The George Mitchell report is finally out, and it confirms what I've been saying for quite a while: If there should be an asterisk in the baseball record books, it belongs to this entire era, not just Barry Bonds. The report names Roger Clemens and a whole host of big names past and present. I'll wait to pass judgement on any of these players until all the facts are in, but it certainly seems clear that the use of steroids has been part and parcel of life in Major League Baseball for a long, long time.
As a side note, I'm curious to see how media and fans react to the outing of Roger Clemens. In my estimation, he has always been as hostile and arrogant in public as Bonds, but he has never been reviled the way Bonds has. If people don't turn on Clemens, there should be serious questions about why that is.
For the full report: http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2007/images/12/13/mitchell.report.pdf
Friday, December 14, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Quick Music, Movie, and Book Notes
Just a few quick thoughts on music, movies, TV, and books I've seen/read/heard over the last few months:
The Mountain Goats: I heard "Cotton" as soundtrack to an episode of Weeds and loved it. Since, I've purchased We Shall All Be Healed and The Sunset Tree. Both dark, yet funny. John Darnielle, who really is the Mountain Goats, won't be winning any vocalist awards, but he sure writes interesting songs.
Weeds: A friend rented the season 1 and 2 DVD's over the summer, and I got hooked. Season 3 wasn't as funny as the first two, but still well worth the half hour every week. I think the misadventures of the pot-dealing, neighborhood hot mom appeals to the same part of my psyche that gets goofy with joy when David Letterman drops stuff off the Ed Sullivan Theater.
The Postal Service: Their Give Up disc came out in 2003, but I first heard of it a few weeks ago. I looked up some of the tracks on youtube and finally picked it up. It reminds me so much of early '80's synth-pop--Human League, Soft Cell, etc.--as well as The Pet Shop Boys. I can't decide if it's more or less esoteric than PSB, but I love it either way.
No Country for Old Men: I read the book and saw the movie, both of which are excellent but difficult to make sense of if you're not paying very close attention. You'll be confused and annoyed if you miss this key fact: The story is about the sheriff and what the events mean to him, not the guy who finds the money. Don't let the relative time spent on each fool you.
Pushing Daisies: It's the best parts of The Wizard of Oz, Edward Scissorhands, Willie Wonka (Gene Wilder, not Johnny Depp), and a Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan movie shaken, not stirred. I can't get enough.
The Mountain Goats: I heard "Cotton" as soundtrack to an episode of Weeds and loved it. Since, I've purchased We Shall All Be Healed and The Sunset Tree. Both dark, yet funny. John Darnielle, who really is the Mountain Goats, won't be winning any vocalist awards, but he sure writes interesting songs.
Weeds: A friend rented the season 1 and 2 DVD's over the summer, and I got hooked. Season 3 wasn't as funny as the first two, but still well worth the half hour every week. I think the misadventures of the pot-dealing, neighborhood hot mom appeals to the same part of my psyche that gets goofy with joy when David Letterman drops stuff off the Ed Sullivan Theater.
The Postal Service: Their Give Up disc came out in 2003, but I first heard of it a few weeks ago. I looked up some of the tracks on youtube and finally picked it up. It reminds me so much of early '80's synth-pop--Human League, Soft Cell, etc.--as well as The Pet Shop Boys. I can't decide if it's more or less esoteric than PSB, but I love it either way.
No Country for Old Men: I read the book and saw the movie, both of which are excellent but difficult to make sense of if you're not paying very close attention. You'll be confused and annoyed if you miss this key fact: The story is about the sheriff and what the events mean to him, not the guy who finds the money. Don't let the relative time spent on each fool you.
Pushing Daisies: It's the best parts of The Wizard of Oz, Edward Scissorhands, Willie Wonka (Gene Wilder, not Johnny Depp), and a Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan movie shaken, not stirred. I can't get enough.
Monday, December 3, 2007
More on Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass
The cnn.com article linked below contains, among other interesting information, this:
"Pullman himself has said, 'I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief.'"*
Before you buy a ticket to see The Golden Compass, ask yourself if that's really a cause you want to contribute to.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/03/golden.compass.religion.ap/index.html
*This comes from a 2001 interview with the Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A23371-2001Feb18?language=printer
"Pullman himself has said, 'I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief.'"*
Before you buy a ticket to see The Golden Compass, ask yourself if that's really a cause you want to contribute to.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/03/golden.compass.religion.ap/index.html
*This comes from a 2001 interview with the Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A23371-2001Feb18?language=printer
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