A prayer for New Orleans and the Gulf Coast

Let's pray Gustav doesn't do what Katrina did . . .

Proof of Palin's Foreign Policy Experience

Cindy McCain figures Palin's qualified because Alaska is geographically close to Russia. Following this logic, I am qualified to explain life on the southeast side of GR because I'm in the neighborhood next to it.

Micheal Moore to God: "Don't do this to Louisiana again"

Lord knows there's a fine line between satire and sacrilege. Michael Moore, never one to back down from a challenge, offers this open letter to God regarding Gustav, Katrina, and the Republican National Convention.

An academic act of love

Attention, APE students: You have less than two days before the new school year. If you read ANYTHING before entering the Lit Lounge on Tuesday, read Mortimer Adler's classic, "How to Mark a Book".

What Goes Around. . .

Remember when Barack Obama's Christianity was questioned because of the rantings of his pastor? Well, Sarah Palin, now it's your turn. The Daily Kos digs up her connection to a church that "is prophesied to become an Armageddon-ready military force of young people with a divine mandate to physically impose Christian 'dominion' on non-believers."

King, Queen, and Prince of Pop Turn 50

Madonna's 50 and hitting the road, Prince is 50 and still cranking out jams that no one will buy, and Micheal Jackson is 50 and terrified about a sneezing fit during allergy season.

"The Palin Puzzle"

Conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer wonders why McCain made this choice when he appeared to be catching up to Obama.

Palin's Words, and Words about Palin

Now that Sarah Palin is the John McCain's choice for VP, the op-eds are filled with takes on the brilliance or lack thereof in this historic nomination. Palin's wrote this about why polar bears shouldn't be on the endangered species list last January; Gail Collins takes a look at Palin in "McCain's Baked Alaska", found in today's NY Times.

Our Next Veep?

Check out the rockin' 80's hairdo. . .

On to Minnesota!

Obama's Docu-Bio: The Daily Show Version

Obama's Speech

Didn't get to see it, but I listened on the way home from the football game. I second the thoughts of a woman interviewed in Chicago by NPR: "I forgot how much I missed having hope until it returned."

Red Arrow Football - Week One Recap

Great start for the Red Arrows as they beat the Davison Cardinals, 42-7 in Davison. The Red Arrow defense regrouped after giving up a 66-yard touchdown pass, shutting out Davison for the remainder of the game. On offense, the big ol' linemen got the job done, creating holes for Austin Graham and providing plenty of protection for Kyle Nichol.

Next up, Mona Shores! Gametime is 7 PM, and you can hear it on WLHS.

Calling all TiVo Users

Would someone please TiVo tonight's speech in Mile High Stadium? Can't blog it because I'm the voice of Red Arrow Football tonight in Davison. Feel free to tune in on WLHS.

"Come on up for the rising. . . "

And Obama enters to the surprise of all in the Pepsi Center (but not the MSNBC viewers), says a few things to the faithful, and teases tomorrow night's acceptance speech at Invesco Field (okay, Mile High Stadium). Loved hearing Springsteen's "The Rising" - and The Boss is supposed to appear tomorrow night as well. Biden's family, from his elderly mother to the adorable grandchildren, hit the stage with the emotional icing for tonight's cake.

Joe Biden's Moment

The VP candidate has the Pepsi Center eating out of his hands. Once a stuttering child, now one of the most engaging members of Congress. Loved his tribute to his mother. Like Bill Clinton said earlier tonight, Barack Obama's "knocked it out of the park" with his first presidential decision - choosing Biden as his running mate.

Meanwhile, the MSNBC yahoos scroll the "BREAKING NEWS" that Obama will join Biden on stage for a "surpirse" appearance. Doesn't telling us defeat the purpose?

Girl Talk - Feed The Animals

An amazing mashup from DJ Girl Talk, available online for whatever price you'd like to pay (until the litigators step in and ruin it for all) here.

Wired.com has a cool graphic of the 35 samples used in 255 seconds of this 53-minute masterpiece.

Here's a taste via video:

Something the Obama and Larsen Girls Agree On

They all like the Jonas Brothers. And I have to admit, at the risk of losing any music snob cred I have, their new CD is pretty darn good.

Letting the Big Dog loose at the DNC

No live blogging tonight, just a summary of what I've been able to catch via radio and MSNBC. . .

Evan Byah's speech was, in my opinion, terrible. Poorly written, less-than-stellar delivery.

