Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Existence Update

Our offices are alleged to have a telephone line (We called a 'phone co. & set up the service, we called the number, it was out of service, we called later, it rang & rang; we figure it's working now, & well before the promised 1630!!) & if the made in China/branded RCA™ phone jack we purchased at the 99.99 Cents Only Store® works (if the cloth-wrapped wires* coming out of the wall near the painted over modular jack to which we conected the new jack are the ones to the rat's nest of wires we assume to be somewhere in our new basement that somehow connect to Telco) we may have dial-up service when we are back in the palatial pad/office. Better than nothing. (But never better than DSL.)
Do not, however, expect an increase in publication around here before digital service has been fully restored.
*We kid you not. Imagine, the futuristic whatnot of whenever being whipped through cyberspace on a mere two copper wires installed in 1930 or so. (Probably earlier, being conservative there.)

Bad Day For The Brain Dead, Tolerable For Broadway

By The Associated Press Tue Mar 31, 12:01 am ET Today is Tuesday, March 31, the 90th day of 2009. There are 275 days left in the year. And from the other AP, their A/V, & the UPI Almanac. Today's Highlight in History: On March 31, 1968, at the conclusion of a nationally broadcast address, President Lyndon B. Johnson shocked his listeners by announcing he would not seek another term of office. [Click "other AP" above for audio. — Ed.] On this date: In 1809, English poet Edward FitzGerald, best known for his translation of "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam," was born in Suffolk. In 1880, Wabash, Ind., became the first town in the world to be illuminated by electrical lighting. In 1889, French engineer Gustave Eiffel unfurled the French tricolor from atop the Eiffel Tower, officially marking its completion. In 1917, the United States took possession of the Virgin Islands from Denmark. In 1933, Congress approved, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed, the Emergency Conservation Work Act, which created the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1943, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Oklahoma!" opened on Broadway. In 1945, the Tennessee Williams play "The Glass Menagerie" opened on Broadway. In 1949, Newfoundland (now called Newfoundland and Labrador) entered confederation as Canada's 10th province. In 1976, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that Karen Ann Quinlan, who was in a persistent vegetative state, could be disconnected from her respirator. (Quinlan, who remained unconscious, died in 1985.) In 2005, Terri Schiavo, 41, died at a hospice in Pinellas Park, Fla., 13 days after her feeding tube was removed in a wrenching right-to-die dispute. Ten years ago: Three U.S. Army soldiers were captured by Serb forces near the Yugoslav-Macedonia border. (Staff Sgt. Andrew Ramirez, Staff Sgt. Christopher Stone and Spec. Steven M. Gonzales were released more than a month later.) Four New York City police officers were charged with murder for killing Amadou Diallo, an unarmed African immigrant, in a hail of bullets. (The officers were acquitted in February 2000.) Five years ago: Four American civilian contractors were killed in Fallujah, Iraq; frenzied crowds dragged the burned, mutilated bodies and strung two of them from a bridge. Air America, intended as a liberal voice in network talk radio, made its debut on five stations. One year ago: Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson announced his resignation amid the wreckage of the national housing crisis. A Bahamas jury ruled that Anna Nicole Smith's son, Daniel, died from an accidental drug overdose, just like his mother. American movie director Jules Dassin, whose Greek wife, Melina Mercouri, starred in his hit movie "Never on Sunday" and six more of his films, died in Athens at age 96. Today's Birthdays: Actress Peggy Rea is 88. Actor William Daniels is 82. Hockey Hall-of-Famer Gordie Howe is 81. Actor Richard Chamberlain is 75. Actress Shirley Jones is 75.Country singer-songwriter John D. Loudermilk is 75. Musician Herb Alpert is 74. Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is 69. Actor Christopher Walken is 66. Comedian Gabe Kaplan is 64. Former Vice President Al Gore is 61. David Eisenhower is 61. Actress Rhea Perlman is 61. Actor Ed Marinaro is 59. Rock musician Angus Young (AC/DC) is 54. Actor Marc McClure is 52. On March 31st, 1943, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Oklahoma!" opened on Broadway. In 1958, Chuck Berry released the single "Johnny B. Goode." In 1967, Jimi Hendrix set his guitar on fire in front of an audience for the first time, during a concert in London. In 1981, "Ordinary People" won the best picture Academy Award. "Fame" won best original song and score. In 1982, the Doobie Brothers announced they were breaking up. The Doobies have staged several reunions since then. In 1983, MTV added Michael Jackson's video for "Beat It." It was the first video MTV played by a black artist. In 1986, O'Kelly Isley of the Isley Brothers died of a heart attack in Alpine, New Jersey. He was 48. In 1991, acclaimed dancer and choreographer Martha Graham died in New York, & former TV actor Danny Bonaduce was arrested after hiding from authorities in a closet. He allegedly had picked up a prostitute near his downtown Phoenix apartment. [On his telebision mother's birthday, even!! Has he no shame? And wasn't the prostitute in question of the transvestite to trans-sexual persuasion? — Ed.] In 1992, two Bruce Springsteen albums went on sale nationwide. Some stores opened at midnight for fans who were waiting in Line to be the first to buy "Human Touch" and "Lucky Town." In 1993, actor Brandon Lee died after a freak accident on the set of the movie "The Crow." Lee had been shot with a prop gun that was supposed to fire blanks. He was 28. In 1995, Tejano singer Selena was shot and killed by the founder of her fan club. In 1996, actor Clint Eastwood married newscaster Dina Ruiz. Thought for Today: "So often we rob tomorrow's memories by today's economies." — John Mason Brown, American critic and lecturer (1900-1969). Copyright ©2009 The Associated Press. All rights reversed. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Copyright ©2009 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reversed.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Can't Win For Losing, Because If It Isn't One Gawd-Damned Thing It's Two Fucking Others, Damnit!!

Neither telebision (let alone cable) nor tubercular access at the new offices yet. Today the L. A. City libraries are closed (in honor of Cesar Chavez) requiring a visit to a Starbuxx, & the use of their card for wireless access. And now the wireless mouse has started acting up, requiring double effort in typing/publishing. Maybe a while before further relevant, meaningful communication is found at this URL. A long while ... In the meantime off to the 99 Cents Only Store for whatever/anything, then to K-Mart for an air mattress. Nicely refinished hardwood floors can only be described as hard, especially in comparison to cushiony soft re-cycled rubber on the playground.

