Zach Burroughs probably didn’t expect anything unusual when he went to get an ice cream cone on Jan. 26. Little did he know that a Washington Post photographer was lurking. One click, then the photographer chased down Burroughs to get his consent. The picture was pretty good.
The next morning…he was on the front page of the newspaper.
Well, the Post chased him down and conducted an interview about his new fame. Through it, we learned the answers to some burning questions. Why was getting ice cream in a blizzard?
He saw a co-worker with a cone and got a craving that he couldn’t resist. “They [a local restaurant] have pistachio ice cream and I love pistachio. So whether it was snowing or not, I was going to go get it,” says 25-year-old Burroughs. “As you can see from my face in the picture, I wasn’t much enjoying the snow smacking me in the face.”
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi finds himself still, amazingly, the head of his country, in spite of numerous gaffes while in office. Sex scandals, politically incorrect language, corruption and sexist comments are among the problems he’s had. Most recently, Berlusconi called in to a television program to condemn the host’s conduct. Look below for a clip (in English). In spite of all these scandals, support for his party has INCREASED over the past month.
Among the many other gaffes and scandals, here are some of the highlights…
July 2, 2003: The Prime Minister compares a German politician to a concentration camp guard. The remarks provoke outrage across the EU.
March 2008: Offends China by suggesting that the “black book of Communism” supports boiling children for agricultural purposes.
November 6, 2008: While trying to congratulate President-elect Obama, Berlusconi calls him “suntanned.”
April 3, 2009: At the end of a group photograph, Berlusconi yells out to President Barack Obama. The Queen quips back, “What is it? Why does he have to yell?” Calling out seems odd at the formal occasion.
April 4, 2009: Berlusconi keeps German Chancellor Angela Merkel waiting while he speaks on his mobile phone to someone. After waiting over a minute for the Italian leader, Merkel walks away without him.
April 8, 2009: The day after the worst earthquake in 30 years, Berlusconi told a group of reporters that the 17,000 people homeless in the Abruzzo region should think of their time outside as “a weekend of camping.”
June 5, 2009: Nude pictures of women lounging at Berlusconi’s villa are published by El Pais (NSFW).
September 2009: Berlusconi greets First Lady Michelle Obama like this…Notably he is the only world leader she insists of shaking hands with, instead of the customary kiss on the cheek.
December 13, 2009: A man with a history of mental illness strikes the Prime Minister in Milan. The incident left Berlusconi with a bloodied face, a broken nose and broken teeth.
February 2010: In an official list of election candidates, Berlusconi selects a Miss Italy candidate, a former TV weather girl and his dental hygienist (who was an ex-showgirl) for political positions. Nicole Minetti, the hygienist, was nominated despite having no political experience and is pictured below:
October 2010: A long-brewing scandal finally erupts. Ruby Rubacuori (Stealer of Hearts) says that Berlusconi gave her 7,000 pounds at a dinner for 10 women at his mansion on Valentine’s Day. In May, he helps free her from police custody. She describes the now-infamous “bunga bunga” parties. At the time, she was 17-years-old. A second woman has come forward recently.
November 3, 2010: Speaking in regards to the latest scandal, Berlusconi quips “liking pretty girls is better than being gay.”
January 24, 2011: The Catholic Church finally speaks about the various scandals. They warn that the immoral behavior reflects poorly on the country and could hurt the future.
He would disagree that the USSR won the Space Race
Thanks, Sarah Palin, for pointing that out. I was about to make an embarrassing mistake.
In an interview with Fox News, Palin criticized President Obama’s “State of the Union” address. Particularly annoying to her were the President’s “Winning the Future” moments or, as she likes to call them, ‘WTF’ moments (Get it? See what she did there?). One of those ‘WTF’ moments occurred with Obama referenced the Soviet Union’s Sputnik program. Now, in case you aren’t familiar with history…
Palin begins, “He needs to remember what happened back then.” She says that the USSR won the Space Race, but incurred such tremendous debt that their communist country collapsed. Golly, we don’t want that happening.
A couple of problems with that historical analysis. Most people consider the final victory in the Space Race to be the landing of a man on the moon (Neil Armstrong, USA, 1969). Secondly, the USSR collapsed in 1991, a full 34 years after Sputnik launched. By that point, they invested very little on their space program. Actually, most people fault the Soviet’s unsustainable investment in defense programs as one of the reasons for the country’s ultimate demise.
She’s really still considered to be a presidential contender?
1) The Last Temptation of Ted (GQ): Remember Ted Haggard? He was the super pastor and president of the National Association of Evangelicals. Then, four years ago, his empire crumbled when he admitted to using crystal meth and having a sexual relationship with a male prostitute. Though he was not the first, nor the last, religious figure to fall victim to personal demons, the press crucified him. Now, after years of therapy, he’s back with an interesting profile in GQ. He believes that his family now lives a “normal” life (which is I guess why they chose the picture below for the magazine?). Another revelation from the Pastor: “I think that probably, if I were 21 in this society, I would identify myself as a bisexual.” Why do you say that?
2) Emily Ross and Ryan Hubbard (The New York Times): I don’t usually browse the New York Times’ wedding section, but a friend sent me this story (they prefer to not be identified). If you’re looking for a succinct illustration of how my generation’s beliefs about courtship and marriage have changed, look no further than this piece. Extended long-distance relationship. Flirting over social media, long before meeting in person. Moving to another coast, without a job, to stay with someone. Marriage with a promise of no children (after being reluctant to marry at all). In spite of all that, a couple that seems really happy.
Well, the Post chased him down and conducted an interview about his new fame. Through it, we learned the answers to some burning questions. Why was getting ice cream in a blizzard?
Not Intent on Arriving 