SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:05 P.M. ET: 

PROGRESS - From the Washington Examiner:  "Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., was tied with Republican challenger Thom Tillis at 44 percent, according to a GOP poll shared with the Washington Examiner.  The survey of 600 likely voters, conducted Sept. 2-4 for the Tillis campaign, showed a race in which both candidates have vulnerable pressure points but are in contention as this seesaw midterm battle enters the home stretch.  President Obama’s approval in the Tarheel State was an anemic 41 percent, with 56 percent disapproving."  Republicans thought this would be an easy pickup, but that has not turned out to be the case.  But a tie, if the poll is accurate, shows progress for the Republican candidate.  The trend seems to be with him.

A MAJOR CULTURAL ADVANCE – From Fox:  "Fans attending men’s college soccer games in New England are expected not to boo if they don’t like something on the field, according to a recent letter sent out by the New England Small College Athletic Conference.  'As a supporter, we ask you not engage in any unsportsmanlike actions, which include booing, taunting, profanity, rude language or gestures, or any other action that could be potentially construed as negative or confrontational,' the NESCAC letter read.  NESCAC called for a similar policy in 2011, asking that game officials 'firmly address issues of unsporting behavior and negative action.'  The letter, signed by 11 Conference coaches, continues, 'We would hope that all spectators refrain from antagonistic interaction between opposing fans, including verbal disputes, or holding/posting signs or other forms of written material that could be interpreted as offensive in nature.'"  What's left?  What do you say?  "Gosh darn, I wish our fellows had been sharper today, but we do tip our hats to the opposing squad, and its multicultural aspects."  Sis boom bah.

GLOBAL WARMING COOLS OFF – From the Daily Caller:  "The numbers are in and the verdict is that there has been no global warming for 17 years and 11 months, according to satellite data.  Satellite data prepared by Lord Christopher Monckton shows there has been no warming trend from October of 1996 to August of 2014 — 215 months. To put this in perspective, kids graduating from high school this year have not lived through any global warming in their lifetimes.  According to Monckton — the third Viscount Monckton of Brenchley and a former policy adviser to U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher — the rate of warming has been half of what climate scientists initially predicted in the early 1990s."  And yet the BBC and Los Angeles Times have a policy of refusing to report opinions of climate-change dissenters.  After all, the science is settled and Al Gore is not to be challenged.

BUT IT'S FOR THE CHIL'N – From eagnews.org:  "The federal snack rules take effect this year for school districts across the country that participate in the federal free and reduced lunch program. They restrict snack foods sold at schools to those with at least 50 percent whole grain, with low sugar, fat and sodium content. Each snack must also come in under 200 calories, according to the news site. That means a lot of popular snacks are now off the table, including donuts, brownies, potato chips, full flavor pop, candy bars, and most other foods teenagers prefer. Even salt shakers and packets are now illegal."  I'll sleep better knowing that the salt-shaker menace is being tackled by the brave warriors of Obamaland.  It's about time.

September 8, 2014