Quickly now, before I go over and hear E.J.:

1. Government in Greece Teeters After Move on Referendum (NYT) — That’s where that direct democracy stuff will yet you. Y’all should know that; y’all invented it.
2. Dow Takes Another Drubbing (WSJ) — Just what you wanted to hear, right?
3. Bank of America cancels planned debit card fee (Charlotte Observer) — Guess they realized folks could just go to the credit union and not deal with that garbage. Which they should.
4. Lawyer: Cain May Have Violated Confidentiality Of Harassment Settlement (NPR) — Dude can’t win, can he. Pair that with Lawyer: Cain accuser seeks freedom to speak from the WashPost.
5. Israel rushes settlement growth (The Guardian) — Really, folks, this is no more helpful than what UNESCO did.
6. ‘Hackers’ cut Palestinian network (BBC) — An interesting, apparently related, development.

Some Hallowe’en headlines:

1. U.S. Justice Department seeks injunction against S.C. immigration law (thestate.com) — I’ve got to say that I’m not particularly rooting for my home state on this one. Talk state’s rights all you want, this is clearly a federal function that our state is horning in on.
2. UNESCO votes to admit Palestine as newest member; U.S. cuts off funding (WashPost) — And on Hallowe’en, no less. No, wait — that’s UNICEF. I like that this administration is willing to play some hardball over the UN’s anti-Israeli tendencies. I mean, it’s bad enough to try to torpedo any future negotiations; this move even stabs the U.N. itself in the back. I think. It’s complicated…
3. Greece throws bailout into crisis (The Guardian) — Europe is not enamored of this referendum idea that the Greek PM has suddenly come up with.
4. Cain, Denying Harassment Charges, Sees a ‘Witch Hunt’ (NYT) — Which apparently is the updated term for “high-tech lynching.”
5. Catholics at odds with Obama administration (WashPost) — Hey, how come I didn’t get the memo? Seriously, “Tensions between the church and the White House are being fueled by the end of funding to help victims of human trafficking and the health-care law’s requirement that insurers provide contraceptives.” Maybe this will come up at the Dionne lecture tomorrow night…
6. Facing Stiffened Opposition, Obama Goes It Alone (NPR) — A discussion of the potential costs of flexing executive muscle to get around a feckless Congress.

A quick run through the headlines:

1. USC connection brings 707 jobs to Midlands (bradwarthen.com) — Interestingly, others are pushing the idea that this deal happened because of a cozy relationship the Nikki Haley had with Nephron. Hey, that would mean this is one bit of good ecodevo news that our gov could claim credit for…
2. Gaddafi’s son makes contact with ICC about surrender (The Guardian) — Oddly, the BBC tells it the other way — that the ICC contacted him (Prosecutors contact Gaddafi son). Wait. This may be a British idiom thing. Like the way they say “meet” when they mean “meet with,” and not just when you meet someone for the first time. Because their lede says “in contact with.” Hey, you people invented the bloody language, make up your minds! Whatever. It’s a good story.
3. Britain to end rule of male succession (L.A. Times) — Thought I’d give you an American perspective on this.
4. Syria Uses Gear From U.S. Firm To Block Web (WSJ) — C’mon, U.S. companies. If you’re gonna pick sides, how about going with the good guys? Why, I’ve got me half a mind to make me a sign and go protest ya, and that takes some doing with me.
5. World Series set for epic decider (BBC) — I just liked the fact that the Brits covered this. I’ll be watching, and cheering for St. Louis. You?
6. Justice Dept.: $16 muffin wasn’t $16 (WashPost) — Oh well — there goes one favorite story of folks who think government never does anything right. There are others, of course. I see the White House is looking into another one that has put egg on its face. Or its doorstep. Something you find on a white house, in any case. My house got egged once, and they went for the garage doors. But I’m digressing again…

Here’s what’s going on:

Here’s a quick one:

