Here in
Minneapolis, the political season is winding up. We had our
caucuses. They didn't mean much, but we had our say. Full
results, unofficial tally from the Secretary of State: Sen.
Barack Obama won on the Democratic
Party side, Mitt Romney won on the Republican
Party side, nobody voted for an Independence
Party or Green
Party candidates, and Obama took the smattering of Constitution
Party votes.
I voted in the Democratic caucus... or at
least the presidential preference ballot preceding the caucus itself.
It was crowded and exciting. I didn't stick around for the long
process of electing delegates.
The political parties have a
longer process at the state conventions, then a state primary to
determine the candidates. Still, the fun part will be the Republican National
Convention, held this year in St. Paul Sept. 1-4. I intend to
cover the event, either as an independent or an accredited
journalist.
The process to get a press pass, which I haven't
started yet, should be interesting.
Are bloggers
journalists?
No.
That is, merely typing on the
internet does not inherently make one a competent reporter. Anyone
can start up a magazine or a newspaper, but publishing does not
inherently make you a journalist. The medium does not make the
profession.
To be sure, some people who blog deserve
press credentials. They have proven themselves, over time, to be
observers and reporters. In today's conservative climate, journalism
is in such sorry state that one can't assume that a "reporter for a
great metropolitan newspaper" is in any way good at what they do.
Too many are not reporters, they are propagandists. Or incompetent
reporters. Either way, they shouldn't get press passes. Some
bloggers are good reporters, and deserve access to the
convention.
I hope to be one of these. I'm not a blogger,
though I have blogged, but I do consider myself a journalist. Part
of the time, anyway. I have nearly 30 years as a radio host to my
credit, and many of my political interviews are available online. My
politics are public, and my interviews are also public: I tend to
let people talk, and impress the listeners or dig their own grave as
the case may be. I'll find the stories on the sidelines and cover
the event from many unexpected angles.
Starting on Presidents
Day. This date seems fitting to start the political process, at
least on my end.
A Presidents Day Digression
As long as
I'm on the subject of Presidents Day, let me talk a bit about my
favorite president of the last 140 years: Theodore Roosevelt.
Many people, especially Republicans, are surprised at
this.
Teddy was a conservationist, a trust buster and a
progressive. The environment is the most important issue of
our day and he was prescient to be concerned a hundred years
ago. Preventing huge monopolies helped the US become the
economic superpower. (We were unquestionably #1 for most of the 20th
century until Bush Lite started dismantling our economy.) Being
progressive meant regulating food and drugs while promising a Square
Deal for the average citizen as well as the businessman. His foreign
policy is summed up in the phrase, "Speak softly and carry a big
stick and you will go far." (Big Stick
Diplomacy was first introduced at the Minnesota State Fair, not
too far from where the 2008 GOP Convention will make a platform of
the exact opposite of this successful policy.)
So
bully for you, Teddy. There hasn't been anyone like you, of either
party, since. Here's hoping that our next president take inspiration
from the chief executive 1901-1909, not 2001-2009.
SUSAN ESTRICH: The Heat in the Kitchen (creators.com)
My friends who are also Hillary's friends, many of them classmates and fellow Wellesley women, keep e-mailing me about their concerns, not so much with the campaign, but with the outright meanness and hostility the media seem to be heaping on our friend. I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like it. Vicious doesn't begin to describe it.
Froma Harrop: Schemes We Have Seen (creators.com)
During the push to privatize Social Security, the idea's foes were accused of not trusting the American people to manage their own money. The naysayers prevailed, and aren't we glad.
DR. RALLIE MCALLISTER: Eating Breakfast Boosts Weight Loss Efforts (creators.com)
If you're skipping breakfast in an effort to slim down, you might want to rethink your weight loss strategy. A growing body of scientific evidence supports the notion that folks who routinely eat breakfast tend to be thinner - and healthier - than those who don't.
