Comment is Free today published my piece on Chas. Freeman’s withdrawal.  I wanted to expand on a few points in it.  The NY Times characterizes Aipac’s Josh Block as saying the following about the group’s involvement in the anti-Freeman campaign: Joshua Block, a spokesman for the ...

Another week, another fine selection here at the now-teetering-on-monthly Blu-ray Report. But in all seriousness, I am working on getting this one to you in a more timely manner, dear friends. It’s just become difficult with my recent move to Austin and new found alcoholism, among other things...

Here in the US, the topic of electronic medical records has popped back to the top of the agenda, due to an impending mass injection of government money. Long talked about, long promised and long mandated ( remember HIPAA? ) -- electronic medical records in the US are for all intents and purposes st...

Frantic Clam: Anatomica EP (Exemplary)release: February 2009style: off the road rock[rating: **1/2] For a band called Frantic Clam, i was expecting a lot worse. While the shrill vocals aren't gonna appeal to everyone, the Austin band does have a modest charm. The band itself actually says "we sound ...

Last week, I reviewed a Christmas comp that was the last present I received last December. This CD was the very first present I received. Back in November, my good friend Martin Johns sent me his annual Christmas comps (which I'll be reviewing some time down the road). Inside the box was a wrapped C...

Last night the wind knocked out my internet access for a good couple of hours. I used my time away from the web to take a complete and uninterrupted listen to Buddy & Julie Miller’s Written In Chalk , released last week on New West Records. Recorded in Nashville, TN and including guest ap...

A wise man once said “It’s not just about seeing Star Wars two weeks before everyone else. You’ve gotta plow through crap like Marie Antoinette and Catwoman as well.� I have the fortune of being able to see all of the films that I want, and find out that they are only worth one viewing (or l...

Fat Possum's efforts to diversify beyond their largely blues-based roster of artists has lead the label into the realm of noisy pop with recent additions Wavves and Crocodiles. I recently posted about Wavves, and after checking out (thanks Stereogum) Crocodiles, I gotta say Fat Possum is 2 for 2. Cr...

This Week in DVD is a column that compiles all the latest info regarding new DVD releases, sales, and exclusive deals from stores including Target, Best Buy and Fry’s. Please don’t take the commentary on the movies and TV shows too seriously, as they’re meant not to be reviews but rath...

Two days past the Seattle Times reported that one Peter Harrison had caught a 29.5 pound steelhead on an 8 kilo tippet, and the fish died at his hand. By all measures this was a world record, and may even be an all-class plaque. The Washington Fly Fishing Forum subsequently exploded in fury, with sp...