'Best of TBH Politoons'
Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Peter G. Gosselin: The New Deal (Los Angeles Times)
Why do so many families report being financially less secure even as the nation has grown more prosperous?
Paul Krugman: "Just Say No"
(Click on "Columns," then on "Just Say No.")
(P)resident Bush's effort to hustle the nation into dismantling Social Security as we know it seems to be faltering: the more voters hear about how privatization would work, the less they like it.
Jim Hightower: Bad News for You is Good News for Them
By holding down your wages, corporations fatten their profits, stock prices rise, and Wall Street's high-rolling investors rejoice.
Danielle Murray: The Age of Icelessness (Environment News Service. Posted on Alternet.)
According to the latest forecasts, the Arctic could be ice-free in the summer by the end of this century.
Peter Mehlman: Channel Surfing to a Life of Crime (Los Angeles Times)
CBS has a new show called "Numb3rs."
Kate Meier: Barbie
She's blond. She has long, tan legs and killer outfits -- not to mention breasts Pamela Anderson would envy.
David Bruce: Wise-up: Dance
Q: Why don't some strictly religious people have sex while standing up? A: They are afraid someone might see them and think they are dancing.
Financial Costs of 'Don't Ask'
Military Personnel
Source
An interesting study from the Department of Defense (PDF Format). About 9,500 servicemembers have been "separated" from the U.S. military (read "discharged") in the past 10 years for being gay or lesbian. The D.O.D. commissioned this study to see how much their fear of gay was costing them to recruit new servicefolks. For the Army, Navy and Air Force, the cost turned out to be about $95 million, over the past decade. (The total for the Marines couldn't be counted.)
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Another overcast morning followed by a sunny afternoon.
Dear old Dad had better than 2' of snow - he wasn't too happy about it.
Hosts British Music Reception
Queen Elizabeth
'The O.C.' - March 10
New Star Wars Trailer
Darth Vader is coming to The O.C.
The trailer for Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith will premiere during the March 10 episode of the Fox show. The final instalment of the Star Wars saga will open in theatres on May 19. The new trailer will be released in movie theatres beginning March 11.
The O.C. airs Thursdays (8 p.m. EST).
New Star Wars Trailer
Oscar Win Turns TiVo Moment
Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx's passionate acceptance speech for his best-actor award for "Ray" was the Oscar moment most replayed by TiVo viewers.
Foxx, honored at Sunday's Academy Awards for his portrayal of Ray Charles, paid tribute to the late musician and to Foxx's own grandmother, who he said raised him to be "a Southern gentleman."
The second most-popular moment with TiVo digital video recorder customers was the best-picture win by Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby," which captured a total of four awards.
Jamie Foxx
Lawmakers Going After Pay TV, Radio
'Decency Limits'
Two top U.S. Republican lawmakers on Tuesday said they want to apply broadcast decency standards to cable television and satellite television and radio to protect children from explicit content.
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens said he would push legislation this year to accomplish that goal and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton said he would back it if it does not violate free speech rights.
Stevens cited the discussion of masturbation and sex toys during prime time television as one example of content that bothered him. He told reporters he would extend the restrictions to premium channels like HBO as well.
Stevens disputed assertions by the cable industry that Congress cannot impose limits on its content. "If that's the issue they want to take on, we'll take it on and let the Supreme Court decide."
'Decency Limits'
Suing New Line Cinema
Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson's production company has sued New Line Cinema, claiming it was shortchanged on profits from the first film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Wingnut Films alleges in a federal lawsuit filed in Los Angeles that New Line and subsidiary Katja Motion Pictures failed to properly calculate revenue, including revenue from DVD sales, from 2001's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
The lawsuit doesn't specify an amount sought in damages but claims the movie grossed more than $314 million US in box office receipts in the United States and more than $556 million overseas, plus revenue from video and merchandise sales.
Peter Jackson
Rips Tribune Co. 'Greed' in Exit Memo
Laurie Garrett
Laurie Garrett, the prize-winning Newsday reporter, left the Melville, N.Y., paper Monday with a blistering memo to her colleagues that may provoke debate elsewhere in the newspaper industry.
Garrett, whose leave of absence allowing her to work at the Council on Foreign Relations ends March 8, announced that she would not be returning to her paper largely because her work at the Council had proven to be the most exciting challenge of her life. But clearly there were other circumstances as well.
Ever since the Chandler Family plucked Mark Willes from General Foods, placing him at the helm of Times Mirror with a mandate to destroy the institutions in ways that would boost dividends, journalism has suffered at Newsday, she wrote in the memo, which was posted at the Poynter Institute's Romenesko site. The pain of the last year actually began a decade ago: the sad arc of greed has finally hit bottom. The leaders of Times Mirror and Tribune have proven to be mirrors of a general trend in the media world: They serve their stockholders first, Wall St. second and somewhere far down the list comes service to newspaper readerships.
