Bush White House fires back at Jimmy Carter: Yahoo News
"'I think it's sad that President Carter's reckless personal criticism is out there,' [White House spokesman Tony] Fratto told reporters. 'I think it's unfortunate. And I think he is proving to be increasingly irrelevant with these kinds of comments.'"

When you can't attack someone's argument, attack them.

Wolfowitz resigns; Bush to nominate successor soon - Yahoo! News
Ok, he's gone from the world bank, but I want to be assured this cretin is gone from public life permanently. He's really done enough, correct that, way more than enough, damage. I don't expect it to happen, but he should be up on war crimes charges.

Little Children (2006)****
An intelligent, insightful and enormously entertaining film. My only beefs are with the football subplot (too many clichés and was it really necessary?) and the casting of Jackie Earle Haley. He does okay, but I just don't think he was right for this role. I would have preferred to find SOMETHING sympathetic in his character, but as it is he's completely repugnant. There are so many wonderful scenes in this film. Great job by Todd Field and the cast.

Sarkozy elected France's president - Yahoo! News
I was pulling for Sego, but Sarkozy seems like a competent, intelligent, well-spoken and thoughtful person. I'm not all that knowledgeable about his overall political background. I know he is spoken of as a conservative, but what conservative that we Americans are familiar with would say "I want to tell (the U.S.) that friendship is accepting that one's friends can act differently, and that a great nation like the United States has the duty to not obstruct the fight against global warming but on the contrary to take the lead"? The great thing about this whole election though was how quickly it happened! Wouldn't that be great? And I LOVE the "day of reflection" ban on all political talk/discussion the day before the polls open. Paradise! This sure seems like a civilized way to run a country.

Night at the Museum (2006)*
One star for Mickey Rooney.

For Your Consideration (2006)**
While there are many funny moments in this picture, after it is all over you get the impression that this was not a comedy at all. Maybe it was Catherine O'Hara's brilliant performance that seems to take over the tone of the film. Kind of a disappointment.

Variety.com - Schulman pumps up Mandalay
"A highlight of the Mandalay Pictures’ slate at Universal is the remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s 'The Birds', scheduled to be in production by early fall. 'We think we have a very contemporary take' Schulman said. 'In the original, the birds just showed up, and it was kind of like, why are the birds here? This time, there’s a reason why they’re here and (people) have had something to do with it. There’s an environmental slant to what could create nature fighting back.'"

Um...you know, Cath, the pointlessness of the birds' behavior in the original is PRECISELY why the picture is a masterpiece. To change that and just make it some sort of slasher picture with crows...oh never mind. What an ass.

Kurt Vonnegut 1922 - 2007
"I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.'

"It appears to me that the most highly evolved Earthling creatures find being alive embarrassing or much worse. The funniest American of his time, Mark Twain, found life for himself and everybody else so stressful when he was in his seventies that he wrote as follows: 'I have never wanted any released friend of mine restored to life since I reached manhood.' That is in an essay on the sudden death of his daughter Jean a few days earlier. Among those he wouldn't have resurrected were Jean, and another daughter, Susy, and his beloved wife and his best friend, Henry Rogers.

"So it is not one whit mysterious that we poison the water and air and topsoil, and construct ever more cunning doomsday devices, both industrial and military. Let us be perfectly frank for a change. For practically everybody, the end of the world can't come soon enough."

Excerpted from Timequake.

Americans offered 'aggressive patrols' in Iranian airspace | Iran | Guardian Unlimited:
"In the first few days after the captives were seized and British diplomats were getting no news from Tehran on their whereabouts, Pentagon officials asked their British counterparts: what do you want us to do? They offered a series of military options, a list which remains top secret given the mounting risk of war between the US and Iran."

But I'm sure they exhausted all diplomatic options first, right? That might have taken the first day or day and a half maybe. God help us. If you want to know just how close we came to war with Iran, read the whole article. Scary, scary stuff.

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)**
I did not enjoy watching this film, except for the performance of Dustin Hoffman. However I give it 2 stars because any film that has me thinking about it for several days after I see it deserves at least 2 stars. I just had the feeling that, while it had a lot of nice ideas in it, you have to do more than just throw ideas on the screen. I was not drawn to the characters at all and never found them believable. I never understood whose story was being told so I could never get involved with the narrative. It is possible that that was the intention, that this was some sort of meta-movie about the whole idea of film itself or the human need/desire for narrative but the film never resonated with me at all. So I admire those ideas, ideas which I often find in the works of Charlie Kaufman who CAN create intricate, detailed, tightly wrapped meta-narratives expressing those ideas and be entertaining at the same time. But having a good idea is not enough.

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky (2007)*
Suffers from the same problem as Lucinda Williams' latest: repetitive sameness. Same tempos, same subject matter. Even the best song on the record, "Impossible Germany" runs out of ideas halfway through its 6 minute run time and dissolves into a Steely Dan-ish instrumental. We are a far cry from "Summerteeth" and "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot". Very disappointing.

The Science of Sleep (2006)****
Charming, involving, inventive dream-state movie. Fine performances all around, but Alain Chabat nearly steals the picture. One of the saddest happy endings ever.

Marie Antoinette (2006)****
Kirsten Dunst delivers a tremendous performance as the last queen of France in this thoroughly entertaining, interesting, beautiful and touching film. We knew Sofia Coppola was particularly adept in her use of a soundtrack, but the framing and pacing of this film is indicative of a director at the height of her powers. A bold, risky and rewarding picture. This would make an interesting twin bill with The Queen.

Casino Royale (2006)**
Might have earned a third star if about 45-60 minutes were trimmed. This is WAY too long for the material. The producers apparently wanted to go the way of the Bourne series and sort of started that with the previous Bond film. This is a box office move and I think it will work. Although there is something to be said for a 90 minute comic-actioner along the Spy Who Loved Me line. It might be interesting to take a Daniel Craig and put him in a Roger Moore era production and see what that gets you.

Son Volt - The Search (2007)****
"Underground Dream" alone would force me to give at least a 3 star rating for this fine piece of work from Jay Farrar and company. Even better than their previous effort. More hooks, stronger melodies, more expansive sound, less "experimentation". Can they be surpassing Wilco?

Sic Semper Tyrannis: Feltman as Dealbreaker?
"This deal over Lebanon was clearly at the expense of Syria in that a conviction might occur that would require party or parties unknown to be sacrificed in Damascus as well as Beirut. This worked for the negotiators. After all, it was a zero sum solution at the expense of the Syrians. This is comprehensible for them and for the Bush primitives. This should have 'worked.' An American envoy waited 'in the wings' while the talks were held. This envoy was briefed by the king when the deals were made and returned to the White House to explain. The result? The Palestinian deal is unacceptable to the Bush Administration. The Lebanon deal is unacceptable to the Bush Administration. (It gives something to the 'opposition.' Evidently, anything would be too much.)"

We desperately need leadership that understands the word "negotiate". Please. At the very least.

Old Yeller (1957)***
Good family film about a Texas family in the late 1800's and the "yeller stray" dog that comes into their lives and manages to save them from all sorts of peril. Tommy Kirk in his debut does a surprisingly good job as the oldest boy who starts off resenting the dog but comes to appreciate and love him, after all. A bit over the top, but the film redeems itself by its un-sugar-coated ending.

