Palin to Resign Governorship of Alaska, Expected to Focus on Complaining

Posted at July 3rd, 2009 1:41pm

Today Sarah Palin announced that she would not seek a second term as Governor of Alaska -- in fact, she will resign her position and step down at the end of the month. Lt. Gov. Sean Parnel will then be sworn in as Governor.

The 2008 Republican Vice-Presidential candidate didn't take questions; local news outlet KTVA says Palin "cited many costly ethics complaints that she recently faced as contributing to her decision to resign." Many observers assume she is preparing for a 2012 Presidential run, which will be easier without the distractions of actual government office. Alternatively, she can just spend her days denouncing talk-show hosts and Photoshopped images that offend her, which in these early days of the 2012 campaign may amount to the same thing.

Random tweets: "I would be[t] a red, white and blue snow cone that Sara Palin ends up in Mike Steele's job as the Chairman of the GOP." "There goes the Arctic Cat sponsorship!" "Palin is pregnant with Gov. Sanford's love child #wildrumor."

Update: More tweets: "Did it have anything to do with 'those really tight spandex pants in Runner's World?'" "Fox News talking to Bill Kristol in a live remote from Sarah Palin's ass." " Palin is about to be outed on some level. She's acting goofy-even for her." Well, that ought to be enough outrage material to get her through the summer.

More updates and video after the jump...

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One More Quote of the Week: Mayor Bloomberg on Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

Posted at July 3rd, 2009 1:22pm

"As a matter of fact, I relish it. So let me make it a-bun-dantly clear, the hot dog holds a special place in the hearts and stomachs of all New Yorkers. But to be frank! I am but an amateur compared to the major league eaters squaring off on Saturday in Coney Island to show who cuts the mustard!"

-- Mayor Bloomberg on Nathan's International Hot Dog Eating Contest, held this Saturday on Coney Island. h/t WNYC. Audio below:

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Quotes of the Week

Posted at July 3rd, 2009 12:59pm

"Jerry Brown's career serves as a four-decade testament to the idea that politics is a means to a means. "

-- Steve Kornacki, "Moonbeam's Final Adventure."

"If the governor had any class, he'd invite us all to the mansion for a barbecue. Failing that, I'm going to the laundromat,"

-- Republican state senator Jim Alesi on being forced to stay in Albany all weekend (h/t Liz Benjamin).

"When the nation needs something done, it puts a soldier on the ground, and he says, 'If you don't do this, I will kill you.'"

-- LTC Vosler to Josh Treviño, from Treviño's compilation of Army quotes.

"There's No Furries In Baseball"

-- Joe My God's headline for that Mets-Anthrocon story.

"There were so many bleeps, it sounded like Morse Code."

-- DJ Crystal Clear on 'Lil Wayne's performance at the BET Awards.

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Down With Al Franken!

Posted at July 2nd, 2009 1:30pm

I'm beyond horrified that Al Franken will be sworn in as a Minnesota senator. Not because of his liberal politics, mind you--I adore them-- but because people sometimes mistake me for the comic-turned-politico, and I was secretly hoping he'd go away so this wouldn't happen anymore. I am not making this up, people. A man once chased me down the street insisting I was Franken and imploring me to sign an autograph, smoke billowing out of his nose with a vehemence that suggested I'd better go along with this crazed identity mishap or die. Others run up to me and gurgle, "I loved you as Stuart Smalley!" thinking they're ever so perceptive and adorable as they wait for me to say "I'm good enough..."

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Child Pageants In Unforgiving Closeup

Posted at July 2nd, 2009 11:00am

Even before JonBenet Ramsey's sad plight, I felt that those faded beauty queen mothers who pushed their daughters into kiddie pageants in order to live out their twisted Mama Rose-like dreams belonged on Death Row along with molesters and serial killers. But I will say that their kids manage to sport some pretty great looks en route to the runway! Inappropriate at times, and downright bizarre for sure, but still quite photogenic!

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What's With Guys With Facial Hair?

