culture

The long-awaited National Museum of African American History and Culture took an important step forward yesterday with the selection of an architectural and design team. The Smithsonian, which is overseeing the $500 million project on the Mall, chose Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup as the firm that will design the signature building across the street from the…

As we gnash our teeth, fumble with forms, and curse the IRS, it’s instructive to remember that hating and cheating the tax man have rich histories in America. From the Boston Tea Party to Tom Daschle’s conspicuous 1040 omissions, here’s a look back at how we’ve been almost as creative in resisting taxes as governments…

GN: French Forces Capture 11 Pirates; Pirates Basically Ashamed BB: Economy Sees Consumer Prices, Industrial Production Decline; Yup, We’re Shocked Too CNN: ‘Robust Action’ Could Curb Piracy; US Spells ‘Robust’ S-E-A-L-S FOX: Accused Nazi Guard Unfit for Trial But Still In Better Shape Than People He Guarded BBC: Right-Wing Groups ‘Growing’ in US Yet People…

These days, everyone from rappers to senators have a Twitter profile. Even dead celebrities have made their way to Twitter. I’m not entirely sure how 2Pac or Aaliyah discovered the site from beyond, but I’m happy to read about them. At least impersonating users like notbillclinton are more upfront. Twitter is, of course, the microblogging…

Twitter is the most recent Web phenomenon to prove that even the stupidest of ideas can be transformed into marketing brilliance. Many who left MySpace for Facebook have now graduated to Twitter, the new Internet time-waster of choice. Twitter is a free service that allows users to tell what they are doing in 140 characters.…

NYT: Obama on Economy: Pain Now, Gain Later Reuters: Pirates: Still Feeling Froggy, Still Jackin’ Ships (Not US Ships, But Still) CSM: For N. Korea, Sanctions Hold Little Sway Because…Well…Come On Man, It’s the UN AP: Blago Gets Indicted, Pleads “Dude, I Didn’t Do It” USNWR: Depression Increases Risk of Heart Failure WP: Number of…

AP: Sri Lankan Civilians Stay in War Zone Despite Lull ABC: Face Transplant Patient Doing Well; No Longer Responds to “Michael Steele” BBC: Obama to Lift Cuba Restrictions; Lovers of Freedom Hate This, Not Sure Why JJ: An Anti-Gay Marriage Commercial Parody CK: Watch the White House Easter Egg Roll; No, It’s Not a Dance…

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The big winners in the NBA’s annual 82-game marathon are either jockeying for playoff seeding or tweaking their rosters for the two-month sprint to a title. Lesser winners, like point guard Devin Harris of the New Jersey Nets, are probably clearing space on the mantle for a Most Improved Player Award, and the fan base…