“I read the news today, oh boy ...” (Philippine National Heroes Day Edition)

Last Wednesday, New Jersey governor and kinda-sorta-presidential hopeful Chris Christie took on a challenger in a townhall-style meeting, to discuss one of the burning issues of our time. You can agree or disagree with the man on one thing or another, but you can't deny that you know exactly where he stands on an issue, that right or wrong he'll tell you why, and that he could whoop anybody's @$$ in a presidential debate. Now, given that no president is ever able to keep every promise he makes, how bad could that be?

Meanwhile, elsewhere on planet Earth:

• Science marches on, as Google's experimental “autonomous car” is programmed to go over the speed limit to make it safer. Obviously it won't hit anybody ... or will it? [Gizmodo]

• Moving our science news forward into the past, it was possible back in the 1950s for a kid to purchase an “Atomic Energy Kit” complete with four different types of uranium ore. Oh, and a geiger counter, just to be safe. [Gajitz]

• And speaking of trends, here's some great news for all you fellas who miss the pop culture and haute couture of the 80s and 90s. “Mom jeans” are making a comeback. [Answers]

• In the first of three (slightly) related stories, is the United States of America the most freedom-loving country in the world? It depends on what you mean by “freedom,” or whether you confuse that term with “license.” [Capitalism Is Freedom]

• Second, in taking a closer look at America, what are the most corrupt among the several States? [Fortune]

• Third, What is the value of, say, one hundred dollars, relative to each state? [The Huffington Post]

• Finally, the renowned actor Patrick Stewart officially ends the Ice Bucket Challenge! We can all stop dumping ice water on our heads, as the star of Star Trek and X-Men wins the challenge. No more nominations, no more wet clothes, just one check for an undisclosed amount of money. (Aside from the support of the ALSA for embryonic stem cell research, it was getting a little annoying anyway.) [N/A]

And that's all the news that fits. As the week goes on, stay tuned, and stay in touch.