Saturday, June 27, 2009
Hope You Weren't Holding Your Breath
In a fit of stupidity yesterday, we made an idle promise to find short-fingered vulgarian (A big tip of the Bouffant chapeau to whoever coined that one.) Donald Trump extolling his friendship w/ Michael Jackson, & Keith Olbermann sucking up to Trump. Repugnant.
Annals Of Right Wing Extremism: "That Seemed Like Prejudice."
It bounced around the news world a bit when the murders took place last month, but sensationalistic though it was, the press sat on it, in their "liberal" way, & the leftish bloggers didn't wallow in it (Naturally, rightbloggers weren't about to mention it, unless forced to react by the left-o-sphere. When it would have been the usual "Oh, no, they're leftists, see?") Then time was taken to investigate the events, facts were assembled, & an article was composed. How much more proof of the intolerable liberal bias of the media is needed?
The three people arrested in the crime include the leader of Minutemen American Defense, a Washington State-based offshoot of the Minutemen movement, in which citizens roam the border looking for people crossing into the country illegally. Former members describe the group’s leader, Shawna Forde, 41, as having anti-immigrant sentiments that are extreme, at times frightening, even to people accustomed to hard-line views on border policing. [...] Mr. Metzger quit the group, alarmed, he said, by a number of things, including Ms. Forde’s demand for extreme loyalty, right down to the choice of cuisine. “I had to take an oath, and part of the oath was that I couldn’t eat Mexican food,” he said. “That’s when red flags went up all over for me. That seemed like prejudice.”Oy. How can you top that? This crap is literally starting to write itself. (Does this have anything to do w/ the Democrat conspiracy to "change the taste of food?")
27 June: Death Of Mormon Con-Man Scum
Today is Saturday, June 27, the 178th day of 2009. There are 187 days left in the year.
AP. A/V. UPI Almanac.
Today's Highlight in History:
On June 27, 1844, Mormon leader Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were killed by a mob in Carthage, Ill. [We can only hope they suffered. A lot. Wanna-be slave-holder bastards. — Ed.]
On this date:
In 1801, British forces captured Cairo and the French began withdrawing from Egypt in one of the Napoleonic Wars.
In 1829, English scientist James Smithson leaves a will that eventually funds the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, in a country he never visited. [Thanks, Jim. We like the Smithsonian HD Channel. — Ed.]
In 1846, New York and Boston were linked by telegraph wires.
In 1859, Louisville, Ky., schoolteacher Mildred Hill wrote a tune for her students and called it "Good Morning To You." Her sister, Patty, wrote the lyrics and later added a verse that began "Happy Birthday To You."
In 1893, the New York stock market crashed.
In 1942, the FBI announced the capture of eight Nazi saboteurs who had been put ashore from a submarine on New York's Long Island.
In 1944, during World War II, American forces completed their capture of the French port of Cherbourg from the Germans.
In 1950, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution calling on member nations to help South Korea repel an invasion from the North.
In 1957, more than 500 people were killed when Hurricane Audrey slammed through coastal Louisiana and Texas.
In 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York's Greenwich Village; patrons fought back in clashes considered the birth of the gay rights movement.
In 1977, the Supreme Court, in Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, struck down state laws and bar association rules that prohibited lawyers from advertising their fees for routine services. The Republic of Djibouti became independent of France. Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, was named a cardinal by Pope Paul VI.
Thirty years ago, in 1979, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled private employers could give special preferences to black people to eliminate "manifest racial imbalance" in traditionally white-only jobs.
Fifteen years ago, in 1984, the Supreme Court ended the NCAA's monopoly on controlling college football telecasts, ruling such control violated antitrust law.
In 1985, Route 66, which originally stretched from Chicago to Santa Monica, Calif., passed into history as officials decertified the road. [Now known in these parts as Santa Monica Blvd., or State Highway 2. We still have our historical markers though. — Ed.]
In 1986, the International Court of Justice at The Hague ruled that the United States had broken international law and violated the sovereignty of Nicaragua by aiding the contras.
In 1988, 57 people were killed in a train collision in Paris.
Ten years ago: George Papadopoulos, the head of Greece's 1967-74 military dictatorship, died of cancer in Athens at age 80. Juli Inkster shot a 6-under 65 to win the LPGA Championship, becoming the second woman to win the modern career Grand Slam (the first was Pat Bradley). The Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 5-2 in the final game at the Kingdome.
Five years ago: NATO leaders gathered in Turkey closed ranks on a pledge to take a bigger military role in Iraq; President George W. Bush declared that the alliance was poised to "meet the threats of the 21st century." Insurgents threatened to behead Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun, a U.S. Marine who'd vanished in Iraq, in a videotape that aired on Arab television. (However, Hassoun contacted American officials in his native Lebanon the following month; after being reunited with his family in Utah, Hassoun disappeared in December 2004.)
In 1995, the space shuttle Atlantis blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on a historic mission to dock with the Russian space station Mir. The flight was also the 100th U.S.-piloted space mission.
One year ago: North Korea destroyed the most visible symbol of its nuclear weapons program, the cooling tower at its main atomic reactor at Yongbyon. (However, North Korea announced in September 2008 that it was restoring its nuclear facilities.) In Zimbabwe, roaming bands of government supporters heckled, harassed or threatened people into voting in a runoff election in which President Robert Mugabe was the only candidate.
Today's Birthdays: Business executive and former presidential candidate Ross Perot is 79. The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Army Gen. John Shalikashvili, is 73. Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt is 71. Singer-musician Bruce Johnston (The Beach Boys) is 67. Actress Julia Duffy is 58. Actress Isabelle Adjani is 54. Country singer Lorrie Morgan is 50. Actor Brian Drillinger is 49. Writer-producer-director J.J. Abrams is 43. TV personality Jo Frost ("Supernanny") is 39. Actor Yancey Arias is 38. Actor Christian Kane is 35. Actor Tobey Maguire is 34.
Today in Entertainment History - In 1954, Elvis Presley's first single was released by Sun Records. It was "That's All Right (Mama)" backed by "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Both songs were hits in Memphis.
In 1966, Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow got married. He was 51, she was 21.
In 1973, guitarist Clarence White of The Byrds was buried in California. He had been killed in a traffic accident. [We're always glad when there's a reason to bury someone. — Ed.]
In 1975, country singer Lefty Frizzell died in Nashville.
In 1980, David Bowie made his stage debut in the Denver production of "The Elephant Man."
In 1991, former Guns N' Roses drummer Steve Adler filed a lawsuit against the band. He claimed the other members had forced him to use heroin, then made him quit the band while he tried to kick his drug habit.
In 1995, La Toya Jackson filed for bankruptcy, blaming her money troubles on a judgment against her after she cut short an engagement at the Moulin Rouge in Paris.
In 2001, actor Jack Lemmon died at age 76.
Thought for Today: "A man, after he has brushed off the dust and chips of his life, will have left only the hard, clean question: Was it good or was it evil? Have I done well — or ill?" — John Steinbeck, American author (1902-1968).
In 1950, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution calling on member nations to help South Korea repel an invasion from the North.
In 1957, more than 500 people were killed when Hurricane Audrey slammed through coastal Louisiana and Texas.
In 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York's Greenwich Village; patrons fought back in clashes considered the birth of the gay rights movement.
In 1977, the Supreme Court, in Bates v. State Bar of Arizona, struck down state laws and bar association rules that prohibited lawyers from advertising their fees for routine services. The Republic of Djibouti became independent of France. Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, was named a cardinal by Pope Paul VI.
Thirty years ago, in 1979, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled private employers could give special preferences to black people to eliminate "manifest racial imbalance" in traditionally white-only jobs.
Fifteen years ago, in 1984, the Supreme Court ended the NCAA's monopoly on controlling college football telecasts, ruling such control violated antitrust law.
In 1985, Route 66, which originally stretched from Chicago to Santa Monica, Calif., passed into history as officials decertified the road. [Now known in these parts as Santa Monica Blvd., or State Highway 2. We still have our historical markers though. — Ed.]
In 1986, the International Court of Justice at The Hague ruled that the United States had broken international law and violated the sovereignty of Nicaragua by aiding the contras.
In 1988, 57 people were killed in a train collision in Paris.
Ten years ago: George Papadopoulos, the head of Greece's 1967-74 military dictatorship, died of cancer in Athens at age 80. Juli Inkster shot a 6-under 65 to win the LPGA Championship, becoming the second woman to win the modern career Grand Slam (the first was Pat Bradley). The Seattle Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 5-2 in the final game at the Kingdome.
Five years ago: NATO leaders gathered in Turkey closed ranks on a pledge to take a bigger military role in Iraq; President George W. Bush declared that the alliance was poised to "meet the threats of the 21st century." Insurgents threatened to behead Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun, a U.S. Marine who'd vanished in Iraq, in a videotape that aired on Arab television. (However, Hassoun contacted American officials in his native Lebanon the following month; after being reunited with his family in Utah, Hassoun disappeared in December 2004.)
In 1995, the space shuttle Atlantis blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on a historic mission to dock with the Russian space station Mir. The flight was also the 100th U.S.-piloted space mission.
One year ago: North Korea destroyed the most visible symbol of its nuclear weapons program, the cooling tower at its main atomic reactor at Yongbyon. (However, North Korea announced in September 2008 that it was restoring its nuclear facilities.) In Zimbabwe, roaming bands of government supporters heckled, harassed or threatened people into voting in a runoff election in which President Robert Mugabe was the only candidate.
Today's Birthdays: Business executive and former presidential candidate Ross Perot is 79. The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Army Gen. John Shalikashvili, is 73. Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt is 71. Singer-musician Bruce Johnston (The Beach Boys) is 67. Actress Julia Duffy is 58. Actress Isabelle Adjani is 54. Country singer Lorrie Morgan is 50. Actor Brian Drillinger is 49. Writer-producer-director J.J. Abrams is 43. TV personality Jo Frost ("Supernanny") is 39. Actor Yancey Arias is 38. Actor Christian Kane is 35. Actor Tobey Maguire is 34.
