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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Dec 3, 2012
December 3, 2012
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Conspiracy Corner:
The Pentagon is about to expand its spy brigade. The Washington Post reports that the Pentagon plans to send hundreds of additional spies overseas as part of an ambitious plan to assemble an espionage network that rivals the CIA in size.
The overall goal of the project is to transform the Defense Intelligence Agency --which has been dominated by the demands in Iraq and Afghanistan-- into a spy service focused on emerging threats and more closely aligned with the CIA and elite military commando units.
The DIA hopes to eventually have as many as 16-hundred information "collectors" in spots around the world. (Pacelli)Tis the Season:
A sign of good times? The Wall Street Journal reports that 90 percent of 105 companies surveyed by the firm Battalia Winston will throw parties this holiday season. That's the "highest percentage recorded since the Great Recession."
Last year the Battalia Winston survey found that office holiday parties were at an all-time low, with only 74 percent of companies polled throwing them. (The survey is in its 24th year.)
But don't get too excited about economic prosperity, Battalia Wilson's CEO said: "It's not that business is booming; it's just that [firms] don't want to keep skimming everything down." So drink and be merry while you can. Or maybe don't drink. This year's survey also found that one in five parties won't have alcohol and 43 percent will take place during lunch.
FYI: Holiday office parties can be exhausting, whether you're boozing or not, what with all that awkward schmoozing to be done, just don't let yours become as uncomfortable as this sad scene from the classic Billy Wilder film, "The Apartment." (Maiman)Another @$#%* Press Release:
Here's the perfect gift for that bacon-lovin' guy on your holiday gift list:
J&D's Foods --the guys who brought you Baconnaise, Bacon Lip Balm and other bacon products are now introducing the world's first bacon-scented shaving cream! Or, as they put it: "Prepare to be loved, admired and possibly eaten by bears!"
Unfortunately, the technical whizzes only made 25-hundred jars of the pork-scented lather, so it's on sale ($14.99 with free shipping) while it lasts.
Interviews: Sure, they'll do one. (206) 388-3395 or email: press@baconsalt.com, include your address and contact info.Like you really care:
Have a dog-loving little one at home? JENNIFER ANISTON is looking for you! MIKE WALKER of the National Enquirer reports the golden girl is trying to make sure her new puppy, "Sophie," is kid-friendly so she's recruited lots of friends with children to babysit the canine. Word is the spoiled pit bull mix has spent quality time with the families of ADAM SANDLER, REESE WITHERSPOON, JASON BATEMAN and COURTENEY COX. (Lee)
CAROLE KING got her star --the 2,486th-- on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this morning, across from the Dolby Theatre. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Carole was already an accomplished pianist at 10 and wrote her first hit with husband GERRY GOFFIN when she was just 17 --"Will You Love Me Tomorrow" for the SHIRELLES. More than 400 of her compositions have been recorded by more than a thousand artists, resulting in 100 hit singles and Carole herself has four platinum and seven gold albums. Today's ceremony is publicizing her benefit for PAUL NEWMAN's Painted Turtle Camp tomorrow (Tue), called "A Celebration of Carole King and Her Music."
Off the beaten path:
If you weren't in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday then you missed out on the annual Miss Bumbum pageant.
CNewssays the contest is held every year to find the nicest female derriere in the country. Fifteen curvy finalists from around Brazil showed off their wares in various outfits, including g-string bikinis. The winner, 25-year-old CARINE FELIZARDO, took home 25-hundred dollars and the title of Miss Bumbum 2012. (Still) -
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