Bill the Attack Dog came out and delivered the "red meat" the Democrats have hungered for. Well, at least the red meat Olbermann and MSNBC has wanted.

The "You're SOOOO 2004" Award goes to John Kerry, whose speech is carried live for all of ten seconds before MSNBC cuts to commercial. When they return, they play part of it with an annoying orchestral piece in the background.

Still waiting for Joe Biden, but he's usually worth waiting for.

One last comment on "Tropic Thunder"

The Press published my letter to the editor today. And they included my typo - please remove the apostrophe-s after Swift.

Ladies Night at the DNC

10:57 PM: Okay, it's time to change channels and hear what the most important voice of this election year has to say about the convention. Yes, it's time to turn to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

10:55 PM: Say what you want, but it's an excellent speech. She's hitting all the right notes. But the jumpsuit is still too friggin bright.

10:41 PM: Hillary takes the stage in a pantsuit by Sunkist. Interesting how all the "Hillary" placards have her website. And her husband is teary-eyed, mouthing "I love you, I love you." It seems genuine. She is getting a rousing ovation from the SRO Pepsi Center.

Strong, strong opening. "The time is now, to unite as a single party, with a single purpose." And she's doing what the other speakers have yet to do - she takes the fight to the opponent. "No way. No how. No McCain." There's no doubt that she's on board, and she's doing her best to get her supporters to join her. But her husband has yet to make such a forceful statement. Perhaps that will come tomorrow night.

10:35 PM: Montana's governor looks like he was a blast to listen to. If only MSNBC had let us listen. Now it's the Hillary video intro, with a cover of "You Really Got Me" and some Lenny Kravitz. Hillary rocks! It looks less like an intro and more like a long-form campaign video. She did concede, right?

10:05 PM: Tonight's fun moment has to be watching Rachel Maddow and Pat Buchanan AGREE on the abundance of political posturing (Warner's run for Senate) and lack of attack.

9:53 PM: Warner picks up the High School Musical voters with "We're all in this together." Didn't do the jazz hands.

9:43 PM: Governor Warner of Virginia takes the stage. Yes, Virginia, your state is important to Obama, but isn't Michigan the key battleground this year? Why don't we see any Michiganders in primetime? (Granholm? Speaking, but not in primetime. Kwame? Don't even go there.) It doesn't bode well for the future of the party in our state. McCain has Mitt Romney next week, and he's sure to draw a number of undecided voters with his Michigan background.

Most of these speeches praise Obama but fail to take shots at McCain or Bush. It might be the high road, but it's not terribly smart politics.

Warner: "In four months, we will actually have an administration that believes in science." Good line. Overall, it's a decent presentation, but nothing tonight measures up to Uncle Ted or Michelle. Hillary's 30 minutes might be the most important of the convention.

9:24 PM: Well, I'd hoped to hear a few speeches when I turned on MSNBC a few minutes ago, but they've opted to let Matthews, Olberman, and Co. yammer on and give us the interview we've really wanted: Spike Lee. Yes, Spike even dropped the title of his best joint - "Do the Right Thing" - when talking about Hillary Clinton's upcoming speech.

Tonight is about the women of the party and the issues that concern them most. It's also the night to roll out the unlikely speakers: a Republican mayor from Alaska (nice gesture, dull speech) and Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania (a pro-life Democrat). "We can't afford four more years. Four more months!"

And the crowd goes wild.

Back to School

And The Onion, as usual, captures the sentiment of the K-12 set.

When the 9-year old pitcher gets tough, just quit

That's what a New Haven, Connecticut baseball team did when 9-year old Jericho Scott - who throws a 40-MPH fastball - took the mound. And Jericho's team was forced to disband. Why? Jericho's too good at what he does.

If I applied the same logic to my classroom, I'd have to quit every year. There's always one or two writers superior to the teacher.

The Power of One

Live Blogging the Democratic National Convention

11:07 PM: That's enough for tonight. Time to rest up for the first day of professional development. Oh, joy.

11:04 PM: What was genuine now becomes posturing and pontificating as Dems like Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. are paraded out to tell us everything we just heard. And he makes sure to tell us that Obama's family is just like those hard working families in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. Coincidence? I think not.

10:57 PM: Olbermann - "I'm beginning to sound borderline sycophantic about this." Tell us something we don't know, Keith. Meanwhile, Chris Matthews is looking for Keith's hairspray.

