It has been debated among the faithful fans of All My Children, who will go? Who’s character will leave?
Wait no further….
What would AMC be without Erica Kane? Well, wonder no more Susan Lucci is staying with the show. She will commute to the set and maintain her residence in New York.
The only other original cast member Ray MacDonnell (Joe) will not be moving with the soap, he is retiring. He has been a fixture of Pine Valley for so long, he will be missed.
Alicia Minshew (Kendall) is going on maternity leave in November, so her fate is up in the air and Thorsten Kaye (Zach) has chosen not to relocate to Los Angeles. That is not surprising since his family (including Susan Haskell of OLTL) are in New York. Let’s hope the absence of this popular couple will not hurt the show.
Details about Chrishell Stause (Amanda) are not yet known. We do know the cast members staying with the show are Brittany Allen (Marissa), David Canary (Adam), Bobbie Eakes (Krystal), Melissa Claire Egan (Annie), Stephanie Gatschet (Madison), Ricky Paull Goldin (Jake), Vincent Irizarry (David), Shannon Kane (Natalia), Michael E. Knight (Tad), Jamie Luner (Liza), Adam Mayfield (Scott), J.R. Martinez (Brot), Cameron Mathison (Ryan), Debbi Morgan (Angie), Cornelius Smith Jr. (Frankie), Denise Vasi (Randi), Darnell Williams (Jesse) and Jacob Young (JR).
All My Children will tape for the last time in New York on Friday, December 11th.
Genevieve Phillips, who was married to Mackenzie’s father John Phillips from 1972 to 1985, sent a statement that Oprah read on Wednesday’s show, claiming the allegations weren’t true.
Michelle Phillips, who sang along with her husband of eight years in The Mamas and the Papas, made a statement of her own with The Hollywood Reporter’s Roger Friedman claims Mackenzie called to tell her about the affair and then called her back to tell her it was a joke.
Michelle’s daughter, Chynna Phillips, told Us Weekly that she believed Mackenzie’s revelation.
Chynna is scheduled to appear on Oprah this Friday.
While Mackenzie Phillips promotes her book, High On Arrival, she’s been spilling her family secrets. Her father was John Phillips of The Mamas And The Papas and she was a child star from American Graffiti and One Day At A Time.
First Mackenzie sat with Oprah on Wednesday and let out the bombshell that she had sex with her own father. That the “affair” lasted 10 years and what started as rape became consensual.
Thursday she stopped by The Today Show for another interview.
Mackezie also states that she became pregnant during the “affair” and because of the issue of paternity (she didn’t know if the child was her father’s or the child of the man she was seeing at the time) she chose to have an abortion.
The former wild-child also remembers a night she spent with Mick Jagger.
The book is sure to be a best seller. I would stay tuned though for family reactions.
Three teenagers visiting Eagles Riverfront Stadium on June 29 claim they were kicked out of the park because they refused to stand during the song “God Bless America” and are now suing the minor league Newark Bears. Surprise! Surprise!
The three boys all from Millburn High School are identified as 17 year olds Bryce Gadye and Nilkumar Patel and Shaan Mohammad Khan, 16.
The lawsuit claims the boys were seated behind home plate when the song began playing. When the song ended, they say Bears president and co-owner Thomas Cetnar approached them yelling that no one sits during ‘God Bless America’ in his stadium. Also cursing for them to leave the stadium. Cetnar denies that ever happened and called their account of what happened a lie.
“I think what makes it so horrible is that they were publicly humiliated for exercising a right that was guaranteed to them by the United States Constitution,” Gadye’s father used as their reason for the lawsuit.
So let me get this straight you want to stand behind your rights given in the Constitution of The United States, but refuse to sing a song about those freedoms.
Here is just a portion of the song: God bless America.
Land that I love.
Stand beside her and guide her,
Through the night with the light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.
I don’t think it’s too much to ask that you stand for a song celebrating a country that gives you the liberties and rights you expect and for which America allows you. Why wouldn’t you?
According to Ross Gadye, he met with general manager Mark Skeels and co-owner James Wankmiller after the incident. He said they apologized and offered and free tickets. However, the boys said the apology needs to come from Cetnar who would not meet with them and was sued soon after.
Wankmiller said they offered to meet with the boys and never heard back from them and that it all comes down to money. Another surprise!
I hope they don’t get a penny and then sued for wasting taxpayers money, because any hardworking taxpayer would stand for that song and for the U.S.
In August alone we lost three public figures. All famous for completely different reasons.
On August 25th Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy died after a year-long struggle with brain cancer at the age of 77. The younger brother of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Ted followed in their footsteps when he entered the Senate in 1962. In 1980 he ran for President, but lost the Democratic Primary to Jimmy Carter.
Over the course of his run in the Senate Kennedy fought hard for health insurance, civil rights, children’s health insurance, education and many more worthy causes. He will be remembered for his determination and sympathy.
The very next day we lost best-selling author and crime reporter Dominick Dunne when he died at age 83 after a battle with bladder cancer.
An American writer and investigative journalist Dunne made a name for himself reporting on celebrities and the judicial system.
Dunne started writing for Vanity fair in 1982 when his daughter, Dominique Dunne (who starred in the film Poltergeist) was murdered and he wrote the article “Justice: A Father’s Account of the Trial of his Daughter’s Killer.” He went on to host the TV series Dominick Dunne’s Power, Privilege, and Justice.
Then on August 28th Adam Goldstein, AKA DJ AM, was found dead at age 36 in his NY apartment. It has been reported as a drug overdose, it is not known if it was accidental or not. He was sober for nine years.
Goldstein was an American club DJ who often collaborated with Travis Barker of Blink-182. On September 19, 2008, Goldstein and Travis Barker were seriously injured in a Learjet crash that killed four others. Some say that was the cause of his relapse into drugs. He will be remembered by many for his willingness to help others in their quest for sobriety.
We all remember September 11, 2001 as if it were yesterday. Where we were, what we were doing, how we found out. It is a memory, no matter how horrifying it was, it is one that will haunt us forever. That was a day Americans finally realized that we are not untouchable and there are evil people in this world whose sole purpose is to destroy us.
As we all watched the Towers collapse, the Pentagon wall crumble and a big crater in the ground where a plane crashed our hearts broke. They broke for all those innocent people who were killed that day, that’s right they didn’t just die they were killed, viciously and intentionally. They still break every time a birthday or anniversary passes and every year we realize this day was not a nightmare.
So today we remember all those that lost their lives that day eight years ago. We remember the people who simply went to work that morning, the ones who sat on a plane and all those who gave their lives trying to help others. We will never forget.
I want to remember my friend Deanna, who was pregnant with her first child Matthew. I will never forget.
To the disgusting, evil men who took her life and the lives of almost 3,000 people that day, may you rot in hell. America will never forget.
The Obama Plan. It has been the focus of many debates and knee deep in controversy. I have a pre-existing condition so this affects me greatly. I say we break it down.
If you have Health Insurance:
Ends discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions.Those with pre-existing conditions are not denied health insurance. Health Insurance companies are not allowed to deny anyone coverage if you can pay their premiums, they are however going to make it incredibly hard for you. This was said to me personally by one of the biggest insurance companies. Their representative said those words to me when I tried to obtain their coverage. They will force you to pay high premiums while limiting your coverage and denying claims. By them denying claims you are denied treatment.
Limits premium discrimination based on gender and age. How? If you can do that, do it now.
Prevents insurance companies from dropping coverage when people are sick and need it most. It’s not that they drop your coverage, why would they if you are paying the premium. They will keep taking your money and just deny your claims.
Caps out-of pocket expenses so people don’t go broke when they get sick. Please see my thoughts below.
Eliminates extra charges for preventive care like mammograms, flu shots and diabetes tests to improve health and save money. Please see my thoughts below.
Protects Medicare for seniors. If this is truly a concern for them why did they just cut budgets for Medicare and stop making premium payments for seniors who cannot afford them? They did not give prior notice, they just took the money out of Social Security checks. The checks these people rely on to survive and pay for the medical costs Medicare does not cover.
Eliminates the “donut-hole” gap in coverage for prescription drugs. Isn’t this why the created Medicare part D? The part D plan gives Medicare recipients who did not have prior prescription coverage the plan to cut the out-of-pocket costs for their monthly prescriptions. Why not just expand the program?
If you don’t have Insurance:
Creates a new insurance marketplace – the Exchange – that allows people without insurance and small businesses to compare plans and buy insurance at competitive prices. This does not guarantee Americans will be able to afford it. If you have no job, which is the issue millions of Americans are facing you still cannot afford to pay any premium. They can compare plans now and buy insurance with the one who offers the lowest premium. However, they can’t afford the premium period, even the lowest isn’t low enough.
Provides new tax credits to help people buy insurance. He speaks about tax credits on a sliding scale and cost- sharing for out-of-pockets expenses, but he doesn’t care to elaborate or explain what these are to the Americans who don’t know. Cost-sharing is what they did to Medicaid, which made it impossible for some people with pre-existing conditions and life threatening disabilities to be covered under the program and excluded them from receiving health insurance. Also, who exactly will be able to receive these tax credits?
Provides small businesses tax credits and affordable options for covering employees.What about handing fines out to the employers who do not want to offer coverage or use the loop-hole and hire all part-time employees that they are not required to offer any benefits to.
Offers a public health insurance option to provide the uninsured and those who can’t find affordable coverage with a real choice.He also said it will be like Medicaid. Then he contradicted himself and said that this public option will operate like any private insurance company – it must be self-sufficient and rely on the premiums it collects. How if those on Medicaid cannot afford a premium? If it will be like Medicaid why not just improve that program, instead of creating one just like it. This public option is still on the table for one reason, no matter what he says it is geared toward those who already rely on public assistance. If not, why not eliminate the option. You are already supposed to be offering affordable coverage, so why does there have to be yet another option?
Immediately offers new, low-cost coverage through a national “high risk” pool to protect people with pre-existing conditions from financial ruin until the new Exchange is created.Again I ask, how? Who is going to provide this coverage and what will the limitations be? Again, what if it’s not as affordable as you are leading people to believe? You want us to accept what you say and wait for this new “Exchange” but we won’t receive it for another four years.
Requires additional cuts if savings are not realized. Under the plan, if the savings promised at the time of enactment don’t materialize, the President will be required to put forth additional savings to ensure that the plan does not add to the deficit. He says this, but what if at the time savings are not realized he will do what he has been doing and say we will put forth additional savings but it will take time. So he wants you to pass a bill that probably won’t even be realized during his Presidency and makes promises for future Presidents.
Requires large employers to cover their employees and individuals who can afford it to buy insurance so everyone shares in the responsibility of reform. Under the President’s plan, large businesses – those with more than 50 workers – will be required to offer their workers coverage or pay a fee to help cover the cost of making coverage affordable in the exchange. This will ensure that workers in firms not offering coverage will have affordable coverage options for themselves and their families. Individuals who can afford it will have a responsibility to purchase coverage – but there will be a “hardship exemption” for those who cannot. There it is at the very bottom, the exception to the everyone pays promise, the “hardship exemption.” What qualifies as a hardship? If you have not or do not pay taxes then you should not be allowed to be an exemption. People on Social Security Disability have paid taxes at one point in their life, this makes them eligible to receive Disability, that should be the only exemption.
America needs Health Care Reform, that is not under debate, however there is a way. It’s just not Obama’s way. Instead of finding ways to make it easier for patients to pay hospital bills why don’t you make the hospitals accountable for what they charge. There should be only one bill, a single bill received from the hospital, for services rendered.
There should not be a bill for each service. A patient should not receive a separate bill, one for the hospital stay, one for medication, one for lab tests and individual bills for each person who walks through their door.
That person should not be responsible to pay for each nurse and doctor who enters their room, that is why they get a paycheck. They should not be responsible for doctors they did not approve of who come in to read their chart and listen to their heart for two minutes.