Today in Entertainment History - In 1954, Elvis Presley's first single was released by Sun Records. It was "That's All Right (Mama)" backed by "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Both songs were hits in Memphis.
In 1966, Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow got married. He was 51, she was 21.
In 1973, guitarist Clarence White of The Byrds was buried in California. He had been killed in a traffic accident. [We're always glad when there's a reason to bury someone. — Ed.]
In 1975, country singer Lefty Frizzell died in Nashville.
In 1980, David Bowie made his stage debut in the Denver production of "The Elephant Man."
In 1991, former Guns N' Roses drummer Steve Adler filed a lawsuit against the band. He claimed the other members had forced him to use heroin, then made him quit the band while he tried to kick his drug habit.
In 1995, La Toya Jackson filed for bankruptcy, blaming her money troubles on a judgment against her after she cut short an engagement at the Moulin Rouge in Paris.
In 2001, actor Jack Lemmon died at age 76.
Thought for Today: "A man, after he has brushed off the dust and chips of his life, will have left only the hard, clean question: Was it good or was it evil? Have I done well — or ill?" — John Steinbeck, American author (1902-1968).
Friday, June 26, 2009
Uniform Of The Day: Lead-Foil Hats
If your fillings make more noise than usual tomorrow, it's because people are planning to fill the ether w/ mind-altering radiation that could well be more harmful than standard American telebision programming.
Known simply as the Dish, the 150-foot-wide antenna, owned by the federal government, will be outfitted with special equipment and a computerized tracking system to keep a powerful, focused signal on the moon.Between the white-hot sun & the lunar radiation, we intend to remain securely behind the two-foot brick walls of our editorial bunker all day tomorrow. (Which is our intention every day, but we thought we'd mention it.)
Time Runs Out
If you haven't participated in whatever commercial events are occurring this mo., in honor of June being these mos.,
• Accordion Month
• Adopt-a-Cat Month
• American Rivers Month
• African-American Music Month
• Dairy Month
• Pest Control Month
• Ragweed Control Month
• Rose Month
• Tennis Month
• Vacation Month
• Zoo/Aquarium Month
you'd best step on it.
(We thought August was vacation mo.)
Homo Sapiens Make Us Sick. Really Sick. To Our Stomach.
Another hideous sack of shit heard from. Baloney artist, scammer & successful-because-Americans-are-just-so-fucking-stupid con-man Deepak Chopra advises us: "[Michael Jackson] was my friend," as Keith Olbermann looks on & offers some sympathetic bromide. Fuck both of you clowns. (Video later, y'all come back now.)
W/ Chopra, Trump & other ghouls having been such "friends" of the late child molester, how is it possible that Jackson seems to have been strung out on one kind or another of narcotic? Friends don't let ...etc.
If all of Just Another Blog™'s so-called friends trooped on the telebision after our mortality, & announced what good friends of ours they had been, when it would appear that these friends had actually allowed our enablers to kill their golden goose (w/ enablement) we'd be back to haunt them to their graves.
Remember this the next time you see a pathetic middle-class ewe reading some of Chopra's unspeakable bullshit. And remember how Trump truly cares about his friends, if you're ever tempted to invest w/ him.
Self-Admitted:
Homophobic, Red Shirt [?], Bible Thumping Nazi, Gay Bashing, Tea Bagging, Rascist [sic], White Guy, Bigot
On to important, meaningful political news, that will eventually determine the kind of shithole nation we'll be living in, as opposed to celebrity fetishization all day & all night & all afternoon, as HuffPo tales a momentary, palate-cleansing break to focus on a non-Jacko event: Sarah's Outrage!
Linda Beigel is the malicious desecrator. Eddie Burke is the face that Ms. B. 'Shopped onto Prop Palin's body. Shannyn Moore compares & contrasts the two.
Linda has blogged for years. She walks with a cane, and has physical disabilities. She has a bi-racial child and is always on the righteous side of fighting discrimination. She attended the Anchorage assembly meetings this week to testify in favor of the ordinance banning discrimination against the GLBT community. Burke attended the same event, protesting the civil rights ordinance with a shirt stating: "Homophobic, Red Shirt [Does he mean "Red State?"], Bible Thumping Nazi, Gay Bashing, Tea Bagging, Rascist (yes misspelled), White Guy, Bigot." Yes, Sarah Palin pals around with this fine example of tolerance.
On whose side would you be? (Please decide soon. There will be no fence-sitters in the future. Partly because there will be no fences, but you know what we mean.)
VISUAL AIDS (Teachers, see p. 164 of the Lesson Plan/Key.):
"Well gee, if the amnio had warned me he'd be like this, I'da rethunk my 'culture of life' mumbo jumbo, you betcha!" Caption this photo[shop] in comments yourself ...That could be taken as offensive. (We didn't dare look in the comments.)
The reaction to the above "OUTRAGE!!" from the Palin camp? Not a peep. Cynics might think that's because Linda Beigel actively keeps tabs on Governor P.'s policies & actions at the state level, where Sarah can be effectively countered/exposed, while CROOKSANDLIARS doesn't dig as much dirt, but mostly (here, certainly) slings some mud around. (Not that we don't sling the mud. We're just typing that neither we nor C&L are so heavy on the minute investigative stuff.)
And to remind us all, the shot bemoaned around the world:
Really, isn't this more fun than dissecting a corpse & its estate?
Really, isn't this more fun than dissecting a corpse & its estate?SHUT YOUR FESTERING GOBS & DIE, ALREADY!!!
Oh, fucking vomit. The last damn thing we or anyone need is to hear Donald Trump talking about Michael Jackson, & how he really knew him well, & blah blah blah. Yet we just heard it. Fuck you six ways to Sunday, Trump, you colossal asshole!This is, essentially, the first sudden, unexpected, under odd circumstances, at a (relatively) young age death of an admittedly International Pop Superstar in the current non-stop media environment. The deaths of Elvis & Lennon, far in the misty past, were nothing like this; Squirt Cobain was not the world-wide weenie Jackson was. We've seen the future, & that glimpse makes us glad that we won't be on this planet of putrid idiocy for more than forty yrs. (At the very upper maximum.)
Note to telebision news people: The story is over. The sick fuck is dead, he will not be returning. All else is foam & idiocy. Shut up & go away. The next talking bobble-head that re-spouts any of the cliched crap filling our living rooms should have his or her lips permanently zipped. And the next head that babbles "Ha ha, we bet South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is happy about this," should have his or her tongue removed, permanently & painfully.
Was the sad little clown a massive talent, or sadly fucked-up, easily manipulable puppet of actual talents Berry Gordy & Quincy Jones? Think about it, if your mental processes haven't been permanently damaged by this orgy of inane celecrity idolization crapola.
Perhaps The Best (5:11) Of Ann Althouse On Bloggingheads.tv
The shitheels at The NYFuckingT don't allow for embedding; we apologize for the necessity of clicking.
(Alright, here's a clue: It may be the best (5:11) ever because she sits there silently for all but maybe eight secs.)
26 June: "I'm A Jelly Doughnut!"
Today is Friday, June 26, the 177th day of 2009. There are 188 days left in the year.
From an AP somewhere. A/V. UPI Almanac.
Today's Highlight in History:
On June 26, 1963, President John F. Kennedy visited West Berlin, where he expressed solidarity with the city's residents by declaring: "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a Berliner). [Just Another Blog™ has been led to believe that JFK really said: "I am a jelly doughnut," or some kind of Kraut pastry. If he'd really wanted to say "I'm w/ you, I'm one of you," he would have said "Ich bin Berliner." It's all in the article usage. — Ed.]
Listen for yourself.
On this date:
In 1870, the first section of Atlantic City's Boardwalk was opened to the public in New Jersey.
In 1894, the American Railway Union, led by Eugene Debs, called a general strike in sympathy with Pullman workers.
Listen for yourself.
On this date:
In 1870, the first section of Atlantic City's Boardwalk was opened to the public in New Jersey.
In 1894, the American Railway Union, led by Eugene Debs, called a general strike in sympathy with Pullman workers.In 1900, Dr. Walter Reed and his medical team began a successful campaign to wipe out yellow fever in the Panama Canal Zone.
In 1917, the first troops of the American Expeditionary Force arrived in France during World War I.
Ninety years ago, in 1919, the New York Daily News was first published.
In 1945, the charter of the United Nations was signed by 50 countries in San Francisco.
In 1948, the Berlin Airlift began in earnest after the Soviet Union cut off land and water routes to the isolated western sector of Berlin.
In 1950, President Harry S. Truman authorized the Air Force and Navy to enter the Korean conflict.
Fifty years ago, in 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower joined Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in ceremonies officially opening the St. Lawrence Seaway. Swedish boxer Ingemar Johansson knocked out Floyd Patterson in the third round of their match at New York's Yankee Stadium to win the heavyweight title.
In 1973, former White House counsel John W. Dean told the Senate Watergate Committee about an "enemies list" kept by the Nixon White House.
In 1977, 42 people were killed when a fire sent toxic smoke pouring through the Maury County Jail in Columbia, Tenn.
In 1988, three people were killed when a new Airbus A320 jetliner carrying more than 130 people crashed into a forest during an air show demonstration flight in Mulhouse, France.
Twenty years ago, in 1989, the Supreme Court ruled the death penalty may be imposed for murderers who committed their crimes as young as age 16, and for mentally retarded killers as well.
In 1992, U.S. Navy Secretary H. Lawrence Garrett resigned, accepting responsibility for the "Tailhook" incident involving the harassment of Navy women by naval aviators. Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates, the target of public wrath for the Rodney King beating, resigned.
In 1993, in response to an Iraqi plot to assassinate former U.S. President George H.W. Bush during a visit to Kuwait, two U.S. ships in the Persian Gulf fired missiles at Iraq's intelligence complex. The main headquarters building was badly damaged.
In 1995, an attempted assassination of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak failed during his visit to Ethiopia.
Ten years ago: An advance contingent of Russian troops flew into Kosovo to help reopen a strategic airport and join an uneasy alliance with NATO peacekeepers.
