Austin (Texas)

I think I was too harsh on Noam Chomsky yesterday. Oh well, I said it. Anyway, here's Peter Voskamp, editor of the Block Island Times, offering a better picture of the great man:

I saw him a few years ago in Austin and he was up there for what seemed like hours-- a true marathon. He spoke in one theater, and it was pumped into another sold-out theater on a screen. He had his sleeves rolled up and kept going and going, a real inspiration. So I wonder what happened in NY yesterday. Maybe he's tired; maybe there was a mix up in communications.

The analogy of his that I always pull out is that of the sports fan: the common man, as illustrated in the stats-steeped sports fan, can handle complex issues if they are presented truthfully. He or she can get involved in the debate equally well-informed, and their takes have just as much credibility as the so-called experts.

This would certainly be the case in regard to the Iraq situation. What joys the best and brightest with their endless credentials have brought to the region.

Nice.

The City Council rejected the Landmarks Preservation Commission's recommendation to grant landmark status to the Austin, Nichols Warehouse at 184 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, reports The Times City Council member Yasskey, who lead the anti-landmarking effort, said the $2,000 he received from the family of the developer of the building had nothing to do with anything. O.K.

Bay Ridge is losing its last remaining theater, the Alpine Cinema. It's going on the chopping block for $10 million, says the Daily News.  read more »

-Matthew Grace

Make no mistake: The major new production of Sam Shepard's True West , with Philip Seymour Hoffman a  read more »