News and commentary on culture and politics
http://www.slate.com/ - 11/20/09 19:08:50 - 11/08/06 17:49:00
Friday, Nov. 20, 2009
- And a Governor Shall Lead ThemWhy Sarah Palin is unlikely to be the future of the Republican Party. | Friday, 6:44 PM ET
- What To Drink on ThanksgivingGlorious American cabernets.Mike Steinbergerdrink | Friday, 6:18 PM ET
- Time for a Beauty PageantHow to score chicks on the Disney Channel.Troy Pattersontelevision | Friday, 5:38 PM ET
- Drug-resistant swine flu reported in North Carolina; Nelson backs Senate health plan (sort of); easyJet apologizes for Holocaust fashion shoot. | Friday, 5:27 PM ET
- The Following of Nutters Gabfest Listen to 's review of the week in politics.Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotzgabfest | Friday, 5:14 PM ET
- Stupid Drug Story of the WeekNBC's Today show discovers huffing.Jack Shaferpress box | Friday, 4:53 PM ET
- Opening the Screening DoorSlate writers and editors discuss whether new cancer-screening guidelines should be considered a harbinger of health care rationing.im | Friday, 3:51 PM ET
- The Nativism TaxWhat it will cost you to deny illegal immigrants health insurance.Timothy Noahprescriptions | Friday, 3:50 PM ET
- Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New OrleansWerner Herzog and Nicolas Cage invent their own blend of crazy. | Friday, 3:47 PM ET
- Twilight: New MoonThe Blind SidePlanet 51 | Friday, 2:30 PM ET
- | Friday, 12:07 PM ET
- Illegal Use of Sandra BullockThe Blind Side should have been a great movie about football.Josh Levinmovies | Friday, 11:25 AM ET
- Trains vs. Planes vs. AutomobilesWhat's the greenest way to get home for Thanksgiving?Jacob Leibenluftthe green lantern | Friday, 11:23 AM ET
- Hot Pot's Top SpotWhat a meal of beef stomach and duck throats taught me about the new China.Daniel Grossmoneybox | Friday, 10:22 AM ET
- Blood Drinking 101What's the best way for a vampire to feed?Christopher Beam | Friday, 10:18 AM ET
- Goldman Sachs' Shareholders SeetheBernhard Warner and Matthew Yeomans | Friday, 7:48 AM ET
- The end of the road.
- | Friday, 7:00 AM ET
- | Friday, 7:11 AM ET
- | | Friday, 7:11 AM ET
| | Friday, 7:11 AM ET
- The Easy Rider Road Trip
Keith Phipps | dvd extras | Friday, 7:11 AM ET
- posted by Jody Rosen on November 20, 2009Verlyn Klinkenborg Discovers the Bicycle
Verlyn Klinkenborg, a New York Times editorial board member and author of the paper's " Rural Life " column, spends most of his time on his upstate New York farm, gazing across meadows and musing on The Splendor of the Goldenrod, The Wisdom of the Barn Mouse, and The Majesty of Henry the Pig's- posted by Samantha Henig on November 20, 2009Time Magazine Prematurely Applauds an End to Hover Parenting
A post from DoubleX writer KJ Dell'Antonia: Time magazine's "Can These Parents Be Saved?" story offers a glorious rundown of the rampant possibilities for overparenting that have become available in recent years. From kid leashes ("Kinderkords") to fears about- posted by William Saletan on November 20, 2009Tweets 11/20/09
Here are some of this week's Human Nature short takes on the news. To get them in real time, subscribe to the HN Twitter feed . 1. Mayor on Chicago's surveillance network: "cameras are the next best thing" to cops. http://bit.ly/syCfU Prediction: Domestic drones are next. 2. Latest- posted by Gretchen Rubin on November 20, 2009Try Fun, Quick Exercises to Boost Your Creativity
I’m not writing a screenplay, or a novel either, but it sounded intriguing, so I picked up a copy. And she’s right, it’s a fascinating look at storytelling.- posted by Mickey Kaus on November 20, 2009Does Harry Reid's Health Care Bill Create a "Fed" for Medicare?
