11/12/08

Yes Men and friends spoof NYT



November 12, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
writers@nytimes-se.com
917-202-5479
718-208-0684
415-533-3961

"SPECIAL" NEW YORK TIMES BLANKETS CITIES WITH MESSAGE OF HOPE AND CHANGE
Thousands of volunteers behind elaborate operation

* PDF: http://www.nytimes-se.com/pdf
* Ongoing video releases: http://www.nytimes-se.com/video

* The New York Times responds: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/pranksters-spoof-the-times/

Hundreds of independent writers, artists, and activists are claiming credit for an elaborate project, 6 months in the making, in which 1.2 million copies of a "special edition" of the New York Times were distributed in cities across the U.S. by thousands of volunteers.

The papers, dated July 4th of next year, were headlined with long-awaited news: "IRAQ WAR ENDS". The edition, which bears the same look and feel as the real deal, includes stories describing what the future could hold: national health care, the abolition of corporate
lobbying, a maximum wage for CEOs, etc. There was also a spoof site, at
http://www.nytimes-se.com/.

"Is this true? I wish it were true!" said one reader. "It can be true, if we demand it."

"We wanted to experience what it would look like, and feel like, to read headlines we really want to read. It's about what's possible, if we think big and act collectively," said Steve Lambert, one of the project's organizers and an editor of the paper.

"This election was a massive referendum on change. There's a lot of
hope in the air, but there's a lot of uncertainty too. It's up to all of us now to make these headlines come true," said Beka Economopoulos, one of the project's organizers.

"It doesn't stop here. We gave Obama a mandate, but he'll need mandate after mandate after mandate to do what we elected him to do. He'll need a lot of support, and yes, a lot of pressure," said Andy Bichlbaum, another project organizer and editor of the paper.

The people behind the project are involved in a diverse range of groups, including The Yes Men, the Anti-Advertising Agency, CODEPINK, United for Peace and Justice, Not An Alternative, May First/People Link, Improv Everywhere, Evil Twin, and Cultures of Resistance.

In response to the spoof, the New York Times said only, "We are looking into it." Alex S. Jones, former Times reporter who is an authority on the history of the paper, says: "I would say if you've got one, hold on to it. It will probably be a collector's item."

11/11/08

Infoporn Nov 14-22, 2008


Select Media Festival 7 opens November 14th and runs through November 22nd at the experimental cultural center, the Co-Prosperity Sphere, and other venues across the city. The seventh annual festival will feature video programs, art exhibitions, installations and presentations in conjunction with live music and action. This year as part of the festival we are unveiling a new art space, Eastern Expansion and a new monthly art happening for Chicago: The Bridgeport Art District (B.A.D.).

11/3/08

ELECTION NIGHT FIGHT!


ELECTION NIGHT FIGHT!

Join Lumpen & the Silver Room this Tuesday night November 4th for
ELECTION NIGHT FIGHT!

Enjoy watching the election results at Sonotheque without all the hassles of going downtown and have to deal with over 1 million of your best friends.

featuring in the main ring
John "Bomb Iran" McCain vs. Barack "No Drama" Obama
with the undercard
Sarah "Whaling" Palin vs "Smokin" Joe Biden

aka:
"The Rumble Before We Tumble"
"The Bash Before the Crash"

After casting your ballot; watch the election night results with friends, foes and family at Sonotheque. It's politics as unusual with these political pugilists as they slug it out for the heavyweight crown of President of the State of Disunion.

So booze after you choose and watch the results on 4, count 'em, 4 projector screens. You can also vote by choosing special cocktails for each of the candidates.

Cocktails available:
THE VERY, VERY OLD FASHIONED (Bourbon with bitters*, sugar and soda water muddled with orange and cherries on the rocks) - John McCain
* Very, very bitter
THE BLACK VELVET (Beamish Stout with Champagne) - Barack Obama

plus for the working folks from the real America
THE ALASKAN HOCKEY MOM - A shot of Svedka Vodka with PBR - Sarah Palin
THE DELA WHERE AM I? - A shot of Jamison with Miller High Life - Joe Biden

All specialty cocktails only $5!

So if you find yourself between Barack and a hard face and looking for some rip-roaring action get a ringside seat for the race on race.

Hosted by:
Hangin' Chad & Phil A. Buster
Sponsored by:
Joe the Plumber, Tito the Builder and Mott the Hoople

We're also pulling a Paulson and passing out our own Bears Stearnsesque bailout with a night of NO COVER (allowing you to go on your very own Sarah Palin shopping spree to Nieman Marcus).

This night is not sponsored by the Nevada Gaming Commision - so no playing the race card.

Like the election; this event is 21+.

Featuring paintings from Lauri Apple's vice-presidential portrait blog:
http://lappleveeps.blogspot.com
and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauriapple/2869189237/in/set-72157600443391148/

Other politically incorrect links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z75QSExE0jU&feature=rec-fresh