Newser Story Index from October, 2009
Welcome to the Newser Story Index. Here you find stories written by Newser writers and editors, assembled with supporting photos and videos from the files of the news story.
US Health Care Wastes $700B a Year
Reuters
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Oct 26, 2009 5:53 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A study by Thomson Reuters released today confirms President Obama's contention that the American health care system is hemorrhaging billions of dollars a year, with one-third of the cost of care wasted on inefficiency, mistakes, and fraud. The report, which cites dozens of research papers, finds that about $700 billion is misspent each year, 37% of...
Wimpy Yuppie 'Panic Button' Irks Rescuers
Associated Press
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Oct 26, 2009 5:51 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Wimpy yuppies are pushing their "panic button" locator beams so often that they're driving rescuers nuts. Two dads and their sons recently triggered a search-and-rescue operation in the Grand Canyon because their water "tasted too salty," reports the AP. One emergency crew has a nickname for the emergency locator beacons, which...
Naptime Nothing New for Pilots
USA Today
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Oct 26, 2009 5:45 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Pilot naps and arguments are hardly unique in airline screw ups, statistics reveal as investigators try to figure out what caused Northwest Airlines flight 188 to overshoot its destination airport by 155 miles. Pilots Timothy Cheney and Richard Cole, who were interviewed yesterday NTSB investigators, claim they missed the Minneapolis airport because...
Mixed Verdict Against Fake Korean 'Cloner'
Associated Press
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Oct 26, 2009 5:07 AM CDT
(AP) -
The disgraced South Korean scientist who falsely claimed major breakthroughs in stem cell research in human clones was convicted of embezzlement and other charges, but was acquitted of fraud and received only a suspended sentence. Hwang Woo-suk was hailed as a national hero in 2004 for claiming in the journal Science that he had created the world's...
Rich May Evolve Into Own Species
Telegraph (UK)
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Oct 26, 2009 4:41 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The super wealthy will have such access to high levels of health care, biotechnology and robotics that they could develop into their own species of being, argues a Silicon Valley futurist. The rich will be able to grow their own organs and manipulate genetics for superior abilities and freedom from disability and disease, according to Paul Saffo,...
Brit Health Service Endorses Wii Fit
Telegraph (UK)
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Oct 26, 2009 4:14 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Turn on the boob tube and get fit. That's the message from the British National Health Service, which is endorsing Nintendo's new Wii Fit Plus video game. It's the first time ever the service has endorsed a video game and it's sure to raise criticism from some health experts, reports the Telegraph . Nintendo can use the endorsement in advertising...
Iraq, Afghan War Reporter Said to Be a Spy
Gawker
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Oct 26, 2009 3:45 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A war correspondent whose rescues in the Mideast have cost several lives is a spy for Washington, Gawker claims, declining to name names or reveal, for "blazingly obvious reasons," the sources for this report, except to say that they are current and former special forces troops. "We don't do that for just journalists," said one...
Fast-Food Customer Punches Out 'Zombie'
Iowa City Press-Citizen
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Oct 26, 2009 2:59 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A man at a fast food restaurant in Iowa called another customer a zombie and punched him—twice. The victim was slugged in the eye as he stood at the counter to order food near the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City. As he called police on his cell phone his attacker broke his nose with a second punch. The attacker fled out the door.
Women Drive Recovery, But Dissed By Retail
CNN
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Oct 26, 2009 2:32 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Women who shop til they drop are stimulating the economy more than any Ben Bernanke, but the planet's greatest spending bloc feels dissed by retailers and service providers. Women control $20 trillion in annual consumer spending in the world—a figure likely to climb to $28 trillion by 2014. Despite the financial crisis, domestic spending in China...
San Jose Suspends Cops in Student Beating
San Jose Mercury News
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Oct 26, 2009 1:49 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Four San Jose police officers videotaped as they beat and tasered a college student have been placed on administrative leave pending an official review. A grainy cell phone video shows the officers using nightsticks to repeatedly strike Phuong Ho, 20, after responding to a domestic disturbance call last month. Ho yells out and cries in pain. "I...
