THE NEWS HACK'S CREED:
I know more than you.
I make lots more money than you.
I'm smarter than you.
I'm sexier than you.
I appear on TV all the time.
I work ten minutes a day.
I rule the universe.
I'm going to live forever.
You are an idiot.
THE NEWS HACK'S CREED, No. 2:
A lie isn't a lie when it tells THE TRUTH.
THE NEWS HACK'S CREED, No. 3:
I've come to realize that the looseness of the journalistic life, the seeming laxity of the newsroom, is an illusion. Yes, there's informality and there's humor, but beneath the surface lies something deadly serious. It is a code. Sometimes the code is not even written down, but it is deeply believed in. And, when violated, it is enforced with tribal ferocity.
--JOHN "OMERTA" CARROLL.
THE NEWS HACK'S CREED, No. 4:
News isn't news when we don't report it.
PERMALINKS:
THE NEWS HACKS' DICTIONARY
THE EUGENE DAVID GLOSSARY
AMERICA'S MOST UNINTENTIONALLY FUNNY WEB SITE!
Blogroll Me!
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Wednesday, June 07, 2006
His company owning AOL rather than MYSPACE, a TWXSTER nonetheless effuses that "WEB 2.0 is REALLY ABOUT ENGAGEMENT!" And he got applause from the likes of B. S. DEFENDER, no doubt.
At one point, Mr. Meirs was asked a question about the digital threat to TV -- in the form of increasingly popular digital video recorders -- and his answer got a strong reaction from the audience.
"I think they're at great risk," Mr. Meirs said in response to the question. "I have a DVR. I never look at commercials. And I think it's great because what it's doing is forcing people -- it's forcing media buyers -- to consider magazine advertising." The crowd burst into applause and laughter.
I'm sure KING RICHARD was HIGHLY amused. Then again, the King is so detached it's a wonder PEOPLE WARNER has a CEO.
At one point, Mr. Meirs was asked a question about the digital threat to TV -- in the form of increasingly popular digital video recorders -- and his answer got a strong reaction from the audience.
"I think they're at great risk," Mr. Meirs said in response to the question. "I have a DVR. I never look at commercials. And I think it's great because what it's doing is forcing people -- it's forcing media buyers -- to consider magazine advertising." The crowd burst into applause and laughter.
I'm sure KING RICHARD was HIGHLY amused. Then again, the King is so detached it's a wonder PEOPLE WARNER has a CEO.
"THEY WERE CUTTING COMMERCIALS FOR KERRY!!!!! THEY WERE USING THEIR GRIEF IN ORDER TO MAKE A POLITICAL POINT!!!!!"
So that makes your SCREAMING okay, Ann "The Rightie MoDo" Coulter?
So that makes your SCREAMING okay, Ann "The Rightie MoDo" Coulter?
Judging from how this breathless story got publicized it could be around for some time. On the other hand, what happened to USAOKAY!!!!!'s P-Ulitzer winner about phone "surveillance"? Possibly a reason such stories have such a short shelf life -- even our WICKED, PREMEDITATED EVIL IN ABU GHRAIB got ignored after a while -- may be seen in events NORTH OF THE BORDER.
PEOPLE magazine paid more than $4.1 million for the North American rights to photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's baby Shiloh, but the worldwide rights to shots of the ultimately celebrity kidlet could top $10 million. People's deal was first reported by Page Six yesterday.
Despite noble rumblings from the Towers of Babble, the TWXSTERS are NOT in the news business.
(Via MediaBistro)
Despite noble rumblings from the Towers of Babble, the TWXSTERS are NOT in the news business.
(Via MediaBistro)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Procter & Gamble Co. is making cuts to its upfront spending for the second year in a row, a move attributed in part to its merger with Gillette that closed in October. The packaged-goods giant is slashing its upfront budget by around 10% and is one of a number of marketers reportedly spending less this year in broadcast TV.
One of the world's biggest producers of JUNK TELEVISION is starting to acquire -- SENSE?!?!?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Procter & Gamble Co. is making cuts to its upfront spending for the second year in a row, a move attributed in part to its merger with Gillette that closed in October. The packaged-goods giant is slashing its upfront budget by around 10% and is one of a number of marketers reportedly spending less this year in broadcast TV.
One of the world's biggest producers of JUNK TELEVISION is starting to acquire -- SENSE?!?!?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Bruce's PR regiment calls up the always pliable Edna, and suggests the cure for the nation's ills is to "GET RID OF THE PRESIDENT"!
I think if we got rid of USAOKAY!!!!! and its legions of press agents that would do more good!
I think if we got rid of USAOKAY!!!!! and its legions of press agents that would do more good!
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
I give Benedict some credit. Not from him do we get the inane God of American optimism, the deity of American politics who is always compassionate and on our side and will make everything just wonderful if only we put our faith in him. This is the Chamber of Commerce God of George W. Bush and sometimes, when Bush talks that way, I want to scream "Auschwitz!" at him. Auschwitz! Mr. President, have you ever heard of Auschwitz?
I understand what Richard Cohen's saying. But for all Dubya's shortcomings we should not blame him for Auschwitz. Our age merely bulges with the kind of "leaders" who speak before they think, and never have to think.
