Getting Obsessed

Ali Larter and Beyonce in a cat fight? I'm there.

All They Do Is Spark Mad "Isms"

Jesus; why are people so faction-happy? I can barely read or watch the so-called "news" because it's all about one "ism" or another: conservatism, liberalism, fascism, communism, populism.

Of course, with the economy swirling around the drain the big "Ism War" is between Capitalism and Socialism (three guess on who's winning).

I like Chris Rock's take on the whole thing:

1. Listen to the issue
2. Think about it
3. Then make your decision

Because like he said, "no normal decent person" is one thing all the damn time. A person who sees every single issue through an "ism" would go insane (if they weren't already).

But maybe that's it; maybe the "Isms" have slowly taken over. Maybe we're just witnessing a scene from Stephen King's "The Stand" where people have to make a choice of who they're going to side with (only it's more than two choices).

So I'll continue to do my best at taking each issue on a case-by-case basis (assuming there's no overwhelming precedent) while these other yahoos...well:

I Regret that I Have To Blog This...

...but I have to give credit where credit is due. The scene: Wizards locker room after Gilbert's return...

Later, Arenas sat down, reading on his computer and receiving electric stimulation in his left knee from a machine that looked like a car battery. Rookie JaVale McGee entered the locker room, flexing his muscles after lifting weights. Arenas shook his head and told McGee that he needed to get bigger. McGee walked over to Arenas, doing his best Mr. Universe pose, and asked, "What? Did I just hear you say that I'm bigger?"

Nope. Arenas again told McGee that he needed to get bigger and stronger after he got tossed around by Kwame Brown the night before. McGee had no rebuttal. He just dropped his shoulders and laughed. "Kwame is strong," McGee said. Andray Blatche got up from his seat to second McGee.

Never thought I'd see the day where I kinda-sorta wished that Kwame was on the team. When you think about...OK; feeling's over.

Memo to Jack Murtha

While I appreciate your stance against the Bush Administration's reckless war policies, this is just ridiculous. Being courageous and right on one issue does not allow you to be ethically-challenged in other areas. The Democrats can't afford any punching bags right now, and you're making yourself an easy target with those types of comments.

Either come clean or fall back.

No Main Topic

1. I'm going to upgrade yesterday's "yawn" to an "ah, crap."
2. No reason for me to watch anymore March Madness now.
3. Surely Obama's stance on the auto industry will bode bad for his approval numbers, right?
4. Nuts to this.
5. Looking for a few rich kids.

Guess Christmas Is Cancelled This Year

Unless Santa makes bail from his Hawaiian prison, that is.

Yeah. Sure. No Jealousy Here.

Apparently Michael Steele is tired of getting his ass kicked by Obama, and he's taking off the gloves.

RNC Chairman Michael Steele said he is "done" reaching out to the president, having apparently been rebuffed in his previous attempts to start a dialogue. In an interview with CNN that aired over the weekend, the Maryland Republican said he could detect no bipartisanship coming from the White House, stating that Barack Obama "has got a little thing about me that I haven't quite figured out."

The remarks were a new installment in yet another bizarre interview given by the Republican National Committee chair. As aired earlier, Steele told CNN that he would contemplate a presidential run if God told him the time was right. He also claimed to have strategically planned his squabble with Rush Limbaugh, in which he called the radio talk show host's work incendiary and ugly.

Of course, it would be nice to know when Steele tried to "reach out" to Obama and on what topic/issue. Quite frankly, I don't even think Steele's on Obama's radar. It's like Toad trying to pick a fight with Wolverine.

Then again, maybe this has something to do with it.

White House To Be Redecorated on Obama's Dime

Every little bit helps, especially in this economy:

Like so many people who move into a new home, Barack and Michelle Obama have decided to do a bit of redecorating. And, as the occupants of the nation’s most famous residence, the White House, the president and First Lady are given a tax-backed budget of $100,000 to make the house their own. The first couple, however, isn’t having it and announced that they’ll be paying for everything out-of-pocket.

Quote Of The Day

Shorter Human Events: “We love using the word capitalism as an excuse to be selfish children, but we hate capitalism. Why? I don’t know. THIRD BASE!”

'Ronald Reagan' , (maybe) commenting on a Human Events email that begs their readers for money.

No Main Topic

1. North Korea has a rocket. Yawn.
2. This thing actually debuted at #1?
3. Ah, soccer.
4. It's not a "War On Drugs" unless you wear army fatigues.
5. Deep down, every frustrated NBA player has thought about doing this.
6. Obama cuts the automaker trough spigot and makes GM CEO resign; Michael Moore weighs in.

Around The Internets

1. T-Shirts that could help with the dating process.
2. This is easier said than done.
3. Basketball Coaches: College vs Pros.
4. Laurence Fishburne gets the cabbage.
5. Obama takes his message to BlackPlanet.
6. A case for NCCA Women's Tournament to be played at a different time then the Men's.
7. One thing to consider before reading this comparison of TV pilots: things were different in 1994.
8. The genius of capitalism.
9. According to FoxNews, Obama goes from unfocused to boring in one week.
10. I get by with a little help from my friends.

Jon Perr's Bottom Line

Democrats have been Capitalism's White Knight since Hoover.

Seduction of the Innocent. Or Something.

It's always a good idea to get your career going as soon as possible...

MARCH 26--A female porn star employed an underage girl as a stripper at a West Virginia gentleman's club she owns, police charge. Alexandria Imperial, 33, is facing a felony charge of employing a minor for sexually explicit conduct, according to a March 20 criminal complaint (a copy of which you'll find here). Imperial allegedly "knew or should have known" that a 17-year-old girl was working in Club Venus, a Hepzibah strip joint. The Magistrate Court complaint notes that cops seized a video from the club showing the teen, identified only as "H.D.," removing her clothes and "performing a private dance in a back room" for a female patron. Imperial's husband Brett, 20, was also charged because he allegedly knew the dancer was underage.

...otherwise, who knows what obstacles may arise to hinder you?

TRENTON, N.J. – A 14-year-old New Jersey girl has been accused of child pornography after posting nearly 30 explicit nude pictures of herself on MySpace.com — charges that could force her to register as a sex offender if convicted.

