Saturday, May 28, 2005

Politics reaches a new low, Hollywood-style Via Cursor comes this almost unbelievable story: "The TV ad [pushing California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's political proposals], released in May, features Schwarzenegger talking to people in a lunchroom, and places Pepsi and Arrowhead Water in prominent spots next to the governor for 1/3 of the ad. Donors connected to Pepsi Co. and Arrowhead Water's parent company, Nestle, gave the governor a total of $279,800 in campaign contributions. Also recognizable on-screen are Ruffles, Sun Chips, Cheetos and a SoBe Beverage, all brands owned by Pepsi. "The practice, known as 'product placement,' is unheard of in political advertising. In fact, political ads typically avoid using logos because companies may not want to be associated with a particular candidate or issue. However, studios receive significant payments for featuring a product in a film or television show." (Via Left I on the News.) 2:14:56 PM    comment []

Grieving Mother Denied Gold Star Membership Scott Simon reflects on a mother's grief and a national organization's stance in the wake of her son's death. He was a U.S Army sergeant killed in Afghanistan. His mother is not permitted to join the Gold Star Mothers because her son wasn't born in the United States. (Via NPR Programs: Weekend Edition - Saturday.) 2:12:44 PM    comment []

Chronicles of the theocracy Last month I paid my first visit to the Smithsonian, and was really excited and proud that our country financed these free museums. It's a very exciting place, full of wonders, from the Hope diamond, to those fantastic dinosaur skeletons, the Air and Space Museum, etc. Now the museum is risking destroying a whole lot of my good will: Fossils at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History have been used to prove the theory of evolution. Next month the museum will play host to a film intended to undercut evolution. The Discovery Institute, a group in Seattle that supports an alternative theory, "intelligent design," is announcing on its Web site that it and the director of the museum "are happy to announce the national premiere and private evening reception" on June 23 for the movie, "The Privileged Planet: The Search for Purpose in the Universe. " the Discovery Institute is a dishonest, anti-science, anti-American crowd who wants to turn science into a shill for conservative religion. This is an outrage. (Via New York Times.) 1:02:30 PM    comment []

© Copyright 2005 Steve Michel. Last update: 6/28/2005; 9:09:55 AM.