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San Francisco -- I'm going to let you in a secret -- a dirty little secret -- but in a fun way. Before you read any more of this post, listen to this new version of an iconic Texas song. That clip explains a lot. In some ways it's kind of puzzling. Just as the Obama administration announces its support for a massive wind-turbine project in Eastern Oregon, and Google and other partners launch a proposal for an enormous, game-changing offshore wind and transmission system for the East Coast, the Republican House Campaign Committee launches an all-out ad war on the whole concept of a clean-energy economy. The National Republican  Congressional Committee has launched a blitz attack on ten members of Congress who have voted for the very federal funds that will make wind projects like the Oregon and East Coast initiatives possible.More...

Who's Paying for These Elections, Anyway?

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As my French counterparts explained to me many times over the frenetic week of press conferences, parties, and interviews that marked the opening of my new exhibition, the Château de Versailles has worn many faces throughout its complex history. Surely there are few other institutions which can simultaneously symbolize so many extremes - revolution and hegemony, opulence and the public will.I am far from an expert in European history and am thus lucky to have worked with two men as wise and knowledgeable as Jean-Jacques Aillagon, President of the Château, and Laurent Le Bon, curator at the National Museum of Modern Art-Centre Pompidou. Together they helped me to identify and assemble the various puzzle pieces until I was able to develop a mental picture of the Château which, while perhaps not immediately familiar to the people of France, captures what I believe to be the spirit of its character. In particular, I can say that I feel a certain connection with Louis XIV, who also viewed Versailles as a showcase for the artists he patronized.More...

Contemporary Art In Versailles: Addressing The Controversy

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Alexandra Richards, daughter of Patti Hansen and Keith Richards, dresses every bit the part of rock and roll royalty with her messy 'do, colorful garb and killer shoes. On Thursday night, she turned heads at a party for Meebo in N.Y.C. clad in all black and a skull scarf.The 24-year-old model and D.J. always looks super cool in our style book, but take a look and tell us what you think.More...

Alexandra Richards' Rock And Roll Wardrobe (PHOTOS, POLL)

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Via Curbed LA: Dennis Hopper's Venice compound, which was put on the market in July, has come down in price yet again. Curbed LA reports that the Hopper estate "needs to raise money to cover debts, so they must really want to unload the property"--which explains the multiple price reductions. Originally listed at $6.245 million, the estate's price tag was first lowered to $5.194 million in August and is now listed at $4.799 million.The main house was designed by Brian Murphy and sits on a 15,500 square foot lot with three two-story condominiums designed by Frank Gehry, a pool, a pool house, and a guest house.More...

Dennis Hopper Estate's Big Price Reduction

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Kim Kardashian turns 30 this Thursday, and she had her Las Vegas party Friday night at Tao."Are you Ready Vegas!? Who's coming to my @fallout Birthday Party TONIGHT @taolasvegas ?" she tweeted. "The festivities have started!!!! One white russian coming up! Hmmm who can I drunk dial tonight?"More...

Kim Kardashian Turns 30, Shows Off Her Curves (PHOTOS)

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I see it every day. We all hold grudges against other people who we feel have hurt or offended us in some way or another. We even hold these grudges for people who aren't alive anymore. We do this with the false idea that somehow we are making them suffer by being hurt and angry with them. Now, there is nothing wrong with being angry with someone, but it is how we express this anger that makes all the difference in us and our relationships . What is a grudge, anyway? It is harboring ill feelings toward another in the need to settle a score.Let's try a little experiment. Think of someone in your life right now (maybe not the most extreme person) whom you are absolutely holding a grudge against right now. There is no way you are willing to forgive this person right now for his or her actions. Picture that person and hold onto that unwillingness to forgive. Now, just observe what emotions are there: anger, resentment, sadness?  Also notice how you are holding your body right now: is it tense anywhere or feeling heavy? Now bring awareness to your thoughts: are they hateful and spiteful thoughts?More...

Refusing to Forgive: 9 Steps to Break Free

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In "Arab Voices" I describe Lebanon as "a tinderbox, with too many groups still playing with matches".  Iranian President Ahmadinejad's visit to that dear but fragile country has to be seen in that context.Instead of helping Lebanon and its fractured polity come together, he worked to deepen their deep divisions. Instead of recognizing the country's vulnerability and the dangers of renewed conflict with Israel, he egged them on. And instead of acknowledging Lebanon's unique character, he behaved as if the country were an extension of his own.More...

Unhelpful Provocations

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SEDRUN, Switzerland (Associated Press) — Workers hugged, cheered and set off fireworks as the huge drill broke through the last stretch of rock deep in the Swiss Alps. There was delight at the end of the tunnel – the world's longest – when it was completed Friday.The $10 billion, 35.4-mile (57-kilometer) tube will connect Europe's high-speed rail network and is part of a larger effort to cut in half the number of trucks – now at 1.2 million – that thunder through the Alps each year.More...

Gotthard Base Tunnel: World's Longest Tunnel Complete (PHOTOS)

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With the election for Kentucky's open U.S. Senate seat just weeks away, Democrat Jack Conway is out with a new campaign ad taking aim at Republican rival Rand Paul over controversy surrounding his affiliation with a secret society during his college years at Baylor University."Why was Rand Paul a member of a secret society that called the Holy Bible 'a hoax' -- that was banned form mocking Christianity and Christ?" asks a narrator in the 30-second spot. "Why did Rand Paul once tie a woman up? Tell her to bow down before a false idol and say his God was 'Aqua Buddha?"More...

Rand Paul Attacked Over Secret Society Connection, 'Aqua Buddha' Controversy In Conway Ad (VIDEO)

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Pace University football player Danroy Henry was shot and killed early Sunday morning after police responded to a bar fight in Mount Pleasant, N.Y.According to police reports, Henry was outside the bar in a parked car when police arrived, and allegedly tried to leave the scene.More...

Danroy Henry Dead: Pace University Student Fatally Shot By Police