Karzai's Rival May Boycott Runoff Vote
Washington Post
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Oct 26, 2009 1:25 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s strongest political challenger may boycott next month's planned runoff election if the country’s election commission is not completely purged of Karzai supporters. Abdullah Abdullah has consistently charged that without a commission overhaul the vote-rigging which marred the original election is bound to...
Yanks Charge Into World Series
Associated Press
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Oct 25, 2009 11:25 PM CDT
(AP) -
The New York Yankees won their first pennant in 6 years tonight, beating the visiting Los Angeles Angels, 5-2, in Game 6 of the ALCS behind the savvy pitching of Andy Pettitte. New York hosts defending champion Philadelphia in the World Series opener Wednesday night. Cliff Lee is expected to face Yankees ace CC Sabathia, the ALCS MVP, in an enticing...
Police ID Amnesiac Teen Found in NYC
CNN
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Oct 25, 2009 10:16 PM CDT
(Newser) -
A teenager who turned up outside a New York City shelter earlier this month saying she didn't know her name has been identified, police say. "Jane Doe" is 18-year-old Kacie Aleece Peterson from eastern Washington state, and her father is en route to New York to pick her up, CNN reports. This isn't the first time Peterson has disappeared...
ESPN to Steve Phillips: You're Out!
New York Daily News
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Oct 25, 2009 9:43 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Less than a week after the revelation of his affair with a production assistant, ESPN has fired baseball analyst Steve Phillips. "His ability to be an effective representative for ESPN has been significantly and irreparably damaged, and it became evident it was time to part ways," the network said in a statement. Phillips, 46 and married,...
Patriots Rule Brittania, Bucs
Associated Press
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Oct 25, 2009 5:11 PM CDT
(AP) -
Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes and had more than 300 yards as the Patriots (5-2) beat the winless (0-7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 35-7, today at Wembley Stadium in the NFL's third regular-season game at the iconic London venue. The game drew a sellout crowd of 84,254. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said last week he envisions multiple regular-season...
Obama's Golf Game Goes Coed
Politico
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Oct 25, 2009 4:43 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Within hours of a New York Times story spotlighting the West Wing's alleged "boys' club" atmosphere, President Obama played golf with a woman today for the first time since being sworn in. Melody Barnes, the White House chief domestic policy adviser, hit the links as part of Obama's foursome at Fort Belvoir, in suburban Virginia, Politico...
Madoff Colleague Found Dead in Swimming Pool
Palm Beach Post
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Oct 25, 2009 4:07 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Philanthropist Jeffry Picower, who allegedly reaped billions of dollars from longtime friend Bernard Madoff's Ponzi schemes, was found dead today at the bottom of his Florida swimming pool. Efforts to revive him failed, and his death was ruled a drowning, police said. Picower, 67, wife Barbara, and their foundation were among the defendants in a lawsuit...
Harvard Probes Poisoning at Med School Lab
Boston Herald
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Oct 25, 2009 3:47 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Harvard Medical School is investigating after six workers in the pathology department were poisoned by coffee prepared near their lab. The researchers and students were treated and released after suffering dizziness, low blood pressure, and other symptoms during the August incident. "As the investigation continues, we are being prudent and taking...
Zombies Unite to Challenge Thriller Record
E! Online
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Oct 25, 2009 2:49 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Tens of thousands of people in dozens of cities around the world turned out last night to honor Michael Jackson with a world record for the number of people performing a single song simultaneously. The Thriller -a-thon, dubbed "Thrill the World," was an attempt to shatter the current record of 13,597—a fraction of the 270,000 projected...
Actually, Fox Is a Legit News Operation
Chicago Tribune
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Oct 25, 2009 2:13 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Risking his wife's wrath, Clarence Page has to admit he agrees with Sean Hannity. The Fox News host has correctly called President Obama on the disconnect between campaign rhetoric and the attempted boycott of Hannity's employer. "It is disingenuous for right-wing pundits to accuse Obama of dividing the country, considering the five-star job they...