I understand what Richard Cohen's saying. But for all Dubya's shortcomings we should not blame him for Auschwitz. Our age merely bulges with the kind of "leaders" who speak before they think, and never have to think.
At least one member of a group of terror suspects plotted to storm Canada's parliament and behead officials, including the prime minister, if Muslim prisoners in Canada and Afghanistan were not released, according to charges made public Tuesday.
Shouldn't that read "M----m"?
Still have your -- heads in the sands, Canadians? EH?
A Muslim leader who knew the oldest suspect, 43-year-old Qayyum Abdul Jamal, told The Associated Press that his sermons at a local mosque were "filled with hate" against Canada.
Maybe he was still mad the NHL season was canceled.
Shouldn't that read "M----m"?
Still have your -- heads in the sands, Canadians? EH?
A Muslim leader who knew the oldest suspect, 43-year-old Qayyum Abdul Jamal, told The Associated Press that his sermons at a local mosque were "filled with hate" against Canada.
Maybe he was still mad the NHL season was canceled.
Robert "Over the" Hilburn has a new name, and it's Christopher Knight! We do not know why this now-painted over masterwork rivals the Mona Lisa or the Sistine Chapel, but it does not take much of an imagination to see our impassioned hack defending a wallful of graffi -- AHT painted over. But then being a NEWS HACK requires NO imagination -- or brains. The word effete seems to have been invented just for typists like Christopher Knight, and thanks to such effusions fewer people take "cri-TICS" seriously anymore.
Wanna bet this expulsion inspires a "restoration" project -- at enormous TAXPAYER expense?
Instead of popping half a billion dollars into some swank real estate in Washington so we can be just like every other industry and trade group in the history of America, what if we put half a billion dollars into literacy programs?
Because, in the essentials, you are just like every other industry and trade group in the history of America.
(Via the insuperable Romy)
Because, in the essentials, you are just like every other industry and trade group in the history of America.
(Via the insuperable Romy)
The parallels between Robbins and Bernstein, throughout their lives, were many. Aside from their backgrounds and sexual orientations, they were part of what must have been a thrilling group of young people in the 1940's, boldly oblivious to any snobbish separation of high and low art, caught up in social idealism, convinced they were making great work, which they were.
And next to this story, on both pages: an ad for The Wedding Singer. Nuf said.
And next to this story, on both pages: an ad for The Wedding Singer. Nuf said.
Juxtaposition of the Day, on ArtsJournal.com:
Claim: Mozart Helps You See Better
A Device That Can "Hear" Everything
Now we can be omniscient!
Claim: Mozart Helps You See Better
A Device That Can "Hear" Everything
Now we can be omniscient!
G000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000GLE has another brainstorm: a spreadsheet you store on the Web!
Excel is safe for now.
(Via MediaBistro)
Excel is safe for now.
(Via MediaBistro)
Jeez -- how COULD we have missed THIS Romy entry just before it:
J-schools should partner with computer-science departments
BUGMEISTER BILL! You have COMPETITION!
J-schools should partner with computer-science departments
BUGMEISTER BILL! You have COMPETITION!
Investors in Philly newspapers not looking for quick profit
TRANSLATION: 1. They've resigned themselves to Craigslist and 2. There'll be layoffs when they decide the profits aren't quick enough.
TRANSLATION: 1. They've resigned themselves to Craigslist and 2. There'll be layoffs when they decide the profits aren't quick enough.
It will now cost to download Jay Leno’s monologues and comedy sketches on iTunes.
There goes THAT experiment!
There goes THAT experiment!
Simon, the FIREBRAND of ADAGE, has a PROBLEM with the FCC:
THOSE WHO WOULD CONDESCEND TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC -- DECIDING THAT MORE AND MORE THINGS ARE "DIRTY" AND THAT EVERYONE, INCLUDING GROWN MEN AND WOMEN, MUST SIMPLY NOT BE ALLOWED TO WATCH OR HEAR THEM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES -- ARE OFTEN THE ONES WITH THE MOST PITIABLE PSYCHOSEXUAL ISSUES!!!!!
I suspect the ad biz has a three-volume thick list of "issues" past and present, PSYCHOSEXUAL and otherwise; and I'm not sure, in any case, we should pay much attention to a trade-rag typist covering a biz whose primary m.o. is LYING.
(Via MediaBistro.com. AdAge.com is another site that has recently "improved" itself -- in this case, making things harder to find -- so we haven't posted from it as often. Maybe we should start posting again.)
THOSE WHO WOULD CONDESCEND TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC -- DECIDING THAT MORE AND MORE THINGS ARE "DIRTY" AND THAT EVERYONE, INCLUDING GROWN MEN AND WOMEN, MUST SIMPLY NOT BE ALLOWED TO WATCH OR HEAR THEM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES -- ARE OFTEN THE ONES WITH THE MOST PITIABLE PSYCHOSEXUAL ISSUES!!!!!