David Leonhardt, complaining that the House health care bill doesn't do enough to control costs , touts a particular model for imposing parsimonious changes on the nation's health care delivery system: Twice a year, an outside advisory board sends Congress a list of suggestions
Editors Spent All Day Arguing About Cancer Screenings and Health Care Rationing
What a Meal of Beef Stomach and Duck Throats Taught Me About the New China
The Blind Side: Illegal Use of Sandra Bullock
Train, Plane, or Automobile? What's the Greenest Way to Travel for Thanksgiving?
The Two Craziest Men in Hollywood Teamed Up To Make This Movie
Did's Predictions About America Come True?
Nov. 20, 2009
- The Twilight Saga: New MoonI can't defend this movie, but I loved it.Dana Stevensmovies | Thursday, 6:32 PM ET
- How Much Radiation Do You Get From a Mammogram?Not much.Brian Palmerexplainer | Thursday, 6:11 PM ET
- I Vant To Upend Your ExpectationsWhy vampire movies always break all the vampire rules.Christopher Beamrecycled | Thursday, 6:05 PM ET
- The Garlic YearsWhen have we not been in the midst of a vampire craze?Christopher Beam and Chris Wilsonrecycled | Thursday, 6:04 PM ET
- Vampires SuckActually, they don't. And that's the problem.Grady Hendrix | recycled | Thursday, 6:02 PM ET
- Microsoft Office's Last StandIs Office 2010 good enough to fight off its free competitors?Farhad Manjoo | technology | Thursday, 5:27 PM ET
- European Union names first president; University of California regents pass 32 percent tuition hike; Will Ferrell is Hollywood's most overpaid actor. | Thursday, 5:27 PM ET
- I Lost My SonIt wasn't fun.
Emily Bazelon | family | Thursday, 5:11 PM ET- Hey Penny: The Boss From Hell
A daily video from Slate V.
slate v | Thursday, 5:08 PM ET- ReidCare: The Remix
What's inside the "blended" Senate health reform bill.
| | Thursday, 1:02 PM ET- The Real Price of Trying KSM
Defense lawyers will inevitably create bad law.
David Feige | jurisprudence | Thursday, 12:51 PM ET- Shanghai Manners
Chinese are just like New Yorkers. They can't stop talking about real estate.
Daniel Gross | moneybox | Thursday, 11:37 AM ET
What happens in Las Vegas, N.M.
| | Thursday, 9:31 AM ET
- Harry Reid's Striptease
| | Thursday, 9:31 AM ET
Timothy Noah | prescriptions | Thursday, 1:02 PM ET
| | Thursday, 9:31 AM ET
- The Easy Rider Road Trip
Keith Phipps | dvd extras | Thursday, 9:31 AM ET
- posted by Jody Rosen on November 19, 2009The DORFiest of the DORF
Several weeks ago in this space, I noted a curiosity of National Public Radio's musical coverage: that NPR has "a strict preference for music that few actual living African-Americans listen to." NPR's taste in black music, I wrote, can be described by the acronym DORF—it prefers black- In Which I Get Teary Reading My Own Book
- Famous Authors on Writer's Block: Junot Diaz's Sweet Spot is in the Bathroom
How Trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Will Inevitably Create Bad Law
How Dangerous Is the Radiation From Mammograms?
People in Shanghai Can't Stop Talking About Real Estate
Can You Really Trust the Hotel Ratings on TripAdvisor?
The Incredibly Beautiful Architecture of Prague
Why Aren't John Mayer's Songs as Funny as John Mayer?
Nov. 19, 2009The Slatest Evening Edition - Slate Magazine
What Kind of "Improper Payments" Did the White House Make, Anyway?
The Awesome Kids' Show That's Way More Fun Than Sesame Street
Is Eric Holder Winning His War With Rudy Giuliani?
How To Get Picked as People's Sexiest Man Alive
Should Fortysomething Women Really Stop Getting Mammograms?
