Recommended Reading
from Bruce
ANONYMOUS: Ms. Misogynist (thestranger.com)
Disliking the female gender came slower to me than it did to most girls I know.
Mark Morford: Behold our dark, magnificent horror (sfgate.com)
There is, you have to admit, a sort of savage grace, a tragic and terrible beauty, to the BP oil spill.
Froma Harrop: Time to Call the Tea Party's Bluff (creators.com)
I'm done trying to hack through the tea party thicket of self-contradiction, self-delusion and self-serving positions. My last straw is Rand Paul, a tea party favorite and now Republican nominee for senator from Kentucky.
Social network campaigns build 'slacktivism' to new heights
A few years ago, when occasionally meaningful but often ironic slacktivism was still in its infancy, Kit Mueller, 36, a Web entrepreneur in Chicago, would have gladly linked virtual arms with 5,000 others and joined an online group for the preservation of old-timey hobos. He explained this the other night, standing on the sidewalk outside the Chicago Theatre. He might have even signed a petition "to support the wearing of baggy thongs." But lately, he's gotten serious.
Joe Flint: News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch has a strategy to get people to pay for content (latimes.com)
Get their credit card numbers.
Andrew Tobias: 10 Things About the Health Bill
... did you know that, members of Congress will be required to buy health plans through the state-run insurance exchanges? They voted to eat the same dog food as the rest of us.
'Golden Girl' Rue McClanahan dies (latimes.com)
Rue McClanahan, the Emmy-winning actress who brought the sexually liberated Southern belle Blanche Devereaux to life on the hit TV series "The Golden Girls," has died. She was 76.
Dana Stevens: Vector of Evil (slate.com)
Dennis Hopper offered up his worst self for our revulsion and wonder.
Ray Richmond: Bill Maher, always a bride's maid (Los Angeles Times)
The 'Real Time' host is nominated for the 22nd time, but if history is a predictor, he'll lose. Again.
The Sunday Conversation: With George A. Romero (latimes.com)
The horror auteur talks about his latest zombie-fest, 'Survival of the Dead,' and how the series has managed to stay alive so long.
Will Harris: A Chat with Crispin Glover, Co-star of "Alice in Wonderland"" (bullz-eye.com)
I got the actual screenplay (for "Alice in Wonderland"), and it was extremely different - I could see that it was written as a sequel - but it was a great part, and I was ecstatic to be in itŠand I'm still ecstatic to be in it!
Helen McCrory: 'Attack yourself - don't get lazy' (guardian.co.uk)
She's played Cherie Blair, a Harry Potter villain and now a 1950s housewife. Helen McCrory tells Maddy Costa why she loves acting.
Hubert's Poetry Corner
"Secrets from Amber Ray"
Still wondering?
The Weekly Poll
New Question
The 'Shut up and Pay up' Edition
Hillary Clinton struck a strong populist chord while wading into territory secretary of states rarely go last Thursday: Domestic policy... "The rich are not paying their fair share in any nation that is facing the kind of employment issues [like the U.S.] - whether it's individual, corporate or whatever the taxation forms are," ...
I think we can all agree that corporations are getting off easy, tax-wise, but what about 'rich' individuals? Two questions:
1.) What is your definition of 'rich' for an individual/family?
and
2.) What do you think their 'fair share' in taxes should be?
Send your response to
Sally said:
Charlie replied:
MAM 
wrote:
And, Joe S (Hope I'm not too late) replied:
From The Creator of 'Avery Ant'
Link from RJ
R2-D2
Hi there
A quick link, today - a lot of fun was had by these college students!
BadtotheboneBob Recommends
'Beetle Bailey'
During the past weekend of remembrance, Mort Walker remains busy creating Beetle Bailey's future while drawing on memories of working with the world's laziest soldier over seven decades...
'Beetle Bailey' Celebrates 60 Years
Thanks, B2tbBob!
Reader Suggestions
Michelle in AZ
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Sunny and much warmer.
Weighs In On Oil
Robert Redford
Actor and environmentalist Robert Redford has weighed in on the U.S. oil spill crisis, condemning efforts by major energy companies to promote their environmental credentials and use their money to influence "their parrots in Congress."
