http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Fri, 1 Aug 2003 11:19:46 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/08/01/111946.php Rebecca SMichael Powell, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, America's chief media regulator and coincidental son of Colin Powell, has made no secret of his plans to deregulate the media industry. June 2, 2003 saw a controversial and astonishing measure: the FCC expanded the cap on media ownership from 35% of a single market to 45%. Largely promoted by media conglomerates, the move evoked a startling response in America's public.Legislators found their email accounts, mailboxes and telephones flooded by outraged citizens. Critics charged Powell, 'How can a non-elected, appointed official have this power?' Millions of concerned voices spoke out with complaints. What the FCC once thought was laid to rest would appear to be barely dormant.Representatives were driven to bring the initiative to the House, which overwhelmingly supported its undoing. In a 400-21 vote, the move will see itself in Senate.Should the measure pass in the Senate, however, President Bush has threatened a veto. As the veto may be overridden with a 2/3 vote, Bush has also been assembling his deregulatory supporters in Congress to ensure that the override veto will not occur. Included in groups opposed to the measure are the National Organization for Women and the National Rifle Association. These strange bedfellows are usually unfathomable yet the atrocity of the measure makes it plausible. In spite of the outcry, however, the threat of Bush's veto looms. Politics7366@blogcritics.org Fri, 1 Aug 2003 11:19:46 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/06/26/143305.php Rebecca SI saw the Hulk last night.I liked that Danny Elfman did the music for it.I liked that Stan Lee and Lou Ferrigno had cameos.I liked the direction. A lot.I liked all of the action scenes.I liked the way the movie ended.I did not like that the Hulk was fed up with being the Hulk after a mere three appearances.I did not like that Jennifer Connelly was an alleged brilliant scientist yet was helpless and dimwitted when it came to acting on her own accord.I did not like that Jennifer Connelly was passionless in telling Bruce Banner that he was a passionless guy and she was fed up.I did not like the poorly unraveled yet oft-alluded to rocky relationship between Jennifer Connelly and her dad.I did not like the babies sitting in the rows behind me that kept crying during every scene of consequence.I did not like that parents are slow to bring their crying babies out of the theater when there is a chance said parent may miss a scene of consequence. Video6525@blogcritics.org Thu, 26 Jun 2003 14:33:05 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/06/23/152212.php Rebecca SDear Driver of White Volvo Stationwagon Parked in Front of the Church Nightclub in Denver on Saturday Night:I never formally introduced myself. I was so concerned with my personal safety that I wasn't able to tell you how much I wanted to punch you in the throat. I never got the chance to tell you what an embarrassment to humanity you are.I appreciate your concerns in life. After all, I was walking on the sidewalk that your car was hovering over. Your car's presence did force me to reroute my steps. That may have entitled you to a simple, 'I'm sorry for blocking the entire sidewalk. I don't know what I was thinking.' That would have sufficed.I am pretty sure that, 'What are you looking at, bitch?' was not the appropriate response to my crossing in front of your car. I know, I know, you had a young girl in your car and you wanted to impress her. I was surprised to see your companion laughing at my expense.I can't promise that were I in a similar situation, I would laugh at my male companion harrassing a strange female and calling her a bitch. I am pretty sure I wouldn't laugh at all. You must possess some amazing charm.That charm was further demonstrated when you continued to shout at me. 'Just keep on walking, slut!' was especially poignant. I admire your ability to pass judgement on a girl wearing an ankle-length skirt. Clever.I think I realized the breadth of your charm when two men tried to calm you down. 'Get in the car,' they requested. 'She started it!' you protested. Mmm. I started it. I did, after all, walk in front of your car. If that's not grounds for verbal assault, then hell, I don't know what is.It was good that you drove away when you did. Obviously at the height of your inebriation, it's always a good idea to operate a vehicle when you can do the most damage. Lucky for you, you drive the world's safest car--you should be all set. Good thinking, ace.I guess I am most disappointed in my complicity. I was too sober to think quickly. Had I consumed a drink or five, I would have had the good sense to spit on your car, tell you how ashamed for you I was, and heck--I would have even taken a black-eye for the team just to see the number of men that would have jumped into the fight to kick your ass. What am I saying--I could have kicked your ass. Regrets, I've had a few. Perhaps we'll