Flava Flav Spotting

I know some ladies out there will enjoy this. While working on my TV story today, we were visiting Virgin Megastore in Union Square. One of the guards asked us if we were with Flava Flav. We thought there would be a crowd with him there. Nope, just his body guard. We watched as Flav waited in line to buy a CD and then set off the alarm. He was decked out with a gold crown and a light blue Viagra leather jacket. We wanted to talk to him, but his guard was big.

Halloween Costumes

If you're still undecided on what to be for Halloween, check out this Forbes.com article where you can download and print out masks of genuinely scary creatures, including:

Donald Rumsfeld
Kim Jong-Il
Stephen Colbert
Borat
Mark Foley
Jim Kramer ("Mad Money")
Lindsay Lohan
Katie Couric
Hugo Chavez

Protest at Columbia

The Times just published a fairly fascinating recap of Columbia's recent string of free speech controversies, the peg of course being the protest of the Minutemen's speech. You can read the article here.

But I think it's often overlooked that our University was the scene of one of the city's most violent and effective protests of the Vietnam War (you know, back when kids our age actually had a social conscience.) I've come across a brilliant firsthand account of the uprising, in which students took control of the campus for a number of days. You can check it out here.

Are there any lessons here? I suspect each will draw their own conclusions, but it's immensely valuable to realize that Columbia was once ground zero for the personification of First Amendment exercise.

Columbia J-school gets Gawked

Pasted from Gawker...

'Village Voice': Happy to Accept Sloppy Seconds

In an earlier entry today, we mentioned that Village Voice staffers were dissatisfied because EIC David Blum "only seems to be interested in hiring well-to-do white girls from Columbia". Well, it might help if you're still at Columbia. A tipster tells us:

This just in from the Columbia J School newsletter:

Courtney Reimer has sold her summer-term Master's project to the Village Voice as its cover on October 25. It's about strip clubs in New York.

Wow. More hard-hitting investigative reporting from the Voice.

Indeed. Though to be fair, the average Columbia J-School student probably writes better than the Voice, so Courtney might be slumming here. Unless of course, she's making shit up for her story.

And by the way, Voice's freelance baseball writer Emma Span (whose most unfortunate headline remains unfixed) is the daughter of writer Jon Katz and -wait for it- Columbia journalism professor Paula Span. Corporate-academic synergy at its best.

Oh, back to the ethnic cleansing thing, "Hip Hop journalist" Jimi Izrael kinda saw it coming, going so far as to say, "any minority writers working for Village Voice Media should brace themselves."

Interesting commentary by Keith Olbermann

Although it is quite extreme, I think it is a very articulate commentary--so I thought I'd post it on here. (click on the title to watch the video... or click HERE)

The drinkin' life of Journos..

At work today, I snuck out for "lunch" and was somehow was reminded of this Pete Hammil quote:


After they gave me my first Working Press card, I brought my
familiar sense of entitlement to the bar of the Page One every
morning. Those mornings were free of the limits of time, and I
would drink with McMorrow, Grove, Poirer, and others, while
fishmongers made deliveries and the day-shift guys showed up for a
morning pop before starting at ten. The Page One was the
headquarters of the fraternity, a place completely devoid of
character except for the men at the bar, a way station for all the
whiskey-wounded boomers of the business who passed through on their
way from one town's paper to another

J-school Halloween Party

That person in class...

Here's an old, but good, article from The Onion about that person in class who really loves the sound of their own voice. You know the one. They constantly steer the professor off-topic, go on long, irrelevant tirades and ask questions with obvious answers. And while they irritate most people in their classes, they either don't care or are completely oblivious.

Guy In Philosophy Class Needs To Shut The F--- Up
September 28, 2005 | Issue 41•39

HANOVER, NH—According to students enrolled in professor Michael Rosenthal's Philosophy 101 course at Dartmouth College, that guy, Darrin Floen, the one who sits at the back of the class and acts like he's Aristotle, seriously needs to shut the f--- up.

His fellow students describe Floen's frequent comments as eager, interested, and incredibly annoying.

