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Issue #65
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Features:
Christmas
in Hell: No, Virginia, There is no Santa Claus-
Matt Taibbi
Disinformation
Age: America Loves a Good Liar-
Allan Uthman
Power
1, Truth 0: RIP Gary Webb, Journalism -
Michael Manville
Insane
in the Ukraine - Matt
Taibbi
Faux-tures:
Celebrity
Holiday Greetings
Ridiculous
Gift Guide
Tips
on Buying Thoughtless Gifts
Giambra
Admits Drinking Live Sea Monkeys
Area
Child Expects Lame Christmas Gifts
Paris
Hilton's What Hot & What's Not in 2005
Advice
From John Ritter's Ghost
Departments:
Buffalo
in Briefs
BEAST-O-Scopes
Page
3
Separated
at Birth?
[sic]
- Letters
I HATE YOU: The Senate, Slaves
to the South
DJ's
Notes from the Big House
The
Straight Dope w/ Dr Rotten
Movie
Reviews:
Kino
Korner
Comix:
I
Witless News - I. Gonzalez
Deep
Fried - Jason Yungbluth
Bob
the Angry Flower - Stephen Notley
BEASTIVITIES
Issue #64
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Entire issue (31mb PDF)

Features:
Happy
Bhopal to You: The Disaster is 20 Years Young! -
Matt Taibbi
Sleeping
With the Fishes: Fear Not, Buffalo--Corporate Welfare Will Save You!
- Chris Abbey
No
Moore Dissent: DLC Targets Populism, Man-Boobs-
Matt Taibbi
Drowning
the Scorpion: Debating a Neocon-
Stan Goff
Condoleezza
Rice is Going to Lick Your Beaver-
Matt Taibbi
Faux-tures:
Bush
Refuses to Pardon Turkey, Execution Proceeds as Scheduled
Kmart,
Sears Merge to Create One Big Failure -
Josh Righter
Departments:
Buffalo
in Briefs
BEAST-O-Scopes
Page
3
Separated
at Birth?
[sic]
- Letters
The
Straight Dope w/ Dr Rotten
Entertainment:
Movie
Reviews:
Kino
Korner
Music
Reviews :
Arcade
Fire
MF
Doom - Ketchup Samurai
BEASTIVITIES
Sports:
Wide
Right: Bills Still Have a Shot at 5th Super Bowl Loss
- Ronnie Roscoe
Comix:
I
Witless News - I. Gonzalez
Deep
Fried - Jason Yungbluth
Bob
the Angry Flower - Stephen Notley
Issue #63
Download
Entire issue (18mb PDF)

Features:
Top
Ten Hacks of 2004 Election -
Matt Taibbi
MEMRI
Problems: Was Kerry's Election Bid Lost in Translation?-
Chris Riordan
Pick
of the Litter: Bottom-Feeding all the Way to the Top
Redwoods
Evil, Must Be Destroyed: Bush Wants Some Wood-
Kit Smith
Too
Cool for School: City Honors Censorship -
Al Uthman
Tortures
- R - Us - Christopher
Lord
Faux-tures:
New
Hotel on Baltic Ave: Boon or Burden?
- Ian Murphy
10
Tips For Coping with your Dysfunctional Family this Thanksgiving
A
Word From Our Sponsors
Departments:
Buffalo
in Briefs
BEAST-O-Scopes
Page
3
Separated
at Birth?
[sic]
- Letters
The
Straight Dope w/ Dr Rotten
Entertainment:
Movie
Reviews:
Kino
Korner
Music
Reviews :
Matchbook
Romance/Midtown Show - Chris
Meister
Goo
Goo Dolls DVD - Seamus Gallivan
Elliot
Smith CD- Michael Gildea
Odd
Couple CD - Ketchup Samurai
BEASTIVITIES
Sports:
Wide
Right: Bills could Make Playoffs--in the NFC
- Ronnie Roscoe
Comix:
Beast
Comix - Ian Murphy
I
Witless News - I. Gonzalez
Deep
Fried - Jason Yungbluth
Bob
the Angry Flower - Stephen Notley
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Us
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© 2004 The Beast
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BEAST-O-SCOPES
with Andrew Gullerstein

Capricorn
(December 22 - January 20)
Ho,
Ho, Ho, Capricorn, and Merry X-Mas! What is it that you want this
joyous holiday season? Well the stars have indicated to me that
you want the "Justice League Watch Tower Play Set."
