Young Voices
Exchanging ideas from the show and blogging about topics in the news from a range of perspectives.
November 8, 2007
Venezuela: Paradise for Workers (And Celebrities, too)
by Jeremy Freed
Last week, before a crowd of reporters and photographers, Venezuela's socialist President Hugo Chavez received a very special visitor: British supermodel Naomi Campbell. Dressed in a white Fendi gown, the leggy beauty towered over the president as she praised his social programs for women and children before declaring, “I'm not going to be political.”
Since she wasn't there to discuss politics, what transpired during their lengthy meeting at the gilded Palacio de Miraflores is still unclear. Perhaps Chavez, ever the snappy dresser, shared his feelings about the vibrant silks in Stella McCartney's new spring collection. Or maybe Campbell, who served a week of community service this year for assaulting her maid with a cell phone, wanted to discuss her newfound interest in workers' rights. Understandably, there may have been a few awkward silences.
Campbell is the latest in a series of celebrity special guests to grace the kooky socialist autocrat's presidential palace. Kevin Spacey, Sean Penn, and Danny Glover have all met privately with the president, and Glover has recently agreed to make a film in Venezuela, which will be funded by Chavez' government. It all sounds vaguely familiar. Who's next? Matt Damon?
Hugo Chavez, with the help of his country's massive oil reserves, has done a lot for the poorest people of Venezuela. There is much to be said for focusing on the needs of the disenfranchised over those of the wealthy and powerful, but it is not clear that that is exactly what Chavez is doing. While he has funded social services and subsidized the price of food, his government has relentlessly entrenched their position in power. Dissenting media have been silenced, the constitution altered, and protesting students shot at by government loyalists. Taking the broad view of his policies, it seems that Chavez' main concern, like that of so many dictators around the world, is to remain in power for as long as possible.
Our Cold War-era fear-policies towards socialist states like Venezuela are outdated and ineffectual, and only serve to vilify America in those places. While Campbell, Penn, and the rest seem all too eager to embrace Chavez' party line, their presence in Venezuela, and the media attention they receive only makes painfully obvious the lack of any real diplomacy between our countries.
November 7, 2007
Hooray for Lawyers
by Sean Nixon
Pakistani lawyers fight with riot police during protest against President Musharraf.
It seems extremely counterintuitive in this society to champion a lawyer. Lawyers and sharks are almost referred to in the same breath, and usually with the same level of contempt. Even in comedy when the joke is: What do you call 10 lawyers at the bottom of the sea - and you hear the reply: a good start, roars of laughter enter a room, lighting up tons of faces.
But the situation in Pakistan has been no laughing matter. In past months and just recently lawyers in Pakistan have been taking bold action refuting the power of Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.
The New York Times cited on Saturday November 3, 2007 that Musharraf suspended the constitution, dissolved its Supreme Court, and shut down privately owned news channels. Musharraf did all of this wearing the hat of general and not president. Many have said this act is similar to declaring a martial law on the country.
It's important to note that the U.S. has been funding Pakistan for years, allowing it to grow its own nuclear power. Concerns are heightened as officials worry about Pakistan's nuclear power, or government structure becomes anti-American.
Lawyers who protested the Musharraf's actions were met with harsh opposition. Police officers used tear gas and beat lawyers who openly rejected Musharraf's most recent moves.
Lawyers are certainly not everyone's favorite, but they sure appear to be taking some heroic stances.
Musharraf's claim is that all of this has been done in order to fight terrorism. Some argue the legitimacy to this statement and ask some critical questions: If a president of a country thought their country were being threatened by terrorist attacks, why would they shut down the courts, suspend the constitution, and put their Supreme Court judges under house arrest as protection?
My question is if you're in an effort to stem terrorist activity why would you pull the agents tracking terrorists and have them start arresting lawyers? If we look at what happened September 11, 2001 Americans know firsthand suspending constitutions and having lawyers arrested is not one of the first priorities.