The case comes as prosecutors nationwide pursue child pornography cases resulting from kids sending nude photos to one another over cell phones and e-mail. Legal experts, though, could not recall another case of a child porn charge resulting from a teen's posting to a social networking site.

MySpace would not comment on the New Jersey investigation, but the company has a team that reviews its network for inappropriate images. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children tipped off a state task force, which alerted the Passaic County Sheriff's Office.

The office investigated and discovered the Clifton resident had posted the "very explicit" photos of herself, sheriff's spokesman Bill Maer said Thursday.

"We consider this case a wake-up call to parents," Maer said. The girl posted the photos because "she wanted her boyfriend to see them," he said.

Imagine that. It's not like these things happen often or something. Whoever became famous for such a thing? Just remember kids: don't do it just because everyone else is.

Combo Rap/R&B Album to Be Released

Ashanti talks about marriage to Nelly. Let the comparisons to Jay-Z/Beyonce begin.

No Main Topic

1. President Obama to send more troops to Afghanistan...like he said he would.
2. When corporations get to merge but schools have to close, something's wrong.
3. Israel flexes its muscles.
4. Today in "Hip-Hop vs The Law..."
5. You may want to put that coffee down.

STD Vaccinations: 2009 Technology, 1982 Mentality

As most things done in America, this is interesting:

When a vaccine designed to protect girls against a sexually transmitted virus arrived three years ago, the debate centered on one question: Would the shots make young girls more likely to have sex?

Now the vaccine's maker is trying to get approval to sell the vaccine for boys, and the debate is focusing on something else entirely: Is it worth the money, and is it safe and effective enough?

"We are still more worried about the promiscuity of girls than the promiscuity of boys," said Susan M. Reverby, a professor of women's studies and medical history at Wellesley College. "There's still that double standard."

The article goes on to about the different rationales put forward for applying the vaccine to girls and then boys, and also the different stances various groups and individuals have. the most revealing bit of information is that

Groups that initially were critical when Gardasil was introduced for girls say they now want to make sure the decision is left up to parents.

which is essentially how people in America have seen sexuality since, say, Family Ties was on the air.

Don't believe me?

Today's Republicans Are So Full Of Ideas

Not.




UPDATE -- The DNC adds:

George W. Bush Had John McCain, and...

...Barack Obama has Evan Bayh.

An Update Worth Making

Some movies/TV shows should never be rebooted, remade or updated: they're called classics. Some should be for the sake of touching things up; maybe special effects have advanced or there's a way of telling the story from a different angle or POV.

Then there are those rare gems of entertainment where the characters are malleable enough for us to see contemporary actors/actress fill the roles. "The Three Stooges" is one of those gems. I am hesitant on the casting, however.

Man, That Sucks

Couldn't resist:

SAGINAW, Mich. - A man police caught performing a sex act with a car wash vacuum has been sentenced to 90 days in the Saginaw County Jail.

Jason Leroy Savage must also submit to drug testing.

The 29-year-old Swan Creek Township man was sentenced Wednesday in Saginaw County Circuit Court. Savage pleaded no contest to indecent exposure last month.

LOST: The Notorious S.A.Y.I.D.

Wowza. Gotta say that Sayid episodes rarely disappoint. I am kinda bummed that the episode was more about things being done to Sayid than Sayid doing things.

OBSERVATIONS

1. Jack's perfectly happy not being the leader. Either that, or Matthew Fox is in Stage One of "Phoning in the Series."
2. If Kate isn't concerned about something trivial, she ain't Kate.
3. I see that Ben's father went from being a neglectful, alcoholic jerk to full-fledged abuser. Reminds me of when they did the Sharon-centric episode and tried to rationalize her snootiness as a by-product of her heartless mother. In LOST, everyone's the way they are because of their parents.
4. When I saw the first scene/flashback, I was thinking, "Are they trying to make Sayid into Eko now?" the last scene pretty much said, "Yep."
5. Anyone betting that a "Sayid vs. Jin' fight would come out in Sayid's favor won some cash last night. Not me: although both were in their country's respective military, I gave Jin the edge for that roundhouse kick he gave Patchy two seasons ago.
6. Who knew the DI people were so blood thirsty? They actually voted on killing a a person.

THEORIES/PREDICTIONS

1. Ben ain't dead. If it were that easy to kill Ben Linus, there'd be a line coming outside the Orchid station, with people waiting to travel back in time to get a chance to bump the guy off. Each person would be allowed to go one month before the last person, and the lucky guy who travels back to Ben's birth gets to go into the woods, knock out Ben's father and hurl Baby Ben into a grizzly bear cave.
2. Kate is going to fuck up the Sawyer-Juliet relationship, because that's what she does. Kate is never satisfied with the status quo.
3. Sayid's run with LOST may be coming to an end. As far as Island mysteries go, he doesn't have the same connection as John, Jack and Hurley. Unlike Kate and Sawyer, he has no real reason to stay. Juliet's still needed to complete the Love Quadrangle and Jin and Sun are the closest thing the show has to a happy couple. Daniel is Captain Exposition and no doubt Miles' ghost whispering will come in handy. Plus, Sayid himself was wondering what his purpose is, and if was to shoot a dangerous man while he was still a tween then "Mission Accomplished," right?

QUESTIONS

1. This just hit me: were the Tail Section Flight 180 Survivors who were taken by Others going through time jumps too? If so, where are they? If not, why and what happened to them?
2. Where is Claire and Desmond?
3. Why was everyone in the DI freaked out about Sawyer shooting two Hostiles, but now they couldn't give a rat's ass if an imprisoned one is bumped off?
4. How is Young Ben getting access to prisoners? Don't they have adult guards?
5. Last and most importantly: What is the "goal" of the Losties now? It almost seems like everyone's content living with the Dharma Initiative in the 1970s, despite the fact that (1) all of them did not make it to this timeline and (2) these people they are living with are going to die (then again, this timeline seems devoid of ghosts and smoke monsters). For the first few seasons, their misson was to get as many people off the Island as possible. When some did make it off, a majority of them wanted to get back. Locke's mission was to bring the O6 back to stop the Island from time-skipping, but his turning the Wheel 'O Time actually did that piece; other than sending everybody to the 70's nothing else bad has happened since. Sayid was the only real question mark, and this episode pretty much addressed what he wanted to do. So I ask again: What is the "goal" of the Losties now?

