Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Video: Lucky Day (flixxy.com)
A compilation of some of the luckiest people on earth - featuring pedestrians, railway passengers, motorcyclists, car drivers, tenants, spectators, policemen and bank robbers.
Insanely crowded Korean beach (10 photos)
Oops! That was a Korean beach from yesterday's "From Bruce," not a Chinese beach. My bad.
Born in the U.S.A.
The truth about Obama's birth certificate.
David Bruce: Wise Up! Animals
At a Westminster Dog Show in Madison Square Garden, a woman was selling an expensive coat made for dogs. Saying "We want her dog to look as smart as madame," the saleslady held up a pink cocktail coat made out of embroidered silk with a lining of mohair. Sportswriter Robert Lipsyte asked her, "When would a dog wear that?" The saleslady replied, "After 5 o'clock."
Mark Morford: How to regret ever having children (sfgate.com)
It was a time, wasn't it? Back when you could only walk about 10 feet with a telephone, cars the size of Buicks got five miles to the gallon and the sun itself wasn't yet planning the certain doom of the entire planet?
TIMOTHY EGAN: Building a Nation of Know-Nothings (nytimes.com)
Having shed much of his dignity, core convictions and reputation for straight talk, Senator John McCain won his primary on Tuesday against the flat-earth wing of his party. Now McCain can go search for his lost character, which was last on display late in his 2008 campaign for president.
Jim Hightower: MOTT'S WORKERS STAND UP FOR AMERICA
Who'll take a stand for America's founding ethic of the common good? You won't get such leadership from Washington - and damned sure not from those in the corporate suites who're ruthlessly pushing an ethic of uncommon greed, saying to the middle class: "Adios, chumps."
Aditya Chakrabortty: Why our jobs are getting worse (guardian.co.uk)
There's a good reason why so many of us no longer like going to work. There's not much call for thinking these days.
Dahlia Lithwick: The Mother of All Grizzlies (slate.com)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg shows how feminism is done. Again.
Froma Harrop: Mad Men in a Saner Time (creators.com)
"Mad Men" just won its third Emmy for "outstanding drama." If there were a gold statue for "best nostalgic portrayal," the AMC series would have walked off with that one, too. The allure and success of "Mad Men" is its stylish evocation of a lost era that many older Americans miss and younger ones envy.
"Exploring Happiness" By SISSELA BOK: Reviewed by A.C. Grayling (barnesandnoble.com)
Is happiness the point? If so, why not put Prozac in the public water supply? Many people achieve the same effect with drink, drugs, and either the brainwashed or the cherry-picked-for-convenience versions of religion. A better answer might lie in the choice made by some when asked, "Which would you rather be: a happy pig, or an unhappy Socrates?"
Alison Flood: From Stieg Larsson to Trainspotting: the best modern literary book tours (guardian.co.uk)
You've read the decade's hottest books. Now visit the locations.
One last thing... Salt-N-Pepa (guardian.co.uk)
Good news if you like to Push It, great if you're a randy whale: rap duo Salt-N-Pepa are in town. Rich Pelley goes old skool.
Christopher Borrelli: Jim Peterik has been a rock star for decades, and he's not about to change now (Chicago Tribune)
He's a friendly stranger in a black sedan. Won't you hop inside his car?
The Weekly Poll
NEW POLL SEPTEMBER 7th... Stay tuned!
BadToTheBoneBob
wrote:
answered:
From The Creator of 'Avery Ant'
Reader Suggestion
Michelle in AZ
This needs to be spread far AND WIDE!!!!!
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Sunny with a nice breeze.
Show Named
`Conan'
There's Madonna, Oprah and now ... "Conan."
Conan O'Brien took the simple approach Wednesday in announcing the name of his new talk show on TBS.
"Conan" will kick off Nov. 8.
He posted a YouTube video announcing the show's name to his fans. He scrawled the name on a white sheet of paper using a black marking pen.
`Conan'
'Top Gear' Driver ID'd
The Stig
The opaque visor of one of Britain's most famous helmets has been lifted.
