What to do about the doom and gloom economy. On the macro level there's not much more we can do other than watch the men in suits who got us into this mess struggle to get us out of it. With Brother Barack at the helm I feel like we have a better than fighting chance to come out of the psychic and economic tailspin that has held us in its grip. We elected him on the platform of “keeping hope alive.” At least for me it’s worked. The alternative is too daunting to contemplate. America remains the country of optimism. The severe dose of reality known as 9-11 brought us a modicum of maturity but compared to ancients like Iran and China we’re new arrivals on the world stage, puppies still finding our way around.

On the micro level, where we connect with people and businesses on a daily basis, it is important to know your friends and to help them in these difficult times. When it comes to spending our money we should be especially vigilant, not only because there is less of it to go around, but also because we want to be selective about who we're giving it to. Whether it's a department store, designer boutique or local mom and pop operation, we're going to want to support the people and brands that share our values. The sense of community that used to exist in the physical space of a neighborhood has gone global. Today, we have as good a chance to find cultural commonality with a Korean in Seoul as we are with our next door neighbor. Which means that local businesses as well as global brands need our support at this time. Are we going to buy our affordable items at Kmart or Target, H&M or Old Navy? By now, we should know who speaks to us and who doesn't.

Here at PAPER magazine and PAPERMAG.com, where we have been priveleged to work with some of the most creative and progressive businesses out there, we will be directing our dollars to those who can run with Obama, see the dangers of our environmental policies and stand up for their brethern on issues like gay marriage.

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Readers of my column in PAPER magazine may remember my call a few months ago for the Obamas to get a puppy. At the time America was still trying to warm up to the First Family elect and having a new puppy and children the same age as the Obamas I knew what an ice breaker puppies make. Walking on the street, EVERYONE wants to pet the puppy crossing all boundaries of age, race, gender, homeless or patrician. So you can imagine my delight when one of the first things Barack Obama mentioned in his acceptance speech was his intention to get a puppy. Well, just this morning I was watching The Today Show where they reported that the Obamas were considering getting a Goldendoodle, which is a mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Just like us. Here's a picture of our Goldendoodle Sage as a puppy getting acquainted with Tompkins Square Park.

What if Barack Obama lost by one vote and it was your fault because you didn't make it to the voting booth? Customize one and send it your friends.

Last night I went to a screening of the first half of Che, Steven Soderbergh's four-hour epic starring Benicio Del Toro. It opens in New York December 12 for a one-week run where you can see the entire movie in one sitting followed by separate showings of Part 1 and 2. I don't know how I would have done through the full four hours, but the first half held up well enough for me to want to see the rest. I can't express exactly why since little happens besides a series of battles cut with archival and new footage of Che's visit to New York to address the UN and interviews with media where he talks about his revolutionary philosophy. Credit must be given to Del Toro's riveting understated performance and Soderbergh's un-Hollywood approach to the material.

By now we should already know that the War on Drugs is wrong from every conceivable angle. And even though the documentary American Drug War, is preaching to the choir, it does a very funny job of it. Here are a collection of clips from the doc, which is touring colleges and can be seen on Showtime, about prescription pharmaceuticals, marijuana, and the hypocrisy of the War on Drugs featuring Chris Rock, Ed Helms, Bill Maher, Dave Reinitz, Marko Elgart, George Carlin, Doug Stanhope, Katt Williams, John Stewart, and more.

While China seems to have loosened restrictions on Internet access to the media during the Beijing Olympics, the fashion police are still out in full force. In order to put its best fashion face forward, "Beijing officials have distributed 4.3 million copies of an etiquette book outlining rules on good manners and foreign customs, including rules about what not to wear." The guide is part of an effort by various departments within China's government to clean the city up in preparation for the at least 400,000 foreign visitors who are expected to descend on its capital for the Olympic Games, which start Aug. 8 (WSJ).

In an effort to make Beijing more civilized, the pamphlet lists a number of no-no's: more than three color shades in an outfit, white socks with black shoes, and pajamas and slippers in public.

"No matter what, never wear too many colors...especially during formal occasions," the book said. "When you wear [formal shoes], be sure to wear socks in good condition...socks should be a dark color -- never match black leather shoes with white socks."

"Older women should choose shoes with heels that aren't too high."

One can imagine protesters dressed like the gentleman shown here being dragged off to jail for violating the no pajamas and flip flop edict. What would Mr. Mickey say!?

A Butthole Surfers show is big news these days. Head Butthole Gibby Haynes has been living in New York City, but the band hasn't played with the original members in quite some time. The last stop of their tour -- organized by Paul Green of School of Rock -- landed at Webster Hall last night. The house was packed and all went well until... PAPER's senior editor Carlo McCormick gave the following report: "The show almost turned into a riot. Finally fed up with the lousy sound, Gibby got into a heated argument with the sound man, that escalated to a level that made security escort him off stage and out of the club -- in the middle of the show. This did not exactly sit well with the capacity audience, who stayed in the club for more than an hour later screaming and throwing things. It was all so punk rock it was almost hip hop."

TONY and Billboard have complete reviews of the show. And check out the YouTube video above of Haynes performing with School of Rock band.

