'TBH Politoons'
Thanks, again, Tim!
Reader Commentary
'The Original Deadbeat Dad'
When a father loses his job the whole family cuts back. Maybe, but there are a lot of "dads" who would work two jobs if they had to in order to pick up any slack. My husband and I would do whatever it took -- both of us -- to make ends meet. We're normal.
Unfortunately many of these deadbeat dads separate from their children emotionally when there's a divorce, and so feel no obligation to pay anything. Some guys actually QUIT their jobs to avoid paying the support! They hide monies, etc., so as to financially maintain a new bachelor life.
My father was the pioneer of deadbeat dads. He didn't make much money, but my mother made less (as women do), so my brother and I suffered. We were the pioneers of child care -- illegally run foster homes, etc.
But my dad was just a high school graduate with no higher education. He was a union welder. What could he make? He couldn't afford those ridiculous child support payments. My "poor" father moved out of state, changed his social security number, address, quit his job, etc., and paid zilch to his children. He'd never sent a birthday card, Christmas card -- nothing in 4 decades. His mother (my grandmother) had told me he had nothing -- lived in an apartment for heaven's sakes. Yeah, an apartment on Fisherman's Wharf! He had nothing in this apartment but one spoon, fork, knife. Why? Because he ate every meal in restaurants! I met him when I became an adult and he proudly told me he owned a stunt airplane, a Ferrari, had traveled Europe extensively (backpacking), worked on the Alaskan pipeline, took up sky-diving, had married 3 times, etc.
He's not wealthy, but he found a way to afford what HE wanted all his life. He worked any and all jobs to afford all his toys. To all who know him, he is a great guy -- everyone's friend. Most people don't even know he has children, but I'm certain they would all feel bad for him knowing his ex had "kept" the children 3,000 miles away.
So he now gets to jump on these "poor divorced father" bandwagons you offer, claiming to anyone who will listen how "screwed" he was by the courts/laws! He is protected (when he should be ashamed) by those in society who feel the males have all the raw deals in courts. He's a rabid right-wing nut, too.
So yeah, maybe there are some fathers who make out poorly, but I thought you should know both sides.
Lisa H
Thanks, Lisa.
Our kid was wanted so desperately, that anyone who has spawned & isn't involved in that kid's life is - well, I fluctuate between contempt, disgust, & pity.
My parents ended up raising my brother's daughter because both of her parents flaked, which worked til Mom died. At 72, my Dad became a single parent.
Even on her death bed, Mom held that my brother was the innocent 'victim' in all.
Michael Dare has been through the wringer with custody issues, and I believe he (like you) was just asking that all sides be considered.
I think we all could agree that the kids suffer the most, and that is reprehensible.
Reader Comment
A Question for Michael Powell
If the liberals control the media, why is the Bush administration in such a
hurry to let the media consolidate?
Kip
Thanks, Kip - cutting through the bullshit, again! : )
Reader Assist
Bono's Lyrics Honor Chickenhawks
Hello,
Bono's new lyrics to Ave Maria (during the Pavarotti benefit) seem to be directed to Bush and friends: "...And war is always the choice of the chosen who will not have to fight.."
Here're the complete lyrics:
(Bono singing)
Ave Maria
Where is the justice in this world?
The wicked make so much noise, mother
The righteous stay oddly still
With no wisdom, all of the riches in the world leave us poor tonight
And strength is not without humility
It's weakness, an untreatable disease
And war is always the choice
Of the chosen who will not have to fight
Ave Maria
(Pavarotti sings in Latin)
Ave Maria
Gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus tecum
(Bono singing)
And strength is not without humility
It's weakness, an untreatable disease
And war is always the choice
Of the chosen who will not have to fight
(both singing)
Ave Maria
And here's a site that has a video of the performance.
Alan
Wow! Thanks, Alan!
Suggested Reading
from that Mad Cat, JD
from Tim H
Bono's Hat
From Bill Zwecker, Chicago Sun-Times
FIRST CLASS TOPPER: U2 rocker Bono must really love his favorite hat.
