...First, I have two words for anyone who has BET on their cable or satellite TV lineup -
The Wire.
Simply put, it's the best-written and -acted show on television today.
It follows a police investigation of a narcotics operation in Baltimore's housing projects, but the show is much more than a "Law and Order"-style characterless police procedural - it's a great drama, with eloquently raw writing that rivals that of any "Great Novel" that has ever been published and acting performances that should be taught in every film and acting school in the country.
Originally aired on HBO and with the language, violence, and nudity toned down for basic cable, this show is finally accessible to a wide audience.
If you can tear yourselves away from "reality television" and "Desperate Housewives" and the like, tune in to BET on Thursday nights at 9 E/P (10:00 AZ time) and give it a try.
...The Baseball Hall of Fame announced its latest inductees on Tuesday.
Congrats to Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken. Unquestionably, they were both among the best players of their generation, and among the best ever. Both deserve the honor.
Notable by his absence on the list of 2007 inductees is Mark McGwire. Apparently, many of the voters, members of the Baseball Writers Association of America, felt that the possibility that he may have used performance-enhancing drugs (steroids?) during his career means that 583 career home runs doesn't merit enshrinement.
At least not in his first year of eligibility.
I can't say that I disagree with that part, but as he didn't break the rules of his era (there weren't any to break), the mere possibility that used steroids shouldn't be enough to keep him out of the HOF.
I hope that he gains entry next year.
The truly unjust news? Jim Rice was denied entry again.
I may be a little biased (I'm a huge Red Sox fan), but he was easily the most dominant and feared hitter of his time, hitting for both power and average, and he turned himself into a more than adequate left fielder. The only thing he didn't do was steal bases, but that's something that has never been part of the Red Sox' offensive repertoire.
Edit to add: more baseball news. I was tired last night, and forgot this -
Randy Johnson is back with the Diamondbacks.
Welcome Back Randy!!
Now MLB should rescind the trade, on the grounds that a pitcher of his stature should only be in the AL East.
What am I talking about? Three things -
7.17.
1.97.
.306.
Respectively, his ERA, WHIP, and BAA against the Red Sox last year.
Welcome back Randy, but please go back to New York - the Red Sox...err...the Yankees need you!
:)
End edit.
...In bigger news (to me anyway) MOLLY'S BACK!!
It's been a month and a half, but Molly Ivins' most recent column is here. There are plenty of writers that qualify as "progressive", but none can make the reader feel indignant and outraged while causing them to laugh heartily the way that Ivins does.
Welcome back Molly!
Went to the LD17 Dems meeting tonight, but I'll write it up tomorrow.
Good night!
Showing posts with label Pop culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pop culture. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Short Attention Span Musing - National/International Edition
From Iran: David Duke, former KKK leader and Randy Graf supporter, appeared at a Holocaust denial conference in Tehran.
...and some CD8 Republicans still wonder how Randy Graf was perceived as too extreme for the district.
From Chile: This weekend, former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet followed Ken Lay's example on how to avoid facing justice for his crimes.
He died.
We don't have to worry about this fate befalling any of the officials of the current Presidential administration - W can pardon them preemptively. Hell, the pardon papers are probably already printed and filled out.
The only real question is if, under the U.S. Constitution, a President can self-pardon.
From New York: A Manhattan court has sent a firm message that hardcore criminals will not be tolerated. Cindy Sheehan was convicted of trespassing for trying to deliver anti-Iraq war petitions to the U.S. mission to the United Nations.
From Baghdad: 57 people died in car bomb attacks.
And the Bush Admin thinks that *protesting* the war non-violently is a crime, but *fighting* it is OK?
From Cleveland: U.S. Rep Dennis Kucinich announced his candidacy for the 2008 Democratic nomination for the Presidency.
No wiseass comment here; I don't think he has a snowball's chance of winning, but he should make the campaign rhetoric interesting.
From Houston: Keith Turner was sentenced to 90 years in prison (has to serve 30 years before being eligible for parole) for his role in a vicious and brutal racially-motivated attack. His partner in the crime, David Henry Tuck, was previously convicted and sentenced to life in prison for his role in the crime.
