*****Yeah, it's long, but it's a very important read. This is what future leaders of the free world sound like.*****
Mr. President, I am proud to be sponsoring this amendment with the senior senator from West Virginia. He’s absolutely right that Congress has abrogated its oversight responsibilities, and one way to reverse that troubling trend is to adopt a sunset provision in this bill. We did that in the Patriot Act, and that allowed us to make important revisions to the bill that reflected our experience about what worked and didn’t work during the previous 5 years. We should do that again with this important piece of legislation.
But I want to take a few minutes to speak more broadly about the bill before us.
I may have only been in this body for a short while, but I am not naive to the political considerations that go along with many of the decisions we make here. I realize that soon, we will adjourn for the fall, and the campaigning will begin in earnest. And there will be 30-second attack ads and negative mail pieces, and we will be called everything from cut-and-run quitters to Defeatocrats to people who care more about the rights of terrorists than the protection of Americans. And I know that the vote before us was specifically designed and timed to add more fuel to that fire.
And yet, while I know all of this, I’m still disappointed, and I’m still ashamed. Because what we’re doing here today – a debate over the fundamental human rights of the accused – should be bigger than politics. This is serious.
If this was a debate with obvious ideological differences – heartfelt convictions that couldn’t be settled by compromise – I would understand. But it’s not.
All of us – Democrats and Republicans – want to do whatever it takes to track down terrorists and bring them to justice as swiftly as possible. All of us want to give our President every tool necessary to do this. And all of us were willing to do that in this bill. Anyone who says otherwise is lying to the American people.
In the five years that the President’s system of military tribunals has existed, not one terrorist has been tried. Not one has been convicted. Not one has been brought to justice. And in the end, the Supreme Court of the United found the whole thing unconstitutional, which is why we’re here today.
We could have fixed all of this in a way that allows us to detain and interrogate and try suspected terrorists while still protecting the accidentally accused from spending their lives locked away in Guantanamo Bay. Easily. This was not an either-or question.
Instead of allowing this President – or any President – to decide what does and does not constitute torture, we could have left the definition up to our own laws and to the Geneva Conventions, as we would have if we passed the bill that the Armed Services committee originally offered.
Instead of detainees arriving at Guantanamo and facing a Combatant Status Review Tribunal that allows them no real chance to prove their innocence with evidence or a lawyer, we could have developed a real military system of justice that would sort out the suspected terrorists from the accidentally accused.
And instead of not just suspending, but eliminating, the right of habeas corpus – the seven century-old right of individuals to challenge the terms of their own detention, we could have given the accused one chance – one single chance – to ask the government why they are being held and what they are being charged with.
But politics won today. Politics won. The Administration got its vote, and now it will have its victory lap, and now they will be able to go out on the campaign trail and tell the American people that they were the ones who were tough on the terrorists.
And yet, we have a bill that gives the terrorist mastermind of 9/11 his day in court, but not the innocent people we may have accidentally rounded up and mistaken for terrorists – people who may stay in prison for the rest of their lives.
And yet, we have a report authored by sixteen of our own government’s intelligence agencies, a previous draft of which described, and I quote, “…actions by the United States government that were determined to have stoked the jihad movement, like the indefinite detention of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay…”
And yet, we have Al Qaeda and the Taliban regrouping in Afghanistan while we look the other way. We have a war in Iraq that our own government’s intelligence says is serving as Al Qaeda’s best recruitment tool. And we have recommendations from the bipartisan 9/11 commission that we still refuse to implement five years after the fact.
The problem with this bill is not that it’s too tough on terrorists. The problem with this bill is that it’s sloppy. And the reason it’s sloppy is because we rushed it to serve political purposes instead of getting the job done.
I’ve heard, for example, the argument that it should be military courts, and not federal judges, who should make decisions on these detainees. I actually agree with that. The problem is that the structure of the military proceedings has been poorly thought through. Indeed, the regulations that are supposed to be governing administrative hearings for these detainees, which should have been issued months ago, still haven’t been issued because we’re so intent to rush this through in time for Election Day. And so we are once again creating a situation in which this legislation is vulnerable to Supreme Court challenge.
This is not how a serious Administration would approach the problem of terrorism. And I know the President came here today and was insisting that this is supposed to be our primary concern. He’s absolutely right it should be our primary concern – which is why we should be approaching this with a somberness and seriousness that they have not displayed with this legislation.
But politics is what won today.
The only thing I hope for those who plot terror against the United States is that God has mercy on their soul, because I certainly do not. And for those who our government suspects of terror, I support whatever tools are necessary to try them and uncover their plot.
But we also know that some have been detained who have no connection to terror whatsoever. We’ve already had reports from the CIA and various generals over the last few years saying that many of the detainees at Guantanamo shouldn’t have been there – as one U.S. commander of Guantanamo told the Wall Street Journal, “Sometimes, we just didn’t get the right folks.” And we all know about the recent case of the Canadian man who was suspected of terrorist connections, detained in New York, sent to Syria, and tortured, only to find out later that it was all a case of mistaken identity and poor information.
And yet, in the future, people like this may never have a chance to prove their innocence. And they may remain locked away forever.
And the sad part about all of this is that this betrayal of American values is unnecessary. We could’ve drafted a bipartisan, well-structured bill that provided adequate due process through the military courts, had an effective review process that would’ve prevented frivolous lawsuits being filed and kept lawyers from clogging our courts, but upheld the basic ideals that have made this country great.
Instead, what we have is a flawed document that in fact betrays the best instincts of some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle – those who worked in a bipartisan fashion in the Armed Services Committee to craft a bill that we could have been proud of. And they essentially got steamrolled by this Administration and by the imperatives of November 7th.
That is not how we should be doing business in the U.S. Senate, and that’s not how we should be prosecuting this war on terrorism. When we’re sloppy and cut corners, we are undermining those very virtues of America that will lead us to success in winning this war. At bare minimum, I hope we can at least pass this provision so that cooler heads can prevail after the silly season is over. Thank you.
