This might be a good time for Americans to be thankful that our cities haven't been subject to major terrorist attacks for awhile.
If anyone has friends or family in Mumbai, hope they're safe.
BBC News: Mumbai Attacks
Paul Newman passed away on Friday at his home in Westport, Connecticut. A great actor, philanthropist, an all-around great guy:
NYTimes: Paul Newman, Magnetic Hollywood Titan, Dead at 83
Sad news for the literary world - influential writer David Foster Wallace, 46 years old, was found dead of suicide on Friday at his California home.
I haven't been so ambitious as to tackle the 1,079-page "Infinite Jest", which is by many accounts a sprawling, complex, darkly humorous masterpiece of postmodern literature, and now I will feel a little worse about this neglect.
Links:
NY Times obit: David Foster Wallace Found Dead
Salon: In Memory of David Foster Wallace, 1962-2008
Michiko Kakutani: Exuberant Riffs on a Land Run Amok
Ted Kennedy, this year's supposed commencement speaker and MA Senator, was hospitalized for having stroke-like symptoms and surgery on his left cartoid artery (in the heart). Looks like Wes might have to get someone new to speak. Check out more here and thanks to Ross Shenker '11 for the update!
Update (Mad, 2:15 pm): The New York Times is reporting that, according to a statement released from Washington, he suffered a seizure this morning but is now "resting comfortably". Yahoo is saying that he "did not appear to have had a stroke as initially suspected." Our hearts go out to his friends and family, and we wish him an easy recovery. Get well soon!
Update (Mad, 10:55 pm): The New York Times has updated their article to say:
A family spokeswoman said Saturday evening that Mr. Kennedy, 76, was “conscious, talking and joking with family” who had gathered at Massachusetts General Hospital. Several other Kennedy associates said they were told that the senator, Democrat of Massachusetts, would recover, but that he was scheduled to undergo tests to determine what caused the seizure.Glad to hear it! While I assume Kennedy still won't be able to come to speak at Commencement (though this is unconfirmed), and I think we're all less enriched by not getting to hear him speak, I wish him all the rest he needs to get better.
