The day in posts: 5/19/2006

May 19, 2006

Foxy 'doch hosts hill funder

Rupert Murdoch Is the CEO of Fox News's parent company, News Corp., and owns a controlling interest. So it might surprise you that he's hosting a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton. Is he simply rewarding a reliable big-business vote, Or does he see a change in the winds? He tends to support who's ever in power, including "Liberal" Tony Blair and the Chinese Government. Or maybe he's just being friendly.
posted by delmoi at 11:50 PM PST - 42 comments

Earth's got a case of the Humans

Humans! A lovely little bit of educational animation.
posted by crumbly at 7:38 PM PST - 41 comments

Emo and Proog

Elephants Dream - A computer-generated movie made using open source applications
posted by growabrain at 4:09 PM PST - 27 comments

Sorrentino, adieu

One of our greatest living writers died yesterday, and no one seems to care. I can't find a damn news story about it. A revolutionary teacher, thinker and critic, Sorrentino will be remembered as a "a reckless heir to Borges, Barthelme and Groucho Marx." Never read him? Start here.
posted by mattbucher at 1:52 PM PST - 43 comments

Iran Requiring Religious Badges?

Canada's National Post says "Human rights groups are raising alarms over a new law passed by the Iranian parliament that would require the country's Jews and Christians to wear coloured badges to identify them and other religious minorities as non-Muslims." (Sound familiar?) CTV says "Prime Minister Stephen Harper says news reports that Iran could require Jews and Christians to wear coloured labels in public might be true." Hmm...might be true? Montreal's AM 940 says "But independent reporter Meir Javedanfar [who runs a Middle East analysis site], an Israeli Middle East expert who was born and raised in Tehran, says the report is false." Which is it: truth or fiction? And if it's fiction, is it a malicious disinformation campaign or just incompetent journalism? Malcompetence?
posted by scottreynen at 1:37 PM PST - 60 comments

We get too soon old and too late smart.

Welcome to the world of Frank Kelly Freas (1922-2005), eleven-time Hugo Award-winning illustrator of book and magazine cover and interior art for science fiction, fantasy, the NASA space program, record albums, advertising, and MAD Magazine.
posted by joe lisboa at 12:05 PM PST - 8 comments

Michael Massing on the Israel lobby

Michael Massing on the Israel lobby and the controversy over the Mearsheimer/Walt article. Massing describes the article as having "serious shortcomings"; the reaction to the article as "hysterical"; and he provides evidence that "on their central point—the power of the Israel lobby and the negative effect it has had on US policy—Mearsheimer and Walt are entirely correct." He summarizes AIPAC's goals: "... to keep Israel strong, the Palestinians weak, and the United States from exerting pressure on Israel." Earlier article on the Israel lobby by Massing. Also: Mearsheimer and Walt respond to their critics.
posted by russilwvong at 9:55 AM PST - 75 comments

"What happened here is a miracle, I just want you to fucking acknowledge it!"

Trailer remix filter. Did you like the Shining trailer remix? What about the numerous Brokeback Mountain mashups? Think the Big one was lame? You'll love 10 Things I Hate About Commandments. Starring Charlton Heston, Yul Brenner, Sinead O'Connor and Samuel L. Jackson as Principal Firebush.
posted by daHIFI at 9:39 AM PST - 28 comments

A Handmaid's Tale?

Forever Pregnant. The CDC has released guidelines for improving the "preconception health" of all women of childbearing age whether they plan to have children or not. From the the WaPo article: "among other things, this means all women between first menstrual period and menopause should take folic acid supplements, refrain from smoking, maintain a healthy weight and keep chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes under control." So ladies, don't even think of touching the litter box. You know, just in case.
posted by kimdog at 9:18 AM PST - 124 comments

Ouch.

CIA vet Michael Scheuer: "I think Iraq is finished. We’ll just find a way to get out. I frankly don’t think we ever intended to win there." And: "As a professional intelligence officer, the last people you want to report to are generals and diplomats. And if General Hayden comes to the CIA, we’ll have Mr. Negroponte [a career diplomat] as head of the community, and a general as the head of the CIA."
posted by js003 at 8:08 AM PST - 48 comments

Yes yes yes yes yes!

Zanta: The Movie. If you live or work in downtown Toronto, you've seen him. Shirtless, wearing a Santa hat, and most likely doing pushups, he's David "Zanta" Zancai, and one of the city's most enigmatic characters.
posted by Robot Johnny at 7:52 AM PST - 38 comments

The Devil's Music

Ever wondered what the Devil has on his iPod? These people think they have a good idea (my favorite). Though it has long been believed that there is evil lurking somewhere in music, disagreement among half-wit experts causes some tension now and again. PBS sheds some light on the subject.
posted by Pecinpah at 7:44 AM PST - 34 comments

Kicking a dead horse with mammalian feet evolved from ancient mammal-like reptiles that, in turn, evolved from fish.

Evolution just won't go away. New evidence suggests the development of the human embryo mirrors our species' course of evolution. This guy seems to be stirring up all kinds of trouble these days. It makes me wonder: does this new information help determine the quality of being human? From the link: "Another supposed vagary produced by the abortion issue is the question as to when the embryo or fetus becomes human. Rivers Singleton, Jr. states in his article in Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, that, for some, conception defines the point of being human, whereas, for others, various periods of development suffice to 'distinguish human from non-humans.'"
posted by narwhal at 6:53 AM PST - 41 comments

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