C.J. Chivers, War Reporter on the Job
Amazing piece of reporting on Afghanistan in The New York Times this morning by C.J. Chivers.Marines Do Heavy Lifting as Afghan Army Lags in BattleA taste:
The Who2 Blog
Alexander Haig, Secretary of State Under Reagan, Dead at 85
Alexander Haig, the former general who was Secretary of State when Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981, has died at age 85.The Washington Post obituary says the cause was “complications from an infection.”
Here’s Virgil Earp’s Grave
No, it’s not his birthday. No, it’s not the anniversary of his death. Who2 doesn’t even have a profile of famous Old West lawman Virgil Earp (but we have profiles of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday).
Tiger Woods Delivers State of (His) Union Address
Tiger Woods made his speech of abashment this morning. It was covered on TV like a State of the Union address, with all major network and cable players cutting to …..
Gary Coleman on The Insider
Frozen-in-time actor Gary Coleman was on the tabloid TV show The Insider, trying to talk about his recent run-in with the law over a domestic dispute. He ended up storming off the set, after telling panelist Lisa Bloom “you’re pushing my buttons.” Indeed, she was pushing his buttons, and he ended up turning in one of the most dramatic performances of his career: See the video right here.
More Nuggets on The Knack
“It’s a great song… It’s a fun song. There are many other songs that I think are as good in our canon, but I don’t mind being known for ‘My Sharona.'”Following up on yesterday’s post about the death of “My Sharona” writer Doug Fieger: here’s a 1998 Rolling Stone interview with a few choice Fieger nuggests.
The Real “My Sharona”
Entertainment Weekly has this brief interview with Sharona Alperin, the real-life inspiration for the 1979 hit single “My Sharona.”Doug Fieger, who wrote the song and made it famous as a member of The Knack, passed away February 14th, after fighting cancer for many years. Fieger and Alperin dated for a few years, way back when. Now the Sharona sells real estate. You can see for yourself at her professional site.
Tributes to J.G. Ballard
Writer and “psychogeographer” Iain Sinclair pens this tribute — loaded up with big words and big ideas — to the late author J.G. Ballard, titled “Crash: JG Ballard’s Artistic Legacy.”
Alexander McQueen Hanged Himself: Inquest
Fashion designer Alexander McQueen hanged himself last week, according to evidence presented at an inquest today.McQueen left a note and there were “no suspicious circumstances.”More from BBC News and the Daily Telegraph.
Madonna to Direct Dick Van Dyke in “Wallis and Edward”? We Can Only Hope
Madonna is said to be writing and directing a new film about Wallis Warfield Simpson. Wallis was the American divorcee who in 1936 winkled King Edward VIII into abdicating the …..
Channing Tatum Wants You to Love
Actor Channing Tatum has launched a new site — coincidental with his new movie, Dear John — that promotes the idea of telling someone you love, “hey, I love you.” …..
Dick Francis, Reliable ‘Jeopardy!’ Answer, Dead at 89
Mystery writer Dick Francis has died at age 89.
Chrismas Day Bomber Abdulmutallab Arrest Timeline
Government officials have released the timeline of when the Christmas Day bomb suspect — a.k.a. “the underwear bomber” — Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was arrested and, later, advised of his Miranda rights.Being “Mirandized” means being advised of your constitutional right to refuse to answer questions unless you have legal representation.
Ohno Claims Silver in 1500 Meters
Apolo Anton Ohno won a silver medal in the 1500-meter event of men’s short-track speedskating on Saturday night. Ohno moved from fourth to second on the final turn as two South Koreans wiped out just ahead of him. Jung-Su Lee, a 20-year-old South Korean, won the gold medal.
Luge Crash Video: Nodar Kumaritashvili at the Winter Olympics 2010
Olympic luge athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed during a training run accident on Friday, just hours before the opening of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Lindsey Vonn: New Biography
Lindsey Vonn takes a turn in this photo from the 2009 Alpine Ski Championships in Val d’Isere, FranceJust in time for the Vancouver Olympics, we’ve posted a new biography of skier Lindsey Vonn.
Charles Schulz Died 10 Years Ago Today
“Dear Friends,
Frisbee Inventor Flies Off Into the Sunset
A popcorn lid, not a pie tin, is what inspired Frisbee inventor Fred Morrison:
Bill Clinton and His Heart Went to the Hospital
Former U.S. president and global gadabout Bill Clinton was in the hospital in New York today. He went feeling chest pains, and by the end of the day he’d undergone surgery.The Wall Street Journal says that President Clinton underwent a “stent procedure” to unclog some arteries.President Clinton had quadruple bypass surgery in 2004. He is 63 years old.
Bo Knows Snow
Bo, the Obama family dog, frolics in snow outside the White House in the aftermath of winter storms in Washington, DC. More than a foot of snow fell on the city.(White House photo by Pete Souza)