Turner is 17; Tuck is 18.
I wrote about the attack in late April; at the time, the victim was not expected to survive.
After a huge number of operations (and, I assume, rehab sessions), he is well enough to testify that he couldn't remember anything about the attack.
The sentences aren't long enough. Not by a long shot.
And finally, the most important news -
In Chattanooga, TN: The Minutemen as scheduled to invade Chattanooga on Friday, December 15.
No, not the group of David Duke-wannabes dedicated to fearlessly protecting our country from poor brown people looking for work.
Nope, the Minutemen I'm talking about are the members of the University of Massachusetts' football team.
They're in the 1-AA championship game, facing the Mountaineers of Appalachian State University (NC).
Have a great night!
...and some CD8 Republicans still wonder how Randy Graf was perceived as too extreme for the district.
From Chile: This weekend, former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet followed Ken Lay's example on how to avoid facing justice for his crimes.
He died.
We don't have to worry about this fate befalling any of the officials of the current Presidential administration - W can pardon them preemptively. Hell, the pardon papers are probably already printed and filled out.
The only real question is if, under the U.S. Constitution, a President can self-pardon.
From New York: A Manhattan court has sent a firm message that hardcore criminals will not be tolerated. Cindy Sheehan was convicted of trespassing for trying to deliver anti-Iraq war petitions to the U.S. mission to the United Nations.
From Baghdad: 57 people died in car bomb attacks.
And the Bush Admin thinks that *protesting* the war non-violently is a crime, but *fighting* it is OK?
From Cleveland: U.S. Rep Dennis Kucinich announced his candidacy for the 2008 Democratic nomination for the Presidency.
No wiseass comment here; I don't think he has a snowball's chance of winning, but he should make the campaign rhetoric interesting.
From Houston: Keith Turner was sentenced to 90 years in prison (has to serve 30 years before being eligible for parole) for his role in a vicious and brutal racially-motivated attack. His partner in the crime, David Henry Tuck, was previously convicted and sentenced to life in prison for his role in the crime.
Turner is 17; Tuck is 18.
I wrote about the attack in late April; at the time, the victim was not expected to survive.
After a huge number of operations (and, I assume, rehab sessions), he is well enough to testify that he couldn't remember anything about the attack.
The sentences aren't long enough. Not by a long shot.
And finally, the most important news -
In Chattanooga, TN: The Minutemen as scheduled to invade Chattanooga on Friday, December 15.
No, not the group of David Duke-wannabes dedicated to fearlessly protecting our country from poor brown people looking for work.
Nope, the Minutemen I'm talking about are the members of the University of Massachusetts' football team.
They're in the 1-AA championship game, facing the Mountaineers of Appalachian State University (NC).
Have a great night!
Monday, November 20, 2006
Short attention span musing for Monday, November 20th
...In a surprising back-step, Fox has decided not to release OJ Simpson's book "If I Did It: Here's How It Happened," nor will it air its planned two-night promotional interview promoting the book.
Note: both the publisher of the book, ReganBooks, and the network (Fox) are owned by Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp.
I'm a little disappointed by Fox. I was looking forward to actively choosing to do something other than watch TV when the interview aired.
...(from the Phoenix Business Journal) In a surprising show of bipartisan unity, Arizona Republican congressmen Hayworth, Renzi, and Franks voted with their Democratic colleagues from AZ, Ed Pastor and Raul Grijalva, to block a free trade agreement between the U.S. and Vietnam.
Republicans Kolbe, Shadegg, and Flake voted for the measure.
...Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY) has called for reinstituting a military draft.
In a word: NO.
In more words: I understand the socioeconomic impetus behind this (the membership of the current all-volunteer armed services is heavily weighted toward the poor and racial and ethnic minority groups, perhaps unfairly so) but that's a reason to fix the system, not force people into the military against their will.
His proposal is a military-only draft; perhaps if it was part of a comprehensive public-service requirement, it might be more palatable. Options could include military service, as well as public works projects or working in poorer public schools, etc.