The identity of The Stig, the always-anonymous test driver on the popular television show "Top Gear," has long been a closely guarded secret. On Wednesday, lawyers said the BBC had been refused an injunction blocking publication of a book revealing the identity of the character.
Shortly after, publishers HarperCollins said in a statement that a 33-year-old racing driver named Ben Collins "has a great story to tell about his seven years as The Stig, which will appeal to a wide audience beyond just motoring enthusiasts."
The white-suited Stig is the second in the role; the first Stig, who wore a black suit and helmet, was Perry McCarthy. He left the show in 2003 after his identity was revealed.
The Stig
Web Reality Experiment
"ControlTV"
"Robot Chicken" creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich are launching an online reality experiment in which viewers decide every major decision a person makes for six weeks.
In "ControlTV," a twentysomething man is told what to wear, what to eat, where to work and who to date in real time by users online.
The high-concept premise has Green and Senreich partnering with Ford and Sprint Nextel as embedded advertisers (the protagonist will drive a 2011 Ford Fiesta, and a Sprint phone will be used in the program).
"ControlTV places the audience in complete control of a show for the first time ever, and we are eager to learn what they will decide for our protagonist," Green said.
"ControlTV"
Gets Jimmy Stewart Museum Honor
Patrick Wayne
Actor Patrick Wayne is being honored later this year by a western Pennsylvania museum dedicated to actor Jimmy Stewart.
At an Oct. 23 ceremony Wayne will receive one of the museum's Harvey Awards for himself and another for his late father, western movie star John Wayne.
The James M. Stewart Museum Foundation is based in Stewart's hometown, Indiana, Pa., about 45 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
Patrick Wayne appeared in the movie "Shenandoah" with Stewart. His father appeared in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and "The Shootist" with Stewart.
Patrick Wayne
Police Kill Gunman
Discovery Channel
A man who railed against the Discovery Channel's environmental programming for years burst into the company's headquarters with at least one explosive device strapped to his body Wednesday and took three people hostage at gunpoint before police shot him to death, officials said.
The hostages - two Discovery Communications employees and a security guard - were unhurt after the four-hour standoff. Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger said tactical officers moved in after officers monitoring Lee on building security cameras saw him pull out a handgun and point it at a hostage.
An explosive device on the gunman's body detonated when police shot him, Manger said. Police were trying to determine whether two boxes and two backpacks the gunman also contained explosives.
NBC News reported that when its producers called Discovery's general number, a man identifying himself as James J. Lee answered and said he had a gun and several bombs.
Discovery Channel
Banned From Wynn Resorts
Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton was banned Wednesday from two Wynn resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, and her boyfriend was dismissed as a nightclub partner following their arrests in a vehicle that police said reeked of marijuana.
Wynn Resorts Ltd. spokeswoman Jennifer Dunne told The Associated Press Hilton had been barred from Wynn Las Vegas and Encore.
Meanwhile, boyfriend Cy Waits was "separated" from his job after less than a week as top managing partner of the Tryst Nightclub at Wynn and XS The Nightclub at Encore, Dunne said in a statement.
Dunne said Waits' twin brother, Jesse Waits, is continuing as general partner of the Wynn resorts' Tryst and XS clubs.
The brothers were hired by Steve Wynn five years ago and became the casino owner's top club managers last week when Wynn bought out Victor Drai.
Paris Hilton
Lawsuit Dismissed
Nicolas Cage
Court records show a lawsuit in which Nicolas Cage accused a former business manager of mismanagement has been dismissed.
A counterclaim by the manager, Samuel J. Levin, also was dismissed.
Cage sued Levin for $20 million in October, claiming the accountant led him on a path to financial ruin.
Court records indicated both cases were dismissed Monday. No other details were available.
Nicolas Cage
Cast Announced
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The soon to be ex-wife of "Frasier" star Kelsey Grammer and a pair of Paris Hilton's aunts are among the women who make up the cast of the "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."