The rocker paid more than $1,500 to fly his fave chapeau to Italy--after
discovering he had left the hat in London. Bono wanted the hat for the
charity gig he sang with Luciano Pavarotti Tuesday--the one where an
injured Liza Minnelli sang (via satellite) from her hospital bed
following a fall that broke her knee.
The hat's journey started with a $150 cab ride to London's Gatwick
Airport, reports the London Sun. From there, airline officials took the
hat and put it in a $750 first class seat on a flight to Bologna,
Italy--where it was transported in a $300 cab ride to Pavarotti's
hometown of Modena. Adding in more than $300 in tips, the well-traveled
hat made it just in time for Bono to wear it for the concert.
Tim H.
As for the picture of Pavarotti whispering in Bono's ear--he may be the
only man in the world that can give Bono pointers on picking up chicks.
Thanks, Tim!
Reader Comment
Added TV Listings
I can't speak for others, but here are the channels I
watch more than others. I'm leaving out the sports
channels, since many of these have regional schedules.
And the news channels because they piss me off.
Sci-Fi: Movies, original series, fun stuff like MST3000.
Comedy Central: 'Daily Show' is best thing on. The
original US home of 'Who's Line'. Ever see 'Crank
Yankers'?
AMC: Old movies uninterrupted and uncut.
(AMC currently offers commercial interruptions)
USA: More movies, some original series
(how can you stand 4 minutes of commercials every 8 minutes?)
FX: Similar to USA
(again, how can you stand 4 minutes of commercials every 8 minutes, plus the added onus of being owned by Rupert)
The Turner Trio: TNT, TBS, and TCM
(I love TCM)
BBC America: What PBS used to be.
(ain't that the truth! Have you seen any of 'The League of Gentlemen' - not to be confused with the new movie starring Sean Connery 'The League of [damn - I forget the adjective] Men'?)
A&E: Series, good movies
History Channel: Documentaries, some movies
(controlled by Disney, not bothered with facts)
I watch all these as much as the networks, but
I've never cared for news magazines, reality shows,
cop shows, or sitcoms.
If you just added Sci-Fi and Comedy Central to
your roster I'd be very happy.
Thanks for listening.
Cheers,
Charley
Thanks, Charley! I try to keep an eye out for stuff on TCM & AMC (but since AMC added commercials, I don't watch them as closely).
Will add SciFi & CC (for 'Comedy Central'), regardless.
Reader Comment
Added TV Listings
When it comes to TV the best thing on is the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, I would like to see updates on who his guest is and if it is a new show.
On another note, I saw Chris Matthews on Hardball talking about Bill Clinton today. They seem to think he is running for President. They went on and on about him not respecting the protocol of a former president. Why won't they talk about what is going on today? Record deficits, war, unemployment and the list goes on. Why is Chris Matthews on TV at all? He is a complete moron. Thanks for letting me vent.
Faithfull reader,
Melissa
Thanks, Melissa! Starting Monday, I'll add 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'.
Cripes, Tweety pulls in less than a million viewers - that's pathetic by ratings standards. Wonder how long GE will allow MSGOP to operate at a deficit?
Reader Comment
Added TV Listings
I would like to see you add A&E, Bravo, and TCM (Turner Classic Movies) to the TV schedule listings. You might even add AMC (American Movie Classics) too.
Thanks. I love what you do--the strange pictures, the interesting stories. I'm on the East Coast, but I love your quick summary of the weather and what you and the kid are doing.
Linda >^..^<
Thanks, Linda!
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
June Gloom hung on til noon. Very pleasant day.
Did the Farmer's Market/CostCo loop. The 2nd crop of asparagus is in, and so are cherries! Wow - great cherries - brought home both Bing & Rainiers (which I was raised calling 'Queen Anne').
