Good night and good luck

Olberman is on fire, via atrios.

Speak truth to power and eventually, hopefully, people will listen.

He's very eloquent and quite damning. Read it.

Corporations Aren't Evil...

With apologies to to Jessica Rabbit, they're just drawn that way. What Kevin Drum says:

But I will (partly) concede one point to Mallaby: it's foolish to paint Wal-Mart or the broader business community as "evil." They aren't, any more than ordinary human beings are evil. It's just that, left to their own devices, both humans and corporations tend to act solely in their own self-interest. That's why we have laws to control human behavior, and it's why we need laws and regulations to control corporate behavior. I prefer a society in which people don't gun each other down in the streets, and I also prefer a society in which middle class workers prosper when the economy grows. I support laws that encourage both.

Read the whole thing! The bottom line is that we need business regulations because unregulated, business will do first what's best for business. To hell with morality. And that's why good government works for the people.

Starbucks

There's one coming to Atwater Village. Don't know if I'm thrilled by it or not, probably not, as there's one nearby already on the edge of Atwater and Silver Lake. Think there's another one on by the big box retail on Los Feliz. Do we need another one? Anyway, here's a good story about L.A. Starbucks.

Katrina plus one year

How are things going? Well, not so well, really. See the rudepundit for one visit to a lovely fema trailerpark and feel proud to be an American.

Shoes

Bad L.A. Days

What was the worst day in the city's history? LACityNerd wants to know and has come up with a few suggestions. I added the 1938 flood, but, personally, I think the Northridge Quake shook me up the most. For at least six months, I wouldn't take long showers. For much longer, when I heard the wind howl, I assumed we were fixin' for a big one.

Snakes on a Plane Mark

2 Chinese Boys Sing Jessica Simpson

hey, not my title, but it works.

Bruno - In Alabama

New Orleans 1 Year Later

Just more than half the population is back, but only 1/3 of the schools will open. The Fed government (as well as state and local governments) have let these people down. Help them out and visit FriendsandFamily.org!

'82 Tonys--Dreamgirls

Oh, Lord have mercy. If this doesn't give you goosebumps and makes you want to break out into a long crying jag, nothing will.

Happy Leo Birthdays

To:

Jon
Doug
John
Melissa
me
Mary
Jen
Howard
Gary
Carl
Paula
Dave
Steve

I'm sure I'm missing somebody...

New York Subway

I was just in New York for work this past weekend -- first time in the city in about 4 years -- and I had the joy of riding the subway downtown. I grabbed the 7 at 50th and Broadway and climbed aboard a very crowded train Sunday early afternoon. I found a seat next to two kids -- hey, I guess NY really has safened up as they were riding alone -- and immediately sat down.

Oops, I'm wet. I sat in wet. Not good. It happens. I maintained my dignity, as best I could, and sorta half got up and slid my butt over to the next seat over...which was also wet! And, that's when one of the kids turned to me and said, I shit you not, "That seat's got water on it too." Yeah, no shit, kid. Maybe speak up next time before I sit down the first time...or at least the second time. And, I'm thinking and singing, "I love New York..."

So, now, back of shorts drenched, I stand. I've got blocks to go, stations to pass, before I get off. I'm just hoping that somehow I'll dry off before I hit the Village. Well, no matter how hot it is --and it is August in NY-- you can't just go from soaking wet to dry in 5 stations...but I was in luck.

The car stopped at 14th and somebody who speaks absolutely no discernible language gets on the PA to rattle on about something. I duitifully ignore. The car does not move for about five minutes and then....and then...it starts heading back up town. Wait, I think. This is not right. This, I don't think, is the direction we were going a minute ago. Nope. It's the opposite.

Drat! Still wet. I get off at 18th and, though I know I'm a mere 10 blocks or so from the village, I want to confirm it before I start to walk, as I'm meeting Andrew for brunch. So, I slide next to the ticketbooth lady and politely ask her how long of a walk is it to the Village. After 30 seconds of eye rolling, she deigns to lean forward to press her talk button and says exasperatingly, "What dear?" I repeat my question with a big smile, she pauses for another 30 seconds of concentrated eye rolling, presses said button again and says, "Yeah."

And then, signifying the end of the conversation, she theatrically releases the talk button. She is done.

And after ten minutes walking in the blazing sun and stiff breeze, I met Andrew and still looked like I was June Allyson on a bad day.

Grape Stompin'

oh oh oh ow. oh oh oh. i can't breathe. oh, ow. oh.

tv news bloopers

Will & Grace - Bloopers

Eh, why not. 'Tis funny.

TV Presenter Can't Stop Laughing

Best Satire Site Ever.

Serious. You must read cause it's funny. Get to know News As Gossip. Very funny!