Tuesday edition - September 30, 2008

"Is the sky really falling, or are they just trying to convince us? You know, Bush went on TV -- he's always a guy who inspires confidence -- Wednesday night, and he said, quote, 'America could slip into a financial panic. The economy is in great danger.' And he held a flashlight under his chin." --Bill Maher
 

The-World-Is-A-Safer-Place-Without Saddam

• US military deaths in Iraq war at 4175 guardian.co.uk

• Explosions kill 31 in Baghdad before Ramadan fast Newsday, NY

• Iraq: Doctors May Carry Guns New York Times

• Gates: Troops staying in Iraq regardless of election CNN International 

• Gates criticizes eary Iraq war conduct United Press International

• Iraq buys 12 US-made reconnaissance planes The Associated Press 

• US frees 2,400 detainees in Iraq during Ramadan AFP

• Militants pouring in from Afghanistan: Pakistan Reuters

"President Bush spoke about the Wall Street bailout yesterday, and he said, this is the quote, 'if the money isn't loosened up, this sucker could go down.' So folks, if we know nothing else at this point, at least we know that President Bush is writing his own speeches." --Conan O'Brien
 

Pirate Update

There has been a shoot-out between Somali pirates on a hijacked cargo ship loaded with 33 tanks, the East African Seafarers' Association says.

The maritime group's Andrew Mwangura told the BBC three men where shot in a row over tactics.

Disturbing News

• Scores Dead In Temple Stampede in India Voice of America

• Mexican police find 12 bodies next to school AP

Recruiter Suicides

An alarming number of suicides among Houston-based Army recruiters -- including two in recent weeks -- has prompted calls by a senator and veterans' advocates for closer scrutiny of high-stress recruiting duty during wartime.

"Now the political season is affecting Halloween. It's even affecting Halloween in this country. Just read this, one of the most popular Halloween masks this year is the Sarah Palin mask. Yeah, remember this, kids. If you dress up as Sarah Palin, you're not allowed to talk to anyone who is dressed up as a reporter. Stay clear of them." --Conan O'Brien

Republican-Shenanigans News

• Palin Gets Ready For Eagerly Awaited Debate With Biden Washington Post

• McCain at dead end as House rejects bailout plan AP

• Republicans in Congress see election odds worsening Reuters

• Bush disappointed by House vote, vows to press on AP -

• Lawyer to Continue Inquiry Into Prosecutor's Firing Washington Post

• Turncoat contractor due to testify against Stevens The Associated Press

• Conservative judges fault Scalia opinion on guns AP

• Local pastor defies IRS code, preaches politics from pulpit Gary Post Tribune, IN 

"A farmer in Ohio has carved a corn maze in his field in the likeness of Sarah Palin. The way it works? You you enter and suddenly realize you're way over your head." --Amy Poehler

Gotcha Journalism?

Gov. Sarah Palin said Monday that her comment about attacking terrorist targets in Pakistan, which appeared to contradict the position of GOP presidential nominee John McCain, was a response to a "gotcha" question from a voter...McCain, who sat with Palin, said in Monday's interview that he understands "the day and age of 'gotcha' journalism.

Sarah Palin OWNED by Jack Cafferty

 

Rock-The-Voter News

• Obama bets on gaming reports Chicago Tribune

• Aussie bets $50000 on Obama win The Australian

• Attorneys believe Rezko is talking to prosecutors AP

• Do Polls Miss Obama Voters With No Land Line? U.S. News & World Report

• Ill. congressional candidate capitalizing on Obama AP

"The three presidential debates, I was not aware of this, will be held in three different states. Mississippi, New York and Tennessee. And fortunately, John McCain has a home in each one. So that's good." --David Letterman

Biz-Tech News

• Oil plunges $10 as US bailout plan voted down The Associated Press

• Dow, Nasdaq dive as bailout bill fails San Jose Mercury News

• Europe Braces for Slide After Sharp Drop in Asia New York Times

• European banks: Dexia the latest to be bailed out guardian.co.uk

• Russian Stocks Extend Drop, Led by Gazprom, as Trading Resumes Bloomberg 

• Halliburton says hurricanes to hit profit, revenue Reuters

• US home prices plunge record 16.3 pct in July -S&P Reuters
   

The Good News Is The 777 Point Drop in the Stock Market Is Not The Worst Ever!

Even before the opening bell, Monday looked ugly.

But by the time that bell sounded again on the New York Stock Exchange, seven and a half frantic hours later, $1.2 trillion had vanished from the U.S. stock market....But in percentage terms, it was only the 17th-biggest decline for the Dow, far less severe than the 20-plus percent drops seen on Black Monday in 1987 and before the Great Depression.

Bush Gives Another Speech

President Bush, seeking to send a signal of resolve to Wall Street and near-emergency to Congress, said today the nation's economy was facing a "critical moment" and that without a legislative rescue "the consequences will grow worse each day."

"Congress must act," he said. "Our economy is depending on decisive action from the government."

His remarks came a day after the House rejected the $700-billion bailout plan crafted over the weekend, and the stock market tumbled dramatically, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average posting a nearly 778-point loss.

"But the good news, the crime rate is down. Isn't that amazing? Less banks are being robbed. Well, sure. A, there's less banks. B, the banks don't have any money left. And C, nobody's got gas money for the getaway car. So, right there, crime is down!" --Jay Leno
 

Bush-Prison-Torture News

• Defense contractor claims immunity in Iraq torture Seattle Times

"The U.S. Mint announced this week they are redesigning the penny. Have you seen it? It looks exactly like the old dollar."- Jay Leno

Go-F**k-Yourself News

• Biden Attempts to Link McCain to Cheney on Iraq FOXNews

Hell Mars Freezes Over

Icy snow falls from high in Mars's atmosphere and may even reach the planet's surface, scientists working with NASA's Phoenix lander reported yesterday.

Laser instruments aboard the lander detected the snow in clouds about 2 1/2 miles above the surface and followed the precipitation as it fell more than a mile. But because of limitations with the technology, it was unclear whether any of the powdery stuff made it all the way to the surface.

I hope you had a good time today!

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Odd News

• Jesse Ventura working on new series for truTV AP

• New scary, cool dino was Tweety's great-grandpa Chicago Sun-Times

• Sri Lanka government wants to grow its own marijuana Reuters

• Planes circle isle after controller overslept Reuters

• German company claims puzzle is world's biggest AP

• Robbers leave loot because getaway car to small AP

This picture shows a baobab fruit split open to show the pulp and seeds. Its fruit has a tart, zesty taste - some say like sherbet. It's highly nutritious, and might be imbued with the souls of dead chieftains. If you live in Europe, it could be headed to a smoothie near you. The baobab tree - thick-trunked icon of the African bush - does not look appetizing. But European firms may soon be using the pulp of its fruit as a flavoring for cereal bars or drinks, after it won European Commission approval as a novel food. Photo/PhytoTrade Africa

Peace.