Newsletter 3/30

[crispini]

Because I'm STILL bored at work. :)


Tonight on Countdown
------------------------------------------------------

Terri Schiavo's parents and their lawyers were preparing for a new day
in court Wednesday, after federal judges agreed to let them file a
request for a new hearing on whether to reconnect their severely
brain-damaged daughter's feeding tube. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in
Atlanta issued a written order without comment late Tuesday allowing
Bob and Mary Schindler to file the appeal, even though the court had set
a March 26 deadline for doing so. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7334555/

Pope John Paul II is getting nutrition from a tube in his nose, the
Vatican said Wednesday, shortly after the frail pontiff appeared at his
window in St. Peter's Square and managed only a rasp when he tried to
speak. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7263878/

Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann broadcasts LIVE at 8 pm et, and the count
is never complete without you. Join us.
___________________________________________
NEWSQUIZ FRIDAY -- send suggested questions today and tomorrow to
[email protected] THANKS!!!
___________________________________________

Dr. Elliot J. Pellman, the medical adviser for Major League Baseball
whose recent testimony to Congress praised baseball's steroids policy and
challenged its critics, has exaggerated his educational and
professional credentials.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/29/sports/baseball/30cnd-doctor.html?hp&ex=1112158800&en=ba540034753b2c24&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Can baseball be trusted?

In Kenya, a 10-year-old elephant named Mlaika seems to think she is a
truck. The evidence: She has been heard imitating the low rumble that
trucks make on a nearby highway. The two findings show for the first
time that elephants -- like primates, birds, bats and some marine mammals
-- are capable of vocal learning. The discovery has important
implications for understanding how elephants communicate.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/217869_voice29.html

There's something lurking in the water at several south Florida
beaches. Hundreds of swarming sharks, some as close as 10 feet offshore, have
closed down beaches in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7335074/

That's what we're working on for tonight's show.

Finally,
A man who is legally blind has heard it before, so he was naturally
skeptical when he was told he scored a hole-in-one while golfing at a
local golf course. "They've said it before," said Joel Ludvicek, 78. Only
this time it was true. Ludvicek aced the 168-yard No. 11 hole at Twin
Pines golf course (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) with a driver. He said his
vision is hazy and he can't see things he's directly looking at. He has
been an avid golfer for years and this is his second hole-in-one. It's his
first since he lost most of his vision because of macular degeneration.
"It's funny how golf goes," he said. "Most of the time I have a heck of
a time getting on the green. It's a fun game."
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BLIND_GOLFER?SITE=NWCN&TEMPLATE=STRANGEHEADS.html&SECTION=HOME
What I want to know is, who are the jerks who've told this man he's had
other holes-in-one, when he didn't?

-- Carey Fox

Countdown Home: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/

More:
The United Nations said Wednesday it had confirmed 518 deaths caused by
the huge 8.7-magnitude earthquake that shook regions of northwest
Indonesia still recovering from last year's devastating tsunami.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7316846/

The Supreme Court made it easier Wednesday for any worker over 40 to
allege age discrimination, ruling that employers can be held liable even
if they never intended any harm. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7335965/

The United States is holding about 10,500 prisoners in Iraq, more than
double the number held in October, the military says.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7335415/

Health officials have identified several patients potentially infected
with a rare strain of highly drug-resistant HIV, but are not sure if
the cases are related. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7335524/

A reliable family car suddenly developed a tendency to decelerate,
leading to the discovery that it had been driven for years with $40,000
worth of cocaine stashed in the gas tank.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7335581/

FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF COCAINE?!

[Shopaholic]

1. I'm on the Midnight Viewing schedule tonight--

New episode of Lost on at 8pm--I love KO to pieces but not enough to miss a first-run of Lost! :blush:

[RevCheesehead]

2. Palm Beach and Broward counties?

Hmm... where have I heard those names before???

:think:

BTW: could someone please explain to me where we get the phrase "jump the shark"? It sounds painful.

[crispini]

3. If my memory of pop culture lore serves me right

there was an actual episode of "Happy Days" in which the Fonz actually jumped an actual shark (I believe a motorcycle was involved), and that was deemed to have been the point in which the show totally went south, started sucking ass, etc. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. :7

[RevCheesehead]

4. We will need to consult Patsy, mistress of culture lore.

She knows everything. :)