Salon, Joan, please!

In the very first paragraph Mr. Hannaham claims it was EIGHT years after 1981 that Prince achieved crossover success with 1999 and Purple Rain!!!

I complained openly about the uninformed questions Mr. Hannaham posed to Spike Lee last week. They were pathetic. Now this?!?

I have often complained of criticism that seems overly personal, but facts are facts. If one chooses to ignore facts, and if his/her superiors enable this habit--that is bullshit. I call bullshit! Are there no editors at Salon? Are there no fact-checkers? Hire me! I've got time and Wikipedia is free.

By the time Hannaham believes Prince finally gained crossover appeal, Living Colour (one of the greatest bands EVER!) were already on MTV, and not only had Prince released the two albums mentioned, but he had released "Around The World In A Day", "Parade", "Sign O' The Times" "The Black Album" and "Lovesexy".

I've only read the first paragraph, so far. Because I have recently developed a masochistic streak, I shall continue to read, and if pertinent will follow this up with a check-list of any and all evidence of Mr. Hannaham's cultural incompetence.

Jesus Christ, Salon

It's "perverse" when folks on the right and the left agree on something? That's so asinine I'm speechless.

Jesus Christ! Wake me when it's over.

I certainly don't begrudge you your opinion on the "closeness" of winning percentages; nevermind the absurdity of comparing eras and the physical effects of a longer schedule.

But, the fact is you mentioned the Yankees 114 out of 162, and not the M's 116. You missed it.

It's okay, I won't stop reading ;-)

Overall, a nice piece, Mr. Shapiro.

I have one quibble. I realize that you were merely playing tit for tat with your closing paragraph, and that it was largely a literary device, but putting that aside: When will journalists and opinion writers in this country stop kowtowing to these supposed "American values"?

The United States of America was not founded on rural, parochial values! It was founded on Universal, cosmopolitan values; an understanding that we as individuals are not simply individuals but that we exist as individuals within community!, and it is our duty to self-govern ourselves with our eyes set on the greater good!

Moose-hunting doesn't have shit to do with "American values"! As Bill Mahr said a few weeks ago, the farther removed our nation has moved from the metropolitan centers of the original 13 Colonies the less American we have become.

It's high time people started pointing that out respectfully and forcefully!

I dove eagerly into this article ready to giggle at all the nut-jobs out there and discover some new conspiracy I'd never come across. Unfortunately, Mr. Bayard apparently has the same desire for evidence as do many of the groups cited--that is, no desire.

My wife is a licensed craniosacral therapist, and while I certainly "get" that people have a hard time understanding the process, there is a large body of evidence of craniosacral's efficacy.

As a patient in the midst of treatment it does feel as if "nothing" is being done, but having had the treatment I can vouch for its therapeutic effects. That said, it could just as easily have been psychological suggestion seeing as how from my perspective as patient "nothing" was happening. However, during her schooling, my wife taught me how to feel and manipulate the rhythm of the nervous system. It's actually there. One can feel it. It's measurable. It's teachable.

In the same way that acupuncture took decades to be widely accepted despite study after study that showed its efficacy, craniosacral therapy is currently battling its own war of disbelief with the western medical establishment. That hardly makes it a conspircay--unless of course you're referring to the medical establishment's conspiracy against alternative medicine!

I don't disagree with had_enough, but I do find it troublesome that some on the left still find ad hominem attacks--that is, personal insults, derision and inuendo--a valid style of political discourse! There are plenty of facts available for you to use to your offensive advantage; your use of emotion will require more defense than you may possess!

But more to the point: As was made plain by the civic event we all observed tonight, sometimes all it takes is stating the facts and offering solutions. Apologies to Mr. Shaprio, but sometimes boring is exactly what's called for!

Maybe our democracy's not supposed to be a half-scripted, self-referential, reality show? Maybe it's supposed to be about policy and governing?

That's a drag for those of you looking for the excitement of pro wrestling, but for those of us looking for a stronger, more beneficent United States, we'll take "boring and right" over "exciting and wrong" (props to Ms. Maddow).

Obama-Biden 08!

YES!

Wow.

I didn't know how much I missed her.

Thanks

how is this current? was there something from the past day or two that triggered this post (no pun intended)?

strange, and a waste of time. except I LOVE that Talking Heads tune--perfect use for it

There aren't words... yet, here I go!...

The equal parts, dread and hope that rose in me as I read your interview will never be forgotten.

Your leap to solace in our children is at once so heartbreaking, and so inspiring that all who ignore the sentiment temp fate! But, it also reminds me that I don't view the world remotely as darkly as you do!

My reasons for wanting Opus to visit my home on at least a weekly basis are completely, transparently selfish. Then again, your reasons for wanting to retire him are too.

I love you, Berkeley Breathed

yeah, I've been thinking dandelions as well. of course it's the obvious choice, but--coconut bras or no--that weed-covered hill is Opus' real happy place.

i love where Mr. Dallas is ending the run!