Headlines from October 16, 2012

Four years from now, Texas is going to be a so-called blue state. Reading the tea leaves, Jeb Bush is unsure what his future holds.
Libertarian Gary Johnson could be a Romney spoiler—Republicans are doing everything they can to keep him off the ballots.
A Bronx man who looks like Obama was high-fived on the street after bin Laden was killed. #video
Obama’s answer was an airless civics lesson. Why we shouldn’t be surprised Obama is falling behind.
When college football coaches change jobs, they leave behind some of the biggest, most extravagant homes in town.
We don’t actually hate Mondays, no matter how much we complain about them.
You did give me a rejection slip, although I must say it wasn’t as nice as the one I got from The Atlantic. The Paris Review meets William Kennedy, 1984-88.
Related: A writer rejects a lit mag’s rejection. #tmn
“How Things Fell Apart,” from Chinua Achebe’s new memoir. #excerpts
TMN’s Jessica Francis Kane dives into a Penelope Fitzgerald sentence. #writing
Aristotle’s thought it was a pump—our weird ideas about what brains are.
Beyond “real fashion guys,” few believe pleats will ever return to men’s pants.
The curse of the James Bond theme: Despite grabbing top names, rarely do the songs reach the charts.
British producer Shitmat is remixing every UK no. 1 single of the past 60 years. #audio
In our latest TMN Gallery: maritime paintings from the 18th century to the present day. #tmn
Clinton says she’s ultimately responsible for the safety of U.S. diplomats—dumping further hay on the pile.
Color-coded guide to Angela Merkel’s blazers.
Study finds you can judge 90% of a stranger’s personal characteristics by looking at their shoes.
America’s suits have gone silent in politics—backing Romney, but betting that Obama will win.
Twenty-one page “memorandum of understanding” between the two campaigns and the Commission on Presidential Debates.
Cheat-sheat for would-be presidential debaters: price of milk, price of bread.
Researchers find vernacular differences between “black” and “white” American Sign Language.
Unless we return to political arrangement we will all fry. Need a bridge back. Never-seen notes from Kennedy’s strategy sessions during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Tensions between Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane flare again. #video
Aesthetic and historical background behind “seasonal consciousness” in Japan.
Paglia makes a flimsy case for George Lucas as “the greatest artist of our time.” #opinions
Radio operators, artists, and NASA are constantly bothering the moon—can’t they just leave the poor moon in peace?
Drawings of tiny post offices found during cross-country travels.
Reason to ride America’s trains: escape the internet and enter a K-hole of bliss. #tmn