SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 8:35 P.M. ET: 

PANIC TIME – We reported this morning that the scandal of federal leaks of classified information was growing, with major Democrats joining Republicans in demanding action.  Late this afternoon the attorney-general, Eric Holder, announced the selection of two prosecutors, one a Bush appointee, to oversee an investigation into the damaging leaks. Holder's announcement tells us two things:  1) that the Obamans understand the political damage that this issue can bring; and 2) they believe the White House itself can escape blame.  You don't appoint a Bush guy to rummage around the Obama White House unless you think you've got things covered.  My own guess, based on a source I consulted this week:  The focus of the probe will drift to the Pentagon.

ANOTHER BRILLIANT EDUCATOR – Gerald Molen, who won an Oscar for co-producing "Schindler's List" with Steven Spielberg, was barred from delivering the commencement address at a Montana high school because he is a conservative.  Molen, one of the few major Hollywood conservatives, and a former Marine, had driven 90 minutes from his Montana home to deliver the speech when he was stopped by the school's principal and told his political views were unacceptable, even though the speech Molen had prepared was non-political.  The local superintendent of schools confirmed the incident and apologized for it.  He also said the principal would be going to another district next year, although the move seemed unrelated to the incident. 

CLINTON DOES IT AGAIN – What is it with Bill Clinton?  It is perfectly clear that he's knifing Obama, although he then apologizes.  It wasn't many hours ago that the former president profusely apologized for having said he favored extending the Bush tax cuts.  He admitted that he'd undercut the White House.  Unintentional, he insisted.  Now he's saying that the median income of Americans has gone down in the years since he was president, a clear swipe at the Obama economic record.  He knew exactly what he was saying.  We wait for the next "oops" to come.

THE REAL AMERICA SPEAKS – America has now rendered its verdict on the profound proposal by New York's increasingly goofy mayor, Mike Bloomberg, to ban the sale of soft drinks above a certain number of ounces, the better to fight obesity.  A poll reports that 64% of Americans think the mayor's proposal is an example of government overreach.  Some 36% would support the ban in their own communities, according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll.  I'd imagine those communities normally have the adjective "coastal" before them, or begin with the word "San."  Also, 71% of respondents thought the ban would have no impact on obesity.  I guess people can eat something else, like Twinkies.

June 8, 2012