'Best of TBH Politoons'
Baron Dave Romm
Short Takes 2007 I
By Baron Dave Romm
Shockwave Radio Theater podcasts
The War On The Unexpected
We've opened up a new front on the war on terror. It's an attack on the unique, the unorthodox, the unexpected; it's a war on different. If you act different, you might find yourself investigated, questioned, and even arrested -- even if you did nothing wrong, and had no intention of doing anything wrong. The problem is a combination of citizen informants and a CYA attitude among police that results in a knee-jerk escalation of reported threats.
This isn't the way counterterrorism is supposed to work, but it's happening everywhere. It's a result of our relentless campaign to convince ordinary citizens that they're the front line of terrorism defense. "If you see something, say something" is how the ads read in the New York City subways. "If you suspect something, report it" urges another ad campaign in Manchester, UK. The Michigan State Police have a seven-minute video. Administration officials from then-attorney general John Ashcroft to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff to President Bush have asked us all to report any suspicious activity.
The problem is that ordinary citizens don't know what a real terrorist threat looks like. They can't tell the difference between a bomb and a tape dispenser, electronic name badge, CD player, bat detector, or a trash sculpture; or the difference between terrorist plotters and imams, musicians, or architects. All they know is that something makes them uneasy, usually based on fear, media hype, or just something being different.
The Conservative News Media
Paul Krugman Where Does The Right Wing End and the Media Begin? Economist Paul Krugman on how the right-wing media machine is destroying social progress. Paul Krugman interviewed by Rory O'Connor on alternet.org 10/26/07:
We have a situation right now in which there are several major parts of the news media that are for all practical purposes part of "movement conservatism" -- Fox News, the New York Post, the Washington Times -- and in which other news organizations are intimidated, at least to some extent. I sometimes talk about what I call "asymmetrical intimidation." If you say a true but unflattering thing about Bush or in fact about any other prominent conservative, oh, boy! People are going to go after you. I mean, I've got people working full-time going after me, right? But if you say a false, unflattering thing about a Democrat or a progressive, no risk ... And that shapes coverage, no question about it. It's better now, but it's still very asymmetric. The other thing we should mention about the media is their addiction to the trivial. We've got the most substantive election coming up, I think, ever. We've got clear differences on policies between parties. And what are we seeing news stories about? John Edwards' hair and Hillary Clinton's laugh ... this is horrifying! And again -- it's asymmetric. I can think of lots of unflattering things to say about any of the Republican candidates -- Mitt Romney's saying his sons are serving the country by helping him get elected! -- but it doesn't get nearly as much play in the media.
Meanwhile, the Bush administration is going after telecom companies like Qwest for not breaking the law. The tainted Department of Justice is pressuring Congress to shield the phone companies after they illegally spied on citizens for the Bush administration. Congress is considering "amnesty" for the telecoms who spied, which will have the effect of sealing all the records. Bush went after the honest companies, and without these records they will have a harder time trying to clear themselves. This is a complex, developing story, that salon.com's Glenn Greenwald has written several columns about. Here's just one.
Telecom amnesty would forever foreclose investigation of vital issues10/15/07, updated several times (Premium Membership required, though you might be able to click through the ads to get to it):
The documents that were released as part of the criminal prosecution of Joseph Nacchio, the former Qwest CEO who refused to participate in what he believed to be illegal government surveillance programs (and was then prosecuted for insider trading by the Bush administration), are revealing in numerous important respects.
....
We know so little about what they were doing and are doing. The term "we" includes not only American citizens generally, but the Congress as well. All of this takes place completely in the dark, in total secrecy, with no oversight and no checks.
It is a never-ending carousel of multi-billion dollar transactions -- pursuant to which enormous sums of taxpayer money are transferred to these telecoms in exchange for the telecoms serving as obedient divisions of the Government, giving them unfettered access to all of the data and content of the communications of American citizens.
That is what is so extraordinary -- and so absolutely appalling -- about the casual advocacy on the part of our nation's "journalists" for Congressional amnesty for telecoms. The amnesty they advocate would result in the complete and permanent dismissal of all of the pending lawsuits arising out of this joint telecom-government lawbreaking, which would, in turn, ensure that this lawbreaking remains concealed.
The right wing dominance of the news media gets worse and worse. You might have heard about this one: FEMA workers play role of reporters a phony press conference from one of the most inept branches of the Bush administration, on assistance to victims of the fires in California.
Pat Philbin, the person
who arranged this phony conference was promoted the next day,
but was
What you may not have
known is that both
Fox and MSNBC carried part of the conference live with no mention of
the phony reporters I've heard no mention of their apology, if
any. (To be fair and balanced I go out of my way to avoid both
networks and wouldn't have seen their groveling, and I doubt they had
the integrity to make amends.) Baron
Dave Romm is a conceptual artist and a noble of Ladonia
who produces Shockwave Radio
Theater, writes in a Live Journal demi-blog,
plays with a very
weird CD collection and an ever growing list of political links. Dave Romm reviews things at random for
obscure web sites. You can read all his music
recommendations from Bartcop-E. Podcasts of Shockwave Radio
Theater. Permanent
archive. More radio programs, interviews and science fiction
humor plays can be accessed on the Shockwave Radio audio
page. Thanks to everyone who has sent me music to
play on the air.
