I mentioned in yesterday’s post about Neal Pollack, how much I enjoyed hearing someone talk some common sense. This editorial in the NYT also seems to speak that language. How hard is it for the Bush administration? A lot apparently. In the editorial, the author lists several things the administration should do to set things straight and they are all do-able. And the author does not even call for Rumsfeld’s resignation (he totallly should in my opinion), rather just calls for:
1. the removal of intelligence personnel from overseeing the prisons, as most of the prisoners have no military intelligence value.
2. the ban of private American contractors from the prison. {duh}
3. sending all available trained military prison guards to to Iraq to relieve the soldiers there who were never trained to deal with this in the first place.
4. ordering “Mr. Rumsfeld to immediately issue new regulations that not only say that prisoners and detainees must be treated according to the letter and spirit of the Geneva Conventions, but also ban, one by one, the harsh practices inflicted on prisoners.”
The author suggests removing the prisoners from Abu Ghraib and razing it from the ground, as it is nothing but a reminder of Hussein’s brutal reign.
Wow, all this sounds like commen sense to me. But you know it won’t happen. The administration has its blinders back on and they are not allowing any amount of bad news to deter them from their set course.
I don’t know what else to say. Its about time these turkeys suck it up and take some repsonsibility for the mess they have made. But then they would have to admit first that they made a mess, wouldn’t they?
Monthly Archives: May 2004
Finally, someone talking some sense here
I have never been a big fan of Neal Pollack. There is no real reason, just some weird inherent dislike for him on my part. But I came across this article by him in the Stranger and my opinion has changed a little. He just talks commen sense. Its wonderful and refreshing, especially in today’s world where you must pick a side. Picking sides is ultimately annoying and self-defeating. I would never consider myself (or anyone I like for that matter) a Republican, but I do agree with them on several issues (well, the real Republicans, not the kind we have now). I am not conservative, but I sometimes find myself wondering what the hell the liberals are yammering about. They love getting up on their high horses I tell ya. Anyway, its nice to hear Neal Pollack tell everyone to shut up. Its just nice.
Who knew long hair and dead white men were hot?
What is with the spate of movies based on Classics? First comes Troy. Now A&E is trying to get in on the action by presenting a ‘documentary’ on historic Troy, but really is nothing more than a promotion for the movie.
Then we have Vin Diesel appearing in a movie due to come out next year based on Hannibal. Great. And don’t forget the Oliver Stone movie Alexander, starring Colin Farrell as Alexander and also includes Jared Leto, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer and more. See the picture below:
And just in case you hadn’t gotten enough of Alexander, Baz Luhrman is set to direct an as yet unnamed movie about Alexander too. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Nicole Kidman. Did Gladiator really bring this about? It’s just going to induce more heartattacks among the elder Classicists when they realize all the historical errors (read lunacy) that occur, which may not be such a bad thing.
A new link!
I am trying to update my links on the side there. I finally got around to putting a link to Rake’s Progress, another literary link who also comments on music that I like. He’s moved to a new site as well, with a fancy new design. I enjoy reading these blogs because they seem to have all the news in the book world that I don’t get being a backlist buyer. I never see the reps or get sales calls. Well, except from two tiny publishers. So I never seem to know what is going on. Luckily, they provide me with the news on a daily basis. And entertaining reading.
Also added a link to Terry Teachout’s blog About Last Night which he co-writes with Our Girl in the City. And Cup of Chica, a perennial favorite in the book blog world.
Feminine Protection
Going all girly on y’all, but I could not resist once I read this article in the NYT on a new brand of feminine hygiene products. The woman who started this company, which is called Dittie, realized that women were treated like they were sick when they got their periods.
“It’s no surprise women feel cursed. Take a look at the feminine protection aisle in your local drugstore; it looks like a hospital! Women are being treated like they’re sick when they’re not. They just have their periods,” said Barbara Carey, president and founder of Dittie, which launched today in retail outlets throughout California. “I created Dittie because I realized there was an overwhelming need for a new brand of feminine protection that did not approach a woman’s monthly cycle as an ailment. That’s why Dittie looks like something you’d find at the cosmetic counter, not in the pharmaceutical aisle.”