In 2003, the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, struck down state bans on gay sex. [Possibly related:] Strom Thurmond, the second longest-serving senator in U.S. history, died in Edgefield, S.C., at age 100. Sir Denis Thatcher, husband of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, died at age 88.
Five years ago: President George W. Bush won support from the 25-nation European Union for an initial agreement to help train Iraq's armed forces. A memorial service was held in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., for Paul M. Johnson Jr., an engineer slain by kidnappers in Saudi Arabia.
One year ago: The Supreme Court struck down a handgun ban in the District of Columbia as it affirmed, 5-4, that an individual right to gun ownership existed. Juan Alvarez, who triggered a 2005 rail disaster in Glendale, Calif., by parking an SUV on the tracks, was convicted of 11 counts of first-degree murder. (Alvarez was later sentenced to 11 consecutive life terms.)
Today's Birthdays: Actress Eleanor Parker is 87. Jazz musician-film composer Dave Grusin is 75. Actor Josef Sommer is 75. Singer Billy Davis Jr. is 69. Rock singer Georgie Fame is 66. Actor Clive Francis is 63. R&B singer Brenda Holloway is 63. Actor Michael Paul Chan is 59. Actor Robert Davi is 56. Singer-musician Mick Jones is 54. Actor Gedde Watanabe is 54. Rock singer Chris Isaak is 53. Rock singer Patty Smyth is 52. Singer Terri Nunn (Berlin) is 48. Rock singer Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays) is 46. Rock musician Colin Greenwood (Radiohead) is 40. Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson is 39. Actor Sean Hayes is 39. Actor Matt Letscher is 39. Actor Chris O'Donnell is 39. Actress Rebecca Budig is 36. New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is 35. Country singer Gretchen Wilson is 35. Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Chad Clifton is 33. Rock musician Nathan Followill (Kings of Leon) is 30. Pop-rock singer-musician Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) is 30. Actor-musician Jason Schwartzman is 29. Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams is 25.
Today In Entertainment History -- In 1925, Charlie Chaplin's comedy "The Gold Rush" premiered in Hollywood.
In 1964, "It's All Over Now" by the Rolling Stones was released. It was the first Stones song to reach number one in Britain.
In 1965, the Byrds hit number one on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart with "Mr. Tambourine Man," which was written by Bob Dylan.
In 1971, promoter Bill Graham announced the closing of his Fillmore East and West concert halls in New York and San Francisco.
In 1975, Sonny and Cher Bono's divorce was finalized in Santa Monica, California. They had married in 1964. Four days after the divorce, Cher married Greg Allman. Van McCoy earned his first gold record for "The Hustle."
In 1977, Elvis Presley performed his last concert, in Indianapolis.
In 1982, Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music married Lucy Helmore.
In 1992, an Oklahoma family sued Van Halen, claiming the band's fans damaged their property. Van Halen put the family's phone number on the cover of their "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" album.
In 1996, Van Halen announced original singer David Lee Roth would rejoin the band for a greatest hits album. Singer Sammy Hagar left because of "creative differences." An arrest warrant was issued for Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland after he left a drug rehabilitation center in Los Angeles without permission. He turned up a few days later at another treatment center.
Thought for Today: "When I was a young man I vowed never to marry until I found the ideal woman. Well, I found her — but, alas, she was waiting for the perfect man." — Robert Schuman, French statesman (1886-1963).
Ninety years ago, in 1919, the New York Daily News was first published.
In 1945, the charter of the United Nations was signed by 50 countries in San Francisco.
In 1948, the Berlin Airlift began in earnest after the Soviet Union cut off land and water routes to the isolated western sector of Berlin.
In 1950, President Harry S. Truman authorized the Air Force and Navy to enter the Korean conflict.
Fifty years ago, in 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower joined Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in ceremonies officially opening the St. Lawrence Seaway. Swedish boxer Ingemar Johansson knocked out Floyd Patterson in the third round of their match at New York's Yankee Stadium to win the heavyweight title.
In 1973, former White House counsel John W. Dean told the Senate Watergate Committee about an "enemies list" kept by the Nixon White House.
In 1977, 42 people were killed when a fire sent toxic smoke pouring through the Maury County Jail in Columbia, Tenn.
In 1988, three people were killed when a new Airbus A320 jetliner carrying more than 130 people crashed into a forest during an air show demonstration flight in Mulhouse, France.
Twenty years ago, in 1989, the Supreme Court ruled the death penalty may be imposed for murderers who committed their crimes as young as age 16, and for mentally retarded killers as well.
In 1992, U.S. Navy Secretary H. Lawrence Garrett resigned, accepting responsibility for the "Tailhook" incident involving the harassment of Navy women by naval aviators. Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates, the target of public wrath for the Rodney King beating, resigned.
In 1993, in response to an Iraqi plot to assassinate former U.S. President George H.W. Bush during a visit to Kuwait, two U.S. ships in the Persian Gulf fired missiles at Iraq's intelligence complex. The main headquarters building was badly damaged.
In 1995, an attempted assassination of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak failed during his visit to Ethiopia.
Ten years ago: An advance contingent of Russian troops flew into Kosovo to help reopen a strategic airport and join an uneasy alliance with NATO peacekeepers.
In 2003, the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, struck down state bans on gay sex. [Possibly related:] Strom Thurmond, the second longest-serving senator in U.S. history, died in Edgefield, S.C., at age 100. Sir Denis Thatcher, husband of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, died at age 88.
Five years ago: President George W. Bush won support from the 25-nation European Union for an initial agreement to help train Iraq's armed forces. A memorial service was held in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., for Paul M. Johnson Jr., an engineer slain by kidnappers in Saudi Arabia.
One year ago: The Supreme Court struck down a handgun ban in the District of Columbia as it affirmed, 5-4, that an individual right to gun ownership existed. Juan Alvarez, who triggered a 2005 rail disaster in Glendale, Calif., by parking an SUV on the tracks, was convicted of 11 counts of first-degree murder. (Alvarez was later sentenced to 11 consecutive life terms.)
Today's Birthdays: Actress Eleanor Parker is 87. Jazz musician-film composer Dave Grusin is 75. Actor Josef Sommer is 75. Singer Billy Davis Jr. is 69. Rock singer Georgie Fame is 66. Actor Clive Francis is 63. R&B singer Brenda Holloway is 63. Actor Michael Paul Chan is 59. Actor Robert Davi is 56. Singer-musician Mick Jones is 54. Actor Gedde Watanabe is 54. Rock singer Chris Isaak is 53. Rock singer Patty Smyth is 52. Singer Terri Nunn (Berlin) is 48. Rock singer Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays) is 46. Rock musician Colin Greenwood (Radiohead) is 40. Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson is 39. Actor Sean Hayes is 39. Actor Matt Letscher is 39. Actor Chris O'Donnell is 39. Actress Rebecca Budig is 36. New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is 35. Country singer Gretchen Wilson is 35. Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Chad Clifton is 33. Rock musician Nathan Followill (Kings of Leon) is 30. Pop-rock singer-musician Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) is 30. Actor-musician Jason Schwartzman is 29. Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams is 25.
Today In Entertainment History -- In 1925, Charlie Chaplin's comedy "The Gold Rush" premiered in Hollywood.
In 1964, "It's All Over Now" by the Rolling Stones was released. It was the first Stones song to reach number one in Britain.
In 1965, the Byrds hit number one on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart with "Mr. Tambourine Man," which was written by Bob Dylan.
In 1971, promoter Bill Graham announced the closing of his Fillmore East and West concert halls in New York and San Francisco.
In 1975, Sonny and Cher Bono's divorce was finalized in Santa Monica, California. They had married in 1964. Four days after the divorce, Cher married Greg Allman. Van McCoy earned his first gold record for "The Hustle."
In 1977, Elvis Presley performed his last concert, in Indianapolis.
In 1982, Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music married Lucy Helmore.
In 1992, an Oklahoma family sued Van Halen, claiming the band's fans damaged their property. Van Halen put the family's phone number on the cover of their "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" album.
In 1996, Van Halen announced original singer David Lee Roth would rejoin the band for a greatest hits album. Singer Sammy Hagar left because of "creative differences." An arrest warrant was issued for Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland after he left a drug rehabilitation center in Los Angeles without permission. He turned up a few days later at another treatment center.
Thought for Today: "When I was a young man I vowed never to marry until I found the ideal woman. Well, I found her — but, alas, she was waiting for the perfect man." — Robert Schuman, French statesman (1886-1963).Thursday, June 25, 2009
Events Of The Day Sadden Virgin Sarah Palin & Her Son Jesus
Tears in the tundra, we're sure, though not for the reasons normal people might be sad today, nor empathy w/ the survivors, but sad because she lost the chance to pimp this atrocity committed against her son Prop.
Can you imagine the nerve? Why, that's her son, & they're making fun of him by, by ... by completely eliminating him from the picture, & not mentioning him in the text. It could be a Photoshop™ of any baby she picked up to kiss, politician style. So, she (& we) should be outraged because, we don't know, the fakery makes Sarah's radio buddy (the face in the picture) out to be a "special needs" baby like Prop?
Can you imagine the nerve? Why, that's her son, & they're making fun of him by, by ... by completely eliminating him from the picture, & not mentioning him in the text. It could be a Photoshop™ of any baby she picked up to kiss, politician style. So, she (& we) should be outraged because, we don't know, the fakery makes Sarah's radio buddy (the face in the picture) out to be a "special needs" baby like Prop? Let's see:
iconphoto of the Governor & "baby Trig" is, well, holy. ("An iconic representation of a mother's love for a special needs child." Why, it is sacred. And consecrated.) And it was "maliciously desecrated." And, "degeneracy," also!