Lucinda Williams - West (2007)*
I like Lucinda Williams. I thought her last record, World Without Tears was one of the best of 2003. This one, however, is nearly unlistenable. The only track I liked is "Learning How to Live" and it is starting to wear thin. All the rest are mind-numbingly repetitive, not just musically, but lyrically. The first track, "Are You Alright?" is mainly that phrase repeated endlessly, relentlessly. There is very little songwriting going on here. I understand she has been through a great deal of pain and feels her music helps her get through that, but it seems as though in this instance she's merely pushing the pain onto us instead of transforming it for our benefit. Very disappointing.

Why all the hate for Little Miss Sunshine? - By Matt Feeney - Slate Magazine:
"By now, [Time critic Richard] Corliss' thesis is more than valid. It's obvious. You might even say it's formulaic. The critics have a point, which they sometimes make with noticeable bitterness, that many independent films are stale and mannered. But for some of these films, this critical dismissal is a strange fate: to be faulted for pretense, preciosity, and stylistic calculation when their real achievement is to reintroduce an enjoyable sort of broad humor into American cinema. You may not find the next Bergman at Sundance, but you might well find some fancy poop jokes."

I gave a poor review to LMS also not because it was pretentious, precious and stylistically calculating, but because those traits seemed OBVIOUS to me in viewing the film. I loved Miranda July's "Me and You and Everyone We Know", which was at least as pretentious and precious as LMS, but the film didn't proclaim that fact in every frame. The story, as quirky as it was, seemed to flow more evenly, characters seemed to be real people. I don't exactly know how Ms July did that and Dayton-Faris did not, but to my eyes, there was a big difference between her film and LMS.

(Thanks to kottke.org for the link!)

Apples In Stereo - New Magnetic Wonder(2007)***
There's just too much filler to put this album into the 4 star category. I mean, "Energy" and "The Sun Is Out" sound nice and bouncy and all but come on give us more than a half of a verse and a chorus repeated over and over. Plus I'm not a big fan of "experimental" and "linking" tracks of which there are plenty. And although I am a big ELO fan, let's use their songs as an inspiration not a blueprint next time. "Same Old Drag" sounds like "The Diary of Horace Wimp, Part 2". "7 Stars", "Sunday Sounds" and "Open Eyes" are among their best work however.

Dynasty Restaurant ****
A recently added restaurant on the Modesto dining scene, Dynasty finally brings good Cantonese/Hunan Chinese food to the locals. I haven't tried the full dim sum menu but if it is anything like their mu shu pork, spring rolls, lemon chicken and Mongolian lamb, it should be very tasty. These are dishes you will see in the typical low end Chinese food place of which there are a few in town, but they are done here with care, fresh ingredients, attention to detail and subtle variations. The sauces are not overpowering and enhance rather than dominate the dish. I can't wait to try some other offerings on their 109 item menu. Located in the Coffee - Standiford shopping center, the same one that houses the remarkable Sushi Garden Japanese restaurant. Eating out in Modesto keeps getting better!

David Fincher - Zodiac - Movies - New York Times:
"Robert Downey Jr., impeccably cast as a crime reporter driven to drink, drugs and dissolution, called Mr. Fincher a disciplinarian and agreed that, as is often said, “he’s always the smartest guy in the room.” But Mr. Downey put this in perspective.

“Sometimes it’s really hard because it might not feel collaborative, but ultimately filmmaking is a director’s medium,” he said. “I just decided, aside from several times I wanted to garrote him, that I was going to give him what he wanted. I think I’m a perfect person to work for him, because I understand gulags.”"

The eternal struggle between actors and directors as played out in David Fincher's new film "Zodiac". I find it interesting how some directors like Fincher, Kubrick often do dozens and dozens of takes in an effort to get the performance they want from an actor, and others, like Clint Eastwood for example, manage to get good results with a handful of takes. I mean, why would you need 70 takes of a scene? Kubrick it seems, often wanted a certain stylized portrayal difficult for most actors to do. Maybe dozens of takes made this possible. I don't know much about Fincher or his films but he is critically respected and his films are popular. Actors do want to work with him.

Free File Home - Your Link to Free Federal Online Filing
Yeah it's free all right IF you make less than $52,000/year. This really pisses me off. I can't imagine any reason, other than protecting their bureaucratic fiefdoms, why ANY taxpayer has to pay to electronically file their tax return. Not only that, but the IRS should be providing the tax preparation software also free of charge. After all, we all pay for the IRS. Providing this software and allowing for free e-filing would reduce their expenses. It is mind-boggling and insulting. California has this capability already. It is a readily doable thing. Argh.

Nacho Libre (2006)*
I can handle dumb, goofy comedies as well as the next guy, but this reaches a new low. It's just not funny nor particularly interesting.

Chris Brown - Now That You're Fed (2006)****
Lush, beautiful, exquisitely polished pop gems. "April" is a stunning tour de force of songwriting. Some Dylan-esqe and Buckingham-esqe flavors to the tunes. In a very good way.

The Guardian - How the US sent $12bn in cash to Iraq. And watched it vanish:
"To oversee the expenditure the CPA [Coalition Provisional Authority] was supposed to appoint an independent certified public accounting firm. Instead the CPA hired an obscure consulting firm called North Star Consultants Inc. The firm was so small that it reportedly operates out of a private home in San Diego. Mr Bowen found that the company 'did not perform a review of internal controls as required by the contract'.

However, evidence before the committee suggests that senior American officials were unconcerned about the situation because the billions were not US taxpayers' money. Paul Bremer, the head of the CPA, reminded the committee that 'the subject of today's hearing is the CPA's use and accounting for funds belonging to the Iraqi people held in the so-called Development Fund for Iraq. These are not appropriated American funds. They are Iraqi funds. I believe the CPA discharged its responsibilities to manage these Iraqi funds on behalf of the Iraqi people.'

Bremer's financial adviser, retired Admiral David Oliver, is even more direct. The memorandum quotes an interview with the BBC World Service. Asked what had happened to the $8.8bn he replied: 'I have no idea. I can't tell you whether or not the money went to the right things or didn't - nor do I actually think it's important.'

Q: 'But the fact is billions of dollars have disappeared without trace.'

Oliver: 'Of their money. Billions of dollars of their money, yeah I understand. I'm saying what difference does it make?'"

It will be interesting to see how the supporters of the administration spin this away. Most likely they will simply ignore it and watch the story just fade away since it's not exactly tearing up the American press. So the plan was to just dump billions of dollars of American bills paid for by Iraq into the hands of random Iraqi's? And that would jump start the economy? That would rebuild the infrastructure? That would provide the clean water and consistent power? And it didn't matter, STILL doesn't matter, who got the money? AND THESE PEOPLE ARE STILL IN CHARGE???

Bookshops' latest sad plot twist - Los Angeles Times:
"This is the paradox of modern bookselling. Even in an entertainment-saturated age, people still buy books. But the casual reader has many other places to get bestsellers and topical books, from warehouse stores to the mall. Meanwhile, book nuts — the ones who simply must buy several volumes a week — are lured online. Few businesses can survive that lose customers from both ends of the spectrum."

