Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Tom Danehy: If predictions of streetcar-related doom turn out to be untrue, will the naysayers admit they were wrong? (Tucson Weekly)
In November of 2003, President George W. Bush secretly flew to Iraq to serve Thanksgiving dinner to American troops. I thought it was cool as hell. Some of my Democratic friends sniffed and dismissed it as a stunt. I remember thinking that even if it was completely a stunt, it was still cool as hell.
Suzanne Moore: Jeremy Clarkson and Ukip are not mavericks, but the bullying face of the establishment (Guardian)
The discussion about whether Clarkson is personally racist is a sideshow. He is part of a group seeking not only to put a brake on social progress, but to drag us backwards.
Alison Flood: "Putin's ban: let's hear it for swearing!" (Guardian)
The Russian president wants to censor bad language in plays, films and books. Irvine Welsh and others tell Alison Flood why this is a dreadful idea.
"Yoko" My Artwork (tumblr)
Frozen - if Tim Burton had created it.
Jimmy Kimmel Gets Moms to Spill the Beans (YouTube)
"Mothers Day is this Sunday, and we often treat it as a day to put Mom up on a pedestal. Which is nice, but mothers are real people, too. Jimmy Kimmel asked mothers on the street for one shocking secret that their kids don't know. The answers aren't nearly as shocking as they could be, since any woman with a real secret is not going to spill it on TV, duh. But what he found out was pretty funny. Especially a couple that their kids witnessed." - Neatorama
The P*ssing Tanker (YouTube)
"We are aware that there is a definite lack of public facilities in Indian cities. Even where there are public toilets, many men are in the habit of relieving themselves in any old place. There have been many campaigns to rectify this, from building toilets to paying people to use them to cartoons. The Clean Indian is a new campaign that fights fire with fire, so to speak. A water truck patrols the streets of Mumbai, using a water cannon to spray men caught in the act. A punishment? No, they are just cleaning up the wall… as a public service." - Neatorama
Amanda Hess: "Ditsy, Predatory White House Intern" (Slate)
Looking back on how Maureen Dowd painted Monica Lewinsky as a crazy bimbo-and won a Pulitzer for it.
Josh Levin: This Is Why College Athletes Need a Union (Slate)
The case of a Kansas State basketball player reveals the NCAA's moral bankruptcy.
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Reader Suggestion
Michelle in AZ
From The Creator of 'Avery Ant'
from Marc Perkel
BartCop
Hello Bartcop fans,
As you all know the untimely passing of Terry was unexpected, even by
him. We all knew he had cancer but we all thought he had some years
left. So some of us who have worked closely with him over the years are
scrambling around trying to figure out what to do. My job, among other
things, is to establish communications with the Bartcop community and
provide email lists and groups for those who might put something
together. Those who want to play an active roll in something coming from
this, or if you are one of Bart's pillars, should send an email to
active@bartcop.com.
So - to let you know what's going on, the guestbook on bartcop.com is
still open for those who want to write something in memory of Bart.
I did an interview on Netroots Radio about Bart's passing
( www.stitcher.com/s?eid=32893545 )
The most active open discussion is on Bart's Facebook page.
( www.facebook.com/bartcop )
You can listen to Bart's theme song here
or here.
( www.bartcop.com/blizing-saddles.mp3 )
( youtu.be/MySGAaB0A9k )
We have opened up the radio show archives which are now free. Listen to
all you want.
( bartcop.com/members )
Bart's final wish was to pay off the house mortgage for Mrs. Bart who is
overwhelmed and so very grateful for the support she has received.
Anyone wanting to make a donation can click on this the yellow donate
button on bartcop.com
But - I need you all to help keep this going. This note
isn't going to directly reach all of Bart's fans. So if you can repost
it on blogs and discussion boards so people can sign up then when we
figure out what's next we can let more people know. This list is just
over 600 but like to get it up to at least 10,000 pretty quick. So
here's the signup link for this email list.
( mailman.bartcop.com/listinfo/bartnews )
Marc Perkel
Thanks, Marc!
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Sunny with a nice breeze.
Google, Facebook, Amazon Slam FCC Plan
Internet
The Federal Communications Commission's plan to allow for Internet "fast lanes" has just run into another major roadblock. In a letter sent to the FCC, several tech heavyweights slammed its reported plans to let ISPs charge Internet companies more money in exchange for ensuring a faster delivery of their traffic. Among the many huge names to sign the letter were Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix, Dropbox and Yahoo.
"According to recent news reports, the Commission intends to propose rules that would enable phone and cable Internet service providers to discriminate both technically and financially against Internet companies and impose new tolls on them," the companies wrote in the letter. "If these reports are correct, this represents a grave threat to the Internet. Instead of permitting individualized bargaining and discrimination, the Commission's rules should protect users and Internet companies on both fixed and mobile platforms against blocking, discrimination and paid prioritization, and should make the market for Internet services more transparent."
