Champions (for a day)

Not sure if you saw the end of last night's Nationals home-opener, the first ever regular season game played at the brand new Nationals Park. Ryan Zimmerman hit a walk-off solo shot to cement his place in Nats lore. Pretty impressive.



The front page of today's Washington Post featured a picture of the team so big and so bold you might have thought they won the World Series. But why not celebrate? It could be years until the Nats give their fans something to truly cheer about. But with a new ballpark and some young, promising talent, they could well be on their way.

What Happened to Party Boy?

I went to Brookings today to hear Prime Minster Kevin Rudd of Australia give a speech about the future of Australia's foreign policy. It was a fine presentation. Rudd was elected late last year and it is exciting to see his enthusiasm and willingness to establish Australia as a "creative middle power" in the international arena.

During the whole speech, however, I kept thinking of party boy Corey Delaney. What is he up to these days? According to Adelaide Now, it turns out he signed a deal with O2, one of Britain's top mobile phone providers. "If you thought you'd seen the last of Corey you were sadly mistaken – this is only the beginning," says his agent. Oh dear.

On a more serious note, check out Prime Minister Rudd's apology speech from last month. If you think Obama's race lecture in Philadelphia was impressive, take a look at Rudd's remarks about the "Stolen Generation" of Aborigines. Amazing. And sad.

W's Folks on Film

Variety reported today that Oliver Stone has cast James Cromwell and Ellen Burstyn to play George H.W. and Barbara Bush (respectively, I think - unless Stone isn't going to push the limits of all reason) in his upcoming film "W" about you-know-who. Josh Brolin is playing the lead. Filming begins in April, and release is expected before Bush leaves office.

I wonder if there will be a special screening in the Oval office. I'm sure Oliver Stone and President Bush have a lot to talk about. Like both being Vietnam vets.

Oh wait, I guess not.

Keeping on Rocking in the Israeli/Palestinian World

My buddy Aaron is currently over in Israel and Palestine on a Fulbright scholarship. His current project is what I like to call "Making the Band" – Middle Eastern style. Aaron writes:

"I'm using my Fulbright-mtvU award to create an ensemble of about 10 Israeli and Palestinian high school students. The ensemble is a chance for students from opposite sides of the conflict to come together to learn, write, play music and create something extraordinary."

I'm really proud of the work he is carrying out over there. This is something Aaron has been talking about since I first met him freshman year at college. Take a look at his blog to see the good work he's been doing (includes some footage of a couple jam seasons - a must see).

To Hell and Back

Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post recently put himself through hell. All in the name of investigative journalism, he forced himself to sit through 24 hours of non-stop political punditry and spin via the web, cable TV, and talk radio.

Reading his article made me question whether I'm part of the problem, too. Is the Outsider just another cog in the wheel of political madness that is turning in our country? Probably yes, but hopefully this blog is bringing something positive to the discussion. Or at the very least helps you procrastinate at work. And doesn't make you cringe like Michelle Malkin. Ooops, there I go blaming people and pointing fingers.

So sorry.

But she really does deserve a good talking to. Thankfully Max Blumenthal did it for us:




Anyhow, check out Weingarten's article here from this past Sunday's Washington Post magazine.

Show Me the Creativity

It looks like the guys and gals in the graphics design department at Newsweek slacked off on account of March Madness. I did too, so I shouldn't judge. But I don't work for Newsweek (unfortunately). I know the price of oil is affecting everything, including the cost of ink, but what were they thinking with this cover? Some may call it minimalist and creative, maybe even "artsy," but I say it looks like the staff was off a Chili's watching the games when the deadline struck.

6 A.M.

That's when it all begins tomorrow morning (East Coast time, at least). The Red Sox regular season kicks off with a game against the Oakland A's at the Tokyo Dome. 3 countries later, they roll into Boston on April 8 for the Fenway opener against the Tigers. What a brutal way to start off the season, but these guys are pros. I guess it's MLB's way of balance out the playing field.

Time to come out of hibernation. Bring on the baseball.

Euros Accepted Here?

I don't know if it's a sign tourist season is about to begin or a piece of commentary on the sad state of the US economy, but as I passed Claude Taylor Photography Gallery on Connecticut Avenue today, I noticed a "We accept Euros" sign in the window. Ouch.

