Just posted a little recommended summer reading on the message board. Please lemme know what you would recommend. I just finished my book, and am looking for something new to read.

Here’s the article that Joseph Wilson wrote that caused the White House to out his wife. And here’s the one Robert Novak wrote in which his Wilson’s wife is outed. Finally, my boy the RZA discusses spirituality (Nice transition, no?). Thanks to Andrew for bringing this to my attention.

I think you’ll enjoy this op-ed piece in the New York Times on Sunday about the Judy Miller case.

Has someone insulted your manhood, family, etc., and you feel that the only way to settle it is at fifteen paces like a gentleman, but aren’t sure of the proper way to approach such an endeavor? Read the code duello here. If you wanna learn more about Aaron Burr, I highly suggest a book called “Aaron Burr: The Great American Scoundrel” written by Philip Vail. “Burr” by Gore Vidal is ok, but I find the real Burr so interesting that I didn’t see a need to create fiction around him.

Today is the 201st anniversary of one of the strangest chapters in American history-when the American vice president killed a former secretary fo the treasury on a bluff in Weehawken, New Jersey. For those who don’t know, Aaron Burr is one of my favorite characters in American history. So close to becoming famous as a Founding Father, instead he became infamous as a murderer and traitor. Anyways our question of the week is this: Who had died in a duel at Weehawken in 1801, two and a half years before Alexander Hamilton did?

Yeah, I know I said that I would have the Beat the Champs stuff up a few days ago. I’m still waiting on a rough estimate from World Cafe Live as far as when tickets will go on sale before I set people loose throughout the city. Hopefully I’ll hear something soon, and will then post your initial assignments. If you don’t have anything else to do tonight, play this game called Diner Dash. Highly addictive, especially if you’ve ever waited tables before.

I really want to thank everybody who donated $1 to play quizzo this week. We raised $248!!! A number of people questioned whether or not the UN was the best choice to send the money, due to high cost of administration and questions after Annan’s son’s “Oil for Food” scandal. I did some more homework, and found a charity that I think will make better use of our money. It’s called Action Against Hunger, it received an “A” grade from the American Institute of Philanthropy, and over 90 cents of every dollar goes directly to its programs. Thanks again for your generosity, and I hope you won’t mind if we make the “Dollar Week” an occasional part of quizzo. There are a number of great local charities I think it would be kool to help out as well. As far as the “Is this money REALLY going for charity, Johnny?” question I received, oh, I’d say 248 times this past week, I’d just like to say this: First of all, thanks for having so much faith in my morality. Really, I’m touched. Also, YES, 100% of the money raised is going to charity.

And what I mean by “Happy Birthday” is that on this, your special day, I hope you fall off of a cliff. A big one. Oh, by the way, check out the new poll question. Let’s find out once and for all what you people think about Dave Matthews.

Baseball legend Satchel Paige was born on this date in 1906. He was as well known for his homespun wisdaom as he was for his fastball. Here’s a few of his famous quotes.
I interviewed one of his former catchers a few years ago (seriously!) and will try to get that interview up on the website soon. Also, there are some pretty good debates brewing under the two Live 8 stories, one about Dave Matthews, the other about aid to Africa. Please feel free to add your two cents.