Congress wants to cut health care costs and make it affordable for everyone, then start there. Stop allowing doctors and hospitals to take advantage of us.
Another way to cut costs, make insurance companies accountable. Instead of trying to pass a bill making separate programs improve the ones already in place. Instead of allowing these companies to profit off of us fine them for every legitimate claim they deny. Lower the costs of medical services and prescriptions, which you can by demanding these medical and prescription providers not be allowed to mark-up costs to the degree they do now. There can be a compromise between making a profit and offering affordable options. That’s what any Commission you create should be focusing on.
I don’t want to hear that is government interference, government interferes with everything else, why not let them interfere with what can benefit Americans.
There are many more ideas just like these, so why don’t we get them out in the open and then maybe, just maybe someone will listen.
I watched the new and modernized Melrose Place last night, mostly out of curiosity and to see how it compares to the old show. I was a little disappointed. Now I’ll explain why.
The old cast back in the 90’s looked twenty-something, the new cast looks like they are straight out of high school. Ella is supposed to be a hot shot publicist, but she looks more like the prom queen. Ashlee Simpson-Wentz’s character Violet looks boring. No offense to Ashlee, because she was barely in the episode I couldn’t even judge her acting ability.
Laura Leighton brought back Sydney Andrews, who apparently faked her own death all those years ago only to be murdered in the beginning of the episode. She will appear in flashbacks the rest of the season for the whodunnit theme. I think that was a big mistake. The character is great and Leighton plays her perfectly, she fit right back in her wicked shoes.
Dr. Michael Mancini (Thomas Calabro) is back, remarried with another child. I guess he hasn’t changed much as we find out he cheated on his wife with Sydney. However, a tangled web has been weaved when we also find out David, who now lives in the Melrose building is Michael’s estranged son and also slept with Sydney.
This confuses me only because they never say who David’s mother is. On the old show Sydney’s sister Jane was married to Michael, but during that time they didn’t have children. They comment that it’s only been 11 years, so how could he have a twenty-something son? Who is his mother? Please don’t tell me he can possibly be Sydney’s nephew, because that would just be gross.
Without giving scene by scene or a recap of the whole episode let’s just say they definitely kicked off the show with a bang. The older version worked it’s way to being wicked and hot, this one started off with murder, prostitution, black mail, alcoholics and girl on girl action. I guess you can say it didn’t disappoint in that sense.
I will watch the show, because I was a fan of the old and maybe they’ll bring back more of the old cast. Also, I’ll watch for Colin Egglesfield, who plays Auggie Kirkpatrick, I’ve met him and enjoyed watching him on All My Children. Maybe the rest of the new cast will surprise me. I won’t make judgments off one episode.
Anyone who watches One Life To Live knows by now the actress who played Carlotta Vega, Patricia Mauceri, was let go from the soap opera. It was not due to storyline dictation or poor
performance. The character was recast and she believes she was replaced because of her religious beliefs.
Mauceri has been with the show for 14 years and claims that she was let go because she objected to a gay storyline. When she questioned the storyline due to her devout Christian beliefs she was replaced.
Mauceri spoke with FOX News and told them it was not being in a gay storyline that she objected to, she objected to speaking the truth of what that person, how that person would live and breathe and act in that storyline. That it would go against her belief system, and what she knows the character’s belief system is aligned to.
The scene at the center of the issue, which has already aired, involved her character’s reaction to thinking she found out her son is gay. It was a harmless scene that was not meant to inspire controversy.
If the powers that be felt so strongly that this scene had to take place and they believed the current actress would get in the way, then they should have replaced her for the episode not permanently. Mauceri told FOX that she’s considering legal options regarding her termination.
An ABC spokesperson told FOX that they were not aware of her claims that she was fired due to religious beliefs. The spokesperson went on to say should such claims surface they would be frivolous.
It was announced Thursday morning on Good Morning America that Diane Sawyer will be taking over ABC’s World News anchor chair next year. Charlie Gibson has announced he will retire at the end of the year.
If you ask me I think Diane Sawyer will blow away the competition as anchor of World News, her competition being Katie Couric at CBS’s Evening News and Brian William’s of NBC’s Nightly News.
Walmart has recalled a total of 4.2 million Durabrand DVD players they sold for $29 since 2006. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission cited consumer reported incidents where the Made in China DVD players were overheating and caused fires.
A Walmart spokeswoman told WalletPop the stores have stopped selling the players and if one inadvertently was left behind the cash registers have been programmed to block the sale.
Anyone who has purchased this DVD player should bring it to the customer service desk at their local Walmart store. They will receive a full refund, even without a receipt.
The Walmart spokesperson also states that they hope people do not resell them at yard sales or on online auction sites.
Consumers with questions about the recall can call Walmart at (800) 925-6278 Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. EST.
Robert Benmosche, the new CEO of insurance giant AIG, is most likely going to get his $7 million bonus and $3.5 million incentive program. This is not sitting well with shareholders and government officials and I’m sure not going to be welcomed news to taxpayers.
AIG has received $180 billion in taxpayers money over the last year. The company was bailed out or it faced financial ruin, but it has no qualms about handing over millions to one person. If you didn’t believe it before you certainly know it now. The root of their downfall almost was and still may be: GREED.
It’s being reported that Kenneth Feinberg, nicknamed “pay czar,” who was appointed by the Obama administration to oversee the compensation of top executives at companies which have received federal bailout assistance will approve the AIG compensation deal.
Mr. Benmosche wants what the board offered him or he will leave. So let him! I’m positive that you can find an executive with just as much, if not more experience than greedy Benmosche. Someone who wants to see the taxpayers money put to good use and actually start to turn this economy and AIG around.
The Obama administration needs to finish what they started. They handed out all this money, now see it through. They should put in place reasonable compensation packages to all executives, current and future. By reasonable, I mean by taxpayers standards. If they don’t want them, they can leave.
It’s their greed that got us in trouble to begin with. Let them go. There are enough people out of work and/or retired to choose from that can and will do the job effectively.
Only a few weeks after Robin Strasser (Dorian Lord) re-signs with the show comes news that Erika Slezak (Victoria Banks) has too renewed her contract with One Life to Live.
The message Slezak wrote to her fans on her Official Website states, “I am very happy to be remaining with One Life to Live for the next few years – and am looking forward to good stories and lots of fun.”
VH1 has cancelled two shows due to the participation of the late Ryan Jenkins.
Jenkins was charged with the murder of his ex-wife, Jasmine Fiore, and was recently found dead in a Canadian hotel. He hung himself.
Jenkins was a contestant on ‘Megan Wants A Millionaire’ and he appeared in episodes for ‘I Love Money 3′, so VH1 has decided to cancel both shows.
Since producers of the shows now admit that had they been aware of Jenkins prior criminal record he would not have been allowed to participate in either show. Aren’t they supposed to do background checks? Maybe now it will become more of a priority.
The Michael Jackson movie everyone has been talking about has a release date. The movie is titled This Is It for what would’ve been Jackson’s final concert tour in London.
It’s being given an unusual release for a limited two week run on October 28, 2009 and the studio is putting the tickets up for sale on September 27, over a month before the film is actually released.
I guess it’s fitting that the director of the film is Kenny Ortega. The choreographer/director had worked closely with Jackson before becoming director of what was to be the upcoming This Is It concerts.
The filmmakers confirm that This Is It will not contain sequences shot in 3-D, as previously reported.
I can’t stand Nadya Suleman, you know Octo-Mom. I think she needs to seek help for a mental illness, that is the only explanation I can possibly give. She’s sick in the head.
Last night I caught a glimpse of the Octo-Mom special on TV. I was not planning on watching it, that is why I would not promote it, but caught it in a channel surf.
The two minutes I caught was a paparazzi following Nadya to her car asking her if when the kids are older she would do a reality show. Her answer was no because that would be exploiting her kids. Umm Hellloooo!!!! According to UsMagazine.com Suleman admits that her children received a six figure account as payment.
She recently told Us Weekly that she screwed up her life, her kids’ lives and it was a mistake having so many kids without a father figure. You think!
Suleman also berates Kate Gosselin, a fellow Octo-Mom, for being an attention seeker. I guess just because you’re on television and create a website asking for money that doesn’t mean you are seeking attention.
So because she was making money for the children’s future that makes it okay to exploit them. Yes Nadya, what you are doing is considered exploitation. Look it up, here I’ll even help you: exploitation.
Today the man convicted of killing 270 people in the 1988 explosion of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland was set free on compassionate grounds, allowing him to die at home in Libya from prostate cancer.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill claimed because Abdel Basset al-Megrahi’s condition has deteriorated he was bound by Scottish values to release him. That decision should not have been left up to him, every country that had citizens on that plane should have had a say.
Abdel Basset al-Megrahi was one of two men indicted in 1991. The other suspect was Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah. Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah, was found not guilty and freed.
Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, a former Libyan intelligence officer, was convicted on Janurary 31, 2001 for his part in the December 21, 1988 bombing of Flight 103. It took them 13 years to convict him and since his conviction in 2001 he has only served eight years of his life sentence.
So what if he is dying. So what if he wants to spend what little time he has left with his family in Libya. He should not be given the benefit of any compassion. He should not be shown any mercy since he showed no mercy to the 270 people who died as a result of that explosion. As of today no one is being punished for murdering all those people. Justice has failed.
We all know by now that Kourtney Kardashian (Keeping Up With The Kardashians & Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami) is pregnant with her on-again boyfriend, Scott Disick’s, child. What we didn’t know what that she considered not keeping the baby and wasn’t thinking about adoption. She speaks openly and as far as I can tell honestly about how difficult the decision was for her.
Kourtney took everyone’s opinions into consideration, but says ultimately the decision was hers and hers alone. She confesses that all the reasons she had for not keeping the baby were selfish and that she wasn’t in a position where she couldn’t support the baby. After researching abortion online, speaking to a doctor and crying she made her decision and says she is very happy with it.
I have to say that when I read the title of the article I passed judgments and was ready to blast her, but after reading I changed my mind and think that the article was a very good idea. Maybe it can help others who find themselves having to make that difficult choice. I also commend her for having the courage to put herself out there, especially on such a touchy subject. Good for you Kourtney!
This season’s cast is the biggest the show has had. Donny Osmond appeared live on ABC’s Good Morning America to announce a cast that includes himself.
Here’s the full cast:
Donny Osmond: Singer
Mya: R&B Singer and Actress
Michael Irvin: Former NFL Wide-Receiver
Melissa Joan Hart: Actress (Sabrina the Teenage Witch)
Kelly Osbourne: Singer
Debi Mazar: Actress (Entourage)
Chuck Liddell: Light Heavyweight Champion
Natalie Coughlin: Olympic Gold Medalist in Swimming
Joanna Krupa: Swimsuit Model
Aaron Carter: Singer
Tom DeLay: Former House Majority Leader
Kathy Ireland: Model
Ashley Hamilton: Actor, Son of former ‘Dancing’ contestant George Hamilton; previously married to Shannen Doherty and Angie Evehart.
Mark Dacascos: Actor, host of ‘Iron Chef America’
Louie Vito: Pro snowboarder
Macy Gray: Grammy-winning singer
What did I tell you, the Michael Jackson rumors just keep on coming.
Claire Elisabeth Fields Cruise has filed guardianship petitions for each of Michael Jackson’s kids and just wait until you hear why…
TMZ has a video of the woman holding a press conference. During the conference she states she is the biological mother of all three of his children, then names the three supposed biological fathers. Her wild claims include that she was married to Jackson and that Connor Cruise, the adopted son of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, was in fact Michael Jackson’s biological son. When asked why he would give his son up for adoption, she answered that he did not want his own child because of the color of his skin.
After filming only half of the movie The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus in the starring role of Tony, Heath Ledger, unexpectedly passed away.
The role was recast with Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell portraying transformations of the character as he travels through a dream world.
For a glimpse of director Terry Gilliam’s film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus please view the trailer below. The film has a US release date of December 25.
