Where's Martha?

A highlight from last night's liveblogging:

Behold, President Huckalogan!

The lost "24" pilot, and a promise from Hamas

Via Irwin,
24: The unaired 1994 pilot
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Via The Corner, Joe vor VP, which quotes Sen. Joe Lieberman's speech:

. [T]here is something profoundly wrong--something that should trouble all of us--when we have elected Democratic officials who seem more worried about how the Bush administration might respond to Iran's murder of our troops, than about the fact that Iran is murdering our troops.

There is likewise something profoundly wrong when we see candidates who are willing to pander to this politically paranoid, hyper-partisan sentiment in the Democratic base--even if it sends a message of weakness and division to the Iranian regime.

Dan's not thrilled about Joe in a Republican ticket, but Joe Lieberman in his speech pointed out all the reasons why I won't be voting Democrat any time soon.
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From the "No sh*t, Sherlock" files:
Hamas says it will seize West Bank if Israel withdraws
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No Pasaran posts on Reporters Without Scruples and the skewing of the "Press Freedom Index". Follow the money:

More puzzling still, in the English version of the RSF 2006 accounts, the subsidies line in the French accounts quite simply . . . disappears.

Read the post and follow their links to the Iranian connection.
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Cassandra explains What is love

Jack's back, season vii

Via Jay:

Tony's back, but what about Edgar?

2 "24" items

Via Pajamas Media, Jack's going green, which doesn't bide well,

and

The Anchoress found out that next season they're having a woman president,

just in time to get the world used to the idea. Ummm...not exactly news - as with the cleavage and the pink suits, we’ve been here before.

Last season was pretty lame. Next season promises to be lamer.

So long, deadly mullet:

24: End of day 6

I got addicted to 24 on the first episode of day 4, when the evil terrorist mom was doing dastardly deeds like killing her son's girlfriend.

That year had a great plus in the casting: the mom and son were played by Shohreh Aghdashloo and Jonathan Ahdout who also played mother and son in House of Sand and Fog, making it rather amusing to see how they got along without gloomy Ben Kigsley who also played Ghandi. Ghandi would have never lasted a minute in that household. Never mind that the really bad guy, Marwan, had been The Mummy and was a great bad guy.

After I watched the entire season 4 I rented the DVDs and spend a couple of weekends catching up with days 1, 2, and 3. My favorite character (other than Jack) is George Mason, brilliantly played by Xander Blakely.

George married evil Nina in real life.

President David Palmer Dennis Haysbert, is another favorite - you did feel you were in good hands with him. Unlike his brother, President Palmer #2 who whispered his way through a nuclear attack in LA. Obviously the writers were sorry they got rid of PP#1.

Best of all, I loved the pacing in day 4. I was addicted to the pacing.

Well, I sat through the whole day 6 and I'm missing the good old days.

One thing for sure, things were never the same after they killed off Edgar. Edgar wasn't good-looking but he was reliable and solid. On day 6 they killed Milo, who was not only reliable, he was PDG-looking.

Having started day six with a nuclear explosion that apparently didn't affect street trafficin LA, the whole season's pacing went AWOL and, with still 20+ minutes to go in the final episode the net result was, as Blogs4Bauer said,

'24' stops at this point. The next twenty minutes are actually an episode of 'General Hospital' that somehow got spliced in by mistake.

You know things were off when Jack came out of the ocean and I was wondering if his cell phone still worked. Back on day 4 you knew the phone would work because it was Jack Bauer's phone, dammit!

Here's Lileks's take

Will I watch day 7 next January? Probably.

But let's hope they cut out so much soap. The minute I see Chloe bringing her baby to work, it's curtains, guys.

Update, Thursday, May 24: The Carnival of Bauer is on!

Money can buy you love, the Hugo version

Hugo Chavez to Finance Danny Glover Movies

Venezuela's Congress says it has approved financing for two films by actor Danny Glover, a close supporter of President Hugo Chavez.

The lawmaking body, which is closely allied with Chavez, said in a statement on its Web site Thursday that it approved $20 million for two Glover productions.

