Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Satiric Video for Libertarianism
Garrison Keillor: A great nation grinds to a halt
I flew home from Washington Monday night, looking at live pictures on the BP Web site taken by an underwater robot of the greasy waters of the Gulf, and how's that for a Metaphor of Our Times? Aboard a Delta Airbus at 37,000 feet maneuvering around giant thunderheads, connected to the Internet via satellite, looking at dark gloop a mile below the sea, contemplating the death of a beautiful body of water, unable to think of a single sensible thing to do or say about this that would make a milligram of difference, and yet here I sit with a clear view of the situation, like a passenger in a car skidding slowly into the median.
RICHARD ROEPER: For some, prez always does the wrong thing (suntimes.com)
Obama's Memorial Day wasn't in D.C., sets him up for attack.
Mark Morford: Your problems are lame and pathetic (sfgate.com)
Fact: Young people of binge-drinking college age are completely self-centered, insufferable dorkmonkeys with the souls of immature doorknobs, and they have entirely vacuous Facebook pages to match. There, I said it.
"When Experiments Travel: Clinical Trials and the Global Search for Human Subjects" by Adriana Petryna: A review by Sheldon Krimsky
Those of you who browse bulletin boards or ride in buses or subway cars have undoubtedly come across posters bearing messages like this: "If you are between the ages of 18 and 35 and have difficulty sleeping, you may qualify to participate in a new study that could help your condition."
"The Abyss of Human Illusion" by Gilbert Sorrentino: A review by Scott Bryan Wilson
It begins with a depressing description of a bottle of Kraft French Dressing. And what better way to open up "The Abyss of Human Illusion," the final book from the late Gilbert Sorrentino?
Using real people in art isn't just a legal minefield - it's a question of good manners (guardian.co.uk)
I had a brilliant idea for a gossip column once, called LIES. It would be a pack of made-up stories interspersed with stories you imagined were true but couldn't prove, writes Sam Leith.
Walter Tunis: "Of Montreal: It's one man's band" (McClatchy Newspapers)
It is perhaps the antithesis of the everyday rock band design.
Crispin Kott: "All Aboard the Night Train: An Interview with Keane" (popmatters.com)
Few bands have gotten more from less than Keane. The English three-piece boasts a deceptively simple lineup of vocals, piano and drums-and nothing else. This is the sort of roster more often associated with smoky jazz clubs or family-gathering garage bands made up of your siblings. But Keane somehow manage to get a very big sound out of a very small setup.
George Varga: Jewel to do Duet with Technology (creators.com)
Jewel didn't try her luck at the gaming tables after her May 16 concert at Pechanga Casino in Temecula, Calif. "I'm in the music business, so I figure I gamble enough," said Jewel, the veteran singer-songwriter.
Artist Louise Bourgeois dies in New York (timesonline.co.uk)
The French-American contemporary artist, best known for her series of giant metal spiders, has died, aged 98.
Roger Ebert: "Dennis Hopper: In memory"
Dennis Hopper's career began as an actor of alienation in movies like "Rebel Without a Cause." His career as a director began with "Easy Rider." His career as an art collector began went he bought one of Andy Warhol's soup can paintings for $75. His career as a drug abuser began at around the same time, and he told me, simply and factually, "I spent some time in a rubber room."
Susan King: "Hopper: My complicated relationship with James Dean" (latimes.com)
Hopper told me he thought he was "the best young actor around" until he saw Dean on the set of "Rebel. He told Dean: "I don't have a clue what you are doing, but I know how great you are. What should I do? Should I stop my contract [at Warner Bros.] and go study with Lee Strasberg in New York?"
Link from Claudia
John Waters' Advice
This is a gem!