On the way home, there was a cop car nearly pacing us. But, it wasn't a 'normal' cop car - this one was a dragster cop car. Had black & white flames painted on the hood & sides, full light bar across the top -
reverse spoke wheels, and a rumble that sounded like Saugus on a summer night in the 80's. And painted on the side was 'Drag Against Drugs'. The kid was impressed.
Have added some TV listings - any more suggestions?
Tonight, Friday, CBS starts the night with a RERUN 'JAG', followed by a RERUN 'Hack', then '48 Hours'.
On a RERUN Dave are Halle Berry and Don Rickles.
On a RERUN Craiggers are Andy Garcia, Michael Vartan, and an all-star drum performance from the film "Drumline".
NBC opens the evening with a 2-hour 'Dateline', followed by a RERUN 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'.
On a RERUN Jay are Keanu Reeves, Gisele, Isaac Hayes, and Sam Moore.
On a RERUN Conan are Heather Graham, Sam Rockwell, and Russell Simmons.
On a RERUN Carson Daly (from 5/2/03), are Ray Liotta, Jaime King, Demetri Martin, and Socialburn.
ABC opens the evening with a 2-hour RERUN 'America's Funniest Home Videos', followed by '20/20'.
On a RERUN Jimmy Kimmel (from 4/17/03), are Connie Britton, Michael Irvin, and Disturbed, with guest co-host Deion Sanders.
The WB offers a RERUN 'What I Like About You', followed by a RERUN 'Greetings From Tucson', then a
RERUN 'Reba', followed by a RERUN 'Grounded For Life'.
Faux has the movie 'Lost & Found'.
UPN offers the movie 'On Deadly Ground'.
Check local PBS listings for 'NOW With Bill Moyers' - THE BEST SHOW ON TV!
'A&E' has 'Biography: Osama bin Laden', followed by 'Saudi Arabia: A Bill Kurtis Special Report'.
AMC has the movies 'Rosemary's Baby', followed by 'Tales From The Crypt' (not 'Tales From The Crypt: Bordello Of Blood' where Dennis Miller embarrasses himself).
Bravo offers the movie 'The Last Detail', followed by the movie 'The Impostors'.
Comedy Central ('CC') has a RERUN of 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart''s special -
'Iraq: A Look Baq' at dinner time.
History Channel has a night of 'The Big House'.
Sci Fi offers 'Stargate SG-1' ('The Changeling'), followed by 'Stargate SG-1' ('Memento'), then
'Scare Tactics' (episode #105), followed by 'Scare Tactics' (episode #104).
TCM has the movie 'Goodbye Girl', followed by the movie 'The Cheap Dectective', then the movie 'Murder By Death', followed by the movie 'Diabolique'.
Anyone have any opinions?
Or reviews?
(See below for addresses)
A plaque at the famed corner of Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood marks the newly named Bob Hope Square in honor of Hope's 100th birthday in Hollywood, May 29, 2003. Hope is spending the day at his home and will be treated to one of his favorite food items, a lemon meringue pie with 100 candles for his birthday. Hope who is in frail health, has appeared in countless films, television specials, USO shows for members of the United States military and served as master of ceremonies for the Academy Awards for seventeen years.
Photo by Fred Prouser
The Information One-Stop
Moose & Squirrel
Media Consolidation (The Fix Is In)
Rupert Murdoch
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch is the poster boy for the evils of increased media consolidation in a new ad campaign launched this week.
The News Corp chairman and chief executive, whose empire also includes BSkyB and Fox Entertainment, is at the center of deregulation initiatives currently pending in both the United States and Britain.
In the United States, where News Corp.'s holdings include the New York Post newspaper and the recently acquired satellite firm DirecTV, the Federal Communications Commission will decide on Monday whether to relax ownership restrictions on local television stations and newspapers.
"This Man Wants to Control the News in America," states a new series of ads that feature a scowling Murdoch on four television screens, launched in several U.S. newspapers by three groups opposed to loosening restrictions on media ownership.
