'Best of TBH Politoons'
Thanks, again, Tim!
from Bruce
A Riddle
Q: Osama bin Laden attacked America on 9-11, and what did he get?
A: Away with it.
Thanks, Bruce!
from Mark
Another Bumpersticker
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Hotter & more humid - sorta like Miami Beach, but without hurricanes or palmettos.
The kid woke up sick in the middle of the night. Lots of technicolor. Ack.
Between the humidity, heat & lack of sleep, I have a raging headache.
Former President Jimmy Carter, left, smiles during an interview with country music star Willie Nelson, in Plains, Ga., Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004. Nelson joined Carter for a Country Music Television special to be aired in December on the former president and his small, rural hometown.
Photo by Elliott Minor
TV Writer Gives $100G to Texans for Truth
Daniel O'Keefe
A television writer and fund-raiser for John Kerry is the first six-figure donor to a new group that is criticizing resident Bush's National Guard service during the Vietnam War.
Daniel O'Keefe, a writer/producer whose work includes such sitcoms as "The Drew Carey Show" and "Seinfeld," donated $100,000 this week to Texans for Truth, an Austin-based group that plans to run anti-Bush television ads starting Monday.
O'Keefe said his donation was prompted by the ads of another group, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, accusing Democratic presidential hopeful Kerry of exaggerating his decorated Vietnam War service record. He said he also donated out of anger over Bush's failure to fight in Vietnam and the deaths of U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
"I'm a conservative Democrat, but this administration is out of control, and I've never seen dirtier politics than the Swift Boat stuff, and the hypocrisy of that when you have an honest-to-goodness American hero being torn down by the shadowy minions of a powerful family that helped a wayward son avoid his military obligations so he could party in the woods of Alabama," O'Keefe said Thursday in a telephone interview from Los Angeles. "I didn't think I could as a citizen do nothing."
O'Keefe is currently working on "Listen Up," a new CBS sitcom about a sports columnist featuring former "Seinfeld" star Jason Alexander.
Daniel O'Keefe
Needed Numbers
Young Voters
More than the uncertain economy and security threats will drive young voters to the polls this November. A study by Publicis Groupe's MediaVest confirms the anecdotal evidence: Celebrities on the campaign trail are among the strongest influences.
Celebrity-backed endeavors such as Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' Citizen Change and MTV's Rock the Vote may reverse a young-voter downswing. In 1992, 10.4 million 18-24s voted, per the U.S. Census Bureau. Only 8.6 million voted in 2000. According to MediaVest, "while only 32 percent of 18-24s voted in 2000, our poll shows [that] 66 percent have intentions to vote in 2004."
"Celebrities do reach young voters," said Don Sipple, founder of Sipple Strategic Communications in Santa Barbara, Calif., which helped Arnold Schwarzenegger and George W. Bush win governor's races. But he warned: "They say they'll vote. For all the efforts of MTV, since '92, it has not panned out."
Young Voters
Honorary Doctorate in Sweden
Hans Blix
Hans Blix, the former chief UN weapons inspector in Iraq, has been awarded an honorary doctorate of law from the Gothenburg University School of Economics and Commercial Law, the school announced.
"During his longstanding commitment to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations, Hans Blix has worked to fight the spread of weapons of mass destruction and for common security based on international law," the university said in a statement Thursday.
"When he came under intense external pressure during the (UN) Security Council's handling of the situation in Iraq, he showed the strength of courage to stand up for his beliefs and combined it with a strong faith in the international legal system," it said.
Hans Blix
Actor Bernie Mac (L) star of the new comedy film 'Mr. 3000' poses with baseball legend and Hall of Famer Willie Mays at the film's premiere in Hollywood September 8, 2004. Mac stars as an over the hill baseball player who quits after getting his 3,000th hit, but learns ten years later that three of the hits were disqualified, and goes back to bat to regain the hits. The film also stars Angela Bassett and opens September 30 in the United States.
Photo by Fred Prouser
More On The Way?
Futurama
The word around the campfire is that due to increasingly good sales on the "Futurama" DVD sets and Video Game, Fox may be firing up the grill on another season of Matt Groening's show.
At the time the show was "pulled indefinitely", the rumour was that at least another season of the show was in the early to 50% complete stage of production, and may be "revisited further down the road".
Well, according to a couple of sources, they may just have gotten a little further down the road, so hopefully for fans of the show, there will be more Fry, Bender, Leela and Dr. Zoidberg on the way this time next year!
Futurama
Donate $80,000 To SC Schools
Hootie and the Blowfish
Hootie and the Blowfish have donated $80,000 to eight troubled South Carolina school districts.
"The children in our state are our best resource and our most hopeful investment," said lead singer Darius Rucker, a South Carolina native. "From new computers to books for their libraries, we are going to help the students of these school districts get the tools they need to further their education."
The schools have requested the money go toward classroom items such as computers, overhead projectors, VCRs, tape recorders, maps and globes.
Hootie and the Blowfish
A 'Big Arse' Is No Handicap
Imelda Staunton
Hollywood's leading ladies may complain that it's hard to get a job after a certain age, but in Britain not even a large derriere gets in the way, according to acclaimed stage and film actress Imelda Staunton.
