Thursday, October 29, 2009

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Poltroon: What Bill O'Reilly Doesn't Want You To Be (VIDEO) Top
Poltroon was the Word of the Day on the O'Reilly Factor with Bill O'Reilly today. The definition was not given, but O'Reilly said it's something viewers should not be. A quick trip to Dictionary.com tells us that the word means, "a wretched coward." Synonym: craven. But today didn't just include an unusual word. The delivery of that word wasn't exactly smooth. WATCH HERE: More on Bill O'Reilly
 
Rep. Ed Markey: Time for Net Neutrality Top
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took a historic step towards developing new rules to safeguard the free and open nature of the Internet, fulfilling a key campaign promise of President Obama's and kicking off a process that has been years in the making. If adopted, the Commission's net neutrality protections will ensure that users have unfettered access to all lawful online content and applications. These measures, which will be crafted over the coming months by the FCC, are urgently needed to preserve the openness and competition that have made the Internet the most successful communications medium in human history. Since its earliest days, the Internet has been guided by the principles of non-discrimination and freedom. That means that all ones and zeros are treated equally and special interests and Corporate America can't direct Internet traffic to serve their own purposes at the expense of the public. From the very beginning of the Internet, this electronic equality has enabled users to innovate, to get their voices heard, to launch new services and business enterprises, and to participate in cultural communications across the planet. Whether you're in the Fortune 500 or the freshman class at the University of Massachusetts, the Internet treats your online activities in the same manner. Whether you're trading stocks or selling socks, the true genius of the Internet is that you never have to ask permission to innovate. That has always been the genius of the Internet's architecture. But that genius is now under attack - threatened by the prospect that corporations will seek to erect roadblocks on the information superhighway, charging telecommunications tolls every time you visit your favorite website or blog or even watch a video clip. Some corporations are now seeking to provide fast Internet speeds only to those who can afford to pay. Such a two-tiered system would be a radical, wrong-headed departure from the Internet's historic rules of the road and a new financial burden on consumers. As the Internet continues to evolve, we are now faced with a choice. Can we preserve this wildly successful medium and the freedom it embodies, or do we permit a few large corporations to fundamentally alter how the Internet has historically functioned? Do we retain a level playing field or do we allow the imposition of new fees and the artificial creation of slow lanes and fast lanes for content providers on the Internet? I strongly believe that we must enshrine basic principles of openness and fairness into the rules governing how Internet service providers operate - giving the FCC the authority to be the proverbial cop on the cyber beat, to ensuring that these principles of freedom and competition are upheld in the marketplace. In this way we can preserve the best of what the Internet is even as it continues to evolve. The FCC has taken an historic step. Still, we should also ensure that future administrations do not cast aside net neutrality rules. To prevent this from happening, I believe it would be useful to incorporate these principles into law. That's why in July, I introduced H.R. 3458, the Internet Freedom Preservation Act, along with my colleague in the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA). Our bill, which is also cosponsored by House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA): • Stipulates that unfettered access to the Internet to offer, access, and utilize content, services, and applications is vital for consumers and our economy; • States that our country's global leadership in high technology stems directly from Internet policies that embraced competition and openness, ensuring that telecommunications networks are open to all lawful uses by all users - policies that now may be under threat if the ability of Internet content, service, and application providers to reach consumers were frustrated by interference from broadband telecommunications network operators; • Calls for the United States to adopt a clear network neutrality policy preserving the open nature of Internet communications and networks based on non-discrimination while also permitting Internet service providers to take action to protect network reliability, prevent unwanted electronic mail, and thwart illegal content consistent with the overarching principle of non-discrimination; • Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate rules that ensure that providers of Internet access service abide by the duties established in the bill, including not blocking or impeding consumers' ability to access lawful content, applications or service; not preventing consumers from attaching any lawful device that does not harm the provider's network; and providing consumers with detailed information about their Internet service; • Makes clear that nothing in this legislation affects any law or regulation addressing prohibited or unlawful activity, including any laws or regulations prohibiting theft of content. Our bill applies these network neutrality principles only to lawful Internet content. It does not undermine carriers' ability to perform network management, nor does it hinder carriers' capacity to fight piracy, or spam, or impact parents' ability to utilize content controls. The FCC is now in the early stages of developing the rules of the road for the Internet, and our bill, which directs the FCC to undertake such a rulemaking process to preserve the Internet's openness for all users, is a complement to the FCC's efforts. Now more than ever, as this historic process unfolds and the legislation advances, the voice of the online community - from bloggers to gamers, from artists to small business entrepreneurs, from software engineers to those folks who just sent their first email - now is the time to rise up to defend internet freedom. Anyone reading the words on this blog has a vital role to play - get your voice heard, register your opinion, express your viewpoint. The future of the Internet may depend upon it. More on Technology
 