The publishing world is crossing their fingers hoping that Dan Brown’s sequel to the blockbuster hit The Da Vinci Code is a success when it’s released to the public.
The publication date for The Lost Symbol has been set for September 15, 2009.
Well, if it is a hit like the last one was we will definitely see it in theaters within a year or two.
It’s starting! More people are starting to come out of the woodwork making all sorts of claims. You knew it was going to happen and will continue for years to come. I’m thinking of making a category dedicated to it.
A British tabloid is reporting that Mark Lester, a close friend of Michael Jackson’s and godfather of his three children, is claiming to be the father of at least one of his children. Lester claims he donated his sperm to Jackson while he was married to Debbie Rowe and believes Paris is his daughter.
Mr. Lester is claiming to come forward only because he is no longer allowed contact with the children. So this is his way of ensuring he will remain in contact with the children.
Why just Paris? Why would Michael use two different fathers for his children with Rowe? Why should anyone believe him? Apparently another of Jackson’s friends Uri Geller is saying it is possible. OK So that makes it true!
The “Cash For Clunkers” program was a success, because it increased sales for the auto industry, but the program was running out of money. The initial $1 billion had all but run out in just 10 days. So what do they do? What every other industry is doing, asking for more money and that’s just what they’re getting.
The Senate voted to keep the program alive, which gives consumers up to $4,500 in federal subsidies if they trade in their cars for new, more energy-efficient models.
The only problem I have with this program is that you are walking into a car dealership and yes, you will automatically get $4,500 for the car you trade-in, but who’s to say they aren’t ripping you off for the car you’re buying. So you are helping an industry that is keeping consumers in debt.
The President had this to say, “Cash for clunkers has been a proven success,” Obama said in a written statement issued shortly after the vote. “The initial transactions are generating a more than 50 percent increase in fuel economy; they are generating $700 to $1000 in annual savings for consumers in reduced gas costs alone, and they are getting the oldest, dirtiest and most air polluting trucks and SUV’s off the road for good.”
Seriously, it’s been 10 days, how could he possibly know that. This program was created for one reason, to give the auto industry a boost and that is what it did. Why give it more money? So consumers continue to pay for cars they can’t afford. Let’s see they already spent $1 billion, so what’s another $2 billion dollars, that’s how much more they are planning to give.
I’m telling you this Obama gives out billions like candy. I wish he’d give me some, but I’m not rich or poor and that’s the only people he gives it to.
It’s been confirmed by cast and websites such as Daytime Confidential. ABC soap opera All My Children is moving to Los Angeles after 39 years of being filmed in New York. The show is set to move to CA in December, begin filming in Los Angeles on January 4th and airing in HD in February. The new facility is reportedly twice as big as its current studio, complete with two stages which will allow for permanent sets.
Another ABC soap is also getting an upgrade toward streamlined production modules and facility improvements. One Life to Livewill now move into All My Children’s former New York studio which is 30% larger than it’s current space.
I have to say I am a little disappointed. I remember when I was nine years old I visited the original All My Children studios in NYC as a guest of Susan Lucci. It was the first time I had ever visited a television studio. I was able to explore the sets and meet the cast. It was such a wonderful experience.
I’m from NY and there are so few TV shows actually taped here, I’d hate to lose the ones we do have. What about the cast?
According to setside sources, all contract players will be offered the chance to relocate. Brian Frons, President of ABC Daytime told the cast everyone who is on contract will be moved, unless they don’t want to go. I am curious to see who will go and who will stay. You have to think about the actors who have a families rooted in NY.
Also, with AMC veterans such as Jill Larson, Lee Meriwether and Jennifer Bassey on recurring status, this could mean the end for their beloved characters.
John Hughes has died at 59 of a heart attack. He reportedly suffered the heart attack while taking a morning walk in NYC.
He will be remembered for writing and directing popular ’80s films as “The Breakfast Club,” “Pretty in Pink,” “Sixteen Candles” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Through those movies he helped launch the careers of many of the famous 1980’s Rat Pack, especially Molly Ringwald.
Diane Schuler is the 36 year old who drove her minivan with five children inside toward oncoming traffic on July 26, 2009 on the Taconic State Parkway. Her actions caused the minivan to hit an SUV killing the three men inside resulting in a fiery crash which also killed Schuler and four of the children. The only one in the car to survive was Schuler’s son.
Everyone wondered how this could happen. We know she made a call to her brother that she didn’t feel good and she felt disoriented, so why didn’t she pull over? Now we know why. The woman driving who was known for being caring and a good mother and aunt was drunk and high on marijuana.
How could you be drunk and high and no one around you knew? How on Earth could you consider yourself a good mother and aunt and put these children lives in danger? How could her brother allow her to take his children with her? How could he not know she was under the influence?
Diane Schuler’s brother Warren Hance’s three young daughters died in the crash.
This was a tragic accident, but it could have been prevented. The lives of three men and four children were lost, because no one paid attention. I could tell if someone around me has had a little too much to drink. This woman was drunk and high. No one is that good at hiding an addiction. Her family is grieving, but they should also feel guilt. Warren Hance will feel both everyday for the rest of his life knowing he could have prevented the death of his daughters.
This is an unforgiving reason for a terrible tragedy.
Trust me. Listen to me. I can fix this. I’m looking out for your best interest. That’s what we hear from lawmakers promising us the world, but really just looking for our vote. We all know most of those promises are always broken. After all to the candidates they are just words. However, we did start to trust them a little bit and hope they can change our daily lives for the better. They were making someones life better, their own.
Now it’s become sort of a joke, hearing about all the corruption in the government. These people are using the positions we gave them to get rich and powerful, while we suffer.
Everyday it’s something different, two NJ Mayors and an Assemblyman arrested for money-laundering, among other things, former Rep. William Jefferson was convicted of taking bribes and federal agents found $90,000 in his freezer and really what politician isn’t having an extramarital affair these days.
A word to all those who seek re-election or running for the first time, we always find out. Do not think that we can be fooled for long, because there are eyes everywhere. Do not seek a position of power for your own selfish needs. If you are lucky enough to become the next Governor, Senator, Mayor or President, then do your job and stop worrying about screwing around (I mean that figuratively and literally). If you are elected follow through on your promises. Try making us all proud not sorry.
Are you a fan of the television series LOST? Are you obsessed with figuring out the mysteries and secrets of the island? Would you like to learn more about time travel? Well, do we have a website for you. ABC the network that brings you LOST is now opening LOST University.
At LOST University you will be able to further explore the themes and mysteries of not only the television show, but also how they relate to the world around you.
On September 22nd, 2009 enrollment will begin for the very first semester of LOST University. You will take a placement exam, receive a student ID and watch your University introductory class LOST 101.
The first semester begins on December 8, 2009. So visit the LOST University website and begin your journey today.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler (AKA Meadow Soprano) has signed on to play Natalie, Daniel’s new assistant on “Ugly Betty” season 4. Sigler also has a recurring role in the new season of Entourage playing herself as Turtle’s girlfriend. Psst…They are dating off screen too.
By now everyone knows T.R. Knightwill not be back for the sixth season of Grey’s Anatomy. His character George O’Malley was hit and dragged by a bus on the season finale and it has been confirmed he will not be returning. However, Katherine Heigl who’s character Izzie Steven’s life was also hanging in the balance in that episode will be back.
Jennie Garth will be returning for the second season of 90210. No word yet on Tori Spelling or Shannen Doherty, but I’ll keep you posted.
Jorja Fox, who left CSI last year, will be returning as Sara Sidle for a few episodes starting September 24th. Even though Sara left the show with William Peterson’s character Gil Grissom, he will not be returning with her.
If you are on Twitter and you follow celebrities you noticed many of them tweeting, “Who is Sliimy”? Well, now we know why. Because Perez Hilton asked them to.
Hilton started a label called Perezcious Music and his first signed artist is……. you guessed it Sliimy! He’s a French singer who has been on YouTube for his cover of the Britney Spears song Womanizer.
If you are Perez Hilton and you want to get the word out and get peoples attention what do you do? You enlist celebrity pals to tweet “Who is Sliimy?,” creating instant online buzz.
Babies R Us has been hit with a class-action lawsuit filed in 2006 with the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia. The lawsuit was certified by a judge last week.
The lawsuit claims the company threatened its suppliers forcing them to make sure no competitor would be able to beat their prices. This hurt the business of many local shops and gave Babies R Us the ability to dominate the market.
The growth of e-commerce sites took it to another level which according to the lawsuit, caused the company to cheat its competitors and consumers.
Evidence has been presented showing that suppliers were also forced to stop selling to e-commerce sites. They did so in an effort to protect the Babies R Us business and margin, therefore accepting legal risk.
Corporate spokeswoman Jennifer Albano said the company will not comment on pending litigation.
The memorial for Michael Jackson that took place in California’s Staples Center won’t be the last. It’s being said that those close to Jackson are planning another memorial concert at the O2 Arena in London. The place where his “This Is It” concert tour was to start later this month. The memorial concert is being planned for August 29th, which would have been M.J.’s 51st birthday.
NBC reportedly offered $10 million for the special and were planning to use it as a launch pad for Jay Leno’s new prime time show. However, it doesn’t look like that will happen. When NBC first made the offer it was to include the memorial special, backstage footage and maybe even a Universal film. NBC has yet to confirm this story.
It’s also been said that Sony and Fox are interested in producing a film about Michael Jackson and have offered $50 million or more for the rights.
Visit Scoop de Jour for updates as this story develops.
If you are going on vacation and looking for reviews on different hotels…don’t believe the hype!
Wallet Pop first reported last month TripAdvisor.com has started placing disclaimers on many of its hotel pages. It seems that the hotels or people associated with them are trying to manipulate the popularity index.
So be warned that certain properties have learned how to use the site to steer you to them.
The Little People of America are asking the FCC to ban the use of the word “midget” on broadcast television. They consider it just as hurtful and demeaning as a racial slur.
All this started because of an episode of Celebrity Apprentice where contestants created a detergent ad called “Jesse James and the Midgets.” It did not help that one of the contestants, Joan Rivers, proposed using the soap to bath little people then hang them to dry.
Stella D’oro’s only factory and a Bronx staple is closing, the announcement was made this week by Brynwood Partners who own the pastry brand.
Stella D’Oro, “gold star” in Italian, was created in 1932 by Joseph and Angela Kresevich in a small Bronx factory. The brand has been sold a few times since then, but the factory remained open.
That is until Brynwood Partners (it’s latest owner) decided to start cutting benefits and pay on the factory employees and those employees went on strike soon after. After a court ordered them to rehire those employees Brynwood Partners has decided to close the factory.
Brynwood is moving the brand to other facilities where some of the famous products will stay in production.
OK I had this whole post I was going to type about how the President should be a little bit more sympathetic to all those who are unemployed and pay his employees wages similar to those they would be paid outside the White House. I mean does he really need to pay $172,000 to 22 assistants? Does he really need 22 assistants?
While it’s still true I don’t think anyone needs 22 assistants, I have thought about it and I would never want to work at the White House. Although I am sure it is an an honor to some, those employees are over-worked and their personal lives undoubtedly suffer for it.
The jobs are demanding and stressful and I would never want to do them, but someone has to. So you know what, if you have to follow the President around everywhere he goes and cater to his every whim, then you deserve $172,000 a year.
According to CNN and South Korea’s Defense Ministry, North Korea is at it again. This time by testing three short-range missiles off its east coast Thursday.
U.S. Military Communications told CNN that North Korea had issued a warning to mariners similar to the one it issued in April, when it tested a long-range missile.
That April ‘military exercise’ was a nuclear test in May, which threatened U.S. and South Korean ships near its territorial waters.
North Korea is not listening to the warnings of Obama, no surprise.
If you ask me North Korea is looking for a war. This is their strategy. They want to be able to blame big, bad America when it fires at North Korea when all they were trying to do was test their military weapons.
