On the radio this morning: Glenn Beck lamented that only liberals are left in the presidential race. He called John McCain a miserable SOB (except he spelled out the SOB) with a hair-trigger temper and said no one was left to keep Reaganomics alive.
Where does one start with this nonsense? First, Reaganomics had benefits for the rich but did little for the poor. Fine, but Reagan made cheap oil a hallmark of his term. We're paying for that now. St. Ronnie also deregulated businesses like cable TV, radio and electric companies. Look how that turned out. Not to mention the fraud and greed parade that is the subprime mortgage mess.
Neocons and grandstanders like Beck and O'Reilly and Limbaugh have really poisoned the national discussion. For the record, we need a president who leads but respects the checks and balances to his power. Not to mention opposing viewpoints.
We make choosing the president to be something like rocket science, when for two terms in a row it has produced someone so incompetent that we are the laughingstock of the world. GWB didn't have the smarts to ever compromise on complex issues, a huge fault. He did nothing on the environment until about 10 minutes ago. Most damning, he didn't have the wisdom to stay out of Iraq, when we should have concentrated on getting Bin Laden in Pakistan. ANY of the candidates would do better than Bush-Cheney, and Beck has the gall to suggest there's nobody left who could lead? Please, there are fifth-graders who could inspire more Americans than George W. Bush.
As I've said before, if only the Democrats were bright enough to point out how bad he's been. If only they weren't corrupt and could choose a candidate to give people (aside from the mega-rich) hope. Someone like Obama, possibly, which means they'll surely choose Hillary Clinton.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tony Soprano, Weeds, House, Dexter, Nip & Tuck, The Shield, Breaking Bad... It's scumbag city on cable
From the PTC:
PTC to CBS: Do Not Air Dexter on Broadcast TV
Sympathizing with a Serial Killer Hurts, Not Serves, Public Interest
LOS ANGELES (January 30, 2008) – The Parents Television Council™ called on CBS to cancel its plans to air Dexter, a graphically violent show about a “hero” who is a serial killer, that has aired on premium cable network Showtime for two seasons and is scheduled to begin airing on broadcast network CBS on Sunday, February 17.
“We are formally asking CBS to cancel its plan to air the first season of Dexter on its television network. This show is not suitable for airing on broadcast television; it should remain on a premium subscription cable network. The biggest problem with the series is something that no amount of editing can get around: the series compels viewers to empathize with a serial killer, to root for him to prevail, to hope he doesn’t get discovered. Dexter introduces audiences to the depths of depravity and indifference as it chronicles the main character’s troubled quest for vigilante justice by celebrating graphic, premeditated murder,” said PTC President Tim Winter.
PTC to CBS: Do Not Air Dexter on Broadcast TV
Sympathizing with a Serial Killer Hurts, Not Serves, Public Interest
LOS ANGELES (January 30, 2008) – The Parents Television Council™ called on CBS to cancel its plans to air Dexter, a graphically violent show about a “hero” who is a serial killer, that has aired on premium cable network Showtime for two seasons and is scheduled to begin airing on broadcast network CBS on Sunday, February 17.
“We are formally asking CBS to cancel its plan to air the first season of Dexter on its television network. This show is not suitable for airing on broadcast television; it should remain on a premium subscription cable network. The biggest problem with the series is something that no amount of editing can get around: the series compels viewers to empathize with a serial killer, to root for him to prevail, to hope he doesn’t get discovered. Dexter introduces audiences to the depths of depravity and indifference as it chronicles the main character’s troubled quest for vigilante justice by celebrating graphic, premeditated murder,” said PTC President Tim Winter.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Car Talk the TV show
From PBS:
PBS confirmed today the title of its first-ever animated primetime series, a spin-off of Tom and Ray Magliozzi’s hit NPR show “Car Talk.” Tom and Ray announced the title on their Saturday, January 26 program, saying they had lured submissions with the misleading promise of everlasting fame.