That actually sounds like it might be kind of cool, but it should
be noted that you are thirty-seven years old, Capricorn, and maybe
it's time to ask for some new clothes. After all, that Spider-Man
shirt you wear 4 days a week is beginning to look like a donation
that the Good Will threw in the trash because it didn't meet their
quality standards. It's time to re-evaluate your life, Capricorn,
and take a long look at that dust-covered china cabinet filled
with unopened action figures that will NEVER be worth more than
clearance price. The time has come to invite a little change into
your life, Capricorn, and please stop jerking off to that "Metroid"
commercial.
Aquarius
(January 21 - February 19)
Ho,
Ho, Ho, Aquarius, and Merry X-Mas! What is it that you want this
joyous holiday season? Well the stars have indicated to me that
you were hoping your boyfriend would stop stealing money from
your purse while you sleep, and spending it on whores. Well, all
I can to you, Aquarius, is that maybe you should find a new guy.
In fact, I'm sure there are plenty of guys who use their own money
to pay whores and with all the money you would be saving you'd
finally be able to buy that new living room set you've had your
eye on. Merry X-Mas, Aquarius, give some thought to what I've
said and have some pity, she's only trying to pay her way through
med school.
Pisces
(February 20 - March 20)
Ho,
Ho, Ho, Pisces, and Merry X-Mas! What is it that you want this
joyous holiday season? Well the stars have indicated to me that
you are wishing for a new job that doesn't make you depressed
on a day-to-day basis. Well, the problem with that, Pisces, is
that unless your job involves masturbation and "Law and Order"
marathons, I'm afraid you will never be happy. I know going to
work everyday sucks and your boss has the personality of driftwood,
but it sure beats the alternative of asking mom and dad for the
rent and trying to coax the utility companies out of shutting
off your service. You have to admit it's kind of nice not having
to hide behind the answering machine anymore. Look Pisces, work
sucks and that's just how it is. Do you think those poor underpaid
bastards who built the Hoover Dam woke up every morning thinking,
"What a great day to risk my life; if I'm lucky I won't fall
750 feet to my death?" I'm pretty sure they were just thinking
that a paycheck is better than waiting in a very long line for
shitty soup. So Merry X-Mas, and don't forget to set the alarm
clock.
Aries
(March 21 - April 20)
Ho,
Ho, Ho, Aries, and Merry X-Mas! What is it that you want this
joyous holiday season? Well the stars have indicated to me that
you are desperately wishing for the complete John Tesh music collection.
Well all I can say to you Aries is that you are just as fucking
lame as Scorpio. In fact, I think the two of you should throw
a huge New Year's Eve party so you can both act surprised together
when nobody shows. If it was within my power, John Tesh would
be chained his piano, covered in fish blood and dumped into a
tank of bull sharks. Let him ask where his God is then. Oh well,
Aries, I can dream can't I? Anyhow, maybe you should write a letter
to John Tesh telling how you feel about him. You'll get a form
letter in response of course, because John Tesh doesn't give a
shit about you Aries
Not a even a single turd.
Taurus
(April 21 - May 20)
Ho,
Ho, Ho, Taurus and Merry X-Mas! What is it that you want this
joyous holiday season? Well, the stars have indicated to me that
you want to get through the entire holiday season this year without
a trip to the emergency room to have a large gourd removed from
your ass. Well all I can say to you, Taurus, is STOP STICKING
LARGE GOURDS UP YOUR ASS! It's really just that simple, and you
don't have to come up with one of those ridiculous excuses for
the emergency room staff. Trust me, Taurus; you can have a perfectly
good holiday season without trying to turn your colon into the
Horn of Plenty.
Gemini
(May 21 - June 20)
Ho,
Ho, Ho, Gemini, and Merry X-Mas! What is it that you want this
joyous holiday season? Well the stars have indicated to me that
you want a big rock of crack. That's right, you just want to sit
on the floor of a dirty, shit smelling crackhouse and smoke your
self into a fucking coma. Well, good luck with that dream, and
when you think about it, it's really the best way to forget how
much pain and damage you've caused your friends and family over
the years, at least until your money runs out. Well, Gemini, you
do what you gotta do to feel good, it's all you really ever gave
a shit about anyway.
Cancer
(June 21 - July 22)
Ho,
Ho, Ho, Cancer and Merry X-Mas! What is it that you want this
joyous holiday season? Well, the stars have indicated to me that
all you want is a really good blowjob. Well that is as noble a
request as I have ever heard, and the stars are working overtime
to make your beautiful dream come true. However, if you're not
picky, you may want to make a run at Scorpio and/or Aries, because
those clowns are just dying to bust out.
