Nate Silver Moving to ESPN

Brian Stelter reports, "Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight Blog Is to Join ESPN Staff" (via Memeorandum):

Nate Silver, the statistician who attained national fame for his accurate projections about the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, is parting ways with The New York Times and moving his FiveThirtyEight franchise to ESPN, the sports empire controlled by the Walt Disney Company, according to ESPN employees with direct knowledge of his plans.

At ESPN, Mr. Silver is expected to have a wide-ranging portfolio. Along with his writing and number-crunching, he will most likely be a regular contributor to “Olbermann,” the late-night ESPN2 talk show hosted by Keith Olbermann that will have its debut at the end of August. In political years, he will also have a role at ABC News, which is owned by Disney.

This ought to be interesting.

It's good for Silver, whose resources as a sports analyst have been badly underutilized at NYT. But it'd be hilarious if Silver were to force Olbermann off message to the point of violating his contract by talking about politics. Otherwise, Silver will be rolled out periodically during the election year to talk about his presidential predictions. In 2016 it's going to be a GOP year, so allegations of Silver's bias for the Dems will be seriously tested.

Anyway, more at the link.

'Justice for Trayvon' National Day of Action

It seems to me that the urgency of events has died down by now, but here's Occupy Oakland'S announcement for the National Day of Action that race-baiter Al Sharpton's been agitating for, "“JUSTICE FOR TRAYVON” NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION VIGILS IN 100 CITIES."

And Occupy Wall Street's got a flyer announcing a "Million Hoodies for Justice."

I'll have more on this.

Meanwhile, here's Katie Pavlich, "Al Sharpton to Continue Stoking Bogus and Non-Existent Racial Element of Zimmerman Case."

Charles Krauthammer on #Zimmerman Verdict and Obama's Comments to the Nation

Krauthammer's weekly Washington Post column discusses the verdict and the responses to it on the left, "The Zimmerman case: A touch of sanity."

And the video's from this afternoon's Fox News All-Stars. A great segment:

Authorities Warn Against Organized 'Bash Mob' Crime Rampages

The video discusses Long Beach, but it's a region-wide warning for Southern California, according to the Los Angeles Times, "'Bash mobs' sweep through Southern California."

President Obama's Comments on #TrayvonMartin and Being Black in America

I've watched the entire clip and I think it's good to recognize that the president was sincere in his desire to add something meaningful to the discussion of the Zimmerman verdict and the controversial issues of race in America that we've been having. I'm not particularly impressed with his comments, especially those about racial profiling, but since I've often in the past criticized Obama for not using the bully pulpit to speak about the crisis of black America I've got to give at least mini props to his later comments about using the powers of his office to convene resources for our vulnerable black youth across the nation. As a second term president with declining capital, this could be one of the most important legacies of his entire time in office. And notice how the president blew off talk of grand new federal programs to address such concerns. That's both a recognition that he wouldn't get much done legislatively as well as a statement on the need to increase private social capital in distressed communities outside the purview of government. I think that's important.

Other than that, like I said, there's really not much here for me. Check Ace of Spades HQ's comments, for example, where he mentions that mostly Obama speaks in "Notional Sentences, that is to say, assemblages of words which mirror the structure and form of a content- and idea-conveying sentence but which actually contain far less than the sum of their word-parts." That's true, so again mostly we're dealing with symbolism rather than action. I don't even expect much follow through on that bit about helping black youth. Mostly it's just fair enough to note that the man has spoken and I expect a lot of inner city folks can take that to heart.

In any case, here's the New York Times' piece, "In Wake of Zimmerman Verdict, Obama Makes Extensive Statement on Race in America" (at Memeorandum).



I'm going to troll around for awhile and will update with additional reactions. Obama conceded, at the earlier part of the speech, that it's not likely that federal civil rights charges will be brought against George Zimmerman, so that's not likely to go over well with the hardline race grievance monsters on the Democrat race plantation, but we'll see.