I had a similar feeling last year in Dublin. During the holiday season, there was a huge ad campaign, mostly plastered on the sides of city buses, encouraging the Irish to "Shop While the Dollar Drops!" And that they did. Taking advantage of the weak dollar, Europeans flocked to the US to do their Christmas shopping. They showed up with empty suitcases and filled them with iPods, computers, cameras, Xboxes, and who knows what else. And then they flew back home in first class just to rub it all in. Oh well. We did it to ourselves, right?

Anyhow, if you are in Dupont, check out Claude Taylor's gallery – there are some absolutely fantastic photos. Just bring your US dollars. It's better for the economy.

31% = Ouch

A CNN poll released today reveals that only 31% of Americans approve of President Bush's job performance.

Eesh.

His score is even worse than the 48% I got on a 10th grade chemistry test on bonding (I thought "bonding" was just something you did after school). That exam was around 10 years ago and I still remember the score. Painful memories.

I just hope that W remembers his numbers too when he's sitting at the ranch in Crawford next year with his "feet up."

Give Them the Hook

Today's "Yeas & Nays" in the Examiner featured a story about Jenna Bush's appearance at yesterday's United Jewish Committee's "Washington 15" conference. She discussed her recent book Ana's Story which describes the life of a 17 year old HIV positive girl from Panama. She also showed a video she narrated about the experiences of children growing up in the developing world.

So far, so good. However, at the end of her presentation, according to Jeff Dufour and Patrick Gavin, "a couple of fellow University of Texas alums shouted "Hook 'em horns!" as Jenna finished, as they flashed the universal sign of the Longhorns."

What? Are you kidding me? These fools tried to turn a talk about AIDS into a pep rally? That would be like Georgetown students yelling "Hoya Saxa!" after President Clinton gives a talk about the genocide in Darfur. What's wrong with these people?

Whatever, I have the Longhorns losing to Stanford in my bracket, anyhow.

We People (Who Are Darker Than Blue)

Not in a million years would I have predicted that I would post a Sinead O'Connor video on this blog. However, I have an excuse.

Four years ago when I was studying in Ireland, I volunteered at an after-school program for unaccompanied African refugees. It was a great experience. Those kids had such courage and confidence to leave their home countries behind and seek a better future in Ireland – all on their own.

A few of the "lads" I worked with are part of the Discovery Gospel Choir, Ireland's first integrated choir group. They've recently recorded Curtis Mayfield's song "We People (Who Are Darker Than Blue)" with O'Connor. Check out the video (recorded live) and download the iTunes version here. This isn't your grandmom's Ireland anymore!

Noted!

The Outsider was recognized today on the DC Blogs Noted page. Definitely another much appreciated shout-out from the local blogosphere. I'm really happy how far the site has come from being something I did to keep myself sane during the job search (which, sadly, may be starting again – argh).

Anyhow, check out DC Blogs – it is a great directory of DC area blogs covering a wide variety of subjects and issues.

Another Type of Madness

I just finished filling out my bracket. And March Madness could not have arrived soon enough. Our country needs a welcome distraction from that other "madness" being forced down our throats and spun daily. Yes, I'm talking about the campaign trail. (And this sentiment is coming from someone who lives for politics). We all need a little break from Super Duper (but not really) Tuesday, Potomac Primaries, and Pennsylvania Polkas (who thought of that one?). We've still got 36 days until Pennsylvania. Seriously.

So let's put down the campaign literature for a second and pick up our brackets and enjoy drama of a more athletic sort.

Come to think of it though, maybe Obama and Clinton should go head-to-head in filling out a bracket. Winner gets the nomination. No need to worry about superdelegates or those suckers in Michigan and Florida. One sheet of paper can determine the nomination. Get your picks ready.

Happy (Early) St. Patrick's Day

You would have thought St. Patrick's Day already happened given the amount of celebrating in DC over the past weekend. (Especially when the girl in front of me on the Metro last night was puking her face off. I offered a plastic bag I just happend to have from Bed, Bath, and Beyond). I guess that's what you get when it falls on a Monday.

