'TBH Politoons'
Thanks, again, Tim!
Weekly Review
HARPER'S WEEKLY REVIEW
March 18, 2003
resident George W. Bush went on television and gave Saddam
Hussein and his sons 48 hours to leave Iraq; the resident
recited a long list of Security Council resolutions that
"the dictator" has failed to obey, and then he berated the
Security Council for refusing to submit to his war agenda.
Bush repeated the discredited charge that Iraq has armed and
trained Al Qaeda terrorists, and he even mentioned the
"poison factory" that, upon inspection, had no plumbing.
Bush observed that "we are not dealing with peaceful men"
and all but issued a declaration of war; he smiled and told
the people of Iraq that their "liberation" was near.
United Nations weapons inspectors were ordered to evacuate.
Secretary of State Colin Powell mentioned France 12 times
during a Sunday-morning television appearance and seemed to
be more angry with Jacques Chirac than with Saddam Hussein.
Prime Minister Tony Blair's political future was beginning
to look very grim. "I don't think it is possible to
exaggerate the degree of concern about the illegality of
what is proposed," said one Labour member of Parliament. "If
there is no U.N. mandate and there is not a vote in the
Commons before the commitment of British troops, then we ask
the prime minister to consider his position as leader of the
party."
Robin Cook, the leader of the House of Commons,
resigned from the British cabinet to protest his
government's war policy; other resignations were expected.
Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic of Serbia was assassinated.
American military personnel were being instructed to bury
dead Iraqis with their heads pointing southwest toward
Mecca, and White House lawyers were busy trying to come up
with a new legal theory to justify the invasion.
Hundreds of thousands of people around the world marched in antiwar
demonstrations.
The House of Representatives decreed
that the word "French" would no longer appear on House
menus, and it was reported that resident Bush refused to
speak before the European Parliament because he could not be
guaranteed a standing ovation.
Tom Ridge, the secretary
of "homeland" security, declared that suicide bombings in
the United States are "inevitable."
Continued at www.harpers.org/weekly-review
-- Roger D. Hodge
He's Been Busy - Again!
The Worried Shrimp
A Site & A Request
from Samantha
My latest goofy project needs your help! Since I haven't been able to
get much else done for worrying about Idiot Boy, I got to doodling, and
some of the doodles mutated into t-shirt designs, and, well...
The long and the short of it is, I got frustrated with CafePress's sorry
excuse for a search engine and decided to scratch together my own
directory of little-guy-made anti-Bush and anti-war goodies. It went
live this morning with the hundred or so appropriate items I was able to
winnow out of some hit-or-miss searches -- but I KNOW there's more good
stuff out there. If you, or someone you know, or some website you know,
has done a CafePress item or two relating to Bush protesting, war
protesting, or debunking the idea that dissent=treason (oh, and we could
use some more media-chastisement too), could y'all drop on by and let me
know about it?
I'm really astonished at the variety and volume of what I've already
managed to turn up, and I think other people will be heartened too to
see that they're so obviously NOT the only crazy person out there who
thinks that what's been going on lately is a little suspect.
Thanks so much...
~ Samantha
Reader Link
from Michael P
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Sunny, but very windy day.
Tonight is the science fair.
Tonight, Wednesday, CBS is supposed to start the evening with a FRESH 'Survivor', followed by a FRESH
'Star Search', then a RERUN 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'.
Scheduled on a FRESH Dave, with guest host Bonnie Hunt are Eddie Griffin, Greg Fitzsimmons, and Fabolous.
Scheduled on a FRESH Craiggers are Darrell Hammond, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, and Dov Davidoff.
NOTE: Both Dave and Craiggers will be RERUNs Thursday & Friday night thanks to 'March Madness'.
NBC is supposed to open with 'Dateline', followed by a RERUN 'West Wing', then a RERUN 'Law & Order'.
On a RERUN Jay are Oprah Winfrey, Scott Foley and Raphael Saadiq.
