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 Sat, 3 Sep 2005 00:33:47 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. 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Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/09/03/003347.php Scott NicholsI want to add my voice to a growing chorus of Republicans and others urging President Bush to appoint Rudy Giuliani to lead the recovery efforts in the gulf region devastated by Hurricane Katrina.As "America's Mayor" in the dark days following 9/11, Giuliani demostrated his ability to bring people together and lift the spirits not only of NYC, but of the whole nation.His knowledge, strength of charater and heart are vitally needed in the rebuilding of not only New Orleans and the communities hit by this storm, but also America's faith in itself and its people.Join me in asking President Bush to appoint Rudy Giuliani to this crucial role by signing the petition found here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/981426688Come on Rudy - We need you again! Politics35388@blogcritics.org Sat, 3 Sep 2005 00:33:47 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/05/26/232258.php Scott NicholsJesus: An Intimate Portrait of the Man, His Land and His People, by Leith Anderson, is the latest entry into a crowded field of books attempting to make the Gospel accounts of Jesus' life accessible to the masses. It is an admirable attempt.There is a danger of erring in one of two ways with biographies of Jesus. One is to stray too far from the biblical accounts and risk parody, the other is to be so slavishly devoted to the text that one loses the fact that Jesus was human as well as divine. Anderson does a fairly good job of walking the line between the two. He is careful not to bring in a vast amount of extra-biblical material. In fact he offers what could best be described as a running paraphrase upon the Scriptures. But to avoid just parroting the Gospels he makes some reasonable assessments upon the reaction of Jesus, his disciples and those whom Jesus interacts with in the course of his ministry to various events. These personal touches help humanize the characters.Especially helpful were the numerous sidebars that explain the history, culture, customs and atmosphere of Jesus' time. Even a veteran minister, like myself, found several "factoids" that had escaped my studies over the years. These were nicely integrated into the text so as not to disrupt the flow too much.My one true complaint is that Anderson tended to quote at great length the teaching of Jesus. The sometimes-tedious rendering of sermons and parables bogged down the flow of the story. I think the average reader would have been better served with a synopsis of the teachings with perhaps an appendix in the back of the book. With this same thought in mind, the book would have benefited further from some type of footnotes that would have directed the reader to the appropriate texts from the different Gospels.On the whole however, I think that this book is a welcome addition to the market. I think it would be of the most benefit to those with little exposure to Christianity and those who perhaps are a bit daunted by the Bible itself. Books30208@blogcritics.org Thu, 26 May 2005 23:22:58 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/05/24/160236.php Scott NicholsSens. Mike DeWine of Ohio, Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island, John McCain of Arizona, John W. Warner of Virginia and Olympia J. Snowe of Maine sold out their party, their president and most importantly - the United States Constitution last night.By allowing the minority to rule, they have effectively given control of the Senate to Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid, Ted Kennedy and the like. But should we have expected any less from John McCain? He has now gone from the Keating Five to the Spineless Seven.Such shameful actions should not go unpunished by the Republican leadership or the voters who elected them. Politics30085@blogcritics.org Tue, 24 May 2005 16:02:36 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/05/23/005503.php Scott NicholsIn one of his last releases under the Dreamworks label, before going out on his own, Toby Keith delivers another winner.The multi-platinum song-writer, country superstar follows up the chart-topping Shock-n-Y'all with a return to a more vintage Toby. While the title cut an autobiographical "Honkytonk U" offer Toby at his Rockin' Roadhouse best, the rest of the cuts display a softer or more introspective side of Toby. To me clearly the best cut is Toby's next single - "As Good As I Once Was" a tune that appeals to those whose are trying to hold onto the glory days.Toby fulfills another wish when he records with one of his idols Merle Haggard on "She Ain't Hooked On Me No More." Lost and losing love seems to run through a number of the tracks - some more successful than others. In "Just The Guy To Do It" Toby displays some of the swagger that makes women swoon and guys say, "I wish I had the guts to say that." One of the more interesting songs on the CD is one called "Big Blue Note" I'm not sure how to classify it, but after a few hearings it grows on you.The remaining cuts are okay, but I won't expect them to make it as singles. On the whole this is another solid release from Toby and I'm sure will garner him some more #1's and more fans. Music29957@blogcritics.org Mon, 23 May 2005 00:55:03 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/05/21/005418.php Scott Nichols(First a personal disclaimer - I am addicted to Diet Mountain Dew. However said addiction has nothing or almost nothing to do with the following commentary)Over the last few days the blogosphere has erupted over the commencement address of Pepsico executive Indra Nooy given at Columbia School of Business. In this address Ms. Nooy was said to have made disparaging remarks about the United States. Like many right-wingers my first response was to react with intemperate dismay. Then I decided to actually read what Ms. Nooy had said.As as student of communication ( I preach for a living) I found the address while a bit unfocused, certainly not as "liberal" and hate-filled as many of my type had blogged. In fact, while it may pain me to admit and others to hear, she was making a valid and certainly memorable point.She was dealing with a perception (rightly or wrongly one may argue) that the United States is seen by the world as "giving it the finger." And this is a criticism that we must take to heart. The actions of a few; be it overzealous prison guards or reckless journalists, do reflect upon how we are seen by other nations.Stan Lee was right when he reminded Spiderman that with great powers comes great responsibility. And the need to use such power wisely. We are the greatest nation in the world and as such we are held to a higher standard by the rest of the world. And we should aspire to that standard ourselves. President Bush has realized this. He knows that might alone will not win the day. There is a time to be a cowboy and a time to be a statesman. It is a fine line to walk and sometimes we cross that line. But the mark of a great man and a great nation is to be willing to hear the critics and learn from them.I believe that Ms. Nooy wants this to be a great and respected nation. Her counsel to these graduates is sound. We who proudly represent this nation must be aware of how we conduct not only our business affairs, but all our interactions with others. To be sensitive to others cultures and perspectives is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.There is a time to give the finger, but there are other times when an offered hand can do more good. The wise know the times and act appropriately. Politics29877@blogcritics.org Sat, 21 May 2005 00:54:18 EDT