Leo
(July 23 - August 22)
Ho,
Ho, Ho, Leo, and Merry X-Mas! What is it that you want this joyous
holiday season? Well the stars have indicated to me that you just
want those pesky child molestation charges to go away. Well, you
should have thought of that before molesting all those kids. Hell,
we gave you the first one and you just had to double up. You can
get up on your glittering podium and give all the excuses you
want but it looks like you might not be able to buy your way out
of this one. Happy Holidays Leo
asshole.
Virgo
(August 23 - September 22)
Ho,
Ho, Ho, Virgo and Merry X-Mas! What is it that you want this joyous
holiday season? Well the stars have indicated to me that you are
in need of a new girlfriend as you last one just dumped you for
stealing money from her and spending it on whores. Well Virgo,
I'm sure there is a special lady out there for you. Why not try
one of those high-tech dating services with the 29-point personality
profile bullshit and you just might be able to be half of a really
annoying couple. Just be sure you mention your love of whores
in the "likes" section of the form.
Libra
(September 23 - October 22)
Ho,
Ho, Ho, Libra, and Merry X-Mas! What is it that you want this
joyous holiday season? Well the stars have indicated to me that
you are wishing for peace on earth and good will towards men.
C'mon Libra, give me something I can work with! Maybe you can
wish for some dishware or a kitten or something within the realm
of possibility? Do you even watch the news, man? Do you know who
our President is? What the fuck are you thinking? If I had it
within my power to bring peace on earth, we would all be sitting
home everyday masturbating and watching a "Law and Order"
marathon. Jesus, Libra, why don't you just wish for a Unicorn?
Scorpio
(October 23 - November 22)
Ho,
Ho, Ho, Scorpio, and Merry X-Mas! What is it that you want this
joyous holiday season? Well the stars have indicated to me that
you are hoping to receive the complete Michael Bolton music library,
and I have to say that you, Scorpio, are a complete fucking loser.
The Michael Bolton collection? Maybe you should add Kenny G. to
your wish list and complete your transformation into the lamest
man alive. Do you know what your girlfriend was thinking when
you asked for Michael Bolton? She was thinking, "I have to
start fucking someone else." Well, Merry X-Mas Scorpio, I
hope all your dreams come true. Especially that one about being
trapped in the olive oil production facility with Mr. Bolton.
Sagittarius
(November 23 - December 21)
Ho,
Ho, Ho, Sagittarius, and Merry X-Mas! What is it that you want
this joyous holiday season? Well, the stars have indicated to
me that you are hoping to receive an autographed photo of the
entire "Offbeat Cinema" cast. Well I don't think that
should be much of a problem, Sagittarius, in fact I'm sure with
a quick phone call that sad, bloated trifecta of talentlessness
would be willing to serve drinks at your Christmas party if you
simply agree to pay a little attention to them. Only a complete
fucking idiot would watch "Offbeat Cinema," Sagittarius,
let alone enjoy it. Then again, you did donate money to the 700
Club.
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This Issue ...........Home.............
Contact........Archives
Disinformation
Age
Allan
Uthman
....The
problem with the left is that our whole model of changing opinionsthat
contrary facts will alter peoples viewsis inherently flawed.
Mundane, oafish Americans, in a national competition to see how many
$3.99 support our troops ribbon magnets they can fit onto
the backs of their Suburbans, simply arent interested in reality...Lets
face it; there is a sizable chunk of the population who deny the validity
of evolutionevolution. Who are we kidding, thinking we
can make them see the errors in Social Security privatization?
Christmas
in Hell!
Matt
Taibbi
NO
ONE NOTICED, of course, but last year, I did not file a column on
Christmas week. This was not because I was too busy with a long schedule
of holiday merry-making.
On
the contrary: As editor Jeff Koyen can attest, I actually tried to
write a column on Christmas last year. I spent three long days reading
and rereading the old New York Sun's hideous "Yes, Virginia,
there is a Santa Claus" column, and tried to come up with a satisfying
counter-argument. The opening was easy enough:
Celebrity
Holiday Greetings
Hey
everyone! Aren't my tits great? Truly they are a gift unto us from
the Holy Father. I'm so hot for Jesus!
Please
buy Nick's album. He could really use the help.
Power
1, Truth 0
Michael
Manville
On
December 12th I opened my Sunday edition of the Los Angeles Times
and saw in the obituaries that Gary Webb was dead. More specifically,
I saw that Gary Webb had killed himself. He had, it seems, shot himself
in the head. When movers arrived at his house on Saturday they found
a note on the door that said "Please do not enter. Call 911 and
ask for an ambulance."
