The Wire: October 15, 2012

Culture
9:31 a.m.
TWT
Debating for Dummies: From Dukakis to Ford, some things are better left unsaid
If there’s a lesson to be drawn from President Obama’s lackluster performance in this year’s first presidential debate, it’s this: A whole lot can go wrong.
Basketball
5:00 p.m.
Lynx star speaks out against MN marriage amendment
Seimone Augustus has always preferred to stay out of the public eye even as her basketball career has taken her to the heights of an Olympic gold medal and a WNBA championship.
World
1:54 p.m.
Hunt for notorious Ugandan warlord Kony loses momentum
Joseph Kony, whose Lord’s Resistance Army has survived on a steady regimen of rape, murder, pillage and abduction across East and Central Africa, remains a fugitive, as African Union countries struggle to coordinate their forces and amass the political will to bring justice to one of Africa’s most infamous warlords.
Campaign 2012
1:54 p.m.
TWT
Door-to-door ground game walks fine line
Conservative nonprofit groups have spent tens of millions of dollars on overtly political advertising this election season, testing the limits of what is legal under campaign rules that restrict how much such groups can spend on advocacy.
Politics
1:54 p.m.
TWT
Coburn calls out Senate cohorts as biggest waste in government
The Senate’s top waste-watcher says the federal government is bloated with extra spending — including in the halls of Congress itself, where he says senators and staffers are collecting salaries while failing to do very much work.
Local
10:52 p.m.
TWT
Summer heat brings back the stink bugs
Warm weather this year has contributed to a resurgence in the mid-Atlantic region’s brown marmorated stink bug population, with researchers estimating at least a 60 percent increase this year in insects that soon will be making their way indoors to escape cooling temperatures.
Campaign 2012
10:52 p.m.
TWT
In battleground states, race is now hand-to-hand combat
Since President Obama’s lackluster showing at the first debate two weeks ago, the race has tightened across the board, both in national surveys and where it matters most — in the 11 battleground states that will decide the election.
Golf
6:15 p.m.
Mickelson goes long in stadium shot, raises $50K
Stadium golf took on a new meaning for Phil Mickelson, who overshot the big money targets on his 100-yard shot at halftime of Monday night’s Broncos-Chargers game. He still raised $50,000 for First Book, a nonprofit organization that provides new books for needy children.
Golf
5:00 p.m.
Mickelson to shoot for charity at halftime
Phil Mickelson is scheduled to attempt a 100-yard shot at halftime of Monday night’s Broncos-Chargers game that could net as much as $1 million for First Book, a nonprofit organization that provides new books for children in need.
Political Theater
4:44 p.m.
CURL: Time to prepare for the ugliest debate ever — ever
Tonight, CNN’s Candy Crowley is the media’s last chance to protect Their Chosen One. They’ve got just the right person serving up softballs — a talk show commentator who, after Mitt Romney selected Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate, said the choice reflected a “death wish” for the ticket.
World
3:53 p.m.
TWT
Clinton takes 'full responsibility' for security at Libyan consulate
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is taking “full responsibility” for the lack of security at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya before the attack on the anniversary of 9/11 that led to the death of four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens.
Inside The Beltway
3:40 p.m.
TWT
Inside the Beltway: Let Obama be Obama?
It’s likely President Obama will be in combat mode, ready to assume alpha male status on Tuesday evening when he faces Mitt Romney in the second presidential debate. But alas. The debate is town hall style, which demands folksy likability from the combatants, and conversation studded with talking points.
Campaign 2012
3:14 p.m.
TWT
Romney, RNC set party fundraising record in September
Mitt Romney’s financial team and the Republican National Committee set a new Republican record for monthly fundraising in a presidential race, announcing Monday that together they raised $170 million in September — putting Mr. Romney on firm financial footing heading into the final three weeks of the race for the White House.
Economy
3:14 p.m.
TWT
Report: Shoppers hit stores with gusto in Sept.
U.S. consumers went on another shopping spree last month, driving up retail sales by a robust 1.1 percent in the second straight month of sizable gains, the Commerce Department reported Monday morning.
Baseball
3:00 p.m.
Verlander the next obstacle for slumping Yankees
There were times this year when Justin Verlander took the mound while his team was reeling a bit _ and the right-hander’s presence was Detroit’s best shot at snapping out of a momentary funk.