They claim the Lee regime (Lee Myung-bak, President of South Korea) is inventing a nuclear threat from North Korea. That Lee is trying to ignite a war, they continually refer back to the Korean War and the part the United States played, or as they put it, it was America’s fault.
North Korea has fired nuclear missiles and is not stopping, tests or not. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it’s a duck.
They state the nuclear test was a powerful sword, self-defense against the U.S. and it’s followers hostile policies against it, their way of defending the Korean Peninsula .
They state in no uncertain terms that the DPRK is building up their nuclear deterrent to respond to the US invasion with resolute punishment.
I think it’s important for everyone to understand how they think. It’s really not all that different than those of a radical terrorist, always thinking we are trying to conquer the world. If they pursue this vendetta and their progression of nuclear weapons will America be left with no choice? Would it lead to WWIII, or what will undoubtedly be a Nuclear War?
Brooke Greenberg is a medical mystery, she is 16 years old, but is only 16 pounds and 30 inches tall. Many believe she is the fountain of youth or the one who holds the key. Although Brooke is a teenager her physical appearance is that of a toddler and her mental ability leaves her unable to speak other than the sounds of an infant.
Her body doesn’t develop as a coordinated unit. She still has baby teeth, but her bone age is estimated to be more like a 10 year old. Brooke has never been diagnosed with any known genetic syndrome or chromosomal abnormality that would help explain why.
There were many close calls in Brooke’s early years, she has recovered from them all and yet no one can explain why. Such as why she suffered a brain seizure followed by a stroke and somehow weeks later there was no apparent damage.
At four years old she had an abnormal, seemingly overpowering lack of energy causing her to sleep for 14 days. After which doctors diagnosed a brain tumor but then Brooke woke up and appeared fine. Tests declared there was no tumor. Her sudden and intense illnesses remain a mystery and her ability to recover from them still baffles doctors.Doctors even tried growth hormone therapy, but it proved futile. Geneticists are studying Brooke’s cells and DNA. They are hoping there is some genetic mutation that may be able to explain why Brooke does not age. They are also hoping to isolate the gene and answer questions to the aging process and mortality of humans.
Howard Greenberg, Brooke’s father would like to find out if Brooke holds the secret to aging and believes everybody is here for a reason and that maybe this is why Brooke is here.Melanie and Howard have three other children, none of which have been affected by any medical conditions. Emily, 22; Caitlin, 19; and Carly, 13. To all of them Brooke is just another younger sister.
After reading an article on Wallet Pop about states raising taxes I am left disappointed in the people we voted for. Their job is to look out for the best interest of their states and its residents.
It is obvious they understand that they are losing money usually gained from income taxes, because of the rising unemployment issue. So what I don’t understand is why they would think it’s a good idea to charge those people who have no money coming in besides their unemployment benefits more money on everything?
NOTE TO ALL LAWMAKERS: STOP TRYING TO MAKE MONEY OFF THE PEOPLE WHO DON’T HAVE IT. FIND ANOTHER WAY.
Stop handing out raises and bonuses to already highly paid executives. Actually, make sure the people that get to keep their jobs deserve it.
I would like to know where all the tax money has been going. What about all the money being made from bridge & tunnel tolls, traffic or parking tickets, all the parking meters and every lottery ticket (and don’t tell me it’s going towards education)? Just to name a few.
Every single thing we purchase has a tax on it and every pay check we receive decrease as the months pass. Sure Obama gave us an extra $13.00 a week in our pay, that should really put a dent in our household bills.
The last will signed in 2002 by Michael Jackson has been filed with the court by his lawyer, John Branca.
Jackson nominated his mother, Katherine, to be made the guardian of his children and their estates. The will states if Katherine did not survive him or was unable or unwilling to act as guardian, he nominated Diana Ross.
The will leaves his entire estate to the Trustee or Trustees of The Michael Jackson Family Trust. The Executors of that Trust are John Branca (his lawyer), John McClain (music executive) and Barry Siegel (his accountant). However, Barry Siegel resigned from his role as executor in 2003.
The document also states Jackson intentionally omitted to provide for his former wife, Deborah Jean Rowe Jackson.
Sources are saying a drug used for surgical anesthesia was found at Michael Jackson’s house after he died. Some believe it may be what killed him.
The drug Propofol was reportedly found at the house he was renting at the time of his death. Propofol is used before surgery as an anesthesia. It is a potent drug given through an IV and if not administered correctly can be very dangerous. It would never be prescribed to be administered outside a hospital.
The sources also point out that a side affect of Propofol is that it burns and Lidocaine might be used to reduce the pain from the Propofol injection. TMZ also reported that Lidocaine was found near Jackson’s body when he was found unconscious.
A major side effects of Propofol is cardiac arrest if taken in combination with narcotic painkillers, but Propofol is powerful enough that it can stop someone’s heart on its own.
A nurse has come forward claiming she knew about Jackson wanting this drug. However, I did watch her on CNN and becasue her story cannot be confirmed and I’m not sure I believe it I will not post anything further.
The drug Propofol is not meant for home use, if a doctor assisted in obtaining it and administered it for Jackson and it is found to have caused his death, they could be prosecuted for manslaughter.
Multiple sources are confirming the biological parents of Michael Jackson’s two oldest children, Prince Michael and Paris, are Debbie Rowe and her former boss Arnold Klein. Klein was Jackson’s L.A.-based dermatologist.
An insider claims Rowe and Klein signed an agreement to never reveal the truth. If this is so I would think that the three of them and the doctor who handled the in vitro would be the only people who knew. All of a sudden there are multiple sources.
The President is asking you to share your thoughts and submit questions on health care reform. He will answer some of the most popular questions in a town hall meeting on Wednesday at 1:15 pm EST.
Watch the video on YouTube and learn how to submit your 20-30 second video asking your question. Maybe your question will be one of the lucky submissions he chooses to address.
Vibe Magazine, that focused on hip hop and R&B music was founded in the 90’s by Quincy Jones and quickly began to enjoy significant success. Early this afternoon Daily Finance broke the news of it’s immediate closure.
It was said that the magazine on the eve of it’s sixteenth anniversary was scheduled to work on a Michael Jackson Tribute. Sadly, it doesn’t seem that will happen now.
We’ve just learned Michael Jackson’s body is set to be driven to Neverland Ranch late Thursday morning.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ upwards of a 30 car motorcade — including Jackson’s body — will be traveling from Los Angeles to Neverland at 10 AM on Thursday.
We’re told law enforcement is currently meeting to discuss security and traffic control. Our sources say plans are in the works for a public viewing to take place on either Friday or Saturday.
TMZ has received word that Michael Jackson’s body is set to go home to Neverland Ranch late Thursday morning.
Law enforcement sources say a motorcade of 30 cars or more will travel from Los Angeles to Neverland at 10 AM on Thursday.
They are meeting to discuss security and traffic control. Their sources also say that plans are in the works for a public viewing on either Friday or Saturday.
According to biographer Ian Halperin, Michael Jackson recorded more than 100 songs, but refused to release any of them. Not even to pull himself out of debt.
They were left by Jackson for his children, a very personal legacy to them to be heard only after he died. There is a chance, depending on who is left control of Michael’s estate, that we may get to hear them after all.
Halperin has an upcoming book “Unmasked, The Michael Jackson Story” which at the moment has no official release date.
Credit Card companies are using your purchases against you. They are pulling your purchasing data and using that information to determine your whether or not your are a credit risk.
What you are purchasing or where you are using your card has played a part in the possibility of lowering your credit limit or increasing your interest rate. Both affect your credit score.
The new credit card reform law that the President signed in May 2009 requires federal regulators to investigate this bias practice. This investigation is to be completed in a year.
The Swedish parents of a 2 1/2 year old child are refusing to reveal the child’s sex. They refer to the child only as “Pop” and only a very select few know Pop’s true gender.
The 24 year old parents feel that a gender is like putting a blue or pink stamp on the child’s forehead and do not want their child to be constrained by a specific mold that a gender would give.
Pop wears everything from pants to dresses, so there is no wardrobe indication of a sway towards one gender.
There are different opinions on whether or not the parents are doing the right thing. I think that by not allowing your child to be who they are is not a way to teach them that no matter who you are, what sex, what race, you can do whatever you want. I think that we as a society have proved that already. What do you think?
Michael Jackson’s mother Katherine granted temporary guardianship of his kids. Katherine & Joe Jackson also petitioned the court to prove Michael had a will.
The papers say Michael died intestate, which means, without a will. It’s obvious the parents do not know if a will does in fact exist. The petition asks for Michael’s mother to be named as administrator of the will.
However, it’s been reported that Michael’s lawyer for many years, John Branca, has a signed will that he intends to file within 30 days.
After filing guardianship papers, Katherinehas been granted temporary guardianship of Michael’s three kids, Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael II (also known as Blanket). Debbie Rowe is the biological mother of Prince Michael and Paris, but Prince Michael II was born via a surrogate who’s name was never revealed.
Madoff bowed his head and said nothing as he was sentenced to pretty much life in prison for his part in the largest Ponzi scheme in history. I bet his victims are happy, but considering most of them were financially ruined by Madoff I doubt there is much celebrating going on.
The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of white firefighters from New Haven, CT. It reverses a decision Sonia Sotomayor endorsed when she was an appeals court judge and these men were unfairly denied promotions because of their race.
The claim was New Haven did away with a promotions exam because no African-Americans and only two Hispanic firefighters were likely to pass, which would give them the opportunity to be made lieutenants or captains based on the results. The city’s action was based on a fear they would be sued by the minorities.
Sotomayor, who is nominated to take Justice David Souter’s place in the Supreme Court, was one of the three judges who ruled in agreement with New Haven officials and the city acted properly in throwing out the promotions exams because it would give the minorities a disadvantage.
The city was afraid of being charged with violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which included the Equal Employment Opportunity Act. However, the EEOA is against discrimination of any kind for any race, so by choosing to eliminate an exam based on a racial decision, wouldn’t that violate the Act? The white firefighters agree.
The outcome of the case could and should alter how employers make job-related decisions. The point of these exams is exactly what should be, to determine the best person for the job based on their knowledge and experience. If there are some who cannot pass the test then they should not be allowed a promotion when certain knowledge is required.
He is notorious for his killing spree in the 1970’s, David Berkowitz better known as the “Son of Sam,” got that name because of his claims a dog that belonged to his neighbor, Sam Carr, commanded him to kill.
He taunted New York City from 1976-1977 but now refers to those days as a terrible nightmare. He has written letters expressing remorse to Andy Kahan, crime victim advocate for the city of Houston. Berkowitz seems content with spending the rest of his life in prison as a way to make amends for what he did.
For the past few years Berkowitz has been trying to help Kahan stop the profiting of murderabilia, the sellingof personal items or correspondence, etc. Anything that once belonged to a serial killer.
He even goes so far as to credit Berkowitz with helping him convince eBay to prohibit the sale of murderabilia. That’s why his words seem sincere to Kahan, especially since, he is the reason for the “Son of Sam law” which forbids criminals from profiting off their crimes. That law was created as a result of rumors Berkowitz was planning to write a book.
It’s interesting to point out that due to references by Berkowitz of a satanic cult and a few too many unanswered questions the case was reopened in 1996 and is still considered open.
It’s looks like Bernie Madoff will be forced to forfeit $171 billion in possessions. Though his lawyer is trying for a lighter sentence prosecutors are looking to make a 150 year prison sentence stick.
The order was passed down on Friday. It also settled claims against Madoff’s wife. Ruth Madoff has lost interest in property reportedly worth $80 million, leaving her with $2.5 million in assets.
The seized properties listed in the order include homes in Manhattan, Montauk, NY and Palm Beach, FL and all insured or salable personal property contained in the homes. Also, accounts valued at nearly $63 million.
The government is looking to make an example out of Madoff and assure he will be in prison for life.
He was found unresponsive this morning by his wife at his home in Tampa, FL. Mays was known to have a larger-than-life personality and he will be missed.