Work In Progress

By The Associated Press Mon Mar 30, 12:01 am ET Today is Monday, March 30, the 89th day of 2009. There are 276 days left in the year. AP's additional history. A/V. UPI Almanac. Today's Highlight in History: On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot and seriously injured outside a Washington hotel by John W. Hinckley Jr. Also wounded were White House press secretary James Brady, Secret Service agent Timothy McCarthy and District of Columbia police officer Thomas Delahanty. On this date: In 1822, Florida became a United States territory. In 1842, Dr. Crawford W. Long of Jefferson, Ga., first used ether as an anesthetic during a minor operation. In 1867, U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward reached agreement with Russia to purchase the territory of Alaska for $7.2 million, a deal roundly ridiculed as "Seward's Folly." In 1870, the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, giving all citizens the right to vote regardless of race, was declared in effect by Secretary of State Hamilton Fish. Texas was readmitted to the Union. In 1909, the Queensboro Bridge, linking the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Queens, opened. In 1945, the Soviet Union invaded Austria during World War II. In 1959, a narrowly divided U.S. Supreme Court, in Bartkus v. Illinois, ruled that a conviction in state court following an acquittal in federal court for the same crime did not violate the Constitution's protection against double jeopardy. In 1964, John Glenn withdrew from the Ohio race for the U.S. Senate because of injuries suffered in a fall. In 1979, Airey Neave, a leading member of the British Parliament, was killed in London by a bomb planted in his car by the Irish National Liberation Army. In 2002, Britain's Queen Mother Elizabeth died in her sleep at Royal Lodge, Windsor, outside London; she was 101 years old. Ten years ago: Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic insisted that NATO attacks stop before he moved toward peace, declaring his forces ready to fight "to the very end." NATO answered with new resolve to wreck his military with a relentless air assault. A jury in Portland, Ore., ordered Philip Morris to pay $81 million to the family of a man who died of lung cancer after smoking Marlboros for four decades. (The U.S. Supreme Court twice struck down the punitive damages part of the award, which was repeatedly upheld by Oregon courts; the high court agreed in June 2008 to review the judgment a third time.) Five years ago: In a reversal, President George W. Bush agreed to let National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice testify publicly and under oath before an independent panel investigating the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. British-born American broadcaster Alistair Cooke died in New York at age 95. One year ago: The Army said the remains of Sgt. Matt Maupin, captured in Iraq in 2004, had been found and identified. Chinese spectators cheered as Greece handed off the Olympic flame for its journey to Beijing and relay through 20 countries; but protesters brandishing Tibetan flags stole the limelight. President George W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Washington's new stadium, Nationals Park; the Washington Nationals defeated the Atlanta Braves, 3-2, in the first regular-season game played at the park. Cambodian-born journalist Dith Pran, whose story became the subject of the award-winning film "The Killing Fields," died in New Brunswick, N.J., at age 65. Today's Birthdays: Game show host Peter Marshall is 83. Actor Richard Dysart is 80. Actor John Astin is 79. Actor-director Warren Beatty is 72. Rock musician Graeme Edge (The Moody Blues) is 68. Rock musician Eric Clapton is 64. Actor Justin Deas (TV: "Guiding Light") is 61. Actor Robbie Coltrane is 59. Actor Paul Reiser is 52. Rap artist MC Hammer is 46. Singer Tracy Chapman is 45. Actor Ian Ziering is 45. Singer Celine Dion is 41. Actor Mark Consuelos is 38. Disc jockey DJ AM is 36. Singer Norah Jones is 30. On March 30th, 1955, the movie "On the Waterfront" won the Academy Award for best picture. Marlon Brando won the best actor Oscar. In 1976, the Sex Pistols played their first show at London's 100 Club, reportedly attracting only 50 people.
In 1978, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon of The Clash were arrested in London for shooting pigeons from the roof of a rehearsal hall. In 1983, a jury in Santa Monica, California, decided that Groucho Marx's companion, Eric Fleming, had defrauded the late comedian. The Marx Estate was awarded nearly half a million dollars, but the amount was later reduced to $221,000. In 1986, actor James Cagney died at his farm in Stanfordville, New York, at age 86. In 1987, the Academy Award for best picture went to Oliver Stone's Vietnam War film "Platoon." Stone took home an Oscar for best director. In 1992, "The Silence of the Lambs" won five Academy Awards, including best picture. Stars Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins won the best actress and actor awards. "Beauty and the Beast" won best original song and score. In 1999, model Fabio was injured while riding a roller coaster as a goose flew into his face in Williamsburg, Virginia. In 2007, Bono of U2 was knighted in an informal ceremony at the Dublin home of a British ambassador. 
Thought for Today: "If you keep on saying things are going to be bad, you have a good chance of being a prophet." — Isaac Bashevis Singer, Polish-born American Nobel Prize-winning author (1904-1991).

Sunday, March 29, 2009

On This Date In Hell

Today is Sunday, March 29, the 88th day of 2009. There are 277 days left in the year. AP. A/V. UPI. Today's Highlight in History: On March 29, 1973, the last United States combat troops left South Vietnam, ending America's direct military involvement in the Vietnam War. On this date: In 1638, Swedish colonists settled in present-day Delaware. In 1790, the 10th president of the United States, John Tyler, was born in Charles City County, Va. In 1847, during the Mexican-American War, victorious forces led by Gen. Winfield Scott occupied the city of Veracruz after Mexican defenders capitulated. In 1867, Britain's Parliament passed the British North America Act to create the Dominion of Canada. In 1882, the Knights of Columbus was chartered in Connecticut. In 1943, World War II rationing of meat, fats and cheese began. In 1951, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage. (They were executed in June 1953.) In 1959, the Billy Wilder farce "Some Like It Hot," starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, opened in New York. In 1962, Jack Paar hosted NBC's "Tonight" show for the final time. In 1971, Army Lt. William L. Calley Junior was convicted of murdering 22 Vietnamese civilians in the My Lai (mee ly) massacre. (Calley ended up serving three years under house arrest.) Ten years ago: NATO air strikes against Yugoslavia continued for a sixth night. The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 10,000 for the first time, ending the day at 10,006.78. Connecticut beat top-ranked Duke, 77-74, for its first NCAA basketball championship. Legendary jazz singer Joe Williams died in Las Vegas at age 80. Five years ago: President George W. Bush welcomed seven former Soviet-bloc nations (Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Latvia and Estonia) into NATO during a White House ceremony. In a stinging rebuke, Secretary-General Kofi Annan fired one top U.N. official and demoted another for security failures leading to the August bombing of the U.N.'s Baghdad headquarters that killed 22 people. At least 19 people were killed in a wave of terrorist violence in Uzbekistan. One year ago: Anti-American Shiite militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr (mook-TAH'-duh ahl SAH'-dur) ordered his followers to defy orders from the Iraqi government to surrender their weapons. Zimbabweans voted in an election seen as the biggest test of Robert Mugabe's 28-year rule. (Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai (SVAHNG'-ur-eye) claimed victory, but the Election Commission ordered a runoff; Mugabe claimed victory in that contest, which was widely denounced as a sham.) Today's Birthdays: Political commentator John McLaughlin is 82. Author Judith Guest is 73. Former British Prime Minister Sir John Major is 66. Comedian Eric Idle is 66. Composer Vangelis is 66. Singer Bobby Kimball (Toto) is 62. Actor Christopher Lawford is 54. Olympic gymnast Kurt Thomas is 53. Actor Christopher Lambert is 52. Rock singer Perry Farrell (Porno for Pyros; Jane's Addiction) is 50. Comedian-actress Amy Sedaris is 48.Model Elle Macpherson is 46. Rock singer-musician John Popper (Blues Traveler) is 42. Actress Lucy Lawless is 41. Country singer Regina Leigh (Regina Regina) is 41. Country singer Brady Seals is 40. Tennis player Jennifer Capriati is 33.  Today in Entertainment History Associated Press - March 29, 2009 3:13 AM ET On March 29th, 1951, the Academy Award for best picture went to the 1950 film "All About Eve." In 1962, Jack Paar hosted NBC's "Tonight" show for the last time. Johnny Carson began his stint as host in October. In 1973, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show made it onto the cover of "Rolling Stone" magazine, as sung about in the band's hit song "The Cover of Rolling Stone." In 1976, the Oscar for best picture went to "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest." Jack Nicholson's role in the film won him the best actor award, while Louise Fletcher picked up the Oscar for best actress. In 1977, "Rocky" won the Academy Award for best picture. "Evergreen," the love theme from "A Star Is Born," won the best original song award. In 1978, "Annie Hall" won the Oscar for best picture plus the best actress award for Diane Keaton. "You Light Up My Life" won the original song award. In 1979, Eric Clapton married Patti Boyd, the ex-wife of his friend, George Harrison. They separated in 1986. In 1980, part-time songwriter Ronald Selle sued the Bee Gees for copyright infringement on the hit song "How Deep Is Your Love." Selle claimed the Bee Gees plagiarized a song called "Let It End." He lost on appeal. In 1989, "Rain Man" won four Academy Awards, including best picture and the best actor award for Dustin Hoffman. In 1993, the Supreme Court announced it would use a case involving 2 Live Crew to decide whether copyright holders can ban song parodies. The rappers later won their dispute with Acuff-Rose music over their takeoff of Roy Orbison's "Oh Pretty Woman." In 2000, 'N Sync's album "No Strings Attached" sold 2.4 million copies its first week out. It set an all-time record for first-week sales. Thought for Today: "Tolerance always has limits -- it cannot tolerate what is itself actively intolerant." -- Sidney Hook, American philosopher and author (1902-1989).