1. Europe Knocks Wind Out of Stocks (WSJ) — Gee, and just when I thought things were getting better. I’m getting tired of Europe being all feckless and everything…
2. US pullout leaves Pakistan vulnerable to insurgents (The Guardian) I chose the Guardian story, but there were several interesting Pakistan (POCK-ee-stahn, as the pres says) stories out there today with different angles, such as this one in the NYT, and this one in the WashPost. The collective effect of them is ominous. The NYT one probably more than any other — Tensions Flare as G.I.’s Take Fire Out of Pakistan.
3. U.S. Debated Cyberwarfare in Attack Plan on Libya (NYT) — I suppose we’re nearing the day when “Special Ops” could be replaced by “Special Geeks.”
4. Israel-Palestinian Prisoner Swap Stirs Strong Debate (NPR) It’s 500 Palestinians prisoners for one Israeli soldier. Which would make me, were I on the Palestinian side, think really long and hard about which side values human life more. Oh, and one of the 500 is this little monster — the bloody-hands-waving guy.
5. Occupy Columbia protesters still at State House (thestate.com) — That was as of Sunday night. And I can report that they were there when I came back from Rotary after 2 p.m. Must have been about six of them. I could hear the Establishment crying out in terror, even with the car windows closed.
6. ‘Worst fears realized’: Lattimore out for season (The State) — No, really — that was the actual LEDE headline in the paper this morning. In a font much bolder than usual. In the same position most newspapers would use to tell you if there were a nuclear war imminent. “Worst fears realized.” Hey, I’m sorry he’s hurt, and not just because he was a delight to watch, a really talented young man. But let’s get a grip. I mean, I’m putting it here because I agree people want to read about it, but still…

Very quickly…

1. Stocks Hit Low for Year (WSJ) — Stop telling me stuff like this!
2. Knox acquitted of Kercher murder (BBC) — After four years in an Italian jail.
3. S.C. GOP primary to be held Jan. 21 (thestate.com) — So is this actually final? I think so. I think we need to get used to this being in January.
4. Bridge protesters tell their story (The Guardian) — It’s interesting that British news outlets seem to be making an even bigger deal of the Wall Street Protest than Americans. The Guardian’s web front had six separate links on it.
5. Sprint to ‘Bet the Company’ on iPhone (WSJ) — I’ve got an affinity for these tech stories. Perhaps you can tell. Frankly, I don’t see how you have a viable mobile company without the iPhone…
6. Emails Imply White House Knew Solyndra Might Fail (NPR) — But the president did his photo-op anyway. NPR blurb says, “Republicans say many more questions need to be answered.” They probably don’t, however, want questions such as these raised.

You like that? Does it sound chipper? I hope so. Here are your hunky-dory headlines:

1. Health costs shifting to workers, study finds (WashPost) — Yeah, this hodgepodge of employer-provided health care coverage is just working great, isn’t it? Drat that Obama for trying to meddle with perfection…
2. Nine S.C. House members also drawing retirement pay (thestate.com) — That’s in addition to the 40 percent of the Senate. But hey — can you blame ’em? It’s such a sweet deal!
3. Pakistanis Tied to 2007 Border Attack on Americans (NYT) — OK, add it to the list. Somebody’s keeping a list, right?
4. Markets surge as hopes rise for eurozone bailout (The Guardian) — Uh, that’s not what the WSJ  is saying… In any case, Greece has passed an austerity measure.
5. Monument inspected for damage (WashPost) — We’re talking Washington Monument, and it seems the damage is worse that previously thought. I’m not liking the symbolism of this; how about you?
6. ‘It’s a Great Day,’ Haley tells everyone to say (thestate.com) — If this isn’t a success, I think next she’ll have state employees answer the phone by saying, “Delta, Delta, Delta, can I help ya, help ya, help ya?” You’ll be shocked to learn what Corey Hutchins reported on Twitter: “Aw, come on! South Carolina’s Cemetery Board isn’t using the new ‘It’s a great day in South Carolina’ phone greeting…”

Very quickly:

1. Stocks Sink as Economic Gloom Mounts (WSJ) — Really? OK, well you can just stick this in the same place as that “definition of insanity” thing. I’ve had it with that stuff. Snap out of it, everybody.
2. Mullen Asserts Pakistani Role in Attack on U.S. Embassy (NYT) — The notorious Pakistani intelligence agency is implicated. Which seems unwise. You know, guys, SEAL Team 6 knows how to get to your house…
3. NASA satellite ‘to crash on Friday’ (BBC) — Yeah, but not anywhere in this country, I assume. NASA knows where its funding comes from.
4. Two more plead guilty, apologize for 5 pts. attack (thestate.com) — They’ll be on house arrest.
5. Light’s speed limit broken (WashPost) — Scientists are freaking out about it. Something about particles being clocked going faster than the speed of light. No word on whether the particles were blue, with little red capes…
6. US walks out of Ahmadinejad speech (The Guardian) — Maybe it was his reference to the “mysterious September 11 incident.” Or maybe the part where he implicated NATO in drug trafficking…