The new Calvin Klein billboard some say is just as provocative but less controversial. No one will know if the company took the other billboard (that some referred to as borderline pornography) down because of the public outcry over it or because of the arrival of summer. The new ad features a model emerging from the surf.
They accuse at least 26 brands of manufacturing products containing a high level of lead. High enough the group claims that it can pose a health risk when touched or handled.
Everyone is aware that lead is not safe for children, it is also unsafe for pregnant women. Check the site to see if you have purchased handbags from any retailer on the list.
There are too many working, single mother’s out there for this excuse to fly. If you need to work you make prior arrangements for your child, whether it be babysitters or food. How could you let your son gain that much weight, nevermind not seek help?
There were reports that Goldblum fell to his death on a movie set in New Zealand. According to New Zealand Police those reports were false. As far as they know he’s not even in New Zealand. Still the actors reps have yet to make an official statement.
It was confirmed by the L.A. Coroner and by now every news station around the world, Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50. The singer was rushed to the hospital after going into cardiac arrest. There were claims that he was unconscious when the ambulance arrived and some say he had already passed away by that time.
His fans have camped out in front of his home where police have been called and UCLA Hospital has blocked the entrance to the emergency room. News stations, such as CNN, have been playing clips of his best hits including the best selling album of all-time Thriller.
Today with the death of both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson networks are scramming to rearrange their prime time lineups and make room for special coverage on their passing. I will post more as news comes in. As a fan of Michael Jackson I am shocked and sad. He was the best entertainer of my generation. You will be hearing more from me on his passing.
It seems that even though the election is over and her team didn’t win, Gov. Sarah Palin is still a target. From Tina Fey to David Letterman and from her own state.
The Alaska governor’s office said there has been 15 ethics complaints against Palin or her staff which have been dismissed, but others are pending.
The ones filing the grievances are obviously trying to force Palin out of office by turning the public against her. Also, ruining her chances of running a successful campaign as the next president, should she choose to do so. They are using the legal system to hold Palin accountable for what they see as abuses of power.
Anchorage Republican Rep. Bob Lynn is going to introduce a bill to stop ethics complaints from being publicly discussed unless the state finds they have merit. He states an ethics complaint filed against a legislator is confidential until it’s determined to have merit. The bill would provide the same rule for complaints against the governor and her staff, if you talk about the complaint it’s dismissed.
The bill will go through much scrutiny by opposers to see if it’s not a violation of constitutional rights. In the meantime Palin claims that lawsuits resulting from such complaints have put her more than $500,000.00 in debt. She has also reimbursed the state $8,143.62 for nine trips taken between January 2007 and February of this year by her family.
Why haven’t other heads of state been forced to pay back money used for their own pleasure? I think they all should.
Actress Farrah Fawcett has died at age 62. The iconic star of Charlie’s Angels battled anal cancer for 3 years after being diagnosed in 2006. There were reports this week of bedside vigils when she was hospitalized again.
Fawcett’s longtime partner Ryan O’Neal was by her side when she passed away. He hoped to marry her before she passed away. They share a son Redmond.
Well, it took him a few days but blogger Perez Hilton has issued an apology. He states it wasn’t forced and it’s not an apology to GLAAD, but he is apologizing to the Gay community.
I see the apology as nothing but damage control. Especially since, he also states he is filing a lawsuit against Polo Molina, road manager for The Black Eyed Peas. In a gesture of good faith he will donate any money collected from that lawsuit to the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
He is a famed songwriter and director, he even won an Oscar, but 71 year old Joseph Brooks has been indicted on charges of rape and sexual assault.
Nine out of 11 victims claim they responded to an ad posted on the free classifieds website Craigslist. He allegedly used the site to post ads looking for women to cast in acting roles.
The Oscar he won for the 1977 Best Original Song ’You Light Up My Life’ was used as bait to get them back to his apartment on the Upper East Side. Two of the victims claim they were given date-rape drugs.
I guess Mr. Brooks thinks he’s back in the era of Hollywood where “casting couches” were used but never spoken about.
By the way Craigslist has been in the news a lot lately and not for good reasons. It seems it’s being used as a new form of kidnapping, where you actually get your victims to come to you.
When I think of someone who honestly believes they are too smart and too important I think of Bernard Madoff. I honestly believe that he believed he would get off. Then again I don’t think he ever thought he’d get caught.
Madoff’s lawyer told the judge who will sentence the con artist next week that 12 years in prison would be sufficient punishment.
This guy robbed people of their life savings leaving many in financial ruins. Now he thinks he can tell the judge how much time he should serve. He should get the max sentence allowable by law.
In federal jail for the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995, Terry Nichols asked for a court-appointed attorney to file a lawsuit complaining about the food in prison.
The lawsuit claims that the Supermax prison in Colorado is causing him to sin, apparently he feels he doesn’t get enough nutritious meals.
Nichols was given a life sentence for conspiring with Timothy McVeigh to blow up a federal building and involuntary manslaughter for the 168 people that were killed in the bombing. Timothy McVeigh was convicted of murder and the world watched as he was executed.
Not only should he never have been allowed a lawyer to waste tax payers money and file such a frivolous lawsuit, but he should be happy he wasn’t executed and live the rest of his life quietly in prison.
What was the U.S. Attorney General thinking when this was allowed to go through? It should have been denied with a big fat red stamp!
I don’t watch Reality TV. Not interested, never was. All it does is give people who are obsessed with themselves a place where they can try and get famous quick.
They are sometimes called media whores and rightfully so. They crave attention and will do whatever it takes to get it. Anything that will put them in the headlines and keep them there.
Let’s take a look at some of the most recent so-called headliners:
Jon & Kate + 8 – I will not say anything that bad, because children dominate that show and they are the real reason why people watch it. However, if you were really focused on taking care of your children do you think a reality show is the way to go? Just wondering.
Heidi & Spencer Pratt (Speidi) – They are the two most self-involved people I have ever seen. They really think that people are interested in them. Let’s see if I can get this straight, they faked a wedding, then he wanted to fake a divorce and then they got married for real? All to steal the spotlight from Lauren Conrad on The Hills, which is a scripted reality show. Uh Huh OK!
The Real Housewives (pick a county) – This is what people want to see women throwing tantrums, spending money like they’re princesses and well, acting like total bitches? Where is the class they’re supposed to have?
I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Outta Here – Do these people really think they are that famous?
That is just to name a few. I’m really just trying to make a point here, but I may write a part 2 to this post because I know I will have more to say.
Thanks to Reality TV anyone can be a celebrity and that word doesn’t mean much anymore because of it. It basically is used in regards to anyone using or in some cases trying to hold on to their 15 minutes of fame. They really all need to get a life!
Perez Hilton uses the Internet as his personal tool for pushing his own agenda. He picks fights on his blog and constant hunger for media attention, but then has a hissy fit when he gets attacked. Let me state violence is never the answer, but come on Perez don’t you think you are over-reacting?
You claim to be an activist for gay rights, but then turn around and use a gay slur to insult someone. Isn’t that kind of hypercritical? GLAAD thinks so.
It’s not enough that Hilton, who’s real name is Mario Lavandeira, used Twitter to have all his followers call the Toronto police because he felt they were not responding to him quick enough. He has to rant and rave on TV. Perez the police have actual emergencies that they need to address, before coming to you. Contrary to what you may think, you are not the center of the world.
A plea agreement was reached giving him five years probation, six months of community service cleaning up graffiti and roadside trash and attending domestic violence counseling.
The judge also imposed a stay away order which requires that Brown and Rihanna stay at least 50 yards from each. However, the judge did make an exception at industry events when the distance is reduced to 10 yards.
Rihanna stated to the judge that after Brown is formally sentenced in August she may request the order be loosened. Rihanna sweetie that would be a mistake.
I can’t say if this is Chris Brown’s first time ever hitting her or any woman for that matter, but it usually doesn’t happen only once. If a man thinks that it is O.K. to hit a woman once, then who’s to say he won’t do it again. Especially, when he doesn’t go to jail and have Big Bubba teach him a lesson.
The TV Legend best known for his hosting duties on Star Search and as Johnny Carson’s sidekick for all those years on The Tonight Show died shortly after midnight at age 86.
A cause of death was not given. His publicist Howard Bragman said Ed had a “multitude of health problems the last few months.”
McMahon will be fondly remembered for all his years on television and as a longtime co-hosting Jerry Lewis’ annual Labor Day telethon benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He will be missed.
NFL player Donte Stallworth has been suspended indefinitely by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Well, finally someone with sense.
Stallworth, driving his Bentley while intoxicated struck a man resulting in his death. He pled gulity to DUI manslaughter and after reaching an undisclosed monetary settlement with the victim’s family they no longer wished to press charges and just want to move on with their lives, I bet. So a judge sentenced him to only 30 days in jail and 10 years of probation, which is unfreakinbelievable.
Too many of these athletes are commiting crimes and not getting punished accordingly. So what he loses his job for the foreseeable future. A man lost his life. I don’t think the decision to press charges should’ve been made by the family, especially not based on a settlement, and the judge should’ve used the sense God gave him, but that would be fair.
Manhattanites are raising concern over a billboard from Calvin Klein Jeans Spring/Summer 2009 campaign, on the corner of Lafayette and Houston. Many are calling it a form of pornography.
This certainly isn’t the first time the CK company has been the center of debate, remember a young Brooke Shields telling us, “Nothing comes between me and my Calvin’s.”
However, many might agree that this time the company has gone too far. The company’s television commercial has been banned in the United States. The suggestive commercial spot in my opinion is every bit what the company intended it to be. You be the judge, watch the video and view the photo campaign, then tell me what you think.
They have received lots of attention recently, from World News Tonight to Ashton Kutcher, and rightfully so. These kids from P.S. 22 are simply amazing. They are hardworking and talented. They have recorded on an album for Columbia Records, ben interviewed for News shows and Hollywood 411. It has been a wild and crazy year. One they will never forget.
If you haven’t seen the videos yet here you go: P.S. 22 Chorus Does Lady Gaga also don’t forget to check out their blog that is written by their wonderful chours teacher Mr. B who is on a mission to prove the importance of arts programs in schools.
After a week of back and forth bickering about a joke David Letterman made on The Late Show the host issues an apology. The uproar was because the joke was about a young woman, Sarah Palin’s daughter to be exact, not only which one was in question but also why he would use the girl for laughs. The joke, that a Palin daughter was knocked up by Yankee Alex Rodriguez.
Letterman tried to explain that he was not referring to the younger daughter Willow 14, but rather Bristol 18, who recently had a baby. It didn’t really matter the damage was done and his attempts at explaining the joke away didn’t stop people from campaigning for his removal as host, such as the online petition to CBS (FireDaveLetterman.com). So he did what he had to do, I’m sure it’s not what he wanted, but he had to save face.
This is not the first time he has made jokes about Sarah Palin using her gender for laughs. Hopefully though he learned a lesson. Try being a little more considerate when making jokes about women in general. If you want to attack Sarah Palin or any other public figure, stick with her, leave the children out of it. Also, do not make sexual references or jokes about young women. Hear that Dave!!
Last night my sister and I went to our third New Kids On The Block concert since they reunited. The concert was different than the last two and it was at the PNC Bank Arts Center in NJ. That venue is small so the concert felt more intimate and plus we had great seats, twelve rows from the stage.
I have to say that the five guys from Boston still put on an exciting and energetic show. They know what their fans want and understand why. In an effort to show their appreciation they deliver the goods. I was so happy to hear Joe sing Popsicle (which was on their very first album) and at the end of the song ask jokingly, “Are you happy now?”
He also performed a new song he wrote for the fans. I’m not quite sure of the name, it’s either “Thank You” or “Five Brothers and a Million Sisters.” I wish he wrote it in time for their CD The Block, but I guess he’ll just have to make it a single. Do you hear that Joe? RECORD THE SONG AS A SINGLE.
