Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Paul Krugman: The Obama Gap (nytimes.com)
President-elect Barack Obama explained why the nation needs aggressive action to deal with the economic crisis, and he's right. But his economic plan falls well short of what's needed.
Scott Burns: Don't Get Angry-- Break Even! (assetbuilder.com)
Q. I just received my new credit card statement. The interest rate is now 32 percent! I am thinking of just telling them to shove it. Interest rates like this are clearly going to force many people into bad credit ratings, bankruptcy, or foreclosure. With the economy looking so weak, surely it would be better to not pay this account.
Christopher Beam: Department of Apostate (slate.com)
What happened to all those Democrats for McCain?
Mark Morford: Your year of yes (sfgate.com)
2009: All panic, all the time? Or is there room for something else?
Sarah Wildman: "Paper Love: Inside the Holocaust Archives" (slate.com)
Here is what it feels like upon entering the archives at Bad Arolsen: like a Steven Spielberg movie about an American lawyer of the 1950s, desperately searching for information on an escaped Nazi but with no computers, no modern technology, nothing but boxes and paper. It's like that scene at the end of the first Indiana Jones movie with the Ark of the Covenant tucked away in a warehouse. There might be treasures here, amid a sea of 65-year-old cardboard, but who would know?
Tom Danehy: What's up with all of the Catholic Holy Day changes? (tucsonweekly.com)
We went to Mass on New Year's Day evening. It's what Catholics (sometimes) call a Holy Day of Obligation. There were six of them when I was growing up (Christmas, New Year's, the Ascension, the Assumption, All Saints Day and the Immaculate Conception), but the church has tinkered with the formula over the past couple of decades.
CATHERINE O'SULLIVAN: Ah, the joys of the life of the artist-phlebotomist (tucsonweekly.com)
Life's a bitch if you're an artist. Not that life isn't a bitch if you're something other than an artist; it's just a different kind.
PAUL CONSTANT: Obama's Book Club (thestranger.com)
To the adoring members of his book club, Obama seems to be suggesting that his first hundred days will feature good and bad ideas colliding in a kind of political laboratory. Obama's message of carrying The Defining Moment is not so much an arrogant statement linking him to one of our greatest administrations. Instead, to those who are paying attention, Obama is saying: "Be patient with me."
'It's like wearing a big plate' (guardian.co.uk)
They cost a fortune, take ages to make, irritate male dancers and catch on the scenery. Tutus are everywhere right now. But could they be on the way out? By Judith Mackrell.
"Amerika -- The Missing Person: A New Translation, Based on the Restored Text" by Franz Kafka: A review by David L. Ulin
It's always tricky when an author's name becomes an adjective. Orwellian, Machiavellian, Faulknerian -- these designations make it hard to see a writer on his or her own terms. This is perhaps most true of Franz Kafka, whose sobriquet, Kafkaesque, has become a catchall for the weird and inexplicable.
Richard Davenport-Hines: Down home with Warren Buffett (timesonline.co.uk)
Does the Oracle of Omaha, with his folksy philosophy and his cult following, merit a 900-page biography?
Matthew Parris: "Of course Tintin's gay. Ask Snowy" (timesonline.co.uk)
His adventures have sold more than 200 million copies and been translated into 50 languages, and this weekend he celebrates his 80th birthday. But how well do we really know Tintin? One thing's for certain...
John Mark Eberhart: Writing too enjoyable an endeavor for John Updike to consider retirement (McClatchy Newspapers)
Stephen King has talked about it. The late Kurt Vonnegut actually did it, for the most part. John Updike has no intention of it.
Goofy gets to play Lady Macbeth (timesonline.co.uk)
Anne Hathaway, rom-com queen, tells Kevin Maher what it's like finally to tear up the scenery - and go for an Oscar.
Steven Rea: "Mickey Rourke: Grappling with his past and winning out in 'The Wrestler'" (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
For a few days at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, where Mickey Rourke's "The Wrestler" stunned audiences and started a bidding war, the onetime pretty boy/movie tough guy could be seen shambling around swanky Yorkville, his 17-year-old miniature Chihuahua, Loki, snuggled in his arms.
The Weekly Poll
Break Time
I'm gonna take a break for a week or two to catch up from the holidays and focus on some personal affairs (mainly relocation closer to my immediate family).
I'll be back soon, I assure you!... Meanwhile, don't let the bastards get ya down!
BadToTheBoneBob ( BCEpoll 'at' aol.com )
Charlie replied:
~ Tony In Philly answered:
Sally answered:
Reader Report
Yup It's Cold
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Sunny with springlike temperatures.
Gas went up another 3 cents overnight.