"Recently we learned of a malicious desecration of a photo of the Governor and baby Trig that has become an iconic representation of a mother's love for a special needs child," Palin spokeswoman Meghan Stapelton said in a statement provided to CNN. "The mere idea of someone doctoring the photo of a special needs baby is appalling." "Babies and children are off limits," She said. "It is past time to restore decency in politics and real tolerance for all Americans. The Obama Administration sets the moral compass for its party. We ask that special needs children be loved, respected and accepted and that this type of degeneracy be condemned."Ah. We didn't know that the
This may be news to those reactionary elements that find calling President Obama "The Messiah" the height of humor. Here someone suggests she & her offspring are holier-than-all. Will we hear anything about this from wing-nuts? Considering that the allegation of photo "desecration" almost certainly comes from spokesmodel Stapelton or Palin herself hearing it in the context of flag "desecration" & deciding "that sounds real good, don't it?" there's no reason to think any sort of reaction to this claim of divinity will pop up anywhere to the proverbial left of Attila The Hun. They'd have to admit the Stars & Stripes (& in many cases the Stars & Bars) aren't "consecrated" at all.
Might be even tougher to admit that Prop isn't the new Messiah, & that Virgin Sarah isn't the perpetual victim she likes to play.
Ahem (The next day, early a. m.): Found an image of the whole thing, not just the bullshit truncated picture from CNN. Morons.
Budget Crisis
Why was the body of Michael Jackson, sickening Jehovah's Witness, repellent child abuser/molester, self-hating black person/closet case & all-around pervert, liar & talentless reducer of music to crap given a cross-town helicopter ride from the UCLA Medical center to the USC campus, whence it was then vanned to the Medical Examiner's office?
Where they afraid the herd of cretinous ghouls milling around the UCLA Med Center would jump the coroner's van & rip the body to shreds for souvenirs? Possibly.
We hope Sicko's estate pays for that last ride, no matter the reason. We doubt if actual talent Sky Saxon is getting any special treatment in Austin.
More Things Not Going Well
Some guy at Slate (Much as we hate to credit by name the people from whom we steal, it seems necessary for viewership. After all, if these clowns Google™ themselves & we don't include their name, we'll never get the attention we crave. Typing talent? Please, this is AmeriKKKa, not Cloud Cuckoo Land.) Jonathan Rosenbaum, takes on DVD sales/marketing & what is being done to film history. Obviously nothing good.
Were it positive, we wouldn't have noticed it.
In All The Excitement Of Grim Mortality ...
... this has been overlooked.
Shaquille O'Neal Traded to Cleveland Cavaliers In a bold stroke aimed at winning the championship, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Shaquille O'Neal from the Phoenix Suns in a multiplayer trade that will have ramifications across the N.B.A. The deal gives Cleveland a second star to share some of the offensive burden with LeBron James. Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/?emc=na
SKY SAXON DEAD!!! (Picture UPDATE)
OK, this is something important. And, we suppose, answers the question of who will be third. Looks like it was pederast Jackson filling out the trifecta.
Sky Saxon. Pushin' too hard, & not much older than our cohort. Friend & musical associate Mikaleno, who played w/ Sky (& no other original Seeds) in a more recent version of the band, posted this from when Sky was on top of the world (& we don't mean Mt. Shasta).
Rumor Mill: Michael Jackson Dead?
Farrah Fawcett dead, now (possibly) Michael Jackson? The big question: Who will be third in the celeb death trifecta?
Radio sez it's at TMZ.com.
UPDATE:
Michael Jackson Reportedly Hospitalized An unconscious Michael Jackson was rushed to UCLA Medical Center on Thursday afternoon by paramedics who performed C.P.R., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/?emc=na
Lest We Forget
As the collective memory barely reaches back to Mark Foley, we think other Republican values should be pointed out. From today's "This Date in ...":
Five years ago: Republican Jack Ryan withdrew from the U.S. Senate race in Illinois after allegations of sex-club visits with his then-wife, actress Jeri Ryan.
Fed Announces Positive Outlook For Leeches & Moochers On Fixed Incomes
The prices of energy and other commodities have risen of late. However, substantial resource slack is likely to dampen cost pressures, and the Committee expects that inflation will remain subdued for some time.Not that we trust them, or think they know what they're talking about, but "Whew!" (On the other hand: "Substantial resource slack?") People w/o even fixed incomes are invited to pick up a pitchfork & start helping themselves. (Just not around here.)
25 June: WAR!! And, Custer Gets His.
Today is Thursday, June 25, the 176th day of 2009. There are 189 days left in the year.
AP. A/V. UPI Almanac.
Today's Highlight in History:
On June 25, 1950, war broke out in Korea as forces from the communist North invaded the South.
On this date:
In 1788, Virginia ratified the U.S. Constitution.
In 1868, Congress passed an Omnibus Act allowing for the readmission of Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina to the Union.
In 1876, Lt. Col. George A. Custer and his 7th Cavalry were wiped out by Sioux and Cheyenne Indians in the Battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana. [The first AP correspondent to die in the line of duty — at the Little Bighorn — filed his last dispatch on 21 June 1876. — Ed.]
In 1906, architect Stanford White was shot to death atop New York's Madison Square Garden, which he had designed, by millionaire Harry K. Thaw, the jealous husband of Evelyn Nesbit. (Thaw was acquitted of murder by reason of insanity.)
In 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 was enacted.
In 1942, some 1,000 British Royal Air Force bombers raided Bremen, Germany, during World War II, as U.S. Army Gen. Dwight Eisenhower took command of the U.S. World War II forces in Europe.
Fifty years ago, in 1959, spree killer Charles Starkweather, 20, was put to death in Nebraska's electric chair. Eamon de Valera was inaugurated as president of Ireland.
In 1962, the Supreme Court, in Engel v. Vitale, ruled that recital of a state-sponsored prayer in New York State public schools was unconstitutional.
In 1973, former White House Counsel John W. Dean began testifying before the Senate Watergate Committee. John Dean squeals.
In 1995, Warren E. Burger, the 15th chief justice of the United States, died at age 87.
In 1996, a truck bomb killed 19 Americans and injured hundreds at a U.S. military housing complex in Saudi Arabia.
In 1997, an unmanned cargo ship crashed into Russia's Mir space station, knocking out half of the station's power and rupturing a pressurized laboratory.
This had nothing to do w/ the death of Jacques Cousteau the same day.
Ten years ago: During a news conference, President Bill Clinton said the people of Serbia had to "get out of denial" about the atrocities blamed on Slobodan Milosevic and decide if he was fit to remain president of Yugoslavia. The San Antonio Spurs won their first title as they defeated the New York Knicks 78-77 in Game 5 of the NBA finals.
Five years ago: Republican Jack Ryan withdrew from the U.S. Senate race in Illinois after allegations of sex-club visits with his then-wife, actress Jeri Ryan. President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, opened a European trip as they arrived in Ireland. Taliban fighters killed up to 16 men after learning they had registered for Afghanistan's U.S.-backed national elections.
In 2005, hardline Tehran Mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner of Iran's presidential runoff election.
One year ago: A divided Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law that allowed capital punishment for people convicted of raping children under 12; the ruling also invalidated laws in five other states that allowed executions for child rape that did not result in the death of the victim. A jury in Woburn, Mass., convicted Neil Entwistle of first-degree murder in the deaths of his wife, Rachel, 27, and their 9-month-old baby, Lillian Rose. (Entwistle was sentenced the next day to two life prison terms without possibility of parole.) Wesley N. Higdon, 25, shot and killed five workers and himself at a western Kentucky plastics plant; a sixth victim survived.
Today's Birthdays: Movie director Sidney Lumet is 85. Actress June Lockhart is 84.
R&B singer Eddie Floyd is 72. [Seen here in 1967, live in Limeyland. — Ed.]
This had nothing to do w/ the death of Jacques Cousteau the same day.
Ten years ago: During a news conference, President Bill Clinton said the people of Serbia had to "get out of denial" about the atrocities blamed on Slobodan Milosevic and decide if he was fit to remain president of Yugoslavia. The San Antonio Spurs won their first title as they defeated the New York Knicks 78-77 in Game 5 of the NBA finals.
Five years ago: Republican Jack Ryan withdrew from the U.S. Senate race in Illinois after allegations of sex-club visits with his then-wife, actress Jeri Ryan. President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, opened a European trip as they arrived in Ireland. Taliban fighters killed up to 16 men after learning they had registered for Afghanistan's U.S.-backed national elections.
In 2005, hardline Tehran Mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner of Iran's presidential runoff election.
One year ago: A divided Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law that allowed capital punishment for people convicted of raping children under 12; the ruling also invalidated laws in five other states that allowed executions for child rape that did not result in the death of the victim. A jury in Woburn, Mass., convicted Neil Entwistle of first-degree murder in the deaths of his wife, Rachel, 27, and their 9-month-old baby, Lillian Rose. (Entwistle was sentenced the next day to two life prison terms without possibility of parole.) Wesley N. Higdon, 25, shot and killed five workers and himself at a western Kentucky plastics plant; a sixth victim survived.
Today's Birthdays: Movie director Sidney Lumet is 85. Actress June Lockhart is 84.
R&B singer Eddie Floyd is 72. [Seen here in 1967, live in Limeyland. — Ed.]Today In Entertainment History -- On June 25th, 1951, the first commercial color telecast took place as CBS transmitted a one-hour special from New York to four other cities.
In 1967, With Mick Jagger, Keith Richard and others singing backup, The Beatles recorded "All You Need Is Love" live on the "Our World" program, which was seen worldwide.
In 1969, Mick Taylor made his first concert appearance with the Rolling Stones. He replaced Brian Jones, who was found dead at his home about a week later.
In 1984, Prince released his "Purple Rain" album, the same day & year that Patti Scialfa joined Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band as a backup singer, four days before the "Born in the USA" tour began.
In 1988, Debbie Gibson became the youngest artist to ever write, produce and perform a number-one hit, when "Foolish Beat" hit the top of the charts. She graduated from high school the next day.
In 1992, Billy Joel received his high school diploma. Twenty-five years earlier, he had overslept and missed his English and gym finals.
In 1995, Pearl Jam canceled their tour because of an ongoing battle with Ticketmaster. They objected that the business had a monopoly and charged fans too big a surcharge on concert tickets.
In 1997, actor Jim Carrey and actress Lauren Holly split up. They had been married for ten months.
