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13 Dec 2010 20:05

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U.S.: A bunch of news happened today; here’s our lame catchup attempt

  • first A Virginia judge ruled that a key provision of the health-care bill – forcing people to get insured – was unconstitutional. Great news for America.
  • then The Senate voted to allow the great Obama tax compromise of 2010, to reach a final vote. It was a very easy vote, too – 83 yes, 15 no.
  • now Richard Holbrooke, a top diplomat for numerous presidents (including Obama), just died after he tore his aorta a few days ago. Sad.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Dec 2010 12:03

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U.S.: Worst trip to Branson, ever: Riverboat gets stuck overnight

  • 567 number of passengers stuck on a cruise ship that left Branson yesterday; 76 crew were also stuck on the ship
  • 20 number of hours they’ve been stuck on the ship with a comedian – FROM BRANSON; what a nightmare!
  • 30 length, in feet, of the plank people will have to walk on to get off the boat; that’s right, they’re walkin’ the plank source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Dec 2010 11:33

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U.S.: So, here’s what the Metrodome looks like right now (holy crap)

To emphasize: The Metrodome isn’t technically a dome anymore. It’s a platter. The dome is dead. There is no dome. It’s been lost in the snow. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Dec 2010 10:49

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U.S., World: Pastor Terry Jones bringing his Islamophobia across the pond?

  • infamy Terry Jones, the pastor who wanted to burn the Koran on 9/11 only to not do it because he thought he had brokered a deal with the “Ground Zero Mosque” folks in NYC (spoiler: he didn’t), is pretty much a laughingstock these days.
  • fandom Fortunately, Jones still has some supporters – in the U.K. He’ll be going to speak at a rally held by the English Defense League (which has nothing to do with soccer, BTW) in February. They’re pretty darn anti-Islamic, too, so he’ll fit right in. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Dec 2010 10:13

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U.S.: The Metrodome’s roof collapses amid heavy snowstorm

  • It looks kind of like a big dish of sugar.
  • Holiday Inn Metrodome security director Chris Cowles • Offering that eloquent take on what the collapsed Metrodome roof in looks like in Minneapolis this morning. We’re guessing the Minnesota Vikings won’t be playing against the Giants (a game already delayed at least a day) anytime soon. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Dec 2010 21:48

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U.S.: WHOOOOO!!! We hear it’s kinda cold out there, Minnesotans

In case you live in a sheltered part of the country, here’s a reminder that it’s December: An obligatory link to a Minneapolis Star-Tribune snow story. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Dec 2010 21:03

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U.S.: Military treats Wikileaks problem with lame, TSA-style solution

  • problem Bradley Manning reportedly took thousands of classified documents off government networks by pretending the CD he was burning to was actually a Lady Gaga CD, then gave them to Wikileaks.
  • solution? Rather than focus on the fact that the system created a loose cannon, the military has banned soldiers from using thumb drives or other portable storage devices. Ahh … the TSA approach to security. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

11 Dec 2010 14:47

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U.S.: Obama official Richard Holbrooke in critical condition post-surgery

Holbrooke, Obama’s special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, is recovering from emergency surgery to repair a tear in his aorta, which is a really bad spot for a tear. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

10 Dec 2010 19:56

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U.S.: Midwest states screw themselves out of high-speed rail money

  • money The federal government gives a lot of money for high-speed rail projects across the country. The benefit could potentially be major.
  • principle Annoyed by having to take the money, Ohio and Wisconsin want to cancel their rail projects and use the cash for roads. The DOT says no.
  • money Know what happens to that money now? It goes to fund other states’ rail projects instead. Man, those states sure showed Obama! source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

10 Dec 2010 15:22

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U.S.: Virginia Tech shooting: School liable for sucking at providing information

  • bad A school shooting at Virginia Tech killed 32 and injured many others back in 2007 – the worst school shooting in U.S. history and one noted for the university’s lax response – they didn’t inform students about the gunman until two hours after the first shootings.
  • worse The Department of Education just found that the school broke the Clery Act by being very lax about notifying students about what was going on. They didn’t follow their own internal policies. The school could be fined and may lose federal aid. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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