Here’s a bit of mildly interesting mélange of events for you. First, it goes without saying that the Citizens United decision gets smellier the longer it remains unflushed in the toilet of our legislative process. My opinion, for what it’s worth, is that the largest businesses should be recognized as part of the legislative process,…
Yesterday was Super Tuesday. Unsurprisingly, Mitt Romney won in most states, Rick Santorum had a few narrow victories, and Newt Gingrich managed just one. Ron Paul, who has made it his lifelong mission to alienate both Republicans and Democrats, went home a loser; however, he remains steadfastly committed to wasting as much money as possible…
The saddest news of the day is that Davy Jones, the lead singer of The Monkees, has died of a heart attack at 66. While The Monkees was never meant to be a “serious” band, they sold 50 million records and many of us have fond memories of watching their television show and listening to…
Chris Christie, while looking forward to his role as Mitt Romney’s running mate in this year’s presidential election, has vetoed a bill in New Jersey that would have allowed same-sex couples to marry. Meanwhile, in Maryland, a similar bill is on track to clear the Senate and subsequently be signed by Governor Martin O’Malley. No…
Alexandra Michel, a University of Southern California researcher, says that we should feel bad for investment bankers because their unquenchable thirst for money and power leaves them hollow shells of human beings. According to her, they behave much like politicians—insomnia, alcoholism, heart palpitations, eating disorders and violent tempers are just a few of their common…
The City Pages hit newsstands yesterday; in it is an article entitled “Tea Party Princess,” a profile of former Saturday Night Live “star,” Victoria Jackson. Apparently—and I didn’t know this—Jackson’s signature bubble-brained act that she put on was just her being herself. It really is worth checking out. Jackson, whose career has been in a…
I wish Stephen Colbert really would run in 2012. I’m also disappointed in Roseanne Barr, who announced her “twofer” campaign months ago—and while she’s gained a small following as the only decent candidate in the race, hardly anyone outside of these weird Internet circles has even heard the good news. As for Colbert, he announced…
We’re already seven days into the New Year and I’ve barely talked about the Occupy Wall Street movement. Perhaps it’s because the whole thing is easy to forget in the face of the hectic holiday season; or maybe it’s because the mainstream media only mentions OWS in passing—even as the revolution grows and continues to…
Last month, the people behind the Occupy Wall Street movement called for citizens of the United States to support Main Street by moving their money from large banks to small, local credit unions. There is a website—Move Your Money—dedicated to helping people do this. I’m ashamed to say that with all of my good intentions,…
I apologize for neglecting my column for the last few days, but much of my weekend was spent coping with a nasty stomach virus while a parade of idiots crashed around my home, howling drunkenly and trying gamely to destroy both my apartment and my marriage. I had to fire one of our Entertainment Editors—although…
The Occupy Wall Street website was down for a number of days—I don’t know why and there has been no mention anywhere of an interruption—but I checked moments ago and it is once again live. Even with progressive news sources such as RT America and MSNBC, it is easy to lose track of the movement…
I’ve always enjoyed Adam Carolla’s brand of humor—especially when he was hosting Love Line with Dr. Drew Pinsky—but his opinion regarding the Occupy Wall Street protests is repugnantly small minded. He has called them “fucking self-entitled monsters” and “self-entitled pricks who think the world owes them a living.” Mr. Carolla is referring to the Millenial…
I’ve all but given up on my local papers—I stack the print editions next to my toilet and then throw them away once a week or so—and television is a waste of time, except for MSNBC, perhaps. Today, I get most of my news from YouTube and the Occupy Wall Street website, preferring to go…
Major cities all across the U.S. are participating in the November 17 Occupy Wall Street Day of Action. As many as 35,000—perhaps more—citizens are protesting in New York City. I’ve added a couple of additional live feeds to the side of this page and have been following the action for most of the day. As…
Just today, there have been many new developments with regards to the Occupy Wall Street movement—which is hardly surprising, since the thing just keeps rolling right along. I’ve devoted a lot of coverage to it since it started—and I’m not going to stop. This is the most important thing going on in the world right…
First of all, I’d like to apologize for neglecting my column for the last week. I’d like to think that there are plenty of people out there who have missed me; whether or not that’s true remains to be seen. As I said on October 29, this site is undergoing a transformation of sorts. This…
Herman Cain has adjusted his 9-9-9 plan so it would be slightly more palatable to … well … to anyone. Republicans and Democrats alike have called it ludicrous ever since he stole the ill-conceived proposal from a video game; in fact, the only people who thought that it was a good idea were those too…
Peace officers all over the country continue to show who they “protect & serve”—and it isn’t the people of this fine nation; rather, it is the 1% grifter class. Last night, at least 100 protesters were arrested in Boston for simply refusing to disperse when night fell. Perhaps the Boston PD doesn’t realize what an…
I realize that it was somewhat of a shock when Chris Christie said once again that he’s not running for president, goddamnit, and why do you people keep hounding me?—but I was positively floored to learn that Sarah Palin isn’t going to throw her hat into the ring. No, that’s a lie. I’ve been saying…
The biggest headline today is that Chris Christie is not running for president—which is hardly surprising since that’s what he’s been saying all along. So, this isn’t really news, is it? No, but I thought that I’d just get it out of the way. Now that we have that mystery cleared up, we can move…
I had the idea that I’d like to crank out a column tonight with my left hand. It’s Saturday night and we have company—just my wife’s friend so far, but that’s okay. I’m drowning myself in 16-ounce cans of Busch Light as usual; Megan is drinking Newcastle because she has expensive tastes; and Leeann is…
I received my v2 electronic cigarette today after waiting feverishly for it all week. (I ordered it late Monday night—I guess I’m just impatient.) My wife remains skeptical while my daughter proclaimed that it is “cool”; as for me, I think I’m sold. One of the main advantages of eCigs is that they’re safe to…
I finally ordered an electronic cigarette kit from http://www.v2cigs.com/ last night. Hopefully, I’ll be able to use it to replace my chewing tobacco before I develop big holes in my face. The thing has already shipped, so I expect it to arrive within the next couple of days. As soon as it does, I’ll post…
Rick Perry talks a good game, but let’s get down to brass tacks: according to one of his own state agencies, the Texas unemployment rate increased to 8.5% in August—the highest level in more than 24 years and more than twice the rate when Perry took office in December 2000. It’s hard to argue with figures…
Well, the Republicans pulled off the seemingly impossible feat of winning special election seats in Nevada and New York on Tuesday. Anthony Weiner’s vacancy went to Republican political novice Bob Turner, while Republican Mark Amodei won in Nevada. Many view this as a preview of the calamity that is looking more and more likely next…
We’re just hours away from knowing whether or not a Republican will be elected to New York’s 9th Congressional District for the first time. Democrat David Weprin is up against Bob Turner, a retired media executive with no previous political experience—and so far, it looks like Turner might just make history. All of this just…