On a RERUN Conan are Tom Arnold, Tom Everett Scott, and Mark Knopfler.
On a RERUN Carson Daly (from 1/28/03), are Dave Chappelle and Baby.
ABC is supposed to have a RERUN 'My Wife & Kids', followed by a RERUN 'George Lopez', then a
FRESH 'The Bachelor: Where Are They Now', and then a FRESH 'All American Girl'.
Scheduled on a FRESH Jimmy Kimmel are "The Marijuanalogues" and this week's guest co-host, Fred Durst.
The WB is supposed to have a RERUN 'Dawson's Creek', and then a FRESH 'Angel'.
Faux is supposed to air a FRESH 'American Idol', followed by a FRESH 'Bernie Mac', and then
a FRESH 'Cedric the Entertainer'.
UPN has a RERUN 'Enterprise', and a RERUN 'Twilight Zone'.
TCM seems to celebrate delusional characters with
Harvey (1950) (Elwood P. Dowd: Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it.
- or - Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" -- she always called me Elwood -- "In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. And you may quote me.), followed by
Ed Wood (1994), and the all-too-real
Network (1976).
Have a drink or 3 (enough to see the pooka), wear your most comfortable mohair sweater (preferably pink), work up a righteous rage, go to the window, open it, stick your head out and yell: "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"
Anyone have any opinions?
Or reviews?
(See below for addresses)
Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman reacts as the 2,200th star is unveiled for him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Tuesday, March 18, 2003, in Los Angeles. Freeman stars in the new horror film 'Dreamcatcher,' which opens nationwide on March 21. Johnny Grant, left, honorary major of Hollywood and chairman of the Walk of Fame, Freeman's wife Myrna Colley-Lee Freeman's, and Leron Gubler, right, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, attend the ceremony.
Photo by Damian Dovarganes
Makes Singing Debut
Lisa Marie Presley
Elvis Presley's daughter quietly made her first singing appearance at an industry trade show Tuesday.
Lisa Marie Presley's debut, in promotion of her first album's impending release, was before 1,000 enthusiastic record label executives and music sellers at the National Association of Recording Merchandisers' annual convention.
But it was difficult for the audience to hear Presley's voice above her backing band.
Although her quiet voice may have been a technical problem, convention attendees surmised that Presley's label, Capitol, is hiding her behind the music as she starts her career. It was also difficult to hear her voice in the video for the single "Lights Out," which was shown at the convention.
Presley was visibly nervous during her first song, saying, "This is our first real applause ever."
By the second song, she was relaxed, smiling and joking around with band members. During her third song, she showed some attitude and stage presence.
Although comparisons to her father will likely be made, Presley's voice is completely unique, a hint of country mixed in with rock. Some attendees couldn't figure out Presley's genre of music, but agreed that it could fit into both rock and pop categories.
Presley's album, "To Whom It May Concern," will be released April 8.
Lisa Marie Presley
Will Pool Baghdad Footage
News Networks
In a rare show of cooperation, the major news networks on Monday finalized a pact to share any footage coming out of Baghdad during the first 24 hours of a U.S. invasion -- even CNN, which cut its teeth on the first Persian Gulf War.
The pool agreement was laid out last week during a conference call of news presidents from ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News Network, NBC and MSNBC, who are leading the largest wartime news operations in television's history.
Initially, CNN said it was not inclined to participate in the footage pool but asked for time before rendering a final decision. On Monday, Cable News Network joined the agreement, saying it was the right thing to do.
The deal applies only to Baghdad, which is expected to come under enormous fire by U.S. armed forces. Earlier this month, the Pentagon warned American journalists to leave the Iraqi capital.
The networks hope to have access to footage of a Baghdad assault but declined to elaborate, citing safety concerns associated with naming news sources that have not left or been ordered out by the Iraqi government.
In preparation for the conflict, some U.S. news networks are partnering with major newspapers.
