July 8: Lohan's Finger Message, People Like Joe Biden, and Where's That Darn Bag?

• Ham-fisted Homeland Security Secretary Thinks Twice. Janet Napolitano reverses goofball order prohibiting TSA personnel from viewing “controversial opinion websites” one day after policy was announced.  Couldn’t handle the heat from critics whose heads exploded noting that taking off your shoes is one thing – taking off your First Amendment protections is something else entirely.
• Lindsay Lohan’s ‘Finger Foul.'  As the tabloid fixture made her pre-sentencing speech to a California judge emphasizing respect for the court and taking responsibility for her behavior – magnified image of hands reveals the message “F**K U” written on nails of Lilo’s middle fingers.  Conveniently, starting July 20th crazy kid’ll be getting 90-day prison term during which she can file ‘em off.
• Glucosamine?  Please.  People taking the stuff for back pain associated with osteoarthritis had an “improvement rate” after six months that was exactly that of a control group taking sugar pills.  Glucosamine joins ginkgo biloba, Echinacea and black cohosh on the list of homeopathic remedies that have failed to produce any noticeable result other than draining your wallet. Findings published in JAMA.
• Swiss team plans ambitious mission to circle globe in aircraft powered entirely by the sun.  Analysts wondering whether sun-dependent adventurers have heard of meteorological condition called…“clouds.”
• American Airlines – again.  This time a lost luggage incident.  Specifically, the luggage of the guys who were here this week to make sure nobody tried to whack the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu.  AA ramp workers at JFK airport lost a suitcase that contained the security detail’s Glocks.  No, not “socks.”  Glocks.  The 9-millimeter weapons wound up in L.A. rather than D.C.   Bibi survived.
• Sky Falling on Obama, Democrats:  President and his party fare poorly in new Gallup survey.  Support among independents slides below 40% for the first time.  Further, new Harris Poll finds only 26% of Americans now have favorable view of Joe Biden.  Headline?  “26% of Americans Have Favorable View of Joe Biden!” 
• Headache!  Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling some giant, steel stadium light poles that can crack and fall at stadiums and school gymnasiums.  Affected poles are between 70 and 135 feet tall, weigh around four tons…and are installed in a number of locations around the country.  “T-E-A-M…Team, Team, SPLAT!”
• Swine Flu Vaccine Shortage Predicted!  Basically, because 40-million doses of the stuff worth about $260-million is past its “use-by” date and is going to have to be incinerated.  Meaning, of course, that you get “burned” twice paying for all the H1N1 public health hazard frenzy. Vaccine against hype…not yet available.