I suspect the ad biz has a three-volume thick list of "issues" past and present, PSYCHOSEXUAL and otherwise; and I'm not sure, in any case, we should pay much attention to a trade-rag typist covering a biz whose primary m.o. is LYING.
(Via MediaBistro.com. AdAge.com is another site that has recently "improved" itself -- in this case, making things harder to find -- so we haven't posted from it as often. Maybe we should start posting again.)
SHUCKS, Michelle MSed the cut. Now we'll have to wait until next year to overreport and beat us on the head again.
Yes, it's sad that people die trying to cross our border. Maybe if we knew what we were doing keeping them out they wouldn't die.
La Resistencia...Indymedia...DiscovertheNetworks.org...MotherJones.org...AlterNet...Obviously ST. WARREN's cherubim must think we don't know what a computer is, or that Google doesn't exist. And these same oafs are about to open their WHOLE SITE to COMMENTS. HAVE AT 'EM, BOYS!
P. S. I forgot DiscovertheNetworks is part of DAVID HOROWITZ!!!!!!!!!!' network, but just as well; it still shows we're on the GOOD side.
La Resistencia...Indymedia...DiscovertheNetworks.org...MotherJones.org...AlterNet...Obviously ST. WARREN's cherubim must think we don't know what a computer is, or that Google doesn't exist. And these same oafs are about to open their WHOLE SITE to COMMENTS. HAVE AT 'EM, BOYS!
P. S. I forgot DiscovertheNetworks is part of DAVID HOROWITZ!!!!!!!!!!' network, but just as well; it still shows we're on the GOOD side.
The new, improved DUBYA offers all carrot and no stick.
And while we're at it why don't we set up a direct link between Tehran and the Pentagon? You know, a joint military task force. That might improve relations.
The Abramoffs have been VERY busy.
And while we're at it why don't we set up a direct link between Tehran and the Pentagon? You know, a joint military task force. That might improve relations.
The Abramoffs have been VERY busy.
Monday, June 05, 2006
GREG WANTS HADITHA ON EVERY FRONT PAGE EVERY DAMN DAY!!!!! THIS IS THE WORST ATROCITY IN THE HISTORY OF WARFARE!!!!! THIS IS A COVERUP UP IN THE WORKS!!!!! THIS IS...
This is Greg being the usual unbiased non-partisan ass.
(Via the unavoidable ROMY, whom we'd gather is pretty agitated himself)
This is Greg being the usual unbiased non-partisan ass.
(Via the unavoidable ROMY, whom we'd gather is pretty agitated himself)
DOW 36,000 comes out AGAINST OFFICE WEB SURFING?
Getting into a fight involving THE PROFESSOR is useless, but several things are obvious: 1. If people didn't waste their time surfing they'd waste it doing something else. 2. $178 BILLION sounds like the kind of stat someone invents to milk the taxpayer. 3. Any company with a good Web policy will have antivirus and anti-spyware programs on every computer and prod the employees to use them.
Web browsing in the workplace should not be unlimited. Porn sites should be completely verboten, as should sending large video files and pirating any copyrighted material. So should trashing your bosses and coworkers on blogs. The answer to alleged "productivity" problems is not computer lockdowns.
Getting into a fight involving THE PROFESSOR is useless, but several things are obvious: 1. If people didn't waste their time surfing they'd waste it doing something else. 2. $178 BILLION sounds like the kind of stat someone invents to milk the taxpayer. 3. Any company with a good Web policy will have antivirus and anti-spyware programs on every computer and prod the employees to use them.
Web browsing in the workplace should not be unlimited. Porn sites should be completely verboten, as should sending large video files and pirating any copyrighted material. So should trashing your bosses and coworkers on blogs. The answer to alleged "productivity" problems is not computer lockdowns.
The savior of Venezuela suffers a setback.
It says something that Peruvians would rather have an "ex-leader tarnished by failure" than redistributed wealth.
It says something that Peruvians would rather have an "ex-leader tarnished by failure" than redistributed wealth.
The Iranian government has already started its crackdown on the Web. Its Revolutionary Guard recently bought technology to jam signals, a frequent tactic.
Many sites, including the BBC's popular Farsi service, have been blocked and filtered (often using North American-made software).
Yahoo!, Google, Cisco Systems, BUGMEISTER BILL -- do I smell some more rope-selling?
(Via The Corner)
Many sites, including the BBC's popular Farsi service, have been blocked and filtered (often using North American-made software).
Yahoo!, Google, Cisco Systems, BUGMEISTER BILL -- do I smell some more rope-selling?
(Via The Corner)
Sunday, June 04, 2006
More from the earthshaking truth tellers of the ASSociated Press:
Alex Toth, a maverick comic artist who designed classic Hanna Barbera [sic] adventure cartoons such as The Superfriends [sic] and Space Ghost, has died.
We will presume Mr. Toth was pretty good at what he did, but we must say this is probably the first time a writer has mated "classic" and Super Friends, and we hope it is the last.
This, however, is definitely NOT the last time an ASSociated Press writer will use "classic", not with Sandys around.
Alex Toth, a maverick comic artist who designed classic Hanna Barbera [sic] adventure cartoons such as The Superfriends [sic] and Space Ghost, has died.