Health
2:45 p.m.
CVS to pay $5M to settle drug pricing allegations
The Department of Justice said Monday that a unit of CVS Caremark Corp. has agreed to pay $5.25 million to settle allegations that it reported false information on prescription drug prices to the government’s Medicare program.
Hockey
2:00 p.m.
Modano tops list of new US Hockey Hall of Famers
Mike Modano made his mark long before he and the Minnesota North Stars relocated to Dallas and brought hockey to the Sun Belt.
Entertainment
1:30 p.m.
Review: `Sessions' tells feel-good, low-key tale
Given that it’s based on the true story of a man with polio who spends most of his time in an iron lung, “The Sessions” is not as painfully heavy-handed as it might sound. And given that it’s about this man’s nervous attempts to lose his virginity at age 38, it’s also not as obnoxiously wacky as it might sound.
Health
1:30 p.m.
FDA: Pharmacy's other drugs may be causing illness
Two more drugs from a specialty pharmacy linked to a meningitis outbreak are now being investigated, U.S. health officials said, as they urged doctors to contact patients who got any kind of injection from the company.
Hockey
1:30 p.m.
NHL labor talks to resume Tuesday in Toronto
The NHL and its locked-out players will resume negotiations Tuesday in Toronto after a four-day break following two days of meetings last week.
Entertainment
12:45 p.m.
'Taken 2' repeats at No. 1 with $21.9M weekend
Liam Neeson remained the top gun at the weekend box office as his action sequel “Taken 2” took in $21.9 million.
Basketball
11:41 a.m.
TWT
Wizards fall in first game in Brooklyn
With 32 seconds left to play, and the Brooklyn Nets leading the Washington Wizards by 10 points, the announced crowd of 14,219 came to their feet and gave the players a standing ovation. It continued through the final buzzer, a 98-88 win for the Nets.
Football
11:15 a.m.
Chiefs stagger into bye week at 1-5
Six weeks after launching the season with quiet hopes of winning the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs have staggered into their bye week 1-5.
Letters
11:02 a.m.
TWT
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Obama baloney past sell-by date
No matter how baloney is sliced to make it seem appealing, it will always taste essentially the same. If you saw how it is made, you would be turned off from it forever. Likewise, the marketing of our celebrity president, Barack Obama, reading off a teleprompter, is not as appetizing now as when sold four years ago to the hungry public, already obese from a diet of entitlements offered to them by President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society.”
Letters
11:01 a.m.
TWT
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Administration about-face
So let me get this straight: We went into a house in Pakistan and killed Osama bin Laden. We entered a sovereign nation using covert actions to eradicate a terrorist. This very secret undertaking was accomplished right next to a Pakistani military installation, and our president and all of his responsible agency heads witnessed the event in real time. When this was accomplished, they had a memorable moment photographed for all to see. In that photo was every Tom, Dick and Harry agency head involved in this historic achievement. This, I guess, was responsible people doing their jobs.
Letters
11:01 a.m.
TWT
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Silent election deciders
The hoopla over the political conventions is over, the debates will soon end, and we are now just a few weeks away from making an epic decision regarding the direction of our country. If you do not know who you are voting for by now, you have either had your head in the sand or you simply do not care and will not be voting anyway. Just about everyone else has made up their minds and is ready to cast their votes. Still, you can be sure both parties will leave no stone unturned to find any truly undecided voters out there.
Letters
11:00 a.m.
TWT
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Betting on the ‘eye candy’ vote
I think President Obama has insulted the intelligence of women all over the country. While on the TV show “The View” recently, he said that he was just there as “eye candy,” a comment that should tell you that he thinks he’s God’s gift to women.
Racing
11:00 a.m.
Allmendinger to drive for Phoenix again at Kansas
AJ Allmendinger will get another start with Phoenix Racing this weekend at Kansas Speedway.
Baseball
10:55 a.m.
Giants beat Cardinals 7-1, even NLCS
The sight of Marco Scutaro on the ground in pain after getting flattened by Matt Holliday’s hard takeout was just the spark the San Francisco Giants needed.
Football
10:45 a.m.
Vilma, NFLPA take bounty matter back to court
If the Saints decide Jonathan Vilma is ready, the embattled linebacker will take the field in Tampa Bay on Sunday for the first time this season.
Campaign 2012
9:51 a.m.
