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

VOTERS GIVE THUMBS UP TO ECONOMY – FROM THE HILL:   Perceptions of the U.S. economy have reached a record high among voters, according to a new poll.  Two-thirds of voters polled, 66 percent, said in a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday they would characterize the economy as “excellent” or “good.” Quinnipiac noted that figure is the highest rating since it began asking the question in 2001.
Thirty-three percent, however, said they view the economy as “not so good” or “poor.”  Nearly half of respondents, 49 percent, say former President Obama is more responsible for the current economy, while 40 percent attribute the current economic state to President Trump.  Strange how Obama gets so much credit.  Trump's great contribution is that he changed the psychology of the country on economic matters, leading to the kind of confidence we see today.  Obama may deserve some of the credit, but it's minimal.

END OF THE WORLD, END OF THE WORLD – FROM DAILY CALLER:   Washington state’s Democratic Governor Jay Inslee warned there were “just 59 days” to save future generations from “an endless cycle of crop-killing droughts one year, and rivers spilling their banks the next.”  Inslee went on a lengthy Twitter rant in efforts to convince the state legislature to pass legislation to tax carbon dioxide emissions. Washington residents voted down Inslee’s last carbon tax plan by a wide margin in 2016.  The state legislature’s session ends in 59 days, on March 8. Democrats have a slim majority in both state legislative chambers.  I think we should tell Democrats that if we had to choose between higher taxes and the end of the world, we'd choose the end of the world...and watch their reactions.  Someone should tell the Dems that Doomsday predictions are growing stale.

GREAT IDEA – FROM COLEGE FIX:  One professor gave her students a white privilege quiz. Another declared classrooms as tools for “civil resistance.” A third called John McCain a “war criminal.”
San Diego State University’s College Republicans have put out a list of 15 professors they say students should avoid because the educators use their classrooms as a “soapbox” and have an “agenda” when presenting course material.  The group’s “Teachers vs. Preachers” list also includes 14 professors the student GOPers say present material fairly and do not interject personal political views into classroom discussions.
The list was created during a College Republicans meeting in October and released Jan. 5. The group had solicited nominations on social media and voted amongst themselves to determine the outcome.   Well done.  Rating teachers for bias is entirely legitimate, and may lead to some needed change.

January 10,  2018