Still, I would like to wish everyone a very happy St. Patrick's Day. And what better way to celebrate than looking at my photos of Ireland? These were taken when I was living in Dublin in 2003 and 2004. Enjoy.

The Mourne Mountains in County Down

Fishing boats in Galway City

The Ring of KerryH Block Memorial and Free Derry Wall in DerryJim Larkin memorial and GPO on O'Connell Street, DublinA view of the River Liffey in DublinSoccer match at Lansdowne Road, Dublin

Bonnie and Clyde Redux

On March 25, Warner Home Video will be re-releasing Arthur Penn's 1967 classic Bonnie and Clyde on special edition DVDs. It's definitely a welcome release, given the fact that the current edition available lacks any bonus features, which are - quite frankly - why we love DVDs so much.
It turns out that two twenty-somethings living in Philadelphia couldn't wait until March 25 and decided to live out their own Bonnie and Clyde saga instead (That's pure speculation of course, but this blog isn't CNN). You probably heard of the story already - A Penn grad and Drexel senior stole the identities of residents in their apartment building and took trips around the world, bought expensive stuff, and then posted pictures of their joyrides on Facebook. The two are expected to go on trial in May. Though all the details of the story are not yet known, the current issue of Rolling Stone has a great article about this ridiculous story. The article isn't yet online, but you can check out a photo essay of their exploits here.

So That's How You Do It

A few days ago I promised I wouldn't weigh in on the Spitzermania that is gripping the nation. I'm sticking to my promise - but that doesn't mean I can't comment on what other people have been saying about the scandal, right?

Politico's Roger Simon weighed in this morning on what will no doubt be an award-winning column. Simon, asking "What was Spitzer thinking?", provides us loyal readers with viable alternatives the governor could have pursued to allow him to scratch that itch without getting caught. For example:

Hasn’t he ever heard of interns? If you have an affair with an intern and get caught, you get to hold on to your job, and years later, millions of people still look upon you as a hero. But paying for sex? That crosses the line.

It gets better:

Has Spitzer never heard of bars? I hear people sometimes buy a few drinks and go home together even if they are not married. And even with drink prices being what they are (appletinis are not cheap), the tab rarely reaches $4,300.

I can just picture straight-laced Simon sitting down at the computer typing this piece.

The whole column isn't just tongue-in-cheek, though. Simon does analyze the psychological aspects of Spitzer's decision to pursue this form of entertainment: "Why do people like Spitzer take such risks? I think it is the delusion that power makes them invulnerable. The opposite is true, of course. Power makes them more scrutinized."

And so the drama continues. Senator David Vitter, anyone?

Gary Busey Wins Player of the Year

Yesterday, Gary Busey - I mean Luke Harangody - was named the Big East Player of the Year. Busey (argh, Harangody) averaged 23.3 points and 11.3 rebounds a game. Being only a sophomore, he has a bright future ahead of him for sure. I just hope he doesn't end up harassing Jennifer Garner at the Oscars one day.

Clooney is to Day-Lewis as Clinton is to Obama

George Clooney digs current affairs and politics. Cases in point: Syriana, Good Night and Good Luck, and Ocean's 11 (well maybe not the last one). But the normally outspoken actor has been strangely quiet about the 2008 election. He has said he supports Barack Obama, but don't expect to see him stumping on the campaign trail. Clooney is perhaps still haunted by the effect his star power had on his father's unsuccesful run for Congress in 2004. (The press pulled a blue state/red state "corrupt Hollywood liberal" swiftboat act which apparently resonated with voters in Kentucky).

In this season's New York Times Style Magazine, Clooney spoke to Lynn Hirschberg about a variety of subjects. Here are his observations about the 2008 election (I love the Daniel Day Lewis comparison):

Q: Why don’t you run for elected office?

A: That would be a terrible idea. I would be the worst candidate. I’m supporting Barack Obama, and I don’t even think it’s a good idea for me to stump for him. They can pull out some old video of me saying something crazy, and then it suddenly becomes about defending something that I’ve said that has nothing to do with the campaign. I think Huckabee has been incredibly effective, but the least smart thing I’ve seen him do is stand there with Chuck Norris. It’s like, What — can’t you get your own fans? I’ve met Hillary several times, and I like her very much. I think the problem is sort of like this: I’m having a good year with ‘‘Michael Clayton,’’ but this is Daniel Day-Lewis’s year. He’s the actor that all actors are jealous of. I don’t have any understanding of that kind of acting. For me, it’s like a foreign object. And that’s Hillary and Obama.

