Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Eric Benderoff: Meet the man behind WhiteHouse.gov (Chicago Tribune)
Macon Phillips understands the new media scene, one that combines politics and technology to talk directly to the people. Phillips works for President Barack Obama as the White House's new media director, a new job for an administration that embraces technology.
Tom Danehy: PETA's claims that good Christians should be vegetarians lack biblical backing (tucsonweekly.com)
A couple of weeks ago, I went to Mass at Most Holy Trinity over on the westside of town. The church is being renovated, and even for the Saturday afternoon Mass, the place was packed, so I had to stand up in the back. Right near where I was standing, there was a rack with a bunch of different pamphlets.
CATHERINE O'SULLIVAN: When will people learn that non-domesticated animals are dangerous? (tucsonweekly.com)
If the family dog wanted to rip your throat out, it could. Domestic dogs are lightning fast, but they're simply not motivated to attack us. Most breeds of pet dogs will take a tremendous amount of abuse from their human overlords before even curling a lip in protest.
Jill Hunter Pellettieri: When Green Is Another Word for Cheap (slate.com)
Hotels' linen-reuse programs get me fuming. Which eco-marketing gimmicks do you find most annoying?
Len Righi: Blitzen Trapper's 'Furr' a coat of many indie-pop colors (The Morning Call)
Eric Earley does not particularly enjoy being pelted with questions about the material he wrote for Blitzen Trapper's "Furr" CD. "I hate thinking about what I mean with my songs," he says. "It constricts them."
Laura Barton: Grrrl power (guardian.co.uk)
The Riot Grrrl scene brought feminism to alternative rock in the 90s. Fifteen years on, the aftershocks are still making waves.
Ron Rosenbaum: Not the Usual Suspects (slate.com)
Three detective novels that restore pleasure to reading.
"Men Are Stupid ... and They Like Big Boobs" by Joan Rivers (guardian.co.uk)
'Do yourself a favour and get yourself a mega-rack like Pammy; it's a lot more subtle than having 'Victim' tattooed on your forehead.'
Michael Giltz: "Books: The Biggest News In Publishing Since The Kindle" (huffingtonpost.com)
To read the new John Grisham any way you want, you would pay about $120. Of course, no one is going to do that, but being forced to choose what way you want to read a book is crazy.
Aaron Barnhart: That's rich! Downturn in economy leads to upturn for Bravo TV (McClatchy Newspapers)
So what happens to a cable channel devoted to chronicling the lifestyles of the rich and famous when the economy goes into the toilet? In the case of Bravo, it actually gets richer.
Suze Orman: Money and Marriage (youtube.com)
Jon Stewart: Daily Show Mocks Gay Marriage Ban or Chickens? (youtube.com)
Courage Campaign
The Weekly Poll
New Question
The 'Can't Take a Joke' Edition
Clint Eastwood has slammed Political Correctness, saying "I think the PC madness is what's refreshing about playing this character. When I grew up there were a lot of people like this, and everybody didn't take themselves so seriously. People would kid themselves about everybody's... whatever race they were, whatever ethnic, religious groups they were. Everybody would joke about it and everybody got along just fine,"
He continues with "But then we've come to this now where everybody has to be walking on eggshells - kind of very... sensitive. And so it's become boring, kind of, and I think everybody would like to be Walt Kowalski for about 10 minutes."
A two-parter...
Do you agree with his take about Political Correctness stifling humor?
Is PC selective in its application?
Send your response, and a (short) reason why, to
Results Tuesday.
responded:
Contributor Suggestion
Lake Superior
Cool satellite picture!
Reader Comment
Alaska
Sigh.....Even our Rhodes Scholars are Hillbillies!
Vic in AK
Thanks, Vic!
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Mostly sunny, clear and on the brisk side.
CNBC Stays Mum After Takedown
Jon Stewart
CNBC chose not to fight back on Thursday following Jon Stewart's brutal takedown of the network and its reporter, Rick Santelli, for backing out of an appearance on "The Daily Show."
Stewart's criticism of Santelli was reminiscent of David Letterman's relentless attacks on Republican John McCain for canceling a "Late Show" appearance during the campaign last fall.
Santelli had become an online video star when copies of his criticism of President Barack Obama's housing plan streamed across the Web. He accepted an invitation to be on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" Wednesday but changed his mind.
After saying that Santelli had "bailed out," Stewart played a series of clips highlighting wrong predictions by CNBC during the economic meltdown.
Jon Stewart
NY Benefit Concert
David Lynch Foundation
Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are teaming up to headline a benefit concert in New York City.
The former Beatles will headline the Radio City Music Hall concert on April 4 for the David Lynch Foundation. Other performers joining the two superstars include Sheryl Crow, Eddie Vedder, Moby and Bettye LaVette.
The David Lynch Foundation provides funds to teach students how to meditate so they can "change their world from within."
David Lynch Foundation
Daft Punk Soundtrack
'TR2N'
Daft Punk, the French electronica duo known for their robot personas, will compose the score for "TR2N," Walt Disney Pictures' update of its 1982 science fiction classic "Tron."
