SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:57 P.M. ET: 

RAND TAKING HEAT – From Fox:   FRANKFORT, Ky. – A defiant Rand Paul is brushing off weak fundraising and weaker poll numbers as would-be donors and home state Republicans push him to abandon an uphill presidential bid to focus on his Senate re-election.  While showing some frustration, the first-term Kentucky senator this week claimed his superior political organization would prove wrong those doubting his chances in the White House contest. At the same time, he released fundraising numbers that place him squarely in the bottom tier of the GOP's 2016 class over the last three months, a painful symbol of stalled momentum for the libertarian favorite who was considered a major presidential contender earlier in the year.  This is a classic case of a candidate with very limited appeal believing he has much greater appeal.  His foreign-policy views are far to the left of the Republican Party.  They are not acceptable to the great mass of Republicans, and that's that.  He should get out, and try to keep his Senate seat in GOP hands.

SIGN OF THE TIMES – From Fox:   NEW DELHI – Naval warships, aircraft carriers and submarines from the U.S., India and Japan steamed into the Bay of Bengal on Saturday as they took part in joint military exercises off India's east coast, signaling the growing strategic ties among the three countries as they face up to a rising China.  The sea drills, part of the six-day-long Malabar exercises, will cover the full spectrum of naval maneuvers, including military-to-military coordination and anti-submarine warfare, according to a joint statement.  The U.S. has deployed the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, a missile cruiser and a nuclear-powered submarine for the annual exercises, which end Monday.  "India and Japan both are fantastic partners of the United States," Capt. Craig Clapperton, commanding officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, told reporters on board the ship. "We share a great deal in common, and we certainly have very strong economic, military and political relationships and friendships with India and Japan."  But how convincing are naval exercises when the president of the United States shows so little interest in American defense and the welfare of our allies?

APPEASER-IN-CHIEF –  Obama is on the appeasement train again, even as Iran expands in the Mideast and heaps scorn on us every day.  From AFP:   President Barack Obama ordered the US government Sunday to take steps towards lifting sanctions on Iran, in accordance with the historic nuclear deal struck between six world powers and Tehran.  Obama’s directive comes 90 days after the UN Security Council endorsed the accord signed in Vienna in July, a milestone referred to as “Adoption Day.”  “I hereby direct you to take all necessary steps to give effect to the US commitments with respect to sanctions,” Obama said in a memorandum addressed to the US secretaries of state, energy, commerce and the treasury.  The measures will take effect upon confirmation by the Secretary of state that Iran has met its commitments under the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as the accord is known, Obama said.  What do you think the chances are that the secretary of state will declare that Iran hasn't met its commitments?   Kerry knows what the boss wants. 

October 18,  2015