CLICK & CLACK’S AS THE WRENCH TURNS will premiere in summer 2008 on PBS. The program takes off from the hit NPR show and follows the “on- and off-air” escapades of Tom and Ray Magliozzi (known to their listeners as “Click and Clack,” the Tappet brothers) as they try to fix cars, fend off disgruntled customers and seek out increasingly creative ways to goof off.
The title, CLICK & CLACK’S AS THE WRENCH TURNS, was submitted by Lancaster, Pennsylvania, “Car Talk” fan Geoff Groff, a retired police detective and former assistant service manager of — for real! — a Buick dealership. In addition to the envy of the other contenders, who suggested such titles as ”Transmission Impossible,” “20 Minutes and Still Not Canceled,” “Ken Burns Presents Car Talk” and “Click-and-Clack-sterpiece Theater,” Groff has earned himself a cameo on an episode of the new show.
RESPONSE to comment: OK, this is the wrong item to have commented on my knock of Waterbury. But no problem and for the record, there are nice things about Waterbury, too, including its blue-collar roots, the old Holy Land, c0ntributions to World War II in lives and manufacturing. But politics isn't one of its assets in the past 25 years. Awful, terrible and disgusting are some adjectives that come to mind. As for Derby, I don't recall what I said about it. I may have called it homey or homely (as I would describe myself and my roots) but I know great folks from Derby and go there and through there fairly often. Yes, New Haven has a mix of ugly and splendid, too. As for the Catholic reference, I don't understand that at all. I'm a practicing Catholic and I am unaware of Waterbury being the seat of Catholicism, unless you're confusing the word "gubernatorial" with a religious term.
PBS confirmed today the title of its first-ever animated primetime series, a spin-off of Tom and Ray Magliozzi’s hit NPR show “Car Talk.” Tom and Ray announced the title on their Saturday, January 26 program, saying they had lured submissions with the misleading promise of everlasting fame.
CLICK & CLACK’S AS THE WRENCH TURNS will premiere in summer 2008 on PBS. The program takes off from the hit NPR show and follows the “on- and off-air” escapades of Tom and Ray Magliozzi (known to their listeners as “Click and Clack,” the Tappet brothers) as they try to fix cars, fend off disgruntled customers and seek out increasingly creative ways to goof off.
The title, CLICK & CLACK’S AS THE WRENCH TURNS, was submitted by Lancaster, Pennsylvania, “Car Talk” fan Geoff Groff, a retired police detective and former assistant service manager of — for real! — a Buick dealership. In addition to the envy of the other contenders, who suggested such titles as ”Transmission Impossible,” “20 Minutes and Still Not Canceled,” “Ken Burns Presents Car Talk” and “Click-and-Clack-sterpiece Theater,” Groff has earned himself a cameo on an episode of the new show.
RESPONSE to comment: OK, this is the wrong item to have commented on my knock of Waterbury. But no problem and for the record, there are nice things about Waterbury, too, including its blue-collar roots, the old Holy Land, c0ntributions to World War II in lives and manufacturing. But politics isn't one of its assets in the past 25 years. Awful, terrible and disgusting are some adjectives that come to mind. As for Derby, I don't recall what I said about it. I may have called it homey or homely (as I would describe myself and my roots) but I know great folks from Derby and go there and through there fairly often. Yes, New Haven has a mix of ugly and splendid, too. As for the Catholic reference, I don't understand that at all. I'm a practicing Catholic and I am unaware of Waterbury being the seat of Catholicism, unless you're confusing the word "gubernatorial" with a religious term.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Cox adding Travel HD
From Cox Cable, which serves Cheshire, Meriden and Southington:
Cox Communications has announced the addition of the Travel Channel HD™ to its high definition lineup. With this addition, Cox now has 35 HD channels available.“Cox is committed to offering our customers high quality high definition programming. The addition of the Travel Channel HD™ enhances our customers’ viewing experience and emphasizes our commitment to being the most trusted provider of communication and entertainment services in America,” said Paul Cronin, vice president and region manager, Cox New England.
The Travel Channel HD™ (ch. 749) features the network’s popular series and personalities such as Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, Best Places to Find Cash and Treasures and Samantha Brown’s passport series.
