AltWeeklies Wire
Thomas Frank on What's Wrong with Obamanew

Before he morphed into one of the few real leftists still taken seriously by the mainstream press, author Thomas Frank had an even lower profile.
Willamette Week |
Corey Pein |
08-13-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
After 36 Years Without, Some Residents of La Presa, Texas, Finally Get Electricitynew

For 36 years, the people in this dusty, sweltering colonia south of Laredo, have lived without electricity, potable water, or an adequate sewage system. Now an innovative experiment is bringing power to a dozen lucky residents. While the wheels of bureaucracy turned slowly or not at all, residents suffered, despite many applications for assistance from state and local government.
The Texas Observer |
Forrest Wilder |
08-13-2008 |
Housing & Development
Canvassers, Telemarketers and Parking Officials Talk About Doing Work People Hatenew

They call during dinner time. They interrupt your picnic at the park. They write parking tickets. We talk to some of these people, to find out not only just how badly they're treated, but also why they continue to show up for work, day after day.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Phil Eil |
08-13-2008 |
Business & Labor
Rock Riffs Meet Classical Chops in the Hands of Judgement Daynew
For a mutant that's half-string quartet, half-power trio, this triple threat of violin, cello, and drums turns out to be mighty tough.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Dina Maccabee |
08-13-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Judgement Day
Here's the Drill: The Sticky Truths About Offshore Oilnew

Approving drilling now would mean that oil reaches our gas tanks in a decade, under the best estimates, and the small quantity relative to global production would do little to alleviate prices. Still, advocates argue, anything that reduces American dependence on foreign oil is worth pursuing. That pursuit becomes sticky, however, when weighed with drilling's definable risks to the environment and public health.
Charleston City Paper |
Stratton Lawrence |
08-13-2008 |
Environment
US Presidential Candidates Oversimplify the Georgia Crisisnew
Both Obama and McCain failed to take advantage of the crisis as an opportunity to comment on the complex nature of the territorial dispute in Georgia. Yes, we know that one of the first rules of campaigning is that messages should be kept simple, but we don’t have to like it. And when the subject matter is dicey foreign policy with potentially grave consequences, over-simplicity is dangerous business.
San Diego CityBeat |
Editorial |
08-13-2008 |
Commentary
Houston's Fady Joudah is a Poet Without Bordersnew

According to his champions, the Palestinian-American poet is one of the most accomplished and interesting poets to appear in the United States in some time.
The Texas Observer |
David Theis |
08-13-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
'Sputnik Mania' Takes a Hot Look at the Cold Warnew
Two decades ago, when communism in most territories ended with a whimper, the Cold War era officially died with it. But David Hoffman's documentary Sputnik Mania turns the Way Back Machine to that long moment when it was overwhelmingly, virulently alive.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Dennis Harvey |
08-13-2008 |
Reviews
The Poetry in 'Satin Cash' is Never Less than Splendidnew
For poets and non-poets alike, Spaar's overriding theme -- how the "one" figures in the "many" -- is the stuff of life.
C-Ville Weekly |
Doug Nordfors |
08-13-2008 |
Poetry
The Gospel According to John Cornynnew

Nearly 40 percent of Texans wouldn't know their junior senator if he fell on them. But Cornyn's dull exterior masks one of the most conservative records in the U.S. Senate.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
08-13-2008 |
Politics
Squirrel Nut Zippers Mine Mysteries — and Their Back Catalognew
After a lengthy hiatus, the Squirrel Nut Zippers are back. Just don't call them a swing band, anymore, OK? Thanks.
Eugene Weekly |
Chuck Adams |
08-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Squirrel Nut Zippers, preview
The Lazy Ass's Guide to Spray Cookingnew

Because eating should be as easy as shaving.
Eugene Weekly |
Chuck Adams |
08-12-2008 |
Food+Drink
Q&A with L.A. Painter, Muralist, Educator: Steven Lopeznew
Offers a Q&A with one of L.A.'s up and coming painters, chronicling his time spent in Eugene, Ore., and the difference between graffiti and public art.
Eugene Weekly |
Chuck Adams |
08-12-2008 |
Art
Just How Texan are Hayes Carll and Miranda Lambert?new
Unlike the Outlaws or Lovett/Griffith/Earle cadre, this bunch doesn't socialize regularly or share a common background. They're all Texans, indisputably, but even how much that has to do with their current success is open for debate.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
08-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Cedric Burnside and Lightnin' Malcolm on Living the Bluesnew
While his first CD with Malcolm, Juke Joint Duo, was self-produced, their latest, still-untitled album was recorded professionally in Nashville, and Burnside is extremely excited about it.
Houston Press |
Ben Westhoff |
08-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews