Things are falling to pieces in Albany, the capital of my home state, as we witness one of the most spectacular political downfalls in recent history. But I’m posting a quick comment on a different scandal — far less important, but worth noting. I’m speaking of Congressman Steve King’s convoluted remarks on the middle name of Barack Obama. King plays
My report on the screening of HBO’s “The Wire” series finale at City Hall in Philadelphia, currently online at Philadelphia Weekly. Pics by yours truly!
My review of John Zorn’s Philly extravaganza, in today’s Inquirer.
My monthly list of recommended CDs, as published in All About Jazz-New York, March 2008: Jane Ira Bloom, Mental Weather (Outline) Gerald Cleaver, Gerald Cleaver’s Detroit (Fresh Sound New Talent) Drew Gress, The Irrational Numbers (Premonition) Russ Nolan, With You in Mind (ind.) Spring Heel Jack, Songs and Themes (Thirsty Ear) Tony Wilson/Peggy Lee/Jon Bentley, Escondido Dreams (Drip Audio)
Nick Cohen gets the Olympics right: The only justification for the Beijing games is that they will allow connoisseurs of the grotesque to inspect this ghoulish hybrid of the worst of capitalism and the worst of socialism close up. The march of China’s bloodstained allies round the stadium will merely be the beginning. The International Olympic Committee and all the
Yes, it was embarrassing.
I don’t like the “Farrakhan litmus test” any more than The Root’s Marjorie Valbrun does, but Tim Russert had a valid reason for pressing Obama on the issue last night. And Obama’s answers ought to put the matter to rest. There are no grounds to doubt him on the issue of antisemitism. (Funny that Obama’s on the hot seat for
My take on Salman Rushdie’s Philly lecture, online at Philadelphia Weekly.