10:53 PM: Standing O for Michelle, and she's played off with Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" - excellent speech. Youngest daughter Sasha is stealing the show - "Hi, Daddy! Daddy, what city are you in?"

10:40 PM: There's nothing terribly special about Michelle Obama's speech, but she's engaging and authentic. There's nothing "elite" about her. Just a hard-working American mom.

10:25 PM: Michelle Obama's intro via video. MSNBC's graphic is in the way of identifying any of the people who are singing her praises. We find out from her brother Craig that she's memorized every episode of "The Brady Bunch" - if that doesn't scream "family values," what does?

10:14 PM: It's a windy night in Denver. But Olbermann's hair will not budge.

10:11 PM: Panel discussion with Rachel Maddow (so glad she's getting her own show on MSNBC) turns into cheerleading for Countdown with Keith Olbermann by a screaming mob. This is journalism? Maddow does make a good point: John McCain's use of noun-verb-"I was a POW" is getting old. His service to the country is to be commended, but the overuse of his time in the Hanoi Hilton is similar to Rudy Guiliani's reliance on 9/11 in every one of his stump speeches.

10:08 PM: Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (sp?), who "literally" was a member of Students for Joe Biden in college, tells Chris Matthews at least 6 times about the "historic candidacies" of Obama and Clinton.

9:45 PM: Now we know how the battle between Obama and Clinton delegates will end. Both will be nominated, and a few delegates will be able to cast their votes for Clinton before she declares Obama the official nominee.

9:43 PM: Senator Ted Kennedy left the stage a few minutes ago after a moving speech. His presence in Denver while battling brain cancer could be one of the more emotional aspects of the convention. On the other hand, the music playing him off sounded like a riff on the "Full House" theme. Probably not a great idea to play a tepid version of "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang, either.

Note: I'll try to post while watching the week's events in Denver and I plan to give equal time to the festivities in Minneapolis next week.

APE Lang Column of the Day

Here's E.J. Dionne's take on what Senator Joe Biden brings to the Obama candidacy. Bonus question: Which classic play does Dionne allude to below?

Obama has chosen as his running mate someone who said many years ago: "We wonder why it is that blue-collar workers, who come from a heritage that is the Democratic Party, began to leave it. It's because we really don't respect them." This week, respect will be theirs and attention will be paid.

A "Victorian" Comic Strip

If Dickens and Hardy had been comic strip artists (and had a deviant sense of humor), they might have created Wondermark. Alas, they didn't, but David Malki! did. Enjoy.

Remember when?

Remember when I posted every day?

Sorry, I'm in back-to-school mode, caught between lesson planning and getting my freshman son ready for his big move to the high school. But I'm still combing yonder Web for scintillating stories and engaging editorials. To wit:

• Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of Dwight D., explains why she's no longer a Republican
• Time's Barbara Kiviat explains why paying students for good grades is a bad idea
• High school English teacher Nancy Schnog argues that we're not teaching the right novels
  
• and some good news about books from LiveScience's Andrea Thompson

More to come, faithful (?!?) reader. . .

From the "Must Be Nice" Department

John McCain's not sure of how many homes he owns.

Back to School Blogging

While the kids enjoy their final days of freedom, teachers are getting classrooms ready for another school year. Here's a few articles that caught my attention:

• Susan Hobart conveys how No Child Left Behind takes the joy out of our profession (Amen, sister!)
• Louise Parker ponders how to make Shakespeare relevant for boys
• Jan Freeman explores the least-sexy piece of punctuation, the semicolon

Showdown at Saddleback

Perhaps you saw the forum with Rick Warren (The Purpose Driven Life) and the presumptive presidential candidates last Saturday. I watched, and I winced. There's too much emphasis on a candidate's faith in modern politics, and this session set a dangerous precedent. Kathleen Parker, writing on the conservative Townhall.com site, probably ruffled a few feathers of the Republican base with this:

At the risk of heresy, let it be said that setting up the two presidential candidates for religious interrogation by an evangelical minister -- no matter how beloved -- is supremely wrong.

It is also un-American.

And that's just her introduction.

Today's Lesson in Irony

Went to Schuler Books and Music (Alpine, of course) tonight to see my favorite local music selection reduced to just an aisle and a half of rock selections. Seems the digital age is here to stay; downloads are up, CD sales are in the crapper. The irony is vinyl is making a comeback.

