Greg Mitchell's Blog, page 18
December 15, 2014
Cover-up of Botched Execution in Oklahoma
You may have heard today about report that has come out on the horrid botched execution in Oklahoma when the condemned man actually rose from the table before he finally died--of a heart attack--after the needle was jabbed into his groin for, like, the 16th time. "A bloody mess" the report quotes a doctor. The new uproar stems from this Tulsa World probe--co-author was just on Maddow show-- and note that the report shows that the state tried to cover it up in certain ways. Note: my ebook on history of capital punishment in USA right up to current debates on issues and, yes, botched executions.
More Love for Christmas
The great Darlene Love making her annual Letterman appearance this month to do the annual Christmas song--presumably for last time, unless Colbert brings her back (he may want to do it himself). Here's great one from 3 years back:
Birthday Boy Beethoven
It is believed (though some dispute) that the great man was born tomorrow in 1770. So ponder that this was 244 years ago as you listen to this modernist epic that he penned.
From Hiroshima to Afghanistan
Shocked U.S. leaders & media defend torture? They've backed nuking 150,000 Japanese women & children for 69 years.
December 14, 2014
Chuck's Buddy
When Holly covered Berry as together (with a few others) they pretty much invented "modern" guitar-based rock 'n roll. Below that, virtually last song he wrote and recorded demo (never released in this form for decades), here with pal Waylon Jennings slapping his thighs. Below that, Buddy instrumental from very early on--1956, defining rock' n roll.
Torture
SNL's Charlie Rose interviewing the two $80 million Mormon creators of CIA torture techniques...
December 13, 2014
Oh My God, Am I Here All Alone?
You may have heard about Dylan playing a mini-set for one super-fan last month. Now here it is, with interview with the fan.
December 12, 2014
Christmas Massacre, 101 Years Ago
Our folk genius, Woody Guthrie, with the "1913 Massacre" at the miner's Christmas ball, based on tragic true event. (read all about it, and two films, here).
Fox Correspondent a Suicide
A learned about this via Jackie Spinner, former Iraq reporter for the Washington Post who later wrote a book (and we featured her at Editor & Publisher). He had recently told her that when he heard copters in the sky it always took him back to Iraq--I presume not in a good way. But few details known.
Dominic Di-Natale, a globetrotting journalist whose work at Fox News Channel and other news organizations took him to Usama bin Laden’s compound, demonstrations in Egypt’s Tahrir Square and, more recently, to the scene of racially charged riots in Ferguson, Mo., has died.
The coroner in Jefferson County, Colo., where Di-Natale owned property, said the veteran journalist took his own life. Officials discovered Di-Natale's body Wednesday after being alerted by a friend who knew of his state of mind regarding serious undisclosed health issues.
Di-Natale, 43, a versatile reporter comfortable at the keyboard or in front of the camera, began his career as a magazine writer in Portugal in 1989, making a name for himself with his fearless coverage of the European drug trade. He returned to the United Kingdom in 1995, where he did freelance work for several national newspapers before taking a position as correspondent for BBC World, working out of Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, London and New York.
He began working for Fox News in 2007, covering international news for Fox News Channel, FoxNews.com, and often contributing to business and economic coverage for Fox Business Network.
