What The ... ?tag:blog.mlive.com,2016:/flintjournal/whatthe/11092008-04-12T14:19:55ZPop culture, politics and life in generalMovable Type Enterprise 4.29-advanceThings will be good; no, wait, badtag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.8723302008-04-12T14:15:06Z2008-04-12T14:19:55ZSince I'm skipping town soon, I dusted off the ol' crystal ball and took a peak at some Flint Journal headlines from midyear 2011. Have a look:...Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
Since I'm skipping town soon, I dusted off the ol' crystal ball and took a peak at some Flint Journal headlines from midyear 2011. Have a look:...
Al-Sadr shows U.S. who's in chargetag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.8518892008-04-06T08:07:49Z2008-04-06T08:20:06ZLast week offered a disturbing display of who's really in charge in Iraq these days, namely in the quiet that resulted once Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr basically told his followers, "Hey guys, cool it for a while." It was some pretty hard-to-ignore proof that the United States' much-vaunted troop surge wasn't what really caused the comparative drop in violence in Iraq over the past year, given that it coincided with al-Sadr calling a cease-fire for much of that same time....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
Last week offered a disturbing display of who's really in charge in Iraq these days, namely in the quiet that resulted once Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr basically told his followers, "Hey guys, cool it for a while." It was some pretty hard-to-ignore proof that the United States' much-vaunted troop surge wasn't what really caused the comparative drop in violence in Iraq over the past year, given that it coincided with al-Sadr calling a cease-fire for much of that same time....
Game-face photo on Vogue magazine didn't diss LeBron Jamestag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.8348022008-03-30T04:07:52Z2008-03-30T04:16:32ZApril cover of Vogue magazine Wound up scratching my head this week over the controversy brewed up by the latest cover of Vogue magazine, which features NBA star LeBron James and model Gisele Bundchen. Seems some folks with some extra time on their hands started reading WAY too much into the photo, which has the muscle-bound James making a growling game face as the pixie-thin Bundchen sticks to his side....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
April cover of Vogue magazine Wound up scratching my head this week over the controversy brewed up by the latest cover of Vogue magazine, which features NBA star LeBron James and model Gisele Bundchen. Seems some folks with some extra time on their hands started reading WAY too much into the photo, which has the muscle-bound James making a growling game face as the pixie-thin Bundchen sticks to his side....
Music debate deserves one more mention - reallytag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.8204752008-03-23T06:30:59Z2008-03-23T06:20:19ZOne last (I promise!) thought from my music debate with Andrew Heller this month. Toward the end, Andy said the decline in pure melody these days, which I go along with, is due to musicians concerned with "selling out," that going the way of Kelly Clarkson makes them ripe for ridicule....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
One last (I promise!) thought from my music debate with Andrew Heller this month. Toward the end, Andy said the decline in pure melody these days, which I go along with, is due to musicians concerned with "selling out," that going the way of Kelly Clarkson makes them ripe for ridicule....
That's (mostly) good news coming from downtown Flinttag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.8222682008-03-23T01:36:27Z2008-03-23T06:20:52ZThe good news downtown just keeps on coming, with the announcement that the Crim Fitness Foundation has offered to buy the Riverfront Character Inn and turn it into a facility that could emphasize health and fitness, along with possible hotel and convention operations....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
The good news downtown just keeps on coming, with the announcement that the Crim Fitness Foundation has offered to buy the Riverfront Character Inn and turn it into a facility that could emphasize health and fitness, along with possible hotel and convention operations....
Great music is out there you just have to know where to looktag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.7990282008-03-13T17:01:08Z2008-03-13T17:38:00ZMatt Bach | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/mbach/index.htmlPricier seats for the Detroit Lions? I protesttag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.7841412008-03-09T04:35:17Z2008-03-09T04:42:24ZI almost swerved off the road last week after hearing the news that our lowly Detroit Lions will increase regular game ticket prices by more than $11, or just over 18 percent, next season to an average price of $71.85 each. That's rich....Jeff Rauschert | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/jrausche/index.html
I almost swerved off the road last week after hearing the news that our lowly Detroit Lions will increase regular game ticket prices by more than $11, or just over 18 percent, next season to an average price of $71.85 each. That's rich....
Money mess deserves repeat notetag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.7665772008-03-01T04:05:27Z2008-03-01T04:18:00ZTimes like these are when I'm truly envious of my Today section colleague Andrew Heller. What The...? being a once-a-week operation, I mostly miss out on the timely stuff, while Andy gets four shots a week at the Factory de Ridiculous otherwise known as Mayor Don Williamson....Jeff Rauschert | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/jrausche/index.html
Times like these are when I'm truly envious of my Today section colleague Andrew Heller. What The...? being a once-a-week operation, I mostly miss out on the timely stuff, while Andy gets four shots a week at the Factory de Ridiculous otherwise known as Mayor Don Williamson....
