WATER COOLER
The Water Cooler is written by Washington Times staffers.
Latest Blog Entries
Local news blogging: Thwarted terrorism plot
A possible terrorist plot appears foiled after U.S. authorities detained and charged a suspect in Colorado for allegedly planning to use explosive devices in New York City. Najibullah Zazi, an airport shuttle driver in Denver, has been charged with conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction — explosive bombs — against persons or property in the United States. Two other suspects, an NYPD informant and Zazi's father, have been cited for lying to the FBI. Bloggers in Colorado and New York have tracked the story this week.
May 12 White House briefing grant recipients
Our crowd sourcing efforts prompted Water Cooler reader "Christie" to send us grant information on some of the sixty artists who attended the May 12 White House briefing.
Video: School children taught to praise President Obama
In this video, school children being taught to sing the praises of President Barack Obama.
House and Senate GOP leaders call for oversight hearing and explanations on NEA controversy
Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the top Republican on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, is calling for a congressional oversight hearing into allegations that officials with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the White House inappropriately used federal resources to promote a political and legislative agenda. Kline made his request in a letter delivered yesterday to the committee’s Chairman, Rep. George Miller (D-CA).
Another Americans for the Arts participant on August 10 call
While Americans for the Arts denies any knowledge of the August 10 NEA, White House, and United We Serve conference call, a Water Cooler commenter pointed out that Nicola Vassell, an August 10 call participant, happens to be a member an American for the Arts committee herself.
Local news blogging: Atlanta floods
Following days of constant rain and record setting flooding in Atlanta, flood waters are finally receding, reports say. But the damage has been done. The death toll has reached nine and early estimates suggest $250 million in damage was caused by the flooding. Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue issued a “State Of Emergency” for 17 counties and also requested President Obama to make a Declaration of Disaster Areas. Since Sunday, Georgia bloggers have provided updated news, alerts, analysis and various posts of interests related to the flood.
More Americans for the Arts denials
Americans for the Arts is repeating last week's denial of involvement in the controversial Aug. 10 National Endowment for the Arts conference call.
Updated: NEA Chmn. Rocco Landesman Translation
For those who were unable to understand yesterday's statement by the NEA chairman on the recent scandal.
Water Cooler reader believes we have NEA /artist dynamic backwards
The following is a response to the Water Cooler's coverage of the NEA conference calls from Kevin Erickson, Co-Director of the Seattle based All-Ages Movement Project:
NEA Chairman admits mistake on August 10 conference call
National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Rocco Landesman responded to the August 10 NEA, White House, and United We Serve conference call in a statement sent to the Washington Times.
White House responds to August 10 NEA conference call
White House spokesperson Bill Burton responded to questions about the National Endowment for the Arts August 10 conference call to ABC News reporter Jake Tapper.
Local news blogging: New York governor scores perplexing victory
New York Gov. David Paterson sealed an underdog's victory Tuesday when New York State’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, voted 4-3 to uphold the governor's authority to appoint a lieutenant governor. This comes after Paterson's political clout took a hit over the weekend when news broke that the White House is quietly urging him to duck out of a 2010 gubernatorial race. New York's bloggers are having fun with this one.
Artist blog on May 12 White House artist briefing
As a result of our crowd sourcing call, reader Joellen gave us the heads up on this particular web blog of an artist who attended the May 12 White House briefing. Judith Baca, a community organizer who heads up the Los Angeles based non-profit SPARC (The Social and Public Art Resource Center) attended the May 12 White House briefing for sixty artists. She later blogged about the event and revealed some interesting thoughts of her own. :
Bloggers react to August 10 NEA conference call
Below are some conservative bloggers reactions to the National Endowment for the Arts August 10 conference call list. We will be posting more as they come in.
Local news blogging: NC college board welcomes illegals
Illegal immigrants in North Carolina may again pursue two-year degrees after the State Board of Community Colleges voted 16 to 1 in unanimous approval Friday. Under the ruling, immigrants without legal papers will still have to pay out of state tuition and won't be eligible for financial aid. Local bloggers had this to say.