When asked if there were only a limited number of roles for women over the age of 35, Staunton said: "No. Not in England, because we manage to look like people and have big arses and still get a job."
"The pressure for women in America to just look like something before they can become something ... it must be very difficult," said Staunton, who appeared in "Shakespeare in Love" and has won three Oliviers, the British stage awards.
Imelda Staunton
Clothing Line Announced
Beyonce
Beyonce and her mother, Tina Knowles, announced Wednesday the birth of their new clothing line, to be called "The House of Dereon." The line is named after Beyonce's grandmother, Agnes Dereon, whose work as a skilled seamstress inspired the two generations of stylish women.
The trademark for the line will be "Couture. Kick. Soul." It will be produced by the Knowles' company, Beyond Productions, and is expected to hit stores in fall 2005.
Beyonce
Launches 'Mother of Punk' Fashion Label
Nina Hagen
Flamboyant German rock singer Nina Hagen has launched an attack on the fashion world with her new "Mother of Punk" fashion label, which was unveiled in Cologne late Wednesday.
The collection is full of inside references to Hagen's eccentric dressing habits and was put together with Sascha Lutzi, who formerly worked with fashion mogul Karl Lagerfield.
Black is the predominant colour and her line features frayed pants, feather boas, neon tutus and abounds with her trademark accessories.
Nina Hagen
Russia's cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich gestures during a rehersal with Chamber Orchestra Prague in Maestranza theatre in Seville September 9, 2004. Rostropovich with Chamber Orchestra Prague give a concert September 9.
Photo by Marcelo Del Pozo
Recovering in Berlin
Daniel Barenboim
Daniel Barenboim will miss the season's first four performances conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Barenboim, 61, is recuperating in Berlin from herniated discs in his back and a neck condition called cervical myelopathy that can cause weakness in the arms, symphony officials said Wednesday.
Andrew Davis, music director of Lyric Opera of Chicago, will fill in for Barenboim from Friday through Tuesday, officials said.
Besides his Chicago post, Barenboim is also general music director of the Berlin Opera, and maintains a busy schedule as a pianist. He announced in February that he will step down from the CSO at the end of the 2005-2006 season to concentrate on performing.
Daniel Barenboim
Files Wrongful Death Suit
Ritter Family
The family of John Ritter has sued a Burbank hospital, accusing it of negligence in the death of the 54-year-old actor last September.
Ritter's wife Amy Yasbeck and his four children, including actor Jason Ritter, filed the wrongful death suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Sept. 3.
The suit said Ritter died of a tear in his aorta. But when he went to the emergency room complaining of chest pain, nausea and vomiting, he was misdiagnosed as having a heart attack, the suit alleges.
Ritter Family
Bolsters Children's TV Requirements
FCC
U.S. television broadcasters that decide to offer more programming on over-the-air digital channels will also have to include some additional shows geared toward children, U.S. regulators ruled on Thursday.
Broadcasters already have to offer three hours of educational and informational programming geared for children each week and are gearing up to add over-the-air channels with digital airwaves they received from the government.
The Federal Communications Commission unanimously voted on Thursday to extend those requirements to any additional programming they send out using the digital airwaves, on a prorated basis, starting in a year.
Last week, some consumer advocates urged the FCC to reject renewing the licenses of two Washington, D.C.-area television stations, accusing them of failing to meet their commitments to providing the children's programming.
FCC
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, gives entertainer Elton John a Patriots jersey before the opening day of the NFL season Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004 in Foxboro, Mass.
Photo by Adam Hunger
Leaving 'ER' at Season's End
Noah Wyle
Noah Wyle, the last continuous on-air link to the NBC medical drama "ER's" freshman season in 1994, seems headed for the doctor's retirement home.
Wyle, who plays Dr. John Carter, told E! Entertainment Television on Thursday that he plans to leave the show at the end of this season.
"I've just got other stuff going in my life right now," Wyle told "E! News Live.' "I've got a son, I've got family and friends that said goodbye to me 12 years ago and are wondering when I'm coming back, and this little urge to scratch a different kind of itch in my career, and it's just coming to the end of the character's run."
Noah Wyle
Demands Exit From Coalition
Costa Rica
Costa Rica asked the United States to remove it from a list of Iraq coalition partners Thursday, after the Constitutional Court ruled inclusion on the list violated the country's pacifist principles.
Foreign Minister Roberto Tovar said a diplomatic note had been delivered to the U.S. embassy in San Jose Thursday.
White House spokespuppy Scott McClellan said the United States would be willing to remove Costa Rica, though a White House Web site still had the country listed on Thursday evening.
The court ruling, announced late Wednesday, was cheered by a country that widely rejected the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
Costa Rica
Five of actor John Wayne's children Patrick, Melinda, Marisa, Aissa and Ethan (L-R), pose during a first-day-of-issue ceremony, dedicating the John Wayne commemorative postage stamp, at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, September 9, 2004. It was the 10th in the popular Legends of Hollywood stamp series.