They include "The General in His Labyrinth," which deals with the life of South American liberator Simon Bolivar. It is based on a novel by Colombian Nobel Prize-winning writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez and will be directed by Venezuela-born director Alberto Arvelo.

The other is "Toussaint," which the statement said Glover plans to direct documenting the life of Haitian revolution leader Toussaint Louverture.

That's right, folks, Venezuela will fund film on Haiti revolt.(See update below) In the middle of two-digit inflation and food shortages, there's money for movies.

Time Out London calls it a frankly bizarre piece of film news, while Hugo says he

hopes will help his efforts to mobilise world opinion against imperialism and western oppression.

If there's still any question that these films are not propaganda, here's other news from Venezuela: Protests mount over Venezuela TV

Staff and supporters of a Venezuelan TV station that is due to be taken off air have unveiled a kilometre-long banner in Caracas in support of press freedom.
Protesters carried the banner, which read "S-O-S, freedom of expression" in 10 languages through the streets.

Opposition-allied RCTV is due to have its licence revoked on 27 May, being replaced by a state-sponsored station.
...
RCTV - Venezuela's oldest private broadcaster - is due to go off air at midnight on Sunday when the government says its licence will expire and not be renewed.

As I mentioned before, RCTV also has the local syndication rights to "24."

I guess Caracas won't get to see day 7 next January.

Agora Vox comments on Hugo Chávez - Marxist Sideshow Host and thanks Jimmy Carter, too.

Here's one on Jimmy's deliriance:


Update: Slavery, chavez and Glover: Ignoring slavery in Venezuela

Tonight, you couldn't get there from here

After 36 hours of torrential rain and high winds, we've had substantial flooding unlike any I've seen in 18 years of living in Princeton. Not even when Hurricane Floyd went through the area has there been as much flooding.

After spending the morning drying my basement, I thought I'd go check out what the evening commute was looking like in the area near my house. The governor had declared a state of emergency this morning so traffic was much lighter than usual.

The parking lot at church at the corner of River Road and Route 27 (Princeton-Kingston Rd) was flooded, except for a small section where a few cars were able to park:

Carnegie Lake (the scenic lake shown during the titles of House) overflowed its banks:

The first floor of the house in Kingston which I believe was formerly a mill at the end of Carnegie Lake is totally flooded:


This canoe and its dock (the black triangle in the center of the photo) were carried all the way here and are now stuck in front of the patio doors. Whoever tied the canoe knows what they're doing: the knot held.

Normally these steps go down to a small stone bridge from which you can walk from Route 27 to the Canal:

This is what the stone bridge looks like right now:


The Millstone River, the Raritan and Delaware Canal and Carnegie Lake overflowed to the point where they are one torrent:

Route 27 is closed because the bridge to Kingston is under water:



I then headed to Route 1 via Harrison Street. Harrison Street is closed from the corner of Faculty Road all the way to Route 1. [Note, Tues April 12: The Harrison St bridge over the lake was dry; the problem is the area between the bridge and Rte 1, which routinely floods]. Harrison Street traffic heading out of town was being detoured to Washington Road. It wasn't moving.


Last night the wind was howling so loud it kept waking me up; when I headed to Starbucks this morning we had hail; this afternoon, snow flurries. We're expected to have more rain for the next 24 hours.

Tonight I'll follow my advice, have some sugar-free hot chocolate, light up the fireplace, and watch 24.

Update: Meanwhile, in New Hampshire...

Late afternoon blogging: It's Jack Bauer, dammit!

Tonight, 9PM: Will Jack stop at the drive-through and get something to eat?

Update, Tuesday 10 April: Rick Moran ponders adrenaline.

Anything to avoid homework: Lileks, 24, and shoes

I've been auditing a class on heroic literature, but I'm finding it hard to concentrate on the current reading, The Saga of Grettir the Strong. A lot of it has to do with the characters' names, for instance,

There was a man named Onund. He was the son of Ofeig Hobbler, whose father was Ivar Horse-Cock.