We heard recently that both Google and Netflix have been mulling publicly coming out against the FCC's new "fast lanes" plan and now it looks like this is their first shot across the commission's bow. In releasing this letter, the companies join with Senator Al Franken, who earlier on Wednesday spearheaded a major campaign to get the FCC to back down from its proposals.
Internet
Order of Canada
Ronnie Hawkins
Legendary rocker Ronnie Hawkins was among 45 new appointees to the Order of Canada who were officially honoured by Gov. Gen. David Johnston at a ceremony in Ottawa.
Hawkins was one of 10 people named as officers of the order, the second-highest grade, while 35 people were introduced as members at a ceremony at Rideau Hall.
Hawkins's appointment is honorary because although he has lived in Canada for five decades, he remains an American citizen. Hawkins was cited for his contributions to the music industry, as well as for his support of charities.
Ronnie Hawkins
'Blazing Saddles'
Mel Brooks
From stage to radio to television to film, Mel Brooks's zany brand of bonkers is responsible for more snickers, snorts, and guffaws than perhaps anyone in entertainment.
With EGOT-winning credits dating back eight decades, there are gems a-plenty, but according to Brooks, none rank higher than his masterpiece, "Blazing Saddles."
"They can't make that movie today because everybody's so politically correct. You know, the NAACP would stop a great movie that would do such a great service to black people because of the N-word," says Brooks. "You've got to really examine these things and see what's right and what's wrong. Politically correct is absolutely wrong. Because it inhibits the freedom of thought. I'm so lucky that they weren't so strong then and that the people that let things happen on the screen weren't so powerful then. I was very lucky."
With a new 40th anniversary Blu-ray edition dropping this week, we got Brooks on the horn to talk all things "Blazing Saddles." In his inimitably frenetic style, Brooks recounted how Richard Pryor gave the filmmaker license to use the N-word, even though he couldn't get Pryor cast; how Gene Wilder stepped in to save the film; and why "Blazing Saddles" should be considered the single greatest comedy of all-time.
Mel Brooks
Eurovision Spotlight
Conchita Wurst
When Austria's entry takes the stage Thursday at the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, the spotlight will slowly reveal a lone figure with wide sensual eyes, glossy painted lips, high cheekbones - and a man's full dark beard.
Conchita Wurst - the alter ego of 25-year-old Austrian Thomas Neuwirth - already has shocked audiences by challenging stereotypes of masculine and feminine beauty with the song "Rise like a Phoenix."
Pushing the boundaries of gender identity is nothing new at Europe's annual song contest - an extravaganza known for its eclectic, sometimes-unlistenable lineup of techno beats, love songs and pop tunes. But the backlash this year against Wurst highlights a rift between Europe's progressive liberal side and the traditional values and nationalist rhetoric of Russia and other nations taking part.
Amid growing tensions over the Ukraine crisis, some in eastern Europe have blasted Wurst as an example of the West's decadence. Activists in Belarus have even urged the country's state television network to edit the Austrian entry out of its Eurovision broadcast.
The annual competition is supposed to be completely removed from politics. Neither Russia's entry - teenage twins Anastasia and Maria Tolmachevy - nor Ukraine's Mariya Yaremchuk, whose routine includes a dancer running in a giant hamster wheel, allude to the recent tensions between Moscow and Kiev.
Conchita Wurst
Urges Orchestra To Cancel BYOC Concerts
Denver
The city of Denver is urging the Colorado Symphony to call off a series of pot-themed fundraising concerts, saying that even though marijuana is now legal in the state, the drug cannot be smoked at events.
The newly announced series is strictly BYOC, or "bring your own cannabis," and is being sponsored by some of the state's burgeoning marijuana businesses.
It's set to begin May 23, with the first of three small fundraising performances at a Denver art gallery, which will feature a separate smoking area for attendees. It culminates with a fourth concert at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheater, where marijuana consumption is technically illegal, though often indulged in. Attendance is limited to ages 21 and over.
But the Denver city attorney's office issued letters Thursday warning the orchestra that the series could violate state laws against public consumption of marijuana. The city says the private art gallery may be considered a public space under state law.
Denver
1st State To Reject Science Standards
Wyoming
Wyoming, the nation's top coal-producing state, is the first to reject new K-12 science standards proposed by national education groups mainly because of global warming components.
The Wyoming Board of Education decided recently that the Next Generation Science Standards need more review after questions were raised about the treatment of man-made global warming.
Board President Ron Micheli said the review will look into whether "we can't get some standards that are Wyoming standards and standards we all can be proud of."
Wyoming produces almost 40 percent of the nation's coal, with much of it used by power plants to provide electricity around the nation. Minerals taxes on coal provided $1 billion to the state and local governments in 2012 and coal mining supports some 6,900 jobs in the state.
Gov. Matt Mead has called federal efforts to curtail greenhouse emissions a "war on coal" and has said that he's skeptical about man-made climate change.
Wyoming
The Most Republican Company
America
Given its billionaire conservative founders, you might think the most Republican company in the country based on political donations is Koch Industries. You'd be wrong.
