Happy birthday Anika! My Annika's b-day was 3 days ago.
- Hutch Carpenter
Better late than never: Happy Birthday Anika (probably still your birthday but tons of congratulations already ahead of me). Happy belated birthday to you too, Hutch.
- Internet Strategist
With Twitter U.S. visitors down 8% will Scoble being declaring "Twitter is dead" soon. I saw someplace today Ev declaring "Twitter is not a fad", wish I'd bookmarked it. You know something is a fad when the person with the most riding on it starts denying it is a fad.
- Ed Millard
So, what you're saying is, there's a Fail Shark in here, somewhere?
- MVB (Curmudgeon of FF)
I stopped when I got to the phrase "greater twitter ecosystem."
- Jim Hearts FF
Oh dear sweet jebus, they started up a jack hammer outside... I think it's time for me to put on a hat, splurge on a pumpkin doughnut, and go do recon on a store I might apply to.
"Joe Lieberman and others have called for investigations into why an Islamic extremist was allowed to remain in the U.S. military. Earlier this year at Salon, Matt Kennard documented how white supremacists and Neo-Nazis were being allowed to openly serve in the U.S. military, likely due to recruitment shortages for our various wars. A former Blackwater employee alleges that CEO Erik Prince "views himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe," and that Prince's company -- responsible for horrific massacres of civilians -- "encouraged and rewarded the destruction of Iraqi life." Numerous reports have documented that Christian fanaticism is rampant in the U.S. military, including high-pressure evangelizing both within the military and in Muslim countries we occupy, and even violence justified by religious doctrine. As Harper's Jeff Sharlet documented, organized groups within the military have emerged that view allegiance to...
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- Steven Perez
from Bookmarklet
so this really is a holy war? or is it a race war? i would also like to hear the complicated answer. because this sounds like a state-run war that is, explicitly or implicitly, a tax payer funded holy war. and that is kind of the problem here. read marc lynch's analysis for why: http://lynch.foreignpolicy.com/posts...
- tiffany
Okay, tonight I will write a blog post with the complicated answer. I let you guys know when it's up.
- MVB (Curmudgeon of FF)
i am taking a guess at what your post will say mark. and i am jumping to conclusions. i don't think the issue is that we haven't been suspicious enough of muslims. in 20/20 hindsight, there were indeed some clear and troubling links that this man made to at least one radical imam. what is disturbing to me is the "let's persecute the muslims" tone that folks are taking, particularly when...
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- tiffany
this isn't about being "politically correct" and inoffensive. it's a simple concept: don't hit and expect not to get hit back. and when you do, don't act indignant and run to mommy (in this case, the american citizenry and/or the UN) and complain because you got hit.
- tiffany
Actually, tiffany, that is not my conclusion at all. I take each person at face value. A douchenozzle is a douchenozzle, no matter what race, creed or colour they happen to be. To be suspicious of all (fill in the blank) because they are all (fill in the blank) is never the proper answer, What conclusion can be drawn from Timothy McVeigh regarding Protestants?
- MVB (Curmudgeon of FF)
Given the above article, Mark, I'd say that the same problem that has plagued the military since McVeigh served is still with us today. Different = bad. And to remind you that this is still a problem, I refer you to this: http://friendfeed.com/us-poli... I wonder how that works into "political correctness".
- Steven Perez
Oh you youngins are always finding something to get riled up over. In my day, we wore an onion on our belt, which was the style of the time.
- Dragon Goldmaplethorpe
Child, it is only a word; you whippersnappers shouldn't be so sensitive. When you've lived as long as I have, kid, you grow past such things and gain wisdom that can only come with age
- RAPatton
"Carrie Prejean's ex-boyfriend -- the guy to whom she sent the XXX solo video -- tells TMZ Carrie and company called him last week and tried getting him to "lie" and say she was 17 when she shot the video. During an audio interview with TMZ, the man -- who asked us not to reveal his identity -- says Carrie sent him the video when they were involved with each other in 2007. He says Carrie sent him numerous explicit videos and insists the one in question was shot when she was 20. We have verified this is indeed the guy to whom Carrie sent her solo video -- which ultimately torpedoed her settlement with Miss California USA."
- Neal Jansons
from Bookmarklet
I'm impressed that a dev at a big place like Facebook gets to publicly snipe at Apple like that. I wonder if this was cleared with FB PR or if he'll be getting a slap on the wrist or if they just don't care...
- Daniel J. Pritchett
"From PG flirting tactics to R-rated sex tricks, these must-try ideas are guaranteed to put you in the mood. Try them tonight—and thank us in the morning."
- AJ Batac
from Bookmarklet
Only R-rated??? I want "We'll come into your house, arrest you and ship you off to a lightless dungeon for a hundred years if we catch you doing this!" sex tricks!