Photo by Jim Ruymen
Found in England
Viking Burial Site
Archaeologists in northwestern England have found a burial site of six Viking men and women, complete with swords, spears, jewelry, fire-making materials and riding equipment, officials said Monday.
The site, discovered near Cumwhitton, is believed to date to the early 10th century, and archaeologists working there called it the first Viking burial ground found in Britain.
The only other known Viking cemetery was found in Ingleby east of Cumwhitton. It was excavated in the 1940s, but the bodies had been cremated and not buried.
Viking Burial Site
Settles Lawsuit With U.S. Tabloids
Gary Condit
The National Enquirer, Globe and Star tabloid newspapers have settled a lawsuit with former U.S. Rep. Gary Condit over articles linking him to federal intern Chandra Levy's disappearance and death, Condit's lawyer said on Thursday.
The terms of the settlement, including the amount paid to Condit, are confidential, said attorney L. Lin Wood, adding that the former congressman is satisfied with the agreement.
Mike Kahane, general counsel with American Media Inc., said the Boca Raton, Florida-based parent company of the tabloids could not comment on the settlement's details. He said the publisher is satisfied with the agreement.
Gary Condit
These images taken from a video that was shot by the Eureka, Calif., Police Department, according to Headwaters Forest Defenders, show what Headwaters Forest Defenders allege are officers swabbing the eyes of demonstrators with liquid pepper spray at the office of U.S. Rep. Frank Riggs in Eureka, Calif., Oct. 16, 1997. Opening statements began Thursday Sept. 9, 2004, in federal court in the pepper spray retrial, in which demonstrators allege deputies swabbed pepper spray on their eyes during three protests, including the protest in Riggs' office, over Pacific Lumber Co.'s logging of ancient redwoods.
Photo courtesy Headwaters Forest Defenders
Dad Attempts It At Home
Circumcision
A father who allegedly tried to circumcise his 8-year-old son in the bathroom after reading selections from the Bible has been charged with first-degree assault of a child.
Edwin Bruce Baxter, 33, was charged Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court. Judge Diane Woolard set bail at $50,000 and scheduled an arraignment for Sept. 17.
According to a probable-cause affidavit, Baxter told sheriff's deputies he tried to circumcise his son with a knife Friday after reading Genesis 17 and Exodus 4 - both passages refer to the procedure.
Baxter, of Ridgefield, is married with nine children. He works as a truck driver with Helser Brothers Transfer Co. in Portland, Ore., according to court documents.
The parents have been reported in the past for allegedly failing to enroll their children in school, said Doug Lehrman, Vancouver administrator for the state Department of Children and Family Services.
Circumcision
Wedding News
Brunei's Crown Prince
The future king of the oil-rich sultanate of Brunei married a 17-year-old half-Swiss commoner Thursday at a wedding attended by royalty and dignitaries from around the world.
Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah Bolkiah, 30, son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah - the fabulously wealthy ruler of 350,000 subjects - wed Sarah Salleh before 2,000 people in a traditional Malay Muslim ceremony at Brunei's giant main palace.
The sultan escorted the prince - wearing a gold crown and a kris dagger tucked into his sash - to a golden chair on the dais. He was joined by his bride, who emerged from a stateroom more than an hour behind schedule.
Earlier, a 21-gun salute sounded as Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito, Bahrain's King Hamad, the Duke of Gloucester Prince Richard and Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia arrived. Other guests include the presidents of Indonesia and the Philippines, and the prime minister of Singapore.
Brunei's Crown Prince
In Memory
Frank Thomas
In Memory
Tom McFarland
Tom McFarland, a well-traveled blues shouter, guitar player and composer who placed a vital role in reviving Seattle's blues scene in the 1970s, died in his sleep Sept. 3. He was 59.
McFarland, who performed with such blues greats as Charlie Musselwhite, Otis Rush and Isaac Scott, died at home in West Valley, Utah, said his son, Thomas Riley McFarland of Tacoma.
McFarland's signature tune was "Going Back to Oakland," recorded in 1987 on the album "Just Got In From Portland." His other albums were "Voodoo Garden" and the highly regarded "Travelin' With the Blues," recorded in 1978.
Among the better known blues artists who covered his tunes were Musselwhite, Margo Tufo and Kathy Hart.
McFarland was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Grants Pass, Ore., came to Seattle in 1973 and soon had the only blues band to get steady work in the city at the time, years before such artists as Robert Cray and Curtis Salgado put the Pacific Northwest on the blues map.
McFarland left in 1976 for San Francisco, recorded for Arhoolie Records and began touring with Lightnin' Hopkins, Musselwhite and Rush.
Tom McFarland
Two-year-old Basset 'Jack' is posed for a photographer in Fulda, Germany September 9, 2004. The Basset hound made it into the Guinness book of records for having the longest ears in the world. From the Israeli who grew the world's heaviest lemon to a British dog the size of a credit card -- Happy Birthday! They join the world's weirdest and wackiest achievers in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Guinness, the bible of world records.
Photo by Alex Grimm/Reuters
