Compromising positions: Amanpour, Rubin will discuss “America and the world”
Christiane Amanpour CNN international correspondent Christiane Amanpour and husband James Rubin, a Sky News anchor and former assistant secretary of state under President Clinton, are in Louisville Wednesday to discuss how the United States is viewed around the world. The event, presented by the World Affairs Council of Kentucky/Southern Indiana, begins at 6 p.m. in…
Council to consider new ethics ordinance
This newspaper, more than any news source in the city, has documented over the last two years the shortcomings of the Metro Ethics Commission, the appointed body that oversees complaints against government officials and is supposed to ensure that rules aren’t being broken in and around City Hall. On Tuesday, in part a result of…
The last straw: Move away from jocks leaves Mint Jubilee”s future up in the air
When Hall-of-Fame jockey Laffit Pincay learned in February that the Permanently Disabled Riders Fund would no longer be a beneficiary of the Mint Jubilee Gala, held each Derby Eve at the Galt House, he was furious. “He said, ‘They kicked us out and then expect us to come to their event?’” said Kerry Cogan, who…
Cop block: Metro police use roadblocks to catch drunk drivers. Is that the best way to do it?
roadblock: Photo by Jane Mattingly Metro police assessed traffic at a roadblock in West Louisville last weekend. About a half-hour after the Saturday night roadblock on South 22nd Street began, police were questioning a parking lot full of people. Drug dogs were searching their cars. The ostensible reason for such a thing — official all-night…
Gannett Watch
Gannett has offered buyouts to employees at most of its New Jersey newspapers, another move meant to deal with declining ad revenues. Published reports say the buyout target is 166 full-time positions, and layoffs are possible if Gannett does not reach its target. To be eligible, employees must be 55 years or older and have…
What a Week: The City’s Weekly Zeitgeist Radar
-2A Metro Council committee rejected a proposal to ban plastic bags used for yard waste in Louisville. The bill will go before the full council this week with a negative recommendation, although it still has a good chance to pass. Brightside — the Metro beautification agency — proposed the ban, which officials said would result…
Endorsement: Obama is the best choice
The decision about whom to endorse in the Democratic presidential primary was easier for some of the LEO brain trust than others. We endorse Barack Obama. We’ve preached for a while that there are no perfect candidates — they’re all co-opted and compromised to some extent. Because many high-level politicians are practiced in the art…
Scorecard: How do the presidential candidates fare on major issues?
BY AARON FRANK and JANE MATTINGLY HealthcareClinton: Proposes the American Health Choices Plan, which would ensure that each American can receive affordable, available and reliable healthcare. She would provide the option of choosing a plan equivalent to what members of Congress have, a plan similar to Medicare, or letting people retain their individual plans. To…
Open and shut
When it comes to voting in a state primary, Kentucky’s a closed shop.Translation: Registered Republicans cannot vote in the Democratic primary and vice versa. If you’re a registered independent, you can’t vote here at all. Kentucky is one of 29 states with closed primaries. In states with open primaries, like Virginia, anyone can vote in…
Metro Council Primary 2008
George Unseld Old adversaries battle again in District 2BY PHILLIP M. BAILEY In what may be the finale of their electoral trilogy, Metro Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin will face Yvonne “Bonnie” Woods for the third time since 2004 in the 2nd District Democratic primary.Though the two have been cordial acquaintances for years, their political rivalry began…
Has the tidal wave subsided? Republican primary, 3rd District Congressional race
The ensuing may seem tedious but is relevant in light of Anne Northup’s return engagement. Anne Northup: Photo by Ben Schneider Anne Northup wants a rematch with 3rd District Rep. John Yarmuth, but first she has to win the Republican primary on May 20. A recent phone conversation with Anne Northup basically began with a…
LEO”s Primary Election Selection Section 2008
Hillary Clinton is dead, oh myWhy a noncompetitive Senate primary is the best thing Kentucky’s got going right now The fantasy that Sen. Hillary Clinton might use her appearance in Louisville last Friday night to announce she is leaving the Democratic presidential primary to make way for a great healing of her fractured party did…
Guest Commentary: Who commands the Commandments?
