AltWeeklies Wire
Obama Supports Chicago's 2016 Olympic Bid at His Own Risknew
Last month president-elect Barack Obama vowed to end the old system of awarding federal goodies to friends. But I'm not sure the call for productive and prudent public spending applies to the expensive wish lists of his hometown the same way it does to those of, say, the Detroit auto industry.
Chicago Reader |
Ben Joravsky |
12-08-2008 |
Politics
Is California's Gay-Marriage Ban Sparking a New Generation of LGBT Activists?new
Misty Harvey has become a gay-rights leader by default. When Prop. 8 passed last month in California -- taking away same-sex marriage rights given to state residents in May -- Harvey sought a way to protest.
Pittsburgh City Paper |
Marty Levine |
12-08-2008 |
LGBT
Money, Arrogance and Stupidity = Disaster for American Auto Industrynew
Chapter 11 does not mandate that the Big 3 close their doors. It mandates that they restructure and cut costs, just like the airlines did. Yet the Big 3 continue to be bullheaded and refuse to consider this option.
Pasadena Weekly |
Jennifer Hadley |
12-08-2008 |
Business & Labor
To Hell with the Economy! The Lawless Exotic Rental Car Industry Keeps Rollingnew
Many cars in South Florida's exotic-for-a-day trade are illegal. The cars' real owners make under-the-table deals with brokers, but most brokers don't have proper rental insurance, so the deal constitutes insurance fraud.
Miami New Times |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
12-08-2008 |
Business & Labor
The Titles that Axl Rose Didn't Use for GnR's Long-Delayed Albumnew
It turns out that during Rose's 17-year effort to record the album, he weighed several other different potential titles. The first batch comprised more variations on the Oriental theme, but we're guessing China wouldn't have liked them any better.
Seattle Weekly |
Brian Miller |
12-08-2008 |
Music
How County Chair Jonathan Neerman Plans to Ease the Dallas GOP's Woesnew
Although Neerman offers no apologies, he knows that frustration within the party is at an all-time high, and people are searching for someone to blame. Rather than hide in his cushy downtown office while the GOP faithful grab their pitchforks, Neerman decided instead to schedule an open-mic night and confront his detractors face to face.
Dallas Observer |
Sam Merten |
12-08-2008 |
Politics
'Slumdog Millionaire' Director Talks About Mumbai Before the Terrornew
English director Danny Boyle was visiting Seattle a while back, raving about the inspiration Mumbai provided during the filming of his acclaimed new Slumdog Millionaire. Then we all know what happened in that city.
Seattle Weekly |
Brian Miller |
12-08-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Wanna Be MySpace Music's CEO?new
Rupert Murdoch's toy is trying to go legit; mayhem may ensue, and success may not.
Dallas Observer |
Karla Starr |
12-08-2008 |
Music
Geek Glasses Transform Sexy Superstars into Really Sexy Superstarsnew
Through a thoroughly scientific study of entirely anecdotal evidence, I am here to prove that oversized, plastic–frame glasses have the power to transform the lamest of losers into the coolest, smartest, funniest, prettiest, best–smelling people who ever did exist.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Caralyn Green |
12-08-2008 |
Commentary
The Assassination of Barack Obamanew
The presidential election prompts an explosion of racist threats against Obama -- including one sent to this newspaper.
Pasadena Weekly |
Joe Piasecki |
12-08-2008 |
Politics
Q-Tip Beats 'Democracy' to the Punch with 'The Renaissance'new
All this talk of Chinese Democracy finally seeing the light of day has overshadowed another album many of us -- at least those in the hip-hop community -- thought would never come to be: Q-Tip's second album, The Renaissance.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Craig D. Lindsey |
12-08-2008 |
Reviews
California's Prop. 8 Defeat: A Bungled Campaignnew
The single biggest reason for the Proposition 8 loss was an ineffective and inept campaign strategy by the leadership of the No on 8 campaign.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Terry Leftgoff |
12-08-2008 |
LGBT
Angela Crafton Brings Unusual Cred to Philly's Prison Arts Programnew
Crafton has taught mural painting to Philadelphia prison system inmates for the past five years. But a decade ago, she was incarcerated herself.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Frank Rubino |
12-08-2008 |
Art
Falling Oil Prices Raise the Pressure on Irannew
Unlike the quasi-effective Security Council sanctions of the past, the U.S. and its allies finally have good leverage on Iran. It would be a diplomatic misfortune if the next U.S. president could not see that in this time of peril, there could also be a moment of promise for peace in the Middle East.
Ventura County Reporter |
Jesse Aizenstat |
12-08-2008 |
International
Oregon Eco-Activist Sent to Secretive New Prisonnew
The federal government has begun creating special prison units for terrorists, and eco-saboteur Daniel McGowan has been sent to the newest "communication management unit" (CMU) in Marion, Ill., possibly in retaliation for his continued environmental activism while behind bars.
Eugene Weekly |
Camilla Mortensen |
12-07-2008 |
Civil Liberties