No Main Topic

1. Nintendo still rules.
2. Michael Vick heading back to court.
3. Oh yeah; the Taliban!
4. China to U.S.: "Our growing military has nothing to do with Cold War Politics."

I'm Sorry, But This Commercial Is Awesome

Best McDonald's commercial ever:





Reminds me when Budweiser and Skittles ran those weird-yet-amusing commercials a few years back.

Would It Be, Say, Very Stupid to Sue Someone Who Gave You A Whole Lot Of Money?

"Yes," you say? Ok; just checking.

The Power of Bill O'Reilly

He "destroyed NBC's cable operations in prime time." you know.

Hey; does that mean that Bill O'Reilly is responsible for the economic collapse? Because if O'Reilly "destroyed NBC's cable operations in prime time," and CNBC is part of NBC's cable network, than that may explain why CNBC was not able to see the signs that our economy was about to go into the crapper! I mean, how can they warn us if they've been destroyed?

Someone should ask O'Reilly if he's that powerful.

No Main Topic

1. “We never expected when we printed out our budget that they would simply Xerox it and vote on it. The bottom line is that I want to see health care, energy, education and serious efforts to reduce our budget deficit.”
2. "How much time do you want from me? What your standards? What are your requirements? Because we'll rise to the occasion no matter how high you set the bar if we want to. The problem is, women have stopped setting the bar high."
3. "I think that the Palestinians should understand that they have in our government a partner for peace, for security, for the rapid development of the Palestinian economy."
4. "The seats are where the money is, but in this economy, it's tough to put a value on sports collectibles."
5. "If you're smoking marijuana in front of schoolchildren, to me that's a little bit more serious than smoking a joint by yourself out in the middle of the woods."

Rush Lumbaugh More Popular With Congressional GOP Than Dick Cheney

HA!

So: a talk show host wields more power than the former Vice President with Republicans? I think so; I can't see anyone who criticizes Cheney coming back hours or days later and apologizing.

Question About the "Tea Party" Gatherings

Do they look anything like this?





Because I have a feeling that they don't. And quite honestly, these people should be pitied, not mocked. Mocking them almost lends credence to what their doing; as if they're right yet at the same time comical. Any group who believes that we should return to the economic policies pushed by the last Administration needs professional help, not late-night talk show snark. Any group who champions a president who ended his term with a 28% approval rating yet lambastes a president who has a 50% approval rating (in a poll of questionable objectivity, no less) needs a reality check, not teasing.

Not All NBA Teams Ride Their Star Players 'Til They Collapse

Take the defending NBA Champions for example:

The Celtics have spent much of the season crafting strategies to clinch victories early in order to rest their starters. That R&R plan worked out well last night in a 90-77 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Banknorth Garden.

Kevin Garnett played 18 minutes, his first-quarter presence helping lift the Celtics to a 31-18 lead and his third-quarter play launching them on a clinching 18-2 run.

The Celtics seemed to be clicking on most cylinders in Garnett's third game back after missing a month of play because of a right knee strain. And that allowed both Garnett and Paul Pierce to rest and relax on the bench. Pierce departed after a 31-minute performance, his 9-point output the third successive game in which he has scored in single digits.

In case anyone's curious, Garnett's averaging 31.3 mpg. Pierce? 37.7.

And while I understand that the Wizards are in a unique situation, it didn't have to be that way.

With Nurses Like These

Nadya Suleman accuses non-profit nurses of spying on her. But apparently she's getting new ones.

How Serious Is Continuity On LOST?

Very.

No Main Topic

1. The country's most beautiful math wiz is now married.


2. Red meat = death.


3. Stripped searched. At 13-years-old. For Advil.


4. Border control.


5. Well, I guess Boston will miss the guy.


6. After giving the Bush Administration the ability to wage war at will, this doesn't seem like a big idea. Then again, it seems like only five people actually understand what's going on with the economy.

What's In a Name? (FoxNews Strikes Again)

Sure there are a lot of notable "Michael Browns" around, but for FoxNews to claim that the Bush Administration's Michael Brown 9who was in charge of FEMA during Hurricane Katrina) is the same as a Democratic Strategist is just a whole other level of deception.

Holy Declassification, Batman!

Oh, crap:

Over objections from the U.S. intelligence community, the White House is moving to
declassify—and publicly release—three internal memos that will lay out, for the first time, details of the "enhanced" interrogation techniques approved by the Bush administration for use against "high value" Qaeda detainees. The memos, written by Justice Department lawyers in May 2005, provide the legal rationale for waterboarding, head slapping and other rough tactics used by the CIA. One senior Obama official, who like others interviewed for this story requested anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity, said the memos were "ugly" and could embarrass the CIA. Other officials predicted they would fuel demands for a "truth commission" on torture.

Because of an executive order signed by President Obama on Jan. 22 banning such aggressive tactics, deputies to Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. concluded there was no longer any reason to keep the interrogation memos classified. But current and former intel officials pushed back, arguing that any public release might still compromise "sources and methods." According to the administration official, ex-CIA director Michael Hayden was "furious" about the prospect of disclosure and tried to intervene directly with Obama officials. But the White House has sided with Holder. Faced with a court deadline in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit regarding the memos filed by the ACLU, Justice lawyers asked for a two-week extension "because the memoranda are being reviewed for possible release." (White House, Justice and CIA spokesmen all declined to comment.)

The debate about torture ramped up again last week with an account in the New York Review of Books about a secret International Red Cross report that was delivered to the CIA in February 2007. The report, according to journalist Mark Danner, quotes detainees describing, often in gruesome detail, how they were locked in coffin-size boxes; swung by towels around their necks into plywood walls; and forced to stand naked for days while their arms were shackled above their heads.

Cue the entire Bush Administration (sans W., maybe) going absolutely bonkers on the cable shows and opinion pages over this.

No Main Topic

1. Not every industry is hurt by the economy.
2. Not quite the cultural exchange America wants to have with Mexico.
3. Say "hello" to the multiracial check box.
4. Nursing homes are taking in more mentally ill patients.
5. Obama: environmental concerns related to budget.
6. Yippie-ki-yay!

