Everyone knows: books are boring. So thank heavens that the Library of Congress is doing SOMETHING worthwhile with all our tax dollars: building a "national jukebox!" Spoiler alert—it's not a jukebox, per se, but "a century's worth of audio recordings in a 45-acre vault in Virginia, housing near 6 million rare recording on wax cylinders, paper piano rolls, vinyl and more." And here we were, thinking that we were the only ones who still listened to Handel on our Talking Machine. more ›

President George W. Bush has reportedly declined an offer made by his successor to join him in visiting Ground Zero on Thursday to commemorate the death of Osama Bin Laden with family members of those who were slain there on 9/11. NBC reports that while Bush plans on traveling to Ground Zero for the 10th anniversary of the attacks in September, the former president will not attend Thursday and his camp offered no comment as to why. more ›

Former Vice President Dick Cheney remains hospitalized but seems to be on the mend after his Friday "discomfort." His office released a statement, "After receiving IV medication, the former Vice President is markedly improved. His physicians plan to discharge him in a day or so." And, yes, his issues are related to his heart problems: Apparently the 69-year-old experienced "progressive retention of fluid related to his coronary artery disease." His daughter Liz told Fox News, "I'm sure he'll deal with this situation the way he's dealt with everyone in the past which is to work with his doctors." Cheney has had five heart attacks, including a mild one this past February. more ›

Former Vice President Dick Cheney was hospitalized yesterday afternoon after "experiencing discomfort," according to the AP. It's unknown is Cheney's condition if related to his long history of heart issues (he was hospitalized in February for a fifth "mild" heart attack), but his spokesman Peter Long said the 69-year-old would probably remain at George Washington Hospital over the weekend. Fox News has a rundown of Cheney's health issues—he had his first heart attack at age 37. Recently, Cheney has slammed Obama for his oil spill response. more ›

Rather than discuss former Senator Eric Massa's fondness for tickling and snorkeling, Esquire's Ryan D'Agostino decided to focus his profile of the fallen politician on a different potential scandal: a possibly fixed presidential election. According to D'Agostino's notes, Massa was informed by four retired generals that Dick Cheney had been attempting to convince General David Petraeus to run for president in 2012, and suggests that his colleagues turned against him when he wanted to go public with the information. That explains everything...except what happened the night he "took an Ambien and ended up walking to the Washington Monument at 4:00 in the morning." more ›

After chest pains sent him into a D.C. hospital on Monday, former vice president Dick Cheney is "feeling good" according to his office. This morning, Cheney was released from George Washington Hospital, which treated him for this "mild heart attack"; it was Cheney's fifth heart attack, so maybe he is a "veritable poster boy" for progress in cardiovascular health. Former president George W. Bush as well as Vice President Joe Biden called Cheney while he was in the hospital—and don't worry, he's expected to resume his normal schedule of slamming the Obama administration shortly. more ›

Former vice president Dick Cheney was hospitalized with chest pains at George Washington Hospital in Washington D.C. The AP reports, "Cheney assistant Peter Long issued a statement that the 69-year-old Cheney was resting comfortably and his doctors were evaluating the situation." Cheney has had four heart attacks, including a quadruple bypass surgery, and he was given a pacemaker in 2001. The former vice president has been busy lately, blasting the Obama administration about the terror trials and appearing at the CPAC meeting while defending Bush administration decisions. more ›

Vice President Joe Biden appeared on morning talk shows today and hit a number of topics—including the 9/11 terror trial as well as his predecessor, Dick Cheney. Of where Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the other alleged 9/11 terror plotters may eventually be tried, Biden said that a military tribunal has not been ruled out. Of Cheney, Biden said, "Let me choose my words carefully here... Dick Cheney's a fine fellow. He's entitled to his own opinion. He's not entitled to rewrite history. He's not entitled to his own facts." more ›

After being attacked by critics in the wake of the thankfully unsuccessful attempt to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight last week, the White House addressed critics head on. Communications director Dan Pfeiffer posted a response—especially towards former Vice President Dick Cheney—on the White House website yesterday saying that President Obama has acknowledged the U.S. is "at war. The difference is this: President Obama doesn’t need to beat his chest to prove it, and - unlike the last Administration - we are not at war with a tactic ('terrorism'), we at war with something that is tangible: al Qaeda and its violent extremist allies. And we will prosecute that war as long as the American people are endangered." Further: more ›

