The Stem is Mightier Than the Sword: The Associated Press reports that scientists at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute have concocted stem cells for 10 different diseases, which will let them observe diseases as they develop. World domination suspicions aside, they say that this will let them observe what goes wrong as the disease develops. They are then able to “reprogram” the cells to act exactly like embryonic stem cells, which regenerate into healthy, nerve, heart, or whatever tissue is needed to halt degeneration. From Down’s Syndrome to Lou Gehrig’s, these bad boys can’t replace embryonic stem cells in all applications, but they represent a significant leap in attacking diseases for which “there are no good treatments and, more importantly, no good animal models for the most part in studying them.”

Certifiable “I Am a Jackass” Stamp: Some German guy who is astutely aware of the vapid, infinite depths of American conspicuous consumption created an iPhone application that cost $1,000 and does absolutely nothing. Just a black box with a little glowing red jewel. The name? “I Am Rich”  Eight people bought it (and funneled $5,600 to its creator in a 24 hour span) before it was pulled by Apple, a company painstakingly concerned with muting society’s propensity toward status symbols…

No Mo’bama: Take your pick of sources here. Obama fatigue is setting in. Everyone is talking about how close the polls are. Everyone has their own reason for why the country is in the gutter at the hands of Republicans and after a presidential jaunt around the globe, Obama is only mustering a four point lead over McCain nationally. Fact is, this week was the most brutal week of media attention for the junior Illinois Senator…well…ever. There’s only so much time you can spend flailing around in the media on the same three topics before roasting yourself, and Obama needs the DNC pageantry, a VP pick, and a few debates to get a fresh narrative going.

The PoPo Gone Crazy: Two bizarre cop stories broke today.  #1: Maryland mayor gets 32 pounds of weed dropped on his doorstep by a FedEx delivery man. Cops raid his house, kill both of his dogs, and say “oops.” #2: Chicago cop is suspended 15 months for demanding free Starbucks. Reports say she intimidated baristas with her badge and gun, demanding free coffee and baked goods. $4.35 for a latte? If she had only arrested them, she would have been doing her job instead.

Is There a Dr. in the House? Never one to shy away from irony (I don’t really know that, but he calls himself a doctor and he pushed a white rapper on us), Dr. Dre has signed up for his own brands of booze just as he is about to release his much-anticipated fourth studio album “Detox”.