Why Czechs Can't Stand Other Czechs
The Town That Always Plays Small Town, USA
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009
- The city is itself a work of art. | Thursday, 7:15 AM ET
- Picture This!I refuse to sit for a holiday portrait with my future in-laws. Isn't it time they let their kids grow up? | Thursday, 7:13 AM ET
- Luxury Items in Short SupplyCaitlin McDevitt | Thursday, 7:09 AM ET
- The Deadline PresidencyDoes it matter that Obama is behind schedule on most of his major plans?John Dickerson | Wednesday, 7:28 PM ET
- Harry Reid's Strip TeaseWhat we know about the Senate's "blended" health care bill, and what we don't.prescriptions | Wednesday, 6:58 PM ET
- Coming Soon to a Shelf Near YouDo books really need Hollywood-style trailers?Troy Pattersonculturebox | Wednesday, 6:30 PM ET
- My Own Private ScreeningWhat watching ESPN could teach us about mammograms.Darshak Sanghaviprescriptions | Wednesday, 6:14 PM ET
- Holder LaughedThe attorney general tries to sell us on New York terror trials.Dahlia Lithwickjurisprudence | Wednesday, 6:12 PM ET
- Funder's RemorseIf the government knows how much it's spending improperly, why doesn't it stop?Christopher Beam | Wednesday, 5:55 PM ET
- The Slatest: Evening EditionGovernment wastes $98 billion in "improper spending"; Drugmakers at work on AIDS, Diarrhea vaccines; Nicholas Cage visits Somali pirates. | Wednesday, 5:11 PM ET
- | Thursday, 7:15 AM ET
- | Thursday, 7:15 AM ET
- | Thursday, 7:15 AM ET
- Artful PragueEmily Yoffewell-traveled | Thursday, 7:15 AM ET
- posted by Gretchen Rubin on November 19, 2009In Which I Get Teary Reading My Own Book.What surprised me most about the recording process was how emotional I became while reading certain parts of the book. I literally choked up and had to take a drink of water and a deep breath before I could continue (quite embarrassing).
- posted by Jessica Grose on November 18, 2009Famous Authors on Writer's Block: Juniot Diaz's Sweet Spot is in the Bathroom A post from DoubleX writer Lauren Bans: Last week the Wall Street Journal interviewed basically every good living writer and asked them to share tips on sitting down and penning a book. The only clear lesson to emerge from the piece (titled " How To Write A Great Book ") is that there is
- posted by Josh Levin on November 18, 2009“He's a Hard Body With a Soft Center” As connoisseurs of beefcake surely know, People revealed its choice for 2009's Sexiest Man Alive this morning. Johnny Depp , senior editor Kate Coyne explained on CBS' Early Show , has reached an "iconic status in terms of sexiness." "He was sexy ten years ago, he'll be sexy ten years from
What Kind of "Improper Payments" Did the White House Make, Anyway?
The Awesome Kids' Show That's Way More Fun Than Sesame Street
Is Eric Holder Winning His War With Rudy Giuliani?
How To Get Picked as People's Sexiest Man Alive
Should Fortysomething Women Really Stop Getting Mammograms?
Why Czechs Can't Stand Other Czechs
The Slatest Noon Edition - Slate Magazine
History Proves That Sarah Palin Will Never Become President
Is Space Travel Worse for the Earth Than Air Travel?
Meet the Guy Who Watered Down the Public Option
Are Men More Competitive Than Women?
What Happens to a Nation's Culture When Its Jews Are Killed?
Americans Used To Bow to One Another. Why Did We Stop?