The television commercial can be seen on the Web at (http://stream.realimpact.net/rihurl.ram?file=realimpact/moveon/Moveonfcc.rm), and the print ad can been seen at (http://www.moveon.org/monopoly/).
Rupert Murdoch
from Alex
Erast Petrovich Fandorin
Bond. James Bond. Make room for another international man of mystery: Fandorin. Erast Petrovich Fandorin. And hold the martinis -- this guy sips borscht.
Also garage the Aston Martin. Fandorin takes trains and troikas. He also wears whalebone corsets, endures harsh Russian winters and is puppy dog-like in his devotion to the czar circa 1876.
Fandorin is a big hit back east -- Moscow and the provincial capitals of the former Soviet Union plus Germany and Japan.
Boris Akunin's 10 novels about the czarist super-sleuth have sold 8 million copies since the character first made his appearance in the mid-1990s and Akunin is credited with creating a new genre in Russian literature.
But he is only now being translated into English with "The Winter Queen."
Detective stories were never big in the old Soviet Union, because as Akunin notes, crime officially did not exist under communism. Private detectives, of course, were verboten and KGB men were debatable role models.
But thanks to the fall of communism, tastes changed and at first people indulged in reading the classics. But soon they tired of that and began reading trashy novels including detective stories, "hard-boiled, soft-boiled, all kinds," said Akunin.
For the rest, Erast Petrovich Fandorin
Alex
Marty, this is good news for an avid readers here in the States.
I read all of the Akunins books about Erast Fandorin in Russian. He is one of the best writers Russian has produced in recent years.
He writes very intelligently, interestingly and with such attention to detail, that you'd think he grew up in 1800's Russia. If anyone enjoys a good detective/suspense story, they should definitely read this book.
Thanks, Alex! Will be looking for the book.
Holly Brown, left, Tiffany Burns, center and Lorinda Earl, members of CodePink, march and chant during a protest of Clear Channel and media deregulation near the KFI-AM radio station in Los Angeles, Thursday, May 29, 2003. Protesters around the country Thursday urged federal regulators not to allow large media companies to increase their control over television, radio and newspapers. In Los Angeles, about 60 people marched outside talk radio station KFI with signs reading, 'No Choice, No Voice: Reclaim Our Airwaves.' KFI's owner, Clear Channel, is a target of deregulation opponents because it is the country's largest radio station chain, with 1,200 stations, or about one of every nine in the nation.
Photo by Jerome T. Nakagawa
Costello, Crow, Krall, Kline
Cole Porter
Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Diana Krall, Alanis Morissette, Robbie Williams, and R&B singer Vivian Green will appear in "Just One of Those Things," a big screen musical portrait of songwriter Cole Porter.
Actor Kevin Kline will portray Porter in the MGM production, currently shooting in a number of international locations, including London and Venice. Ashley Judd co-stars as Porter's wife, Linda Lee.
Kline will perform a total of 14 songs in the film, including a duet with Judd on "In the Still of the Night."
Cole Porter
Film Stars Seal Divorce
Angelina Jolie & Billy Bob Thornton
The marriage of Oscar-winning movie stars Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton, once sealed with tattoos and vials of blood, is officially over, divorce papers showed.
The union that collapsed in a glare of publicity last July was formally dissolved in a Los Angeles court on Tuesday, but most details of the divorce will remain confidential, court documents said.
However Jolie, 27, the daughter of film star Jon Voight, let five-times-married Thornton off the hook and waived her rights to spousal support payments in the uncontested divorce settlement.
The pair instead drew up a separate and secret agreement that governs custody of their 21-month-old adopted son Maddox, visitation rights and support payments, according to the documents seen on thesmokinggun.com.
Angelina Jolie & Billy Bob Thornton
New Album
Peter Frampton
Guitarist Peter Frampton will on Aug. 26 release a new studio album, "Now," via Framptone/33rd St. Records.