meet again.Signed,The Tall Blond Girl Who Walked in Front of Your Car Politics6438@blogcritics.org Mon, 23 Jun 2003 15:22:12 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/06/06/114424.php Rebecca SDear Congo,We regret to inform you that we cannot help you with your tribal warfare. There is really little at stake for our country and as you are so far away and pose so little threat to our own safety, we're going to let France take the lead on this one. If only you had oil: we'd be more than willing to lend a hand.As you may recall from Rwanda back in 1994, we prefer to wait until your casualties number in the hundreds of thousands. Quite frankly, five hundred casualties are little more than a common cold. Let's wait until your situation resembles an epidemic.Maybe during your next mass genocide? Let's talk then.Signed,The United States of AmericaLand of the FreeorIf It Ain't Attached To A Tank, We Don't Want It Politics5968@blogcritics.org Fri, 6 Jun 2003 11:44:24 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/05/27/164712.php Rebecca SDeVotchka played at the Bluebird Theatre in Denver last Friday night. I can barely describe the involuntary euphoria I felt throughout the show. There were times when the combination of words and music caused blissful tears. Colorado-based and named from A Clockwork Orange, DeVotchka is comprised of four very talented, very versatile musicians.The show began with the lights dimmed and two powerful trumpets pulsating off the balcony above the audience. Evoking silence and chills throughout the crowd, the trumpets sounded off while an upright bass and a violin played on-stage. As the group finally joined together, the instruments were replaced with an accordian, a tuba, drums, a harmonica and a guitar.With lyrics in English, the band produces a vaguely-Latin-esque musical sound, blended with both Russian Folk and Middle Eastern Arabesque melodies. Pair the impeccable harmony with the 1950s-esque croonings of the sexy lead singer and you have a stunningly unforgettable performance.[DeVotcka is: Nick Urata--Vocals, Guitar, Trumpet; Tom Hagerman--Violin, Accordian; Jenie Schroder--Tuba, Upright Bass; Shawn King--Drums, Trumpet; David Rastettar--Drums, Afro-Cuban Percussion] Music5669@blogcritics.org Tue, 27 May 2003 16:47:12 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/05/19/132858.php Rebecca SI watched The Bachelor last night. My first ever complete viewing of a reality show, save for The Real World circa Puck. It was gut-wrenching, that final episode was. Drama, suspense, intrugue... it had it all.We found ourselves actively rooting for the nice girl from Chicago, the girl we could all be friends with. We hissed and booed when that mean old Kirsten entered the scene. If she wins, we told each other, it means we have lost. If that guy, seemingly stable and sweet, picks the spite-filled and catty yet gold-digging primadonna, it means that there is no hope for any of us. It means our years of efforts to be thoughtful and considerate, educated and well-spoken--that all means nothing. Because we will lose to the girl with the better body.Luckily, our television hero did pick the girl on our team, after many a suspense-filled commercial break.We won!Also to note that since this is a reality show I know something about, I can contribute something to office conversation. Usually I just duck my head and mutter something about not watching television. Not today.Today I can begin a conversation with, 'Did you see the Bachelor last night? I thought I was going to throw up when it looked like Jen was going to lose!'Naturally, lively conversation ensues. Finally, since the time when the New Kids were hanging tough, I understand what it's like to be part of popular culture. Giddyup. Video5417@blogcritics.org Mon, 19 May 2003 13:28:58 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/05/05/142011.php Rebecca SAfter I got back from the gym this morning, I thought I'd see what early morning television had to offer. Mtv had its 21st century edition of Yo! mtv raps or something so I gave that a watch for three or six minutes. Imagine my surprise at the junk being offered our society at six in the morning. It was awful!There was this horrifying Jennifer Lopez video, filmed under the guise of an audition, which of course gives her an opportunity to prance around Jennifer Beals circa Flashdance style in a leotard and little else. Occasionally wet. Of course.Then there was this astoundingly bad video in which three or four very attractive women stand in front of a Las Vegas-style sign lit by lightbulbs, reading DAMN. Cue to the rapper, who would say a word or two. Scroll back to the ladies, who harmonize Damn, then rapper repeats Damn, then ladies say Damn again.Eek.The one morning's redemption was a great song called I Can by somebody big but I can't recall who. Not Nelly. Oh! Nas! It was incredibly motivating yet straightforward, telling girls not to dress slutty and telling youths they can be anything and not to do drugs and remember: Africa was once ruled by kings. Africa is where it all started.I think it's a great trend for rap. Come