Monthly Archives: June 2009

Is “True Blood” about anything?

Posted on June 29, 2009 by

I stopped trying to read the subtext of HBO’s “True Blood” sometime around the middle part of the first season.  It wasn’t for lack of finding anything.  The vampire trope and the situations which compelled the story forward spoke to … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

Posted on June 25, 2009 by

For an analysis of Jackson’s iconic status, see my more recent review of his memorial service. At his height, he was the biggest thing in the world. For a generation of young people–my generation–there will never be another. Michael Jackson … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Obituary | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Transformers 2″ is, well, dangerous

Posted on June 24, 2009 by

This is the edited and complete version of an earlier review. I’ve just walked out of the theater after seeing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the sequel to the 2007 blockbuster.  In short, it’s not a good movie, not even … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Border Blow Back

Posted on June 24, 2009 by

The Immigration Policy Center recently published the findings of their current study of illegal immigration at the border. On the heels of the Department of Homeland Security’s release of figures showing “apprehensions of undocumented immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border are … Continue reading →

Posted in Immigration | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The “Border Beat” (June 24, 2009)

Posted on June 24, 2009 by

Time for another run-down of some of the Latino-themed stories you might have missed in the last two weeks.  Damas y caballeros, the BORDER BEAT! • “Sotomayor & Identity Politics” (The Nation) Just a taste, really, of the buffet that … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nixon the Racist

Posted on June 24, 2009 by

More tape recordings of President Richard M. Nixon’s private office discussions were made public today.  Covering Januaury and February 1973, these tapes reveal what the former President thought of the Supreme Court decision making abortions legal. “There are times when … Continue reading →

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Villaraigosa and the CA Gov Race

Posted on June 23, 2009 by

News came today from the LA Times of Antonio Villaraigosa’s decision not to run for Governor of California. If you had asked me a year ago–even a few months ago–I would have said Antonio’s run was a “sure thing.”  Polling … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Senate Apologizes for Slavery

Posted on June 19, 2009 by

From CNN, a story on yesterday’s passage of a nonbinding resolution in the U.S. Senate which “acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery, and Jim Crow laws” as it “apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

George Reeves is still dead…

Posted on June 16, 2009 by

Fifty years ago today, on June 16, 1959, George Reeves shot and killed himself.  Best know as television’s Superman, Reeves also played a small role in the legendary film Gone With the Wind.  When he died, he was 45 years … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Obituary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Time Warp Tales

Posted on June 15, 2009 by

I’m delayed at the Oakland Airport right now (thanks to their ubiquitous corporate sponsors for free the internet connection I can still post) and I just had a time warp while standing in line to pay for a beverage. The … Continue reading →

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