Chill out: Stress guru would like us all to take a deep breath

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/10/09 10:05 PM

We take on more than we can handle, our titles consume us and when asked how our day is going, we answer too quickly.

Even with President Obama as our "commander in cool," stress guru Sister Jenna can point to these tensions in the overworked District.

And she's not even saying D.C. is the worst: "I mean New York beats you a hundred times over," she said.

Jenna, who is director of Brahma Kumaris, unveiled her Meditation Museum this summer in Silver Spring. She said her clientele ranges from high-powered leaders to students to overwhelmed mothers.

Specializing in D.C.-centric chaos, Jenna has extensive experience counseling politicians.

"I find if a politician is very angered or afraid to speak of the truth, he lives in stress," she said.

But there is one politico whom Jenna deeply respects: the outspoken liberal Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.

"I've seen this politician who has been consistent in being honest and straightforward," she said. "Something special about him, again nobody else sees it."

As for Obama, "I am touched by the way he shows us that he doesn't look stressful at all," Jenna said. "So I would never see him come to the Meditation Museum."

She warned that that people who always seem in control do not benefit from meditation. As an advocate for the practice, though, she said she plans to propose a bill to...

Shake-up rattles Washington Times

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/09/09 9:24 PM

The Washington Times newsroom was rattled Monday by word that three top executives had been ousted and that Executive Editor John Solomon was AWOL -- "considering his options" in the words of a top editor.

The Times announced that Publisher Tom McDevitt, Chief Finance Officer Keith Cooperrider and Chairman Doug Joo had been fired. Jonathan Slevin, a vice president at the paper, is now acting president and publisher.

The biggest question is whether Solomon will remain on staff. He had changed the direction of the paper significantly -- making a number of enemies in the process, according to Times staffers -- after being brought aboard from The Washington Post in January 2008. Solomon did not return a call from Yeas & Nays.

Solomon's failure to show in the newsroom on a day when rumors swirled about the paper's future was widely interpreted as a sign he was likely to not return.

‘Real World D.C.’ wraps up filming on S Street

By: Tara Palmeri and Nikki Schwab
11/01/09 10:05 PM

The fierce Latina who grew up in a trailer park, the annoying little brother who will hook up with anyone, the inner-city orphan with enough machismo to own this city, the country girl who lived in a barn, the high school sweetheart who discovered he was bisexual, the rebel from a Christian cult and the wannabe rocker.

Say hello to “The Real World,” Washington, D.C.

They interned, they partied, they got a little rowdy, they made Washingtonians sign waivers at every club in the city — they even claimed to have made a few “real” friends. (Please let us know who you are.) But mostly the roommates who were in town to film the 23rd season of MTV’s reality franchise gave us a laugh with their attempts to assimilate into Washington, as many real residents who encountered the cast shunned the cameras for their own future political careers.

“This is as real as it can get,” said cast member Ashley Lindley, the Portugese diva. It must be their $6 million mansion covered in Ronald Reagan pop art, the “Situation Room” confessional or the inviting love sacks. Yup, it’s all very real.

The “Real World” cast recently wrapped up filming, but not before Yeas & Nays got to step into the Dupont Circle mansion — complete with new holes in the walls that suggest high drama during the shoot. One wonders why cast member...

Speakeasy » Reps. John Boehner and Heath Schuler

By: Tara Palmeri and Nikki Schwab
11/01/09 10:05 PM

Yeas & Nays got feedback from both sides of the aisle on the Washington Redskins’ dismal 2-5 record this season:

“It would be really good to see the team make a turnaround right here, halfway through the season and go on and push this thing through and start winning some games.”

- Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., a former Redskins quarterback

“Pathetic, really pathetic. No, there’s no hope.”

- House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio

‘The Messenger’ learns from trip to Walter Reed

By: Tara Palmeri and Nikki Schwab
11/01/09 10:05 PM

It was a trip to Walter Reed Army Medical Center that really helped Oren Moverman, the director of the new military-themed movie “The Messenger,” and actors Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson understand what they were dealing with before they started filming.

“It’s a real eye-opener to go there,” Foster told Yeas & Nays. “Everybody has their pretty little one-liner about how they feel about the war — but to go there and to sit with the boys and girls who have come back missing pieces, it’s a level of reality which I don’t think most people are prepared for in the civilian world.”

