'Best of TBH Politoons'
Updated Link
Humor Gazette
Noted superhero The Incredible Hulk has been subpoenaed to testify before a congressional committee investigating steroid use among athletes and entertainers.
Attorneys for the comic book icon -- best known for his bright green skin, bulging musculature and brooding, surly disposition -- say they have encouraged their client to cooperate with the panel but warned that harsh questioning might trigger his legendarily explosive temper.
For the rest:
Reader Suggestion
Governor Groper
Hi Marty:
Gov. Sexual Abuse has three propositions ready for a November special election-
Merit Pay for Teachers
Let's take people who are already paid worse than garbagemen, and pay them even less. Great Idea!
Eliminate Tenure
If the Principal du Jour doesn't like how you part your hair, you're gone, bucko! Even if you've been successfully teaching since they were born. Brilliant! Let's have 100% turnover!
Raid the Teacher's Pension Fund
The only solvent part of the state of California, so let's destroy that too! Great way to solve a huge teacher shortage, by taking away their retirement. Dubya will destroy Social Security, so let's attack teachers' retirement and finish the job. Except it isn't in trouble.
Many angry teachers, nurses, and other public sector workers will be at an historic protest on Tuesday, March 22, 2005.
Gov. Groper will be collecting more money from his fat cat buddies at the Hyatt Regency on 17900 Jamboree in Irvine on Tuesday.
Join us to let your voice be heard. Protestors will begin massing at the hotel at 5:00 pm.
Ed the teacher
Thanks, Ed!
I find it impossible to watch Governor Musclehead without screaming 'Liar!' at the TV.
He's an unmitigated bully, who shows no scruples in getting his way.
As the current California king of special interests, he defies credulity when he labels teachers & nurses as the 'real' special interests.
Especially since he's spent over 100 days (in less than a year) out of state 'raising money'. Not money for the schools, or even tourism, just lots of money to grease his own skids.
I realize he's very special (as in 'special interests' and 'special elections'), but why does he have 2 passports?
I'd prefer my elected officials not have divided loyalties.
Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Matthew Rothschild: Mercury Rising (The Progressive)
Bush's EPA decided to reverse the agency's requirement that utilities "scrub as much mercury as possible from coal-fired power plants," The New York Times reported.
Umbra Fisk: Got Money? (Grist)
On spending wisely to help the environment
Sarah Klein: Building the 'Better' Vagina (Metro Times)
Does this make my labia look fat?
Nina Shapiro: They Had Abortions (Seattle Weekly)
Hannah Levin ... Levin recalled a virtually pain-and guilt-free abortion that contradicted all she had heard about risks and emotional turmoil.
Chad Graham: Weight Watchers Equality (The Advocate)
15 POINTS: Inviting the entire office to a special Friday happy hour at the local gay bar
Kristian Williams: The Case for Comics (Columbia Journalism Review; Posted on Alternet)
Fusing images with text, comics can convey far more than traditional news stories to a readership hungry for voice and meaning.
Tom Tomorrow Cartoon
Reader Tip
eBay Listing
Marty, do with this what you will, I thought it was funny but then I'm
weird.
Bryan
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: eBay listing for GW Bush's soul
Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2005 16:47:46 -0500
I listed this on eBay last night. The auction is set to begin on
Tuesday, so that it can expire on April 1. The item won't appear on
eBay until Tuesday.
listing 1 - collectibles | Historical Memorabilia | political
listing 2 - collectibles | Fantasy, Mythical & Magic | other items
Item title
George W. Bush's soul?
Subtitle ($0.50)
The object is in very poor condition.
Item description
This "rock" seems to contain the soul of President Bush. I found it
while walking along the railroad tracks. When I picked it up, I
couldn't stop thinking of Satan, President George W. Bush, killing,
evil and destruction. I am afraid to throw it away. I hope someone
will step up and take responsibility for it, preferably a priest who
is authorized to perform an exorcism.
