Obama cabinet members step down

Per the Washington Post, Tom Daschle and Nancy Killefer have both withdrawn their nominations to President Barack Obama's cabinet as a result of "tax lapses."

In wake of the news, satire hit the Twitter stream.

@jmartinisu (Arlington, Va.): Who is vetting Obama's cabinet picks? The same group that vetted Sarah Palin?



Some lended Obama a hand.


@fritzpj (D.C. metro): Dear Prez Obama - I always pay my taxes. i will be happy to be any cabinet level position you have available.....THX!!!!


@kevdc (Washington D.C.): Would like to put myself into consideration for an Obama cabinet position as I am both available and current on filing my taxes.


@ryanpduffy, a Republican speechwriter per his bio, posed questions.

@ryanpduffy (Washington, D.C.): Three tax evaders in one Cabinet? Change we can believe in? http://bit.ly/3J7rdm #tcot

Obama cabinet members step down

Australia unveils stimulus plan

Per the Associated Press, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a new stimulus package worth 42 billion Australian dollars to combat the worsening global economy.

Australians reacted to the news with a mixture of seriousness and humor.

@tom_baker (Sydney): Well, Australia will officially be in deficit for the next four years (due to the new stimulus). But I suppose Kevin's just trying his best.


@uncster (Sydney): Stimulus package looks interesting... A Plasma TV in every bedroom by 2010!



@static_22 (Canberra): Can't wait to get my $950 from the governement in this new economic stimulus package!



Even a politician weighed in.

@premierofnsw (New South Wales): Kevin Rudd's stimulus plan is good news for families and the economy. It stands side by side with NSW's $56 billion infrastructure program

Australia unveils stimulus plan

Iran launches satellite

Per Reuters, "Iran launched its first home-made satellite into orbit on Tuesday, state television reported."

Strangely, as of this post (about three hours after Reuters' report), there have been no tweets on this event within 100 miles of Tehran in the last several hours. That includes tweets in Persian, Farsi, and Arabic, after Breaking Tweets translated these messages.

But the world is reacting:

@travelphoto (San Jose, Calif.): Iran launched their first satellite. Probably trying to find out what Obama types on his Blackberry.


@andycal (Wolverhampton, England): Why is the Iran satellite described as 'home made'. Gives the impression it was built in a shed.


@wsm1, a quantum physicist working at NASA per his bio, offered the following:

@wsm1 (Calif.): so the NORAD TLEs confirm that Iran did launch a satellite. http://www.planet4589.org/latest.html

Iran launches satellite

Minor quake shakes New Jersey

Per the Post Chronicle, New Jersey experienced a minor earthquake tonight at 10:35 p.m. EST. The quake had a magnitude of about 3.0 per the report.

Here are some of the first tweets from the affected area.


@__Deb (New Jersey): Okay, we just either had a small earthquake or there was a big explosion somewhere nearby


@rdy2freefall (Mendham, N.J.): Omg did anyone else feel that? Legit I think there was just a mini earthquake in jersey!



One New Jersey resident, @devyanks90 did not think earthquake at first.


@devyanks90 (Dover, N.J.): gas line explosion somewhere in town. the house shook pretty badly


He soon corrected himself.


@devyanks90 (Dover, N.J.): no gas line explosion. only a minor earthquake (2.9-3.5) this might be a first for new jersey

Minor quake shakes New Jersey

Earthquake in Peru

Per @BreakingNewsOn, "A strong earthquake struck 110 miles from Lima, Peru." Preliminary reports put the magnitude of the quake at 5.7 and 5.8.

Here's some of the first tweets on the incident from Peru.

@froncal1 (Lima, Peru): Hubo un temblor y me quedé sentada!!! (There was an earthquake and I was sitting!!!)



@Camuss (Lima, Peru): te dije que era temblor... http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2009cpa1.php (I told you I was shaking...)


@Karikuy (Lima, Peru): just experienced a 5.5 earthquake that is said to have been off the coast of Peru, funny, I thought it was just a large truck passing by.

Earthquake in Peru