The reality show, slated to premiere on U.S. cable network Bravo on October 14, follows the lives of well-connected women in the wealthy community of doctors, lawyers, business professionals and, of course, Hollywood stars. The cast was announced on Tuesday.
Grammer is arguably the best known castmember of the Beverly Hills housewives group, owing to her relationship with her actor husband, whom she is currently divorcing. The show began taping before the pair announced their breakup.
Other notables include Kim Richards -- a former child star who appeared in Disney's "Escape to Which Mountain" franchise during the 1970s -- who is the aunt of celebrity socialite's Paris and Nicky Hilton. Richards is joined on the show by her younger sister Kyle Richards, also an actress.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Director Banned From Travelling
Jafar Panahi
Iranian director Jafar Panahi, who was released from jail earlier this year, said on Wednesday he was not allowed to leave his home country to attend the Venice film festival.
In a written statement to the festival, where his short film "The Accordion" is screening, Panahi said that he had been officially banned from making films in the past five years.
Panahi, a supporter of opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi in last year's disputed presidential election, was released on bail in May after a week on hunger strike. He had been held for 88 days as authorities suspected him of planning to make an anti-government film.
Panahi thanked the cinema industry for its support -- particularly at this year's Cannes festival, where French actress Juliette Binoche criticized Iran for imprisoning him in her acceptance speech for the best actress award.
Jafar Panahi
It Could Have Been Worse
DWTS
We've seen who will cut a rug on the next "Dancing With the Stars." But do you know who turned ABC down?
According to a source involved with casting, the network approached Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg to join the dance card for the show's 11th cycle but was unable to secure him.
The network also lobbied unsuccessfully for Sylvester Stallone (R-Steroids), political commentator Ann Coulter (R-Unhinged), former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R-Warmonger), the real Erin Brockovich, billionaire Richard Branson, comic actor Tim Allen and former TV darling Suzanne Somers.
Others who have taken a pass: Reality star Kirstie Alley, "Community" star Joel McHale and "The Price Is Right" host Drew Carey.
DWTS
HBO Renews For Season 3
"Hung"
HBO has picked up its comedy series "Hung" for a third season, ordering 10 episodes to air next year.
The pickup wasn't entirely expected. The show has performed modestly for the network, roughly matching "Entourage," and dipped slightly from its first-season average.
With "Entourage" airing a short six-episode final season next summer, however, letting "Hung" hang around another year gives HBO a familiar face to pair with a new comedy.
"Hung"
Tradition Ends
Michigan State Fair
Rabbit breeder Rob Usakowski typically spends the week before Labor Day helping his daughters show their Jersey Woolies and Holland Lops at the Michigan State Fair.
This year, he and his family are home after Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm canceled the fair, saying debt-ridden Michigan could no longer afford to subsidize it. Granholm's decision makes Michigan the only Midwestern state and one of few nationwide without a state fair.
The Michigan State Fair had been a state tradition for 160 years and held at Eight Mile and Woodward, within Detroit city limits, since 1905. But the fair had been running deficits and needed $360,000 from the state in 2008 to cover losses. Fewer than 220,000 people passed through last year. At its peak in 1966, the fair drew 1 million.
Like those in other states, the Michigan fair had its roots in agrarian fairs in Europe, where farmers met to discuss farming techniques and equipment. As waves of immigrants came to the U.S., they influenced the fairs, which added ethnic foods and other attractions.
Michigan State Fair
Chinese Villagers Rorced To Change Name
Shan
Villagers in eastern China has been forced by the country's unbending bureaucracy to change their family name as the character is so rare it cannot be typed.
The problem affects about 200 people in a village in Shandong province who share the surname Shan.
The residents had no problem when identity cards, driving licences and other documents could be handwritten, but now they have to be printed using computers, and their name is so unusual it does not exist in standard word processing programmes.
"Nobody wants to do it, but under the circumstances we have no choice," villager Xian Xuexin told state television, using the new, easy to type family name he has been compelled to adopt.