Are we in a nuclear crisis with the threat of Pakistan leaving America's side? Do you think the lawyers who are willing to be jailed for what they believe is an important matter? What else needs to be discussed in this Pakistani crisis?
November 15, 2007
Give One, Get One
by Jeremy Freed
Can a laptop change the world? If you ask Nicholas Negroponte, creator of the One Laptop per Child initiative, the answer is a resounding yes. Negroponte, and his collaborators at the Massachusetts-based nonprofit, have spent years designing the perfect computer for the third world's children. His fabled “$100 laptop”, the XO, is small, energy-efficient, exceptionally durable, and the cleverest technological innovation in years. It promises to connect children in remote areas to each other and the Internet, provide them with tools for learning and creativity, and assist in the education of some of the world's neediest kids.
Among the laptop's marvels are a super long-lasting battery that can be charged with solar or human power, a high resolution screen that can be read in bright sunlight, and a rugged construction free of toxic chemicals and heavy metals.
This month mark's the XO's official release, and for a limited time One Laptop per Child is offering their revolutionary machine to anyone who wants one. The deal is this: Buy one laptop, and one will be donated to a youngster in the third world.
Negroponte's organization has been criticized for giving technology to the world's poorest people instead of, say, food or medicine. His answer to these critics is a simple one: “Education happens to be a solution to all of those problems.”
November 16, 2007
A Fiery Vegas Debate, But What Does It Mean?
by Jeremy Freed
Last night's Democratic debate in Las Vegas, the first one of its kind in Nevada, seemed immediately suited to Sin City. As several have already noted, including a dead-on analysis by The Washington Post's Joel Achenbach, the debate frequently felt more like a heavyweight title bout than a presidential forum. For the first fifteen minutes at least, after the sound of the proverbial bell, it was an Obama vs. Clinton vs. Edwards tag team rumble, with low blows flying, mud being slung, and Wolf Blitzer in the midst of it all, quietly egging them on.
The feistiest performance, however, came from the audience who made their distaste for the back and forth did-not-did-too bickering resoundingly clear. With interest in neither ratings nor soundbites, they cared more about answers to their questions than attacks on voting records and policy history.
Another deft performance, however, came from the ever-scrappy former Cleveland Mayor Dennis Kucinich. After reading Scott Raab's adulatory profile of the primary longshot in this month's Esquire, it's difficult not to have a soft spot for Kucinich, who lives in a working class neighborhood in Cleveland, drives a Ford Focus, and can always be relied upon to fire up any debate he attends.
In true form, Kucinich called for the impeachment of President Bush, prefaced by the statement, “Just imagine what it will be like to have a president of the United States who's right the first time.” Later, in a discussion of racial profiling following 9/11, Kucinich drew applause for his immediate opposition to the Patriot Act. “That's because I read it,” he quipped. Maintaining his strong support for worker's rights and human rights, and his equally vehement opposition to violence as an instrument of policy, Kucinich once again set himself apart from the others on stage. It is that passion, however, and willingness to speak his mind that will most likely keep the Ohio Congressman out of the Oval Office.
As in a title fight, the strongest competitor, mostly agreed to be Clinton at this stage, came out on top at the Las Vegas debate. Debating, however, isn't everything. The battle for the presidential nomination will be decided by character, not by rhetoric. As Howard Dean said in a CNN interview following the forum, “People in America vote their hearts and values, not a long list of issues.” If he's right, which he probably is, then last night's outcome is an indicator, but by no means a foretelling of which way the race will go.
November 8, 2007
Diplomacy for Dummies
by Rose Capozzi
“When did this threat to U.S. national security become just one more photo-op for the paparazzi?”
