Feed aggregator

Dems release 2,309-page 'shell' bill -- Mark-up scheduled for 3 p.m. today -- MoveOn threatens anti-reform Dems -- W.H. backs down on special deals

Politico Blogs - 20 min 39 sec ago

Democrats release 2,309-page "shell" bill.

Styleite Launches, Making The Internet Suddenly More Fashionable

Mediaite - 32 min 20 sec ago

With the introduction of new fashion and style website Stylite, the newest site launched by Mediaite founder Dan Abrams, the Internet just became more fashionable and stylish at the same time. Styleite aims to celebrate, cover and opine on everything from the taste makers in the fashion industry to the latest emerging trends on the ground.

Styleite will loosely follow a structure to that of Mediaite: original reporting and curated content will live alongside a Power Grid of individuals across many categories in the world of fashion. Of the newly launched site, Abrams said “I don’t claim to be an expert in fashion, but I do know that our innovative user generated community, ‘power grid’ and original content make Styleite a unique web property in the world of fashion and style.”

In her welcoming letter, Editor in Chief Verena von Pfetten describes the site thusly:

I love fashion. I live for style. And I am constantly amazed at the rolodex of known and relatively unknown models that eats up at least half of the hard drive space that is my brain. But I don’t wear heels, I rarely spend more than $100 on a particular article of clothing (jeans, leather jackets, and coats notwithstanding), and I’ve never been photographed for having anything resembling “street style.”

Conversely, our Senior Editor Ruthie Friedlander lives in six-inch heels, color-coordinates her closet, and — I quote — “would rather survive on peanut butter than not be able to afford Purple magazine.”

Styleite is a fashion and beauty site for anyone who is exactly or, more importantly, not at all like us. Which is to say: it’s a site for everyone.

The fashion industry is a tough nut to crack. At times exclusionary and intimidating, it’s run by a select group of movers-and-shakers who, let’s be honest, have little-to-nothing in common with those of us actually on the ground, in the stores, and buying the product. But that isn’t to say there’s no relationship at all; for starters, we’re all familiar with Meryl Streep-as-Miranda-Priestly’s gloriously cut-throat monologue* on cerulean blue. But, more importantly, that disconnect doesn’t mean that those of us on the ground don’t care what walks down the gilded runways in Paris, London, New York, and Milan.

It’s a paradoxical world — one that prides itself on being aspirational and yet thrives on being attainable. It’s also considered frivolous and superficial, and yet within its mirrored walls are found incredibly revealing reflections of our cultural identity. (The Lipstick Effect, anyone?)

And to that end, we hope to take all of those conflicting facets and offer a nuanced and synthesized view on the news of the day and the industry itself — from media to beauty, retail to runway. You can live in your American Apparel hoodie while still being skeeved out by Dov Charney; I know I am…and, sadly, I do.

We’ll also offer an unbiased eye on the people who make fashion happen with our own Styleite-ized version of Mediaite’s Power Grid. Using a proprietary algorithm, our Power Grid ranks the almost 2,000 people who keep the rest of us in our Lanvin flats and Levi’s jeans: from the models to the designers, the executives to the editors, we’ve (hopefully!) got everyone you need to know on file, and we think you’ll be surprised to see where more than a few of them fall.

Finally, like I mentioned earlier: I’ve never been photographed for my oh-so-keen sense of style, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have any! And the same goes for you, which is why we’re introducing Style Sheets, Styleite’s very own interactive, insanely addicting, and super inspirational photo community. Upload a daily (or weekly, or however so often you’re feeling particularly stylish) photo, tag it by specific brand and article of clothing, and voila: you’ve got your very own Style Sheet! The best part is that the whole community is searchable, both by user and by clothing. Just bought a new pair of skinny jeans? Take a scroll through the J Brand page to find some style inspiration from users just like you.

Actually, scratch that. The best best part is that if you happen to find something you like, we’ve included handy-dandy links that will direct you exactly where to buy it. (Consider this a preemptive apology to your credit card statement.)

So, play around, enjoy, and be sure to tell us if anything looks funky. Fashion isn’t just a one-way street — and neither is Styleite.

Yours,

Verena
Editor in Chief

Categories: The Media

MoveOn threatens anti-reform Dems

Politico Blogs - 2 hours 51 min ago

MoveOn threatens anti-reform Dems

DOD official said to run off-books Afpak hit network

Politico Blogs - 7 hours 39 min ago

Defense official reported to run private hit operation in Afghanistan under criminal investigation.

Poll: Most Overrated Woman of the 20th Century

Women's History at About.com - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 10:00pm

Women's history uncovers many less-known women, while history and the news may overemphasize other women whose achievements don't really warrant that attention. Who do you think was the most overrated woman of the twentienth century? Click to vote, and to see how others have voted:

1) Princess Diana
2) Jane Fonda
3) Marilyn Monroe
4) Eva Peron
5) Eleanor Roosevelt
6) Margaret Thatcher

Poll: Most Overrated Woman of the 20th Century originally appeared on About.com Women's History on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 03:00:00.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Categories: Women's History

AIPAC urges Obama admin. to quiet criticism of Israeli government

Politico Blogs - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 9:17pm

Powerful pro Israel lobby group says Washington should defuse tensions with Israel.