P aranormal Activity Slays Saw VI
Variety
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Oct 25, 2009 1:31 PM CDT
(Newser) -
The sleeper hit with the five-figure production budget and red-hot word of mouth triumphed in the weekend box office race as Paranormal Activity handily topped the latest installment in the Saw series. The weekend's $22 million haul in 2,000 theaters brings the 5-week total for Paranormal Activity to $62.5 million. Saw VI generated $14.8 million...
Asterix, France's Favorite Comic Gaul, Hits 50
Der Spiegel
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Oct 25, 2009 1:04 PM CDT
(Newser) -
A comic-book series beloved in France and translated in 107 languages is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month, and Paris in particular will be awash with all things Asterix. The indomitable Gaul—who pals around with Obelix, obtains his magic strength potion from druid Getafix, and answers to chief Vitalstatistix—has sold 325 million...
UN Inspectors Get 1st Look at Iran Nuke Site
Associated Press
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Oct 25, 2009 12:41 PM CDT
(AP) -
UN inspectors got their first look today inside Iran's once-secret uranium enrichment facility that has raised Western suspicions. The semiofficial Mehr news agency reported a four-member team visited the heavily protected facility at Qom, carved into a mountainside south of Tehran. The tour marked the first independent examination of the site, but...
McCain: Afghan Call Can't Wait
Politico
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Oct 25, 2009 11:56 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The pace of President Obama's decision on troop levels in Afghanistan again dominated the Sunday dial. John McCain told Face the Nation that Obama should move regardless of the Nov. 7 runoff's outcome: "Every day we delay will be a delay in this strategy succeeding.” Orrin Hatch went so far as to speculate Obama was waiting until...
Israelis, Palestinians Clash at Jerusalem's Holiest Site
Associated Press
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Oct 25, 2009 11:36 AM CDT
(AP) -
Israeli forces stormed Jerusalem's holiest shrine today, firing stun grenades to disperse hundreds of stone-throwing Palestinian protesters in a fresh eruption of violence in the country's most volatile spot. A wall of Israeli riot police behind plexiglass shields sent many protesters—overwhelmingly young men—running for cover into the...
Cut Balloon Boy Dad Some Slack
New York Times
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Oct 25, 2009 11:00 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A little sympathy for the Balloon Boy dad, please. Yes, he "grotesquely" put his kids through hell, but he’s also a fitting emblem—and the “inevitable product”—of our time, writes Frank Rich. Richard Heene gave us a fake spectacle that reflects our era much as “War of the Worlds” did on the eve of...
Truly Wacky Online Dating Sites
Lemondrop
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Oct 25, 2009 10:08 AM CDT
(Newser) -
If the matches you’re finding on eHarmony are too vanilla, never fear: There’s a dating site out there for you, and Julie Gerstein of Lemondrop rounds up the quirkiest of the quirky: If you wear a lot of black: Find your “own personal Satan” at Gothic Match. If you really, really like your cat: Meet someone...
Lloyd Webber Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer
Associated Press
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Oct 25, 2009 9:05 AM CDT
(AP) -
British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, a spokeswoman said today in a statement that said "the condition is in its very early stages. Andrew is now undergoing treatment and expects to be fully back at work before the end of the year."
Baghdad Car Bombs Kill at Least 136
Associated Press
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Oct 25, 2009 8:16 AM CDT
(AP) -
Two powerful car bombs exploded in downtown Baghdad today, killing at least 136 people and wounding nearly 600 in an apparent attempt to target the fragile city's government offices, Iraqi authorities said. The blasts went off less than a minute apart near two prominent government institutions—the Ministry of Justice and the headquarters of the...
Karzai Nixes Power-Sharing Government
Washington Post
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Oct 25, 2009 8:10 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Both candidates for Afghanistan's presidency focused on the Nov. 7 runoff yesterday, with Hamid Karzai declaring that there would be no power-sharing government, while challenger Abdullah Abdullah voiced concern that without the ouster of top election officials, the tainted outcome would be no different. "So long as these people are not being...
Janitor Charged in NJ Priest's Stabbing Death
Star-Ledger
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Oct 25, 2009 7:11 AM CDT
(Newser) -
A janitor and "second father" to kids at a New Jersey Catholic church has been charged in the murder of a beloved parish priest, who he rushed to halfheartedly give CPR when he and church workers discovered the body. Jose Feliciano told police he and Father Ed Hinds had argued before he beat and stabbed him 32 times; Feliciano said he...