Hollywood has a serious problem, and it is not the excessive use of cocaine, the drunk driving, or even the incompetent parenting. The biggest problem in Hollywood is that many celebrities think they can save the world and create a utopia where the poor become part of the middle class and the rich pour out their millions for the sake of the hungry and tired. The last time I checked, actors are not policy analysts, economists, diplomats, or super-heroes (in real life, at least). Their sole credential is providing brain-numbing entertainment for the masses. Good enough to be politicians; not good enough to be taken seriously.
As my Young Voices teammate, Jeremy, pointed out in his last article, more celebrities have visited foreign nations to play the part of quasi-diplomat. Apparently, you give someone a few million bucks to star in a movie, make a record, or strut their stuff on the catwalk, and all of a sudden they are entitled to represent the interests of the American people abroad.
A recent example of this is Naomi Campbell, Sean Penn, Kevin Spacey, and Danny Glover meeting personally with the socialist wannabe-dictator from Venzuela, Hugo Chavez. Hugo Chavez hates America. He hates everything about our political system. Chavez has made it his personal goal to destroy America and America's reputation internationally by forging alliances with other unfriendly nations. He encourages the advancement of Iran's nuclear ambitions, is very friendly with Communist Cuba, and has threatened to use his huge oil reserves to fight American power.
Though at times Chavez's name-calling calls to mind Jerry Springer, and not the evening news, Chavez's socialist agenda is no laughing matter. He hopes to advance what he calls the "Bolivarian Socialist Revolution,” which the Huntington News describes as "a concept...which seems to be a mixture of increasing state ownership, seizing private property, reducing foreign investment, curbing press freedom, restricting dissent and forcibly redistributing wealth." Chavez is able to compel nations to join in his anti-democracy and free trade agenda by offering them oil.
When did this threat to U.S. national security become just one more photo-op for the paparazzi? As we have learned from Toby Maguire playing Spiderman, with great power comes great responsibility. If actors aren't going to be responsible, should our media and our society really be giving them so much power?
November 13, 2007
More Than Just Daytime Talk
by Rose Capozzi
In the course of delivering a joke, sometimes comedians touch on subjects that are more than just a laughing matter. For example, last week, Damon Wayans went on The View and defended Don Imus' infamous phrase, "nappy-headed ho's" and suggested that women need to get back to "fulfilling men's basic needs"—like making dinner and doing the laundry. (Click here for the video.) Though he seemed to just be trying to get the goat of the ladies on stage, Wayans has got a point. Two points, to be more precise.
Wayans' first point is that Don Imus and many other Americans need to realize that there is a serious racial divide in America. This divide makes it perfectly legitimate for people of the same race to use derogatory language to describe one another. In the case of Imus, it has become abundantly clear that despite the use of certain slurs within the black community, a white man cannot describe black girls in ethnically derogatory terms. This creates a double standard, one that says that racial slurs are okay, but only if you are a part of the race the slur derides. This in and of itself poses a problem. If we truly want a color blind society, shouldn't it be taboo to uses racial slurs, no matter who you are or which race you are a part of?
Wayans' second point is that women have forgotten about the domestic obligations that once bound them to the home. To succeed, women are forced to choose between staying at home and dedicating themselves to "just" raising a family, joining the workforce and climbing the career ladder, or trying to find some common ground between the two. In the process, none of the choices are completely satisfying.
In the process of shocking the ladies on The View, Damon Wayans may have accidentally discussed two very real issues that impact American society. Maybe one day these issues can be discussed outside of the realm of daytime talk.
November 12, 2007
Loss of a Mother
by Sean Nixon
Kanye's mother Donda Wallace passed away at the age of 58.
Donda West, mother of rapper Kanye West, passed away earlier this weekend. According to a former publicist for West, the death resulted due to surgery complications. West's mother was 58.
Kanye West has always praised his mother, both in song and life. His mother wrote a book not long ago titled Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star. During the span of Donda West's life, she served as the chairwoman of the Chicago State University's English department.
Kanye West is one of the biggest hip-hop artists of this generation. Fans undoubtedly feel a certain closeness to him, and when news hit of West's mother passing away, many felt like they had heard that one of their best friend's mom passed away.