I can only imagine what Ivar the little Viking had to put up with when he was in grade school. Obviously he didn't pass his condition to his progeny.*

While I was avoiding reading up on homework, I came across this: Maintain a firm grip on the book at all times, and use your pectoral muscles to keep firm inward pressure on the book. If I ever do that, Janet-my-personal-trainer will probably recruit me to work at the gym.

No, I haven't gone back for aerobic yoga, thanks.

As I mentioned in my first Blog Talk Radio podcast, I love Lileks's writing, and today he's in fine shape, managing to come up with a McCoy Freakout Scale, a creepy shoe poster about Foot Health, and 24.

Lileks is Da Man.

This season of 24 has a couple of things that have me distracted: I keep waiting for Vice-President Tolliver to break into profanity. The Whispering President's whispering is annoying; it's a nuclear crisis, for Pete's sake, raise your voice! And I wish they'd have more of the crazy First Lady - set her loose and sic her to the terrorists. They'd saw off their other arms just to get away from her.

I've been a loyal 24 fan for three years now, but this season's not as fun as the others. After pondering the reason why, I finally realized, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH JACK.Milo sure looks good, but there's only one Jack.

Anyway, on the subject of shoes, The Husband will tell you I'm big on shoes. While I was at CPAC I decided that I needed a pair of walking shoes that feel like sneakers but look dressy enough to wear with skirts. They'd have to have a lot of cushioning, feel comfortable, and have some sort of ankle strap so the shoes don't flop around because of my narrow heels.
This afternoon I found them at Ricchard's downtown,

If you are considering them, try the next half size up from your usual.

I know, Hush Puppies are for little old ladies, and mary janes aren't really my style, but I can walk all day in these.

I got them in black. They go well with my pocketbook.

Now I better go finish reading up what William Morris had to say about Grittir.
(*) The Morris translation starts with,

There was a man named Onund, who was the son of Ufeigh Clubfoot, the son of Ivar the Smiter

Oh, those Victorians...


Technorati tags: shoes, 24, William Morris

Bear and Ugly Betty

Last night I wanted to watch TV, but 24 and House weren't on, so I settled by flipping back and forth between Man vs Wild and Ugly Betty.

Man vs Wild is an acquired taste. On the one hand, Bear Grylls is very attractive. On the other hand, he eats termites. Last evening's Mt Kilauea episode apparently was a re-run but I wanted to see him walking on lava fields.

I had never watched Ugly Betty before, and years ago I only saw a few minutes of Betty la fea (yes, that means Ugly Betty), the original soap on which it's based.

The original Betty la fea character was in much uglier disarray that Ugly Betty, but after a makeover that took months, she got the guy at the end. Betty la fea was the usual ugly-duckling/Cinderella story but it was so successful across Latin America that the Colombians did another ugly duclking/Cinderella soap with a guy, Pedro el escamoso (which I would translate as Geeky Pete, instead of the more literal Creepy Pete). The guy playing Pedro wore a mullet, created a dance that became a fad, and got the girl at the end.

Pedro had four things in his favor: he was in great shape, had a truly beautiful voice, he was a good man, and he was really funny - a lethal combination in any guy. One's willing to overlook a mullet. His fans certainly did.

Since nothing exceeds like excess, Germany, Holland, India, Mexico, Russia, the USA, and Spain came up with their own versions of girls wearing orthodontia and eyeglasses.

Which comes to show you the universality of a cliche.

But back to Betty: I actually liked the program. This Betty is young, and homely (due in great part to her clothes and hairdo), but is a good role model for young girls.
Here's why:
1. Betty loves a guy that doesn't love her back. That's the existential crisis of every teenager. In last night's episode she finally figured out that trying to be his friend that tags along while he goes on a date with someone else is not a good idea.
The good thing about it is, she stopped that, and she was fine.

2. Betty helps other people do the right thing. The show is not preachy, and indeed Betty arrived at that moment after much meandering. But she knew what the right thing was, and she was able to bring around the other character to turn herself to the police.