The problem is not the technology in and of itself. The problem is the independent bookseller has now got to compete with it. If a bookstore opened up across the street, it would have to compete with it too. This is not a new thing. You've just got to use some imagination AND use YOUR strengths. What strength would a small, independent bookstore have over Amazon? What about the ability to get the book you want immediately? Amazon has to ship it. The local store has it right there waiting for you. What always bugged me about online shopping from brick-and-mortar stores was the fact that I could not order the item online and pick it up at the store that day. This is starting to change but the last time I checked you still couldn't do this at Barnes & Noble. And there are precious, precious few local independent booksellers who have ANYTHING like a web site. At the very least, you need to have a web site where you can post recommended new titles, upcoming author visits, events, or even store hours for crying out loud! It is not expensive and it is not difficult. It IS new though for most of these owners. But you can't win if you don't play.

Brick (2005)***
Basically a remake of The Maltese Falcon but set in a southern Californian high school. Interesting, quirky, with some great art direction. Good, smart entertainment.

The World's Fastest Indian (2005)****
A textbook example of how to carry a film. Sir Anthony Hopkins delivers a towering performance, lifting the whole picture to a level it really doesn't belong in. The direction is shabby, the script is weak in a number of scenes, but the supporting cast is generally fine. It's reminiscent of The Straight Story and often hits that high mark, thanks to Hopkins. His performance ranks up there with George C. Scott's in Patton as far as I'm concerned. Brilliant.

Memento mori, Kevin:

Empty-handed I entered the world
Barefoot I leave it.
My coming, my going —
Two simple happenings
That got entangled.
-- Kozan Ichikyo's Death Poem

Mitch Easter - Dynamico(2007)****
I may have to reconsider my 4 star rating system because this album deserves 5. It's been a long, long time but we finally have a new Let's Active CD and it is wonderful. Great tunes, beautifully, powerfully produced. Transcendent power pop.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)**
A great cast which does a generally fine job, but it all seems forced, artificial and clichéd. I have no idea why it was nominated for a best picture Oscar.

Spot in brain may control smoking urge - Yahoo! News:
"'What this study shows unequivocally is the insula is a key structure in the brain for perceiving the urges to take the drug,' urges that are 'the backbone of the addiction,' Volkow added. Why? The insula appears to be where the brain turns physical reactions into feelings, such as feeling anxious when your heart speeds up. When those reactions are caused by a particular substance, the insula may act like sort of a headquarters for cravings."

I wonder if the patient had any other addictions that he just "forgot about"?

FSI Language Courses
Fantastic resource! Complete language courses originally prepared by the US Foreign Service back in the 1960's. Text and audio. (via The Best Media in Life Is Free)

Field Music - Tones Of Town (2007)****
Even better than their debut. Quirky almost to the point of annoying on first listen, the hooks reveal themselves on subsequent spins. The first track brought to mind "Close to the Edge"-era Yes with the off-kilter beat and Jon Anderson-like harmonies. Fine power pop.

The Shins - Wincing the Night Away (2007)****
Another gem from The Shins. The lyrics seem a bit more inscrutable ("the necessary balloon lies a corpse on the floor"?) but the hooks and melodies are still there. Good pop tunes that stick with you.

The Queen (2006)****
Ridiculously exceptional acting performance by Helen Mirren. Most of the time, she is called upon to look thoughtful. But somehow she manages to convey a surprising depth and meaning to this thoughtfulness. Some of that is direction, some of that is what she is meant to react to, some of that is what we bring to the film. But most of it is Dame Helen herself. Subtle, thought-provoking film.

The Birds (1963) ****:
I've seen this film many times and each time I appreciate and enjoy it more. There are many scenes where the principal action happens in the background or off to the side. Several sequences take their time to develop with very long takes. The writing is for the most part, crisp and smart yet realistic and believable. I love the fact that there is practically no music in the soundtrack, just bird noises (or rather noises used to mimic bird noises). An all star cast of Jessica Tandy, Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren (her debut), Veronica Cartwright and a fat-faced Suzanne Pleshette looking all the world like Shirley MacLaine from The Trouble With Harry. And the ending is extraordinary.

Recipe: Twice-Cooked Pork Tenderloin - NYTimes (reg. req.):
I like to cook, and over the years I have tried numerous methods of cooking one of my favorite cuts of meat, pork tenderloin, with limited success. Nearly every time I've tried it, whether grilled, sauteed, roasted, whatever, it always came out drier and blander than I would have liked.

No more!

The wonderful Mark Bittman offered this recipe for "twice-cooked" pork tenderloin a few weeks ago and it looked simple (a requirement for me) and tasty so I gave it a go. And if I do say so myself, and I do, it was superb. Easily the best pork tenderloin I have ever cooked and quite possibly the best I have ever EATEN. Really, really good. I did make one major change in the recipe though. Mr. Bittman calls for 1 tenderloin, about 1 lb., but at my nearest market they are usually sold 2 to a package so I used both. About the same portions of all the other ingredients and it came out splendidly. I also used mustard in the glaze which was perfect.

Bon appétit!

Iraqi Official Seeks Release of Iranians | Guardian Unlimited:
"``You have to remember, our destiny, as Iraqis, we have to live in this part of the world. And we have to live with Iran, we have to live with Syria and Turkey and other countries,'' he [Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari] said. ``So in fact, on the other hand, the Iraqi government is committed to cultivate good neighborly relations with these two countries and to engage them constructively in security cooperation.''"

This will be an interesting test of the Iraqi government's credibility with the US. Do they know who is a threat to them or don't they? Now I'm no expert on the Middle East, but as I understand it, Iran is a Shia Islamic nation and now, thanks to us, so is Iraq. Why would Iran want to destabilize the Iraqi government? The current government is PRO-Iran! The insurgency is complex, but mainly Sunni-based. That's the same branch of Islam as our "good friends" the Saudis. It seems to me the Bush administration is once again ignoring all the facts and just barreling ahead, pedal to the metal, gung ho for more and more war. Culture of life. Right.

NY Times(reg. req.): Computers Join Actors in Hybrids On Screen:
"The film, with a budget of about $200 million, is an original science fiction story that will be shown in 3D even in conventional theaters. The plot pits a human army against an alien army on a distant planet, bringing live actors and digital technology together to make a large cast of virtual creatures who convey emotion as authentically as humans."

Given Cameron's track record, I don't expect this flick to be much more than comic book level (not a good thing). The most worrisome thing is, as the rest of the article makes clear, it's the ability to play with the technology that drives the making of this picture not the need to tell a particular story. And that rarely makes for a decent film. And another huge amount of cash that could have been used to make half a dozen Children of Men will instead be sucked up to make yet another piece of schlock.

Children of Men (2006)****
I'm still haunted by several sequences from this thrilling, gut-wrenching, fantastic picture. Not a film for those wanting escapism or comic book heroes or the Hollywood treatment. This is a gritty, taut, tough, unflinching mirror to today. Exceptional.

Sic Semper Tyrannis: Casting for the play:
"It makes very little sense that a person with this background should be appointed to be theater commander in a theater in which two essentially "ground" wars are being fought unless it is intended to conduct yet another war which will be different in character."

Holy shit. I sure hope Col. Lang is wrong this time. If hope is even possible anymore...

Yahoo News: Police Reunion rumors reaching fever pitch:
"The more rational approach would have been, 'OK, Sting, go make a solo record, and let's get back together in two or three years,"' he [Andy Summers] said. "I'm certain we could have done that. Of course we could have. We were definitely not in a creative dry space. We could have easily carried on, and we could probably still be there. That wasn't to be our fate. It went in another way. I regret we never paid it off with a last tour."

