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Up to the minute notes on the current state of free thinking and free living: Kentucky moonshine - original analysis and reporting from MoreThings, and all round pop culture museum of sight and sound - photo galleries, mp3 and video downloads.
Al Barger and MoreThings - getting people's goats since 1998.
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August 09, 2003
Goddam Indiana cops
A classic NWA joint leaps to mind as we ponder this latest clever escapade from Indiana's boys in blue.
Three years back, the US Supreme Court said- in response to a case involving the Indianapolis Police Department- that cops could not set up roadblocks to randomly search cars for drugs. Duh! "Unreasonable search and seizure." You need, uh, probable cause. Perhaps a frickin' warrant would be nice. Possession of drugs does not constitute an immediate driving impairment in the way that drunk driving does, which (quite improperly) causes the court to arbitrarily make big exceptions to the constitution for alcohol sobriety checkpoints.
In response, August 6 and 7, a multiagency task force of Indiana cops aka "pigs" set up a fake random drug roadblock on the north side of Indianapolis. They put up signs reading (in English and Spanish) "narcotics checkpoint ahead." They engineered it so that to avoid the supposed checkpoint, you'd have to drive badly, perhaps making an illegal U-turn- thus giving the pigs "probable cause" to stop you.
This netted them apparently at least one arrest for possession of marijuana. They haven't been more specific about results. Anyway, they're already announcing plans to do more of these in Indianapolis, and in Boone and Hendricks counties.
In the first place, the pigs are purposely creating a traffic hazard, trying to goad people into unsafe driving. That's no good.
This tactic might skirt under the wire of what the courts will allow- but the courts are already giving them WAY too much ground here. Yet if I hit one of these pigs on the back of the head with a 2x4 to knock some respect for the goddam constitution into them, I would be considered the bad guy. Go figure.
posted by Al at 8/09/2003 03:40:00 PM
August 07, 2003
Schwarzenegger's masterful announcement
Arnold Schwarzenegger gave a masterful performance on The Tonight Show as he announced his gubernatorial candidacy on August 6.
Do not take this as an endorsement of his candidacy or platform. Basically, even just picking a random name out of the phone book would likely be a big improvement on Gray Davis. However, there are few things in domestic politics more distasteful to me than a "moderate Republican."
Still, this announcement was orchestrated beautifully. I found myself thinking of Valentine Michael Smith in Stranger in a Strange Land setting up his martyrdom scene with perfect carnie timing, waiting for just the moment to turn the tip to get maximum impact on the marks.
The set-up was beautiful. He waited till just the right moment, just a couple of days before the deadline. Notice that he waited until just hours after Feinstein, who would have been the favorite, bowed out. He had a perfect bit of misdirection, with an elaborate story circulating about how he was supposedly going to turn down the run, and bring Richard Riordan out on Leno's show. He thus knocked down the expectations, so that his big entrance had maximum impact.
The performance on Leno was outstanding. He appeared relaxed and confident- but not arrogant or smug. He led up to the words "I'm running for governor" with a nice bit of personal history and perspective, just enough- a couple of minutes worth.
Without leaning on it too heavily, he got to cast himself as the outsider, invoking the famous populist rallying cry from the movie Network (without even noting that it was a movie quote): "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it any more!"
He managed to discreetly finesse a couple of possible liabilities, predicting the mudslinging, specifically using the word "womanizing," which will take some of whatever sting there is out of it. Yes, he acknowledged, Gray Davis is unparalleled at running a negative campaign- but he's no good at running a state.
He wisely intends to specifically make the issue of being rich work FOR him, emphasizing that he has PLENTY of money. Therefore, unlike Davis, he can't be bought. This is exactly the perfectly good argument that wealthy candidates SHOULD make, but generally either are afraid of or don't express very well.
All in all, he came across as a professional politician- in the best sense of the word. He knew what he wanted to say and he expressed it effectively.
