Country Music Starter Set

Tyler Cowen and Alex Massie, an economist and a Scotsman, might seem to be odd sources for advice on American country music but they've both written interesting posts on the topic. Neither grew up with the tradition but they found religion and are now offering recommendations for those looking to wade in. Cowen suggests, Hank Sr., The Byrds, Sweetheart of ...

Chain Restaurant Elitism

Over the last couple of days, Ezra Klein, Matt Yglesias, Ross Douthat, Daniel Larison, and Megan McArdle have confessed that chain restaurants such as Outback, Cheesecake Factory, and Olive Garden aren't all that bad, generating a surprisingly fierce round of responses in their comment sections. Most of these places serve reliable food in large quantities at reasonable prices which, really, is ...

Deconstructing the Brady Bunch

Jeffrey Breinholt reflects on a "Deconstructing Islamaphobia" conference at Berkeley, presumably aimed at deconstructing the myths of Islamophobia and wonders if they will actually deconstruct Islamaphobia and thus prove it does not exist. Along the way, he provides this amusing example of textual deconstruction: Remember the Brady Bunch? What did we know about them? It was a story about a man ...

Proud to Be an American While Hating the Song with that Lyric

Abu Muqawama's Charlie unleashes a diatribe against Lee Greenwood and, especially, the "miserable, treacly song" for which he is most known. Noting that the old warriors at a weekend Special Forces gathering "stood for it like it was the National Anthem," she asks, "Is this some sort of Army thing? Does graduating from the Q course leave you ...

Iron Man a Second-Tier Superhero?

Jonathan Last notes a WaPo write-up on the new "Iron Man" live action movie starring Robert Downey Jr. and observes: The reporter makes the case that Iron Man is a second-tier hero, closer to Thor than Spider-Man. I'm not sure I buy that. In recent years, Iron Man has assumed a larger and larger role in the Marvel universe; being one ...

DC Madam Commits Suicide

Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the so-called "DC Madam" has (apparently) killed herself. Police were called to the home of DC Madam Deborah Jeane Palfrey's mother on Thursday to investigate her apparent suicide. Police have confirmed that the dead person is Palfrey who was 52. Palfrey was dubbed "The DC Madam" by the national media after her arrest for allegedly running an upscale ...

Viewers Not Rushing Back to Favorite TV Programs

The writer's strike is long over but its impact continues, as viewers have been slow to return to their old viewing habits. Just because your favorite dramas and comedies are back on the air after the writers strike doesn't mean you're necessarily watching them. A preliminary look at ratings of returning programs on the big broadcast networks reveals that the "majority ...

What Makes Someone an Elitist?

The rule of thumb for American politics in the media appears to be classifying politicians as being on the "beer-track" or "wine-track", or, in the alternative Hillary Clinton formation, "Starbucks vs. Dunkin' Donuts". In other words, if you prefer wine over beer or Starbucks over Dunkin' Donuts, then you are an "elitist", and if not, you're just a "regular ...

Parenting Through Reason

When I first heard the story about Lenore Skenazy, the New York woman who made headlines for allowing her nine-year-old to ride on the subway alone, the first thing I thought to myself is: Why is this news? New York City is one of the safest cities in America now. Why shouldn't a kid ride the subway alone? ...

Obama Endorsement Costs Oprah Fans

Costas Panagopoulos, director of Fordham University’s Center for Electoral Politics and Democracy, has studied Oprah Winfrey's popularity polls over the years and found that her ratings "plummeted" after endorsing Barack Obama -- "almost instantly." Panagopoulos chronicles nearly two decades of "sky high" approval for Winfrey, who was consistently among the most popular woman in the country. Then, in May ...

Barack Obama and Hank Williams, Jr.

Dan Martin has some advice for Barack Obama: Listen to some Hank. Barack Obama’s candidacy enjoys broad support and seems to be unified in ways most candidates could only dream of prior to the internet and text messaging age. Obama’s wide support, horizontal networking, and ability to inspire various demographics have thrust him within reach of the Democratic nomination. ...

Simpsons Quote of the Day

"Slavery it is, sir!" - Apu Nahasapeemapetilon (In honor of Confederate Heritage Month, naturally.)

Solution to Florida and Michigan Problem

Steve Clemons offers an inspired solution: "I just saw No Country for Old Men. Perhaps Hillary and Obama should flip a coin?" For those who haven't seen it, this video will provide some context:

Ivan Dixon Dead at 76

Ivan Dixon, best known for his role as Sergeant James Kinchloe on "Hogan's Heroes," died Sunday. Actor Ivan Dixon, who brought the problems and promise of contemporary blacks to life in the film "Nothing But a Man" and portrayed the levelheaded POW Kinchloe in TV's "Hogan's Heroes," has died. He was 76. Dixon died Sunday at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte ...

McCartney Divorce Settlement

Reflecting on the Paul McCartney-Heather Mills divorce settlement, Alex Massie, blogging from the other side of the Pond, observes, Isn't £24m pretty fair compensation for having endured Sir Paul McCartney for four years. It works out at £16, 427 a day which, as a per diem, seems quite reasonable... (Of course if you take the view that she is but a gold-digger, ...