We've called Britney Spears

many things here in the blog

-- "bat guano," "nutty," "loopy"... even "bald" --

but "art world phenomenon" is

an unexpected addition to her resume

BS as a work of art is at a new

gallery show called "Just Britney"

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Keywords: britney, culture, pop, zeitgeist, art

"Love Will Tear Us Apart" has been continually hailed as one of the greatest songs of all time, but once you hear it, it's bound to be a let down. With its muffled vocals and slipshod band play, it's pretty unspectacular.

But its not about that first listening, it's more about how it follows you in your life. You could listen to this song everyday for a year, and you could still think it was mediocre.

Then one day, it will hit you; usually after a break-up or tragic occasion.

The synths line starts to correlate with your brain waves, the vocals turn into hums rather than words, people you once liked you hate, you're in a completely different place, but the song in its roots remain exactly the same.   more »

Nationalism is perhaps the most interesting delusion of modern times. Its power is illustrated by the fact that lots of otherwise sensible people are unapologetic nationalists, even though nationalism requires its adherents to subscribe to various bizarre beliefs.

For example, the nationalist believes that while other nations act invariably on the basis of self-interest, his country is historically unique, in that it makes great sacrifices for the good of others.

This thesis has been put forth with complete seriousness by many a well-credentialed supporter of the Iraq war, such as the historian Francis Fukuyama, who argues that the invasion of that country represented a kind of “virtuous imperialism.”   more »

While Lake of Fire examines its subject matter from various angles—some more flattering to pro-lifers, some more satisfying to pro-choicers - the director's desire for level-headedness puts him in the latter's camp.

Beginning with a quick point-counterpoint summation of both sides' stances and then segueing into examinations of news and human-interest stories as well as the complicated philosophical questions they beget, Kaye uses deft juxtapositions in presenting a battleground where logical, inquiring liberal thought clashes at every turn with rigid Christian fundamentalism.

Outside one of many clinics where sidewalk skirmishes between activists have become commonplace, the director discovers a pro-life man who sincerely argues that capital punishment should be doled out to not only abortionists, but also to anyone who dares blaspheme.

At a home for unwed pregnant mothers, he unearths Father Westin, who spits and screams about satanic doctors' everyday practice of barbequing fetuses.

And in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, he talks with Paul Hill, who after months of blatant murderous threats, walked his walk and murdered an abortion physician.   more »

What's intriguing - and pretentious -

about Obama's campaign is the conscious effort

by the candidate and his aides to grasp

for another form of political gold: the Kennedy connection

It is no secret that Obama is striving for a Camelot vibe

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Keywords: 2008, jfk, president, obama