I really hope this doesn't come to pass but it appears very likely. If creativity and "art" are the real reasons for getting back together, why not create a new band?

Longs Drug Stores Photo Center
Not exactly a breaking news item, but to me the ability to upload digital photographs and have them printed on high quality photo printers at my local drug store WITHIN AN HOUR for 15 cents a print is just, well, amazing. Awesome. Terrific.

A note on self-realization:

Most times I need to be hit over the head with an observation about myself repeatedly and over a long period of time before it becomes apparent to me. And sometimes, with a little luck and a lot of awareness training, you get an insight that cuts through all the crap and hits you right in the mouth. It is at those times that I need to make sure I am paying attention and not try to rationalize it away. Forgiving yourself is important, but accepting reality when it is right there in front of you is more important. Because it won't be there long. Remember, your brain is designed for movement and deception and it is very, very good at both of those things.

The point is: you're a liar.

Chuck Spinney Interview
Fascinating interview with the former Pentagon bureaucrat about the problems we have and the problems we face with our military-industrial-congressional complex. It's scary, but if we have the will, we can deal with it.

Yahoo News: Over 250 sick after eating at Indiana Olive Garden
"Some customers who ate at the Olive Garden restaurant in northeast Indianapolis between December 9 and December 13 have reported nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in some cases fever, said John Althardt, a spokesman for the Marion County Health Department. Three of those people have been hospitalized."

I would imagine they should look in the salads first. And I would not be surprised if they find out the lettuce came from Salinas, and not far from the industrialized dairy farm that was the source of the spinach contamination. I suppose it will take a few more outbreaks before it becomes enough of a pain in the profit margin for these large dairy farms to change some things.

2006 In Review: Movies:

**** broken flowers
**** cache
**** cars
**** downfall
**** duma
**** flushed away
**** howl's moving castle
**** kiss kiss bang bang
**** me and you and everyone we know
**** the new world
**** the squid and the whale
*** bubble
*** corpse bride
*** harry potter and the goblet of fire
*** match point
*** the departed
*** the matador
*** the prestige
** a history of violence
** good night and good luck
** must love dogs
** nanny mcphee
* capote
* chicken little
* fantastic four
* king kong
* superman returns
* the fountain

2006 In Review: Music:

**** beatles - love
**** belle & sebastian - the life pursuit
**** elvis costello - river in reverse
**** lindsey buckingham - under the skin
**** loud family - what if it works?
**** mates of state - bring it back
**** minders - bright guilty world
**** robyn hitchcock - ole tarantula
**** shonen knife - genki shock
**** the long winters - putting the days to bed
**** the sounds - dying to say this to you
**** the strokes - first impressions of earth
**** tom petty - highway companion
**** yo la tengo - i am not afraid of you and i will beat your ass
*** carpark north - all things to all people
*** cheap trick - rockford
*** decemberists - the crane wife
*** destroyer - rubies
*** don dixon - the entire combustible world in one small room
*** golden smog - another fine day
*** kelley stoltz - below the branches
*** malajube - trompe l'oeil
*** pernice brothers - live a little
*** potion - band of outsiders
*** regina spektor - begin to hope
*** snow patrol - eyes open
*** steve wynn and the miracle 3 - ...tick...tick...tick
*** the killers - sam's town
*** we are scientists - with love and squalor
** camera obscura - let's get out of this country
** def leppard - yeah!
** figurines - skeleton
** gil ray - i am atomic man!
** high violets - to where you are
** jenny lewis - rabbit fur coat
** kt tunstall - eye to the telescope
** magneta lane - dancing with daggers
** matthew sweet & susanna hoffs - under the covers volume 1
** neko case - fox confessor brings the flood
** raconteurs - broken boy soldiers
** ray davies - other people's lives
** skye edwards - mind how you go
** slumber party - musik
** the flaming lips - at war with the mystics
** tim finn - imaginary kingdom
* bob dylan - modern times
* enya - amarantine
* isobel campbell & mark lanegan - ballad of the broken seas

The Beatles - Love (2006)****
Here they are again, some 36 years after breaking up, with a top contender for album of the year. It's a mash-up, yes, but Sir George Martin and son Giles had the master tracks to mash and the results for the most part are stunning. even on the songs that sound the least affected, you can hear with extra clarity some of the background melodies, harmonies, instruments. The bass and beat are more pronounced making songs like Lady Madonna really pop. Blending various versions of a song like Strawberry Fields really makes it sound like a new Lennon composition. I think people who are intimately familiar with the original versions will be more pleased with this effort than others. Of course, the songs are pure gold and it would be very difficult to ruin them. It's quite a feat to take them, re-work them and make them glisten and gleam all over again in new ways.

Yahoo News: Israelis piqued by nuclear "confirmation":
"During his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Gates mentioned why Iran might be seeking the means to build an atomic bomb: 'They are surrounded by powers with nuclear weapons: Pakistan to their east, the Russians to the north, the Israelis to the west and us in the Persian Gulf,' he said. The remark led Israeli news bulletins. State-run radio suggested Gates may have breached a U.S. 'don't ask, don't tell' policy that dates back to the late 1960s. 'It's quite unprecedented,' a retired Israeli diplomat told Reuters on Thursday when asked about Gates's testimony. 'I can only assume he has yet to get to grips with the understandings that exist between us and the Americans.'"

THE source of conflict between The West and Arab states is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We need to solve this NOW. In order to do that, we must start talking honestly in public, in US mainstream media about Israel and all its "understandings". Gates has an ignoble past to be sure, but it appears that, unless he made a mistake, he seems to be different this time around. I hope this is the case and that he will talk some sense and some reality to the American people. Israel is just going to have to deal with this. The world has suffered way too much for way too long for this to continue. If we expect countries like Iraq, Iran, North Korea et al to abide by the rule of law, then Israel must also.

The End ****
"...But there was something very, very sinister about Count Olaf's words. Listening to him talk felt like standing on the edge of a deep well, or walking on a high cliff in the dead of night, or listening to a strange rustling sound outside your bedroom window, knowing that at any moment something dangerous and enormous could happen. It made the Baudelaires think of that terrible question mark on the radar screen of the Queequeg--a secret so gigantic and important that it could not fit in their hearts and minds, something that had been hidden their entire lives and might destroy their entire lives once it was revealed. It was not a secret the Baudelaire orphans wanted to hear, from Count Olaf or from anyone else, and although it felt like a secret that could not be avoided, the children wanted to avoid it anyway, and without another word to the man in the cage the three siblings stood up and walked around the cube of books until they were at the far end, where Olaf and his bird cage could not be seen. Then, in silence, the three siblings sat back down, leaned against the strange raft, and stared out at the flat horizon of the sea, trying not to think about what Olaf had said..."

It is passages like this that elevate A Series of Unfortunate Events to a higher level of literature. This ability to convey the sense of dread and awe when we think about "that terrible question mark" and yet leave the reader an escape, a brief glimmer of hope. Sure, all the loose ends and tangents scattered throughout the 13 novels are not resolved here. But are they ever in real life?