3. Betty has good friends, and a good family. They're Mexican but they don't sound like "dees"; they say "these". They are fully integrated into American society, another excellent thing.

4. The show pokes fun at fashionista slaves while at the same time showing what really looks good.

How does this relate to Bear? I'm not quite sure yet, but you can order his t-shirts for $39. Just don't go walking on the lava fields.



Update A Bear fan emailed asking for a YouTube:


Technorati tags: Ugly Betty, Bear Grylls, TV

Asteroids and today's other items

Via Jeremayakovka and Maria, if anyone's expecting the UN to solve this problem, I better spend my Roth IRA right now - I won't be reaching advanced old age: U.N. urged to take action on asteroid threat

An asteroid may come uncomfortably close to Earth in 2036 and the United Nations should assume responsibility for a space mission to deflect it, a group of astronauts, engineers and scientists said on Saturday.

-----------------------------Dinocrat writes about economics and global warming

Our question today is this: is there an survival purpose to the religious madness that grips the most fervent Global Warming adherents, turning them into harpies and hysterics? We think the answer is probably yes. The ancient story of Pharaoh’s dream tells us that the affluent and powerful have always had a little internal alarm bell warning them about the saven years of lean following the seven years of fat. Preparing for the lean times, and, as importantly, trying to ward them off, has been important for human survival — then and now.

Most people in America today have absolutely no idea how we became so rich over the last 130 years. They have no idea about the nexus of laws, an enterprising spirit of the people, available capital, good accounting, an expanding market, low cost resources, technology and engineering, and an adequate monetary policy that created the relative paradise that is capitalist America — a point we have made over and over again.

(h/t Larwyn)-----------------------------
SoCal Pundit discusses 24 in Attack of the Show.
24 is on tonight. You know what I'll be doing.
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You (Haven't) Come A Long Way Baby
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What will provide me more blogging material than Hillary as POTUS? Hillary as POTUS with Bill as Senator-for-life. (h/t Linda and four other friends)

"Why not?" Begala added. "He excelled as attorney general and governor of Arkansas, he excelled as president and he’s been a model of the modern Senate spouse."

He'd fit right in. (h/t Larwyn)
Linda has the scoop on Nancy the riveter.
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In a lighter mode, Neo-neocon posts on playing the cello.

Today's "24" post, part 3

In Defense of '24': An Arab-American defends the real-life Bauers

Well, here's the hard, cold truth: When Islamic terrorists stop being a threat to America's survival, viewers will lose interest in "24," because it will have lost its relevancy. Until such time, I will continue to watch "24"--because, believe it or not, the idea that there are Jack Bauers out there in real life risking their lives to save ours does mean something to me.

And as for "24" causing a possible backlash against Muslims and Arab-Americans, where's the evidence of that? The show is now in its sixth season and there hasn't been one recorded incident of any viewer ever slurring or attacking any Muslim or Arab-American because of something that happened on the show. More to the point, in the latest episode President Palmer stated, "The American Muslim community is the greatest line of defense against these terrorists." He advocates strengthening ties with Islamic leaders across the U.S., and is opposed to measures that would in any way infringe upon the constitutional rights of Arab Americans.

Meanwhile, on 24, Jack's whole family is so dysfunctional they belong on Jerry Springer, and Jack hasn't had breakfast or lunch yet.

Next week they have a 2-hr episode. You know where I'll be!

Sparse notes, and today's other items

Betsy, who is a teacher, has an item on how few notes Obama used to take in college,

"Obviously somebody almost Clintonesque in being able to sum a whole lot of concepts and place them into a succinct written style."

and says, I have those same students. They're usually arrogant or slackers. Me, I'd be insulted if anyone compared my style to anything Clintonesque.
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In the Entirely predictable file: French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy says Negotiation was also key to resolving the Middle East's big crises, such as Iran's nuclear programme, the search for peace between Israelis and Palestinians and the "volatile" situation in Lebanon, and of course, Iraq.
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Hezbollah House Plan
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Via Atlas Shrugs, Why Do They CAIR about Jack Bauer? 24 is an opportunity for American Muslims to fight the real enemy: Islamism.
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Craig attends China Bond premiere
I liked the movie.

