Atlantic Monthly Contributors's Blog, page 866

Gun Enthusiasts Are Angry the NFL Rejected a Pro-Gun Super Bowl Ad

Associated Press

Daniel Defense, a company that sells guns, submitted a commercial to Fox to be played during the Super Bowl in 2014. Fox denied the spot, citing the NFL's rule that prohibits the advertisement of "firearms, ammunition or other weapons" during games. But gun enthusiasts claim that the commercial doesn't advertise guns. It just advertises the Second Amendment.

The commercial shows a father coming home from war to see his wife and baby daughter. The ad implies he's a war veteran, and now that he's home, his "family's safety is his highest priority" and "no one has the right to tell me how to defend them." Creepy music plays in the background as he picks up his daughter from her crib, as if danger could strike at any moment. Cut to the Daniel Defense logo, and picture of a firearm.

Guns & Ammo explains why it thinks Fox made the wrong decision. The NFL allows commercials from stores that sell guns, provided the stores also sell other items. So, "according to these guidelines, Daniel Defense’s Super Bowl commercial does not violate NFL policy for two reasons: Daniel Defense has a brick-and-mortar store, where they sell products other than firearms such as apparel. [And] the commercial itself does not mention firearms, ammunition or weaponry." (Note: Guns & Ammo recently fired editors over an essay that floated some gun control measures.)

Second Amendment defenders are, of course, ready to boycott the Super Bowl. Here's "Bobby and Peg 1976" comment on Breitbart's coverage of the incident: 

Another slap in the face for those of use that own weapons. We are not considered stable individuals, well looks like I will be out with the family practicing with my weapon, instead of watching the Super Bowl.

The Blaze calls it "the pro-gun commercial you won't be allowed to see during the 2014 Super Bowl." Media Research Center's Dan Gainor tweets, "I love the #NFL, but league desperately wants me to go away." The Gateway Pundit, a conservative blog, says the ad was shot down because "it was too offensive." Colion Noir, who calls himself an urban gun enthusiast, made a video response. 

He says the NFL is hypocritical for promoting a violent sport but denying firearm companies the right to advertise. He also points out that beer commercials and "Beyonce humping the stage" during the halftime show are more offensive than the Daniel Defense commercial. "You do realize that's like teaching a 15-year-old how to cook meth, pimp prostitutes, and gamble, but then beat him for picking his nose." He doesn't elaborate on that analogy.

Daniel Defense reportedly "offered to replace the [firearm] logo with an American flag and/or the words 'Shall not be infringed.'" Fox still said no deal. 

       

Andrew Lloyd Webber Says 'Cats' Might Become a Movie

Associated Press

The king of 1980s musical theater has inspired hope and terror in musical theater fans by implying that his long running all-singing all-dancing celebration of the feline form—Cats—may become a movie. 

During an interview with the Daily Mail, which came to us via Playbill, Andrew Lloyd Webber said Universal is considering a Cats film: "I haven’t seen the [Les Mis] film, but it’s fantastic for musicals because everybody wants to make them again. Universal has now got Cats out of the drawer in which they locked it years ago when they bought the rights, and suddenly they’re talking about a film." 

Though Cats, based on a book of T.S. Eliot poems, ran on Broadway and the West End for absurdly long stretches, one can't help but wonder what on Earth a Cats movie would look like on screen, unless it's a filmed version of the stage production or, well, animated. First off, it stars a bunch of singing felines, normally portrayed by people in skin-tight costumes with a lot of face paint. Furthermore, Cats doesn't really have much of a plot, unlike, say, Les Misérables, which is based on a Victor Hugo novel. Webber's show is more like a musical revue, which doesn't really make for great cinema. (A 1998 made-for-TV version is essentially a production of the stage play.) 