Fern Siegel: Stage Door: The Royal Family, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Memphis Top
The revival of the George Kaufman-Edna Ferber comedy The Royal Family is sheer perfection. A charming send-up of the illustrious Barrymores, theatrical and film stars of their day, this 1927 play is a charmer from start to finish. Set in a gorgeously designed East Side townhouse, the cast, particularly Rosemary Harris as matriarch Fanny Cavendish, Jan Maxwell as her talented daughter Julie, and Reg Rogers as the dashing, over-the-top brother, are heaven-sent. Parody never looked -- or sounded -- so exquisite. Now at the Samuel Friedman, The Royal Family is a reminder of how wonderful revivals can be -- especially when they are laced with zippy one-liners, lively direction and accompanied by a smart ensemble outfitted in beautifully rendered costumes. The play is a paean to acting and out-sized egos. A highly physical three-act, this eccentric, narcissistic clan is at home in artifice. "You have a career," Fanny reminds her gifted granddaughter (Kelli Barrett), "marriage is an incident." Fanny's brother (John Glover), a less-than-successful thespian, and his cheap, shrill wife (Ana Gasteyer) may be lesser lights, but they are inspired by the same gods. Similarly, wise, good-natured family agent (Tony Roberts) is enamored of his clients, a quirky, demanding brood. Fast-paced and fun, blessed with witty lines, a sumptuous set and smart direction, The Royal Family is worthy of its authors. Families are also the subject of a second revival: Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs at the Nederlander. The year is 1937, and the Jerome family of Brooklyn is a far cry from the extravagant Cavendishes. They are Jewish and poor, devastated by the Depression and frightened by the impending war. While Simon mines their domestic travails for humor, the laughs are commingled with tears. And thanks to director David Cromer, the comedy has been transformed into moving kitchen-sink drama. Pathos, not shtick, is the takeaway. Brighton Beach Memoirs is narrated by 15-year-old Eugene (Noah Robbins), a stand-in for Simon, who longs to be a writer. His honesty, burgeoning sexuality and insights are touching. He's a sweet kid with quirky charm, an older, knowing brother Stan (Santino Fontana) and an extended family: two cousins, luscious Nora (Alexandra Socha) and sickly Laurie (Gracie Bea Lawrence) and his Aunt Blanche (Jessica Hecht). His mother Kate (an incredible Laurie Metcalf) and father (Dennis Boutisikaris) support seven people -- each consumed by dramas real and heartbreaking. At a time when $17 meant the difference between survival and starvation, the concept of family values never seemed stronger. Simon peppers his poignant moments with one-liners, but the dark, grinding pain of existence --and resentment -- is never far from the surface. This round, Brighton Beach Memoirs , which is playing in rep with its soon-to-debut follow-up, Broadway Bound, , has real heft. Credit Metcalf's performance as a strong, nuanced figure and wonderful counterweight to a wisecracking Robbins, who is a find. Both are aided by a solid cast, in which each demonstrates their acting chops. There is much to savor in Simon's trademark comedy. Occasionally, the characters talk over each other, which may add to Cromer's realism, but detracts from the enjoyment. Still, this poignant production resonates long after you leave the theater. Memphis is a different American story. It's the mid-1950s, in a Tennessee city that's brimming with "race music" and racism. So when high-school dropout Huey Calhoun (Chad Kimball), with his hep-cat hat and cool ways walks into a black club on Beale Street, insisting he's in love with R&B and soul, the action stops -- literally. But Huey is one fast-talking, blues-lovin' man and gradually, he charms both skeptical blacks and suspicious whites. It's music as social salvation. Now swinging nightly at the Sam S. Schubert, Memphis , an original Broadway musical, is both paean to the era's music and a story of forbidden love. Huey falls for a Felicia, a talented black singer (a spot-on Montego Glover). The irony -- only a white DJ can get black music on the radio -- so Huey locks himself into a radio booth and spins some hot songs with even hotter talk. Suddenly, all of Memphis is hip, or as the song says, "Everybody Wants To Be Black on a Saturday Night." This being the South, that notion won't go unchecked by local brutes -- and Huey's subsequent splash will carry a price. To Memphis 's credit, the musical attempts to address serious issues, but the end result, despite some terrific performances, including Glover, Kimball and J. Bernard Calloway as her brother Delray, is a bit whitewashed. However, Kimball, who carries the show, rises to the occasion. His accent, his moves, his syrupy Southern drawl strike the right chord, as does Sergio Trujillo's choreography, David Gallo's sets and Paul Tazewell's costumes. Joe DiPietro and David Bryan produce some zippy, toe-tapping numbers. Memphis heats up, but fails to ignite.
 
