• This guy knows the score. Steve Carell totally deserves Emmy love for a show he’s truly made memorable. It’s actually kind of a crime he hasn’t won one. Whoever is holding Carell back from this, destite his massive TV and film fame, get on it. In other news, yeah, the show will likely go on without Carell (barring a massive dip in the ratings or Dwight going crazy). source

• one The ruling strikes down a strict Chicago ordinance that didn’t even allow guns at home.
• two The ruling is broad, and  says the Second Amendment is valid at state and local levels.
• three The ruling had an even 5-4 split between conservative and liberal-leaning judges. source

• yes Russia’s top energy official is saying that he’s expecting Hayward’s resignation as soon as today.
• no The London-based company is denying the reports, saying that Hayward’s job is safe. source

• He’s reportedly looking into expanding the wireless spectrum even further. With an ever-increasing need for wireless spectrum, the administration is looking to open up around 500 megahertz worth over the next ten years. And just in time, too – some studies suggest the demand in five years will be 20 to 45 times the demand in 2009, when it was already really high. source

• 1.7 million phones sold in just three days – that’s hot source

• Say what you will about Robert Byrd – career politician bar none, former KKK member – but he made it through health care. It probably took a lot out of him to make sure health care had his 60th vote, but he made it. Despite certain GOP members suggesting they hoped he missed the vote, he still made it. In a lot of ways, the endeavor speaks more of his career than anything else – a fighter, a guy who got beyond his racist past to have a heck of a second act. Some highlights:

• 9number of times he was re-elected to the Senate (totally unprecedented)

• a racist past, moderatedMaybe in another era, Byrd’s early association with the KKK may have been a career-killer, but many (many) apologies and the passage of time ultimately moderated his views on civil rights. It wasn’t instant – he famously filibustered the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – but the effect was lasting.
• Propping up West VirginiaByrd used his power in the Senate to help build jobs and infrastructure in a state that had little of both when he first started. To some, he earned the nickname “the prince of pork,” but to West Virginians, he was seen as a savior who was voted to both chambers of both the state and federal legislatures.
• A senate leaderByrd ultimately became much more than simply a West Virgina senator – first chairing the Appropriations committee, then later becoming Majority Whip, and spending two separate spans as Majority leader. “A leadership role is different,” he said, “and one does represent a broader constituency.”

Robert Byrd, in his own words

• It has been my constant desire to improve the lives of the people who have sent me to Washington time and time again.
• Sen. Robert Byrd • From his 2005 autobiography, “Robert C. Byrd: Child of the Appalachian Coalfields.” Say what one will about Byrd, but he’s always held up this part of the bargain for West Virginia. West Virginia has responded in kind, naming 30 federal projects after the senator. The state also voted him back into office by wide margins. If anything, he’s proof that a man with a controversial past can be moderated. He’ll be missed. source

• 
  “Conceivable”? Really? Elena Kagan is like a puppy dog with wide eyes and a lovable smile. Yet, Sen. Jeff Sessions seems to think there might be a chance she gets filibustered. Really? Are we talking about the same Elena Kagan?
• 
  Blame Robert Bork Why is Kagan’s hearing so seemingly controversial? Because Robert Bork, the Reagan Supreme Court nominee, created an air of contention that every high court nominee’s hearing has had ever since.
• 
  One woman to anotherLate last month, Sandra Day O’Connor, who went through a painful confirmation herself, told George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “Good Morning America” that the process is tough for everyone, but she thought Kagan would make it.

• 1992 the last time a Tom Cruise film opened this low

• $59M the amount “Toy Story 3” made in its second weekend (a solid showing)
• $41M the amount Adam Sandler’s “Grown Ups” opened with (OK, not great)
• $27M the amount Tom Cruise’s “Knight & Day” made – over FIVE freaking days source