Spears's breakdown reminds me

of a tragedy contained within a novel,

and the novel in question is Nabokov's Lolita,

the story of how Humbert Humbert,

a fastidious European aesthete and paedophile,

seduced and destroyed a 12-year-old American girl

   more »

Keywords: paedophilia, teenage, complex, culture, sex, lolita

The music video for "This Love" featured lead singer Adam Levine and his then-girlfriend, model Kelly McKee, in extended sex scenes.

The video used creative camera angles to show as much as possible without actually revealing any of the couple's genitalia, thereby avoiding possible FCC action.

A version of the video where a stream of computer-generated flowers cover up more was created for more conservative markets. When asked about his feelings on this, Levine commented, "That was ridiculous."

Bass player Madden said that it was "an absurd over-reaction."   more »

The delusional Bush has survived because delusion runs rampant across the nation, blocking populist actions in the national interest. Below are the main states of American delusion.

Millions of Americans persist in believing, contrary to all historical evidence, that changing control of Congress and the Executive Branch between Democrats and Republicans produces sorely needed reforms.

But mainstream politicians are serial betrayers. Thus, people suffer from delusional political faith.

Millions of non-wealthy Americans believe that the economy works for them.

This persists despite reams of facts that show how working- and middle-class people are not receiving their fair share of national income and wealth.   more »

Whatever its criticisms of the Bush Regime’s policy toward Iran, the editorial accepts, and thereby legitimizes, the basic framework of lies and distortions employed by the White House to justify its threats and provocations against Iran and its plans for eventual military aggression.

During the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, the Times voiced all sorts of criticisms of the administration’s war preparations, while retailing its lies about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and ties between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda.

In the end, it supported the war, and continues to support the occupation. In this, it reflects the position of the Democratic Party.

There can be little doubt that should the Bush Regime decide to attack Iran, the Times and its Democratic Party allies will once again fall into line.   more »

The Cult of Weeds Growing

When it comes to dysfunctional TV families, Showtime’s Weeds sets a high bar. In more ways than one.

Showtime’s unconventional dark comedy about widowed soccer mom Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) selling marijuana to make ends meet began its 15-episode third season last Monday.

But marijuana is merely an entry point for a satirical expose that strips the facade off suburban cookie-cutter conformity.   more »

America likes to talk about "spreading democracy", but in his latest film John Pilger argues that the US is actually stifling its progress.

The War on Democracy shows that the principles of democracy can be found more readily among the poorest people of Latin America than anywhere near the corridors of the White House.

It features an exclusive interview with Hugo Chávez and Pilger also speaks to former US government officials who claim the CIA waged covert wars in Latin America.

Chávez is the authentic product of a popular awakening. This is suppressed by the old Iran-Contra death squad gang. Under Bush, they fear the economic bridges Chávez is building. in the region, like using Venezuela's oil revenue to end IMF slavery.   more »