Saturday, March 28, 2009

The Blues Meets Death

By The Associated Press Sat Mar 28, 12:01 am ET Today is Saturday, March 28, the 87th day of 2009. There are 278 days left in the year. Also, the AP, AP A/V, & UPI Almanac. Today's Highlight in History: Thirty years ago, in 1979, America's worst commercial nuclear accident occurred inside the Unit 2 reactor at the Three Mile Island plant near Middletown, Pa.On this date: In 1834, the U.S. Senate voted to censure President Andrew Jackson for the removal of federal deposits from the Bank of the United States. In 1854, during the Crimean War, Britain and France declared war on Russia. In 1896, the opera "Andrea Chenier," by Umberto Giordano, premiered in Milan. In 1898, the Supreme Court, in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, ruled that a child born in the United States to Chinese immigrants was a U.S. citizen. In 1930, the names of the Turkish cities of Constantinople and Angora were changed to Istanbul and Ankara. In 1939, the Spanish Civil War effectively ended as Madrid fell to the forces of Francisco Franco. In 1941, novelist and critic Virginia Woolf died in Lewes, England. In 1942, during World War II, British naval forces raided the Nazi-occupied French port of St. Nazaire in Operation Chariot. In 1969, the 34th president of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, died in Washington at age 78. In 1994, absurdist playwright Eugene Ionesco died in Paris at age 84. Ten years ago: NATO broadened its attacks on Yugoslavia to target Serb military forces in Kosovo in the fifth straight night of airstrikes; thousands of refugees flooded into Albania and Macedonia from Kosovo. The Baltimore Orioles beat a Cuban all-star team 3-2 in Havana. Venus Williams beat younger sister Serena 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to win the Lipton Championships in the first all-sister women's final in 115 years. Five years ago: French President Jacques Chirac's government suffered stinging defeats in regional elections seen as a vote of censure against painful economic reforms. Actor and writer Sir Peter Ustinov died in Genolier, Switzerland, at age 82. Game show host Art James died in Palm Springs, Calif., at age 74. One year ago: President Bush declared that Iraq was standing at a defining moment as it struggled to put down heavily armed Shiite militias in new flare-ups of violence. Cuba made it legal for its citizens to own cell phones in their own names. Today's Birthdays: Former White House national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski is 81. Country musician Charlie McCoy is 68. Movie director Mike Newell is 67. Actress Conchata Ferrell is 66. Actor Ken Howard is 65. Actress Dianne Wiest is 61. Country singer Reba McEntire is 54.Olympic gold-medal gymnast Bart Conner is 51. Rapper Salt (Salt-N-Pepa) is 43. Actress Tracey Needham is 42. Actor Max Perlich is 41. Movie director Brett Ratner is 40. Country singer Rodney Atkins is 40. Actor Vince Vaughn is 39. Rapper Mr. Cheeks (Lost Boyz) is 38. Actor Ken L. is 36. Rock musician Dave Keuning is 33. Actress Annie Wersching is 32. Actress Julia Stiles is 28. This Date In Entertainment March 28: On March 28th, 1958, W.C. Handy, the composer known as "the father of the blues," died of natural causes in New York at the age of 84. He's perhaps best known for his "Memphis Blues" and "St. Louis Blues." Eddie Cochran recorded "Summertime Blues." In 1964, Madame Tussaud's in London announced that The Beatles would become the first pop stars to be cast in wax. In 1974, bluesman Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup died of a stroke at the age of 69. Crudup wrote the Elvis Presley hit "That's All Right (Mama)." In 1976, Genesis opened its first North American tour in Buffalo, New York, with drummer Phil Collins as lead vocalist, after auditioning more than 400 singers to replace Peter Gabriel. In 1990, comedian Richard Pryor was discharged from an Australian hospital after being treated for a mild heart attack. Singer Eddy Arnold underwent heart bypass surgery in Nashville. In 1995, Julia Roberts and Lyle Lovett announced they were separating after 21 months of marriage. In 1996, Phil Collins announced he was leaving Genesis. In 1998, "The Capeman," Paul Simon's $11 million musical starring Marc Anthony, closes on Broadway after 69 regular performances. Source: Associated Press
Thought for Today: "Humanitarianism needs no apology... Unless we ... feel it toward all men without exception, we shall have lost the chief redeeming force in human history." — Ralph Barton Perry, American author and educator (1876-1957). Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights ignored. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.