on, role models. Come out, come out.If the truth is told, the youth can growThey learn to survive until they gain controlNobody says you have to be gangstas, hoesRead more learn more, change the globeGhetto children, do your thing[ed. note: I see that this video has been released for over two months. Um, I should really try to watch Mtv more often.] Music5067@blogcritics.org Mon, 5 May 2003 14:20:11 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/04/14/125701.php Rebecca SMired as we are in our daily complications, it's refreshing to hear a smiling voice sing you a straight story. Charming and relaxed, the honey-coated sound of Mason Jennings resonates with a breathtaking clarity that, if only for a moment, makes you forget that you might have had something on your mind.'I believe if you fall in love,' Mason sings with convincing sincerity on his latest release, Century Spring, 'you should jump right in.' Mason Jennings signals a powerful message of self-determination: Singing, writing and distributing his music with a declared goal of having no regrets, the songs reflect an undauntedly pure life perspective. Accompanied onstage by Chris Morrissey and Brian Mcloud, you might ask yourself where you can find a similar elixir to afford such healthy precision. Then you'll hear the band go off on a guitar-laden, Iron-Maiden-esque tangent and remind yourself, Oh! They're just three guys, in love with life.Mason Jennings is currently on tour. Check your local music listings and make an effort to be pleasantly surprised. Music4604@blogcritics.org Mon, 14 Apr 2003 12:57:01 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/04/11/135005.php Rebecca SFred Gray was the guest speaker at a dinner I was at last night. Listening to his passion about his career renewed my conviction that my dream to make a difference in education is not futile. I can single-handedly affect change--we all can. Fred Gray made a difference as one of our country's most influentual civil rights lawyer.Fred Gray represented Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and the participants of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. He's currently the first African-American head of the Alabama State Bar Association. His argument for Gomillion v. Lightfoot laid the foundation for the Supreme Court's 'One Man, One Vote' decision, and later evolved into the voting rights acts. Politics4527@blogcritics.org Fri, 11 Apr 2003 13:50:05 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/03/26/162454.php Rebecca SWe should all be concerned about our executive branch's methods to Iraqi invasion. What success can there be with a policy of unconditional intolerance? We've invoked an irreparably damaging and irresponsible foreign policy of 'our way or the highway'.There should be little question, however, of the United States' responsibility as the world's watchdog. A friend last night asked me why it was our responsibility to ensure the well being of other countries. 'Why,' he asked, 'do we need to get involved? Let them handle their own affairs ... it's none of our business.' I disagree.It is a fact that we are the world's strongest and most visible nation - democratic or otherwise. While our nation's fundamental goal should always be to preserve the freedom and liberty of our own citizens, the responsibility of preserving world order plays an integral role as well. When we ignore that responsibility, chaos ensues.It is a fact that our nation is no longer insular. We thrive in a global environment and depend on the stability of the rest of the world. In part, that stability ensures the liberty of our own citizens - through trade, travel, economies and common goals.We depend on our elected leaders to guide us toward the preservation of our liberties, both locally and globally. A ship is only as strong as its captain. Enter: well-constructed thoughts from John F. Kennedy, stressing the need for a 'strong, creative Democrat in the White House': And nowhere is this need more critical than in the conduct of our foreign affairs. For Pennsylvania Avenue is no longer a local thoroughfare. It runs through Paris and London, Ankara and Teheran, New Delhi and Tokyo. And if the soul of a journey is liberty, as Hazlitt has said, then the road from the White House that encircles the globe is freedom's way-the artery that makes all the Free World neighbors as well as allies. And if Washington is the capital of the Free World, the President must be its leader. Our Constitution requires it-our history requires it-our very survival requires it. In foreign affairs, said the Supreme Court, "the President alone has the power to speak or listen as the representative of this nation." Our government has decided that regime change in Iraq is necessary for the world's stability. I don't disagree with the need for intervention. Just as the removal of an unpredictable despot encourages world stability, so does the political support of United States by our allies. With that understood, I disagree with our administration's strategy of self-imposed aggression. Politics4128@blogcritics.org Wed, 26 Mar 2003 16:24:54 EST