CNN said Monday it has struck a deal with the New York Times and the Boston Globe, whereby newspaper reporters will file special reports with the cable news outlet.
News Networks
The Information One-Stop
Moose & Squirrel
Texas Town to Erect Statue
Wolfman Jack
A statue of the man who became Wolfman Jack when he was on a border radio station will be erected in his honor this Halloween in Del Rio.
A miniature replica of the statue, constructed by sculptor Michael Maiden out of wax, was unveiled Saturday at a daylong music festival held in honor of Wolfman Jack, whose real name was Robert Smith.
The disc jockey — whose gravelly voice and wolf howls made him one of the nation's most recognizable personalities — was featured in the 1973 film "American Graffiti." He died in 1995 at age 57.
Jay Johnson, president of the Wolfman Jack Memorial Foundation, described how Wolfman Jack helped spread R&B and rock 'n' roll tunes across the United States through high-powered radio station XERF-AM, based across the border in Mexico.
"I'm elated Del Rio wants to do this," said Wolfman Jack's widow, Lou Lamb Smith. "This is where Wolf began. He was never on the air before XERF."
Wolfman Jack
Wolfman Jack Web Entertainment
Hospital Visit
Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Osbourne was rushed by ambulance to a Las Vegas hospital Friday night after she fell ill backstage at an Ozzy Osbourne concert. Sharon, who has undergone chemotherapy treatments after being diagnosed with colon cancer last June, was watching Ozzy perform at the Hard Rock Hotel when she was overcome by heat exhaustion, confirmed her spokeswoman, Lisa Vega. "While she was watching Ozzy's show, it got very hot in the club," Vega said. "She did not collapse. She felt faint. Out of concern for Sharon, an ambulance was called. She was taken to the hospital, but it was nothing serious. We were there for about 20 minutes." After she was released, Sharon and Ozzy had dinner in their hotel suite. But Jack Osbourne and sister Aimee - who's not on the family's hit reality show - partied until dawn at the Real World suite at the Palms hotel at the farewell bash for Ozzy's longtime bass player, Robert Trujillo, who's leaving to join Metallica.
Sharon Osbourne
Hopes War Raises Consciousness
India.Arie
India.Arie says whatever happens in Iraq, she hopes it turns out for the best.
"I don't want to see (war) happen. But, sometimes, things have to happen in the world (in order) to change people's consciousness," the singer told AP Radio. "While it may not immediately have desirable effects, I hope it opens a lot of people's eyes."
She says among those who need to have their eyes opened are her colleagues in the music industry. Instead of focusing on having fun and material wealth, she hopes more artists will speak out about social issues.
"It doesn't have to be real heavy, (but) say something through your music. This is your platform, your vehicle. I challenge all of my peers to do more."
One artist who has inspired India.Arie to do more is Stevie Wonder. She says she admires his ability to combine spirituality and political commentary in his work.
India.Arie
Puts Out Anti-War Video
System of a Down
The guys in System of a Down hope the video for their latest song "BOOM!" helps change the way people think about war.
Much of the video was shot at anti-war rallies across the world during Presidents Day weekend. It also features satirical animation of resident Bush, Saddam Hussein, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Osama bin Laden riding rockets over a city.
"We want to make the idea of dropping bombs, of waging war seem as antiquated and ridiculous as it is today for an Afro-American to have to sit at the back of the bus," guitarist Daron Malakian said.
The issue of going to war against Iraq is a personal one for Malakian, who has family in Iraq and even visited there as a teen.
System of a Down
Excited About Gift Basket
Queen Latifah
The only thing Queen Latifah wants more than an Oscar is a gift basket.
"I'm looking forward to (getting) that basket. I can't wait to see what's in it. I don't care how much money you have, free stuff is always a good thing," she told AP Radio.
Organizers for the Academy Awards are providing a look inside the $20,000 gift baskets for Sunday's ceremony. Godiva chocolates, leather handbags, candy-colored pens, hair products, perfume, and holistic skin moisturizers are among the items.