Why the NFL Is So Obsessed With Being Patriotic
Five Ways the World Really Could End in 2012
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009
- The Culture Gabfest, Plutonium Blonde Edition Juliet Lapidos, Stephen Metcalf, Troy Patterson, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner | Wednesday, 12:54 PM ET
- The Pork Bun ChallengeA daily video from Slate V.slate v | Wednesday, 12:32 PM ET
- The Slatest: Afternoon EditionObama says he'd fire anyone who leaked Afghan deliberations to the media; long-rumored Google Phone "is very real"; Hillary Clinton pays Karzai a surprise visit. | Wednesday, 12:27 PM ET
- Hello, DalíThe surreal, high-concept showmanship of Urs Fischer.Ben Davisart | Wednesday, 11:27 AM ET
- Dennis Hopper's long love affair with Taos, N.M. | Wednesday, 11:16 AM ET
- Sorry, SnuffleupagusEnough with the plaudits for Sesame Street. The best preschool programming on TV is Nick Jr.'s Yo Gabba Gabba!Bret Asburyfamily | Wednesday, 9:31 AM ET
- Does the downcast Czech character have something to do with their cuisine? | Wednesday, 7:30 AM ET
- Goldman's Credit Crisis Mea CulpaBernhard Warner and Matthew Yeomans | Wednesday, 7:23 AM ET
- The Going Rogue IndexSarah Palin didn't put an index in her book. So we made one for her.Christopher Beampolitics | Tuesday, 10:52 PM ET
- | Wednesday, 7:30 AM ET
- | Wednesday, 11:16 AM ET
- | Wednesday, 7:30 AM ET
- The Easy Rider Road TripKeith Phipps | Wednesday, 11:16 AM ET
- Artful PragueEmily Yoffewell-traveled | Wednesday, 7:30 AM ET
- posted by Gretchen Rubin on November 18, 2009Fifteen Tips to Avoid Nagging.But even though no one enjoys an atmosphere of nagging, in marriage, or any partnership, chores are a huge source of conflict. How do you get your sweetheart to hold up his or her end, without nagging?
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009
- Mr. Level Playing FieldLen Nichols explains why his "level playing field" is misunderstood by the Congressional Budget Office.prescriptions | Tuesday, 7:30 PM ET
- "How Ceremonious You Are!"A history of bowing in America.Juliet Lapidos | Tuesday, 6:48 PM ET
- New Yorkers narrowly approve location for 9/11 trials; T-Mobile sells out British customers; Company drills for whiskey in Antarctica. | Tuesday, 5:15 PM ET
- Sarah Palin = Dan QuayleThere's no way she will be president.David Greenberghistory lesson | Tuesday, 3:41 PM ET
- The Jewish history of Prague has a way of unexpectedly disinterring itself. | Tuesday, 12:54 PM ET
- Screen Saver?When it comes to cancer screening, more isn't always better.Amanda Schafferrecycled | Tuesday, 11:25 AM ET
- Flag FootballHow the NFL became the American war game.Michael Oriardsports nut | Tuesday, 11:22 AM ET
- How Do You Say "Pink Cadillac" in Mandarin? Why the American brand Mary Kay is thriving in China. | Tuesday, 11:18 AM ET
- Underground PsychologyResearchers have been spying on us on the subway. Here's what they've learned.Tom Vanderbilttransport | Tuesday, 10:02 AM ET
- Monument Valley, where Peter and Henry Fonda's careers intersected. | Tuesday, 9:48 AM ET
- Dirty RocketsWhat's the environmental impact of going into space?Nina Shen Rastogi | Tuesday, 7:09 AM ET
- "Consciousness"Ellen Wehle | Tuesday, 7:07 AM ET
- Was the AIG Bailout Botched?Caitlin McDevitt | Tuesday, 7:01 AM ET
- | Tuesday, 12:54 PM ET
- The Easy Rider Road TripKeith Phippsdvd extras | Tuesday, 9:48 AM ET
- Artful PragueEmily Yoffewell-traveled | Tuesday, 12:54 PM ET
- posted by Samantha Henig on November 17, 2009Women Need a Pap Smear for Breast Cancer A guest post from Cindy Pearson, the executive director of the National Women's Health Network: Mammography screening just doesn’t work very well in women before menopause, as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has now recognized . Everyone hoped that it would. But in 1993, it became
- posted by John Swansburg on November 17, 2009The How I Met Your Mother Shame Index: Episode 8 Last week's episode of How I Met Your Mother proved to be controversial. The Shame Index pronounced it the worst of the season . Vulture called it the best . Others were somewhere in between. There was some disagreement about whether Barney in a fat suit was funny or, as the Index argued,
- posted by Gretchen Rubin on November 17, 2009Learn New Skills, Ask Questions, Practice Yoga—and Only Travel With a Carry-OnSometimes, in ways that I don’t really understand, I begin to overlap with people in blogland, to the point that I feel like I should introduce myself.
