AltWeeklies Wire
Election '08: Truth, Justice, and the New American Waynew
The luxury liner of consumerism has smacked into the iceberg. Sarah Palin can cry "socialism" and let slip the dogs of McCarthy, but Republicans have burned even their most flimsy credibility. And yet President-Elect Obama is just a man. Can he actually save a grateful nation?
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
11-07-2008 |
Commentary
2012: Apocalypse Soon?new
For the first time in nearly fifteen years the End of the World draws near. December 21, 2012, is coming in hard with multiple threats, and conflicting theories being actively debated on any and all forums that offer media time to the fringe and the fantastic.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
06-20-2008 |
Culture
Che Won't Go Awaynew
In the 40 years since his murder by the CIA and elite Bolivian Rangers, Guevara has been fashioned into a unique bridge between radical politics and popular culture. In a paradox that would baffle Leon Trotsky, Che is simultaneously a universal symbol of resistance and an object of commercial merchandise.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
05-16-2008 |
Commentary
The Porn War Heats Upnew
The Department of Justice's Obscenity Prosecution Task Force is still looking to take down adult smut peddlers, even to the point of allegedly diverting funds from kiddie porn investigations to do it.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
05-02-2008 |
Movies
The Adulterer's Perp Walknew
As with Spitzer's self-destruction in New York, sex scandals are spectacular but brief.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
03-21-2008 |
Media
Tags: media
Election '08: As the World Churnsnew
The contest among Clinton, Obama, McCain, and Huckabee is our primary TV soap.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
03-07-2008 |
Commentary
'Now I'll Be Famous'new
Big dreams and heinous acts at an Omaha mall.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
12-14-2007 |
Commentary
A Visit to the Big Housenew
In each episode of the documentary series Lockup, the viewer is given a guided tour of one of our nation's prisons. Some are modern high-tech hellholes, others are collapsing chipped-paint, broken-toilet hellholes, but all are hellholes.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
12-07-2007 |
TV
Typing in Neonnew
One author's determination to publish and be damned (maybe for eternity).
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
11-19-2007 |
Books
The Dilemma of the Literate Picketnew
While I won't lower the red flag or hang-up my IWW T-shirt, I confess to mixed emotions about the strike by the Writers Guild of America.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
11-16-2007 |
Movies
Right-Wing Talking Heads Go Down With the Shipnew
As the administration sinks lower, the right-wing media rats have started to scamper.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
11-02-2007 |
Media
Tags: media
That '60s-'70s-'80s Shownew
Will the nostalgia industry package the bad times?
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
10-19-2007 |
Commentary
Hillary Rodham Poppinsnew
In 2008, the American electorate might just be in the mood for another Margaret Thatcher.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
10-19-2007 |
Commentary
Fred Thompson is a Tall Man, But a Straw Candidatenew
Without demeaning Thompson's experience as a former senator, in the law and politics -- not to mention his forays into sleazy Washington lobbying -- I'm inclined to believe his current voter support stems merely from his being the Hollywood stereotype of an authority figure.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
10-05-2007 |
Commentary
What, 'MAD' Worry?new
Examining culture for over 50 years, the humor magazine still has no shortage of good material.
Los Angeles CityBeat |
Mick Farren |
09-21-2007 |
Media