Friday, March 27, 2009

2002: Death To Show BIz

By The Associated Press The Associated Press 14 mins ago Today is Friday, March 27, the 86th day of 2009. There are 279 days left in the year. In an AP stylee. AP A/V. UPI Almanac. Today's Highlight in History: n March 27, 1977, 583 people were killed when a KLM Boeing 747, attempting to take off, crashed into a Pan Am 747 on the Canary Island of Tenerife. On this date: In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon sighted present-day Florida. In 1625, Charles I acceded to the English throne upon the death of James I. In 1794, Congress approved "An Act to provide a Naval Armament" of six armed ships. In 1836, the first Mormon temple was dedicated, in Kirtland, Ohio. In 1884, the first telephone line between Boston and New York was inaugurated. In 1945, during World War II, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower told reporters in Paris that German defenses on the Western Front had been broken. In 1958, Nikita Khrushchev became Soviet premier in addition to First Secretary of the Communist Party. In 1964, Alaska was hit by a powerful earthquake and tsunamis that killed about 130 people. In 1979, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in Delaware v. Prouse that police could not stop motorists at random to check licenses and registrations unless there was reason to believe a law had been broken. In 1980, 123 workers died when a North Sea floating oil field platform, the Alexander Kielland, capsized during a storm. Ten years ago: NATO expanded its air assault on Yugoslavia in the fourth straight day of attacks. Maria Butyrskaya of Russia won the World Figure Skating Championships in Helsinki; defending champion Michelle Kwan of the United States finished second. Five years ago: Nearly half a million people surrounded Taiwan's presidential office and blocked major streets to protest their country's disputed presidential election. Shizuka Arakawa of Japan was the surprise winner at the women's world figure skating championships in Dortmund, Germany. One year ago: The Pentagon said Defense Secretary Robert Gates had ordered a full inventory of all nuclear weapons and related materials after the mistaken delivery of ballistic missile fuses to Taiwan. North Korea underscored its anger over South Korea's tough new stance toward the communist country with the test-firing of short-range missiles. Today's Birthdays: Former newspaper columnist Anthony Lewis is 82. Dance company director Arthur Mitchell is 75. Actor Julian Glover is 74. Actor Jerry Lacy is 73. Actor Austin Pendleton is 69. Actor Michael York is 67. Rock musician Tony Banks (Genesis) is 59. Actress Maria Schneider is 57. Rock musician Andrew Farriss (INXS) is 50. Jazz musician Dave Koz is 46. Movie director Quentin Tarantino is 46. Rock musician Derrick McKenzie (Jamiroquai) is 45. Rock musician Johnny April (Staind) is 44. Actress Talisa Soto is 42. Actress Pauley Perrette is 40.Singer Mariah Carey is 39. Rock musician Brendan Hill (Blues Traveler) is 39. Actress Elizabeth Mitchell is 39. Actor Nathan Fillion is 38. Hip-hop singer Fergie (Black Eyed Peas) is 34. On March 27th, 1964, The Beatles occupied the top six spots in the Australian pop chart. [Popular w/ criminals & their descendants, eh? — Ed.] In 1967, the British music industry awarded John Lennon and Paul McCartney an Ivor Novello Award for writing "Michelle," the most-performed song in Britain in 1966. [How'd the Brits survive that treacle OD? — Ed.] A riot broke out at a Rolling Stones concert in Halsinborg, Sweden. Five days later, 154 fans were arrested at a similar riot at a Stones concert in Vienna, Austria. Further violence erupted at a Stones concert less than three weeks later in Zurich, Switzerland. [Now that's a band! — Ed.] In 1972, Elvis Presley recorded his last major hit, "Burning Love." In 1973, Rolling Stone reported Carlos Santana changed his name to Devadip, which means "The Lamp of the Light of the Supreme." Santana had become a disciple of Sri Chinmoy. [Stupid hippie. "Dip." Heh heh. — Ed.] In 1987, U2 filmed the video for "Where The Streets Have No Name" on a rooftop in downtown Los Angeles. Thousands of people showed up and the police had to break up the shoot.  In 1991, Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids On The Block was arrested in Louisville, Ky., for allegedly pouring vodka on a hotel carpet and setting it on fire. He pleaded not guilty. [Had he pissed vodka, etc., we'd be impressed. — Ed.] In 2002, Milton Berle died after a battle with colon cancer at his home in Los Angeles. He was 93. That same day, Dudley Moore died from a rare brain disorder at his home in Trenton, N.J. He was 66. Also that day, filmmaker Billy Wilder died in Los Angeles at the age of 95. In 2006, Elvis Presley's Graceland was declared a national historic landmark. Thought for Today: "Often the test of courage is not to die but to live." — Vittorio Alfieri, Italian dramatist (1749-1803). [The biggest test of courage is whether to murder or not. — Ed.] Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reversed. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reversed.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Moving Day

Just Another Blog™ will be moving our editorial offices from the No-Tell Neon Motel as soon as tomorrow. The web log will remain available for the hundreds of visitors who don't read anything here, but arrive looking for the images of Sophia Loren w/ her breasts bared or other shots of mostly-over-40 female celebs. (Marianne Faithfull is very popular.) For those of you who read the crap that appears here, thanks, but you'll have to keep it in your pants for a while, as we've no idea how long it will take to get the DSL (or even the dial-up) going. (Or the cable. Crap, we're going to have to spend all day on line dealing w/ robots in order to re-connect.) Patience is a virtue. We will be continuing our daily nostalgia wrap-up/theft from the AP, even if late & from the library, as we at some point determined that we would do that w/o fail for a yr. Of course, we could always cheat!!

Bracket Of Evil

We announced our absolute unconcern w/ the collegiate basketball tournaments some time ago. "Bracketolgists" on a higher plane than the world of sports might want to look at this bracket. Sure, it's advertising for an allegedly not-totally-vicious mobile 'phone outfit. We aren't convinced, but for some odd reason we seem to be very cynical about virtually anything involving your species.

Not Nearly Enough. Are You Kidding?

W. Burt Is "Well-Rounded"

W. Burt Prelutsky types:
As if Obama isn’t annoying enough, the way he is constantly jutting his chin skyward as if in homage to Benito Mussolini, he saddles us with an attorney general who calls white Americans cowards because, to his way of thinking, we don’t engage in frank conversations about racial matters.
W. Burt's frank conversation about racial matters (Couldn't find the link, because the fucking moron at HuffPo from whom we stole this* is too ignorant to provide links. It's the Internet, dip, get a fucking clue!!!):
If we were a racist society, Oprah Winfrey, your fairy godmother, certainly wouldn't be a billionaire; she'd be fetching someone's mint julep. And Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice wouldn't grow up to be secretaries of state; they'd be sweeping out the stables. And Will Smith and Denzel Washington wouldn't be movie stars; they'd be in the fields picking cotton.
Yes, W. Burt seems to believe that since we don't have slavery (fetching mint juleps, sweeping out stables, picking cotton) any more, all's right w/ AmeriKKKa. No more slavery, no more racism. Just that simple. See? Five black people who've made it. Also, guy in the White House not totally white. Problem solved. And back to the typing we were able to link, which dumbo the non-linker quoted, but missed a vital part of:
After all, in spite of the fact that affirmative action got her an Ivy League degree and a $7,000-a-week salary and, moreover, has sent billions of dollars for no particularly good reason to Africa, she insists this is a mean country.
Yes, talented writer W. Burt clearly types that "affirmative action," besides doing all of Mrs. O.'s Ivy League work for her, "has sent billions of dollars to Africa." Affirmative action. No wonder it's such a big deal w/ the crowd who (think) they made it all on their own, just them & their bootstraps. If AA is actually writing people's papers for them, & shipping billions to Afrika, it's mighty powerful. And we couldn't tell you how many people get those $7,000-a-wk. salaries as a direct result of affirmative action. Probably because there aren't any.
Wonder how W. Burt would feel if "affirmative action" could get him more work in Hollywood. He's already sued over the issue. In classic hypocritical style, he offers this about malpractice suits:
My solution was that no lawyer would be allowed to sue a doctor if he had sued a medical practitioner, say, twice before and lost. That would at least prevent the worst sort of shyster from making a career out of chasing ambulances.
Yes, that too comes from our link. W. Burt really covers the waterfront. In shit.
*Note how we cleverly distract from the fact that we were, shall we say, inspired, by this loser, by insulting his sorry ass from here to there & back again. Don't make our work more difficult for us, pud!! 

Don't Kid Yourselves, We're All In Big Trouble

More on robots
Tip o' the Bouffant chapeau to Lesley of Canada.

Trash. Don't Pick It Up, Etc.

