Archive for November, 2006

The Great Teacher of Journalists, by Kim Jong Il

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 29, 2006, 10:23 am UTCPosted in: Books, Foreign Affairs, Journalism

This book was originally published in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in 1983. From the preface:

“New innovations and wonders which are being made every day in the press, the growing up of real men or genuine writers, and emotional legends of love for people are unthinkable from the wise guidance and utmost care of the dear Comrade Kim Jong Il, a great leader and a benevolent teacher.

“He is always among journalists and teaches them every detailed problem arising in their activities, and kindly leads them to write and compile excellent articles that arouse the sentiments of the masses in keeping with the Party’s intentions. He also brings up journalists to be the Party’s reliable writers under his wings and takes meticulous care of every facet of their life and activity…

“This book introduces some of the legendary stories about the dear leader, a great guide and teacher.”

Kim Jong Il (1942- ) is leader of North Korea (1994- ). Kim Jong Il succeeded his father, Kim Il Sung, who had ruled North Korea since 1948.

I think I know exactly what I want for Christmas.

BBC: Spy camera warning for Iran women

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 24, 2006, 10:03 am UTCPosted in: Iran, Tech in Far-Off Lands, WTF?

BBC:

Iranian women have been warned to be on the look-out for cameras hidden in places where they undress, such as fitting rooms, gyms and swimming pools.

The chief of Iran’s police, Esmail Ahmadi Miqadam, said some shop owners were fitting spy cameras themselves.

Iranian authorities want to stop a wave of secretly-filmed pornographic DVDs hitting markets and internet sites.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been championing a drive to banish unwanted Western cultural influences from Iran.

Last year, Western and “indecent” music was banned from state-run TV and radio stations.

Correspondents say the release of pornographic DVDs of privately-filmed events is a growing trend in Iran.

Finally, a Kazakh who gets Borat

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 24, 2006, 6:59 am UTCPosted in: Foreign Affairs, Sacha Baron Cohen

The Associated Press:

ALMATY, Kazakhstan (AP) — A leading Kazakh writer has nominated actor Sacha Baron Cohen for a national award for popularizing Kazakhstan. Novelist Sapabek Asip-uly called on the Kazakh Club of Art Patrons to give Baron Cohen its annual award, according to a letter published by the Vremya newspaper Thursday.

Baron Cohen’s fictional character Borat ”has managed to spark an immense interest of the whole world in Kazakhstan, something our authorities could not do during the years of independence,” said Asip-uly.

Government officials in the former Soviet republic have been enraged by Borat’s unflattering portrayal of Kazakh life in the spoof documentary, ”Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.”

”If state officials completely lack a sense of humor, their country becomes a laughing stock,” Asip-uly said.

Greetings from Santa Monica

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 22, 2006, 9:39 am UTCPosted in: Santa Monica

I’m in Santa Monica for Thanksgiving until Sunday. If you’re around and want to hang out with me, drop me an email.

California Gym for Teens Mixes Exercise with Xbox

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 20, 2006, 9:41 am UTCPosted in: Journalism, Radio

NPR:

by Cyrus Farivar

Weekend Edition Sunday, November 19, 2006 · Teens spend a lot of time playing video games, but that doesn’t have to mean they’re not getting enough exercise. A recently opened gym in Mountain View, Cali., is open only to teens and combines traditional gym equipment such as punching bags with electronic gaming activities, like virtual boxing, and body-controlled Xbox games.

This Sunday: Cyrus on NPR!

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 17, 2006, 3:03 pm UTCPosted in: Journalism, Radio

I’ll have a piece on “Weekend Edition Sunday” this Sunday, which airs on the following times/stations:

New York – 8-10 am Eastern – WNYC – 820 AM – www.wnyc.org
Los Angeles – 5-10 am Pacific – KPCC – 89.3 FM – www.kpcc.opg
Boston – 10 am-12 pm Eastern – WGBH – 89.7 FM – www.wgbh.org
San Francisco – 5-10 am Pacific – KQED – 88.5 FM – www.kqed.org

I’ll be on the last segment during the first hour, between the puzzle segment and and interview about the PS3.

What’s my piece on?

This’ll give you a preview.

Has CNN Headline News ever met a Muslim it liked?

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 16, 2006, 9:47 am UTCPosted in: Domestic Affairs, Islam, Politics

My editor at Foreign Policy, Mike Boyer, had this scathing comment on FP Passport today with regard to CNN Headline News‘ reaction to Congressman-elect Keith Ellison (D-MN), the first Muslim to be elected to our legislative body:

When it comes to Rep.-elect Keith Ellison of Minnesota, CNN Headline News host Glenn Beck just isn’t sure. That’s because Ellison is Muslim, which Beck said made him “nervous.” Interviewing Ellison on Tuesday, Beck said he felt like questioning Ellison’s loyalty to America. Then he said Ellison “could be” a shining example to European countries that are struggling with multiculturalism.