The movie begins as Foster’s character returns home from war to be reassigned to work with Harrelson’s character as part of the Army’s Casualty Notification Service. It’s Foster and Harrelson’s job to deliver the news to families that their loved ones have died at war.

In doing research for the film at Walter Reed, Foster bonded with a soldier named Will and asked if his character could be renamed. “We’re looking forward to showing it to him,” Moverman said, telling Yeas & Nays they were trying to track down that particular soldier.

The director and Harrelson were in town last week for a screening of “The Messenger” and revisited Walter Reed. Harrelson has also been seen hanging o...

Speakeasy » James Carville

By: Tara Palmeri
10/05/09 10:35 PM

“I think he’s nuts, OK? Just out and out nuts. I also think that he’s a blatant hypocrite.” – CNN “State of the Union” political contributor James Carville, on Glenn Beck speaking for the Republican Party

Madeleine Albright celebrates females, fashion at book party

By: Tara Palmeri
10/05/09 10:35 PM

The first female secretary of state celebrated the diplomatic power of femininity and fashion with a book party and fashion show at Neiman Marcus in Friendship Heights.

Madeleine Albright’s new book, “Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box,” shares the story of the lapel pins that came to represent some of the most defining moments of her career.

“I’m proud to be a woman,” Albright said Saturday night. “Somebody said the thing that distinguishes us from other mammals is that we accessorize.”

Albright first used the pin as a sign of diplomacy after Saddam Hussein’s government-run media vilified the secretary as an “unparalleled serpent” for her criticism of Iraq’s failure to comply with United Nations weapons inspectors. At a following meeting with Iraqi officials, Albright wore a serpent pin with the underlying message: “Don’t tread on me.”

From that point forward, Albright used the power of accessories to reflect her sentiments when dealing with friends and adversaries. Before the book signing, Albright shared stories of some of her most memorable pins — which were featured on models adorned in the St. John fall line.

Although the Q&A was intended to discuss her “personal diplomatic arsenal,” the conversation quickly became a policy debate and even ...

Meridian Ball draws D.C.’s big names

By: Tara Palmeri
10/05/09 10:35 PM

Washington socialites paired up with the city’s diplomatic corps for an evening of fine food and high-powered conversation at the 41st annual Meridian Ball.

One of the fall’s biggest social events, the ball commenced Friday with dinner at various venues including the residences of the French, Mexican, Turkish and Spanish ambassadors.

Also included on the list of dinner locations was the W Hotel, where Yousef Al Otaiba, the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United States and Mexico, hosted his dinner because his residence “wasn’t ready yet,” Politico reported.

The dinners raised awareness and support for Meridian International’s diplomatic causes.

About 600 people attended the ball at the Meridian House. Attendees included Mayor Adrian Fenty, David Gregory, Peter Orszag, Dan and Rhoda Glickman, Wolf Blitzer, Howard Fineman, Elizabeth Bagley, Kerry Washington, Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., Michael Chertoff, Roxanne Roberts, John Negroponte, Dina Powell, Betsy Fischer and Dana Perino.

Breakfast with Bacon

By: Tara Palmeri
10/05/09 10:30 PM

Booeymonger in Friendship Heights was serving up a different kind of bacon — Kevin Bacon.

Hunched over, texting and blase, the actor, clad in black and a bit grungy, was in town Friday morning “to say hello to the boys at the Navy hospital.”

Bacon sat with three friends and ordered a Miami Bagel (toasted, with cream cheese, smoked salmon, red onion, tomato and lettuce). The “Footloose” star, who, along with his brother Michael (who leads the Bacon Brothers band) played a two-night stand at the Birchmere in Alexandria, said he would be in town until Saturday visiting the Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Also spotted:

Bloomberg News’ Al Hunt was spotted on the Sunday afternoon flight from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport sporting a blue blazer, khakis and a bright orange University of Miami T-shirt. The “Political Capital” host most likely was supporting the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday at their big win against the Oklahoma Sooners.

Talking head Limbaugh talking about owning Rams

By: Tara Palmeri
10/05/09 8:39 AM

Will his “excellence in broadcasting” translate into “excellence in football”?

Rush Limbaugh is back in the game. This time, though, the conservative talk show host has his eyes on owning a team rather then talking about one.

