Premature?

Did the Nobel committee reward noble intentions...
Aspirations, not accomplishment?


Illustration: 'Peace Dove' by Jeff Clark

By GREGORY KATZ (AP) 10/9/09

LONDON — The surprise choice of President Barack Obama for the Nobel Peace Prize drew praise from much of the world Friday even as many pointed out the youthful leader has not yet accomplished much on the world stage.

The new president was hailed for his willingness to reach out to the Islamic world, his commitment to curtailing the spread of nuclear weapons and his goal of bringing the Israelis and Palestinians into serious, fruitful negotiations.

Who were the other people worthy of consideration this year? And what are the accomplishments of previous Peace Prize Laureates? Scott Simon offers answers and perspective...

Audio: NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday, October 10.
Host Scott Simon also engaged conservative author Reihan Salam on the same subject as part of his Week In Review segment.
Other Peace Prize facts & figures are available from the Washington Post

Recap

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Recap - Week of 10/5/09
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

Survival Strategy

A collection of humor by, and about, the scandalous Mr. Letterman.

Firebrand

The honorable gentleman from Florida, Mr. Grayson...

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Representative Grayson's campign site & Congressional office.

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A few minutes of music...

The Smithereens Time Won't Let Me Blown To Smithereens (1995) Foo Fighters Learn To Fly There Is Nothing Left To Lose (1999) George Harrison Beware Of Darkness All Things Must Pass (1970) Soweto Gospel Choir Asimbonanga/Biko The Sounds Of Soweto Gospel Choir (2009)

Tears For Fears

Stephen Colbert understands what Glenn Beck is going through when the mainstream media doubts his sincerity.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Bend It Like Beck 10/8/09
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Michael Moore

Motives

Jealousy and betrayal brought Halderman to seek revenge...

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University of Texas psychologists Cindy Meston and David Buss, authors of the 2007 study “Why Humans Have Sex,” have completed a second go-round, this time focused on women only. They come up with 237 reasons.

Is it physical attraction? Love? Loneliness? Jealousy? Boredom? Painful menstrual cramps?

It turns out that woman have sex for all of these reasons and more, and that their choices are not arbitrary; there may be evolutionary explanations at work.

CNN solicited a few... Opinions, that is.



There's an article at CNN, too.

Shoot The Moon

Today's the day the LCROSS (Lunar CRater Observing and Sensing Satellite) mission will send a missile traveling at twice the speed of a bullet to blast a hole in the lunar surface near the moon's South pole.

This isn't a declaration of intergalactic war: The missile will hit the lunar surface at the moon's South pole, an area scientists estimate may have billions of tons of trapped ice.

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The LCROSS mission will be broadcast live @ 7:30 am ET on TV morning news shows & cable news channels. NASA will also stream the impact event live starting at 6:15 am ET.
Read more at: Huffington Post

Postscript: Succesful mission... Not impressive as TV, but that's really not the important part.

You Say It's Your Birthday

October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980
Imagine all the people living life in peace.

Roots 2009

From slavery to the White House in 5 generations...



Read the NY Times article on Michelle Obama's maternal family tree.

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A few minutes of music...

Colbie Caillat I Won't Breakthrough (2009) Don Henley The End of the Innocence The End of the Innocence (1989) 311 Love Song 50 First Dates [OST](2004)

The Opposition

Dan Kurtzman posted a collection of Funny Political Protest Signs from when protests go hilariously wrong on About.com

Year 9

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Hardball On The Hill

Keith Olbermann's "Countdown" was replaced with a very personal plea for action on health insurance reform on October 7. Lasting the entire program, it was thorough and compelling.

And CBO's price tag on the "Baucus Bill" came in on target, offering new hope for "Public Option" advocates to sell it as a cost cutter.

After Prime Time

Not all extortion is illegal. When wrapped in the words of a defense attorney, threatening character assassination by exposing the same information that was at the root of the initial criminal attempt is legal, and even "ethical" within the context of the profession.

Alexander

Abrams

Slime Time

Dweezil's great, but I miss his dad, too.

Free Form 018

A few minutes of music...

Allman Brothers Stormy Monday At the Fillmore East (1971) Matchbox Twenty Push Yourself or Someone Like You (1996)

Hedge Trimmer

If not for Madoff, this guy would've been a contender.

Read Bryan Burrough's article in Vanity Fair.

