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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Mar 8, 2012
March 8, 2012
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Small-town politics:
Here's a party that sounds exciting: The Republican Party in Laurens County, South Carolina. Only you can't join the Republican Party in Laurens County, South Carolina and get on the primary ballot, unless you sign a pledge that says:
1. You've never ever had pre-marital sex
2. That you must be faithful to your spouse
3. Your spouse can't be a person of the same gender, and you oppose even civil unions for people of the same sex
4. (and the best one) You cannot now, from the moment you sign this pledge, look at pornography
Editor's note: Guess that means BYOB. And no more hiking along the Appalachian Trail. (How IS Mark Sanford, these days? --Maiman)The Weather:
If your GPS seems a little sketchy, Earth’s magnetic field could be to blame thanks to the largest solar storm in five years.
According to the Christian Science Monitor, a massive cloud of charged particles was expected overnight, which could affect utility grids, airline flights, satellite networks and GPS services. It could also mean colorful auroras farther from the poles than usual. The effects are expected to last through tomorrow. (Page)On, off and way-off Broadway:
Look out Broadway, there's a musical version of "Animal House" in the works.
Daily Variety says there's no set date for the show but Universal Pictures --which has done "Wicked," "Billy Elliot" and others-- will be producing the show."That's So Raven" star RAVEN-SYMONE will be on Broadway later this month. The former Disney star will be making her debut in the Broadway musical, "Sister Act," later this month, doing the role WHOOPI GOLDBERG made famous.
The show, "Sister Act," has struggled to find an audience on Broadway, with houses averaging 48 percent, and it's a good bet producers believe some star power might help the show.Grace notes:
JIMMY BUFFETT is just about ready to take your bets in Sin City. The Nevada Gaming Control Board gave the go-ahead for Jimmy's holding company to get a gambling license. That means his Margaritaville Casino at the Flamingo on the Las Vegas Strip will be opening soon. Jimmy was grilled by the board about the two times he was accused of having drugs. The charges were dismissed in both cases. (Marino)
NEWT GINGRICH is asking the courts to throw out a lawsuit filed against him by the band SURVIVOR. One of the co-writers of "Eye of the Tiger" is suing the Republican presidential candidate for using the song at his political rallies without permission. Singer FRANKIE SULLIVAN says Newt has been playing that tune since 2009 and wants it to stip. Newt's argument is that it's fair use. (Marino)
Taking everything much too seriously:
City officials in one part of the U-K are trying new, high-tech ways to keep teens off the streets at night.
Orange.co.uk says officials in the town of Cardiff, Wales, have turned on bright "pimple" lights. The special bulbs cause teen acne breakouts to become highly exaggerated by making blemishes glow bright pink. The idea is to embarrass teens enough to make them go home, instead of standing around on corners after hours. (Still) -
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