In the late ’90s, pop-culture historian Bill Geerhart had a little too much time on his hands and a surfeit of stamps. So, for his own entertainment, the then-unemployed thirtysomething launched a letter-writing campaign to some of the most powerful and infamous figures in the country, posing as a curious 10-year-old named Billy.

To his surprise, replies soon started pouring in. Everyone from Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld (on tree-fort diplomacy) to Oprah Winfrey, Mister Rogers, Janet Reno, and members of the Supreme Court had words of wisdom for Billy. (”I like the Egg McMuffin,” wrote Justice Clarence Thomas when asked about his favorite McDonald’s food. “Actually, I like almost everything there.”) Responding to Billy’s idea for a “Hustler for kids,” Larry Flynt wrote back encouraging the fourth grader to “Hang in there. You’ll be 18 before you know it.”

As it turns out, no group hates to disappoint a child more than convicted killers, all of whom responded promptly to Billy’s questions about dropping out of school. Their letters, published here for the first time, range from criminally insane to downright sensible, offering snapshots of the personalities behind some of America’s most hideous crimes. Recently, Radar asked Billy to follow up with his mentors as a college student. (Click here to skip ahead and read Billy’s correspondence with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Larry Flynt, and other non-murderous celebrities)

Link

A Los Angeles company has created a website listing most of the police officers in major US cites. And you can anonymously rate them. The police are less than impressed.

Ratemycop.com

Thanks for checking out the new blog. I, Mark Tahiliani, will be writing for Phx411.com occasionally over the next few months as the Phoenix metropolitan area begins 2008.

This is the year the Super Bowl will be coming to Phoenix, all of the politicians vying for primary votes and the regular snowbirds arrive.

For more information on Phoenix and the surrounding area (particularly Chandler where my office is) please check back in now and then on my Phx411 page Mark Tahiliani. Thanks!

Just left Alexander’s for an oil change. We reviewed Alexander’s All Care Automotive Repair a few years ago but these guys deserve an update.

Alex Mellas owns the place and I consistently hear great things about his service. An acquaintance recommended Alex a few years back and I’ve recommended Alexander’s to half dozen people. An auto repair shop with evangelists.

My experience with car repair is this: if you don’t hear something bad about a shop a they must be good. People don’t talk about car repair like they do restaurants. These guys are an exception.

We’re generally hard on most businesses we review but these guys really do stand out.

Previous review:
Mr. Clutch auto repair review.

Info:
Alexander’s All Care Automotive Repair
3310 E. Thomas Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018

602-956-3781
602-956-4015

Alex Mellas owns the place. Luis Salas is the general manager.

* We have no affiliate with these guys. Unless you tell them you saw this review on Phx411.com.
Then we may get a deal. On the Phx411 fleet.

Joe Arpaio on CNN’s “Lou Dobbs Tonight”:

They “called me the KKK“. I think it’s an honor, right? It means we’re doing something,” Arpaio said, according to transcripts of the show.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s office called it an ‘off-the-cuff remark’.
EVTribune.