We will presume Mr. Toth was pretty good at what he did, but we must say this is probably the first time a writer has mated "classic" and Super Friends, and we hope it is the last.
This, however, is definitely NOT the last time an ASSociated Press writer will use "classic", not with Sandys around.
Really Sandy, is running press releases like this worth it? You typists bombard us with press releases day and night. You may say, what's one more? Well, one more is one less serious story we get exposed to. One more is one less chance to tell us what we should know. One more means we'll be less informed. One more means you folk get to whine at CONFERENCES blasting the public for being ill-informed.
A NEUHARTHISM OF THE WEEK AWARD to SANDY!
P. S. Yes, we note the by-line. The Wizard of Oz was once filmed there. Now crummy press releases get typed there.
A NEUHARTHISM OF THE WEEK AWARD to SANDY!
P. S. Yes, we note the by-line. The Wizard of Oz was once filmed there. Now crummy press releases get typed there.
This is not to say MR. MARK is falling back on his heavy responsibilities to society: He asked fifteen top thinkers to come up with ideas for "recharging" America -- and they didn't let him down. The fifteen ideas:
1. We Need to Fix Our Schools!
2. Spend More on Research!
3. Change the Culture! ("It's time to emphasize creativity in technology and science." We're so proud of you, ESTHER!)
4. View Rivals As Partners!
5. Look Beyond Political Labels! (MARK WARNER talking.)
6. Focus on the New Age of Creators! (Did Paul Saffo have any idea what he meant? Of course! He was writing for MR. MARK!)
7. Bring Back Those Offshore Jobs! (Good luck!)
8. Cut Out the Bullying! (From the CEO of REALNETWORKS, which has a history of bullying its users with SPYWARE.)
9. Let's Extend the R&D Tax Cut More! (A "deputy secretary of Commerce." Figures.)
10. Don't Let the Big Guys Take Over! (This from MR. CRAIGSLIST, who must dream every other day of the IPO.)
11. Get a Handle on All That Data! (From the director of the San Diego Computer Center. Yeah.)
12. See Immigration As a Strength! (Well it depends on how many -- and from WHERE.)
13. Wake Up About Stem Cells! (Aw, did you have to throw in PC, Mr. Mark? We were amused up till now!)
14. Face Up to Fiscal Realities! (Does that have anything to do with the R&D tax cut? Didn't think so.)
And last but not least in this cavalcade of deep brain exercising:
15. Give All Children A Good Education!
These fifteen brilliant ideas will resound through America's corridors for all time! We thank you humbly, MR. MARK!!!!!
Pfffffffffffffffffffffffffft!
P. S. And don't do it again! It was a LOT of copying and pasting.
1. We Need to Fix Our Schools!
2. Spend More on Research!
3. Change the Culture! ("It's time to emphasize creativity in technology and science." We're so proud of you, ESTHER!)
4. View Rivals As Partners!
5. Look Beyond Political Labels! (MARK WARNER talking.)
6. Focus on the New Age of Creators! (Did Paul Saffo have any idea what he meant? Of course! He was writing for MR. MARK!)
7. Bring Back Those Offshore Jobs! (Good luck!)
8. Cut Out the Bullying! (From the CEO of REALNETWORKS, which has a history of bullying its users with SPYWARE.)
9. Let's Extend the R&D Tax Cut More! (A "deputy secretary of Commerce." Figures.)
10. Don't Let the Big Guys Take Over! (This from MR. CRAIGSLIST, who must dream every other day of the IPO.)
11. Get a Handle on All That Data! (From the director of the San Diego Computer Center. Yeah.)
12. See Immigration As a Strength! (Well it depends on how many -- and from WHERE.)
13. Wake Up About Stem Cells! (Aw, did you have to throw in PC, Mr. Mark? We were amused up till now!)
14. Face Up to Fiscal Realities! (Does that have anything to do with the R&D tax cut? Didn't think so.)
And last but not least in this cavalcade of deep brain exercising:
15. Give All Children A Good Education!
These fifteen brilliant ideas will resound through America's corridors for all time! We thank you humbly, MR. MARK!!!!!
Pfffffffffffffffffffffffffft!
P. S. And don't do it again! It was a LOT of copying and pasting.
We'd like to know how the newsrags are prepared. Do the top editors of Tweedledee and Tweedledum gather at the Four Seasons, over as spendthrift a lunch as their expense accounts will afford (we suspect these days ST. WARREN would pick up more of the tab), and not only divvy up the cover stories, but exactly with what level of political spin to push them? Do they nosh with show-biz tycoons to see which properties they'll sell that week? Do they agree on exactly what NOT to say in their rags? Of course not. But sometimes it seems exactly that way.
Great minds think alike.
And here's a brief sample of what they might talk over at the Four Seasons, if they did:
Chalk up a diplomatic win for the White House. President Bush's surprise offer last week to talk to Tehran yielded breakthroughs that have momentarily quelled fears of U.S. military action against the Iranian regime.
Whew! The forces of reason conquer all. What did Henry's liars have to say about NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN? Something the TWXSTERS would censor, no doubt.
Great minds think alike.