Bills

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Send Your Medical Bills to Max Baucus 9/30/09
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Michael Moore

The Senate Finance Committee awaits Congressional Budget Office scoring on the costs of Baucus' bill. It could come as soon as today.

Health Care for America Now (HCAN) the nation's largest health care campaign launched the latest phase in its ongoing "Sick of It" anti-insurance push on September 30, focusing on rich health insurance CEOs making millions and living in luxury while middle class families are struggling to pay medical bills, going bankrupt, and losing their homes. September 22, thousands of activists participated in more than 150 anti-insurance company protests nationwide. Health Care for America Now's message is simple: If the insurance companies win, you lose.



Keith Olbermann, whose mother died last year and whose father's illness has caused a spotty attendance record in recent weeks, scheduled a major departure from his normal programming tonight... He'll tackle health care in an hour-long "special comment" starting at 8pm ET.

Rewrite

Crash-Prone Capitalism

John Cassidy, staff writer for the New Yorker, argues discredited policies from the man who brought you "irrational exuberance" prompt a financial group think in which it's more risky for executives at investment banks to sit out a speculative bubble than to dive in.

Audio: BBC, PRI & WBUR's Here & Now. Host: Robin Young.
Read Cassidy's article on "Rational Irrationality" at the New Yorker

Dave's DJ

Amidst all the controversy the sidekick's moment in the spotlight is being eclipsed.

Paul Shaffer, born and bred music junkie, dyed in the wool hipster, and longtime leader of David Lettermans band, wrote a memoir, released yesterday. Visit for additional videos, an audio interview, and more.





Read more from CBS Sunday Morning.

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A few minutes of music...

Jeff Beck w/ Rod Stewart People Get Ready Flash (1985) Rickie Lee Jones Rodeo Girl Flying Cowboys (1989) Elton John Levon Madman Across the Water (1971)

Sacre Boeuf

Dave's Dilemma

CBS News walks the tightrope with personnel on both ends of the crime and the possibilty of civil litigation looming.

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Meabwhile a second name has emerged. Former intern & current TV writer-producer Holly Hester freely admits her mid '90s relationship. She's pictured in these photos obtained by TMZ.

Change We're Still Waiting For

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Copen Hatin' 10/1/09
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

Can't get it done?

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Read: Paul Krugman on "The Politics of Spite."

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Chicago Nope 10/5/09
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

Meanwhile In Las Vegas

Tons of outside cash are waiting for a Republican candidate to take on the Senate's top Democrat, Majority Leader Harry Reid, in 2010.

Read: Jon Ralston at the Las Vegas Sun.

Air Vick

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A few minutes of music...

3 Doors Down Away From The Sun Away From The Sun (2002) Alice In Chains No Excuses Nothing Safe (1999) The Who Eminence Front It's Hard (1982)

Fast Draw: The Twilight Zone

Sci-Fi really calls future shots...

Head Twit

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Deepening Cracks

Glenn Beck shooting with photographer Jill Greenberg...



"These radio guys couldn't deliver a pizza, let alone an election."
-- Republican campaign consultant Mike Murphy on talk radio/cable TV hosts' power in electoral politics (on Meet the Press 10/04/09)

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If Life Gives You Lemons

As seen on There I Fixed It

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A few minutes of music...

Rolling Stones Bitch Sticky Fingers (1971) Santana Everybody's Everything Santana (1971) Jack Johnson Upside Down Curious George [OST](2006) Melodians Rivers Of Babylon The Harder They Come [OST](1972)

Another Acronym Bites The Dust

Letterman, Legalities & Late Night

What's the price of Dave being caught with his Worldwide Pants around the ankles?

Friday night's fallout and follow-up...

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Late Night Love Connection

Q. What ties Letterman to the alleged perp?

A. Dave's former 'Girl Friday' Stephanie Birkitt.

• She had a college intership at the Late Show.
  
• She worked at CBS News' 48 Hours after graduation.
  
• She left 48 Hours to become Letterman's personal assistant.
  
• She lived with accused extortionist Robert (Joe) Halderman, a producer on CBS News' 48 Hours, after leaving the Late Show.

Read more at the NY Daily News

"Sex Diary" used to blackmail Dave

Taxi Travel Tips

Late Season Cook Out

Chops are ok, but Ken Morgan really wants ribs.

Free Form 014

A few minutes of music...

Earth, Wind & Fire Mega Mix 2000 Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Volume 1 (1989) Blood, Sweat & Tears Smiling Phases Blood, Sweat & Tears (1969)

Public Affairs