Chavez bans Jack Bauer

Jack Bauer banned in Venezuela, citizens take to the streets

RCTV also has the local syndication rights to "24."

Hugo Chavez is banning Jack Bauer.

Now he has gone too far.

Read on...

Chavez' government justifies the decree not to renew RCTV's licence on the grounds of public morality. The station will be used now for "public service"--perhaps re-runs of the ever-popular "Alo Presidente?" But make no mistake about it. Chavez has no delicate moral scruples. He is shutting down RCTV because it annoys him, and because he can. And if the people of Venezuela are deprived of their weekly Jack Bauer fix? They'll be better off not watching such a character, beside which the caricature that is Hugo Chavez cuts a very poor figure.

And that's only the beginning, folks.

Gustavo Coronel proposes A "Homeopathic" Alternative

Today's "24" post, part 2

Aside from the nonstop action, the convoluted plots and the manly men, there are other reasons why I am addicted love 24.

The first one is the timeframe paradox: While life-and-death national security situations supposedly are resolved within a 24-hr time frame, 24 is the first TV program where everything is not solved in one hour. Tetchy Dr. House cures the most obscure diseases even when he's delirious from a gunshot wound, the many incarnations of Law & Order solve the crime and get a veredict, and the many locations of CSI collect all the evidence and sometimes the bad guys confess (try that in real life!) while looking mahrvelous - all in less than an hour.

Another thing I like about 24 is the emphasis on the power of the individual. In 24, the larger the group, the greater the bumble. It's not just that the more terrorists involved in a plot, the worse it'll work out for them. The government, the largest organization of all, fails time and time again to prevent any of the attacks in spite of having fantastic technology and instant telecommunication links.

In 24, it is the commitment of one individual that makes a difference.

There is another aspect to 24's appeal: Yesterday's WSJ had an article on Jack Bauer's Dilemmas--and Ours: Watching "24" as a primer on moral philosophy

All these episodes help the show to maintain a realistic moral tone. An enemy that rejects everything we hold dear about our civil society will inevitably force us to make compromises between competing principles and loyalties. The most interesting complications that ensue as a season of "24" unfolds are the moral ones. And the show's great virtue is that it never pretends that these dilemmas are simple or false.

And these dilemmas continue to be relevant.


Technorati tags 24 Jack Bauer

Today's "24" post

SPOILERS AHEAD
You've been told

While you wait for tonight's episode,
Fantasy and Reality: 24 and the War on Terror

Me, I'm still mad at Jack for killing Curtis.
I liked Curtis.

Chloe better watch herself.

Caracas stockmarket freefall, and today's items

Venezuela Index Falls 12% as Banking Law Threatens Profit

Venezuelan stocks tumbled to an eight- week low, led by banking shares, as investors reacted to government plans to cap banks' profits and dividends.

The Caracas Stock Exchange Index fell 12 percent to 41,748.98, the lowest since Nov. 21. With today's decline the index has fallen 33 percent since Jan. 8, when President Hugo Chavez announced plans to nationalize companies in the country's telephone, power and oil industries.

Meanwhile in Kenya, the stockmarket is growing

Who exactly has a noise machine? (h/t Larwyn)
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Globally warmed in Texas (h/t Maria). Right now it's 19oF in Princeton - a little global warning would be good right now.
Weather Channel Climate Expert Calls for Decertifying Global Warming Skeptics
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Feeding my 24 addiction
CAIR vs 24, again

Via Tom, Dave Barry and Rick Moran are fans, too.
The doll got burned.
Update More! (h/t Linda)
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Paul Sorvino did the right thing
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If I Had a Little Less Self-Esteem, I'd Start Rioting Right Now
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"I used to think that prizes were demeaning and divisive, until I got one, and now they seem sort of meaningful and real."

