Sure, game seven last night between the Lakers and Celtics in the NBA Finals was probably a good game. The five seconds I managed to watch at the bar sure looked like it. But, what was really phenomenal is Ron Artest’s post-game interview. Seriously, in less than a minute, he’s capable of thanking: everybody in his hood, the World Wide Warriors, his wife, his family, his kids, everybody, and, of course, his psychiatrist (she really helped him relax). And, on top of that, gets to plug his new single. Because, really, what’s a shout-out if you can’t...
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More transparency… unless you like guns.
Today in hypocrisy: finally, a cause liberal and conservative interest groups can rally together in opposition to. I’m no expert by any means on campaign finance, but here’s how I understand the story thus far: Supreme Court issues ruling lifting restrictions on campaign funding by corporations. General outcry ensues. Congress resolves to Do Something. Something takes the form of the DISCLOSE Act, which would require corporations, unions, and non-profits to report their top donors (defined as anyone who gives them $1,000). It also would require organizations to identify themselves in ads, and the orgs’ top donors to...
Continue reading...Morning Constitutional – Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Good morning, everyone. Charlie Sheen’s car has been driven off a cliff — again. Now, your morning constitutional: In a speech from the Oval Office, President Obama last night urged action on new energy legislation and promised to make BP pay for damages related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Judge Vaughn R. Walker will hear closing arguments today in a long-running trial on a lawsuit hoping to overturn California’s Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriages in the state. A series of six earthquakes, ranging from 4.8-7.0 magnitude, hit Indonesia Wednesday, killing at least...
Continue reading...Lightning Strike Proves God Hates Your Stupid Statue
In case the article Pop linked to in today’s Morning Constitutional wasn’t enough for you, here’s video of the ridiculously huge and gaudy (and apparently enormously expensive– $250,000!) Touchdown Jesus statue in flames. As YouTube commenter THeSLoTH77 wrote, “It’s a sign… It’s a sign that churches squander away an unbelievable amount of money that could have been used for something good for mankind and not their egos.” And as the person who tipped me off to the story observed, “It’s a weird and wonderful world.” It was always pretty hilarious to drive past TD Jesus, but I’m...
Continue reading...Morning Constitutional – Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Good morning, folks. Ubisoft is making a Michael Jackson video game. Now, your morning constitutional: Ethnic violence in Kyrgystan is beginning to wane as aide arrives in the southern city of Osh. Britian prepares Tuesday to release a report of the government investigation into the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings of demonstrators in Londonderry, which lead to three decades of violence in Northern Ireland known as The Troubles. President Obama tries to lift the mood is in the Gulf region today, ahead of his televised speech tonight, in which he will attempt to reassert the image of control...
Continue reading...Meet Rick Barber, Patriot for Congress
Sure, he’s no Les Philip, or Dale Peterson, or even Tim James, but Rick Barber’s got a pretty inspiring ad here. Look at that: Founding Fathers. And they hated taxes just like he does. I actually really love how Rick conflates health care reform and the IRS, while totally and unceremoniously diminishing the Founders’ motivation for revolt to just a mere “tea tax.”
Continue reading...In Which I Fail to Violently Disagree With Ross Douthat
Wait, hold on: Ross Douthat wrote a column about feminism that didn’t leave me retching? Is it opposite day? As soon as I saw the headline– “No Mystique About Feminism,” I readied myself for the ensuing rage that invariably comes with reading Douthat’s commentary on the ladyfolk. And yet, the main point Douthat makes this time is one I kinda sorta agree with. He rehashes the feminist agitas over the female Republican candidates’ victories in last week’s primaries, and then announces that in actuality “their rise is a testament to the overall triumph of the women’s movement.”...
Continue reading...Doctor Who, "The Hungry Earth"
Rory: “Can’t you sonic it?” Doctor: “It doesn’t do wood.” Rory: “That is rubbish!” Doctor: “Oi! Don’t dis the sonic!” “The Hungry Earth” felt very much like a setup for next week’s conclusion, “Cold Blood,” but there were some great moments and suspenseful scenes to enjoy. Intending to take Amy and Rory to Rio, the Doctor triumphantly throws open the TARDIS door…and discovers the landscape of Cwmtaff, Wales in the year 2020. Oops. Off in the distance, future Amy and Rory are waving to the trio. Amy, a little surprised that she and Rory are still together...
Continue reading...Florida Governor Charlie Crist vetoes anti-abortion measure
Wait, is this the new Charlie Crist? Because I think I like the new Charlie Crist: Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed a Republican-backed bill that would have required women seeking a first-trimester abortion to pay for an ultrasound exam and, with few exceptions, view the image or have it described to them by their doctor. Crist, a former Republican who is running for the U.S. Senate as an independent, said in his veto message that requirement would put an “inappropriate burden” on women seeking abortions and violate their privacy rights.
Continue reading...Poem of the Week
I first discovered this poem freshman year of college in a Comparative Studies class that sometimes met outside (it was spring quarter). I loved that we would go outside, and that otherwise we would all sit around a huge table instead of at desks, but the class itself was only so-so. Still, thank you to the professor whose name I don’t remember for introducing me to Rita Dove. This poem is from Dove’s collection Grace Notes. And it definitely makes me yearn for tree-climbing days of yore. HORSE AND TREE by Rita Dove Everybody who’s anybody longs...
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