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Archive: January, 2010
Can't imagine what prompted this, other than, you know, that little Democratic primary he's facing in couple months, but Sen. Arlen Specter has reversed course on Obama Justice Department nominee Dawn Johnsen, an eminently qualified progressive and a strong critic of the Bush administration. And this is good news, because it means that after her nomination lingered in the Senate for a year, Johnsen now has the 60 votes she needs to clear a Republican+Dick Lugar-Ben Nelson filibuster. Hurray!
"After voting 'pass' (which means no position) in the Judiciary Committee, I had a second extensive meeting with Ms. Johnsen and have been prepared to support her nomination when it reaches the Senate floor," reads a statement from Specter sent to [talkingpointsmemo.com].
The Repubs and Nelson — and until now, Specter — view Johnsen with suspicion. John Cornyn, that Texas goofball, claimed that she wasn't serious about terrorism because she didn't want to electrocute prisoners' genitalia or whatever, and Ben Nelson mumbled some nonsense about abortion, because she was a NARAL lawyer once. Specter never actually gave a reason for supporting the GOP filibuster, though he did cite his opposition to Johnsen back when he switched parties as one of the ways in which he wouldn't be a party-line Dem.
Coincidentally, Arlen's change of heart happened less than a week after primary opponent Joe Sestak challenged him on this very issue:
I understand that when you switched parties you pointed to your unequivocal opposition to the health care public option, your condemnation of the Employee Free Choice Act as a "bad bill," and your rejection of Professor Johnsen as demonstrations of your commitment to not be a "loyal Democrat" — but you switched your position on the first two, and coming through on a second chance to again change your position and support Professor Johnsen would be a tremendous benefit to the nation.
Win or lose, Sestak has certainly, and remarkably, altered this election's character, and made Specter a much more reliable Democrat. At least, until May 19 — the day after the primary.
And good for him. I mean, it's been a long time since I watched an actual entire Conan broadcast, and I think his writing for The Simpsons back in the day is far superior to anything he's done for live-action TV. But that aside, NBC (now owned by Comcast) seriously fucked him over to, for some seriously inexplicable reason, keep the terminally unfunny Jay Leno on its payroll.
Here's Conan's statement, which went out this afternoon:
People of Earth:
In the last few days, I've been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I've been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I've been absurdly lucky. That said, I've been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.
Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.
But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.
Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn't the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.
So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.
There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.
Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way.
Yours,
Conan
[...] Have Seen This One Coming: Arlen Specter's latest, greatest, shamelessly transparent political ploy• Conan tells NBC to go fornicate with itself• Who should QB for the Eagles in 2010?• Does John Yoo frighten you?• Urban [...]
The Eagles find themselves with one of those "good problems to have." Three quarterbacks under contract who have had (varying amounts of) success leading pro football teams.
The candidates:
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Donovan McNabb, the face of the franchise, its best-ever quarterback, he of 10 seasons at the helm, of 7 trips to the playoffs (and 7 exits, stage right, from the post-season), he who's experienced no discernible deterioration of his skills, but also no discernible amelioration of his weaknesses. |
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Kevin Kolb, the heir apparent ever since Andy Reid made him a surprise second-round pick in the 2007 draft. Kolb got his first two regular season starts this year, and he performed admirably. |
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Michael Vick, the Mild-Cat, the Sound and the Fury, the Much Ado, the convicted dog killer who parlayed a mountain of hype and righteous fan indignation in to a 6-13, 86 yards line on the season a bonus 24 carries for 95 yards rushing. He of the two biggest plays (a touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin, a botched handoff to Leonard Weaver that led to a Dallas TD) of the Eagles playoff cameo. |
Pick 'em!
Perhaps you're already familiar with Bush administration lawyer/Inky columnist/Philly native John Yoo, the guy who authored memos while at the Justice Department sanctioning the expanse of executive power during wartime (although, and not to be a stickler about this, but Congress never actually declared war), as well as the torture of enemy combatants. In essence, Yoo argued, and the Cheney/Bush folks were all too happy to agree, that enemy combatants fell outside of the parameters of the Geneva Conventions, and didn't deserve dick by way of federal or international protections. For advocating these far-right-field positions, which got adopted as policy under theocrat/world-class songwriter John Ashcroft, some folks want to get Yoo disbarred in Pennsylvania (third item).
In case you missed it, Yoo went on the Daily Show last night to pimp his new book (read the Washington Post's review here). And Jon Stewart did what Jon Stewart does: Watch it here:
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Daily Show: Exclusive - John Yoo Extended Interview Pt. 1 | ||||
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| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Exclusive - John Yoo Extended Interview Pt. 2 | ||||
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Yoo's argument strikes me as not unlike Richard Nixon's famous declaration that, "When the president does it, that means it's not illegal," perhaps with a wartime caveat. And in part two, above, Stewart tries to pin Yoo down on exactly what he thinks the limits of presidential power are. The answer: Not much. In his view, if you dissemble it to the core, the potential for a gross misuse and abuse of executive power, a la Nixon, is part and parcel of the American system. You may get a Nixon or a Bush, but these same vast powers enabled FDR and Lincoln to enter WW2 and free the slaves, respectively. You take the good with the bad, in other words, because, in theory, if the bad gets bad enough, Congress and/or the courts can step in.
It's an — how to say? — interesting imagining of American history, though I'm not sure how one could read the Federalist papers and find a warm embrace of executive power, war or not. Still, I don't think it's a point that can be altogether dismissed. Lincoln did revoke habeas corpus; FDR did go behind Congress's back to support the Allies. And yet, these men rank among our greatest leaders.