Everyone remembers Kanye's comments about George Bush and blacks after Hurricane Katrina hit and the possible backlash that may have ensued afterwards. Being the proud parent and supporting mom that she was, she stood by her son's remarks.
Many of us hear so many stories of loss and tragedy each day, but when it hits close to home like this it really makes you stop and think. Any one of us who work tirelessly to achieve something special in our lives know what its like to wish for the day when we can repay the special lady who made it all possible, our mothers.
Life is so short, so precious. Take the time to let parents know that they are appreciated. Thank them for their countless sacrifices made and for the love they've shown. Kanye wasted no time in giving his mother the flowers of her life many times over and many can learn from his example. My heart goes out to Mr. West in the loss of his mother.
Millions of fans grieve with him in the lost of his dearest friend and biggest supporter, Ms. Donda West.
My deepest condolences again to Kanye West and his family.
November 30, 2007
Let's Get Ready to Rumble, Take II
by Rose Capozzi
The Republican Primary Debate may not have taken place in Las Vegas, but it had the same show-man like feel to it as the last Democratic Primary Debate. The latest GOP debate drew the largest amount of viewers thus far, with more than 4.4 million tuned in to watch the action. The debate gave the the candidates, who appear to have vastly differently approaches to public policies, a chance to clarify their positions. While any polite conversation would prevent most people from discussing religion or sexuality (in or out of the military), no topic seemed to be off the table.
One of the highlights occurred right at the starting gate. Anderson Cooper, the moderator, asked Mitt Romney whether he believed New York City was a sanctuary for illegal immigration under Rudy Giuliani. Romney responded, "[New York] called itself a sanctuary city. And as a matter of fact, when the welfare reform act that President Clinton brought forward said that they were going to end the sanctuary policy of New York City, the mayor actually brought a suit to maintain its sanctuary city status."
Rudy Giuliani, affectionately known as America's Mayor, responded sharply, "It's unfortunate, but Mitt generally criticizes people in a situation in which he's had [by] far the worst record. … There was even a sanctuary mansion. At his own home, illegal immigrants were being employed, not being turned into anybody or by anyone."
Another highlight was when John McCain turned to libertarian-leaning Ron Paul, saying, "Congressman Paul, I've heard him now in many debates talk about bringing our troops home and about the war in Iraq and how it's failed and I want to tell you that that kind of isolationism, sir, is what caused World War II," he continued, "We allowed Hitler to come to power with that kind of attitude of isolationism."
The lively candidate from Texas calmly responded, "The real question you have to ask is why do I get the most money from active duty officers, military personnel?"
Seriously, this has been the best debate so far for Republicans who want to differentiate between the candidates. With New Hampshire opening up its voting booths on January 8th, it's true now more than ever that the candidates need to help in that differentiation.
November 30, 2007
Was Charles Bukowski a Nazi?
by Jeremy Freed
“How should brilliant people who were not necessarily that nice be remembered?”
And if so, is that a good enough reason to demolish his house? These questions have come to the fore this month, in the battle over the East Hollywood bungalow where the beat poet wrote some of his most famous works. While no one is suggesting that Bukowski goose-stepped to Wagner in his living room, it has been suggested by many that he sympathized with certain aspects of the Nazi rationale, and admired all things German, including Hitler. This, some insist, is reason enough to condemn both him and the house where he used to live.
On one side of the flap is a property owner who wants to sell the land to make way for a condo development. On the other is a small but vocal group of preservationists and bibliophiles, who want to save the site as an historic landmark. So was Bukowski a Nazi or wasn't he? The owner of the house, who is Jewish, says yes, as does the author of a controversial biography of the writer. Bukowski's widow, on the other hand, fervently denies this, as does his publisher.