He’s been on a football hiatus since 2003, when he drew fire for remarks about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. CBS reports Limbaugh’s is among the three bids submitted to buy the St. Louis Rams. Dave Checketts, founder and chairman of sports, entertainment and media firm SCP Worldwide, is also a confirmed bidder — but little is known whether the bid includes the share owned by businessman Stan Kroenke or the children of late Rams co-owner Georgia Frontiere.

Palmer’s still got it for Jockey, ‘of course’

By: Kiki Ryan and Jeff Dufour
05/08/09 12:05 AM

Chicago had Michael Jordan in his Hanes, but most around here prefer Baltimore’s Jim Palmer in his Jockeys.

The Hall of Fame pitcher for the Orioles met up with fans for a luncheon at Morton’s on Thursday — and while on air with ESPN during the steak course he mainly talked baseball, we got him to talk with us beforehand about his famous half-naked ad.

“Of course I would do it,” Palmer, aka “Cakes,” responded to our challenge if he would still pose today.

But the real question is could he?

“Nowadays they can make you look any way they want you to,” he joked about being airbrushed for an underwear ad today, cause back in the ’80s it was au natural. “So of course I would [pose].”

Sounds like he may like being in the spotlight — he also told Yeas & Nays that wouldn’t mind being on a reality show.

“Well you know I know Donald Trump, so I’d like to be on ‘Celebrity Apprentice,’ ” he said. “Or maybe ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ but I don’t think my knee could handle that.”

It’s still unsure if he will battle The Donald, but when he does, rest assured he’ll be doing it in his Jockeys.

“Of course I still wear them. They’re comfortable.”

Yeas and Nays has moved

05/05/09 8:00 PM

Please click here to visit the new Yeas and Nays blog home page.

Obama hangs loose, but won't don helmet

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/21/09 5:26 PM

President Obama had a little taste of home Tuesday afternoon, as the Navy football team brought a little aloha to the White House.

Both Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo and quarterback Kaipo Noa Keahaku Enhada are native Hawaiians.

"I hear Kaipo is a pretty easygoing guy," said the president, as he presented Navy with the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy. "He doesn't get rattled easily, performs under pressure. That's the Hawaiian spirit. That's how we roll."

Just for good measure, the president flashed the "shaka" sign with his thumb and pinky finger.

In fact, just like President George W. Bush did when he welcomed sports teams to the White House, Obama was full of one-liners. "I understand your unofficial motto is 'No Excuses, Nobody Cares,'" he said. "That is my wife Michelle's motto for me also."

And at the end of the ceremony, when Navy gave him a silver football helmet, he wondered aloud whether it would fit. Then, obviously remembering Michael Dukakis, he said, "There's a rule for presidents that you never put anything on your head.''

Toby Keith: More celebs should visit troops

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/21/09 5:22 PM

Country superstar Toby Keith will leave D.C. for Afghanistan on Tuesday night to add to the 100-plus USO shows he’s played throughout the past seven years. But at the National Press Club earlier in the day, Keith lamented that more celebrities don’t make similar trips to back the troops.

He said when they’re being paid to make movies, few stars want to leave “Disneyland” and “go to a war zone.”

Not that the danger isn’t real. “I’ve raced Marines to a bunker when the sirens go off,” he said. “It took me 100 shows to learn to trust how good our guys really are.”

But “you don’t have to go to a war zone,” he implored any celebs who were listening. “Go to Walter Reed Hospital.”

“Most of the time they’re rowdy and drinking ‘near beer,’ ” he said of his USO performances. “Most of the time it’s just a party.”

Keith (black baseball cap, green camouflage pants, desert camouflage jacket issued to him by the Army) largely kept it light, telling the crowd they had him to thank for the chicken-fried steak lunch. But like most of his appearances before the media, the conversation focused on politics more than music.

“I’m not political,” he repeated throughout the hour-long lunch. “I’m not an activist,” he adde...

Hatch’s comedy knocks out The Rock

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/21/09 5:21 PM

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, was a tough act for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to follow Tuesday, as both men spoke at the Motion Picture Association of America’s “Business of Show Business” symposium.

Hatch opened his speech poking fun at himself, saying he “wished [he] had a body like [Johnson’s]” and that he was a “97-pound weakling.” He followed by taking a shot at the moviemakers in attendance for the ridiculous scenarios they love to put in movies.

Some of the things he mocked included:

* How air ducts are always the best place to hide in a building — they are never dusty and you can easily maneuver through any building.

