BEN ALI, R.I.P.: Sad news for locals, as well as Kwame Kilpatrick: “WASHINGTON – Ben Ali, the founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl diner, a landmark in Washington’s black business and entertainment district and a frequent stop for politicians and celebrities, has died. He was 82.” [AP]

Everyone in DC loves Ben’s Chili Bowl, the U Street landmark known for its half-smokes, mediocre chili, long lines and politician sightings. This past year, Ben’s opened up Next Door next door, an upscale bar and restaurant that serves generally delicious southern food in an attractive setting, but with bad service. MORE »

Your Wonkette Weekend To-Do Listcicle is back. There are anniversary parties, Mayor Fenty eating chili, “water ice” … and that’s all at the first thing, tomorrow morning! MORE »

* The decider has yet to make any decisions on the raising or lowering of troop numbers in Iraq. [WP, NYT]
* Democrats will allow freshmen to take ownership of individual ethics proposals for maximum benefit in their districts. [WP]
* Sorry, Charlie, no measures to reinstate the draft will be part of the “2007-2008 legislative agenda.” [WP]
* The Iraq study group that almost wasn’t. [WP]
* Hillary Clinton and the mystery of the disappearing $30 million in campaign funds is solved — $13 thousand for flowers, $2,500 for chili half-smokes at Ben’s, and some other stuff. [NYT]
* Antiwar groups are outwardly enraged, inwardly fulfilled by being spied on by antiterror programs. [NYT]
* “Now we got weapons of the chemical dust,” until 2023 when we finally get rid of that shit. [USAT]
* In race for Katherine Harris’s old seat, Republican Vern Buchanan is finally named winner, Democrat Christine Jennings is suing, and Katy is still crying. [NYT]

• Congressional spawn/hipster Jackie Kucinich loves getting paid to write about bars you’ve been to a hundred times, still hates freedom. [The Hill]

• Someone tell the tourists that a Segway rickshaw is not a chariot, even though it might resemble the motorized wheel chair their fat-asses will be confined to soon enough. [Metroblogging DC]
• The weekly celebrity magazines are there for you when your brain is beaten and tired. [The Oral Minority]

* DC owns the half-smoke! Extra chili and double extra liquid cheese, please. [NPR via Unrequited Narcissism] MORE »