Busy day today; went to the Green is Good to Business Conference at the Convention Center. Good turnout, impressive array of businesses engaged in saving the planet and saving money. Here are your headlines:

Very quickly:

1. Niger ‘cannot close’ Libya border (BBC) — Apparently, I’m a few hours late to lead with “Gaddafi cornered — again.” This is the best I can do and be fresh. Yeah, I know — a weak lede.
2. Stocks Break Losing Streak (WSJ) — Wish I had some of those stocks. Apparently had something to do with a Euro debt deal.
3. Obama’s jobs plan could cost $300B (WashPost) — Gee, the guy hasn’t even given his speech yet. And won’t get to, on account of you-know-who (see below).
4. Debate Gives Rivals Chance to Test Perry (WashPost) — It hasn’t happened yet, but that’s everybody’s take on tonight’s event at this point. It’s Rick’s debut.
5. Gore attacks Obama over pollution (The Guardian) — The view from across the pond of this internecine debate.
6. Though Shuttles Are Retired, NASA Needs More Astronauts, Panel Says (NPR) — Provided you’ve got the right stuff, ya miserable pudknocker.

A very, very, quick summary, since I was traveling yesterday and didn’t give you one:

1. DOJ Sues to Block AT&T, T-Mobile Deal (WSJ) — Man, that Obama just won’t let a simple bidnessman do nothin‘, will he?
2. Defiant Gaddafi son vows to fight (BBC) — Will no one rid me of this turbulent junior tyrant?
3. Dow Moves Into Black for Year (WSJ) — Don’t say I didn’t give you good news today.
4. Petraeus Retires, with a Warning (NYT) — He’s kind of young. We shouldn’t LET him retire. Somebody find a loophole… Oh, but wait. He’s still planning to serve. I feel better now.
5. 5-STAR USA sets up headquarters in Bennettsville (CRBR) — I just had to include this because it said “venture capital startup” and “global headquarters” and “more than 1,000 jobs,” which are terms I don’t generally hear in relation to my hometown. I expect folks in Marlboro County to say, “What language are these people speaking?”
6. How US firms profited from secret rendition flights (Guardian) — Maybe we should start those back up, to stimulate the economy. (Smiley face!)

Today, I went to a press conference at which Alan Wilson endorsed Jon Huntsman, and then heard Jim DeMint speak to Rotary. So am I writing about those today? No. You kidding? As I’ve explained many times, on days that I make time from my jobby-job to actually go cover stuff, I don’t have time to write about said stuff.

But until I do have time, here are your headlines. Then I’ve got to go meet the fam for dinner:

1. Gaddafi family ‘flee to Algeria’ (BBC) — Not sure about the man himself, who is proving harder to find than Waldo.
2. Dow Surges 254, Nearing Break-Even Point for Year (WSJ) — ‘Cause I knew you wanted some GOOD news…
3. Inland Floods in Northeast May Be Irene’s Biggest Impact (NYT) — The continuing Irene saga.
4. N.Y. Subway Back; Other Transit Rumbles to Life (NYT) — Hated to hear when this happened. You know I love me some NYC subway.
5. Katrina Housing Battle Continues (NPR) — Lest we forget that earlier one.
6. Man faces charges in USC professor’s killing (thestate.com) — A local crime story I expect you’ll hear more about. Happened in Shandon.

Looks like it was a slow news day. Everything seems to be about the Northeast going absolutely ape over this (at the moment) rather modest hurricane. (They’re evacuating New York!) What could the president have meant saying it would be “historic?” In what sense? I suppose each storm is unique. Anyway, I hope everyone, everywhere, will be safe, and that everyone looks foolish for having stressed about it. That’s the best kind of storm.

But that isn’t news yet, because it hasn’t happened. At least, it can’t be a lede.

