Culture Popped: 2007-09-23

Myanmar: Eve of Destruction

On Friday, Myanmar blocked public internet access. This week, Myanmarese dissidents have been beaten, detained, murdered, and shot. The situation is disturbing. In 1994, Rwanda exploded. Myanmar is not Rwanda. The situation is not genocidal. However, the situation is deteriorating. The military is masochistic. The International Community must act.

Edwards: “Everyone Dead or in the Can”

Mosley Admits Steroid Use

Shane Mosley: “Unknowingly, yes, some of the substances they are talking about, were being used as part of the workouts. I didn't know what the hell it was. I had no intentions of trying to cheat or do anything crazy. My thing is live healthy, eat healthy. That's how I live. I'm not afraid what people will think. I know the truth. Someone gave [Hudson] a tip that [Conte] could help with my strength and explosiveness and [Hudson] talked to [Conte] a couple of times, I guess. I told [Hudson], 'I'm good with the stuff I am doing in training now.' I was already feeling good, but I think Darryl wanted to make a big impression, for me to go out there and be really explosive. So I just listened to him and finally said, 'Let's check him out.' We went to San Francisco for one day and I talked to Victor Conte. I explained to him that I am already in great shape but the right vitamins and supplements here and there might help.”

According to Sports Illustrated, Mosley utilized EPO and steroids. Shane, your intentions were pure? You did not know? This excuse did not absolve Barry Bonds. Alleged ignorance will not absolve you.

Clinton: $5,000 Per Birth

Hillary Clinton: “I like the idea of giving every baby born in America a $5,000 account that will grow over time, so that when that young person turns 18 if they have finished high school they will be able to access it to go to college or maybe they will be able to make that down payment on their first home.”

Clinton Chortles, Continues Momentum

On Wednesday, MSNBC hosted a Democratic debate. Tim Russert was an excellent host. He is political journalism’s finest. Russert prodded and provoked each candidate. His persistence produced a substantive debate.

Senator Hillary Clinton’s stamina is unbelievable. During several questions, her laughter exceeded her brilliance. She was vulnerable. Yet, her opponents cannot close. Senator Barack Obama was muted. Senator John Edwards was insincere. Senator Joe Biden was impressive. Unfortunately, he cannot garner traction. I cannot fathom Clinton’s fortitude. However, she is cruising.

Betting the Pass Line (Last Week: 2-3 Overall: 9-6)

Penn State (-3 ½) at Illinois
Last week, the Lions faltered. Illinois is vastly improved. However, Penn State will garner revenge.

Michigan State (+8) at Wisconsin
This season, Wisconsin has not impressed. Michigan State should scare them.

Kansas State (+14) at Texas
Next week, Texas faces Oklahoma. This week, they will struggle.

California (+5 ½) at Oregon
Both possess spectacular offenses. With that stated, the Golden Bears will win.

Alabama at Florida State (-2 ½)
Nick Saban versus Bobby Bowden. Favor the Seminoles.

Dirty Sexy Money: Gorgeous Television

Superb casting does not ensure success. Sports Night included Robert Guillaume, Felicity Huffman, and Peter Krause. Studio 60 included D.L. Hughley, Sarah Paulson, Amanda Peet, Matthew Perry, and Bradley Whitford. Back to You includes Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton. Big Shots includes Joshua Malina, Dylan McDermott, Nia Long, and Michael Vartan. Sports Night and Studio 60 were cancelled. Back to You and Big Shots are apocryphal.

On Wednesday, I viewed ABC’s “Dirty Sexy Money.” The endeavor is exemplary. Casting and dialogue are exquisite. The lone potential flaw? Dirty Sexy Money could be excessively dramatic.

The venture is replete with exemplary acting. Krause (Nick George) and Donald Sutherland (Patrick ‘”Tripp” Darling III) are perfect. Samaire Armstrong (Juliet Darling), Zoe McLellan (Lisa George), and Natalie Zea (Karen Darling) are stellar. William Baldwin (Patrick Darling IV) and Seth Gabel (Jeremy Darling) are also notable. The Darling’s are both gorgeous and dysfunctional. A combination America craves.

Friends Finance Ashley’s Exodus

Personalities clash. Amidst strained circumstances, people will fight. They will quarrel. They will scorch one another. How does one salvage themselves? They acquire friends.

During fire pit construction, Ashley and Dave skirmished. He desired worth ethic. She desired food. Seemingly, Ashley possessed allies. For immunity, Fei Long and Zhan Hu raced a puzzle log. Dave floundered. Fei Long garnered victory. Unfortunately, Ashley did not benefit. Via a 6-1 vote, she was eliminated.

Big Shots: Huge Misjudgment

Men and women are polar opposites. The vast majority of men embrace sports. We drink beer. We discuss subjects upon foundational levels. The vast majority of women embrace fashion. They drink cocktails. They discuss subjects with complex detail.

Last night, I viewed ABC’s “Big Shots.” The endeavor is dreadful. The dialogue is awkward. The “Desperate Housewives” interaction is contrived and oppressive. Amidst viewing, one thought dominated. Men do not have these conversations.

The acting is apocryphal. Dylan McDermott (Duncan Collinsworth) and Joshua Malina (Karl Mixworthy) are horrific. Michael Vartan (James Walker) is pathetic. Essentially, Big Shots is a male Desperate Housewives. Unfortunately, men are not desperate housewives.

Pattern Play

Patterned behavior. The aforesaid is predictable. The aforesaid is repetitious. Patterned behavior is centuries aged. The unstable are random. Women are caddy. Assholes are hurtful. The unserious will harm themselves.