"A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy,
but won't cross the street to vote in a national election."
-- Bill Vaughan
Thanks (again), Baron Dave!
Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Nat Hentoff: When Judges Attack! (villagevoice.com)
In this second resounding challenge to the Bush administration's utter contempt for the Bill of Rights, Judge Marrero made it inescapably clear how un-American our rulers have become. By erasing the protections for individual liberties put in place by the framers, the president and his accomplices are turning us into a country that bears little resemblance to the one set forth in the Constitution.
David Blum: BIZARRO JERRY (nypress.com)
It's nine years after "Seinfeld," and Jerry still isn't master of his domain. David Blum wonders what went wrong.
Paul E. Pratt: Why Bee Movie Has No Queens (advocate.com)
Jerry Seinfeld discusses his latest Dreamworks animated adventure and explains why the gay bee ended up on the cutting room floor.
Len Righi: New Pornographers cast themselves as challengers, not champions (The Morning Call [Allentown, PA]; Posted on popmatters.com)
When the word "challengers" first popped into his head several months ago, A.C. Newman was not thinking about vintage Dodge automobiles or space shuttles. "Right away, I thought it was a great album title," says the New Pornographers frontman over the phone from Boston.
Erin Podolsky: 5 questions for progressive rockers Coheed and Cambria (Detroit Free Press; Posted on popmatters.com)
If it takes ambition to put together swirling fantasy rock operas spread out over a five-album arc, then Coheed and Cambria might be the most ambitious band on the planet, or at least the only one with a record deal. There aren't too many bands these days whose music harks back to the grandiose, proggy rock of groups such as Queensryche and Rush, but Coheed and Cambria have the sound and the style nailed.
Kelly Virella: The Strange Drawings of Brian Brooks (news.eastbayexpress.com)
The artist behind Emily the Strange attempts to exorcise his creation from his art.
JUDITH NEWMAN: Moms Gone Wild (vanityfair.com)
Sure, mothers always get blamed for everything. But-as a look at the women behind Paris, Lindsay, and Britney reveals-if your child is your meal ticket and career booster, it's hard to be the parent she needs.
Michael Jensen: Interview with Michael Urie (afterelton.com)
The Ugly Betty star talks about his gay character.
Commentoon: GAP and Slave Labor (womensenews.org)
Sylvia, by Nicole Hollander (womensenews.org)
David Bruce's Free Downloads: "The Great American Essay"
David Bruce's Free Downloads: "Life in America: Tales of Love and Laughter"
Hubert's Poetry Corner
THAT Rat with the Hot Nuts at Leroy's Corrral
An unorthodox remembrance of a unique American Veteran.
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Mostly overcast and on the cool side.
British Supporters To Send Piano
Aung San Suu Kyi
A group of prominent British women has raised funds to send a piano to detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a British newspaper reported Sunday.
The Sunday Times said the group, led by actress Maureen Lipman, hoped to replace the broken piano currently owned by the music-loving democracy advocate, who has been under house arrest for years.
Visitors have reported that Suu Kyi helped pass the time in detention by playing works by Bach and other composers. The Sunday Times said her piano had broken down through heavy use in Myanmar's tropical climate.
The newspaper said Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox, film producer Norma Heyman and arts fundraiser Joyce Hytner were among supporters of the plan. It said the group had already raised money for the piano, but had not yet bought one or settled on a way to ship the instrument to Myanmar.
Aung San Suu Kyi
Documentary On AIDS Prevention
Ashley Judd
Ashley Judd says education and prevention is the best way to combat AIDS and HIV, which disproportionately affect women and girls and prey upon the vulnerable and less fortunate.
Speaking about her new documentary film, "India's Hidden Plague," in an interview broadcast Sunday on ABC's "This Week," the actress said it costs just $10 to educate a person about the risks and protect them for an entire year.
In a previous documentary film, "Confronting the Pandemic," Judd and actress Salma Hayek travelled to Central America to look at AIDS prevention there.
"India's Hidden Plague" is set to premiere Nov. 30 on the National Geographic Channel.
Ashley Judd
'SNL' Appearance
Barack Obama
After spending most of Saturday criticizing Hillary and Bill Clinton, Barack Obama took the stage with two impersonators - Amy Poehler and Darrell Hammond - on "Saturday Night Live."
The opening sketch of Saturday's broadcast featured Poehler and Hammond, as the Clintons, hosting a Halloween party. Toward the end of the sketch a man walked in wearing an Obama mask - which he removed to reveal he was, indeed, Obama.
"I have nothing to hide," Obama said. "I enjoy being myself. I'm not going to change who I am just because it's Halloween."
Obama wrapped up his brief late-night comedy stint with the show's signature line: "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night."
Barack Obama
Relaunches Long-Dormant Label
Willie Mitchell
Neither age (a youthful 79, thank you) nor health setbacks (cataract surgery a couple of days before this interview took place) can keep a good music man down. Just ask Willie Mitchell.