Q: Hasn’t politics become more like Hollywood? So far, this election seems particularly camera-ready.

A: Since the Kennedy and Nixon debate, presidential campaigns have been Hollywood. You’re never going to vote for a candidate who has a high, squeaky voice. They consult on everything now: part your A: Since the Kennedy and Nixon debate, presidential campaigns have been Hollywood. You’re never going to vote for a candidate who has a high, squeaky voice. They consult on everything now: part your hair on the left because it’s more soothing; wear blue because it inspires confidence. Rather than win over the masses, they are trying to pick off demographics. That happens everywhere — in news, in movies and with candidates. It’s all the same.

Sorry Ben Franklin

In a recent op-ed piece for the Providence Journal, real estate broker and author David Gorman called for the elimination of the $100 bill. He argues that the underground economy, run by "drug dealers, criminals, terrorists, illegal immigrants, smugglers, human traffickers, tax evaders and corrupt government employees" all exploit the cash economy by using predominately $100 bills. Gorman also describes the Iranian and North Korean governments' success at counterfeiting 100 dollar "supernotes" - literally getting money for nothing (and probably their chicks for free).

Consider it "Gorman's Law" to fighting crime and terrorism:

"By simply demonetizing the $100 bill, we can do more to undermine terrorist and other criminal activity without any expense to the taxpayer and no harm or loss of life to law enforcement and our troops. In fact, it would be a peaceful and nonviolent method for preventing crime, drugs and terrorism and will assist law enforcement in their crime-solving efforts."

It is definitely an interesting theory – I can't get enough of these "freakonomics" approaches to the world that are so en vogue at the moment. Only question is, what are the rappers going to throw around in their music videos now? Somehow, I don't think stacks of one dollar bills will have the same effect.

Not Gonna Do It

The media and blogosphere is already on fire with "Spitzermania." Well I assure you, there will be no analysis here at the Outsider. Not that I condone his actions, I just have nothing witty to say about it. So here is me not talking about it.

In other news, how nice is this extra sunlight? I left work today at 5:30 and felt like I was skipping out early because it was so bright. It's a slippery slope from here to outside happy hours in Adam's Morgan. Bring it on.

They're Back

In case you missed it, yesterday was International Women's Day, recognized every year on March 8. So here's to the ladies!

And what better way to celebrate the virtues of womenhood than with the premiere of this season's Keeping Up With the Kardashians (tonight on E! at 10 pm)? I can only imagine what this season will bring, but if it's anything like the last one, we're in for some surprises. Stay tuned for updates. But don't hold your breath, I'm trying to keep this blog "respectable." But perhaps that excludes politics, too.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer: A True DC "Outsider"

On Friday, Democratic Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana gave an interview on NPR's All Things Considered program. The topic: The Real ID cards that the federal government announced in January. Simply put, Schweitzer doesn't like the idea. That's actually an understatement- he hates it. Schweitzer sees the program as yet another unnessary attempt by the federal government to interfere with the lives of citizens. Here are some highlights from the interview:

• "Nearly every month they [the federal government] come out with another hare-brained scheme..."
• "We usually just play along for a while - we ignore them for as long as we can."
• "...we found that's it's best to just tell them to go to hell."
• "Thank God we live a long way's from Washington, DC."

Classic. We won't take that last comment too personally, though. To listen to the interview in its entirety, click here.

Google Earth Non Grata

The US military has banned teams from Google Earth from entering their bases to take 360 degree panorama video and images because of potential security issues. This makes total sense to me. No need to do the terrorists' surveillance jobs for them, right?

But maybe there's more to it. Perhaps the military is still embarrassed about the revelation in September that one of their naval barracks in Coronado, California is shaped like a swastika after it showed up on a Google Earth satellite image (above). I can just picture the architect pleading in his defense, "I never thought anyone would see it from above!"