The charming, not at all trashy, but still shrill Tammy Bruce. From Media Matters.
What an interesting definition of "trash" she gives, too. Bee-yotch.

Beethoven, Whitman Die; Robert Frost Born

By The Associated Press 1 hr 57 mins ago Today is Thursday, March 26, the 85th day of 2009. There are 280 days left in the year. The AP has two faces. And A/V. UPI has an almanac. Today's Highlight in History: On March 26, 1979, a peace treaty was signed by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and witnessed by President Jimmy Carter at the White House. On this date: In 1804, the Louisiana Purchase was divided into the Territory of Orleans and the District of Louisiana. In 1827, composer Ludwig van Beethoven died in Vienna. One Hundred years ago, in 1859, English poet A.E. Housman was born in Worcestershire. In 1892, poet Walt Whitman died in Camden, N.J. In 1917, the Seattle Metropolitans became the first U.S. team to win the Stanley Cup, defeating the Montreal Canadiens. [Go Mets!! — Ed.] In 1958, the U.S. Army launched America's third successful satellite, Explorer 3. Fifty years ago, in 1959, American author Raymond Chandler died in La Jolla, Calif., at age 70. In 1971, East Pakistan proclaimed its independence, taking the name Bangladesh. In 1982, groundbreaking ceremonies took place in Washington for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. In 1997, the bodies of 39 members of the Heaven's Gate techno-religious cult who'd committed suicide were found inside a rented mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Ten years ago: American-led NATO forces launched a third night of airstrikes against Yugoslavia. Dr. Jack Kevorkian was convicted in Pontiac, Mich., of second-degree murder for giving a lethal injection to a patient with Lou Gehrig's disease, an action videotaped and broadcast on CBS' "60 Minutes." (Kevorkian served eight years in prison.) A cunning computer virus named "Melissa" began infecting computers across the country. Five years ago: Phoenix Bishop Thomas O'Brien was sentenced to four years' probation and 1,000 hours of community service for a hit-and-run accident that killed pedestrian Jim Reed. Actress Jan Sterling died in Woodland Hills, Calif., at age 82. Jan Berry, half of the surf music duo Jan and Dean, died at age 62. One year ago: Behind the Pentagon's closed doors, U.S. military leaders told President George W. Bush they were worried about the Iraq war's mounting strain on troops and their families, but indicated they'd go along with a brief halt in pulling out troops during summer 2008. The space shuttle Endeavour landed at Cape Canaveral, Fla., ending a 16-day mission. Today's Birthdays: Jazz musician James Moody is 84. Conductor-composer Pierre Boulez is 84. Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is 79. Actor-director Leonard Nimoy is 78. Actor Alan Arkin is 75. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is 69. Actor James Caan is 69. Author Erica Jong is 67.Journalist Bob Woodward is 66. Singer Diana Ross is 65. Actor Johnny Crawford is 63. Rock singer Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) is 61. Singer and TV personality Vicki Lawrence is 60. Actor Ernest Thomas is 60. Singer Teddy Pendergrass is 59. Comedian Martin Short is 59. Country singer Ronnie McDowell is 59. Movie composer Alan Silvestri is 59. Rock musician Monte Yoho is 57. Country singer Dean Dillon is 54. Country singer Charly McClain is 53. TV personality Leeza Gibbons is 52. Actress Jennifer Grey is 49. Retired Utah Jazz great John Stockton is 47. Actor Michael Imperioli is 43. Rock musician James Iha is 41. Country singer Kenny Chesney is 41. Actor T.R. Knight is 36. Rapper Juvenile is 34. Actress Amy Smart is 33. Actress Bianca Kajlich is 32. On March 26th, 1957, Ricky Nelson recorded his first songs. In 1961, Elvis Presley set a British chart first with three consecutive number-one releases: "It's Now or Never," "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" and "Wooden Heart." In 1965, guitarist Jeff Beck was announced as Eric Clapton's replacement in The Yardbirds. In 1970, Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary pleaded guilty to "taking immoral liberties" with a 14-year-old girl in Washington. He had just recently won a Grammy for Best Recording for Children with the album "Peter Paul and Mommy." In 1972, Mott the Hoople decided to disband after four albums, until David Bowie presented them a song called "All the Young Dudes." Mott the Hoople recorded it, while Bowie produced it, and the song hit the Top 40. In 1974, David Essex's single "Rock On" turned gold. Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells," which was used in the movie "The Exorcist," also turned gold. In 1977, Stiff Records released "Less Than Zero" backed with "Radio Sweetheart," the first single by Elvis Costello. In 1980, drummer Jon-Jon Poulos of The Buckinghams died of a drug overdose. He was 32. Pink Floyd's "The Wall" broke the record for the longest-charting pop album, previously held by Carole King's "Tapestry." [Double suck. — Ed.] In 1986, Guns N' Roses was signed to Geffen Records. [Suck trifecta! — Ed.] In 1995, rapper Eazy-E died of AIDS in Los Angeles at age 31. In 1998, actor Leonardo DiCaprio filed a lawsuit against "Playgirl" magazine to prevent it from publishing nude pictures of him. The suit was later settled and the pictures ran in the magazine's October issue. In 2004, singer Jan Berry of Jan and Dean died after having a seizure in Los Angeles. He was 62. Thought for Today: "Life is denied by lack of attention, whether it be to cleaning windows or trying to write a masterpiece." — Nadia Boulanger, French music teacher (1887-1979). Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reversed. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Rabid Rabbi Update

A tip of the Bouffant chapeau to Righteous Bubba for this on Israel's semi-genocide. Here's the photo.

AmeriKKKa: Tabloid Nation Of Sheep

The New York Times' five most-viewed features for the previous wk.: 1. Theater: Natasha Richardson, 45, Stage and Film Star, Dies 2. N.Y. / Region: Leap to Track. Rescue Man. Clamber Up. Catch a Train. 3. Krugman: Financial Policy Despair 4. Dining & Wine: Whoopie! Cookie, Pie or Cake, It's Having Its Moment 5. Health: Richardson Died of 'Blunt Impact,' Medical Examiner Says You people are so fucking stupid. We'd ask how you can stand yourselves, but you're all too dense to realize just what a collection of morons you are. (Any non-citizens who looked at this crap: American exceptionalism does not mean you are not a bunch of dumb fucks as well.)

Oxymoron Of The Day: "Rational Religious Ideology" UPDATED

The Incredible Shrinking Newspaper™ has more on the Hebrew Gawd of MurderWar & His adherents. Doesn't look as if any of the blood-thirsty genocidal rabbis can actually be counted on to kill anyone or destroy anything themselves, but the cheer leading of murder, rape & pillage has been the way of the religious since humanity started recording history, & doubtless long before that.
"This rabbi comes to us and says the fight is between the children of light and the children of darkness," a reserve sergeant said, recalling a training camp encounter. "His message was clear: 'This is a war against an entire people, not against specific terrorists.' The whole thing was turned into something very religious and messianic."
Does the phrase "Racial Holy War" sound familiar? Ironic, innit? And what isn't these days?
UPDATE (25 March 2009 @ 1644): Missed the best part, until we read the actual dead tree edition:
In testimony reported by Israeli news media and in interviews with The Times, Gaza veterans said rabbis advised army units to show the enemy no mercy and called for resettlement of the Palestinian enclave by Jews. "The rabbis were all over, in every unit," said Yehuda Shaul, a retired army officer whose human rights group, Breaking the Silence, has taken testimony from dozens of Gaza veterans. "It was quite well organized."