So, dear Cloggers, here's the question: Does John Yoo have a point? Or does his conception of almost limitless executive (wartime; presumably, the beneficent president gives it back when things settle down) power scare you?
It was interesting. I was listening to the unedited one and, yeah, I kinda see the point. The guys we admire (FDR is, and will always be, a hero of mine) did some things that were... well, bad. Sometimes the ends do justify the means, but most of the time it doesn't. We do give the President certain powers during war time, but its a bit of the trade-off we get for protection. That said, its a thin line. Like he said, sometimes it works out (FDR) and sometimes it doesn't (Nixon and Bush).
Afraid? Hardly. I am relieved someone of his intellect and reasoning was called on for this type of analysis in dealing with an enemy which chose to cut off the heads of their prisoners. I will bet the Lincoln and Roosevelt Administrations never bothered to consult their in-house attorneys for parameter definitions prior to enacting what is being viewed by today's historians as dangerously close to abuses of power, but in their day were probably the correct path to take. I question Yoo's judgment to submit to an interview by a jackass like Stewart with his obvious agenda and stacked audience - just like City Paper. I think Stewart admitted he did not fully read the book! He also did not let Yoo answer a question completely without repeatedly cutting him off. Yoo handled himself admirably. Yoo would do better explaining his position on C-Span rather than a fluff show such as this one.
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There are, of course, no more seats available, but those interested in attending the 6 p.m. reception and 6:30 lecture can sign up to be on the waiting list by hitting davidbyrneusf.eventbrite.com.
David is too cool..not only because of the Theads and those awesome shorts, but bicycle advocacy is a great passion. I recall recently seeing a story about some sculptures that are actually used for locking
Social comments and analytics for this post... This post was mentioned on Twitter by citypaper: David Byrne discussing urban bicycling in Philly: http://is.gd/65fDp...
Has anyone tried Clear?
Are you a member of Facebook?
Askadelphia runs on Facebook Connect.
We received this adorable request in the City Paper mailbag and thought it just the kind of thing we should pass along to the Clogosphere. Nick A. is in Washington, is writing a report on Pennsylvania and has requested that we send him some information on our dear state.
Dear Pennsylvania,
Hi, my name is Nick A. I'm from Conway school in Washington. I'm doing a state report about your state Pennsylvania. It would be nice if you could send me information about Pennsylvania so I can write on my state report. You can send me the information to this address.
Conway School
c/o Lisa del Bosque
19710 State Routes 534
Mount Vernon, WA 98274
Thank you Pennsylvania.
Sincerely,
Nick A.
Please keep in mind that Conway is an elementary school (even if it is "Home of the Cougars").
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A little more digging into who else might've loved the old J&J, a phone call from a source that said the Trestle had found a buyer I might know and a tip that Foobooz had run something on my original mention (thanks ya) led me to THIS photo.
Eureka. The Mad Decent Mausoleum is down the street. Diplo's got to be tired of wiping down coaster rings from his studio console. What better hang for he, Switch and his minion. I haven't chatted with Wes Pentz yet. But this is a nice sign. I'll probably find myself back in my old neighborhood drinking Johnnie Walker Black sooner than I thought. Here's hoping.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by diplo, Philly City Paper, The Cline, virginiayumyum, Matthew Kendig and others. Matthew Kendig said: Wow! Im all about it! Looks like @Diplo is buying the J&J Trestle Inn: http://is.gd/64Zq5 (via @citypaper) [...]
Friday: The sky isn't falling, but close. Rock out to duo The Sky Drops tonight at the Khyber. But before that meet cute at Art Star with their Sea Party! exhibit and sale full of plushy animal fun.
Michael Cera's alter ego says a have
a good weekend, or he'll smoke your ass.
Saturday: Mama Omnibus might be telling you to drink up at P.O.P.E. for the stop on the 10 Days of Olde Bartholomew Barleywine tasting tour because I giggle every time someone says firkin but that doesn't mean the booze won't taste good. Firkin (heh heh heh) is tapped at noon. Sober up for the Smoke, Lilies & Jade Arts Initiative, which brings attention to health issues in the black and LGBTQ communities.
Sunday: Pick up some new duds at the Hawthorne Yoga Clothing Swap. Even if you just want to get rid of some crap, Hawthorne says they'll donate it all to the South Philly's Circle Thrift when all is said and done. Word around the weather vane is that this weekend is going to be cold as balls, so how about a movie? You've got Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus (watch the Trailer!), Daybreakers (read Mama's interview with Ethan Hawke), Leap Year or Youth in Revolt (read Mama's interview with Michael Cera).
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| The King in his prime. |
He's not here anymore of course. Elvis left the building over 30 years ago.
There are many Elvis'. Young, (sorta) innocent Elvis. Older, bombed out Elvis. Army Elvis. Movie Elvis (ugh)*.
But my favorite is post '68 comeback Elvis.
In January 1970 he returned to performing live with a month long, two show a night run at the International Hotel in Las Vegas and, imho, firmly established himself as the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
That's The Way It Is documents not just these performances, but the rehearsals leading up to them and shows Elvis in intimate settings rarely seen.
Simply put, it is one of the best and most important Rock documentaries I have ever seen. There's a good chunk of the doc in the second video (after the jump). It's a documentary about the documentary. How meta.
But first, here's Elvis and the gang Taking Care of Business with Polk Salad Annie. (if you have no patience, jump to about 3 minutes in, but do yourself a favor and watch the whole thing.
*Though as Eichel might point out, Movie Elvis smushed Ann Margaret on the regular.
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