On Thursday Gawker's Nick Denton was on a Magazine Publishers of America Magazine Innovation Summit panel titled "The Decline and Rise of Magazine Journalism.” The moderator, Slate's Jacob Weisberg, asked how Denton monitors and fact-checks the content on Gawker sites: “We don’t,” Mr. Denton replied flatly. “We aim to get the truth over time. The verification model is … [Read more...] about Gawker’s Nick Denton: We Don’t Fact Check, We Aim For Truth Over Time. UPDATED: Gawker Bought the Exclusive on The Balloon Hoax Story
Some Thoughts on the UNHCR Endorsement of the Goldstone Report
Here is Sharon Otterman's report in yesterday's New York Times on the United Nations Human Rights Council's decision and what it means going forward: … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts on the UNHCR Endorsement of the Goldstone Report
Rush is still a racist
Steve Benen has a very different opinion from my own. So what if some racist statements were falsely attributed to Rush? He's said plenty of real racist things, too. Steve provides this list, via TAPPED, Limbaugh's record of racist commentary...includes not only a habit of comparing black athletes to gang members but a general hostility toward black people. Limbaugh only … [Read more...] about Rush is still a racist
Germany’s Got Revolutionary Power
Business Week says Germany's building the power grid of the future. One of humanity's boldest visions: The electricity age is imminent in six German regions: The technology of the future for smart energy management is going to be developed and tested, under the label E-Energy, in several cities. A number of projects will kick into high gear this month. Tens of thousands of … [Read more...] about Germany’s Got Revolutionary Power
Authenticity is fake
My old friend Dara Horn has a great column in the WSJ. She writes,Americans crave authenticity, culinary and otherwise. But most of what we consider authentic is just an earlier generation's novelty. The Jewish delicatessen is a case in point. While cured meats are a European specialty, Mr. Sax points out that most Jews in Eastern Europe were too poor to afford red meat; … [Read more...] about Authenticity is fake
You know who is a big fat idiot
As I've said before, I don't listen to Rush Limbaugh or any other conservative talk-show hosts. Nothing I know about Rush & Co. has inspired any particular respect or fondness on my part. Yet I remain deeply suspicious of those who rely on criticism of Rush & Co. to advertise their own alleged commitment to civility, facts and the reality-based community. This … [Read more...] about You know who is a big fat idiot
HOPE is a fraud
As Joe Windish noted this morning, Shepherd Fairey, the artist responsible for the "HOPE" portrait of President Obama, has admitted to tampering with and manufacturing evidence in a lawsuit related to the portrait. The Associated Press claims that Mr. Fairey owes them compensation, since the portrait was based on an AP photo of Obama. I'm curious to know whether Obama will … [Read more...] about HOPE is a fraud
Balloon Boy: Which Is Worse ?
I've refrained from making a lot of comment on the story but it's the weekend and so I thought I'd propose a thought that has been running through my mind. Obviously the big controversy is over whether this is fake or real. The evidence certainly suggests it could have been a publicity stunt but the father insists that it was for real. We've seen lots of discussion about … [Read more...] about Balloon Boy: Which Is Worse ?
Shepard Fairey Lied About Photo
Via Romenesko: "In an attempt to conceal my mistake, I submitted false images and deleted other images," says the artist, who has been involved in countersuits with the AP. "I take full responsibility for my actions, which were mine alone." NYTimes: Mr. Fairey told The A.P. — and his own lawyers — that he used a shot from an event about Darfur at the National Press Club in … [Read more...] about Shepard Fairey Lied About Photo
Book Review: The Holy Bullet by Luis Miguel Rocha
If you were a fan of Luis Miguel Rocha's best-seller The Last Pope, here's the good news and the bad news about his latest thriller, The Holy Bullet: THE GOOD NEWS It's a fast-paced amusement park ride for the mind -- fast-paced with an intricate plot. It's another great book from the Portugal-born Rocha. THE BAD NEWS: It's a book you won't want to put down. You'll likely … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Holy Bullet by Luis Miguel Rocha
Saturday Radio
In case you find yourself stuck with the kind of weather we're getting in Upstate New York this weekend and have nothing better to do, tune in to Mid Stream Radio at 1 pm eastern (10 am pacific) for your weekly dose of bombastic political rhetoric and absurd analysis. The only thing off the table today is Balloon Boy, but everything else is fair game. Follow the link above to … [Read more...] about Saturday Radio
Has Turkey Been Lost To The West?
