Category Archives: Commentary

SitCombat: 2/24/11

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Tom Garrett

Yesterday was quite a day around these parts.* I can think of no better way to follow up an academic-style commentary about the Obama Administration’s decision to cease defending DOMA than with an analysis of the relative merits of three … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Reviews, Television | Tagged 30 Rock, Alec Baldwin, Archer, Commentary, Dwight Schrute, Jack Donaghy, Liz Lemon, Michael Scott, Reviews, SitCombat, Sitcoms, Steve Carell, Television, The Office, Tina Fey, Todd Packer, TV | 2 Comments

Obama, DOMA, and Myopia

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Tom Garrett

The Department of Justice announced this week that it will no longer attempt to defend the Defense of Marriage Act from federal lawsuits, saying, in part [T]he President has concluded that given a number of factors, including a documented history … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Politics | Tagged Commentary, Conlaw, Constitutional Law, Cuccinelli, Department of Justice, DOMA, Eric Holder, Executive Branch, Flag-Burning, Gay Marriage, Gay Rights, Health Care, Homosexuality, Judicial Activism, Judicial Branch, Ken Cuccinelli, Obama, Obamacare, Politics, Separation of Powers, The Constitution, Virginia | 17 Comments

A Shameless Plea for Twitter Followship

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Tom Garrett

I’ve been extremely pleased with the growth of this very young website so far. I struggle to come up with any complaints whatsoever about the subject. Buuuuuuut . . . if you twist my arm, I have to say that … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Site Stuff | Tagged Humor, Internet, Mark Sanchez, Neil Hamburger, Shamelessness, Site Stuff, Social Media, Twitter | 4 Comments

Fake Religion / Fake Apostate

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Mike Austin

Lawrence Wright’s 26-page New Yorker exposé of Paul Haggis’s defection from the Church of Scientology is a balls-out hit parade of insanity. In “The Apostate,” Wright reveals the squirrel-on-skis nuttiness of the church and its equally nutty celebrity adherents, complete … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, General Culture and News | Tagged Celebrities, Commentary, Fast Food Preferences, Gay Rights, Homosexuality, John Travolta, Lawsuits, Marlon Brando, Paul Haggis, Please Don't Sue Us, Religion, Scientology, Theology | 5 Comments

Fish-related Puns Are Too Easy

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Tom Garrett

A controversial magic trick has been ruffling the feathers of our Chinese friends non-enemies this week. The trick, which appears to approximate a synchronized swimming routine, except with a half-dozen Chinese goldfish, is alleged by numerous animal rights groups to rely … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, General Culture and News, Videos | Tagged Animal Rights, Animals, Censorship, China, Fish, Fu Yandong, Goldfish, Illusions, Magic, Magnetism, Magnets, PETA, The Final Countdown | 5 Comments

SitCombat: 2/17/11

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Tom Garrett

Can the long-awaited cinematic tale of Michael Scarn top defending champ 30 Rock, or will Sterling Archer’s own action / intrigue (and Burt Reynolds references) allow upstart Archer to take the crown from venerable and little-watched NBC fare? Here’s how … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Reviews, Television | Tagged 30 Rock, Alec Baldwin, Archer, FX, Michael Scarn, Michael Scott, NBC, SitCombat, Sitcoms, Steve Carell, Television, The Office, Threat Level Midnight, Tina Fey, TV | Leave a comment

This Would Have Made AP English Even More Fun

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Tom Garrett

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby numbers among the many books assigned to me during my early academic career. As was the case with most of that group, I ended up merely skimming enough to do well on the test or … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Gaming, Links, Literature | Tagged 8-Bit, AP English, Engrish, Famicom, Fitzgerald, Gaming, Gatsby, Internet, Japan, Literature, NES, Nintendo, The Great Gatsby, Video Games | Leave a comment

Justin Bieber: A Narrative Lyrical Analysis

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Tom Garrett

On the heels of one of the greatest injustices in recorded human history, I now turn my attention to the incomparable Justin Drew Bieber. I referred to Lady Gaga as a “near-prodigy” last week. There’s no qualifier necessary for Bieber. … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Music | Tagged Baby, Bieber, Commentary, Grammys, Humor, Ludacris, Lyrics, Music, Pop | 7 Comments

An Entirely Qualified White Professional Previews this Year’s Grammy Nominees (Rap Categories)

Posted on February 13, 2011 by Mike Austin

There are many benefits to living in a post-racial society: The rise of the minority-owned business, political de-polarization, proliferation of “possession receivers” in the NFL, King Magazine, etc. One important benefit (to me, at least) is that a thirty-something, well-to-do … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Music | Tagged Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Drake, Eminem, Grammys, Hip-Hop, Jay-Z, Jeezy, Kanye, Kanye West, Ludacris, Minaj, Race Relations, Rap, T. I., The Roots | 9 Comments

SitCombat

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Tom Garrett

I only watch about eight television shows on anything resembling a regular basis. I realized recently that three of those shows are sitcoms airing on Thursday nights. I usually watch all three and informally think to myself, “Show X won … Continue reading →