So, Michigan might gain a bit of relevancetag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.7272072008-02-22T19:09:16Z2008-02-23T04:01:49ZIn this very space a little over a month ago, I lamented how Michigan politicians had basically neutered the state's political influence by moving its presidential primary so early that delegates from both parties were reduced or stripped altogether....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
In this very space a little over a month ago, I lamented how Michigan politicians had basically neutered the state's political influence by moving its presidential primary so early that delegates from both parties were reduced or stripped altogether....
Come on Will: Give us some lovetag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.6891922008-02-10T03:02:53Z2008-02-11T13:54:48ZJames D. DeCamp | The Associated PressWill Ferrell wheels around in his power chair in the middle of the "Funny or Die" tour performance Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio. With the release of "Semi-Pro" nearing, we're starting to kick it into high gear here with our coverage, which, unfortunately, turned out to be something of a mixed bag last week. Things started out fine with a story I did after seeing an advance screening of the basketball comedy Monday. Rather than a review, we broke down what Flint sights made it into the final cut of the movie....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
James D. DeCamp | The Associated PressWill Ferrell wheels around in his power chair in the middle of the "Funny or Die" tour performance Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio. With the release of "Semi-Pro" nearing, we're starting to kick it into high gear here with our coverage, which, unfortunately, turned out to be something of a mixed bag last week. Things started out fine with a story I did after seeing an advance screening of the basketball comedy Monday. Rather than a review, we broke down what Flint sights made it into the final cut of the movie....
New song gets fans runningtag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.6723912008-02-03T06:11:55Z2008-02-03T06:15:58ZIt was rattling around the Internet for only a few hours last week before record label suits got it yanked, but that was plenty of time for Gnarls Barkley's new song, "Run," to set music fans stampeding....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
It was rattling around the Internet for only a few hours last week before record label suits got it yanked, but that was plenty of time for Gnarls Barkley's new song, "Run," to set music fans stampeding....
Another attitude check in linetag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.6723822008-02-01T23:07:40Z2008-02-04T14:32:37ZFirst the good news: We're not most well-known anymore for being the third-most dangerous city in the nation. The bad? According to the folks over at Forbes magazine, Flint is No. 3 in their rankings of the most miserable cities in America, trailing behind Stockton, Calif. (wha?), at No. 2 and mitten state big brother Detroit at the top....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
First the good news: We're not most well-known anymore for being the third-most dangerous city in the nation. The bad? According to the folks over at Forbes magazine, Flint is No. 3 in their rankings of the most miserable cities in America, trailing behind Stockton, Calif. (wha?), at No. 2 and mitten state big brother Detroit at the top....
Hearing the blues - a lot these daystag:blog.mlive.com,2007:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.5511612007-12-10T03:31:37Z2007-12-26T16:17:45Z Maybe it's the weather we've been having, but I've been feeling the blues a bit lately. You can tell as much by looking at the play history on my iTunes, where new records by Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and King Khan & The Shrines (that's two bands, note the ampersands) have been pulling heavy duty. While not straight blues, both groups trade in a sweaty brand of rhythm and blues-drenched rock 'n' roll that's truly addictive. For Jones & The Dap Kings, pretty much every tune off the latest, "100 Days, 100 Nights" is a killer (I can't imagine how many calories they burn in concert). For KK & The Shrines, it's the riotous tune "Lands of the Freaks" (off the new "What Is!?") that's been helping to keep the chill off....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
Maybe it's the weather we've been having, but I've been feeling the blues a bit lately. You can tell as much by looking at the play history on my iTunes, where new records by Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and King Khan & The Shrines (that's two bands, note the ampersands) have been pulling heavy duty. While not straight blues, both groups trade in a sweaty brand of rhythm and blues-drenched rock 'n' roll that's truly addictive. For Jones & The Dap Kings, pretty much every tune off the latest, "100 Days, 100 Nights" is a killer (I can't imagine how many calories they burn in concert). For KK & The Shrines, it's the riotous tune "Lands of the Freaks" (off the new "What Is!?") that's been helping to keep the chill off....
Chappelle's backtag:blog.mlive.com,2007:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.5511582007-12-10T03:29:56Z2007-12-10T03:31:17Z Regular "What The ...?" visitors know we've adopted Dave Chappelle as something of a charity case, rehab project in recent years, and as such won't be surprised at our elation over a recent D.C. spotting at Los Angeles comedy club The Laugh Factory....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
Regular "What The ...?" visitors know we've adopted Dave Chappelle as something of a charity case, rehab project in recent years, and as such won't be surprised at our elation over a recent D.C. spotting at Los Angeles comedy club The Laugh Factory....
Broadcasters know how to grilltag:blog.mlive.com,2007:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.5511562007-12-10T03:28:31Z2007-12-10T03:29:45ZIt's easy to take them for granted sometimes, but last week I was reminded that a lot of hard-news journalists could learn some lessons about doggedness from their counterparts in the sports pages....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
It's easy to take them for granted sometimes, but last week I was reminded that a lot of hard-news journalists could learn some lessons about doggedness from their counterparts in the sports pages....