Several other questions have surfaced as a result of this debate, among them the ongoing distaste the City of Los Angeles shows for its historic, if sometimes gritty, landmarks. The question that seems most important, though, is how brilliant people, who were not necessarily that nice, should be remembered. Bukowski, by most accounts, was not what you'd call a "nice" man. He was an alcoholic, a womanizer, and generally a pretty filthy human being. In this, however, particularly among famous writers, he is not alone.
History is full of creative geniuses of one sort or another who had all kinds of crazy political views, and were absolutely horrible to the people around them. Roald Dahl, for one, the beloved author of classic children's books like Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was an unapologetic anti-Semite, according to his biography. Ezra Pound, the revered British modernist poet, was a committed fascist, as well as an anti-Semite himself. Both of these writers' work remains popular, despite their unpopular views. Pound is admired as a father of modernism, and Dahl has a day in September dedicated to him in the U.K.
Condoning anything about Nazism is ridiculous, not to mention disrespectful to the memories of the millions who were murdered by its practitioners, and for that Bukowski, and anyone else who shares his sympathies, should be made to answer. But this does not negate his enormous contribution to American literature. Whatever his personal political leanings were, they should not stand in the way of the preservation of his legacy.
Yesterday the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission recommended landmarking the site, but with several more hearings still to come, its preservation is still by no means assured.
November 27, 2007
More Water Please
by Sean Nixon
Jay-Z discusses the dire water crisis in the documentary "Water For Life."
A New York Times article discusses the need to take water that we flush, and turn it back into the earth for reuse. Other states here in the U.S. are already considering it. If you're in Texas, look out—it might be coming your way. Does this sound pretty gross? Before you cast judgment, consider the following.
With the earth's population continuing to grow due to advances in technology, along with more life saving treatments, it only makes sense to take a closer look at our growing resource concerns when it comes to water.
Water has been treated in the past to protect groundwater from seawater. The water being recycled in the Times article won't be allowed into kitchen sinks and such, due to restrictions. Right now, most recycling plants use treated sewage water to put it back into the ground to help the aquifers. That isn't to say that in the future however it won't change.
At a time where the world's supply of H2O is short , it's imperative that we, as global citizens, take the necessary steps in creating replenishable sources of mankind's most necessary element.
What about the countries that don't even have running water in their homes? Many enjoy the use of running water for cooking, cleaning, and hygiene; yet there are many who are still left without these basic necessities. Hip-hop mogul and rapper Jay-Z went to countries throughout Africa during his first world tour to share his firsthand experience and concerns on the water crisis to audiences in a documentary. The level of their condition is much worse than ours, yet our fates are the same if we don't act now.
Talk show guest Jane Seymour even mentioned the water crisis in a previous interview. She stated, “A lot of the wars that are being fought right now are not being fought over oil; they're being fought over water. Because we can live without oil; we cannot live without fresh drinking water.” Hopefully these remarks help people to see that the water crisis is not simply a problem for one country, but a global one that affects us all.
The conversation on the issue of recycled water has existed for some time, but the court of public opinion has been weary of accepting the proposal. Many in favor of the idea are doing their best to sway the jury to their side.
The hope is that these concerns and cries for help will not fall on deaf ears.
Should we work to recycle water?
November 23, 2007
It's Not TV, It's a Living
by Jeremy Freed
“Content is content.”
The ongoing Writer's Guild of America strike, now entering its fourth week, has begun to hit home. While this Young Voices blogger would argue that the silencing of Jay Leno is not an entirely bad thing, a world without Jon Stewart, Steven Colbert and the new season of Lost seems hardly worth living in. My personal stake in this aside, however, there are bigger things on the table.
Reportedly, the guild's eight thousand or so members' walk-out is costing the city $20 million a day in lost commerce, and the effects are being felt not only by the studios, but by the caterers, dry-cleaners, and rental companies that service them. It's a big mess in Los Angeles, with charges of greed and all manner of nasty names flying from all sides.
