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

CANADA – Some people express surprise that Canada has had two terror attacks, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers, within a few days.  In fact, Canada is a stalwart ally of the United States, and thus a logical target.  Preliminary reports say that both attacks were committed by converts to Islam.  Don't be shocked, by the way, if some Canadian leftists blame the attacks on pro-American Prime Minister Steve Harper, and demand that Canada distance itself from us.  The leftist line never changes.

DETROIT GETS A TASTE OF THE UN – And doesn't like it.  From Fox:  "Detroit officials are fuming after two visiting United Nations lawyers scolded the city for cutting off water to delinquent customers and described the shut-offs as a 'human rights' violation.  The response follows a three-day visit to Detroit -- which desperately is trying to bail itself out of bankruptcy -- from two representatives with the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.  'It is contrary to human rights to disconnect water from people who simply do not have the means to pay their bills,' Catarina de Albuquerque, one of the two representatives, said Monday at the conclusion of their visit.  'I heard testimonies from poor, African American residents of Detroit who were forced to make impossible choices -- to pay the water bill or to pay their rent.'  But the mayor's office blasted the U.N. review as one-sided. Alexis Wiley, Mayor Mike Duggan’s top aide, said the city is 'very disappointed' with them.  'They weren't interested in the facts,' she said. 'They took a position and never once [before Monday] reached out to the city for data.'"  Ah, another wonderful experience with the UN.  Is anyone surprised?

GOP PROGRESS? – From The Hill:  "According to a memo provided by the Republican National Committee, registered Republicans have sent in 305 more absentee ballots or early votes than Democrats. At this point in the election cycle in 2010, the last election with an Iowa Senate seat up for election, the memo says Democrats led by 16,426 ballots.  'The momentum has been building for a long time, but this development means Republicans have crossed a major Democrat firewall that had given them a boost going into Election Day in previous election cycles,' Jeff Kaufmann, the chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, said in a statement. 'Democrats are nowhere near where they need to be, and they are quickly running out of time.'"  From his mouth to you know whose ears.

HILLLARY'S PROBLEM? – From The Hill:  "Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Wednesday said in a People magazine interview that she is focusing on her work in the Senate — for now.  Asked whether she was mulling a bid in 2016, Warren used language that made it sound like a run wasn't out of the question. 'I don’t think so,' she said at her Cambridge, Mass., home for this week’s issue. 'If there’s any lesson I’ve learned in the last five years, it’s don’t be so sure about what lies ahead. There are amazing doors that could open.'  'Right now,' she said, 'I’m focused on figuring out what else I can do from this spot' in the U.S. Senate.  Ready For Warren campaign manager Erica Sagrans said that the People interview 'leaves more wiggle room' in Warren's answer about a presidential campaign.  'This opens the door to a possible run in 2016,' Sagrans said, 'and shows Warren's definitely thinking about it.'"  I'm sure she's tempted.  They all want to be president.  But facing down Hillary would be an enormous challenge, and would split the party.  Besides, Warren isn't known as a dynamic campaigner.  But, hey, you never know."  If Hillary doesn't run, I'd imagine Warren would jump in.

October 22, 2014