Red Rocker: A Chat with Sheryl Crow (bullz-eye.com)
Sheryl Crow: I think definitely in the last, um, seven years this country has been taken on a massive detour, and we're gonna really have to figure out how to get back to who we are.
Roger Ebert: WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962; A Great Movie)
At some point during this descent into madness, "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" stops becoming a "camp classic," which is how it's often described, and starts becoming the real thing, a psychological horror story.
mj was first, and correct, with:
I don't think he practiced much, but he was a lawyer.
Alan J was second (and also right), in his usual succinct manner:
Lawyer
joe answered:
He was a lawyer.
Steve B. said:
Gomez Addams was a lawyer.
DanD replied:
From what I remembered of the series, Gomez was an independently wealthy
dabbler ... except for that one focal economic theme in his mansion -- a
stock market ticker-tape -- and discounting for his carnivorously carnal
leanings towards his eternal flame Morticia and more generic indulgences
of the kids and Uncle Fester, other than perpetually loosing entire
fortunes with a carefree smile while momentarily stopping to read the
tape, I don't think he had any professional focus.
I'll choose "C."
Marian the Teacher responded:
He was a lawyer who became independently wealthy.
"From Bruce" said:
Gomez is C: Independently wealthy. We all remember John Astin (Gomez)
looking at the ticker tape and saying, "Lost a million in Brazil.
Gained a million in Argentina
bebo answered:
it's got to be C. I don't remember Gomez working.
Ted replied:
He studied to be a lawyer ( voted most likely to fail the exam) but was independently wealthy due to an inheritance and investments. He was my hero!
Sally said:
Gomez Addams' profession was that of a lawyer or "B." I remember that he used to say that, "he was a lawyer, but a terrible one!" As I recall, he was a defense lawyer, who loses all of his cases! I don't remember from where they received all of their money, but I doubt that it was from his legal practice. (Smile)
Can you believe that it's raining here in Jersey - again? The precious grandson/family are doing Disney, and I'm stuck here in the rain. How depressing is that?
And, Joe S ("There is something good about the character of Gomez. I wouldn't trade the association with him for anything or any role that I might have missed."
--John Astin) responded:
I believe Gomez was a lawyer who hated to win.
The computer is still crashing without warning and I'm getting a little flinchy.
Tonight, Monday:
CBS opens the night with a RERUN'How I Met Your Mother', followed by a FRESH'Welcome To The Captain', then a RERUN'2½ Men', followed by a FRESH'Old Christine', then a RERUN'CSI: The 2nd One'.
Scheduled on a FRESHDave are Dennis Quaid, the winner of the Daytona 500, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.
Scheduled on a FRESHCraig is Wyclef.
NBC begins the night with a FRESH'Deal Or No Deal', followed by the SERIES PREMIERE'My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad', then a FRESH'Medium'.
Scheduled on a FRESHLeno are Reese Witherspoon, Alex Cambert, Gary Allan.
Scheduled on a FRESHConan are Larry the Cable Guy, Tim Gunn, Jim Lauderdale.
On a RERUNCarson 'The Scab' Daly (from 2/1/08) are Dr. Drew Pinsky, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.
ABC starts the night with a FRESH'Dance Wars', followed by a FRESH'October Road'.
On a RERUNJimmy Kimmel (from 1/29/08) are Hulk Hogan, Niki Taylor, Sum 41.
The CW offers a RERUN'Gossip Girl', followed by a FRESH'Pussycat Dolls Present'.
Faux has a FRESH'Prison Break', followed by a FRESH'Sarah Connor'.
MY has 'Celebrity Expose', followed by a FRESH'Paradise Ho-Tell'.
A&E has 'CSI: The 2nd One', 'Intervention', another 'Intervention', 'Paranormal', and another 'Paranormal'.
AMC offers the movie 'Death Wish 3', followed by the movie 'The Godfather'.
