-
Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Jun 27, 2014
June 27, 2014
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
Equal time:
Plenty of warm thoughts and fond memories on Capitol Hill for former TN GOP Senate Majority leader HOWARD BAKER who died yesterday at 88. Current TN GOP Sen. and Minority Leader MITCH McCONNELL said, "Senator Baker truly earned his nickname, 'The Great Conciliator' ...I know he will be remembered with fondness by members of both political parties."
TN GOP Sen. BOB CORKER added, "When I think of the ultimate statesman, the very first person who comes to my mind is Howard Baker... (He) was one of those people who had the unique ability to bring out the very best in those around him. He always put our country's interests first, and lived a life of service that everyone in public office should aspire to emulate." On the Senate floor, Majority Leader HARRY REID called Baker, "an earnest man (that) worked with any members in passing legislation for the good of America, someone that could do everything ... (he was) motivated by his desire to do good in the world."
Political junkies are quick to remember that it was Baker who asked one of the key questions during the Watergate Scandal, "What did the president know, and when did he know it?" (Pacelli)Shopping Around:
This week, Mattel, Inc. introduced "Entrepreneur Barbie." Let's call her "Lean-In Barbie!" She's ready for the corner office in a snug hot-pink dress (knee-length!), miniature statement necklace, and holds a bitty little pink cell phone and tablet. Your little go-getter can go get one in July.
Mattel partnered with eight actual female entrepreneurs to create this latest incarnation of the unrealistically-endowed doll, from companies including Rent the Runway, One Kings Lane, and Girls Who Code. The online push will include a LinkedIn Profile (!!!) and a social media campaign using the hashtag #unapologetic. The tagline: "If you can dream it, you can be it."
And be unapologetic in hot-pink. (Kaye)Sucking the life out of the wire services:
SHIA LaBEOUF is in trouble again. The NY Post reports the 27-year-old "Nymphomaniac" star was slapping people on the butt and in the back of the head while smoking inside the theatre at around 9:30 pm at the Broadway musical "Cabaret" Thursday night.
Shia and was taken to a police station in handcuffs and police had to put a mask on him when he wouldn't stop spitting.
That's when Shia demanded that the handcuffs be taken off, and unloaded on the arresting officer, saying, "(Bleep) you. I'll (Bleep) you up! I have millions and millions of dollars and attorneys. I'm going to ruin your career." He then allegedly called the cop a homosexual slur ("f-g").At the local Cop Shop:
There's a growing trend in Russia where female police officers dress like they're going to a night club.
The Russian Interior Ministry is trying to crack down on the rising trend of short skirts and high heels on lady cops. Male officers have also been ignoring the dress code, wearing sleeveless shirts and civilian clothes instead of official uniforms. A government spokesman says, "For a police officer fulfilling his duties, it is crucial to have a tidy and neat appearance." The Interior Ministry has handed down a ban on anything other than regulation uniforms, effective immediately. (Still)Chocolate, Caffeine, Alcohol:
Binge drinking is killing one out of every 10 working-age, (allegedly adult) Americans. That's the word from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . They said between 2006 and 2010, everything from liver damage to alcohol poisoning to drunk driving accidents --even murders-- were responsible for 240 deaths each day.
Businessweek's website says "excessive drinking" was defined by the CDC to include binges of five drinks or more for men and four or more for women. It also included heavy weekly drinking and any alcohol consumption by pregnant teens or women.
Heavy drinking is the fourth leading preventable cause of death in the U.S., according to the CDC. The agency cites research pegging the cost at $224 billion annually, or roughly $1.90 per drink in 2006. The death rate due to excessive alcohol was highest in New Mexico at 51 deaths per 100,000 and lowest in New Jersey at 19 deaths per 100,000. (Bartha) -
-