The deterioration we experienced at Newsday was hardly unique," she wrote in the memo, describing the past few years. "All across America news organizations have been devoured by massive corporations, and allegiance to stockholders, the drive for higher share prices, and push for larger dividend returns trumps everything that the grunts in the newsrooms consider their missions. Long gone are the days of fast-talking, whiskey-swilling Murray Kempton peers eloquently filling columns with daily dish on government scandals, mobsters and police corruption. The sort of in-your-face challenge that the Fourth Estate once posed for politicians has been replaced by mud-slinging, lies and, where it ought not be, timidity.
For the rest, Laurie Garrett
Tour Surpassing Expectations
Motley Crue
In a blockbuster that few in the industry saw coming, the reunited Motley Crue will end up playing well over 100 dates in 2005.
Nine shows into a 50-date North American tour, the Crue is doing sellout or near-sellout business. Now, the band has announced another 57 shows in North America, with a trip to Europe sandwiched between.
The first North American leg wraps May 1. The band will then play Europe and pick up again July 26 in Los Angeles for dates through Oct. 16 in Sioux City, Iowa, under the Carnival Of Sin tour banner.
Motley Crue
Returning to Series TV
Marilu Henner
Former "Taxi" star Marilu Henner is returning to series television in the ABC comedy pilot "Joint Custody."
The project centers on a recent college graduate (Nick D'Agosto) who returns home to find his mother (Henner) and father divorced.
Also returning to TV series are Kristen Johnston ("3rd Rock from the Sun") and Laura San Giacomo ("Just Shoot Me").
Johnston will star in Fox's "Don't Ask," about a 13-year-old who struggles to keep his family functioning when his dad leaves his mom (Johnston) for another man.
San Giacomo will co-star in an untitled WB Network project, playing one of four sisters navigating career, romance and relationships in New York.
Marilu Henner
Ahnold Takes Cue From Turd Blossom's Textbook
More Fake 'News'
Using taxpayer money, Gov. Arnold '2 Passports' Schwarzenegger's (R-Philanderer) administration has sent television stations statewide a mock news story extolling a proposal that would benefit political boosters in the business community by ending mandatory lunch breaks for many hourly workers.
The tape looks like a news report and is narrated by a former television reporter who now works for the state. But unlike an actual news report, it does not provide views critical of the proposed changes. Democrats have denounced it as propaganda. Snippets aired on as many as 18 stations earlier this month, the administration said.
The tape opens with text suggesting introductory comments to be read by a news anchor: "If approved, the changes would clear up uncertainty in the business community and create a better working environment throughout the state."
The tape makes no mention that organized labor opposes the changes, or that workers would have a harder time suing employers over missed meal breaks.
Also, the responsibility for ensuring that workers take breaks would shift from employers to employees. The administration says the change would give workers flexibility.
Fake 'News' Video Extols Ahnold's Plan
Calls for Pet Fur Trade Ban
Heather Mills McCartney
Choking back tears and holding aloft a coat made from the skins of 42 Alsatian (German Shepherd) puppies, Heather Mills McCartney, wife of ex-Beatle Paul, called for a European ban on cat and dog fur imports Tuesday.
"I became aware of this (trade) only four months ago," she told a news conference in Brussels at the European Parliament.
Animal rights activists estimate that 2 million cats and dogs are killed in Asia each year for their fur which is imported into Europe under false labels, saying it either fake fur or exotic Asian species, to make soft toys, blankets, coats and fur trims on hoods.
Heather Mills McCartney
Jerusalem Kissing Scene a Mistake
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman says filming a kissing scene beside Jerusalem's Western Wall for her upcoming movie "Free Zone" was a mistake.
"I really don't want to offend anyone's beliefs or impose anything on anyone and it was mistaken to do it," Portman told "Access Hollywood" in an interview broadcast Monday.
The 23-year-old Israeli-born actress and her crew were confronted by ultra-Orthodox Jewish worshippers last week while filming the scene with Israeli actor Aki Avni. The incident underlined the sensitivity of the site, a remnant of the biblical Jewish temples, the holiest place where Jews can pray.
Natalie Portman
The Tower of London Ravens
Crows Culled
If legend is to be believed, the future of the British monarchy lies in the hands of a sharp-shooting warder at the Tower of London.
For the six ravens who roam one of Britain's landmark fortresses are under threat from up to 200 crows who have invaded their royal domain, spreading disease and stealing food.
So every Sunday at dawn, before the daily tourist invasion begins, Yeoman Warder Derrick Coyle roams The Tower with his .22 air rifle to cull the crows.
For the beefeater, it is a weighty responsibility securing a haven for the ravens. Legend has it that if the ravens leave, The Tower of London will fall and so will the monarchy.
The ravens themselves eat like kings -- from chicken hearts bought each morning by the ravenmaster at London's Smithfields Market to biscuits soaked in blood.
Crows Culled
Man Shot in NYC Radio Station Lobby
50 Cent
A man was shot in the leg Monday night in the lobby of a Manhattan radio station while rapper 50 Cent was making an on-air appearance, police said.
According to Newsday, the injured man was a member of 50 Cent's entourage. The newspaper reported that the shooting happened shortly after 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, announced he was dropping his protege The Game from his hip-hop clique, G-Unit.
