The Who2 Blog

Fred Rogers, the star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, died five years ago today.He’d still be only 79 now. He was born the same year as poet Maya Angelou, artist Andy Warhol, and revolutionary Che Guevara.

An exciting week for rapper Ja Rule. He’s a leap year baby, born 29 February 1976, so he’ll be celebrating his 8th natal day on Friday.He’s part of our fascinating quartet of February 29th babies — along with Shaker founder Mother Ann Lee, killer Aileen Wuornos (of Monster fame), and nutty prankster/painter Balthus.

“Two years and 142 cases have passed since Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas last spoke up at oral arguments,” reports the Associated Press (via CNN). “The last time Thomas asked a question in court was Feb. 22, 2006, in a death penalty case out of South Carolina.”

Ralph Nader announced today that he is running for president as an independent in 2008.Nader collected nearly 2.9 million votes as a Green Party candidate in 2000, and those mostly-liberal votes are generally considered to have cost Democrat Al Gore the election.Perhaps Democrats can take heart in 2008: Nader ran again in 2004 and collected only 465,000 votes.

The 2008 Academy Awards are set for tonight at 8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific, and 3:00 Honolulu time.They’re called the 2008 Oscars although the films involved are, of course, from 2007. This is easy to understand now, but will cause confusion and mild irritation in years to come when biographers explain that actor X won a 2008 Oscar for film Y, then have to clarify that film Y was released in 2007.(Yes, it’s a pet peeve.)Here are the nominees for the acting Oscars:

Rumors of his death continue to be exaggerated. Abe Vigoda, star of Barney Miller and Fish, turns 87 this weekend.

A quiz for George Washington’s birthday: Which president had a gloomy, ne’er-do-well son named for Washington?Here’s the answer. And here’s the son.

Singer Jennifer Lopez has given birth to twins.According to People, “The babies were born early Friday [22 February] in Long Island, N.Y. The girl was born at 12:12 a.m. and weighed 5 lbs. 7 oz., and the boy followed at 12:23 a.m., weighing 6 lbs.”Lopez and her husband, Marc Anthony, have been married since 2004.

And what do you do with your spare time?

Singer Rihanna, of “Umbrella” and “Pon de Replay” fame, leaves her teens today. She’s 20.Guitarist Tony Iommi, of Black Sabbath (and missing fingers) fame, turned 60 yesterday.Happy birthday, kids!

“I will not aspire to nor accept — I repeat — I will not aspire to nor accept the post of President of the Council of State and Commander in Chief.”Those are words of Fidel Castro in a letter released Tuesday, according to The Washington Post.

A side note on actress Molly Ringwald: Turns out her dad is a ragtime pianist with a rather witty home page at www.ringwald.com.”Throughout Ringwald’s musical career, he has always subscribed to the motto: If my music does not come up to your standards, lower your standards.”

Actress Molly Ringwald turns 40 today.Ringwald was born in 1968, so she really was 16 when she starred in her 1984 hit Sixteen Candles. That’s a rarity for Hollywood, which tends to cast older actors as its high-schoolers. (Most recently: Ellen Page doing a swell job playing 16 in Juno. Page turns 21 in three days.)

Which TV detective has appeared on eight different series in the last decade?

Steve Fossett was declared dead on Friday by Cook County (Illinois) Judge Jeffrey Malak. That allows Fossett’s widow, Peggy, to begin dealing with his estate.It also allows newspapers to print obituaries they’ve been holding since September. Here’s how Fossett is being described:

A Chicago probate court judge has declared adventurer Steve Fossett to be legally dead.Fossett disappeared in Nevada in September on what was supposed to be a brief flight in a single-engine plane. He and the plane have not been seen since.

The National Archives has uncovered a rare and rather shocking photo of Abraham Lincoln topless.The photo can be found here. (May not be suitable for all viewers.)The Archives also has a larger history of the photo. Happy Presidents’ Day!

Jimmy Hoffa may be 95 years old today.

Pitcher Roger Clemens, accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, testifies before Congress today.