11 October 2002

New York's currently: enjoying Columbus day by not publishing

Congress passes Iraq resolution, authorizing the president to 'use the armed forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq.' Resolutions to curb president's warmongering largely curbed; little debate in resolution's passage; Kennedys divided.

Defense department typo results in U.S. attack on Ira. (bottom, center column)

When I am thinking about a new novel, I always think of Auschwitz. Imre Kertesz wins Nobel Prize in Literature. Related: Jimmy Carter wins Nobel Peace Prize.

Former leader of the Aum Shinrikyo cult, responsible for 1995 sarin gas attack in Tokyo, sentenced to death.

Buy your family custom-made action figures, in their likeness!, for Christmas this year. Only $7,500. [via ms]

Being a nerd is about caring too much. In that Breakfast Club era my whole life away from school was a secret--I had a Debussy poster over my bed, and no way would I have told that to the kids at junior high. Questions for Sarah Vowell.

Republican candidate for Senate race in Montana drops out, says Democratic ad showing him as a hairdresser is a character assassination.

Bloomberg heckled by bar-lobby, and a silent giant cigarette, over his proposed ban on public smoking in New York.

Northern Virginia stricken with fear over sniper.

Novels to be printed on toilet paper, where they belong.

Many great quotes: The Onion asks lots of interesting people: Is there a God?

Photoshop Tennis at 11am NYC-time.

A word of advice: If you plan on seeing The Truth about Charlie, please, no really, please first see the film it's ripping off, Charade, and enjoy snip-snap dialogue, incredible cast (Walter Matthau! Audrey Hepburn! James Coburn! Cary F-n Grant!), score by Henry Mancini, neat titles, great scenery, and huge payoff at the end with Mr. Grant & Co., not Marky Mark and the flunky bunch.