The whole crisis centers around the Internet, and how much money, if any, writers should get when their work is broadcast online. Facing off against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), a juggernaut controlled mostly by the big media corporations (GE, Disney, Warner, CBS, Viacom, etc.), the WGA is insisting that its members get fairly compensated when their work is streamed or downloaded from the Internet. The AMPTP counters this with their assertion that they don't actually make money on the advertisement-laden streaming videos, which they offer viewers for free.
For many, this has become a deeply personal issue, but after looking at the platforms of both the WGA and the AMPTP, the facts hardly seem worth debating. Content is content, be it The Godfather or an episode of Saved by the Bell and the people who create it deserve fair compensation for their work.
Negotiations resume on Monday, and it's anybody's guess how successful they'll be. The writers seem unwilling to budge, and the media companies will surely do everything they can to maximize profits. Fortunately for them, the withholding of fake punditry and the outcome of Locke's reunion with his dad are not the only cards the striking writers hold. They also happen to be right.
November 29, 2007
Laura Linney's Family Circus
by Jeremy Freed
Laura Linney's new film, The Savages, is a story about families, and the strange things that happen to them over time. Siblings drift apart and parents grow old, but as much as outward circumstances change, family dynamics forever remain intact. The mechanics of families have been the focus of countless books, plays, and films, the best of which are some of the most powerful and fascinating narratives ever made. This is something with which Linney, who stars in the film opposite Phillip Seymour Hoffman, is quite familiar. Her discussion with Tavis on Tuesday's show delved into some of the challenges of playing out such complicated relationships on screen, something Linney does frequently in performances that have distinguished her as one of the finest actors in Hollywood today.
All families are dysfunctional, some might say, but the ones presented in many of Linney's films are particularly so. In Noah Baumbach's The Squid and the Whale, the most poignant movie about divorce since Kramer vs. Kramer, Linney's matriarch struggles to emerge from the shadow of her overbearing husband, played impeccably by Jeff Daniels. In last year's Jyndabine, a New Zealand film about the aftermath of a brutal murder, Linney stood out in her powerful and underrated performance across from Gabriel Byrne. As a young mother attempting to come to terms with the hardships of her family life, Linney's character rang absolutely true.
Her turns in Kinsey and Mystic River, both films with unusual families at their center, are further proof of her acting chops and the sort of film she gravitates towards. Her characters are not martyrs or cutouts; they are people. They have flaws, insecurities, and just as much trouble navigating the minefield of human relationships as anyone else. What makes these roles so fascinating to watch, and the thing that makes Linney's films so consistently compelling, is the essential humanness at the center of it all.
November 19, 2007
The Death of Thanksgiving
by Rose Capozzi
We're all gathered here today to remember something that has been part of American tradition for a long time. A comfort, a joy, a day of the year that brought friends and families together to reflect on all the wonderful bounties that they have enjoyed throughout the year. Unfortunately Christmas killed Thanksgiving this year, leaving nothing more than a trace of angry shoppers and pumpkin pie.
If you're like me, you take your holidays one at a time. It starts with Valentine's Day, time for romance and chocolates. Then we roll right into Easter and decorating eggs, then Memorial Day and the beginning of summer, complete with long sunny days and afternoons by the pool. Before we know it, it's the 4th of July, filled with fireworks, BBQs, and appreciation for our great nation. Summer winds down, the weather gets cooler and Labor Day is at our doorstep, reminding children that it's time to head back to school. As the leaves turn bright fall colors and begin to drop to the ground, Halloween gives us an excuse to buy costumes and eat inordinate amounts of candy. Then it's finally here—Thanksgiving, the only important holiday in November, the most traveled week of the year, and the least marketable holiday of the year. Not to worry, Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, has given us all an opportunity to charge large sums of cash onto our credit cards, ushering in the most festive time of year, Christmas and New Year's.
