SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 8:03 P.M. ET:

CHRISTIANS STONED IN FRANCE – A group of  "North African youths" invaded a church in France yesterday and launched handfuls of pebbles at about 150 parishioners.  Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, but the "youths" escaped.  Coming to a country near you, unless we abandon this childlike "acceptance" of every "culture" that comes down the pike.  Sadly, France just elected a socialist government whose supporters are still in the "we must understand" phase of adolescence.

TOLL IN CHICAGO – The Chicago Tribune is performing an important service by running regular stories on the crime toll in Chicago, a city that, unlike New York, has been unable to tackle its crime problem successfully.  The toll for last night:  One killed, eight wounded in separate shootings.  Many weekends are far worse.  The standard line in Chicago is that it's the fault of the gun manufacturers.  Chicago is the president's home town.  He's had nothing to say. 

WELL-STATED APOLOGY – The MSNBC host who caused an internet uproar by saying he was uncomfortable calling American war dead "heroes" has issued a dignified apology.   Chris Hayes said: "On Sunday, in discussing the uses of the word 'hero' to describe those members of the armed forces who have given their lives, I don't think I lived up to the standards of rigor, respect and empathy for those affected by the issues we discuss that I've set for myself," Chris Hayes, host of "Up With Chris Hayes," said in a statement. "I am deeply sorry for that."  Okay, I just hope he meant it and understands the impact that a broadcaster's words can have.

May 28,  2012