SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 8:46 P.M. ET:

RASMUSSEN HAS ROMNEY ROMPING – Scott Rasmussen's latest presidential poll of likely voters, broken down by electoral vote, shows Mitt Romney currently leading Barack Obama.  Romney would have 269 electoral votes, one short of victory, and Obama would have 243.  Some states are ties.  As we always point out, it is very early in the game, but these polls do point to a very competitive race.

A FLUKE – We have been excitedly informed that Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown Law student who provoked a national controversy when she complained that her insurance plan didn't pay for her birth-control pills, has endorsed President Obama for re-election.  That does it.  How can anyone ignore the advice of Sandra Fluke?  Fluke portrayed Obama as some kind of feminist icon, which will be a surprise to many women, especially those who are unemployed.

FASHION NOTE – A new U.S. Army acquisition request for Afghanistan, presumably for native Afghans and Afghan police officers, includes a specification for 100 women’s burqas that “cover all, including the eyes” in a number of colors, including “hot pink,” purple and gold as well as 100 head scarves.  We are delighted that our Army is up on Afghan fashion, but we do hope we can avoid shocking pink parachutes for our airborne troopers.  Wait.  This is the age of Obama.  Start worrying. 

HBO IS "SORRY" – HBO, which I personally believe is riding on a past reputation, has apologized for a vulgar scene in its drama series, "Game of Thrones," in which severed heads are displayed.  One of the heads, in one scene, bears a striking resemblance to George W. Bush.  HBO, responding to complaints, said that it was "deeply dismayed to see this and finds it unacceptable, disrespectful and in very bad taste."  Their reply is appropriate, but we must ask why the episode was not reviewed by HBO before it was released.  There used to be something called "standards and practices" in broadcasting, but I guess that's not considered hip any longer.

June 14, 2012