9.28.2006
A LOOK AT THOSE EIGHT MONTHS...
...you know, the ones where it couldn't have been Clinton's fault.
And listen, I'm not one of those people who think Clinton is a saint or isn't partly to blame for the events of 9-11. Hell, I think the blame goes all the way back to Reagan. I just cannot stand the way people spin the truth into some alternative account of what really happened. As if none of it was caught on video clips?! That's the beauty of this latest piece by Keith Olbermann is that he lets this Administration speak for themselves. Their inaction is put under the light for all to see.
So let Karl Rove and the Republican Party call anyone to the Left of them cowards. That we're soft of terror. Not up to the challenge of defending this great country. Because the truth is played out on ten little minutes above you.
If only someone else in the "mainstream liberal media" could attempt something even close to what Keith is doing on a nightly basis. But no, they're more concerned with being "balanced and even handed."
The problem is, you cannot give two sides of a fact.
9.27.2006
LADIES AND GENTLEMAN...
Now THIS is a movie poster!!!
Latest film by some guy named Steven Soderbergh?! No trailer yet, but I'm guessing we'll be seeing something shortly...
Latest film by some guy named Steven Soderbergh?! No trailer yet, but I'm guessing we'll be seeing something shortly...
9.26.2006
NEW MUSIC 9.26.06
The "Holy Shit I Need To Sell Gallons Of Blood This Week" edition...
WEIRD AL YANKOVIC * SRAIGHT OUTTA LYNWOOD
You know how I feel about Weird Al, so no need to justify this purchase. Besides, he makes fun of Canadians!
(to the tune of American Idiot by Green Day)
"sure they got their national health care
cheaper meds low crime rates and clean air
then again well they got celine dion
eat their weight in kraft macaroni
and dream of driving a zamboni
all over saskatchewan
Don't want to be a Canadian idiot
We'll figure out their temperature in Celcius
see the map they're hovering right over us
tell you the truth it makes me kinda nervous
always hear the same kind of story
break your nose and they'll just say soory
tell me what kind of freaks are that polite
It's gotta mean they're all up to something
so quick before they see it coming
time for a pre-emptive strike"
THE US VS JOHN LENNON (soundtrack)
True, most (if not all) of these tracks are on other releases, but if you've been wanting to get a solid collection of Lennon tunes, this tracklist has all of his best material. (well, could've used Jealous Guy, but still...)
SOLOMON BURKE * NASHVILLE
A true living legend recording an album of country classics?! Where do I sign up? He covers tunes from Dolly Parton, George Jones, and even Bruce Springsteen! I highly recommend this release.
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND * LIVE AT FENWAY PARK
Put aside the fact that they're playing in Boston for a second, (how 'bout them apples) and just focus on this being the best live album they've released. Three new unreleased songs and a nice cover of "Sweet Caroline!"
BOBBY BARE JR * THE LONGEST MEOW
11 songs recorded with an 11 member band, in 11 hours. A gimmick? Perhaps. But when you're the son of legendary country singer Bobby Bare and you get people like Frank Black working with you on a cover of Where Is My Mind, I suppose it doesn't matter.
DEMETRI MARTIN * THESE ARE JOKES
One of the most underused member of The Daily Show has his first comedy album out today. Comes with a DVD of his Comedy Central special!
WEIRD AL YANKOVIC * SRAIGHT OUTTA LYNWOOD
You know how I feel about Weird Al, so no need to justify this purchase. Besides, he makes fun of Canadians!
(to the tune of American Idiot by Green Day)
"sure they got their national health care
cheaper meds low crime rates and clean air
then again well they got celine dion
eat their weight in kraft macaroni
and dream of driving a zamboni
all over saskatchewan
Don't want to be a Canadian idiot
We'll figure out their temperature in Celcius
see the map they're hovering right over us
tell you the truth it makes me kinda nervous
always hear the same kind of story
break your nose and they'll just say soory
tell me what kind of freaks are that polite
It's gotta mean they're all up to something
so quick before they see it coming
time for a pre-emptive strike"
THE US VS JOHN LENNON (soundtrack)
True, most (if not all) of these tracks are on other releases, but if you've been wanting to get a solid collection of Lennon tunes, this tracklist has all of his best material. (well, could've used Jealous Guy, but still...)
SOLOMON BURKE * NASHVILLE
A true living legend recording an album of country classics?! Where do I sign up? He covers tunes from Dolly Parton, George Jones, and even Bruce Springsteen! I highly recommend this release.
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND * LIVE AT FENWAY PARK
Put aside the fact that they're playing in Boston for a second, (how 'bout them apples) and just focus on this being the best live album they've released. Three new unreleased songs and a nice cover of "Sweet Caroline!"
BOBBY BARE JR * THE LONGEST MEOW
11 songs recorded with an 11 member band, in 11 hours. A gimmick? Perhaps. But when you're the son of legendary country singer Bobby Bare and you get people like Frank Black working with you on a cover of Where Is My Mind, I suppose it doesn't matter.
DEMETRI MARTIN * THESE ARE JOKES
One of the most underused member of The Daily Show has his first comedy album out today. Comes with a DVD of his Comedy Central special!
9.23.2006
300
It's a tad blurry and the sound is a lil' off...but god damn does this look like another awesome adaptation of Frank Miller's beautiful work! And a Nine Inch Nails song in there to boot!
CLINTON FIGHTS BACK AGAINST FOX NEWS
Good for him.
Today, President Bill Clinton taped an interview with Fox News’ Chris Wallace, which is scheduled to be aired Sunday. He was told the interview would focus on his nonpartisan efforts to raise over $7 billion to combat the world’s biggest problems.
Early in the interview, Wallace attempted to smear Clinton with the same kind of misinformation contained in ABC’s Path to 9/11. Clinton was having none of it.
