Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Mark Morford: 10 amazing truths you already suspected (sfgate.com)
Part IV! Pink fried chicken, Oklahoma vaginas, French G-spots.
MARK MORFORD: Five fun ways to obliterate all hope (sfgate.com)
Feeling despondent? Peevish? A little vengeful? Sick of all those perkyhappy people swarming around you, what with their annoying smiles and feelings of general optimism for no goddamn reason because Jesus, don't they know the world is packed like a hysterical nail gun with fear and shrapnel and pain? Want to lose a few friends and feel even more miserable and alone? Excellent.
GRETCHEN MORGENSON: Repaying Taxpayers With Their Own Cash (nytimes.com)
G.M. ... crowed about its loan repayment in a national television ad ....
Taxpayers are naturally eager for news about bailout repayments. But what neither G.M. nor the Treasury disclosed was that the company simply used other funds held by the Treasury to pay off its original loan.
Tim Adams: "This much I know: Malcolm Gladwell" (guardian.co.uk)
The writer, 46, on espionage, the financial meltdown, and crying over Dickens.
Robin McKie: Why genius isn't in the genes (guardian.co.uk)
The belief that a genius is the product of genetic make-up is as pervasive as it is wrong, according to writer David Shenk.
TARA PARKER-POPE: The Talents of a Middle-Aged Brain (nytimes.com)
Our brains are more like our hearts in that everything you do for your heart is thought to be equally as good or better for your brain. Exercise is the best studied thing you can do to your brain. It increases brain volume, produces new baby brain cells in grownup brains. ... Using your body can help your brain.
Graydon Royce: At 62, Bernadette Peters can still sing like an angel (Star Tribune)
It seems impossible that Bernadette Peters just turned 62 - until you realize she received the first of her seven Tony nominations in 1971 and made her first film in 1973.
Dan Cairns: "Steve Winwood: he keeps on running" (timesonline.co.uk)
Ahead of a tour with Eric Clapton, the British musician talks about his higher love -- singing in the church choir.
Was Courtney Love taking the mickey? (timesonline.co.uk)
As a child, the grunge icon auditioned for a Disney show but read a poem with the line, 'Daddy, I have had to kill you.'
Charles McNulty: "Lynn Redgrave: An Appreciation" (latimes.com)
Although I never met Lynn Redgrave, the news of her death Sunday at her home in Connecticut following a long bout with breast cancer feels oddly personal, a little like hearing about the passing of a former neighbor for whom you secretly maintained an affectionate regard.
roger ebert's journal: The golden age of movie critics
This is a golden age for film criticism. Never before have more critics written more or better words for more readers about more films. But already you are ahead of me, and know this is because of the internet.
Will Harris: A Chat with Patrick Stewart (bullz-eye.com)
Allow me to begin the introduction to this interview with an unabashed boast: it is a testament to my burgeoning ability to separate my work as a journalist from my sideline as an unabashed fanboy that I was able to sit down with Patrick Stewart for an interview about his work for PBS's "Great Performances" - first as Claudius in "Hamlet," then as the title character in "Macbeth - and not fully acknowledge my love of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" until just as I was standing up to leave.
David Bruce: The Kindest People Who Do Good Deeds: Volume 5 (Lulu.com)
Free download. This 5th book contains 250 anecdotes about good deeds.
The Soviettes - Middle of the Night (youtube.com)
The Weekly Poll
New Question(s)
The 'Double-Trouble' Edition...
This past week has brought two significant issues to our (ahem) attention that begs to be commented upon. (I'm pretty sure you all have opinions on these matters, haha...)
The 'What does that even mean?' Question...
In the aftermath of the enactment of Arizona's 'Papers, please' law, various and sundry administration officials, politicians and activists have said that this event only proves the need for immediate "Comprehensive Immigration Reform". However, specific details were lacking and
Mr. Obama has shied away from the issue by saying congress has no appetite for that political 'hot potato' with the fall mid-term elections looming. So, here's your opportunity to give them your input (or a piece of yer mind, if that works). I trust (cough) Rahm reads Bartcop E*...
What would you like (or not like) CIR to include and when (or) should it be done?
The 'Drill, Baby... Spill!' Question...