Around The Internets

1. I can honestly say that twenty years ago I was not watching Hulk Hogan beat the crap out of guys and thinking, "I wonder if his daughter will be flexible on a pole."
2. Sanctioned man-crushes, and best female nude cameos (what's with AskMen?).
3. Sacha Baron Cohen strikes again.
4. Remember when JLH was cool and hot at the same time? How did she become the white Brandy Norwood?
5. Photobombs.
6. Paris Hilton deals with the Recession the only way she can.

Last but not least, the Baby Preacher:

Quote Of The Day

If the Wiz get lucky and get the #1 pick, they ought to keep Griffin and get a coach who understands how to accept and develop young players. Otherwise, he'll be sitting next to McGee on the end of the bench.

-- Izman, responding to a Wizard's Insider Draft Post on Blake Griffin.

Oh, and to those who think there's no way that happens: please keep in mind that Jamison hates playing SF and Butler is no 2-guard.

Take the Phaser Of "Stun"

While I appreciate the breakdowns and the old-school Hip-Hop as much as the next blogger, I do believe that the problem lies not in the message, per say, but the delivery.

As in, "The more time we waste trying to analyze and decipher the motives behind what's occurred, the more time they have to steal more money and cover their tracks on other unscrupulous things." Then add, "fuck them."

In other words, "Time 4 Sum Aksion." Or if you must:

Norm Coleman Wants Courts to Award Him Senate Seat

In a manner of speaking. wonder what the old "Al Gore should just concede" Crowd has to say about this.

Questions About Gary William's Maryland Terrapins

Why did it take "Recruitmentgate" to motivate the team? Good recruits or not, this team was always good enough to make the damn Tourney. But that didn't change the fact that they lost to some fairly weak teams.

It seems that only after people starting talking about whether Gary was getting the right players that the team rallied and made some sort of run. Yes, the guy's an awesome coach, but does he have to get so much media and fan pressure in order for him (and the team) to perform? And if so, why?

And also: does this mean next year someone has to attack Gary's ability to coach in order for the team to get into the Tourney?

A Stunna Like Her Daddy

Lack of economic knowledge and bad timing seem to run in the McCain family.

You May Want To Wash Your Hair Less

I rarely link to NPR, but this is actually an interesting take on the obession with excessive shampooing. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if the cosmetic companies were pushing the belief that you had to wash your hair every damn day; how else will they sell their product?

If I Ever Become Famous, I May Not Speak At My Alma Mater

Apparently, some students have a high threshold.

No Main Topic

1. The first rule of the after-school fight club is that you don't talk about the after-school fight club.
2. MD trying to lead the way on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
3. A lot of Republicans got wrangled into voting for one of the biggest tax increases in modern history.
4. Another first for President Obama.
5. Can a 50-State Strategist get some love?
6. A veggie garden in the White House? Nice.
7. Apparently there will be a Spider-Man 4.
8. Sure, his alma mater won, but Juan Dixon has other concerns.

And The Lame Excuses Begin...

And here we go...

"We played a hard game [Tuesday] night in [a loss to] Utah, we traveled the day before, and we're in game [69]," Wizards interim coach Ed Tapscott said. "You don't like to use that as an excuse, but it's a reality. We just ran out of gas."

"We just ran out of gas?" Seriously? That makes about as much sense as G-Wiz. Your top players (both veterans) are both averaging 38.6 minutes per game. The next guy (another vet) is a player averaging 29.4 with a .385 FG%.

There's a very simple reason the team "ran out of gas:" Tapscott has been riding the veterans since he's taken over as coach, and the wheels are finally coming off. Check Butler's stats before he came to Washington: do they look like the numbers of an "injury prone" player?

The playoffs became a wish when Arenas and Haywood went down. Losing players like Thomas and Stevenson meant that the season was effectively over. By loss #41, Tapscott should have grab the mic in the post-game press conference and said, "Screw it. The kids are playing from this point on. Jamison and Butler will get minutes, but I'm not going to put any undue mileage on them or risk losing them to injury just to show a few people that we're 'fighters.' That's just dumb."

But instead of doing this, he pushed Jamison and Butler to their limits, hoping that their 41 combined points-per-game would be enough to dig the team out of the hole. He played the younger guys (notable exception being McGuire) sporadically, when the thing a young player needs most is structure and consistency. Pecherov still doesn't have one single damn assist; think maybe the fact that he's barely cracking seven mpg has anything to do with it?

Giving the kids say, seven or eight minutes from Jamison and Butler could have gone a long way toward keeping the tank full.

Quote of the Day

A rabbi, a priest and a leprechaun walk into a bar. I take down the leprechaun first. Now the others know I mean business.

-- Robert Brockway, channeling a bored Rorshach on Cracked.com.

Obama On Tonight Show...Tonight

I can hear the Right-Wing Noise Machine already cranking up...

Bush's Book

Will apparently address his 12 biggest decisions.

Wonder if that includes things like

1. Redefining torture as "enhanced interrogation techniques"


2. Allowing Valerie Plame to be outed as a covert agent


3. Blaming Iraq for 9/11


4. Not firing Donald Rumsfeld earlier


5. Not firing Alberto Gonzales earlier


6. Not firing Karl Rove earlier


7. Pushing for tax cuts in the middle of two wars


8. Trying to make his personal lawyer a Supreme Court Justice


9. Making the unqualified Mike Brown the face of FEMA and the Katrina rescue efforts


10. Blaming the souring economy on the Clinton Administration


11. Giving a speech about "combat operations in Iraq has ended" under a banner that read, "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED."


12. Saying that working three jobs is "uniquely American" while being on vacation 40% of his presidency.

Flying Car

We're getting closer.

LOST: A Funny Things Happened On the Way Back to the Island...

Very decent episode. A new pecking order has been established, and a new threat (based on the episode's events and next week's preview) has emerged.

