Popular Culture

8 September 2003


Depp Slams US, Retracts -- So What?
Actor Johnny Depp got himself into trouble last week by criticizing the US from his home in France during an interview with Stern, the German magazine. The former "21 Jump Street" and current "Pirates of the Caribbean" star said, among other unflattering things, the US was like a “dumb puppy that has big teeth." The right immediately condemned him, and the left nodded its quiet approval, and Mr. Depp quickly said the words were taken out of context. As much as one respects Mr. Depp as an actor, though, could anyone with any real political acumen and understanding possibly care what he thinks off-camera? For more, click here.

Quarterback Cut Backs
The American football season has begun, and for the next three months, the war in Iraq, ballooning budget deficits and Howard Dean's latest pronouncement will only matter to many insofar as they might affect Sunday's games. At this point in the season, in any sport, the arguments and opinions are almost always pointless because there is no meaningful information, just surmise and projection. There is, though, a single development this year that may matter greatly to the winner of January 2004's Super Bowl -- the demise of the third-string quarterback. Click here to read on.

Beloit College -- What the Freshmen Know
One of the best things about the academic year starting is a contribution that little Beloit College in Wisconsin started issuing a few years ago -- its list of what the current freshman class has experienced. Having railed against PR-based lists rather recently, the Kensington Review is thrilled by this exception to the rule, because it underlines how dramatic change is, some for good some for ill. Click here to read more.