Fully Responsible: D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown is finally showing signs of realizing that ordering two high-end SUVs in the middle of a budget crunch might not be the key to everlasting gratitude among his constituents. He's e-mailing District residents who complain about the Lincoln Navigators to take "full responsibility" for the lease deal. Of course, since he says the deals weren't his fault, but instead blames rogue staffers, it's not clear Brown knows what "full responsibility" actually means. But hey! It's a start. -3

Gun Shy: Every manner of nightmare has been predicted for whenever Walmart finally opens its doors in the District—from mom and pop stores closing up to wages plummeting almost immediately. All of that may or may not still come to pass. But at least the city's unlicensed arms dealers won't have to worry about black market prices being undercut: Walmart won't sell guns here. No word on whether they'll sell censored CDs. +2

Snow Job: Another winter storm, another day after wondering what happened to all the snow—it's the story of D.C.'s winter so far this season. Last night, the forecast called for doom and gloom, and instead, Washingtonians awoke to find an inch or so of sleet on the streets (and schools delayed two hours). What went wrong? There are plenty of meteorological explanations; suffice it to say we think the extra greenhouse gases emitted by Kwame Brown's second Lincoln Navigator played a part, too. +1

Book Bonanza: Any luddites who, like us, haven't yet ditched paper books for e-reader files should make their way post-haste to the vicinity of Farragut North. The Borders at 18th and L streets NW is, evidently, all but giving away its inventory, liquidating ahead of bankruptcy proceedings. Magazines are 40 percent off. Which means you can pick up this week's Washington City Paper there for 40 percent of the usual $0! +2

Yesterday's Needle rating: 40 Today's score: +2 Today's Needle rating: 42

And it's so much more. It has the same selection as an airport kiosk but at twice the size. It seems to think everyone needs to be greeted with towering displays Palin and/or Beck and/or that No Spin guy. It is expensive. Why would anyone go there when D.C. has really strong independent stores?

Probably the worst thing about Borders is the long slog of stories about Borders' financial woes. WaPo's piece yesterday is just the latest. Can it just die already?

Full Disclosure: I used to work there in 1996. So here's my insider reasons why Borders may be closing:

1. At least in my store, the metal detectors didn't really work.
2. The store had an incredibly lame music staff. I once got berated for playing Patti Smith instead of the Rent soundtrack.
3. Management banned staff from reading on the job. Even when there were no customers in the store (say 10 p.m. on a Tuesday).
4. At a certain point, I did a really shitty job shelving the knitting and tatting section.
5. Customers only ever seemed interested in the Jesus books.

As you can see by my references, my reasons might be a wee bit dated. Sorry. In the mid '90s, there were no Kindles or iPads.

Twilight, that suckalicious sparkling-vampire movie starring Robert Pattinson (eeeee!) and Kristen Stewart (Bella!), is out on DVD tomorrow. But it's not any ol' DVD release: It's a two-disc Special Edition DVD, and it's going on sale in just less than 12 hours, complete with parties at Borders, Walmart, and Blockbuster locations across the country officially starting at 10 p.m.

Certainly, though, the lines will form much, much earlier. Especially considering that the Twilight folks have not only promised plenty o' giveaways, but "Twilight actors and filmmakers will be making surprise appearances at select locations throughout the country!"

And if those facts don't make you faint, you'll certain need a splash of water to the face and a cookie if you decide to give plasma at one of the blood drives select Walmarts will host. It's unclear whether the Clinton, Md., store — apparently the only Walmart throwing a Twilight party — will be participating.

For more information and to find the location of the nearest screechfest, go to twilightthemovie.com.