You'd think that would be good news to the owner of the world's largest record collection. Valued at over $50 million, he's asking just $3 million for the whole shebang. No takers so far.

Shall we take up a collection?

A Few Words in Defense of Our Country

The satire-challenged should not watch this video. Nor should they read this interview with Randy Newman. You, the educated Lit Lounge reader, are welcome to enjoy the following presentation.

Post-Phelps Olympic Coverage

Disturbing, yet I can't take my eyes off of them. . .

In Todd We Trust

For political analysis in the post-Russert era, MSNBC's Chuck Todd is second to none. Proof found here at his fan club - I consider myself a Chuckolyte.

Real Change in 2008

Finally, a candidate for everyone: Ralph Wiggum.

The Gospel According to Bruce

Dang. There goes another book idea. Author/preacher Jeffrey Symynkywicz's "The Gospel According to Bruce Springsteen" offers his take on the spiritual aspects of The Boss and his music, including "Bruce's Ten Suggestions for Spiritual Living." Here's my favorite, suggestion number 9:

Hope is resilient. The men and women in Springsteen's songs may win or they may lose, but they seldom abandon all hope. Despair is seldom, if ever, given the final word. It is hope that carries us human ones on the sacred vector toward life's divine possibilities.

Why Stoopid = Political Goldmine

Good interview on Alternet with Susan Jacoby (The Age of American Unreason). Being smart is no longer something Americans want in a leader. Being elite - by definintion, the best, the top, the smartest - is a political liability. I don't know about you, but I want a leader who's smarter than I am - much, much smarter. From the interview:

"Elite simply means 'the best,' not the political meaning that's been ascribed to it. If you're having an operation, you don't want an ordinary surgeon. You want an elite surgeon. You want the best."

Amen!

Tropic Thunder

A number of locals expressed their disgust with Ben Stiller's darkly satiric "Tropic Thunder" (above movie image from Dreamworks).

I have no sympathy for them. Nor do I have sympathy for parents of small children who took them to see "The Dark Knight" only to find out how dark the film really was.

"Tropic Thunder" is a classic example of how satire is misinterpreted. The film is meant to be offensive, and it uses extreme situations to take shots at the MOVIE INDUSTRY, not the Vietnam War or mentally challenged people.

Here's one such letter in the GR Press. And here's my posted response to said letter:

While I'm sorry Mr. Ortega didn't like the film's first ten minutes, I have little sympathy for anyone who goes to the movies without checking reviews, etc. in the Press or online. "Tropic Thunder" is clearly advertised as an R-rated film, and it is worthy of that rating. That's the first sign of possible objectionable material.

Mr. Ortega is incorrect in writing that the film takes place during the Vietnam War; it is a film about making a film set in Vietnam. That's the whole point of "Tropic Thunder" - it is a satiric look at film making, taking broad shots at actors, writers, directors, agents, and producers. It is full of dark humor as well. I found myself laughing at some scenes that, if they'd happened in real life, I wouldn't find the least bit funny. But gallows humor is often a cathartic experience, too.

"Tropic Thunder" is not for everyone - no movie is. But just like the parents who complained a few weeks ago about the violence in "The Dark Knight", Mr. Ortega and every moviegoer has the tools to determine ahead of time if a film might be suitable to his or her taste. If they don't use them, they have no one to blame but themselves.

Valdemort Works for Warner Bros!

Say it ain't so! Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, originally scheduled for a November 21 release, has been bumped to Summer 2009!

A Favorite Waste of Time

or, how to contribute to the declining US economy. . .

If you're a music fan (and if you're not, we're no longer on speaking terms), you'll want to visit SongBlitz. Make sure you've got a few legit projects to maximize if the boss passes by.

Chinese Win Women's - er, Children's - Gymnastics Title

Never mind the CGI fireworks, or the Milli Vanillian lip-synched song. . . here's the real scandal of the Beijing Olympics. The rest of the world lost out to a group of kids, not women, in the team gymnastics final. Want proof? These documents don't lie.

ACT Scores Drop - No Big Deal, Really

Before anyone begins the "our public schools are failing our kids" routine, let's keep one thing in mind about the overall drop in ACT scores: three states, including Michigan, made the test mandatory for all of their students. When you test all students instead of just those who intend to go to college, you're more likely to see a drop in overall scores.

