U.S. prepares to face U.N. on torture as Amnesty report blasts 'war crimes' (rawstory.com)
As the United States prepares a team of 30 to defend its record on torture before a U.N. committee, Amnesty International has made public a report blasting the United States for failing to take appropriate steps to eradicate use of torture at U.S. detention sites around the world, RAW STORY has learned.
George Ochenski: Right between the eyes (missoulanews.com)
Not in recent memory has a Montana governor had the guts to step up and face a major corporation head on for its irresponsible record of toxic pollution and decades-long evasion of cleanups. But Gov. Brian Schweitzer did just that when he made the decision to end the obfuscation and legal weaseling of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BN) over its hazardous waste sites scattered across the magnificent landscape of Montana. And when they fought back-as corporations always do-Schweitzer let 'em have it right between the eyes.
PAUL KRUGMAN: The Crony Fairy (The New York Times)
The U.S. government is being stalked by an invisible bandit, the Crony Fairy, who visits key agencies by dead of night, snatches away qualified people and replaces them with unqualified political appointees.
Rush Limbaugh makes deal to end 'doctor shopping' probe (rawstory.com)
After his arrest on Friday, Rush Limbaugh has entered into a settlement agreement with the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office to end their probe of allegations that the conservative talk show host went "doctor shopping" to obtain prescription pain-killing medicine, RAW STORY has found.
Karen Collins, R.D.: Stumped by confusing diet advice? Read on (msnbc.msn.com)
Science can't yet explain in detail why a healthy diet and lifestyle work. But we have a good idea of what habits best promote health. First, eat a mostly plant-based diet in reasonable portions with limited amounts of saturated fat. Second, limit your salt and alcohol intake, if you choose to drink at all. Third, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. These are excellent habits that should bring you a variety of health benefits.
Let's get something out of the way first…….I think that Spike Lee should do a re-make of the Classic movie "Casablanca" (1942) and have Denzel Washington star as Rick and they could call it "Black Casablanca"!!!!! I really want to hear Denzel mouth the famous lines…"Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world….she had to walk into mine!" I went back and listened to Bogie's phrasing and compared it to Denzel's reading in the new Spike Lee movie "Inside Man"….and they have the same rhythm and resonance and dramatic emphasis….wow…….
Back to reality. I went over to the AMC 24 to see "Inside Man" yesterday. I was expecting a boilerplate thriller with big name stars and a beautiful babe…..I got all three …plus a surprisingly unique story line and a cool ending. Of course, Spike Lee ("Jungle Fever (1991) - "Do the Right Thing" (1989) - "When the Levees Broke" (2006) has used Denzel Washington before as a detective in "Devil in a Blue Dress" (1995) and here we find him as Detective Keith Frazier ("Mo' Better Blues (1990) - "Training Day" (2001) - "Man on Fire" (2004)… a New York City police detective who is looking for a promotion and a raise and gets called in as a hostage negotiator in a bank robbery because the other negotiator is out of town.
But this is no ordinary Heist….Dalton Russell (Clive Owen - "The Bourne Identity" (2002) - "The Hire: Beat the Devil" (2002) - "Sin City" (2005) has planned every aspect of the operation with patience and perfection…..but what does he want and why. The Bank president, Arther Case (Christopher Plummer - "Alexander" (2004) - "The Sound of Music" (1960" - "Must Love Dogs" (2005) - "Syriana" (2005) is called in to find out if he might know the reason for the robbery….well we get a strange sense of a haunting hidden past from mr. Case who is very well connected with New York Society and business for the last 50 years. Enter Madeleine White (Jodie Foster - "Baby sitter on "The Doris Day Show" (1969) - "Bugsy Malone- "Contact" (1997) - "Panic Room" (2002) - "Flightplan" (2005) who comes off as a behind the scenes "Power Broker" for the rich and famous….and when she meets Detective Frazier, she dismisses him as a low level flat foot and tries to take the negotiations into her own hands……She goes inside the bank a talks to Arthur Case !
The stage is set for a standard bang 'em up ending……with Spike Lee providing dizzying circular camera work, dramatic sepia coloration and quick editing….but you have to stick around for the "final twist" ! I loved this movie, even with some trite social commentary and trivial interludes, it was fascinating, funny and thoroughly entertaining.