On Monday, Lauren and Jason had lunch. Jason disclosed his girlfriend. He also requested Lauren attend a party. Slightly stunned, Lauren agreed. During the party, Jason and Katja announced their engagement. Lauren chastised Jason. Subsequently, she ripped him, his girlfriend, his happiness, and his home. I understand Lauren’s emotion. With that stated, she was discourteous and rude. She was not constructively criticizing. She was simply mean.

Heidi and Spencer registered. During their shopping, Spencer griped. He then dissed Heidi’s arrangements. His suggestion? A Tibetan marriage. Concerning the planning, Spencer is correct. Men do not plan weddings. Women plan weddings. With that stated, Spencer cannot crush Heidi. She is excited. Minimally, he must display interest.

Whitney oversaw a photo shoot. On the night before, Lauren, her, and Red Jump Suit Apparatus enjoyed drinks. The next day, the band arrived late. They acted difficult. Deservedly, Whitney was criticized. Whitney’s actions were unsurprising. Her and Lauren are not serious. They view Teen Vogue as a diversion… instead of an opportunity.

Journeyman: Science Failure

Slightly bizarre is acceptable. Completely random is not. The cheshire cat (Alice in Wonderland) standing upon his own head. Slight bizarre. The cat, winning the World Cup, with his soccer ball head. Completely random.

On Monday, I viewed NBC’s “Journeyman.” The production is a train wreck. The skipping storyline is unbelievable. One moment, Kevin McKidd (Dan Vasser) is having sex. Next moment, he awakens on October 6, 1987. During his fantasy, he misses two days.

Musical scoring and scenery are excellent. “Building a Mystery” and “Look After You” were poignant selections. Unfortunately, the concept is fatally flawed. Journeyman would be a fantastic feature film… and a terrible television series.

NEW RULE

Vetting prevents calamities.

On Thursday, Virginia appointee Dr. Esam Omeish resigned. Prior to his appointment, Omeish advocated jihad. He also excoriated Israel and the United States. Obviously, Governor Tim Kaine never met him. Staffs have additional responsibilities. However, Google and Youtube searches are not difficult. Truthfully, Omeish was a preventable firebrand. However, ten minutes were required.

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“This shows the difference between our two countries. In Iran, four men watching two women have sex is a capitol crime. In America, it’s a bachelor party.”

The Tonight Show

Would You Be Deported?

United States Citizenship Test

Worth A Read

Flablog

Mark Lane’s dark mutterings from the sunshine state.

Monologue Joke of the Evening

“There was a debate for Republican presidential candidates in Baltimore. It focused on minority issues. Giuliani, McCain, and Thompson didn’t show up. Apparently they all had scheduling conflicts that prevented them from going to a place where no one will vote for them.”

Jimmy Kimmel Live

The Daily Smak

Hey, didn’t you used to be George’s wife?

On Wednesday, Brian Griese supplanted Rex Grossman. If Griese fails, Briana Scurry is an option.

Today’s top five or unlikely terrorism targets (1) Huntsville, (2) Albuquerque, (3) Charleston, (3) Tulsa, (5) Walla Walla

Private Practice: Television For Women (Only)

Universal appeal. Great drama requires this. Great drama must ensnare men, women, and conflicting demographics. This ambition requires variety. This aspiration involves diversity. Sans these, everyone will not watch.

On Wednesday, I viewed ABC’s “Private Practice.” The “Grey’s Anatomy” spin off is pedestrian. Potentially, television’s initial estrogen drama. Whereas Grey’s Anatomy is jointly alluring. Private Practice is females first and only. Grey’s possesses attractive men and women, collective emotion, scorching medical scenarios. Private Practice is babies, psychiatry, and squishy feelings.

Private Practice also dulls excellent actors. Kate Walsh (Addison Montgomery) delivering amidst a hotel room. Amy Brenneman (Violet Turner) counting floor tiles. Taye Diggs (Sam Bennett) as the emasculated husband. The production was manipulative and sappy. The production was unwatchable sans ovaries.

Brazil 4 USA 0: Solo Scorches Goalie Swap

Hope Solo: “It was the wrong decision, and I think anybody that knows anything about the game knows that," she said. "There's no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves. And the fact of the matter is it's not 2004 anymore. ... It's 2007, and I think you have to live in the present. And you can't live by big names. You can't live in the past. It doesn't matter what somebody did in an Olympic gold medal game in the Olympics three years ago. Now is what matters, and that's what I think.”

Vick: Stoned & Stupid

According to court documents, Michael Vick tested positive for marijuana. Clearly, Vick is oblivious. He has plead guilty. He has forfeited his career. Yet, he flouted authority again. Vick is not misunderstood. He has not made mistakes. Clearly, he is unapologetic. Given his arrogance, Vick warrants no compassion.

Non Response Now Starter

On Wednesday, Brian Griese supplanted Rex Grossman. Chicago’s offensive line is dreadful. Their receivers are pathetic. Cedric Benson has been invisible. For the aforesaid, Grossman is not responsible. As previously stated, Griese is a perennial playoff loser. Grossman is a first round selection, who possesses the talent and mental toughness required to win. Obviously, Grossman has not performed. However, Griese is not the solution.

Celebrity Injustice: Spector Jury Hangs

On Wednesday, Phil Spector’s jury deadlocked. Subsequently, Judge Larry Paul Fidler declared a mistrial. Spector’s history was violent. His appearance was bizarre. Prosecution witnesses damned him. How was a conviction impossible?

Sycophant Steed Charged

On Wednesday, Allen Glade Steed was charged with rape. Allegedly, Steed forced his first cousin wife into involuntary intercourse. The prosecutor’s action is appropriate. Simply stated, Warren Jeffs is evil. Steed’s guilt matches his.