Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

I'm a Poll Man:

A new Gallup Poll puts PRESIDENT OBAMA's support among independent voters at just 38-percent --the first time his support with that group has been below 40-percent. That's an 18-point drop for the president among independents from the same time one year ago.
   Meantime, 81-percent of Democrats support the president's job performance, while just 12-percent of Republicans feel the same way. (Pacelli)

The Battle goes on:

Where's Osama bin hiding ...and what's he bin doing? The Atlantic magazine recently said OSAMA bin LADEN and his cave-dwelling cronies are now putting out a magazine written in English to spread the good word about the coming Jihad against the Great Satan.
   Called Inspire, the magazine reportedly details such items as "How to build a bomb in your mom's kitchen," "sending and receiving encrypted messages," a reprint of a speech by Osama and much more. The magazine was supposed to have been available last week online, but it somehow never appeared. It's reportedly published in Yemen by a group called al Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula.

Al Qaeda magazine ideas (source: NY Post):

   --12 sizzling secrets to make your man explode!
   --Eight new designer bomb vests for under $10!
   --The Great Satan wears Prada: our look at fall infidel fashions!
   --The veils are off: we talk with the Real Housewives of Islamabad!
   --2010 Test Drive: which new SUV's get the best mileage and make the best shrapnel?
   --Build your hubby a dream man cave --in a real cave!
   --The 72 hottest virgins of 2010!
   --10 Ways to get your beard as bushy as Osama's: the big man's grooming tips!

What's the Buzz (literally!):

The City of San Francisco has issue specific guidelines for... pot goodies! Yes, it all has to do with California's medical marijuana laws.
   The San Francisco Department of Public Health has new rules for legitimate edible "cannabis treats" at those medical marijuana dispensaries. Two of the many rules: Anything that requires refrigeration is forbiden, and making any pot treat look like candy which might attract children is also a no-no. (Pacelli)

On, off and way-off Broadway:

WHOOPI GOLDBERG will make her debut on London's West End in a remake of her 1992 movie, "Sister Act." Whoopi, who originated the role of the singer-on-the-run-posing-as-a-nun, will not be doing the same role during her three-week stint in the London from Aug 10-31. Instead, she'll play the Mother Superior of the convent in the stage version of the show.
   British actress PATINA MILLER does the role that Whoopi originally did in the movie.

Grace notes:

RINGO STARR celebrated his 70th birthday yesterday with thousands of fans. He was in New York's Times Square and said that it's always magical to be in the city, just like it was back in February of 1964. Ringo was also presented with a birthday cake at the Hard Rock Cafe. His birthday wish for the world is that everyone, everywhere says "Peace & Love" everyday at noon.
Then, there was a BEATLES reunion last night at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Ringo and his latest ALL STARR BAND performed and to end the evening, the stage was full of friends and family like YOKO ONO, Ringo's son, ZAKK STARKEY and JOE WALSH, who is also Ringo's brother-in-law. They all joined in on "With A Little Help From My Friends." Then, the stage went dark... a Hofner bass was brought out, and Sir PAUL McCARTNEY took the stage to sing "Birthday" with Ringo on drums. (Marino)