Two bits of news.

First: you remember that guy who threw his shoes at Dubya?  He’s out of the clink.  No word on whether he was picked up by his brother, driving a used police car.

Second: you know that other party in Japan that got beat more than the Washington Generals?  Looks like they — the Democratic Party of Japan — have laid an ass-whuppin’ on the Liberal Democrats.  And now, let’s meet our next contestant, and Johnny will tell us about him!  [“He’s a industrial efficiency expert who loves to watch baseball!  Meet Yukio Hatoyama!” (Applause.)]

Perp walk:

[ Flash video not available. ]

WTF?

(CNN) — About 30 people, including some New Jersey mayors and several rabbis, were arrested Thursday in a federal investigation of public corruption, the U.S. attorney’s office in Newark, New Jersey, said.

The probe also involves a “high-volume, international money-laundering conspiracy,” according to a statement from the office.

Among those arrested in the public corruption portion of the investigation are Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano III, Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, New Jersey Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt and Leona Beldini, a Jersey City deputy mayor.

Several rabbis in New York and New Jersey also were arrested in connection with the money-laundering portion of the investigation.

A news conference is planned for around noon ET, with federal court appearances to start about 2 p.m., officials said.

Rabbis?  Oy.

Mayors, Rabbis Arrested in Corruption Probe [CNN]

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Oh-so breaking…

Republican Norm Coleman ended a bruising eight-month court fight court today, conceding to Democrat Al Franken after the Minnesota Supreme Court said he was entitled to the office.

Court rules in favor of Franken; Coleman won’t appeal [StarTribune]

Sen. Cornyn has probably blown two gaskets over this:

After hedging for weeks about how he’ll react to the state Supreme Court ruling on Minnesota’s Senate race, Gov. Tim Pawlenty gave his clearest answer to date Sunday.

“I’m going to follow the direction of the court,” he said during an appearance on CNN. “We expect that ruling any day now. I also expect them to give guidance and direction as to the certificate of election. I’m prepared to sign it as soon as they give the green light.”

…

Pawlenty added: “I’m not going to defy an order of the Minnesota Supreme Court. That would be a dereliction of my duty.”

If Timmy wants to be President, he can’t dial back from that.  And so, our long journey may be ending.  Perhaps.

New Haven firefighters win at SCOTUS. Decision of Second Circuit Court of Appeals FAIL, 5-4.  Kennedy opinion being read now.

UPDATE: PDF of opinion is out.  SCOTUSblog coverage here.

Sully says Iran’s election commission calling for a do-over:

Yes, the president of Iran’s own election monitoring commission has declared the result invalid and called for a do-over. That is huge news: when a regime’s own electoral monitors beak ranks, what chance does the regime have of persuading anyone in the world or Iran that it has democratic legitimacy?

Stay tuned.

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