SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:56 P.M. ET: 

OVER?  – The deadline in the Iran nuclear talks has now been reached.  There is no deal.  Reports say that there will now be attempts to extend the deadline once more so that "negotiations" can continue.  Negotiations over what?  If Iran had nothing to hide, the "negotiations" could have been completed in two weeks.  Once again we see diplomats playing out their delusions.  What is called for now are tougher sanctions on Iran, with the message that talks can't go on forever.  Congress, especially with its new Republican members, will be ready and willing to adopt new sanctions.  Sadly, Obama is not on board. 

THAT STRANGE REPORT – Readers are aware of a so-called "bipartisan" report issued in the last few days by the House, which went easy on the Obama administration over Benghazi. Ignore it. Like most "bipartisan" jobs, it was mush.   Lindsey Graham, Republican defense stalwart in the Senate, used more vivid language. You can almost see the House staff members, surrounded by pizza boxes on a late Friday night, hammering out their compromises before going home to watch reruns of "House of Cards."  The real probe of Benghazi, the grown-up version, is being led by Trey Gowdy, one of the sharpest Republicans in the House. He's at work now. His report I'll trust.  The just-released report is the final congressional effort of Republican Mike Rogers, who leaves the House in weeks to go into radio.  Disappointing finish.

PHONY UPROAR – Oh, the anguish, oh the pain.  Rudy Giuliani, one of the great mayors in American history, whose administration dramatically reduced crime in New York, created an uproar on "Meet the Press" today by telling the truth.  Telling the truth always creates an uproar.  Rudy, who knows about these things, bluntly stated that black-on-black crime is the real reason there are so many white policemen who have to be brought in to patrol black neighborhoods.  More than 90% of blacks who are murdered are murdered by other blacks.  What Giuliani said is obvious.  Police are sent to where the crime is.  He wondered why there isn't more of an uproar over black-on-black murders.  Of course, Rudy was immediately subjected to an internet assault accusing him of racism.  Fact:  Most black kids do not commit murders.  Fact:  More black lives were saved by Rudy Giuliani's anti-crime push than were saved by all other mayors of New York combined.  Rudy has never followed the party line.  That's how he got so much done.  He never got a thank-you from black leaders.

November 23,  2014