That said, the temptation to see what kind of mess this could turn into is almost too great. The cast is so big that practically any musically-inclined star could be in the movie. Hugh Jackman for Rum Tum Tugger? Anne Hathaway for Bombalurina? Though we're pretty sure Meryl Streep would love to play Grizabella—the "glamour cat" who sings the showstopper "Memory"—we're intrigued by the fact that Judi Dench was cast in the role in the original production. Our Joe Reid is also on team Catherine Zeta Jones for Grizabella. Just mentioning the movie on Twitter elicited a spree of casting suggestions. (Richard Lawson tweeted: "CUMBERBATCH FOR SKIMBLESHANKS." The name "Cumberbatch" basically belongs in this thing.)

Of course, this is all preliminary, but we can dream, can't we? 

       

Iceland's Police Had Their First Fatal Shooting Ever

RÚV

Iceland's police officers shot and killed an armed suspect for the first time in their nation's history on Monday morning in the eastern part of Reykjavík. According to the BBC, the police tried to subdue the man, a 59-year-old, with a tear-gas canister. When that didn't work, two officers entered the apartment where the man was holed up. The second officer shot the gunman after he'd already shot and injured two officers, shooting one in his helmet. Iceland's National Police Commissioner, Haraldur Johannessen, said during a press conference that the incident "has no precedent in this country."

Armed gun men aren't the norm, and Iceland's police officers only started carrying guns in 2011, according to the Iceland Review. And while this isn't the first shooter in Iceland, or the first time the police fired at one, this is the first time a gunman has died by police fire in Iceland. Ever.

Which is why it's the top story on all of the major Iceland news outlets. RÚV, the state-owned television station, produced a grisly video of police investigating the crime scene. It's a minute of police officers examining shell casings mixed with curious onlookers and long streaks of bright red blood on the pavement. And as reported by Morgunblaðið, a local church is offering counseling to residents of the apartment complex where the shooting took place.

The officers are under review, and the state prosecutor is investigating why the man began firing and whether the officers acted appropriately. Several outlets also noted that the officers involved in the incident — approximately 15 to 20 police officers, along with special forces reinforcements, were called on to disarm the gun man according to Morgunblaðið — also received counseling. The police department even apologized to the suspect's family. "Police regret this incident and would like to extend their condolences to the family of the man," Johannessen said. 

While more common in America, this is a situation that isn't as routine as some might think. In the U.S., due to the number of fatal police shooting, stories tend get coverage when police shoot an unarmed victim or innocent bystanders. For instance, in 2011 a Chicago police officer shot an unarmed man 16 times and wasn't charged. Iceland, which has a population of just over 322,000 people, has an average of two murders a year, or 0.6 per 100,000 people. America's murder rate in 2011 was 4.7 per 100,000. 

       

Why Did Apple Pay Over $200 Million for Topsy?

AP

The Wall Street Journal reports Apple just bought Topsy, a social media analytics company, instantly giving it a world of social power. The only trouble is, no one really knows what they're going to do with it. 

The WSJ's Daisuke Wakabayashi and Douglas MacMillan report Apple recently purchased Topsy Labs Inc., a social analytics firm, for more than $200 million. Apple has struggled to adapt socially — its iTunes Ping service shut down last year to no mourning. The biggest move Apple made was integrating Facebook and Twitter into its iOS platform. And so, with no previous indication Apple would try and play socially,  the question becomes, "Why Topsy — and why now?" 

What Apple gets with Topsy is recorded history. "So, basically, Apple just bought Twitter's entire history. Without buying Twitter," veteran social executive Matthew Knell explained on, where else, Twitter. Every user, every tweet, every favorite, every trending topic — Topsy has it all stored away, and then repackages the information to sell to brands. "The company is one of a handful of Twitter's partners who have access to the so-called 'firehose'—the full stream of all tweets posted to the service," the Journal explains. 

Not only can Apple harness this information for their own gains — perhaps in iTunes or the App Store — but they can still sell the data to other companies. As The Verge points out, even Twitter goes to Topsy for data analysis: "... in the past [Twitter] even ended up relying on Topsy's data to parse through the most buzzed about nominees for the 2013 Oscars and capture the mood of the 2012 presidential election." Some wonder how Apple managed to keep the terms of Topsy's deal with Twitter in place, but that's something to worry about for another day. 

