Quote

"The most important tribute any human being can pay to a poem or a piece of prose he or she really loves ... is to learn it by heart. Not by brain, by heart; the expression is vital." - George Steiner

Have A Very...

Sullivan's Obama Essay

This month's Atlantic Magazine has an extended essay by Andrew Sullivan about how Barack Obama is the best solution to America's decades long cultural war.
An excerpt:

"What does he offer? First and foremost: his face. Think of it as the most effective potential re-branding of the United States since Reagan. Such a re-branding is not trivial—it’s central to an effective war strategy. The war on Islamist terror, after all, is two-pronged: a function of both hard power and soft power. We have seen the potential of hard power in removing the Taliban and Saddam Hussein. We have also seen its inherent weaknesses in Iraq, and its profound limitations in winning a long war against radical Islam. The next president has to create a sophisticated and supple blend of soft and hard power to isolate the enemy, to fight where necessary, but also to create an ideological template that works to the West’s advantage over the long haul. There is simply no other candidate with the potential of Obama to do this. Which is where his face comes in.
Consider this hypothetical. It’s November 2008. A young Pakistani Muslim is watching television and sees that this man—Barack Hussein Obama—is the new face of America. In one simple image, America’s soft power has been ratcheted up not a notch, but a logarithm. A brown-skinned man whose father was an African, who grew up in Indonesia and Hawaii, who attended a majority-Muslim school as a boy, is now the alleged enemy. If you wanted the crudest but most effective weapon against the demonization of America that fuels Islamist ideology, Obama’s face gets close. It proves them wrong about what America is in ways no words can."

Sullivan has been fighting hard for Obama who has been behind in the polls. Obama's starting to make a run. Things should get interesting in January.
The full essay is worth a read here.

Blog Perception

I'm sure this study will be bouncing around the web all day. Politically interested readers view blogs as moderately credible, but more credible than any mainstream media or online source.

Quote

Not to know what happened before one was born is always to be a child – Cicero

Manifiesto Destino

Two from the Harper's Index:
Ratio of the number of Latinos in Iowa to the number of full-time farmers: 7:4.
Percentage change since 2000 in the estimated number of Hispanic voters in the United States: +122

Photos

Modern Ruins is a great site with an extensive collection of photos taken at abandoned places.

Un Grand Gymnaste

GYMNASTIQUE PEKIN 2008
Uploaded by nqtv

Photos

...of people pointing - collected by Leslie Grant. More pointing here.

List

Here is a funny list over at McSweeney's called "James Bond Films for the
George W. Bush Era" by Christopher Smith. Here's a sample:
"Live in Constant, Irrational Fear of Muslims and Let Die"

8 Year Photo Project

This video via Neatorama of a man who took a picture of himself every day for eight years.

Illuminated Map of Korea

Night time illumination photo of North and South Korea taken from space. South sells more lightbulbs.

Street Art

Courtesy of designboom.

Christmas Wishes

Here's an entertaining list over at Night Swim.

Clown News

This is a story from earlier this year, but we should talk to our politicians to see that this never happens again.

Biblical Events From Space

The Glue Society, a creative collective based in Sydney, has put together this cool exhibit of well known biblical events viewed via satellite. It's called God's Eye View, and here's a link courtesy of Creative Review.

Very Short Film (Shanghai)

train (shanghai)
running time: 1 minute 14 seconds

The Miserablist

From Goldsmith's College, London comes this new magazine for those who think everything is just plain rubbish!

Commercial

A good spot for Norwegian Hydro:

Photos

Swiss designer Stefan Jandl snapped this photo of a man reenacting a famous tennis shot by Boris Becker. More of Jandl's work here.

Invention

Those pesky scientists - first they say the world's getting warmer, and now this.

Best Of CraigsList

Rock on! - with this device.

The National Debt

Yikes!

Very Short Film (Beijing)

toys (beijing)
running time: 1 minute 6 seconds

Petrodollars

It provides enough money for Saudi Arabia to build a city three times the size of Manhattan from scratch. It gives Hugo Chavez the leverage he needs to defy the United States, and it makes life more difficult for a taxi driver in Beijing.
How the price of oil creates dramatic shifts in wealth and power around the world is remarkable. This article by Steven Mufson for the Washington Post is a good read, and discusses the impact from the pump and beyond.

