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18 Aug 2009 23:19

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Politics: They don’t build journalists like Robert Novak anymore

  • For a half-century, Novak worked like a wheat thresher, feeding and grooming his sources until they gave him the harvest of news—or he beat it out of them.
  • Slate columnist Jack Shafer • Describing Robert Novak and what he did to get his scoops, no matter how small. It was a approach that worked for him, but not without imperfection – his methods managed to out CIA operative Valerie Plame, a saga which sullied his reputation late in life. (Though attacks by “The Daily Show” didn’t help his image, either.) All in all, he lived life as the ultimate D.C. insider. This is a great piece on Novak; we suggest you read it. • source

18 Aug 2009 23:12

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World: Thursday’s Afghan presidential election has a packed field

  • 41 candidates are running for prez; did Lyndon LaRouche run? source

18 Aug 2009 23:03

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Culture: Jackson doctor Conrad Murray follows in the footsteps of his patient

  • 1993 After facing weeks of scrutiny after being accused of child molestation, Michael Jackson makes a video denying the charges.
  • 2009 After facing weeks of scrutiny after being accused of giving Jackson a fatal dose, Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, makes a similar denial video. source

18 Aug 2009 22:52

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Offbeat: Thank you for scarring our eyes: Bea Arthur painted nude

We don’t want to travel down that road and back again. Daily Beast, your heart may be true, but you’re not a pal or confidante. (The link’s not NSFW; the art is.) source

18 Aug 2009 22:43

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World: Hurricane Bill and Category 3’s excellent adventure begins

  • 125 mph winds, but it’s not headed towards the U.S. right now source

18 Aug 2009 22:37

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Culture: Real reality TV: “Megan wants a Millionaire” contestant on the lam

  • A VH1 reality show contestant is wanted in connection with a grisly murder. Ryan Jenkins, a guy who likes women so much that he’s a serial dater, is currently a “person of interest” in the kind of case that will have tabloid headlines for months based on the details. A swimsuit model (✓) was found dead (✓✓) with her body stuffed in a suitcase (✓✓✓✓✓✓) and Jenkins, who was on “Megan Wants a Millionaire,” is currently the main suspect. (✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓) Scary and sad story, but Nancy Grace is going to be all over this. source

18 Aug 2009 22:21

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Sports: A sampling of how sports columnists are taking Favre’s return

Brett Favre

We know, we know. We can't stand Brett Favre's return to the Minnesota Vikings, either. Which is why seeing columnists and bloggers freaking out about it totally amuses us. Here's a sampling.
  • S.F. Chronicle Gwen Knapp puts it best: “Favre’s fickle approach to retirement is an embarrassment that should follow him forever.”
  • Washington PostWe agree: “I know they’ll never say it on the record so I’ll say it for Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels: Brett Favre is a jackass.”
  • Jay MariottiBrett made his bed: “All right, Brett Favre. All right, you maddening flip-flopper and hopeless egomaniac. You asked for it.”
 

18 Aug 2009 21:53

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Tech: Took long enough: Sony finally cuts the PS3’s price

  • $599 The cost of the Sony Playstation 3 at launch; it’s gone down a little since then, but was sold at a huge loss at launch.
  • $249 The launch price of the Nintendo Wii, which managed to sell like hotcakes AND be profitable at launch.
  • $299 The price of the PS3 as of tomorrow. It only took Sony about two and a half years to get it priced this cheap. source

18 Aug 2009 12:23

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18 Aug 2009 11:29

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Sports: Dear Brett Favre: Stay Retired. For the love of God. Stay retired.

  • This story makes us want to hurt things. Stay retired. No contract talks man. No anonymous sources. Stay retired. #(&6^ or get off the pot. Don’t jump back on. Stay retired. source