* You can survive any battle unless you made the mistake of showing a picture of your sweetheart.

* Business meetings are always held in strip clubs.

* If there’s a large glass pane in any scene, someone will be thrown through it.

* A single match can ignite a room the size of a baseball field.

And Hatch knows movies: He has his own Internet Movie Database page for appearing in multiple films — including Steven Soderbergh’s “Traffic” — as himself.

Wrestler, Disney star and good looking guy

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/21/09 5:20 PM

We just love that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was introduced Tuesday as a “true member of the Disney family,” for there’s something sweet about a 6’6”, 275 lb. wrestling-icon-turned-Disney-blockbuster movie star.

Though now deemed a more family friendly actor than when he first made his move from the WWE to the big screen eight years ago in “The Mummy,” The Rock still couldn’t hide some of his signature charismatic bad-boy persona.

Appearing in a button-down shirt (unbuttoned just enough to see part of his large tribal chest tattoo), the keynote speaker for the Motion Picture Association of America symposium said he knows what’s on our minds.

“I know what you’re thinking. He’s just as good looking as the President,” Johnson joked, alluding to his recent skit on “Saturday Night Live,” “I’m The Rock Obama.”

Though he compared himself to the prez, Johnson told Yeas & Nays he has no plans to run for office because he’s “enjoying making films too much.” In fact, he told us this is his first time he’s been in town since his “good looking” twin has been in office, and he plans to bring his daughter (who sat by his side at the lunch) back for another trip so they can tour the White House.

I think we smell what The Rock is cooking: a li...

Carter, Usher share a flight

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/21/09 5:18 PM

That was former first lady Rosalynn Carter and R&B artist Usher arriving at Dulles on the same flight from Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon. Carter was in town for the signing of the Edward Kennedy Serve America Act at the SEED School; no word on why Usher was here.

Also spotted: Richard Gere dining at Blue Duck Tavern in the Park Hyatt Hotel Tuesday for lunch. Wearing a gray suit, blue button-down shirt and glasses, he appeared to be “having a great time” with the seven others at his table.

Then on Monday night, Jordanian Prime Minister Nader al-Dahabi dined at the Bombay Club with Jordanian Ambassador Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein, five companions and a platoon of security.

Speakeasy: Mike Huckabee

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/21/09 3:12 PM

"You have a champagne appetite and a Coca-Cola paycheck." -Mike Huckabee, speculating on what his late mother would tell President Obama and the "educated people" running the country.

Before meeting with Obama, Tiger admires a Bush’s game

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/20/09 6:38 PM

On a day when Tiger Woods met with President Barack Obama, he was talking up another president’s prowess with the clubs — and his poker face.

Tiger paid a visit to the White House at about 5 p.m. Monday and did get an audience with the president. But earlier in the afternoon, he appeared at Congressional Country Club for the pre-tournament media day that precedes the annual AT&T National — the PGA tournament he founded two year ago.

In response to a question from Yeas & Nays, Woods recalled when President George H.W. Bush hit the ceremonial first tee shot during the inaugural tournament.

“He complained that he just had surgery and couldn’t hit, and he striped it right down the fairway,” recalled Tiger. “He’d probably be a pretty good poker player.” (Hear that, Obama? There’s a Bush who can still take you down.)

When asked if he’s picking up any Swedish from his wife, Elin, Tiger said he can speak a little bit, but he’s better at reading it. “I understand a little,” he said — mostly phrases like “Take out the trash.”

“I understand that in Thai, too,” he joked. (His mother is Thai.)

He and Greg McLaughlin, head of the Tiger Woods Foundation, said after a year and a half of searching, they do have a site chosen for a Tiger Woods Learning Center in the Washington area...

White Sox, White House

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/20/09 6:34 PM

Tiger Woods wasn’t the only pro athlete to grace the hall of the West Wing on Monday. The Chicago White Sox, President BArack Obama’s hometown team, also got a private tour. The Pale Hose begin a series with the Orioles in Baltimore today, so they made the 30-mile trip south on their day off to meet the commander in chief and check out his office.

The Chicago Tribune reports about 35 players, family and team officials got the tour, which was arranged by Obama senior adviser David Axelrod.

The team already has shown its thanks to its most important fan: In January, the South Siders announced they developed two prototype designs of a team hat with Obama insignia on the side and back. Major League Baseball has approved the design, but the team is still waiting for the White House to weigh in before they can be produced.