High-profile nominees, like actors and directors, will receive new camera phones from Motorola and Sprint. And Victoria's Secret is customizing what it calls a "good luck charm" bra and panty set — each with the initials of the female nominee.
Queen Latifah
Oscars Web site
In The Kitchen With BartCop & Friends
Eminem, Mariah Carey & Jay-Z Make Top 10
Rock's 50 Richest 2003
Eminem, Mariah Carey, and Jay-Z landed in the top 10 of Rolling Stone's "Rock's 50 Richest 2003" list. The list was topped by Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, and the Dave Matthews Band, which hold the Number One, Two, and Three positions, respectively.
Eminem landed at Number Five with estimated net earnings of $28.9 million. The rapper's earnings came from touring, his highly successful The Eminem Show album, his Shady Records label--which released the quadruple-platinum 8 Mile soundtrack--and the $3 million he earned for starring in 8 Mile.
Mariah Carey's $23.3 million landed her at Number Eight. The bulk of Carey's earnings came from a $30 million buyout of her contract by Virgin Records in January of 2002. The singer signed a new deal with Island Def Jam for approximately $15 million and also released a new album, Charmbracelet.
Jay-Z lands at Number Nine with estimated net earnings of $22.7 million. The rapper-entrepreneur received a $15 million advance against future artist royalties, and a one-third cut of the proceeds from his Rocawear clothing line.
Rock's 50 Richest 2003
Indians covered in colored water and colored powder celebrate Holi in the central Indian city of Bhopal March 18, 2003. Color dust and water is extensively used in the Holi festival, which heralds the beginning of spring and is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India.
Photo by Raj Patidar
To Perform at Daughter's School
Eric Clapton
Guitar legend Eric Clapton will swap his usual major venue gigs for a performance in a school sports hall on Tuesday evening.
Clapton, 57, whose daughter Ruth is a sixth-former at Sheffield's Birkdale school, agreed to appear to help raise money for music and computer equipment.
For their $35 entrance fee, the audience will hear an hour and a half of music and be able to take part in a question and answer session with Clapton.
The 790 tickets sold out almost as soon as they went on sale and were allocated on a first-come-first served basis to pupils' parents, said a spokeswoman for the school.
Ruth is Clapton's daughter from an affair with Yvonne Kelly.
Eric Clapton
The War Will Be Commercial-Free
Networks Scramble Lineups
Everything from the opening tipoff of the college basketball tournament to the timetable for the selection of the next "American Idol" promises to be impacted once the bombs are over Baghdad.
ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox all plan to cede programming decisions to their respective news division chiefs when the war starts, letting them determine how long to remain with commercial-free coverage of hostilities.
The WB will likely simulcast CNN coverage for a few hours of the fighting.
UPN is the sole broadcaster planning to stick with regular programming, though CBS News will produce hourly UPN-branded prime-time war updates. Just how much shuffling will need to be done once the networks revert to entertainment programming depends on when the war actually starts -- and what sort of programs each broadcaster already had scheduled.
CBS, for example, has to worry about possibly preempting this week's episode of one of its top-rated moneymakers, "Survivor." And the season finale of the second round of CBS' "Star Search" is set to air live Wednesday night. Since audience voting determines winners, the network might have to pull the plug on the episode just hours before airtime.
The Fox network faces the chance that Tuesday's live edition of "American Idol" could go on as planned, only to have Wednesday's live results show -- in which a contestant is eliminated -- bumped off by war coverage. Fox execs would then have to choose whether to simply announce the loser on its Web site and to the press (sacrificing a big ratings draw) or delay the results show until later in the week.
NBC could very well have to pre-empt its Thursday lineup this week for war coverage. Even though most of its shows are in repeats this week, Thursday brings in the most amount of ad revenue for the network, and money lost this week can never be replaced.