"He thinks he knows about philosophy," freshman Duane Herring said. "But I hate his voice, and I hate the way he only half raises his hand, like he's so laid back. We're discussing ethics in a couple weeks, but I don't know if I can wait that long before deciding if it's morally wrong to pound his face in."

"Today he was going on and on about how Plato's cave shadows themselves represent the ideal foundation of Western philosophical thought," said freshman Julia Wald moments after class let out Monday. "I have no idea what Plato's ideal reality is, but I bet it doesn't include know-it-all little shits."

Wald added: "If he uses the word 'dialectical' one more time, I'm going to shove my copy of The Republic down his throat."

Although he demonstrated a familiarity with Peter Singer's view on famine relief during a discussion of John Locke's theory of property, Floen is reportedly unfamiliar with the theory of cramming it for a change and giving someone else a chance to speak.

"Just last week Professor Rosenthal was talking about Russell's Paradox, and that jackass starts going off: 'But what about Heraclitus' aphorism: Everything flows, nothing stands still?'" classmate James Luers said. "At first I was like, 'That's totally irrelevant,' but then I was like, 'Well, actually, it does apply to the nonstop flapping of your trap.'"

Among the 40 students who regularly attend Philosophy 101, the one who has endured the most suffering is freshman William Deekes.

"Some people know Darrin as just 'that guy in philosophy class who needs to shut the hell up,'" Deekes said. "I, however, also know him as 'the douche in African history who seriously needs to chill' and 'the a-hole in environmental sciences who could really use a girlfriend.'"

"I enrolled in this course because I was fascinated by the question of God," said sophomore Miriam Blank. "After spending six hours a week in the same room as that unbearable windbag, I think I have my answer. Life is as long as it is cruel."

The outspoken student has not gone unremarked by the course's professor.

"Mr. Floen is a valuable contributor to our in-class discussions," Rosenthal said. "His tendency to question and challenge everything before him captures the very essence of philosophy itself."

Rosenthal added: "Having said that, I do wish he would occasionally do me the valued service of shutting his damn cake hole."

Need magazines

Our latest assignment for Ms. Judith Crist is an assessment of a weekly or monthly periodical with a circulation of more than 300,000. I am looking for any subscriber to a major national magazine who happens to have back copies. Something in the entertainment milieu is preferable for me (think Entertainment Weekly, not People or US Weekly). I had originally found a source and, upon a closer look, realized I mistook the readership numbers for the circulation figures. Drat! Please help! Thanks!

O'Reilly talks about "leftist jihad" at Columbia

I'm pretty sure most Columbia Journalism students didn't know the Minutemen protest was going on, and certainly didn't participate. But O'Reilly still took this as an opportunity to insult the J-school's liberalism.

Free Speech on campus

This evening, as J-school Senator, I met with other members of the Student Affairs Committee of the University Senate. In that meeting we agreed upon the following resolution:

RESOLUTION ON FREE SPEECH AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

WHEREAS, Columbia University and its community has the responsibility to do everything possible to ensure that we all have the ability to express our intellectual freedom within our institution, and

WHEREAS, the Student Body of Columbia University has a right to invite speakers with varied points of view to campus, and it is unacceptable within our community, to take away someone else’s right to express their opinions and viewpoints, and

WHEREAS, the Student Affairs Caucus represents the entire student body of Columbia University,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Student Affairs Caucus stands behind the principles of free speech on campus, and demands that the Columbia University Community stand firm in our commitment to allow all views to be heard.


Student Affairs Committee


The immediate catalyst for this resolution was Wednesday's night's presentation by the Minutemen and the demonstrations in Lerner Hall.

President Bollinger has spoken on this issue via email, and our student's committee had a lively debate this evening. For the record, I believe I reflected the majority of us as journalists who endorse a wide interpretation of the first amendment and broad usage of free speech.

This topic along with other incidents of intolerance on campus is beng raised. I can provide details, and I welcome all questions/comments. In addition, we are initiating the process to change univ. policy regarding the licensing of compounds used for generic drugs in developing nations. If anyone is interested in this topic, please let me know.

Friday Happy Hour

Posted by Aaron Cahall, our new Events Director...

