The Thursday wrap

The Pennsylvania Democratic Committee has voted for a moratorium on fracking for natural gas until it can be done “safely.” But given that “safely” is not defined, the committee really has adopted a ban. What practical effect the stance will have is uncertain. But it certainly makes us wonder why the hardworking folks who've found good, solid jobs in the Marcellus shale industry would ever vote for state Democrats again. ... The National Council on Teacher Quality concludes that U.S. teacher training is “an industry of mediocrity.” New teachers “don't know how to teach reading, don't know how to master a classroom, don't know how to use data,” group president Kate Walsh tells Breitbart.com. Programs that train about 80 percent of all teachers were evaluated. Oh, and the study was funded, in large part, by liberal foundations. Here's to school districts everywhere taking this into account when those bright-eyed and bushy-tailed prospective teachers sit for their job interviews. ... The world's last telegram is expected to be sent, in India, on July 14. STOP. India's state-owned telecom company says the antiquated message-sending system no longer makes economic sense in the digital age. STOP. Telegrams first were used in India in 1850. STOP. The first telegraph message was sent in the United States in 1844. STOP. If you have no idea what this “STOP” business is all about, Google it. STOP.