"It was a dark and stormy night" - Worst Writing Contest Winner

The annual Bulwar-Lytton Fiction Contest, sponsored by San Jose State University, awards one person for the worst opening sentence to a non-existent novel. This year's winner (and a number of rotten runner-ups) can be found here.

And here's the winner (loser)!

Theirs was a New York love, a checkered taxi ride burning rubber, and like the city their passion was open 24/7, steam rising from their bodies like slick streets exhaling warm, moist, white breath through manhole covers stamped "Forged by DeLaney Bros., Piscataway, N.J."

Garrison Spik
Washington, D.C.

Peter Gabriel - "Old Rocker Gets Digital"

A personal fave (on my list of concerts-I've-yet-to-but-must-see) is taking this digital music technology and making something of it. (Elizabeth Wurtzel might want to see this article before making any more claims about the 'net killing American music and movies.) Read the article, then check one of his projects, theFilter.com. It's similar to Pandora, but adds movies to the mix (and will feature TV soon).

NCAA Champion Cover Story: LHS-grad Brock Graham

Well deserved praise for one of the nicest young men ever to walk the halls of Lowell High School. Brock Graham, now a junior at Wabash College, is the cover story in the latest issue of NCAA Champion.

How to Meet Your Maker. Or Not.

Isaac Hayes died from an apparent stroke while on his treadmill. Compared to some of the bizarre deaths in this article, his was pretty darn normal. (Death by champagne cork, anyone?)

Of course, the man who brought us the "Theme from Shaft" (shut your mouth) was a Scientologist, and they have some interesting ideas on the afterlife. Slate.com explains.

The Olympic Sap-o-Meter

From Slate.com, your tool for measuring the sap content of Olympic "Up Close & Personal" coverage

Green Milk!

More info here.

Shades of Milli Vanilli

. . . or, I Feel So Used, Part Two. First came news that some opening ceremony fireworks were computer enhanced. Today we are told that darling Chinese girl was lip-syncing. The actual voice belonged to a 7-year old who was deemed not cute enough for a worldwide audience.

Go Pink Arrows!

The only high school in the country known as the Red Arrows, Lowell High School (MI) will be known as the Pink Arrows on Friday, September 12. This is a great opportunity for everyone in West Michigan to get involved in the fight against breast cancer. Get your Pink Arrow t-shirts at Pep Talk in downtown Lowell - wear your shirt to receive free admission to the Lowell-Holland football game September 12.

This game will also be the first carried by the WLHS television for broadcast on Lowell cable channel 20. You can hear all Red (and Pink) Arrows games on WLHS Radio throughout the 2008 season!

(photo of LHS football players from GR Press)

The Boss to Rock Super Bowl XLIII

Do not call me on Sunday, February 1, 2009. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will play halftime of Super Bowl XLIII. The game no longer matters.

Taking Back the Campaign

Over at The Atlantic, blogger/essayist Andrew Sullivan has asked readers to contribute their own videos - for either candidate - that will focus on major issues (war, economy) instead of what we've seen recently (celebrity). Here's one of them, titled "Republicans and Military Men on John McCain". WARNING: There are graphic images - this is not family viewing.

Crocs Banned in Aussie Hospital

Not the kind Crocodile Dundee used to fillet, mate. The soft, trendy, plastic sandals of that name are static electricity machines that could wreak havoc on hospital equipment.

Picture of the Day

A child is held up by his father during the opening ceremony of the sixth Annual International Cine Fest Petrobas Brazil at Summer Stage in Central Park in New York City

Picture: AP

Goodbye Isaac, Goodbye Chef

South Park's eulogy for Chef is somehow a fitting tribute to Isaac Hayes as well.

What a dud.

I feel so used. Some of the opening ceremony fireworks were CGI.

How to break Al-Qa'eda? Cucumbers!

Well, that and complain about their typical brutality. But if Iraqi women buy cucumbers, the terrorists lose.

Eur-D'oh!

Found last week by a Spanish shopkeeper. (photo by Reuters)

"The Internet is Ruining America's Movies and Music"

So says Elizabeth Wurtzel, attorney and author of Prozac Nation. Now that you know her qualifications to make this statement, let's take a look at some of her support:

"Today's music industry is either moribund or dead, depending on whom you ask. Downloading has destroyed it, and no one in the business is smart enough to figure out how to fix it."

