Link-Off

Leave a comment Posted on June 28, 2015June 28, 2015 by Steve Murray Link-Off

Sunday Link-Off: SCOTUS FTW

So this was just ever so slightly an interesting week in the world of politics. Between the Supreme Court making two milestone decisions to the Canadian Government under Stephen Harper showing complete disdain for Canadian citizens, there is something for everyone to talk about.

But today’s Sunday which means I should probably keep the intro to a minimum because we have to do the links. Let’s kick things off with Charlotte McKinney who is making her debut appearance on the blog.

The Supreme Court of the United States had a pretty good week. First, it upheld the federal tax subsidies that help make the insurance markets of the Affordable Care Act viable in a 6-3. (Bloomberg)

On Friday, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that all states in the union are obligated to allow gay marriage. (Washington Post)

Prime Minister Harper’s spokesman dodges question about the Conservative Party’s attack ad that features ISIS-produced video and their anthem and attacks news coverage in a way that makes American politicians look positively sane. (Imgur)

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Leave a comment Posted on June 27, 2015June 27, 2015 by J Entertainment, Link-Off

Entertainment Link-Off: Thunder Buddies For Life

It rarely happens but occasionally I would pass out in front of my computer while writing the ELO due to tiredness. Sorry for the brief delay but here’s a short ELO for this week. After I’m done posting this, I shall rush off to the cinemas to catch Ted 2. I even got my teddy bear ready! Anyway, let’s kick off this link-off with Amanda Seyfried at the movie’s premiere. She can definitely rock those cornrows huh?

After the jump, Daredevil vs. Punisher, parents and kids were in for a scare at an Inside Out screening, Heroes Reborn trailer is here, catch the first 8 minutes of Scream (the TV series) and imagine what a Minecraft movie would look like… Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on June 24, 2015June 28, 2015 by Steve Murray Link-Off

Wednesday Link-Off: See It to Believe It

Some news stories can be just a little too far out there for you to believe that they are on the level. While not every odd news story comes from The Onion, sometimes, they sound like something those guys would craft.

Anyway, it’s Wednesday so it’s time for us to do the links. Let’s change things up from the standard and kick things off with Hilary Duff. Remember when she was a thing?

Reports say that the Charleston shooter’s sister was the one who tipped off the FBI as to his identity. (Daily Mail)

The internet has a long memory. Rick Mercer’s old Talking to Americans skit has been dug up and it features then-Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee talking about Canada’s national igloo. (BuzzFeed)

Kim Jong-un claims to have cured AIDS, cancer and ebola with one wonder drug. No, this isn’t a story from The Onion. Okay, the Korean Central News Agency is almost as good as The Onion. (The Independent)

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Leave a comment Posted on June 21, 2015June 28, 2015 by Steve Murray Link-Off

Sunday Link-Off: Maybe Father’s Day

I know that today is Father’s Day but with all that’s been happened in the world this past week, I wouldn’t blame anyone if you forgot that. Between Charleston and Spokane and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, there has been a lot in the news occupying us this week.

Anyway, it’s Sunday so it’s time for us to do the links. Let’s kick things off with Nina Dobrev.

As is often the case, Charles Pierce has one of the best takes on a big story. This time, he has the best take on the Charleston shooting. (Esquire)

Whenever a high-profile shooting occurs, people talk gun control. That tends to quickly end when people think it’s not possible. However, that’s just one of several myths about gun control that keep holding it back. (The Guardian)

Good news! While everyone was distracted with the Charleston shooting, the US House of Representatives put the Trans-Pacific Partnership in the fast track to approval. (The Hill)

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Leave a comment Posted on June 20, 2015June 20, 2015 by J Entertainment, Link-Off

Entertainment Link-Off: It’s All Inside Your Head

The Game of Thrones finale ended last week with a lot of angry fans after the death of a certain beloved character. Seriously though, what would you expect? George R. R. Martin did say that the ending of his books will be bittersweet, so don’t expect everything to be tied up in a nice bow for all the heroes. Anyway, at least Emilia Clarke’s character is still alive and kicking for the moment. While you wait for the next season of GoT, you can catch her in the upcoming Terminator Genisys.

After the jump, a look at Inside Out, dinosaurs is outperforming a team of superheroes, first look at Fear the Walking Dead, Captain America is not hosting Top Gear, and find out what it’s like to be single when you hit 30. Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on June 17, 2015June 16, 2015 by Steve Murray Link-Off

Wednesday Link-Off: Video Game Break

Let’s take a little time to get away from our coverage of E3 2015. Don’t worry, I’ll have trailers from all of the press conferences at E3 and then some news coverage of the more exciting announcements and reveals at the convention.