Also, he doled out just one little Arnold movie quote bone for the fans as a message to soon to be former Governor Davis: "Hasta la vista, baby."
posted by Al at 8/07/2003 05:06:00 AM
August 06, 2003
The lamest sexual harassment complaint ever
Elizabeth Rene Raymond takes the cake for what must be the lamest excuse for a sexual harassment complaint ever. She's suing Larry Flynt for creating a "hostile work environment" on the basis that she found sex toys in the company dishwasher.
Note that she was working for LARRY FLYNT- the world's most infamous pornographer. Note further that he specifically sells sex toys as part of the business.
She's not even claiming that anyone said anything to her, nor offered to use the toys on her.
Then again, maybe that's exactly her beef.
posted by Al at 8/06/2003 04:23:00 PM
Liberian history
News 101 has a SUCCINT HISTORY of modern Liberia. This is a bite-sized history lesson. It won't qualify you as a diplomat, but five minutes here will give you some decent minimal background on the US relationship with this country.
posted by Al at 8/06/2003 02:55:00 PM
Stuff gets better and cheaper
Market economies make stuff cheaper and better over time on a continuing basis.
Them's the Kole Hard Facts, as Mike details. His personal examples make the point quite nicely.
posted by Al at 8/06/2003 02:35:00 PM
Kim Bauer coming out
Word comes that agent Jack Bauer's daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert) will be coming out with a lesbian love interest this season on 24. It is expected to be "one of the main storylines."
Granted this development is obviously delightfully titillating. On the other hand, what does this have to do with terrorist plots and international intrigue and other such stuff that we're watching this show for in the first place?
I have found her character to be an annoying distraction most of the time, and this doesn't sound like an improvement that way.
posted by Al at 8/06/2003 12:19:00 PM
Lucille Ball's birthday
Lucille Ball was born 92 years ago today, on August 6, 1911.
Forget the faux sophistication and cheap sluttiness of the Sex and the City girls. Lucy was the funniest chick in the history of the television medium.
It has also slowly dawned on me that she was also one of the hottest babes in the history of the medium, though she didn't play to it, and the black and white didn't do justice to that beautiful red hair.
posted by Al at 8/06/2003 11:29:00 AM
Boys Don't Cry in reverse
Here's an interesting local Indianapolis murder story.
From WRTV and Yahoo News:
Paul Moore, 20, was arrested Thursday afternoon and faces two preliminary counts of murder in the deaths of Gregory Johnson, 17, and Brandie Coleman, 18.
The bodies of the two teens were found in a burning Jeep July 23 at Fall Creek Corridor Park. Officials later determined that the victims had been shot before the vehicle was set on fire.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by RTV6, Moore admitted that he and some friends had met Coleman, Johnson (who he referred to as "Nireah") and another girl July 20.
Moore reportedly said that he believed Johnson was a girl because "she was dressed as a girl, and he was attracted to her."
Moore said "Nireah" kissed him on the cheek when they parted, and that they had plans to meet up later, according to the affidavit.
Police said Moore denied meeting up with Johnson at a later date, but admitted to talking to her on the phone a few times after their initial meeting.
Coleman's family reportedly told investigators that Johnson often dressed as a girl and enjoyed tricking people into believing he was a female.
Facts are obviously still being figured out, but it doesn't sound like Johnson was necessarily even gay. Sounds as if he just liked being able to pass for a girl.
I can put myself into the murderers place enough to see how he might find himself feeling tricked and embarassed, maybe even somewhat humiliated. But in trying to understand his motivation for this wickedness, I can't for the life of me understand how such a thing would stir near deep enough emotions to make you even want to kill even just the guy, let alone the girl who was with him.
What could Moore have been thinking? He killed this kid for tricking him into a peck on the cheek?
posted by Al at 8/06/2003 01:51:00 AM
Will the real thug please stand up?