       

Let's Figure Out a Real Definition of a 'Band Reunion'

Big Boi instagrammed this glamor shot last night, with the caption: "Just leaving the old Stewart Ave . #

Here's What the NSA Wanted Its Employees to Talk About at Thanksgiving

NSA chief Keith Alexander sits down to Thanksgiving dinner a Congressional hearing.

It wasn't only Obamacare supporters that wanted people to talk to their families about political issues over Thanksgiving. The National Security Agency did, too, even going so far as to offer its employees some tips on how to defend the beleaguered secret agency. Which cements the public perception that it is nefarious.

The document obtained by FireDogLake's Kevin Gosztola is actually a pretty poor example of talking points. It includes five main subject areas, each of which itself has a series of sub-bullets. For anyone who has been paying close attention to the debate over the NSA, the arguments are nothing new — they obey the law, they have robust oversight, they prevent terror attacks, they protect freedom . But the NSA has frequently complained that its defenses aren't reaching the public, an argument belied by evidence that the media has a pro-grovernment bias. So, the talking points.

A sample conversation might go something like this. A grandmother, pouring gravy on her potatoes, says, "So, Jimmy, how's work going?" And Jimmy responds: "Well, the NSA's mission is of great value to the nation, Grandma, because we provide timely, actionable intelligence to political and military customers who use that information in a range of applications … " at which point Grandma dies of old age.

It's too late for Thanksgiving, but the NSA talking points are included below. We strongly recommend pulling out the double-sided sheet of paper while opening Christmas presents or enjoying Hannukah with your family. Perhaps you might use them to woo a midnight kiss on New Year's Eve. Though this does seem unnecessarily clunky. The NSA has everyone's cell phone number. Next time, just send us 40 or 50 texts.

       

And Here Are the Most Overplayed Songs of 2013

Mackelmore

We realize there's only so much time one can spend in a day watching new trailers, viral video clips, and shaky cellphone footage of people arguing on live television. This is why The Wire highlights the videos that truly earn your five minutes (or less) of attention.

Look alive people! In a month, 2013 will be a thing of the past. In the spirit of our looming new year: here are some of the songs of the past year that your brain refused to refuse ... all mashed up into a neat one-minute package.

Keeping with the music beat, here's are a couple of our favorite inmates from Orange Is the New Black singing a much more palatable song:

We survived Black Friday this year. So, naturally, it's time to check in with Rebecca Black (how's that for a segue). Two and a half years later, it still seems like she doesn't have any regrets about unleashing that song on the public:

And, oh gosh. These dogs:

       

Rob Ford Can't Even Go To a Football Game Without an Ethical Lapse

AP

Crack-smoking mayor Rob Ford took in a game of sport today, stopping by the NFL's big Toronto game to watch the Buffalo Bills play the Atlanta Falcons.

But, as with all things Rob Ford, it was not without controversy.

For, while Ford was posing for photos and chowing down on chicken wings, a prominent Canadian musician was freaking out because the seat Ford plunked himself into was his:

Rob Ford is sitting in my seat at the Bills game. He stole my seat. I don't know what to do.

— Matt Mays (@MattMays) December 1, 2013

I'm by myself. I gotta kick him out right? I mean I would kick anyone else out... Am I wrong?

— Matt Mays (@MattMays) December 1, 2013

The mayor stole my f@#%ing seat man!!

— Matt Mays (@MattMays) December 1, 2013

In earlier, happier times for Mays, he used his Twitter account to show off his Falcons-Bills ticket:

I hate to brag buuut... @buffalobills @thurmanthomas pic.twitter.com/5HQ96Za17W

— Matt Mays (@MattMays) December 1, 2013

Fortunately, Mays was able to take back what was rightfully his:

Got my seat back.

— Matt Mays (@MattMays) December 1, 2013

Incidentally, one of Mays' biggest hits is called "Cocaine Cowgirl."