OOH! Downloading is killing the music industry! Yet Miss Wurtzel conveniently avoids examples of how musicians are making internet sales work for them - like Radiohead, for example, who sold $9 million worth of "In Rainbows" after it was released only as a digital download.

Maybe downloading has taken away from music sales. Those of you who get the latest without paying for them are part of the problem. But downloading is not the only reason for lousy sales, and it's probably not the main reason.

I'd offer the homogenization of radio formats as one CD sales killer. Drive cross country and try to find major stations that promote new artists (those that aren't part of the Top 40 format). Who plays Wilco, Fleet Foxes, M.I.A. BonIver, or Miss Wurtzel's example, Pete Yorn?

Add the demise of the local record store, and you can see why we're less likely to go nuts for a new artist or line up for a new release the night before it drops (this does not apply to the new Jonas Brothers CD, which my daughter and niece are begging me to pick up on Tuesday). Seriously, look through any Best Buy and see if they carry Over the Rhine - or if they know where it should be displayed (Rock, O - I found three different OTR titles in three separate sections of the local big box, sorted by title instead of artist).

Miss Wurtzel claims that entertainment and culture are our two big exports, and that illegal downloading is killing the industry and, therefore, adding to our nation's economic woes. Maybe that's a part of the problem, but China's pretty big on getting as much Appalachian coal as possible these days, and they're not asking for a side of Hannah Montana.

APE Language students, beware: I will use this as an example of how NOT to present an argument. It's disjointed, lacks sufficient support, and relies on extremes (everything, no one, etc.). In the meantime, do Miss Wurtzel and your humble blogger a favor: pay for your MP3s, please.

Caption Contest, Anyone?

No. I won't. But you're welcome to leave your caption in the comments. (Photo: AP)

Goodbye Shaft (and Chef)

Legendary soul artist Isaac Hayes died today in Memphis. I had a chance to see some of his memorabilia last month at the Stax Museum, including the 1972 Cadillac pictured above. Before he became famous for is silky-smooth vocals, he wrote a number of Stax hits, including "Soul Man" and "Hold On! I'm Comin". (photo from IsaacHayes.com)

One more way to save the planet

Eat roos. Yum.

This Week in "Well, DUH!"

Bottled water is a scam. Dasani and Aquafina are nothing more than tap water. If you're so stuck on having H2O nearby, get one of these and fill up from the tap.

Orwell Blogs!

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of George Orwell's diaries, each entry will be posted, in "real time," here. You can follow Orwell's thoughts from August 9, 1938 into 1942. Enjoy, and remember, War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength.

2008 Opening Ceremony

Simply stunning. More photos here. (Photo from Getty Images.)

Let the Games Begin!

This was an AWESOME opening ceremony. Good luck to the Brits; they've got four years to try and create something to top this.

Pardon my absence, but

I've been busy in the world of Edgar Sawtelle. All good things must come to an end, and I finished this mesmerizing novel tonight. Future AP Lit students, beware - this will be added to the curriculum. Make time to read it this summer, then head here to join an online conversation with the author, David Wroblewski. If you need more convincing, here's a bit of Janet Maslin's review:

Pick up this book and expect to feel very, very reluctant to put it down.

Ditto.

AP Literature - The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

I'm only halfway through David Wroblewski's debut novel, yet I know it's going to be my summer favorite. If you've finished Hamlet, you might want to find a copy of and savor it before school starts. You can hear him read an excerpt The Story of Edgar Sawtelle here and see the first chapter for yourself.

More on Solzhenitsyn

Three pieces in today's WaPo, including "Live Not by Lies", written by Alexander Solzhenitsyn in 1974. Masha Lipman writes:

"His world was that of ethical absolutes, unshakable values, spiritual discipline and self-sacrificial commitment. . . His grim courage and selfless devotion, comparable to that of early Christians, gave him moral superiority over his communist adversaries. He defeated Brezhnev's Politburo, and, instead of being killed or jailed, was expelled from the country"

And Anne Applebaum adds this about how Solzhenitsyn's writing - not his charisma or TV appearances - was a powerful weapon against communism:

It is very easy, in a world where news is instant and photographs travel as quickly as they are taken, to forget how powerful, still, are written words. And Solzhenitsyn was, in the end, a writer: A man who gathered facts, sorted through them, tested them against his own experience, composed them into paragraphs and chapters. It was not his personality but his language that forced people to think more deeply about their values, their assumptions, their societies. It was not his television appearances that affected history but his words.

