Today is August 20th. • On this date in 1741, Vitus Bering first arrived in Alaska. He promptly visited the Chick-Fil-A drive-thru to assure them that he was totally a Strait. • On this date in 1882, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” debuted in Moscow. It was written to commemorate the successful defense of Russia against Napoleon’s invading forces, and to provide cool music for fireworks displays on the Fourth of July. Its musical classification is “Music for V to Explode Parliament By”. • On this date in 1911, the first telegram to go around the world was sent from the offices of the New York Times. It read: “Romney bad, stop. Obama good, stop.” Also on this date, exactly 66 years later in 1977, Voyager II was launched. It carried our first “telegram” to the universe, including greetings in 60 languages, information about Earth, various musical selections, and of course, lewd photos of Anthony Weiner. • And finally, today would have been H.P. Lovecraft’s 122nd birthday. Reached for comment, Elder God Cthulhu sucked the joy from our souls, the calm from our hearts, the sanity from our minds, poured half a forty on the curb, and added “Happy Birthday, hoss.” • Consider this an Open Thread.

Obama Campaign Plagued By Infighting, Debbie Wasserman-Shultz | Ace of Spades HQ
“They ran a poll on her; she comes in last. Now, here’s something a bit alarming for Team Obama: David Gibbs is actually their most popular surrogate”

Videos Show How Texas County Fakes Crime Stats to Make Border Look Safe | PJ Tatler
“PJM/PJTV has obtained exclusive hidden camera video from inside the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. In this video, a crime analyst … admits that the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office manipulates its crime statistics systematically.”

American Legislators Push Back Against Global Taxation Efforts | Big Government
“The move was designed to push back on federal officials ‘coordinating with other nations for the purpose of creating worldwide tax enforcement,’”

Obama: Nobody accused Mitt Romney of being a felon | Free Beacon
“Obama campaign official in July: Romney either ‘misrepresented his position’ to Americans or to the SEC, ‘which is a felony’”

Thirteen Sherrod Brown Falsehoods Ignored by PolitiFact Ohio by Jason Hart

marplot (MAHR-plaht): noun One who frustrates or ruins a plan or undertaking by meddling.
Via Merriam-Webster.com