Role Models
John Waters' advice for functional freaks
We've been reading a lot of memoirs this year. We've seen good, bad, and ugly, but our favorite so far is John Waters' Role Models. The book introduces us to a new Pope of Trash - a man who is undeniably fond of the shocking, but who also has a genuine appreciation for true beauty, Hollywood glamour, and great literature. What we found most touching about Role Models, however, is the wisdom Waters imparts throughout the book. Like the eccentric uncle we never had, he waxes profound about how to be a happy, functional freak without killing what makes you different.
Read on for Waters' top 10 pieces of advice from the book
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
wrote:
From The Creator of 'Avery Ant'
Reader Suggestions
Michelle in AZ
Links from RJ
Two-Fer
Hi there
Two possible links for you... thanks for taking the time to look at
them!
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Coastal Eddy is still in town, so June Gloom remains - and I'm not complaining.
UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador
Annie Lennox
The Scottish musician was named UNAIDS goodwill ambassador on Wednesday, and pledged to address the "daily brutality faced by millions of women and girls" suffering from the disease.
Lennox, 55, achieved fame with The Eurythmics, whose "Sweet Dreams" reached No. 1 in the United States in 1983.
She has since performed as a solo artist and spoken out on political issues. Her "SING" campaign raises awareness for AIDS-infected women in southern Africa.
Lennox said: "If we are to end the cycle of human devastation triggered by the AIDS epidemic, we must address the rights of women and girls and challenge their second class citizen status, which puts them at greater risk of HIV."
Annie Lennox
Hollywood Walk O' Fame Star
Randy Newman
Singer and film composer Randy Newman can add a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to his collection of honors.
The songwriter who penned "I Love L.A.," "Sail Away" and the quirky hit "Short People" got the 2,411th star on that famous sidewalk Wednesday.
Eric Idle of Monty Python fame and John Lasseter of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios looked on.
Newman has two Emmys, five Grammys and a best original song Oscar for "If I Didn't Have You," from 2002's "Monsters, Inc."
Randy Newman
Joins U.S. Bid To Host World Cup
Brad Pitt
Actor Brad Pitt has added his name to the U.S. bid committee seeking to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022, U.S. Soccer said on Wednesday.
Pitt joins former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, director Spike Lee and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on the committee.
The United States, Australia, England, Russia and a pair of joint-bids from Belgium/Netherlands and Spain/Portugal are bidding to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cups with Qatar, Japan, and South Korea in the running to host the latter tournament.
The United States hosted the tournament in 1994.
Brad Pitt
Ready To Serve LeBron
Iron Chef
One of the Cavaliers' most famous fans is hoping the way to LeBron James' heart is through his stomach.
Cleveland native Michael Symon, one of Food Network's Iron Chefs, has offered to go to James' house once a month and cook a meal for the MVP's family and friends if he re-signs as a free agent with the Cavaliers. Symon posted a letter to James on his Facebook page.
Symon thanked James for all he has done for the city and urged him to follow his heart when making his decision. Symon also pointed out that some legendary athletes - Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Jim Brown, Bill Russell and Michael Jordan - created their legacies primarily with one team.
Symon said he knows "firsthand" that James is a "class act" and he hopes James stays in Cleveland "so I can watch you finish what you started which is something not many people get to do."
Iron Chef
Donates To Oil-Spill Cleanup
Victoria Principal
As oil continues to pour into the Gulf of Mexico, Victoria Principal has stepped up with a $200,000 donation to help clean things up.
Oceana and the Natural Resources Defense Council say the actress made the donation to encourage the two nonprofits to work together to address the damage along the Gulf Coast and support a shift toward renewable energy.
The former "Dallas" star is among a handful of celebrities who have become involved with the cleanup efforts. Ted Danson, who serves on Oceana's board of directors, is an outspoken critic of offshore drilling. Director James Cameron met with officials to share his expertise on underwater filming and remote vehicle technologies. And Kevin Costner has invested more than $24 million to develop devices now under consideration to help clean up the spill.
Victoria Principal
Religious Leaders Try To Derail Non-Existent Show
Jesus Cartoon
It's not on the air yet. It's not shot yet. There's no pilot yet. There might not even be a script yet.
