In a print edition of the New York Times I oddly came across last weekend, I read an article by Katherine Zoepf about a woman in Saudi Arabia who is leading a campaign called, "My Guardian Knows What's Best for Me." Simply put, all women in Saudi Arabia are accorded legal and human rights by their closest, eldest male relative. This typically goes from father to husband. And eventually to son, but that's getting ahead of the story. The point ... Read More

When your favorite band starts getting successful there are many potential pitfalls, but among the two deadliest are overproduction and happiness. The verdict was still out on The National when I went to last night's show at Radio City Music Hall. Though there's much to love in their latest contribution, High Violet, the album is certainly overproduced for my liking. So when the horns and strings sections took the stage, I worried. Knowing ... Read More

Yesterday I caught Samantha Bee promoting her new book – I Know I Am, But What Are You? – as part of the Bryant Park Reading Series, only there was no reading going on. Apparently her material was deemed unsuitable for loudspeakers in a public venue. From the opening grafs alone (a homicidal fantasy involving her parents and musings on a family history of sluttery), I suspect it may have been the right decision. Amen and ... Read More

To those who ask, "Can't we all just get along?" We at BUST say, "Where's the fun in that?" Hear our own Emily Rems debate who has got the best late night band on NPR's Soundcheck Smackdown.  Hint: Rems has some different ideas... If that's not enough opinionator for you, have a listen as our Eat Me columnist Chef Rossi describes the perfect summer encounter. (Maybe she's talking about sex, maybe BBQ sauce; have a listen and you ... Read More

Sarah Palin's address last month at an anti-choice breakfast caused a huge ruckus for her liberal use of the word "feminist." (Interesting who didn't seem to notice.)  Folks everywhere questioned this claim, but I think Meghan Daum hit the nail on the head here  in pointing out that Ms. P. is well within her rights. Think what you will of her politics, you gotta hand it to the lady; she's galvanized support from an enormously ... Read More