ABC didn't think twice about turning over its prime-time schedule to the news division Monday night, since the decision meant bailing on its low-rated drama lineup.
Wednesday through Friday, the network also doesn't have any major hits that would have to be bumped, though questions remain about the Oscar telecast.
After the first day of news coverage, networks will then face the thorny issue of when to get back to regular programming.
According to many industry observers, CBS could be the first network to cut away from news because of its NCAA commitments. Even with the ESPN backup plan, CBS faces the potential ire of basketball fans all over the country who don't have cable and likely wouldn't be happy about not having access to their hometown team's big game.
On the content front, programrs are combing their schedules to remove any potentially offensive or insensitive content.
ABC, for example, is still mulling whether the Jerry Bruckheimer and Bertram van Munster-produced reality series "Tales From the Front Line," which features combat footage, would be seen as patriotic or in poor taste in the middle of conflict. In addition, the series chronicles U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and as one ABC insider noted, a war in Iraq may make "Tales" seem immediately outdated.
And Fox isn't commenting on the storyline for its hit drama "24," which returns next week with an episode in which its fictional president mulls whether to start World War III.
Networks Scramble Lineups
Snarky Gossip
Mel Gibson's Agent
ICM agent Ed Limato is shaping up to be the second most unpopular man in Hollywood, next to his client Mel Gibson. Limato, who was axed by Jennifer Lopez
earlier this year, shouldn't expect a stellar turnout at his annual pre-Oscar party. It was he who helped make the deal for "The Passion," Gibson's controverial
movie about Christ's crucifixion. The recent Sunday Times Magazine story in which Gibson's father claimed the Holocaust never happened hasn't helped matters, to
say the least. "People aren't amused by all this and they're laying the blame for Mel's implosion on Ed." "Can you imagine him explaining Gibson's father's comments
all night on his front lawn over martinis?"
Mel Gibson's Agent
Launches Porn Career
Dick Smothers Jr
They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but the eldest son of veteran humorist Dick Smothers of the Smothers Brothers says his life's ambition is to become "the Orson Welles of porn."
Late last year, Dick Smothers Jr., 38, shocked his father by embarking on a career path that so far has included acting in several porn films, developing a Web-based X-rated game show and launching an adult entertainment Web site.
And, capitalizing on the Smothers name, the onetime sales executive for an office products manufacturer wants to expand his involvement in porn films to the entire creative process.
Of course, his father, renowned as the bass-playing, straight-laced half of the Smothers Brothers comedy duo, was stunned at first. "I think he told me after the fact," Dick Smothers Sr., 64, recalled in a separate interview. "My first reaction was, 'What name are you going to use?' ... He says he's going to use his name, and I said, 'Wait a minute. That's my name. I had it first."'
The elder Smothers stressed he does not condone his son's current career path but doesn't condemn him either. He said his son has always been a firebrand and has tried to break into show business for a long time.
Dick Jr., the second of six children and the eldest son from his father's first marriage, even appeared once with his old rock band on a short-lived revival of the Smothers Brothers TV variety show.
The younger Smothers said he understands the discomfort of his father, a devout Christian who also has always been an outspoken champion of free expression.
For more, Dick Smothers Jr
Formerly 'The Vidiot'
Needed Extra Bird
Inmarsat
Global satellite communications company Inmarsat said on Tuesday it has deployed a fifth satellite to the Middle East region to handle the expected increased demand from the news media and aid agencies as a war in Iraq looms.
News organizations are one of the biggest users of the company's Global Area Network, which allows television networks like ABC, the BBC, NBC and CNN to connect videophones and run live broadcasts from the field.
The U.S. government has warned journalists and aid workers to leave Iraq ahead of a possible conflict. ABC, NBC and CNN have pulled some reporters and crew from Baghdad following that warning but some media personnel remain on the ground in Iraq.
The United States has allowed print and television reporters to be embedded in military units that will be on the front lines of a conflict in Iraq and to file using satellite telephones and videophones.
