Aside

The New York Times: Cheating is not unheard of on university campuses. But cheating on an open-book, take-home exam in a pass-fail course seems odd, and all the more so in a course about ethics. Yet Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism is looking into whether students may have cheated on the final exam in just such a course, “Critical Issues in Journalism.” According to the school’s Web site, the course “explores the social role of journalism and the journalist from…

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…

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…

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…

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

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.

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…

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.…

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.

Here’s TWO more Borat-related Slate pieces: “Kazakh Like Me” “Suing Borat” Jeez guys, I think you’re running into record territory here.