Of course, I could support a military-only draft, if the proposal required that the first 50,000 (or so) people drafted were the children or grandchildren of federal elected officials, senior government officials (Cabinet and sub-Cabinet), and of the directors and officers of defense contractors.
In one fell swoop, we'd become the most peace-loving nation in the history of the world.
OK, so a national public service requirement is more likely.
Hell, the Earth's rotation changing so that the Sun rises in the West and sets in the East is more likely.
Oh, and one more point against reinstituting a draft: Anybody drafted would have to take an oath swearing to follow the orders of the President of the United States.
Swear to follow the orders of George W. Bush??
Not gonna happen.
...My favorite headline of the weekend, from Yahoo! News:
"Calif. couple calls for orgasm for peace"
The couple is calling for an anti-war protest on December 22nd; not in the streets, but one we can all participate in by staying home.
Provide your own punch lines. :)
All I have to ask is who is going to volunteer to take one for the team (humanity) and bring peace to Ann Coulter? (Sorry, I couldn't resist a punch line of my own. :) )
...Time to go to the LD17 Dems' reorg meeting. Later!
Note: both the publisher of the book, ReganBooks, and the network (Fox) are owned by Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp.
I'm a little disappointed by Fox. I was looking forward to actively choosing to do something other than watch TV when the interview aired.
...(from the Phoenix Business Journal) In a surprising show of bipartisan unity, Arizona Republican congressmen Hayworth, Renzi, and Franks voted with their Democratic colleagues from AZ, Ed Pastor and Raul Grijalva, to block a free trade agreement between the U.S. and Vietnam.
Republicans Kolbe, Shadegg, and Flake voted for the measure.
...Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY) has called for reinstituting a military draft.
In a word: NO.
In more words: I understand the socioeconomic impetus behind this (the membership of the current all-volunteer armed services is heavily weighted toward the poor and racial and ethnic minority groups, perhaps unfairly so) but that's a reason to fix the system, not force people into the military against their will.
His proposal is a military-only draft; perhaps if it was part of a comprehensive public-service requirement, it might be more palatable. Options could include military service, as well as public works projects or working in poorer public schools, etc.
Of course, I could support a military-only draft, if the proposal required that the first 50,000 (or so) people drafted were the children or grandchildren of federal elected officials, senior government officials (Cabinet and sub-Cabinet), and of the directors and officers of defense contractors.
In one fell swoop, we'd become the most peace-loving nation in the history of the world.
OK, so a national public service requirement is more likely.
Hell, the Earth's rotation changing so that the Sun rises in the West and sets in the East is more likely.
Oh, and one more point against reinstituting a draft: Anybody drafted would have to take an oath swearing to follow the orders of the President of the United States.
Swear to follow the orders of George W. Bush??
Not gonna happen.
...My favorite headline of the weekend, from Yahoo! News:
"Calif. couple calls for orgasm for peace"
The couple is calling for an anti-war protest on December 22nd; not in the streets, but one we can all participate in by staying home.
Provide your own punch lines. :)
All I have to ask is who is going to volunteer to take one for the team (humanity) and bring peace to Ann Coulter? (Sorry, I couldn't resist a punch line of my own. :) )
...Time to go to the LD17 Dems' reorg meeting. Later!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Quick weekend news hits...
In JD Hayworth news, Geo at Geo's Precinct 134 picked up on something reported in the AZ Republic:
Apparently, JD lobbyed his colleagues in the House against John Shadegg's bid to become House Minority Whip, and did it as retribution for perceived slights against his image that were published prior to the election.
I don't know if it's true (hey, it's a 2nd- or 3rd-hand report of a rumor), but I find it believable.
Since the election, JD seems to be going through the pattern of basic stages of grief, DABDA.
Denial (check out his concession press release here.)
Anger (see: the AZ Rep article linked above, illustrating JD's penchant for blaming anyone other than himself for the election results)
Next up: Bargaining (should be entertaining to watch), followed by Depression (could be very scary), finally ending up with Acceptance.
If JD plans on ever running for office again, and I would be shocked if he didn't at least try to retake CD5 in 2008, he'd better reach "Acceptance" quickly and pull his head out of his a__ - the Republican Party forgives many things from its extremists, but tantrums/hatchet jobs on party loyalists aren't on the list.