Huh. I am not sure what to make of this. I applaud her efforts to de-stigmatize menstruation, but I fear she is making this a little too cutesy for my taste. Check out the website. They have a flash tampon bowling game. Sigh. The other companies, Tampax (owned by Proctor & Gamble), Playtex, Johnson & Johnson sure don’t seem as exciting as this brand. Their commericials are terrible! They are embarassing. So we will see if this new upstart company survives. If their guerilla marketing tactics will work.
I always try to finish
An interesting article in the NYT Book Review this weekend where Laura Miller discusses whether one should always finish a book, no matter how much you might not be enjoying it. She says no and quotes several authors who say that they give the book anywhere from 2 pages to 20 pages. Myla Goldberg, author of Bee Season, claims she knows someone who only gives a book 2 sentences. What can turn people off is bad first sentences and long descriptive passages in the beginning. I feel that sometimes a book just doesn’t grab you. I usually try to give any book 100 pages. How much do you give a book? Is it a crime to not finish one? It’s hard for me, but its definitely gotten easier, especially since I have so much to read now. I am leaving this open to discussion. Feel free to comment.
Behind again
I am off to Maine for the weekend in a few hours. I am behind in the book reporting I realize. I promised comments on Cloud Atlas and have not delivered. I have even read a book that I didn’t mention anywhere—Recollections of My Life as a Woman by Diane Di Prima. Very intriguing book. I know less than I would like about the Beat poets, but regardless, she lived a very fascintating life. She knew LeRoi Jones, Allen Ginsberg, Frank O’Hara, Audre Lourde, etc. And she broke boundaries, which is the best part of the book. Anyway, maybe I will comment more of this some other time. If you want to read a book about someone who has done more things than you can contemplate, read this book.
As I said earlier, I am going to Ogunquit, Maine today for the weekend. I am excited as I have never really been there before. And one of the things I am most excited about, and I am embarassed to admit this, is the cool new toy I got for my iPod. Its called the iTrip and it lets you play your iPod through FM radio. Its a little white tube that you plug into the top and it transmits the music to your car stereo or what have you. Yes, I am as nerdy as you think. I am part of Team Discovery channel after all and now I think B is going to call me the nerdiest one. That’s okay.
And as for this week’s ‘revelation’ about the torture and abuse of the Iraqi prisoners, I have not chimed in because everyone sane knows that its bad to mistreat other people. You know. I know. Its one of the first things you learn as a kid. Don’t hit your the other kids. Why these idiots thought they could do this and get away with it (pictures?! C’mon people, you are not only some of the more crueler people around, but fucking dumb people as well.) I do not know. None of the explanations coming out are making me feel better. I think the only thing that would make this better is for Rumsfeld to resign, but, alas, we all know that is going to happen. The whole thing is disgusting and sheds light finally on how hypocritical our nation can be. That is my two cents for now. Off to Maine to relax.
He has a cool name at least
I am rather conflicted about Steve Almond. Some days I like him, some days I don’t. He’s quite the controversy among my co-workers but that is another story. TEV (one of my favorite daily reads these days) blogged about a negative review of Almond’s new book Candyfreak, which I have read. I thought the book good when I read it a few months ago, but now, frankly, I am sick of it. He keeps popping up with all these interviews. And he says the same thing in each one! I know you have to prepare for interviews when you are doing a great deal of publicity, but do you have to repeat yourself word for word? I really liked My Life in Heavy Metal. I thought his descriptions of relationships right on the money. I like his language and the characters. I think he is a great writer. Is he self-absorbed? Probably. But what writer isn’t these days. I just wish I didn’t have to keep hearing about the 5 candy bars that were mistakes. I like Twizzlers dammit. They make good straws! Here is a review from the local Weekly Dig that doesn’t fall for the sugar coated book.
What everyone may already suspect…
Jeez…Cee U Next Tuesday
Bookslut points to this Telegraph article on Plum Sykes, the author of Bergdorf Blondes, a book that the title alone made me not want to read. What a bitch. I mean really. I don’t know much about her, but the sooner she gets her comeuppance, the better. Now, who’s going to give it to her? Any volunteers?
Bookdwarf 