And here's a brief sample of what they might talk over at the Four Seasons, if they did:
Chalk up a diplomatic win for the White House. President Bush's surprise offer last week to talk to Tehran yielded breakthroughs that have momentarily quelled fears of U.S. military action against the Iranian regime.
Whew! The forces of reason conquer all. What did Henry's liars have to say about NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN? Something the TWXSTERS would censor, no doubt.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Our StinkyInky, under NEW MANAGEMENT, is running a five-parter on the American Catholic church. There isn't much to say, even in one part; like too many churches it has become a self-supporting irrelevance; owning so many schools and colleges and hospitals it's a glorified social-services agency. We see that in the church's high-mucky-mucks, who spend more time worrying about the minimum wage than about their cathecism. And the "faithful," with good reason, don't take it too seriously either.
It's not just the Catholic Church's problem of course. There is not a single American church that combines moral strength, intellectual rigor and cultural excellence. At least one quality is always missing. Thus with the Catholics, for whom the official musical instrument is still the gheetar. Thus with the Baptists and the evangelicals, who undermine their conviction with outright pandering and the musical equivalent of a smiley button, or worse. Thus the liberal Jewish congregations, religious in name only. Thus with the so-called mainstream Protestant denominations, home to droning and political wishy-washiness. Nor do some churches help themselves by turning the other way at internal corruption.
I must confess I haven't been inside a church in ages. Part of me regrets that. Religion is crucial to life; it gives reason to live, and hope. But our churches are in the same funk as everything else. America is several centures removed from the conditions that justified her existence and gave her guts; we're now coasting, like the Europeans, only with a healthier economy. Cranks and rabble-rousers and SUMNERS have a huge void they can fill, and they're doing it nicely.
It's not just the Catholic Church's problem of course. There is not a single American church that combines moral strength, intellectual rigor and cultural excellence. At least one quality is always missing. Thus with the Catholics, for whom the official musical instrument is still the gheetar. Thus with the Baptists and the evangelicals, who undermine their conviction with outright pandering and the musical equivalent of a smiley button, or worse. Thus the liberal Jewish congregations, religious in name only. Thus with the so-called mainstream Protestant denominations, home to droning and political wishy-washiness. Nor do some churches help themselves by turning the other way at internal corruption.
I must confess I haven't been inside a church in ages. Part of me regrets that. Religion is crucial to life; it gives reason to live, and hope. But our churches are in the same funk as everything else. America is several centures removed from the conditions that justified her existence and gave her guts; we're now coasting, like the Europeans, only with a healthier economy. Cranks and rabble-rousers and SUMNERS have a huge void they can fill, and they're doing it nicely.
Iran's president told U.N. chief Kofi Annan on Saturday that a breakthrough in negotiations over its nuclear program was possible, and he welcomed unconditional talks with all parties, including the United States.
Yep, they're up to something.
P. S. IS ST. WARREN's gang looking for an INTERVIEW, a la CNN?
Yep, they're up to something.
P. S. IS ST. WARREN's gang looking for an INTERVIEW, a la CNN?
The multi-talented GREG's inspired a MUSICAL!!!!!
We can imagine the songs: "Springtime for Red States and Dubya"; "Conservatives are the Root of All Evil", "Al, You Is Our Pres'dent Now", "I'm a Native American Too", "I Enjoy Being a Tran"....
Unfortunately it's about Upton Sinclair's EPIC campaign. Better luck next time!
We can imagine the songs: "Springtime for Red States and Dubya"; "Conservatives are the Root of All Evil", "Al, You Is Our Pres'dent Now", "I'm a Native American Too", "I Enjoy Being a Tran"....
Unfortunately it's about Upton Sinclair's EPIC campaign. Better luck next time!
Whenever we get a spasm of PC and demands we look askance at anything wrong with Muslims, something like this pops up.
When will we learn PC is a luxury we can't afford anymore?
Such anti-terror operations in Canada are rare.
Because we're the sort of kinder, gentler nation that wouldn't mind getting wiped off the map?
Intelligence officials suspect at least 50 terror groups now have some presence in the North American nation and have long complained that the country's immigration laws and border security are too weak to weed out potential terrorists.
EH?
When will we learn PC is a luxury we can't afford anymore?
Such anti-terror operations in Canada are rare.
Because we're the sort of kinder, gentler nation that wouldn't mind getting wiped off the map?
Intelligence officials suspect at least 50 terror groups now have some presence in the North American nation and have long complained that the country's immigration laws and border security are too weak to weed out potential terrorists.
EH?
Friday, June 02, 2006
Internet Al's diatribe is getting exactly the same support from VIACON in liberal Web sites that the CON-SER-VA-TIVE 9-11 movie got from GE BANCORP and REALTY in NEWSMAX!!!!! There is a certain fakery to this, the fakery of an industry appeasing all sides and standing for nothing. Such movies are an easy way for the BIZ to perform its alleged public service functions, but a biz run by RUPERT!!!!!!!!! and SUMNER and that disgorges X-Men at every opportunity could only do a public service by shutting down.