But Comedy Central's plan to develop an animated project about Jesus Christ has the biggest names in the TV watchdog business forming a protest supergroup to preemptively smite the show.
Brent Bozell (president, Media Research Centre), Tony Perkins (president, Family Research Council), Michael Medved (talk radio host), Bill Donohue (president, Catholic League), Rabbi Daniel Lapin (American Alliance of Jews and Christians) and Tim Winter (president, Parents Television Council) are joining forces to form the Coalition Against Religious Bigotry.
Comedy Central's "JC" is in development, which means it's still a couple of steps from getting the green light as a series. The project is about Jesus trying to live as a regular guy in New York City and wanting to escape the shadow of his "powerful but apathetic father." Because Comedy Central recently censored "South Park" for its portrayals of the Prophet Muhammad, some Christian leaders see the prospect of a Jesus cartoon as proof of an offensive double standard.
Jesus Cartoon
New E-Mail Features
Yahoo
Yahoo Inc. is hoping to turn on a new sharing option in its popular e-mail service without shocking users who prize their privacy.
That's why the Internet company is advising its 280 million e-mail accountholders to review their privacy settings along with their incoming messages.
Yahoo posted the privacy reminder this week as it prepares to unveil new features that will share its e-mail users' online activities and interests with people listed in their address books unless they take steps to prevent the information from being broadcast. The new sharing tools will be appearing in people's e-mail accounts this month.
Yahoo has been testing and talking about these changes for months, but it's treading carefully after seeing both Facebook and Google Inc. stumble recently when they retooled their services so more personal information would appear on the Web. Some of those changes irked users, privacy watchdogs and lawmakers. The outcry prompted Facebook and Google to develop simpler privacy settings to give people greater control over what gets shared online.
Yahoo
Jackson's Hometown Museum
Gary, IN
Work could begin next year on a $300 million museum and arts center dedicated to Michael Jackson in his hometown, his father and Gary officials announced Wednesday.
The late singer last visited Gary in 2003 to talk about the project, but no progress was made on it before his death last year. His father, Joe Jackson, said Wednesday that he was "just carrying out his legacy" by getting involved.
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay said the project would create thousands of jobs and, when finished, was expected to bring at least 750,000 visitors a year to the city. He estimated it would generate $100 million to $150 million in income for the community each year.
The money to build the Jackson Family Museum and Hotel and the Michael Jackson Performing Arts and Cultural Center and Theaters will come from investors and donations, Clay said.
Gary, IN
To Address NM County's Concerns
Val Kilmer
Actor Val Kilmer is set to appear before a board of county commissioners in New Mexico to explain derogatory comments he's been quoted as making about the state.
San Miguel County Attorney Jesus Lopez says the manager of Kilmer's Pecos River Ranch told officials the "Batman Forever" actor plans to show up on June 23.
A 2003 Rolling Stone article quoted Kilmer as saying he lives in the "homicide capital of the Southwest" and that 80 percent "of the people in my county are drunk."
Kilmer wants the county to approve a permit allowing him to rent out three guest houses on his ranch. The county's planning and zoning commission approved the request, but the county commission wants him to explain his earlier remarks.
Val Kilmer
Memorabilia Fetches Over £500,000
Winston Churchill
An auction of memorabilia of wartime leader Winston Churchill, including a cigar and a letter in which he rejects making terms with Adolf Hitler, fetched 577,063 pounds on Wednesday.
The collection was assembled over 30 years by Malcolm S. Forbes Jr., a descendant of the Forbes magazine founder, and is due to be sold in three parts, the first at Christie's in London on Wednesday.
The London sale had been expected to raise up to one million pounds, and consisted of about 140 lots.
The rest of the collection is due to be sold on December 3 in New York and London in the summer of 2011.
Winston Churchill
Joins Facebook
Chimpy
Facebook has a new member -- former US resident George W. Bush. Bush joined the fast-growing social network on Wednesday and his profile page (facebook.com/georgewbush), attracted more than 2,000 fans within a few hours.