Users pay about $5,000 for the hardware to link up to the Inmarsat network and through service providers or distributors pay about $6 a minute to feed video and roughly $2 per minute for voice services.
Inmarsat, whose owners include big European telecommunications companies such as Britain's BT Group Plc, Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom and Norway's Telenor, also provides satellite links for governments, including the United States, as well as aid agencies like the Red Cross.
Inmarsat
A man views a picture of U.S. resident George W. Bush on a screen in New York's Time Square, March 17, 2003.
Photo by Peter Jones
Nods to Lennon in Anti-War Song
Robbie Williams
British rock star Robbie Williams added his weight to the celebrity peace movement on Tuesday, announcing a new anti-war song to feature on the flip-side of his next single.
Williams, who recently signed Britain's biggest ever recording contract, will release the song on the B-side of the single "Come Undone" in April, said a spokesman.
"Happy Easter (War is Coming)" will mix music with politics with a nod to John Lennon's 1971 hit "Happy Xmas (War is Over)."
Robbie Williams
'American Idol' Doesn't Live Up to Title
John Mayer
Recent Grammy winner John Mayer admits he likes "American Idol," but he thinks the show doesn't live up to its title.
"I believe the reason why you can't ever find a true American idol on that show is because a true American idol would have too much respect to ever do that show," the singer told The Associated Press in a recent interview.
"And that's not knocking the show — I think it's hilarious and great — but you are not searching all of America. You are searching all of America without the integrity enough to say, 'That's not the way I want to make it.'"
Mayer's debut album, "Room for Squares," has sold more than 2 million copies, much of that based on word of mouth for the singer-songwriter, who doesn't conform to today's pop norms.
John Mayer
Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for Literature
Maurice Sendak & Christine Noestlinger
American Maurice Sendak and Austrian Christine Noestlinger, whose tales have amused and informed millions of kids, were given the first Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for Literature Tuesday.
Both writers will share the 5 million kronor ($583,850) prize, which Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria will present June 4 in Stockholm.
Established last year by the Swedish government, the prize is presented annually to promote children's literature and to honor writers whose work focuses on the rights of children.
The prize was named for Lindgren, the beloved Swedish children's author who created Pippi Longstocking, a strong-willed girl with braided hair, freckles and mismatched stockings. Lindgren died in January 2002 at 94.
Maurice Sendak & Christine Noestlinger
Releases New CD
Dominic Chianese
No matter what happens on "The Sopranos," Dominic Chianese can always carve out another career as a singer.
Chianese, who plays Uncle Junior, is coming out with a new CD, "Ungrateful Heart." It features 19 songs which are mostly in Italian.
Standards like "O Solo Mio" and "Funiculi, Funicula" are placed alongside the title track, the Italian song he sang in the third-season finale of "The Sopranos." Other songs are from Chianese's childhood in New York, where he grew up during the 1930s and 1940s.
The new album will be out May 20.
Dominic Chianese
In Memory
Lenore Gould Breslauer
Lenore Gould Breslauer, whose protest of the Vietnam war helped lead to the founding of Another Mother for Peace with its well-remembered motto "War is not healthy for children and other living things," died Friday of lung cancer. She was 80.
At the height of the Vietnam War, her group's motto and sunflower insignia were nearly ubiquitous on posters found on college campuses and in college dorms around the country.
Breslauer co-founded Another Mother for Peace with six friends during a time when her son, Jon Gould, was nearing the age of military service and young men in this country were still being drafted into the Army.
Lenore Gould Breslauer
A model, painted by Danish artist Eirin Bergum, takes part in the sixteenth International Body Painting contest at the Fantasy Film Festival in Brussels March 15, 2003. Thirteen artists from all over Europe had four hours to prepare their creation.
Photo by Francois Lenoir
'The Osbournes'
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 4
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 3
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 2
'The Osbournes' ~ Page 1