Wire forces me to seek more time in daytag:blog.mlive.com,2007:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.5511502007-12-03T03:23:44Z2007-12-10T03:25:47ZNo new music talk this week, primarily because I'm all amped up for Tuesday's release of Season 4 of the HBO drama "The Wire."...Mary Ann Chick Whitesidehttp://connect.mlive.com/user/mawhites/index.html
No new music talk this week, primarily because I'm all amped up for Tuesday's release of Season 4 of the HBO drama "The Wire."...
Pay the writers and let's move ontag:blog.mlive.com,2007:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.5511472007-12-03T03:21:54Z2007-12-10T03:23:33ZAs of this writing, the Hollywood writer's strike still was dragging on, bringing with it all the negative effects we'd anticipated, and more....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
As of this writing, the Hollywood writer's strike still was dragging on, bringing with it all the negative effects we'd anticipated, and more....
Military face new concern in uniformtag:blog.mlive.com,2007:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.5511442007-12-03T03:19:08Z2007-12-10T03:21:44ZOn top of all the dangers and nuisances our troops have to endure in Iraq - roadside bombs, insurgent sneak attacks, blazing heat - a new concern revealed by the U.S. Army last week at least gives cause to chuckle. Seems all the running, jumping and strenuous movement associated with waging a nigh impossible-to-win war causes what the brass has termed "a crotch durability problem" in uniforms. Yep, the single-stitch material down there hasn't been holding up to all those rigors - soldiers began complaining of the problems in the summer of 2005 - and now, finally, more than 1 million uniforms are being retrofitted to keep our boys suitably protected. There's probably a button-fly crack that's perfectly ripe for this item, but I'll leave that one alone right now. Some things you just don't joke about....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
On top of all the dangers and nuisances our troops have to endure in Iraq - roadside bombs, insurgent sneak attacks, blazing heat - a new concern revealed by the U.S. Army last week at least gives cause to chuckle. Seems all the running, jumping and strenuous movement associated with waging a nigh impossible-to-win war causes what the brass has termed "a crotch durability problem" in uniforms. Yep, the single-stitch material down there hasn't been holding up to all those rigors - soldiers began complaining of the problems in the summer of 2005 - and now, finally, more than 1 million uniforms are being retrofitted to keep our boys suitably protected. There's probably a button-fly crack that's perfectly ripe for this item, but I'll leave that one alone right now. Some things you just don't joke about....
Just catching up on music ... what should I hear?tag:blog.mlive.com,2007:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.5183622007-11-26T03:23:00Z2007-11-26T03:25:04Z Been kind of lax on the new music front of late -- mostly playing catch-up with stuff released earlier this year that I missed or didn't give a proper listen the first time around. In the iTunes hopper lately has been the "D.A.N.C.E."-errific album "+" by Justice, Bruce Springsteen's stirring return "Magic" and "The Shepherd's Dog" by Florida folk rocker Iron and Wine (aka Sam Beam). So what else should I give a listen to before the calendar reads 2008? My year-end list will appear here in a few weeks, and I'm pretty compulsive about hearing as much as possible before making my decision. Got suggestions, you know how to holler at me....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
Been kind of lax on the new music front of late -- mostly playing catch-up with stuff released earlier this year that I missed or didn't give a proper listen the first time around. In the iTunes hopper lately has been the "D.A.N.C.E."-errific album "+" by Justice, Bruce Springsteen's stirring return "Magic" and "The Shepherd's Dog" by Florida folk rocker Iron and Wine (aka Sam Beam). So what else should I give a listen to before the calendar reads 2008? My year-end list will appear here in a few weeks, and I'm pretty compulsive about hearing as much as possible before making my decision. Got suggestions, you know how to holler at me....
Towering expectationstag:blog.mlive.com,2007:/flintjournal/whatthe//1109.5183602007-11-25T03:21:31Z2007-11-25T03:22:55ZI've used this space before to bemoan the pox that Genesee Towers is upon the Flint downtown that's trying its best to pick itself up off the ground. It's a tough thing to ignore since the crumbling hulk stares at me through the office window every day. But it seems like some other folks have started to get as fed up as I am. At least that's what we can deduce from the concrete barricades and wooden sidewalk shields the city has erected around the 19-story building in recent weeks....Chad Swiatecki | Flint Journalhttp://connect.mlive.com/user/cswiatec/index.html
I've used this space before to bemoan the pox that Genesee Towers is upon the Flint downtown that's trying its best to pick itself up off the ground. It's a tough thing to ignore since the crumbling hulk stares at me through the office window every day. But it seems like some other folks have started to get as fed up as I am. At least that's what we can deduce from the concrete barricades and wooden sidewalk shields the city has erected around the 19-story building in recent weeks....