That Gift Card You're Not Using

Appropriate for the coming holiday season - this from the Harper's Index:
Estimated amount that Americans lose every year by not redeeming gift
cards: $8,000,000,000

Very Short Film (Shanghai)

sunlight (shanghai)
running time: 47 seconds

Orange County, China

There is evidence in the urban areas of China that American and European style of living is much sought after. The above photo is a typical home in a development on the outskirts of Shanghai. Other nearby styles include English Tudor and French.
The most obvious case I saw was in a strange development many miles outside of Beijing. Set in a rural farming area, a gated multi-floor apartment building called American Villa was advertised with wood carved graphics usually seen in America's national parks and forests. I guess not so different from a Polynesian style home you might see in Southern California.

Very Short Film (Shanghai)

shanghai cycles ready go
running time: 1 minute 5 seconds

Poem For China

Woman sneezes in crowded store. Influenza
Small boy coughs on train. SARS
Man vomiting outside Peking Duck Restaurant. Bird Flu!
Paris Hilton in Shanghai nightclub. STD

The People's Republic - Shanghai

Shanghai.
In this city of explosive growth, glimmering night life, and towering skyscrapers - best carry your own toilet paper - it's unavailable in many bathrooms.

Photos (Rickshaw Man Beijing)

Cars And Bicycles

Beijing.
Many Americans think that the Chinese are bad drivers, and I know now that they are good drivers.
There is a noteworthy harmony among the thousands of autos and bicycles in this congested city. Cars and cycles come within harrowing inches of each other, and move seamlessly through the streets. This high wire act is completed with no visible hostility or anger.
I have seen much more tension between drivers and cyclists in the U.S. Once, while in New York City, I saw a cyclist beat the side of a bus with a chain because he felt he had been encroached upon. Cars and scooters in Beijing proceed at a slow controlled pace and move around the same way bicycles do - weaving and slipping through every potential opening.
Many vehicles are without seat belts...I have heard because "these cars don't go fast enough to require seat belts"
It is extraordinary to watch the controlled chaos on the streets of the crowded city. Crossing guards at corners keep strict control and conduct the streets like a symphony, and somehow everyone gets to where they're going.

Yue Minjun

Based in Beijing, painter Yue Minjun, is a Chinese artist who is garnering international attention. His unique work is often depictions of himself locked in large toothy laughter. Look at a selection of his work here. As a whole, they are exhilarating to view.

The People's Republic - Beijing

Beijing.
First impressions. Incredibly crowded with Chinese people. Apparently, when it's night time back home, it's friggin' day time here! Which finally confirms for me the theory that if you dig a hole somewhere in America, and you keep digging, you end up here. More to come.

Knee How Cellophane

In the coming weeks, cellophane66 will be posting from Beijing and Shanghai, China. Impressions, photos, and films to follow.
But, for now, here's a sweet little video from M. Ward called Chinese Translation:

Hollywood's Changing Landscape

There was a great piece linked to at (yesterday's mentioned) Freelance Herald earlier this week that is worth a read. Written by Marc Andreessen, it's an insightful piece about how Hollywood may soon begin to function more like Silicon Valley - and how the writer's strike may accelerate the process. Full article here.

The Freelance Herald

Fellow blogger and freelance professional Louis Lesko has launched The Freelance Herald recently - an excellent news source focusing on the world of creative freelancing. Check it out.

The Last Supper

Here is a cool interactive site where you can explore the details of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper". Zoom as you please.

Photos

This shot from August 1940 courtesy of Square America.

Helsinki Fashion

There is a great site I visit periodically to see what noteworthy outfits people are wearing on the streets of Helsinki. The variety is quite sweeping, and the subjects of the photos describe their styles. Interestingly, "Los Angeles in the 80's" and the band Hanoi Rocks are still wielding influence like this:



See the full gamut at Hel Looks.