The powerHouse publishing enterprise continues to expand its reach under the aegis of founder Daniel Power and his able team of Craig Cohen and Sarah Rosen. In addition to eyeing a West Coast outpost of their store/gallery/events space concept pioneered in DUMBO, Brooklyn, in the Los Angeles area (either at Bergamot Station or Culver City), they are also working with a well known pop star with interest in Malawi (wink, wink). Today powerHouse added another jewel to its crown by the name of hip hop legend KRS One who will now have his own imprint with the company. Here's the official announcement

powerHouse Books and KRS ONE announce the creation of I Am Hip Hop, a new imprint launching in Spring 2009. I Am Hip Hop shall serve as a home for cutting-edge, positive material related to the true culture and philosophies of Hip Hop. Dedicated to publishing high-quality books ranging from serious philosophical treatises to urban photography projects or engaging fictional novels, this imprint will release material personally chosen and overseen by Hip Hop legend, KRS ONE.

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The voices of outrage are reaching all the way to the U.S. State Department, which was forced to address the denial of an immigration visa to the openly gay pop star. In between discussion of Iran, Afghanistan and Albania, the conversation turned to Boy George. Watch (about 2:20 sec into the video) as spokesman Tom Casey chokes on his drink when asked about Boy George. If you can't bring yourself to watch, here's the transcript.

Transcript of June 24 press briefing:

QUESTION: And what does the U.S. Government have against Boy George – (laughter) – You denied him a visa.

MR. CASEY: Sorry, I should have swallowed before you said that. (Laughter.) Let’s see if I spit the water over any place else. (Laughter.)

I’ve seen the report that’s out there. Obviously, visa records are confidential. But I’d simply note that there often are difficulties for individuals who either are currently subject to criminal charges or otherwise may have criminal records. So I think you might want to look toward some of those reasons as why he might be having some difficulties here.

QUESTION: It’s tragic really.

MR. CASEY: Do you really want to hurt him? (Laughter.)

Yeah, Libby.

QUESTION: Switch topics from Boy George?

MR. CASEY: Yes, please.

Earlier this morning, we wrote that Boy George was denied a visa to the U.S. Here's an update from Boy George's people at Girlie Action:

Boy George Denied Visa for US Tour Boy George is devastated that he will not be able to tour the US as planned this summer. The singer was looking forward to performing for his American fans for the first time in a decade and was especially eager to perform at The City of New York Department of Sanitation’s annual Family Day on August 17th. The concert was planned as a way to thank the DSNY and the workers’ families for the kindness shown to him during his community service with them in 2006. Below is an official statement from his management.

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How excited we were when the New York Post reported that our good friend Boy George would be returning to New York and performing in a series of concerts over the summer. You may remember George's unceremonious exit from New York after having to perform five days of community service sweeping the park for the Department of Sanitation in 2006. In a gesture of appreciation to the Sanitation Dept., the now clean and sober George had agreed to stop at the DSNY's Family Day on Aug. 17 at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, where he would perform a full set of his songs in front of about 5,000 people. Shows at Terminal 5 and on Westbury, LI were also scheduled.

Well, apparently not. U.S. Customs thinks it would be better if he didn't and they have denied him a visa. Here are George's comments about his disappointment as well as his views on Barack Obama, who he recently wrote a song about -- which you can listen to after the jump exclusively on PAPERMAG!

On being denied a visa:

"I'm pretty devastated because I am so excited about this forthcoming tour and having my visa application denied seems unfair after I swept the streets of New York spotless. There are a number of public figures who are openly using drugs and they have no problem with immigration and I have seriously turned my life around and I feel great right now and this is just another reminder of how bad things were. I committed a crime and I happily paid the consequences and I should be allowed to move on and get on with what I do best and that is performing and making people people dance and cry!"

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Yo, it's time to get down! Watching this video I just had to say that!

The news here is that Don Cornelius, for 35 years the driving force behind one of the best music shows ever produced for TV has sold the Soul Train franchise. God knows what they'll do with an updated version, but the old shows never wear on me. The music, the fly looks, def defying dance moves, the hottest honeys and homeboys! What more could you ask for? This montage of the Soul Train Dancers could go on forever. Look for Rosie Perez in the mix.

The latest update to the update is that Dominic is still among the living -- or so says the source of the false rumor to begin with. So anyway, we love you Dominic and stay out of trouble. See you when you get back to NYC and we'll drink a Diet Coke together.

I wrote the following post earlier upon reading in a blog that Dominic Chianese, Jr, an old friend and downtown personality had died. Now reports are questioning the veracity of that story. Either way, we love you Dominic and hope that all is well.

The name Dominic Chianese is familiar to most people as the actor who played Junior on The Sopranos. Those of us on the downtown nightlife scene knew another Dominic, a funny-faced doorman/actor/stand-up comedian who'd worked at all the major clubs over the years in one capacity or another. It is with a heavy heart that I have to report that Dominic Chianese, Jr. has died (according to a [now false] report on Good Night Mr. Lewis).

Dominic was a friend and frequent MC at Paper events. He was in our first Beautiful People issue and I feel his loss very deeply. Things never came easy to Dominic. An immensely talented dude, he was handsome and charming in a New York character actor kind of way. He acted in numerous movies and TV shows (including with his dad in a couple of Sopranos episodes), but the big break he was waiting for never arrived. I remember him hosting a downtown standup show at Undochine (a club that once existed under the Indochine restaurant) where I first saw John Stewart perform. Larry Fishburne is another long-time Dominic supporter. Dominic also MC'd my bachelor's party and we spent many hours hobnobbing on the nightlife scene. God bless. May he rest in peace!