ThinkProgress has obtained a transcript of the interview. Here are some highlights –
Wallace repeats Path to 9/11 misinformation, Clinton fights back:
WALLACE: When we announced that you were going to be on Fox News Sunday, I got a lot of email from viewers, and I got to say I was surprised most of them wanted me to ask you this question. Why didn’t you do more to put Bin Laden and al Qaeda out of business when you were President? There’s a new book out which I suspect you’ve read called the Looming Tower. And it talks about how the fact that when you pulled troops out of Somalia in 1993, Bin Laden said “I have seen the frailty and the weakness and the cowardice of US troops.” Then there was the bombing of the embassies in Africa and the attack on the USS Cole.
CLINTON: OK..
WALLACE: …may I just finish the question sir. And after the attack, the book says, Bin Laden separated his leaders because he expected an attack and there was no response. I understand that hindsight is 20/20.
CLINTON: No let’s talk about…
WALLACE: …but the question is why didn’t you do more, connect the dots and put them out of business?
CLINTON: OK, let’s talk about it. I will answer all of those things on the merits but I want to talk about the context of which this arises. I’m being asked this on the FOX network…ABC just had a right wing conservative on the Path to 9/11 falsely claim that it was based on the 9/11 Commission report with three things asserted against me that are directly contradicted by the 9/11 Commission report. I think it’s very interesting that all the conservative Republicans who now say that I didn’t do enough, claimed that I was obsessed with Bin Laden. All of President Bush’s neocons claimed that I was too obsessed with finding Bin Laden when they didn’t have a single meeting about Bin Laden for the nine months after I left office. All the right wingers who now say that I didn’t do enough said that I did too much. Same people.
There's much more, but keep in mind, the attack on the USS Cole happened on October 12th, 2000. A mere MONTHS before Clinton left office. If Bush (or the Republicans) considered it such a huge fucking issue, they could've used the first months of their presidency tracking down those responsible. But of course they don't care about that...they only care about blaming everything wrong on Clinton and using him as the scapegoat.
Today, President Bill Clinton taped an interview with Fox News’ Chris Wallace, which is scheduled to be aired Sunday. He was told the interview would focus on his nonpartisan efforts to raise over $7 billion to combat the world’s biggest problems.
Early in the interview, Wallace attempted to smear Clinton with the same kind of misinformation contained in ABC’s Path to 9/11. Clinton was having none of it.
ThinkProgress has obtained a transcript of the interview. Here are some highlights –
Wallace repeats Path to 9/11 misinformation, Clinton fights back:
WALLACE: When we announced that you were going to be on Fox News Sunday, I got a lot of email from viewers, and I got to say I was surprised most of them wanted me to ask you this question. Why didn’t you do more to put Bin Laden and al Qaeda out of business when you were President? There’s a new book out which I suspect you’ve read called the Looming Tower. And it talks about how the fact that when you pulled troops out of Somalia in 1993, Bin Laden said “I have seen the frailty and the weakness and the cowardice of US troops.” Then there was the bombing of the embassies in Africa and the attack on the USS Cole.
CLINTON: OK..
WALLACE: …may I just finish the question sir. And after the attack, the book says, Bin Laden separated his leaders because he expected an attack and there was no response. I understand that hindsight is 20/20.
CLINTON: No let’s talk about…
WALLACE: …but the question is why didn’t you do more, connect the dots and put them out of business?
CLINTON: OK, let’s talk about it. I will answer all of those things on the merits but I want to talk about the context of which this arises. I’m being asked this on the FOX network…ABC just had a right wing conservative on the Path to 9/11 falsely claim that it was based on the 9/11 Commission report with three things asserted against me that are directly contradicted by the 9/11 Commission report. I think it’s very interesting that all the conservative Republicans who now say that I didn’t do enough, claimed that I was obsessed with Bin Laden. All of President Bush’s neocons claimed that I was too obsessed with finding Bin Laden when they didn’t have a single meeting about Bin Laden for the nine months after I left office. All the right wingers who now say that I didn’t do enough said that I did too much. Same people.
There's much more, but keep in mind, the attack on the USS Cole happened on October 12th, 2000. A mere MONTHS before Clinton left office. If Bush (or the Republicans) considered it such a huge fucking issue, they could've used the first months of their presidency tracking down those responsible. But of course they don't care about that...they only care about blaming everything wrong on Clinton and using him as the scapegoat.
9.21.2006
I SAW BORAT LAST NIGHT
...well, the movie...not the man hung like Pepsi can...
How, you might be asking yourself? Simply by being a nerd on myspace and adding this to my friends list! Who knew it wasn't only a place to pick up slutty 14 chicks?
So, doors were going to open at 9pm, I figured getting there around 7:30 would be okay...and it was, until about 15 minutes later when the floodgates opened and it wasn't long before they ended up breaking the one giant fucking line into two smaller, not-as-fucking lines. Here's a couple things I never knew about AMC theaters.
#1: They allow in outside food?! Since when?! We had about a two hour wait and waiting in line at a nearby restaurant was taking way too long, so we ended up skipping dinner. Cut to about three different people bringing in bags of Taco Bell and McDonalds and just walking right into the theater?! So, about 45 minutes into the waiting, my brother and I headed off to the nearest Chipolte.
#2: They wand you down with metal detectors on sneak previews? I'm not sure this was an AMC theater policy...but it's never happened at any of the other premieres I've attended. Maybe it's something new with youtube and bit torrets running amok on the internets...but even after we each got ourselves wanded, they still used "night vision" cameras inside the theater to make sure no one was filming.