All The World's A Shitpile, & All The Men & Women Merely Morons

By The Associated Press 1 hr 36 mins ago Today is Wednesday, March 25, the 84th day of 2009. There are 281 days left in the year. AP hist pg. A/V. UPI Almanac. Today's Highlight in History: On March 25, 1965, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. led 25,000 marchers to the state capitol in Montgomery, Ala., to protest the denial of voting rights to blacks. [Excuse me, AP, but could we use the phrase "black people?" Or "African-Americans?" Or something that grants "blacks" a bit of humanity? — Ed.] On this date: In 1634, English colonists sent by Lord Baltimore arrived in present-day Maryland. In 1865, during the Civil War, Confederate forces attacked Fort Stedman in Virginia but were forced to withdraw by counterattacking Union troops. In 1894, Jacob S. Coxey began leading an "army" of unemployed from Massillon, Ohio, to Washington to demand help from the federal government. In 1918, French composer Claude Debussy died in Paris. In 1911, 146 people, mostly female immigrants, were killed when fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in New York. In 1947, a coal mine explosion in Centralia, Ill., claimed 111 lives. In 1957, the Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community. In 1975, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia was shot to death by a nephew with a history of mental illness. (The nephew was beheaded in June 1975.) In 1988, in New York City's so-called "Preppie Killer" case, Robert Chambers Jr. pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the death of 18-year-old Jennifer Levin. (Chambers received a sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison; he was released in 2003.) In 1990, 87 people, most of them Honduran and Dominican immigrants, were killed when fire raced through an illegal social club in New York City. Ten years ago: NATO aircraft and missiles blasted targets in Yugoslavia for a second night, directing much of their fire on Kosovo, where fighting raged between Serbs and ethnic Albanians. Alexei Yagudin won the men's title for the second time at the World Figure Skating Championships held in Helsinki. Five years ago: Congress passed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, making it a separate offense to harm a fetus during violent federal crime. The United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israel's assassination of Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin. Russian Evgeni Plushenko won his third world figure skating title, defeating French rival Brian Joubert. One year ago: The Defense Department said it had mistakenly shipped electrical fuses for an intercontinental ballistic missile to Taiwan. (Once the error was discovered, the military quickly recovered the four fuses.) Herb Peterson, the inventor of McDonald's Egg McMuffin, died in Santa Barbara, Calif., at age 89. Today's Birthdays: Modeling agency founder Eileen Ford is 87. Former astronaut James Lovell is 81. Feminist activist and author Gloria Steinem is 75. Singer Anita Bryant is 69. Singer Aretha Franklin is 67. Actor Paul Michael Glaser is 66. Singer Elton John is 62. Actress Bonnie Bedelia is 61. Actress-comedian Mary Gross is 56. Actor James McDaniel is 51. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., is 51. Rock musician Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) is 49. Actress Brenda Strong is 49. Actor Fred Goss is 48. Actor-writer-director John Stockwell is 48. Actress Marcia Cross is 47. Author Kate DiCamillo (Book: "Because of Winn-Dixie") is 45. Actress Lisa Gay Hamilton is 45. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker is 44. Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine is 43. Olympic bronze medal figure skater Debi Thomas is 42. Singer Melanie Blatt (All Saints) is 34. Actor Lee Pace is 30.  Today in Entertainment History Associated Press - March 25, 2009 3:13 AM ET On March 25th, 1954, "From Here To Eternity" won the best picture award at the Oscars. In 1960, Ray Charles recorded "Georgia On My Mind" in New York. In 1961, Elvis Presley performed what would be his last live concert for eight years, at a show in Hawaii. He instead concentrated on his movie career. In 1967, The Who made its U.S. concert debut in New York as part of a rock extravaganza promoted by DJ Murray "The K" Kaufman. In 1985, the Academy Award for best picture went to "Amadeus." F. Murray Abraham was chosen over "Amadeus" co-star Tom Hulce for the best actor award. Also, Prince won the original song score award for "Purple Rain." In 1990, drummer Tommy Lee of Motley Crue was arrested for allegedly mooning an audience at a concert in Augusta, Georgia. In 1991, "Dances With Wolves" won seven Academy Awards, including a best director Oscar for Kevin Costner. In 1995, singer Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam was rescued after a riptide carried him 250 feet offshore in New Zealand. In 2001, "Gladiator" won five Oscars, including best picture. In 2002, Halle Berry won the best actress Oscar and Denzel Washington won the best actor Oscar. Before that night, Sidney Poitier was the only African-American actor to have won an Oscar in a lead role. Randy Newman won an Oscar for best original song for "If I Didn't Have You" from "Monsters, Inc." He had been nominated for an Oscar 16 times and had never won up to that point. [What, they just kept nominating him, 'cause his uncles were film composers or something? — Ed.] In 2003, Celine Dion launched her Las Vegas show "A New Day." Thought for Today: "In every person, even in such as appear most reckless, there is an inherent desire to attain balance." — Jakob Wassermann, German author (1873-1934). Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Conservative Thought At Its Finest

A commenter at the Crunchy Con's space at Beliefnet ("Liberty Lover." It is to laugh.) copies & pastes one of those idiotic e-mails. (How did these people express themselves before the world-wide wasteland?) Here it is, in its entirety, just for you. (Starts slowly, but the ninny-ness builds.)
Divorce Agreement THIS IS SO INCREDIBLY WELL PUT AND I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT'S BY A YOUNG PERSON, A STUDENT!!! WHATEVER HE RUNS FOR, I'LL VOTE FOR HIM. Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists and Obama supporters, et al: We have stuck together since the late 1950's, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce. I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has run its course. Our two ideological sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on what is right so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile and chalk it up to irreconcilable differences and go our own way. Here is a model separation agreement: Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by landmass each taking a portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy! Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes. We don't like redistributive taxes so you can keep them You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU. Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA and the military. You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell (You are, however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough to move all three of them). We'll keep the capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart and Wall Street. You can have your beloved homeless, homeboys, hippies and illegal aliens. We'll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEO's and rednecks. We'll keep the Bibles and give you NBC and Hollywood . You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us. You can have the peaceniks and war protesters. When our allies or our way of life are under assault, we'll help provide them security. We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values.. You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism and Shirley McClain. You can also have the UN…but we will no longer be paying the bill. We'll keep the SUVs, pickup trucks and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Subaru station wagon you can find. You can give everyone healthcare if you can find any practicing doctors. We'll continue to believe healthcare is a luxury and not a right. We'll keep The Battle Hymn of the Republic and the National Anthem. I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute Imagine, I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing, Kum Ba Ya or We Are the World. We'll practice trickle down economics and you can give trickle up poverty your best shot. Since it often so offends you, we'll keep our history, our name and our flag Would you agree to this? If so, please pass it along to other like minded liberal and conservative patriots and if you do not agree, just hit delete. In the spirit of friendly parting, I'll bet you ANWAR which one of us will need whose help in 15 years. Sincerely, John J. Wall, Law Student and an American P. S. Also, please take Barbara Streisand & Jane Fonda with you.
Barbra Streisand & Jane Fonda. We suppose that the current financial debacle is all their fault.By the way, Michael Moore is fat, proving once & for all that fascism is the proper recourse.  And how's that "trickle down economics" working out for you, "Law Student?" 
We have to suspect that the biggest problem the 25% of the population who want to be trickled-down on would have in their new country would be keeping people from heading to the part of the country w/ the 75% who'd just as soon not be trickled on. Mr. Whoever, build up that wall!!