Brooks' Vegas Gigs Sell Out in 5 Hours
Associated Press
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Oct 25, 2009 6:30 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Country music superstar Garth Brooks can still pack 'em in, selling out 30,000 tickets in five hours yesterday for a series of 20 small-scale Vegas shows that will end his retirement for the time being. The Oklahoma cowboy will put on four shows a weekend for five weekends in late 2009 and early 2010 at the 1,500-seat Wynn Las Vegas; tickets are $125...
Female Saudi Journalist Gets 60 Lashes for Sex Show
CNN
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Oct 24, 2009 4:38 PM CDT
(Newser) -
A female Saudi journalist has been sentenced to 60 lashes for her involvement in a TV show that featured a man detailing his sexual conquests. The court also banned Rosanna Al-Yami from leaving the country for two years, sources tell CNN. She is believed to be the first Saudi journalist ever sentenced to lashes, though it's not clear she was even...
'Mermaid Girl' Shiloh Dies at 10
Los Angeles Times
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Oct 24, 2009 3:56 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Shiloh Pepin, a young girl in Maine born with a rare condition known as "mermaid syndrome," has died at age 10. Shiloh wasn't supposed to live more than a few days, but "she was a tough little thing," said her mom. Shiloh's legs were fused together from the waist down, and she had no genital organs and only one partially working...
Pitt OK After Motorcycle Mishap
TMZ
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Oct 24, 2009 3:27 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Brad Pitt is OK after banging up his brand-new motorcycle today. Despite early reports of paparazzi involvement, it turns out to be fairly mundane: He tried to squeeze between a parked car and another at a red light when his handlebars clipped the parked car and he fell over. Nobody else was involved. He reportedly pushed his bike to the curb, then...
It's Stephanopoulos vs. Cuomo to Replace Sawyer
Washington Post
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Oct 24, 2009 2:53 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Diane Sawyer's impending departure for ABC's evening news leaves two top contenders for her post at Good Morning America : George Stephanopoulos and Chris Cuomo. Stephanopoulos has the edge, writes Howard Kurtz, because he's got the bigger name and has performed well as host of This Week . But he has one big strike: He's not so good with the light...
Drug Policy Hypocrisy: Hero Lance Is Selling Beer
Salon
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Oct 24, 2009 2:08 PM CDT
(Newser) -
Michael Phelps smokes a bong at a private party and becomes Public Enemy No. 1. Lance Armstrong signs a deal to hawk beer for Anheuser-Busch and—nothing. Therein lies a lesson about our nation's "absurd drug policy," writes David Sirota. Alcohol is the demonstrably more dangerous drug, yet it's fine for a world-class athlete—a...
Cell Phones May Raise Risk of Tumors: WHO Study
Telegraph (UK)
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Oct 24, 2009 1:01 PM CDT
(Newser) -
One of the most thorough reviews yet of the health risks of cell phones suggests that longtime users face a higher risk of brain tumors. The World Health Organization study is not definitive, but it bolsters the case that precautions make sense. The lead researcher tells the Telegraph she thinks that kids' use of cell phones should be restricted—but...
NJ Priest Murdered in His Kitchen
Daily Record (New Jersey)
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Oct 24, 2009 12:09 PM CDT
(Newser) -
New Jersey police are investigating the brutal murder of a parish priest. The Rev. Edward J. Hines—better known as Father Ed—was found yesterday in his kitchen after he didn't show up for morning mass. Police didn't divulge details but say the 61-year-old priest suffered massive trauma. No motive is known, but authorities suggested Father...
Miss Jackass ? New Site Is YouTube for Crazy Dares
True/Slant
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Oct 24, 2009 11:17 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Fearing that Jackass -style daredevil stunts are getting lost on YouTube, one entrepreneur has launched a site where the brave/stupid take on dares from others. Make A Dare users then vote, with “street cred” the winner’s reward. At least for now—Tory Osinoff tells True/Slant he hopes he can hook up actual loot at some point,...