The object is in very poor condition. It appears to have been
subjected to extremely high heat. Initial asking price of $0.02 is
based on appraisal of trusted advisor.
Buyer assumes all liabilities accruing to possession of the object.
Thanks, Bryan!
That's pretty funny - and not too weird.
OTOH, I think it's overpriced at 50¢
Saturday 3pm-4pm (pst) - KTMS-AM 990
'The Afternoon Connection'
California Treasurer Phil Angelides (D-Good Guy) announced his candidacy for Governor this week. He'll join us to discuss his vision for California.
Meanwhile, Schwartzenegger (R-Musclehead) wants to cut pay for Caregivers from $8 hr. to Minimum Wage ($6.75).
He's using tax dollars to produce TV News Stories that promote the most radical parts of his agenda, and continues his attacks on Unions who help people get a decent wage. Everyone's being asked to sacrifice except the top 2% of earners.
Tune in to "The Afternoon Connection" with Paul Berenson, Saturdays 3 pm-4 pm on KTMS-AM 990.
Your local phone calls are welcome at:
879-KTMS (5867)
If you're tired of the Limbaugh's, Faux News, etc. and want to hear a Democrat with attitude, this is for you!
Purple Gene Reviews
'Be Cool'
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Started raining around noon.
TCM has 'Duck Soup' (1933) tomorrow, and it should be considered mandatory viewing.
Keeps Gannon/Guckert In The News
Garry Trudeau
Why is Garry Trudeau doing a "Doonesbury" sequence inspired by disgraced Republican-friendly reporter Jeff Gannon?
"I'm not sure it's commonly understood to what lengths this administration is willing to go to bypass the 'filter,' as Bush calls the media," the cartoonist replied in an e-mail interview. "The president made it official Wednesday -- his Justice Department, fresh from signing off on torture, apparently thinks propaganda's OK too."
When asked if he thought the press has underreported the Gannon episode, pundit payola, and other examples of media manipulation, Trudeau said: "It's not that it's been underreported so far. It's just that the media, in both its own and the public's interest, ought to stay with this story. If Bush is prepared to defend fake news, then the media should be equally prepared to say why it's anti-democratic and an abuse of power."
Trudeau said he hasn't received any direct reaction from Gannon to the sequence. But on his personal Web site, Gannon on Monday linked to the first "Doonesbury" strip in the sequence, and on Thursday wrote that Trudeau "showed his leanings 30 years ago" -- while linking to one of his old strips that offered a pro-John Kerry view.
Garry Trudeau
Holocaust Denier To Add 'Balance'
C-Span
Historians piqued at C-Span's plans to air a speech by a British historian who has challenged the extent of the Holocaust have petitioned the non-profit network to cancel the project.
The petition, sent to Connie Doebele, the executive producer of C-Span who slated the coverage, disputed the notion that showing David Irving's speech would add "balance" to a program that featured a lecture by Deborah Lipstadt, professor of Holocaust Studies at Emory University.
"Falsifiers of history cannot 'balance' historians," said the petition signed by more than 200 historians in the United States and other countries and sent to C-Span this week. "Falsehoods cannot 'balance' the truth."
Irving, the author of nearly 30 books, including Hitler's War, took Lipstadt to court, suing her for libel for calling him a Holocaust denier. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2000 by the British court, which said that Irving was anti-Semitic and racist and he misrepresented historical information.
Lipstadt said when she realized Irving was to get air time, too, she contacted C-Span and someone there explained his side would add 'balance.' She has declined to go on C-Span if Irving is in the equation.
"What balance was there? There was a tsunami; there wasn't a tsunami?" she said Friday. "That's fuzzy thinking of the worst kind. It's an absence of critical thinking."
C-Span
Calls New 'Star Wars' a Titanic Tearjerker
George Lucas
Director George Lucas had a message for fans as he previewed a glimpse of the final tale in the billion dollar "Star Wars" film franchise: leave the lightsabers at home, but don't forget the tissues.
