SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:54 P.M. ET: 

THE WANTING OF CHAFEE – From Business Insider:  "Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee (D) just launched his presidential campaign in room 134 of the Founders Hall at the George Mason University School of Policy, Government and International Affairs.  Chafee's announcement took place during a previously scheduled foreign policy speech.  And though he was launching an huge political endeavor, Chafee kept things fairly low key with no accoutrements other than his campaign logo, which was projected on a screen behind him.  According to multiple reporters, the auditorium where Chafee spoke was not remotely full for the event. Fox News' Peter Doocy described it as '1/2 empty.'"  Pretty much like his head.

HILLARY'S BRILLIANT IDEA – From WaPo:  "Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton plans to call for an early voting period of at least 20 days in every state.  Clinton will call for that standard in remarks Thursday in Texas about voting rights, her campaign said. She will also criticize what her campaign calls deliberate restrictions on voting in several states, including Texas.  The former secretary of state's address at historically-black Texas Southern University in Houston comes as Democrats pursue legal challenges to voting rule changes approved by Republican legislatures in several states."  Outrageous things like having to prove that you meet voting requirements, that you're a citizen, and that you haven't voted two or three times before in the same election.  Who do these Republicans think they are, Americans?

MORE SUSPICIOUS STUFF IN BALTIMORE – From the Baltimore Sun:  "Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby plans to seek a protective order that would block the release of Freddie Gray's autopsy report and other 'sensitive' documents as she prosecutes the six police officers involved in his arrest.  Mosby told The Baltimore Sun that prosecutors 'have a duty to ensure a fair and impartial process for all parties involved' and 'will not be baited into litigating this case through the media.'  But an attorney for one of the officers said the effort shows that 'there is something in that autopsy report that they are trying to hide.'"

A SOLDIER'S BEST FRIEND – From The Hill:  "Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) on Wednesday introduced legislation that aims to ensure military service dogs come back to the U.S. after their tours are over.  The proposed bill, dubbed the Military Working Dog Retirement Act of 2015, would require the Pentagon to arrange and pay for transportation of trained military dogs back to the states if they are injured or when their skills are no longer required overseas.  'The bond between these military working dogs and their handlers is unique,' Wyden said in a statement. 'By bringing these dogs that have served alongside our men and women in uniform back to the United States, this bill can provide assistance to veterans while supporting the close bond between these dogs and our soldiers returning home.'"  Good legislation, worthy of our support.

June 3, 2015