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

WEINSTEIN DROPPED BY THE ACADEMY – FROM ABC NEWS:  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted to expel Harvey Weinstein, following numerous allegations of sexual harassment or assault against the former movie mogul and producer, the film academy announced today in a statement.  "The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors met today to discuss the allegations against Harvey Weinstein, and has voted well in excess of the required two-thirds majority to immediately expel him from the Academy," the statement read.   Is there an appropriate speech for this?  Does Harvey get up now and say, “I don’t want to thank the Academy. In fact, I know that three quarters of the men who voted me out have done exactly what I’ve done. The nominees are…"

YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS UP – FROM THE HILL:   A group of psychologists and mental health professionals on Saturday marched through New York calling for President Trump to be removed from office.  The group — which included more than 100 psychologists and mental health professionals — are pushing for Trump to be ousted from his post, according to The New York Post.  “We can sense the power of Trump’s underlying fear that he is worthless and weak by how intensely he resists and retaliated against any criticism,” said Harry Segal, a Cornell University psychologist.   Would you really want to be a patient of any of these nuts?  Grossly unprofessional conduct.  Please note that these warnings about psychological instability are always directed at Republicans. 

SPORTS NEWS – FROM AFP:   Eatontown (United States) (AFP) - What better, safer way to have fun than drink beer and throw a hatchet?  This is now a thing in America, a new pastime, and it's spreading.  On a busy Friday night at Stumpy's Hatchet House in New Jersey, it sounds like this: the thud of the blade sticking into a wooden target, people cheering a good toss, and a bell ringing out when somebody scores a bull's eye.  Its four founders say this place, which opened 18 months ago, is the first of its kind in the US, although Canada is generally considered the cradle of competitive hatchet-hurling.  Such spots are now found in Chicago, Washington, Nashville and Denver, among other US cities.  Stumpy's owners are talking about opening another elsewhere in New Jersey and have even started offering franchise arrangements. They hope to have a network of 15 within a year.   I demand that this be shut down.  It is an insult to Native Americans, who are expert at the use of hatchets.  We are stealing their culture once again!  Shame!  Shame!

October 14,  2017