Image: TheClassist.com

-Another day, another crazy political gaffe. Rep. Todd Akin (MO), who is currently running for a seat in the Senate, went on a St. Louis news program and said these words when asked whether he would support abortion in cases of rape: “It seems to me first of all, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down,” Akin said of a rape victim’s chances of becoming pregnant.” This man votes on things that become law!

After being flayed on Twitter and in the media, Rep. Akin, of course, issued a statement in which he says he “misspoke” and his statements didn’t reflect the “empathy” he really has rape victims. The GOP Presidential ticket isn’t taking any chances, however. The Romney/Paul campaign has already issued a statement of their own saying they don’t agree with Rep. Akin and “would not oppose abortion in instances of rape.” The Democrats weren’t wasting any time either. An email signed by the Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz hit inboxes early this morning, asserting that the “misstatement” is more evidence of the Republican assault on women’s health issues. His opponent, Sen. Claire McCaskill, said in a statement, “It is beyond comprehension that someone can be so ignorant about the emotional and physical trauma brought on by rape.”

-NBC announced about two dozen layoffs at The Tonight Show over the weekend. In addition, Jay Leno took a pay cut as NBC tries to bring down costs. He was making between $25 million and $30 million per year. Now he’s only making $20 million. Jay’s foremost concern is for the wonderful people who work with him at The Tonight Show. He did what was necessary to ensure their well-being.” said Leno’s spokesperson Bruce Bobbins. Gag.

-Wal-Mart’s layaway program was so successful last year, they’re bringing it back starting September 16. Small home appliances and sporting goods will be added to the list of toys and electronics that were available to the program last year. A down payment of $10 or 10 percent plus a $15 fee to open an account is required.

-With Facebook’s stock sinking like a stone, some are wondering aloud whether Mark Zuckerberg’s time as CEO of the now public company is running out. Many call the thought of that happening “absurd.” We agree.

-Sad Hollywood news this morning: Tony Scott, the director of films like Top Gun and a number of Denzel Washington movies like Man On Fire and Unstoppable jumped from a Los Angeles bridge to his death yesterday afternoon. The details from a suicide note found later that day have not been revealed. He just finished working on a Christian Bale movie called Out of the Furnace due out in March. His brother is also a famous filmmaker, Ridley Scott. He was 68 years old. *Update: Reports now say Scott had inoperable brain cancer. **Update: ABC News may have been wrong. Tony Scott’s family denies he had inoperable brain cancer. And the Los Angeles County coroner’s office says they won’t know anything until they complete their autopsy and other tests.