fb

How in the World Is Herman Cain on Top?

Jim Newell · 10/12/11 03:40PM

Yet another poll confirming Herman Cain's rise to the top of the presidential candidate pyramid has come out today. Public Policy Polling finds him securing 30% of the national primary vote in its monthly poll, a 22 percentage point gain from last month. What is going on here?

The Government Wants To Know What You're Tweeting About Macroeconomics

Ryan Tate · 10/12/11 03:28PM

The Federal Reserve is working toward monitoring Facebook and Twitter to find out what people online are saying about the government bank's discount rate, open market operations and overall monetary policy. Do we tell them now that no one on Facebook or Twitter has ever given a shit about any of those things, or leave it for a surprise?

Blackberry Outages Sweep North America

Maureen O'Connor · 10/12/11 01:54PM

White collar professionals across America are spinning their trackwheels in vain today, the day the Personal Digital Assistants died. Widespread BlackBerry outages in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India reached North America today, leaving thousands of cubicle dwellers in the U.S. and Canada mashing their fingers against microscopic keypads in vain.

Dirty Tricks at The Wall Street Journal in Europe

Hamilton Nolan · 10/12/11 01:26PM

In your bleary Wednesday media column: the WSJ's European publisher is forced to resign, paywalls come to college papers, Jennifer Granholm gets a TV show, a money back guarantee for advertisers and "Brother" Bill O'Reilly.

Spanish Politician Sues FBI For Making Him Into Osama bin Laden

Adrian Chen · 10/12/11 01:08PM

Last year, the FBI admitted to using large portions of a random Spanish politician's campaign photograph for an age-progressed mockup of Osama bin Laden, which happened to look a lot like the random Spanish politician. Now he's suing.

Tennessee's 'Guns in Bars' Lawmaker Arrested for Drunk Driving with Gun

Jim Newell · 10/12/11 12:54PM

Now this is just too easy, but here goes: Curry Todd, a state lawmaker in Tennessee who sponsored a 2009 law allowing people to carry handguns in bars and restaurants provided they don't drink, was arrested last night and "charged with DUI and possession of a handgun while under the influence."

Whiny Facebook Twins Ordered To Pay Their Lawyer Already

Ryan Tate · 10/12/11 12:19PM

Did you know Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, professional Facebook suers, don't even want to pay the attorneys who secured their obscene $200 million settlement from the social network? It's true. But after losing to their ex lawyers in arbitration, in the New York Supreme Court, and now the New York Court of Appeals, they might actually have to fork over a 20 percent cut.

Honesty in Cereal Packaging

Hamilton Nolan · 10/12/11 12:10PM

Speaking of the laughable campaign to make breakfast cereals like Lucky Charms "healthy," here's a nice selection of revamped cereal boxes that guerrilla-ish artist Ron English left on a shelf at a grocery store in Venice, California. Kellogg's really should release "Sugar Frosted Fat."

Restaurant Tries to Ban Men from Peeing Standing Up

Brian Moylan · 10/12/11 11:51AM

Of all the stupid things in all the world, a restaurant in Canada is trying to ban men from their God-given right to pee standing up. That's right, the last acceptable (semi-)public display of masculinity is now being brought to its knees—or rather to its ass on a slimy, germ-filled toilet seat. Sad.

Prince Harry In Sexy Poolside Rescue

Richard Lawson · 10/12/11 11:49AM

California livin' Prince Harry, sex ambassador from the UK, was hanging out at a San Diego hotel pool last weekend when a young woman was tossed into the water fully clothed. Quel horror! Luckily the dashing Harry was there to rescue her.

Arrest Made In Scarlett Johansson Nude Pic Hacking Case

Adrian Chen · 10/12/11 11:37AM

A Florida man has been arrested in connection with a spate of celebrity hacking cases, which hit Scarlett Johansson, Vanessa Hudgens and others. According to TMZ, the guy was a "lone wolf" who hacked for the thrill, not the money.

Florida's Governor Declares War on Useless Degrees

Jim Newell · 10/12/11 11:33AM

Florida's comically unpopular governor, Rick Scott, has decided to pick another new, arbitrary fight: This time with anthropology majors! And psychology majors, and really all liberal arts/social science majors, whom he believes his state university system subsidizes for no good reason. Have any of these invalids ever gotten a job, in Florida? There is no reason to humor them any longer.