The art of pantomime is nearly lost in most films and TV (Great Britain's late Benny Hill was the last great TV practioner). And here is a rarity: Harpo Marx, who never spoke in his role in the classic Marx Brothers vaudelle and movies comedy team...appearing in a 1959 episode of the Kraft Music Hall. It's videotape so it looks more "live." If you're a younger TMV you can see … [Read more...] about Classic Comedians: Harpo Marx on 1950s TV
The Right’s Political Correctness About Terrorism
If you define "political correctness" as social or political beliefs that cannot be questioned without triggering outrage and condemnation, then this is the right's particular political correctness about terrorism: If you do not explicitly use the label "radical Islamic" or "Islamic extremism" in conjunction with the word "terrorist" or "terrorism," you cannot hope to win the … [Read more...] about The Right’s Political Correctness About Terrorism
Why No Cagle Cartoons?
If you're wondering where Cagle Cartoons are: we're in the process of a transition and some upgrades and at this time can't publish images. That will be fixed soon. Stay tuned! … [Read more...] about Why No Cagle Cartoons?
Dick Morris Predicts Republican Tidal Wave Will End Public Education Dominance
File this in your Here We Go Again File. Dick Morris, who was once a solid political operative truly considered at the top of the game who worked for members of both parties, is now predicting that a massive Republican tidal wave in November will virtually put an end to public education's dominance since GOP power will mean people can now choose to send their kids to private … [Read more...] about Dick Morris Predicts Republican Tidal Wave Will End Public Education Dominance
“Dude, Here’s Your Cookie”
Simon Johnson, author of 13 Bankers: The Wall Street Takeover and the Next Financial Meltdown (which is on the coffee table in my living room right now, waiting its turn to be read), also has a blog called The Baseline Scenario. Today, Johnson writes about the megabanks' mixed success at defeating financial reform: … [Read more...] about “Dude, Here’s Your Cookie”
The Good Ship Sarah Palin Runs Into Rocky Waters
She faces a storm of criticism by onetime adorers on her Facebook page. … [Read more...] about The Good Ship Sarah Palin Runs Into Rocky Waters
Judge Sues Boss, Fellow Judges, For Not Enforcing State Domestic Violence Law
In San Diego, at least, this has never happened before: A superior court judge is suing her presiding judge and all other judges in the San Diego court system for not enforcing a state law which she says must be imposed on all domestic violence defendants. Judge DeAnn Salcido at a news conference Friday denied she was taking the action because her court seat is being … [Read more...] about Judge Sues Boss, Fellow Judges, For Not Enforcing State Domestic Violence Law
Arizona’s ‘Glass Frontier’: El Pais, Spain
Mexican Carlos Fuentes, one of the best-known living novelists and essayists in the Spanish-speaking world, has written this scathing article about Arizona Law SP 1070 for the newspaper El Pais of Spain. Mr. Fuentes criticizes U.S. politicians like John McCain for flip-flopping on immigration, warns of the dangers of the road Arizona has embarked upon, and attacks Mexico's … [Read more...] about Arizona’s ‘Glass Frontier’: El Pais, Spain
District TMV: Now Open For Residency!
Hello readers. A while back, when we made the decision to scrap traditional comments, we started seeking other alternatives. We didn't want to "clutter" the site with long comment streams. We wanted better management of "unsavory" comments and commenters. And we wanted much more interactivity. We are confident that we have found the solution. We call it: DISTRICT … [Read more...] about District TMV: Now Open For Residency!
Loose Lips Can Still Sink Ships (Guest Voice)
Loose Lips Can Still Sink Ships by Michael Reagan In days past, other nations needed a sophisticated and highly trained espionage operation to know the details of America’s military might. Now, they only need a subscription to The New York Times. This week, the Obama administration released information regarding the number of nuclear weapons we have stockpiled: 5,113 … [Read more...] about Loose Lips Can Still Sink Ships (Guest Voice)
National E coli Outbreak Traced To Yuma Farm In Arizona
As if Arizona didn't have enough problems as a result of boycotts threatening its $18 billion tourism industry because of the anti-immigrant law passed by the Legislature, federal investigators are looking at a Yuma farm as the possible source of a widespread E.coli outbreak from romaine lettuce. The Food and Drug Administration reported 19 people were sickened by E.coli -- … [Read more...] about National E coli Outbreak Traced To Yuma Farm In Arizona
Kent State and the Frisbee Revolution (Guest Voice)
Kent State and the Frisbee Revolution by Michael Winship I was a freshman at Georgetown University when it happened, 40 years ago on May 4. Most of us didn't know what had taken place until late in the day. We were in class or studying for finals, so hours went by until my friends and I heard the news. On that warm spring Monday, the Ohio National Guard had opened … [Read more...] about Kent State and the Frisbee Revolution (Guest Voice)
Obama’s Weekly You Tube Radio Address: Health Care Reform Benefits Being Felt Now
President Barack Obama says in his weekly address that the new health care reform law's benefits are already kicking in: … [Read more...] about Obama’s Weekly You Tube Radio Address: Health Care Reform Benefits Being Felt Now
Male Robber Wearing Burka Sparks Debate in Australia Over Banning the Burka
Over the past few years several European countries have debated banning the burka, the garment worn by some Muslim women for hiding a female's body while out in public. But now the debate is raging in Australia -- sparked by an armed robbery in which the male robber wore a burka. France, which has Europe's largest Muslim population, is ready to take up legislation to bank … [Read more...] about Male Robber Wearing Burka Sparks Debate in Australia Over Banning the Burka
Underwater Robots Try to Fix Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
Underwater robots are working hard to try and fix the Gulf of Mexico Oil spill: UPDATE: Meanwhile, the prevailing question becomes: were safety regulations loosened in the previous administration to help Big Oil? The discussion on Hardball: Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy … [Read more...] about Underwater Robots Try to Fix Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
Lieberman’s Citizenship-Stripping Bill Is Unconstitutional
I think if I hear or read about one more lawmaker declaring that a bill clearly motivated by partisan politics is "not about politics," I will scream: … [Read more...] about Lieberman’s Citizenship-Stripping Bill Is Unconstitutional
Department of Political Hypocrisy
Stock Explosion: A Real Who Dunnit?
Have you wondered as I have how in this computerized society of technological miracles that our nation's major stock market exchanges can crash and rebound in 20 minutes with the players involved acting like the Keystone Cops comedy films of yesteryear? "Who, me?" asks Ray Pellecchia, spokesman for the New York Stock Exchange. Let me put this in perspective. The NYSE, by … [Read more...] about Stock Explosion: A Real Who Dunnit?
What Belongs in Vegas Stays in Vegas
And let's hope some things stay in Florida... (This means some Floridians will be able to continue to horse around.) … [Read more...] about What Belongs in Vegas Stays in Vegas
The Science of Memes: Dan Zarrella’s Quest for Social Media Hard Data
The science of memes: Dan Zarrella's quest for social media hard data by Simon Owens In response to the announcement that the Washington Post plans to sell Newsweek, Seth Godin -- one of the most widely-linked and retweeted marketing bloggers -- fired off a post yesterday morning in which he lectures his readers as to where the future of profitable publishing is headed. … [Read more...] about The Science of Memes: Dan Zarrella’s Quest for Social Media Hard Data