You know summer is creeping up on you when you have a couple of weddings in your schedule for the months ahead. Must be the warm weather that makes people feel extra comitted. Anywho, my weekend will begin a tad early for that reason (not my own, don’t worry). But I still have some good Picks to share with y’all. Some funny, some vindicating, and even some intriguing pieces to enjoy while you and I drink our respective coffees tomorrow morning (but for slightly different reason0.) See you at Denny’s! I’ll be the one with the black suit and red eyes.
- Berlusconi is the Italian Bubba: Their is an election in Italy coming up next week. In case you haven’t heard, frisky PM Silvio Berlusconi is in slightly warm water for an alleged affair he had with an 18-year old model. First off, this is not new to him or Italian politics, and most people have laughed it off (he even trashed his wife for whining about it). Second, that is how Silvio is, a grabby, raunchy old man. Still, he contends the glove does not fit.
- Breaking: Nader had campaign money in 2004: Ralph Nader is claiming that Terry McAuliffe, the former DNC chair, H. Clinton campaign chair, and current VA gubernatorial candidate, offered Nader money in 2004 if he would pull out of 19 battleground states. Nader, being the beacon of purity that he is, said “No” right away. McAuliffe has not denied this claim outright. It’s interesting to see such honor from Nader in refusing this pay-to-play when in the same year he accepted money from a GOP that hoped to take support away from Kerry through Nader. Riiight.
- Waterboarding is not torture–until you try it: Chicago-based conservative radio host, “Mancow,” is known for being a loudmouth and a bit of a nut. But at least he put the water where his mouth is. He got waterboarded to prove it wasn’t torture, and well: “It is way worse than I thought it would be, and that’s no joke,” Mancow told listeners. “It is such an odd feeling to have water poured down your nose with your head back…It was instantaneous…and I don’t want to say this: absolutely torture.”
- Unemployment in your state: Know the number associated with your pain. From applicant.com, this clear and useful breakdown of state-specific unemployment numbers should, at the very least, help you understand how screwed you (we) are. Here I come, Iowa and 5.1% unemployment!
- Openly gay high school student is elected prom queen: This is probably one of the best stories I’ve heard this week. In LA, an openly gay teen ran for prom queen, and won over an initially resistant crowd with a wonderful and honest speech. This should be made into a movie–having happened in LA, I give it three weeks tops until its release.
- Tweet of the day: brought to you by Newark, NJ’s awesome Mayor, @CoryBooker:
“Sleep” and I broke up a few nights ago. I’m dating “Coffee” now. She’s Hot!
Feel free to follow me on Twitter, @Jzippy
(I strongly suggest watching “Street Fight” if you want to truly know about the grit and intellect of this promising Mayor).
jayrzee 