With President Obama admitting that "systemic failure" allowed a Nigerian national on a terror watch list and allegedly attempt to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight last week, the knives are out. Former Vice President Dick Cheney told Politico, "[W]e are at war and when President Obama pretends we aren’t, it makes us less safe. Why doesn’t he want to admit we’re at war? It doesn’t fit with the view of the world he brought with him to the Oval Office. It doesn’t fit with what seems to be the goal of his presidency — social transformation — the restructuring of American society.” more ›

Some retirees kill time between Canasta games by moping around the house feeling sorry for themselves, but not former Vice President Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney. He swung by the Fox News clubhouse yesterday with some words of wisdom for our current President, calling his decision to let alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed go on trial in New York a "huge mistake." Obama should take his advice to heart, because if there's one thing Cheney's an expert on, it's huge mistakes terrorism: more ›

It's August in a city election year, which means many registered Democrats (and Republicans, but mostly Democrats) are receiving campaign mailings from a candidate basically every day. And this weekend, Manhattan DA candidate Richard Aborn sent out one featuring former Vice President Dick Cheney! Featuring Cheney examining a rifle, the flyer says, "One candidate for district attorney has spent 30 years taking guns out of the hands of criminals"—ha! more ›

With the Justice Department's release of a report on the CIA's abuses in overseas prisons and Attorney General Eric Holder's appointment of a special prosecutor to decide whether a full criminal investigation is needed, former Vice President Dick Cheney released a statement. Cheney says having a special prosecutor look into the matter "doubts about this administration’s ability to be responsible for our nation’s security...The people involved deserve our gratitude. They do not deserve to be the targets of political investigations or prosecutions." The AP's assessment of the released documents: "Interrogators took the simulated drowning technique of waterboarding beyond what was authorized. Mock executions were held." Specifically, "In one instance, suspect Abd al-Nashiri, the alleged mastermind of the 2000 USS Cole ship bombing, was hooded and handcuffed and threatened with an unloaded gun and a power drill. The unidentified interrogator also threatened Nashiri's mother and family, implying that they would be sexually abused in front of him, according to the report." Cheney also said, "This intelligence saved lives and prevented terrorist attacks. These detainees also, according to the documents, played a role in nearly every capture of Al Qaeda members and associates since 2002," but Newsweek wonders if the information gained was useful. more ›

Former Secretary of State—and New York native— Colin Powell was on CBS's Face the Nation and addressed criticism he's received from his Republican party brethren. Earlier this month, former VP Dick Cheney said, "If I had to choose in terms of being a Republican, I'd go with Rush Limbaugh. My take on it was Colin had already left the party. I didn't know he was still a Republican." This morning, Powell said, "I am still a Republican. I'd like to point out that in the course of my 50 years of voting for presidents, I have voted for the person I thought was best qualified at that time to lead the nation. Last year I thought it was President-now Barack Obama." He also said of the GOP, "I think the Republican party has to take a hard look at itself and decide what kind of party are we? I have always felt that the Republican party should be more inclusive than it generally has been over the years." As for the radio host's influence, Powell noted, "If he is out there, he should be subject to criticism...He shouldn’t have a veto over what someone thinks," referring to how GOP chairman Michael Steele had to apologize after criticizing Limbaugh. more ›

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made her feelings about former vice president Dick Cheney's known at a hearing today. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-California) had asked her about Cheney suggestion that the CIA's torture-related memos be declassified (because some, Cheney claims, show harsh torture=success), to which Clinton said, "It won't surprise you that I don't consider him a particularly reliable source." Rohrbacher than demanded Clinton answer the question, suggesting she would want to preserve her credibility with them (the House Foreign Affairs Committee), and Clinton said she would support whatever decision the Obama administration makes, adding, "I am not going to share that with you because I do not know any facts that support what you're describing." You can watch the exchange here. more ›

Last night, the White House announced that then-Vice President Dick Cheney would be confined a wheelchair during the Inauguration ceremonies because he injured himself while helping out with his move to McLean, Virginia. (Naturally, Keith Olbermann was really excited by the news, which broke while he was on air.) During today's Inauguration coverage, former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw essentially said, unfortunately due to his strained back muscle, newspapers will say tomorrow that Cheney had a "Dr Strangelove" appearance because he's in the wheelchair. Tom, you're so helpful with your ideas. more ›

With considerably less fanfare than when the Obamas met the Bushes earlier this week, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden met Vice President Dick Cheney and Lynne Cheney at the vice presidential residence, the Naval Observatory. The AFP reports that during the 50-minute visit, "the couples held a private meeting and the Cheneys gave their guests a tour of the" Naval Observatory residence. more ›

Vice President Dick Cheney told Republicans gathered at the midtown Sheraton NewYork Hotel and Towers last night, "If we all put our shoulders to the wheel between now and November, I'm confident we'll see John McCain as the next president of the United States.'' more ›