I've figured out what it is about Jennifer Aniston -- she looks like a grown up Valley Girl. There's no reason a woman of unconventional looks can't appeal to a man; Bette Davis and Kate Hepburn surely allured many. But this lady looks like anybody. This is precisely the problem with Renée What's-Her-Name. It's a problem of modern Hollywood. Too many actresses not only conjure the Girl Next Door, they resemble the Shlub Next Door.
PAPER OF RE-CORD regulars, reading this story of FDR's home in Hyde Park, must be sighing, if only we had a LIBERAL president again. Meantime con-SER-va-tives furrow their brows and agitate over his perfidy. Both sides miss the point. First off, by modern standards, FDR wasn't a liberal. Second, most of his perfidy resulted from the smoothly running FREE EN-TER-PRISE system before him and historical heroes like Hitler and Stalin. Only a fool -- and there are too many in politics nowadays -- would not admit, whatever his morals or politics, FDR was a great president, yet another real man who makes Dubya look like the less-than-shrimp he is.
One thing that recommends FDR to us is his simple tastes, as evidenced in his study. This is a nice, quiet, cozy, contemplative place to work. If the man had delusions of grandeur they weren't in his rooms.
Another outfit that's possibly outsmarted itself: P&G's razor unit. Consumer Reports ran a test on its new 20-blade men's razor (or however many). Most of the men didn't like it. The idea that we'll willingly pay for ever more expensive razor blades may have hit a wall of product design and human impatience.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In a separate investigation, the Pentagon on Friday cleared U.S. troops of intentionally killing Iraqi civilians in a village north of Baghdad.
We will hear a thousand different excuses, but much as the NEWS HACKS will play these incidents up they will not force us from Iraq, nor will they be much more than nuisances to bear -- because we remember what happened in V-----M.
In a separate investigation, the Pentagon on Friday cleared U.S. troops of intentionally killing Iraqi civilians in a village north of Baghdad.
We will hear a thousand different excuses, but much as the NEWS HACKS will play these incidents up they will not force us from Iraq, nor will they be much more than nuisances to bear -- because we remember what happened in V-----M.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In a separate investigation, the Pentagon on Friday cleared U.S. troops of intentionally killing Iraqi civilians in a village north of Baghdad.
We will har a thousand different excuses, but much as the NEWS HACKS will play them up these incidents a will not force our withdrawal from Iraq, nor will they be much more than nuisances to bear -- because we remember what happened in V-----M.
In a separate investigation, the Pentagon on Friday cleared U.S. troops of intentionally killing Iraqi civilians in a village north of Baghdad.
We will har a thousand different excuses, but much as the NEWS HACKS will play them up these incidents a will not force our withdrawal from Iraq, nor will they be much more than nuisances to bear -- because we remember what happened in V-----M.
We'll just quote the squib from ArtsJournal.com because it says it all:
There's no point debating anything online. You might as well hurl shoes in the air to knock clouds from the sky. The internet's perfect for all manner of things, but productive discussion ain't one of them. It provides scant room for debate and infinite opportunities for fruitless point-scoring: the heady combination of perceived anonymity, gestated responses, random heckling and a notional 'live audience' quickly conspire to create a 'perfect storm' of perpetual bickering. Stumble in, take umbrage with someone, trade a few blows, and within about two or three exchanges, the subject itself goes out the window. Suddenly you're simply arguing about arguing.
The rest here.
There's no point debating anything online. You might as well hurl shoes in the air to knock clouds from the sky. The internet's perfect for all manner of things, but productive discussion ain't one of them. It provides scant room for debate and infinite opportunities for fruitless point-scoring: the heady combination of perceived anonymity, gestated responses, random heckling and a notional 'live audience' quickly conspire to create a 'perfect storm' of perpetual bickering. Stumble in, take umbrage with someone, trade a few blows, and within about two or three exchanges, the subject itself goes out the window. Suddenly you're simply arguing about arguing.
The rest here.
A senior Iranian nuclear official signaled Tehran's determination on Friday to press on with its nuclear work, despite facing what Washington called a "moment of truth" over a program that could produce atomic weapons.
That's okay, Iran -- we'll just TALK SOME MORE.
That's okay, Iran -- we'll just TALK SOME MORE.
Misery loves companies.
In one sense a merger between the two satradio firms makes sense: it would eliminate the forced choice between two providers and maybe even get satradio into home receivers. In another sense it doesn't: it merely doubles the losses.
(Via IWantMedia.com)
In one sense a merger between the two satradio firms makes sense: it would eliminate the forced choice between two providers and maybe even get satradio into home receivers. In another sense it doesn't: it merely doubles the losses.
(Via IWantMedia.com)
In other natural phenomena, the reason stories on natural disasters seem excessive is 1. they're pictorial and 2. they're repetitive. When they mobilize people to contribute aid they're of use, but Jack, do you REALLY think you can "reform" such reporting when by its very nature it's formulaic?