The 11-track set is led by the single "Verge of a Thing," which will be shipped Aug. 1 to rock radio outlets. It also includes a cover of the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," presented as an homage to late guitarist George Harrison.
Now based in Cincinnati, Frampton recorded "Now" with his touring band and whittled the track list down from a large selection of material.
Peter Frampton
In The Kitchen With BartCop & Friends
Cat-Centric TV Show
'Meow TV'
Balls of yarn, little plastic toys with bells inside and the occasional whiff of catnip simply aren't enough to satisfy the entertainment needs of today's sophisticated, high-tech felines. Cats need television. And now they have it. "Meow TV," which bills itself as being for cats "and the people they tolerate," debuts at 7:30 p.m. EDT Friday on the Oxygen network.
The tongue-in-furry-cheek comedy mixes video of squirrels and fish with segments titled "Cat Yoga" and "Cat Haiku."
An interminably perky host on "The House Cat Shopping Network" urges kitties to "use those paws — you've seen your owners do it, you know how to dial a phone."
And an ad for a collection of favorite feline songs includes "Spay You, Spay Me" and "Mice, Mice Baby."
"Meow TV" executive producer Elyse Roth likened her show to "Cat-urday Night Live," and said at least two more episodes are in the works. Actress Annabelle Gurwitch, formerly of TBS' "Dinner and a Movie," plays host while sitting on the couch with her 9-year-old black cat, Stinky.
'Meow TV'
"Meow TV" Web site
Oxygen Web site
The sculpture of Peter the Great, the founder of St. Petersburg, at the embankment of the Niva river in Saint Petersburg.
Photo by Mladen Antonov
New Award Created
Bob Hope
US resident George W. Bush has created a special new award to honor Bob Hope's "unwavering patriotism and dedication" on the legendary comic's 100th birthday, the White House said.
The "Bob Hope American Patriot Award" was devised "to encourage love of country, service to the people of the United States, and support for our Armed Forces," whom he entertained for six decades, it said in a statement.
The prize can go to a civilian person or organization that "has demonstrated extraordinary love of country and devotion to the personnel of the United States Armed Forces, in the form of true patriotism," according to the White House statement.
Bob Hope
Starring Role in 'The Woods'
Bryce Dallas Howard
Newcomer Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of Oscar-winning director Ron Howard, has signed on to make her feature film debut with a starring role in director M. Night Shyamalan's "The Woods."
Kirsten Dunst previously had the offer for the role and was in talks to star. However, the actress has now turned her attention to "Elizabethtown," a project written and to be directed by Cameron Crowe, which has yet to be set up. Talks have barely begun for Dunst and "Elizabethtown," but a domestic distributor is expected to be found shortly, with production beginning in first-quarter 2004.
A deal for the twentysomething Howard to join the cast was reached last weekend, shortly after Shyamalan saw her perform in the Public Theater production of "As You Like It" in New York. Her film debut will likely see her starring opposite Ashton Kutcher and Joaquin Phoenix, who were also in talks to join the cast of the Disney project.
Bryce Dallas Howard
Formerly 'The Vidiot'
Deal Signed for WTC Site
TV Antenna
A group of broadcasters agreed to put at least 22 television antennas atop the 1,776-foot spire planned for the World Trade Center site.
The Metropolitan Television Alliance signed the agreement with real estate developer Larry Silverstein, who owns the lease on the trade center, the parties announced Thursday.
Though separate, the antennas will appear as a single unit on the skyline.
The broadcasters used antennas on the north tower of the World Trade Center until the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Since the towers collapsed, the broadcasters have been using an outdated backup at the Empire State Building.
TV Antenna
The Aaron's Dream Team pit crew, the first all-female team to compete in a NASCAR touring series, performs a pit stop at Texas Motor Speedway in Ft. Worth, Texas, on Tuesday May 27, 2003. The team and driver Shawna Robinson are scheduled to compete in three NASCAR Truck Series races.