Anyway, the movie...how can you even review BORAT without totally ruining it for everyone who hasn't seen it? It's tough. I know I found out this scene and that scene from various reviews I had read, and honestly I wished I didn't. The beauty of the film is what you don't know what's coming. He sets up situations in which, you know horrible things are going to happen, (Such as staying overnight in a Bed & Breakfast owned by a elderly Jewish couple) but the specifics are what hit you offguard and make you laugh until it hurts. MANY TIMES. There were about four or five different scenes in which I coughed because I was laughing so hard. My throat hurt after this film. It's that effective.
The set-up is quick and simple. Borat is coming to America to film what our culture is like. "America" being New York, of course...and the first couple of scenes, after he leaves his home country, just take place in the Big Apple. However, it isn't too much into the film when it basically becomes a "road movie," which is basically an excuse to tie all sorts of different situations into a feature length picture.
Like I said, I'd be happy to tell you what makes the movie so damn funny, but I'd rather not ruin everything for you. I'll tell you this, the way this movie succeeds while Ali G's movie failed, is that it sticks to the "no one else is in on the joke" premise. Everyone around Borat, except for his 300 pound producer, is just a victim of his shtick. That's the number one reason you will be laughing until it hurts. They don't play anything safe or go for an easy laugh. He walks up to people, says something totally wrong and offensive, and it's their reaction that nails it. Some, especially down South, will agree with his statements about Gypsies and Jews, others will not appreciate his views on why "Women have smaller brains" and yet, continue to talk to him?!
That's probably the one thing I didn't expect out of the film...you kind of care about this character. For all of his (and believe he has plenty) faults, you actually feel sorry for him. In fact, there's a scene in the middle of the film that is sad. Seriously. You will actually here a few people go "awwwww" in the theater. At least I did...in fact I was one of the people saying it!
Borat isn't going to hit theaters until November, but I guarantee you'll be hearing more and more about it before then. In fact, I read that he's supposed to be on the cover of Vanity Fair next month. That combined with the numerous protests and boycots that are bound to come from just about every single group of people that use acronyms to name themselves...trust me, this movie is going to be more of an "event" than Snakes on a Plane ever was.
And I got to see it last night...for free! Suckers!!!
How, you might be asking yourself? Simply by being a nerd on myspace and adding this to my friends list! Who knew it wasn't only a place to pick up slutty 14 chicks?
So, doors were going to open at 9pm, I figured getting there around 7:30 would be okay...and it was, until about 15 minutes later when the floodgates opened and it wasn't long before they ended up breaking the one giant fucking line into two smaller, not-as-fucking lines. Here's a couple things I never knew about AMC theaters.
#1: They allow in outside food?! Since when?! We had about a two hour wait and waiting in line at a nearby restaurant was taking way too long, so we ended up skipping dinner. Cut to about three different people bringing in bags of Taco Bell and McDonalds and just walking right into the theater?! So, about 45 minutes into the waiting, my brother and I headed off to the nearest Chipolte.
#2: They wand you down with metal detectors on sneak previews? I'm not sure this was an AMC theater policy...but it's never happened at any of the other premieres I've attended. Maybe it's something new with youtube and bit torrets running amok on the internets...but even after we each got ourselves wanded, they still used "night vision" cameras inside the theater to make sure no one was filming.
Anyway, the movie...how can you even review BORAT without totally ruining it for everyone who hasn't seen it? It's tough. I know I found out this scene and that scene from various reviews I had read, and honestly I wished I didn't. The beauty of the film is what you don't know what's coming. He sets up situations in which, you know horrible things are going to happen, (Such as staying overnight in a Bed & Breakfast owned by a elderly Jewish couple) but the specifics are what hit you offguard and make you laugh until it hurts. MANY TIMES. There were about four or five different scenes in which I coughed because I was laughing so hard. My throat hurt after this film. It's that effective.
The set-up is quick and simple. Borat is coming to America to film what our culture is like. "America" being New York, of course...and the first couple of scenes, after he leaves his home country, just take place in the Big Apple. However, it isn't too much into the film when it basically becomes a "road movie," which is basically an excuse to tie all sorts of different situations into a feature length picture.
Like I said, I'd be happy to tell you what makes the movie so damn funny, but I'd rather not ruin everything for you. I'll tell you this, the way this movie succeeds while Ali G's movie failed, is that it sticks to the "no one else is in on the joke" premise. Everyone around Borat, except for his 300 pound producer, is just a victim of his shtick. That's the number one reason you will be laughing until it hurts. They don't play anything safe or go for an easy laugh. He walks up to people, says something totally wrong and offensive, and it's their reaction that nails it. Some, especially down South, will agree with his statements about Gypsies and Jews, others will not appreciate his views on why "Women have smaller brains" and yet, continue to talk to him?!
That's probably the one thing I didn't expect out of the film...you kind of care about this character. For all of his (and believe he has plenty) faults, you actually feel sorry for him. In fact, there's a scene in the middle of the film that is sad. Seriously. You will actually here a few people go "awwwww" in the theater. At least I did...in fact I was one of the people saying it!
Borat isn't going to hit theaters until November, but I guarantee you'll be hearing more and more about it before then. In fact, I read that he's supposed to be on the cover of Vanity Fair next month. That combined with the numerous protests and boycots that are bound to come from just about every single group of people that use acronyms to name themselves...trust me, this movie is going to be more of an "event" than Snakes on a Plane ever was.
And I got to see it last night...for free! Suckers!!!
9.20.2006
WEIRD AL
His new album hits stores next Tuesday! Here's his newest POLKALOOZA 2006! (where he redoes all the hits songs from the year Polka-style. You gotta watch it at least until he gets to "Candy Shop" by 50 Cent...)
And here's his first single, White & Nerdy. You gotta admit, he fits in a ton of references in the span of two minutes...and hardly any are about food!
And here's his first single, White & Nerdy. You gotta admit, he fits in a ton of references in the span of two minutes...and hardly any are about food!
