'TBH Politoons'
Thanks, again, Tim!
Reader Comment
US Before Iraq War
Dear Marty,
Interesting stuff. Just one question. Why was it that as I spent my days in Cambridge, Mass., from August 2002 to June 2003, and I kept telling Americans that the whole war on Iraq thing was a huge mistake, most people looked at me as if a were a crazy foreigner?! Maybe many "typical" Americans need to listen more to what other people are saying. Does our country have a problem with humility? I, for one, have been giving much thought to that matter for a long time.
Best Regards,
Beatriz de la G.
American with a "weird, unpronouncable" name
Thanks, Beatriz!
Good question, wish I had a good answer.
But I remember back then I was looked at like I had 2 heads on more than one occasion, too.
Critical thinking seems to have been replaced by the inane mantras of hate radio & incessant mindless chatter on inconsequential topics that passes for news on the major networks.
OTOH, I do have experience with a 'weird, unpronouncable' name - the name I was born with had 11 letters, 6 of them vowels.
Early on, I realized it could be a good gauge of assholiness.
Civilized people would ask how to pronounce it.
Comedians would try to slaughter it.
And assholes would slaughter it while insisting they were correct, and then continue to mispronounce it their way.
Friendly Link
Humor Gazette
from Mark
Another Bumpersticker
Paul Berenson
Another Side of the News
A new Field Poll shows that 44% of Californians think skyrocketing gas prices are a very serious problem. 77% say it's profiteering by the oil companies. A federal appeals court has reinstated a price-fixing lawsuit against Chevron/Texaco Inc.and Shell Oil.
The head of Bush's faith-based innitiatives program cites a "Culture War" to go along with the "War on Terror" as Chimpy signs an order establishing faith-based offices in the Commerce, Small Business Administration, and Veterans Affairs Departments.
Oh...and our troops are being forced to stay in the Army after thier enlistments are up. Is the draft next?
Tune in to "Another Side of the News" with Paul Berenson, Saturdays 9am-10am PST on KCSB-FM 91.9 or listen on
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Spoof News
'The Spoof'
--Story--
Bush Introduces Homo Alert System
=================================
President Bush on Thursday announced the creation of a new alert system
that will allow the country to know current risk levels of homosexuality
at any given time. The system will coordinate risk factors with current US
intelligence to determine the level of risk homosexuals pose to modern
civilization as we know it. Masterminded by Dick Cheney's lesbian
daughter, Mary, working in collaboration wi...
Full Story
Thanks, Roma!
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Overcast morning, followed by a mild, sunny afternoon.
The kid has 4 days of school left, not that we're both counting them down (but for different reasons).
Tonight KCOP had a tease for the news where the news-babe said "join Lauren & I at 11"...so happy they're hiring the smart girls.
Actor Pierce Brosnan poses for photographers after receiving an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from University College in Cork, Ireland, Friday June 4, 2004.
Photo by Gareth Fuller
The Information One-Stop
Moose & Squirrel
Gets Guitar Back
Bill Wyman
Nearly 40 years after he lost it, Rolling Stones bass player Bill Wyman has one of his guitars back, thanks to a New Zealand musician.
Wellington music maker and business consultant Nick Sceats airfreighted the bass to Wyman two months ago after discovering that it belonged to the rock star.
The rare guitar, called a Wyman bass, was one of a small number that the manufacturer Vox made in the 1960s, and the only Vox guitar adorned with an endorser's name: Wyman.
Sceats, who had the guitar in his possession for 15 years, said it was known among local musicians as the "legendary Wyman bass." So he wrote Wyman saying he had a bass guitar which may have belonged to him, and offering to return it.
Bill Wyman
Benefits Food Program
Celebrity Auction
"NYPD Blue" actor Bill Brochtrup hosted a news media preview Thursday of the items that will be up for bid Sunday at the "Hollywood 100" auction. Proceeds will benefit Project Angel Food, which delivers free meals to people in Los Angeles County disabled by illnesses.
The items include a visit with Cruise on the Berlin set of "Mission: Impossible 3," as well as lunch with the actor; one of Stone's dresses from "Diabolique," and lunch and a kiss from the actress; a dress made for Elizabeth Taylor, a Bob Mackie costume that Barbra Streisand wore in "Funny Lady," and Jennifer Garner's ensemble for "13 Going on 30."
Also included are a piano bench that Elton John signed, an autographed guitar from Tom Hanks, a dress from Sarah Jessica Parker, a designer jacket from Cher, George Burns' glasses and cigar, and personal effects from Benji the dog.
Celebrity Auction
Demonstrators flutter a huge 'Peace' flag during a protest against the visit by resident Bush in Rome, Friday June 4, 2004. Bush, who met Pope John Paul II at the Vatican Friday, is in Italy to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Rome's liberation and will proceed to France Saturday.