Ridiculous
Gift Guide
Matt
Taibbi
The
Devito Code: A new and baffling sequel to the much-lauded Da Vinci
Code, involving a murder mystery in Hollywood which leads to the pointlessly
protracted revelation of a secret code interspersed throughout the
body of work of actor/director Danny Devito.
Insane
in the Ukraine
Matt
Taibbi
I've
been trying to avoid the subject of Ukraine, not only in this column,
but in general. Like anyone with strong ties to Russia, I have a whole
range of feelings about Ukraine and Ukrainians, not all of them generous.
Sleeping
With the Fishes
Chris
Abbey
What
do dying urban centers need to keep them afloat when everything and
everyone has long since moved out to the suburbs? A gimmick, of course,
like the Arch in St. Louis or, even cooler, a Rock n Roll
Hall of fame like Cleveland has! Too bad those ideas were already
taken, and the only thing our leaders could think of is resurrecting
the long dead Aud and turning it into a massive Bass Pro outdoor shop,
along with a hotel and restaurant.
Happy
Bhopal to You
Matt
Taibbi
THE
BHOPAL DISASTER had its 20th anniversary last week, and so was duly
(and briefly) commemorated in the inside sections of a few American
newspapers.
It
is unlikely, however, that any public figures are going to pay tribute
to what happened 20 years ago this week. Which is too bad, because
as far as America is concerned, the week of Dec. 9 to 16 was the more
important week of the Bhopal disaster. That's when we got over Bhopal.
Drowning
the Scorpion
Stan
Goff
When
I was first invited by Dr. Stephen Smith to speak at Winthrop University
in South Carolina, I was preparing a trip to Haiti and I didn't give
much thought to how I would handle the engagement. I'd just finished
being pole-axed by a bout of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and it was
everything I could do to just pull the Haiti trip together. So I didn't
pay much attention to the person who would appear with me - one Patrick
Clawson - to represent "the other side" in a forum/debate
billed as "What Next in Iraq? A Post-Election Perspective."
[sic]
Seeing
your last rag/magazine complaining about the last Presidential elections
made me laugh. You commies have nothing better to do but insult our
President, our country and our troops. You all should go back and
help your fellows brothers in the Ukraine, where there really was
a corrupted and stolen election.
The
Top 10 Hacks of the 2004 Election
Matt
Taibbi
10
- GEORGE WILL, NEWSWEEK: Will uses big words and pompous literary
references to dress up what are basically the brutish and vulgar thinking
patterns of a non-union meat-packing plant owner. He is a pig in a
lace hat.
Pick
of the Litter
Pat
Ragpicker
It's
4am on a winter night, and I'm parked on a dead end street near Kaisertown.
Its a secluded corner of the city I found by driving around
aimlessly. I'm new to town, and penniless after buying my van with
$700 I squirreled away the last time I got a paycheck. That was 7
months ago. Over those months, I managed to live off a few hundred
bucks while sleeping in a warehouse closet and helping some friends
make a TV show to try selling to a network.
Too
Cool for School
Al
Uthman
In
the decomposing cesspool of Buffalo's public schools, City Honors
has long been regarded as something of a gem. In fact, it is widely
regarded as the best school the city has to offer, with the brightest
kids around.
Tortures-R-Us
Christopher
Lord
Iraqis
wondering what the next phase of the Republicans' invasion of their
country will bring should consider El Aguacate airstrip in Honduras.
In 2001, 185 bodies were dug up there: the victims were the 'terrorists'
and 'enemies of democracy' of the day.
O
Buffalo
Al
Uthman
It's
time to face some unpleasant facts, Buffalo. This country may not
be the best place for us anymore. On November 2nd, we all bore witness
to a terrible turning point in our history; a bad lifestyle choice,
if you will. We had the chance to reject the increasing madness of
our nation's leadership, their blind march to pointless war and craven
desire to take advantage of us in every manner conceivable, and we
blew it. America has spoken, and it said "duh."
10
Ultra-cynical Ways to Beat the Republicans
Why
did the Democrats lose? At least in part, it's because they thought
that being right would actually work in their favor. Let's face it,
logic doesn't mean squat in politics. People say there's too much
cynicism in politics today, but we think there really isn't enough.
Cynicism works. The Republican Party has embraced it, and it has worked
wonders for them. The Democrats have made some progress in this area,
but they are still lagging badly. If there's any hope for the blue
states, they must learn the lessons of Machiavelli and Rove. To help
them along, the BEAST offers these suggestions.
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