There is no additional charge for HD programming for the Cox digital customers. To access high definition content, customers must have a high definition television and an HD-enabled receiver, available for lease from Cox.
Cox Communications has announced the addition of the Travel Channel HD™ to its high definition lineup. With this addition, Cox now has 35 HD channels available.“Cox is committed to offering our customers high quality high definition programming. The addition of the Travel Channel HD™ enhances our customers’ viewing experience and emphasizes our commitment to being the most trusted provider of communication and entertainment services in America,” said Paul Cronin, vice president and region manager, Cox New England.
The Travel Channel HD™ (ch. 749) features the network’s popular series and personalities such as Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, Best Places to Find Cash and Treasures and Samantha Brown’s passport series.
There is no additional charge for HD programming for the Cox digital customers. To access high definition content, customers must have a high definition television and an HD-enabled receiver, available for lease from Cox.
Some of the good work done by our soldiers in Iraq
U.S. Soldiers hand out soccer balls to Iraqi Children. September 29, 2007.From ESPN:
The Sunday, Jan. 27, 11 p.m. ET SportsCenter on ESPN will tell the story of how thousands of Iraqi children have benefited from the generosity of late Army Private Nick Madaras who was killed in Baqubah, Iraq on September 3, 2006, after a roadside bomb detonated near his dismounted patrol unit.
A passionate soccer player, three-year starter at Wilton (Conn.) High School, teenage referee and devoted youth coach, Madaras served in Iraq and would often see children playing soccer with old balls or even tin cans. He asked his parents to send used soccer balls so he could distribute them to the Iraqi children, but before they could fulfill his request, Madaras was killed in action. However, a Wilton resident read of Nick's request, approached the Madaras family with the idea of collecting soccer balls, putting Nick's name on them, and sending them to Iraq where U.S. soldiers would distribute them.
A passionate soccer player, three-year starter at Wilton (Conn.) High School, teenage referee and devoted youth coach, Madaras served in Iraq and would often see children playing soccer with old balls or even tin cans. He asked his parents to send used soccer balls so he could distribute them to the Iraqi children, but before they could fulfill his request, Madaras was killed in action. However, a Wilton resident read of Nick's request, approached the Madaras family with the idea of collecting soccer balls, putting Nick's name on them, and sending them to Iraq where U.S. soldiers would distribute them.
Monday, January 21, 2008
I think I hear the Queen song playing, and it's not "Fat Bottomed Girls"
The New York footbal Giants are NFC champs this morning, and one of the two teams left standing has a quarterback who didn't throw three interceptions yesterday. One of the two teams left standing is the longshot all-American underdog. One of the two teams left standing didn't cheat by videotaping the other team's signals earlier and then run up the scores on teams in spite. That would be the Giants.
The point in this morning's rant is the Giants demonstrated that rare quality in pro sports these days, teamwork, as the nay-sayers kept pointing to the their individual weaknesses (injuries, an inconsistent quarterback, a tight-ass coach).
The point is the Giants have played three games for the ages in the past four weeks, going toe to toe with the "greatest team ever assembled" when the "experts" said they'd roll over, beating the despised rival Cowboys at the wire and playing with heart and abandon in sub-zero temperatures in another place they couldn't possibly win.
The point is the Giants may not be the ideal choice for Fox's carnival of hype and glitz The Super Bowl in two weeks, but they have given the NFL more than any other team this year. What about the Patriots, you say? It's one thing to have a huge collection of talent to call on in any situation ("Junior Seau, get in there and make a season-saving tackle!") but then win by small margins the second half of the season. It's another to take a team that was 0-2 and win a record 10 straight road games.
The Boston crowd of pasty-faced homers (and I'm talking about the press corps) is already proclaiming the Super Bowl simply a "coronation" instead of "contest." Good, the Giants enjoy being the road underdog.
The point in this morning's rant is the Giants demonstrated that rare quality in pro sports these days, teamwork, as the nay-sayers kept pointing to the their individual weaknesses (injuries, an inconsistent quarterback, a tight-ass coach).