Photo by Pier Paolo Cito
NBC to Develop Miniseries
Motown Records
A 12-hour series about the famed Motown Records music empire and its founder, Berry Gordy, is being developed for NBC.
"Berry Gordy's Motown" will dramatize Gordy's rise from Detroit's inner city to the head of an entertainment empire with artists that included Diana Ross and the Supremes; Smokey Robinson and the Miracles; the Temptations; and Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, the network said Thursday.
Producer Suzanne de Passe, whose credits include "Motown Returns to the Apollo," the miniseries "The Temptations" and "The Jacksons: An American Dream," is developing the project with NBC.
Motown Records
In The Kitchen With BartCop & Friends
Networks Plan Special Coverage
D-Day
For two hours Saturday night, MSNBC's reporters and anchors will simulate how D-Day might have been covered if modern technology were in place in 2004. It's part of special plans networks have in place for marking the 60th anniversary commemoration this weekend.
Reporters will be stationed in France, Washington, London and elsewhere. Military experts will pore over maps in the studio and attempt to explain what is happening. Someone "embedded" with the troops landing on the beaches of Normandy will report via satellite phone on what is "happening."
MSNBC and CNN will also cover D-Day commemoration ceremonies for most of the day Sunday. Fox News Channel did not respond to a request for its coverage plans.
NBC's Tom Brokaw will appear Sunday on "Meet the Press," interviewing Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, makers of the movie "Saving Private Ryan." Brokaw, author of "The Greatest Generation," was also interviewing resident Bush and French President Jacques Chirac during the weekend.
For night owls, ABC News is covering resident Bush's remarks from the U.S. Cemetery in Normandy at 4 a.m. Sunday.
National security adviser Condoleezza Rice will be interviewed about D-Day on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday and Secretary of State Colin Powell will be on CBS' "Face the Nation."
D-Day
Deliver After Six-Year Break
Beastie Boys
Long breaks between records are nothing new for the Beastie Boys: They took four years between 1994's "Ill Communication" and their chart-topping, triple-platinum follow-up, "Hello Nasty."
But they are willing to admit that the six years between "Nasty" and "To the 5 Boroughs," out June 15, would have been even longer if they had had their way.
"To the 5 Boroughs" is loaded with political commentary, including calls to vote resident Bush out of office ("That's It That's All") and criticism of U.S. foreign policy ("Time to Build"). It also frequently pays homage to the trio's New York surroundings, best evidenced in "An Open Letter to NYC."
For the rest, Beastie Boys
A white sailor suit top with red trim, worn by Barbra Streisand during a 1963 TV appearance on 'The Judy Garland Show,' seen in photo at lower left, is on on display with other Streisand costumes, props and furniture at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif., Friday, June 4, 2004. The top is part of Streisand's 421-piece collection, up for bidding in a live and online auction Saturday, June 5. Together, the pieces are worth an estimated $600,000, according to auction organizers. The proceeds from the event will go to the Streisand Foundation, which says it helps promote civil liberties and democratic values, women's issues, civil rights and race relations, among other causes.
Photo by Reed Saxon
Philanderer Seeks Support
Eric Benet
The estranged husband of actress Halle Berry, R&B singer Eric Benet, is challenging their prenuptial agreement in court as he seeks spousal support from his Oscar-winning wife.
Benet filed papers this week in Los Angeles Superior Court asking a judge to "determine the validity and/or enforceability of the parties' prenuptial agreement and subsequent amendments thereto," according to documents posted on the Web site thesmokinggun.com.
The documents show Benet is asking Berry to pay his legal bills and spousal support but does not know the "nature and extent" of their joint assets and debts.
Eric Benet
Dissing Durst
Avril Lavigne
While Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst has allegedly attempted to put the moves on both pop star Britney Spears and actress Halle Berry, we can also add singer Avril Lavigne to that list, according to Rolling Stone. The "Complicated" vocalist told the magazine that "[Backstage at a Metallica tribute], I mentioned to Fred that I was hungry--like, 'I want [a] burger.' He had someone go out and get me a whole box of them, with fries. I was like (sarcastically), 'Yeah!' Then he took a private jet out to one of my shows, expecting me to [sleep with] him. He was disappointed that I wouldn't even go near him (laughs). He was a little pissed that I went to my room alone that night."
Lavigne, who has been trying to toughen up her image, claims that she likes to hang out with new friend Marilyn Manson.
Avril Lavigne
Formerly 'The Vidiot'
Hospitalized for Bronchitis
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck missed the London premiere of "Jersey Girl" this week because he was hospitalized in Boston for severe bronchitis, his New York-based publicist confirmed Friday.
The 31-year-old actor had been hospitalized at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center but was now recuperating at his Boston home, Ken Sunshine told AP Radio.