In a five-minute YouTube video, produced by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Redford says the worst oil spill in U.S. history should serve as a lesson for Americans to move away from their dependence on oil and pursue alternative energy like wind and solar power.
Redford, 73, who is also an NRDC trustee, said "green" advertising campaigns by BP, and Chevron's "Human Energy" slogan made him "want to throw up".
The video was released as BP began capturing some of the estimated 19,000 barrels a day that have been escaping into the sea since April 20. The British oil giant has said it does not expect to be able to fully halt the oil flow until August.
Robert Redford
Honored At amfAR Gala
Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin has stepped out in style at an AIDS research organization's New York City gala celebrating men's fashion. It's one of his first public appearances since announcing he's gay.
Celebrities including Kylie Minogue and Cyndi Lauper attended Thursday night's amfAR event, which honored the "Livin' La Vida Loca" singer for his philanthropic contributions through his foundation.
Minogue hosted the black tie/black leather event. She says she is happy for Martin and feels he's "embracing and living life" since announcing in late March he's gay.
Ricky Martin
'King For A Day'
Mickey Dolenz
A Monkee will pay tribute to a King this summer -- Carole King, that is.
Micky Dolenz, the Monkees' self-described "wacky drummer," will release "King for a Day" on August 24, featuring his versions of 15 songs written or co-written by the recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, whose contributions to the Monkees legacy includes the hit "Pleasant Valley Sunday."
"It's a very exciting project," Dolenz told Billboard.com. "She wrote so many different types of tunes. If you look at my album, things from 'Crying in the Rain' to 'Don't Bring Me Down' to 'Up on the Roof,' the spectrum is as wide as you can possibly get. One of her great strengths is she can just write in any genre, any sort of mood and any sensibility."
Among the other songs Dolenz and his producer -- Beach Boys and Brian Wilson collaborator Jeff Foskett -- chose for "King for a Day" are "Sweet Seasons," "Point of No Return," "Go Away Little Girl," "It Might as Well Rain Until September," the Righteous Brothers' "Just Once in My Life" as a duet with Bill Medley and "I Feel the Earth Move" with "Hannah Montana" co-star Emily Osment.
Mickey Dolenz
Baby News
Levi James Crow
Sheryl Crow is the mother of another baby boy.
The singer-songwriter announced Friday that she has adopted another son, Levi James, who was born April 30.
The 47-year-old shared the news on her website, and her publicist confirmed the adoption.
She wrote that "Wyatt has a new little brother!" referring to her 3-year-old son, who is also adopted.
Levi James Crow
Cancels More Events
Seiji Ozawa
Acclaimed Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa, who is suffering from cancer, has cancelled a tour of Europe on advice from his doctor, his office said Friday.
The 74-year-old Vienna State Opera musical director had planned to travel to Prague, Vienna, Berlin and Paris for five concerts between December 3 and 10, an official said.
His appearance at Carnegie Hall in New York will go ahead as planned on December 14, she said.
Seiji Ozawa
2 More Theaters Cancel Film
"The Cove"
Two more movie theaters in Japan have canceled screenings of "The Cove," an Oscar-winning documentary that shows footage of a dolphin hunt in a Japanese village.
In recent months, protesters with loudspeakers have been shouting slogans at the Tokyo office of Unplugged, the distributor of "The Cove," criticizing the film as a betrayal of Japanese pride.
Unplugged said Friday the cancellations at Cinemart theaters in Tokyo and Osaka were triggered by worries about safety of moviegoers and businesses nearby. The Tokyo cinema where the movie was to open changed its mind Thursday after getting angry phone calls and warnings of protests.
Most Japanese have never eaten dolphin meat. But some believe killing dolphins and whales is part of traditional culinary culture and resent the interference of outsiders focused on species protection.
"The Cove"
Parents Back Off
Gary Coleman
Gary Coleman's estranged parents abandoned their effort to bury him in his native Illinois Friday after a Utah attorney revealed the actor named an executor in a 1999 will.
"Of course it's disappointing. We'd be inhuman if it wasn't, but we're not up for a fight," Coleman's mother, Sue Coleman, said in an interview with The Associated Press. "We just want him finally put away to rest."
