You just aren’t American if you aren’t protesting something.

News/Politics

More Bad Eggs: Remember, if you’re going to make an omelet, you’re going to have to give a few thousand people salmonella.

When you have the money to paint your churches gold, you have enough money to pay income tax, says I.

Nothing quite showcases the hallowed ground near Ground Zero better than Thunder Lingerie.

Video of Steven Slater quitting his job at JetBlue. Yes, Faye Dunaway was there.

From time to time I’ve been known to escape the confines of this blog, and this week is one of those times, as I have some stories up at The National, an English newspaper in the United Arab Emirates.

The stories – given to me by former colleague Paul Oberjuerge – were on sporting venues in South America. The three stories:

Don’t believe the hype – Andrew Breitbart has video of this black puppy saying terrible things about white puppies. (via Cute Overload)

The Debate is over. The chicken came first.

News

Utah’s List: So someone in the Utah government releases a list of names of alleged illegal immigrants and sends it all around. Can someone explain to me again how Obama is the Nazi?

Thierry Henry is headed for New York. Who is Thierry Henry? Well, that's a complicated question.

Wait. No, it's not. He's a cheater.

I understand that cheating, or at least pushing the limits of fair play, is a part of soccer. But it doesn't mean I have to like it. Inadvertent handballs are one thing, but catching the ball and putting it on your foot is certainly another. He didn't even try to hide it.

The arrival of heavily armed monsters barely caused a stir with most Americans (HT Dvorak).

News/Politics

Small Banks Can Bite It: Seems the bailout of mega-banks has hurt smaller banks. But they can deal with it themselves.

Yes, they survived. See Boing Boing for more on a Holocaust Survivor, his daughter & Grand children dancing at concentration camps and memorials throughout Europe.

Friday morning I was in Cleveland, where all the news was about LeBron James. That afternoon, I got on a plane and flew to Not Cleveland in order to attend a wedding. Now I'm back.

The wedding was delightful, except for one thing. Several people I spoke with were firmly convinced that the city of Cleveland was basically on fire. They were grateful that I had gotten out of town "before they burn it down." I blame ESPN for this.

Spain celebrates it’s first World Cup triumph (AFP)

World Cup

Spain Takes First World Cup: In a game that featured two beautiful teams playing rough-and-tumble soccer, Andre Iniesta hit an overtime goal to give Spain it’s first World Cup title as it beat Netherlands 1-0, and concluded a successful World Cup in South Africa.

While millions will be rooting on Holland or Spain in today’s World Cup Final, let us not forget the pain felt by those eliminated. In Brazil, where soccer is King, Queen and the rest of the royal court, the disappointment of seeing their side knocked out was too much for many. Especially young Salomão:

LeBron James may be new to town, but he better learn that Miami belongs to Dexter Morgan.

Headlines

Johannes Mehserle was convicted of involuntary manslaughter – the least possible sentence – after shooting an immobilized and unarmed Oscar Grant on the Oakland Subway system. Here’s how some media organizations described the aftermath:

ALASKA - Moments after releasing a meandering video that seemed to point out that she wanted white women on the streets, Sarah Palin dropped another bombshell - She will be LeBron James' pick for Vice-President.

CLEVELAND – Basketball star LeBron James will reportedly be taking a shower at around 8:30 p.m. EST tonight. James – who averaged nearly 30 points and nine assists per game in 2009-2010 – will very likely use soap, shampoo and possibly conditioner, said an anonymous ESPN source.

CLEVELAND – Citing potential “National Security Issues,” President Barack Obama today ordered all media to stay 2,000 feet away from basketball superstar LeBron Jame

Whatever LeBron James does, or doesn’t do in the next few days will be the most important thing or non-thing ever.

Factoid

LeBron James and Tiger Woods share the same birthday – Dec. 30.