SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:31 P.M. ET: 

THE KING IS DEAD – King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has died.  He was a key ally of the United States, even though the values of Saudi Arabia and those of this country are entirely different.   He was considered a reformer, although the word should probably be put in quotes.  In Saudi Arabia a reformer is someone who still won't let a woman drive a car, but will let her ride in the trunk.

GOLDEN OLDIE – The death of Abdullah leaves Queen Elizabeth the oldest reigning monarch in the world, although Obama thinks it's Queen Latifah.  Elizabeth is 88.  I doubt if she'll get a card from the White House.  Maybe some CD's.

YEMEN COLLAPSING – Field Marshal of the United States Barack Obama proclaimed Yemen a great success story last September.  I guess they don't put Yemen news on ESPN.   From The Hill:  "The United States will remove additional personnel from Yemen amid heightened security concerns after Shiite rebels forced the resignation of the country's president.  'In response to the changing security situation in Yemen, the United States Embassy in Sana’a has further reduced its American personnel working in Yemen,' a senior State Department official said Thursday."  Forces loyal to Iran are starting to dominate the country.  What a victory. 

HE'S OUT – From The Hill:  "Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer said Thursday he would not be running for a California Senate seat in 2016.  Steyer, a former hedge fund manager, had said he would consider throwing his hat in the ring after Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said she would retire in 2016."  I had looked forward to calling him Senator Windmill.  He could easily have financed his own campaign, but I doubt if the very leftish California Democratic Party wanted a white male. 

January 22, 2015