Paul Newman, RIP

"Hollywood legend Paul Newman has died of cancer at the age of 83."

Ouch. When they say things like, "Well, he lived a full life," they really do mean it. We're going to miss you, Mr. Newman. And I sincerely hope you donated at least some of your DNA to a really crackerjack genetic research institute.

Sub-Prime: How It Went Down

A lot of people are apparently having a hard time understanding how the Sub-Prime Mortgage crisis (and, subsequently, the collapse of the modern American banking system) occurred. In case you're one of them, or in case you just really appreciate a good story, check out this This American Life piece entitled "The Great Pool of Money." It's about an hour long, and it's about as chock full of omgwtfbbq as you can stuff a radio show.

Seriously, if you can get through this program without wondering why the hell more people aren't going to jail, I admire your Kipling-esque restraint.

Spotting Politics

It's not hard to spot the politics at the Grand Lake Theater:

Attn: 'Mercan Readers: Register to Vote

Voter registration deadlines are now less than two weeks away, depending on where you live. Odds are that you're already registered to vote, but in case you're not, do us all a favor and get going. I don't mind, much, people complaining about election results, but if you don't vote, I really don't want to hear it.

Mind you, at this late stage of the game, I can't imagine there's a body out there who is going to vote who hasn't already sussed out whom they're voting for. I, for one, am looking forward to the President Obama's administration.