Hideki Matsui's World Series Home Run VIDEO: Yankees Lead Phillies In Game 2 Top
** SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO ** Click HERE to follow experts and fans from New York and Philadelphia LIVE on Twitter (AP) NEW YORK — Hideki Matsui and Mark Teixeira homered off an otherwise sharp Pedro Martinez, giving the New York Yankees a 2-1 lead over the Philadelphia Phillies after six innings in Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday night. A.J. Burnett was in control on the mound for the Yankees. He struck out seven, including Ryan Howard three times. The hard-throwing right-hander yielded four hits, one a run-scoring single by Matt Stairs in the second. Stairs' hit drove in Raul Ibanez, who made a diving catch in left field to help Martinez stay out of serious trouble. Throwing an array of soft breaking balls, Martinez fanned Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez twice each. Teixeira homered to right-center leading off the fourth for the Yankees, who were shut down by Philadelphia ace Cliff Lee in a 6-1 loss in the opener. Matsui snapped a 1-all tie with two outs in the sixth when he reached down and yanked a 1-2 breaking ball over the short porch in right. That gave the Yankees 16 homers this postseason, tying a franchise record. Rodriguez, however, was 0 for 7 with five strikeouts in his first World Series. It was the second World Series start for Martinez, one of the great pitchers of this era. He tossed seven shutout innings of three-hit ball for Boston in 2004 against St. Louis, helping the Red Sox win their first championship in 86 years. Now 38, the right-hander lacks the overpowering fastball he once had, but he still loves the big stage. Signed by the Phillies in mid-July after sitting out the first half of the season, he went 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA in nine starts down the stretch. Then, he allowed two hits in seven scoreless innings during Game 2 of the NL championship series at Dodger Stadium. Of course, Martinez had a long history of memorable moments at the old Yankee Stadium from his days with Boston. The familiar Bronx chants of "Who's Your Daddy?" began as Martinez started stretching in the outfield 30 minutes before game time. They picked up when Jeter led off the bottom of the first inning. The reference was to Martinez's priceless quote from 2004 with Boston. Frustrated after another loss to New York, the colorful pitcher said: "I just tip my hat and call the Yankees my daddy." He flummoxed the Yankees in the first inning, however, striking out Jeter with an 88 mph fastball and then Johnny Damon with a 75 mph changeup. With the Philadelphia infield playing a pronounced shift, Teixeira hit a towering popup that was caught by staggering shortstop Jimmy Rollins on the right side. Burnett looked good, too. After leading the AL with 97 walks this season, he threw a first-pitch strike to his first 11 batters – nine watched it go by. Chase Utley was intentionally walked in the third, extending his major league record to 27 consecutive postseason games in which he has reached base safely. Burnett fanned Howard with a breaking ball, stranding two runners, and pumped his fist as he walked off the mound. The Phillies gave Martinez a lead in the second inning. Ibanez blooped a two-out double that dropped on the left-field line and Stairs followed with a one-hop smash to the left of third baseman Rodriguez, who barely got a piece of it. The ball skipped off the edge of the infield grass and under Rodriguez's glove as he went to his knees. Ibanez easily beat the throw from Damon in left, and A-Rod glanced into his empty glove. Before that hit, Stairs had been 4 for 51 (.078) dating to July 1. Since June 25, his only RBIs had come on a solo homer against Pittsburgh on July 11 and a grand slam at Washington on Sept. 10. Burnett struck out Pedro Feliz to avoid further damage. Martinez froze Rodriguez with a 2-2 curveball to start the bottom of the second. Matsui singled but Ibanez made a diving catch in left field to rob Robinson Cano of a hit before Jerry Hairston Jr. flied out. The winner of Game 1 has gone on to win the past six World Series and 11 of the last 12. WATCH: More on Video
 