- When GM says 'Here's your money back,' they really mean it!
History Proves That Sarah Palin Will Never Become President
Is Space Travel Worse for the Earth Than Air Travel?
Meet the Guy Who Watered Down the Public Option
Are Men More Competitive Than Women?
What Happens to a Nation's Culture When Its Jews Are Killed?
Americans Used To Bow to One Another. Why Did We Stop?
The Slatest Evening Edition - Slate Magazine
- Sarah's Book ClubSarah Palin talks about Going Rogue with Oprah.Christopher Beampolitics | Monday, 8:37 PM ET
- Coughing, Sneezing, and Spreading RumorsWhy has the global response to swine flu been so politicized?Anne Applebaum | foreigners | Monday, 8:04 PM ET
- What Makes a Prison "State of the Art"?It's triangular.Brian Palmer | explainer | Monday, 7:44 PM ET
- Manhattan Transfer
The right's nonsensical arguments against trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in New York.
Dahlia Lithwick | jurisprudence | Monday, 7:12 PM ET- The Slatest: Evening Edition
Taliban blames Blackwater for Pakistan attacks; Mexican remittances now heading north; Palestine leans on EU for statehood; Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly are going on tour.
| Monday, 5:47 PM ET- Must We Bear Hugs?
Prudie counsels a woman wary of her father-in-law's inappropriate embrace—and other advice seekers.
the chat room | Monday, 5:00 PM ET- Hang Up and Listen, the Should I Punt or Should I Go Edition
Listen to Slate's podcast about the week in sports.
Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca | hang up and listen | Monday, 4:18 PM ET- This War Is Hell
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 made me feel terrible about myself, and I loved it.
Chris Suellentrop | technology | Monday, 3:41 PM ET
Learning to silence the critic in my head and make a beautiful painting.
| | Monday, 3:19 PM ET- Dear Prudence: I Got My Co-Worker's Sister Pregnant!
A daily video from Slate V.
slate v | Monday, 2:25 PM ET
- Artful Prague
Emily Yoffe | well-traveled | Monday, 3:19 PM ET
- posted by Mickey Kaus on November 16, 2009When GM says 'Here's your money back,' they mean it!
GM " says it will begin to pay back U.S. loans." But of course it's paying back that debt to taxpayers with money from ... taxpayers. Even the new, nicer Truth About Cars isn't falling for it . GM got $50 billion from the government, after all, mainly for a 60% share in- posted by Daniel Engber on November 16, 2009How Many Times Will Sarah Palin Use the Phrase ‘You Betcha’ In Her New Book?
Sarah Palin's memoir, Going Rogue , finally hits bookstores on Tuesday, long after preorders on Amazon.com made it a best-seller. According to the AP, the new book is " folksy in tone and homespun ," suggesting that Palin has translated her distinctive speaking style to the printed page.
Hitchens: Seven Essential Facts About Nidal Malik Hasan
Can You Believe What Sarah Palin Said on Oprah?
What Makes a Prison "State of the Art"?
I Made a Stop-Motion Animation Movie
The New Call of Duty Is the Most Anti-War War Game Ever Made
The European Countries That Think Swine Flu Is a Swiss Hoax
The Slatest Noon Edition - Slate Magazine4
The Least Fun Thing About Video Games: Friendly Fire
Why Is It Such a Big Deal That We Found Water on the Moon?
A Place So Beautifully Sad, It Makes Me Want To Paint
Help! I Got My Co-Worker's Sister Pregnant!
So Will Harry Reid's Health Reform Bill Ruin Medicare or Not?
The Obama Administration Is Giving This Gitmo Detainee a Raw Deal
Another Book From Philip Roth About How Much It Stinks To Get Old
Should Journalists Still Call Hasan the Alleged Shooter?