He's the same Willie Mitchell who wrote and produced Al Green's 1972 hit "Let's Stay Together" and went on to produce six more No. 1 R&B hits, an accomplishment shared by such illustrious colleagues as Marvin Gaye, Berry Gordy Jr. and Barry White.
Mitchell's latest project is the relaunch of his Waylo Records label. Having secured distribution through Select-O-Hits, Mitchell is busy getting the word out about the label's first release, "Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere."
The Southern soul album marks the debut solo project for singer-songwriter Mashaa (pronounced "ma-shaw"). Discovered as a teen by Stax Records co-founder Estelle Axton, Mashaa (born Erma Shaw) segues from a background-vocalist career that lists gigs with B.B. King, Michael McDonald and Otis Rush (on Rush's 1998 Grammy Award-winning album "Any Place I'm Going").
Willie Mitchell
Finally Confirms Pregnancy Rumours
Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera has finally confirmed what the rest of the world already knew - she's pregnant.
Speaking at her Beverly Hills home in her pyjamas with her husband Jordan Bratman and her dogs, the chart-topper said she had only one New Year's resolution for 2008.
"That'll be about the time I enter into mommyhood, so" she whispered, "I'm hoping to have started a beautiful family with my husband!"
Christina Aguilera
Xtina States the Obvious, Confirms Pregnancy (with picture)
Baby News
Ever Anderson
Actress Milla Jovovich has delivered her first child, a baby girl, in Los Angeles, US Weekly magazine reported on Sunday.
The girl, born on Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, has been named Ever, the magazine said on its Web site, quoting an unidentified source.
It is the first child for the 31-year-old Ukraine-born actress/singer, and her fiance, English filmmaker Paul W.S. Anderson, who directed her in the 2002 zombie movie "Resident Evil" and produced the two sequels.
Ever Anderson
Walgreens Problem
Shia LaBeouf
Shia LaBeouf was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing after the "Transformers" star refused to leave a Chicago drug store, police said Sunday.
A security guard told LaBeouf that he needed to leave the Walgreens store because he appeared to be drunk, police said.
When LaBeouf, 21, refused to leave, the security guard detained him and called police at about 2:30 a.m., according to police spokeswoman Laura Kubiak.
After he was arrested, police noted that LaBeouf was "very courteous and polite," Kubiak said. Police said he posted bond before 7 a.m., but Kubiak did not know the amount.
Shia LaBeouf
Polluted Harbour Stops Stunt
Batman
Batman may have a body of steel, but the caped crusader is no match for the pollution in Hong Kong's iconic harbour.
The latest instalment of the Batman series will start filming in the former British territory this month, but the movie has already hit several snags.
A scene in which Batman was to drop from a plane into the harbour has been axed after the movie's producers found the water quality could pose a potential health risk, the South China Morning Post reported.
"But when they checked a water sample, they found all sorts of things, salmonella and tuberculosis, so it was cancelled. Now the action will cut to inside a building."
Batman
Robin Hood's Haunt In Trouble
Sherwood Forest
Robin Hood might have a hard time hiding out in the Sherwood Forest of today.
The forest once covered about 100,000 acres, a big chunk of present-day Nottinghamshire County. Today its core is about 450 acres, with patches spread out through the rest of the county.
Experts say urgent action is needed to regenerate the forest and save the rare and endangered ancient oaks at its heart.
Park rangers say the collection of ancient oaks is one of the greatest in Europe. But they see an increase in the trees' rate of decline.
Sherwood Forest
Drought Helping Georgia Crop
Pecans
The record drought gripping the Southeast isn't all bad news: It's meant nearly perfect weather for growing pecans in Georgia.
The state is on pace to be the nation's top pecan producer this year, with shellers predicting more than 125 million pounds harvested, said pecan horticulturist Lenny Wells of the University of Georgia's agriculture extension.
Georgia was the nation's third-leading pecan producer last year. The nation's two other top producers - New Mexico and Texas - are not expected to grow nearly as much, Wells said.
Pecans
Weekend Box Office
'American Gangster'
A heroin pusher and a honey bee put some sting back into the movie business. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe's bloody crime saga "American Gangster" took in $46.3 million to lead the weekend box office, with Jerry Seinfeld's family cartoon "Bee Movie" following with $39.1 million. Together, the movies revitalized Hollywood's listless autumn.
After six-straight weekends of declining revenues, overall business rose, with the top-12 movies taking in $127.2 million, up 12 percent from the same weekend last year, when "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" was No. 1 with $26.5 million.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "American Gangster," $46.3 million.
2. "Bee Movie," $39.1 million.
3. "Saw IV," $11 million.
4. "Dan in Real Life," $8.1 million.
5. "30 Days of Night," $4 million.
6. "The Game Plan," $3.85 million.
7. "Martian Child," $3.65 million.
8. "Michael Clayton," $2.9 million.
9. "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?", $2.7 million.
10. "Gone Baby Gone," $2.4 million.
'American Gangster'
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