Another Day, More Nothing

By The Associated Press 31 mins. ago Today is Tuesday, March 24, the 83rd day of 2009. There are 282 days left in the year. Different history from the AP. Their A/V. The UPI Almanac. Today's Highlight in History: On March 24, 1989, the supertanker Exxon Valdez ran aground on a reef in Alaska's Prince William Sound and began leaking 11 million gallons of crude oil. On this date: In 1765, Britain enacted the Quartering Act, requiring American colonists to provide temporary housing to British soldiers. In 1882, German scientist Robert Koch announced in Berlin that he had discovered the bacillus responsible for tuberculosis. In 1909, Irish author and playwright J.M. Synge ("The Playboy of the Western World") died in Dublin at age 37. In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill granting future independence to the Philippines. In 1944, in occupied Rome, the Nazis executed more than 300 civilians in reprisal for an attack by Italian partisans the day before that had killed 32 German soldiers. In 1955, the Tennessee Williams play "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" opened on Broadway. In 1958, Elvis Presley was inducted into the Army in Memphis, Tenn. In 1976, the president of Argentina, Isabel Peron, was deposed by her country's military. In 1980, one of El Salvador's most respected Roman Catholic church leaders, Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, was shot to death by gunmen as he celebrated Mass in San Salvador. In 1995, after 20 years, British soldiers stopped routine patrols in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Ten years ago: NATO launched airstrikes against Yugoslavia, marking the first time in its 50-year existence that it had ever attacked a sovereign country. Thirty-nine people were killed when fire erupted in the Mont Blanc tunnel in France and burned for two days. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded that Boeing 737 rudder problems caused two fatal airline crashes and nearly triggered a third. Five years ago: Former top terrorism adviser Richard Clarke, testifying before the federal 9/11 Commission, accused the Bush administration of scaling back the campaign against Osama bin Laden before the attacks and undermining the fight against terrorism by invading Iraq. The European Union slapped Microsoft with a $613 million fine for abusively wielding its Windows software monopoly. One year ago: President George W. Bush pledged to ensure "an outcome that will merit the sacrifice" of those who have died in Iraq, offering both sympathy and resolve as the U.S. death toll in the five-year war hit 4,000. The FBI said authorities had recovered the remains of two U.S. contractors who were kidnapped in Iraq more than a year earlier. Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was charged with perjury, misconduct and obstruction of justice. (Before his trial was to begin, Kilpatrick pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and no contest to a separate charge of assault; he stepped down in September 2008 and served 99 days in jail.) Actor Richard Widmark died in Roxbury, Conn., at age 93. Today's Birthdays: Fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie is 70. Actor R. Lee Ermey is 65. Movie director Curtis Hanson is 64. Rock musician Lee Oskar is 61. Singer Nick Lowe is 60. Rock musician Dougie Thomson (Supertramp) is 58. Comedian Louie Anderson is 56. Actress Donna Pescow is 55. Actor Robert Carradine is 55. Actress Kelly LeBrock is 49. Rhythm-and-blues DJ Rodney "Kool Kollie" Terry (Ghostown DJs) is 48. TV personality Star Jones is 47. Country-rock musician Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers) is 45. Rock singer-musician Sharon Corr (The Corrs) is 39. Actress Lara Flynn Boyle is 39. Rapper Maceo (P.A. Pasemaster Mase) is 39. Actor Jim Parsons is 36. Actress Alyson Hannigan is 35. Colts QB Peyton Manning is 33. Rock musician Benj Gershman (O.A.R.) is 29. Actress Keisha Castle-Hughes is 19. Today in Entertainment History
Associated Press - March 24, 2009 11:13 AM ET On March 24th, 1949, "Hamlet" was named best picture at the Academy Awards. Its star, Laurence Olivier, won the best actor award. In 1955, the Tennessee Williams play "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" opened on Broadway. In 1958, Elvis Presley was inducted into the Army in Memphis, Tenn. He was discharged in 1960. In 1965, bassist Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones was knocked unconscious by an electrical shock from a microphone stand on stage in Denmark. In 1973, singer Lou Reed was bitten on his rear end by a concert-goer who leaped on stage in Buffalo, New York, and shouted "Leather!" Reed commented afterward that, in his words, "America seems to breed real animals." In 1986, the best picture award at the Academy Awards went to "Out of Africa." Singer-songwriter Lionel Richie picked up an Oscar for "Say You, Say Me" from the movie "White Knights." Van Halen released their "5150" album, their first with Sammy Hagar on vocals. In 1991, the Black Crowes were dropped as the opening act on ZZ Top's tour for repeatedly criticizing Miller Beer, who was sponsoring the tour. In 1993, a jury in Los Angeles decided actress Kim Basinger was guilty of backing out of a verbal agreement to star in the movie "Boxing Helena." In 1997, singer Harold Melvin of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes died in his sleep at his home in Philadelphia. He was 57.
Thought for Today: "Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will — his personal responsibility in the realm of faith and morals." — Albert Schweitzer, German-born missionary and Nobel laureate (1875-1965). [Libertarian bullshit! — Ed.] Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reversed. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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Monday, March 23, 2009

War Gawd Of Hebrews Advising IDF

Why, lookie!! Just below we discussed Xianity as a force for evil nastiness, & the denial of that by Andrew Sullivan. Now X-opher Hitchens notes the same thing among pre-Xians.
Now, it's common to hear people say, when this infamous passage and others like it come up, that it's not intended to be "taken literally." One also often hears the excuse that some wicked things are done "in the name of" religion, as if the wicked things were somehow the result of a misinterpretation. But the nationalist rabbis who prepare Israeli soldiers for their mission seem to think that this book might be the word of God, in which case the only misinterpretation would be the failure to take it literally. (I hate to break it to you, but the people who think that God's will is revealed in scripture are known as "religious." Those who do not think so must try to find another name for themselves.)
Human progress. We're laughing. 
Peering over the horrible pile of Palestinian civilian casualties that has immediately resulted, it's fairly easy to see where this is going in the medium-to-longer term. The zealot settlers and their clerical accomplices are establishing an army within the army so that one day, if it is ever decided to disband or evacuate the colonial settlements, there will be enough officers and soldiers, stiffened by enough rabbis and enough extremist sermons, to refuse to obey the order. Torah verses will also be found that make it permissible to murder secular Jews as well as Arabs. The dress rehearsals for this have already taken place, with the religious excuses given for Baruch Goldstein's rampage and the Talmudic evasions concerning the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. Once considered highly extreme, such biblical exegeses are moving ever closer to the mainstream. It's high time the United States cut off any financial support for Israel that can be used even indirectly for settler activity, not just because such colonization constitutes a theft of another people's land but also because our Constitution absolutely forbids us to spend public money on the establishment of any religion.
We also note that this sort of thing has been going on right here in the United Snakes of AmeriKKKa for a while as well. Do you want some brain-dead Air Force general/fuckhead whose priorities are "God, family & country" (in that order) "defending" you? Not bloody likely. Not that he'd defend you anyway. He'll be too busy waging war on you. W/ the weapons you bought for him. Ironic, what?

