Heads up, Devendra!

The New York Times is re-trumpeting the rise of freak-folk, music columnists and bloggers are mocking The Grey Lady for being behind the times the first time, and indie fans have moved on long ago.

Now we hear that Devendra bristles at the term freak-folk. Guess what buddy, no one cares either way anymore. It’s all about freak-polka now.

Did anyone notice?

During a Fox Newsbreak tonight, in the midst of the 11 o'clock showing of Hannity & Colmes, Carol Iovanna introduced a story about the American Medical Association. Specifically, its decision to look at the ethics of physician participation in interrogations at places like Gitmo. The graphic accompanying the story was the AMA logo, under which were the words 'Interrorgation Role'.

You read that right. It said 'In-terror-gation'. Harmless typo? Clever subliminal messaging? Or Fox's collective unconscious making an important admission about the current administration's policies that its collective conscious refuses to recognize?

Zarqawi’s Death a Milestone?

Reportedly, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi was killed last night in an airstrike on a stronghold in Baqubah. The DNA testing to confirm that the remains are indeed those of Zarqawi is expected to be done in two days.

All of the cable news networks are running almost nonstop coverage on the development, eschewing Brangelina baby pictures, Ann Coulter’s latest rabble-rousing and the freshest Republican corruption for breathless accounts of how this is a turning point in the formation of a stable Iraq and possibly even for victory in the War on Terror.

But who knew who Zarqawi was until we attacked Iraq? In what way are we more safe now than on September 12, 2001? In what way is the Middle East region in better shape?

After almost five years, we still have not captured Osama bin Laden. It has been reported that the remnants of the Taliban in Afghanistan have been gaining strength in that country. In fact, 400 civilians were killed in Afghanistan just last month.

Meanwhile, 763 civilians were reported dead in Iraq last month. (according to the Iraq Body Count Database) Even after Zarqawi’s death, at least 40 people have died today in Baghdad alone, according to Fox News.

It is not one man or even a group of men that stand between the Iraqi government and their pursuit of peace and stability. It is the widely held belief that the U.S. and its allies are meddling in the Middle East in order to gain control of the region’s oil reserves and to advance the cause of the state of Israel.

Both Zarqawi and bin Laden began their military training in Afghanistan when the U.S. backed rebel forces against the Soviet occupation force. Saddam Hussein was our ally in our struggle with Iran in the 80s. We have a complicated relationship with Saudi Arabia, whom we don’t hold to the same standard as other countries in the region. We appear to favor Israel when we should be more impartial in their conflict with the Palestinians. And most importantly, we appear to side with the interests of ChevronTexaco and ExxonMobil over the living, breathing human beings in any of these countries. Until these mixed messages are addressed, we can expect another Zarqawi to emerge, and another after that.

It is not by military domination that we will transform this region, it is by making clear to the people of the Middle East that we are committed to improving their way of life and allowing them complete autonomy given that they respect international law. They have to believe that the same rules apply to us as apply to them when it comes to international relations and commerce.

Let’s face it, no one in the Bush Administration thinks in these terms. To them it is all about forcing their will on others. The father of Zarqawi-beheading victim Nicholas Berg said it best today. The only way we can save the lives of thousands more U.S. troops (and for that matter tens of thousands of Iraqi and Afghan civilians) is to impeach George Bush today. If only.

Slater and the Swayz

As I've told just about everyone I know, you have to check out the beautiful work that Team Tiger Awesome is doing reinvigorating old sources of amusement like Saved by the Bell's A.C. Slater (aka Mario Lopez) and Conan O'Brien fave film Dirty Dancing.

In 28 Days Slater (a serial in seven parts), actor Mario Lopez (played by some other actor) had a chip implanted in his brain by late NBC honcho Brandon Tartikoff that kicks in each February, causing him to believe that he is Albert Clifford Slater, the character he played in Saved by The Bell.



His poor roommate has to endure the constant 'preppy' taunts, his certainty that his perfect wrestling record will take him everywhere in life, and his uber-confident and cocksure approach with the 'mamas'. So far three mind-bogglingly funny episodes are up on the Team Tiger Awesome site.

The other day, they also posted a hilarious 6-minute silent film version of Dirty Dancing. "This degree of corner'ingation of Baby is all hooey, Senator."

Mystery Box?

Until yesterday, my only familiarity with the concept of a 'mystery box' involved viewings of the 70s game show 'Let's Make A Deal' or the movie 'Seven'. And neither of those ever turned out well for the recipient.

So imagine my surprise when I saw that people on eBay were bidding hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands to win the chance to open a box whose contents are unknown to them.

Apparently many eBay sellers are hoping that no one remembers the wah-wah-waaaaah sound that often greeted those who chose the mystery box on Let's Make A Deal, or the Oscar-winner's severed head that stared up at Brad Pitt when he opened his mystery box.

Sellers are quick to point out that you will be bidding on THE BOX, not what is inside. That is just a bonus. Their gift to you. Well I think that's hooey. What kind of box is worth $80,000? Don't answer that.

But do check out my eBay auction on some great waterfront property in Florida I'd like to sell for cheap.