MEDIA MONDAY
What have you been reading, watching, listening to?

Weekend Box Office
1. When A Stranger Calls
2. Big Momma's House 2
3. Nanny McPhee
4. Brokeback Mountain
5. Hoodwinked

Come on....did there really need to be a second Big Momma's House? And did people really need to go see it? If it stays in the top 5 for long, we'll be staring at #3 before long.
--Don

RIP, Betty Friedan
Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique and co-founder of NOW, passed away Saturday, February 4 on her 85th birthday. As happens with most social issues, Betty Friedan's message got mixed in with those of more radical feminists in the 1960's, because her message was still a radical concept at the time. I found her more moderate and realistic about keeping men and families in our lives while seeking personal freedom and fulfillment than those who managed to create the lesbian man-hating stereotype of feminists that was easier for many men and women to dismiss. If you haven't read The Feminine Mystique, I recommend it. I'm curious what the word "feminist" brings to mind today, anyone?
--Deb

Hearings on Illegal Presidential Spying
If you don't have c-span handy, Glenn Greenwald is live blogging the hearings. Good coverage at AmericaBlog too. Personally, I've given up on the hope that any actual good will come out of these things. But making a few Administration shills squirm for a couple minutes is something I guess. Also nice to hear that Feingold is keeping the heat on. I'm feeling better and better about possibly making him my next doomed idealistic Presidential cause.
--Don