The film, currently in production, is tentatively scheduled for a 2011 release.
The "TR2N" score marks Daft Punk's first foray into the studio since 2005's "Human After All." After an extended hiatus, the duo reemerged in 2007 for an extensive world tour, spawning the Grammy-wining live set "Alive 2007." The group's 2001 track "Harder Better Faster Stronger" was adapted by Kanye West for his single "Stronger," and the pair appeared at the 2008 Grammy Awards with the rapper.
The original "Tron," which pioneered the use of computer graphics, was scored by Wendy Carlos, an electronic musician and composer whose "Switched on Bach" album was one of the first to highlight the Moog synthesizer as a musical instrument.
'TR2N'
Another Farewell Show
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson returned to the stage Thursday after eight years marked by more scandal than music-making and told a crowd of screaming fans that he would play a series of London concerts before retiring from public performance.
Wearing his trademark sunglasses and a silver-embroidered black military-style jacket, he said the series of shows in July will be his "final curtain call."
Jackson appeared at the 02 Arena - where the concerts will be staged - to announce the gigs.
Jackson didn't specify how many shows he'll play, though posters have shown he's booked for 10 dates.
Michael Jackson
Hospital News
Peter Tork
Peter Tork, a former member of the 1960s TV pop group The Monkees, says he has a rare form of head and neck cancer but the prognosis is good.
The 67-year-old had surgery Wednesday in New York. His spokeswoman said he is doing well and will begin radiation treatment after a short recovery period.
Tork announced on his website Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma on the lower region of his tongue. He says it's an uncommon but slow-growing type of cancer and it hasn't spread beyond the initial site.
Peter Tork
2 Felonies
Chris Brown
Chris Brown has been charged with two felonies stemming from what a police detective describes as a brutal argument between the singer and his girlfriend, Rihanna, provoked by her discovery of a text message from another woman.
Brown is expected to be arraigned Thursday afternoon on charges of assault likely to cause great bodily injury and making criminal threats. The 19-year-old R&B singer remains free on $50,000 bail.
The felony complaint handed down in court Thursday morning identifies Brown's alleged victim only as "Robyn F." Rihanna's real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.
Chris Brown
Sues To Stop Auction
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson sued an auction house Wednesday to halt the scheduled sale of thousands of his personal possessions, an action the firm says caught it completely off-guard.
The King of Pop's company, MJJ Productions, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday against Julien's Auction House. It claims founder Darren Julien promised to send Jackson an inventory of sale items, but that the singer hasn't given permission to move them all.
The suit claims many of the items are "priceless and irreplaceable" and describes the attempt to sell them as "malicious, fraudulent, extreme, outrageous and without any legal justification whatsoever."
Julien said Wednesday night that the lawsuit was a "total surprise to us, because Jackson had been apprised of everything since the day we started. His manager ... has approved everything."
Michael Jackson
NY Auction Brings $1.8 Million
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Gandhi's eyeglasses and other items have been sold at auction for US$1.8 million to an Indian freight company that says it wants to donate the possessions to the Indian government.
Confusion surrounded Thursday's sale, which had raised an outcry in India. Furious bidding had already started when the owner announced outside Antiquorum auction house that he was withdrawing the items.
The auctioneer has agreed to wait two weeks before finalizing the sale.
The winning bidder was UB Group. The seller, James Otis, said he was trying to raise money to promote pacifism.
Mahatma Gandhi
Two Down
`Dancing With the Stars'
Pop star Jewel and TV host Nancy O'Dell have dropped out of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."
Both women sustained injuries during training for the show that prevent them from continuing the competition, the network announced Thursday. Jewel was diagnosed with a fractured tibia in both legs, while the "Access Hollywood" host will need surgery to repair a torn knee cartilage, the network said.
The 34-year-old singer-songwriter said she is in pain and using crutches and will have to be seated to perform her next two shows - set for Thursday near Los Angeles and Saturday in Seattle.
Jewel and O'Dell are still slated to appear on the show's season premiere Monday, when "additional changes to the cast" will be announced.
`Dancing With the Stars'
World's Best Dressed Man
Prince Charles
Prince Charles has beaten off competition from US President Barack Obama to be named the world's best dressed man by Esquire magazine.
Prince Charles, 60, keeps it simple and has worn suits by Saville Row tailors Gieves and Hawkes, complete with pocket handkerchief and silk tie, for years. Esquire said he was "always incredibly well dressed".
The prince, who is heir to the British throne, beat off competition from Obama -- who came fourth in the top ten -- artist David Hockney (seventh), tennis player Roger Federer (eighth) and US rapper Andre 3000 (tenth).
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, however, was named one of the worst dressed, with the magazine noting he had once "turned up in the Iraqi desert wearing black lace-ups".
Prince Charles
Domesticated 5,500 Years Ago
Horses
People and horses have trekked together through at least 5,500 years of history, according to an international team of researchers reporting in Friday's edition of the journal Science.
New evidence, corralled in Kazakhstan, indicates the Botai culture used horses as beasts of burden - and as a source of meat and milk - about 1,000 years earlier than had been widely believed, according to the team led by Alan Outram of England's University of Exeter.
