VANITY FAIR: Bill Clinton’s relevance—and his presence in public life—is as close to permanent as any politician’s can be. Before touching off a string of controversies in his wife’s campaign this year, he was among the most popular figures on the planet, one of only three Democratic presidents in the 20th century to serve two full terms. His looming presence will make him a factor in the Democratic vice-presidential sweepstakes, the fall campaign, and every future presidential election of his lifetime, whatever his wife’s fate. I have covered Clinton on and off for 16 years, since his 1992 presidential campaign. […]
MEOW MIX: Mendte, Mendte, Mendte!
My sainted mother, who is an enthusiastic conspiracy theorist, is actually pissed off at Alycia Lane for “having the FBI investigate her email,” thus persecuting poor Larry Mendte for (allegedly) checking her email “hundreds of times” then blabbing her business to the tabs? Hell, if anything, this might be the one thing that will make me actually like Lane, at long last! Because if Mendte was sitting next to Lane on the anchor desk at the same time he was hacking into her email, then he’s a dirtball who deserves what he gets and she goes from bimbo to woman […]
BO DIDDLEY: RIP
NEW YORK TIMES: Bo Diddley, a founding father of rock ‘n’ roll whose distinctive ”shave and a haircut, two bits” rhythm and innovative guitar effects inspired legions of other musicians, died Monday after months of ill health. He was 79. Diddley died of heart failure at his home in Archer, Fla., spokeswoman Susan Clary said. He had suffered a heart attack in August, three months after suffering a stroke while touring in Iowa. Doctors said the stroke affected his ability to speak, and he had returned to Florida to continue rehabilitation. The legendary singer and performer, known for his homemade […]
CINEMA: The Evil That Men Do
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (2008, directed by Errol Morris, 118 minutes, U.S.)BY DAN BUSKIRK FILM CRITIC He sure has come a long way since pondering why people bury their critters in pet cemeteries. Esteemed documentarian Errol Morris may have started out with whimsical examinations of the American psyche, but as his career has progressed his subject matter has gained gravitas, culminating in 2003’s Fog of War, a profile of Vietnam War architect Robert McNamara. Although the events covered in Fog of War were 40 years old Morris, was able to concentrate on the disturbing reality of executing a war in a […]
TONITE: The Ministry Of Silly Laughs
BY DAVE WALK Lurking in the under belly of the second floor of Fergie’s Pub is a new comedy show called THE MINISTRY OF SECRET JOKES. The origins and purpose of the show are, naturally, very secretive, but we’ve managed to covertly infiltrate the premises to gather data on what really goes on behind closed doors. The show appears to be free of charge to the converted and begins around 9 PM Eastern Standard Time. It is hosted by one Doogie Horner, a local stand-up comedian. Horner appears to be forced to run the show against his will. In an […]
NPR FOR THE DEAF: We Hear It Even When You Can’t
RADIO TIMES Presidential candidates have been touting green collar jobs as part of their plans to reduce energy dependence and buoy the economy through the creation of new jobs. We talk about the challenges and realities of creating a “green collar”workforce with KEVIN DOYLE, founder of Green Economy, a Boston-based workforce development consulting firm, and BRACKEN HENDRICKS, of the Center for American Progress. Listen to this show via Real Audio | mp3 THIS AMERICAN LIFE Prom While the seniors danced at Prom Night 2001 in Hoisington, Kansas—a town of about 3,000—a tornado hit the town, destroying about a third of […]
OFFICIAL LIES: And The Lying Liars Who Tell Them
USA TODAY: In the book, McClellan, who served as press secretary from July 2003 to April 2006, touches on a number of White House topics and personalities, including former Bush political strategist Karl Rove. He writes that the Iraq war was sold to the American people with a sophisticated “political propaganda campaign” led by Bush and aimed at “manipulating sources of public opinion” and “downplaying the major reason for going to war. ” Regarding Bush, he writes that the president “convinces himself to believe what suits his needs at the moment,” and has engaged in “self-deception” to justify his political […]
MEOW MIX: U Got Yer Evil In My Knieval
Crotch Rocketeer Robbie Knievel breaks his late father’s record, jumping his motorcycle 200 feet, over 24 delivery trucks. Ah, youth. There was a time when I wanted nothing more than to be jumped by a daredevil in a tight, white, stars-and-stripes naugahyde jumpsuit… True story: Many years ago, I spent a crazy weekend in Ventor/Margate with a friend who was dating a minor-league wiseguy type. It was an interesting couple of days to say the least, the highlights of which were dancing at the Geator’s place in a large group of women that included Rita Merlino, and a scene which […]
What’s So Funny About Peace, Love & Assassination?
“You know, my husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California.” — Hillary Clinton DAVID BROMWICH: The most disturbing element of her remark was this: that it chose to treat assassination as just one more political possibility, one of the things that happen in our politics, like hecklers, lobbyists, and forced resignations. The slovenly morale and callousness of such a released fantasy is catching. So when, a few days later, the Fox News contributor Liz […]
VALLEY OF THE SHADOW: Second & Glenwood
[Photos by JUSTIN ROMAN] BY JEFF DEENEY I was standing on the corner of 2nd Street and Glenwood Avenue, looking over the stuffed animals tacked to a telephone pole, when a haggard white addict wearing deeply dirty construction boots, a holey T-shirt and a greasy ponytail walked past. He looked heavily opiated and all around pretty worse for wear. He jerked his thumb at the memorial saying simply, “Dead baby,” and kept walking. “Dead baby, huh?” I asked, hoping he would slow down long enough to say a few more words, but he kept trucking down the slope running alongside the […]
Gov. Whitman Photo-Op Friskee Killed In Camden
WIKIPEDIA: Sherron Rolax (born June 3, 1979, died May 24, 2008 in Camden, New Jersey) of Camden, New Jersey, United States, first achieved public fame after an incident involving then New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman in 1996. Governor Whitman was riding along in a police patrol car when officers stopped Rolax for suspicious activity in Camden, New Jersey; they frisked him, but found nothing. Whitman then also frisked Rolax while a state trooper photographed her. The picture was later published in newspapers statewide, drawing criticism from civil rights leaders who saw this as a violation of Rolax’s civil rights […]