Posted at July 2nd, 2009 9:00am

A little facial hair, carefully trimmed and sculpted, can be quite appealing and even downright sexy at times. But too many guys misuse their male privilege and use their faces as wayward canvases for unspeakable arrays of glaring hair-don'ts.

The worst offenders have big, flowing beards to throw you off the scent that they're completely bald. It doesn't work. They just look like bald guys with beards!

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Week in Review: I Taunted A Hippie-Pirate-Juice Truck From A Moving Car

Posted at July 2nd, 2009 5:00pm

Programming note: like everyone else on the planet, we're ducking out, celebrating 4th of July in a haze of blood and fire and alcohol. Check out the week that was at SOTC down below, and a list of shows you might hit this weekend, here. Back on Monday.

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This Weekend! 4th of July Edition

Posted at July 2nd, 2009 4:43pm

It's our country's birthday this weekend. Thursday, the Celebrate Brooklyn festival hosts Puetro Rican pop star Obie Bermudez at the Bandshell; he paid his dues working a Bronx laundromat job for three years. Luke Temple earned his weight by pulling hours at a candy store; Friday, he fronts Here We Go Magic at South Street Seaport. The prodigy Conor Oberst, who leads the Mystic Valley Band's Battery Park festivities on the Fourth, has been willing to revisit his lowest moments for the sake of true American music. And we'd happily grant citizenship to Oumou Sangare, the Malian singer who plays the Summerstage on Sunday, for her activism in global women's rights.

Elsewhere, expect a warm welcome for reunited indie idols the Feelies in their beloved Jersey. Harvilla's playing nice about it, but he'll be furious if you miss Das Racist; he went through plenty of trouble getting something sensible out of them about the sociopolitical context of "Combination Taco Bell/Pizza Hut". Spend your Fourth of July with either Rhapsody in Blue or the unfortunately named I'm in You. And finally, wind down the long weekend at one of these polar opposites: the 'Show No Mercy' Anal Cunt showcase, or the complete soundtrack to Nashville, as performed by Daryl Glenn & Jo Lynn Burks.

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Posts of the Week

Posted at July 3rd, 2009 7:06am

Hey folks, just popping in here to bring you our favorite posts from the past week. Happy 4th, and see you on Monday.

Coverage of the Un-Fancy Food show, including salty caramels and beer.

Cheap lobster from Red Hook Lobster Pound? Grill it! (Maybe give it a valium first.)

Ah, summer, when thoughts turn to duck's feet. Check out the Organ Recital.

When BYOB-ing to Bar Blanc, stop by Sea Grape for an affordable Pinot Noir from Burgundy.

Two al pastor tortas from Sunset Park were pitted against each other in a Battle of the Dishes.

Where are the ten best hot dog joints in the region? Here.

A chat with Michael White of Marea reveals tofu in his refrigerator.

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The Outpouring Over Joe Jr.'s

Posted at July 2nd, 2009 1:34pm

Photo borrowed from lostnewyorkcity

After Mr. Cutlets posted a tip that Joe Jr. Restaurant might be closing, an outpouring of emotion from fans followed.

Mimi Sheraton wrote in to say, "If hamburgers were all, the loss of Joe Jr., would be far less serious. Like so many devotees, the things I would miss are the nicely doctored soups, the excellent tuna fish salad sandwich, all egg dishes and the waffles as well as the oatmeal."

Patrons of the West Village diner posted a sign on the window petitioning for the place to stay open, but Grub Street reported that it was no use: Owner Teddy Hondros has already made up his mind to retire after 34 years at the restaurant.

Hondros's son, Gregory, told the Times' Diner's Journal, "What can I say, this really hurts. I've been coming here since I was a kid, and so have our customers."

A friend of the restaurant's wrote in to Eater, saying that the landlord had offered to let Hondros stay for double his current rent.

Barring any last-minute reversal, Joe Jr.'s will close this Sunday, July 5.

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Doesn't This Drunk-Ass Crow Look a Little Familiar?

Posted at June 24th, 2009 5:02pm

Sorta like a sober version of this. . .

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