One of my co-horts at Blogcritics has a rap column up about the "22 Greatest MCs." In its own right, it is a decent column, but the real fun is in the comments section. We've got a couple of bad ass Negroes (supposedly. I have another theory. See comment #33). They're all up about what a GENIUS Tupac was, and talking silly thug crap. I for one am having good sport with them. Come on over and join the fun!
posted by Al at 8/06/2003 01:12:00 AM
August 05, 2003
John Huston's birthday
John Huston was born 97 years ago today, on August 5, 1906.
Among many achievements in a long career, Huston directed The Maltese Falcon, The Treasure of the Sierre Madre, The African Queen, and- personal pick- Night of the Iguana.
He was also a screenwriter for some of these, and an actor. Angelica Huston is his daughter. More impressive, his daddy was ol' Scratch himself, Walter Huston.
posted by Al at 8/05/2003 02:48:00 PM
August 04, 2003
Free music from They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants have some MP3s for free download from THEIR WEBSITE.
There are currently eight titles, B-sides and rarities. The best one of this batch is a funky little tune called "Your Mom's Alright" which you should be able to get if you CLICK HERE.
And thank you gentlemen for the free goodies. :)
posted by Al at 8/04/2003 04:58:00 PM
August 03, 2003
Bringing Down the House
Short version: Bringing Down the House is the funniest new movie I've seen all year. My unfortunate companion found it necessary to poke at me at least twice during the movie because I was laughing loud enough to embarass her.
Theoretically, the basic culture clash premise of the movie might be considered formulaic, but it's all in the execution. It's the details that make it work.
Consider the racial issues with the old white women. The rich heiress client (Mrs. Arness) was just BEGGING for a Charlene (Queen Latifah) slap-down. One of the points where I got poked in the theater was the dinner scene where she wanted Charlene's help in remembering the "Negro spiritual" their family maid used to sing in her youth most of a century ago, something about (singing) "Is massuh gonna sell us today?" Oh, the contortions Charlene/Latifah was going through to stop herself from throttling the woman just killed me.
Then there were the more subtle touches. The Betty White character (sister of Martin's boss) really was a (cheerfully) hateful racist. She just didn't like dark people, and would naturally call the cops if she saw one in the neighborhood "without a leaf blower in their hands." Thinking back through it, by contrast actually Mrs. Arness was really not particularly racist. She was just all around grossly insensitive to everyone, but salvagable. Half the humor of her in the dinner scene was that she had no idea how goddam FURIOUS the black woman would have to be.
Steve Martin's performance at the Down Low Club particularly merits repeat viewings. Really, the joke ends up being how credible his moves actually are. It was NOT a display of self-loathing, of the white guy making a self-debasing display of how uncool he is despite a desperate attempt. In fact, the actor who had the physical comedic skills to make the film All of Me has both the moves and the confidence to be quite competent at getting his freak on out on the dance floor.
Another nice twist was the ex-wife's confidant Ashley. Sure, she's an evil gossip and nasty gold digger, and they got good mileage out of that. What was really funny, though, was her fight with Charlene. OK, big sister from prison and the hood is inevitably going to whip that ass, but the white girl had a lot more fight in her than you might have guessed. It was enough to halfway redeem the character.
Of course, the secret weapon is Eugene Levy. He's having a hell of a year, between this and co-creating A Mighty Wind. As a tax lawyer with an intense appreciation for the dark meat, he really takes the cake- and commits numerous felonies in the course of proving his love and devotion. His unselfconscious adoption of black lingo in adressing Charlene is just priceless.
Indeed, the best line of the movie is his sincere declaration of love sent through Martin, "Cool points are out the window. You've got me all twisted up in the game." Despite how silly you might expect that to sound coming out of this homely middle-aged white man, it's totally sincere and makes perfect sense.
Queen Latifah must get props for her part in carrying the film. She never made much impression on me as a musician or talk show host, but she did outstanding work here. She worked good with the more physical, slapstick elements, ie the fight with Ashley. She also did well with the more straightforward dramatic moments. She turned out more than competent to hold up her end opposite someone of Steve Martin's high comedic caliber.
posted by Al at 8/03/2003 05:02:00 PM
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