SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:53 P.M. ET: 

BE THERE – From CBS:  DETROIT (WWJ/AP) – A group is planning to unveil an 8-foot-tall bronze statue featuring a goat-headed Satan in Detroit during a gathering that’s being billed as the “largest public satanic ceremony in history.”  The Satanic Temple has said Saturday’s private event will be open only to people with tickets, $25 each. Invitations to “The Unveiling” summoned guests to prepare for “a night of chaos, noise, and debauchery… Come dance with the Devil and experience history in the making.” The event location is not being announced publicly and is known only to those with tickets.  Not worth it.  Chaos, noise, and debauchery are free on MSNBC.

SOCIAL NOTE – From The New York Times:  When it comes to registering for gifts, a generational sea change has developed, with more and more millennial couples asking their guests to consider holding the gravy ladles and shelving the dishes in favor of gifts of a very different sort.  Young couples are opting instead to register for cash, home-repair gift cards and lavish honeymoon experiences.  “It’s a generational thing,” said Nina Vitale, who oversees weddings at the Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Skaneateles, N.Y. “During the past two years, guests have been bringing mostly envelopes, no gifts.” Because so many have moved away from registering for traditional dinner and cookware, she’s jettisoned the gift table and substituted cardholders.  Home-repair gift cards?  How romantic.  "Dear Aunt Frances:  Thanks so much for repairing our dishwasher.  Just what we always wanted."

WARMTH – From USA Today:   Iran's supreme leader tweeted a graphic Saturday that appears to depict President Obama holding a gun to his head as Britain relaxed its travel advice to the nation, citing decreased hostility under the Iranian government.  "US president has said he could knock out Iran’s military. We welcome no war, nor do we initiate any war, but.." reads the caption above the tweet sent by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on @khamenei_ir, his English language account.  I'm just thrilled by Iran's new kindness, its love for America, its reasonableness.  Our gracious president made all this possible.

July 25,  2015