The New Yorker : Critics : Television : The Office
"Referring to such differences, Kevin Reilly, the president of NBC Entertainment, has remarked that 'Americans need a little bit more hope than the British.'"
I think it might be more accurate to say NBC Entertainment needs more hope. Americans are perfectly capable of handling hopelessness and futility. Yet the demands of an open-ended, 22-week season run of a sitcom require hope or at least, as the article cites, consolation. One of my favorite characters on the show is the borderline insane Creed character. The writers have resolutely refused to soften him up and that is just wonderful. I hope they maintain that tone with him.

Given the fact that shows like Survivor, American Idol, 24 et al are successful and essentially one season shows and it's the format that is consistent, I wonder if you could take a sitcom like The Office and just get a completely new cast, a new office, each season. You get a fresh 22 episode story arc. Maybe you keep one character such as the young intern who took Jim's position. This was sort of done on ER who has gone through many personnel changes over the years. I don't think it has been done much on a sitcom though.

Bolton to exit as UN ambassador
"President George W. Bush appointed Bolton largely because of a commitment to reform the world body. But Bolton's outspokenness and prickly manner often angered the diplomatic community and some of his fellow U.N. ambassadors at times found him difficult to work with."

Now that's funny I don't care who you are! "Appointed Bolton largely because of a commitment to reform..." Bolton always saw the UN as nothing but an extension of US foreign policy. In fact he has said many times that it is no longer relevant and a waste of time. He wasn't about reforming it, but destroying it. And that "prickly manner" is a euphemistic way of describing an extremely aggressive approach to human interaction. Read the whole article though. It sounds like it was written by a Bush administration official nearly verbatim. And it wasn't just Democratic senators opposed to Bolton. Many Republicans also despised his approach.

Superman Returns(2006)*
For an action picture there is not much action. And it is way too long. Look, this is a film based on a comic book superhero. I'm tired of directors who should know better taking this material and trying to make some sort of meaningful epic out of it.

The Fountain (2006)*
A major disappointment. I had hoped at least for some extraordinary visual scenes and there are a few but the majority of the film consists of extreme, and I do mean EXTREME, close-ups of Hugh Jackman or Rachel Weisz. You know when that happens the picture is in trouble. In addition, the film just seems badly lit. Darren Aronofsky said he made the film on a shoestring budget and it shows. Not an enjoyable film experience.

Flushed Away (2006)****
Laugh out loud funny as well as one of the most imaginative and inventive films (not just animated films) of the year. I don't know if it is easier or cheaper (probably the former) to reproduce the claymation techniques used in the Wallace & Gromit films using CGI, but it is certainly an effective and brilliant idea and here it is executed flawlessly. And the voice work is first class, particularly Ian McKellan who is marvelous as the pompous, royal-loving Toad. I read somewhere that production costs approached $150M. That just floors me for an animated picture. I would like to get a breakdown on those costs some day. What in the world do they spend it on?

Press Conference by the President (11/08/2006):
"Q Thank you, Mr. President. Last week you told us that Secretary Rumsfeld will be staying on. Why is the timing right now for this, and how much does it have to do with the election results?

THE PRESIDENT: Right. No, you and Hunt and Keil came in the Oval Office, and Hunt asked me the question one week before the campaign, and basically it was, are you going to do something about Rumsfeld and the Vice President? And my answer was, they're going to stay on. And the reason why is I didn't want to inject a major decision about this war in the final days of a campaign. And so the only way to answer that question and to get you on to another question was to give you that answer."

Interesting. He didn't want to "inject a major decision about this war" during an election campaign. Then he goes on to say well it was because he hadn't yet met with Gates about becoming the nominee, then he says well Gates was going to be the nominee regardless of the election results so it didn't matter. Well if it didn't matter, why not just do it before the election? In other words, why did you lie to us again, Mr. President? What else are you lying about? Why do you find it so difficult to level with the American people, your employers? Bill Clinton was, and rightly so, hounded mercilessly by the press for his lying. Yet Bush gets a free pass. Interesting.

Bush Says Rumsfeld Is Stepping Down
I just hope he doesn't try and leave the country. It would be a shame to have to have him extradited back here for his trial.

Democrats Take Control of House; Decisive Races in Senate Are Tight - New York Times
It's still a bit early but it looks like the Democrats have come very close to control of the Senate with an incredibly tight race in Virginia likely to be contested. And the question that Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Reid and the rest of the Democrats need to answer is the same one faced by Bill McKay after he won: what do we do now?

And my answer to them all is you need to do what you should have been doing for the past 5 years and STAND UP! Somewhere, somehow you all need to find your principles and start saying "NO". If they can't do that, and immediately, then it was all for naught.

Lindsey Buckingham - Under The Skin****Here's another disc that is rather difficult to listen to in one sitting. Yet each song is an impressive blend of hooks, aural gymnastics, incredible guitar work and intense lyrics that the entire album must be considered a unique work of art.

The New Yorker: Q&A: Civic Emotions
"The gate we walk through when we become parents is, in my experience, the most one-sided gate we walk through in life. One morning, you are a ship out on the ocean, heading for Byzantium; the next, you and your spouse have become a harbor for another boat getting ready for its own voyage out. And, though you sneak away for weeks on book tours, you are never anything but a harbor again. (An abandoned harbor, eventually, searching the horizon for the long-gone ships.)

This is a good thing, of course, but becoming a parent made me, I think, more impatient with writing anything that seemed to me homework—work made to order, and not about the things that truly obsess one but about the things about which one is expected to have a professional opinion. I recall standing at the entrance of a Bruce Nauman exhibition, shortly after my son was born—and Nauman is an artist I keenly admire and have analyzed at exhausting length—where one of his “Clown Torture” videos was shouting at people, and thinking, I am interested in this, but I do not care about this as obsessively as I do about watching my child grow into consciousness. Life is too short, and parenting too exhausting, to allow you much time for mere professional opinionating.

And then, for all the joys that parenting provides, it also makes you keenly aware of the temporariness of all experience. To a child, family life looks as fixed and solid as a civilization, with rituals and routines and prohibitions—boxes of ornaments that have always been in the basement and silverware that has always been resting in the drawer. In fact, to the parents, it’s a frantic improvisation, as fragile and contingent as a truce in wartime. We see the bills and they see—and should only see—the ongoing surface of reassuring sameness.

More than the continuity of time, what parenting provides, I think, is a sense of the fragility of existence. Darwin grasped this after the tragic death of his daughter, who was only ten, and there is, as I’ve tried to show recently in the magazine, illuminating his work a half-stoical, half-heartbroken sense of the irreconcilable demands of deep time, where rocks are made and animals evolve, and quick time, human time, where our children are born and can depart. You can’t reconcile one time with the other; you just have to live in the knowledge of both. This fracture of vision is part of what being a parent is about."

Adam Gopnik nails the experience of parenthood.

"30 Rock" (2006)****
This is the best new show on television. Densely funny, smartly produced, with a standout cast. Sharply written with none of the "watch what I do with this line" snobbery of say Studio 60. I hope the no laugh-track policy starts to catch on. And I love the fact that it is NOT "filmed before a live audience". This show and The Office have renewed my faith in the sitcom. Now if they can only pull in the ratings...

