S_J_K IS _ LUSH

I'd like to buy a vowel: A? Longtime "Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak admitted during a ESPN2 talk show that he and the lovely letter-spinning Vanna White often partook of four-or-more-margarita meal breaks when they were younger.

This must have made things difficult for Sajak; the entire studio was spinning long before contestants even touched the wheel.

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'Cause I'm the tax man: An IRS report that revealed about 3 percent of federal employees owe $3.4 billion in back taxes has prompted congressional legislation that could cost them their jobs if they don't pay up.

But there's a harsher punishment awaiting those in the general public who don't pay their taxes; they will be required to fill all of those vacant mind-numbing, soul-sucking government jobs.

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Hot stove time: Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge, looking to improve his offense, said he is closer to a decision to move Ichiro Suzuki from his leadoff hitting spot. "I'm leaning in the direction to have Ichi hit somewhere else."

We'll accept that, but what about having the M's long-struggling Chone Figgins hit somewhere else, like Texas or Oakland or Los Angeles?

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