AltWeeklies Wire
Prophet of Boom (and Bust): Now Will They Listen to Ravi Batra?new

The 65-year-old academic has an amazing record of economic and social forecasting going back several decades, from the rise of Islam, which he predicted in the 1960s, to the mergers booms and soaring stock prices of the '90s, and the stock market crash of 2000.
Fort Worth Weekly |
Kendall Anderson |
12-22-2008 |
Economy
A Debate on Recyled Wastewaternew

Is reclaimed wastewater too contaminated to use, or is it too valuable to waste? Two PhDs argue two sides of the issue.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Edo McGowan and Barry Keller |
12-22-2008 |
Environment
The Old Thailand Returnsnew
The political crisis in Thailand is over, and so is the ten-year experiment with democracy. The rich and the comfortably off have risen in outraged revolt against equal treatment for the poor, and it's back to the bad old days of shaky coalitions and bought-and-paid-for politicians.
NOW Magazine |
Gwynne Dyer |
12-22-2008 |
International
Pat Quinn: Illinois Governor in Waitingnew

As Illinois lawmakers consider impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, his lieutenant governor prepares to go from maverick to main man.
Illinois Times |
R.L. Nave |
12-19-2008 |
Politics
Why I Still Make Tapesnew

I still make tapes because I have always made tapes, and I tend to continue to do things that I have always done.
North Bay Bohemian |
Gabe Meline |
12-19-2008 |
Music
The Revamped Sounds, Songs and Suits of The New Familiarsnew
Charlotte, N.C.-based folk-rock outfit The New Familiars blends traditional roots music with energetic, modern sounds and great vintage suits.
Mountain Xpress |
Alli Marshall |
12-19-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Michelle Williams Finds a Safe Haven With Outsider Director Kelly Reichardtnew
It's a rare bankable star who lends her name to a tiny project budgeted at $300,000 and shot over 18 days with a mostly volunteer crew by a director whose name, had Williams bothered to ask permission from her agents, would doubtless have inspired the response "Who?"
L.A. Weekly |
Ella Taylor |
12-19-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
We Should Thank the Shoe Thrower for Setting the Tone for the Bush Post-Presidencynew
I suspect the Secret Service has a difficult task ahead of itself, one way or the other, as our immediate past president hits the road determined to make some real bucks. For wherever he goes on the post-presidential speaking-tour circuit, George W. Bush will have to duck for his supper as well as sing for it.
The Memphis Flyer |
Kenneth Neill |
12-19-2008 |
Commentary
New Review Slams Montana Meth Projectnew
An independent review published in the December issue of Prevention Science uses data compiled by the Montana Meth Project to question the graphic campaign's effectiveness among teens. The project receives millions in public funding and several other states have developed ad campaigns based on the model used in Montana.
Missoula Independent |
Skylar Browning |
12-19-2008 |
Drugs
The Year in Reading About Foodnew
When I look over at the nightstand, taking quick inventory of what I've been reading over the last few months, the pile is depressingly salted with books on the death and dying of the ocean.
L.A. Weekly |
Jonathan Gold |
12-19-2008 |
Books
Veterans Against War; For Screenprintingnew
A former Guantanamo Bay guard hosts an anti-war screenprinting party.
The Portland Mercury |
John Motley |
12-19-2008 |
Art
Clint Eastwood, America's Directornew
"You've made the first movie of the Obama generation!" exclaimed an audience member, as he rushed up to Clint Eastwood after a recent screening of Gran Torino. "Well," the 78-year-old actor-director replied, without missing a beat, "I was actually born under Hoover."
L.A. Weekly |
Scott Foundas |
12-19-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino
Expressing Oneself Through Music Torture Programmingnew

Music as torture makes intuitive sense to us. In milder incarnations, we've been subjected to it, and practicing it, for years. In the context of genuine warfare, however, what role should music and other forms of pop culture play?
Las Vegas Weekly |
Greg Beato |
12-19-2008 |
Music
Grammy Got Run Over ...

Oh my gawd, did you guys see the Grammy nominations show last Wednesday? What a spectacle! So many stars, and so much great music! I'm so excited for the Grammys now! The music industry is saved, I tell ya! But seriously, yuck. What a mess.
Tags: Kanye West, awards, CBS, Lil Wayne, Al Green, Coldplay, Grammys, Mariah Carey, Foo Fighters, Recording Academy, Robert Plant
Take Romance for a Hike: Love and Looking Good on the Trailnew

Here in the Pacific Northwest you're just as likely to have a guy or gal ask you out for a walk in the woods as you are to get asked for a dinner and a drink. With a little forethought, you can combine an outdoor adventure with a little romance and look good while you do it.
Eugene Weekly |
Camilla Mortensen |
12-18-2008 |
Recreation