Torture is apparently now an acceptable means of interrogation, just so long as the police never officially charge you with anything. So, apparently, those who are innocent have the most to fear.
Found through This Modern World.
Month: May 2003
Is space for Americans only? Found through Metafilter.
I’ve managed to avoid watching all but a few scattered minutes of American Idol (despite serving as one of the judges at the Monty Python Society’s recent parody of the show), and what I’ve seen hasn’t given me any reason to think I’ve missed out. Nevertheless, I found myself reading this article, possibly because criticism of reality shows is the only thing I find marginally interesting about the genre. I think Gross sums up the (one hopes short-lived) phenomenon well when he writes:
American Idol eliminates the element of mystery from stardom, with its message that a star is not a special person with secret passions but a piece of equipment that can be melted down and reconfigured whenever the powers that be think of a new way to sell soft drinks.
I was also amused by an observation made by one of his fellow season finale attendees: “It’s not as intimate in person. You’re a little more removed from it here.”
I can’t imagine being far enough removed from American Idol, but maybe that’s just me.
They’re making a movie of Hellblazer starring Keanu Reeves. The current screenwriter attached is perhaps best known for writing the Hulk Hogan vehicle Suburban Commando. For the record, there is no god:
“He’s hot in the role, he’s perfect for Hellblazer because he has that innocent quality about him, a bit naive, but someone you like,” Donner says to Zap2it.com. “He’s a bit like Tarzan, or a hero like that. But this time, he sends demons to hell.”
You know, say what you will about the X-Men or Spider-Man movies — they’re not without flaws — at least Singer and Raimi understand the characters. But the idea of making John Constantine an American (much less Tarzan, much less nice enough for a PG-13 rating) just pisses me off.