Today’s selection of important stories you might have missed:

~ For the people of the Texas breakwater island of Galveston Hurricane Ike is turning into a real nightmare.  The storm surge is in danger of completely overrunning the island.  The coast guard has issued a very strongly worded warning and said that, “Persons not heeding evacuation orders in single family one- or two-story homes will face certain death.”  Playtime’s over people; if you’re reading this from Galveston get. out. now. Your pride’s not worth your life.

~ When trying to make your vice presidential pick into some sort of anti-earmark queen by claiming she “never took earmarks as governor” it helps if, you know, she didn’t.  It especially helps if she didn’t request more earmarked tax dollars per capita then any other state or hire a Washington lobbyist while a mayor to funnel federal tax dollars to her town.

~ In the same week that Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez expelled the US ambassador Russian nuclear-capable bombers have arrived in the nation to begin training. Look for this story to get interesting.

~ Sarah Palin’s handlers are no doubt in spin mode over her Gibson interview claim that American soldiers in Iraq are there to fight the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks.  In her words the soldiers duty is to “defend the innocent from the enemies who planned and carried out and rejoiced in the death of thousands of Americans.”  Sounds good but, as much as the wingnuts may try to spin it, the chances that Palin wasn’t referring to 9/11 are nearly nil.

~ The next time you hear that proximity to Russia counts as foreign policy experience your reply should be simply, “And when I look out my window I can see the moon. Doesn’t make me a f-ing astronaut now, does it?” And Cole, that is quote of the year.  No need to vote, you’ve got your winner.

And lastly two site related bits of news.

~ After this weeks dry spell of new content I’m pleased to announce that from this point on there should be a new post up daily.  Also, If any readers would like to contribute as either guest posters or join up as recurring writers please feel free to contact me via the feedback page.

~ We’re currently in the midst of a site redesign so if you happen to notice things looking different in the coming days and weeks don’t panic; we’re still the same Centerpoint Review you’ve come to enjoy.