The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The Good: The Interwebs take another inevitable step forward as the FCC chairman proposes Net Neutrality rules.

The Bad: Fox revives the lost art of staging the news.

and The Ugly: perhaps later...

RIP: Larry Gelbart

Bill Moyers pulls no punches...

Rudy Ruiz: It's okay to change your mind.

Amazing tributes to Ted Kennedy

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RIP: Ted Kennedy

Kate -- Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy. For nearly five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity; in families that know new opportunity; in children who know education's promise; and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just, including me. In the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth and good cheer. He battled passionately on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintained warm friendships across party lines. And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy. I personally valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've benefited as President from his encouragement and wisdom. His fight gave us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say thank you and goodbye. The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives. For America, he was a defender of a dream. For his family, he was a guardian. Our hearts and prayers go out to them today -- to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family. Today, our country mourns. We say goodbye to a friend and a true leader who challenged us all to live out our noblest values. And we give thanks for his memory, which inspires us still. --Sincerely, President Barack Obama

"Drunk History" from Funny or Die

Drunk History vol. 3 - Featuring Danny McBride from Danny McBride

The latest strain: the "California Bankroll"

And, locally...

UPDATE: Things are increasingly coming to a head.

And that's the way it was: RIP Walter Cronkite

Read and listen to more of his work, courtesy of ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm. And read another take on his legacy here.

UPDATE: And in an exasperating bit of irony...

Never Can Say Goodbye...

President Obama visits Buchenwald with Elie Wiesel

"...This place teaches us that we must be ever vigilant about the spread of evil in our own time, that we must reject the false comfort that others' suffering is not our problem, and commit ourselves to resisting those who would subjugate others to serve their own interests..."

Read the speeches here.

President Obama speaks at Cairo University

"...I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles -- principles of justice and progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings...."

View the video here.

RIP: Koko Taylor

Here comes the sun...

The Good: Lt. Daniel Choi writes an open letter to President Obama and Congress exhorting them to allow him to keep his post.

The Bad: In another unsurprising blow against the international press, Zimbabwe arrests two journalists, just as another is freed in Iran.

And the Ugly: A U.S. soldier kills five comrades at a stress clinic at Camp Liberty near Baghdad.

Susan Boyle sings "Cry Me a River" (1999)

There's been quite a lot of hoopla over Susan Boyle's appearance on "Britain's Got Talent," as if it were she who surprised us, when the case is that we simply surprised ourselves with our own bigotry.

One summer afternoon, years ago, I was enjoying some sprinkling rain and fresh mountain air at Mishawaka. I was being treated to a show by a married girlfriend who, it turns out, had plans to meet up with a guy she had a crush on. When he showed up, I wandered outside to get away from their goo-goo trysting, and I started up a circle of new friends out on the back deck. The temporary tribe grew quickly, till about a dozen of us were laughing as loud as the Poudre River rushing by. It was a great afternoon, a serene scene. Pretty soon, Tab Benoit walked out onto the deck and into the circle to partake of the festivities. After a while, as he started to leave toward the stage to start his show, Mr. Six Whiskeys mumbled out of his slobbering pie-hole that I had completely surprised him with my wit, charm and generosity -- he thought he was paying me some big damn compliment. I was just being who I was. He surprised himself.

As the singer and YouTube sensation Miss Boyle makes the rounds of American talk shows, swatting down impertinent questions about her non-existent dating life (read: virginity at 47), and as thousands of eager cosmeticians waiting in the wings, poised with tweezers, choke at their chains for a makeover that she's also refused, my money's on this innocent phenomenon's unchangeability and her Zen humor and patience, letting the chattering world swirl around her, and saying little, because she need not say more. -- KT