Seriously, this is why I refuse to watch CNN Headline News, which has the most thoughtless programming of any 24-hour news network. Here’s a news flash for Glenn Beck and CNN producers: Not all Midwesterners are white. And they’re not all Christian, either. Also, you might try learning a thing or two about a congressman-elect before you interview him. Ellison was born in Detroit, not Mogadishu. He hasn’t “integrated” into America — he was born here.

Ghostride the Volvo

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 15, 2006, 1:26 pm UTCPosted in: Baseball, Humor, I Love the Internet, Oakland

In the tradition of the Internet mash-up, it’s only fitting that in response to the A’s departure to Fremont, two kids mixed two great Oakland traditions: ghost ridin’ the whip, and the A’s.

Slate’s not done yet.

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 13, 2006, 7:26 pm UTCPosted in: Humor, Journalism, Sacha Baron Cohen

Here’s TWO more Borat-related Slate pieces:

“Kazakh Like Me”
“Suing Borat”

Jeez guys, I think you’re running into record territory here.

Rich and David’s IM conversation on Nancy Pelosi’s ascension

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 10, 2006, 11:27 am UTCPosted in: Domestic Affairs, I Love the Bay Area, Politics, San Francisco

Rich: well, didn’t you hear, speaker pelosi is going to infect congress with her SAN FRANCISCO VALUES

David: awesome. pretty soon everyone in america will eat tacos and not hate gay people.

“I . . . fully support my countrymen’s decision to sue this Jew.”

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 10, 2006, 8:44 am UTCPosted in: Humor, Sacha Baron Cohen, Santa Monica

Well folks, you knew it was coming sooner or later — the first legal shots have been fired against Sacha Baron Cohen by those drunken frat guys in that RV ”to protect themselves from any additional and unnecessary embarrassment.”

The Associated Press:

The lawsuit claims that in October 2005, a production crew took the students to a bar to drink and ”loosen up” before participating in what they were told would be a documentary to be shown outside of the United States.

”They were induced to agree to participate and were told the name of the fraternity and the name of their school wouldn’t be used,” said the plaintiffs’ attorney, Olivier Taillieu. ”They were put into an RV and were made to believe they were picking up Borat the hitchhiker.”

After a bout of heavy drinking, the plaintiffs signed a release form they were told ”had something to do with reliability issues with being in the RV,” Taillieu said.

I’m not exactly sure why the dateline on this is my hometown of Santa Monica, but so it goes. Speaking of my fair city, I remind you of the brilliant legal analysis by fellow Santa Monican Nate Cardozo:

if you’re dumb enough to (a) get interviewed by borat, and (b) give a crap that you got fooled, you (c) don’t have a reputation to protect and (d) deserve what you got. Plus (e) you fucking signed the release, dumbass.

Also, for people who are new to Borat/Sacha Baron Cohen, check out this serious interview with Cohen on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” that dates from July 2004.

Good Riddance, Macaca.

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 9, 2006, 2:44 pm UTCPosted in: Domestic Affairs, Politics

Farewell, Mr. Rumsfeld.

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 8, 2006, 11:01 am UTCPosted in: Domestic Affairs

Farewell, Mr. Rove.

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 8, 2006, 8:45 am UTCPosted in: Domestic Affairs, I Love the Bay Area, Politics, San Francisco

Here’s the full list, via Daily Kos.

Yes, and Mr. Seven-term Pombo (R-CA) from the 11th Congressional District of California lost!

And the Macaca race is still up in the air, but Webb is barely ahead for now.

And finally, in the most meaningless ballot measure of the night:

San Francisco was one of two Bay Area cities in which voters could call for Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney to be impeached. Neither San Francisco voters nor their counterparts in Berkeley were passing up the chance — San Francisco’s Prop. J won, 59 percent to 41 percent, while in Berkeley, Measure H was ahead, 66 percent to 34 percent, in early returns.

Bay Area, I love you always, but why do you have to do such stupid things sometimes?

Anyway, rock on, Madam Speaker!

Rolling Stone: America’s Anchors

By
Cyrus Farivar
 – November 6, 2006, 3:23 pm UTCPosted in: Humor, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert

Rolling Stone:

Ben Karlin, Stewart’s thirty-five-year-old production partner who oversees both The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, says that “the biggest mistake people make is thinking that Jon and Stephen sit down before every show and say, ‘OK, how are we going to change the world?’ or any bullshit like that. They both really just want to get a laugh.” Though the shows clearly have a liberal bent, Stewart claims that they are emotional but apolitical. He does not, however, hide his disdain for the media. At a New York Times lunch, when Stewart was asked how his show did such a good job digging up clips catching the president and other officials contradicting themselves, the comedian shot back, “A clerk and a video machine.”

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