I see Folly Beach has lost power. Of course, that happens in my neighborhood at the slightest breeze, so I’m not sure what to make of it.

Fighting is still going on in Libya. The economy still stinks.

Have a nice weekend.

Getting a late start, but here’s what we’ve got:

1. NATO Helps in Hunt for Qaddafi as Rebels Gain Momentum (NYT) — The Daily Telegraph says that includes the SAS. Yes, British boots on the ground. They’ve been there for weeks, the paper says.
2. Warren Buffett to invest $5 billion in Bank of America (Charlotte Observer) — Strangely, while this story tops the NYT and WSJ sites, it doesn’t even appear on the first screen on Charlotte’s. Maybe they know something the NY papers don’t… Even the BBC played it bigger…
3. Apple shares fall as Jobs quits (BBC) — Interesting how we still believe in the Great Man theory, to the point of betting big money on it.
4. Irene SC: Tropical storm watch in effect, 6 rescued in Myrtle Beach (Associated Press) — As points north up the coast brace themselves.
5. Government backs down on plan to shut Twitter and Facebook in crises (Guardian) — We’ve heard how awesome social media are in toppling oppressive regimes. Now, a leading liberal democracy has to deal with what to do when they are used in mass criminal activity. The world is a complicated place.
6. Vaccines generally safe, review finds (WashPost) — No link found to autism.

Here’s what we have at midweek:

1. Rebels Set Gadhafi Bounty (WSJ) — Yes, it’s come to this, Moammar. Related stories at The Guardian, the BBC, and The Washington Post.
2. No evacuations for Irene in S.C. (thestate.com) — Apparently, the danger (for us) is over. At least, according to Nikki Haley. She has examined the evidence and decided that the state need not go to that expense, but let the counties handle. Which would reassure me entirely, coming from almost anyone else.
3. Gergel will not run for re-election (thestate.com) — Which sort of surprised me, since I thought Belinda enjoyed doing this. But with Judge Richard having to be on the road so much, it’s apparently not as much of a delight as it otherwise might be.
4. Poll: Perry is new GOP front-runner (WashPost) — Hey, I told y’all this would happen a couple of weeks ago, didn’t I? Actually, I said a lot more than that would happen. Time will tell…
5. Sarkozy Proposes New Tax Measures to Lower Debt (NYT) — OK, just keeping score. First, the Conservative Party in Britain raises taxes to reduce the deficit. Now the conservative party in France raises taxes to reduce debt. Unfortunately, we don’t have an actual conservative party in this country. Not since the Tea Party ate it.
6. Columbia fireman faces arson charges (thestate.com) — Hey, you find that shocking? Once, when I worked at The Jackson (TN) Sun, we were amazed at the great fire pictures we kept getting from a freelance photographer. We attributed it to the fact that he was also a volunteer fireman. Then, he was indicted for also SETTING the fires. Talk about three on a match…

Man, these have been a busy couple of days. I’ve had a lot of stuff I’ve wanted to post — such as about Lindsey Graham’s speech at Rotary yesterday — but haven’t had time yet. But at least, here are some headlines:

1. Rebels overrun Gaddafi’s compound (BBC) — Which is a very promising development for the challengers. Meanwhile, the defending champ is nowhere to be seen.
2. Earthquake Shakes U.S. East Coast (WSJ) — At least this story captures some of the scope of the event: “A 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered near Washingon, D.C., shook the East Coast, with shocks felt as far south as Florida and as far north as Maine and Ontario.” I liked The Guardian‘s perspective: they said the quake was “felt in New York and Martha’s Vineyard, where Obama is on holiday…”
3. Virginia Nuclear Plant Loses Power (WSJ) — And there’s a spooky sidebar development.
4. Clergy Sues To Stop Alabama’s Immigration Law (NPR) — And where does the Church stand in South Carolina?
5. Democrats blast Republicans for high-salaried staff (thestate.com) — Harpootlian manages to make the front, on account of these being the Dog Days. Personally, I don’t care that they’re making a decent living. What I DO care about is that these jobs are filled by political operatives rather than qualified staff. The two categories are not entirely mutually exclusive, but in practice in SC, they overlap too seldom.
6. Judge Dismisses Charges Against Strauss-Kahn (NYT) — The long and sordid saga comes to a close — for the moment.