The Ten Commandments belong in communities of faith, not in public places.So it was affirmed again a few weeks ago, this time by U.S. District Judge Joseph McKinley, Jr. in an ongoing attempt by the religious right to place them at the Grayson County’s courthouse. How long will we have to fight this battle? I’m…
Chairman Wao (AN AMERICAN INVADES CHINA): The tones, Ivan, the tones
OK, I recently explained my predicament/opportunity. I’ll parlay what it’s like over here in China to you good people. Now, I’d love to delve right into the heart of the situation, but look, I’ve only been here a few weeks, so we shall start with an easy one. Let’s analyze a recent “TO DO list”:…
Erosia(Letters to the Editor) for 5-14
LEO welcomes letters that are brief (250 words max) and thoughtful. Ad hominem attacks will be ignored, and we need your name and a daytime phone number. Send snail mail to EROSIA, 640 S. Fourth St., Louisville, Ky. 40202. Fax to 895-9779 or e-mail to leo@leoweekly.com. We may edit for length, grammar and clarity. Vote…
“If all else fails, just lie”: Paula Poundstone loves her job more every day
Paula Poundstone Paula PoundstoneFriday, May 16The Kentucky Center, Bomhard Theater501 W. Main St. 584-7777www.kentuckycenter.org$25-$30; 8 p.m. The week in Kentucky, where our presidential primary vote almost finally matters, Paula Poundstone brings her insight on politics, life, kids and decision-making to Louisville. Whether the Kentucky vote ultimately matters, she agrees the primary shouldn’t end as long…
Aftertastes
INCREDIBLE DAVE’S, 9236 Westport Rd., 426-4790, www.incredibledaves.com. If you’re unfamiliar with Incredible Dave’s concept, imagine a Chuck E. Cheese on steroids, and with a bar. While the concept carries a touch of inspired brilliance, in practice there are flaws. (Reviewed 3/19/08; Rating: 74) ANN’S BY THE RIVER, 149 Spring St., Jeffersonville, Ind., (812) 284-2667. This…
Mug Shots: A fair price?
It’s hard for a business owner to patronize the same type of business without analyzing it. On the one hand, every pub owner’s visit to another pub is a potential tax deduction; on the other, it makes it hard to relax and enjoy the experience when you’re busy taking notes.Especially when you know what things…
Staffpicks for 5-14
BOOK>Thursday, May 15Arguing the arguments with Howard Fineman If you admired the recent film “The Great Debaters,” or if you’ve ever seen LEO Managing Editor Stephen George get off on agitating a crowd (I’ve seen him do it with just a single remark about Tom Petty), then you may be ready to handle Carmichael’s visit…
LEO Eats: Something special at the Cottage Inn
The meatloaf dinner is the Thursday special. WITH GUEST COLUMNIST MARSHA LYNCH Serving up simple, affordable down-home fare since 1929, the Cottage Inn is one of Louisville’s oldest eateries in continuous operation. It trails Mazzoni’s (1884); but unlike the peripatetic home of the rolled oyster, which has moved repeatedly and only settled down in its…
Film Reviews: The Visitor, What Happens in Vegas
‘The Visitor’ serves up over-the-top melodrama (Starring Richard Jenkins, Haaz Sleiman, Danai Gurira, Hiam Abbass and Marian Seldes. Directed by Tom McCarthy. Rated PG-13; 1:48. LEO Report Card: B-)Deadpan humor can mask a lot of schmaltz. Indie directors Hal Hartley and Jim Jarmusch have well-earned reputations for disguising their melodramas as bone-dry comedies. Similarly, Thomas…
Video TapeWorm: Releases through Tuesday, May 20
THIS WEEK’S TWIN PEEKS:DIARY OF THE DEAD2007; $24.95, RGreg Nicotero and the rest of the maniacs at K.N.B. Effects Group are responsible for the excellent gore in this ersatz film-school homage to George Romero — written and directed by George Romero! The plot about film students encountering real zombies while filming a zombie movie is…
CD Reviews for 5-14
West 28th StreetBrigid Kaelin(RED ACCORDIAN)Everything is coming up Brigid Kaelin: Fresh off her guest turn with hero Elvis Costello last week at the Palace, Kaelin’s excellent new album, West 28th Street, hit Louisville in limited release this week. Her fun, quirky personality shines throughout, starting off with the naughty-yet-vulnerable “I Did Something Bad,” in which…
B-Sides (MUSIC & OTHER EPHEMERA): Tommy”s knocking
Australian guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel Australian guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel’s affinity for Kentucky goes beyond a few tour dates in the bluegrass.While watching a young Cassius Clay pound some schmo into the canvas, Emmanuel’s father, a boxer in his own right, made a prescient proclamation, “You watch Cassius Clay. He’s gonna be great someday.” Connection…
Dr. Ralph, Kentucky”s Tunstall, further North
Patty Larkin: Photo by Jana Leon Thursday, May 15: The last thing you want in a good night’s sleep are apparitions and bumps in the night, but that’s exactly what Patty Larkin got when she spent the night at a bed and breakfast in western Massachusetts. “I switched rooms because I was in the ghost’s…
Theatre Reviews for 5-14 (Baby, Great American Cheese Sandwich, WASP)
Baby: Melissa Shepherd (front), Collette Delaney Barney (left) and Katie Bowles in CenterStage’s “Baby.” Photo by Christy Lyn Ferrell ‘Baby’ celebrates joy and pain of childbirth(Center Stage presents “Baby” at the Jewish Community Center through May 25. Directed by John Leffert. For tickets, call 459-0660.)Even if you can’t relate to middle-class heterosexual procreation, you’ll enjoy…
