So, How Were the Drinks, Mr. President?
What has come of the beer summit [ABC News]

Cash-For-Clunker-Deal Bust
Four days into the iniative, the $950 million budget is spent [Detroit Free Press]

Ahmadinejad to be Inaugurated
No hostility between himself and Ayatollah, he claims [CNN]

BU Student in Court for Downloading Songs

Obama, Gates, Crowley to Drink Beer
Red, white, and blue drinks for all [ABC News]

Governor Patrick Doubts Competance of MBTA Director
Daniel A. Grabauskas's position in peril [Boston Globe]

Arkansas Representative Influences Healthcare Bill
Rep. Mike Ross (D) is buying time to review the bill [WaPo]

Sotomayor Receives Senate Approval
A 13-6 vote from the Senate Judiciary Committee [USA Today]

Microsoft and Yahoo Partner Up
The duo will team up on internet search [NY Times]

Massachusetts Economy Recovering?
June home prices show slight improvements [Boston Globe]

Government Looking to Tighten Belt

King of Pop Michael Jackson's death rocked the world. Now investigations into his death are causing almost as much of a stir.

Since his death on June 25, MJ's unofficial autopsy has been leaked, his children's custody has been under scrutiny, people with secret stashes of his money have come forward, a supposed love-child has emerged from Norway, and his prosthetic nose is missing.

Sotomayar Results
Senate Judiciary Committe to vote on new Justice today [LA Times]

Michael Jackson Autopsy Results
All signs point to Dr. Conrad Murray [ABC News]

Boston Public Schools College Enrollment Soars
Females outweigh males [Boston Globe]

Slump in Home Prices Abating?
For the fourth consecutive month, modest improvements [NY Times]

The trouble with most sketch comedy is that it's built around a joke as the premise, with no real resolution. So, usually, there's a funny setup, a bunch of jokes, and then...it just kind of peters out. Perhaps you're familiar with this storytelling shortfall -- you should be, if you've ever watched Saturday Night Live.

I've got a lot to say about The Sketch Show, which I caught last night at the Mainline Theatre, but first, I have to expound upon The Birthday Boys; specifically, last night's opening sketch, which was, by far, the funniest shit I've seen in a long time.

The people of Montreal love their festivals -- that much is clear from the omnipresent Just For Laughs paraphernalia that festoons the city. I've been pretty busy flitting from show to show, but, in between giggles and overpriced wine in plastic cups, I have had a chance to snap a few photos of a fraction of the fun stuff...

Obama's Education Plan
$4 billion plan for schools to be announced today [Reuters]

Sargeant James C. Crowley is defended
Cambridge Police Commissioner shows support [Boston Globe]

Obama Administration Perserveres with healthcare
Will be enacted by end of the year [NY Times]

Senators for Alternative Therapies

While, for the average festival goer, it might not hold the same calibur of appeal as the A-list comedians, the New Faces show is highly anticipated by industry folks, comedians, and journalists, because it showcases the potential A-listers of the future.

In other words, it's a big f-ing deal to get on a Montreal New Faces show, and Boston had a chance to represent.

As part of the festival's Videotron Gala series -- and let me just interrupt myself for a second. When you hear 'Videotron Gala series," doesn't that make you think of a bunch of a shows that are featuring video, capped with a "hip" name that marketing douches came up with? Maybe I'm the only asshole in Montreal, but I honestly thought that there would be video involved.

Everything inside the Theatre Saint Denis was awash in this weird neon glow; lime green and Jolly Rancher red lights flashing and swirling everywhere, like a Christmas-themed laser show.

Obama re:Gates
The President Criticizes Cambridge Police [Boston Globe]

Policeman re:Obama
"Regrettable" that he does not know the whole story [Boston Globe]

Clinton in Asia
Threats to exclude Iran in future [NY Times]

Obama and Healthcare
Despite capitulating August deadline, Obama perserveres [ABCNews]

How can I give anything but love to my boy Napkins? Lord knows I've written about him enough times, for The Phoenix, and for Stuff, (plus, I skeeved a ride here with him, so...it's not in my best interest to hate, unless I want to rely on lonely transnational truckers to give me a series of lifts towards home.