Have you had a busy day? I certainly have. Let’s take a moment to see what the rest of the world has been up to:

1. Loyalist Holdouts Fight Rebels in Tripoli (NYT) — In moments such as this, I wonder who the holdouts are: Gaddafi family members? People who expect a fate worse than death if they are captured and held to account by a new regime? True believers? And what would “true believers” who follow Gaddafi actually believe in?
2. Qaddafi at Large as Forces Fight to Control Compound (NYT) — Question of the moment: Where is Moammar?
3. Calls Rise to Send Lockerbie Bomber Back to Prison (WSJ) — Oh, you mean that guy who was supposed to be DEAD by now?
4. Raise My Taxes? Not So Fast, Retired CEO Tells Warren Buffett (NPR) — A case of media making news. This is an NPR news story about a WSJ op-ed piece. I wonder how hard the Journal had to look to find a major CEO willing to just come out and say, “After all, I did earn it.” Chutzpah like that is rare these days. I mean, he had to know what Bud would say in response…
5. Forecasters say SC could see effects of Irene (Associated Press) — Just a heads-up. The pertinent bits: “(T)he storm could come ashore near the Florida-Georgia border as a hurricane early Saturday morning. That would put South Carolina on the northeast side of the storm where the strongest winds are in a hurricane.”
6. Kate Winslet helps saves Branson’s mum from fire (BBC) — I don’t usually go in for celebrity “news,” but this was unusual enough to be an exception.

Here’s what we have for you at the end of the week:

1. Stocks End Week With New Losses Worldwide (NYT) — In New York, the losses were related to the decision by HP to get out of the PC business, leaving Dell as the only U.S. maker, according to “cousin” Ben Worthen.
2. Deadly raid on UK Kabul compound (BBC) — The terrorists killed 12 before being wiped out themselves.
3. Science hasn’t changed, but the politics have (WashPost) — McCain believed in man-made climate change. Michele Bachmann calls it a “myth.” Rick Perry is more circumspect, regarding it as an “unproven… theory.” You know, like evolution. But then there’s that wacky Jon Huntsman, who Tweeted, “To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy.“
4. SC frats all on double-secret probation (thestate.com) — Right now, somewhere in the Greek Village, someone is saying, “Over?!? Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor…?” Somewhat more seriously, this followed six alcohol violations by USC frats. Which is about as seriously as I can take the world of fraternities. On stuff like this, I would totally side with Dean Wormer.
5. Obama Takes A Vacation: Getaway Or Gaffe? (NPR) — I don’t know. What do y’all think?
6. Behind the Georgetown-China fight (WashPost) — And now, turning to the world of sport…

Three items that almost made the page: Deal frees ‘West Memphis Three’, Egypt Registers Complaint With Israel Over Killings and New Syrian protests ‘turn deadly’.

Sorry there was no “page” yesterday. I was in a rush to go home and go to the movies for our anniversary. Here’s what we have today:

1. Obama calls on Syria’s Assad to resign (WashPost) — Taking it to another level… I mean, we’ve kinda always wanted him to go, right? It was just considered impolite, undiplomatic, to say so… The BBC has a slightly different, more cosmopolitan, take on the same development: World leaders call on Assad to go.
2. Obama Administration Shifts Focus On Deportations (NPR) — I expect we’ll be hearing a lot about this: “Justice officials won’t target people who are here illegally but have done nothing else wrong.” Makes sense to me, as a way of focusing resources — but maybe not to Doug.
3. Stock Selloff Hammers Blue Chips (WSJ) — The problem today, or part of the problem today, is that “(t)he U.S. economy is showing new signs of fatigue, depressing financial markets, discouraging consumers and unsettling businesses.”
4. Russian democracy, dead at 20 (WashPost) — Obviously an analysis rather than a news story, but a very provocative headline, mimicking the style of a news hed. And an important topic.
5. Bachmann criticizes Obama’s action on Syria (AP) — I’m just including this because it happened here, a couple of blocks from my office, and I missed it! Ticks me off. I’ve got to get on that email list…
6. Barnes & Noble Gets $204 Million Investment (WSJ) — This makes me happy, because my favorite leisuretime activity is to go there and drink coffee while browsing.

A bit late, but here it is: