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The Evacuation of Zuccotti Park Has Begun

Seth Abramovitch · 11/15/11 02:57AM

It's on! Or rather, it's off! Or maybe it's somewhere in-between! Hundred of NYPD officers have begun to "clear and restore" Zuccotti Park — the birthplace of the Occupy Wall Street movement — which means forcibly removing the protesters who have been camping there for nearly two months.

The Supercommittee's Brilliant Plan to Punt Yet Again

Jim Newell · 11/14/11 04:11PM

Here's a brief guide to congressional debt politics in 2011: In the debt ceiling deal, $1 trillion in spending cuts (or caps on future spending, mostly) was made, while punting at least $1.2 trillion in additional savings to be determined by a supercommittee, later. The supercommitee, now, is considering this brave solution as its deadline nears: Making trillions in additional spending cuts, while punting decisions on additional tax revenue to be determined by congressional finance committees, later.

Which Shameless Bank Fees Will Get You Next?

Hamilton Nolan · 11/14/11 01:05PM

Banking is a profitable business. But it is somewhat less profitable than it was a few years ago. A reasonable person might say "Good, a few years ago it was too profitable due to unfair business practices." Reasonable people are not bankers.

Timberlake on His Marine Corps Ball Experience: It 'Changed My Life'

Lauri Apple · 11/14/11 04:42AM

Not only did Justin Timberlake keep his promise to attend Saturday night's Marine Corps Ball in Richmond, Va., but he also wrote a lovely recap of his evening in which he shows humility and respect for his soldier-hosts. It might even make you teary-eyed.

The Week in Celebrity Snapshots

Matt Cherette · 11/13/11 11:04PM

Every day, celebrities across the world are followed and photographed by the omnipresent paparazzi, often to entertaining results. Here are some of our favorite shots from the past week.

An Army of 3,000 Sweeps a Rio Slum

Seth Abramovitch · 11/13/11 10:01PM

The city of Rio had a busy Sunday: 3,000 heavily armed police and military troops swarmed one of the city's largest favelas as part of a massive effort to secure the city in anticipation of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics. Explore operation "Shock of Peace" in this slideshow.

Bachmann Campaign Proves That 'Piece of S—' Media Is Biased

Lauri Apple · 11/13/11 02:52PM

Before yesterday's Battle of Spartanburg—aka "another goddamn Republican presidential debate"—Michele Bachmann's campaign intercepted a terrible email from a CBS staffer stating that Bachmann wouldn't be asked as many questions as the other clownidates because she's polling at four percent and will lose. Vulgarity ensued.

Mayor Posed As a Freelance Writer to Cover His Own Town's News

Lauri Apple · 11/12/11 02:40PM

West Valley City, Utah mayor Mike Winder was sick 'n' tired of reading newspaper stories that depicted his town as some kind of crime-infested hellhole, so he adopted the pen name Richard Burwash and started covering his local news as a freelance writer. He had access to the mayor's office like no other freelancer before him.

President Obama's Very Simple Plan to Win Latino Voters

Jim Newell · 11/11/11 05:33PM

Huge support and turnout from Latino voters will be a key part of President Obama's reelection campaign. What must he do to ingratiate himself, again? Nothing, really. In his mind, he can just show some clips of Republicans talking about immigration and pretty much seal things up.

Public Radio Host Uses Penn State Case to Debate Gays' Fitness as Parents

Seth Abramovitch · 11/11/11 05:08PM

On today's edition of nationally syndicated Public Radio International program To The Point, host Warren Olney chose to tackle the Penn State child rape scandal by devoting an entire show to the subject of whether or not gay and lesbian couples would make fit foster and adoptive parents.

Swag Industry Furious Over Government's Swag Cuts

Jim Newell · 11/11/11 04:27PM

President Obama continued his series of small tweaks to the broken system via executive order this week by asking agencies "to cut about $4 billion per year from the federal government's budget for travel, cellphones, conferences and 'swag' like agency-branded mugs and clothing." This sounds painfully modest. But, like everything else, not modest enough to keep major trade groups from raising hell in its wake.

Investors Are Dying to Bet Against Groupon

Ryan Tate · 11/11/11 03:01PM

Want to short Groupon's stock? Get in line: the financially questionable online discounter is now ranked in the absolute most expensive category of stocks to bet against. Some 5.5 percent of the company's shares are out to short investors, versus 3.3 percent for an average S&P 500 issue.