Dow 36,000 tries pulling a snow job on the weather. He shouldn't have bothered; everyone on this subject from the Inventor of the Web to BIGOIL's superfriends does it. By the best estimates the earth's been around for billions of years, and we're figuring out global warming using measurements from the past 100 years, maybe the last thirty of which are reliable, and we fill in the huge gaps with techniques like drilling into the Antarctic ice, which may themselves tell a small fraction of the story. Heck we still don't know what caused the mass extinction of dinosaurs -- 250 million (?) years ago, and we're sure of global warming?
A CLASSIC EXCUSE FROM GREG, in its entirety:
NEW YORK For several days, liberal bloggers have raised serious questions about articles written by the Associated Press's John Solomon concerning Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid's decison to attend boxing matches, with free tickets, in Las Vegas (his native state) when legislation related to boxing was coming before him.
The AP has now responded, but the issues, and charges, are too complex to summarize here. However, the following link, at the site for liberal watchdog Media Matters, includes the AP reply in full, so it's an appropriate place to get both sides [SIC!!!!!]:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200606010009
The site that has been covering this the closest (from a point of view critical of the AP reporter) remains Talking Points Memo and its TPM Muckraker. Talking Points Memo can be found at:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/
Possibly these two blogs are, er, right -- but it's possible also that GREG is a hyperliberal, and if conservatives complained he wouldn't give them the time of day.
That's what gets me riled about the hacks: they're biased -- and they think they AREN'T. And I'm SURE Greg's one of that crowd.
P. S. I've LINKED, UNLIKE the great GREG.
NEW YORK For several days, liberal bloggers have raised serious questions about articles written by the Associated Press's John Solomon concerning Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid's decison to attend boxing matches, with free tickets, in Las Vegas (his native state) when legislation related to boxing was coming before him.
The AP has now responded, but the issues, and charges, are too complex to summarize here. However, the following link, at the site for liberal watchdog Media Matters, includes the AP reply in full, so it's an appropriate place to get both sides [SIC!!!!!]:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200606010009
The site that has been covering this the closest (from a point of view critical of the AP reporter) remains Talking Points Memo and its TPM Muckraker. Talking Points Memo can be found at:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/
Possibly these two blogs are, er, right -- but it's possible also that GREG is a hyperliberal, and if conservatives complained he wouldn't give them the time of day.
That's what gets me riled about the hacks: they're biased -- and they think they AREN'T. And I'm SURE Greg's one of that crowd.
P. S. I've LINKED, UNLIKE the great GREG.
To repeat myself, when the SUPERBRAIN hacks encounter a truth it is almost always by accident. Thus again with Ben Brantley, whom not even his family would consider clairvoyant. This time he zings the taxpayer-wasting Kennedy Center's revival of Mame. We may indeed wonder why it's necessary; the show is obsolete in two ways: in the superiority the book-writing Messrs. Lawrence and Lee had to their audience, whom they obviously felt were uptight illiterate reactionaries like the Upsons; and the fact it needs a star turn -- first Roz Russell, then the proposed Judy Garland, whose physical (and mental) illnesses forced her to recuse herself, then Angela Lansbury. All the more sad because this show lives through its superior cast album, and we can't even seek comfort there because such things are the obsessions of "theater queens." And it is painfully obvious just from this one photo that Ben may be right when he says we're past the star-turn phase.
Ho-hum, another massacre, in Indianapolis.
The St. Valentine's day affair became famous because it was so unusual in its time. Now we have these things every day. Is it any wonder jihadists believe they can conquer the world? They could march right in to our own hollow core.
Speaking of Muslims, you don't suppose NEWS HACKS might better serve their inferiors by concentrating on why affairs like this happen rather than hoping they find our soldiers as guilty parties in Iraq?
The St. Valentine's day affair became famous because it was so unusual in its time. Now we have these things every day. Is it any wonder jihadists believe they can conquer the world? They could march right in to our own hollow core.
Speaking of Muslims, you don't suppose NEWS HACKS might better serve their inferiors by concentrating on why affairs like this happen rather than hoping they find our soldiers as guilty parties in Iraq?
Thursday, June 01, 2006
And speaking of J'ACCUSE, here's one for con-SER-va-tives:
GE files 24,000-page tax return
(Via THE FREEP)
GE files 24,000-page tax return
(Via THE FREEP)
We wonder why the hacks haven't picked up on the story of this gentleman's ordeal -- possibly because if they did they'd add to the notion that most of their work isn't worth the paper it's printed on, or the electrons it beams through, possibly because they'd turn it into a J'ACCUSE despite its elements of the unintentionally comical.
Now that we think of it, P. G. WODEHOUSE would have a FIELD day (no pun intended).
Now that we think of it, P. G. WODEHOUSE would have a FIELD day (no pun intended).
Which comes first -- an agreement for Iran to not build nukes, or the first nuke?
Sorry if I've been a bit redundant on this, but the non-news came fast today.
Sorry if I've been a bit redundant on this, but the non-news came fast today.
The Russians agreed to possibly punishing Iran with a lash of a wet noodle.
And while everybody's busy saturating noodles, the Madman dreams of his nukes.
And while everybody's busy saturating noodles, the Madman dreams of his nukes.
Mr. Digital Rules blogs:
My pick for Treasury would have been Steve Forbes, David Malpass or Brian Wesbury.
RAH RAH!