- ‘-.-’ Tutivillus Grift
"The New York Times today details the unbelievably sleazy story of Peter Galbraith, one of the Democratic Party's leading so-called "liberal hawks" and a generally revered Wise Man of America's Foreign Policy Community. He was Ambassador to Croatia under the Clinton administration in the mid-1990s and, in March, 2009, the Obama administration (specifically, Richard Holbrooke, Galbraith's mentor) successfully pressured the U.N. to name Galbraith as the second-in-command in Afghanistan. The NYT does a good job today of adding some important details to the story, but it was actually uncovered by Norwegian investigative journalists and reported at length a month ago in pieces such as this one by Helena Cobban. In essence, this highly Serious man has corruptly concealed vast financial stakes in the very policies and positions he has spent years advocating while pretending to be an independent expert."
- Steven Perez
from Bookmarklet
I was always somewhat sympathetic to Peter Galbraith, and was shocked to learn that he holds such an immense financial interest in developing Kurdish oil reserves. "Conflict of interest" doesn't begin to cover it regarding his efforts to carve up Iraq into three nations -- war profiteering at its most extreme.
- Sean McBride
What actor do you think is the best at playing both good guys AND bad guys? For the purpose of discussion, "good" guy can mean "funny" as well, as long as it's a definite foil to the evil parts they've played.
- FFing Enigma (aka Tina)
I find it interesting that everyone we've named had been male.
- Katy S
Doh, I forgot Christopher Walken!!! Katy, he was on my original list when I first had this conversation 10 years ago... Oh, and I figured all males was because of the verbiage 'actor'. I'd have to mull it over for actresses (they don't always get as great a range of roles =/ )
- FFing Enigma (aka Tina)
I know - women don't get the same range. I figure the word actor had something to do with people's choices, too.
- Katy S
A lot of good mentions here. Rickman would have been the first to spring to mind for me. Oldman is fantastic, though. He's absolutely protean. Kathy Bates has played both good and bad well.
- Spidra Webster
Someone might have to fact check for me (as I'm not really a film/TV buff): did Joan Collins ever play nice/funny? Did she do it worth a damn? If so I'd say she's up there!
- FFing Enigma (aka Tina)
Hugh Jackman. If you've never seen "The Prestige", DO EET.
- Spidra Webster
Tim Roth, He's got the rough love good guy and the downright nasty bad guy in him.
- Rasmus Lauridsen
John Lithgow. He's brilliant as both the funny man and the villain.
- ‘-.-’ Tutivillus Grift
DAMN! I forgot the reason I had this train of thought in the first place: I saw Tim Curry in a Rocky Horror clip on TV and he's on my list.
- FFing Enigma (aka Tina)
Where have you seen Jimmy Stewart as a bad guy?
- Spidra Webster
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a famous example of Stewart as a bad guy. Vertigo is a great example of him as a twisted character - he's extremely sadistic at times.
- Sarah is Novembery
I can see that, MVB. Not to mention she went from streetwise trollop to naive rube one show right after the other.
- FFing Enigma (aka Tina)
Denzel Washington. He doesn't play bad guys enough, though.
- cecily
It's been a while since I saw Liberty Valance. Guess I forgot. I'm not as big a fan of his westerns as I am of his other work. Early in his career, Stewart was actually cast as the male ingenue. He even sings in "Born to Dance". The studio didn't know what to do with him yet.
- Spidra Webster
Alan Rickman, Glenn Close, Amanda Peet, James Stewart, Kevin Spacey, Alec Baldwin
- Helen Sventitsky
Tough call but Anthony Hopkins because you have to clarify the definition of evil and whether it is done out of wickedness or weakness. For instance, take the role Macbeth. He clearly does evil but it is out of a tragic flaw, he's aware that its wrong but can't seem to stop himself, even at the end. But you pity him because he knows and its eating him away from the inside out. But the...
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- Melanie Reed
And yet Anthony played C. S. Lewis in "The Shadowlands" a man of God and Christian apologist so far removed from Hannibel as to be in heaven away from hell. The love he showed for God and his wife as he cared for her during terminal cancer till her death was the full spectrum of the human experience of love and joy in the midst of grief
- Melanie Reed
When Hopkins plays good characters there always seems to be something lacking there. Why? His eyes: they're too smart to reflect only pure goodness. Whereas Spacey, oh my, he can play devil or saint as he chooses, although he likes to walk the line between both. Take his defining role for instance: Keyser Söze. He has you fooled right til the end into believing he's the kindest character of all. Then, suddenly, the hint of a smile...
- Jordi Soler
Jordi, I like that you caught that! There is a moment in the film "Shadowlands" where Joy has just learned that she has cancer and its incurable and she looks up at him after leaning the truth from him and says:"You're looking properly at me now. You never looked properly at me before." And its true. Hopkins does an amazing job just with his eyes at that moment.
