Greg Mitchell's Blog, page 273

Creed Wraps Up 'The Office'

Got sappy near the end (and last couple of season have been weak) but good to see "The Office" go out tonight with one of Steve Carell's best that's-what-she-saids, and surprising key role for oft-forgotten Creed, as he got to sing a song, was IDed on screen for first time as former member of the Grass Roots, got busted at the end and had one of the final lines in the series.  If you have somehow missed a clip of him with the Grass Roots (who had several big hits), here ya go:

From Hatchet Hero to Killer?

Remember "Kai," the homeless surfer dude who saved a guy's life with a hatchet and became a viral sensation?  Well, hello, he's just been arrested on suspicion of murdering a lawyer in New Jersey.
Caleb "Kai" McGillvary "was charged with killing Joseph Galfy, Jr., a Clark, N.J. attorney found dead Monday. Romankow said he will be processed and sent to back to New Jersey, where his bail is set at $3 million. Galfy's body was found two days after authorities said he met McGillvary in New York City. Galfy, 73, was found wearing only his underwear and socks by police who went to his home to check on his well-being."

Statements posted on McGillvary's Facebook page following the homicide indicated the encounter was sexual in nature, Romankow said, though he declined to go into specific detail.

And One More Military Offender

In at least the third such cases in recent days:  This time, head of sexual abuse prevention team at Ft. Campbell arrested for stalking ex-wife.

Army officials say the manager of the sexual assault response program at Fort Campbell has been arrested in a domestic dispute and relieved of his post.
Lt. Col. Darin Haas (HAHZ') turned himself in to police late Wednesday on charges of violating an order of protection and stalking. A spokesman for the post on the Tennessee-Kentucky line say Haas was immediately removed as manager of a program meant to prevent sexual harassment and assault and encourage equal opportunity.

"My" Musical Next?

NYT just now with story about new musical coming to Broadway this fall--by same two fellows who have written musical based on my book about Upton Sinclair's riotous race for governor of California in 1934, The Campaign of the Century.   Their "other" musical got raves in Hartford and and San Diego.  The Campaign musical has had partial performances in NY, San Jose, Chicago and L.A. and, we hope, is next in line, down the line.

Winning?

Six Americans killed in Kabul bombing today--in 11th year of our war there--and barely gets a mention on NYT home page.   Juan Cole comments plus video.  At least the Times is highlighting continuing disturbing rise in military suicides despite end of Iraq fighting (for us).  I've been writing about this since, oh, 2003.  Rates ahead of civilians now, in switch.

Dylan Skips Honor, Chabon Stubs 'Toe'

Bob Dylan became the first musician tabbed for the American Academy of Arts and Letters this spring but skipped the April dinner and last night's induction.  He did promise that "I look forward to meeting all of you some time soon."  So the highlight was novelist Michael Chabon claiming that  long ago he was certain the opening line of "Chimes of Freedom" referred to a "broken toe," not a "broken toll."  Chabon:  "Far between sundown's finish and midnight's broken toe.  How many hours I had devoted to (the idea) . . . that midnight had toes, and that one of them, the big one, had been broken."  The Byrds' version, introduced by Bert Lahr no less.

How Soon They Forget

My new piece at The Nation:  Obama "Worse Than Nixon"?

Diddy Does 'Downton"

Or is that "Downtown'? Yesterday, P. Diddy tweeted that he was actually the first black cast member on Downton Abbey.   Now we get the funny Funny or Die evidence.  But as I recently posted here:

What will Maggie Smith say?  A black cast member finally arrives at the Abbey in the fourth season, it was announced today,  in the form of Gary Carr as a jazz singer who is “a charming and charismatic young man.”  Lock up your daughters!  There will be eight episodes in all plus the annual two-hour "Christmas Special."

Gareth Neame, an executive producer of “Downton Abbey” and the managing director of Carnival Films, which produces the series, said in a statement: “We are delighted to introduce another fantastic, dynamic character to Downton Abbey. His addition will bring interesting twists to the drama which we can’t wait for viewers to see in Series four.”

Alleged Boston Bomber Left Note in That Boat

Today we learn via John Miller that White Cap Guy actually left a note in the boat--scrawled on wall of cabin--where he was captured outside Boston, somehow scribbiling while badly wounded that the bombings were in retaliation for U.S. killing so many Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan, and also calling his deceased brother a martyr now in paradise (running over him with his car maybe speeded the process a bit).  Calls victims of bombing collateral damage.  Attacking one Muslim means attacking all.

Greg Mitchell, who writes daily for The Nation, has penned more than dozen books on current issues, political campaigns and historical controversies--see right rail of this blog or here.  

Suspect in New Orleans Terrorism Caught

UPDATES here and here. 

Earlier:  Much sought 19-year-old who allegedly shot 19 arrested.    "The New Orleans Police Department has arrested 19-year-old Akein Scott in connection with the shooting of 19 people on Mother's Day, according to sources. Sources say Scott was apprehended in the Little Woods area of New Orleans East. Scott had been on the run for the three days since the shooting. NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas said on Monday they had "multiple identifications" of Scott as the shooter. Serpas said his department received a "tremendous" amount of tips from Crimestoppers."