Steve Parker: Nissan Leaf EV - Be first to see it in person! Top
Nissan has announced a US national tour of their new pure EV, Leaf, beginning with a first American public showing on November 13th in Los Angeles. Though not yet officially announced, the first public sighting of Leaf at a major auto show will be at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show which runs from December 4th through 13th. Leaf is ready for its close-up at the Tokyo Motor Show Much of the talk at this week's Tokyo Motor Show, the 41st iteration of that extravaganza, held in Makuhari, about ½-hour north of Tokyo, was understandably about EVs, hybrids and various other green technologies. Nissan, however, topped the competition by displaying a production version of Leaf, the only Japanese car maker at the show claiming they're not just working on a real-world, production EV, but showing one they'll be making and selling worldwide beginning in 2011. There's still room for overwrought fun, though. Toyota introduced a production version of their Lexus LF-A supercar, a $375,000, 552-horsepower monster with a 4.8 liter V10 engine. Only 500 will be built in total for the world and production commences in December, 2010. Much more at: www.Lexus-LFA.com. On the other hand, at Tokyo, Lexus displayed a production verison of their new LF-A supercar ... not very green, but a helluva lotta fun ... what do you think of the car's looks? Me? I'm not so sure ... Here's the Leaf tour information from a Nissan press release: Nissan North America announced that the Nissan LEAF zero-emission, all-electric car will make its North American debut in Los Angeles on Nov. 13. The Los Angeles showing will be the first time people in the United States will be able to see the five-passenger, five-door, gasoline-free car, which is embarking on a nationwide tour. The Nissan LEAF Zero Emission Tour will make stops in 22 cities, in 11 states, the District of Columbia, and Vancouver, Canada, offering the opportunity for interested drivers, media, civic partners, businesses and university students to learn more about the Nissan LEAF and the benefits of zero-emission driving. Interior of production Leaf Follow the tour, get updates on the final schedule and specific showings, and sign up for more information, at www.nissanusa.com/Leaf-electric-car. Look for the Nissan LEAF to make public appearances in the following areas during these times: Southern California Los Angeles: Nov. 13-17 Orange County: Nov. 18 San Diego: Nov. 19-21 Northern California Berkeley/Walnut Creek: Nov. 23-24 San Francisco: Nov. 25-29 Santa Rosa: Dec. 1 Sacramento: Dec. 1 San Jose: Dec. 3-6 Pacific Northwest Seattle: Dec. 8-12 Vancouver, Canada: Dec. 14-15 Portland, Ore.: Dec. 17-23 Rear 3/4 view of Leaf Southwest Phoenix/Tucson: Dec. 30-Jan. 5 Las Vegas: Jan. 6 Midwest/East Coast Detroit: Jan. 11-13 Knoxville/Chattanooga, Tenn.: Jan. 16 Middle Tennessee: Jan. 19-21 Washington, D.C.: Jan. 26-28 Raleigh, N.C.: Jan. 29 Orlando: Feb. 1-2 Texas Houston: Feb. 5-6 New York New York City: Feb. 9-14 Leaf's drivetrain Nissan is the only automaker committed to making all-electric vehicles available to the mass market on a global scale. Through the Nissan LEAF Zero Emission Tour, Nissan will be showcasing the electric vehicle and battery technology as well as the company's zero-emission mobility objectives. Nissan already has partnered on the development of an electric-vehicle infrastructure through partnerships in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County, San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson, Washington D.C., Seattle, Raleigh, and Vancouver. Additional partnerships will be announced in the near future. In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. Prototype Leaf instrument panel from an earlier version of the car More information on the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissan-usa.com/Leaf-electric-car and www.nissan-zeroemission.com (end Nissan release) By the way, those two websites are really fun. Also, while we're talking about the LA Auto Show and green technology, Green Car Journal (www.GreenCar.com) has announced its five finalists for their 2010 Green Car of the Year award. For the fifth consecutive year, the award will be announced during a press conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Dec. 3. The finalists are the Audi A3 TDI, Honda Insight, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Golf TDI (Prius was named Japan Car of the Year at the Tokyo Motor Show this past weekend). Will you be lining up to see Leaf in your area? And what do you think of the Green Car of the Year nominees? More on Inside DC
 
Dennis Hopper Has Prostate Cancer Top
LOS ANGELES — Dennis Hopper has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is canceling all travel plans to focus on treatment, his manager said Thursday. The 73-year-old actor and artist is being treated through a "special program" at the University of Southern California, said Sam Maydew. Asked about Hopper's prognosis, Maydew said, "We're hoping for the best." He would not elaborate on the actor's condition. Hopper was forced to cancel his appearance at an exhibition of his artwork and photography at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne. Called "Dennis Hopper and the New Hollywood," the show celebrates "the work and life of an extraordinary filmmaker, artist and key figure in the evolution of Americas cultural scene from the 1950s to today." Hopper was hospitalized in New York earlier this month and treated for dehydration. The "Easy Rider" star recently finished shooting the second season of "Crash," a TV version of the Oscar-winning 2004 film. He plays maniacal music producer Ben Cendars on the series, which airs on the Starz network. Hopper also has several film projects in the works.
 