BBC -
[12:00 PM] Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares - Ep 4 La Riviera;
[1:00 PM] Cash in the Attic - Episode 5;
[2:00 PM] Bargain Hunt - Ep. 19 Shepton Mallet;
[2:30 PM] Bargain Hunt - Ep. 20 Newmarket;
[3:00 PM] How Clean Is Your House? - Episode 6;
[3:30 PM] How Clean Is Your House? - Episode 7;
[4:00 PM] You Are What You Eat - Episode 6;
[4:30 PM] You Are What You Eat - Episode 7;
[5:00 PM] My Family - Ep. 7 The Awkward Phase;
[5:30 PM] Coupling - Ep 1 9 1/2 Minutes;
[6:00 PM] Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares - Ep 4 Bonapartes;
[7:00 PM] BBC World News America;
[8:00 PM] Top Gear - Episode 6;
[9:00 PM] Top Gear - Episode 5;
[10:00 PM] BBC World News America;
[11:00 PM] Top Gear - Episode 6;
[12:00 AM] Top Gear - Episode 5;
[1:00 AM] Top Gear - Episode 6;
[2:00 AM] Top Gear - Episode 5;
[3:00 AM] Changing Rooms - Episode 19;
[3:30 AM] Changing Rooms - Episode 20;
[4:00 AM] Bargain Hunt - Ep. 19 Shepton Mallet;
[4:30 AM] Bargain Hunt - Ep. 20 Newmarket;
[5:00 AM] Cash in the Attic - Episode 2;
[5:30 AM] Cash in the Attic - Episode 3;
[6:00 AM] BBC World News. (ALL TIMES EDT)
Bravo has 'Project Runway', another 'Project Runway', still another 'Project Runway', and 'Make Me A Supermodel'.
Comedy Central has 'Scrubs', another 'Scrubs', an old 'Jon Stewart', an old 'Colbert Report', 'Futurama', 'South Park', 'Scrubs', and another 'Scrubs'.
On a RERUNJon Stewart (from 2/4/08) is Tim Gunn.
On a RERUNColbert Report (from 2/4/08) are Tony Campolo and Jacob Weisberg.
FX has the movie 'Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story', followed by the movie 'The Trasporter', then the movie 'Alien Vs. Predator'.
History has 'The Presidents', 'Star Wars Tech', and 'History Of The Joke'.
IFC -
[06:45 AM] Spellbound;
[08:30 AM] Eulogy;
[10:05 AM] Kingdom Come;
[11:50 AM] IFC News: 2008, Uncut;
[12:00 PM] In America;
[01:55 PM] Spellbound;
[03:40 PM] Eulogy;
[05:15 PM] Kingdom Come;
[07:00 PM] Way Off Broadway;
[08:30 PM] Framed on IFC #5;
[11:00 PM] Patti Rocks;
[12:30 AM] Framed on IFC #5;
[03:00 AM] Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart;
[04:30 AM] Spellbound. (ALL TIMES EST)
SciFi has 'Star Trek: Enterprise', another 'Star Trek: Enterprise', still another 'Star Trek: Enterprise', and 'Jericho'.
Sundance -
[05:00 AM] Breathless (1960);
[06:30 AM] The Best of Secter & the Rest of Secter;
[07:30 AM] Southern Belles;
[09:00 AM] Episode 3;
[09:30 AM] Episode 3;
[10:00 AM] Return to the Border;
[11:00 AM] Koenig's Sphere;
[12:00 PM] Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton;
[01:30 PM] Hammer & Tickle;
[03:00 PM] Pucker Up: The Fine Art of Whistling;
[04:00 PM] Derailroaded: Inside the Mind of Larry "Wild Man" Fischer;
[05:30 PM] A Healthy Baby Girl;
[06:30 PM] Return to the Border;
[07:30 PM] Pack Strap Swallow;
[09:00 PM] Charging the Rhino;
[10:00 PM] The Best of Secter & the Rest of Secter;
[11:00 PM] Episode 3;
[11:30 PM] Comedy Short Cuts;
[12:00 AM] Wynton Marsalis + John Besh;
[01:00 AM] Save the Green Planet!;
[03:00 AM] Torture: The Guantanamo Guidebook;
[04:00 AM] Episode 5;
[05:00 AM] The Keys to the House. (ALL TIMES EST)
Singer Michael McDonald talks with reporters at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. McDonald will perform prior to the start of the Daytona 500.
