SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 10:23 P.M. ET:

A MAJOR WORLD EVENT, NOT – The United Nations General Assembly has denounced Syria's crackdown on its own citizens, and it did this before going to dinner.  Both Russia and China voted no. There is no word that the Syrian government even took note of the vote, which is expected to have no effect. 

INCREDIBLE – The Obama campaign and several Democratic organizations are suing the state of Ohio to strike down a law that makes it easier for those in the military to vote.  A May Gallup poll showed Romney ahead of Obama among veterans, 58-34 percent.  Presumably, Democrats believe active-duty military personnel will vote the way veterans vote.  During the tense recount following the 2000 presidential election, Democrats tried to challenge a number of military votes cast.

RUSSIA IN SYRIA – Russia is sending three large ships with marines aboard to the Syrian port of Tartus, where Moscow has a naval base.  It is another proof of Russia's active support for the Assad regime.  The presence of Russian troops also makes other outside intervention more complicated.  Russia is determined to hold Tartus, which services Russian naval vessels in the Mediterranean.

IT WAS RAHM – Newly released e-mails show that Rahm Emanuel, when he was Obama's chief of staff in the White House, was the key figure behind the failed Solyndra loan, which has become the symbol of Obama's bad investments of tax dollars.  Solyndra made solar panels, and was supported by some heavy-hitting Obama contributors.  Emanuel is now the mayor of Chicago.  If he wants a really good investment for his city, may I suggest bulletproof vests.

August 3, 2012