My pick for Treasury would have been Steve Forbes, David Malpass or Brian Wesbury.
RAH RAH!
Now The Corner's in a tizz because G000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000GLE's superhyperliberal.
Look, isn't being greedy, sanctimonious and helping jail Chinese dissidents good enough?
Look, isn't being greedy, sanctimonious and helping jail Chinese dissidents good enough?
Okay news hacks, repeat after us -- and repeat, and repeat:
Poll of Voters: BUSH WORST PRESIDENT SINCE WORLD WAR II
Poll of Voters: BUSH WORST PRESIDENT SINCE WORLD WAR II
Now someone at AmSpec says what we said about TNR (or at least about its blog), which means it's become a con-SER-va-tive thing. That the rag should now substitute tantrums for thought was perhaps inevitable for an institution with Michael "The Snide Adolescent" Kinsley, MR. MELODRAMA and Stephen (CRASSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH) Glass in its background; in recent decades it's been more than a bit of a day-care center. Believe us, however, TNR isn't the only rag that sounds like a "blog rant."
P. S. I just added a phrase to my original entry ("ad hominem") because I intended to use it but couldn't think of it. These Latin terms can stump you.
P. S. I just added a phrase to my original entry ("ad hominem") because I intended to use it but couldn't think of it. These Latin terms can stump you.
The other day we suggested it was time for Tom Shales to retire.
He took our advice.
He will still write for the paper for awhile however.
We shouldn't have been so hard on him. He can write solid, pointed reviews. He can also say we're living in a SUPERGIGAMEGAPLATINUM AGE of TV DRAMA.
We don't know how many of these other people deserve to go. We suspect a lot who should won't. At any rate, a new breed of old fogies will take over.
(Via the insuperable ROMY)
He took our advice.
He will still write for the paper for awhile however.
We shouldn't have been so hard on him. He can write solid, pointed reviews. He can also say we're living in a SUPERGIGAMEGAPLATINUM AGE of TV DRAMA.
We don't know how many of these other people deserve to go. We suspect a lot who should won't. At any rate, a new breed of old fogies will take over.
(Via the insuperable ROMY)
Statistic of the Week:
Auto advertising soared in the past 20 years by 1,378% while new-vehicle sales increased by only 17%, Ms. Thompson said. The industry-wide marketing cost per new vehicle sold increased from $50 to $1,000 in the past two decades. When incentives are added, which she said totaled roughly $51 billion last year, automakers are spending around $4,000 in marketing and incentive costs for each vehicle sold.
Who says advertising and marketing don't work?
Nissan North America spent $1.02 billion in U.S. measured media last year, according to TNS Media Intelligence. The automaker spent $950 in measured media per new Nissan and Infiniti sold, based on the automaker's 1.07 million units it said it sold in 2005, an Advertising Age analysis reveals.
And all to get a seal of disapproval from Brent Bozell. That's spending wisely!
Auto advertising soared in the past 20 years by 1,378% while new-vehicle sales increased by only 17%, Ms. Thompson said. The industry-wide marketing cost per new vehicle sold increased from $50 to $1,000 in the past two decades. When incentives are added, which she said totaled roughly $51 billion last year, automakers are spending around $4,000 in marketing and incentive costs for each vehicle sold.
Who says advertising and marketing don't work?
Nissan North America spent $1.02 billion in U.S. measured media last year, according to TNS Media Intelligence. The automaker spent $950 in measured media per new Nissan and Infiniti sold, based on the automaker's 1.07 million units it said it sold in 2005, an Advertising Age analysis reveals.
And all to get a seal of disapproval from Brent Bozell. That's spending wisely!
Elsewhere -- on page A13 so we don't see this first graf:
The Bush administration's decision to consider sitting down with the Iranian government underscores a central truth of diplomacy today: Nuclear weapons buy leverage.
TRANSLATION: The Madman with Nukes can blackmail us.
Thanks again for your STRONG LEADERSHIP, DUBYA!
The Bush administration's decision to consider sitting down with the Iranian government underscores a central truth of diplomacy today: Nuclear weapons buy leverage.
TRANSLATION: The Madman with Nukes can blackmail us.
Thanks again for your STRONG LEADERSHIP, DUBYA!
Some questioned whether President Bush's bid to join talks with Iran over its nuclear program was an offer intended to fail. [Home-page squib]
TRANSLATION: He did it in bad faith -- and why shouldn't we accept the grand, noble and selfless attempt by a world leader like Iran's to achieve PEACE?!?!?
During the past month, according to European officials and some current and former members of the Bush administration....
TRANSLATION: Foggy Bottom's been calling up reporters. Oh -- and has THE GENERAL joined in?
What news hacks don't spin, they sell. And if they're good enough, they can do both.
TRANSLATION: He did it in bad faith -- and why shouldn't we accept the grand, noble and selfless attempt by a world leader like Iran's to achieve PEACE?!?!?
During the past month, according to European officials and some current and former members of the Bush administration....
TRANSLATION: Foggy Bottom's been calling up reporters. Oh -- and has THE GENERAL joined in?
What news hacks don't spin, they sell. And if they're good enough, they can do both.