"It's not like the first one. It's more emotional," said the director of space adventure, "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith," which arrives in theaters May 19.
"I describe it as a 'Titanic' in space. It's a real tearjerker, and it will be received in a way that none of us can expect," he told theater owners at the ShoWest convention.
George Lucas
5 Picked Up
NBC Renewals
"The West Wing" has been re-elected to a seventh term by NBC. The White House drama will return for the 2005-06 season, NBC programming chief Kevin Reilly said Thursday. Dramas "Crossing Jordan" and "Las Vegas" and the sitcom "Joey" also will be back.
The medical drama "ER," now in its 11th season, received a two-year pickup which, added to its current contract, will keep it on the air through the 2007-08 season, Reilly announced.
"Joey," the "Friends" spinoff starring Matt LeBlanc, will return for its second season despite lackluster ratings.
NBC is suffering overall, posting an unprecedented fourth-place finish in the February "sweep," a key ratings measurement period.
NBC Renewals
Filmmakers Hawk New Technology
3-D
After a brief incarnation in the early 1950s and a short-lived revival in the 1980s, 3-D movies are now getting serious consideration among filmmakers who want to send images leaping off the movie screen and into the audience.
"Star Wars" creator George Lucas and "Titanic" director James Cameron were among those promoting a new digital alteration that converts two-dimensional movies into 3-D.
Theatergoers still have to wear those familiar cardboard glasses with red-and-blue cellophane, although backers of the new technology say it doesn't cause the eyestrain common with past 3-D efforts.
Lucas said he hopes eventually to release all six of his "Star Wars" movies in 3-D format that can be shown in regular moviehouses, not specialty theaters such as IMAX.
3-D
Baby News
Heidi Klum & Seal
Heidi Klum is expecting her second baby.
Klum, 31, said in January that she and singer Seal are engaged to be married. They started dating last year, shortly after her breakup with Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore, the father of her daughter, Leni, born last May.
"Heidi, Seal and especially Leni, are proud to tell you that we recently found out that we are expecting our second child," said a message posted Friday on Klum's Web site. "There is nothing that gives us greater happiness than the realization of our dream."
Heidi Klum & Seal
Get Tiny Re-Creation
Mister Rogers' House
It's a beautiful day in this little neighborhood.
Or so it will be starting Saturday, when the Carnegie Science Center's Miniature Railroad & Village debuts a tiny re-creation of Mister Rogers' house from the popular TV show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." The cardigan-clad Fred Rogers, who died in 2003 after battling stomach cancer, would have been 77 on Sunday.
The brown and white home, made with beeswax carved to look like stone, sits near a red trolley that whizzes by. On the porch, a miniature Rogers, wearing a red sweater and navy blue sneakers, sits with two children on a wooden porch swing gently rocking back and forth.
A newly added scene features the town of Punxsutawney and its prognosticating groundhog Phil coming out to see his shadow - which he always does here. A photographer's flashbulb ignites each time Phil comes out of Gobbler's knob.
Mister Rogers' House
Coastal Clash
Public Beach
Just off the Pacific Coast Highway, where the Santa Monica Mountains loom over the ocean, some of Hollywood's biggest stars have settled into a slice of heaven.
Steven Spielberg. Danny DeVito. Goldie Hawn. Over the years, they have joined the lucky few who call Broad Beach home.
Their front yards open onto a mile-long, sandy stretch of California coastline. They spent millions to get here, and they'd like to be left alone.
The question is: Where does the front yard end and the public beach begin? So far, the answer is a crazy quilt of property lines, easements and No Trespassing signs that confuse all but the experts.
It takes a map, a tape measure and the soul of a surveyor just to figure out where to legally lay out a beach towel. A walk along the beach can require as many twists and turns as a Hollywood whodunit.
For a lot more, Public Beach
Groups Save From Slaughter
Wild Mustangs
Although a new law lets the federal government sell certain wild mustangs for horsemeat, the first ones auctioned off have been spared from the slaughterhouse.
