Quackery? In advertising? Say it ain't so! Atlas Obscura has a fun look back at the Wild West days of miracle cures being advertised on the radio. What's funny, is in reading this item, one wonders about this line: "Quackery has taken a new lease of life in the radio." When hasn't it? Caveat emptor.

Oscar bait. Do check out the Economist's review of 'The Post.' Prospero opines: 

Asking a journalist to review this film—or indeed any film in which journalists embody and battle for the nation’s conscience—is a bit like asking a wolf to review a steak. It has to be really bad to wrinkle the reviewer’s nose. This film was not really bad. Plus, it has spirited arguments in newsrooms! Typewriters—and reporters typing while smoking (indoors!) and cursing! Linotype machines, and newsrooms that shake while the paper rolls off of giant industrial printers in the basement! Weenie lawyers and empty-suit business-side guys who confuse cowardice for prudence while the newsroom stands on principle! This is steak with a side of steak for reporters. 

The review is replete with lines like these, which is to say it's a review laced with MSG.

Fly, D-Cell Batteries, Fly! The Eagles are in the playoffs! And while that makes lots of Eagles fans happy, let's not forget that they're among the worst fans in professional sports. Case in point? This man allegedly assaulted a police horse after being tossed from the stadium. Seriously, he apparently punched a police horse in the face. Repeatedly. 

Speaking of football, how about the Vikings? On one hand, loveable losers having a shot at eternal sports glory is a compelling storyline. On the other hand, these guys play football indoors, which is not respectable, even in Minnesota. Interestingly, should the Vikings make it to the Super Bowl, they'd be playing in their home stadium, as the away team.

—Jim Swift, Deputy Online Editor

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