9.19.2006
NEW MUSIC 9.19.06
Not much out today. Just one single purchase for me. (next week is craaaaazy though)
BEN KWELLER (self titled)
I honestly never bought any of Ben's earlier releases. I've always heard good things, but never had the urge to go out and hunt them down. Then, I heard his beautiful take on "Wait" from THIS BIRD HAS FLOWN the Rubber Soul tribute. That sealed the deal, I was going to buy his next release...
It's basically pop the way I like it. Catchy melodies, sweet love songs, and real instruments instead of beats and sound machines. Think of it as a low-concept Pet Sounds. The first song was the best of the bunch, (although I only got to listen to about four on my drive back to work) with it's tight chorus and lyrics that just put you in a happy, lovesick mood.
Since fifteen
I have ran
Everywhere you can run
But with you
It's much more fun
So let's run let's run let's run
It doesn't matter that they say we'll never make it
It's so strong that nothing can ever break it
You and I can tackle anything of any size
All anyone can ever want is a co-pilot
Someone to leave this town and
Up and start a secret
And when you sneak out at night
I'll kiss you right between your eyes
BEN KWELLER (self titled)
I honestly never bought any of Ben's earlier releases. I've always heard good things, but never had the urge to go out and hunt them down. Then, I heard his beautiful take on "Wait" from THIS BIRD HAS FLOWN the Rubber Soul tribute. That sealed the deal, I was going to buy his next release...
It's basically pop the way I like it. Catchy melodies, sweet love songs, and real instruments instead of beats and sound machines. Think of it as a low-concept Pet Sounds. The first song was the best of the bunch, (although I only got to listen to about four on my drive back to work) with it's tight chorus and lyrics that just put you in a happy, lovesick mood.
Since fifteen
I have ran
Everywhere you can run
But with you
It's much more fun
So let's run let's run let's run
It doesn't matter that they say we'll never make it
It's so strong that nothing can ever break it
You and I can tackle anything of any size
All anyone can ever want is a co-pilot
Someone to leave this town and
Up and start a secret
And when you sneak out at night
I'll kiss you right between your eyes
9.18.2006
STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP
Please watch this TV show tonight. Aaron Sorkin has made two of the greatest shows ever on television. One lasted a while, the other (Sports Night) was so fucking amazing and totally different than what most people were doing on TV at the time, that it got canceled. (A comedy without a laugh track?! Cut to six years later and The Office winning the Emmy for Best Comedy.)
Seriously. Just watch this 3 minute clip and tell me that this isn't going to be the best new series for all of 2006...
WHITE STRIPES ON THE SIMPSONS
Yeah, as of late the show has been hit or miss, but last night's episode was awesome!
9.15.2006
GO BUY THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL...NOW!
Breathtaking art with a heartwrenching story. Based on the true story of a group of four lions that are set free from their cages when the zoo is destroyed during the bombing of Baghdad in 2003. It deals with freedom, and the costs of trying to earn it rather than having it given to you...among other things.
Easily one of the best comics I've read in quite some time.
GREEN DAY & U2 AT ABBEY ROAD
Even if you're not fans of either one of these bands, you got to admit, it'd be fucking cool to just run into them as you were walking down the street.
If you're wondering what in the world they're doing there together, you might be interested to read this...
U2 and Green Day will debut their collaborative cover of Scottish punk band the Skids' "The Saints Are Coming" during a live performance on Sept. 25 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. The show will serve as the official reopening of the venue prior to the New Orleans Saints' Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons.
ESPN will broadcast the performance live, while Rhapsody will offer a live audio stream. Afterward, the performance will be available for purchase via Rhapsody, with proceeds to benefit the instrument replacement fund Music Rising, co-founded by U2 guitarist the Edge.
The Superdome was nearly destroyed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when it was forced into duty as a shelter for thousands of displaced citizens. Since then, the Saints have played home games in Baton Rouge, La., and San Antonio.
Meanwhile, U2 has already begun tracking its portion of the studio version of "The Saints Are Coming" and will be joined by Green Day at London's Abbey Road Studios in the coming weeks.
Also, a bit of FYI, for you U2 fans...Rick Rubin is producing their next album! Sweeeeet.
9.14.2006
9.12.2006
MATT LAUER & GEORGE W BUSH
TWO MAN ENTER...ONE MAN LEAVE
...but seriously, who even allowed this to air?! The President is reduced to, "THEY'RE COMING TO KILL YER FAMILY!!!" as an answer to every single question. And I love how he's not going to go into specifics about our "not-torture" techniques because the enemy will adjust?! Like, if we say, "We hook their nuts to a car battery," tomorrow Al Qaida is going to march down to the local Sears and start practicing withstanding hours of that?!
What a lucky nation we are to have him protectin' us.
...but seriously, who even allowed this to air?! The President is reduced to, "THEY'RE COMING TO KILL YER FAMILY!!!" as an answer to every single question. And I love how he's not going to go into specifics about our "not-torture" techniques because the enemy will adjust?! Like, if we say, "We hook their nuts to a car battery," tomorrow Al Qaida is going to march down to the local Sears and start practicing withstanding hours of that?!
What a lucky nation we are to have him protectin' us.
NEW MUSIC 9.12.06
What an amazing week this turned out to be! I mean, for starters, Justin is bringing SEXY BACK! Motherfuckers, it's been missing for quite some time...apparently hiding inside of a disco ball...but rejoyce because he's found it and ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD!!!!
...and now, onto my actual purchases...
LOS LOBOS * THE TOWN & THE CITY
(with artwork by Jamie Hernandez!)
These poor bastards never get enough credit for being one of the best rock bands still around. This album is just as pure and solid as Will The Wolf Survive while experimenting a tad ala Colossal Head.
CITIZEN COPE * EVERY WAKING MOMENT
Saw him open for Ben Folds about five years ago...played all of the instruments himself, some two at a time. Kind of like a funkier Everlast with none of that "hard ass" attitude.