The first post on the page touted Bush's accomplishments since leaving office in January 2009.
The next post touted the memoir written by former first lady Laura "Pickles" Bush, "Spoken from the Heart," noting that it was number one on The New York Times bestseller list for the third consecutive week.
The messages visible on Bush's page were overwhelmingly positive although a Facebook user named Brent Bender posted "You were an incredibly incompetent president" and others complained that their comments had been deleted.
Chimpy
Prime-Time Nielsens
Ratings
Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by the Nielsen Co. for May 24-30. Listings include the week's ranking and viewership.
1. "American Idol" (Wednesday), Fox, 24.22 million.
2. "American Idol" (Tuesday), Fox, 20.07 million.
3. "Dancing With the Stars," (Monday), ABC, 19.36 million.
4. "Dancing With the Stars Results," (Tuesday, 9 p.m.), ABC, 18.4 million.
5. "NCIS," CBS, 16.3 million.
6. "Two and a Half Men," CBS, 15.46 million.
7. "The Big Bang Theory," CBS, 15.02 million.
8. "NCIS: Los Angeles," CBS, 13.23 million.
9. "Criminal Minds," CBS, 12.97 million.
10. "CSI: Miami," CBS, 12.38 million.
11. "CSI: NY," CBS, 11.96 million.
12. "Glee," Fox, 11.37 million.
13. "The Good Wife," CBS, 10.6 million.
14. "The Biggest Loser 9," NBC, 9.96 million.
15. "The Mentalist," CBS, 9.93 million.
16. "Dancing With the Stars" (Tuesday, 8 p.m.), ABC, 9.4 million.
17. "The Bachelorette," ABC, 9.08 million.
18. "24," Fox, 8.94 million.
19. "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS, 8.35 million.
20. "So You Think You Can Dance" (Thursday), Fox, 8.25 million.
Ratings
In Memory
Kazuo Ohno
Kazuo Ohno, who brought the Japanese modern dance style of Butoh to the international stage and charmed audiences with eerie but poetic performances, has died. He was 103.
Ohno was credited along with Tatsumi Hijikata as a founder of Butoh - a dance form characterized by slow movements executed in a low crouched stance and often performed in whiteface. He died Tuesday of respiratory failure, Japanese media reports said.
Ohno was one of the chief players in the formative years of Butoh, starting in the late 1950s. Butoh is now studied all over the world.
Among Ohno's signature pieces was "Admiring La Argentina," a solo originally directed by Hijikata in which Ohno pays homage to and impersonates Spanish dancer Antonia Merce, whom Ohno saw as a student and deeply admired.
Over the years, Ohno has influenced every Butoh performer, including the U.S.-based Eiko and Koma, a pair of dancers who studied with Ohno at his Yokohama studio.
Unlike Hijikata's performances, dominated by themes of violence and defiance, Ohno's messages in his dance were gently whimsical but equally provocative and daring in raising questions about definitions of beauty and death.
Ohno was born on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido, a son of a fisherman. He began to study dance after graduating from college in the 1930s, including under Japanese modern dancer Baku Ishii.
Ohno was active in his 70s and 80s, performing in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere. He remained determined to perform even in his 90s, so that he "danced" seated in a chair.
Wearing long dresses and fancy hats, sometimes a tattered kimono, Ohno appeared on stage, often curling his body, contorting his face and bending his arms crookedly.
Yet, at the same time, he would transform into a graceful, eternally beautiful woman in the essence of his statements and otherworldly presence.
Funeral arrangements were undecided. He is survived by his son, dancer and collaborator Yoshito Ohno, another son Yukito Nagatani, his brother Masao Ohno, two sisters Sachi Shigeno and Fujiko Ohbe, and three grandsons, according to his dance studio office.
Kazuo Ohno
| CURRENT MOON lunar phases |
