UNSPEAKABLE ACTS: Husband Killed, Wife Raped In Upper Darby Home Invasion The “sadistic and brutal” attack began about 8:15 p.m., when a man broke into the couple’s home on Copley Road near Sansom Street while they were asleep upstairs, Chitwood said. The assailant beat the couple and demanded money from them, police said, and after they gave him all they had, he demanded more and continued to beat them. Bound with electrical wires from their own home, the couple was dragged downstairs, where they were stabbed and beaten with objects that police declined to identify. The assailant sent the wife […]
NPR 4 THE DEF: Giving Public Radio Edge Since 2006
FRESH AIR Since joining the Howard Stern Show in 2001, comic and actor Artie Lange has revealed his personal demons to millions of radio listeners. His new book, Too Fat To Fish, recounts anecdotes from Lange’s past, from his stint as a cab driver in New Jersey to his struggle with drug addiction, obesity and depression. Born to a working-class Italian-American family, Lange was a regular on the sketch comedy show Mad TV. His film credits include Elf, Old School and Beer League, which he wrote and starred in. PREVIOUSLY: God Save Artie Lang, Please FRESH AIR In early June […]
FAILOUT: Whole Lotta Monkey Business Goin’ On
[Illustration by EMEK] BLOOMBERG: The Federal Reserve is refusing to identify the recipients of almost $2 trillion of emergency loans from American taxpayers or the troubled assets the central bank is accepting as collateral. Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said in September they would comply with congressional demands for transparency in a $700 billion bailout of the banking system. Two months later, as the Fed lends far more than that in separate rescue programs that didn’t require approval by Congress, Americans have no idea where their money is going or what securities the banks are […]
NPR FOR THE DEAF: We Hear It Even When You Can’t
NEW YORK TIMES: George and Laura and Barack and Michelle | 1:50 p.m. Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have just arrived at the White House for their first visit. Their black sedan pulled up outside the diplomatic entrance on the South grounds. John D. Podesta emerged from the car first, followed by Mr. Obama, who turned around to help Mrs. Obama out of the car. Mrs. Obama wore an eye-popping cherry-red dress, and Mr. Obama a dark suit and blue tie. After shaking hands with Mr. and Mrs. Bush, the Obamas posed with them for a quick picture, ladies in […]
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Howard Dean Steps Down
HUFFINGTON POST: After four years at the helm of the Democratic National Committee, Howard Dean is preparing to relinquish his chairmanship. Dean, who has been serving in the post since 2005, has said in the past that he would serve only one term, though his successful work with the Obama campaign had led some Democrats to wonder whether he would stay on into the next administration. This won’t be the case, officials at the DNC confirm. He will serve as chair until his term ends in January. The party will settle on a new head when it hosts a meeting […]
A CHANGE IS GONNA COME: Sooner Than You Think
MOVEON.ORG: These commemorative stickers mark Barack Obama’s historic victory and were designed by groundbreaking artist Shepard Fairey—the same artist who designed the world-famous, iconic “Hope” poster for Obama. MORE WASHINGTON POST: Transition advisers to President-elect Barack Obama have compiled a list of about 200 Bush administration actions and executive orders that could be swiftly undone to reverse White House policies on climate change, stem cell research, reproductive rights and other issues, according to congressional Democrats, campaign aides and experts working with the transition team. A team of four dozen advisers, working for months in virtual solitude, set out to identify […]
THE NEW NORMAL: That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore
BY JEFF DEENEY I was gassing up early yesterday evening at the mega-Wawa on Edgemont Avenue in Brookhaven, a town in heavily Republican southern Delaware County. Brookhaven and the surrounding towns near the Delaware border have been fairly well covered in McCain lawn signs for the past couple months; I would characterize the area economically as middle-to-working-class depending on which township you’re in. While much of Delaware County strongly supported Obama there are still very substantial clusters of stalwart Republicans here, especially in the towns surrounding Brookhaven like Aston, Concord and Edgmont. These old school Republican Delco towns went for […]
DEBUT: The Good News Flower Hour
The Good News Flower Hour #1 Humbly submitted for your approval, a new animated feature wherein I am a flower that reads the news.
NEW JERSEY BURNING: Obama Supporter Wakes Up To Find Charred Cross On His Front Lawn
INQUIRER: An Obama supporter in New Jersey woke up Thursday morning to discover the remnants of a cross burning on his front lawn. Wrapped around the charred 6-foot cross was a scorched homemade banner congratulating president-elect Obama on his victory. State police are calling the incident a bias crime. Gary Grewal, 51, of Hardwick Township, Warren County, was taking his daughter to work at 7:30 a.m. when he spotted the remains of the cross. “I saw this thing in my front yard,” Grewal said. “I didn’t know what it was.” Draped over the fallen cross, made of 2-by-4s and a […]
JOE MENTUM: Smell Ya Later
Dear Jonathan, The Huffington Post is reporting that in their meeting today, Reid told Lieberman that he had to step down from his position as chair of the Homeland Security Committee if he remained in the Democratic Caucus. Lieberman did not accept this offer, which means that his only redress is to go around Reid and petition the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee to keep his seat. We’ve watched for years as Joe called war opponents traitors, lied about wanting to bring the troops home to get elected, stabbed Democrats in the back and did everything he could to […]
NPR FOR THE DEAF: We Hear It Even When You Can’t
FRESH AIR Journalist and economist Robert Kuttner has reported on elections for over three decades. His latest book, Obama’s Challenge, looks at the many Herculean obstacles the president-elect faces — and what it will take to tackle them. “If he is able to rise to the moment,” Kuttner writes, “he could join the ranks of a small handful of previous presidents who have been truly transformative, succeeding in fundamentally changing our economy, society, and democracy for the better.” Kuttner’s previous works include The Squandering of America: How the Failure of Our Politics Undermines Our Prosperity, Making Work Pay: America after […]
THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OL’ DIXIE DOWN: Obama Wins NC, Third Confederate State In WIN Column
BOSTON GLOBE: Barack Obama’s big victory on Tuesday just keeps getting bigger. The Associated Press is now giving the president-elect North Carolina, too, concluding that there are not enough uncounted ballots left for John McCain to overcome Obama’s lead. The win in North Carolina gives Obama a whopping 364 Electoral College votes, with Missouri the only state that’s too close to call. The victory in North Carolina adds yet another solidly red state to Obama’s column. His success in the Tar Heel State, as well as his wins in Indiana and Virginia, are a remarkable achievement. No Democratic candidate has […]
NUTTER: City Finances Win World Series Of Hurt
INQUIRER: Mayor Nutter will announce drastic new steps today to close a $1 billion gap in the city’s five-year budget, including the closure of 11 of 54 branch libraries and dozens of city pools, a freeze on tax reductions, reduced hours or programs at more than a dozen recreation centers, and fewer engines at some firehouses, according to sources familiar with his plans. Until now, Nutter had estimated the budget gap at up to $850 million. “At $850 million, it continues to grow,” he said last night. To address the even bigger figure, scheduled city-funded cuts in the business and […]