Guinness Commercial

I already drink the stuff, but if I didn't, this ad would make me give it a try. Shot over a week in a remote village in Argentina, it's quite a symphony. Read about it and watch it here via the Telegraph.

Wingsuits

Here is some wild video of cliff jumpers using wingsuits to simulate flying.

Graphic

From the National Restaurant Association, 1957.

Interview

Short chat with Ed Trinka who was a doorman at the Plaza Hotel in New York since 1963. Courtesy of StoryCorp.

Getting Ready For Mars

This post over at Fogonazos shows how scientists are preparing for extended stays on Mars. It all seems so "Planet Of The Apes".

Photos

The site over at Magnum Photos has an interesting feature where you can view the works of photographers while they narrate the picture's stories. This one by Thomas Dworzak about Taliban men is worth a view. I never knew they were so ...feminine.

Parabolica

As a follow-up to yesterday's post, here is a bit of motorsport history. The parabolica turn at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza was abandoned in 1961 due to safety concerns. But here is a short video taken at the world famous circuit in Italy that gives you a sense of it:



And a good still shot of it here.
Races are still held there today, but the course has been changed.

The Architecture Of Speed

Anyone who followed this year's Formula One season, saw the best the sport has had to offer in the last 20 years. There was a championship decided at the last race of the season, behind-the-scenes spy drama, the clashing of driver egos, a couple of wild races in the pouring rain, and the premier season of a dashing young driver from the UK who has decided to move to Switzerland to avoid all the attention he's getting (and pay less taxes).

But what I find myself drawn to in these races is the remarkable architecture displayed at the road courses around the world. Several in Asia are especially striking in their grandstand and concourse designs.
The German architectural firm of Hermann Tilke has designed many of these tracks. This is one in Sepang:


And this one in Shanghai:



There is something surreal about these modern structures rising up out of open spaces, and some of the grandstands are just plain cool.
You can see more photos and designs at the firm's website.

Quote

"Fanaticism is ... overcompensation for doubt." - Robertson Davies

The United States Of (Deleted)

Anybody following the story about the White House editing of CDC director, Julie Gerberding's, Senate report on climate change, here is a link that shows the whole report with what was cut in red.

Best Of CraigsList

Check out this link with the listing, "my coke for your pot".

California And Fire

A couple of months ago the Hollywood Hills burst into flame near the Griffith Observatory. Firefighters successfully knocked down the flames without a lot of damage to homes. Over the last week helicopters have been painting the hillsides with hydroseed to encourage growth and prevent mudslides when the rains finally arrive.
The photo below shows the surreal nature of the hills, and makes the landscape appear like a Christo-like art installation.



Of course right on the heals of this hillside repair come the wildfires that are now devastating much of Southern California. A strange golden hue has settled over the Los Angeles basin, and San Diego is suffering intense damage. This photo below by Genaro Molina of the Los Angeles Times captures the conditions all over the region.



While most of the country cools and the chill of autumn paints the trees gold and amber, Southern California heats up from Santa Ana wind conditions, turns brown, and starts to burn.

Photos

This is a site I've linked to before, but Shorpy is worth visiting regularly. Now, some of their wonderful old photos are linked to actual locations in New York via Google Maps. Check it out here. Above: Big man in tavern 1908.

Sands Casino Implosion

Atlantic City made a spectacle out of the demolition of the Sands Hotel.

More Andy Kaufman

Another inflammatory clip of Andy trying to rile up people from the South so they would pay to see wrestler Jerry Lawler whoop him!

Photos

Not sure how I found this, but here are old photos from the USSR.

Political Fundraising Item

Here's an interesting post over at Think On These Things showing the difference between Hilary and Obama's money. Apparently, Hillary gets her dough from richer donators giving larger sums, while Obama gets a lot of the "common folks 50 bucks at a time" donations. I prefer the small donations from the masses over large donators asking for favors later (You mean $50 doesn't get me an ambassadorship?).