Aimee Mann - One More Drifter in the Snow***
An interesting holiday album from Ms. Mann. The lead-off track, Jimmy Webb's "Whatever Happened to Christmas?" sets the tone, one of melancholy primarily. There's a fresh take on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" as well as other standards, along with Michael Penn's "Christmastime" and a new Mann tune "Calling On Mary" which is well done. The only real clunker is her take on "White Christmas" which, and as an Aimee Mann fan from way back I hate to say it, sounds plain awful. One unusual note: there is an almost overwhelming emphasis on the bass line in the production on this record. You would be advised to lower the bass or pump up the treble when playing this disc. Not sure why this was done as it is way overboard. Perhaps because the bass player, Paul Bryan, also produced?

The Prestige (2006)***I guess what it boils down to is I don't like Christian Bale. He seems like a good actor and his performance is fine, it's just I don't see him in this role and I don't enjoy seeing him on the screen. The script is smart and sharp, the direction is clever and artful. It's a good film, just not up to the level of Memento which I always seem to expect, admittedly unfairly, from Christopher Nolan.

Pernice Brothers - Live A Little ***
Literate, tightly constructed pop songs filled with catchy hooks and riffs. "Automaton", "Cruelty to Animals", "Sommerville" and "Lightheaded" are standouts. I would have given this record 4 stars but I find lead singer Joe Pernice's almost-whispered, delicately precise diction incredibly annoying. Don't listen to the album all at once and you'll be fine.

Jules et Jim (1962)***
The first half seems self-consciously "arty" and amazingly rushed. It all goes by in a whirlwind with no time to really connect to the characters. But the second half has many moments of deep emotion and despair as the principles realize that their dreams cannot be fulfilled yet they cannot bring themselves to dream anew. Jeanne Moreau is luminous.

DLP Cinema technology
When I went to my local cinema to see The Departed, the theater in which it was playing used DLP (digital light processing) projectors instead of film projectors. This was my first experience with digital film projection.

Wow.

I know it sounds cliched, but I have to say it: this changes everything. Absolutely crystal clear images FINALLY! You can keep your snap-crackle-pop, jittery, scratch-infested, color-faded film stock and do whatever you want with it. If I were running a cinema today, I would switch over to this technology overnight. It is really that good. I really wish I had seen The New World at a DLP theater.

The Departed (2006)***
Terrific, violent actioner from Martin Scorsese evokes comparisons to his masterpiece Goodfellas but falls a bit short. The direction is top-notch, with several innovative touches that shows Scorsese is not just phoning it in here. The only problem with the flick is the cast. It's not that they aren't all good (Alec Baldwin does a great job with a small supporting role) but they are all movie stars. I never felt like I wasn't watching Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon or Leonardo DiCaprio. And that little bit of distance to their characters meant I was just not totally involved in the drama. But it's an enjoyable and thoughtful film, well worth your time.

The Killers - Sam's Town***
Quite enjoyable second album from The Killers. "When You Were Young" and "Bones" are standout songs, driving and energetic, musically creative, with interesting lyrics. "This River Is Wild" though, while enjoyable, strays a little too close to Springsteen imitation/parody territory.

NBC.com - Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip*
Apparently if you want to talk with Aaron Sorkin you had better be wearing your running shoes. Everybody in his shows carries on conversations while walking at a brisk pace down tight hallways that twist and turn and have an abundance of overhead lighting. It gets annoying real fast. I tried to watch Sorkin's previous show "The West Wing" but it had such an oppressive air of self-importance I couldn't stand it. His first effor, "Sports Night" was by contrast breezy, light and most importantly, FUNNY! Studio 60 for all its fast-talking and fast-walking banter is turgid and so pretentious its almost a parody of itself. Maybe it is and I just don't get it. ALL the characters are geniuses who speak in one-liners and never fail to have a smart, sharp comeback to everything someone else says. Not a good show.

Yo La Tengo:I am not afraid of you and I will beat your ass ****
Wonderfully eclectic collection of tunes from Yo La Tengo covers a large range of musical styles. (I don't understand why some critics complain of a record not being 'cohesive'. What does that mean and why is it important?) There are a couple of jammin' instrumentals that tend to run a bit long, but the concise, smart pop song is theorder of the day here. Brilliant.

Mass murder in the skies: was the plot feasible? | The Register:
"Once the plane is over the ocean, very discreetly bring all of your gear into the toilet. You might need to make several trips to avoid drawing attention. Once your kit is in place, put a beaker containing the peroxide / acetone mixture into the ice water bath (Champagne bucket), and start adding the acid, drop by drop, while stirring constantly. Watch the reaction temperature carefully. The mixture will heat, and if it gets too hot, you'll end up with a weak explosive. In fact, if it gets really hot, you'll get a premature explosion possibly sufficient to kill you, but probably no one else.

After a few hours - assuming, by some miracle, that the fumes haven't overcome you or alerted passengers or the flight crew to your activities - you'll have a quantity of TATP with which to carry out your mission. Now all you need to do is dry it for an hour or two."

As I have to flt on a business trip last week, I am dismayed to learn that we STILL won't be able to carry on liquids. And for what? How can a small group of small-minded people be allowed to mess with our lives like this? Where are the true statesmen?

Papal Address at University of Regensburg:Three Stages in the Program of De-Hellenization:
"In this lecture I would like to discuss only one point -- itself rather marginal to the dialogue itself -- which, in the context of the issue of 'faith and reason,' I found interesting and which can serve as the starting point for my reflections on this issue."

Oh if only B16 hadn't exiled Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, Vatican expert on the Islamic world so that he could have proof-read his text. If you read it, you are left with the sense of a smart guy trying to pull the wool over those he considers not so smart. In a speech purportedly about the differences between faith and reason, he decides that of all the possible ideas or citations available to him, he picks one, admittedly marginal to the overall idea, that is so disparaging, so completely ignorant of Islam's central idea, and then drops it. Really, that citation sticks out like a sore thumb. I can't think of any other reason to include that than to provoke a response and thereby prove the point of the speech that the Islamic world cannot be counted upon to act reasonably about anything.

Gee, what a smart guy this pope is.

Facebook's "Privacy Trainwreck": Exposure, Invasion, and Drama:
"What happened with Facebook was not about a change in the bit state - it was about people feeling icky. It made people felt icky for different reasons - some felt it for the exposure while others felt it for the invasion. Let me explain."

And danah boyd goes on to explain that, in a nutshell, news readers make her feel icky. What this really is about is danah being slapped upside the head by reality and not being able to handle it all at once. Certainly understandable. But what people need to understand right off the bat, is that The Internet is public. Every, every, EVERY bit of it. And just because YOU don't have some nifty little app that lets you make use of that fact, you can be assured that somebody, and most likely many "somebodies", do. The people that signed on to Facebook didn't know that going in and that's their fault, not Facebook's. To borrow danah's analogy, Facebook had the music up loud, but everyone in the room should have realized that the music could stop or change at any moment. And often does and sometimes you don't even realize it.

And I love it that way.

ABC tinkers with 9/11 drama - Yahoo! News:
"Further complicating the situation for ABC was a prime-time address to the nation President George W. Bush has planned for 9 p.m. EDT on Monday to mark the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, right in the middle of part two of ABC's miniseries. The network said it would air the first hour of the film, break for 20 minutes to carry Bush's speech live, then broadcast the rest of the movie."