Purple Gene gives "Inside Man" 9 "Sal's Pizzeria pies" (from "Do the Right Thing") out of 10 for getting Denzel back on the "A" list……too bad Jodie Foster just went back on the "D" list with another walk through performance! Too bad Willem Dafoe's part was so nothing!
CBS starts the night with '60 Minutes', followed by a FRESH'Cold Case', then a FRESH made-for-TV movie 'Jesse stone: Death In Paradise'.
NBC opens the night with 'Dateline', followed by a FRESH'West Wing', then a FRESH'Law & Order: Criminal Intent', followed by a FRESH'Crossing Jordan'.
ABC begins the night with a 2-hour FRESH'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition', followed by a FRESH'Desperate Housewives', then a FRESH'Grey's Anatomy'.
The WB offers a RERUN'Reba', followed by another RERUN'Reba', then a FRESH'Charmed', followed by a RERUN'Charmed'.
Faux has a RERUN'Simpsons', followed by a FRESH'King Of The Hill', then a FRESH'Simpsons', followed by a FRESH'War At Home', then a FRESH'Family Guy', followed by a FRESH'American Dad'.
UPN has an old 'Alias', followed by an old 'Fear Factor'.
A&E has 'Flip This House', another 'Flip This House', 'The First 48', and 'Intervention'.
AMC offers the movie 'Halloween 4: The Return Of Michael Myers', followed by the movie 'Gothika', then the movie 'A Nightmare On Elm Street'.
BBC -
[2pm] 'The Avengers' - My Wildest Dream;
[3pm] 'The Avengers' - Whoever Shot Poor George;
[4pm] 'The Avengers' - Oblique/ XR40;
[5pm] 'The Avengers' - You'll Catch Your Death;
[6pm] 'Bargain Hunt' - Newark;
[6:30pm] 'Bargain Hunt' - Episode 15;
[7pm] 'Cash in the Attic' - Episode 9;
[8pm] 'Cash in the Attic' - Episode 10;
[9pm] 'What Not To Wear' - Episode 2;
[10pm] 'Footballers Wives' - Episode 2;
[11pm] 'Footballers Wives' - Episode 3;
[12am] 'What Not to Wear' - Episode 2;
[1am] 'Footballers Wives' - Episode 2;
[2am] 'Footballers Wives' - Episode 3;
[3am] '3 Non-Blondes' - Episode 1;
[3:40am] '3 Non-Blondes' - Episode 2;
[4:20am] '3 Non-Blondes' - Episode 3;
[5am] 'Just For Laughs' - Episode 2;
[5:30am] 'Just For Laughs' - Episode 1;
[6am] 'BBC World News'. (ALL TIMES EDT)
Bravo has has 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent', another 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent', 'Inside The Actors Studio' (Robin Williams), and yet another 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent'.
Comedy Central has has the movie 'Saving Silverman', followed by the movie 'The Wedding Singer', then 'Jim Gaffigan: Beyond The Pale'.
History has has 'Decoding The Past', 'Ancient Discoveries', another 'Ancient Discoveries', ans still another 'Ancient Discoveries'.
IFC -
[6AM] Hoop Dreams (1994);
[9AM] Joe Gould's Secret (2000);
[11AM] Big Bad Love (2001);
[1PM] Hoop Dreams (1994);
[4PM] Joe Gould's Secret (2000);
[6PM] Short: Blue City (1996);
[6:15PM] The Station Agent (2003);
[8PM] Slasher (2004);
[9:30PM Elizabeth (1998);
[11:35PM] Slasher (2004);
[1:05AM] Royal Deceit (1994);
[2:30AM] Elizabeth (1998);
[4:45AM] Three Tales (2002). (ALL TIMES EDT)
SciFi has has themovie 'Queen Of The Damned', followed by the movie 'The Ninth Gate'.
