Why We Still Need Newspapers
The Times's exceptionally well-reported investigation of the John Ensign sex scandal--which, the piece makes clear, evolved into an influence-peddling, quasi-blackmail scandal--drops more shoes than Riverdance: READ MORE >>
The Movie Review: 'Zombieland'
Applebaum on Polanski
I didn't comment on Post columnist Anne Applebaum's first short web piece in defense of Roman Polanski. Among its many flaws, it claimed that there was "evidence" that Polanski believed the girl he statutorily raped was older (in fact, he stated under oath that he knew she was 13), and it failed to disclose that Applebaum's husband, Radoslaw Sikorski, is a Polish minister who, in his official role, was appealing to U.S. authorities to drop the proceedings against Polanski. READ MORE >>
Pawlenty 2012
Politico's Jonathan Martin has an excellent piece up on Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's diligent, under-the radar preparation for a presidential run in 2012: the PAC he's opened, the donors and advisers he's been gathering, the operatives (some of whom worked for Mitt Romney in '08) he's been feeling out. READ MORE >>
Bearing While Beering
Fans of the Second and Twenty-first Amendments, rejoice! As of today, Arizonans can legally bring concealed firearms into bars. As J.P. Nelson, director of the NRA's western region, explains, "Bad things happen in bars and restaurants. People want to carry a gun and if the facility owner doesn't have a problem with it, there shouldn't be a problem. If a person starts drinking and gets in a shootout and kills someone, of course they're subject to criminal prosecution." READ MORE >>
Clooney vs. Clooney
Vulture reports: READ MORE >>
Signs the Recession Is Over
... at least for some people. From my inbox: I thought you would be interested in learning about Flatrate Moving’s ELITE moving service, the industry’s first “luxury move”. The average moves for Elite moving range from $10,000 to $30,000, and often are 6 figures plus. READ MORE >>
Holy See to World: I Know You Are But What Am I?
From The Guardian: The Vatican has lashed out at criticism over its handling of its paedophilia crisis by saying the Catholic church was "busy cleaning its own house" and that the problems with clerical sex abuse in other churches were as big, if not bigger.... READ MORE >>
Polanski's Defenders, Cont'd
Unsurprisingly, the cinematic community has come out in strong support of Roman Polanski, typically invoking--like the French culture minister before them--his status as a great artist as if it granted him some form of legal immunity. READ MORE >>
And You Thought Your Cell Phone Service Was Bad
In an effort to shame horror-movie writers into abandoning perhaps the laziest trope in their profession, Rich Four Four has stitched together 66(!) instances since 2000 of folks in mortal peril having their cell phones flash the "no service" message or otherwise malfunction at a crucial moment: READ MORE >>