Right now, it’s time for us to look at some of the other important happenings in the world outside of the Los Angeles Convention Center with the Wednesday links. Keeping with the E3 theme, though, here’s Meg Turney.

CSIS warned the Province of Ontario that a cabinet minister could be under China’s influence. The provincial government disregarded the spy agency. (The Globe and Mail)

Donald Trump is planning to run for President. Philip Bump tried fact-checking the speech but found it to be completely impossible. (Washington Post)

How is Kansas paying for its tax cut for the rich? Raising taxes that will most adversely affect the poor. (Think Progress)

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Leave a comment Posted on June 14, 2015June 13, 2015 by Steve Murray Link-Off

Sunday Link-Off: Media Matters

This is going to be a fairly quick set of the Sunday links as we’re gearing up for E3 2015. This year’s edition of E3 will have seven on-site press conferences along with Nintendo’s video conference. In addition to the usual five (EA, Ubi, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo), there will be appearances by Bethesda and Square Enix along with a Tuesday night show focusing on just PC games for some reason. We’ll have coverage all week.

Anyway, it’s time for the links. Since she once appeared at the Video Game Awards, let’s start with Jessica Alba.

There’s a federal election this fall but don’t tell Justin Trudeau. His Liberals are slumping this year. (CBC)

Gawker and Hulk Hogan are set to square off in a $100 million battle over the newsworthiness of Hogan’s sex tape. It’s not about smut but freedom of the press. (Fortune)

Benny Johnson is back writing on the internet after being outed as a plagiarist. His comeback profile in the Washington Post was written by a friend of his. (Gawker)

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Leave a comment Posted on June 13, 2015June 13, 2015 by J Entertainment, Link-Off

Entertainment Link-Off: Dino-mite!

It’s been 12 years since the original flick but Jurassic World, the fourth installment of the franchise is finally in theatres and it’s a worthy sequel to the dinosaur-centric films. Despite a few minor flaws, the overall experience of the movie is quite good. Anyway, let’s start off this edition of the ELO with the leading lady Bryce Dallas Howard.

After the jump, a fun little Jurassic Park fan theory, Tomorrowland is losing Dinsey a lot of money, check out the extended interview with the Gilmore Girls cast, Grant Theft Auto in real life, imagine Jon Snow doing a Pantene commercial and a fun little ditty on mixing up Bryce Dallas Howard with another acclaimed redhead actress Jessica Chastain.

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Leave a comment Posted on June 10, 2015June 9, 2015 by Steve Murray Link-Off

Wednesday Link-Off: Investigate This

If there’s one thing that I’m a fan of, it’s an empowered press corps. Often times, the press are at their best when they try to do actual reporting. When investigative reporting works, it’s one of the great public services. Of course, as an ex-newsman, I might be a little biased there.

Anyway, it’s time for us to do the Wednesday set of links. Let’s kick things off with Salma Hayek.

The boss of Canadian investigative reporters, Kevin Donovan, just took down another big star. This time, it’s the CBC’s Evan Solomon. (Toronto Star)

Investigative reporting isn’t just the realm of newspapers any more. InTouch did some solid investigative reporting to break the Duggar story. (Washington Post)

One of the reasons that Sepp Blatter got re-elected (for four days) as FIFA president was because of the help he supposedly gave poorer soccer nations. While they’re getting money, they aren’t improving because of it. (FiveThirtyEight)

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Leave a comment Posted on June 7, 2015June 7, 2015 by Steve Murray Link-Off

Sunday Link-Off: Selfie

Hello and welcome to The Lowdown Blog. Okay, that’s the podcast intro but we recorded an episode yesterday and I’m going to start the editing soon. Hopefully, I’ll have it up this week. If not, we’ll be missing some E3 coverage. At least that’ll be on the blog.

Anyway, it’s time for us to do the links. Let’s change things up and kick things off with Kate Hudson.

You’ve probably heard the term about how the rich get richer but it’s actually true. Even the IRS helps the rich get richer as they make more money. (Washington Post)

How did the Americans make their latest strike against ISIS? By back-tracking a selfie. (Washington Times)

Penn Jillette has been watching official videos from Presidential candidates and has found out what might make Bernie Sanders the most formidable candidate on the trail. (CNN)

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