Short Cuts

Deconstructing Annie: Well, someone on the right had to do it. This morning Andrew Sullivan takes the first nip out of Ann Coulter's unpadded right thigh. The left has already gotten their licks in at her new book "Treason" but their opinion is all in a day's work. Criticism from the right now begins in earnest. It makes for a must-read thread - undoubtedly the first of several here before the day is out. We'll say this for Ann: she follows the first two absolute rules for superstar political commentators - be consistent and never forget your base.

Another Kennedy Summer: Tabloid editors' dreams came true last Friday when Andrew Cuomo decided to get the jump on the bubbling rumors of his marital troubles and had his lawyer release a statement that his wife Kerry Kennedy Cuomo had "betrayed" him. The all-hell that broke lose became the subject of nationwide beach blanket and sun deck dish. In today's reports Cuomo seems to be desperately trying to replace his divots. Or is it a tabloid attempt to milk another day out of the story? One of the big advantages of there being so many Kennedys is the delicious gossip they provide each summer. And, if you missed it all and want to know who the players are try this story from the New York Daily News.

Blame the Help: Remember the old association citation of the man who knew Merv Griffin's neighbor's tailor's brother-in-law? Well, this beats that - Kim Jong II's sushi chef. Seems this fellow, hiding out, terrified and writing under an assumed name, has produced a tell-all about his wack-job former employer. This Japan Times report is a bit short on salacious details but we hope they translate it soon. It sounds like perfect summer reading.

Revenge of the Nerds: A slight frisson ran through the Internet over the long weekend with news that some shadowy group of hackers planned to take down thousands of sites. They did bother a real estate company site in Montana and some little church in California until another bunch of Uber-hackers knocked them out. The boredom threshold for these people must be extremely low.

- Your Waiting-for-some-REAL-News LComStaff