Some points of note:

1. The coolest thing about LOST is that when it decides to answer a fan's question, it just doesn't answer it, it immerses you in it. After Season One people wanted to know about the Hatch; in Season Two the characters got to love in it. After that, it was "Who are the Others?" Season Three had Jack, Kate and Sawyer play house guests to them. When we were curious about rescue and life of the Island, Season Four showed us why being rescued and living off the Island isn't as rosy as it may sounds. Now in Season Five, we get another question answered: "What's the Dharma Initiative?" Well, our favorite characters are living the Dharma Initiative.
2. Sawyer is the boss now. He made a very good observation on how Jack was Captain Reactive to just about every situation (in his defense, he is/was a doctor). You could make the same argument for Locke; neither guy was much with the strategies. But how ironic that Sawyer, Conman Supreme, is carefully plotting out the group's next move. On one hand, it doesn't give Jack a lot to do, but on the other: Sawyer has been there for three years.
3. Also: Sawyer has finally found meaning on the Island. Back in the real world, he was a conman with little to live for save revenge. After the crash, his bartering skills and independent nature made him a valuable asset, but he still wasn't trusted. But now in 1977, he's freaking Head of Security. He has a stable girlfriend. Everybody either loves or respects him. Out of every single character, he has the least motivation to "go back to the way things were."

Observation/Theory

1. I would question Sun's non-appearance in the 1970's except for the fact that (1) splitting up sun and Jin always makes for a good story; and (2) Ms. Hawking's statement about recreating the events of the first crash as closely as possible. I don't think Sun was giving much thought to that. Also, Sun was pregnant when they "left;" she wasn't when she went on the plane. that may be a factor.
2. Jin's mastery of English has done little to tone down his temper. In fact, it seems now that he's more capable of expressing himself, he's choosing to do so with anger and frustration.
3. Miles, on the other hand, has become more of a worrier than a jerk since his three-year 70's stay.

Best "Heh" moments:

1. Hurley's reaction to being in the 1970's.
2. Sun betraying Ben.
3. Kate's reaction to Juliet saving her ass (again).
4. Jack's reaction to seeing Juliet in Sawyer's house.

Questions!

1. Why was Christian able to hold the photograph for Sun and Frank and not help Locke?
2. Why did the time-traveling O6 end up in different parts of the Island?
3. Where is Claire and Daniel and Rose and Bernard and Vincent?
4. What lead to the truce between the DI and the Hostiles/Others?
5. Why are the Hostiles/Others allowing DI to build various things on the Island?
6. Is Charles Widmore still on the Island in the 1970's?
7. Is Sawyer and the rest (minus Sayid) aware of young Ben existence?

No Main Topic

1. Only in Connecticut.
2. After win, 51-18 Celtics grumble about injuries.
3. A.I.G., you're it!
4. Because LeAnn Rimes married a backup singer, that's why.
5. Now that a Democrat is involved in the "Congressman insults airport security" theme, it's a storyline.
6. R.I.P.: Natasha Richardson.
7. Here comes the (baby) boom!

"Jon Stewart Is Just a Comedian; Don't Listen to Him..."

So sayeth NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker.

"Just because someone who mocks authority says something doesn't make it so," Zucker said, describing the comedian's comments as "completely out of line."

The reason Stewart was mocking authority was because your dumb-ass business network didn't challenge authority. In fact, it became the mouthpiece of the very institution you claim to be "observing."

In fact, instead of schmoozing with the likes of CNBC and Fox Business News, Wall Street would be better off creating their own network (they haven't done that yet, right?). Than at least no one can dispute who they're rooting for. And we also won't get another round of "It Ain't My Fault: Rich People Edition."

I think we all can learn something from this ordeal; I know I have:

1. Zucker doesn't know the difference between, "This is all your fault!" and "Because of the role you play, your actions/inactions make you complicit;" and
2. This response is just one more example that our "news" is not meant to inform us as much as entertain us.
   
   

Screw That -- Quote of the MONTH

"I'm not going to spend my time criticizing him. There are plenty of critics in the arena. He deserves my silence."

-- George W. Bush, on bad-mouthing Barack Obama.

Two questions: how long will this last, and what will Rush Limbaugh say?

Oh, and how about this gem?

"I love my country a lot more than I love politics. I think it is essential that he [Barack Obama] be helped in office."

Only People Who Struggled Through High School, College or Grad School Would Understand...

...why this is, in fact, the Greatest English Paper Ever Written.

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1. "So, smoking is about as dangerous as being severely obese, and about three times as dangerous as being moderately obese."
2. "Vivek committed a youthful indiscretion. He performed community service, and we are satisfied that he fully resolved the matter."
3. "In television, what you look like matters, and that is true for both men and women."
4. "I don't want to say we're working a serial murderer. That's a possibility, but we're not there yet."
5. "In da locker room, snuck to post my twitt. We're playing the Celtics, tie ball game at da half. Coach wants more toughness. I gotta step up."
6. “We’re still working hard to finalize the review on Afghanistan and Pakistan that the president requested.”

Quote of the Day

Okay, I totally understand now why the GOOP needs daily talking points.

Look at the last 10-15 years. Every day, everyone was singing off the same page. All the little GOOPers knew exactly what to say in response to questions. If a question was posed that they didn’t have a talking point for, they would simply use one of the approved points to try to divert and redefine the argument.

Now, left to their own devices, ships adrift in a sea of their own waste, they have no idea what they want to say, what they mean, what they stand for, or how to blame it all on the Dems.

Sad, really, but with enough wine, totally funny!

-- spencers mom, responding to GOP's new outrage to the AIG bonuses story.

Grade Obama

At least before the haters do.

No Main Topic

1. That 70's Wedding.
2. The Pope doesn't believe that condoms will curb the AIDS epidemic. And if any religion knows about sexual restraint, it's Catholicism.
3. Check out the new ambassador to Ireland.
4. You stay classy, Sen. Grassley.
5. Study: young Black males are more likely to get food allergies.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I always forget about this one, maybe it's because I'm no longer an undergrad (college students know every drinking holiday).

Anyway: here are ten things you didn't know about Ireland.

No Main Topic

1. Remember: "we did not torture" under the Bush Administration.
2. Headline speaks for itself: "Austrian incest father pleads not guilty to murder."
3. Good 'ol A.I.G.
4. One and two half men.
5. Michael Vick was a heartless monster, yet this is a cultural issue.

Around the Internets

1. A website dedicated to feral children. As in, "my alcoholic parents kicked me out, and I was raised by friggin' wild dogs for a few years" feral. Oh, Oxana's adjusting, BTW.
2. If you do have to eat on the go, you should try these places.

