Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

I'm a Poll Man:

And let the 2012 polls begin! A new CNN/Opinion Dynamics poll puts PRESIDENT OBAMA behind both former Govs MIKE HUCKABEE and MITT ROMNEY in hypothetical presidential match-ups.  
   Huckabee beats Obama 52-to-44-percent, and Romney leads Obama 50-to-45-percent. The president does beat SARAH PALIN, 52-to-44-percent. (Pacelli)

Dep't of Homeland Insecurity:

The Pentagon said this week that its new Cyber Command has become fully operational. The new division will be responsible for shielding 15-thousand military computer networks from intruders.
   The new command consolidates offensive and defensive operations to protect critical computer infrastructures. Officials says more than one-hundred foreign intelligence organizations try to break into U-S computer networks on a regular basis. (Pacelli)

Culture Shock:

A new study from the U-S Forest Service says big trees in your yard may cut down on crime.
   The researchers, however, looked at crime stats from Portland, OR, and not Camden, NJ, so it may be a bit spurious.
   Nevertheless, the Portland Oregonian reports houses with tall trees had less crime because trees made the area look more desirable. "Trees may indicate that a neighborhood is more cared for" and under watch by authorities, according to the authors.
   However, the study also says if you're in a planting mood, avoid the shrubs and short trees that can block first-floor windows, since they can simply create hide-outs for criminals. "And if you have existing trees that block windows, you should consider pruning them," said economist GEOFFREY DONOVAN, who conducted the study with researcher JEFFREY PRESTEMON.
   The study will appear in the next issue of the journal Environment and Behavior.
   Editor's note: a tip of the RBR's fedora to Liz Lippoff in Portland, OR, for the item.

What's Poppin':

The World Punkin' Chunkin' Championships begin today in Long Neck, Delaware. It's a three-day celebration with men and machines battling to see how far they can propel a large gourd. Furthest toss: 4483 feet, back in 2008.
   Country music star J-C ANDERSEN will perform at Chunk, and the dubious title of Miss Punkin Chunkin up for grabs, with the pageant scheduled for Sunday.

Shopping Around:

The National Retail Federation is forecasting that 44% of all holiday shoppers will make an online purchase this year, up from 42% last year. (Kaye)

On, off, and way-off Broadway:

The opening of U2's "Spider-Man" musical has been delayed again. The New York Times says the 60-million- dollar production was supposed to begin previews on November 14th, but that's been pushed back two weeks, and opening night will now be sometime in January instead of December 21st. Why? The show just needs more work. (Marino)

Overheard on Sunset Blvd:

Lotsa talk in Hollywood about MARTIN SHEEN and SALLY FIELD being cast in the "Spider-Man" reboot. Sheen would play Peter Parker's Uncle Ben, who gets killed by a thief in the movie and turns him into a crime fighter, while Sally Field would play Peter's beloved Aunt May, who then becomes his only living relative.
   ANDREW GARFIELD has already been cast as the young web-slinger, with EMMA STONE as his love interest, Gwen Stacy, and RHYS IFANS as the movie's villain.