SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:55 P.M. ET: 

HOW DEMEANING – FROM ABC7:   WASHINGTON (ABC7) — The DC Council has taken a large step towards placing a statue of former Mayor Marion Barry in front of its home.  In a meeting Tuesday, the DC Council Committee of the Whole voted unanimously to a measure that would advance the possibility of adding a statue dedicated to the late mayor in front of the Wilson Building.  The matter was not actually passed today, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said because someone forgot to publish it in the city register, as required by law. Mendelson said it is now on the Consent Agenda of non-controversial items that will be passed all together with one vote in the next council session.  That session could come in as little as two weeks.  What a disgrace, what an embarrassment for African Americans.  The man was a convicted felon, a druggie, a tax cheat, and much more.  I'm sure we'll see calls in Washington in coming years to tear down the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial.  But Marion Barry will remain.

ONCE A GREAT IDEA – FROM THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS:  Following a year of layoffs, ESPN is expected to have another round after Thanksgiving.  Over 100 staffers could lose their jobs in the layoffs, including positions on the television side, producers, executives and those in digital and technology, according to Sports Illustrated. SportsCenter is expected to be "hit hard" and some on-air talent could be out of a job.  ESPN declined to comment to Sports Illustrated about the looming job cuts.  Layoffs have been occurring at ESPN multiple times throughout the last two years.  In October 2015, the company laid off over 300 employees and this past April over 100 reporters and personalities lost their jobs.   People tune to ESPN to see a game, not to get a political lecture.  ESPN hasn't figured that out, and is losing audience by the trainload.

GREAT SENSE OF PRIORITIES – FROM CBS LOCAL:    CHICAGO (CBS) — If you’re not careful, you could be one step away from a big city fine.  CBS 2’s Audrina Bigos reports that two Chicago leaders want you to pay up if you’re texting or talking on the phone while crossing the street.  “Everybody does it and then everybody is irritated when someone else does it. So my total view is I want to look at it. I think it has something to do with peoples own safety,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said.  According to city numbers, 27 pedestrians have been killed in Chicago so far this year, which is one death up from last year.  To enforce the proposed ordinance, Chicago Police would hand out tickets with a fine anywhere from $90 to $500.
Ald. Edward Burke and Ald. Anthony Beale are proposing the ordinance. While the ordinance has been sent to a committee to review, there is no timeline on whether or not it could pass.  Undoubtedly a problem, but nothing compared with Chicago's enormous crime problem.  Crossing the street while texting?  Bad.  Crossing the street while being shot at?  Horrible.

November 9, 2017