In 2006, Nicole Kidman married Keith Urban in Sydney, Australia.
Thought for Today: "The press, like fire, is an excellent servant, but a terrible master." — James Fenimore Cooper, American author (1789-1851).
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Please Keep Your Religion Inside The Vehicle & Off Your Sleeve At All Times
U. S. Representative Bob Inglis (R-SC) in the WSJ:
And:But with his governor now felled by similar temptations, Inglis sees an opening for the Republican Party, a chance to “lose the stinking rot of self-righteousness” and “to understand we are all in need of some grace.” This is not “Bob Inglis 1.0,” the one that was a “self-righteous” expletive, he said in an interview with Washington Wire today. It is a Bob Inglis that is, if anything, more Christian, more attuned to the Gospels, he said.
Our cynical 95% thinks this might be good ol' Bob paving the way for some sordid revelations of his own, but the possibility he's been reading all of those Gospels can't be dismissed out of hand.Unfortunately for him, the attitudes of “Bob Inglis 2.0” are not all that popular among many of the voters who once adored him. He now has five primary candidates fighting his re-election, and another conservative independent, should he clear the primaries.
“They want me to walk around saying I am the paragon of virtue,” Inglis said. “But that is unrecognizable to the Gospels.”
The Party's Over?
One By One, Republicans Say Good-Bye to the Presidency
We should note, add or mention that, in typical Republican fashion, Gov. Sanford's probably soon to be ex-wife (Wikipedia sez: Born in 1962, she was raised in Winnetka, Illinois with an older brother, two younger sisters and a younger brother. Mrs. Sanford is the granddaughter of Bolton Sullivan, the founder of the Skil Corporation of Chicago.) is an heiress. Surprise, surprise!! We'd like to see another crew of drooling ninnies write more about the concept of shame, & then call for the resignation of this cretin, instead of just shutting themselves up as soon as one of theirs is caught. Then we'd like to see some socially approved/enforced seppuku here in the United Snakes. Preferably on national, obligatory telebision.Enough of this. We took a damn shower yesterday, we don't want to waste water today.SECTION 16-15-60. Adultery or fornication.
Any man or woman who shall be guilty of the crime of adultery or fornication shall be liable to indictment and, on conviction, shall be severally punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than one year or by both fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.
SECTION 16-15-70. "Adultery" defined.
"Adultery" is the living together and carnal intercourse with each other or habitual carnal intercourse with each other without living together of a man and woman when either is lawfully married to some other person.
Annals Of "Just Shut The Fuck Up"
"JSTFU." Literally. That's all they've got. Nothing. They're just Twitting it in. And it's not very satisfying to one of the RedStaters, who is issuing steam from all orifices.
C & C: Two married Republican Promisekeepers, a U. S. Senator & the governor of a state, have affairs, the Senator w/ one of his staffers (who is married to another of his employees) the governor w/ an Argentinian woman to whom he wrote silly e-mails. (We mention the e-mails only because the "majority media" [There's a new one. What's it supposed to mean?] knew about the e-mailsTo majority media and other Democrats: we police our own, and you don’t get to judge
Drop dead.
Below are excerpts of e-mails, obtained by The State newspaper in December, between Gov. Mark Sanford's personal e-mail account and Maria, a woman in Buenos Aires, Argentina.and had been sitting on them since December.) Gov. Spitzer, Democrat of New York, also married, carries on w/ a hooker. No more morally superior than the other two, but not ruining anyone else's lives & marriages, either. Gov. Spitzer resigns the governorship, the two Republicans resign Senate leadership positions & the seat as chair of the Republican Governors Conference, respectively. That's "policing your own?" Not one of these Republican perverts who've been exposed has resigned anything beyond added "leadership" posts. Not Craig, Vitter, or any of them. There's the much-vaunted responsibility & accountability of the right-wing & their libertarian fellows. Not to mention the utter irresponsibility of Sanford's actions & deceptions, which go far beyond his personal life, & may well amount to dereliction of his gubernatorial duty. Ah, "duty." Another world completely stripped of its meaning by the right. The best is yet to come. The depths of liberal perfidy had been reached, we assumed, by the election of a person of not completely Northern European genetic heritage to the Presidency, or passage of gay marriage bills, fluoridation, or whatever other atrocities the majority of the country have voted for, but there is a new threat to AmeriKKKa as we know her on the horizon. From the commentariat to the above item:
To suggest that Republicans, who didn’t try to change the taste of food, or dictate to Americans what they could drive, are imposing their beliefs on others, while Democrats are some force for freedom, displays an ignorance, or willful deceit, on the part of anyone uttering such nonsense. Just park it, Democrats. You played this card until it wore through. You told us to shut up countless times. Now it’s your turn.Yes, we ("The Left," or The International Communist Conspiracy) are "trying to change the taste of food." Food itself. Not a specific food, but ALL FOOD. Stand athwart history & stop that, reactionaries!! Soon, the bland middle-Amurkin diet will have flavor!! Dijonaise for all, & nothing else for anyone! More seriouslier: Republicans have been pushing "The hope of our party is in the statehouses. Governators & so on. Between the two nitwits mentioned, & the recent stupid & racist e-mails circulated by elected R legislators & their staff members, should we put off estimates of Republican resurgence for another election cycle or two, or write the whole mess off?
P. S.: "Drop dead," yourself, you little piece of garbage.
We're Begging You: Please, Make The Suffering Stop!
All being relative (& indeterminate) especially human activity, we present a list of our agonies:
1. Forced to walk three blks. to an ATM to obtain cash w/o being charged a fee!
2. Forced to walk back those three blks., & then WALK ANOTHER TWO BLKS. (& BACK!) to obtain something else!!
When does the torture stop? When the hell can we get to that higher spiritual plane ("That is so high I can't explain.") & become a creature of the mind, w/o these sad physical needs? Hurry it up, Science, we don't have forever.
Positive Developments On The Economic Front
Warren Buffett to CNBC: U.S. Economy In "Shambles" .. No Signs of Recovery Yet
It's good news for those of us who hate this country w/ the heat of a couple of Bunsen Burners. We don't know what it will take to make the Yankee herd realize they've been buying a bill of goods, & nothing more, for a couple of hundred yrs., but this may be a start.
But really, probably not, as we realize there is little hope of people anywhere wising up.
Because they are so damned stupid. How long must we tolerate this before OUR righteous anger overflows? Huh? We're not going to be patient forever.
Welp, Guess It Was That Bad, After All
Gov. Sanford Admits Affair and Explains Disappearance Mark Sanford, the governor of South Carolina, apologized in a rambling news conference on Wednesday for having an extra-marital affair with a woman in Argentina, ending a mystery over his week-long disappearance that had infuriated lawmakers and seemed to put his rising political career in jeopardy. Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/?emc=naA woman in Argentina? American tramps aren't good enough for this bastard?
The Research Never Ends
May it never be said that we don't follow up on the important stories. Or at least we follow those who do the actual following, if you know what we mean. A story we covered, & our follow up.
The Sexiest PETA Ads Of All Time! You Choose The Winner! (SLIDESHOW) (POLL)
Everyone's a winner here. (Everyone w/ the voyeuristic male gaze, that is.)24 June: "... While I Did A Wee-Wee In Your Hair/And Beat You With A Pair Of Tennis Shoes I Got From Jeff Beck ..."
By The Associated Press 1 hr 35 mins ago
Today is Wednesday, June 24, the 175th day of 2009. There are 190 days left in the year.
AP. A/V. UPI Almanac.
Today's Highlight in History:
Five hundred years ago, on June 24, 1509, Henry VIII was crowned king of England; his wife, Catherine of Aragon, was crowned queen consort.
On this date:
In 1314, the forces of Scotland's King Robert I defeated the English in the Battle of Bannockburn.
In 1497, the first recorded sighting of North America by a European took place as explorer John Cabot spotted land, probably in present-day Canada.
In 1793, the first republican constitution in France was adopted.
In 1807, a grand jury in Richmond, Va., indicted former Vice President Aaron Burr on charges of treason and high misdemeanor. (He was later acquitted).
In 1812, Napoleon's army entered Russia.
In 1901, Pablo Picasso's artwork was given its first exhibition, in Paris.
In 1908, the 22nd and 24th presidents of the United States, Grover Cleveland, died in Princeton, N.J., at age 71.
In 1940, France signed an armistice with Italy during World War II.
In 1948, Communist forces cut off all land and water routes between West Germany and West Berlin, prompting the western allies to organize the Berlin Airlift.
The Republican National Convention, meeting in Philadelphia, nominated New York Gov. Thomas E. Dewey for president.
In 1968, "Resurrection City," a shantytown constructed as part of the Poor People's March on Washington, D.C., was closed down by authorities.
In 1975, 113 people were killed when an Eastern Airlines Boeing 727 crashed while attempting to land during a thunderstorm at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
In 1983, the space shuttle Challenger — carrying America's first woman in space, Sally K. Ride — coasted to a safe landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
In 1997, the Air Force released a report on the so-called "Roswell Incident," suggesting the alien bodies witnesses reported seeing in 1947 were actually life-sized dummies.
Ten years ago: Union organizers claimed victory after workers at six Fieldcrest Cannon mills in North Carolina voted to be represented by the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees. (Fieldcrest Cannon's parent company, Pillowtex, went bankrupt in 2003.) Testimony wound to an end after 76 days in the landmark Microsoft antitrust trial.
Five years ago: Federal investigators questioned President George W. Bush for more than an hour in connection with the news leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity. A federal appeals court struck down an FCC effort to make sweeping changes in media ownership rules. In a bizarre conclusion to a huge upset, the chair umpire called the wrong score in the second tiebreaker, and Venus Williams fell 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) to Karolina Sprem in the second round at Wimbledon.
One year ago: Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe refused to give into pressure from Africa and the West, saying the world can "shout as loud as they like" but he would not cancel an upcoming runoff election even though his opponent had quit the race. Leonid Hurwicz, who shared the Nobel Prize in economics in 2007, died in Minneapolis at age 90.
