Author: Connor Simpson

Tesla Is First Green Tech Company to Pay Back Its Department of Energy Loan

AP

Tesla no longer owns the federal government a dime. On Wednesday the company announced it had repaid the outsanding balance of $451.8 million, with interest,  on its 2009 Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan from the Department of Defense. That means taxpayers earned a very, very small $12 million profit on the loan.

By Connor Simpson

Sep 29, 2012

Republicans Are Now Buying Todd Akin Lunch

The rehabilitation of Todd Akin has been steadily moving along this week. One of the leaders of the renewed interest in Akin, Sen. Jim DeMint, is one of four prominent Republicans hosting a lunch for the Missouri Senate candidate in Washington this week. 

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By Connor Simpson

Sep 29, 2012

Romney's Working on His Zingers

Mitt Romney's jokes can be misunderstood sometimes, so he's working to refine his craft before the first Presidential debate of the season. 

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By Connor Simpson

Sep 29, 2012

Arthur O. Sulzberger, Former 'New York Times' Publisher, Dead at 86

Arthur O. Sulzberger, the man responsible for making the New York Times the paper you know it as today, passed away on Saturday after a long fight with illness at his home in Southampton. 

Comments | 1,166 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 29, 2012

Your Same-Sex Partner Could Help Stop You from Being Deported

The Department of Homeland Security made it clear to Democratic lawmakers this week that a same-sex relationship qualifies as a reason to delay deporting an illegal immigrant living in the U.S. 

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By Connor Simpson

Sep 28, 2012

M.T.A. Will Put Disclaimers on Ads They Think Won't Keep the Peace

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority 
amended their rules on Thursday prohibiting any ads they feel might "imminently incite or provoke violence or other immediate breach of the peace." Like, say, one that results in an activist being arrested (on video!) for defacing an ad. 

Comments | 309 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 28, 2012

Is Canada the World's Contraband Farmers' Market?

We know Canada as our rather large, well-meaning neighbor to the north, but is the country really the world's contraband farmer's market underneath the overly polite demeanor and funny sweaters? 

Comments | 1,207 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 27, 2012

Anti-Islam Filmmaker Arrested for Probation Violations

The filmaker behind the controversial anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims was arrested and ordered to be held without bond in a California prison for violating his probation from a previous arrest for bank fraud. 

Comments | 1,315 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 27, 2012

Staten Island Wants the One Wheel to Rule Them All

Staten Island, the other outer borough, is trying to stake its claim for fame in 21st century New York City. Forget Manhattan. Forget Brooklyn. Pssh, Queens. Even London, Singapore, and Las Vegas can take a walk. Staten Island is going to be the next king of the Ferris wheels. 

Comments | 377 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 27, 2012

China Was Serious About Ai Weiwei's $2 Million Tax Fines

China was serious when they said Ai Weiwei had to pay over $2 million in tax fines. That's why they dismissed an appeal from Ai Weiwei on Thursday and upheld the original decision. 

Comments | 345 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 26, 2012

NFL Reaches Deal with Referees to End Lockout

The NFL and the NFL Referee's Association have come to an agreement on a new, long-term collective bargaining agreement that will even put the real refs back on the field for Thursday night's Baltimore-Cleveland game. 

Comments | 1,041 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 26, 2012

Jullian Assange, Enemy of the State

Around the same time as Julian Assange was criticizing the U.S. to a selection of leaders at the U.N. General Assembly, the Sydney Morning-Herald released a new report revealing the U.S. government considers Assange and Wikileaks to be 'the enemy." 

Comments | 862 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 26, 2012

Mayor Bloomberg Pencils Time for Netanyahu into His Schedule

Leading into this week's U.N General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been one of the hottest lunch dates in New York City. With a spot miraculously left open in his schedule, a meeting with none other than the Mayor himself was booked for Thursday afternoon. 

Comments | 172 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 26, 2012

iPhone Users Might Get a Google Maps App for Christmas

Despite Eric Schmidt saying Google isn't doing a Google Maps app for iPhone on Tuesday, that doesn't appear to be the case. The Google Maps app is coming, according to new reports, and it could be in the app store before Christmas. 

Comments | 2,759 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 25, 2012

The Next Olympics Will Be Streamed More Thanks to Your Precious Tablet

So many people streamed the London Olympics on their tablets that the next time NBC broadcasts the Olympics, a scant two years away, there's going to be a lot more streaming on the proverbial broadcast menu. 

Comments | 2,069 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 25, 2012

Newt Gingrich Uses Adorable Elephant to Sympathize with the Packers

Newt's undying love of the small and cuddly is well documented, so it wasn't a surprise when he weighed in on the NFL's replacement ref's gaffe from last night with a drawing of an adorable elephant in a Green Bay helmet.

Comments | 1,454 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 25, 2012

Iran (Maybe) Doing Something About the Syrian Conflict

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told the Associated Press that his country is finally going to do something about the Syrian conflict, which would be more encouraging if he hadn't made a similar promise before. 

Comments | 1,552 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 23, 2012

Libya Gives Militias a Firm Eviction Notice

After protesters in Bengahzi ran the militias there out of town, the country is seizing on the support of their citizens to give the rest of the armed militias in the country two days notice to get out of the country's military compounds. 