The point is the Giants have played three games for the ages in the past four weeks, going toe to toe with the "greatest team ever assembled" when the "experts" said they'd roll over, beating the despised rival Cowboys at the wire and playing with heart and abandon in sub-zero temperatures in another place they couldn't possibly win.
The point is the Giants may not be the ideal choice for Fox's carnival of hype and glitz The Super Bowl in two weeks, but they have given the NFL more than any other team this year. What about the Patriots, you say? It's one thing to have a huge collection of talent to call on in any situation ("Junior Seau, get in there and make a season-saving tackle!") but then win by small margins the second half of the season. It's another to take a team that was 0-2 and win a record 10 straight road games.
The Boston crowd of pasty-faced homers (and I'm talking about the press corps) is already proclaiming the Super Bowl simply a "coronation" instead of "contest." Good, the Giants enjoy being the road underdog.
Friday, January 18, 2008
This just in from NBC
NBC UNIVERSAL STORE SELLS 150,000 DWIGHT SCHRUTE BOBBLEHEADS
To Celebrate Milestone, Two Autographed Bobbleheads Available for Fans to Win
To Celebrate Milestone, Two Autographed Bobbleheads Available for Fans to Win
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Oprah gets her own network!
From Discovery:
Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications announced plans Tuesday to create "OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network."
The new multi-platform media venture will be designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. \
OWN will debut in 2009 in more than 70 million homes, on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel.
The net will be owned 50/50 by Discovery and Oprah's Harpo Productions. Discovery Health pulls only 20 percent of the ratings that Discovery gets, although we sometimes watch it. Count on a show or two for former WFSB anchor and Oprah gal-pal Gayle King.
Oprah Winfrey and Discovery Communications announced plans Tuesday to create "OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network."
The new multi-platform media venture will be designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. \
OWN will debut in 2009 in more than 70 million homes, on what is currently the Discovery Health Channel.
The net will be owned 50/50 by Discovery and Oprah's Harpo Productions. Discovery Health pulls only 20 percent of the ratings that Discovery gets, although we sometimes watch it. Count on a show or two for former WFSB anchor and Oprah gal-pal Gayle King.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
the Giants WIN; the GIANTS WIN
Is there a better feeling than beating the Cowboys and/or a team from Texas? Sunday's game was another classic, cementing my newfound admiration for Tom Coughlin and Steve Spagnuolo, both vilified in the first two games of the season.
According to No. 1 Giants fan Jack Barletta, the game was "Unbelievable! Nobody gave this team a chance to go this far. People said they'd go out in the first round and I said, 'hey, you beat Tampa Bay and it's only Dallas and Green Bay in your way for getting to the Super Bowl."
Barletta watched the game with another longtime season ticket-holder, Steve Tommessilli of Wallingford, a slow convert to the charms of this year's team but a proud fan today. "These guys played their hearts out!"
The G-men in the past three games have provided football fans with two games for the ages, the Patriots game, when they earned the respect of the league and fired up the fans and players by not rolling over, and this one, surely to be one of the highest-rated games of the year.
It sets up another classic matchup next Sunday, at 6 p.m., when two storied franchises meet in the cold on the frozen tundra in Wisconsin.
For this day, the men in blue shut down the former "America's team," its slippery owner Jerry Jones and talky T.O.
As for Tony Romo, he may lose that carefree smile over the off-season, as the big egos of Texas figure out he's 0-2 in the playoffs. Some are blaming Yoko Romo (Jessica Simpson), and Terrell Owens even shed a tear about "my quarterback" at a news conference. Wow, what a turn of events from when the Giants were 0-2 and then lost twice to the Cowboys.
Fans like me who don't like the recent ascendance of Boston teams are hoping that the Giants get another shot to play in another classic vs. the perfect Patsies. I don't think Tom Terrific will be quite so efficient as he was this week.
What did Java Joe do to prepare for the big game? Not much. My son put on a DVD of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth." Oddly appropriate, since it has no use for Texans who have worked to discredit the prophets of global warming just so oil men can make more money (while we go broke).