The guys, Joe McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood, are all well into their thirties, but they still have the same energy and stamina they had twenty years ago. I am one fan that is so happy they decided to get back together, even if it’s for one last go around. I hope they decide it was so much fun that they make a few more CD’s. Hey, we can dream can’t we.
Great show guys! This may sound cheesy, but I don’t care, you still got The Right Stuff!!!!
If you want to live in an equal society, or preach about one, where the color of your skin is no longer a factor, then stop bringing race into every unfortunate situation.
This goes for Al Sharpton and Mr. Charlie Rangel(D-NY) who can’t help but take cheap shots in reference to Obama’s NY visit and the accidental shooting of off-duty police officer, Omar Edwards, by another officer, Andrew Stanton.
Where were they when those poor high school students were shot execution style in NJ? What, it’s not worth their time because it’s not white vs. black but black vs black?
Rangel commented to The NY Daily News about how Obama wouldn’t walk in Harlem unidentified and that no matter who you are, if you are of color you are in jeopardy while running for a bus in this community.
That was hardly the case in the tragic shooting of Edwards and an uncalled for statement, all they are doing is adding fuel to an already burning fire. They are not preaching unity, they are crying injustice and making a bad situation worse.
Edwards was off-duty in Harlem when he found someone trying to steal his car. He chased that person with his gun drawn. Another officer, Andrew Dunton, came upon the scene, Edwards with gun in hand did not identify himself as a cop when told to drop his weapon and was shot when he failed to do so.
All Rangel and Sharpton are doing (and all Sharpton ever does) is create a world filled with hatred, so much so that it is also turning us into a society of reverse racism, where decisions are being based on race in the fear of being criticized or in some eyes trying to right a wrong. If they really want to make this world a better place they would eliminate the color of our skin from situations and make decisions and come to conclusions based on the individual.
I have previously written about DMV tricks to get your money, but what I experienced today has proved once again in NY is that no one in this state is looking out for the best interests of the residents.
We all know that cops have been out and about in full force, handing out tickets like candy. What some people don’t know is that they are doing it as down low as possible. They are driving around in unmarked, old vans, checkered cars and black sedans, just to name a few.
I received a ticket from an officer in an unmarked car last September. His black sedan was two cars behind me. I answered my cell phone using the speaker function, the phone sat on my center console. I was already pulled over when the cop pulled up behind me flashing his dashboard light.
He told me that because he pulled me over it is mandatory that he give me a ticket, which we all know is not true. Just because a cop pulls you over does not mean they have to write you a ticket. The cop told me to plead not guilty, see the judge and tell him it was an emergency. He had already written the ticket there was no arguing.
I found out the ticket was submitted 2 1/2 months later only because I happened to look online for the hell of it and due to no response my license was suspended. I went to the DMV the next business day and was told I cannot reverse the suspension or see the judge unless I pay a suspension lift fee and a bond. Those fees together were more than the actual ticket. I refused and left. In the end I had to write to Albany and have them overturn the decision and give me a fair hearing date.
That hearing was at 10:30 this morning and it was not fair at all. It has taken me until now at 4:57 pm to write this because I wanted to be calm when I did. Not only was the judge a half hour late, but I felt like the hearing was just a formality and no matter what I said he was going to find me guilty. Especially, when the cop flat out lied, more than once and I called him on it. The judge didn’t seem to care, even though the officer was under oath.
He claimed that I had the cell phone in my left hand, to my left ear. First of all, as I stated above I had the phone on speaker on my center console which is on the right side of the drivers seat and even if I had been on the phone I am a righty. It would have been in my right hand not my left.
The officer also said that he was in pursuit of me, until he finally pulled me over in a safe location. Really…hmm…Well, let’s go over this again, he was two cars behind me, so how could he even see if I was on a cell phone? He didn’t pull me over I was already pulled over in a parking space and yes by that time you could visually see the cell phone.
The third lie was after he already said he saw the phone to my left ear and I had explained that it was on my center console on speaker, the cop claimed he told me even though it was on speaker that it was still illegal. Uh..not if it wasn’t in my hands while I was driving it wasn’t and he had already said he saw it to my ear.
So the judge asked him, did you see the phone close to her ear? The officer said yes. The judge said how close in proximity to the ear? The officer said within 2-3 inches uh not true. Now the judge had already heard him contradict himself, but that didn’t matter. The officer also said that I was on the phone with my husband and it was not an emergency. Convenient for him to say that now.
The judge didn’t seem to care that Albany agreed with me to the point that they overturned the original conviction. It also didn’t matter that the call was an emergency and I explained why. It didn’t matter that the cop lied or that his story didn’t make sense or that I pleaded a very convincing case. He was going to find me guilty regardless and he did. The best part is that the $40.00 fine comes with an $80.00 surcharge. Imagine that, the surcharge is twice as much as the fine.
Unfortunately, I have to pay it or they will suspend my license again. However, I will appeal it and I will continue to write about the unfair practices of NYC law enforcement. New York lawmakers really should start looking out for us New Yorkers, because between traffic and parking tickets, raising tolls and fares and adding taxes to everything they can think of it’s getting really hard for people, especially those who lost their jobs, to make ends meet.
When are they going to realize this is not the way to make money. The city has been hurting since September 11, 2001 and the economy has gotten worse. Believe me we all understand that every state is in need of a bailout, but this is not the way to get it. Ripping off your residents is not a way to boost the economy. It’s only going to make everything worse. Call AIG and get it from them. They have gotten plenty from us.
In case anyone out there thought we were safe now from terrorism, because Bush who some believed was the root of all evil is no longer president, think again. Here’s proof we’re not.
Four men were arrested Wednesday night after they were caught planting what they believed were real explosives near a temple in the Bronx and plotting to shoot missiles at military planes in Newburgh.
James Cromitie, David Williams, Onta Williams and Laguerre Payen, three of the men are U.S. citizens, one is of Haitian descent and at least three were converts to Islam. It has been reported that they confessed to wanting to commit jihad against America.
The men are due in federal court on Thursday in White Plains after being charged with conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction within the United States and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles.
Luckily for us, the FBI and other agencies had been monitoring the men for almost a year and the whole plot was carried out under supervision. However, it begs the questions, how many more people are here in America that want to harm us that we don’t know about? Will we ever be safe? Is Obama doing all he can to make sure that America is protected?
A change in the priorities of Medicaid and other government health care coverage is absolutely necessary. Eligibility should be based on medical necessity not income.
It is unfathomable that people in desperate need of health insurance are not receiving coverage. In many of these cases their life depends on it.
The rules need to be changed. Medicaid is automatically given to people who receive SSI, which is based on income or lack of. However, those on SSD, which is based on disability do not get such consideration. That is just plain backwards.
Major health care insurance companies, such as Aetna (just to name one but definitely not the only one), have waiting periods of up to 12 months for pre-existing conditions. Which means they have to pay the high premiums for 12 months before they can actually use the coverage and even then insurance does not cover everything.
This needs to change and now. There are too many people left out due to this loophole. To think if Congress would put just some of the money they spend on their pet projects into the health care system and make the changes needed then the people who need coverage would receive it.
They would receive the tests, operations and medicine they need to survive. These are not options for many people, they are necessary for their survival and it’s unacceptable for them to not be receiving the coverage for all of these things. Not in America! Not when people come from other countries and receive it first.
The issue for health care coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and disabilities needs to be addressed. It should take precedence over whether abortion should be allowed in Mexico, which was one of the first issues Obama confronted as President. He even offered government funds for it. Does he not think there are plenty of people here in America, the country he is supposed to be lookingout for need his help?
I would really like to read your thoughts on this subject.
Please read this informative article at walletpop.com. It explains what new cardholder laws are going to take effect and how those changes affect you. Credit card companies are cracking down. I’ve experienced it myself and not just a few months ago I was considered having great credit. Well, along with these new changes, I’ve been reading the new “excellent” credit score is over 800. As everyone has been saying 800 is the new 700.
It also explains in detail a bill that may be passed by Congress. It sounds good, but may also be too little too late. If all this was done as fast as the corporation bailouts were, consumers might not be in the debt they are in now.
The President preached to the students at Sunday’s commencement ceremony at Notre Dame where he was invited to be honored. Notre Dame is a famously Catholic University, so you could imagine Obama’s invitation to draw some debate and it did. The President spoke about the topics he supports, such as abortion rights and embryonic stem-cell research, which are opposed by many on the campus.
Obama preached, telling the students we will never get where we need to go as a country until we stop demonizing people who disagree with us.
”The soldier and the lawyer may both love this country with equal passion, and yet reach very different conclusions on the specific steps needed to protect us from harm. The gay activist and the evangelical pastor may both deplore the ravages of HIV/AIDS, but find themselves unable to bridge the cultural divide that might unite their efforts. Those who speak out against stem-cell research may be rooted in admirable conviction about the sacredness of life, but so are the parents of a child with juvenile diabetes who are convinced that their son’s or daughter’s hardships can be relieved.”
I have not agreed with most of what Obama has said throughout his campaign and even through the beginning of his presidency, but I do agree with him on this subject. I have been saying it in my posts regarding the endless Miss California controversy. No one should be persecuted for what they believe.
We are lucky to live in a country where we are free to have different beliefs and religions and yet those who encourage and preach about this freedom are the very same ones who try to take down the person who doesn’t agree with them.
They appreciate they live in a society that allows them to be who they are or who they want to be, but they don’t accept the people who feel differently.
Take for instance the Miss California debacle, Perez Hilton is an openly gay blogger who asked Carrie Prejean a question that is personal to him and he didn’t like her answer. So what did he do, he blasted her in the media and to anyone who would listen and probably cost her first place in the Miss USA pageant. All because she didn’t agree with him. So Perez believes that society is supposed to accept him and the lifestyle he chooses to live, which is fine, but also according to him society is supposed to persecute those who don’t agree with his lifestyle.
Personally, I am pro-life and don’t agree with embryonic stem cell research, but I can understand why those suffering with illnesses would disagree. However, that is a post for another time.
I keep reading that due to failed contract negotiations, which usually means they wanted more money, The CW’s One Tree Hill is losing two of its stars.
Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton, who play newlyweds Lucas & Peyton Scott, are leaving the show after next week’s season finale. The show has already been renewed for next season and it will return by promoting Austin Nichols to series regular and introducing a trio of new characters.
It’s a shame. I have enjoyed One Tree Hill since it first aired and knew it would be around long after it’s competition The O.C. It will be sad to see them go. Although I have to say, Austin Nichols is easy on the eyes and his character Julian has become very likable. I’m looking forward to next season.
It was 30 years ago this month that 6 year old Etan Patz went missing from his SoHo neighborhood in Manhattan, NY. It was May 25, 1979 to be exact. He would go on to become a very important part in the national missing children’s movement.
Etan was the first missing child to be pictured of the back of a milk carton. A campaign started in the 80’s as a new way to help find missing children. Unfortunately for Etan, 30 years later he is still missing.
Etan’s parents, Stan and Julie Patz, filed a civil suit in 2001 against the man they came to believe killed their son, Jose Antonio Ramos.
When federal prosecutor Stuart Gabrois interviewd the inmate, Ramos told Gabrois that he’d taken a little boy to an apartment he had on the lower East Side on the same day that Etan went missing. “He was 90 percent sure it was the same he’d seen in the news that was missing,” Gabrois said.
Ramos is serving 10-20 years in a federal prison convicted of child molestation in Pennsylvania. In 2005 Etan’s family won a $2 million civil suit against Ramos, who a judge ruled killed the boy. But no criminal charges have been filed.
After the Blogger vs. Beauty Queen difference of opinion blown way out of proportion I thought that we were done. We can move on with our lives. Now Shanna Moakler has resurrected the debate by resigning as co-director for the pageant after Donald Trump allowed Miss California USA Carrie Prejean to retain her crown.
Moakler stated ”I cannot with a clear conscience move forward supporting and promoting the Miss Universe Organization when I no longer believe in it, or the contracts I signed committing myself as a youth.”