Army Business

Charlie Rose's excellent interview of Blackwater head Erik Prince Monday night stayed mainly on the topic of the civilian death incident in Iraq - but this exchange was a real eye opener.
Since the world seems to be run increasingly by corporations, it's only a matter of time before private business armies are jetting around the world dealing with hot spots for money. This is a job I'd rather see the Marines doing, but the State Department is already farming it out. Prince's ideas in the above link are well intentioned, but, boy, things could get complicated pretty fast. Imagine if employees from a private security firm in China choppered into St. Louis and accidentally shot your uncle...yikes!

Quick History Of Religion

Here's a handy moving graphic over at Maps Of War that shows the history of the world's religions.

Street Art

Street installations by Mark Jenkins.

More Andy Kaufman

Letterman appearance. Ignore the diaper, because Andy has a pretty good voice!

Photos

Photos of toy factory workers in China via maZm.

Cycling With David Byrne

I've come to admire David Byrne's love of cycling through his website. Here is a great link to a POV video he made while using his favorite mode of transportation through New York City. With narration.

Internet Blocking Countries

Here's an interesting map that shows which countries block good 'ol free speechin' internet traffic. Courtesy of Strange Maps.
Yeah, Myanmar, is one of them.

Graphic

This beauty is from a 1948 Solarex sunglasses ad. Courtesy of Plan 59.

That Ain't Right

News item here.

More Andy Kaufman

Many years ago, not long after his death, there was an excellent tribute to Andy Kaufman held at the Long Beach Museum of Art in California. Hosted by Andy's long time friend and fellow comic, Bob Zmuda, the evening included many rare clips of Kaufman's career.
The clip that follows is Andy at his best. As Zmuda tells it, ticket sales for Andy's match with wrestler Jerry Lawler were sluggish - so Andy shot a couple of inflammatory ads in his back yard to anger fans in Tennessee in order to sell more tickets. Here's one of them:

Photos

Michael Wolf created this abstract image by photographing apartment buildings in Hong Kong. More pix on his website here.

Over London

Creative Review has a good link to some London shots taken by photographer Jason Hawkes here.

Accident

When the Lord Mayor leaps over someone dressed as a tomato, well...that's when people get hurt. Full story at BBC.

The War In Your Colon

Here's another great list by Kevin Griffith over at McSweeney's.

Andy Kaufman

I put Andy high on the list of people I wish were still alive. October will be Andy Kaufman tribute month here at cellophane - featuring highlights from his career (and it won't be about Latka on "Taxi"). Here's a local news story that aired about Tony Clifton:

Short Film

carmela walking away
running time: 4 minutes 58 seconds

Candidate Calculator

WQAD News in Illinois has this handy little list of questions that show which presidential candidates you're most aligned with. A simple little tool for the coming election season.

Burma Raw Video

Here is some raw video taken from the streets showing the uprising and subsequent violence:

Photos

Our Lady Of Angels Cathedral photographed during recent - and rare - Los Angeles storm. More shots here courtesy of Cathedrals of California.

Tokyo Blog

The Tokyo based PingMag design magazine has a good blog about Japanese stuff. Here is a graphic outside a train station: something about a remedy for constipation!

Bukowski Home For Sale

There is a movement to save the bungalow apartment of Los Angeles' favorite drunken poet and novelist, Charles Bukowski. The unit at 5124 DeLongpre is set for demolition. Places like these are L.A.'s version of the Chelsea Hotel in New York. You can see a photo and join the fight here.

Test Your Friends

Amir Vehabovic, a man in Bosnia, staged his own funeral as a hoax. When only his mother attended, this is the letter he sent to his friends. Courtesy of Harper's.

To all my dear "friends,"
Some of you I have known since early school
days, others I have only forged a relationship with
in the last few years. Until my "funeral," I considered
all of you close friends. So it was with
shock and, I admit, sadness and anger that I realized
not one of you managed to find the time to
come and say goodbye to me when you heard I was
to be buried. I would have understood if just some
of you came, bearing flowers or words of apology
from others who could not make it. But no. Not
a single one of you turned up to pay your last respects.
I lived for our friendships. They meant as
much to me as life itself. But how easy it was for
you all to forget the pledges of undying friendship
I heard on so many occasions. How different our
ideas of friendship seem to be. I paid a lot of money
to get a fake death certificate and to bribe undertakers
to deliver an empty coffin. I thought
my funeral would be a good joke-the kind of
prank we have all played on one another over
the years. Now I have just one last message for you:
My "funeral" might have been staged, but you
might as well consider me dead, because I will
not be seeing any of you again.