According to No. 1 Giants fan Jack Barletta, the game was "Unbelievable! Nobody gave this team a chance to go this far. People said they'd go out in the first round and I said, 'hey, you beat Tampa Bay and it's only Dallas and Green Bay in your way for getting to the Super Bowl."
Barletta watched the game with another longtime season ticket-holder, Steve Tommessilli of Wallingford, a slow convert to the charms of this year's team but a proud fan today. "These guys played their hearts out!"
The G-men in the past three games have provided football fans with two games for the ages, the Patriots game, when they earned the respect of the league and fired up the fans and players by not rolling over, and this one, surely to be one of the highest-rated games of the year.
It sets up another classic matchup next Sunday, at 6 p.m., when two storied franchises meet in the cold on the frozen tundra in Wisconsin.
For this day, the men in blue shut down the former "America's team," its slippery owner Jerry Jones and talky T.O.
As for Tony Romo, he may lose that carefree smile over the off-season, as the big egos of Texas figure out he's 0-2 in the playoffs. Some are blaming Yoko Romo (Jessica Simpson), and Terrell Owens even shed a tear about "my quarterback" at a news conference. Wow, what a turn of events from when the Giants were 0-2 and then lost twice to the Cowboys.
Fans like me who don't like the recent ascendance of Boston teams are hoping that the Giants get another shot to play in another classic vs. the perfect Patsies. I don't think Tom Terrific will be quite so efficient as he was this week.
What did Java Joe do to prepare for the big game? Not much. My son put on a DVD of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth." Oddly appropriate, since it has no use for Texans who have worked to discredit the prophets of global warming just so oil men can make more money (while we go broke).
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Give us a reeking break with the polls
Tuesday's TV coverage of the New Hampshire primary had the unexpected drama of a close race and a poll-defying result for the Democrats. No problem. We don't like all the attention paid to polls anyway.
Does anyone really think about the logic of so many polls? We have the votes and caucuses anyway, so the issue will be decided by the party voters, as this night proved. Why do we need to know how it's "running" beforehand? What good is it to the democracy?
The polls are something for the news channels and pundits to do while they're waiting for the actual vote. Then they're shocked! when it doesn't go as the polls said it would. It would be like all the sports shows obsessing on injury reports and point spread during the runup to a big game.
If polls help candidates refine their message or approach afterward, that's one thing. And even then, I'm not sure I want a candidate changing his or her presentation of themselves just to appeal to a certain demo. Tell us who you are and what you think about issues. And then we'll vote, no help from the pollsters thank you.
If New Hampshire voters responded to Hillary Clinton's poll deficit by coming out to prove they can't be so easily categorized, that's a little weird for them but I understand it. If the polls motivate one side to rally for the underdog, that makes a good story but it's a case of the polls influencing a vote. I don't really like that either.
"Comeback kids" for John McCain and Hillary Clinton? Only if you write off top candidates after one caucus and a bunch of polls. These are serious candidates with lots of money. As exciting as Barack Obama has been to the process, it was way too early to be portraying Clinton as a huge underdog. Again, thank you pollsters.
Now they're saying it's hard to get accurate results with an African-American candidate. What the heck does that mean? Here's a tip for the news media: Forget the stinking horse race/dramatic game of the campaign for a while and illuminate the candidates and their plans for leadership. And then report the voting results. Period.
As for coverage, CNN has that spectacular set in HD, with massive (smart) touch-screen displays and a running count superimposed under the wide-screen picture. Didn't see Fox News (no HD) but I did see MSNBC's, which seemed looser, less modern and yet more fun to watch.
Does anyone really think about the logic of so many polls? We have the votes and caucuses anyway, so the issue will be decided by the party voters, as this night proved. Why do we need to know how it's "running" beforehand? What good is it to the democracy?
The polls are something for the news channels and pundits to do while they're waiting for the actual vote. Then they're shocked! when it doesn't go as the polls said it would. It would be like all the sports shows obsessing on injury reports and point spread during the runup to a big game.