Domestication of the horse was an immense breakthrough - bringing advancements in communications, transportation, farming and warfare.
Compared to dogs, domesticated as much as 15,000 years ago, and such food animals as sheep, goats and pigs, horses are relatively late arrivals in the human relationship.
Horses
Cable Nielsens
Ratings
Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week of Feb. 23-March 1. Day and start time (EST) are in parentheses:
1. "The Closer" (Monday, 9 p.m.), TNT, 4.53 million homes, 6.01 million viewers.
2. "WWE Raw" (Monday, 10 p.m.), USA, 4.2 million homes, 6.27 million viewers.
3. "WWE Raw" (Monday, 9 p.m.), USA, 3.87 million homes, 5.73 million viewers.
4. "Burn Notice" (Thursday, 10 p.m.), USA, 3.74 million homes, 4.84 million viewers.
5. "Presidential Address Analysis" (Tuesday, 10:09 p.m.), Fox News Channel, 3.66 million homes, 5.05 million viewers.
6. "President Obama Address to Congress" (Tuesday, 9:17 p.m.), Fox News Channel, 3.63 million homes, 5.01 million viewers.
7. "President Obama Congressional Address" (Tuesday, 9:15 p.m.), CNN, 3.61 million homes, 5.05 million viewers.
8. "NCIS" (Thursday, 7 p.m.), USA, 3.45 million homes, 4.53 million viewers.
9. "Presidential Address - GOP Response" (Tuesday, 10:24 p.m.), Fox News Channel, 3.42 million, 4.67 million viewers.
10. "President Obama Congressional Analysis" (10:42 p.m.), CNN, 3.38 million homes, 4.68 million viewers.
11. "NCIS" (Monday, 7 p.m.), USA, 3.28 million homes, 4.26 million viewers.
12. "NCIS" (Monday, 8 p.m.), USA, 3.167 million homes, 4.22 million viewers.
13. "NCIS" (Saturday, 8 p.m.), USA, 3.164 million homes, 4.16 million viewers.
14. "NCIS" (Tuesday, 7 p.m.), USA, 3.15 million homes, 4.08 million viewers.
15. "Presidential Address Coverage" (Tuesday, 9 p.m.), Fox News Channel, 3.14 million homes, 4.37 million viewers.
Ratings
In Memory
Sydney Chaplin
Sydney Chaplin, Charlie Chaplin's son and himself a Tony-winning actor who starred on Broadway opposite Judy Holliday in "Bells Are Ringing" and Barbra Streisand in "Funny Girl," has died at 82.
Chaplin appeared in two of his father's later films, "Limelight" (1952) and "A Countess from Hong Kong" (1967). But he never achieved the success in Hollywood that he enjoyed in New York's musical theater.
"I think anyone who feels his life has been scarred because of the fame of his father is a bore," he told the AP in 1967.
Sydney was named for his father's older half-brother, who helped young Charlie launch his theater career in England. After Charlie became a superstar in the movies, he returned the favor by bringing Syd Chaplin into the business.
Lita Grey was 16 when she married the 35-year-old Chaplin in 1924. Sydney was born two years later and his parents divorced a year after that in a court battle that brought sensational headlines.
He was stationed with the Army in Europe for a time during World War II and later toured with a group entertaining GIs.
His first film role was in his father's "Limelight," Charlie Chaplin's last great film. He had written the role especially for his son, who played a composer who falls in love with a ballet dancer (Claire Bloom) who is befriended by a fading music hall star portrayed by the elder Chaplin.
The younger Chaplin also had a role in 1955's "Land of the Pharaohs" opposite Joan Collins, with whom he also had a much publicized romance. (He was also romantically linked with Holliday during their onstage collaboration.)
Sydney Chaplin's survivors include his wife, Margaret, and a son, Stephan Chaplin.
Sydney Chaplin
In Memory
Salvatore Samperi
Italian director Salvatore Samperi, best known for erotic comedies that challenged the morals of Italy's middle class, has died at age 64, his family said Thursday.
Samperi's movies offered a social critique of the Italian bourgeoisie, often through the lens of sex. Critics say his best works explored the forbidden passions and relationships within middle-class families as a way to show what he saw as their decadence and hypocrisy.
In what is considered by many critics his best movie, "Grazie, Zia" ("Thank You, Aunt"), Samperi tells the story of a rich young man who engages in a sexually charged relationship with his aunt. The movie, released in 1968, marked Samperi's directorial debut at age 24.
Samperi's biggest success came a few years later, with "Malizia" ("Malice"), which turned Italian actress Laura Antonelli into an erotic icon, thanks to her role as a sexy, socially climbing maid. The 1973 movie was seen as scandalous but was also a commercial hit and became a cultural sensation.
Born in the northeastern Italian city of Padua, Samperi briefly studied literature and philosophy before turning to cinema. His career also included flops, including a sequel to "Malizia," made about 20 years after the original.
Samperi is survived by his wife and a son. A funeral is scheduled for Friday, his brother said.
Salvatore Samperi
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