SeaWorld Launches Preemptive Strike Against 'Blackfish'

I mentioned sometime back that I was really disappointed with our last trip to SeaWorld. The excitement has completely drained out of that park, and the attractions have been turned into wannabe Cirque du Soleil people-driven circuses rather than animal-driven water shows. Clearly, the concerns for the welfare of the sea life has overtaken concern for the quality of performances. And while I love the animals and wouldn't want harm done to them, it's pretty amazing how the animal rights movement has destroyed this once majestic family entertainment complex.

In any case, it's probably better in the last analysis, although SeaWorld's fighting back in this case.

See, "Seaworld’s Unusual Retort to a Critical Documentary":

SAN DIEGO — Hollywood has just cast SeaWorld as a bad guy. But SeaWorld has decided to diverge from the story line.

In an unusual pre-emptive strike on the documentary “Blackfish,” set for release on Friday in New York and Los Angeles by Magnolia Pictures, SeaWorld Entertainment startled the film world last weekend by sending a detailed critique of the movie to about 50 critics who were presumably about to review it. It was among the first steps in an aggressive public pushback against the film, which makes the case, sometimes with disturbing film, that orca whales in captivity suffer physical and mental distress because of confinement.

Magnolia and the film’s director, Gabriela Cowperthwaite, shot back with a point-by-point rebuttal in defense of the movie.

The exchange is now promising to test just how far a business can, or should, go in trying to disrupt the powerful negative imagery that comes with the rollout of documentary exposés. That kind of dilemma has surfaced with previous documentaries like “The Queen of Versailles,” which last year portrayed the lavish lifestyle of the real estate moguls Jackie and David Siegel, and even with narrative films like “The Social Network,” which took an unflattering look at Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg in 2010.

Businesses accused of wrongdoing in films often choose to lie low, hoping the issues will remain out of the public mainstream and eventually fade away without much fuss. That’s especially true of documentaries, which generally have small audiences.

SeaWorld, advised by the communications firm 42West, which is better known for promoting films than punching back at them, is taking the opposite approach. By midweek, the company was providing top executives and animal caretakers for interviews about the movie and its purported flaws. It was also deliberating possible further moves, which might conceivably include informational advertising, a Web-based countercampaign or perhaps a request for some sort of access to CNN, which picked up television rights to “Blackfish” through its CNN Films unit and plans to broadcast the movie on Oct. 24.

Among other things, SeaWorld claims that “Blackfish,” which focuses on the orca Tilikum’s fatal 2010 attack on a trainer, Dawn Brancheau, exceeded the bounds of fair use by incorporating training film and other video shot by the company. The company also contends that Ms. Cowperthwaite positioned some scenes to create what SeaWorld executives see as a false implication of trouble or wrongdoing.

Asked whether SeaWorld was contemplating legal action against the film, G. Anthony Taylor, the general counsel, said decisions about any such step would have to wait until executives were able to more closely assess the movie. “Blackfish” made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in January and has since screened at other festivals in the United States and abroad.

Continue reading.

Anthem Blue Cross Won't Participate in California's Small Business Insurance Exchange for ObamaCare

This entire article mentions not one word about "ObamaCare," perhaps because the decision by Anthem Blue Cross sticks the middle finger right in the face of Washington and California bureaucrats --- and mind you, rates will be going up, not down, contrary to President Hussein's repeated claims that his national socialism would reduce rates.

See LAT, "WellPoint's Anthem Blue Cross spurns Calif. small-business exchange."

'I’m a feminist who enjoys being dominated during sex. Help!...'

Because if you demand respect while while simultaneously being choked during sex you're an empowered feminist, or something.

At Toronto's Globe and Mail, "I consider myself quite the feminist – I really think gender equality is very important, but sex with my new boyfriend has me questioning my feminist ways. We have been having sex for three weeks now and it gets physical. To my surprise, I have found I like to be dominated. He hits me during sex and chokes me, and I actually like it. I find myself asking for it. How can I be a feminist and still enjoy this?"