Either way, keep Google Earth out. Some things need to remain off-limits.

Big East Champs!

Congratulations to the Georgetown men's basketball team as they won their second consecutive Big East regular season championship today. And they won it like they've won so many this season - by giving mini heart attacks to their fans in the last few minutes. The atmosphere in the Verizon Center was absolutely electric. (And fair play to the Louisville fans in attendance - you were very vocal, as well. But you still lost).

I can't stress how good it is to see such fan support for the squad. There is a sense of school pride that simply didn't exist during the "dry years" when I attended Georgetown. But as the banner hanging off of Healy says: "Georgetown Forever." We can all celebrate. Now time to take the tournament in the Big Apple.

Almost as Good as Winning a Pulitzer

The accolades keep coming, though most of them are only in my mind.

Yesterday's was for real though as the Express, a free daily publication from the Washington Post, quoted part of my TMZ in DC? post for their "Blog Log" page. It's definitely exciting to be recognized, even if it's just a one sentence blurb in the back of the paper.

I'd be lying if I say I didn't enjoy watching all of the commuters on the Metro reading their copies. Mass exposure at last! Still, my blog counter is hovering only around 460. But I'll take what I can get.

The Power of Pennsylvania

A couple of weeks ago right before the Potomac Primary I bragged to my parents who live in Pennsylvania that my vote in the Virginia primary would have more influence than theirs given PA's April 22 election date. Well, the joke was on me as Pennsylvania is set to become the "key" prize for the Democrats (pun very much intended). But the joke is really on Michigan and Florida for frontloading their primaries which resulted in absolutely no influence – suckers! (And no, you don't deserve a re-vote. What's fair is fair. Blame your state party officials. Or split the delegates 50-50 and call it a day.)

Back to the Pennsylvania primary: Newsweek's online correspondent Andrew Romano conducted an in-depth interview with Professor G. Terry Madonna of Franklin and Marshall College about the dynamics of that primary. It's definitely worth checking out here.

By the way, Romano graduated from college a year before I did. He's got a sweet gig at Newsweek covering the campaign trail. I've got this blog. Still, I'd rather be a DC Outsider than a Stumper.

McCain's Support from the Right on the Left (Coast)

You might recall a previous post listing many of the presidential contender's celebrity endorsements. Turns out that there are a few more to add to John McCain's inventory which will no doubt grow in the months to come. A Politico piece today discussed Republican Presidential nominee (weird to type that) McCain's support from some big shot Hollywood types including Tim Allen, Kelsey Grammar, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Dennis Hopper. (Who would have known Dennis Hopper was a conservative? He's come a long way from Easy Rider apparently)

So there needs to be an end to conservative talk radio's whining about "Hollywood liberals" and "Democrats taking over Tinseltown and corrupting our country." True, there are a disproportionate amount of progressive voices coming out of the entertainment industry (and I'm all for it). But if you think about it, the most influential actors-turned-politicians to emerge from Hollywood were Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

[Speaking of Reagan's acting career, check out The Killers, the last film he made before becoming governor of California. It's the 1964 remake of the 1946 film adaptation of Ernest Hemmingway's short story. He's a total bad-ass who double crosses John Cassavetes with the help of Angie Dickinson. Not before slapping her, of course. Plus, Lee Marvin pulls off perhaps the best "death scene" in the history of film. I think it helped that he showed up drunk to the set]

Don't Mess With Thailand

Today, police in Thailand arrested Victor Bout on charges of supplying the FARC terrorist group in Colombia with weapons. Bout is the infamous arms dealer that was the inspiration for Nicholas Cage's character in the 2005 movie Lord of War. (Cage actually gave a fine performance in the film which is definitely worth renting).

The New York Times reported that Bout, a Russian citizen, has been linked to illegal arms trades in Afghanistan, Angola, Congo, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and other places on your "must visit" list.

So well done, Thai police force. If only you could curb all that prostitution, too.

TMZ in DC?

Today's Politico featured a story about TMZ.com founder Harvey Levin's desire to create a DC area website similar to the original Los Angeles-based paparazzi site. Sounds good to me. Let's keep this city in check - but please, no speeding car chases down Pennsylvania Avenue. That's a little too L.A., right? Levin says there are no immediate plans given his current contract, but we'll see what happens in the future.