- Melanie Reed
:) How did I know that you were going to pick "The Sting" Matthew. I can almost here Joplin's "Solace" in the background. But are you sure about "Quint" ?! *squints*
- Melanie Reed
@Melanie: I'll have to rewatch "Shadowlands". Must confess that I found it quite boring the first time I saw it (long time ago). But seriously, Hopkins has some issues when trying to portray ambivalent characters (take "Human Stain", for instance). On the other hand, he is perfect when he has to play evil masterminds as the one in "Fracture".
- Jordi Soler
Jordi, I recall the Human Stain and chalked that up to wanting to pay some bills or an agent somewhere. Anthony is a bit of a conundrum in the roles he takes but then again, its a business. He does seem to excel in roles calling upon his ability to play the divided soul: Magic, Guilty Conscience. And I think it is this soulful ambidexterity that allows him to go either way or in the...
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- Melanie Reed
If you want to see Hopkins as a truly likable and sympathetic character, watch "The Fastest Indian". You root for him the whole time.
- FFing Enigma (aka Tina)
Tina, I have been wanting to see that and several things kept getting in the way. (my dvd drive died) Now that I have a DVD drive back in a laptop I can reserve it from our library. Thanks for reminding me! :)
- Melanie Reed
Cary Grant is my number one. In a close second is Brad Pitt. Johnny Depp is good, too. I also like Guy Pearce for this. Kathy Bates and Hugh Jackman are good mentions. Robin Williams is also a good pull (he's played some really disturbing bad guys).
- Curtiss Grymala
Agree, Alan Rickman, Anthony Hopkins......and most definitely Gene Hackman!
- Bonnie Foster
Robin Williams has played a villain in "Insomnia" (the American remake of a Norwegian film) and "One Hour Photo"
- Spidra Webster
I would say Deniro, but I think even his "good guy" characters are still kind of frightening and intense.
- Curtiss Grymala
from iPhone
Ian McShane. Have a look at his portrayal as "swedgin" in Deadwood.
- Terry O'Fee
Tim Curry was the first that came to mind. Many other good ones mentioned, Alan Rickman is high on my list. It's also interesting how many of these people are attractive, moral ambiguity must be a turn-on... weird.
- Angsty Lo is Angsty
what about Johnny Depp and John Travolta? so mainstream but pretty diverse catalogs...
- Robyn Hawk
I said Johnny Depp, and quite a few people mentioned John Travolta.
- Curtiss Grymala
from iPhone
"Rent the Runway carries the entire contents of your fashion dreams, from flirty Yigal Azrouel frocks to classic Catherine Malandrino gowns. Simply reserve your dress on the date you need it, and your order will be quickly shipped to you along with one in another size to ensure the best fit. Wear, enjoy, then return the next day in a handy pre-paid envelope (the fit-kit that includes double-sided tape, a clip bra converter, deodorant wipes, and breathmints are yours to keep, you lucky things!)."
- Shevonne
from Bookmarklet
I love these sorts of things, wish I could find something similar in the UK.
- Charlotte M
After the claim that http://friendfeed.com/rahshee... wouldn't start a meme, I had to at least give it a try. This is mildly better to look at than the original that the lickers came from (you know which image I'm talking about, I refuse to link to it).
I knew the "Remove It Permanently" Firefox addon would come in handy.
- SuezanneC Baskerville
Since I can't hide this by going to "My discussions" page, I'm commenting now so it'll appear in my home page with the "Hide" Link! #smartiam
- directeur
Only about 1040 more comments to go until we overtake the original!
- Andy Bakun
Bonnie, who has the talent? I hope you're not referring to me, this is the shittiest photoshopping (well, GIMPing), I've ever done. That being said, I spent way too much time on it when I did it.
- Andy Bakun
I am a librarian. More specifically I am the head of access & delivery services at North Carolina State University's Libraries. I travel mostly to give presentations at conferences.
- Mary Carmen
What's a merging service point? Computer interface?
- SAM
My department used to have several service desks (where patrons could get assistance with a variety of library services). We merged two units and took on an additional lending service. I am presenting about the merger process: the prep, the training, the reality, lessons learned, and future plans.
- Mary Carmen
Last week I presented at a conference in Missouri on how to deal with personnel and performance issues. I tend to write and speak about several different topics.
- Mary Carmen
I pitch the topic and they select. I manage a dept of 34 people so.....I have some experience with performance management. ;-)
- Mary Carmen
Cool and there is this library circuit awaiting good content?
- SAM
yeah, i like to think so. I thought last week's preso went extraordinarily well, but maybe people who were there can speak to it, as I may be baised ;-)
- Mary Carmen
Had me some Negro Modelo this evening... what's your flavor?
- SAM
Well I love Belgian beer. My fave is Westveleteren. Tonight I drank Terrapin's Big Hoppy Monster. I also love Bell's Two Hearted Ale, Terrapin's Wake & Bake and Victory's Golden Monkey.
- Mary Carmen
Good names... not familiar with most but "Big Hoppy Monster" sounds awesome... my beer making gear has been in storage while we're under construction, but I'll put you at top of the list for a "care package" next fall when we pull out the gear.
- SAM