The hammer is coming down on The Hammer. Tom DeLay, former House majority leader and owner of the one of the best mugshots ever, was sentenced today to three years in prison for his role in a scheme that channeled corporate contributions around Texas. Of course DeLay, who is expected to make his $10,000 bond while awaiting an appeal, is still maintaining his innocence. "This is an abuse of power. It's a miscarriage of justice, and I still maintain that I am innocent," DeLay told reporters following his conviction. So this won't be the last you hear about DeLay, we're sure. more ›

With all that went down this week, we thought we thought we'd cheer everyone up by giving everyone a double dose of dogs. more ›

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Even though we are way way past school age, we still get a little melancholy at the close of summer. Fortunately, our friends across the -ist network know that the shenanigans don't need to end just because the big yellow buses are back on the roads. So, grab your sunscreen and your favorite hangover cure, as we take a tour of end of summer fun from -ist cities all over the damn place. more ›

There's a whole wide world out there, and here's the proof: more ›

With fallen DC lobbyist Jack Abramoff's plea deal freaking out the Beltway, people would expect him to turn over Republican congressmen Tom DeLay and Bob Ney. But Gothamist wondered if any of our area politicians were involved. And, naturally, some were, which isn't surprising given money Abramoff had at his disposal (through Abramoff's organization, about $915,000 went to Republicans in Congress, while $770,000 or so went to Democrats; however, Abramoff's personal contributions seem to be limited to Republicans themselves - about $127,000 worth). Newsday reports that Representative Charles Rangel was the top New York receipient of Abramoff's largesse, getting $36,000; he was followed by "Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-Rochester) at $7,000 and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester) at $2,000":

Rangel, who has not been implicated in any wrongdoing, said he is unfairly in the spotlight because of Abramoff's actions. "Don't know him, never met him, never took a dime from him," said the senior member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. more ›

Here they are, this weeks Weddings and Celebrations, by the numbers: more ›

that someday Law & Order will filter to the highest levels of government. We just didn't figure that it would be in this way: Fred Thompson, who plays District Attorney Arthur Branch, has agreed to be an adviser to President Bush for the Supreme Court justice selection process. Apparently, one term in the Senate and a role on America's longest running cop-and-lawyer show can launch you into guiding one of the most important decisions for our country! Now Gothamist wonders if Thompson can do anything about Tom Delay's complaining about L&O mentioning him in an episode...or if writers will be trying to say anything about the current administration! more ›

Brilliant: The pretend New York's Finest at Law & Order are in trouble with the law. It seems that the crew was using "unlicensed walkie talkies" that actually disrupted NYPD transmissions, and a police officer ended up going to the soundstages at Chelsea Piers where Law & Order films. The FCC is fining producers $10,000 for the infraction. Gothamist wonders if Representative Tom Delay has anything to do with this, as he's been crying like a little baby about how the show used his name. Universal Television, which produces the show, tells the NY Post that they disagree with the outcome, but they are cooperating. more ›

The GOP also made sure to compliment and praise the city of New York, after the embarrassing effort from Tom DeLay to have all GOPers sequestered away on a boat. But don't worry, everyone, Gothamist is sure there will be more than enough embarrassment to pass around when they come to town. more ›