Ode to a Titan: Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

by Jim Kopetz

In memory of a true giant, a conqueror and political junkie. To the journalist, the humorist, the masochist and the rebel. To Hunter.

The Cycle of Abuse: Tensions Building, Incident, Reconciliation, Calm (repeat)

By Courtney M.

Looking over the contributions I've made to this blog so far, I can't help but notice that the great majority of my past posts have served as some sort of critique against the way women are perceived and subsequently how they are treated in society today.  It's no secret amongst my friends (and maybe even to readers now) that I am a true, blue feminist.  Just ask them.  They know I'll start popping off whenever I happen to come across or hear about a man degrading a woman in some shameful and demeaning manner.  I'll grit my teeth when some of my female friends call other women "bitches" or "sluts" because of what someone else is or isn't wearing.  And although it may seem a tad dramatic (yet the sentiment assuredly remains), I basically want to set my face on fire whenever I come across grotesquely misogynistic ads in the mainstream media that explicitly promote sexual violence and the objectification of women; such as ONE and TWO, for starters.

Oh Clyde!

by Jim Kopetz

    Clint Eastwood and his best friend Clyde, an orangutan. Yes it's a real movie and it's fucking awesome.

In Honor of Christopher Hitchens

by Jim Kopetz

    Possibly the greatest intellectual of our time. A great debater who was most certainly one of history's great wordsmiths, both eloquent and confrontational. A salute to a true contrarian.

Instant Netflix: Death Race 2000 (1975)

by Jim Kopetz

    1975 produced two great sports movies set in a fascist dystopian future. I already covered Rollerball (1975). This one's even better.

The Trial of Harry Reems

by Jim Kopetz

    "They told me, if the Republicans get elected, you're going to jail. If the Democrats get elected, you'll go free."

Five Recommendations: Whiskey

by Jim Kopetz

    
     Five Recommendations: Whiskey (Bourbon)

Women Should Suffer, Too: Yet Another One of PETA's Bizarre Campaign Ads

By Courtney M.

I really hate to give PETA any more attention than I need to. But, for whatever reason, the organization still doesn’t seem to understand that their overwhelmingly embarrassing use of “shock and awe” campaign tactics to bring attention to the needless suffering of animals completely de-legitimizes their cause and makes them the laughing stock of the western world.

The Endless Struggle of the Kurds

by Jim Kopetz

    It was Christopher Hitchens who educated me on the plight of the Kurds. He recounted with great admiration the people he met during the Gulf War in 'Hitch-22', his memoir that includes many tales of his travels to Iraq and relationships built with the Kurdish people. Without his recommendation I might never have read the two great works of Kanan Makiya, "Republic of Fear: The Politics of Modern Iraq" and "Cruelty and Silence: War, Tyranny, Uprising, and the Arab World".

Double Feature Friday: Phantom Lady (1944) & The Killers (1946)

by Jim Kopetz

    Two film noirs from Robert Siodmak, 'Phantom Lady' being his first attempt in the genre and 'The Killers', displaying his mastery of the noir aesthetic. All within two years.