Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Sucking the life out of the wire services:

MICHAEL JACKSON, the late King of Pop, loved exotic animals, but would be rolling in his grave if he knew his precious giraffes have met an untimely demise. ContactMusic.com reports two of the four beasts he once owned have passed away at the Banjoko Wildlife Preserve in Page, Arizona, and PETA --the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals-- has gotten involved.
   The folks from PETA suspect foul play and believe someone has hurt the otherwise healthy members of the animal kingdom. The founder of the preserve, FREDDIE HANCOCK --a female-- maintains there is no sign of abuse, neglect or infection. (Lee)

Grace notes:

LADY GAGA has been nominated for an Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Award. GLAAD announced yesterday that she is up for outstanding music artist. Other nominees in that category include "American Idol" runner-up ADAM LAMBERT, BRANDI CARLISLE and the indie band GOSSIP. The 21st Annual GLAAD Awards will be handed out on March 13th in New York City. (Marino)

Stars and their movies:

ROBERT DOWNEY, Jr, has bagged out of the flick, "Cowboys and Aliens," but director JON FAVREAU is reportedly in talks with DANIEL CRAIG to play the lead role in the weird film. Daily Variety says the movie will be about a bunch of cowboys and Apache Indians who resolve to patch up their differences when an alien spaceship crash-lands in their city.

Sheer stupidity:

Two British men have been ordered to appear in court after driving their car a half-mile down a frozen canal.
   The Daily Mail says the two men --in their early twenties --went for a joyride on the ice. But, the ice broke and they ended up submerged in the frigid water below (pictures here).
   Police say the thrill-seekers managed to free themselves from the ice, then fled the scene. Cops eventually caught up with them though. Now they're being charged with reckless conduct.
   A police spokeman said, "This incident serves as an example of the type of stupidity that the emergency services occasionally have to deal with." (Still)

Lowering Standards /Lowering Expectations:

In New Jersey, a woman was in court yesterday (Wednesday) for allegedly cussing out the principal at her daughter's school.
   Fox News says CINDY SCHWALB was upset when the school board ignored an incident involving her 13-year-old daughter. Schwalb claims a boy yanked off her daughters pants in front of other students at Hasbrouck Middle School, outside NYC.
   Schwalb says the final straw came when she approached the district superintendent. He allegedly responded by asking if her teen daughter had been wearing thong underwear at the time. In his defense, superintendent JOSEPH LUONGO says, "I had to find out what body parts were actually revealed."
   School officials say Schwalb made a poor choice when she brought up the issue at a school board meeting. Now, the district has filed disorderly conduct charges against her. (Still)

Pet Patrol:

Warning to Dogs of the World: Trust no one. Today is National Dress Up Your Pet Day.
   That's right, some twisted two-legged individual managed to get a day devoted to this. No doubt that are some other twisted, two-legged individuals who think this is a great idea and will immediately clothe their pet in the latest from Versicko and Manure Blahnik. (Maiman)