Today's Birthdays: Author Ambrose Bierce was born in 1842. He is dead (we think; no one's seen the body). Heavyweight boxing champ Jack Dempsey (1895) is dead, & band leader Phil Harris (1904) would be 105 today if he weren't dead. Still kicking: Actor Al Molinaro is 90. Comedian Jack Carter is 86. Movie director Claude Chabrol is 79. Actress Michele Lee is 67. Actor-director Georg Stanford Brown is 66. Rock musician Jeff Beck is 65.
(The full quote from the title: "Well, there are a lot of reasons why I'd drag a girl such as yourself back to this plastic hotel room ... and rip you off for spare change to run a ... to run a vibrating machine attached to this queen-size, bulk-purchase, kapok-infested, do-not-remove-tag-under-penalty-of-law type bed and, and make you take off all your little clothes ... until you are nearly stark raving nude. (Save for your chrome-with-heavy-duty-leather-thong peace medallion) and make you assume a series of marginally erotic poses involving a plastic chair and an old guitar strap, while I did a wee-wee in your hair/And beat you with a pair of tennis shoes I got from Jeff Beck ...")
The Republican National Convention, meeting in Philadelphia, nominated New York Gov. Thomas E. Dewey for president.
In 1968, "Resurrection City," a shantytown constructed as part of the Poor People's March on Washington, D.C., was closed down by authorities.
In 1975, 113 people were killed when an Eastern Airlines Boeing 727 crashed while attempting to land during a thunderstorm at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
In 1983, the space shuttle Challenger — carrying America's first woman in space, Sally K. Ride — coasted to a safe landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
In 1997, the Air Force released a report on the so-called "Roswell Incident," suggesting the alien bodies witnesses reported seeing in 1947 were actually life-sized dummies.
Ten years ago: Union organizers claimed victory after workers at six Fieldcrest Cannon mills in North Carolina voted to be represented by the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees. (Fieldcrest Cannon's parent company, Pillowtex, went bankrupt in 2003.) Testimony wound to an end after 76 days in the landmark Microsoft antitrust trial.
Five years ago: Federal investigators questioned President George W. Bush for more than an hour in connection with the news leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity. A federal appeals court struck down an FCC effort to make sweeping changes in media ownership rules. In a bizarre conclusion to a huge upset, the chair umpire called the wrong score in the second tiebreaker, and Venus Williams fell 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) to Karolina Sprem in the second round at Wimbledon.
One year ago: Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe refused to give into pressure from Africa and the West, saying the world can "shout as loud as they like" but he would not cancel an upcoming runoff election even though his opponent had quit the race. Leonid Hurwicz, who shared the Nobel Prize in economics in 2007, died in Minneapolis at age 90.
Today's Birthdays: Author Ambrose Bierce was born in 1842. He is dead (we think; no one's seen the body). Heavyweight boxing champ Jack Dempsey (1895) is dead, & band leader Phil Harris (1904) would be 105 today if he weren't dead. Still kicking: Actor Al Molinaro is 90. Comedian Jack Carter is 86. Movie director Claude Chabrol is 79. Actress Michele Lee is 67. Actor-director Georg Stanford Brown is 66. Rock musician Jeff Beck is 65. Singer Arthur Brown is 65. Rock singer Colin Blunstone (The Zombies) is 64. Musician Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac) is 62. Actor Peter Weller is 62. Rock musician John Illsley (Dire Straits) is 60. Actress Nancy Allen is 59. Reggae singer Derrick Simpson (Black Uhuru) is 59. Actor Joe Penny is 53. Reggae singer Astro (UB40) is 52. Singer-musician Andy McCluskey (Orchestral Manoevres in the Dark) is 50. Rock singer Curt Smith is 48. Actress Danielle Spencer is 44. Actress Sherry Stringfield is 42. Singer Glenn Medeiros is 39. Actress-producer Mindy Kaling is 30. Actress Minka Kelly (TV's "Friday Night Lights") is 29. Orlando Magic guard J.J. Redick is 25. Singer Solange Knowles is 23.
Also born on this date, but scared to admit the yr. [50 if he's a day!! — Ed.]: The Pride of Beantown (though he's been irking Californians for the last 20-odd yrs.) Johnny "Johnny Angel" Wendel, local part-time radio personality.
(DJs rank above terminal lepers [below curable lepers, however] in the Registry of Professions.)
Today In Entertainment History -- In 1965, John Lennon's second book, "A Spaniard in the Works," was published.
In 1967, Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" and Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale" were released.
In 1972, Helen Reddy released the song "I Am Woman."
In 1973, Al Kooper reunited with the original Blues Project for a concert in New York's Central Park.
In 1986, actress Raquel Welch won a $10.8 million verdict against MGM, which she claimed ruined her career by firing her from the 1980 movie "Cannery Row."
In 1987, actor Jackie Gleason died at the age of 71.
In 1990, Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block fell nine feet through a stage trapdoor during a concert in Saratoga, New York. He had to have nine stitches, but otherwise suffered only cuts and bruises. That very same day, keyboardist Roger O'Donnell quit The Cure. He was replaced by Perry Bamonte, who was a roadie for the band.
In 1995, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam left the stage after seven songs during a San Francisco concert because of stomach flu. Neil Young finished the show but was booed by fans who had come to see Pearl Jam.
In 1997, actor Brian Keith killed himself at his home in Malibu, California. He was 75.
Thoughts for Today: "There is a way to look at the past. Don't hide from it. It will not catch you if you don't repeat it." — Pearl Bailey, American singer and actress (1918-1990). And what UPI gave us from the entirety of Bierce's work: "An acquaintance is a person whom we know well enough to borrow from but not well enough to lend to."
(DJs rank above terminal lepers [below curable lepers, however] in the Registry of Professions.)
Today In Entertainment History -- In 1965, John Lennon's second book, "A Spaniard in the Works," was published.
In 1967, Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" and Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale" were released.
In 1972, Helen Reddy released the song "I Am Woman."
In 1973, Al Kooper reunited with the original Blues Project for a concert in New York's Central Park.
In 1986, actress Raquel Welch won a $10.8 million verdict against MGM, which she claimed ruined her career by firing her from the 1980 movie "Cannery Row."
In 1987, actor Jackie Gleason died at the age of 71.
In 1990, Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block fell nine feet through a stage trapdoor during a concert in Saratoga, New York. He had to have nine stitches, but otherwise suffered only cuts and bruises. That very same day, keyboardist Roger O'Donnell quit The Cure. He was replaced by Perry Bamonte, who was a roadie for the band.
In 1995, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam left the stage after seven songs during a San Francisco concert because of stomach flu. Neil Young finished the show but was booed by fans who had come to see Pearl Jam.
In 1997, actor Brian Keith killed himself at his home in Malibu, California. He was 75.
Thoughts for Today: "There is a way to look at the past. Don't hide from it. It will not catch you if you don't repeat it." — Pearl Bailey, American singer and actress (1918-1990). And what UPI gave us from the entirety of Bierce's work: "An acquaintance is a person whom we know well enough to borrow from but not well enough to lend to."Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Curiouser & Then More Curious, Even ...
Latest on SC Gov. Mark Sanford:
His gov't. issue SUV (Chevrolet Suburban) allegedly tracked to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport sometime over the wknd., has now been spotted in Columbia, SC. The less sophisticated among us will need (as we did) to be reminded that Columbia is the capital of the State of So. Carolina.
No one has heard his voice since Thursday (or earlier) & no one seems sure where his vehicle is/was or has been. Stories conflict. And Gov. Right-Wing Family Values (patriarchal hierarchy, if you don't mind) isn't even at home w/ his brood of four for a Fathers Day photo-op. That alone should eliminate him from 2012 contention for the Party of Two-Faced Bullshit & Hypocrisy's slot. (Though it probably wouldn't.) His disappearance has been attributed to wanting to get caught up on some writing or other "project" he was behind on, or a desire to "hike the Appalachian Trail."
He certainly has a mess of splainin' to do. We can't quite believe he was foolish enough to be off doing something naughty w/o adequately covering his tracks (Though of course he was foolish enough to make a big deal out of wanting to refuse stimulus funds for his benighted state, & as a right-winger is pretty much the very definition of "fool.") but it's always the cover-up (perhaps a lack of one in this case) that kills them.
However innocuous the explanation or events turn out, we just hope that wherever he was, Gov. Sanford wasn't planning his 2012 presidential strategy. If he was, his expedition to wherever may become the new definition of a lost, or completely wasted, weekend.
Manufactured Dissent
Obama hand-holds Huffington Post blogger, snaps at dissident reporters
An interesting turn of phrase, that. "Dissident" reporters. Is promoting the Fox News agenda dissenting? Should "reporters" be dissidents as well? Or should they "report?" Remember when dissent during war was unpatriotic? Ms. Malkin goes on:The question itself was unobjectionable and Obama’s response was so bland and rambling I don’t remember it.Poor, sad person. It must take a lot out of her to rev her engine of outrage on a daily basis. Especially tough when the engine is running on fumes. Do you think Michelle only buys "American" gas?
Hey-Oh!!
MSNBC reports that perennial sidekick (It's not that easy, trust us.)/pitchman Ed McMahon has gone to the Big Clearinghouse in the Sky, at the age of 86.
Japan In A Dishpan (UPDATED)
A link to something in Slate by someone named Daniel Gross
(blah blah blah, really an excuse to share this):
which goes farther than French fries & chain restaurants. Other adaptations: The "Merry Christmas" sign under the 7-Eleven logo in the middle. What a country.
(blah blah blah, really an excuse to share this):
which goes farther than French fries & chain restaurants. Other adaptations: The "Merry Christmas" sign under the 7-Eleven logo in the middle. What a country.UPDATE (23 June 2009 @1800 PDT): A cursory examination reveals Korean characters in the Hitler Techno shot. We have defamed an entire nation that's done nothing to us since Pearl Harbor. However, we can use Japan's colonial/cultural influence over Korea to blame the Japanese. Can't we?
Nation of Sheep
Tell Me What Ya Gonna Do
When The Commies & The Homos
Come Looking For You?