YO LA TENGO * I'M NOT AFRAID OF YOU AND I WILL BEAT YOUR ASS
Besides being the greatest album title this year, (if not ever) it's an amazing album. Needs to be heard to even begin to describe it.
...and now, onto my actual purchases...
LOS LOBOS * THE TOWN & THE CITY
(with artwork by Jamie Hernandez!)
These poor bastards never get enough credit for being one of the best rock bands still around. This album is just as pure and solid as Will The Wolf Survive while experimenting a tad ala Colossal Head.
CITIZEN COPE * EVERY WAKING MOMENT
Saw him open for Ben Folds about five years ago...played all of the instruments himself, some two at a time. Kind of like a funkier Everlast with none of that "hard ass" attitude.
YO LA TENGO * I'M NOT AFRAID OF YOU AND I WILL BEAT YOUR ASS
Besides being the greatest album title this year, (if not ever) it's an amazing album. Needs to be heard to even begin to describe it.
KEITH OLBERMANN SUMS UP THE REAL LESSONS OF 9/11
Easily the greatest 8 1/2 minutes I've witnessed on television in a long while. Even greater, was the fact that this aired BEFORE Bush's speech, yet deals with much of what he spewed. Seriously. Prepare yourself for an amazingly powerful comment from America's best anchorman...
Who has left this hole in the ground?
We have not forgotten, Mr. President.
You have.
May this country forgive you.
Who has left this hole in the ground?
We have not forgotten, Mr. President.
You have.
May this country forgive you.
9.11.2006
BANKSY IS MY HERO...
A life-size replica of a Guantanamo Bay detainee has been placed in Disneyland by "guerrilla artist" Banksy.
The hooded figure was placed inside the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride at the California theme park last weekend. It is understood to have remained in place for 90 minutes before the ride was closed down and the figure removed.
A spokeswoman for Banksy said the stunt was intended to highlight the plight of terror suspects at the controversial detention centre in Cuba.
Banksy is notorious for his secretive and subversive stunts - such as sneaking doctored versions of classic paintings into major art galleries.
In 2005, he embarrassed the British Museum by planting a hoax cave painting of a man pushing a supermarket trolley, which he said went unnoticed for three days.
Last week, he smuggled 500 "alternative" versions of Paris Hilton's album into record shops around the UK.
The artist replaced Hilton's songs with his own remixes, which were given titles such as Why am I Famous?, What Have I Done? and What Am I For?
He also changed the artwork to show the US socialite topless and with a dog's head.
Banksy doctored the artwork on 500 Paris Hilton CDs
The Bristolian is most famous for his graffiti artworks, which are often created in prominent public places.
Last year, he produced nine stencil sprays on the Palestinian side of the West Bank barrier.
The satirical images showed images of life on the other side of the barrier.
One depicted a hole in the wall with an idyllic beach, while another showed a mountain landscape.
Earlier this summer, a piece of Banksy's graffiti art on a Bristol building was allowed to remain in place by the city council after the public voiced overwhelming support.
The stencilled image, which showed a naked man hanging onto a window ledge, won a 97% approval rating from residents on an internet discussion forum.
Banksy is due to hold what is billed as a "three day vandalised warehouse extravaganza" in Los Angeles this weekend.
FROM THE "YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS SHIT UP IF YOU TRIED" FILE...
Dubya at Ground Zero this morning. (Stolen from STOPGeorge@dailykos.com who stole them from Yahoo photos)
Note the memo on the welcome mat...FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS...OR ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SHOES!
Note the memo on the welcome mat...FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS...OR ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SHOES!
MOBY'S LETTER TO GEORGE W BUSH...
dear president bush,
stay out of new york.
you don't like us and we don't like you.
90% of us voted for john kerry in the last election. we don't trust you, and we believe, based on your record, that you've been a terrible president.
you're supposed to come to new york city today.
you're not welcome here.
you only come to new york city when you need to bolster your poll numbers.
you came here after 9-11 even though you ignored warnings of terrorist attacks and cut funding to anti-terrorist programs.
you came here for the rnc convention even though your policies have made america less safe.
you are not welcome in nyc.
go back to texas where you can cut wood for the tv cameras.
or go back to washington d.c where you can watch dick cheney run the country.
you are a liar.
you are inept.
you are probably the worst president that the united states has ever had to endure.
you are not welcome in nyc.
we are not your cheap whore, to use whenever your poll numbers are in the toilet.
we are not your crappy prop, to use when you're worried that you might have to deal with the consequences of your failed policies.
you suck, and we don't want you here.
everything you've done has gone wrong. you are in the pocket of the oil and defense industries, and the poor idiots on the religious right actually sometimes believe that you care about them and their agenda.
you only believe in issues that will keep your corporate backers happy.
you are an awful, inept, corrupt, and tragically incompetent president.
and i'm sorry that you've chosen to come to new york city on 9-11.
we didn't vote for you and we're not in any way happy that you're here.
go home, gw, and let us just get on with living our lives in the city that was attacked
due to your pre 9-11 ineptitude and incomptetence.
-moby
stay out of new york.
you don't like us and we don't like you.
90% of us voted for john kerry in the last election. we don't trust you, and we believe, based on your record, that you've been a terrible president.
you're supposed to come to new york city today.
you're not welcome here.
you only come to new york city when you need to bolster your poll numbers.
you came here after 9-11 even though you ignored warnings of terrorist attacks and cut funding to anti-terrorist programs.
you came here for the rnc convention even though your policies have made america less safe.
you are not welcome in nyc.
go back to texas where you can cut wood for the tv cameras.
or go back to washington d.c where you can watch dick cheney run the country.
you are a liar.
you are inept.
you are probably the worst president that the united states has ever had to endure.
you are not welcome in nyc.
we are not your cheap whore, to use whenever your poll numbers are in the toilet.
we are not your crappy prop, to use when you're worried that you might have to deal with the consequences of your failed policies.
you suck, and we don't want you here.
everything you've done has gone wrong. you are in the pocket of the oil and defense industries, and the poor idiots on the religious right actually sometimes believe that you care about them and their agenda.
you only believe in issues that will keep your corporate backers happy.
you are an awful, inept, corrupt, and tragically incompetent president.
and i'm sorry that you've chosen to come to new york city on 9-11.
we didn't vote for you and we're not in any way happy that you're here.
go home, gw, and let us just get on with living our lives in the city that was attacked
due to your pre 9-11 ineptitude and incomptetence.
