The Who2 Blog

The Challenger Commission and the 25th Anniversary

January 28, 2011 | By Paul Hehn

Today is the 25th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger exploding after takeoff and killing all seven astronauts on board.
The most famous crew member at the time was probably Christa McAuliffe. She was a high school teacher from New Hampshire, the first of what was called the Teacher in Space Program from NASA.
Also on board: Commander Francis R. Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialists Judith A. Resnik, Ellison S. Onizuka and Ronald E. McNair, and Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis.

Clint Eastwood In Your Kitchen

| By Fritz Holznagel

Here’s what it’s like when a Hollywood icon shoots a 20-second bit outside your front door. Best line:

Happy 130th Deathday, Fedor Dostoevsky

| By Fritz Holznagel

Fedor Dostoevsky, author of Crime and Punishment — and the beloved Russian author not played by Christopher Plummer — died on this day in 1881.  Speaking of crime and punishment: Dostoevsky beat Billy the Kid to the grave by just six months. 

Sarah Palin Uses Naughty Internet Slang

Sarah Palin Uses Naughty Internet Slang

January 27, 2011 | By Paul Hehn

Over at Media Matters, they’re featuring a video clip from Fox News — in which former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin uses naughty internet slang — on national tee-vee! — to harp on President Barack Obama’s recent State of the Union address (hint: it’s not SOTU).

Reading the Tea Leaves on Nelson Mandela

| By Fritz Holznagel

Nelson Mandela is in the hospital, and South Africa is worried. Mandela was airlifted from Capetown to Milpark Hospital in Johannesberg on Wednesday and was seen by pulmonologist Michael Plit. The doctor told reporters that Nelson Mandela “has been admitted for investigation.” 

Donald Sutherland Still Looks Supercool

Donald Sutherland Still Looks Supercool

| By Fritz Holznagel

Donald Sutherland poses on Hollywood Boulevard after receiving his star on the Walk of Fame.  Not many can pull off the pinstriped-suit-with-Santa-Claus-beard look.

Nabokov Was Right About the Butterflies

January 26, 2011 | By Fritz Holznagel

Vladimir Nabokov, author of Lolita and butterfly visionary:In a speculative moment in 1945, he came up with a sweeping
hypothesis for the evolution of the butterflies he studied, a group
known as the Polyommatus blues. He envisioned them coming to the New
World from Asia over millions of years in a series of waves.

Coens vs. Clint: Multi-Oscar Showdown!

| By Fritz Holznagel

“Fill your hands with Oscar nominations, you #$@%!!”The Coen Brothers are thrice-nominated for True Grit in the Academy Awards this year: for best picture, director, and adapted screenplay. 

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