Hair Makes The Man

Trim Project by Big Rocket shows before and after shots of blokes' haircuts in London. More hair changing here at Creative Review.

Stripper Polaroids

Polaroid portraits taken of strippers who interviewed at a Southern California club in the late 60's. Via Flickr.

Twister Photos

Susan Silton manipulates photos of tornadoes to create these ominous images.

Bears Attack Submarine

These great images over at Fogonazos remind me of the excellent Cold War film "Ice Station Zebra" (reportedly Howard Hughes' favorite film). There's something about subs surfacing through ice that has always fascinated me - a surreal image I'd love to witness for real.

American Immigration To Canada

From the Harper's Index:
Percentage change since 2004 in U.S. immigration to Canada: + 46

Duck Versus Cougar

Mascots duke it out here.

Chemical Brothers

For cellophane66's 200th post, here are some cool fish from a video by Chemical Brothers.



How they made the video here.

More George

If you're going to insist on making movies based on crappy, old television shows, then you have to give everyone in the Cineplex a remote so we can see what's playing on the other screens. Let's remember the reason something was a television show in the first place is that the idea wasn't good enough to be a movie. - George Carlin

The Human Quality Of 9/11

As it seems that everyone in the world summons up the memory of 9/11 to promote their own causes, often the human experience is lost. This cartoon at Cox and Forkum captures the simple reality of the day.

Left Right Brain Function

New York University political scientists have done a study to see if liberals and conservatives are "wired" differently. Interesting findings here via Physorg.

World's Fair 1965

Check these photos at Flickr from the New York World's Fair 1965

Photos

42 photos of vagabonds via Ziza.

Network Self Promotion During Sporting Events

Once every few days I see something on network television that makes me understand why cable TV is kicking network TV's ass. Here's one. Last night I watched a bit of the opening NFL game on NBC. I watched about one quarter of the game. During that time I was subjected to about seven of the same spots promoting a new show on NBC called "CHUCK"
I was in a bar and the sound was off, so all I know is that the show is about some guy who works in a Staples kind of store, and there's a girl who is a secret agent or something. But all I really need to know is that I'm glad I didn't watch the whole game because I would have been forced to watch twenty or thirty promos for this friggin' show.
That's too many.

I know they do research on this kind of stuff, and it probably works - but they also do research on how to best pull somebody's tooth.
I can tell you with certainty - when I watch a promo for the tenth time, this is what I am NOT thinking," Wow, that show didn't look so good at commercial three, but now I am compelled to mark it on my calendar!"
What I AM thinking is, "F**K! It's another commercial for CH**K!"

This "promotion fatigue" is most apparent if you are a poor soul who watches a six or seven game baseball playoff. By game seven, you've seen the same spot for the same dopey show fifty times. I don't want to see ANYTHING fifty times.
So please back off a bit, I mean ... oh, sorry, it's almost 8 o'clock, and my favorite show is about to start. It's on HBO.

Arrivederci Luciano

An unlikely duet - but a great tribute nonetheless:

Very Short Film

passenger ship to mexico (there and back)
running time: 55 seconds

Graphic

1954 Franco American advertising graphic courtesy of Plan 59

Leona Helmsley's Hostility

It's one thing to solidify your reputation as a bitch in life, but Leona Helmsley's will ensures a legacy of hostility. 12 million dollars to the "drop-kick" dog while discarding two of your grandchildren seems pretty angry to me. I don't know the details, but the perception will be forever.
The two grandchildren who did receive money are required to visit the grave of their father, or they get zilch. How awkward will that once-a-year event be? A witness/executor standing in a cemetery with two people, and then they get a check.
I only wish I could be one of the receiving grandchildren. I would go to the cemetery, take the money, and give half to the others who were left out.
Epitaph? Leona Helmsley - Angry.
Read the story. Then take a shower.

