I have a rather bad feeling about this boy trapped in the balloon. I have a rather bad feeling he is not hiding, but rather, he fell. And we're going to get all kinds of people making snap judgments about how bad the parents were — before we have any clear evidence that they were negligent. To blunt those, let … Read More
AutoTune The News #6
With Michelle Bachmann (yaaaay!), Sarah Palin quitting, Michael Jackson dying…. This may be the best one yet.
MJ Memorial Service Liveblogging
MJ Funeral Liveblogging OK. I'm done. UPDATE: Here, by the way, are some funny Facebook updates on the event, compiled by Buzzfeed: And Kevin Drum reports: The Michael Jackson tribute is currently being aired on 18 separate channels on my TV. Just sayin'.
Holocaust Museum Shooting
It's all unfolding now. Two people (perhaps 3) shot by a gunman in the Holocaust Musuem in D.C.. The gunman was also apparently shot and is in custody. Too early, of course, to determine the motive, but since it was at the Holocaust Museum, one can surmise that the shooter was anti-Jew. From there, it's not a far leap to suppose … Read More
Defections In The NY State Senate
The Democrats no longer control to NY state senate, because of the defection moments ago of two Democratic senators, reports the New York Times. A rift, apparently, in the Democartic party on the subject of gay marriage.
Ugly America
By now, you may have heard about the killing of Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, Kansas this morning. It took place in (of all places) a church. Dr. George Tiller has long been a target (literally and figuratively) of the religious right, Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, and others because he performs late term abortions. As Amanda Marcotte wrote: [Tiller] is … Read More
Google Outage
Yeah, it's happening now, worldwide. World at a standstill. Are we relying on Google too much??? UPDATE: More than a few people on Twitter did what *I* did — i.e., tried to find out about Google outage by searching "google outage"…. except they searched on Google. Duh! It does pose an interesting dilemna: how do you find out about Google … Read More
Binghamton Shootings
Death toll up to 13, some reports say. It's not even clear, as I write this, if the situation is over with. Some reports say a man was arrested, some say two men were arrested, and still others say there is a hostage situation. [UPDATE 2:45 pm — Now hearing it was a single gunman, and he is dead.] It's … Read More
Writing Your Own Obituary
It must be weird to be a reporter at The Rocky Mountain News — Colorado's oldest newspaper (150 years old) and winner of 4 Pulitzer Prizes — and have to report the death of The Rocky Mountain News.
RNC Leader Follies
I love the little news scrolls coming across my desk today, as the Republican National Committee seeks to elect a new chairman — the guy who will lead the Republican Party. The first ballot had Mike Duncan in the lead. Mike Duncan has been the head of the RNC, which mounted massive losses in Congress in the 2006 and 2008 … Read More
Kennedy Collapses At Inauguration Luncheon
Wheeled out on a stretcher. Remember, he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in May. Senator Byrd (D-W.Va) collapsed as well, although it doesn't sound as serious. I'm not a big fan of Byrd, being a former Klansman and all. (Photo from earlier in today's inaugural luncheon) UPDATE: Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo), who has been twittering all day, notes … Read More
Air Disaster Over NYC
A flock of birds was apparently struck by a much larger metallic bird. 2 geese presumed killed so far….
Breaking News: O.J. Sentenced
A good long one, too. 16 years. Eligible for parole in 6 years. Good. I guess it's really good for the "real killers" who won't have O.J. on their trail for a few years.
Bush Speaks To Nation; Reassures Everyone
During the course of his chat with the nation, the Dow dropped 60 points. I'm thinking maybe he needs to not talk to us anymore. We're just sick of him (which is why, I think, Oliver Stone's "W" is going to have lackluster box office receipts).
Dow Plunges Below 10,000
But you probably know that already. And as for that $700 billion bailout? Money well spent….