Shan
Cabe Nielsens
Ratings
Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by the Nielsen Co. for the week of Aug. 23-29. Day and start time (EDT) are in parentheses:
1. "The Closer" (Monday, 9 p.m.), TNT, 5.3 million homes, 7.04 million viewers.
2. "Rizzoli & Isles" (Monday, 10 p.m.), TNT, 5.15 million homes, 6.73 million viewers.
3. "Burn Notice" (Thursday, 9 p.m.), USA, 4.29 million homes, 6.28 million viewers.
4. "Royal Pains" (Thursday, 10 p.m.), USA, 4.21 million homes, 6.07 million viewers.
5. "Covert Affairs" (Tuesday, 10 p.m.), USA, 4.16 million homes, 5.86 million viewers.
6. "Jersey Shore 2" (Thursday, 10 p.m.), MTV, 4.15 million homes, 5.82 million viewers.
7. NFL Exhibition Football: Indianapolis vs. Green Bay (Thursday, 8 p.m.), ESPN, 4.14 million homes, 5.72 million viewers.
8. NFL Exhibition Football: Arizona vs. Tennessee (Monday, 8 p.m.), ESPN, 3.85 million homes, 5.06 million viewers.
9. "White Collar" (Tuesday, 9 p.m.), USA, 3.36 million homes, 4.59 million viewers.
10. "True Blood" (Sunday, 9:04 p.m.), HBO, 3.35 million homes, 5.44 million viewers.
11. "WWE Raw" (Monday, 10 p.m.), USA, 3.32 million homes, 4.94 million viewers.
12. "Good Luck Charlie" (Sunday, 8:30 p.m.), Disney, 3.18 million homes, 4.25 million viewers.
13. "WWE Raw" (Monday, 9 p.m.), USA, 3.1 million homes, 4.64 million viewers.
14. "Sonny With a Chance" (Sunday, 8 p.m.), Disney, 2.982 million homes, 4.07 million viewers.
15. "Memphis Beat" (Tuesday, 10 p.m.), TNT, 2.981 million homes, 3.86 million viewers.
Ratings
In Memory
Cedric, the Tasmanian Devil
A Tasmanian devil named Cedric, once thought to be immune to a contagious facial cancer threatening the iconic creatures with extinction, has been euthanized after succumbing to the disease, researchers said Wednesday.
The death of the devil - previously heralded as a possible key to saving the species - is another blow for scientists struggling to stop the rapid spread of the cancer, which is transmitted when the furry black marsupials bite each other.
"It was very disappointing indeed," said scientist Alex Kreiss of the Menzies Research Institute in Hobart, Tasmania, which has led the studies on Cedric. "It's just made us more determined to keep the research going."
The Tasmanian devil population has plummeted by 70 percent since Devil Facial Tumor Disease was first discovered in 1996. The snarling, fox-sized creatures - made famous by their Looney Tunes cartoon namesake Taz - don't exist in the wild outside Tasmania, an island state south of the Australian mainland.
In 2007, Menzies researchers injected Cedric and his half brother Clinky with facial cancer cells. Clinky developed the disease, but Cedric showed an immune response and grew no tumors - giving researchers hope that he could help them create a vaccine.
But in late 2008, Cedric developed two small facial tumors after being injected with a different strain of the cancer, which causes grotesque facial growths that eventually grow so large, it becomes impossible for the devils to eat. Current estimates suggest the species could be extinct within 25 years due to the prolific spread of the cancer.
Researchers removed the tumors, and Cedric appeared to be rallying. But X-rays taken two weeks ago showed the cancer had spread to the 5-year-old's lungs, Kreiss said. Tests confirmed the lung tumors were a result of facial tumor disease.
The Menzies scientists buried Cedric, but have no plans to hold an official memorial for him, Kreiss said. Still, he hopes people will look to Cedric as a reminder of the hard work that must be done if the beloved creatures are to be saved.
Cedric, the Tasmanian Devil
| CURRENT MOON lunar phases |