We'll Always Have Paris - For President

From Funny or Die, Paris Hilton's response to McCain's "Celebrity" ad:

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Todd Snider, Peace Queer

Saw Todd last night at The Ark in Ann Arbor. For the uninitiated, he's a folk singer, if you like your folk served with a heaping helping of humor. Great audience last night - half the crowd knew Snider's songs and sang along, putting a goofy grin on Todd's face throughout the set.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn - Death of Russia's "Conscience"

AP Lit students will have the opportunity to read Solzhenitsyn's A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich this year. To give you an idea of his importance, here's a tribute from Jane Smiley and an essay by Owen Matthews. (photo by Getty Images)

Today's APE Lang Column - An Excercise in Refutation

One of the keys to writing an effective argument is anticipating the opposition's ideas and refuting them. From today's Boston Globe, a pitch-perfect example. It sets up the relevance of the issue, recognizes the opposing argument, then takes it apart piece by piece.

Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon Confirmed

A study by Microsoft confirms the six degrees of separation theory - almost. Looking at email data, we're all about 6.6 degrees/connections away from virtually anyone in the world. For example:

1. I met poet Paul Muldoon at the AP Literature Exam reading in Louisville earlier this summer.
2. Paul Muldoon co-wrote a couple of songs with Warren Zevon.
3. Warren Zevon enlisted the help of Billy Bob Thornton for his final CD.
4. Billy Bob Thornton starred in U-Turn with Sean Penn.
5. Sean Penn starred in Mystic River with Kevin Bacon.

Add yourself by reading this post and you've just made the connection!

Rethinking my career choice

From the BBC: 13-year old busker earns 70 pounds per hour.

Just Say No To Crack, Texas Style

Last month, the pants patrol in Flint pressed the burning issue of saggy baggy jeans. This month, a Gonzalez, TX school proposed its punishment for those who violate the no-sag dress code: hike 'em up or wear a prison jumpsuit, thereby encouraging the tired "school is a prison" metaphor.

Why Obama Should Choose Dodd as his VP

If for no other reason than this. . . imagine the jingle for their ticket, a la this Muppet classic. Just sing Obama-Dodd. . .

"I like waking up to the smell of bacon. Sue me."

So says our favorite office manager, Michael Scott. And now, especially for him, an alarm clock that wakes you with the smell of fresh cooked bacon.

Obama as Mr. Darcy - Column of the Day

Today's pick has a literary bent: Mo Dowd compares Election '08 to Pride and Prejudice. Key quote:

If Obama is Mr. Darcy, with “his pride, his abominable pride,” then America is Elizabeth Bennet, spirited, playful, democratic, financially strained, and caught up in certain prejudices. (McCain must be cast as Wickham, the rival for Elizabeth’s affections, the engaging military scamp who casts false aspersions on Darcy’s character.)

It's Back to School Time!

Well, that's what the Meijer and Target inserts tell me. As we enjoy our last month of summer vacation, I thought it appropriate to put school - especially testing in schools - in perspective. Fortunately for you, dear reader, I found this from Regina Brett and Tom Chapin's satiric ditty "It's Not On The Test". (Tom's brother, the late Harry Chapin, wrote "Flowers Are Red" - another one that fits this discussion.)



No Child Left Behind? Nah. No Child Gets Ahead. Or No Teacher Left Standing.

Well, duh! Part II

New study shows men end up happier than women. We also tend to die off sooner. Coincidence?

Call me when they add Gweneth Paltrow

Please don't tell my daughter about this: Wal-Mart offers Hannah Montana wake-up calls.

Michigan as Battleground State

Time features the High Five State in this week's issue, and leads with the following buzz kill facts:

Nearly 300,000 manufacturing jobs have disappeared in the past decade. Ford just posted the worst quarterly loss in its 105-year history, and GM announced it was closing or converting plants. More than 1 of every 20 mortgages is in or near foreclosure, and at 8.5%, Michigan's unemployment rate is the highest in the nation.

Sadly (and not surprisingly), the article only covers the southeast side of the state. Where's the West Michigan love, Time?

Well, duh!

Saudi Arabia's religious police has banned pet cats and dogs. The reason? Because men use them as a means of hitting on women. Yes, walking Oscar the Fat Cat has always brought the ladies to the Lit Lounge.