Clown News

Well-known burger clown controls Japanese minds with caffeine. Victims line up here.

Quote

"An artist never really finishes his work, he merely abandons it." - Paul Valery

Fact

There are more chickens than people in the world.

Nippon Too Crowded

I know the subways in Japan get pretty crowded, but this Tokyo wave pool...

More George

"No more gift registries. You know, it used to be just for weddings. Now it's for babies and new homes and graduations from rehab. Picking out the stuff you want and having other people buy it for you isn't gift giving, it's the white people version of looting." - George Carlin

Photos

Here's an entertaining photo site called Square America that features snapshots found at flea markets or purchased on EBay.

Best Of CraigsList

Tool for sale.

How To Let Musicians Down

A list by John Moe at McSweeney's.

Mugshots

Mugshots from 1920's Australia.

White House Manual To Deter Protest

I have been feeling that President Bush hasn't made a true public appearance in years, and now the Washington Post has this piece that pretty much confirms it for me. Of course protest is allowed but "preferably not in the view of the event site or motorcade route." I guess you can go protest at a bowling alley across town.
And this stuff about "rally squads" (Yikes):

"The rally squad's task is to use their signs and banners as shields between the demonstrators and the main press platform. If the demonstrators are yelling, rally squads can begin and lead supportive chants to drown out the protesters (USA!, USA!, USA!). As a last resort, security should remove the demonstrators from the event site."

And then three cheers for the Brown Shirts.

George Carlin

It often seems that as comedians age they soften up a bit and lose some of their edge. Not so for George Carlin. This seventy year old guy who is still pissed off continues to be insightful and wildly entertaining. An example:

"Just because your tattoo has Chinese characters in it doesn't make you spiritual. It's right above the crack of your ass. And it translates to "beef with broccoli." The last time you did anything spiritual, you were praying to God you weren't pregnant. You're not spiritual. You're just high."

Thanks for not mellowing, George.

Errol Morris Blog

Documentary filmmaker Errol Morris has begun writing a blog over at the New York Times about the manipulative power of photographs. First two columns here.

Shipwreck

Here are some images of the wreck of the the ship American Star off the coast of Morocco. Dramatic Google satellite image here. And surreal close photos via Fogonazos.

Very Short Film

the red house
running time: 54 seconds

Fact

China has more English speakers than the United States.

Clown News

National Geographic takes on the subject of "Coulrophobia", the fear of ...well, you know. Woman seeks help to overcome it here:

Fly Spy

Eavesdropping robotic fly via Technology Review.

Hal Fishman

Los Angeles lost one of its sons on Tuesday. KTLA newscaster Hal Fishman was the city's fatherly news figure for almost fifty years. Originally a teacher, he brought his professorial skills to his newscasts and commentaries. He was an author of two books, an avid fan of aviation, and a guy who gave me comfort with his consistency every weekday night at 10pm. And that hair was a thing unto itself!

Interview

A short exchange between friends about a young man's search for his biological father. Courtesy of StoryCorps.

U.S. Map As Baseball Teams

Here is a cool map for baseball fans from Strange Maps.

Commercial

This clever ad (I think it's from Germany) is a work of art.

Insourcing

When overseas call centers get too busy, they hire people in America to do it. Story here.

Sounds Gay

Several studies, including one from Northwestern University, have looked closely at the differing speech patterns of straight and gay men. Apparently lingering on vowels is a give-away. Full story here at Guardian Unlimited.

Baseball's Juice

As Barry Bonds closes in on Hank Aaron's home-run record, Night Swim points out a bit of the old "double standard". Excerpt:

"Way back in the nineties when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were racking up long balls like the Kennedy's rack up grave plots, there was a lot of talk about the balls being “juiced.” The only conceivable reason for this amazing spike on power had to be a change in the equipment, right? Well, as we now know, it wasn’t the balls that were being juiced… it was the owners. Turns out this new home run derby provided a nice shot of good ‘old American dollars to their fat, white asses... and my, how quickly a Jones develops."

Full post here.

