L'Shana Tova

Sad and true.

Real-Life Pirates Have Pirate Spokesman (They're Just Like Us!)

I feel like the world is literally falling apart -- or actually turning into one of those strange post-apocalyptic movies where there is no order and everyone needs to carry a gun and hide in caves. I'm not crazy-- case-in-point:

Somali officials say the pirates are growing in numbers, with more than 1,000 gunmen at their disposal, and they have evolved into a sophisticated organized crime ring with their headquarters along the rocky shores of northern Somalia. There is even a pirate spokesman (who could not be reached on Friday).

This excerpt is from an article in The New York Times. I think the best part of this statement is that there is an actual pirate spokesman and he couldn't be reached for comment. I mean, of course he couldn't. He's out on the high-seas with a wooden leg, killing his ship mates if they look at him the wrong way. I doubt he's checking his BlackBerry in between pillaging villages and stealing arms supplies. That's the kind of thing the assistant to the pirate spokesman would handle.

2008 Presidential Debates: Get Informed

Here is the information for the 2008 Presidential Debate airing tomorrow night. Watch, listen, judge and get informed so you make the right choice on voting day.

Date: September 26
Site: University of Mississippi
Topic: Foreign Policy & National Security
Moderator: Jim Lehrer
Staging: Podium debate
Answer Format: The debate will be broken into nine, 9-minute segments. The moderator will introduce a topic and allow each candidate 2 minutes to comment. After these initial answers, the moderator will facilitate an open discussion of the topic for the remaining 5 minutes, ensuring that both candidates receive an equal amount of time to comment.

All four debates will begin at 9pm ET, and last for 90 minutes.

All 4 debates will be broadcast on the major broadcast networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX. They will also be aired on cable news channels such as CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and C-SPAN.

Sarah Palin: A Joke, I Hope?

Watch CBS Videos Online

Oooook Republicans. Oooook. You made a funny, now tell us -- who really is John McCain's running mate? Because Sarah Palin can't be it. In the video above, she literally looks like a beauty queen answering the question, "How would you go about achieving world peace?" I mean, that's just ridic...oh wait.

p.s. I love that CBS put this clip out on the web. It's like they're begging the American public to understand that this woman is completely worthless.

Pay Attention to the Facts

A scary and interesting slide show is up on RollingStone.com depicting the Truth v. Fact of Sarah Palin's political career.

An excerpt from the piece that gave me chills:

THE MYTH: "She's been to Kuwait. She's been over there. She has been with her troops. The National Guard that she commands, who have been over there and had the experience." — John McCain, highlighting Palin's national-security credentials

THE FACTS: Never had a passport before 2007, when she made a brief photo-op trip to visit troops in Germany and Kuwait. Has never been to Iraq, and has not met a single foreign head of state.

Yet, we want her to be next in line to run the free world?

Get the full scare here.

How Will the Financial Crisis Affect Dating in New York

This is exactly the kind of date I'm talking about.

How many times have you heard the line, "I've got a great guy for you. He went to [Ivy or Big 10 School], is definitely [insert religion of your parents] and works at [investment bank.]"? While that used to be the ticket to the date of your mother's dreams -- or at least a terrific free dinner, will that option seem so appealing now that the markets are taking a hit?

It's no lie that women are attracted to a man with job security. He doesn't have to be rolling in dough, but wondering whether or not he may be collecting welfare in the near future might be...unsettling. So, how will this change the dating scene of the city? Who will the women gravitate towards? Perhaps the artists -- there's always "art to create," right? Maybe the waiters -- sorry, the actors. No matter what's happening on Wall Street, people still gotta eat. Dates will no longer be hitting up Nobu 57 and The Stanton Social -- instead couples will be scarfing noodles at some cool LES hut that "no one" knows -- except for the people that read New York Magazine.

This crisis could be a opportunity for men who chose to follow a career path not necessarily based on income to date women who would never give them the time of day. And maybe women will step outside the box and date a man who she actually likes -- not cashes in on. But does it really take a recession and the crash of the stock market to make women less shallow? Let's hope not.

Rob Corddry Discusses Baby Names

"We have a short list of names that we are considering. My 2-year-old (daughter Sloane) is pretty set on the name 'Freeka.' She also likes 'Laurie Berkner,' but that sounds weird in front of Corddry. We may just go with 'Baby the Entertainer' in case she grows up to be a black comedian."

Hip Restaurant Critic Uses Twitter; "Flies Without a Net"

According to Grub Street, Washingtonian critic Todd Kliman has to be the first critic to live-review his meal (at Adour, just opened in D.C.) via Twitter.

The future of food writing? I don't think so. A foodie with a Twitter profile can be a great asset -- I'd follow one just to get hints and tips one where to go for lunch and dinner. However, getting a live review of a restaurant during a meal can't be fun to give or fun to read. Rule #1 for all food lovers -- SAVOR. You can't think about your food, enjoy your wine, try to figure out the flavor combinations in each dish, and observe the decor and waitstaff while typing into your Blackberry at the same time.

What I love so much about food reviews are the fact that the writer takes notes, but also takes the time to enjoy their meal while he or she is there. They go home, they think about it. See how the food settles in their stomach -- and even return to the restaurant multiple times before projecting their views and opinions on the public. A live twitter stream could corrupt this thoughtful and controlled art. It might be "where technology is headed" -- but that doesn't have to mean that it will be a positive contribution to the foodie underworld.

Matt Damon Voices His Fears/Everyone's Fears

During an interview with the Associated Press, a reporter asked Matt Damon what he thought about Sarah Palin.

"It's like a really bad Disney movie. You know? The hockey mom, 'Oh I'm just a hockey mom from Alaska,' and she's the PRESIDENT, and it's like she's facing down Vladamir Putin and using the folksy stuff she learned at the hockey rink. It's absurd, it's totally absurd, and I don't understand why more people aren't talking about how absurd it is. It's a terrifying possibility. The fact that we've gotten this far and we're that close to this being a reality is crazy. I need to know if she really think that dinosaurs were here 4,000 years ago. I want to know that, I really do. Because she's gonna have the nuclear codes."

Remember When MTV Used to Be Edgy and Rebellious?

At the VMAs last night, Russell Brand, the show's host, poked fun at the Jonas Brothers for the purity rings that they wear on their wedding finger, as a symbol that they will stay abstinent until marriage.

Jordin Sparks, yet another teen pop start who wears a purity ring, spoke out to defend her comrades-in-virginity. "It's not bad to wear a promise ring," Sparks, 18, told the crowd, "because not everybody – guy or girl – wants to be a slut."

According to reports, The American Idol winner's comments were met by an audible cheer from the crowd.

It's Personal For Bristol Palin -- But Not For You

Samantha Bee, I applaud you.

In light of all the controversy surrounding Sarah Palin's 17-year old pregnant daughter, Bristol, The Daily Show heads to the RNC to ask right-wingers what they think of this "personal topic" surrounding Palin's family. Most of the people Bee interviews begin to stutter when they realize that they are promoting liberal thinking -- that pregnancy is a personal matter and women should have the right to choose how they want to handle it.

At the end of the video, Bee makes a statement that actually gave me chills it was so on the money: "[Palin's] able to make the choice she doesn't really want other people to have. Right?"

Real Life Imitates the Wire

Scene from The Wire Season 5 at the Baltimore Sun.

According to a recent post on Eater, The New York Sun has announced it will most likely fold in October.

When I read this I immediately thought of Gus Haynes, the no-nonsense editor of the Wire's Baltimore Sun. I would hate to see him out of a job, and therefore, I'm pissed that the New York Sun is, well, setting.