SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 7:42 P.M. ET:

PANETTA TALKS TOUGH – Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta spoke openly today of a possible military option involving Iran.  True, he emphasized our preference for diplomacy, but it's becoming obvious that diplomacy is failing, and failing very rapidly.  Each day brings tougher statements from Iran, and complete defiance.  It does not appear that the Iranians have any fear that we will actually prevent them from developing their prized nuclear bomb. 

THE IOWA HEADS FOR A NEW HOME – The legendary battleship USS Iowa, lead ship of the class that included the New Jersey, the Wisconsin, and the Missouri, has left San Francisco harbor for a new home, as a museum, in southern California.  There was considerable controversy when San Francisco was first proposed as the final home for the ship.  Many of the local lefties were in an uproar.  There will be a more respectful greeting waiting for the Iowa down south. 

GOOFBALLS – I don't know how much more embarrassment NBC can take, but one of its commentators on MSNBC said on the air that he felt uncomfortable with calling America's war dead heroes because it might be "rhetorically proximate" to justifications for further war.  The gent's name is Chris Hayes, and I'm sure his alma mater will soon have him giving a commencement address.

May 27, 2012