Meanwhile, one reporter -- WGRZ Buffalo's own Maryalice Demler -- got a chance to talk to Ford and liked what she heard. In a (now-deleted) tweet, she posed for a photo with Ford and called him a "sweetheart of a guy & a Bills fan!"

She added:

@BuffaloRising @WGRZ Yepper. Had a nice chat. Down to earth. Loves the Queen City. Sounded sincere. I don't judge.

— Maryalice Demler (@WGRZmaryalice) December 1, 2013

@chrishorvatits Had a nice chat. Down to earth. Sounded sincere. Loves the Queen City. I don't judge.

— Maryalice Demler (@WGRZmaryalice) December 1, 2013

@kjschwinge720 @WGRZ well... I don't judge. Got friends in recovery. Hate the sin...

— Maryalice Demler (@WGRZmaryalice) December 1, 2013

Hey folks, talked off the record for few minutes w/Mayor Ford. Shared some insight. Seemed genuine. Not what I expected. @WGRZ

— Maryalice Demler (@WGRZmaryalice) December 2, 2013

Guess Ford's still got it.

The AP says he's interested in attending an NHL game on January 1, so if you have a ticket to that make sure you arrive early and never leave your assigned seat.

The Bills lost the game in overtime.

 

       

Jeff Bezos' '60 Minutes' Surprise: Amazon Drones

Amazon.com

60 Minutes, though almost definitely not a fan of surprises at its own expense, tried to give one to its viewers tonight, promoting its interview with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as having a "big surprise" with "something he wanted to unveil for the first time" to correspondent Charlie Rose, who saw it and let out an "oh my god!"

The internet was abuzz! What could it be? A new newspaper purchase? A service that delivers Amazon purchases to your doorstep instantly? A real Benghazi witness?

Jeff Bezos' big shocking reveal on 60 Minutes tonight: Amazon turning a profit?

— MG Siegler (@parislemon) December 1, 2013

Bezos promises "big surprise" tonight http://t.co/wiDd0mEsQL My guess: Half the books shipped w/ empty pages, no one noticed.

— Quentin Hardy (@qhardy) December 1, 2013

The contents of http://t.co/Of7Y5a1VpZ, printed on paper daily and delivered right to your door. #JeffBezosBigSurpriseGuesses

— Josh Greenman (@joshgreenman) December 1, 2013

Maybe Jeff Bezos will formally apologize on 60 minutes for letting me order a kindle case thinking it was a kindle. (I made it about me!)

— Caroline Moss (@socarolinesays) December 1, 2013

Prediction for the Bezos surprise tonight: phone.

— Mike Rosenwald (@mikerosenwald) December 1, 2013

He’s buying 60 Minutes, but can deliver it in 58 minutes, if you have Prime. #JeffBezosBigSurpriseGuesses

— Robert Hernandez (@webjournalist) December 1, 2013

Jeff Bezos formally explaining how to really pronounce his name. #JeffBezosBigSurpriseGuesses

— Sara Schwartz (@saraschwartz) December 2, 2013

Also, this fun-ruiner:

"My Week As An @Amazon Insider" A sobering read, ahead of the #Bezos @60Minutes "surprise" tonight: http://t.co/7LFrRaLXHF via @guardian

— Raju Narisetti (@raju) December 1, 2013

So, after all that hype, what was the big surprise?

DRONES!

Amazon unveils Amazon PrimeAir Drones on @60Minutes pic.twitter.com/1nPT4v2d70

— Lance Ulanoff (@LanceUlanoff) December 2, 2013

Amazon Prime Air Drones, to be exact. They are autonomous and will somehow, someday help Amazon deliver packages in 30 minutes or less.

"One day, Prime Air vehicles will be as normal as seeing mail trucks on the road today," says Amazon's FAQ.

And then, according to basically every science fiction movie ever made, they'll rise up against us and usher in the apocalypse.

Here are our new robot overlords in action:

 

       

Rouhgly 350,000 Protestors in Ukraine Want the President to Resign

AP

Thousands of civilians in Ukraine called for the President Viktor F. Yanukovich's resignation during sometimes violent protests this weekend.