Salt Lake City Attorney Kent Alderman said he has a will Coleman wrote that he will take to a Utah County court sometime next week. The will was written before Coleman moved to Utah and met his future wife during filming for the 2006 comedy "Church Ball." Alderman wouldn't reveal details of the will, including the name of the executor, but said Coleman will not be buried this weekend.
Gary Coleman
Busted
Chace Crawford
Hollywood heartthrob Chace Crawford, star US television drama "Gossip Girl," was arrested in the early morning hours of Friday outside Dallas, Texas for possession of marijuana, police said.
A report from the police department in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas, said Crawford was arrested just before 1 a.m. CDT with under two ounces of marijuana.
The spokesman said Crawford posted bail and was released. He faces a maximum of up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine if convicted of the misdemeanor crime.
Crawford was born in Lubbock, Texas, but raised in Plano. The police report lists his current home as New York City and his full name as Christopher Chace Crawford.
Chace Crawford
Dodgers Say Lawsuit Resolved
Jon Lovitz
The Los Angeles Dodgers say they've resolved a dispute with comedian and actor Jon Lovitz over nearly $100,000 in unpaid tickets.
The Dodgers sued Lovitz and others last month over nonpayment for the 2010 season seats, which are located behind home plate. In a statement released Friday, the team says it resolved the case "very quickly, very amicably, and to the satisfaction of both parties."
The Dodgers also say Lovitz is a friend and welcome back at the stadium any time.
Jon Lovitz
Ex-Nanny Loses Employment Claim
Heather Mills
A judge on Friday rejected claims by a nanny that she was mistreated by Paul McCartney's ex-wife, Heather Mills.
Sara Trumble told an employment tribunal in southern England that she was hired to look after Mills and McCartney's daughter Beatrice, now 6, but was relegated to domestic chores after returning from maternity leave in 2008. She also claimed that Mills forced her to work long hours without extra pay.
Tribunal judge Steven Vowles dismissed Trumble's claims for sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal, saying he "did not find the claimant to be a persuasive witness."
Mills had denied the claims, saying she had treated 26-year-old Trumble like a daughter. She said the relationship turned sour when she refused to give the nanny money to pay for breast enlargement surgery.
Heather Mills
Enters Pretrial Program
Cyrus Shepherd-Oppenheim
The son of actress Cybill Shepherd has entered a pretrial program in Pennsylvania requiring his attendance at 24 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the hopes of clearing his record of theft charges.
Cyrus Shepherd-Oppenheim of Sebastopol, Calif., was admitted into the program Friday by Philadelphia Municipal Judge Georganne Daher. The arrangement was part of an agreement with prosecutors.
The 22-year-old University of Pennsylvania student was charged with stealing cash, a camera and other items from carry-on luggage during a United Airlines flight in January. If he completes the program, the charges will be cleared from his record.
Cyrus Shepherd-Oppenheim
No Riff Raff
New Zealand
Riff Raff has been refused residency in New Zealand, even though the creator of The Rocky Horror Show spent part of his childhood there, a newspaper reported Saturday.
Richard O'Brien, the 68-year-old British-born creator of the cult musical, wanted to retire to New Zealand but was told he did not fit the criteria for citizenship or permanent residency, the Dominion Post said.
O'Brien came to New Zealand as a 10-year-old when his family emigrated from Britain in 1952 and spent 12 years in the country before moving to London.
He has a brother and sister still living in the town of Tauranga, as did their parents until they died about four years ago and his son Josh is applying for residency after moving to New Zealand on a student visa.
The city of Hamilton, where O'Brien spent his teenage years, has honoured him with a statue of his character from The Rocky Horror Show, the creepy butler Riff Raff.
New Zealand
In Memory
Richard Dunn
Richard Dunn, a longtime character actor who frequently collaborated with comics Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, died Friday after being unconscious several days. He was 73.
His agent of 15 years, William Kerwin, says Dunn had been unconscious at a Hollywood hospital since Sunday. Kerwin didn't immediately know the cause of death but said Dunn was a longtime smoker.
The lanky, bespectacled actor, listed at 5-foot-10 and 125 pounds on his resume, often appeared on "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup. Dunn also had bit parts on shows including "Nip/Tuck," "Weeds" and "House."
"He was one of those actors who worked most of the time but he never made the top," Kerwin said. "He was always there but never the big cigar."
Richard Dunn
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