In Japan: A 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the northeastern coast this morning, causing a brief tsunami warning.
Because Buying Stuff Never Supports Bad Things Normally! The founder of TOMS shoes accidentally headlined an event with Focus on the Family, and apparently some people got upset about it.
You’re Welcome, America! Republican presidential candidates are signing a statement saying they won’t cheat on their spouses.
We’re Real Sorry, You Guys: The last issue of the News of the World was published today, along with an apology for hacking phones.
Sad-Faced Oompa Loompa Update: Yesterday, citing pressure from Republicans, House Speaker John Boehner backed out of a $4 trillion deficit-reduction package.
Today in Reasons to Feel Inadequate: Australia will tax its biggest carbon polluters.
In Pakistan: The US is suspending about one-third of its current aid to Pakistan’s military.
Today in Ridiculous Punishments for Surreal Crimes: In Belarus, a one-armed man was arrested for clapping.
Horrible and Sad: A father and son were killed when their small plane crashed in the Cascades east of Granite Falls last night.
Finally, if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to get bitten stung (because, duh, scorpions have stingers!) by a scorpion on an airplane, look no further than this guy. He says it’s interesting. You know, overall. Good morning!
Oompa loompa link broken
unless that guy is super tiny, I doubt he was bitten by a scorpion.
I can’t wait to see how a cut of $800 million from Pakistan’s all powerful military affects their power. They say they don’t want it, so why give them any at all? We got Bin Laden without their help. More like in spite of them. When our billions stop flowing, they might well change their tune. That’s not the kind of money they can get out of that ridiculous Taliban they seem to love so much. Fuck them.
@2 – I’ve been bitten by a scorpion. (Not on a plane, in Wyoming, during the course of paleontology field work.)
Tons of them aren’t poisonous, so mostly, it’s like a super-painful, super-scary bee/wasp sting. (Because, FUCK, look at what just stung you.) You do tend to swell up a bit more than you would with a bee sting, though. No idea why, just know that you do.
If you’re allergic, it’s a problem – some people have anaphylactic reactions (much like bee stings). Otherwise, ice and a strong dose of an analgesic will settle it down. It’ll hurt and stay swollen for a while, but within a few days, you can’t even tell where you were bitten.
Wait, I’m still waiting to find out what the fuck a scorpion was doing on the plane from Alaska to Seattle?? How was this not addressed?!
“Republican presidential candidates are signing a statement saying they won’t cheat on their spouses.”
According to the Republican talking points, isn’t that called a marriage license?
Nice Oompa Loompa reference.
@5, some scruffy backpacker returning from a trip in a Western state most likely had it unwittingly stowed away in his rucksack or duffel or rolled-up tent or whatnot. Probably dropped out of the overhead bin onto this guy’s shoulder. Try not to think about such things next time you fly.
What about the looming Budget Deal Deadline?
A quotation from Pres Obama:
“The fact that we’re here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign —
is a sign of leadership failure.
Leadership means the buck stops here.
Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today
onto the backs of our children
and grandchildren.
America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership.
Americans deserve better.
I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt limit. “
@4 – I think the point Gerlado was making @2 was that it’s a “sting” not a “bite”.
yeah, you only get 1.3 billion now! take that, ISI!
@4: Paleo-brofist. I’m going on a dig next week and apparently we need to watch for rattlesnakes out there.
Women’s World Cup round-of-eight news.
After a 120-minute 2-2 draw, USA advances over Brazil on PKs. USA played for about 50 minutes down a player, but it was the Brazilians who looked tired at the end. USA was down a goal for all but the fitst minute of the 30 minutes of extra time. Abby Wambach heads in the equalizer on a Wapinoe cross at 120+2. A great Hope Solo save wins the shoot-out. Marta was amazing, but not enough to offset what looked to me like a USA edge in fitness and, of all things, defensive organization. Watch the semi-final vs france on Wednesday morning. For the one or two straight men who still read SLOG, I think you will find Hope Solo’s goalkeeping inspirational. But hands off as I will be marrying her if I can get a special sports dispensation from my wife.
Er, about Wapinoe. I meant to say, “a cwoss from Wapinoe”. And by the way, set Bwian fwee.
@13: The refereeing was just horrendous. The center ref quickly fell into the predicament of making endless “make-up calls”; after making a bad call, it’s easy to feel obligated to make another bad call the opposite way, so as to victimize both teams equally. But all that ever leads to is the referee getting in the way of the game and making everyone mad.