Here's my contribution. I saw comedian/radio host/Senatatorial candidate Al Franken in Union Station this morning. At least I think I did. Though he wasn't wearing those signature glasses. I passed him* briefly on the way out the exit and it took a few moments until it registered after flipping through my memory Rolodex of SNL actors / liberal talking heads / famous Minnesotans.

Sorry, no cell phone pics like Big Papi from last week, but there he was in the flesh (again I think it was him - he was moving fast and looked like he was determined to make his train).

I'm sure TMZ-DC would have been all over it.

From Russia With Love

Dmitry Medvedev, the newly elected Russian president, has already picked his successor for when he eventually steps aside. That's right, Medvedev has chosen Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli of Milwaukee, Wisconsin to succeed him in the future. The jacket Medvedev wore at his election rally was a gift from the Fonz. The two met in high school when Fonzarelli visited Medvedev in his hometown of Leningrad, Russia.

Spork You

I overheard this story in Taco Bell on Friday night and just remembered it again this morning.(That's not a good sign is it?)

A Peter Albert was arrested in Anchorage, Alaska for using what police believe to be a spork while attempting to steal another man's watch. Associated Press reports that Albert was drunk at the time of the assault and was carrying a backpack full of sporks.

I always wondered how Alaskans got through those tough, dark winters. Must be the sporks?

It's a Dance-Off

Don't ask me why I know this, but almost 1.5 million people have watched the "Macarena" music video on YouTube in the past year. Disturbing. I thought we were past that craze, but apparently the Internet is keeping it alive.

I went searching for other dance videos to settle it once and for all. Which is the "best dance craze of all time"? - Here are the finalists:

The Charleston

The Twist

The Electric Slide

The Macarena

Some Things Never Change

A few weeks ago, it was revealed that the photograph of the death of War War II correspondent Ernie Pyle actually had been previously published, in 1979-1982. Earlier in February, the photo was "discovered" and thought to have been never seen before. Regardless of whether or not it had been published, the image is unique in that unlike many of the other photos of death and destruction to come out of that war, this one is eerily tranquil and serene. Pyle is lying on his back, hands folded across his chest, almost as if he is taking a nap on the ground. However, he is not sleeping, but rather had taken a bullet from the Japanese on the island of Ie Shima in the Pacific in April, 1945.

The University of Indiania School of Journalism has a great website dedicated to the life and work of Pyle, considered one of the finest war journalists of the era. They also have an archive of some of his most popular columns published during the war. One really stood out to me because I think the sentiment could be applied to today's war and those returning home from the battlefieds of Iraq and Afghanistan.

On September 11, 1943, Pyle wrote a piece "Fed Up and Bogged Down" about his own experience returning to the US briefly after over a year of being on the front lines reporting. In that column, he wrote:

It has been fifteen months since I left America. Things at home have changed a lot in that time, I’m sure. But at first glance there doesn’t seem to be much change.

When I rode in from the airport in New York, and checked into the hotel, everything was so perfectly natural that it truly seemed as though I had never been away at all. It was all so normal, so exactly like what it had been on other returns, that I couldn’t realize that now I was going through that beautiful hour that millions of our men overseas spend a good part of their waking hours yearning for and dreaming about. I do hope that when their hour comes, they’ll find themselves more capable of enthrallment by it.

Almost 65 years later, I am sure soldiers returning home must experience a beauty in the "ordinary" that we take for granted everyday. It is just a shame that over six decades later, men and women are still forced to go through the same nightmares to enjoy the simple things in life.

Back to the Diamond

NESN broadcast the Red Sox / Twins spring training game from Ft. Myers last night. Headed off to the old stomping grounds, Ireland's Four Courts, to check out the game. It was really good to see some baseball again - it's been almost 5 months to the day since the Sox wrapped up their World Series championship. The game was exciting as spring training goes (still an 8-3 victory with Youkilis and Varitek back-to-back homers), but it was nice to see some action again and some of the minor league prospects, as well.

Seems like that seasonal depression is slowly coming to an end.

(Check out the Boston Globe's page for other fun pics from the Sox photo day last week)