Photo by Mike Fuentes
Rule Changes Protested (The Fix Is In)
Media Ownership
Protesters in more than a dozen cities urged federal regulators Thursday to reject changes that would allow large media companies to own television and radio stations and newspapers in the same cities.
The demonstrations were staged just four days before the Federal Communications Commission is scheduled to consider eliminating a 28-year ban on cross-ownership of local media.
Another proposal would raise an existing market cap that prevents any one company from owning a combination of TV stations that reach more than 35 percent of U.S. households.
In Los Angeles, about 60 people marched outside Clear Channel talk radio station KFI with signs reading, "No Choice, No Voice: Reclaim Our Airwaves."
Protests were planned at Clear Channel stations in 14 cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and San Francisco.
Protesters say Clear Channel stifles diverse points of view by programming local stations with national shows.
Opposition to relaxed rules has brought together a wide variety of groups, from celebrities such as actor Richard Dreyfuss to the National Rifle Association.
Media Ownership
Authorized Biography Coming
Kiss
Kiss will release its official biography in the fall. It's called Kiss: Behind The Mask, and it features recollections from the band and photographs from the Kiss archives, many of which have never been published. The book also includes comments from Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, the Who's Pete Townshend, Ozzy Osbourne, Brian May from Queen, Ted Nugent, and Lenny Kravitz.
The 450-page hardcover edition of Kiss: Behind The Mask is due in October.
Kiss
Gunman Fires at Offices
Tha Row Records
Rap impresario Suge Knight believes a "jealous boyfriend or a jealous husband" probably fired the seven bullets that smashed through the windows and front door of his Tha Row Records offices Tuesday morning.
No one was injured by the gunfire, which erupted about 2:30 a.m., said Officer Jack Richter, a police spokesman.
Police didn't know of a motive or suspect, Richter said, but Knight issued a statement offering his own theory for the gunfire at the company formerly known as Death Row Records.
"The crime was probably committed by a jealous boyfriend or a jealous husband," Knight said.
Tha Row Records
www.deathrowrecords.net/deathrow/
Angry Man
Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson said he's so angry about his rape conviction 11 years ago that he wants to rape his accuser and her mother now.
In a television interview scheduled for broadcast Thursday, the former heavyweight boxing champion repeated his claim that he was innocent of raping beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington in 1991 in an Indianapolis hotel room.
"I just hate her guts," he said. "... She put me in that state, where I don't know. I really wish I did now. But now I really do want to rape her and her ... mama."
He made the comments during an interview in Miami Beach, Fla., with legal commentator Greta Van Susteren, who was reviewing the trial.
Mike Tyson
Stolen from Buenos Aires Museum
Rodin Sculpture
A small sculpture by revered French master Auguste Rodin was stolen from a Buenos Aires' fine arts museum on Thursday and police said they have few leads on the theft.
The 6.3-inch sculpture, "La Main de Dieu" or "The Hand of God," depicts a hand cradling a small body and is worth up to $150,000, according to Argentine media.
"We don't talk about prices, it was of huge artistic worth. This is a disaster," the museum's director Jorge Glusberg told local television.
Police said it was a mystery how the piece was stolen, but the robbery came amid a deep economic crisis in Argentina that has sent crime soaring. Statues and monuments have been stripped of bronze plaques across the capital by thieves who recycle the metal as scrap.
Rodin Sculpture
A white alligator named 'Thibodaux' (pronounced Tib-i-doe) is on display at Jenkinson's Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., Friday, May 23, 2003. The leucistic alligator is an extremely rare color mutation where the alligator lacks normal pigmentation with a bright white skin color and blue eyes. Thibodaux is one of 12 remaining leucistic alligators found in Louisiana by fishermen in 1987.
Photo by Mike Derer
'Ark of Darkness'
"The Ark of Darkness", a Political/Science-Fiction work, in tidy, weekly installments (and updated every Friday).
Fresh On Friday
'The Osbournes'
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 4
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 3
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 2
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 1
