Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Aug 2, 2011

I'm a Poll Man:

Coming on the heels of the debt ceiling debate, the folks at Gallup have released their twice-yearly U-S political ideology survey. The survey finds that the number of U-S adults calling themselves "conservatives" is at 41-percent, the highest since 1992.
Those calling themselves "moderate" is at 36-percent, while self-described "liberals" are at 21-percent.
But these numbers can be interpreted in completely opposite ways. Conservatives can argue that 77-percent of the country is not liberal. But then again, liberals can crow that 57-percent of the U-S isn't conservative.
Take your pick! (Pacelli)

Osama bin Wanna-be:

The most complete account yet of the Navy SEAL raid on OSAMA bin LADEN emerges from this week's New Yorker.
NICHOLAS SCHMIDLE details everything from the Costco sandwiches that were ordered for the White House situation room to the DNA samples taken from the compound and Obama's delight upon hearing that a dog was involved in the mission.
Also revealed: bin Laden was definitely unarmed, according to the SEALs. But when one SEAL checked the Qaeda leader's wives for bombs, he put the women together "in a bear hug" so that, if a suicide vest went off, the blast would be absorbed. (Maiman)

Fast Food:

The Cheesecake Factory? Healthy? Excuse me while I go laugh hysterically for a moment.
But it's true: the restaurant best known for its ginormous portions and insane calorie counts is coming out with a "SkinnyLicious" menu. The menu will have 40 items from appetizers to desserts with way fewer calories than the usual fare. Between August 8th and the end of September, all 150 locations will roll out 15 entrees under 590 calories and 12 appetizers under 490 calories.
A quick fact about the chain: It's earned the top two slots on the "Worst Foods in America" list. Cheesecake Factory's Bistro Shrimp Pasta has the same amount of calories as 14 Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnuts. That's 2,730 calories, by the way.
Editor's Note: With two out of three adults in America obese, is this a case of "Too Little, Too Late?" Maybe I'm just a pessimist and should just be happy that they're coming out with the menu in the first place. (AB)

Trolling for publicity:

RIHANNA headed home to Barbados yesterday to celebrate one of the island nation's biggest occasions --Kadooment Day! TMZ.com spotted the pop tart wearing a teeny, tiny red-and-gold bikini, feather headdress and fishnet stockings for the local harvest festival parade.
Editor's note: Pictures? Of course we have pictures! Thank you for your profound interest in Caribbean culture. Pervert. (Lee)

What's hot in Hollywood from Star magazine:
--Manduka Black Mat Pro yoga mat: $94 dollars at manduka.com
--Dylan's Candy Bar's blue candy bar and bonbons that have blue caramel inside (866-9-DYLANS)
--My Life Blossom perfume from MARY J. BLIGE: HSN on August 13th
--Skinnygirl Smoothers n' Shapers from BETHANNY FRANKEL: QVC.com (Myers)

Off the beaten path:

A plumber in England just built what might be the world's longest motorcycle.
Orange.co.uk confirms 31-year-old COLIN FURZE assembled the 72-foot bike over the course of a month. It seats twenty-five people and goes about 35 miles-an-hour. Furze and a group of volunteers managed to ride the motorcycle over a mile down the road before losing their balance on the oversized machine. Now, he's trying to get the Guinness Book to certify the bike as the world's longest. (Still)