Alice’s Restaurant Massacre

Sung by Arlo Guthrie, Alice’s Restaurant is possibly the only 20-minute song that I've ever heard on the radio.

Growing up in Massachusetts, this little Mass-a-cre would play on the classic rock station every year; listening to the painfully long broadcast became a family tradition. It's been several years since I left good old Mass, yet I can’t help but scavenge for the song every Turkey Day.

The song, which is more of a ballad, was written by Alro, son of folk legend Woody Guthrie, and released as the entire A-side of his first record in 1967. Based on a true story of warrants and trash-heap hauling, Guthrie’s song was made into a movie in 69.

Since many radio stations have stopped playing the song, this Thanksgiving tradition is honored on the web where the original recording of “Alice's Restaurant Massacre” is streamed on Turkey Day each year. Unable to find the song without buying the entire album, I opted for this festive little mash-up.

And if this cutesy collage is too much, there is also a live recording of Guthrie singing Alice.

Rumsfeld Charged with War Crimes and Prison Abuse

The Center for Constitutional Rights, a progressive human rights group, recently asked a German prosecutor to investigate Rumsfeld and other US military officials for controversial interrogation techniques at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay.

The suit, which questions the Administration's knowledge of inhumane torture at Abu Graib, was brought to Germany because a "universal jurisdiction" law. Germany's "universal" law allows the German courts to claim jurisdiction over war crimes even if they were committed outside that country's borders.

In addition to the charges made by the CCR, American filmmaker and military veteran, Cyrus Kar, is filing an individual suit against Rumsfeld. After being held in solitary confinement for several months, Kar is seeking damages for a lack of due process and inhumane treatment at Abu Graib. The first private citizen to file criminal complaint, the US military veteran is suing Rumsfeld and other US officials for depriving him of his Constitutional Rights and violating the Geneva Convention.

Ruth Brown- Dies at Age 78

The 50’s R&B star, Ruth Brown died Friday at a Las Vegas-area hospital due to complications from a stroke and heart attack. Dominating the rhythm-and-blues charts in the 1950s, "Miss Rhythm" will be remembered for her soulful voice and historic music career.

A pioneer of the genre, Ruth Brown built the foundation of the fledgling Atlantic Records, making it the R&B powerhouse that it is today.

“Miss Rhythm” sang with power and personality that steamed from the soul of her generation. Honored recipient of a Tony, Grammy, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Brown will also be remembered for her role as the feisty deejay Motormouth Maybelle in the 1988 cult movie "Hairspray."

"Ruth was one of the most important and beloved figures in modern music," singer Bonnie Raitt said in an official statement released by the Associated Press. "You can hear her influence in everyone from Little Richard to Etta (James), Aretha (Franklin), Janis (Joplin) and divas like Christina Aguilera today."

Watch the R&B advocate and legend sing her 50’s chart topper (“Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean," a rare clip from the height of Brown’s stardom.
For more on Brown career, read the AP release.

Emmitt Smith Wins Dancing with the Stars

Last night in the Dancing with the Stars Season Finale, NFL legend Emmitt Smith beat former Saved by the Bell star, Mario Lopez.

With both competitors achieving a perfect ten for two consecutive dances on Tuesday Night, the nation was torn-- forced to vote and take sides between sitcom star AC Slater and the three-time Super Bowl champion who holds the world's all-time rushing record.

“He ‘s the cutest thing and just puts you in a good mood,” said on TDR staffer about her dance crush Emmitt.

It has always been rumored that some football players practice ballet to become more agile and in control, but no one could have guessed that the former Dallas Cowboy superstar could freestyle and be this good at it.

Over the course of the Dancing season, the nation has fallen in love with the Pro sweetheart all over again. A family man whose wife and kids come to support him off the field and on the dance floor, Emmitt’s personality and chemistry with his dance partner made him the Viewer’s choice.

Emmitt Smith, Congrats! I must admit you’ve got “moves that (we) have never seen” and America loves it.

Back Off Old Man

With the house turning over to the Democrats, the “Father” of our nation has to pony up to his father and a disapproving nation. In his Conservative news brief, Colbert discusses the Newsweek cover that our politically aware public couldn’t possibly ignore.

The first issue to hit the stands since the results of last week’s midterm election, the recent Newsweek cover depicts the presidential father-son pair with Bush senior as the dominating figure.

Though many bloggers and news publications have taken note of what this photo implies, Colbert brilliantly interjects subtle sarcasm-- via an imposing text box-- in his segment "The Word."

Watch as Colbert debates which “Father Knows Best”.

Walmart's Selling Hipster T-shirts with Nazi Emblem

Have you ever pulled an image from the web without knowing its origin, historical or otherwise? I certainly have.

Recently, a blogger from Maryland, realized that a skull t-shirt being sold at Walmart was actually silk-screened image of “Death Heads.” Members of the German Nazi SS wore The Death’s Head -- an historic image of hatred that has been over-shadowed by the swastika -- symbol during WWII.

Aware that a media conglomerate won’t even sell CD’s with curse words on it, Rick, from the blog Bent Corner, informed the nearest employee of the history implications of the design. Apparently the employee didn’t think the shirt was that “big a deal” and was more bothered by shirts promoting the, "sexually promiscuous Smokey and the Bandit."

According to the Consumerist, four days after Walmart's PR firm promised the item's removal, the t-shirts bearing Nazi SS imagery could still be found on the shelves.

The news broke online late last week and I just happened to stumble across this video over the weekend. A sketch from Mitchell and Webb showcases the symbol and pokes fun at the origin of the Nazi emblem. Maybe the designer knew what he was doing after all.

Xbox Cops and Robbers

In a closed course-game of “good guys” and “bad guys”, every one has a chance to put on a badge or ski mask and wreak havoc. Weaving through traffic and jumping off buildings, at the end of round one… they switch? Is this what people did before the advent of 3D video games?

This made-for-TV game of hide-and-seek is nothing short of child’s play. Created for Microsoft's Xbox 360 “Jump In” campaign, this spot shows a group of adults playing a full-scale game of cops and robbers.

Kids, don’t try this at home.

New Simpsons Movie Trailer

In a time when computer animation brings us worlds of unsurpassed beauty, one film dares to be ugly.
With the rising trend in animation being glossy comedies such as A Sharks Tale and the Bee Movie, this trailer for The Simpsons movie reminds 3D hungry consumers that some cartoons are better left undone.

Perhaps having realized the lucrative market for animated films in which talking cartoon creatures, voiced by celebrities, have touching and hilarious family-saving adventures, the good people behind The Simpsons finally get around to bringing Springfield to the big screen.

With clips from the new film circulating online, the official trailer aired on Fox yesterday during The Simpsons episode. My favorite part is when Homer is stuck between a rock and a hard place!