...In more "uplifting" news, strippers, porn producers, and visually-oriented people everywhere are rejoicing today.
The FDA has lifted its ban on silicone breast implants.
Coming soon to newspapers, TV, billboards, and spam:
"Silicone - the real thing in fake boobs. Get yours now! Order by December 8th for Guaranteed Delivery By Christmas!"
Later!
Apparently, JD lobbyed his colleagues in the House against John Shadegg's bid to become House Minority Whip, and did it as retribution for perceived slights against his image that were published prior to the election.
I don't know if it's true (hey, it's a 2nd- or 3rd-hand report of a rumor), but I find it believable.
Since the election, JD seems to be going through the pattern of basic stages of grief, DABDA.
Denial (check out his concession press release here.)
Anger (see: the AZ Rep article linked above, illustrating JD's penchant for blaming anyone other than himself for the election results)
Next up: Bargaining (should be entertaining to watch), followed by Depression (could be very scary), finally ending up with Acceptance.
If JD plans on ever running for office again, and I would be shocked if he didn't at least try to retake CD5 in 2008, he'd better reach "Acceptance" quickly and pull his head out of his a__ - the Republican Party forgives many things from its extremists, but tantrums/hatchet jobs on party loyalists aren't on the list.
...In more "uplifting" news, strippers, porn producers, and visually-oriented people everywhere are rejoicing today.
The FDA has lifted its ban on silicone breast implants.
Coming soon to newspapers, TV, billboards, and spam:
"Silicone - the real thing in fake boobs. Get yours now! Order by December 8th for Guaranteed Delivery By Christmas!"
Later!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
It may not be over for JD
but the proverbial fat lady is clearing her throat.
In the most important news in America today, it came out that Britney Spears is divorcing her husband, Kevin Federline.
Federline is demanding a recount. :)
Back to the real news (unfortunately, there are a lot of people in our country that consider the Spears news to be more important. Fortunately, none of them read this blog. :) )
...Just got back from the Mitchell campaign's election return party, an intimate little affair for 2000 of his closest staffers, volunteers, supporters, and friends.
First the good, almost great news -
Courtesy of the AZ Secretary of State's website:
As of 1:28 a.m., with 100% of precincts reporting, Harry Mitchell has 71,077 votes; Hayworth has 65,122.
Nobody is calling this race yet; it's close enough that provisional ballots could make a difference.
Harry isn't proclaiming victory; and we all know JD won't ever admit that he lost.
As I said at the party, JD won't concede until the U.S. Capitol Police padlock his office and drag him kicking and screaming out of the building.
Of course, as Geo of Geo's Precinct 134 observed, "It's better to be in Harry's position instead of JD's."
Ain't that the truth.
It's looking good right now, but things are still happening. More on this tomorrow.
Good things about the day, and the party afterward -
...Had the opportunity to meet fellow bloggers Geo and Tim and Zelph of AZNetRoots. It was great to be able to put faces with the names and the great writing that we all have read this election season.
...State House candidates Ed Ableser and David Schapira, along with State Senate candidate Meg Burton-Cahill, made LD17 A CLEAN SWEEP FOR THE DEMOCRATS!! Whooo Hooooo!!!!!!
They sent Laura Knaperek to retirement!!!!!!! Yesssss!!!!!
...In races from farther down the ballot, Jon Levenson and fellow blogger Elizabeth Rogers won the Constable and Justice of the Peace races for the Kyrene Justice Precinct (formerly Tempe East) respectively.
Credit positive messages and a LOT of hard work by both of them for this.
...Governor Napolitano and Attorney General Goddard both comfortably won reelection. No shocks there, but it was still nice to see.
...In CD8, Gabrielle Giffords posted a solid victory in the race for the U.S. House seat vacated by Republican Jim Kolbe.
...Prop 107 (anti-same sex marriage and unwed couples of any combination) looks like it's on it's way to defeat, and Prop 202 (raise the minimum wage) looks like it's going to pass.
There were some disappointments, too.