Each holiday provides a reason to celebrate something special, be it our independence or love. This year, things have been different. Just as I was purchasing my books for fall classes, I was being inundated by Halloween costumes and candy. And as I was buying my costume and candy, I was being inundated with Christmas. With the holidays fighting for the limelight, and Christmas starting in September, Thanksgiving never even had a chance. As George Bernard Shaw once said, "A perpetual holiday is a good working definition of hell."
As we mourn the passing of a good and loyal holiday, Thanksgiving, let us give thanks that at least getting unwanted sweaters and fruit cake early means we can re-gift before the end of the season.
November 19, 2007
Let's Get Ready to Rumble!
by Rose Capozzi
“Maybe the politicians, and CNN, were channeling the ambiance of a city that only produces entertainment. ”
What's the point of starting the presidential debate season early, if it will just be used as an excuse for entertainment rather than a forum for a serious talk about policy? Coming into what could be one of the most important elections of my life, politicians have failed to prove to the American people that this election is more about substantive policy issues than a WWF wrestling match, complete with roaring introductions and pointless posturing.
But, as LeVar Burton once said, don't take my word for it. Let's see what other people are saying:
In The Boston Globe, Larry Parrish and Edie Butler wrote that the CNN-sponsored debate "felt more like a pumped-up sports event than a debate among presidential candidates."
Our Neighbors to the North, writing in the Canada Free Press, were more specific, comparing the lead-up to the debate with "the fanfare of an NBA game."
The Chicago Sun-Times, in an article entitled "When Did Dignity Lose the Election?" called it "the latest installment of 'American Political Idol.'" The Indianapolis Star thinks that focusing on the fluff or the absurd makes "preprimary debates seem an exercise in theatrical artificiality, rather than substance," and that the candidates can't shine on policy issues when the media is looking for flashy sound bites. Of course, this debate was held in Las Vegas, home of pay-per-view specials and theatrical reviews. Maybe the politicians, and CNN, were channeling the ambiance of a city that only produces entertainment. But if we are expected to use these early debates as a way to chose who we want to run the free world, maybe we should expect a little more substance and a little less Monday Night Football.
November 18, 2007
House of Cards
by Sean Nixon
“This race is that it's still anyone's game.”
Who scored big and who scored low? That was the basic question surrounding Thursday night's debate on CNN. The debate was held in Nevada where the primaries are roughly just 2 months away.
John Edwards has definitely been on the attack. He's been cited in newspapers like The New York Times and seen on talk shows aggressively attacking Hillary Clinton. His performance in the Nevada debate was no different. His goal is to make the most noise and show the differences in his candidacy through what he sees as her flawed policy ideas and past voting record. Edwards sees the tactic as a way to not only keep his supporters happy, but possibly draw in new voters.
Just a week prior to the debate, news veteran Dan Rather appeared on The Chris Matthews Show. The one point brought up during the program is that, historically, when there seems to be a deadlock with 3 main candidates, most notably in this case Clinton, Obama, and Edwards, the guy who's the loudest against the main candidate doesn't reap the benefit—it usually goes to the other guy. Could this be an Obama strategy? Only time will tell.
In all the noise being held by the “top 3” candidates, Joe Biden offered some moments of clarity during the debate. Biden was mentioned by analysts as having done well, but no one's stepping up to say that he has enough financing and time to win. Analysts do point out however that while Howard Dean was looking to be the front runner at first glance in 2004, no one at that point had stopped to think about a certain senator from Massachusetts named John Kerry.
Many in the media world and blogosphere noted that Hillary Clinton was tripped up in the previous debate. One of the biggest questions that caused that faux pas was the issue of whether or not illegal immigrants should be able to receive driver's licenses in the state of New York. Fortunately for her, by the time the next debate had come up, the New York state governor had dropped efforts to make the proposal official. Clinton's health care plan however did come under scrutiny by Obama, who cited that her plan leaves out the individuals who already can't afford to purchase health care insurance.
