SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:44 P.M. ET:

INSPIRING – From The Guardian:  "A man who was completely paralysed from the waist down can walk again after a British-funded surgical breakthrough which offers hope to millions of people who are disabled by spinal-cord injuries.  Polish surgeons used nerve-supporting cells from the nose of Darek Fidyka, a Bulgarian man who was injured four years ago, to provide pathways along which the broken tissue was able to grow.  The 38-year-old, who is believed to be the first person in the world to recover from complete severing of the spinal nerves, can now walk with a frame and has been able to resume an independent life, even to the extent of driving a car, while sensation has returned to his lower limbs.  Professor Geoffrey Raisman, whose team at University College London’s institute of neurology discovered the technique, said: 'We believe that this procedure is the breakthrough which, as it is further developed, will result in a historic change in the currently hopeless outlook for people disabled by spinal cord injury.'"  We hope so.  Always great to report an advance like this.

DID ANYONE VOTE FOR OBAMA? – From Daily Caller:  "Move over, Alison Lundergan Grimes. Get out of the way, Michelle Nunn. Natalie Tennant?  Hop aside. Another Democrat has joined the party and refused to say if he voted for President Barack Obama.  Incumbent Sen. Mark Begich of Alaska refused to answer the question from an America Rising tracker as he entered a school for a campaign event.  'Senator Begich, did you vote for Obama in 2008 and 2012?' asked the tracker.  'Do you support Obama’s handling of ISIS?' the tracker followed up.  Begich remained silent until he saw two staffers at the end of the video, to whom he made small talk on the way into the school."  It's so silly.  Of course all these Dems voted for Obama?  But they're in trouble with someone no matter which way they answer.  Why don't they just say that they voted for Obama, but have disagreements with him? 

A BIT OF VINDICATION – From Breitbart:  "A new Politico poll finds that Americans rate former President George W. Bush as a more effective manager than President Barack Obama.  When asked the question 'Which President do you believe was more effective at managing the basic functions of the federal government?' 38% of Americans said Bush, 35% said Obama, and 26% said 'both about the same.'  The Politico poll, which surveyed districts and states with the most competitive midterm election races, also found that 64% of Americans believe the nation is 'out of control.'"  One of these days, both Bush and Cheney will receive the credit they deserve.  But you probably won't hear it on CNN.

IRANIAN DECEPTIONS – From AP:  "VIENNA — The head of the UN nuclear agency sounded a note of caution about Iran’s claims that it is not interested in nuclear arms, saying he cannot guarantee that all the country’s atomic activities are civilian in nature.  Though not new, Yukiya Amano’s comments Monday are significant amid a renewed deadlock in the 12-year probe by his International Atomic Agency of suspected nuclear weapons work by Iran.  Iran denies such activities.  Amano’s comments also come as the US and five other powers try to persuade Tehran to allow the IAEA greater sleuthing powers, allowing the agency to do snap inspections of sites suspected of possible unreported nuclear work.  Amano told an IAEA meeting in Vienna that his agency cannot 'conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities.'"  How in the world can we conclude a nuclear agreement with Iran under these circumstances?  But Barack can!

October 20, 2014