oil up there, will Al Gore announce that Mars is a major factor in global warming?

NEW THREATS – From CBS:  "The US Open Tennis Championship appears on a wish list of terror targets in an al Qaeda magazine, an NYPD official said Wednesday.  In a briefing for New York City’s private security community, Rebecca Weiner, the NYPD’s director of intelligence analysis, warned that Inspire magazine is instructing would-be terrorists on how to make bombs and where to set them off, WCBS 880′s Marla Diamond reported.  The magazine lists targets in Washington, D.C.; Virginia; and New York — including the US Open, which begins Aug. 25 in Flushing Meadows, Queens."  They aren't giving up.  In fact, Islamist terror groups are growing.  But I'm afraid it will take another large jolt to wake us up from the Obama-induced sleep we've been in.

SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES – From London's Daily Mail:  "Russia has agreed to reopen a major Cold War listening post on Cuba that was used to spy on America, it was reported today.  Moscow-based daily Kommersant claimed Russia and Cuba have struck a deal 'in principle' after President Vladimir Putin visited the island last week.  Citing several sources within Russian authorities, the respected daily wrote: 'The agreements were finalised while President Vladimir Putin visited Havana last Friday.'"  When do the missiles come?

July 16, 2014