I ask, what doesn’t she believe in? Freedom of speech, democracy, aren’t those the very things she is fighting for? For a person to be able to be who they are without the fear of persecution.
I guess in Hollywood those rules only apply when it’s what they want you to believe in. Especially, since it has been brought to the medias attention that Moakler misused her position in the pageant to advance her pro gay agenda, including hiring Perez Hilton as a judge.
After the blogger was hired she made sure he knew Prejean was against gay marriage. Apparently, she was also involved in disclosing that the pageant had paid for Prejean’s breast augmentation surgery in order to damage Prejean and advance her pro gay marriage agenda.
Unless of course her resignation had something to do with semi-nude photos of Prejean that were leaked. I doubt it though since Moakler has posed for Playboy in the past, so I doubt she is that much of a hypocrite.
By the way, Prejean has told the press that those photos were an attempt to mock her faith in God. You know what, she’s right, they were meant to embarrass her. I think Trump did the right thing by allowing Prejean to continue her reign as Miss California USA.
The President and First Lady are hosting another themed party night at the White House. A poetry jam with music and more. A headliner for the event is actor James Earl Jones.
The East Room will be the venue for a celebration of poetry, music and the spoken word. Featured performers include authors, an essayist, vocalists, pianists, poets, and two Youth Poetry Finalists from HBO’s Brave New Voices.
My question is when does he find time for the economy, health care, you know just some of the issues that need to be addressed in America. Answer: he doesn’t. He’s too busy being a celebrity. Kind of like another Democrat I remember being in office. We all know what he was too busy doing.
Which also brings me to the point, isn’t it a little irresponsible to spend money on parties when so many Americans are fighting to get by. Isn’t this what he berated AIG for, after they made a mockery of his bailout fund. I really do think there are more important things he could be doing. Don’t you agree?
At Saturday’s annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner comedic actress Wanda Sykes took a shot at Rush Limbaugh. She said that by him suggesting that he wants Obama to fail that his view was essentially the same as al-Qaida terrorist leader Osama bin Laden’s. Also, suggesting Obama might want to look into the matter “because I think Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker.”
No wonder why this comment has sparked controversy. I think it was irresponsible for her to use something as devastating as the September 11th attacks for a laugh. I think it’s even more irresponsible for Obama, as President, or anyone else for that matter, to find it funny.
He can’t honestly wonder why people view him as anti-American. To think he actually found a comment like that funny is disappointing. He needs to be a little more considerate of Americans and what we went through that day. Apparently, he has forgotten and so has Ms. Sykes and anyone else who found it amusing.
This just after the White House thought it was a good idea to allow a plane to fly low over the Hudson followed by a fighter jet. All for a photo. Obama claimed he had no knowledge of it, yeah right. After this latest error in judgement who would believe him.
On the Tuesday, May 5, 2009 episode of the daytime talk show “The View” the ladies debated over the theories of creation. It started with whether Darwinism or creationism should be taught in schools and ended with Joy basically telling Sherri that if she doesn’t teach her son Darwinism that it was child abuse, which had Elisabeth disagreeing and so do I.
As a Christian, Sherri follows the Bible and is teaching creationism to her four year old son, Jeffrey. Elisabeth and Sherri were all for teaching creationism in schools, which includes Darwinism. ”If Darwinism is taught, just do it with respect,” Sherri stated. She also stated that if Darwinism is taught, that she will teach him evolution is incorrect.
Creation is taught in school and in church. You choose to believe what you want. If you are a fairly religious person and believe that God created us, then that is your right. Darwinism as an alternative explains creation based on the scientific theory of evolution.
This led to Joy’s rant, “It’s not a religious fervor thing. There’s proof! Scientific proof! You want your children to go into the world and be ignorant? That’s child abuse in my opinion.”
Elisabeth chimed in defending Sherri, basically telling Joy that evolution is your way and you can’t call it child abuse because someone doesn’t agree with your way.
For Joy to accuse Sherri of child abuse if she doesn’t teach her son to believe Darwinism is unacceptable. Joy can choose to believe what she wants, but should not impose those thoughts onto anyone else, even in the name of science.
Kids will learn alternative theories about everything in school, that is what it is there for, to teach. They will choose on their own what to believe on every subject. That is their right, just as it is Sherri’s right to teach her son to believe that God created man. It seems to me that Joy has taken the place as “dictator” of the show. I guess someone had to do it.
This is definitely a must read for all Americans. She makes many valid points and interesting observations about our President. Please leave feedback, I would love to read thoughts on it.
I don’t understand why Hollywood keeps remaking popular shows and movies. Let me rephrase that, I understand why, I just don’t agree.
The Powers That Be just keep retooling and reinventing shows like “90210,” the upcoming version of “Melrose Place” and “Footloose.” Are they having trouble coming up with new ideas, because I have plenty.
The reasons why these shows were popular was due to the chemistry of their ensemble casts, story lines and the generation. All those things put together created magic for their networks and it’s highly unlikely lightening will strike twice.
I do watch “90210″ but not for the new cast. I like everyone else I know that religiously followed the original want to see who comes back and what their characters are up to.
There seems to be a lack of creativity in Hollywood. My advice to them is simple: read your mail, read the thousands of scripts and show ideas sent to you daily and you may find something original and worth the money to make.
It makes complete sense and apparently the IRS is keeping it under wraps for now. The IRS acknowledges problems with new tax withholding tables that could cause millions of taxpayers to get hundreds of dollars more than they are entitled to under the credit. That money will have to be repaid at tax time. However, they are not doing enough to warn taxpayers.
Those that may be affected include working, married couples, workers with more than one job, retirees with federal income taxes withheld from pension payments and Social Security recipients with taxable income.
Protect yourself against a surprise and listen to the advice of Jackie Perlman, an analyst with the Tax Institute at H&R Block: check your federal withholding to make sure sufficient taxes are being taken out of your pay. If you are married and both spouses work, you might consider having taxes withheld at the higher rate for single filers. If you have multiple jobs, you might consider having extra taxes withheld by one of your employers. You can make that request with a Form W-4.
It started in Mexico and was carried over (most likely by travelers) to the U.S., Canada and even Spain. The U.S. has declared a public health emergency.
High Schools in New York and Texas, where students were found who have the virus, have been closed. Schools in California and Ohio, where students are suspected of having the virus, will be closing.
Planning stages to quarantine travelers with flu-like symptoms arriving from the affected areas have begun from countries such as: China, Russia and Taiwan. Other countries like Italy, Poland and Venezuela are advising citizens to postpone travel to the places affected as well.
Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and the Philippines went a step further, checking for signs of fever among arriving passengers at airports using a thermal scanner.
If anyone traveling to or from Mexico needs to change their reservations multiple airlines, including American, United, Continental, US Airways, Mexicana and Air Canada, are waiving their usual penalties, but they have not canceled flights.
Oprah announced today via Twitter that she pulled the Columbine show after reviewing, she thought it focused too much on killers and to hold a thought for the families - hard day for them.
The episode ‘10 Years Later: The Truth about Columbine’ was supposed to air today (Monday April 21, 2009), on the anniversary of the massacre in Littleton, Colorado, where 12 students and a teacher were killed.
This past weekend at the Miss USA beauty pageant, Miss California Carrie Prejean, answered a question by pageant judge and gossip blogger Perez Hilton.
The inquiry was regarding her views on same-sex marriage. Her answer was, that it’s great that the option is available in some states but that in my country and in my family, I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman – no offense to anyone out there.
Her comments caused outrage in the judge and it has been a media war ever since. Needless to say, Prejean came in second in the competition.
I say good for her, she knew her answer would be heard by millions of people and she was still honest. That is her right and isn’t that what this is all about – - rights. You should not persecute someone for having a different opinion then you.
A man angry over losing his job goes on a shooting spree in NY. Will this be the only incident of its kind? I doubt it.
It’s been proven in the past that desperation leads people to react in tragic ways. When feeling desperate people kill. They kill other innocent people, they kill their family, their former co-workers, their former bosses, and themselves.
America is going to react to their unemployment issues and it’s only going to get worse. What is the government planning to do about it? Where did the money go that was meant to create jobs? And how exactly is it going to create jobs?
Obama said to give tax credits to companies in an effort to create new jobs. Unless he is sitting there directing people how to use the money how does he know what they will use it for? He doesn’t. That is why no jobs have been created. He gave all this bailout money and the companies used it to make themselves rich.
You want to create new jobs then that money should have been used to form new corporations to rebuild communities, roads, anything that will benefit the people of America. That money should have come with all kinds of strings on what can be done with it and if those regulations were not followed there should have been consequences.
America should not be in the economic mess that it’s in. The banks and individual people responsible for this mess should be held accountable and punished. Instead their greed has ruined people’s lives and they were rewarded for it.
The government should not be wasting BILLIONS of dollars on companies that dug their own grave, they should be using that money to actually fix the problem. The banks are in trouble, the car companies are in trouble, don’t throw money at them, throw all those responsible out. Hire new people, people with experience in rebuilding companies with the intention of making things better, not personal gain.
If the government wants to help these companies get back on their feet then they should put people in those companies whose sole purpose is to use the bailout funds given in responsible and productive ways.
The American people are in trouble, who is bailing them out? No one. Instead, you are giving us a lifetimes worth of debt.
In order to help America out of this financial mess regulations and caps need to be put in place. The costs of gas, food, homes and insurance need to seriously be readjusted. This doesn’t mean the government has to control everything, but with some regulations and rules America might be able to dig itself out of this mess.
Instead, right now you have people in high positions profiting off of other people’s misfortune. Including those in Congress. Why was nothing done to stop the millions of dollars in earmarks Obama promised he would never pass? I’ll tell you why, because the people running this country are in it for themselves, not for America or it’s people.
On Friday just after 10 a.m., a man barricaded the back door of the American Civic Association center with his car. He then walked in through the front and started shooting. He killed 13 people that day, a receptionist, 12 immigrants taking a citizenship class and then killed himself.
Another receptionist, who was wounded and played dead, called 911. Police reportedly showed up at the scene within two minutes, but waited an hour after hearing no gunfire before going inside, to be sure it was safe for officers. Four other people were critically wounded and 37 others made it out safe.
The suspected killer was found dead in an office with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Around his neck he carried ammunition in a satchel. Police also found two handguns, a 9mm and a .45-caliber, there was also a hunting knife.
The man carried ID with the name Jiverly Voong, a 42 year old Vietnamese immigrant from Johnson City, N.Y. However, this was believed to be an alias. According to reports, Voong was angry he had lost his job and had language issues, because he didn’t speak English very well.
A woman who answered the call at a listing found for Henry D. Voong said she was Jiverly Voong’s sister, but refused to give her name. According to her, Voong had been in the country for 28 years and had citizenship.
The massacre was probably “the worst tragedy and senseless crime in the history of this city,” said Gov. David Paterson. He also went on to say, “When are we going to be able to curb the kind of violence that is so fraught and so rapid that we can’t even keep track of the incidents?” In response to the shootings in Alabama and California.
How about when you wake-up and realize New Yorkers are hurting, just like everyone else. Instead of helping us get through tough times you try to make them tougher by raising fares and tolls. Which makes it harder for us to get to work to support our families.
This man was angry because he lost his job. Do you think this will be the only incident of this kind? People are going to react to their unemployment issues and it’s only going to get worse.
As for Voong, who is the suspected killer, he was also frustrated due to language issues. He didn’t speak English well. If he was in the country for 28 years and did have citizenship like his so-called sister said, shame on him and his family. There is no excuse for living in a country for more than half your life and not learning the language. If he wasn’t a citizen, shame on us for allowing him to stay here (Oh! And by us I mean the American government).
I was sad last night as I watched a great show air its very last episode. For the last 15 years ER has provided us with non-stop drama and characters we connected with and were invested in. It also was a perfect springboard for the careers of the shows original cast (ahem..George Clooney).