The biggest protest took place in Independence Square in Kiev, the country's capital, where violent clashes with police underscored the country's fury over his last minute decision to halt a trade deal with the European Union. Reuters estimates 350,000 people gathered across the country Sunday, in the capital and in smaller cities. The New York Times says more than 100,000 people turned out in Kiev alone. The BBC settled between somewhere those two numbers. 

"This is not a meeting. This is not a rally. This is revolution," Yury Lutsenko, an opposition leader and former interior minister, told the crowds Sunday in Kiev. "Revolution!" the crowds chanted back. 

Protests have gone on for the 11 days since Yanukovich nixed the E.U. deal. But Sunday's gathering, with its humongous civilian crowd, and the country's top opposition politicians in attendance, was easily the biggest day yet. The protests turned violent, again, at the outskirts of Kiev as some civilians clashed with police, who used stun guns and smoke grenades to disperse crowds. Protestors, joined by some opposition politicians, invaded Kiev's City Hall, and held meetings inside office rooms normally reserved for civic politicians. 

At one point a group of protestors occupied a piece of construction equipment and drove it into a police line. The number of civilian casualties is unknown. Ukraine's Interior Ministry said roughly 100 police officers were injured in the protests. This video emerged late Sunday showing the aggressive, violent tactics used by riot police to disperse parts of the crowd. A warning, this video is fairly graphic: 

Last week, Yanukovich scuttled a proposed political and trade agreement with the European Union in favor of new dealings with Russia, the country's former Soviet overlord. Reuters reports Ukraine faced "pressure" from Moscow for potentially signing the E.U. deal. The Guardian reports Moscow threatened "punitive measures" if Ukraine aligned itself with the E.U., and promised economic relief in exchange. At the last minute, Yanukovich accepted Russia's offer. His people did not.

Ukrainians see their future aligned with the E.U., and wish to break free from the chains of the past. Per The New York Times: 

Many Ukrainians view the agreements with Europe as crucial to a brighter economic and political future and to breaking free, once and for all, from the grip of Russia and Ukraine’s Soviet past. The steady escalation of the protests — and the violent crackdown — has created a volatile situation.

Saturday was a turning point for opposition protestors after police violently dispersed a small, leftover crowd still gathered at the end of the day, according to the Guardian. "The city authorities rather implausibly claimed they needed the square empty in order to erect a giant Christmas tree," the British newspaper reports. Protestors communicated online and, after the city tried to ban people from gathering in Independence Square, flocked to the city centre by the thousands.

Cracks are starting to show within the Ukraine government. Serhiy Lyovochkin, the president administrative number two, tried to resign this week. Three other lawmakers turned in their papers. Rumors are swirling saying the army will side with the opposition. The country's wealthy and influential financial ruling class are maneuvering in anticipation of a potential power shift. Again, the Times explains: 

There were also signs that some of Ukraine’s wealthiest business leaders, the so-called oligarchs, were turning against Mr. Yanukovich or at least positioning themselves for a potentially big shift in the government.

[Yegor Sobolev], a former journalist and now a civic activist, noted that he had been invited to appear on a prime-time television show on the Ukraina channel, which is owned by Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine’s richest man. Mr. Sobolev said he viewed the invitation as an effort to reach out to the opposition forces rallying against Mr. Yanukovich.

Opposition party leaders have aligned themselves with the protestors. The Udar party's Vitali Klitschko, a heavyweight boxer turned politician, and the nationalist Svoboda party's Oleg Tyagnibok both attended protests Sunday. The Fatherland coalition, led by an imprisoned Yulia Tymoshenko, who lost to Yanukovich in a 2010 election, also supports the movement. Many believe Klitschko, the current WBC world heavyweight champion, "is now seen as the main threat to Yanukovych at the next presidential elections in 2015," the Guardian reports. "On Sunday evening, he called on his supporters to remain calm, and denounced the attempts to seize buildings by force."

He may not have to wait that long.

[All images via the AP]