Not a month has passed after President Obama proposed increased off-shore oil drilling operations when karma bit him in the ass with the BP platform disaster. (Hello? 911? Gaia calling!)
Should Mr. Obama rescind or modify (how?) his decision?
Send your response to
replied:
From The Creator of 'Avery Ant'
Two-Fer
Links from RJ
Hi there
Two possible links for you... hope you like them/ Thanks for checking
them out as ever
PURPLE GENE
New 'Deep Throat'
PURPLE GENE'S SCOOPS "PEREZ HILTON"!
LINDSAY LOHAN "DEEP THROATS"!!!
LINDSAY LOHAN HAS LANDED THE STARRING ROLE IN A BIOPIC ABOUT ORIGINAL PORN QUEEN LINDA LOVELACE ("DEEP THROAT")
TO BE DIRECTED BY MATTHEW WILDER
TO BE ANNOUNCED AT CANNES THIS MONTH...
FEW PEOPLE KNOW THAT "DEEP THROAT" WAS NOT LINDA'S FIRST MOVIE. BARELY A YEAR BEFORE, MS. LOVELACE MADE HER FIRST "STAG" FILM (8MM) CALLED "PISS ORGY"
GO LINDSAY !
PURPLE GENE
(HOW MANY PEOPLE READING THIS HAVE SEEN "DEEP THROAT"?????)
Wellllllll....
I was still in college when 'Deep Throat' came out.
My parents were out here visiting, so my roommate, Ellie, and I, took them sightseeing in Hollywood.
We were walking past the old Mitchell Brothers theater when dear old dad stopped and started looking at the posters.
It was a double bill of 'Deep Throat' and 'The Devil in Miss Jones'.
One of the drive-ins back in PA had been showing 'blue' movies and some of my parents' pals had gone, but were disappointed, so dad commented that these were the movies they should be showing back there.
Anyway, after some discussion, the 4 of us ended up going inside for the double feature.
I remember the tickets were $5 each, which was obscenely expensive at the time. And I remember how sticky everything there was.
And I remember Ellie asking that if the place was raided would my parents please explain it to her parents.
How many people can say they saw their first porn with their parents?
Sadly, both mom & Ellie are dead now, but it's a very fond memory.
So, yes, I saw 'Deep Throat' at a Mitchell Brothers, in Hollywood, with my parents.
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Sunny and breezy.
Journalists File Lawsuit
"Democracy Now!"
Amy Goodman, host of the syndicated "Democracy Now!" news program, and two of her producers filed suit against the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis and other defendants Wednesday over their arrests while covering the 2008 Republican National Convention.
The three were among an estimated 40 to 50 journalists who were arrested covering street protests at the convention in downtown St. Paul, along with about 800 demonstrators and bystanders.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Minnesota, alleges that authorities violated the First Amendment freedoms of Goodman, her producers and other journalists by interfering with their right to gather news.
"During the RNC, law enforcement arrested journalists without probable cause, physically assaulted them, detained them for lengthy periods, and searched and seized their belongings, including their cameras, video, and other media equipment, even though many of these individuals displayed their press credentials prominently and repeatedly identified themselves as members of the media," the lawsuit alleges.
Goodman, and her producers Nicole Salazar and Sharif Abdel Kouddous, are asking the court to issue a permanent injunction against authorities to prevent interference with their journalistic rights in the future; to declare the actions that restricted their work unconstitutional; and to award unspecified compensatory and punitive monetary damages, including reimbursement for lost or damaged property and medical expenses.
"Democracy Now!"
Says Arizona Boycott Not Warranted
Danny Glover
Actor and activist Danny Glover says a boycott of Arizona may not be an appropriate response by critics of the state's sweeping law targeting illegal immigration.
The "Lethal Weapon" star said Wednesday the law is misguided, a disservice to the state and a reaction to an extraordinary level of fear.
But he believes Arizonans and their leaders will resolve what he calls a moral crisis.
Danny Glover
ABC Expands Finale
"Lost"
There's more "Lost" left than you think.
The producers of ABC's hit drama have shot so much crucial material for the show's hugely anticipated series finale that the network has agreed to extend the last episode by an extra half-hour.