Mauritania Shipwrecks

Photos of shipwrecks via Fogonazos.

New York Photo Permits

There's a dust-up going on in New York where the Mayor's office wants to make it a little harder to take a photograph. Story here. And also here.

Obama And Pakistan

Obama's comments about going after terrorists in Pakistan is sure to generate a lot of talk, and some criticism today, but he's right. If we know Bin Laden was behind 9/11, what the heck is he still doing alive? Here is some of Obama's speech:

"I understand that President Musharraf has his own challenges. But let me make this clear. There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again. It was a terrible mistake to fail to act when we had a chance to take out an al Qaeda leadership meeting in 2005. If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will."

And this assessment of the past years failings:

"Just because the President misrepresents our enemies does not mean we do not have them. The terrorists are at war with us. The threat is from violent extremists who are a small minority of the world's 1.3 billion Muslims, but the threat is real. They distort Islam. They kill man, woman and child; Christian and Hindu, Jew and Muslim. They seek to create a repressive caliphate. To defeat this enemy, we must understand who we are fighting against, and what we are fighting for...
The President would have us believe that every bomb in Baghdad is part of al Qaeda's war against us, not an Iraqi civil war. He elevates al Qaeda in Iraq – which didn't exist before our invasion – and overlooks the people who hit us on 9/11, who are training new recruits in Pakistan. He lumps together groups with very different goals: al Qaeda and Iran, Shiite militias and Sunni insurgents. He confuses our mission...
By refusing to end the war in Iraq, President Bush is giving the terrorists what they really want, and what the Congress voted to give them in 2002: a U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences.
When I am President, we will wage the war that has to be won, with a comprehensive strategy with five elements: getting out of Iraq and on to the right battlefield in Afghanistan and Pakistan; developing the capabilities and partnerships we need to take out the terrorists and the world's most deadly weapons; engaging the world to dry up support for terror and extremism; restoring our values; and securing a more resilient homeland."

I only wish we didn't have to wait two more years...

Arrivederci Michelangelo

Ingmar Bergman, now this. Legendary Italian filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni died yesterday - a great talent with a unique style. See his film "Blowup" - a masterpiece.

Fairy Tale Endings

Alternate fairy tale endings by Sabrina Abbot via McSweeneys.

Clown News

Another criminal gives clowns a bad name. Via Fredericksburg, Virginia. Full story.

Thriller (Filipino Prisoners)

Got some time to kill? Watch 1500 Filipino prisoners re-enact the video of Michael Jackson's "Thriller".

Break Dancing Facial Expressions

Take it from a pro. These expressions help you sell your moves:



And a nice companion piece here courtesy of Craig's List.

Best Of CraigsList

What not to ask a cake maker here.

Photos

Here is a great post at Fogonazos loaded with pix of space walk greatest hits.

CNN/You Tube Debate

Former Howard Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi weighs in on this week's presidential debate:

Airliner Survival Rates

Who needs champagne and linen napkins in first class, when you can sit in the back of the plane smelling the lavatories and enjoy a 69 percent survival rate. Full stats here via Popular Mechanics.

Quote

"As an individual who undertakes to live by borrowing, soon finds his original means devoured by interest, and next no one left to borrow from - so must it be with a government." - Abraham Lincoln

Pop-O-Pies

Some one-note concerts are better than others. I think The White Stripes may have taken this idea from excellent 80's punk band Pop-O-Pies who played one note shows continuously until club owners and patrons started unraveling. Saw this in-person one night in New York. Real entertainment! More here.

Best Way To Pour Ketchup

Here it is. Who knew?

Another Kind Of Harper's Index

I often like to post facts from the Harper's Index here, but here's another sort by Dan Kennedy courtesy of McSweeney's.

Russian Internet Celebrities

Russians like their internet celebrities to be funny people viewed in the background of media events. This link comes courtesy of English Russia.
Check out the clips of both "Dirty Faced Fellow" and "Big-Eyed Guy".

Passchendaele

Here are some newly released color photographs taken during World War I at the hellish battle of Passchendaele. Courtesy of Daily Mail.