SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:55 A.M. ET:

THE RUSSIAN AIRLINER – From CNN:  As authorities investigate the crash of a Russian airliner in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, the airport where Metrojet Flight 9268 originated is facing new scrutiny.  U.S. intelligence assessments suggest someone planted a bomb on the plane before takeoff, multiple U.S. officials said Wednesday, and that someone inside Sharm el-Sheikh airport could have helped.  News reports say the U.S, came to this conclusion from monitoring ISIS communications.  I wish they wouldn't be that detailed.  Communications intelligence is one of the most sensitive types of information gathering, and the constant talk about it today could give ISIS a road map for sealing a leak.  If the theory is correct – and only scientific analysis of the wreckage can confirm that – it would mark a major escalation in the terror war.

TALK ABOUT SLANTED JOURNALISM – This was actually presented as a significant story at The Politico under the exciting headline, "Woman nods off during Jeb speech":   One woman seemed rather low on energy during a town hall event for Republican candidate Jeb Bush on Thursday, struggling to keep her eyes open and yawning during part of Bush's event.  The Bush campaign identified the woman only as Tara, a working mom who woke up at 4 a.m. for a 12-hour shift to see the former governor of Florida speak.  Why, let's make sure Tara gets a book deal in which she can explain her history of yawning.  I mean, this story is below trivial, but any attempt to embarrass a GOP candidate is considered appropriate these days.  The Politico has damaged its initial reputation for good political reporting and has become a pretty reliably liberal website.

OH, PLEASE! – Some stories are just too hard to believe.  From The Hill:   Donald Trump’s highly anticipated hosting gig on this week’s "Saturday Night Live" is already generating controversy, three full days before showtime.  NBC on Wednesday unveiled eight promos for the upcoming show, but pulled the video from YouTube just minutes after posting, with no explanation.  A network spokesman later told NBC News Correspondent Peter Alexander that it “accidentally” published the wrong YouTube link, which contained three "SNL" promos “not for air,” including one in which Trump calls rival Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson a “real loser.”  In another spot, cast member Cecily Strong reveals that “due to FCC regulations," Trump can only appear in each promo for less than four seconds.  I really doubt that was an accident.  Those are the promos I've seen all over today.  I'm guessing it was an intentional accident designed for publicity.  The whole political world will be watching Trump on SNL.

November 4, 2015