When the "Lost" finale airs Sunday, May 23, the episode will run from 9 to 11:30 p.m. The overrun will air instead of the local news, with the "Jimmy Kimmel Live: Aloha to Lost" post-finale special remaining at 11:30 p.m. ABC is expected to announce the plan on Tuesday night's episode of Kimmel.
The supersizing of the finale is the latest adjustment to what might as well be called "The 'Lost' Weekend." ABC is airing an "enhanced" version of the show's original two-hour pilot on May 22. The following night there's a two-hour retrospective, "Lost: The Final Journey," followed by the finale and Kimmel post-show.
"Lost"
$266M Winning Ticket
Mega Millions
A TV newsroom employee found out while working the graveyard shift that she and her husband have the Mega Millions ticket worth $266 million, her boss at KNBC said Wednesday.
Assignment manager David Reese said the newly minted millionaire called him at 2:30 a.m. to share her good news. Then she finished her shift and asked her colleagues to keep her name a secret until she's ready to step forward, Reese said.
Her good fortune led KNBC's evening newscast. Reporter Cary Berglund said the woman, whom he called "Millionairess X," heard that the winning ticket was purchased in Pico Rivera, called her husband and learned the news.
The woman has worked a freelancer for KNBC for about four years, and her husband was laid off two weeks ago, Reese said.
Mega Millions
A&E Renews
"Paranormal State"
A&E has renewed its ghost-hunting series "Paranormal State" for a fifth season.
The reality show will return during the fourth quarter after the network ordered more 20 episodes. The series follows Ryan Buell and his Paranormal Research Society as they set out on investigating cases nationwide.
A&E plans to announce the pickup Wednesday in New York as part of its "upfront" presentation to advertisers.
"Paranormal State"
Released From Hospital
Bret Michaels
Poison frontman Bret Michaels has been released from a Phoenix hospital and is expected to make a full recovery after suffering a brain hemorrhage last month, his doctor said Tuesday.
Dr. Joseph Zabramski, chief of cerebrovascular surgery at the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, said he recommended that Michaels wait at least four to six weeks before resuming normal activity. He declined to say when Michaels could resume touring. Doctors will examine Michaels every two weeks until he's recovered.
Zabramski said Michaels is fully conscious and aware and talking fine, but he has back spasms and headaches when he tries to walk. He could continue getting back pain and headaches, but Zabramski doesn't expect any other long-term effects. He wouldn't say when Michaels was released or whether he was sent home or to a rehabilitation facility.
The 47-year-old contestant on "The Celebrity Apprentice" is receiving therapy and will probably continue to suffer from severe pain for another seven to 10 days as blood pooled under his brain dissolves. Michaels is a Type 1 diabetic, which limits the available options to ease discomfort.
Bret Michaels
Right-Wing Propaganda Machine
Three of the top five choices in the Southern Republican Leadership Conference's recent straw poll on favorite 2012 presidential candidates had more than one thing in common: They're all on the Fox News Channel payroll.
Fox Rupert
Mike Huckabee hosts his own weekend show at Fox, Newt Gingrich gets frequent air time as an analyst and Sarah Palin is a celebrated recent hire. Mitt Romney, who won the informal sample, does not work for Fox.
A Fox job certainly isn't a requirement for a Republican would-be president. Yet its stature as a town square for opponents of the Obama administration places Fox in what may be a unique position of influence for a television network.
"Fox has almost replaced the Heritage Foundation and AEI (American Enterprise Institute) as the White House in waiting for the Republican Party," said Eric Burns, president of Media Matters for America, a liberal media watchdog.
Fox Rupert
Smithtown Messenger
'Sanford and Son'
A weekly newspaper photo depicting President Barack Obama and his wife as characters from the TV sitcom "Sanford and Son" was intended as political satire and not a racist commentary, the publisher said Wednesday.
Phillip Sciarello, publisher and part owner of the Smithtown Messenger on New York's Long Island, defended the decision to publish the photo, but added the newspaper would run a retraction in its next edition for anyone who might have been offended.
The photo spread features "before and after" shots of the last six presidents and their wives, starting with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and ending with the Obamas. The "after" photo of the Obamas is a shot from the 1970s show, with Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford and LaWanda Page as Sanford's sister-in-law, Aunt Esther. She is seen standing ready to box Sanford; the characters often verbally jousted as part of the show's story line.
