SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:46 P.M. ET:

I'M CRUSHED – FROM THE WASHINGTON FREE BEACON:  Oprah Winfrey said she is not running for public office Wednesday, seemingly putting to bed rampant speculation that she was considering a 2020 White House bid.  In a conversation with Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, the subject of Donald Trump's election came up, according to The Daily Beast. Miranda, an opponent of the Trump administration, said he was aware of the platform afforded him by Hamilton‘s success.  "But that’s it," he said. "I’m not running for public office."  According to the report, Winfrey interrupted to say, "I'm not either!"  Well, there goes our future.  And we were so close to a utopia.

GEEZ – FROM BREITBART:    House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) spoke for more than eight hours on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, using her prerogative as a party leader to mount a filibuster to draw attention to the cause of illegal aliens....During her remarks, she hailed the “Dreamers,” whom she said had arrived in the country illegally through no fault of their own.  She then went on to thank the parents of the “Dreamers” — i.e. those who deliberately broke the law.  “I say to their parents: Thank you for bringing these Dreamers to America. We’re in your debt for the courage it took, for you to take the risk, physically, politically, in every way, to do so,” she said.  An absolutely disgraceful comment.  Imagine how you'd feel if you were in a foreign country, trying to come to America legally, and read that a former speaker of the House is praising those who broke American law to cross our borders. 

THE NANNY STATE – FROM THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE:   The House voted Tuesday to prohibit sexual relationships between lawmakers and their employees, a remarkable rule change that brings the institution in line with the military and the private sector after a rash of sexual harassment and misconduct allegations roiled Capitol Hill.  The prohibition, pushed by Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., took immediate effect as Congress moved toward changing the system for reporting and adjudicating employees' claims of sexual harassment. The House approved language Tuesday establishing an office to advocate for employees during that process and a separate bill requiring lawmakers to reimburse taxpayers when they are involved in workplace settlements.  "Thanks to the #MeToo movement, the American public has made it clear that they have had enough," said Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif. "They expect Congress to lead, and for once we are."   Treating adults like children.  There is a difference between an inappropriate power situation and an entirely normal relationship between consenting adults.  They whom the powers make slaves are first made juveniles.

February 7, 2018