AIPAC hits White House

Politico Blogs - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 9:03pm

The pro-Israel group AIPAC, which had been at pains for much of President Obama's term to downplay tensions between his administration and Benjamin

Insult politics in Florida

Politico Blogs - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 7:58pm

Alan Grayson outdoes himself:<br /> <br /> In response to Palin's attack on Rep Grayson, Grayson actually complimented Palin. Grayson praised Pali

Clinton, Obama mourn U.S. employees murdered in Mexico

Politico Blogs - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 7:19pm

U.S. statements suggest Mexican consulate employees killed in drug violence.

Watch: MTV Bans Lady Gaga/Beyonce’s “Telephone,” CNN Reports (Update)

Mediaite - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 4:42pm

The release of the official music video for the Beyonce/Sasha Fierce’s tag-team with Lady Gaga “Telephone” was met with great Internet approval, hitting 8 million views in just several days. Not so much love at MTV, which has deemed the prison-yard storyline too provocative and has officially banned the video. Which is weird, because we weren’t aware MTV still played music videos…

> Update: MTV disputes the report, in a tweet to Mediaite:

The main MTV channel has already aired it. The morning after the premiere (check bds to verify).. Not sure where CNN got info

We’ve already tallied up our score cards for “Telephone” but in case you’ve missed out on the almost 10-minute long Russ Meyer tribute, here’s the video:

Categories: The Media

Sunday Reading: Law of the land

Politico Blogs - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 4:10pm

Gibbs says health care will soon be the law of the land.<br /> <br /> Democratic moderates don't want Obama in their districts.<br /> <br /> The

Yacht of the day

Politico Blogs - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 3:59pm

The Stamford Advocate today carries -- in its print edition only, unfortunately for non-Stamford readers -- a big cover story on the "running o

The Petraeus-Mullen briefings

Politico Blogs - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 3:54pm

Centcom chief, joint chiefs chairman said to urge Israel on peace process or risk U.S. interests.

Rep. Boehner On Dem Health Care Bill: Republicans Going To “Make It Difficult, If Not Impossible” To Pass

Mediaite - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 3:34pm

Well you have to give the man credit for gumption: Rep. John Boehner today on State Of The Union, admitting that even though the House Republicans don’t have the votes to stop the bill, they will do everything in their power to stop the Democratic Health Care Reform Bill from becoming a law.

Categories: The Media

“Some One has to stand up to the Experts”

The Confluence - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 3:00pm

Why worry about preparing for the 21st century when you can remake the 18th century, history, science, and reality to fit your particular narrow view of the world?  Who cares about truth and your future workforce when your misguided beliefs are at stake?   With all of the challenges that education now faces in this country, the biggest challenge still comes from deliberate ignorance. This would be the ignorance coming from those who worship a primitive god of hellfire and brimstone that would deny the existence of intellectual bliss to any one who dare refute them.  Why do we have to continually fight christian conservatives in Texas for the minds of our children?

In Texas conservative Republicans are rewriting the textbooks to be used in the state’s schools to fit their political agenda.

Friday’s NY times outlines some of the most outrageous moves and views.  In fact, some of these folks are so outrageous, the majority of the democrats on the board just stood up and walked out rather than listen to it. The 10-5 vote went right down party lines. They were outnumbered to start out with and resistance was futile.

In recent years, board members have been locked in an ideological battle between a bloc of conservatives who question Darwin’s theory of evolution and believe the Founding Fathers were guided by Christian principles, and a handful of Democrats and moderate Republicans who have fought to preserve the teaching of Darwinism and the separation of church and state.

Since January, Republicans on the board have passed more than 100 amendments to the 120-page curriculum standards affecting history, sociology and economics courses from elementary to high school. The standards were proposed by a panel of teachers.

Why let facts stand in the way of religious and ideological indoctrination?  As seen in the video above, they even bragged about ignoring the experts preferring a purely propaganda-based curriculum to the truth.  The truth, of course, was seen to have a liberal bent. They just can’t have the truth standing in the way of what they want to believe.  They also can’t just inflict ignorance on their own children.  They have to share it with all of ours.

Take this example on racism in American history and politics.

Dr. McLeroy, a dentist by training, pushed through a change to the teaching of the civil rights movement to ensure that students study the violent philosophy of the Black Panthers in addition to the nonviolent approach of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He also made sure that textbooks would mention the votes in Congress on civil rights legislation, which Republicans supported.

“Republicans need a little credit for that,” he said. “I think it’s going to surprise some students.”

Mr. Bradley won approval for an amendment saying students should study “the unintended consequences” of the Great Society legislation, affirmative action and Title IX legislation. He also won approval for an amendment stressing that Germans and Italians as well as Japanese were interned in the United States during World War II, to counter the idea that the internment of Japanese was motivated by racism.

Market Capitalism?  Sheesh, let’s repackage that!  Because, you know, capitalism has been turn into such a naughty word by those horrible leftists running around the country.