Yes, they live among us, & no, communism has never left their lexicon of menace. It still lurks just around the corner, down a dark alley right next to a re-built Berlin Wall, we suppose. (Is there also a comeback in the works for the editorial cartoon "anarcho-terrorist," gripping a bowling ball w/ a sputtering fuse & sporting his stylish black slouch hat & cape?)
The nimrod who posted this older-than-his-parents propaganda at RedState is typically unaware. Note his original title, visible in your browser's address bar: "i-never-knew-anything-like-this-existed-this-should-be-required-viewing-for-every-politician-and-voter-in-this-country."
Not to worry, young & ignorant, this crap existed for quite a while before you were imposed on the earth. Glad you're impressed. Few others were, but those who take the message seriously compensate for their paltry numbers by shouting "Wolf!" the loudest. And have for the last fifty yrs. Is there nothing new?
23 June: Lorena Bobbitt Bobs It
By The Associated Press 1 hr 11 mins ago Today is Tuesday, June 23, the 174th day of 2009. There are 191 days left in the year. AP. A/V. UPI Almanac. Today's Highlight in History: Forty years ago, in 1969, Warren E. Burger was sworn in as chief justice of the United States by the man he was succeeding, Earl Warren. On this date: In 1757, forces of the East India Company led by Robert Clive won the Battle of Plassey, which effectively marked the beginning of British colonial rule in India. In 1845, the Congress of the Republic of Texas agreed to annexation by the United States. In 1865, the last Confederate holdouts formally surrendered in the Oklahoma Territory. In 1868, Christopher Latham Sholes received a patent for his "Type-Writer." In 1892, the Democratic convention in Chicago nominated former President Grover Cleveland on the first ballot. In 1931, aviators Wiley Post and Harold Gatty took off from New York on a round-the-world flight that lasted eight days and 15 hours. In 1938, the Civil Aeronautics Authority was established. In 1947, the Senate joined the House in overriding President Harry S. Truman's veto of the Taft-Hartley Act, designed to limit the power of organized labor. In 1956, Gamal Abdel Nasser was elected president of Egypt.
In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin held the first of two meetings at Glassboro State College in New Jersey. In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and White House chief of staff H.R. Haldeman discussed a plan to use the CIA to obstruct the FBI's Watergate investigation. (Revelation of the tape recording of this conversation sparked Nixon's resignation in 1974.) In 1985, all 329 people aboard an Air India Boeing 747 were killed when the plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Ireland, after a bomb widely believed to have been planted by Sikh separatists exploded. Twenty years ago, in 1989, the Supreme Court refused to shut down the "dial-a-porn" industry, ruling Congress had gone too far in passing a law banning all sexually oriented phone message services. In 1992, John Gotti, convicted of racketeering charges, was sentenced in New York to life in prison. In 1993, Lorena Bobbitt of Prince William County, Va., sexually mutilated her husband, John, after he allegedly raped her. In 1995, Dr. Jonas Salk, the medical pioneer who developed the first vaccine against polio, died at age 80. Ten years ago: A divided Supreme Court dramatically enhanced states' rights in a trio of decisions that eroded Congress' power. U.S. Marines in Kosovo killed one person and wounded two others after coming under fire; no Marines were injured. Two months after his retirement, Wayne Gretzky was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame along with former referee Andy Van Hellemond and Ian (Scotty) Morrison in the builder category. Five years ago: In a major retreat, the United States abandoned an attempt to win a new exemption for American troops from international prosecution for war crimes — an effort that had faced strong opposition because of the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. In 2005, former Ku Klux Klansman Edgar Ray Killen was sentenced to 60 years in prison for the 1964 Mississippi slayings of three civil rights workers. One year ago: Outraged at the turmoil in Zimbabwe, the U.N. Security Council declared that a fair presidential vote was impossible because of a "campaign of violence" waged by President Robert Mugabe's government. Seattle's Felix Hernandez hit the first grand slam by an American League pitcher in 37 years, then departed with a sprained ankle before he could qualify for a win in the Mariners' 5-2 victory over the New York Mets. Today's Birthdays: Singer Diana Trask is 69. Conductor James Levine is 66. R&B singer Rosetta Hightower (The Orlons) is 65. Actor Ted Shackelford is 63. Actor Bryan Brown is 62. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is 61. "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson is 53. Actress Frances McDormand is 52. Rock musician Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth) is 47. Actor Paul La Greca is 47. R&B singer Chico DeBarge is 39. Actress Selma Blair is 37. Rock singer KT Tunstall is 34. R&B singer Virgo Williams (Ghostowns DJs) is 34. Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz is 32. New England Patriots offensive tackle Matt Light is 31. San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is 30. Rock singer Duffy is 25. Today In Entertainment History -- In 1923, choreographer-director Bob Fosse was born in Chicago. In 1967, John Entwistle of The Who married Alison Wise. In 1970, Chubby Checker was arrested at Niagara Falls, New York, after authorities found marijuana, hashish and some unidentified drugs in Checker's car. In 1972, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles perform together for the last time. They have since reunited for a few performances. In 1975, Alice Cooper broke six ribs after falling off the stage during a concert in Vancouver. In 1987, singer Tiffany began her tour of performances at shopping malls in Paramus, New Jersey. Twenty years ago, in 1989, New Kids on the Block were nearly thrown out of a hotel in Anaheim, California. They were caught throwing balloons filled with Kool-Aid at guests. Fifteen years ago, in 1994, Barry Manilow's first musical, "Copacabana" -- based on his 1976 hit song -- opened in London. In 1996, actor Robert Downey Junior was arrested on drug charges after authorities found crack cocaine, heroin and an unloaded .357 Magnum revolver in his truck during a traffic stop in Malibu, California. Thought for Today: "Suffering without understanding in this life is a heap worse than suffering when you have at least the grain of an idea what it's all for." — Mary Ellen Chase, American author (1887-1973). [But it's all for the sweet relief of death, to stop that suffering. There's nothing else to be understood. — Ed.]
In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin held the first of two meetings at Glassboro State College in New Jersey. In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and White House chief of staff H.R. Haldeman discussed a plan to use the CIA to obstruct the FBI's Watergate investigation. (Revelation of the tape recording of this conversation sparked Nixon's resignation in 1974.) In 1985, all 329 people aboard an Air India Boeing 747 were killed when the plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Ireland, after a bomb widely believed to have been planted by Sikh separatists exploded. Twenty years ago, in 1989, the Supreme Court refused to shut down the "dial-a-porn" industry, ruling Congress had gone too far in passing a law banning all sexually oriented phone message services. In 1992, John Gotti, convicted of racketeering charges, was sentenced in New York to life in prison. In 1993, Lorena Bobbitt of Prince William County, Va., sexually mutilated her husband, John, after he allegedly raped her. In 1995, Dr. Jonas Salk, the medical pioneer who developed the first vaccine against polio, died at age 80. Ten years ago: A divided Supreme Court dramatically enhanced states' rights in a trio of decisions that eroded Congress' power. U.S. Marines in Kosovo killed one person and wounded two others after coming under fire; no Marines were injured. Two months after his retirement, Wayne Gretzky was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame along with former referee Andy Van Hellemond and Ian (Scotty) Morrison in the builder category. Five years ago: In a major retreat, the United States abandoned an attempt to win a new exemption for American troops from international prosecution for war crimes — an effort that had faced strong opposition because of the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. In 2005, former Ku Klux Klansman Edgar Ray Killen was sentenced to 60 years in prison for the 1964 Mississippi slayings of three civil rights workers. One year ago: Outraged at the turmoil in Zimbabwe, the U.N. Security Council declared that a fair presidential vote was impossible because of a "campaign of violence" waged by President Robert Mugabe's government. Seattle's Felix Hernandez hit the first grand slam by an American League pitcher in 37 years, then departed with a sprained ankle before he could qualify for a win in the Mariners' 5-2 victory over the New York Mets. Today's Birthdays: Singer Diana Trask is 69. Conductor James Levine is 66. R&B singer Rosetta Hightower (The Orlons) is 65. Actor Ted Shackelford is 63. Actor Bryan Brown is 62. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is 61. "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson is 53. Actress Frances McDormand is 52. Rock musician Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth) is 47. Actor Paul La Greca is 47. R&B singer Chico DeBarge is 39. Actress Selma Blair is 37. Rock singer KT Tunstall is 34. R&B singer Virgo Williams (Ghostowns DJs) is 34. Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz is 32. New England Patriots offensive tackle Matt Light is 31. San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is 30. Rock singer Duffy is 25. Today In Entertainment History -- In 1923, choreographer-director Bob Fosse was born in Chicago. In 1967, John Entwistle of The Who married Alison Wise. In 1970, Chubby Checker was arrested at Niagara Falls, New York, after authorities found marijuana, hashish and some unidentified drugs in Checker's car. In 1972, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles perform together for the last time. They have since reunited for a few performances. In 1975, Alice Cooper broke six ribs after falling off the stage during a concert in Vancouver. In 1987, singer Tiffany began her tour of performances at shopping malls in Paramus, New Jersey. Twenty years ago, in 1989, New Kids on the Block were nearly thrown out of a hotel in Anaheim, California. They were caught throwing balloons filled with Kool-Aid at guests. Fifteen years ago, in 1994, Barry Manilow's first musical, "Copacabana" -- based on his 1976 hit song -- opened in London. In 1996, actor Robert Downey Junior was arrested on drug charges after authorities found crack cocaine, heroin and an unloaded .357 Magnum revolver in his truck during a traffic stop in Malibu, California. Thought for Today: "Suffering without understanding in this life is a heap worse than suffering when you have at least the grain of an idea what it's all for." — Mary Ellen Chase, American author (1887-1973). [But it's all for the sweet relief of death, to stop that suffering. There's nothing else to be understood. — Ed.]
Monday, June 22, 2009
Wake Up To The News!
This is an apparently local (Los Angeles) aggregation of situation reports of the Iranian we-can-only-hope-it's-a revolution.