-moby
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
Clint Eastwood has another Oscar winner on his hands. I love the dull use of color and the shots of their silhouettes creeping out of the darkness. The second film, Red Sun, Black Sand, shot from the Japanese perspective, should be coming in early 2007.
9.09.2006
9/11
As I finish up my long-ass rant about the state of disagreement with the current Administration, let me take a minute and point out what I feel is the most powerful documentary about 9/11 that I've ever witnessed.
It's simply called 9/11 and was first aired on CBS in 2002. Two French brothers were making a documentary about a new recruit adjusting to the lifestyle of being a New York City Firefighter when they ended up capturing the most vivid, remarkable accounts of the events unfolding on that Tuesday morning.
It's on tomorrow evening, 8pm (eastern) on CBS.
It's simply called 9/11 and was first aired on CBS in 2002. Two French brothers were making a documentary about a new recruit adjusting to the lifestyle of being a New York City Firefighter when they ended up capturing the most vivid, remarkable accounts of the events unfolding on that Tuesday morning.
It's on tomorrow evening, 8pm (eastern) on CBS.
9.07.2006
WHAT A FUCKING JOKE...
Pakistan amnesty to bin Laden?! Expect a full-on rant later on this evening...
THERE IS JUSTICE IN THE WORLD!
Bob Dylan's MODERN TIMES was the #1 album in the country last week...beating Jessica Simpson?! Fuck yes!
NEW YORK (AP) - Bob Dylan is back at the top of the charts - for the first time in 30 years. His new album, "Modern Times," reached No. 1 on the album sales chart, selling 192,000 units in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan figures released Wednesday.
The critically acclaimed disc is Dylan's first No. 1 album since 1976's "Desire."
Jessica Simpson's "A Public Affair" debuted at no. 5 with 101,000 copies sold - the highest charting of her career. It's Simpson's first release since her divorce from Nick Lachey.
Girl group Danity Kane sold 117,000 copies of their debut album, "Danity Kane," slipping to second place from the top spot. Another debut, the rapper Young Dro's "Best Thang Smokin" placed third, selling 104,000 copies.
Christina Aguilera's "Back to Basics" slipped one spot to No. 4 with sales of 101,000, edging out Simpson by just a few hundred.
NEW YORK (AP) - Bob Dylan is back at the top of the charts - for the first time in 30 years. His new album, "Modern Times," reached No. 1 on the album sales chart, selling 192,000 units in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan figures released Wednesday.
The critically acclaimed disc is Dylan's first No. 1 album since 1976's "Desire."
Jessica Simpson's "A Public Affair" debuted at no. 5 with 101,000 copies sold - the highest charting of her career. It's Simpson's first release since her divorce from Nick Lachey.
Girl group Danity Kane sold 117,000 copies of their debut album, "Danity Kane," slipping to second place from the top spot. Another debut, the rapper Young Dro's "Best Thang Smokin" placed third, selling 104,000 copies.
Christina Aguilera's "Back to Basics" slipped one spot to No. 4 with sales of 101,000, edging out Simpson by just a few hundred.
9.05.2006
NEW MUSIC 9.5.06
Basically a recap of what I've bought the past couple of weeks...
BOB DYLAN * MODERN TIMES
What can I say about this record that I haven't already gone on and on about? It's beautiful, it's powerful, it's delicate...it's everything I wanted it to be. Easily the best track on the whole thing is Spirit On The Water with lines like:
Spirit on the water
Darkness on the face of the deep
I keep thinking about you baby
I can't hardly sleep
I'm traveling by land
Traveling through the dawn of day
You're always on my mind
I can't stay away
I'd forgotten about you
Then you turned up again
I always knew
We were meant to be more than friends
When you're near
It's just as plain as it can be
I'm wild about you, gal
You ought to be a fool about me
And When The Deal Goes Down:
We eat and we drink, we feel and we think
Far down the street we stray
I laugh and I cry and I'm haunted by
Things I never meant nor wished to say
The midnight rain follows the train
We all wear the same thorny crown
Soul to soul, our shadows roll
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
CURSIVE * HAPPY HOLLOW
Their official description is spot on: "The band's reemergence finds them self-assured and assertive as ever. Rather than retread familiar artistic ground, Cursive has unfurled their most adventurous and accomplished work to date, Happy Hollow. Happy Hollow takes the scalpel to its small-town inhabitants and their stories, dredging up debates of intelligent design, blind devotion, homosexuality and patriotism--while calling out false virtue, righteous cant and sanctimonious liars --to create a literate, impassioned and empirical look at organized religion arranged as 14 hymns for heathens."