Has Turkey been lost to the West? Caroline Glick thinks so: Once the apotheosis of a pro-Western, dependable Muslim democracy, this week Turkey officially left the Western alliance and became a full member of the Iranian axis. It isn't that Ankara's behavior changed fundamentally in recent days. There is nothing new in its massive hostility toward Israel and its … [Read more...] about Has Turkey Been Lost To The West?
Pakistan Presses Its Battle Into Taliban Stronghold
Pakistan is pressing its military battle against Taliban forces that seek to destabilize its government -- and the region -- into Taliban strongholds. in recent recent weeks, Taliban forces have staged a series of stunning attacks and now the Pakistan government seems to be saying in effect "it's our turn." Meanwhile, in Washington, recent Taliban bombings in Pakistan have … [Read more...] about Pakistan Presses Its Battle Into Taliban Stronghold
Field Of Frozen Dreams
I am a native Southern Californian, love baseball, played it as a youth and because my hometown San Diego Padres suck, don't follow it that much on television until the playoffs. Watching Friday night's game in New York with the Yankees playing the Angels I may have caught a case of pneumonia in my own home 3,000 away from home plate. Believe me, it was a lot warmer at … [Read more...] about Field Of Frozen Dreams
Ted Turner: ‘War is Obsolete’
Ted Turner regrets losing his job at Time Warner, his wife, Jane Fonda, and $7 billion of his fortune. In a Bloomberg interview out yesterday he also says we'll get out of Afghanistan: “War is obsolete...The last time someone surrendered was Japan and that was 60 years ago. The Afghans will never surrender. We will just get tired and come home. We’ve already given up on Iraq … [Read more...] about Ted Turner: ‘War is Obsolete’
COMMENT SYSTEM PROBLEMS
ATTENTION ALL TMV READERS AND COMMENTERS! There is a serious problem with our 3rd party commenting system (Disqus) in that random comments are being flagged as SPAM and are being removed. I have found those comments and I'm in the process of restoring them. Furthermore I have raised a support ticket with Disqus to get this fixed ASAP. I apologize for all of the confusion … [Read more...] about COMMENT SYSTEM PROBLEMS
The Great Performers: Fats Waller
Fats Waller was one of the greatest jazz performers and showmen of the early-mid 20th century. Here he is performing his song "This Joint Is Jumpin" And one of his most delightful songs: "Your Feets Too Big": Even though he died of double-pneumonia while on a train trip in 1943, he left a substantial recorded legacy that we can still enjoy. … [Read more...] about The Great Performers: Fats Waller
Two Cartoonists On Rush Limbaugh, the NFL and the Rams
Here are two different views from cartoonists on Rush Limbaugh, the NFL and the Rams: John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune Bill Schorr, Cagle Cartoons These cartoons are copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Two Cartoonists On Rush Limbaugh, the NFL and the Rams
How Big Is Google Anyway?
Google stock achieved some jaw-dropping numbers yesterday, up to $552 a share with profits 27 percent above this period last year. CEO Eric Schmidt crowed, "we believe the worst of the recession is behind us and now feel confident about investing heavily in our future." Today Chris Thompson brings us down to earth: [F]or all its staggering growth, Google isn't as big as it … [Read more...] about How Big Is Google Anyway?
Newt Hearts Dede
Well, I guess we can say that Newt Gingrich is no longer a conservative since he endorsed Dede Scozzafava: In a major coup for her campaign, Republican Dede Scozzafava today will pick up the endorsement of Newt Gingrich, one of the nation’s leading conservative figures and the architect of the “Republican Revolution” in the mid-1990s. “The special election for the … [Read more...] about Newt Hearts Dede