palsgraf_polka

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/03/Japan.nakagawa.dead/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Controversial former Japanese finance minister found dead

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Former Japanese Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa, who resigned from his post after appearing intoxicated at a news conference earlier this year, was found dead in his home Sunday, police said.

The cause of death was not clear and no will was found, police said.

Nakagawa, 56, resigned in February, three days after he appeared intoxicated at the G7 news conference in Rome, Italy. Japan's prime minister quickly appointed Kaoru Yosano, the economics minister, to replace Nakagawa.

Nakagawa's resignation followed an announcement by Japan's main opposition party that it would introduce a motion to censure him.

He had apologized for his behavior, but denied that it was the result of heavy drinking. Nakagawa said he had alcoholic drinks on his flight to Rome and during the G7 luncheon, but that the real culprit was too much medicine taken because he wasn't feeling well, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported.

In video of the news conference, Nakagawa responds slowly to reporters questions, slurring his words. At one point, he closes his eyes.

The G7 meeting brought together finance ministers from the world's leading industrialized nations in Rome.

I'm wondering if it was suicide. :(

And of course to bring levity to the man's death:

Stolen from wtf_inc



There's really no point to watching more than 15 seconds of it, but it's just that it exists at all that needs showing.

ETA: OMG There are more.

http://www.thecuriouslife.com/?p=76

This guy over the last decade pretended to be a child and wrote to various people - serial killers, elected officials, Larry Flynt, and here are the replies. I like Charles Manson and Clarence Thomas the best.

ETA: Now that I've thought about it a few more seconds, Larry Flynt's is really the best.

Rob Miller is running for the seat in South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District - the seat currently being held by Republican Joe Wilson. Wilson, of course, was the man who rudely shouted "LIE!" at Obama in the middle of his speech tonight in front of the congress.



You can donate to Rob Miller here:

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/19079

So far tonight he's already raised over $55,000 in the aftermath of Wilson's gaffe alone. Let's try to get 6 figures before morning!

So let's get together and tell Joe Wilson:



ETA: Barney Frank is rambling right now on Rachel Maddow and he says he has "Post-Partisan Depression" and then he quickly says "I'm talking too much!" BWAH!

ETA2: He's almost up to $70,000 now! (10:40pm Pacific)