SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 9:51 P.M. ET:

IT'S GREEK TO US – Greece is on the financial edge.  A default by the major nation would create an even greater economic crisis in Europe.  The Greeks are pressured by other nations to reduce their spending.  But, internally, the Greek people, brought up in a welfare society, are demanding a continuation of the welfare state.  The president of Greece, George A. Papandreou, has cancelled a trip to Washington to deal with the crisis.  Europe's problems, which extend well beyond Greece, could affect us here, dramatically so, if European nations start to default. 

ANOTHER WONDERFUL ALLY – Fox News, in a new report, presents evidence that Pakistan spread nuclear technology around the world for years, in exchange for cash and help with its own program.  The recipients of the technical aid were China, Iran, North Korea, and Libya.  We have taken our eye off the ball here.  Iran isn't even on the front pages any longer, and neither is North Korea.  But both continue with the nuclear weapons program.  North Korea already has the bomb, and Iran is moving toward it.  When they have a nuclear weapon, the face of the Mideast could be changed.  Of course, President Obama will reach out to them.

ANYONE NOTICING? – Some 26 people were killed by government forces in Yemen today, and more Syrians were killed on Friday.  Does anyone care?  The so-called Arab spring, now stretching into fall, continues, and we have a responsibility to be apprehensive over what is happening.  There is no country going through upheaval in which we can be sure that the rebels are any better than the corrupt dictators they want to replace.  President Obama does not seem terribly engaged.  What else is new?

MITCH MIFFED – Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana, himself a hot property in the GOP presidential sweepstakes until he pulled himself out of the running, now says he's dissatisfied with the Republican field, and that there's still time for others to get into the race.  It's impossible to know if he was hinting that he might reconsider, but at this point I wonder if anyone cares.  You can play coy only so long before people get disgusted at the maneuvering.  Ditto for Sarah Palin and Rudy Giuliani.  I, too, think there's room for someone else, but have no idea who it could be...unless it's Marco Rubio.  Whoever comes in at this stage has to swing a mighty bat. 

September 18, 2011