Danny Groner: Alan Grayson's YouTube Followers Don't Want His Copycats Top
Congress members Michele Bachmann and Alan Grayson have seized the power of YouTube to increase their mass appeal. At the same time, they've alienated themselves from others and even made some enemies. Yet that might just be the name of the game in politics today. If you can keep up with the Obamas on Flickr , there's no evidence of restrictions to the online reach of legislators. Social media has made an indelible mark on politics. Where once politicians and world leaders would escort the people into the future, social media sites are now propelling them forward. Left for debate, though, is whether these new vehicles to create a larger sphere of influence are actually shaping better leaders. As a Time Magazine story points out : "It's all theater," says South Carolina's James Clyburn, the House Democratic whip. "People have learned to speak in sound bites and look to generate headlines." Over the past few years (and seems like more in Internet speak), politicians have begun to build up their followings online. Now it may be a necessity in order to keep up with others who have developed smarter strategies. You simply can't ignore how Grayson and Bachmann have become household names in such a short period of time. If you search the most watched clips on YouTube on a given day, you'll find more videos from Congress, the Senate, and other legislative press conferences than ever before. Want to know the latest on the health option? Listen to Sen. Harry Reid talk about it. It makes sense. There's always been an expected narcissism that comes with politicians. The Internet, though, offers even more opportunities to put them on display. Although C-Span has been around for quite some time, no one shined through as must-watch TV. That's changed with YouTube. Popular politicians like Al Franken run their own channels, posting their best moments for all to see, click, rate, comment on, and pass along to friends. And now everyone wants a piece of the pie. Visionaries who somehow meshed politics with social media for personal gain and attention are giving way to copycats a dime a dozen. In place are the next group of legislators hoping to replicate the success. Take Steve LaTourette, for example, a Republican congressman from Ohio. See what he did on the House floor this week: Fiascos like this one are only going to become more run of the mill. It's something that writer Chuck Klosterman mentioned the other night at a book reading at a Barnes and Noble in New York City. Klosterman said that once he spots cameras rolling in the audience - and pointed to the one held by the gentleman to my left - he could no longer be his real self. It makes him more careful about what he says, shares, and does once he consciously recognizes the inevitability that people outside that room will be seeing him. (He also pointed to this story as a cautionary tale.) He can't make the same joke at two different locations or run the risk of being labeled a fraud. As a result, Klosterman clams up and gives less of himself to his adoring audience. Usually it works the opposite way. When people know cameras are rolling, they crave the potential for media exposure. Moreover, if the newsmakers themselves have control over what gets posted, they'll do whatever it takes to manufacture a marketable moment. And that's what LaTourette does in that clip. We're speeding past a time when legislators can use their platform to deliver a rant, or a song, to drive support their way. Klosterman's caution is well-received and understandable. And so should our skepticism for LaTourette's antics. All of us know how to spot a phony. More on Barack Obama
 
Twitter Lists Go LIVE: See What Twitter's New Feature Can Do Top
Twitter is rolling out a new feature that allows Twitter users to sort the people they follow by organizing them into customized lists. Twitter's lists help filter some of some the chatter on Twitter so that you can follow specific people, topics, or groups. For example, if you're a Mac lover, you might want put together (or follow) a list that's made up only of people blogging about things Apple-related. The Huffington Post has already started building, using, and incorporating Twitter lists. HuffPost has curated a number of lists -- focusing on everything from yoga and baseball to health care reform and Iran -- and has been included in over 780 lists. (See HuffPost's lists here ) HuffPost has also launched a new feature that posts feeds from its Twitter lists directly onto the site, so you can get the news in real-time. Check it out! You can follow the World Series Game 2 live here --featuring Tweets from lists of sports writers, New York Yankees fans, and Philadelphia Phillies fans. Or follow the health care debate live, and from all angles, here , where HuffPost is streaming Tweets from republican reps, democrats, and more. CNET has step-by-step instructions for setting up a Twitter list. Check out HuffPost's lists, and follow on Twitter, here . More on Twitter
 
Matthew Filipowicz: WATCH: The Scariest White House Halloween Costume Top
With Halloween just around the corner, some folks in the White House are getting into the spooky spirit. Namely, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. We have obtained exclusive footage of Gibbs revealing to President Obama what can easily be described as "the most frightening Halloween costume of all time". Be warned, the costume may be too scary for pregnant women, small children, or those with a weak heart. Take a look. More on Comics
 

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