On The Internets 08.17.2010

• Though everyone knows that the Fox News Channel acts as the media department for the Republican Party, now it has become official. Word came yesterday that Fox analyst Dick Morris is speaking at rallies for 40 different Republican candidates (plus fundraisers), and now it has been discovered that Fox's parent company, News Corp., has just donated $1 million to the Republican Governor's Association (RGA). The RGA has become the go-to source for rich Republican donors ever since Michael Steel became the Chairman of the RNC. The large donation might violate News Corp's own company policy. "No payment shall be made to, or for the benefit of, any public official in order to induce or entice such official to: enact, defeat or violate any law or regulation for the Company’s benefit; influence any official act; or obtain any favorable action by a governmental agency or official on behalf of the Company." The Democratic Governor's Association has not received any money from News Corp.

• Staying on the topic of Fox News, Greta Van Susteren posted an interesting thought on her blog today (what? It happens). In it, she argued that while Muslims have a First Amendment right to build a mosque wherever they want, it just isn't a good idea to open certain wounds. She then said the same principle should apply to Glenn Beck holding his rally at the Lincoln Memorial. "Remember…the Muslims in NYC have a First Amendment right to build a mosque but most Americans don’t want it…and you have to ask the wisdom of the Muslims to push the issue. Just because you have the right to do something does not mean you should. My view? No mosque at ground zero and Glenn should move his event. It does not help heal the country on so many fronts if we poke a stick in eyes." Amazing point, Greta!! Beck does have the right to hold a rally there and liken himself to MLK, but it is such an inflammatory thing to do. It is like a slap in the face to all African-Americans. So, from now on, if Beck won't move his rally, the mosque doesn't have to move either.
  

• A group of prominent conservative Muslim-Americans (including former members of the Reagan and Bush administrations) have penned an open letter to their party - the Republican Party - imploring them NOT to try and score political points with the "ground zero mosque" issue. From the letter, "In expressing compassion and understanding for these families, we are asking ourselves the following: if two blocks is too close, is four blocks acceptable? or six blocks? or eight blocks? Does our party believe that one can only practice his/her religion in certain places within defined boundaries and away from the disapproving glances of some citizens? Should our party not be standing up and taking a leadership role- just like President Bush did after 9-11 - by making a clear distinction between Islam, one of the great three monotheistic faiths along with Judaism and Christianity, versus the terrorists who committed the atrocities on 9-11 and who are not only the true enemies of America but of Islam as well? President Bush struck the right balance in expressing sympathy for the families of the 9-11 victims while making it absolutely clear that the acts committed on 9-11 were not in the name of Islam. We are hoping that our party leaders can do the same now - especially at a time when it is greatly needed." My guess is that by the end of the week, Fox News will say these former Reagan and Bush officials have "terrorist ties" and are "radical."

• A lawsuit was filed today against the Douglas County Sheriff's Office alleging racial profiling. From the ACLU's website, "Michael Omair is an American citizen and a Christian, but he was born in Jordan and his family was Muslim at one time. He became an American citizen over thirty years ago. In August 2008, Michael was driving from New York to Colorado to move to a new house and take up a new job in the limousine business when he was stopped by Douglas County Sheriff Deputy Edward Van Buren. 'The cruiser caught up to my vehicle and the deputy made eye contact with me twice before getting behind me and activating his lights to pull me over,' said Michael Omair. The complaint filed in court goes on to describe how Michael was asked numerous questions about his national origin, race and ethnicity, subjected to a patdown search, and then detained for two or three hours while the deputies searched his car."

• This video is pretty funny. Imagine if girls really did get "turned on" by science fiction.
  

• British/French pop group Stereolab have announced details on the band's next album. It will be called, Not Music, and released on November 16 on Drag City Records.

• DAYOM! That's all I can say about Faye Reagan. It's weird, but I swear this girl does modeling for American Apparel (in addition to the naughty films she stars in, of course). See more pictures here (NSFW)