AltWeeklies Wire
After the Crash, There's Little Recourse for Those Wronged by WaMunew
The problem for plaintiffs in suits against WaMu is who to go after now. Rob Williamson, an attorney who filed a class-action suit against WaMu over what he claims were hidden and excessive fees, puts it this way: "The defendant no longer exists."
Seattle Weekly |
Nina Shapiro |
12-02-2008 |
Economy
Ask a Mexican: Counting Illegal Immigrantsnew
"I hear all the time that 12 million illegal immigrants live in the United States. Is that true? Who counted them? How did they do it? Is there a turnstile at the border tallying up illegals and stamping their hands with neon cartoon characters so they can go back and visit their familias?"
Are We Really Ready for Life Without American Cars?new

Here's the thing about the American public: we never learn. We squeezed into the backseats of our moms' Pintos in the 1970s, then grew up to fill vast suburban parking lots with Expeditions and Yukons and Escalades. Then we freak out when gas hits $4 a gallon and blame U.S. automakers.
Ace Hood: From Broward County to the Worldnew
The 20-year-old flame-throwing MC is in the midst of his official career launch to the world, and it appears he's getting cosigns galore.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Jonathan Cunningham |
12-02-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Trendzilla: Chanel Jackets and Cheap Chicnew
If you feel the need to binge on a dress or something for an upcoming event or those impending holiday parties, forego your usual standbys of Neiman Marcus or Barney's that we all love dearly. Start looking elsewhere. It isn't as bad as it sounds.
Black: The Color of the GOPnew
I've always known that, contrary to popular belief, the African-American community is very conservative, but it's really starting to dawn on me that I'm surrounded by people who would probably be Republicans if they weren't black. And, frankly, I wish the GOP would get its stuff together so that my brethren and sistern can just follow their hearts and join.
Baltimore City Paper |
Vincent Williams |
12-02-2008 |
Commentary
'In Search of Bill Clinton' Revisits the Monica Affairnew

Was Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky merely the weakness of an inveterate horndog -- or something else? Psychologist John D. Gartner explains.
Baltimore City Paper |
Violet Glaze |
12-02-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
'Paper Trail' Shows T.I.'s Troubles with the Law Have Benefitted His Artnew
While other top MCs have had to create their own bogeymen to battle -- Kanye has his ego, Eminem had ex-wife Kim, Lil Wayne has those cough-syrup Martians -- T.I.'s got real problems.
Houston Press |
Ben Westhoff |
12-02-2008 |
Reviews
Jimmy Gnecco's Sound is All Oursnew
Despite how he's been portrayed by critics and perceived by fans, the Ours frontman isn't particularly in love with his pain, nor does he need to feel tormented to write.
Westword |
Dave Herrera |
12-02-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Transporter 3': Jason Statham Takes His Shirt Offnew
After the disappointingly shallow new James Bond movie, maybe a third helping of Frank Martin isn't a bad thing. The guy was never particularly deep to begin with.
Seattle Weekly |
Brian Miller |
12-02-2008 |
Reviews
Avoiding Wal-Mart for Your AC/DC Fixnew
Independent retailers have found ways to get around big-box exclusives.
Seattle Weekly |
Sara Brickner |
12-02-2008 |
Music
Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon Carry 'Four Christmases'new
Still, Vaughn and Witherspoon can only do so much, trudging through a rogue's gallery of one-note characters and predictable setups. At its worst, Four Christmases can make you feel as beaten down and insulted as its protagonists.
Baltimore City Paper |
Al Shipley |
12-02-2008 |
Reviews
Gus Van Sant's 'Milk' is Itself a Political Actnew
Milk hits theaters amid a renewed debate over the place of homosexuals in American life. Whether the cause will help the film is anyone's guess, but there seems little doubt that the film will help the cause.
Chicago Reader |
J.R. Jones |
12-02-2008 |
Reviews
New Sustainability Mag Builds a Base in Phillynew
Living sustainably has been a buzzed-about notion for years, but given the economic uncertainty we're all steeping in at present, the idea's become trendy for an entirely new reason. Into the breach comes Grid, a fledgling magazine pointing "Towards a Sustainable Philadelphia.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Brian Howard |
12-02-2008 |
Media
'Milk' Avoids Sentimentality and Rouses Cross-Cultural Folknew
Van Sant keeps the movie brisk and engaging, taking what could have been an endless parade of period vignettes and turning them into a reflection of Milk's seemingly boundless sense of humanity. What pulls everything together, however, is Sean Penn's spectacularly infectious performance.
Metro Times |
Jeff Meyers |
12-02-2008 |
Reviews