Photo by Terry Renna
Fewer than a half-million people were watching MSGOP when David Shuster made his comment that Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign had "pimped out" daughter Chelsea by having her make political phone calls.
Among them were monitors at Newsbusters. The Web site posted video of Shuster 10 minutes after the show was over, beginning a reaction that led to his two-week suspension.
Say something stupid, offensive or incorrect on television and you're going to hear about it - fast.
Web sites and bloggers record everything on news programs, an obsessive attention that can foster a hypersensitivity over words and deepen the nation's partisan divide. Without question, they remind pundits that it's important to think before they speak.
In this photo provided by Nike, filmmaker Spike Lee autographs hats for fans during the commemoration of the Stallings Playground Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008 in New Orleans. Nike and Foot Locker refurbished the historic playground. Lee directed the award-winning documentary 'When the Levees Broke.'
Photo by Judi Bottoni
An art auction conceived by U2 frontman and campaigner Bono together with British artist Damien Hirst raised 42.5 million dollars in New York late Thursday for UN-backed health programs in Africa.
The auction, which drew Hollywood celebrities, supermodels and rock stars, was described as the largest charity event ever mounted and would help keep thousands of AIDS patients on antiretroviral drugs for years to come.
Artists such as Georg Baselitz, Howard Hodgkin, Jasper Johns, Anish Kapoor and Jeff Koons contributed works for the red-themed Valentine's Day sale, which raised far more than the upper pre-sale estimate of 29 million dollars.
Proceeds from the sale, organized by Bono's charity organization (RED), were to go directly to the United Nations Foundation to support HIV/AIDS relief programs run by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
A batch of old documents linked to the slaying of President John F. Kennedy has reportedly been unearthed, including a highly suspect transcript of a conversation between assassin Lee Harvey Oswald and Oswald's killer Jack Ruby, the Dallas Morning News said on Sunday.
The newspaper said the Dallas County district attorney's office, which uncovered the documents, would display its discovery at a news conference on Monday morning.
The Morning News said the items found in an old safe in a Dallas courthouse included personal letters from former District Attorney Henry Wade, the prosecutor in the Ruby trial. Ruby shot Oswald two days after the president's death.
Also found were official records from Ruby's trial, a gun holster and clothing that probably belonged to Ruby and Oswald, District Attorney Craig Watkins told the newspaper.
First-time director Paul Sorvino doesn't understand why his investors are so jittery. More than two years ago, Lackawanna County agreed to partner with Sorvino on "The Trouble with Cali," an independent film the "GoodFellas" star is producing and directing in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Shot in the Scranton area in 2006, the low-budget movie has yet to hit theaters, prompting the cash-strapped county to ask Sorvino what he has done with its $500,000 investment.
Sorvino says he's happy to provide a full accounting of the money. But, he adds, elected officials don't necessarily have a good understanding of the movie business. And he resents any implication that he has been less than forthright.
"To have my honesty impugned has never happened in my life," the burly character actor said in a phone interview. "The record of how the money was spent was always available, to the penny."
"I have never done anything that I've been in charge of that has failed. I don't intend to make this the first one," Sorvino said. "It's a wonderful movie and I can't wait to get it out."
Following the September 11, 2001, attacks, the US Central Intelligence Agency set up 12 bogus companies in Europe and other parts of the world in the hope of penetrating Islamic organizations, The Los Angeles Times reported on its website late Saturday.
But citing current and former CIA officials, the newspaper said the agency had now shut down all but two of them after concluding they were ill-conceived.
The CIA-run "companies" were located far from Muslim enclaves in Europe and other targets, and their size raised concerns that one mistake would blow the cover of many agents, the report noted.
In addition, because businessmen don't usually come into contact with Al-Qaeda operatives, the cover didn't work, The Times said.
Skeletons parade during the 124th edition of the carnival in Nice February 17, 2008. The carnival, which will run until March 2, honours the Chinese Year of the Rat with characters showing cats, rats and bats.
Photo by Pascal Deschamps
A license plate with nothing but the number "1" on it went for a record $14 million at a charity auction Saturday.
Saeed Khouri, a member of a wealthy Abu Dhabi family, wouldn't say how many automobiles he owned or which of them might carry the record-breaking single-digit plate.
Ordinary automobile license plates issued to drivers here - and even most other vanity series plates - carry both Arabic and Western numerals and script, defining the issuing city and country.
Khouri's plate, however, has only the Western numeral and no letters.
A penny saved is not necessarily just a penny earned: One man's collection of rare American cents has turned into a $10.7 million auction windfall.
The collection of 301 cents featured some of the rarest and earliest examples of the American penny, including a cent that was minted for two weeks in 1793 but was abandoned because Congress thought Lady Liberty looked frightened.
That coin and a 1794 cent with tiny stars added to prevent counterfeiters each raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the Dallas-based auction house Heritage Auction Galleries, which held the sale in Long Beach on Friday night.
Heritage Auction president Greg Rohan said the auction was the biggest ever for a penny collection, with hundreds of bidders vying for the coins. Presale estimates valued the collection at about $7 million.
U.S. scientists have developed a microfiber fabric that generates its own electricity, making enough current to recharge a cell phone or ensure that a small MP3 music player never runs out of power.
If made into a shirt, the fabric could harness power from its wearer simply walking around or even from a slight breeze, they reported Wednesday in the journal Nature.
The nanogenerator takes advantage of the semiconductive properties of zinc oxide nanowires -- tiny wires 1,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair -- embedded into the fabric. The wires are formed into pairs of microscopic brush-like structures, shaped like a baby-bottle brush.
One of the fibers in each pair is coated with gold and serves as an electrode. As the bristles brush together through a person's body movement, the wires convert the mechanical motion into electricity.
The globe-trotting thriller "Jumper" leaped to a box office win with $27.2 million on a weekend when Hollywood offered something for everyone, with new films for action fans, teens, family audiences and the date-movie crowd.
Debuting in second place was Disney's teen dance sequel "Step Up 2 the Streets," which pulled in $19.7 million for the weekend and $26.3 million since Thursday.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Tuesday.
1. "Jumper," $27.2 million.
2. "Step Up 2 the Streets," $19.7 million.
3. "The Spiderwick Chronicles," $19.1 million.
4. "Fool's Gold," $13.1 million.
5. "Definitely, Maybe," $9.7 million.
6. "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins," $8.9 million.
7. "Juno," $4.6 million.
8. "The Bucket List," $4.1 million.
9. "Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert," $3.3 million.
10. 27 Dresses," $3.2 million.
A shack sits on the hillside of a deforested mountain area near Jacmel, in southern Haiti, Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. Nearly all of the 30 million trees planted in the 1980's with a US$22.8 million project by the U.S. Agency for International Development, have been cut down to make charcoal for cooking. Without trees to anchor the soil, erosion has reduced Haiti's scarce agricultural land, making the island more vulnerable to devastating floods each hurricane season.
Photo by Ariana Cubillos
You have reached the Home page of BartCop Entertainment.
Make yourself home, take your shoes off...
Go ahead, scratch it if it itches.
The idea is to have fun.
Do you have something to say?
Anything that increased your blood pressure, or, even better,
amused or entertained?
Do you have a great album no one's heard?
How about a favorite TV show, movie, book, play, cartoon, or legal amusement?
A popular artist that just plain pisses you off?
A box set the whole world should own?
Vile, filthy rumors about Republican musicians?
Just plain vile, filthy rumors?
This is your place.