And does anyone think the timing of the address is an accident or coincidence? The interruption of the "docudrama" by real events will lend it even more of an aura of factuality. When I intially read reports of the complaints, primarily by former Clinton staff members, they sounded inconsequential. But it turns out, that was due to inaccurate reporting. In particular the scene suggesting Sandy Berger personally quashed a raid on an al Qaeda camp when agents were moments away from killing bin Laden was reported as being about whether Berger slammed the phone down or not.

Quite a difference.

Now it seems more and more like this film was designed to suggest that it was all Clinton's fault. We have Richard Clarke's account of the Clinton years in his book Against All Enemies and to his mind Clinton actually did more to address the threat from al Qaeda/bin Laden than any previous administration and certainly understood the threat and the need to address it much more than anyone in the Bush administration. Yes, Clinton probably could have initiated many bombing raids in Afghanistan but do you recall the political heat he got for the one he DID authorize? It had been too long since the Cole attack so the political will was very weak and his political capital WAS weakend by the incessant pillorying from Republicans over Monica Lewinsky.

Unless this film goes all the way to September 10, 2001 and shows the Bush staff completely ignoring al Qaeda and concerning themselves with Saddam since day one, it is indeed factually inaccurate and generally misleading.

Bob Dylan: Modern Times **
I guess I just don't get it because as much as I would like to love this album, I just can't and I can't understand the extremely favorable critical consensus. I just don't feel any energy in this record and that may be one of its points but it doesn't make for an enjoyable listening experience. I like "When The Deal Goes Down" and "Thunder On The Mountain" but the other 8 tracks are bland and boring. I like a lot of Dylan songs and think he is a truly gifted songwriter but this is not one of his better efforts.

U.S. Rice Supply Contaminated: "The variety, known as LLRICE 601, is endowed with bacterial DNA that makes rice plants resistant to a weedkiller made by the agricultural giant Aventis. Johanns said Bayer had not finished the process of getting LLRICE 601 approved for marketing before dropping the project years ago. But the company did complete the process for two other varieties of rice with the same gene. And although neither of those were marketed, he said, their approval offers reassurance that 601 is probably safe, too."

Probably safe? PROBABLY? This is the whole problem with GMO crops. NOBODY KNOWS FOR SURE! And this is just the stuff we KNOW about. How many other test alterations have passed into the general supply? Bayer dropped this particular variety 5 years ago. I wonder why? Do you think it's worth looking into? We're only talking about our FOOD SUPPLY.

The Matador (2005)***
Enjoyable comedy/drama about an aging hit man who suddenly realizes he would like a friend. Interesting, crisply directed and well-acted, especially Pierce Brosnan as the hit man. If he keeps this up people are going to forget about Bond and Remington Steele.

Cachè (2005)****
An examination of guilt and how the human mind deals with it. Or doesn't deal with it. Philosophical, metaphorical, allegorical, open-ended narrative all at the same time. Well done.

DREW SHARP: Martz commands attention by getting close to the action:
"Martz quaffs attention like it was ice water on a hot day. Although he's not the architect of this newest Lions' new direction, he knows he's the star. All eyes gravitated to the rudimentary initial elements of Martz's offensive scheme and his interaction with his players. And the actual head coach? Rod Marinelli happily hid himself within the masses on the sideline, adapting to his new life as a first-time head coach. He's perfectly comfortable with Martz dominating the spotlight. Those closest to the situation insist that Marinelli is devoid of all ego and that's a necessity when working with a megalomaniac like the self-anointed offensive wizard. Marinelli just wants to win."

Where does one begin with such an idiot like Drew Sharp? He is a perfect example of the absolute WORST type of sports "journalist", the know-it-all-who-never-played-anything. What a loser. And to take a guy like Mike Martz, one of the more successful men in his sport, and just skewer him with all sorts of vicious and unfounded attacks is nothing short of cowardice. Megalomaniac? Self-anointed? Where does this come from? Was Sharp denied an interview or two or something? Clearly this "man" has issues and needs that have not been met. And to say that Marinelli "just wants to win" implies that Martz doesn't care about winning as long as he gets the attention.

All this because he wants to coach from the sidelines during the game?

Then based on that reasoning, Charlie Weiss, ex-offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, is also a megalomaniac and self-anointed wizard who craves attention. Also dozens of other OC's around the league. Why can't these people just report on the game and leave the personal issues aside? Or maybe that would be too much work for them?

Powell's Books looming large in the Bay Area
"Used-book sellers in the region say it's become increasingly difficult to compete with Powell's because of its vast inventory -- more than 4 million titles in stock -- and the company's ability to undercut rivals' prices. They also say that as more used-book stores go under amid economic hardship, Powell's will only grow more formidable as it snaps up huge quantities of additional books at fire-sale prices, often as low as 15 cents on the dollar. "Powell's has been doing this all over the country," said Allan Milkerit, a San Francisco bookseller specializing in used and rare volumes. "But they've been especially active in the Bay Area because of the number of used books here." "

The great thing about the internet is that it is available to everyone. Yes, Powell's had a jump by recognizing the potential of being online early on. But if these independent used book stores would get together online and offer their inventories in a central shopping experience, then maybe they COULD compete with Powell's. The thing is, the investment in such an approach is not that cost intensive. I would imagine their current clientele would appreciate being able to peruse the inventory for dozens of stores in one place, reserve a copy, have it mailed to them, etc.

Key powers agree deal to end Israel-Hizbollah war - Yahoo! News:
"An Israeli political source said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was reviewing the draft resolution. Earlier in the day, Israel ordered an expansion of its ground offensive and said it would press ahead with the campaign if it was unhappy with any deal."

So Israel will just violate another UN resolution if they don't get what they want. And don't forget that the US could force a ceasefire at any time if they so desired. But then, since we are in a permanent war with "Islamo-fascists" what's the rush?

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) ****
Robert Downey, Jr. in a role he was born to play, Val Kilmer at the top of his game, and Michelle Monahgan who keeps up with them pretty well, form the core of this snappy, clever, funny meta-noir. Sharply written by Shane Black in his directorial debut, this one will be considered a classic years from now.

The Long Winters : putting the days to bed ****
Their best album of songs so far. Finely crafted, expertly played, they seem to take as many alt/indie rock cliches as they can cram into one song, tweak them a bit, and turn up the tempo. Interesting and emotion-packed power pop.

Rice ready for new Mideast trip if needed - Yahoo! News:
"U.S. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice would return to the Middle East this weekend if needed, U.S. officials said on Friday, as calls grew across the world for an end to the war between
Israel and Hizbollah."

If needed? IF NEEDED? What the FUCK is going on here??? She should NOT LEAVE until a peace accord is struck! If they blame Syria and Iran for Hezbollah, then surely the USA is to blame for Israel. And if that is the case we have a MORAL obligation to see that peace is reached as soon as possible NOW. Not "if needed". Jesus Christ please save us from these imbeciles.

UNDERNEWS: ENTROPY BEAT:
"The ten top grossing touring musical groups for the first half of 2006 include these seven. Next to the names is the year they got started.

1960 PAUL MCCARTNEY
1962 ROLLING STONES
1969 AEROSMITH
1971 BILLY JOEL
1976 U2
1981 LUIS MIGUEL
1983 BON JOVI

This supports the thesis of western cultural entropy outlined in 'The Quiet Storm: Blowin' in the Wind of Cultural Decay.' While there is nothing wrong with these groups, a thriving civilization would be expected to have a higher percentage of more recent bands."

