OCTOBER 8, 2009

Full News Archive

• Headline: Shift in Afghan War Focus to Al Qaeda. Impact: As the U.S. shifted its focus from the Taliban to Al Qaeda, a butterfly flapping its wings in Afghanistan somehow led to a decade of reality TV shows about survival. Thanks, Osama!. Fact: Did you know that the Taliban and Al Qaeda are like the original odd couple? One prefers the spotlight, the other prefers the shadow..
• Headline: Honduras' Political Turmoil and Lobbying Efforts. Impact: When Honduras decided to hire U.S. lobbyists, it created a ripple effect that firmly established the notion that money can solve anything. Need a new government? Just throw a few bucks at some lobbyists!. Fact: Fun fact: Lobbying is like playing Monopoly, except instead of passing go, you just pay to keep the game going..
• Headline: Health Crisis Linked to Tainted Drywall. Impact: The drywall scandal sparked a nationwide obsession with home improvement, which ironically turned every homeowner into a part-time DIY disaster waiting to happen.. Fact: Did you know that drywall is the perfect metaphor for life? It can look great on the outside but sometimes hides all the cracks..
• Headline: Eyes on the ArtPrize. Impact: The ArtPrize competition launched a series of hipster coffee shops and artisanal cheese boutiques in Grand Rapids, proving once again that artsy debates can be a front for gentrification.. Fact: Did you know that 'ArtPrize' sounds more like a contest for who can find the most ironic mustache than an actual art competition?.
• Headline: Inside CBS, Disbelief at an Arrest. Impact: The disbelief surrounding Halderman's arrest sent shockwaves through CBS, leading to a series of increasingly ridiculous plot twists in their news coverage—like a real-life soap opera.. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more shocking than Halderman's arrest was the realization that CBS had news segments that weren't scripted..