AG nominee survives Senate torturing

During a testy day of confirmation hearings before a Senate panel, Attorney General-nominee Michael Mukasey refused to say whether he considers waterboarding a form of torture, saying it is a difficult issue to discuss in public. Senate Democrats accused the nominee of dodging questions about the controversial interrogation technique that simulates drowning.

The 210 take: Mukasey did come down firmly against wet willies. Those are just wrong.

Boomers shuffle up to Social Security window

The nation's first baby boomer has applied for Social Security benefits, signaling the start of an expected avalanche of applications from the post-World War II generation. The retired schoolteacher is the first of an estimated 10,000 people a day who will become eligible for Social Security benefits over the next two decades. The Social Security trust fund is projected to go broke in 2041.

The 210 take: It's sort of like getting stuck in line behind 80 million old people at H-E-B.

Authorities hit jackpot with poker star's plea

Local poker star Richard Henry Lee struck a plea deal in a case involving an online bookmaking operation. He'll forfeit more than $2.2 million of purported poker winnings as part of the deal which would keep Lee out of jail. Lee rose to local stardom after placing sixth in the 2006 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

The 210 take: Lee probably made the decision to avoid jail in an attempt to avoid the ol' Kansas City lowball, if you know what I mean.

Strip club hanging on by a G-string

A judge issued a temporary restraining order against the owners of a proposed strip club on Interstate 10 near Huebner Road. The restraining order is the latest volley in the fight to keep the Boobie Rock gentlemen's club from opening. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has also received a petition protesting the club's application for a beverage permit.

The 210 take: There's no punch line here, I just wanted to be able to type the words “Boobie Rock.” In conclusion, Boobie Rock.

What's the big deal about a few lost nukes?

The Air Force has punished 70 airmen after a B-52 was inadvertently armed with six nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and flown across the country without anyone noticing the mistake for more than a day. The six-week Air Force investigation into the incident found widespread disregard for rules on handling nuclear missiles.

The 210 take: This is exactly like that time I lost my car keys for a day, except that it involves nuclear bombs.

With staff and wire reports