Today is May 20th. On this date in 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received a patent for using copper rivets to reinforce blue jeans. Over 100 years later, Tony Stark cited their innovation as a “personal inspiration”. Also on this date in 1899, Jacob German, a cab driver, became the first person in the United States to get a speeding ticket. He was going 12mph, the maniac. The officer who stopped him was almost out of breath when he caught up. On this date in 1993, the final episode of Cheers aired, marking the last time there was a place in America where everybody knows your name. Today is also the birthday of philosopher John Stuart Mill. During his life, he celebrated the occasion by drinking half a pint of shandy of his own free will, usually ending up particularly ill. And finally, today is “Be A Millionaire Day”. You can celebrate by sending me money through Paypal so I can fulfill the day’s purpose. Consider this an Open Thread.

Lockerbie bomber died today | Hot Air
“The Lockerbie bomber died in his bed this weekend of cancer almost three years after a sleazy deal with the British government sent him back to Libya”

Who Is Barack Obama? The Question that Won’t Go Away | PJM
“It’s a question that has recurred as more and more pieces of the Obama jigsaw puzzle have worked their way loose and exposed little gaps or fissures in the story.”

Obama: Stop Condescending to Women | Campbell Brown
“The women I know who are struggling in this economy couldn’t be further from the fictional character of Julia, presented in Mr. Obama’s Web ad, “The Life of Julia,” a silly and embarrassing caricature based on the assumption that women look to government at every meaningful phase of their lives for help.”

NC Teacher Screams At Student: It’S Criminal To Criticize Obama | Big Government
“A YouTube video uploaded on Monday afternoon apparently shows a schoolteacher from the Rowan-Salisbury school district in North Carolina informing a student that failing to be respectful of President Obama is a criminal offense.” … this was immediately after she was trashing Romney. – c

#DNC2012 caught breaking “we won’t take corporate donations” pledge | Sister Toldjah
“The Democratic Party vowed not to take any corporate donations for this year’s convention in Charlotte, but a special fundraising group is taking corporate dollars for the DNC.”

The Case Against 434 Main Street, Tewksbury, Ma from lineholder.

hypnagogic (hip-nuh-GAH-jik): adjective of, relating to, or occurring in the period of drowsiness immediately preceding sleep.
(via Merriam-Webster.com)