Let's Be Honest

Will Ferrell saved us. I have a feeling that if he didn't do this, Bush would have done it himself.



(h/t)

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1. Cool news for the next Iron Man movie.
2. NAACP makes news out of Wells Fargo.
3. Go-Directly-To-Jail News.
4. Not the best news for the 'Skins newest player (even though it has nothing to do with being in D.C.).
5. Kitty-couch news.
6. Upsetting news for UConn.
7. Quasi-happy stock news.
8. Awesome news for a Boston medical center.

Glad To See I'm Not Alone

Me over a week ago:

In other words: Michael Steele has proven to be less than a figurehead; he's the "hip" face of a party who has, to date, ignored him. He will say what he needs to say to the audience he's speaking to. And while this is somewhat expected in politics, people at least appreciate a sense of nuisance. Steele has repeatedly told one story to a venue then contradict that story at another venue, which was why I was hesitant when I saw the growing number of black celebrities coming out to support this guy (as if he had any desire to deal with issues like civil rights, poverty or health care). He doesn't care. And in the day of 24-hr news and YouTube, you can't contradict yourself and expect to get away.

Steele reinforced that sentiment recently. But a reader from TPM highlights it a little bit better than I did:

I just wanted to pass along an observation. I think that with a lot of Michael Steele's gaffes, he seems to say whatever he perceives to be the opinion of the person to whom he is speaking at the moment. Then later he has to backtrack because it doesn't match the conservative orthodoxy. Take a look back at all the misstatements he has made and to whom he has made them. The man is a mirror. He just reflects back what he thinks you want him to say.

Hmmm...

What to make of this?

WASHINGTON – FBI agents have arrested a District of Columbia government worker and another man while they search the offices of the city's chief technology officer.

The head of that city office, Vivek Kundra, recently left to take a White House technology post.

A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because charges had not yet been unsealed, said worker Yusuf Acar was arrested Thursday. Another man, Sushil Bansal, was also arrested. A court appearance is expected later in the day.

I would say, "wait and see," but it's not like Obama needs another "connection problem" to deal with. If he can get to the bottom of this from his end, he needs to do so ASAP.

PORK!

Despite evidence that the omnibus spending bill is 2% earmarks and that people who have railed against such earmarks are outright hypocrites, the GOP/anti-Obama crowd continues to act like this is the beginning of American Socialism.

Because without a definitive leader, they're just stuck repeating the same song and dance over and over and over.

Speaking of songs:

Americans Cannot Trust Michael Steele

Because whatever he says, odds are he'll backtrack.

Arkham Asylum Must Be In Virginia

At least if you believe this story:

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia received a C from a national report on public mental health care but that’s an improvement from two years ago.

The report released Wednesday by the National Alliance on Mental Illness says Virginia has made modest improvement since 2006, when the state received a D.

The report noted a broadening of Virginia’s commitment laws and a $42 million increase in community health services over two years.


But the executive director of the alliance’s Virginia office says the improvement followed the Virginia Tech shootings. Mira Signer says there is still much work to be done.

Sarah Palin Losing the Election Has Nothing to Do With This

Really.

WASILLA, Alaska -- Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin, the teenage daughter of Gov. Sarah Palin, have broken off their engagement, he said Wednesday, about 2 1/2 months after the couple had a baby.

Johnston, 19, told The Associated Press that he and 18-year-old Bristol Palin mutually decided "a while ago" to end their relationship. He declined to elaborate as he stood outside his family's home in Wasilla, about 40 miles north of Anchorage.

Kinda sad to see the kids call it quits, but this whole storyline highlights some things:

1. Politics played some part in this relationship;
2. The whole "family values" mantra is in a murky place when you talk about the Palin family;
3. Abstinence, while interesting in theory, can't survive long in a world that pushes sex 24/7. Right, FoxNews?

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1. I guess "yay," but do we really need a drug czar? I mean, how sucessful have these guys been? Couldn't this be an FBI thing?
2. Grocery Stores rethink the "bag" thing once more.
3. Michelle Obama to visit military families.
4. Now that's a battery I can believe in.
5. Wouldn't the food be safer if we just enforced the regulations we already have?
6. Yeah sure; the war's not having an adverse affect on our troops.
7. Because selling Girl Scout Cookies online just isn't the same, that's why.
8. Huh? but I thought last week's snow meant Global Warming was a myth!
9. Kobe's Lakers win, but Artest is still a factor.

Link Of The Day Award Goes To TPM

For posting Ari Fleischer's surreal "911 didn't happen on our (Bush Administration's) watch" outrage.

Um, who was president at the time then? Because hanging chads aside, I do believe that in Bush v Gore the Supreme Court ruled in Bush's favor, effectively making him president by the time 9/11/01 rolled around. I also remember seeing a video of Bush in total shock as he was reading a book to elementary children on that day.

So I don't think I'm out of bounds when I say, "Ari must be smoking crack if he thinks he can claim that the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01 did not happen while George W. Bush was President of the United States."

After Eight Years of George W. Bush, Media Wonders Aloud if President Obama Is "Doing To Much"

Well, what should be sacrificed: the war, the economy, health care, what? Sigh. Guess when you're used to a president taking vacations every couple of months, watching an elected official actually working through a crisis kinda throws people off. It's a good thing that some people have better memories.

Anyway, Obama did address this latest silliness.

Quote Of The Day

While boys were taught that evil giant transforming robots could only be defeated with other giant transforming robots, girls were taught that evil could be defeated with the power of rainbows and flamboyant song and dance. Which one better prepared their audience for the real world? If you'd like to find out, go perform a choreographed song and dance number in the middle of the highway while a semi bares down on you. In your final moments of consciousness, imagine how much more terrifying this would all be if that semi was sentient.

-- Eduardo Rodriguez, putting Cartoon Villains in perspective.

No Main Topic

1. Another day, another inexplicable shooting spree.
2. A very good idea from Senator Russ Feingold.
3. Space Shuttle Discovery launches today.
4. Someone save the cheerleader again.
5. White House to talk to Iran.
6. Pope calls a technical foul.
7. Reviewing President Obama's first 50 days.

