For Paul Rudd, the decision to star in Jay Roach’s new comedy, “Dinner for Schmucks,” was an easy one. “I thought the script was really funny,” he says. “That was it. It was kind of a no-brainer.” Of course Rudd, who’s built an impressive resume of smart comedies, was just as enamored of the man behind the camera. Cliff who? The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has just gotten quite a bit of company: As many as 6,600 graves at the country’s hallowed Arlington National Cemetery for fallen U.S. service members may be mislabeled, one lawmaker said on Thursday.New claims for unemployment benefits slipped last week, but stayed at a stubbornly high level that underscored the labor market recovery was having trouble gaining traction.J.A. Happ said all the right things, just as the crafty lefty always has.Julian Assange, founder of the website that published more than 91,000 secret U.S. military reports from Afghanistan, says he’s revealing injustices. President Barack Obama says he’s concerned that disclosure of sensitive information may harm military operations.1. Will the Jets regret cutting Faneca?For many job-hopping careerists, smuggling a resignation letter in their bag like a guilty secret, there are few workplace rituals so hard as saying so long.Subletting in NYC typically involves some kind of covert transaction. Try to find a budget traveler who hasn’t enjoyed the risk of Craigslist’s lease-free rentals. But thanks to a bill Gov. David Paterson signed into law last Friday, renting an apartment for less than 30 days isn’t kosher. Fortunately, there’s a saving grace for those in search of short-term living: Jersey City.Could nail mats like the Acushakti be the next Snuggies?
Independence Day is Saturday, and American sporting spirits are high after the soccer team’s run at the Confederations Cup.
That was nice, but it does not crack this list: Five international sports moments that make us proud to be from the good ol’ US of A:
1. 1980 Winter Olympics: The “Miracle on Ice” — BU’s Jim Craig and Mike Eruzione were the heroes on the underdog team that beat the Soviets on the way to gold. That 4-3 upset gets all the attention these days, but the 4-2 win over Finland was almost as impressive from a hockey perspective. Team USA produced 13 NHL players, including Stanley Cup winners Neal Broten and Ken Morrow.
2. 1999 Women’s World Cup — Everyone has heard of the Breakers’ Kristine Lilly, but the ’99 team made Brianna Scurry and Brandi Chastain (and others) household names. The final against China was terribly exciting to watch or attend — 90,185 packed the Rose Bowl. Chastain scored the game-winner in a shootout ... and tore her jersey top off in celebration.
3. 2008 Summer Olympics: Michael Phelps — Incriminating photos aside, swimmer Michael Phelps has cemented his name in American sports history.
He went 8-for-8 in Beijing, setting records in seven events and breaking Mark Spitz’s 36-year-old record for gold medals at a single Games.
4. 1968 Summer Olympics: Bob Beamon — The long jump record Beamon set in Mexico City was broken by Mike Powell in 1991.
Still, Beamon’s leap is great because he absolutely smashed the old mark. His 8.9-meter jump was beyond the bounds of the official measuring device, and photos of the jump have become some of the most recognizable images in American sports.
5. 2005 Tour de France: Lance wins seventh straight — The PED scrutiny will (unfortunately) always be there, but the fact remains that Lance Armstrong did something from 1999-2005 that no one has ever done before: Win seven Tour de France titles.
Don’t forget, he did it after beating testicular cancer. Factor in that he’s never tested positive for doping despite calling himself the “most-tested athlete in the world,” and you’ve got the makings of a legend.
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