In economics, the revisions add Milton Friedman and Friedrich von Hayek, two champions of free-market economic theory, among the usual list of economists to be studied, like Adam Smith, Karl Marx and John Maynard Keynes. They also replaced the word “capitalism” throughout their texts with the “free-enterprise system.”

“Let’s face it, capitalism does have a negative connotation,” said one conservative member, Terri Leo. “You know, ‘capitalist pig!’ ”

Of course, the most egregious rewrites and cleansing have to do with religion and ‘traditional values’.

Cynthia Dunbar, a lawyer from Richmond who is a strict constitutionalist and thinks the nation was founded on Christian beliefs, managed to cut Thomas Jefferson from a list of figures whose writings inspired revolutions in the late 18th century and 19th century, replacing him with St. Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin and William Blackstone. (Jefferson is not well liked among conservatives on the board because he coined the term “separation between church and state.”)

“The Enlightenment was not the only philosophy on which these revolutions were based,” Ms. Dunbar said.

Next up on the agenda?   We have to get rid of negative numbers and zeroes!  After all negative numbers came from China and that’s a communist regime!   The Babylonians were most likely the first to use the zero and of course, that probably means it’s part of a radical Muslim terrorist plot!  Then of course, there will be the funding of the only viable field trip in the country — to the Creation Museum in Kentucky where dinosaurs frolic in the Garden Eden!

The state-of-the-art 70,000 square foot museum brings the pages of the Bible to life, casting its characters and animals in dynamic form and placing them in familiar settings. Adam and Eve live in the Garden of Eden. Children play and dinosaurs roam near Eden’s Rivers. The serpent coils cunningly in the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Majestic murals, great masterpieces brimming with pulsating colors and details, provide a backdrop for many of the settings.

I think if I was a teacher facing such a nonfactual book, I’d have to forgo using the textbook and go straight to the experts who thankfully have websites on the internet.  The problem is that this is viable only if you’re lucky enough to live in a school district that can afford computers in the classroom.  The rest of the nation is stuck in the bushes of eden with the dinosaurs,cavemen and that person with the nasty lady parts who invented sin.

Categories: Our Friends

Israel tries to lower tensions with Washington

Politico Blogs - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 3:00pm

Jerusalem planning committee cancels construction meetings for controversial housing plans this week.

Justice Clarence Thomas’ Wife Wants Her Tea Party – Update

Mediaite - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 2:41pm

On the outside Liberty Central Inc. may look like another conservative tea partying lobbyist group, non-profit but accepting donations from corporate sponsors. Take a closer look though, and you’ll find the woman behind the organization is Virginia Thomas, the wife of conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Which some critics are understandably worried might be a conflict of interest.

From an L.A. Times article from today: the issue here isn’t that Virginia is an activist – in fact, she has a long history of involvement in conservative think tanks and The Heritage Foundation, which have raised some eyebrows before – but that corporate money going directly to the wife of a Supreme Court Justice member’s lobbyist group could be bordering on gray ethical territory. So far the matter is unprecedented, so in future months we might see those on the left calling for the first limitations of the activities of judges’ spouses.

Ed Morrissey of Hot Air provides the counter-argument:

Liberty Central aims to give grassroots activists a broader understanding of the philosophy of conservatism rather than doing a lot of organizing themselves. I’m not sure why that gives Hennessey such heartburn, but it hardly sets up any conflict of interest for Thomas…

Obviously, the issue isn’t who is organizing what, it’s where the money is going. If Big Tobacco starts putting money into Liberty Central Inc., there’s a fear that it could influence Thomas’ rulings in health-related cases. But rest assured: there will be enough lefty watchdogs on this that any hint of favoritism towards Liberty’s donors will immediately be jumped on and exemplified on the front page of The Huffington Post.

Categories: The Media

Reporter Warns Robert Gibbs About Fake ‘Robert Gibbs’ On Twitter

Mediaite - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 1:41pm

Won’t the real Robert Gibbs please stand up? “Twitter is quick medium for getting information out, and we’ll probably be using it more often,” the White House Press Secretary told reporters during a press conference Friday. Which is great and all (the Digital Administration!), except as one journo pointed out, Gibbs has more fake accounts in his name than most celebrities.




Shout-out to @pressSec, the real Gibbs Twitter account. Not to be confused with @FakePressSec or @FakeRobertGibbs. Hmm…seems like it shouldn’t be too hard to determine which one of these belongs to the real Robert Gibbs.

Categories: The Media

Lindsey Graham On WH ‘Spin’: Americans Are “Tired Of This Crap”

Mediaite - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 1:26pm

Well, regardless of one’s position on the current state health care reform, there should be some joy in that its finally coming to an end, evidenced by the pitched rhetoric on both sides of the debate. Earlier today we saw WH Press Secretary Robert Gibbs confident claim of having the votes to pass a bill in the house. And now we see Senator Lindsey Graham present the yin to that yang during an interview with host Jake Tapper on This Week.

Categories: The Media

Sunday highlights: Alexander, Axelrod, Gibbs

Politico Blogs - Sun, 03/14/2010 - 1:02pm

These names and more in video highlights from this week's Sunday talk shows.