“Fearing that even marginal voter preferences for tea party candidates could spell doom in November, Republicans now claim that the dozen or more Florida Tea Party candidates running for statehouse seats are part of some Sunshine State shenanigans.” [TPM]

“A French prisoner killed his cellmate then sliced open his chest to remove and eat his heart, a court has heard. However, the man removed the wrong organ, and ate his lung by mistake.” [Telegraph UK]

“As electronic highway billboards flashing neon advertisements become more prevalent, the next frontier in distracted driving is already approaching — ad-blaring license plates… The device would mimic a standard license plate when the vehicle is in motion but would switch to digital ads or other messages when it is stopped for more than four seconds, whether in traffic or at a red light.” [San Jose Mercury News]

Protest in Argentina [MSNBC, via PourMeCoffee]

Just another day in BP’s world:

Dr. Brian Stacey of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told NPR last week that, although there are five different species of sea turtle in the Gulf of Mexico, the majority of the ones found affected by the oil spill are Kemp’s Ridleys, “the rarest of them all.”

Ellis confirmed that he’s mostly been seeing Kemp’s Ridleys.

Mike Michael at Gather.com reports that Kemp’s Ridleys are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Harming or killing one “carries stiff fines and civil penalties ($500-$25,000) assessed for each violation. Criminal penalties include possible prison time and fines from $25,000-$50,000.”

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Louisiana lawmakers propose prayer to stop oil disaster [CNN]

The joke just writes itself, really.

I mean, I’m not expecting Tony to go to NASCAR events or high school football games in September on Friday nights.  But: for fuck’s sake.

(Incidentally, Barry & Plugz went golfing on Saturday, according to same linked wire article.  A little less upper-crust than yachting, to be fair.  But still — noted.)

ADD: For no good reason, post-jump…. Yacht Rock.

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