Where: Tap-a-Keg, east side of Broadway between 104th and 105th
When: Noon-10p.m.
The Deal: $1 off everything till 7 p.m.; $1 off everything with student ID till 10 p.m.

Questions to: Aaron, aac2127@columbia.edu, 410-459-9744

Yeah...you read it right, this place starts Happy Hour at noon. Not sure what fraction of the day it has to be before it's not really Happy "Hour" anymore, but whatever.

Calendar for all J-school Events

If you're feeling completely overwhelmed by all the events going on at the J-school, you're definitely not alone. I put together a calendar of all the film screenings, lectures, Happy Hours and career services events coming up. Check it out anytime using this link. If you find it useful, please bookmark it and check it often -- it's the only place where all the different events will be listed in one place.



--Rubina (your new Publicity Director)

Elections are live...

I was able to sneak away from class to check out the pitches (don't tell).

About 34 others were there. Two contested races: speakers and el presidente

I got there in time for the those 3 to make their spiels..

off the top of my head...

Aaron emphasized networking, social and service connections, and improving the communication among students and expanding the happy hours--with which he has been helping (no dangling participle there!)

Akisa spoke of service, broadening activities out into the greater gotham and her experiences growing up in the nabe, teaching math and as a union rep.

Ernie hopes to caffeinate us all on friday lectures with java offered in the back of the lecture hall, plus his past leadership roles in will help his goals of service.

a fine slate.

vote early vote often. vote onlineHERE

apparently Diabold is secretly running the whole thing. I expect Lula to run a close fourth.

Sree has the whole she-bang on his website HERE get a chance to read the candidates statements.. even thoose who ran unopposed... and do please ignore the photo of me.

they'll be plenty of opportunities to contribute. e.g. even though a speaker's chair will be elected, committee members can do a lot of the work (last years chair Amanda, now an M.A. was very active, but so too, was I, having been responsible for some of our bigger names..Amanda deserves the credit....for getting the heat...(a story for another time)

Pitch Night tonight , before the all class lecture!

Just a reminder. Come on out, meet who will be the J-school Mafia. Or at least get a good seat for the lecture.

The big race has three contenders, and the runner-up is Veep.

Some roles remain to be filled--including events chair....that means someone can help plan parties.. and more happy hours, and least better then the ones I have put together.

And all are welcome to be active throughout the year.

New Yorker Festival

The New Yorker Festival is running this coming weekend. While it looks like most of the high-exposure events are sold out, there are free events (a screening of Barry Lyndon on Sunday afternoon, for one) and book signings that everyone who is interested can go to (early) and hope to see. If anyone's interested in taking a break from the beats and heading over to one, post a comment.

Other screening info:

SUNDAY SNEAK PREVIEW:

“Man of the Year”

The New Yorker presents a special screening of “Man of the Year,” a new comedy from Morgan Creek and Universal Pictures about a talk-show host who runs for President as a joke and, to his surprise, is elected to office. Following the screening, New Yorker staff writer Lillian Ross will interview the film’s writer and director, Barry Levinson, and star, Robin Williams.

Sunday, October 8th at 12 noon
Florence Gould Hall
French Institute Alliance Française
55 East 59th Street ($25)

Tickets will be available exclusively at New Yorker Festival headquarters, located at the Union Square Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 33 East 17th Street, beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 6th.

Cash only. No more than four tickets can be sold per person. The film is rated PG-13.

SECOND SCREENING ADDED [The tix for this are probably sold out, but you'll have to check to know for sure]:

“Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”

Due to popular demand, The New Yorker will add a second screening of the film at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday night, October 7th.

Sacha Baron Cohen, the star of HBO’s comedy “Da Ali G Show,” brings the journalist Borat Sagdiyev to the big screen. In the new film, Borat travels from his home in Kazakhstan to the United States to make a documentary. On his cross-country road trip, he meets real people in real situations. (The film has an R rating.)

Saturday night, October 7th at 12:30 a.m.
Directors Guild of America
110 West 57th Street ($15)

Tickets will be available online at ticketmaster.com, at tri-state outlets, or by calling 1.877.391.0545, beginning Wednesday, September 27th at 9 a.m