Dude on Motorcycle Slams Into Chevrolet Camaro for No Good Reason

He says he was distracted, looking to the right of the roadway. I guess.

At London's Daily Mail, "Heart-stopping moment motorcyclist crashed into a Camaro, lands on its roof and clings on for dear life as it speeds away."

Daily Caller Intern Gabe Finger Rips Obama Press Secretary Jay Carney

At Jawa Report, "DC Intern Asks Relevant Question; Gets Mocked by Carney and Media."

And you gotta love the contempt for this at CNN, especially the black airhead Jason Johnson:

Nazi Revival in Indonesia?

At Blazing Cat Fur, "From the Moderate Muslim Nation of Indonesia... Your Nazi Café."

And from the Telegraph UK, on Twitter.

Indonesian authorities question why café has Nazi-themed decor http://t.co/185k62y6Nd (Photo: AP) pic.twitter.com/Gs5rrHXogG
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) July 19, 2013

Panama Charges North Korean Freighter Crew

Bizarre story.

At NYT:

Panama brushed aside North Korea’s demands on Thursday that it release an impounded North Korean freighter and its 35-member crew, pressing criminal charges against all aboard for endangering public security by attempting to transport a concealed cargo of Cuban weapons through the Panama Canal.

The charges against the crew members, lodged by the office of the prosecutor, Javier Caraballo, heightened the Panamanian confrontation with North Korea over the ship, the 450-foot Chong Chon Gang, which had been awaiting permission to cross the canal for the voyage home after a visit to Cuba.

The vessel was impounded on Sunday after the crew, armed with what officials called sticks, tried to fend off Panamanian marines investigating whether it was carrying contraband. They found old radar, missile and aircraft components buried in the hold of the ship, underneath more than 200,000 bags of Cuban brown sugar.

A statement by the prosecutor’s office said all the accused had exercised their right to remain silent when the charges were formally lodged. The crew was expected to remain in detention while the Panamanian authorities finished unloading the vessel, which could take days.

The criminal charges were announced as North Korea broke its silence over the impounded ship and demanded that Panama let the vessel and crew depart. A statement by the North Korean Foreign Ministry asserted that the ship had been transporting the Cuban weapons to North Korea for refurbishment under a legal contract. The North Korean statement also criticized Panama for using what it called the pretext of searching the vessel for narcotics and for Panama’s violent treatment of the crew.

The seizing of the vessel has cast a light on the clandestine maritime trading practices of North Korea, one of the world’s most isolated and impoverished countries, which has been further hobbled by United Nations sanctions over its nuclear weapons and proliferation activities.

Anderson Cooper Interview With Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin

The full interview is here and here.

Britney Spears to Announce New Las Vegas Show

At Hollywood Gossip, "Britney Spears to Announce "Cool, Hip" Las Vegas Show."



More at the Other McCain, "Former Disney Child Starlet News."

'Pro-life my fucking ass. These people are killers...'

That's leftist hate-blogger Melissa McEwan going batshit over the new pro-life legislation signed yesterday by Governor Rick Perry.

Background from Steven Ertelt, "Texas Governor Rick Perry Signs Bill Banning Late-Term Abortions," and "Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz Closing Three Clinics After Perry Signs Ban."

Detroit Files Largest Municipal Bankruptcy in U.S. History

At WSJ, "Record Bankruptcy for Detroit: Motor City 'Is Broke,' Governor Says, as It Seeks to Restructure $18 Billion in Debt":

DETROIT—The city of Detroit filed for federal bankruptcy protection Thursday after decades of decline, a new low for a city that once defined industrial America's might but was hollowed out by the flight of residents and businesses to the suburbs.

The filing by the automobile capital and onetime music powerhouse—which has liabilities of more than $18 billion—is the country's largest-ever municipal bankruptcy case.