If polls help candidates refine their message or approach afterward, that's one thing. And even then, I'm not sure I want a candidate changing his or her presentation of themselves just to appeal to a certain demo. Tell us who you are and what you think about issues. And then we'll vote, no help from the pollsters thank you.
If New Hampshire voters responded to Hillary Clinton's poll deficit by coming out to prove they can't be so easily categorized, that's a little weird for them but I understand it. If the polls motivate one side to rally for the underdog, that makes a good story but it's a case of the polls influencing a vote. I don't really like that either.
"Comeback kids" for John McCain and Hillary Clinton? Only if you write off top candidates after one caucus and a bunch of polls. These are serious candidates with lots of money. As exciting as Barack Obama has been to the process, it was way too early to be portraying Clinton as a huge underdog. Again, thank you pollsters.
Now they're saying it's hard to get accurate results with an African-American candidate. What the heck does that mean? Here's a tip for the news media: Forget the stinking horse race/dramatic game of the campaign for a while and illuminate the candidates and their plans for leadership. And then report the voting results. Period.
As for coverage, CNN has that spectacular set in HD, with massive (smart) touch-screen displays and a running count superimposed under the wide-screen picture. Didn't see Fox News (no HD) but I did see MSNBC's, which seemed looser, less modern and yet more fun to watch.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Get a quote on your grandma's cabinet
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW has announced its summer 2008 Tour destinations, and Hartford is one of the six cities to make the list. Starting January 21, 2008, local residents may visit pbs.org/antiques and apply for tickets. Ticket recipients will be selected at random from all eligible entries.or by dialing toll-free 1-888-762-3749. The date for the Hartford event is Aug. 23.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Name the new guy on Law & Order
It's not Jeremy Sisto, who is also new to the show (and doesn't get many speaking lines, based on the opener).
It's not Alana De La Garza, who is seated to his right.
Playing ADA Michael Cutter is Linus Roache.
Purple States video available
From Cynthia Farrar of Yale, whose private initiative "Purple States" is putting citizen journalists on the campaign trail:
"Purple States is pleased to announce that the fourth episode of its primary-season series is appearing today on NYTimes.com. Visit http://purplestates.tv/nytimes/ to view the video. The fifth installment will appear this Monday, the 7th.The Times is publishing only a portion of the Purple States series. You will find additional segments at http://purplestates.tv/, including footage from inside the Iowa Caucuses with our resident Iowan, Elizabeth Gotsdiner. You can also register there to join the discussion, or sign up for our RSS feed to be alerted to new content posted on the site."
"Purple States is pleased to announce that the fourth episode of its primary-season series is appearing today on NYTimes.com. Visit http://purplestates.tv/nytimes/ to view the video. The fifth installment will appear this Monday, the 7th.The Times is publishing only a portion of the Purple States series. You will find additional segments at http://purplestates.tv/, including footage from inside the Iowa Caucuses with our resident Iowan, Elizabeth Gotsdiner. You can also register there to join the discussion, or sign up for our RSS feed to be alerted to new content posted on the site."
Reamed by the rich
Check out this recording of Thursday's "Fresh Air" program on WNPR-FM. It's very informative about the way moneyed interests have subverted democracy in the past 28 years, tilting every advantage to the rich and powerful. Big-box stores' tax breaks, for instance, are corporate welfare because they take our taxes and give them to the Wal-marts and Cabela's. George W. Bush, meanwhile, made his fortune from corporate welfare, not the free-market system that he so frequently espouses.
The issue ties in to the larger idea that when all our resources go to ill-advised war and corporate greed, there's nothing left for job-training, social programs, food inspectors, tax-law enforcers or teen work programs -- all things that could help us live better lives. Great stuff.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17808622
The issue ties in to the larger idea that when all our resources go to ill-advised war and corporate greed, there's nothing left for job-training, social programs, food inspectors, tax-law enforcers or teen work programs -- all things that could help us live better lives. Great stuff.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17808622
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