Comments | 118 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 23, 2012

Apple Could Be Worth $1 Trillion Within a Year

Apple is currently worth something like zillion dollars (read: $656 billion) and it has no signs of slowing down. The question the New York Times' Nick Bilton raises is, when are they going to reach the unreachable summit? When is Apple going to break the trillion dollar ceiling?

Comments | 1,678 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 23, 2012

Box Office Report

Cops, Murderers and Clint Eastwood Tie for Box Office Supremacy

Welcome to the Box Office Report, where we think all ties should be settled in the original Eliminator from American Gladiators

Comments | 2,238 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 23, 2012

The Sunday Grind

Bill Clinton Has 'No Earthly Idea' if Hillary Wants to Run in 2016

Don't ask Bill Clinton for any clues pointing to a (Hillary) Clinton 2016 bid. "I have no earthly idea what she'll decide to do," Clinton told Bob Schieffer on CBS's Face the Nation.

Comments | 3,552 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 23, 2012

Was CNN Right to Use Ambassador Stevens' Diary for Stories?

CNN failed to disclose they got tips for their reports on Ambassador Chris Stevens' thinking before this death from his personal diary they found in Libya, and now there's conflicting stories over whether or not they had permission, or the right, to use it. 

Comments | 2,586 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 23, 2012

Ann Romney Totally Jealous She Didn't Get to Meet Beyonce

Maybe you didn't know, but Jay-Z and Beyonce held a fundraiser for the President in New York this week. And Ann Romney's been telling people to go easier on her husband. Enter the Saturday Night Live writers, who took both of those events and swung for the fences this week. 

Comments | 7,189 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 23, 2012

Rick Perry's Debate Performances Explained: He Has a Sleep Disorder

Rick Perry was a leading candidate for the Republican nomination, until a series of terrible debate performances and viral ads derailed any hope he had. Texas Tribune reporter Jay Root reveals Perry's poor performance could be chalked up to one thing: an undiagnosed sleep disorder. 

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By Connor Simpson

Sep 22, 2012

Ethics Force Press Pool to Deny Delicious Offers from POTUS

President Obama keeps trying to test out the journalistic integrity of the White House pool reporters by offering to buy them food at all of the delicious diners, drive ins, and dives he stops at while travelling across the country. For whatever crazy reason, they keep saying no. 

Comments | 7,381 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 22, 2012

Pakistani Official Places Bounty on Anti-Islam Filmmaker

Protests in Pakistan over the anti-Islam film have continued to be ugly, and today things managed to get worse. While speaking at a rally, a Pakistani government official placed a $100,000 bounty on the head of Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, the filmaker behind Innocence of Muslims

Comments | 2,820 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 22, 2012

J.K. Rowling Can Only Find Inspiration on Planes, Trains, or Automobiles

J.K. Rowling is on the verge of releasing her first book meant for grown ups, The Casual Vacancy, but she's barely done any marketing for it. So it's kind of important when she gives a long, wide ranging interview with The Guardian.

Comments | 6,725 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 22, 2012

Man Who Jumped Into Bronx Zoo Tiger Den Just Really Likes Tigers

We can not get enough of David Villalobos, 25, the man who yesterday made a leap of faith off a monorail into the tiger den at the Bronx Zoo. He wasn't suicidal. He just really likes tigers. 

Comments | 2,069 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 22, 2012

Romney Juiced His Univision Crowd in His Favor

Both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama appeared in separate interviews with Univision last week, but their crowds couldn't have been more different. Romney's was loud and raucous; Obama's was as quiet as a golf game. The reason for the difference? Romney juiced the seats. 

Comments | 4,663 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 22, 2012

Iraq Suddenly Curious to See What Iran's Delivering to Syria

Iraq was originally so trusting when a New York Times report accused Iran of flying military equipment through Iraq to aid Bashar al-Assad's government forces, but now it looks like they're a bit more suspicious.

Comments | 9,386 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 22, 2012

Libyans Are Fed Up with Militias in Benghazi

Thousands of protestors in Benghazi marched together on Friday night to run armed militia groups, including one accused of being responsible for the death of Ambassador Christopher Stevens, out of town. 

Comments | 1,435 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 22, 2012

$1 Billion Wasn't Enough for Apple in Samsung Case

Unsatisfied with the $1 billion settlement a jury awarded in August, Apple has requested a California judge reconsider the winning ruling in their case against Samsung to give Apple almost twice as much, and to enact a wide-ranging ban that could include the iPhone's biggest competitor.

Comments | 3,619 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 21, 2012

Iran Says It Duped MI6

Iran's nuclear program is of such interest to the west that MI6 have allegedly sent James Bond himself spies to try and gather information about the country's closely-guarded, top secret nuclear program. But Iran says it was able to trick Her Majesty's secret service.  

Comments | 1,552 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 21, 2012

The DNC Is Suffering from a Slight Cash Disadvantage

The Democratic National Committee does not have a lot of cash on hand. Nope, not very much at all. They only have $7.1 million on hand, as Politico's Tarini Parti reports. How much does the Republican National Committee have? Ten times that much. 