The 200 animals from Nevada that Wild Horses Wyoming bought from the Bureau of Land Management are roaming free on thousands of acres near Laramie, Wyo.
Wild Horses Wyoming purchased the mustangs, all of them mares, for $50 each. The sale was announced March 1.
Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescuers in Lancaster, Calif., has 120 horses on 46 acres of land, and plans to buy 10 mustangs under the new law, said Jill Starr, the group's leader.
The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in Hot Springs, S.D., cares for 400 horses on 11,000 acres of privately owned land but has not immediate plans to take in more mustangs, office manager Pati Duff said.
Wild Mustangs
Shoots Video at College
Spice Network
An adult cable television network paid Pierce College $5,000 to use its baseball field for a racy promotional video, easing an economic crunch but raising questions about how far the school should go to raise money.
The Spice Digital Network, a subsidiary of Playboy Enterprises Inc., used the Joe Kelly baseball field for two days in early March to shoot the video that showed women and men in provocative attire.
During filming, a tarp was used to cover the baseball field.
Renting campus facilities for television and film projects is common in the Los Angeles area. Pierce makes $50,000 to $75,000 a year in such rentals.
Spice Network
Self-Censored Some Iraq Coverage
Media
Many media outlets self-censored their reporting on the Iraq invasion because of concerns about public reaction to graphic images and content, according to a survey of more than 200 journalists by American University's School of Communications.
The study, released Friday, also determined that "vigorous discussions" about what and where to publish information and images were conducted at media outlets and, in many cases, journalists posted material online that did not make it to print.
One of the most significant findings was "the amount of editing that went into content after it was gathered but before it was published," the study stated. Of those who reported from Iraq, 15% said that on one or more occasions their organizations edited material for publication and they did not believe the final version accurately represented the story.
Some 42% of those polled said they were discouraged from showing photographic images of dead Americans, while 17% said they were prohibited. Journalists were also discouraged from showing pictures of hostages, according to 36% of respondents, while only 3% reported being prohibited from showing them.
For a lot more - Media
Read the report - Report: Media Coverage of the War in Iraq
In Memory
Eduardo Guerrero Jr.
Eduardo "Lalo" Guerrero Jr., who for 60 years created songs in Spanish and English chronicling the Mexican-American experience, including Pachuco music later used in the play "Zoot Suit," died Wednesday. He was 88.
Lalo Guerrero was named a national folk treasure by the Smithsonian Institution in 1980 and received the presidential Medal of the Arts from President Clinton in 1997.
Guerrero created more than 700 songs and sold millions of records in both Spanish and English in a bewildering number of styles, from swing to protest songs, cha-chas to rock 'n' roll. His Spanish hits included "Nunca Jamas" and "Cancion Mexicana," which has been described as Mexico's unofficial national anthem.
He already was a star in Mexico and the Southwest for his traditional songs when he crossed into the mainstream charts in 1955 with a parody of "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" from a Walt Disney movie. He replaced the pioneer frontiersman with a Mexican called Pancho Sanchez.
There followed a string of hit parodies in both English and Spanish with names such as "Pancho Claus," "Elvis Perez" and "Tacos for Two" (to the tune of "Cocktails for Two").
Eduardo Guerrero Jr.
In Memory
Simon Wexler
Simon Wexler, who made educational films that were widely shown in classrooms across America in the 1950s and 1960s, died March 10. He was 88.
Wexler, who opened a film studio in Hollywood, churned out more than 300 educational and documentary films following World War II and until his retirement in 2001.
Churchill/Wexler Film Productions, co-founded by partner Bob Churchill, became a leading producer of classroom films that were acclaimed for their content, animation style and ability to help educators teach difficult subjects ranging from sex to alcohol abuse. The 16-millimeter black-and-white films ran between 10 to 30 minutes.
Simon Wexler's films won awards, including honors from the Biological Photographers Association and the International Scientific Film Festival.
Simon Wexler