The shooting occurred about 10 p.m. at WQHT-FM, or Hot 97, police spokesman Sgt. Kevin Farrell told The Associated Press. 50 Cent, who was at the station promoting the upcoming release of his new album "The Massacre," was not harmed in the incident.
50 Cent
Master Class in Paris
Moby
Electronic pop supremo Moby is to give a master-class in Paris on March 16 ahead of a concert here to mark the release of his fifth album "Hotel", French chainstore Fnac said.
Moby will explain during how he creates his unique techno dance music sound, his musical influences and his militant politics.
In 2003 Moby teamed up with Jonathan Soros -- son of billionaire George Soros -- to launch an Internet competition for a TV commercial attacking resident George W. Bush.
Moby
Music Debut Hits Wrong Note
Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson, the self-proclaimed "baddest man in the world," who once bit a boxing opponent in the ring, is giving Italy's most famous musical festival a dose of controversy since being invited as a celebrity guest.
Tyson will reportedly earn as much as 70,000 euros ($92,460) from state broadcaster RAI to appear at the Sanremo festival on Wednesday, outraging groups, including Amnesty International, which pointed to his rape conviction.
As a concession to critics, RAI will make sure the celebrity guest appears on television only after 10:30 p.m. -- when more "adult" material is permitted on the airwaves.
Sanremo organizers thought the appearance of Tyson, a household name even in Italy, would add a bit of spice to the annual Italian music festival which hosts mostly homegrown stars like pop singer Vasco Rossi.
Mike Tyson
Prime-Time Nielsen
Ratings
Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen Media Research for Feb. 21-27. Top 20 listings include the week's ranking, with viewership for the week and season-to-date rankings in parentheses. An "X" in parentheses denotes a one-time-only presentation.
1. (X) "Academy Awards," ABC, 42.1 million viewers.
2. (1) "American Idol" (Tuesday), Fox, 28.3 million viewers.
3. (2) "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS, 28.1 million viewers.
4. (X) "Oscar Countdown," ABC, 27.7 million viewers.
5. (3) "American Idol" (Wednesday), Fox, 26.7 million viewers.
6. (X) "American Idol" (Monday), Fox, 23.5 million viewers.
7. (5) "Survivor: Palau," CBS, 21.6 million viewers.
8. (7) "Without a Trace," CBS, 21.4 million viewers.
9. (14) "Lost," ABC, 19.5 million viewers.
10. (6) "CSI: Miami," CBS, 19.5 million viewers.
11. (12) "Two and a Half Men," CBS, 17.5 million viewers.
12. (10) "ER," NBC, 16 million viewers.
13. (62) "House," Fox, 15.5 million viewers.
14. (23) "Law & Order," NBC, 14.5 million viewers.
15. (19) "CSI: NY," CBS, 14.3 million viewers.
16. (18) "The Apprentice 3," NBC, 14.2 million viewers.
17. (20) "Law & Order: SVU," NBC, 14 million viewers.
18. (15) "Medium," NBC, 13.8 million viewers.
19. (21) "NCIS," CBS, 13.6 million viewers.
20. (37) "24," Fox, 13.2 million viewers.
Ratings
In Memory
Ruth Salzman Adams
Ruth Salzman Adams, an editor who gave a voice to scientists concerned about the dangers of nuclear weapons during the Cold War, died Friday of cancer. She was 81.
Adams' death was announced by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, for whom she began working in 1983.
As editor of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists from 1961 to 1968 and from 1978 to 1983, Adams provided a forum for scientists to express their opposition to the deployment and use of nuclear weapons.
From 1968 to 1971, Adams was a consultant and research associate at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in Cambridge, Mass. She was executive director of the Illinois American Civil Liberties Union from 1971 to 1974.
Adams, who edited several books, joined the MacArthur Foundation in 1983, concentrating on programs that highlighted the risks posed by weapons of mass destruction.
Ruth Salzman Adams
In Memory
Chris Curtis
Chris Curtis, drummer with British band The Searchers that briefly rivaled The Beatles in the 1960s, died Monday. He was 63.
Band members said Curtis, whose real name was Christopher Crummey, was found dead at his home in Liverpool after a long illness. The exact cause of death was not disclosed.
Formed in the same rough-and-ready Liverpool club scene as The Beatles and named after a Western by John Ford, The Searchers briefly rivaled the Fab Four for popularity. After The Beatles' success made Liverpool acts a hot property, The Searchers were signed by Pye Records.
The band scored international hits with "Needles and Pins," "Sugar and Spice" and "Don't Throw Your Love Away." Curtis played drums and contributed to the band's distinctive vocal harmonies.
Curtis left The Searchers in 1966, but the band carried on, with several lineup changes. In recent years, members engaged in acrimonious legal battles over the right to the group's name.
Curtis later joined Roundabout, which evolved, after his departure, into hard rock behemoths Deep Purple.
Curtis eventually worked as a civil servant until poor health forced him to retire.
Chris Curtis