In the area of little known facts, it's believed that with the Iowa caucuses taking place so close after New Year's, many students who would potentially turn out to be Obama supporters will not be back in town soon enough to vote, leaving the door wide open for Edwards and Clinton. It's a problem that may have the Obama camp a bit concerned.
No matter who your favorite nominee is, it's crunch time for all of the candidates, with each one arguably working feverishly to see to it that they finish strong in Iowa. With the Nevada debates taking place in Vegas, the only safe bet you can make in this race is that it's still anyone's game.
What did you see in Thursday's debate that you liked or disliked?
November 19, 2007
Lyle Lovett: More than Just a Great Head of Hair
by Jeremy Freed
For anyone who missed it in October, tomorrow night's repeat of Tavis' interview with Lyle Lovett is well worth a look. In it he discusses his latest studio album, in collaboration with his Large Band, "It's Not Big It's Large," his beginnings as a journalism student, and the reasons why he's so happy to occupy the rare place he does in popular music.
There is, however, much more to Lovett than could fit in a single TV interview. In addition to his musical success, and having the best hair of any musician since Beethoven, Lovett has proven himself equally compelling as an actor. In a decade-long association with indie film auteur Robert Altman, he distinguished himself in a range of ensemble roles. Most noteworthy was his turn in Altman's 1988 masterpiece, Short Cuts, a collection of vignettes inspired by the short stories of Raymond Carver. Lovett's portrayal, opposite Andie MacDowell, as a baker with serious emotional problems, stands out as one of the most memorable and affecting performances in the film. In a cast that included Lily Tomlin, Jack Lemmon, Julianne Moore, and Tim Robbins, this is no small feat.
Lovett's consistency, impressive musical range, and refreshingly innovative country stylings have won him a modest but committed group of fans, while his acting talents have earned him the admiration of many more. He may never sell out arenas like, say, Toby Keith, but he certainly keeps it real by continuing to produce truly exceptional music.
November 6, 2007
Lawrence Wright Told You So
by Jeremy Freed
“The Siege asked one very important question: Should the constitutional rights of a few be compromised to protect the safety of many?
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Back in November of 1998, a star-packed action thriller premiered at theaters across the country. The Siege, written by Lawrence Wright, a journalist-turned-screenwriter and tonight's guest, opened to moderate success, but was quickly overshadowed by Adam Sandler's The Waterboy. That's understandable. The Siege isn't much of a date movie. Starring Bruce Willis, Denzel Washington, and Annette Bening, it tells the story of what might happen in the event of a series of terrorist attacks on New York City.
Unlike other action-heavy American movies about foreign terrorists, The Seige balanced a suspenseful plot with an absolutely relevant imagining of what might really occur in the aftermath of such horrific events. While it succumbs to its share of big-screen clichés, the events of The Siege are well worth considering. After several high-profile bombings, martial law is declared, Arab-Americans are rounded up and interned, rules are bent, and ethics are compromised. Specifically, the film asked one very important question: Should the constitutional rights of a few be compromised to protect the safety of many?
Unfortunately for Wright and probably the rest of us, too, in 1998 nobody seemed to care very much about the answer, or at least Wright's discussion of it in his film. The New York Times panned the film, dismissing it as pedantic Hollywood sensationalism. In finding fault with The Siege's “visual demonizing of Arab characters,” the Times reviewer, however, was not alone. Arab-Americans staged a number of protests against the movie, whose depiction of Middle Eastern Al Qaeda-type terrorists they found racist and offensive in the extreme. In the end, The Siege was a box-office dud.
Since then, Wright's film has gained the recognition it deserves as a prescient foretelling of the dangers of post-9/11 politics, and he hasn't slowed down at all. He has won the Pulitzer Prize for a new book about Osama Bin Laden, and written and staged a one-man play about his experiences writing the book called My Trip to Al-Qaeda. A review of the play in The New York Times begins, “Lawrence Wright told you so.” Well, we're listening now.
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