SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:56 P.M. ET: 

A DATE TO REMEMBER – It was on this date, February 23rd, 70 years ago that five U.S. Marines and a Navy corpsman planted the American flag on Mount Suribachi, on the island of Iwo Jima.  The photograph of the flagraising, by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal, is one of the most reproduced photos in history.  It electrified the American people and inspired the Marine Corps memorial near Arlington National Cemetery in Washington.  The original negative is still maintained under climate-controlled conditions at AP headquarters in New York.  A color motion picture of the flagraising was taken by Marine photographer Bill Genaust, who was killed on Iwo Jima, and whose body was never found.

OH DEAR, ANOTHER ONE – From Fox:  "Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald has admitted that he lied about serving in the special operations forces in a conversation with a homeless veteran that was caught on camera earlier this year.  McDonald made the claim in January while he was in Los Angeles as part of the VA's effort to locate and house homeless veterans. During the tour, a homeless man told McDonald that he had served in the special operations forces. 'Special forces? What years?' McDonald responded. 'I was in special forces.' The exchange was broadcast on 'The CBS Evening News' Jan. 30. McDonald's misstatement was first reported by The Huffington Post."  Some investigation is due here before a final judgment is made.  It turns out he was a graduate of the Ranger school, but never served in a special ops unit.  Was this a bit of an exaggeration or an outright lie?  Whatever it was, it isn't good, especially for a West Point graduate.  He may have to go.

KEYSTONE – Congress has completed approval of the Keystone pipeline and has sent the legislation to the president, who has promised a veto.  The pipeline has great public approval, would please our nearest ally, Canada, and will provide jobs.  But Obama is more interested in the approval of the environmental fanatics who oppose it.  It has taken years to get to this veto, and I doubt if Obama has the slightest interest in any of the "studies" that have been done along the way.  Disgraceful.

A WRIGHT HAS WRONGED – From Gateway Pundit:  "In September 2013, Jeri Wright, daughter of Reverend 'God Damn America' Wright, and 12 other Democrats were charged with embezzling $16 million in Federal health grants that should have gone to AIDS charities and other programs for the poor and needy.  More than one of the defendants had direct ties to President Barack Obama.  In March 2014 Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s daughter Jeri was found guilty on eleven counts that included money laundering and lying to federal agents.  This week US District Judge Sue E. Myerscough sent Jeri Wright to prison."  The rev should have spent more time one his daughter and less on hate crusades.

February 23, 2015