With Trippi involved, Va. gov. race gets personal

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/20/09 6:29 PM

The gloves are off in the Democratic primary for Virginia governor, thanks to some lingering bad blood between candidate Terry McAuliffe, Democratic strategist Joe Trippi, an adviser to McAuliffe’s opponent, Brian Moran.

To begin with, McAuliffe is a longtime consigliere of the Clintons, while Trippi worked against Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary.

Then there’s the matter of McAuliffe referring to Trippi as Moran’s “ass” at February’s Virginia Capitol Correspondents Dinner. McAuliffe later implored Trippi to do what he “did for President Dean and President Edwards,” referring to two of Trippi’s clients who ran unsuccessfully for the White House.

This weekend, as the Democratic candidates were having their first debate, Trippi got in a few shots of his own, via Twitter. On the eve of the debate, he wrote: “Strategy is to keep the Macker [McAuliffe, that is] guessing. Will Brian Moran’s A$$ show up? Its a 4 hour drive - yeah I am going.”

Then later: “The Macker & I shook hands & said hello but he didn’t apologize To me for his joke gone bad. I thought he was bigger than that.”

And during the debate: “No one has sense of humor right now. But Terry McAuliffe says he created 100,000 jobs. That’s funny.”

Bono adds another cause to his list

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/20/09 6:22 PM

They’ve brought The Donnas, Sheryl Crow and Billy Corgan to the Hill on their behalf, but now the musicFirst coalition is bringing out the big guns to lobby its cause.

Bono is the latest musician to support the “pay to play” argument being advanced by the organization, releasing a statement Monday in support of radio stations compensating musicians when they play their songs.

“We believe it’s only fair that when radio makes money by playing a recording artist’s music ... [they] should be compensated.” Bono made $30 million last year and admitted in the release that the issue “thankfully, doesn’t really affect [him and U2] anymore.” He also added that he “appreciates the many things that radio has done” in helping his career. So why, then, is he taking this stand? The humanitarian made it about the children, natch.

“There are so many young recording artists out there who can no longer earn a living from the sale of their music. ... They should not be denied their fair share.”

We’d guess that this now makes it even tougher for his buddies, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, to say no.

By the Numbers

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/20/09 6:13 PM

36 Percentage of Americans who feel that Michelle Obama is changing fashion for the better.

21 Percentage of Americans that would like her to emulate Jackie O.

Source: maristpoll.com

'The Unit' gets real, meets with military

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/20/09 12:05 AM

CBS to USO

Fiction meets reality this week as cast members from “The Unit” travel to the Persian Gulf to visit the heroes they play on the small-screen. The cast of the CBS series, including stars Scott Foley and Dennis Haysbert, boarded a 5:30 a.m. plane this morning from Andrews Airforce Base as part of the USO/Armed Forces entertainment tour. Playing members of a top-secret military unit clearly has made the cast feel connected to the cause — this will mark the cast’s second trip with the USO. Also joining the cast for the six-day trip is NBA legend David Robinson and manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tommy Lasorda.

No time for Web site design

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/20/09 12:05 AM

Plain.gov

Members of Congress must really be pressed for time under this new administration as most of the Congressional frosh class of ‘08 can’t even get together a decent web site after three months on the job. About half of the 55 house newbies use only the basic site provided to when they took office, making no changes to the design by adding photos, press releases, or embedded videos. So if freshmen like Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Il., can spend the time to get washboard abs why not on Web site design? ”Has it been that long?” asked a press representative for Schock’s office. “We wanted to do our website independently,” he explained. “We want a great site so we’re not putting it up until it’s ready.” When a member takes office the House Information Resources (HIR) supplies all the new members with a basic site. The member can choose from five design templates, which provide basic information. Some are colorful and eye catching while others are sharp and formal.

Representatives also have the choice to contract out for their own independent Web site design, but they have to pay out of their own office budget.

So why aren’t the freshmen taking advantage of what HIR has to offer? Many of them, like Schock, are contracting out which takes more time. For others, it’s just a matter of simplicity. “Ou...

