Is The Crisis At NYC Art Istitutions A Learning Experience

City Journal describes the trouble New York City's cultural venues are experiencing and struggles they will face over the next two years. Some institutions became too reliant on endowment investment income and have seen losses around 35%. Coupled with that contributions are down while art supporters feel the economy tightening their own belts and the city contribution to institutions is predictably down. Lay-offs, reduced hours, reduced service and canceled exhibits are being seen all over the city. Unfortunately some smaller institutions close amid this economic terror for the arts.

Sad times for the city. What is the impact on the tourist cache? Will institutions learn to be more conservative with endowment investments? Sphere: Related Content

The Bible According To Bedford Avenue

I miss my old neighborhood. I was there for nearly a decade but luckily the hipsters that live there now bring there hipsterness to the web.

The bible according to Bedford Ave.
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Palin Mountain - I Can Quit You? Update

Meg Stapleton, Palin spokesperson, issues statement via Facebook:

"No Truth to Latest Rumors

Yet again, some so-called journalists have decided to make up a story. There is no truth to the recent 'story' (and story is the correct term for this type of fiction) that the Palins are divorcing. The Palins remain married, committed to each other and their family, and have not purchased land in Montana (last week it was reported to be Long Island).

Less than one week ago, Governor Palin asked the media to 'quit making things up.' We appreciate that the more professional journalists decided to question this story before repeating it."

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Palin Mountain - I Can Quit You?

Reports out of Alaska that the Palins are getting divorced. Sphere: Related Content

Toilet Paper Roll Art

Faces made from empty toilet paper rolls.






















Thanks to The Daily Dish Sphere: Related Content

What Would Insurance Premiums Be Like For A Blind Driver

Washington Post reports on a car designed by Va. Tech students for the blind. Another DARPA inspired project. Sphere: Related Content

High Minded Political Attack Ads

Found through Jonah Goldberg at National Review Sphere: Related Content

Clear Channel Passes On Palin

It is being reported at Media Bistro that Clear Channel passed on Palin for radio show. Sphere: Related Content

Henry Louis Gates Makes Nice Gesture To 911 Caller

The Boston Globe reports that Gates sent Lucia Whalen flowers. Sphere: Related Content

CNN Makes Money From Group Attacking Lou Dobbs

The Plum Line reports that Media Matters bought airtime on CNN to run ads attacking Lou Dobbs on the birther issue. Perhaps Jon Klein's support of Dobbs' "judgment as various stories evolve" is wavering or perhaps CNN just needs the money

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If Olbermann Can't Attack O'Reilly Why Watch UPDATE

Glenn Greenwald at Salon takes the NY Times story about NBC and Fox to the place where the NY Times should have. Greenwald writes:

"So here we have yet another example -- perhaps the most glaring yet -- of the corporations that own our largest media outlets controlling and censoring the content of their news organizations based on the unrelated interests of the parent corporation."

He goes further:

"It makes no difference what one thinks of O'Reilly's attacks on the corporate activities of GE or Olbermann's criticisms of O'Reilly and Fox News. Whatever one's views on that are -- and I watch neither show very often -- those are perfectly legitimate subjects for news reporting and commentary, and the corporate decree to stop commenting on those topics is nothing less than corporate censorship."

Greenwald also takes issue with the guest hosting slots by Richard Wolffe on the Olbermann program. I was unaware that Wolffe had left Newsweek for a corporate communication position, essentially a lobbyists. I was more disturbed by Howard Dean hosting. Sphere: Related Content

If Olbermann Can't Attack O'Reilly Why Watch.

The NY Times Business section reports on the deals being struck by NBC and Fox News to be nice to each other. Sphere: Related Content

Are You A Better Painter Than A Six Year Old?

This was painted by a six year old boy. Here is the story at the Daily Mail.
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Will Losing Expertise Cost Us An Art And A Leg?

Robert Lee Hotz laments the loss of technical skills from generation to generation. Hotz uses the art and science of art restoration to explain the distressing situation we face as one generation of skilled people retire without passing on those skills to younger people.

Sorry about the stupid pun in the title. Sphere: Related Content

Isn't This A Lovely Moment

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What Does The Country Know About Barack Obama

Matthew Yglesias at Think Progress shows this chart about misconceptions of President Obama. Follow the links to Think Progress for more info and commentary.

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Is There Any Surprise Where The Birthers Are?

Research conducted by Research 2000 for the Daily Kos asked respondents the question, "Do you believe that Barack Obama was born in the United States of America or not?"

Results by region:

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Clip Of Suspended Boston Cop Speaking With Larry King

Here is a clip from the recent interview conducted by Larry King with the Boston cop suspended for sending racist email.

My impression:
This man should be fired. While listening to him it sounds like he does not understand that his actions were wrong or offensive. He apologizes to police officers, soldiers and citizens but not to the author of the editorial nor Professor Gates who he called a jungle monkey. His excuse is that he did not mean for people to perceive his words as offensive or racist. He asserts that he isn't a racist. I think this guy is a racist. The quote that stands out from the apology is, "I did not intend any racial bigotry, harm or prejudice in my words." How is that possible? I could forgive a person that makes a statement that is prejudice or bigoted, if afterward they are aware that what they said is wrong and understand why it is wrong. This man is not aware of that he is racist.

Sorry about the quality.

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More Shatner Reading Palin's New Poem

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Boston Cop Apologizes, Should He Be Fired?

The cop suspended from the Boston PD for writing a racist email has apologized. He is going to fight the PD to keep his job if he is fired. His lawyer said, "I think the department has taken such an outwardly over-proportional response," he said. "We have police officers who do heroin, cocaine and keep their job, beat their wives, keep their jobs. The mayor isn't out on TV saying they're g-o-n-e."

If that is his argument he should start looking for a new job.

Should the cop be fired?

I think so. We are continuously told that cops should get the benefit of the doubt. I don't think that is appropriate but that it what some think is appropriate because cops do a potentially dangerous job. If we are to give cops this benefit we should also hold them to a higher standard of behavior. I think the language and ideas in this email surpass that standard. Sphere: Related Content