Sundance -
[7:35AM] Her Name is Cure;
[8:05AM] Bedouin Sand;
[8:30AM] A Month by the Lake;
[10:05AM] Milo 55160;
[10:35AM] Santiago Calatrava's Travels;
[12PM] Sugar Town;
[1:35PM] Hermitage-niks: A Passion for the Hermitage: Episode 5 - The Remains of an Era;
[2PM] Ladette to Lady: Episode 3;
[3PM] Kath & Kim: Kath & Kim: Fat;
[3:25PM] A Month by the Lake;
[5PM] Sixteen Years of Alcohol;
[6:35PM] Hermitage-niks: A Passion for the Hermitage: Episode 5 - The Remains of an Era;
[7PM] Ladette to Lady: Episode 3;
[8PM] Slings and Arrows: Episode 5: Steeped in Blood;
[9PM] Monkey Dust: Episode 2;
[9:30PM] Kath & Kim: Kath & Kim: Fat;
[10PM] Tarnation;
[11:35PM] Gamblin;
[12AM] Memento Mori;
[1:45AM] Salaryman 6;
[2AM] Slings and Arrows: Episode 5: Steeped in Blood;
[3AM] Monkey Dust: Episode 2;
[3:30AM] Blonde Dolly;
[5:15AM] Sugar Town. (ALL TIMES EDT)
Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, speaks about her son Casey, a soldier killed in Iraq, as thousands gather to march down Broadway to protest the war in Iraq, in New York April 29, 2006. The marchers demanded an immediate withdrawal of troops, the same day news organizations noted April as being the most deadly month for U.S. troops in Iraq, with at least 69 killed.
Photo by Chip East
A blistering comedy "tribute" to resident Bush by Comedy Central's faux talk show host Stephen Colbert at the White House Correspondent Dinner Saturday night left George and Laura Bush unsmiling at its close.
Colbert, who spoke in the guise of his talk show character, who ostensibly supports the president strongly, urged the Bush to ignore his low approval ratings, saying they were based on reality, "and reality has a well-known liberal bias."
Noting those low ratings, Colbert advised, "The glass isn't half empty - it's 68% empty. There's still some fluid in there, but I wouldn't drink it."
He attacked those in the press who claim that the shake-up at the White House was merely re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. "This administration is soaring, not sinking," he said. "They are re-arranging the deck chairs--on the Hindenburg."
A newspaper promotion for Tom Cruise's upcoming "Mission: Impossible III" got off to an explosive start when a county arson squad blew up a news rack, thinking it contained a bomb.
The confusion: the Los Angeles Times rack was fitted with a digital musical device designed to play the "Mission: Impossible" theme song when the door was opened. But in some cases, the red plastic boxes with protruding wires were jarred loose and dropped onto the stack of newspapers inside, alarming customers.
Sheriff's officials said they rendered the news rack in this suburb 35 miles north of downtown Los Angeles "safe" after being called to the scene Friday by a concerned individual who thought he'd seen a bomb.
Times officials said the devices were placed in 4,500 randomly selected news boxes in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in a venture with Paramount Pictures designed to turn the "everyday news rack experience" into an "extraordinary mission."
Half of the jam band Phish plan a Vermont-style reunion for a political cause: Rep. Bernie Sanders' bid for the Senate.
Bassist Mike Gordon will team with Phish drummer Jon Fishman, singer Grace Potter and other Vermont musicians on June 2 at a benefit for Sanders, an independent looking to succeed retiring Sen. James Jeffords.
Gordon said he was never politically active but changed his mind when he was invited to a Sanders fundraiser a few months ago.
"I was floored, just being reminded of how much integrity he has and how much he seems to represent the people ... rather than only for rich corporations and ultraconservatives who seem to be running" the country, Gordon said.
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards was hospitalized for a mild concussion he suffered while vacationing in Fiji, reportedly after falling out of a palm tree.
Richards, 62, was injured earlier this week and flown to a New Zealand hospital for treatment, band spokeswoman Fran Curtis said in a statement Saturday.
Media reports in Australia and New Zealand said Richards hurt his head after falling out of a palm tree at an exclusive Fiji resort and remained hospitalized in Auckland.
Photographer Howard Schatz, right, talks with actor Robert Klein, one of the subjects that appear in his new book 'In Character: Actors Acting,' during a reception at Schatz's New York studio, Monday evening April 10, 2006. The actor describes his face as 'rubbery,' which when photographed up close without makeup, 'looks like the map of Vermont.' For a character of the same boy glaring at his older sister as she happily eats broccoli, Klein curled his lip like his father would when he was mad.
Photo by Richard Drew
Harry Shearer is Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Principal Skinner and more on "The Simpsons." He's also, at will, Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw and Mike Wallace.