NRA women get wild in wild

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/20/09 12:05 AM

Gals and guns

We know what Sarah Palin’s next vacation should be — the all female hunting trips organized by the National Rifle Association (NRA). Andrea Cerwinske, Deputy Executive Director of the NRA, spoke at the Heritage Foundation on Friday about the second amendment, but the mostly female crowd got most excited listening to her talk about the NRA’s hunting trips. “‘I swear you have never seen such whoopin’ and hollerin’” Cerwinske recounted was said by one of the male organizers to the women on their last trip. Although designed to teach gun-loving gals how to appropriately use firearms to hunt everything from turkey to bear, sounds like the women really just want to let loose in the wild. “‘You guys get a lot crazier than the boys we take out here,’” she added were the organizer's next words.

Girls, guns, and guts — does it get any better than that?

Hewitt and Kennedy take their love to DC

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/20/09 12:05 AM

Stand by your man

Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy are taking their new love cross-country, capping their week-long east coast vacation this past weekend here in Washington. Hewitt was spotted Friday night supporting her new BF as he performed his standup routine at the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Draft House. The couple made their first public appearance only two weeks ago at the Academy of Country Music Awards and already she's his biggest fan — she was spotted selling his merchandise at the show. He’s clearly just as into her. At both his Friday and Saturday night shows he talked about her on stage and told the audience they were an item. The “Ghost Whisperer” costars then spent Saturday having lunch near their hotel-the Sheraton National Hotel and Resort in Arlington- at Bob and Edith’s Diner on Columbia Pike before setting off on a day of sightseeing. Not wanting to miss a thing, Hewitt ran into CVS to buy a disposable camera. We’re sure his comedy is just what she needs after splitting from her fiancée back in January.

Will: Pelosi not the 'brightest Crayola'

By: Kiki Ryan and Jeff Dufour
04/20/09 12:05 AM

No denim here

Syndicated columnist and conservative icon George Will is no stranger to controversy lately, what with his highly disputed recent columns on global climate change, and his recent screed against ˜of all things ˜ denim.

But his sympathetic audience on Friday was ready for more of it. Many members of the Republican National Lawyers Association arrived early at the National Press Club to shake Will's hand, and even more were seen snapping cell phone pictures during his speech.

And for those looking for red meat, he didn't disappoint. Discussing Speaker Nancy Pelosi's comments last year that we should be using natural gas instead of "other" fossil fuels, Will said, "We are not always governed by the brightest Crayolas in the pack."

He later added that "we have a Congress in which attention deficit disorder is an occupational hazard."

We couldn't resist asking: Has he gotten any blowback from denim companies following his comments? "I haven't heard," he said, "but then again, I don't do email."

Who needs modernity anyway?

Skins woo USC QB at Il Mulino

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/19/09 10:44 PM

That was USC quarterback Mark Sanchez dining at Il Mulino New York on Friday night, along with Redskins owner Dan Snyder, Executive Vice President Vinny Cerrato and Head Coach Jim Zorn.

The Redskins are rumored to be quite intereseted in drafting Sanchez during next week's NFL draft.

According to a restaurant rep, the group started with drinks out on the patio, before moving inside to dine in a private room. Sanchez chose the pasta trio and a 16-ounce veal chop.

NFL players honored, but all eyes on Haynesworth

By: Jeff Dufour and Kiki Ryan
04/17/09 12:05 AM

$100 million man He wasn’t a recipient at Thursday night’s NFL Players Gala featuring the JB Awards, and he hasn’t played a game yet for the Redskins, but Albert Haynesworth was all anyone could talk about Wednesday night at a pre-event reception at BLT Steak.

Perhaps his record-breaking contract has something to do with it. “We got the $100 million man, I mean, come on,” teammate Rock Cartwright told Yeas & Nays when asked how he thinks the ’Skins will do next season. Although Cartwright really should have basked in his own glory of being chosen by his team to receive the JB Award for Community Service, he kept turning his attention to Haynesworth saying, “We’re going to get things accomplished now that we have this man.” Indianapolis Colts linebacker Gary Brackett — another one of the 12 NFL players receiving awards — also is happy we have Haynesworth. “I’m glad he’s here and no longer in the AFC South,” Brackett joked. Even CBS Sports commentator James Brown, who founded the awards, chimed in on the 27-year-old millionaire. “We’re all worked up about the stimulus, so maybe Haynesworth should share a portion of his new $100 million contract.” And those weren’t his only fans: The Baltimore Ravens’ Daniel Wilcox, Detroit Lions’ Mike Furrey and...