Comments | 658 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 20, 2012

Ann Romney Wants You to Stop Being So Mean to Her Husband

Ann Romney, classy horse lady and wife of Republican nominee Mitt Romney, would kindly appreciate it if you laid off from criticizing her beau, lest you want to "get in the ring" and try running for President yourself. 

Comments | 26,526 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 20, 2012

The WELL Finds an Appropriate Buyer

Back 'round the end of June, news broke Salon was selling OG social network The WELL. Things looked bleak, and the Internet was very sad. But this tragic tale has a happy ending after all. Keeping with the site's original spirit, it's been sold to its community

Comments | 466 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 20, 2012

'Innocence of Muslims' Actress Aims to Get Movie Removed from Youtube

One of the actresses in Innocence of Muslims claims she was misled when she agreed to be in the movie, and now that it's sparked outrage around the world, she's suing the producer and Youtube, for hosting the movie, in attempt to repair her image. 

Comments | 2,090 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 20, 2012

Romney Campaign Isn't as Flush with Cash as We Thought

The Romney campaign has projected a very finely crafted appearance as a money-making mint that just so happens to also be a Presidential campaign. But the New York Times' Jeremy Peters and Nicholas Confessore report the campaign doesn't have as much to spend as we're led to believe. 

Comments | 2,854 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 19, 2012

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Says Supreme Court Will Tackle DOMA Soon

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, toughest Supreme Court Judge around, gave a cheeky answer to a Colorado student on Wednesday night and predicted she'll be deciding on the Defense of Marriage Act sooner rather than later. 

Comments | 1,552 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 19, 2012

100% of Romney Answers Are About 'the 100% of America'

Mitt Romney's been having troubles with numbers. He's been ridiculed for being a member of the 1 percent. And he's in trouble for ignoring the '47 percent.' On Wednesday night, he focused on speaking to 'the 100 percent.'

Comments | 1,879 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 19, 2012

When Being an NFL Quarterback Goes Wrong

The money, the fame, and the excesses that come with being the guy on a pro football team are the things kids fantasize about. But sometimes things don't work out. Sometimes you make the NFL, but end up broke anyway. Vince Young, after six seasons, is learning that the hard way.

Comments | 4,089 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 19, 2012

Romney Staffers Hope for Change

It's been a 48 hours for the Romney campaign, and the cracks are beginning to show. The New York Times' Michael Barbaro reports aides are starting to lose their cool behind the scenes, and wondering if there's still hope. 

Comments | 2,203 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 18, 2012

The Romney Campaign Is In Debt

The Romney campaign in a bit of disarray right now, with the release of the damaging '47 percent' video, and this isn't helping anything. Turns out, the campaign everyone thinks is a financial juggernaut is in debt.

Comments | 2,565 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 18, 2012

Obama Doesn't Think You Believe You're a Victim

David Letterman lucked out. He is the first interview Obama had booked after Mother Jones' wild 47 percent video hit. Sitting with Letterman, he said he doesn't think 47 percent of the country is entitled at all. "There are not a lot of people," who think they're entitled, he said. 

Comments | 9,194 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 16, 2012

Plane Crash Cancels Romney's Colorado Plans

Mitt Romney didn't have a packed schedule on Sunday. The only thing he was supposed to attend was a function in Colorado, but a plane crash at the airport he was supposed to land at gave him the day off. 

Comments | 2,916 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 16, 2012

Kristen and Rob Are Back Together, Order Restored to Universe

If you woke up this morning and noticed the grass was a little greener, the sun shone a little brighter, and the sky was especially blue, it's because hallelujah! Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are apparently back together.

Comments | 7,028 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 16, 2012

Box Office Report

Sometimes We Need 3D Zombie Movies

Welcome back to the Box Office Report where we will watch any sequel if you make it bigger and dumber and put it in 3D.

Comments | 831 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 16, 2012

The Sunday Grind

Netanyahu Uses Football to Explain His Concerns with Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeals to American audiences during his appearance on Meet the Press. Elsewhere, John McCain, Mike Rogers, George Will and Libyan President Mohamed Yousef El-Magariaf discuss the protests at U.S. embassies across the world. 

Comments | 6,035 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 16, 2012

'American Idol' Waits Until Last Possible Moment to Confirm New Judges

American Idol auditions begin tonight in New York City so you would think the show would have its judging panel locked in before the weekend, but no. According to the New York Times' Bill Carter, the ink on the contracts with Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban is fresh. 

Comments | 1,413 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 16, 2012

Jay Pharoah Makes His Presidential Debut

Saturday Night Live began its season premiere last night with a touching passing-of-the-torch moment when Fred Armisen literally handed off the Obama impersonation to Jay Pharoah. 

Comments | 5,371 Views

By Connor Simpson

Sep 16, 2012

Four U.S. NATO Troops Are Dead After 'Insider' Attack

Four U.S. NATO troops were killed when an Afghan police officer turned his gun on them at a routine checkpoint early Sunday morning in what's being called an "insider" attack, but no one's sure why. 

Comments | 808 Views

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