The "after" photos of the other presidents feature their images as slightly older than when they took office.
'Sanford and Son'
Rupert's Boy
Simon Cowell
British television and music mogul Simon Cowell on Wednesday backed opposition Conservative leader David Cameron to win the general election, a day before voters go to the polls.
The endorsement will be a blow to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, fighting to win a fourth term for his Labour Party, who has often spoken of his fondness for Cowell shows such as "The X Factor" and "Britain's Got Talent."
The impresario recognised Brown was "very sincere" but expressed doubts that the Labour leader had the energy to live up to the task that would face him if he won the election.
Cowell called for a "British dream" to emulate that of the United States, where he has also made a successful career.The Conservatives have a lead in the opinion polls ahead of Thursday's general election, although most surveys indicate the vote will result in a hung parliament, where no one party has an overall majority.
Simon Cowell
Says Kids Spontaneously Gay
Brazil Bishop
A Brazilian archbishop said adolescents are "spontaneously homosexual" and in need of guidance, while society at large is pedophile, according to a Wednesday report.
Archbishop Dadeus Grings - a conservative priest who has made controversial statements in the past - told the O Globo newspaper at a Brazilian bishops conference that society's woes are being reflected in the sex abuse scandal enveloping the Roman Catholic Church.
Grings is the archbishop of the Porto Alegre diocese, one of the largest in Brazil, which has more Catholics than any other nation. He also serves as the chancellor of the Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul.
Grings denounced the abuse within the church, but he said internal punishment of priests guilty of abuse was sufficient and that police should not be involved.
Last year, he outraged Jewish groups in Brazil by telling a magazine that "more Catholics than Jews died in the Holocaust, but this isn't known because the Jews control the world's media."
Brazil Bishop
3 Spontaneous Priests Charged
Brazil
Police in northeastern Brazil are recommending that three Roman Catholic priests be formally charged with sexually abusing boys.
The recommendation is contained in a report that police in Alagoas state gave to prosecutors Friday following their investigation of an 83-year-old priest allegedly caught on tape having sex with a young man.
Monsignor Luiz Marques Barbosa has been under house arrest for two weeks. A video was played on national television of a priest in bed with a former altar boy. A Senate commission questioning Barbosa played the tape, and he didn't deny it was him.
Police have also asked prosecutors to file charges against two other priests in the same diocese who have been accused of abuse by two other young men.
Brazil
Lose Millions In Gear
Musicians
Brad Paisley's H2O Tour is all wet. Really, really wet. Paisley is one of hundreds of Nashville's top stars, working musicians and tour support company owners who lost what will likely be millions of dollars in gear due the historic floods in Music City. Paisley was poised to start rehearsals for the water-themed tour when record rains inundated the area.
His staging and props are under water, most of his guitars, amps and equipment are destroyed - though his favorite guitar was spared - and he's scrambling to find replacements and suitable rehearsal space with the first stop on the tour at Virginia Beach, Va., just two weeks away.
Paisley is one of an estimated 1,000 musicians and business owners who house gear at Soundcheck Nashville, a storage rental hub in an industrial park down by the Cumberland River. Owner Ben Jumper said the 160,000 square feet of space he rents out is all flooded and the losses will be in the tens of millions. The storage facility is full of classroom-sized "lockers" used to store gear.
Keith Urban lost his gear. Friends say Vince Gill may have lost most of his entire guitar collection, including irreplaceable vintage pieces with historic value. A tractor-trailer full of LeAnn Rimes' road gear is also probably under 3 1/2 to 8 feet of water, her guitarist Ryan Wariner said.
Musicians
A Bounty For Theaters
Trailers
Wondering why the coming attractions keep coming and coming these days?
Simple: For the first time, theater operators routinely are being paid to play movie trailers.
The placement of a half dozen or more trailers, often after seven or eight consumer-product commercials, raises the question of whether such "pre-show" presentations poison moviegoers' mood. The conundrum keeps movie producers awake at night, for the same producers would have to nag studio marketing executives if their films failed to open well.
Which leads to the further question: When will the industry as a whole decide enough is enough?
Trailers
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