Lawmakers/Politicians

Russian Court Says Band Needs License to Play Its Own Songs

On June 15, a court in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don (not to be confused with the other Rostov, which is not on Don), fined the English band Deep Purple after finding that the band had illegally performed copyrighted songs at a…


Fall of the Republic, #137

True or false: this person was once elected governor of a major American state.    Is the "Jailhouse Rock" joke too obvious?  Oh, well:  Blagojevich, who has steadfastly refused to lay low while awaiting trial on corruption charges, should probably…


Senator Agrees To Do That Crack Cocaine Thing

Possibly the high point of the Sotomayor hearings was this comment to a witness by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama): Sessions, in a casual tone, said "Mr. Henderson, It's good to work with you. Senator Leahy and I are talking during…



Inauguration Day Edition

Good news for Obama supporters — Myanmar's "top astrologer" is predicting not only that Obama will be elected to a second term, but also that he will not be killed during either one. "Obama will definitely be re-elected again," said…


Legislation That Comes Back to Bite You

Tim Smith has just been trying to help, but as always, no good deed goes unpunished. Smith witnessed a car accident Monday as he was riding his bike to the beach. (This happened in Fort Lauderdale, where people are still…


Blagojevich Mocked in Furniture Ad

This excellent ad appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Thursday.     It's not clear whether this was originally called the "Senate Sofa," or they renamed it to take advantage of the opportunity.  But who cares? I know Blagojevich insists he can…


Breath Tests Demanded for Australian Legislators

Australian newspapers, and some members of Parliament, called this month for legislators there to be subjected to periodic breath tests.  The calls were prompted by a series of incidents in which drunken legislators have embarrassed themselves and the government. Most recently, a New…


Bush Survives Shoe Barrage During Baghdad Press Conference

Sources said President Bush was resting comfortably after narrowly escaping injury at a press conference in Baghdad on Sunday night.  The president, on a surprise visit to the Iraqi capital, was surprised to find a shoe being thrown at him…