Happy Birthday Mr. President
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And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...
Birthday Wish
President Obama has another incentive for getting a debt ceiling deal done. The president's 50th birthday fundraisers are scheduled for August 3rd in Chicago, one day before his actual birthday and one day after the August 2nd deadline.
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A campaign official tells Fox the big money events could be canceled if a deal is not reached.
As it stands, a concert is planned with tickets ranging from $50 to $10,000. Singer Jennifer Hudson is rumored to be the entertainment. There will also be a separate dinner in which participants would pay as much as the legal allowable limit of $35,800 per person.
Back in 1996, then-President Bill Clinton held a 50th birthday gala at New York's Radio City Music Hall that raked in $10 million for the Democratic Party.
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No Laughing Matter
The U.S. Navy says a sexual assault awareness poster featured on its official Facebook page is not a joke.
See what you think. The poster which was created by a feminist blog includes tips such as -- quote -- "If you pull over to help someone with car problems, remember not to assault them!"
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"If you are in an elevator and someone else gets in, DON'T ASSAULT THEM!"
"Don't forget, you can't have sex with someone unless they are awake!"
A Navy spokesman says the post should have included more context, but that it is intended to encourage discussion on a serious issue.
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Friendly Skies
And finally, not even a former Defense secretary can avoid a TSA airport pat down. Donald Rumsfeld was given the hands on treatment while on his way to former first lady Betty Ford's funeral.
Rumsfeld explained on Twitter -- quote -- "It takes those of us with two titanium hips and a titanium shoulder a bit longer to get through TSA..." and then linked to the TMZ story.