According to the New York Times, Thomasville, Ga.-based Flowers Foods - which makes Wonder Bread and Tastykakes - has given 99.5 percent of its political contributions since 1979 to GOP candidates.
That's over 10 percent more than Koch, which has given 88.1 percent of its political contributions to Republicans.
In fact, there are 10 other American companies that have given a bigger share of their political donations to GOP candidates than Koch, according to the Times' analysis of Federal Election Commission data.
Overall, Koch has given far more money to Republicans than Flowers Foods. According to OpenSecrets.org, the privately held Koch has made $1.4 million in political contributions in the 2014 cycle, including $816,000 to Republican congressional candidates ($12,000 to Democrats).
America
Crash Anti-Choice Rally In Ottawa
Femen
Two members of the Femen movement crashed an anti-abortion demonstration in Ottawa on Thursday just as Quebec City's archbishop was addressing the crowd.
The women removed their tops, baring anti-protest slogans on their breasts, stomach and back.
Neda Topalosky and Delphine Bergeron were surrounded by rally organizers on Parliament Hill before RCMP officers took over.
As the two chanted slogans saying women's bodies are their own, some protesters began praying while others criticized police for not doing anything.
"We want free access to abortion and medical care for women who need it and want it," said Bergeron. "We don't want to go backwards."
Femen
Corporate Pay Offs Über Alles
House
The House Armed Services Committee approved a policy bill on Thursday that authorized a $496 billion Pentagon base budget for next year but rejected many of the department's attempts to cut spending, including on arms programs and military pay increases.
Lawmakers on the Republican-dominated panel voted unanimously to send the measure to the full House of Representatives, where it must be passed and reconciled with a Senate version before going to President Barack Obama for his signature.
Representative Buck McKeon, the committee chairman, said the annual legislation, the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2015 fiscal year, was expected to be considered by the full House in two weeks.
The measure approved by the panel authorizes a $496 billion Pentagon base budget, plus $17.9 billion for defense-related nuclear programs in the Department of Energy. It authorized $79 billion for war funding, but lawmakers said that was a place-holder because the Pentagon had not yet submitted a request.
The Armed Services panel approved a 1.8 percent pay increase for most military personnel, rejecting a Pentagon plan to reduce the annual increase to 1 percent because of spiraling compensation costs, which now make up about half of the department's budget. The pay of senior officers would be frozen.
House
Keeps Pumping Cash
Keystone XL
The Keystone XL pipeline may be stalled, but it's pumping a steady flow of cash into Washington - where inertia is a multibillion-dollar industry.
The pipeline debate has become a money-making machine for lobbyists, advertisers, NGOs and political fundraisers in the U.S. capital, where tens of millions of dollars are being spent on the issue.
The spending deluge will continue indefinitely, thanks to the two latest non-developments: the Obama administration has delayed a decision on the pipeline, and a congressional effort to speed up the process appears to have collapsed this week.
The Washington insider news outlet, Politico, described the ongoing phenomenon Thursday under the headline, "Keystone Inc." One activist likened it to an arms race, calling the standoff between the pro- and anti-pipeline sides the most expensive environmental battle he'd ever seen.
Keystone XL
Top 20
Concert Tours
The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.
1. (1) Justin Timberlake; $1,998,298; $115.22.
2. (2) George Strait; $1,596,184; $91.20.
3. (3) Paul Simon/Sting; $1,467,002; $130.59.
4. (4) Elton John; $1,444,960; $112.87.
5. (5) Cher; $1,141,916; $93.31.
6. (6) Jason Aldean; $616,176; $51.27.
7. (7) Kings Of Leon; $538,383; $55.20.
8. (8) Imagine Dragons; $485,121; $38.41.
9. (9) Lady Antebellum; $437,811; $59.67.
10. (10) Demi Lovato; $408,186; $46.49.
11. (11) Jeff Dunham; $273,465; $44.55.
12. (12) Darius Rucker; $243,336; $43.13.
13. (New) Brantley Gilbert; $209,402; $30.74.
14. (13) Jim Gaffigan; $203,616; $46.28.
15. (14) The Moody Blues; $190,333; $78.53.
16. (15) The Band Perry; $170,526; $38.94.
17. (16) "Winter Jam"/Newsboys/Lecrae; $160,526; $13.42.
18. (17) Justin Moore; $148,747; $33.26.
19. (18) Ron White; $127,832; $52.48.
20. (19) Pixies; $121,981; $50.30.
Concert Tours
In Memory
Lee Marshall
Lee Marshall, one of the actors who supplied the booming voice of Tony the Tiger in commercials, has died. He was 64.
His son, Jason VanBorssum, tells the Los Angeles Times Marshall died of esophageal cancer on April 26 at a Santa Monica hospital.
Marshall began voicing the Kellogg's Frosted Flakes mascot in 1999, filling in for the original actor, Thurl Ravenscroft.
Marshall got his first full-time radio job at the age of 14 in Phoenix. He had a prematurely deep voice and lied about his age. His career included radio newsman, rock 'n' roll disc jockey, sports broadcaster and wrestling ring interviewer.
Lee Marshall
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