Two recent reports:
akheh ina khodeshoun bachehashouno az sare rah ovordan,ke javounaye mardomo injouri par par mikonan va eyne khiyaleshoun nist!nang bar to rahbar
And:
Ha, we kid. There's a bit of English, & a video or two.
گلوله ها رو در بيارين و حفظ كنين. اين نشون خواهد داد كه از چه تفنگ آتش شده و كيا اين جور تفنگ داشتن. به همه اطلاع بدين
22 June: Summer Means Death; Big Day For WWII
By The Associated Press 44 mins ago
Today is Monday, June 22, the 173rd day of 2009. There are 192 days left in the year.
From The Other World AP. A/V. UPI Almanac.
Today's Highlight in History:
On June 22, 1945, the World War II battle for Okinawa ended with an Allied victory; some 13,000 Americans and 90,000 Japanese soldiers, plus 130,000 civilians, were killed in the nearly three-month campaign.
On this date:
In 1611, English explorer Henry Hudson, his son and several other people were set adrift in present-day Hudson Bay by mutineers.
In 1807, a British frigate, the HMS Leopard, attacked and boarded the American ship USS Chesapeake off the Virginia coast in search of Royal Navy deserters.
In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated for the second time.
In 1868, Arkansas was re-admitted to the Union. [In return, we got Bill Clinton & Mike Huckabee. — Ed.]
In 1870, the U.S. Department of Justice was created.
In 1911, Britain's King George V was crowned at Westminster Abbey.
In 1937, Joe Louis began his reign as world heavyweight boxing champion by knocking out Jim Braddock in the eighth round of their fight in Chicago.
In 1938, Joe Louis knocked out Max Schmeling in the first round of their rematch at Yankee Stadium.
In 1940, Adolf Hitler gained a stunning victory as France was forced to sign an armistice eight days after German forces overran Paris.
In 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union.
In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, more popularly known as the "GI Bill of Rights."
In 1977, John N. Mitchell became the first former U.S. attorney general to go to prison as he began serving a sentence for his role in the Watergate cover-up. (He was released 19 months later.)
In 1993, former first lady Pat Nixon died in Park Ridge, N.J., at age 81.
Ten years ago: President Bill Clinton visited ethnic Albanian refugees at a refugee camp in Macedonia. The Supreme Court ruled the Americans with Disabilities Act does not extend to people with poor eyesight or other correctable conditions. [Take that, you four-eyed fucks! — Ed.]
In 2002, syndicated advice columnist Ann Landers died at age 83.
Five years ago: Islamic militants beheaded Kim Sun-il, a South Korean hostage who'd pleaded for his life in a heart-wrenching videotape; he was the third foreign hostage decapitated in the Middle East in little over a month. Mexican newspaper editor Francisco Ortiz Franco was shot to death in Tijuana. Former President Bill Clinton's memoir, "My Life," was officially released. Child poet Mattie Stepanek, a prominent voice for muscular dystrophy sufferers, died in Washington, D.C., at age 13.
One year ago: Anthony Bologna and his sons, Michael and Matthew, were shot to death in a San Francisco intersection. (Police say the suspected gunman, Edwin Ramos, mistook the Bolognas for rival gang members; Ramos has pleaded not guilty to murder charges.) Zimbabwe's opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, withdrew from a presidential runoff against Robert Mugabe.
Today's Birthdays: Actor Ralph Waite is 81. Singer-actor Kris Kristofferson is 73. Actor Michael Lerner is 68. Fox News correspondent Brit Hume is 66. Singer Peter Asher (Peter and Gordon) is 65. Actor Andrew Rubin is 63. Actor David L. Lander is 62.
As is singer-actor-screenwriter Howard "Eddie" Kaylan.
Two funny Americans born on the same day. And singer-musician Todd Rundgren was born just a yr. later, making him 61.
Actress Meryl Streep is 60. Actress Lindsay Wagner is 60. Singer Alan Osmond is 60. Actor Murphy Cross is 59. Actor Graham Greene is 57. Pop singer Cyndi Lauper is 56. Actor Chris Lemmon is 55. Rock musician Derek Forbes is 53. Actor Tim Russ is 53. Rock musician Garry Beers (INXS) is 52. Actor-producer-writer Bruce Campbell is 51. Rock musician Alan Anton (Cowboy Junkies) is 50. Actress Tracy Pollan is 49. Rock singer-musician Jimmy Somerville is 48. Author Dan Brown is 45. Rock singer-musician Mike Edwards (Jesus Jones) is 45. Actress Amy Brenneman is 45. Rock singer Steven Page is 39. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is 38. Actress Mary Lynn Rajskub is 38. TV personality Carson Daly is 36. Rock musician Chris Traynor is 36. Country musician Jimmy Wallace is 36. Actor Donald Faison is 35. Actress Alicia Goranson is 35. Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey is 31.
Today In Entertainment History -- In 1959, the Swedish film "Wild Strawberries," written and directed by Ingmar Bergman, opened in New York.
In 1968, the Jeff Beck group made its debut. Singer Rod Stewart was so shy he hid behind speakers for the first few songs.
Forty years ago, in 1969, singer-actress Judy Garland died of a drug overdose in London. She was 47.
In 1981, Mark David Chapman pleaded guilty to killing John Lennon outside Lennon's New York apartment building.
In 1987, actor-dancer Fred Astaire died at the age of 88.
In 1990, Billy Joel became the first rock artist to perform at Yankee Stadium.
In 1940, Adolf Hitler gained a stunning victory as France was forced to sign an armistice eight days after German forces overran Paris.
In 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union.
In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, more popularly known as the "GI Bill of Rights."
In 1977, John N. Mitchell became the first former U.S. attorney general to go to prison as he began serving a sentence for his role in the Watergate cover-up. (He was released 19 months later.)
In 1993, former first lady Pat Nixon died in Park Ridge, N.J., at age 81.
Ten years ago: President Bill Clinton visited ethnic Albanian refugees at a refugee camp in Macedonia. The Supreme Court ruled the Americans with Disabilities Act does not extend to people with poor eyesight or other correctable conditions. [Take that, you four-eyed fucks! — Ed.]
In 2002, syndicated advice columnist Ann Landers died at age 83.
Five years ago: Islamic militants beheaded Kim Sun-il, a South Korean hostage who'd pleaded for his life in a heart-wrenching videotape; he was the third foreign hostage decapitated in the Middle East in little over a month. Mexican newspaper editor Francisco Ortiz Franco was shot to death in Tijuana. Former President Bill Clinton's memoir, "My Life," was officially released. Child poet Mattie Stepanek, a prominent voice for muscular dystrophy sufferers, died in Washington, D.C., at age 13.
One year ago: Anthony Bologna and his sons, Michael and Matthew, were shot to death in a San Francisco intersection. (Police say the suspected gunman, Edwin Ramos, mistook the Bolognas for rival gang members; Ramos has pleaded not guilty to murder charges.) Zimbabwe's opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, withdrew from a presidential runoff against Robert Mugabe.
Today's Birthdays: Actor Ralph Waite is 81. Singer-actor Kris Kristofferson is 73. Actor Michael Lerner is 68. Fox News correspondent Brit Hume is 66. Singer Peter Asher (Peter and Gordon) is 65. Actor Andrew Rubin is 63. Actor David L. Lander is 62.
As is singer-actor-screenwriter Howard "Eddie" Kaylan.
Two funny Americans born on the same day. And singer-musician Todd Rundgren was born just a yr. later, making him 61.
Actress Meryl Streep is 60. Actress Lindsay Wagner is 60. Singer Alan Osmond is 60. Actor Murphy Cross is 59. Actor Graham Greene is 57. Pop singer Cyndi Lauper is 56. Actor Chris Lemmon is 55. Rock musician Derek Forbes is 53. Actor Tim Russ is 53. Rock musician Garry Beers (INXS) is 52. Actor-producer-writer Bruce Campbell is 51. Rock musician Alan Anton (Cowboy Junkies) is 50. Actress Tracy Pollan is 49. Rock singer-musician Jimmy Somerville is 48. Author Dan Brown is 45. Rock singer-musician Mike Edwards (Jesus Jones) is 45. Actress Amy Brenneman is 45. Rock singer Steven Page is 39. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is 38. Actress Mary Lynn Rajskub is 38. TV personality Carson Daly is 36. Rock musician Chris Traynor is 36. Country musician Jimmy Wallace is 36. Actor Donald Faison is 35. Actress Alicia Goranson is 35. Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey is 31.
Today In Entertainment History -- In 1959, the Swedish film "Wild Strawberries," written and directed by Ingmar Bergman, opened in New York.
In 1968, the Jeff Beck group made its debut. Singer Rod Stewart was so shy he hid behind speakers for the first few songs.
Forty years ago, in 1969, singer-actress Judy Garland died of a drug overdose in London. She was 47.
In 1981, Mark David Chapman pleaded guilty to killing John Lennon outside Lennon's New York apartment building.
In 1987, actor-dancer Fred Astaire died at the age of 88.
In 1990, Billy Joel became the first rock artist to perform at Yankee Stadium. In 2000, comedian Dennis Miller was added as an announcer on "Monday Night Football."
In 2001, Doobie Brothers drummer Mike Hossack was in a serious motorcycle accident near Sacramento.
In 2003, actor Adam Sandler married longtime girlfriend Jackie Titone.
Last year, acerbic standup comedian and satirist George Carlin died in Santa Monica, Calif., at age 71. Comedian Dody Goodman died in Englewood, N.J., at age 93.
Thought for Today: "To understand is hard. Once one understands, action is easy." — Sun Yat-sen, Chinese statesman (1866-1925).
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Ceci N'est Pas Un Saxophone
The recent demise (by nature's causes) of founding Venture Bob Bogle inspired us to find the Chet Atkins version of "Walk, Don't Run," which lead to this,which led to this,
A Naked Lunch
We decided to get a juicy, delicious garlic on onion roll w/ mayo, cheddar & horseradish sauce hamburg at the end of the second inning, & did not make it back to our seat until the end of the fourth.We don't care if the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are keeping beer prices relatively low, they have to do something about these concession lines.
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