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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Apr 23, 2013
April 23, 2013
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Today is traditionally St George's Feast Day in England... yes, the guy who reportedly slew the dragon. It marks the day he died in 303 AD, and the day is kind of like Independence Day in the U-S, and the Queen always travels in a car that carries a silver mascot of St George and the dragon. Nevertheless, there's no "official" celebration marking the day at the Palace. In Eastern Europe, it's not just the whole dragon-slaying thing --it's a fertility celebration. For instance, In Ukraine, a priest blesses the newly sprouting crops, after which young married couples roll over the soil to promote the growth of the crops.
I'm a Poll Man:
It looks like that "overwhelming" push for new gun cotrol laws in the wake of December's elementary school shootings in Newtown, CT, just isn't there. A new USA Today Poll puts the public desire for tougher gun laws now below 50-percent, at 49-to-45-percent.
The figure in favor of new laws was at 55-percent in an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll earlier this month, down from 61-percent in February. (Pacelli)And a vast majority of Americans is apparently fed up with rising gasoline taxes. Two-thirds of those polled by Gallup oppose increasing gas taxes, even if it means the revenue would go toward improving roads and bridges.
Sixty-six percent of those surveyed say they are against a gas tax of up to 20 cents per gallon, with the money going to improve roads, bridges and building more mass transportation. Just 29-percent support such an increase. (Pacelli)Damage Control:
Like anyone sifting through the wreckage of a bad night, REESE WITHERSPOON has apologized for the drunken behavior that got her arrested last Friday.
"I clearly had one drink too many," said the little pixie actress in a statement yesterday. Like, who didn't call that one?
The A-lister infamously yelled at Atlanta's finest for arresting her husband on a DUI and trying to play the "Do you know who I am?" celebrity thing.
"The words I used that night definitely do not reflect who I am," continued the statement. "I have nothing but respect for the police and I'm very sorry for my behavior."
And I've got a movie coming up. She faced the music Sunday night when she attended the New York premiere of her movie, "Mud." Despite the drama, Reese smiled for the cameras and posed with co-stars MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY and SARAH PAULSON, but refused to answer any questions. (Maiman/Lee)
Editor's note: Yeah, you were stupid, but it's not like she has a history of problems and she seems to have quickly accepted full responsibility and apologized. Unlike the many people named Lindsay Lohan. (Maiman)Chic Sh*t:
MADONNA'S most famous fashion statements are going on display this week. For two hours only. On Thursday. In L-A. At a Century City... Macys store? Yep. According to the Wall Street Journal, the "Madonna's Fashion Evolution" pop-up exhibit will include:
--The infamous JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER cone bra corset from her "Blonde Ambition" Tour.
--Madonna's "Reinvention" Tour ensemble by CHRISTIAN LACROIX.
--The actual "Like A Virgin" wedding dress.
The exhibit will include eight famous Madonna fashions in total. They were all hand-picked by the singer. It's actually a big publicity stunt to drum up interest in the singer's Material Girl line. It's a juniors clothing line created by Madonna and her daughter LOURDES... But still a rare chance to catch a glimpse of music and fashion history.(Bartha)Grace notes from Vinny Marino:
NEIL DIAMOND is writing a song about the Boston Marathon bombing. He told RollingStone.com that it's also about tragedy in general and how many horrible things have happened in the last few years. Neil hopes to have the song recorded and mixed this week, but there's no release date for it yet. (Marino)
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