An Open Letter

Mr. Sullivan:
If Xianity & capitalism are simply the greatest things ever, why do we have to spend much of our time saving them from themselves? And the rest of our time saving ourselves from them?
Sincerely, 
Malignant Bouffant

More Bonuses For Employer Class

Not only have the upper classes managed to divert much of the United Snakes Treasury into their pockets, to cover their losses, but the financial crisis they caused has had a few other benefits for them.
"That's what it feels like we're returning to. Work as many hours as you possibly can. Make yourself indispensable. Don't ever complain. Don't ever ask for anything," she said. "I'm just horrified we may as well just forget the last 20 years." For their part, many managers are doing little to calm those concerns, human resource consultants say. They tend to view options such as flex time and telecommuting as retention tools, experts say, and in recessions, fear of unemployment is just as effective.
Ah, "retention tools." Like the bonuses given to former AIG employees who'd already left the insurance giant. In other words, they don't one shit about you, or your mental & physical health. They think they have the upper hand now, & can continue the war on people who work for a living. 
"I have heard comments like, 'now is our chance to take back the company,' [and] comments about the fact employees shouldn't feel entitled to ask for flexibility during this time because they should be lucky to have a job," she said.
Is Americans were anything like the mythical ancestors the right claims for them, they would have (literally) "tea-bagged" their exploiters yrs. ago, & taken back the companies that the workers (it's never the bosses) have made successful. But they're scared little sheep, who were too stupid & ignorant to understand their situation, or do anything about it.
Little or nothing good is going to come of any of this. Little or nothing good for the vast majority of Americans or other working people world-wide. Certain groups will be able to profit from this, as they always have. Plug for The Shock Doctrine here.

"Boss, Can I Have Wednesday Off To Go Tea-Bagging?"

Digging the "Delicious Irony" of the tea-bagging Galters.
The “Tea Parties”, of course, started springing up in response to Obama’s stimulus package, a package whose largest fiscal component is a tax cut that will largely benefit the people in the income brackets who make up the Tea Party movement. That I find funny.
Neither the irony aficionado, nor The Daily Dish, which brought this to our attention, make any reference to the bogosity of the whole "movement," the fact that it's about as spontaneous & "of the people" as a Jack-in-the-Pants® viral marketing campaign. Either way, of course, it's hardly successful. We expect a loud noise, a bright flash in the sky, & a lot of dust for their April 15th protests, & then the sound of crickets, as they note that the political environment remains unchanged by inchoate threats from a few thousand middle-brows. Of course, 15 April is a Weds. this yr., so we'll see how many of these future John Galts are such creative producers that they don't have to show up at work if they don't want to.

This Date In History: Islamo-Fascism On The March

Today is Monday, March 23, the 82nd day of 2009. There are 283 days left in the year. AP. A/V. UPI AlmanacToday's Highlight in History: On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry addressed the Virginia Provincial Convention; according to biographer William Wirt, it was during this speech that Henry declared, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" On this date: In 1743, George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Messiah" had its London premiere. (During the "Hallelujah Chorus," Britain's King George II, who was in attendance, stood -- followed by the entire audience.) In 1792, Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 94 in G Major (the "Surprise" symphony) was performed publicly for the first time, in London. In 1806, explorers Lewis and Clark, having reached the Pacific coast, began their journey back east. In 1919, Benito Mussolini founded his Fascist political movement in Milan, Italy.In 1933, the German Reichstag adopted the Enabling Act, which effectively granted Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers. In 1956, Pakistan became an Islamic republic. In 1965, America's first two-person space flight began as Gemini 3 blasted off from Cape Kennedy with astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John W. Young aboard for a nearly 5-hour flight. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan first proposed developing technology to intercept incoming enemy missiles -- a proposal that came to be known as the Strategic Defense Initiative. Dr. Barney Clark, recipient of a Jarvik permanent artificial heart, died at the University of Utah Medical Center after 112 days with the device. In 1994, Luis Donaldo Colosio, Mexico's leading presidential candidate, was assassinated in Tijuana. In 2001, Russia's orbiting Mir space station ended its 15-year odyssey with a planned fiery plunge into the South Pacific. Ten years ago: NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana gave the formal go-ahead for airstrikes against Serbian targets following the failure of Kosovo peace talks. Five years ago: A federal commission said Clinton and Bush administration officials had engaged in lengthy, ultimately fruitless diplomatic efforts instead of military action to try to get Osama bin Laden before the Sept. 11 attacks; top Bush officials countered that the terror attacks would have occurred even if the United States had killed the al-Qaida leader. A report by Medicare trustees said that without changes, the federal health care program would go broke by 2019, seven years earlier than expected. One year ago: A roadside bomb killed four U.S. soldiers in Baghdad, pushing the overall American death toll in the five-year war to at least 4,000. Vice President Dick Cheney visited the West Bank, where Palestinian leaders asked him to pressure Israel to halt settlement construction and voiced other complaints. The Seattle-based fishing trawler Alaska Ranger sank in the Bering Sea, killing five crew members; 42 others survived. Al Copeland, founder of the Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken chain, died near Munich, Germany, at age 64. Today's Birthdays March 23: Comedian Marty Allen is 87. Movie director Mark Rydell is 75. Singer-producer Ric Ocasek is 60. Singer Chaka Khan is 56. Actress Amanda Plummer is 52. Actress Hope Davis is 45. Comedian John Pinette is 45. Actor Richard Grieco is 44. Country musician Kevin Griffin (Yankee Grey) is 44. Actress Marin Hinkle is 43. Rock singer-musician Damon Albarn (Blur) is 41. Actress-singer Melissa Errico is 39. Rock musician John Humphrey (The Nixons) is 39. Actress Michelle Monaghan is 33. Actress Keri Russell is 33. Actress Nicholle Tom is 31. Country singer Paul Martin (Marshall Dyllon) is 31. On March 23rd, 1950, the best picture of Academy Award went to "All The King's Men." Broderick Crawford was named best actor. The best song Oscar went to "Mona Lisa." In 1958, Elizabeth Taylor's husband, producer Mike Todd, died in a plane crash in New Mexico. [Or was that yesterday? — Ed.] In 1963, the Beach Boys released the single "Surfin' USA."In 1964, John Lennon's first book, "In His Own Write," was published.In 1973, Yoko Ono was granted permission to live permanently in the US. In 1978, The Police got a deal with A&M Records. In 1985, singer Billy Joel and model Christie Brinkley got married in New York City. They have since divorced. In 1987, the first Soul Train Music Awards were held in Santa Monica, Calif. Cameo won album of the year for "Word Up," and Gregory Abbott won best single for "Shake You Down." In 1991, Elton John joined George Michael on stage for a duet of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me." It was recorded and released as a single. In 1993, "Across The Borderline," Willie Nelson's 35th album for Columbia Records, was released. Thought for Today: "Having only friends would be dull anyway — like eating eggs without salt." — Hedda Hopper, American gossip columnist (1890-1966). Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. 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