Celebrates Obama
Spider-Man
Barack Obama will be "nerd-in-chief" when he takes office as U.S. president this month, according to Marvel Comics, which is putting him on the cover of its next "Spider-Man" comic.
Marvel editor in chief Joe Quesada said the idea for the "Spidey meets the President!" edition came from a statement from Obama's campaign listing 10 little known facts about the Democrat who will be America's first black president.
"Right at the top of that list was he collected Spider-Man comics," Quesada told Reuters in an interview on Thursday.
"I was inundated with tons of fan mail saying 'Have you read this?'" Quesada said. "I was just floored, absolutely floored, to find out that the future commander-in-chief was actually going to be the future nerd-in-chief."
Spider-Man
Another Fine Mess
TV Transition
In less than six weeks, the nation's television broadcasters are due to shut off their analog signals and begin transmitting in digital - potentially blacking out as many as 8 million U.S. households that rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air channels.
That reality hit lawmakers and the incoming Obama administration this week after the Commerce Department ran out of money for coupons to subsidize digital converter boxes. Viewers who don't have cable or satellite service or a TV with a digital tuner will need the boxes to keep older analog sets working.
The coupon program funding shortfall was a key reason behind the Obama transition team's call for Congress to delay the Feb. 17 analog shutoff. Yet the problem with the subsidy program is just one of several hurdles that appear to be in the way of a smooth digital transition.
One big potential pitfall is that many people who think they are prepared for the analog shutoff could lose some channels - or possibly even lose reception entirely - unless they purchase a new antenna.
That's because many stations will shift their broadcast footprints with the switch to digital by changing transmitter locations, antenna patterns or power levels.
TV Transition
Fighting Neo-Nazis With Music
'Soundwahl'
Young German musicians are protesting against a rise in neo-Nazi extremism with concerts and songs which they hope will turn voters away from right-wing parties in state polls and a federal election this year.
Far-right parties such as the National Democratic Party (NPD) made gains in last year's local elections in Germany and officials have warned that neo-Nazis are becoming increasingly violent.
"Xenophobic organizations and their members are very active again. They're trying to gain more influence for the elections," said Tina Bauer, spokeswoman for the "Soundwahl" music competition, which starts from Friday.
The project encourages young people from Berlin and the eastern state of Brandenburg to perform songs promoting tolerance and democratic values while speaking out against racism.
'Soundwahl'
Wedding News
Carpenter - Hall
They play brother and sister on "Dexter." Now in real life, Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter are husband and wife.
Hall's spokesman, Craig Bankey, said on Friday that the couple eloped in California on New Year's Eve. They'll walk the red carpet together at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday - the first time publicly acknowledging their relationship.
Hall, 37, and Carpenter, 29, just finished the third season of "Dexter," the Showtime series in which Hall plays the murderous title character. They've been quietly dating for about a year and a half.
Carpenter - Hall
Bigots Want Anonymity
H8
Supporters of the ballot measure that banned gay marriage spread hate in California have filed a lawsuit seeking to block their campaign finance records from public view, saying the reports have led to the harassment of donors.
"No one should have to worry about getting a death threat because of the way he or she votes," said whined James Bopp Jr., an attorney representing two groups that supported Proposition 8, Protect Marriage.com and the National Organization for Marriage California. "This lawsuit will protect the right of all people to help support causes they agree with, without having to worry about harassment or threats."
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court in Sacramento, asks the court to order the secretary of state's office to remove all donations for the proposition from its Web site.
H8
2 Arrested In Burglary
Gregg Allman
Gregg Allman almost had a few less silver dollars after someone broke into his southeast Georgia home and stole a coin collection, knives and unreleased concert recordings, police said.
The Allman Brothers Band singer and keyboardist, 61, was out of town when burglars broke into his home in Richmond Hill, 20 miles south of Savannah.
Bryan County Sheriff's Department detective Mickey Sands said the burglars took a case containing Allman's collection of 19th-century silver dollars and two safes filled with gold coins, personal papers, collectible knives and several tapes of unreleased recordings.
Investigators recovered all of Allman's belongings except a handgun.
Gregg Allman
Pleads Guilty
Ryan O'Neal
Ryan O'Neal has pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge.
He entered the plea in a Malibu courtroom Friday morning and was ordered into an 18-month drug diversion program.
The Los Angeles County district attorney's office says the case will be dismissed if O'Neal successfully completes the program.
The 67-year-old, Oscar-nominated actor was arrested in September along with his son, Redmond, and was later charged with felony methamphetamine possession. Sheriff's deputies had searched the actor's home while doing a check on Redmond O'Neal, who was on probation for a previous drug conviction.
Ryan O'Neal
Gets 10 Years
Lillo Brancato Jr.
