Much to our consternation, it turns out that our favorite Obama photo — Smokin’ Barry — is a fake.

On the other hand, much to the hoaxter’s consternation, the fake backfired.

Presuming, of course, that the intent was to discredit Obama before a nation of Rob Reiners. Because the doctored photo actually endeared Obama to a nation of exiled sidewalk smokers. Hey! He’s one of us! Or if not quite one of us, one of our Blue Note album covers! Close enough!

Sure, Barry can’t bowl for shit, but at least he can handle his Camels. And that’s all we ask.

Continuing pattern, Fox Nation posts “hoax” photo of Obama smoking [Media Matters]

Barack Obama Smoking [Museum of Hoaxes]

White powder found at IRS building in Ogden, Utah:

Hazmat crews were called to the IRS building in Farr West Monday…

Two people were removed from the building on stretchers.

Details are few right now. Phone calls to the IRS are being directed to the FBI, which has not yet released any information.

Wingnut Facebook celebrations going live in 3-2-1…

Update from MSNBC:

Two people were taken out of the building on stretchers for “medical emergencies,” but their conditions “do not appear to be related to this incident,” said the the FBI, which is leading the investigation. It released no further details.

MSNBC also reports that “several people were subjected to decontamination showers.”

Hazmat called to IRS facility in Farr West [KSL, via ThinkProgress]

Hazmat crews respond to Utah IRS office [MSNBC]

Late update: Whatever the substance was, it was “non-hazardous.” You may now return to your regular paranoia.

Foley’s calling his new shop “Celebrity Consignment”. We think the better bet would have been “Mr. Cocktober’s”.

Mark Foley: Former Congressman, Current Furniture Salesman [TPM]

Ex-Congressman opens consignment shop [WPTV]

Geez.  The USA and Canada should think about doing this head-to-head hockey thing every year, for bragging rights.  Get a fancy trophy or something.  I’m serious. 

This plea doesn’t come from a sense of sour grapes or anything, with the U.S. Americans losing.  Two great teams — with the star of the show, Sidney Crosby, writing the storybook ending yesterday — played a hell of a game.  And I know that nothing will ever have the same juice as CAN 3:2 USA (OT).  But, regardless: I WANT MORE OF THAT.

But, of course, we shall get no more of that — at least for a while.  Jacques Rogge pulled the plug last night during what was, to be honest, a disjointed closing ceremony.  Between a bewildering presentation by Sochi, the VANOC clown-in-chief’s speech (including some horrendous French pronounciation), the comedy bits (“sorry!”), and the Busby Beaver sequence, it was a vice-royal mess.  Neil Young wasn’t bad, though. 

(It may be that the ceremonies actually ended on a better note, but the Mothership cut away to The Marriage Ref.  Welcome back to fourth-place, NBC!)

A brief attempt at closing analysis — admittedly, without Bob Costas’s back-up orchestra with appropriate montage sequence — after the jump.

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One day they’re meeting with the President’s minions at the White House, the next day they’re swapping Bibles for Playboys in San Antonio. (Printed pornography? How adorable!)

Folks, if you wanna go without God, great. But organized atheism strikes us as akin to organized anarchy: You’re doing it wrong.

No word on substance of White House meeting with atheists [McClatchy]

College students urged: Trade Bible for Playboy [WND]