Monday, Nov. 16, 2009
- Side Effects May Include …Yes, they give out awards for pharmaceutical ads. | Monday, 2:11 PM ET
- The Slatest: Afternoon EditionIran's once-secret nuclear facility could be running by 2011; White House eyes Illinois prison for Gitmo inmates; Twitter ditching "suggested users." | Monday, 12:28 PM ET
- Atomic Priesthoods, Thorn Landscapes, and Munchian PictogramsHow to communicate the dangers of nuclear waste to future civilizations.Juliet Lapidosgreen room | Monday, 11:50 AM ET
- Hard EvidenceSeven salient facts about Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. | Monday, 11:46 AM ET
- Health Reform's Senior MomentA new government report says health reform will "jeopardize access" to Medicare. | Monday, 11:20 AM ET
- The Audio Book Club on Raymond CarverOur critics discuss "A Small Good Thing" and "The Bath."Meghan O'Rourke, Troy Patterson, and Katie Roiphethe audio book club | Monday, 9:51 AM ET
- The Easy Rider Road TripRetracing the path of the iconic movie on its 40th anniversary.Keith Phippsdvd extras
- Stage FrightHow to read Philip Roth's quartet on aging.Judith Shulevitz | Monday, 6:54 AM ET
- Payback for GMBernhard Warner and Matthew Yeomans | Monday, 6:49 AM ET
- posted by Samantha Henig on November 16, 2009Daughters Devalued A post from DoubleX writer Amanda Marcotte: If you're interested in reading a refreshing burst of honesty today, you could do worse than Aaron Traister's piece about the different reactions he received from people when he told them he was expecting a son and when he told them, a
- posted by June Thomas on November 16, 2009Ripped From Which Headline? "For the Defense" We all know that Law & Order rips its stories from the headlines--but which headlines? Every week, Brow Beat matches L&O 's plot points to the events that inspired them. Nov. 13, 2009: "For the Defense" These Are Their Stories The episode begins when Maggie Hayes is
- posted by Gretchen Rubin on November 16, 2009Some Counter-Intuitive Facts about Loneliness.Without thinking it through, I’d assumed that being lonely would make people warmer, more eager for connection, and more accepting of differences in others. If you’re lonely, you’re going to be open to making friends and therefore more easy-going, right?
- posted by Mickey Kaus on November 15, 2009Amnesty's Last Chance?Whatever theoretical claims are made for imposing high taxes to provide generous government benefits, the practical reality is that these public goods are, increasingly, neither public nor good: their beneficiaries are mostly the service providers themselves, and their quality is poor.
Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009
- Obama sits at the same table with a Burmese general; Pakistani intelligence agency rakes in millions from the CIA; Science fair project asks "Will There Be Minorities in Heaven?". | Sunday, 10:24 AM ET
- Artful PragueCan an art vacation rekindle the spark of creativity?Emily Yoffewell-traveled | Sunday, 9:27 AM ET
- Google Gives Ground on Book Settlement | Sunday, 9:23 AM ET
- posted by Gretchen Rubin on November 15, 2009"We Are Never So Much Disposed to Quarrel As When..."--What? “We are never so much disposed to quarrel with others as when we are dissatisfied with ourselves.” --William Hazlitt Yet another reason why we have a duty to be happy . I know I'm less quarrelsome when I'm happy. * I'm not a foodie, so I don't often explore the wild, delightful
Follow the leaper.
Nov. 15, 2009
Nov. 14, 2009
Is Hasan a Terrorist? And Other Great Stories From Slate This Week.
How Sarah Palin Is Dividing the Republican Party
Can We Apply the Lessons of Y2K to Swine Flu?
They Made a Movie About the Wrong Aviatrix
Jamie Foxx's New Single Is Extremely Lewd
The Week's Best Editorial Cartoons
The Least Fun Thing About Video Games: Friendly Fire
Why Obama's New Education Stimulus Will Leave Many States Behind
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009
- The Slatest: Weekend EditionObama treads softly in Asia; Troop morale sinks in Afghanistan; Venezuelans beat traffic with Twitter.
- Coming Soon: Jobs!Why employment will rebound sooner than you think. | Saturday, 7:52 AM ET
- Obama's Muslim ProblemHas he been too conciliatory?Jacob Weisbergpolitics | Saturday, 7:50 AM ET
- More Madoff Accomplices NabbedCaitlin McDevitt | Saturday, 7:45 AM ET