The move to restructure the debt is bound to set off months, if not years, of legal wrangling, asset sales and cuts to benefits for Detroit workers and retirees, including 20,000 on city pensions. Owners of the city's bonds are expected to battle with retirees and others for pieces of the city's diminished wealth.

Detroit is no stranger to bankruptcy after two of its most prominent companies—General Motors Co. GM +1.32% and Chrysler Group LLC—entered and quickly exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009, thanks to an $80 billion federal bailout.

But without a similar rescue—which the White House has indicated isn't forthcoming—Thursday's filing is fundamentally different and potentially much more treacherous for the city, officials and experts said. It casts the nation's 18th largest city into largely uncharted legal waters because few municipalities—and none this size—have undergone financial reorganization.

"I am terrified, and I am nervous," said Vaughn Derderian, the 36-year-old manager of the Anchor Bar, a fixture in downtown Detroit. "It is like being on a speeding freight train and you have no idea where it's going to go."

Yeah, well Detroit's lacking the big union clout, apparently.

See Walter Russell Mead, "Obama to Detroit: Drop Dead" (at Memeorandum).

And at Twitchy, "Motown Memory Lane: Obama ‘wasn’t going to let Detroit go bankrupt’."

Hollywood's Highest Paid Actors

At the New York Post, "Robert Downey Jr. Hollywood Highest Paid Actor - 2012-2013":

Every project “Iron Man” actor Robert Downey Jr. touches is turning to gold.

The action-adventure hero tops Forbes magazine’s list of highest-earning Hollywood actors — raking in $75 million for the year ending June 1.

It’s been a remarkable ride to superstardom for the 48-year-old Downey, who burst on the scene as a teen — but whose life and career were in shambles amid his drug addiction and related legal troubles from 1996 to 2001.

Downey’s “The Avengers” and “Iron Man 3” were box-office smashes this past year.

More at the link.

Downey is cool.

Federal investigators Demand Hold on #Zimmerman Trial Evidence

I don't doubt for a second that George Zimmerman could be brought up on federal charges, despite being easily acquitted at trial and without the slightest whiff of racial intent in the case. All the claims of "racism" are in the fanatically wild imaginations of the depraved leftists.

At WESH-TV Orlando, "Hold placed on George Zimmerman trial evidence."

Race-Baiting Leftists Push Gun Control After #Zimmerman Trial

Attorney General Eric Holder, along with the MSNBC hacktivists, has been pushing to ramp up gun control efforts in the wake of Zimmerman's acquittal, even though the trial wasn't at all about gun rights or stand your ground laws.

This letter to the editor at the Los Angeles Times really captures how regressive-leftists fantasize about this, "Letters: Trayvon Martin, race and justice":

A relatively minor altercation resulted in a tragedy. Who really knows who was the aggressor and who was the defender?

But what is clear is that the gun used by George Zimmerman escalated what should have been a relatively minor altercation. Without the gun, Zimmerman and Martin would have exchanged a few blows and then been on their way.

This is another example of why firearms do not make us safer. It is insanity to arm the populace. Arguments that should end by both parties walking away with bruises now end with one party being taken away by the coroner.

Jim Stetson
Torrance

Actually, the brutal fact is that Trayvon Martin could have killed George Zimmerman, the way he was pummeling him ground and pound style, like a drugged-out MMA mf.

And notice that "arm the populace" line, which is code for repealing Second Amendment rights. F-king depraved people.

But never mind. Regressives won't ever see clearly on this, because they've got too much invested in shaking down the system and disarming law abiding Americans.

More at the Washington Times, "NRA blasts Eric Holder for pushing gun control on Trayvon Martin's back."

#HoodiesUp — March Against Gun Violence, Orlando, Florida

They say "this is just the beginning," and in fact Al Sharpton promised hundreds of Trayvon protests nationwide this weekend. Let's see if these mf's keep it peaceful.

At the Orlando Sentinel, "Orlando protesters rally 1,200 strong against gun violence in honor of Trayvon Martin."