Whoever he plays, he's relentlessly funny. The evidence, for those not yet wild about Harry, is neatly packaged in the actor-satirist's new CD, "Dropping Anchors," a send-up of TV news anchors, and the DVD "Now You See It," a showcase for his work on "Saturday Night Live" and HBO.
After a fallow period in which Shearer's albums were sadly lacking, and following a frustrating experience for his wife, singer-songwriter Judith Owen, with a record company, the pair took the initiative and formed their own label.
He helpfully explains that the label's name, Courgette Records, is "British usage for zucchini. It's a tip of the cap to Derek Smalls' favorite vegetable."
The first racial discrimination case brought by the government against a movie studio can proceed to trial, a federal judge ruled.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Universal Pictures in 2003, claiming that a first assistant director on the film "2 Fast 2 Furious" was fired because he was black.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Frank Davis, 47, who worked on the film under director John Singleton, who is also black. The lawsuit claims Davis was fired without cause even after Singleton objected.
Sae Sumiyoshi cries in the arms of an amateur sumo wrestler during a baby-crying contest at Sensoji temple in Tokyo April 29, 2006. Seventy-four babies born in 2005 took part in the event, which is held to pray for the babies' health and growth.
Photo by Toru Hanai
The bizarre claims of Semir "Sam" Osmanagic, a Texas-based businessman who believes he has discovered four pyramids at Visoko in Bosnia, are causing serious concern among Bosnian archaeologists and academics as official and popular support mounts for a five-year excavation programme, due to begin this month.
Volunteers have been invited to assist in the excavation of a 2,120-foot hill in one of the country's most archaeologically rich regions, on top of which lie the protected remains of Bosnia's medieval royal capital Visoki.
The prospect of their own Valley of the Kings has captured the imagination of many Bosnians desperate for a way to boost the shattered economy and raise the national pride of a country racked by conflict.
Opponents of the project are, however, horrified at the prospect of irreparable damage to an area they believe is important enough to be a tourist attraction without a pyramid, yet warrants further archaeological research. Enver Imamovic of the University of Sarajevo, a former director of the National Museum of Sarajevo, said that the excavations would "irreversibly destroy a national treasure", while another Bosnian archaeologist told The Art Newspaper that it would be like "letting a group of amateurs dig around Stonehenge".
This undated photo provided by the National Gallery of Art is of a pen and brown ink drawing on laid paper by Leonardo da Vinci entitled Grotesque Head of an Old Woman and is from the Woodner Collections. The National Gallery of Art in Washington will show drawings by great artists over the centuries beginning Sunday, April 30th.
It's a place for kids… A destination for families…. Anaheim… Disneyland!
Tourist attractions that draw people from around the world to California.
But what these families don't know is that the state is dumping dozens of sex offenders--some labled high-risk pedophiles-- into some of the same hotels that families are checking into.
Paris Hilton uses a microphone during a presentation for a new beverage Saturday, April 29, 2006, in the Austrian skiing resort of Ischgl.
Photo by Kerstin Joensson
Bruno Baumann left Munich in search of the Buddhist Shangri-la and happened upon the true cradle of Tibetan culture -- the silver palace of the Shang Shung kings. Fierce warriors and bloodthirsty shamans ruled this remote mountain realm more than 2,000 years ago.
The region, in the southwestern Tibetan plateau, doesn't look particularly spectacular at first glance. The only human settlement shown on satellite maps of the area is the tiny village of Kyunglung, embedded in a valley.
Bruno Baumann carefully guides his canoe through the raging waters of the Sutlej River. Suddenly he can hardly believe his eyes: a huge labyrinth of caves appears behind a gate-like formation in the middle of the rock face of the cliffs. Along a stretch of the river extending for several kilometers, a lost city of crumbled monasteries, temples and walls, glinting in reds and silvers in the afternoon sun, rises up to 400 meters (1,312 feet) above the river valley.
Guests take snapshots of a gold bathtub at the 2006 Millionaires' Fair at the Shanghai Exhibition Center April 28, 2006. The invitation only luxury gala, which is surrounded by much fanfare about its wealthy guests and extravagant exhibits, runs from this Friday to next Sunday. China has estimated 236,000 US dollar millionaires and is the world's third-largest consumer of high-end fashions after Japan and the United States, China Daily reported.
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.