A former actor on "The Sopranos" was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for a botched burglary in the Bronx in which an accomplice shot and killed an off-duty police officer.
A jury acquitted Lillo Brancato Jr. of second-degree murder in the death of the police officer, but convicted him of attempted burglary. He had faced up to 15 years in prison.
He pursed his lips and appeared calm as the verdict was pronounced. His relatives wept and one shouted, "We love you, Lillo!" as he was led away in handcuffs.
Lillo Brancato Jr.
Cable Nielsens
Ratings
Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week of Dec. 29-Jan. 4. Day and start time (EST) are in parentheses:
1. College Football: Oklahoma St. vs. Oregon (Tuesday, 8:17 p.m.), ESPN, 4.51 million homes, 6.22 million viewers.
2. College Football: Missouri vs. Northwestern (Monday, 8 p.m.), ESPN, 4.47 million homes, 6.07 million viewers.
3. "ICarly" (Saturday, 8 p.m.), Nickelodeon, 4.13 million homes, 5.94 million viewers.
4. College Football: LSU vs. Georgia Tech (Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.), ESPN, 3.85 million homes, 5.63 million viewers.
5. "WWE Raw" (Monday, 10 p.m.), USA, 3.6 million homes, 5.67 million viewers.
6. "NCIS" (Monday, 7 p.m.), USA, 3.24 million homes, 4.33 million viewers.
7. "WWE Raw" (Monday, 9 p.m.), USA, 3.21 million homes, 4.9 million viewers.
8. "True Jackson, VP" (Saturday, 8:30 p.m.), Nickelodeon, 3.11 million homes, 4.54 million viewers.
9. College Football: South Carolina vs. Iowa (Thursday, 11 a.m.), ESPN, 3.03 million homes, 4.09 million viewers.
10. "SpongeBob SquarePants" (Saturday, 12 p.m.), Nickelodeon, 2.99 million homes, 4.11 million viewers.
11. "NCIS" (Tuesday, 7 p.m.), USA, 2.93 million homes, 3.99 million viewers.
12. "SpongeBob SquarePants" (Sunday, 12 p.m.), Nickelodeon, 2.87 million homes, 4.12 million viewers.
13. Movie: "SpongeBob: The Movie" (Wednesday, 12 p.m.), Nickelodeon, 2.84 million homes, 3.91 million viewers.
14. "NCIS" (Monday, 6 p.m.), USA, 2.824 million homes, 3.66 million viewers.
15. "ICarly" (Saturday, 1 p.m.), Nickelodeon, 2.823 million homes, 3.77 million viewers.
Ratings
In Memory
Cheryl Holdridge
Cheryl Holdridge, the beautiful blond actress who first gained fame as a Mouseketeer on TV's "The Mickey Mouse Club" in the 1950s, has died. She was 64.
Holdridge was 11 years old in the spring of 1956 when she auditioned and was hired for "The Mickey Mouse Club," which had debuted on Oct. 3, 1955, with 24 talented youngsters who sang and danced and yet came across as the kids next door.
Holdridge joined the Mouseketeers in the second season of the show, which ran until 1959.
She quickly became part of the core group that appeared on the famous Mouseketeer roll call at the start of each show, along with Doreen Tracey, Annette Funicello, Tommy Cole, Cubby O'Brien, Sharon Baird, Bobby Burgess, Karen Pendleton, Lonnie Burr and Darlene Gillespie.
She went on to play Wally Cleaver's girlfriend, Julie Foster, for two seasons on "Leave It to Beaver." And she had guest roles on shows such as "The Rifleman," "Bachelor Father," "My Three Sons," "Bewitched" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show."
Holdridge left the business in 1964 when she married Lance Reventlow, the son of Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton, "because that's what you did then. You married and stayed home."
Reventlow died in a plane crash in 1972. In 1994, Holdridge married Manning Post, a prominent West Coast Democratic Party fundraiser and advisor, who died in 2000.
Holdridge, who had no immediate surviving family members, supported various environmental causes as well as the Children's Burn Foundation in Sherman Oaks, Friendly House of Los Angeles and the John Wayne Cancer Institute at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, where donations may be made in her name. A memorial service is pending.
Cheryl Holdridge
In Memory
Jon Hager
Jon Hager, who performed in the musical comedy duo The Hager Twins on "Hee-Haw," has died.
He was 67. Sam Lovullo, who produced "Hee-Haw" and was a friend of Hager's, said Hager was found dead in his apartment Friday morning.
He was found in bed and apparently died in his sleep.
Lovullo said Hager had been in poor health and was depressed since his identical twin brother, Jim Hager, died in May 2008.
The twins were in the original cast of the syndicated TV show, which debuted in 1969 satirizing country life with a mixture of music and comedy.
Jon Hager
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