...LD8 went totally Republican. Not a huge surprise considering the Republican registration advantage, but North Scottsdale Reps are, generally speaking, moderate (at least by Rep standards). I thought there was a chance that Dan Oseran for State Senate and especially Stephanie Rimmer for State Rep could create an upset, but it wasn't meant to be.
...The down-ballot statewide races also went Republican. Again, nothing surprising, but I sort of hoped that after the ethics issues of incumbent David Petersen that even Republicans would hesitate to vote for another ethically-deficient candidate.
...Russell "National Alliance" Pearce won reelection to the State House. Ugh.
...and in the "Biggest Reason To Be Ashamed That I'm An Arizonan" category - every single ballot measure that attacks illegal immigrants won. Most of the measures were just vicious bigotry.
It's been a long day, and it's time for bed.
More on Harry Mitchell's quest to send JD into the fog of political history later today, as well as analysis of the day in Arizona and national politics.
Good night!!
In the most important news in America today, it came out that Britney Spears is divorcing her husband, Kevin Federline.
Federline is demanding a recount. :)
Back to the real news (unfortunately, there are a lot of people in our country that consider the Spears news to be more important. Fortunately, none of them read this blog. :) )
...Just got back from the Mitchell campaign's election return party, an intimate little affair for 2000 of his closest staffers, volunteers, supporters, and friends.
First the good, almost great news -
Courtesy of the AZ Secretary of State's website:
As of 1:28 a.m., with 100% of precincts reporting, Harry Mitchell has 71,077 votes; Hayworth has 65,122.
Nobody is calling this race yet; it's close enough that provisional ballots could make a difference.
Harry isn't proclaiming victory; and we all know JD won't ever admit that he lost.
As I said at the party, JD won't concede until the U.S. Capitol Police padlock his office and drag him kicking and screaming out of the building.
Of course, as Geo of Geo's Precinct 134 observed, "It's better to be in Harry's position instead of JD's."
Ain't that the truth.
It's looking good right now, but things are still happening. More on this tomorrow.
Good things about the day, and the party afterward -
...Had the opportunity to meet fellow bloggers Geo and Tim and Zelph of AZNetRoots. It was great to be able to put faces with the names and the great writing that we all have read this election season.
...State House candidates Ed Ableser and David Schapira, along with State Senate candidate Meg Burton-Cahill, made LD17 A CLEAN SWEEP FOR THE DEMOCRATS!! Whooo Hooooo!!!!!!
They sent Laura Knaperek to retirement!!!!!!! Yesssss!!!!!
...In races from farther down the ballot, Jon Levenson and fellow blogger Elizabeth Rogers won the Constable and Justice of the Peace races for the Kyrene Justice Precinct (formerly Tempe East) respectively.
Credit positive messages and a LOT of hard work by both of them for this.
...Governor Napolitano and Attorney General Goddard both comfortably won reelection. No shocks there, but it was still nice to see.
...In CD8, Gabrielle Giffords posted a solid victory in the race for the U.S. House seat vacated by Republican Jim Kolbe.
...Prop 107 (anti-same sex marriage and unwed couples of any combination) looks like it's on it's way to defeat, and Prop 202 (raise the minimum wage) looks like it's going to pass.
There were some disappointments, too.
...LD8 went totally Republican. Not a huge surprise considering the Republican registration advantage, but North Scottsdale Reps are, generally speaking, moderate (at least by Rep standards). I thought there was a chance that Dan Oseran for State Senate and especially Stephanie Rimmer for State Rep could create an upset, but it wasn't meant to be.
...The down-ballot statewide races also went Republican. Again, nothing surprising, but I sort of hoped that after the ethics issues of incumbent David Petersen that even Republicans would hesitate to vote for another ethically-deficient candidate.
...Russell "National Alliance" Pearce won reelection to the State House. Ugh.
...and in the "Biggest Reason To Be Ashamed That I'm An Arizonan" category - every single ballot measure that attacks illegal immigrants won. Most of the measures were just vicious bigotry.
It's been a long day, and it's time for bed.
More on Harry Mitchell's quest to send JD into the fog of political history later today, as well as analysis of the day in Arizona and national politics.
Good night!!
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