Ben Affleck
Eight-time Grammy-winning contemporary gospel singer Andrae Crouch poses with his newly unveiled star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, June 4, 2004.
Photo by Lucy Nicholson
Judge to Decide Lawsuit Specifics
Tom Sizemore
A judge has agreed to decide whether overtime claims should be part of a lawsuit that alleges actor Tom Sizemore harassed and sexually battered his former personal assistant.
Superior Court Judge Gregory Alarcon said Thursday he'll rule later on whether Paulina Briones can claim that Sizemore failed to pay her overtime. Sizemore's side argues the job was exempt from laws governing overtime and the claim should be dropped from the lawsuit.
The lawsuit's major claim is that the co-star of "Black Hawk Down" and "Saving Private Ryan" repeatedly propositioned Briones for sex and that he once tried to force her to perform a sex act.
Tom Sizemore
Heart Gets Royal Funeral
Louis XVII
The heart of the 10-year-old heir to France's throne was cut from his body when he died in prison, pickled, stolen, returned, and DNA-tested two centuries later.
Next week, Louis XVII's heart will be placed in France's royal crypt north of Paris now that genetic testing has persuaded many historians that the tiny petrified heart is almost certainly the real thing.
In ceremonies on Monday and Tuesday, European royalty will honor the little boy who became a pawn of the French Revolution, dying alone in a filthy prison. After a Mass on Tuesday, his heart will be laid to rest at the Saint-Denis Basilica near the graves of his parents, Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI.
For a lot more, Louis XVII
A model in a chainmail-type bodysuit poses on the catwalk during fashion designer Alexander McQueen's 'Black' Fashion Show at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London, Thursday, June 3, 2004.
Photo by Myung-Jung Kim
On The Road
Roma
Resident Bush arrived 15 minutes late for his meeting with Pope John Paul II - unusual for a president who makes no secret of his impatience when others keep him waiting.
It was a rare breach of protocol in Vatican City, too, and raised eyebrows in the papal delegation.
White House aides blamed Bush's tardiness Friday on a longer-than-expected preceding meeting with the Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.
For more, Roma
In Memory
Brian Linehan
Brian Linehan, the puckish, always-confident TV personality and veteran interviewer of both Canadian and Hollywood stars, is dead.
The snowy-haired Linehan, a native of Hamilton, Ont., died Friday morning at his Toronto home after being diagnosed two years ago with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. He last entered hospital May 2 and had been undergoing what friend George Anthony described as a "brutal" round of chemotherapy. Friends say he was 59.
Linehan's distinctive interviewing style became the basis for one of Martin Short's great creations, Brock Linehan, on the old SCTV comedy series.
Short's "Brock" Linehan was a smug, unctuous interviewer with pursed lips and a steady stare who didn't know what he was talking about and was often criticized by his interview subjects for his meandering questions and thoroughly inaccurate research.
The real Linehan, however, held no grudge over the devastating parody.
"I was always flattered," he said in a 1997 interview. "I thought it was wonderful.
"Marty didn't mock me. Marty satirized me."
Brian Linehan
In Memory
Loyd Sigmon
Loyd Sigmon, the radio engineer who lent his name to the traffic-stopping Southern California freeway snarls that radio broadcasters love to call "SigAlerts" has died, his family said on Friday.
Sigmon, whose front page obituary in the Los Angeles Times referred to him as "the most famously unknown figure in Southern California," was 95, He died on Wednesday of natural causes in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where he had retired, his son David Sigmon said.
Loyd Sigmon invented the traffic alert system that Los Angeles commuters now use daily to plan their drives across the city's freeways as a 1950s ratings gimmick for radio station KMPC, which he co-owned with singing cowboy Gene Autry.
Sigmon wanted Los Angeles police Chief William Parker to alert the radio station whenever significant traffic jams occurred but Parker said officers were too busy, radio historian Harry Marnell said
A lifelong radio buff, Sigmon married a shortwave receiver and a tape recorder that activated when it received an "alert" tone from police dispatchers.
The tape recorder automatically recorded the dispatcher's message, and a red light flashed at radio stations to alert engineers of the urgent incoming message, which could immediately be patched into on-air programming.
"He never made one cent on it. He essentially gave it to the city of Los Angeles," his son David Sigmon told Reuters.
When the California Highway Patrol took over the system in the late 1960s, SigAlerts were limited to traffic incidents in which one lane is closed for a half-hour or more.
Loyd Sigmon
Two week-old Sumatran tigers (Panthera Tigris sumatrae) Olga, front, and Arla sit in their cage at an animal hospital in Indonesia Safari Park in Cisarua, West Java, Friday, June 4, 2004. The species is critically endangered due to poaching and habitat destruction. Conservationists fear that Sumatran tigers, now only around 400 left in the wild, may become extinct in the next decade.
Photo by Dita Alangkara
'The Osbournes'
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