TWT
After Biden, Obama will be 'respectful' in next debate
After Vice President Joseph R. Biden earned the label “Laughing Joe” after he chuckled, sighed and interrupted his way through his debate with Rep. Paul Ryan last week, Team Obama is stressing that the president plans to be respectful in his second verbal match-up against Mitt Romney on Tuesday night.
Entertainment
9:45 a.m.
Late reggae icon Peter Tosh receives Jamaica honor
Twenty-five years after his murder, Jamaica’s government on Monday honored the contributions of firebrand reggae musician and songwriter Peter Tosh, one of the Caribbean island’s musical giants.
Entertainment
7:30 a.m.
Judge dismisses 'Bachelor' discrimination case
A federal judge on Monday dismissed a case filed by two black men who claimed ABC’s “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” discriminated against casting participants of color.
Security
7:05 a.m.
TWT
Accused 9/11 conspirators appear in court at Guantanamo
The self-proclaimed mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and four of his alleged accomplices appeared Monday in U.S. military court for an oft-delayed pre-trial hearing that will help determine how their eventual trial will be conducted.
Security
6:56 a.m.
White House ponders a strike over Libya attack
The White House, under political pressure to respond forcefully to the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, is readying strike forces and drones but first has to find a target.
Ncaa
4:00 a.m.
Bob Knight selling rings, medal at auction
Hall of Famer Bob Knight is selling his championship basketball rings and Olympic gold medal for what he considers a very good reason: the education of his grandchildren.
Ncaa
4:00 a.m.
No. 10 Sooners face Kansas between rivalry, Irish
In all his time as Oklahoma’s coach, Bob Stoops has always found a way to navigate his Sooners around the potential trap that looms each year following the emotionally charged Red River Rivalry.
Technology
3:30 a.m.
World matched record for hottest September _ again
Something about September keeps bringing out the record heat in the world.
Entertainment
3:00 a.m.
APNewsBreak: Johnny Depp starting book imprint
How cool is this: Johnny Depp is going to help run a publishing imprint.
Technology
2:30 a.m.
Sumatran orangutan rescued in western Indonesia
A critically endangered Sumatran orangutan was rescued from an isolated forest area in western Indonesia where palm oil companies have been illegally destroying the environment, a conservation group said Monday.
Entertainment
1:30 a.m.
Hulk Hogan sues friend, gossip site over sex tape
Former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan sued a disc jockey, the DJ’s ex-wife and a gossip website Monday after a sex tape involving Hogan and the woman was posted online.
Technology
12:15 a.m.
Yahoo CEO raids Google to hire top lieutenant
Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer is mining her old advertising connections at Google to help her tackle the challenges facing her in her new job.
News
11:33 p.m.
Clinton says consulate security her responsibility
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is taking responsibility for security at the U.S. consulate in Libya where an attack by extremists last month killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans.
Politics
10:39 p.m.
DesJarlais suggested abortion to mistress
A Republican congressman from Tennessee is telling supporters he’s not a hypocrite for discussing abortion with a mistress more than a decade ago. But now he may also have to defend his right to practice medicine.
Entertainment
10:30 p.m.
Tina Fey, Amy Poehler to host Golden Globes
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are teaming up for the Golden Globes.
Politics
10:19 p.m.
Vets to get help learning tech skills
Some of the nation’s leading manufacturing companies announced a new program Monday to help veterans gain the skills necessary to fill some of the estimated 600,000 high-tech manufacturing jobs that remain open because employers can’t find qualified applicants.
Baseball
10:14 p.m.
Justin Verlander the next obstacle for slumping Yankees
There were times this year when Justin Verlander took the mound while his team was reeling a bit — and the right-hander’s presence was Detroit’s best shot at snapping out of a momentary funk.
Politics
10:05 p.m.
TWT
Kerrey bets ranch on Nebraska race
The Senate race in Nebraska has taken a nasty turn.
Football
10:00 p.m.
TWT
Redskins relieved home skid is behind them
It was such an unfamiliar sight: Washington Redskins fans streaming out of FedEx Field happy Sunday. They hadn’t done that since Sept. 18, 2011, a home skid of eight games.
Basketball
9:50 p.m.
TWT
Nets add flair to Big Apple hoops
Deron Williams had a tough decision to make. A two-time Olympian and three-time All-Star, Williams was one of the league’s most sought-after free agents this offseason.