policy with pop

NTV's The District Episode 3: Stop the Presses

The 3rd episode of Newsweek’s The District:

I’ve got to be honest. I’m getting less and less hooked on The District.

I actually got a little perturbed with it. I watched Obama’s first White House press conference. He was not befuddled as the Newsweek spoof made him out to be. The President was really wonkish and had it together (you can read his comments here).

But, that’s when it hit me. Reality television shows usually edit footage to create drama and entertaining moments that didn’t necessarily happen. The juicier the better, right?

But in this instance, we have access to complete, unedited footage of the Obama’s press conference and can watch what actually happened. I don’t mind a little ribbing at any politicians’ expense but it needs to be somewhat true to be funny. Think SNL and Tina Fey’s skit of Governor Sarah Palin’s Katie Couric interview.

What do you think? Was Newsweek trying to make a point about reality television editing? Or was Obama stumped by the press? Or is parody running out of laughs?

Do you still like The District?

Valentine's Song You Love

Oh Valentine’s Day… it can be an oh-so joyous occasion filled with romance and the works. Or it can be a sad, sad day…

Given that love claims the day, policy will take a break. It’s a Saturday after all.

So let me ask: What song best fits this Valentine’s Day?

I pick American Idol runner-up David Archuleta’s unreleased “You Can.” It is the perfect love song. Watch Archuleta perform the song live:

Whether you’re celebrating, loathing or ignoring Valentine’s, I wish you a good day.

NTV's The District Episode 2: "Barack's Friends Let Him Down..."

Newsweek is at it again. Episode 2 of The District follows the tax problems plaguing some of President Obama’s cabinet nominees.

What do you think of Obama taking responsibility of his nominees’ mistakes?

And, what’s up with adding clips of The City and The Hills After Show? I know The District is spoofing them but I personally think the inclusion of those clips detracts from The District. What do you think?

Vivica A. Fox's Psychic Friends... Seriously!?!

Ummm…

How did Vivica A. Fox go from blockbusters, like Independence Day, Soul Food and Kill Bill: Vol. 1, to spokeswoman for The Psychic Friends Network infomercial? Oh, how the mighty has fallen. Or has she?

Fox released a statement, declaring: “Vivica A. Fox is no friend of The Psychic Friends Network.” She alleges that the network is “using her unauthorized likeness, footage, voice and photographs as an endorsement of their service.” As a result, Fox wants it to stop.

I’m confused. It would be understandable if she’s outraged had the network only used her image in photo ads without her permission. But, Fox is in the commercial with dialog no less. It seems like she consented… sounds like Fox is now ashamed... Could you blame her?

But, really, should she be ashamed? Is it bad to be associated with psychics? Why? Could psychics be legitimate (as a form of religion or science perhaps)? Or do only crazy people need and heed the advice of psychics?

You’d be surprised who uses psychics. In 2002 the British Ministry of Defense spent approximately $35,000 on testing potential usage of psychics. That pales in comparison to the $20 million United States government agencies (Department of Defense, CIA, and NSA) spent over two decades trying to harness psychic powers to find hostages, terrorists and criminal activity.

So what do you think about using psychics? Waste of time and (tax-payer) money? Or innovative tool?

Should the use of psychics be considered a quasi-religion, semi-science or complete nonsense?

And what happened to Vivica A. Fox’s career? Shouldn’t her psychic friends warned her and helped her make better career choices!?!

Newsweek Spoofs The City and Obama with The District

Under the guise of NTV, Newsweek magazine has decided to spoof MTV’s The City with The District. The “reality show” follows the challenges President Obama has in his first 100 days in office. Like the Whitney Port show, The District has various clips of Obama and others edited together to inform and entertain. It’s a great mix of policy with pop... Watch the inaugural episode here.

By the way, the Obama-sounding narrator is not really the President. It would be hilarious if the Obama actually took time out of his busy schedule to pull a Lauren Conrad. But the narration is performed by Iman Crosson. Pretty convincing if you ask me.

As each new episode of The District comes out, I will post it here on PolicyWithPop.com. So, watch it and let’s chat about The District.

Bad Michael Phelps or Perfectly Okay Michael Phelps?

Say it ain’t so, Michael Phelps! Say it ain’t so…

As you can see, the Olympic champion was photographed smoking a bong. At first I tried to defend him by saying that the photo was really of a skinny Jason Wahler.  But at last, Phelps admitted and apologized for the picture and smoking marijuana.

His statement: “I engaged in behavior which is regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have some to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”

Unfortunately, this is not Phelp’s first drug-related incident. After the 2002 Olympics, Phelps, then 19, was caught drinking (alcohol) and driving. He received 18 months probation. Phelps was also ordered to speak to youths about the dangers of alcohol and attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving victims’ impact panel.

Phelps’ pot picture will probably not result in such punishment, if any. Marijuana is not a prohibited sports enhancing drugs. Thus, the US Olympic Committee probably will not sanction him. This incident will probably cost Phelps’ wallet as it could cost him some of his sponsorships.

But, many don’t view Phelp’s weedy behavior negatively. There are many groups calling for the legalization of marijuana. They believe marijuana is not as dangerous as it’s made out to be. These groups say that alcohol and cigarettes, which are legal, are more life-threatening. Moreover, marijuana can be used in a medicinal manner. Thus, these groups see no reason to ban it.

But, smoking weed is illegal. The supporters of pot’s illegal status justify it a few ways. There’s the unhealthy aspect. There’s the notion that marijuana is a “gateway” drug – a drug that causes users to use other illicit drugs. There’s also the whole moral aspect. Some believe that the government should ban weed on moral grounds – that government should not endorse the use of pot by making it legally acceptable.

What do you think? Should marijuana be legalized or remain illegal?

And what do you think of Phelps after the bong picture? Is he still the golden boy? Or is his legacy clouded in scandal?