ROGUE'S GALLERY: PIRATE BALLADS, SEA SONGS, & CHANTEYS
Look at this tracklisting:
DISC ONE
1. Cape Cod Girls - Baby Gramps
2. Mingulay Boat Song - Richard Thompson
3. My Son John - John C. Reilly
4. Fire Down Below - Nick Cave
5. Turkish Revelry - Loudon Wainwright III
6. Bully In The Alley - The Old Prunes
7. The Cruel Ship's Captain - Bryan Ferry
8. Dead Horse - Robin Holcomb
9. Spansih Ladies - Bill Frisell
10. High Barbary - Joseph Arthur
11. Haul Away Joe - Mark Anthony Thompson
12. Dan Dan - David Thomas
13. Blood Red Roses - Sting
14. Sally Brown - Teddy Thompson
15. Lowlands Away - Rufus Wainwright & Kate McGarrigle
16. Baltimore Whores - Gavin Friday
17. Rolling Sea - Eliza McCarthy
18. Haul On The Bowline - Bob Neuwirth
19. Dying Sailor to His Shipmates - Bono
20. Bonnie Portmore - Lucinda Williams
21. The Mermaid - Martin Carthy & the UK Group
22. Shenandoah - Richard Greene & Jack Shit
23. The Cry Of Man - Mary Margaret O'Hara
DISC TWO
1. Boney - Jack Shit
2. Good Ship Venus - Loudon Wainwright III
3. Long Time Ago -White Magic
4. Pinery Boy - Nick Cave
5. Lowlands Low - Bryan Ferry w/Antony
6. One Spring Morning - Akron/Family
7. Hog Eye Man - Martin Carthy & Family
8. The Fiddler/A Drop Of Nelson's Blood - Ricky Jay & Richard Greene
9. Caroline and Her Young Sailor Bold - Andrea Corr
10. Fathom The Bowl - John C. Reilly
11. Drunken Sailor - Dave Thomas
12. Farewell Nancy - Ed Harcourt
13. Hanging Johnny - Stan Ridgway
14. Old Man of The Sea - Baby Gramps
15. Greenland Whale Fisheries - Van Dyke Parks
16. Shallow Brown - Sting
17. The Grey Funnel Line - Jolie Holland
18. A Drop of Nelson's Blood - Jarvis Cocker
19. Leave Her Johnny - Lou Reed
20. Little Boy Billy - Ralph Steadman
THE ROOTS * GAME THEORY
There you go, Noir. One you'll like.
BOB DYLAN * MODERN TIMES
What can I say about this record that I haven't already gone on and on about? It's beautiful, it's powerful, it's delicate...it's everything I wanted it to be. Easily the best track on the whole thing is Spirit On The Water with lines like:
Spirit on the water
Darkness on the face of the deep
I keep thinking about you baby
I can't hardly sleep
I'm traveling by land
Traveling through the dawn of day
You're always on my mind
I can't stay away
I'd forgotten about you
Then you turned up again
I always knew
We were meant to be more than friends
When you're near
It's just as plain as it can be
I'm wild about you, gal
You ought to be a fool about me
And When The Deal Goes Down:
We eat and we drink, we feel and we think
Far down the street we stray
I laugh and I cry and I'm haunted by
Things I never meant nor wished to say
The midnight rain follows the train
We all wear the same thorny crown
Soul to soul, our shadows roll
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
CURSIVE * HAPPY HOLLOW
Their official description is spot on: "The band's reemergence finds them self-assured and assertive as ever. Rather than retread familiar artistic ground, Cursive has unfurled their most adventurous and accomplished work to date, Happy Hollow. Happy Hollow takes the scalpel to its small-town inhabitants and their stories, dredging up debates of intelligent design, blind devotion, homosexuality and patriotism--while calling out false virtue, righteous cant and sanctimonious liars --to create a literate, impassioned and empirical look at organized religion arranged as 14 hymns for heathens."
ROGUE'S GALLERY: PIRATE BALLADS, SEA SONGS, & CHANTEYS
Look at this tracklisting:
DISC ONE
1. Cape Cod Girls - Baby Gramps
2. Mingulay Boat Song - Richard Thompson
3. My Son John - John C. Reilly
4. Fire Down Below - Nick Cave
5. Turkish Revelry - Loudon Wainwright III
6. Bully In The Alley - The Old Prunes
7. The Cruel Ship's Captain - Bryan Ferry
8. Dead Horse - Robin Holcomb
9. Spansih Ladies - Bill Frisell
10. High Barbary - Joseph Arthur
11. Haul Away Joe - Mark Anthony Thompson
12. Dan Dan - David Thomas
13. Blood Red Roses - Sting
14. Sally Brown - Teddy Thompson
15. Lowlands Away - Rufus Wainwright & Kate McGarrigle
16. Baltimore Whores - Gavin Friday
17. Rolling Sea - Eliza McCarthy
18. Haul On The Bowline - Bob Neuwirth
19. Dying Sailor to His Shipmates - Bono
20. Bonnie Portmore - Lucinda Williams
21. The Mermaid - Martin Carthy & the UK Group
22. Shenandoah - Richard Greene & Jack Shit
23. The Cry Of Man - Mary Margaret O'Hara
DISC TWO
1. Boney - Jack Shit
2. Good Ship Venus - Loudon Wainwright III
3. Long Time Ago -White Magic
4. Pinery Boy - Nick Cave
5. Lowlands Low - Bryan Ferry w/Antony
6. One Spring Morning - Akron/Family
7. Hog Eye Man - Martin Carthy & Family
8. The Fiddler/A Drop Of Nelson's Blood - Ricky Jay & Richard Greene
9. Caroline and Her Young Sailor Bold - Andrea Corr
10. Fathom The Bowl - John C. Reilly
11. Drunken Sailor - Dave Thomas
12. Farewell Nancy - Ed Harcourt
13. Hanging Johnny - Stan Ridgway
14. Old Man of The Sea - Baby Gramps
15. Greenland Whale Fisheries - Van Dyke Parks
16. Shallow Brown - Sting
17. The Grey Funnel Line - Jolie Holland
18. A Drop of Nelson's Blood - Jarvis Cocker
19. Leave Her Johnny - Lou Reed
20. Little Boy Billy - Ralph Steadman
THE ROOTS * GAME THEORY
There you go, Noir. One you'll like.
9.01.2006
REMEMBER WHEN THE VMA'S USED TO BE EXCITING AND THE GRAMMY'S SUCKED?!
I mean, I didn't think the VMA's could suck any harder than the year they were down in Miami...I was wrong.
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