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Pope Benedict XVI left New York City this evening, telling 4,000 people who gathered at JFK Airport, "It has been a joy for me to witness the faith and devotion of the Catholic community here." He called his address the United Nations one highlight and said, "My visit this morning to Ground Zero will remain firmly etched in my memory, as I continue to pray for those who died and for all who suffer in consequence of the tragedy that occurred there in 2001." more ›

Yesterday, Senator John McCain was welcomed and endorsed by President Bush. Bush referenced McCain's doubters and past history, "John showed incredible courage and strength of character and perseverance in order to get to this moment. And that's exactly what we need in a President: somebody that can handle the tough decisions; somebody who won't flinch in the face of danger." more ›

John McCain's Straight Talk Express headed into Manhattan today, taking him to Grand Central Terminal where he got the endorsement of former governor George Pataki. McCain, along with wife Cindy, appeared with Pataki, Alphonse D'Amato, Joseph Lieberman and Rudy Giuliani as the Republican candidate appears to be leading in many Super Tuesday polls over rivals Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul. more ›

President George Bush gave his final State of the Union address, sounding positive about his leadership but also noting that there's still more to do: "From expanding opportunity to protecting our country, we have made good progress. Yet we have unfinished business before us, and the American people expect us to get it done." (You can read the entire text here.) more ›

It’s said that when Dick Cheney was tasked with vetting potential Veeps for the Bush campaign, he carefully considered all the applicants before recommending the best man for the job: himself. Perhaps tearing a page from Vader’s playbook, Dark Lord Balthazar – AKA Gawker Media Czar Nick Denton – has found the ideal replacement to helm his flagship website in the wake of managing editor Choire Sicha’s resignation: an eager young go-getter from sector 7G named... Nick Denton! (We interviewed Sicha in the midst of all that drama.) more ›

Yesterday Imus returned to radio, which means somewhere Al Sharpton was talking about it. Happy with the changes, but not quite certain the controversial cowboy will stick to them, Sharpton announced at a press conference yesterday that: "I can only wait and see if his deeds will follow up his words. I know the statements that he made we will continue to monitor as we'll monitor others." He also commented on the new sidekicks, saying,... more ›

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a water rescue at Atlantic Beach Bridge in Queens, a fall victim onto the train tracks at West 42nd St. and 9th Ave. in Manhattan, and a car in the water on Bay and Edgewater Sts. in Staten Island.
• He didn't have to be shot in the back with a shotgun! Dick Cheney's heart problems continue. Seriously though, best wishes.
• Gov. Elliot Spitzer is going to be sequestered in a Brooklyn Marriott this weekend to hear it from fellow Democratic lawmakers. He'll eventually issue a mea culpa for resembling the party's mascot too closely and the Democrats will try to move on from there.
• "Wii. We need a Wii and world peace, but I'll take a Wii," said Mxxxxxxx Fxxxxx, 43, of Staten Island as she and her two daughters scoured Times Square stores for the red-hot Nintendo video-game console."
• Yep, immigrants are a drag on the economy: "In the suburbs north and east of the city, about 4 of every 10 doctors and more than one-fourth of college professors were foreign-born."
• "SELF" Magazine rated Long Island the second-healthiest region in the country. New York women ranked 8th in the 2nd annual ranking.
• Things to bring to a party: cake, wine, and not a knife to stick in your host's neck. The latter was the choice of one party guest, who surprised her friend with a sharp knife and a quick death.
• Brooke Astor's son Anthony and his attorney have been asked to surrender themselves on criminal charges.

Democrats Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Dianne Feinstein joined nine Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee and approved the nomination of Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey to go to the full Senate. The vote was 11-8, the eight opposing votes from the remaining Democrats on the committee. His confirmation is expected next week. Mukasey - and his supporters - has faced criticism after not declaring waterboarding illegal. Schumer has an op-ed in today's NY Times... more ›

Vice President Dick Cheney had a day of hunting at the Clove Valley Rod & Gun Club in upstate New York - and no one was hurt. However, there is a storm brewing over the fact that a Confederate flag was hanging in a garage on the property. more ›

Quick! What's scarier than a ghost, ghoul, or goblin? It's Dick Cheney...hunting! Everyone around the Valley Rod & Gun Club in Dutchess County better stock up on all the orange clothing they can find because the Vice President is going to be in your back yard. The Poughkeepsie Journal first reported Thursday that Cheney is coming to upstate New York for a hunting trip. He's expected to arrive Sunday night at Stewart airport and to go hunting on Monday. more ›

A look at some of this week's noteworthy television: more ›