Today is August 22nd. • On this date in 1902, Teddy Roosevelt became the first U.S. President to ride in an automobile. The car was a Columbia Electric Victoria Phaeton. After the ride, Roosevelt famously told the manufacturer “you didn’t build that.” • On this date in 1906, the first Victrola, manufactured by the Victor Talking Machine Company, was sold. The company’s motto was “I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.” • On this date in 1862, composer Claude Debussy was born. Most famous today for his “Claire de lune”, he was also famous at the time for his catch phrase “let’s get down and get duuuuuuuubusy!” • And finally, today is National Pecan Torte Day, when pecans across the nation file claims seeking damages. Consider this an Open Thread.

Labor Spends Stimulus Funds Running Ads On Olbermann, Maddow | Ace of Spades HQ
“The contract noted that — zero jobs created. So what were stimulus funds doing plumping Maddow’s and Olbermann’s show’s ad buys?”

Another media belly-flop over skinny-dipping ‘scandal’ | Washington Times
“Boy, these people really need to climb out of their television sets, get some fresh air and maybe get out of town a little.”

BUSTED: Obama caught lying about Romney position on classroom size | Right Scoop
“But nowhere in this clip did Romney say anything even close to “class size don’t matter.” And he also used good grammar to boot.”

Biden Returns, To The Sound Of Squealing Pigs | Human Events
“After being kept under wraps by the panicked Obama campaign for a long weekend, Vice President Joe Biden has been carefully released back into the wild.”

Local atheist billboards attack Christian, Mormon religions | WCNC.com
“Two controversial billboards dot the Charlotte skyline just in time for the Democratic National Convention. The two signs appear to attack the Christian and Mormon religions.”

The Hill calls Obama’s “clinging to their guns and religion” comment a “gaffe” by Paula

ramose (RAY-mohss): adjective consisting of or having branches.
Via Merriam-Webster.com