I want Beckham's agent

Now, I don't know a thing about sports. And I certainly don't know anything at all about football or soccer. So I'm completely amazed that a guy who wasn't scoring in his last team has just signed a contract for a quarter of a billion bucks. What's even more amazing is that the guy is referred to as a sex symbol. I kid you not. The TV anchors say, "the superstar and sex symbol" - I just heard one right now.

A sex symbol? He spends more on manicures than I - and I go for a manicure every week!

So it seems to me that the lesson in this is, have a really really good agent.

This weekend, however, my mind is focused on one thing and one thing only - you guessed it. I was visiting Obi's Sister who's anticipating Jack Bauer's return, and, as she puts it,

Even the obscene amount of money offered to pseudo-royal Beckham cannot tarnish my anticipation. After all, if Jack really wanted Beck's money, all he'd have to do is show up and take it. Like candy from a baby. And he wouldn't even need a hacksaw.

And I bet Sir Becks doesn't even own a pair of Jack Bauer pajamas

Did she say, Sir Becks? He was knighted?

Get me that agent - I want to be a Dame!

Here's a quick 24 round-up:
24 facts about '24'

James Cromwell will appear on season six as Jack Bauer's father. Sorry, Donald. Guess you weren't believable enough to play Jack's dad.

James Cromwell?
24 forum
Stephen King says, '24': So Good It's Scary
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NY Times delivery update:
For the first time since I started assertively asking (i.e., stopped paying) the NYT to discontinue weekend delivery, the paper was not on the driveway this morning. Did they finally stop? The real test comes tomorrow. One time they didn't deliver early on Saturday but they delivered it later. If it's not on the driveay by then, it must mean they stopped.
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Via Pamela, not a sex symbol but a very sexy performer: Charles Aznavour. Some day I'll post about the time I saw him on stage, but for now, hear him sing She

What a fabulous guy.

Volver, Sarkozy, Beeb memos, and Che Cola

Volver de nuevo (To return again)
Paul Martin of Melbourne Film Blog has misgivings similar to mine in his review of Volver. He explains,

Almodovar has been lauded by prominently putting women in strong roles, supposedly reversing stereotype. While it's highly desirable to see women in good roles, I find Almodovar's depiction the opposite side of the same sexist coin. The polar opposite of the Arctic is still ice. The opposite of exclusion of one is not the exclusion of the other - it is inclusion.

If Hollywood is sexist and misogynistic, then Almodóvar's work may also be seen as sexist - not misogynistic, but misandrist. His work doesn't counter a gender imbalance - it merely adds to it. Bear in mind that I believe there is an ubiquitous and overlooked attitude of misandry in western society.

You must read the rest, and all the other reviews at his excellent blog. -------------------------------
Will Cindy stop drinking the Kool-Aid now that Che Cola's out? Or will she stick to Jamba Juice? Do I sound catty if I ask, will the Jamba Juice continue to stick to her?
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New additions to the blog roll:
Melbourne Film Blog
The Daily Ablution
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Sarkozy's goal: For the centre-right's choice there are pitfalls on the road to the Elysee

A third risk is that Mr Sarkozy frightens even his own voters. When polls dissect his image, his strengths are his energy, courage, dynamism and determination. By contrast, he scores less well when rated against adjectives such as nice, reassuring and seductive. The French plainly admire Mr Sarkozy, but they do not warm towards him, and seem to find him a bit scary.

Me, I like the guy exactly because of that.
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Read about the internal BBC memo Stephen Pollard read,

If this is what passes for high-level analysis at the BBC, is it any wonder its reporting is so poisonous?

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Maria sent this picture,

and Janette tells me they have a Owen and Mzee's Web Log. How cool is that!
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"Put down your weapon!"
Countdown to 24
You know where I'll be Sunday and Monday from 8 to 10PM ... you can safely guess that I won't be answering the phone...
Blogs 4 Bauer has the kill counter ready. Update Not only does Blogs 4 Bauer have the kill counter ready, it has the kill counter challenge.

I miss George Mason. If only they'd ressurect him.