"Justify the Dynamite" Doesn't Apply This Time

When is became obvious that the Wizards weren't going to make the playoffs this season, there was a call from fan base for the franchise to give the younger players more time on the court. The hope was this would enhance their development as complimentary pieces to the Big Three of Arenas, Jamison and Butler and maybe even reveal a diamond in the rough. If the supporting pieces didn't seem to fit, then we'd ahead of the curve in terms of trades and free agent signing.

GM Ernie Grunfeld's response was simple: let's keep the young guns on a short leash, and not talk about roster changes (at the least) or blowing up the team (at the most) until until we see a healthy squad. I call this approach wanting to "justify the dynamite."

Normally, a wait-and-see approach would be a welcome sign in a League prone to making questionable moves. Anyone brave enough to call his or herself a Wizard's fan knows too well that patience is a premium in the NBA. But I submit that in this case, it's only delaying the inevitable fire sale.

Why? Because the Wizards do not have a full-time coach...yet. Even considering what Ivan Carter said, there is a possibility that whoever the new coach is, he may feel that the team can do better without one of the Big Three or one of the key role players.

The bottom line is that management-level person who can best evaluate players is the coach who's going to play them. The GM is supposed to look at what the coach is doing, and try to get players who fit into the offensive and defensive schemes. GMs who try to create their own roster, outside the influence/input of their coaches, are just setting those up guys to fail. Grunfeld is looking at this backwards.

Example: if Grunfeld acquires a defensive-minded head coach, I can't see him wanting to keep a roster that's allowing 102 ppg, can't stop the pick-and-roll, and has poor transition defense. The guy is going to want some players who can take a charge, set a screen, and stifle the opposing team's offensive rhythm. That's not happening with this roster, regardless of health. So when Defensive-minded Coach begins to complain (publicly or privately) will Ernie make a move, or say, "We need to give them more time?"

No Main Topic

1. Migraines and the weather: connected?
2. Where everybody knew his name.
3. Little trouble with big China.
4. When there's a warrant out for your president, you know your country's hurtin'.
5. Stem cell resurgence?
6. That's why I haven't been seeing those Maytag commercials.
7. "NFL player attacks girlfriend" isn't the same level of news as "girlfriend stabs NFL player."

It's Up To You, Thor...

'Incredible Hulk' proved that once again it's hard to make a movie where the "hero" is not only one of comcidom's strongest characters, but he could really care less about being heroic. 'Iron Man' was decent, but other than the "science vs. magic" angle, his rogue gallery sucks. 'Captain America' well need alot of work now that 'Superman' is (cinematically?) attributed as "America's Superhero." Don't even talk to me about Ant Man or Hawkeye.

That leaves the Thor as being the last heavy hitter around to justify an Avengers movie; if it doesn't pan out, they might as well make sequels for the others. Also, I strongly believe that if an Avengers movie doesn't happen, neither will a Justice League movie (seriously, is Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Flash more popular than Thor?).

Marvel's hoping that Thor will soar:

"There's so much cool stuff in the mythology of Thor that it's just going to be a huge blockbuster," Joe Quesada told Blockbuster Buzz in a recent interview. "Kenneth Branagh gets the Marvel history of the character, he gets the overall flavour and tone of the Marvel universe. He gets that it's not just about action and adventure and costumes, it's about what's at the heart of the character. It's more about what motivates Thor and Loki and Odin than just Thor swinging a hammer and smashing things."

[snip]

Quesada is hoping that Branagh will transform and reinvigorate Thor much the same way Jon Favreau did with another much neglected Marvel hero: "Before the Iron Man movie Iron Man was an also ran character. In the mass market it was all about Spider-man, Hulk, Batman and Superman but now you count Iron Man as major mainstream character." He already has Babylon Five writer J. Michael Straczynski, who was recently nominated for a Bafta for his screenplay for Clint Eastwood's film Changeling, laying the groundwork in the comic. Check out issue 600 in the comic stores - it will knock your socks off.

We'll see. But for those keeping track at home: there's only been two genuine super team movies: X-Men and Fantastic Four. One was praised (even though some of the actors got two old for their roles) and the other has been panned (despite the fact there was another one previously done that would have made Jessica Alba an Oscar contestant).

And please guys: don't cast anyone over 35 as Thor. All gods (whether Norse, Roman or Greek) are supposed to look/be young.

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1. Very sad.
2. If Social Security is the third rail, then health care must be like sticking a fork in the wall socket.
3. Because the Senate Democrats need the 60th vote, and because Lieberman will be up for re-election in 2012, that's why.

Around the Internets

1. I'd still call the guy "Professor Badass."
2. You stay classy, Rush Limbaugh.
3. I'm a sucker for young/current talent paying homage to the classical icons. There should be a magazine/website solely dedicated to having celebrities doing things like this.
4. Trust me: once Dakota Fanning and Hannah Montanna are old enough to do "mature scenes" in movies you'll never hear from this guy again.
5. Today's best states for jobs.
6. Rich. People. Voted. For. Obama.
7. All work and no play...

Government by Dow

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

The Dow Knows All

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Joke of the Day

Gotta Love the Onion

CIA Awkwardly Debriefs Obama On Creation Of Crack Cocaine.

If Obama Went On Rush's Show

It might sound somewhat like this.

No Main Topic

1. Republicans obstructing? The hell you say!
2. The Wedding Crasher decides to be in one.
3. They said, "You have the right to remain silent," and I said, "No, no, no...'"
4. President Obama tackles health care.
5. Yeah, sure; hockey's not violent.
6. How long until the White house is blamed for this?

Interesting.

Fox News, Karl Rove and Congressional Republicans are blaming the Obama Administration for using Rush Limbaugh as a "distraction" from his "more controversial" policies.

This Fox News.

This Karl Rove.

Those Congressional Republicans.

That Rush Limbaugh.

LOST: Flowers for Sawyer

What a cool episode: Gambit took over Leadership of the X-Men on yet another quest to find their leader Prof. Xavier, ended up in an unexpected relationship with the White Queen Emma Frost, and after years of believing that he had finally gotten over his lost love Rogue was confronted with her return (Cyclops was there too!)



Oh wait, that's not quite what happened. In a flashback-flashfoward trifecta, we see what happens when Sawyer finally lets his con life go and becomes a responsible human being.