US Declares Swine Flu Emergency
Associated Press
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Oct 24, 2009 10:56 AM CDT
(AP) -
President Obama declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency and empowered his health secretary to suspend federal requirements and speed treatment for thousands of infected people. Despite the language, the White House emphasized the declaration is bureaucratic in nature and should not signal cause for alarm. The goal is to remove red tape...
Bloomberg Campaign Spending 'Off the Charts'
New York Times
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Oct 24, 2009 10:26 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has spent a record $85 million of his own money on his re-election campaign in New York, and the figure could reach $140 million before it's over. His nearest opponent has managed $6 million. The New York Times figures Bloomberg's total for his three mayoral campaigns will be somewhere around a quarter-billion dollars....
Northwest Pilot: We Weren't Sleeping
ABC
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Oct 24, 2009 9:55 AM CDT
(Newser) -
One of the pilots of the infamous Northwest flight that missed the airport says neither he nor his co-pilot were napping. "I can assure you none of us was asleep," says Richard Cole, who gave separate interviews to ABC and the AP. "It was not a serious event, from a safety issue." So what gives? We may not know until federal...
Michelle Wants Prez to Lose (to Her, at Tennis)
Associated Press
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Oct 24, 2009 9:35 AM CDT
(AP) -
What's President Barack Obama's most annoying habit? Practicing his speeches for hours in front of the bathroom mirror? Talking too much foreign policy at the dinner table? No—First Lady Michelle Obama said last night it's his tennis game. When they play, the president usually wins. "He beats me quite often," she added on NBC's...
Reid Narrows In on 60 Votes for Public Option
Politico
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Oct 24, 2009 9:25 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Harry Reid closed in on the 60 votes he needs to pass a health reform bill with a public option yesterday, aided by 2 Democratic moderates who pledged not to filibuster the vote. Both Mary Landrieu and Joe Lieberman said they wouldn't block the bill, which offers a public insurance option that states could opt out of. Another Democratic fence-sitter,...
Obama Presses Banks to Lend to Small Business
Associated Press
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Oct 24, 2009 8:17 AM CDT
(AP) -
Banks should return the favor they received in the taxpayer-financed bailout by lending more money to small businesses, President Obama said In his weekly radio and Internet address today. Too many small business owners remain unable to get credit despite administration steps to jump-start lending, which was virtually frozen when the financial crisis...
Nobel Chief: Why We Picked Obama
New York Times
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Oct 24, 2009 8:00 AM CDT
(Newser) -
Republican assertions to the contrary, the head of the Nobel Peace Prize panel that picked Barack Obama says the choice isn't meant to be a repudiation of George W. Bush. "This prize is not against anybody," Thorbjorn Jagland tells Deborah Solomon . He added, however, that he agreed it's "better to speak than to shoot."
The 10 Sexiest Tomboys
Nerve
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Oct 24, 2009 7:49 AM CDT
(Newser) -
In honor of Amelia ’s celebration of the tough girl, James Brady Ryan of Nerve takes a look at the top 10 sexy tomboys onscreen and off: Nancy McKeon as Jo Polniaczek, The Facts of Life: Her entrance (on a motorcycle) and eventual career choice (police officer) speak for themselves. Ellen Page: The Juno star grew...
Broke Aussie Author Inspires Bidding Frenzy
Wall Street Journal
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Oct 24, 2009 7:47 AM CDT
(Newser) -
The publishing world is in a frenzy over a debut novel whose Australian author is drawing comparisons to JK Rowling ( Harry Potter ? Perhaps you've heard of it.). “ Beautiful Malice was one of the most extraordinary manuscripts I’ve read in a very long while,” one editor with an insufficient bid says of Rebecca James’...
Bachmann Scores as Scourge of Dems
Washington Post
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Oct 24, 2009 7:40 AM CDT
(Newser) -
George Will shows the love (and shovels on the metaphors) to Michele Bachmann in today's column, lauding her for being an effective "burr under Democrats' saddles," even though she is also a "petite pistol that occasionally goes off half-cocked." Will recounts Bachmann's impulsive decision to run for state senator, despite...
