Hands on a Piece of Punch Card History

And now the most engaging two minutes in television, the latest from the political grapevine:

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Bestowing Ballots
Don't look now, but those pesky chads are back! Leaders in Hillsborough County, Fla., are giving away 140,000 unused punch cards from the 2000 Presidential Election, complete with the attached chads, to anyone who wants them. That's right, you could get your hands on a piece of American history, a controversial ballot from the Bush-Gore showdown two years ago. Best of all, it's free.

Future Politician?
Outgoing South Dakota Gov. Bill Janklow has pardoned American Indian activist Russell Means, wiping away a felony conviction from a 1974 riot. The pardon gives Means, now 63 years old, the chance to pursue a career in politics. Means once ran for the U.S. presidency as a Libertarian and tried last year to enter New Mexico's gubernatorial campaign. Means said the pardon, "Seals my record, so I don't even have to admit I have ever been in prison or committed a felony."

Declining a Donation?
Thanks, but no thanks. The Salvation Army says it will not accept a $100,000 donation from a Florida lotto winner. Why? The group says some officials are uneasy about taking money associated with a form of gambling. Seventy-one-year-old David Rush said he had made donations to the Salvation Army for 40 years, but was told that taking the money was wrong since some of the families the Salvation Army counsels are homeless because of gambling. Rush, who collected a check for more than $14 million dollars from lottery officials in December, said, "Everybody has a right to be sanctimonious if they want to be. I respect the Salvation Army's decision. I do not agree with it, but that is their prerogative."

Planning a Party!
And finally, outgoing Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura and his administration have a farewell bash planned for this Saturday night in Saint Paul. The event is being called "Now, I Got Time to Bleed," a play on the title of Ventura's book, I Ain't Got Time to Bleed. And the invitations look more or less like your standard party invite, advising guests to come dressed as they like, and informing everyone that proceeds will benefit local charities. But then comes the very last line of the invitation, "Please, no cameras, no autographs and no media jackals!"