Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

I'm a Poll Man:

A new survey from the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press shows that public trust in the federal government is at one of its lowest levels in the last half century. Just 22-percent of those surveyed say they trust the government to do what is right "just about always" --a massive drop-off from the 73-percent of Americans who trusted the government back in 1958 to do what is right "just about always" or "most of the time."
   The Pew folks point out that trust in government actually increased immediately after the 9-11 terrorist attacks, but began slipping big-time with the debate over the war in Iraq, a series of Washington scandals, the BUSH administration's poor response to Hurricane Katrina, and the recent economic meltdown. (Pacelli)

Top talkables of the day:

The ash plume from Iceland is spreading, deepening the ongoing travel chaos that has stretched to a fifth day and could continue through the rest of this week.
   Airspace remains closed and European airports are ghostly silent in what's being called the worst travel disruption the world has ever seen, and one of the most expensive.
The volcanic ash over Europe grounded nearly 40-thousand flights over the weekend (only 4-thousand got off the ground yesterday). It's costing the airlines an estimated $200 million a day. Some airlines spent the weekend cancelling flights for today.
   Airlines like KLM, Lufthansa and Air France are carrying out test flights to see how safe it is to fly. They're reportedly going without a hitch so airlines want regulators to at least partially reopen the airspace. So far, regulators are refusing to give anyone the green light to fly the smoky skies.
   The BBC says the disruption could translate into a "major business and economic disaster" for the airlines and --uh-oh-- governments may have to step in to bail them out. Airlines are particularly nervous because there seems to be no end in sight to the problems as the volcano continues to spit out ash at irregular intervals. Meteorologists warned that the situation is extremely unpredictable and can change from one moment to the next.
   One geophysicist warns that the "eruption could go on like this for a long time," saying it's difficult to predict what will happen. "Every volcano is different, and we don't have much experience with this one --it's been 200 years since it erupted last." (Maiman)

Use it or lose it:

My former producer at Z-100, MIKE OPELKA, has a novelty t-shirt out in basic black which reads: "Eyjafjallajökull: Icelandic for ash hole." Bulk discounts available at the one-dozen level for radio stations. Web site: http://www.stuntbrain.com/T-Shirt_Du_Jour/Todays_Shirt.html (printed by Café Press). Mike says: "If you need me on Monday --I will be peddling these at JFK and Newark Liberty Airports..." (RB)

Cars:

Congrats to BRIAN AUSTIN GREEN, who won Saturday's Toyota Celebrity/Pro Race at the Long Beach Grand Prix. Brian came from behind to take the checkered flag, beating other celebrities like "Chuck" star ZACHARY LEVI and actor ADRIAN BRODY, who were in it until the end. Other stars like JESSE McCARTNEY and TONY HAWK were involved in wrecks and out of the race early on.
   Last year's celebrity winner, KEANU REEVES, put on a helmet and raced as a professional driver in Saturday's race and finished in the middle of the pack.

Baseball:

Congrats to ALEX RODRIGUEZ, who passed MARK McGWIRE Saturday as the Yankees beat the Texas Rangers, 7-3. A-Rod hit #584 out of the park, giving him sole title to eighth place on the all-time home run list.

Top-10 Home Run hitters of all time:

10. Harmon Killebrew, 573
9. Mark McGwire, 583
8. Alex Rodriguez, 584
7. Frank Robinson, 586
6. Sammy Sosa, 609
5. Ken Griffey, Jr., 630
4. Willie Mays, 660
3. Babe Ruth, 714
2. Hank Aaron, 755
1. Barry Bonds, 762