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

NOAH'S BARK – The Comedy Channel has picked Trevor Noah, a bi-racial South African "comedian" to replace Jon Stewart as host of "The Daily Show."  Noah has the fundamental qualifications – he's anti-American and anti-Israel.  I have no idea how funny he is or how long he will last.  I guess there weren't any comedians from the United States who were suitable for the slot.  I don't do things by race and gender, but this is one case where I agree with many who thought a woman should have been selected.  Breath of fresh air.  The whole multicultural thing is getting boring, as are left-wing comedians.

DOWN TO THE WIRE, MAYBE – The deadline for a nuclear deal is tomorrow, Tuesday, unless it gets extended, or they stop the clock, or go home, or watch "Downton Abbey."  Stories from the talks in Switzerland are all over the place, ranging from "They're close" to "Far apart."  Personally, I'm offended by the whole thing.  We're talking about issues that affect the very survival of millions of people, and the talks are being handled like a labor negotiation.  My great fear is that we'll cave in at the last minute.  I want to be proved wrong.

O CANADA – From Reuters:  "TORONTO (Reuters) - Canadian legislators on Monday voted to back the government's plans to bomb Islamic State positions in Syria, a move that opposition parties say threatens to drag Canada into a long war.  The House of Commons approved the plan 142-129. The result was never in doubt, since the ruling Conservatives have a majority in the chamber.  The vote also approved the extension of Canada's six-month mission by a year to the end of March 2016.  Canada has around 70 special forces troops in northern Iraq and six Canadian jets are taking part in U.S.-led bombing attacks against Islamic State in Iraq."  Canada is always there for us, and look at the way Obama treated Canada over the Keystone Pipeline.  He gave our geographically closest ally the back of his hand, while appeasing Iran.  Some president.

TOUGH RECRUITING – From AP:  "ABINGTON, Pa. (AP) — Saying the military needs to do more to compete with corporate America for quality recruits, Defense Secretary Ash Carter opened the door Monday to relaxing some enlistment standards — particularly for high-tech or cybersecurity jobs.  Speaking to students at his former suburban Philadelphia high school, Carter said the military could ease age requirements and bring in older people who are mid-career, or provide student loan repayments to attract students who have finished college."  Obama accidentally appointed a solid secretary of defense, and these are good ideas.  We must be more creative about attracting our best to military service.

March 30,  2015