WTF? Does this make any logical sense? I never even considered that civilization thrives when more recent bands make the most money in a given 6 month period.

Independent Online Edition > Middle East > Britain and US defy demand for immediate ceasefire
Shameful. "Culture of Life" indeed.

BBC NEWS | Americas | Cheney sued in CIA identity case:
"'This lawsuit concerns the intentional and malicious exposure by senior officials of the federal government of [Ms Plame], whose job it was to gather intelligence to make the nation safer and who risked her life for her country,' it says. The couple say the officials violated their constitutional and privacy rights in order to 'punish' Mr Wilson for his comments. The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensation and punitive damages as well as legal costs. Mr Corallo [spokesman for Mr. Rove] said of the lawsuit: 'Without even having had a chance to review the complaint, it is clear that the allegations are absolutely and utterly without merit.'"

Good for her! It's apparent that they are going to get away with this in the criminal courts, maybe the civil courts can find some semblance of justice here. I would also like to know how something you haven't even read can be clear to you?

The US Military Descends on Paraguay
"Some activists, military analysts and politicians in the region believe the operations could be part of a plan to overthrow the left-leaning government of Evo Morales in neighboring Bolivia and take control of the area's vast gas and water reserves. Human rights reports from Paraguay suggest the US military presence is, at the very least, heightening tensions in the country."

This was probably not the main reason for the military buildup since that began in early 2005 and Morales was not elected president until December 2005 (although he came in a close second in 2002). But it still bears close scrutiny.

Box Office Mojo > News > 'Pirates' Raid Record Books
I have not seen this flick, nor do I intend to until it's out on video, but I am somewhat pleased that Johnny Depp's box office clout has been solidified for at least another 10 years or so. That means he gets to call the shots for his pet projects and favorite directors and maybe, just maybe will be able to finance a completion for Gilliam's Don Quixote opus?

Leftist has early lead in Mexican election - Yahoo! News:
"The Harvard-educated Calderon would be an ally of the United States in Latin America, where left-wing leaders critical of Washington have taken power in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela in recent years."

No, this isn't Fox News, it's Yahoo News. The slant in this article almost makes it unreadable. You have to tilt your head a bit. The implication here is that anyone other than Calderon would NOT be an "ally of the US". Mexico will always be an "ally" of the US. That does not mean they will agree with everything our government does or our leaders say. Yes they will, and should, be critical of US policy if it is wrong. But that does not mean they are no longer an ally. And don't you love the phrasing of "left-wing leaders...have taken power"? That seems to imply some sort of coup d'etat or military uprising when in fact these are the democratically elected governments of their respective states. The overall tone of this piece is that anarchy is imminent. Yet Mexico has a cleaner election process than we do. The result will be close but I don't know why we expect anarchy to take place when all is said and done.

U.S. Air Force discovers blogs | FP Passport
I can't believe this is happening.

Israel hits Palestinian PM's office - Yahoo! News
"Israel's air force attacked the office of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday in the latest phase of a Gaza offensive designed to force militants into freeing an abducted soldier. Haniyeh, a leader of the ruling militant Islamist party Hamas, was not in his Gaza City office at the time of the helicopter strike, witnesses said. One Hamas member was killed in a second attack on an office used by forces loyal to Hamas. A third strike hit a Hamas school, but there were no casualties."

When is somebody in the Bush administration going to put a stop to this? This is an incredibly way over the top response to a soldier being kidnapped. This is an extremely dangerous series of events for the whole world and Mr. Bush is yukking it up in Graceland with the Japanese PM. Just par for the course with this clown.

And a note to Yahoo News (or Reuters or AP) regarding their "objective" phrase "ruling militant Islamist party Hamas". For one thing, it is the democratically elected government of a sovereign state. And if you call them "militant Islamist" why not call the government of Israel "ruling militant Jewish"? Or our own "ruling militant Christian"? It certainly seems to fit given Israel's actions and our actions.

Duma (2005)****
I'm not turning into Roger Ebert I SWEAR! It's really just a coincidence that my entertainment choices lately have all been worthy of 4 stars. This is a Carroll Ballard film so you expect superb visuals, realistic animal scenes, and bonding between humans and the animals. This one though has a bit more dialogue and human interaction than I remember in his previous films. Truly a very good family film in all the best senses of the phrase.

Cars (2006)****
I really believe these Pixar guys have this stuff down now. The animation in this film is just phenomenal. The level of detail is incredible. There are so many sight gags in DEEP background, so many beautiful touches all over the screen. You can enjoy this film with no sound whatsoever. And that is a bit of a drawback since the story is not really all that engaging and the characters kind of 2 dimensional (I KNOW it's a cartoon!) and there is an extended sequence in the middle of the picture that really slows things down and seems very unnecessary. So this isn't a perfect film all things considered. But it sure comes pretty close.

Bank Data Is Sifted by U.S. in Secret to Block Terror - New York Times:
"The program, however, is a significant departure from typical practice in how the government acquires Americans' financial records. Treasury officials did not seek individual court-approved warrants or subpoenas to examine specific transactions, instead relying on broad administrative subpoenas for millions of records from the cooperative, known as Swift....While many of those transactions have occurred entirely on foreign soil, officials have also been keenly interested in international transfers of money by individuals, businesses, charities and other groups under suspicion inside the United States, officials said. A small fraction of Swift's records involve transactions entirely within this country, but Treasury officials said they were uncertain whether any had been examined....Treasury officials said Swift was exempt from American laws restricting government access to private financial records because the cooperative was considered a messaging service, not a bank or financial institution. But at the outset of the operation, Treasury and Justice Department lawyers debated whether the program had to comply with such laws before concluding that it did not, people with knowledge of the debate said. "

Well all righty then. Treasury officials concluded that this was all legal after a presumed strongly spirited debate. See, it's not really financial information, it's just "messages". And really, only a "small fraction" of the data is "messages" sent solely within the USA even though they have no idea if that data was examined.

This is very, very bad.

Loud Family - What If It Works? (2006) ****
This is not an album...this is an EVENT! The initial 10 song cycle is the best I've heard in quite a while. This is meta-power pop at its finest. Songs about songs and about our relationship to the songs and the relationships IN the songs. Typically brainy fare from Scott Miller and Anton Barbeau but with an extra layer of back beat and melody somehow squeezed in. 3 covers, 3 Millers, 3 Barbeaus and one collaboration plus 2 bonus tracks besides. I have not been a big fan of Mr. Barbeau's in the past but his contributions to this opus, especially the title track, are exceptional and much more cohesive than what I have heard from him before. Here's hoping this excellent effort gives Scott Miller the success in the marketplace that has eluded him so far.

HNN: Jonathan Zimmerman: A Florida law banning relativism in classes ignores reality and 75 years of academic tradition:
"And just last week, in an unprecedented move, the president's brother approved a law barring revisionist history in Florida public schools. 'The history of the United States shall be taught as genuine history and shall not follow the revisionist or postmodernist viewpoints of relative truth,' declares Florida's Education Omnibus Bill, signed by Gov. Jeb Bush. 'American history shall be viewed as factual, not as constructed.' "

You can "view" it as factual all you want but that doesn't make it so. This is what happens when fear takes control of government. Or when power hungry people are allowed to use fear for their own ends.