Questions:

1. Where's young Ben during this time?
2. Why did the Hostiles/Others just allow The DI to build crap on their Island like this was Command & Conquer?
3. Claire? Sun? Where are you?
4. Why is Frank with the Ajira survivors? He was on the helicopter with the O6; he should have (in theory) flashed with them. Otherwise, explain how the rest of the Science Team (Miles, Daniel, Dead Redhead Girl) manage to leap with Sawyer & Co.
5. Is the Gang, like, stuck in the Groovy 70's? Jinkies!

George Will's Bottom Line

Back when George W. Bush was President, I couldn't give a rat's ass about the "power" the Democratic Congress felt they should have in foreign affairs. But with Democrat Barack Obama in the White House, and my beloved GOP in shambles, I think it's time to re-visit that idea. Oh, and any "power" Congress lost was their own fault.

"Mission Accomplished" and "Victory" Are Two Different Things

According to Rep. Steve King. In a sense, he's right: one means that we are done an finished; the other means we've come out of a conflict as the clear-cut winners.

But neither are really true at this point, and I doubt that King is making the same distinction.

No Main Topic

1. Wal-Mart's doing pretty well.
2. Cowboys toss Terrell Owens.
3. India wants Gandhi's stuff back.
4. Why is this news?

Barrett Brown's Bottom Line

Whenever Thomas Friedman makes a prediction, just laugh at him. Good advice!

Naturally, Nothing Bad Could Come Of This Either.

Um, yeah...

Imagine if you could choose your baby the same way you pick out a new outfit from a catalogue. Perhaps some blue eyes, a bit of curly hair, and why not make her tall, lean and smart? One fertility doctor now says that he may be able to deliver.

Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg has already helped thousands of couples choose their child's gender at his fertility institutes in Manhattan and Los Angeles. Within six months, he says, the clinic will offer a new service: allowing couples to select the physical traits of their babies. Steinberg says he cannot promise that people will get their selections, but claims he can dramatically increase the probability.

"I can't say with 100 percent certainty that parents will be able to choose something like eye color -- more like 80 percent certainty," Steinberg said.

Really? Darnit! How can I do my "life imitates art" shtick without 100% certainty?

The procedure is called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD. It's been used by fertility doctors for years to screen embryos in the lab -- mostly for parents who want to reduce the chances of carrying a baby with life-threatening diseases.

Oh...that's how. Oh well; what's the worst that could happen?

No Main Topic

1. Truly a Wonder Woman.
2. Hillary Clinton's keeping busy.
3. "Ma'am: I understand you are upset, but 911 does not handle missing Chicken McNuggets."
4. Why not; what's another "High School Musical" gonna hurt?
5. It took awhile but Chandra Levy's killer may be finally brought to justice.
6. Bad Boy, Bad Boy; whatcha gonna do?

John McCain = LOSER

Headline (here and here) reads:

Senate ignores McCain, keeps thousands in earmarks


The guy ranted his lil' 'ol' hard out, but in the end even his on party told him to shut up and sit down.

Imagine if he was President. Yikes.

Naturally, Nothing Bad Could Come Of This.

Twelve Monkeys meets I Am Legend:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Scientists have created a strain of the human AIDS virus able to infect and multiply in monkeys in a step toward testing future vaccines in monkeys before trying them in people, according to a new study.

This strain of HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, was developed by altering a single gene in the human version to allow it to infect a type of monkey called a pig-tailed macaque, the researchers said on Monday.

The genetically engineered virus, once injected into this monkey, proliferates almost as much as it does in people, but the animal ultimately suppresses it and the virus does not make it sick, they said.

The strain is called simian-tropic HIV-1, or stHIV-1.

Researchers hope to be able to test possible new AIDS drugs and vaccines in monkeys before trying them in people.

There is a "cousin" virus to HIV called SIV, or simian immunodeficiency virus, that causes a disease similar to AIDS in certain types of monkeys.

I understand the "we have to do this in order to learn more about AIDS" angle, but still: we're giving monkeys AIDS on purpose. And we're hoping that:

1. the virus won't mutate in the monkeys;
2. the monkeys won't then bite/scratch/infect a human;
3. the human won't then turn into an unkillable zombie.

But hey: it's science!

*This* Is Why Maryland Didn't Vote for Michael Steele.

Why am I glad that this wishy-washy, spineless, politically impotent man is stuck trying to get money for the RNC and not representing the state of Maryland? Why, with just about every Michael Steele post, do I thank God that Ben Cardin is my Senator?

It's not just that he's joined the chorus of so-called Republicans who have decided to kiss Rush Limbaugh's boot. I get the dynamics of this; people who make mistakes should apologize, and Rush is the defacto leader of the Republican Party (sorry Newt).

No, my beef is this: when confronted by (African-American) D.L. Hugley on CNN, Steele tried to distance himself and the core of the party from Limbaugh's comments. Then, after Limbaugh hit back, Steele not only apologized, he did a 180-degree turn on his description of the man.

It's one thing to say, "I shouldn't have called the guy's comments 'ugly'." It's another to imply that a person who is not an elected official by any means (he didn't even sponsor CPAC) has as much political power as you.

In other words: Michael Steele has proven to be less than a figurehead; he's the "hip" face of a party who has, to date, ignored him. He will say what he needs to say to the audience he's speaking to. And while this is somewhat expected in politics, people at least appreciate a sense of nuisance. Steele has repeatedly told one story to a venue then contradict that story at another venue, which was why I was hesitant when I saw the growing number of black celebrities coming out to support this guy (as if he had any desire to deal with issues like civil rights, poverty or health care). He doesn't care. And in the day of 24-hr news and YouTube, you can't contradict yourself and expect to get away.

Whether Republican or Democrat, a voter hopes against hope that the person they selected will best represent their needs and interests. They also expect their representative to never, ever back down unless its absolutely necessary and even then explain themselves. Most importantly, they expect their representative to be straight with them (especially if they want any future votes).

Michael Steele is none of these things. And that's why Maryland ultimately didn't vote for him.

No Main Topic

1. Could this breakthrough happen quicker under universal health care?
2. It takes a cold heart to cheat the Girl Scouts.
3. One way George W. Bush was like Abraham Lincoln.