Skimm for July 16th Quote of the Day: “Nuclear option” — Today’s Senate buzzword that describes the controversial move Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is considering: restricting filibuster rules to make it easier for President Obama’s executive branch picks to be confirmed. Reid wants Republicans to give it to him straight on pending nominees, no dawdling. Votes are scheduled for this morning and a Senate showdown may be on the horizon. Things that happened far away Egypt THE STORY: Over a week since Egyptian President Morsi was ousted, protests in the country are not going away. And the US does not have a fan club. theSKIMM: The political divide in Egypt is not getting any better and violent and deadly confrontations have returned. The US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns made the first high-level visit since the ousting, which the US has tried to stay out of, and attempted to focus on keeping the peace. Not so into the US visit? Most of Egypt. Some anti-Morsi party leaders turned down an invite to meet with Burns– peeved that the US hasn’t been with them from the beginning — and posted the US Embassy telephone number in a middle school move. Meanwhile, the Brotherhood blamed the US for aiding a coup. Sounds like Burns’ trip is going to be one of those “I went to Egypt and all I got was this T-shirt.” Mexico THE STORY: One of Mexico’s most wanted drug lords, Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, was captured near the Texas border. Z-40, as he’s known, runs one of the most violent and feared drug cartels–the Zetas. He has been connected to lots of death and crime both in the US and Mexico. theSKIMM: No one’s happier to say hasta la vista to Z-40 than Mexico’s new president, who’s faced criticism over whether he’d go after the top guys in the crime biz. Both the US and Mexico have been after Mr. Trevino, due to the Zetas’ penchant for money laundering, drug trafficking, and beheading and scattering body parts of those they don’t like. Z-40′s arrest is seen as the beginning of a beautiful bromance between the US and Mexico. Bangladesh THE STORY: An Islamist leader, Ghulam Azam, has been sentenced for war crimes in Bangladesh. theSKIMM: In 1971, Bangladesh fought a war with Pakistan to earn independence. Azam was part of a group of Islamists who opposed the split and allegedly conspired with Pakistani officials, who were also not into the idea. Bangladesh claims up to 3 million people were killed in the conflict. Azam, who denies all charges, is now 91 and in poor health and is the latest leader to be convicted — he was found guilty of murder, conspiracy, and involvement in genocide. The trial and verdicts have opened old wounds in Bangladesh and caused lots of unrest on the streets between his Islamist backers and progressives who would like Azam to be put to death, leading to deadly clashes between protesters and security forces. Both sides have called for country-wide strikes, which is pretty much the opposite of what its shaky economy needs. REPEAT AFTER ME… What to say when you want a new job… Something controversial. It’s worked out for Jenny McCarthy, previously of Playboy, MTV, and VH1 fame. The dynamic blonde, once known for not being shy about burping or farting on air, will be taking a seat on “The View” this fall. McCarthy will be replacing Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. McCarthy has previously made headlines for her claims that vaccines are tied to autism, which her son suffers from. It’s official: Jenny’s relationship with the camera is the only successful one to come out of “Singled Out.” What to say while trying on jeans… There’s money in these pockets. Private equity owned Hudson Clothing, a company that makes jeans you want to be seen in, is selling to Joe’s Jeans, another brand you convince yourself is worth the price of a plane ticket, for almost $98 million. This is a big win for Hudson’s investors, some of whom tripled their investment in four years. Hudson/Joe’s one-two punch should give big time competitors like Seven and True Religion a run for their money. Try squeezing into that. What to say when your date gets a little too aggressive… Hey buddy, the home run derby was last night. Oakland’s Yoenis Cespedes hit 32 home runs to beat out phenom Bryce Harper. The Mets are hosting Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game tonight. The American League’s best players and fan favorites will face off against the National League’s in an expo for a big prize — winning team earns home field advantage for its league. We would just ask for a cash prize.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 17:16:27 +0000