I was happy to see some of them last night, Doctors Carter, Lewis, Weaver and Benton and Corday. We even got a little Dr. Greene, by way of his now adult daughter, Rachel.
It was bitter sweet nostalgia, but it was an episode that reminded me just how much it will be missed. The writing was just as good last night as it was when it premiered in 1994. Goodbye ER, thanks for 15 years of terrific stories!
It was no April Fool’s joke, as some had hoped, it’s official CBS has canceled Guiding Light. Guiding light, which is also the longest running drama in TV history will end Friday, September 18, 2009.
The soap opera has been around for 72 years. In 1937 is started on radio and in 1952 it moved to television, where it has been running for the past 57 years. No wonder it made it into the Guinness Book of World Records.
Reports of declining daytime ratings and budget were cited for reasons of the shows demise. Although I am not one of Guiding Light’s loyal viewers, I am a dedicated soap opera fan and am very sad to see this show go. Not only because of the longevity in history, but because it proves that this genre is expendable to the networks.
Soap actors are the hardest working actors in the business. They do not receive the long hiatus other shows enjoy, they work at a fast pace and deliver spot on performances every day. I have come to know many daytime actors and a few from the Guiding Light cast over the years and I’m sorry to see them lose their job security, but they are talented and I’m sure they will get snatched up by another show.
I think there are many factors to consider in the declining viewership of soap operas. The biggest factor is that times have changed. The stay-at-home mother that made up most of the genre’s viewership has dwindled. These days both parents work. So now even the most loyal of viewers usually TiVo their favorites or record them on their DVR’s. Another big factor is choice. When soap opera’s started there were no more than 4 networks to choose from and most of their daytime line-up consisted of soaps. Now there are 6 broadcast networks and hundreds of cable channels. Not only more channels, but a variety of daytime talk shows, the every growing court and reality shows and sitcom reruns are what daytime viewers can choose from.
Some would even say that daytime TV never fully recovered from the O.J. Simpson trial. Due to the breaking news details and non-stop media coverage, soap operas were constantly pre-empted for over a year.
Still, I don’t think it’s too late. I think the fans of Guiding light should speak up. Let your voice be heard. You are the audience, they only make money if you watch. Tell the network that there are plenty of you out there and that your loyalty matters. Good luck Guiding Light!
After a fall on a Montreal ski slope actress, Natasha Richardson, has died of a brain injury. It was a freak accident and at first she appeared to be fine, smiling and joking. However, an hour later she complained of headaches and an ambulance was called.
The 45 year old actress died on Wednesday and is survived by her husband, actor Liam Neeson, their two sons, Michael and Daniel, her mother, actress Vanessa Redgrave and her sister, actress Joely Richardson. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
I’m not sure if anyone has told him, but Obama is President. He doesn’t have to campaign anymore. So why go to California to give Town Hall Meetings and stop by The Tonight Show with Jay Leno?
I’ll tell you why…his numbers are slipping. People have realized that he has not changed anything. He’s spending money we don’t have and he has to go on TV to plead his case, charm his audience into once again believing every word that comes out of his mouth.
Only problem is, now they know he is a liar. So I can’t imagine how he’s going to make himself come out smelling like a rose, but knowing Obama and the way people see him as their Messiah, they will believe him.
If he wanted to be the President he promised he was going to be these meetings should have taken place before he signed BILLIONS of dollars away. He should’ve taken the time to get our opinions, considering it’s our money he is wasting. That would have made him a unique President that is for the people, but he didn’t do that. The fact is, he has done things that he promised during his campaign he would not do. Surprise, surprise.
It’s no secret alot of his campaign money came from celebrities, because Hollywood is full of dems and librals. So of course he has to go there and reassure the people who funded him.
Obama is also going to make an appearance on The Tonight Show. Honestly, by doing this I think he is demeaning the title of President Of The United States. He may be trying to be a more down to earth President than his predecessors, but now that he no longer needs to campaign he needs to uphold and respect the honor and entitlement of actually being The President Of The United States.
The government gave American International Group Inc.
(AIG) $170 billion in federal bailout funds to pay money it owed to U.S. and foreign banks. Out of those funds $165 million in bonuses were paid to about 400 executives and traders at the company.
This never should have been allowed to happen. The government should have had restrictions in place on how that money can be used and should have renegotiated the executives contracts before giving the money. This goes for all the companies receiving money from the bailout.
This government, and by that I mean The Obama Administration and the House ruling Democrats, are very free to hand out millions of dollars of taxpayers money. However, they are not taking responsibility or acting responsibly in how it is spent.
Somewhere, someone needs to step in and do something, because what’s going to happen is going to be much worse than the dire economic downfall the government wants you to believe will happen if they don’t give billions of our dollars out.
There are conflicting reports as to her exact condition, but what is known is that Natasha Richardson is suffering from a serious head injury.
The New York Post quotes her friends claiming that she is brain dead. TMZ reports that she is suffering from brain swelling. Either way, the wife of actor Liam Neeson and daughter of Vanessa Redgrave was flown from a hospital in Montreal to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.
Reports said the actress sustained a serious head injury after an accident on a Quebec ski slope. Mr. Neeson left the set of the film ‘Chloe’ to be by his wife’s side. The couple have two sons who have been spotted with other family memebers visiting their mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
Among all the promises Obama made in his campaign, one of them was doing away with congressional earmarks on bills. However, Obama is ready to sign a budget bill and it is filled with millions for lawmakers pet projects.
Of course the administration budget chief Peter Orszag and the White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel downplayed the $410 billion spending bill. Didn’t he just sign a multi-billion dollar bill?
This was passed by the House last week to keep the government running through September 30th, when the federal budget year ends. Taxpayers For Common Sense, identified almost 8,600 earmarks totaling $7.7 billion. Of course, Democrats say the number is $3.8 billion. I don’t care if it’s $1.00, that is a dollar more than what Obama promised. See how fast things change when you’ve already won.
Obama, is going against what he promised as a candidate, to reject such tailored budget requests. The director of the Office of Management and Budget says, “We want to make sure that earmarks are reduced and they’re also transparent. We’re going to work with Congress on a set of reforms to achieve those.” So what happened? What he is basically saying is let us just get this last one by and we promise to try harder next time.
Obama’s top people blame Bush as they slide the budget they created under Obama’s hand. It’s George Bush’s fault they’re doing this.Do the Dems ever take responsibility for anything? Ever? They just spend and spend and it’s always someone else’s fault. How is it Bush’s fault that these lawmakers want to divert millions to pet projects?
Obama plans to set up his own budget on October 1st. He made that proposal last week when he stated he would cut the deficit by half within his four year term. He’s off to a great start don’t you think!
It looks like another famous book is getting a sequel.
This October will see the release of the first authorized sequel to A.A. Milne’s “Winnie- The-Pooh” and “The House At Pooh Corner” with the title “Return To The Hundred Acre Wood.”
The new author is already familiar with Milne’s work, he has produced audio books based on Milne’s famous children’s titles. His name is David Benedictus and he lives in London.
The book is being published by Egmont Publishing in Britain and in the U.S. by Penguin imprint Dutton Children’s Books and will be illustrated by Mark Burgess.
A 56 year old woman was awarded nearly $7 million in a suit filed in Riverside County Superior Court, because she was unknowingly infected with herpes by a 77 year old man.
According to the woman’s attorney, the man knew he had genital herpes for over 25 years. However, he didn’t share that information with this woman before they had sex and didn’t use a condom.
The attorney explained that on Jan. 27th, his client was awarded $4 million in compensatory damages and $2.75 million in punitive damages. His client was denied health insurance after contracting the sexually transmitted disease.
I completely disagree with sexual partners, lovers, whatever you want to call them, not disclosing their medical history with the other person before starting a sexual relationship, especially when it can result in the other person being infected with a disease (of any kind). That said, the woman should have made it her business to make sure he wore a condom. This is 2009, there is no excuse!
Every year when the list of popular baby names comes out I like to go through it and the names usually reflect a trend of the moment. In recent years names like Emma, Madison, Aiden and Jayden were at the top of the lists. However, another trend seems to be naming your child very unique names, which in some cases in not always a good thing.
TheBabyWebsite.com had a team of researchers investigate Britain’s most unfortunate names. Some of the more unfortunate names chosen by parents were, Barb Dwyer, Helen Back, Jo King, Terry Bull, Anna Sasin and Justin Case.
There were a few doctors names that are entertaining such as, Dr. Payne, Les Plack (a dentist), Priti Manek and Dr. Sumey.
The list should be a warning for parents choosing a name that their child will be stuck with for life. What is cute at six, is not cute at 30.
There is also a list of baby names being derived from text-message speak. Although it may be amusing to read, I would think that the person who has to carry the burden of such a name wouldn’t find it quite as funny.
Tcohe NY Post has let Liz Smith go, citing economic circumstances as their reason for declining her annual contract. The syndicated column is carried by 70 papers around the country. This is the first time in 33 years Smith does not have a newspaper to call home. The 86 year old Smith’s contract was for $125,000.
Up until 2005 her column appeared in Newsday. She left due to a contract dispute. The Post had been running the famous column 6 days per week, but a year ago cut it down to only 3 days. This was in an effort to cut costs.
On Thursday the Post will publish her last column. But don’t you worry about Liz, who also publishes in Daily Variety, Parade magazine, has part ownership in a Website and who says she’s writing a novel. Even at 86 she says she’ll never retire.
In Obama’s first presidential, prime-time speech he reminds us, “We are not quitters.”
Tuesday night he proclaimed his agenda that included jobs, a stable credit system, better schools, health care reform, reliable domestic sources of energy and an end to the war in Iraq. However, he gave no specifics. Isn’t that just like him, to leave out all the important details.
He also acknowledged more billions may be necessary to stabilize the banking system. Here’s an idea: Instead of taking more from us tax payers, why don’t you sue the CEO’s and banking leaders who not only put us in this hole but profited from it? Why should they get to escape unscathed and rich and we have to suffer for their greed?
During his speech, Obama named VP Joe Biden to oversee implementaion of his stimulus plan. He also pledged yet again he will cut projected deficits in half by the end of his term. How?He’s been president for a little over a month and he’s already passed a $787 billion stimulus bill.
He said, “What is required now is for this country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face and take responsibility for our future once more.”
I think there is a little confusion on who should be held responsible and who is being responsible.
Obama went on to say that the stimulus bill was designed to “put people back to work and put money in their pockets. Not because I believe in bigger government-I don’t.” Again I ask how? How is the stimulus going to put money in the pockets of the people when they’re not the ones receiving the money. It’s going into the hands of self-serving governors and other lawmakers. I use the term lawmakers loosely, because what I should say is the makers of laws that help only themselves. Unless, he is referring to his tax cut/credit plan, putting a wopping $13 a week back in our pockets.
He claims to have already identified $2 trillion in savings to be achieved over the next ten years and pledges to “root out the waste, fraud and abuse in our Medicaid program that doesn’t make our seniors any healthier.”
Why doesn’t he start with Welfare, Medicaid and Social Security? Weed out the waste, fraud and those who abuse the system. There are thousands of people taking advantage of the system and living off the government, while those who really need the benefits aren’t receiving them.
I can’t wait for Obama to explain in detail how he and/or Joe Biden plan on spending the $787 billion, who exactly and how exactly it will benefit taxpayers, what jobs it will create, and exactly how we are going to be held responsible for paying it back.
For those who didn’t watch The Academy Awards last night ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ won 8 awards, including best director for Danny Boyle and best picture. Hugh Jackman hosted and in my opinion did a great job.
They did things a little different this year, they grouped technical categories together according to their function in films and each group had the same presenter. This made the ceremony not only more enjoyable but also moved it along a lot quicker.
Other top winners were:
Sean Penn, Best Actor for Milk
Kate Winslet, Best Actress for The Reader
Heath Ledger, Best Supporting Actor for The Dark Knight
Penelope Cruz, Best Supporting Actress for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
I think this years ratings will be higher than last. I think that the reason the ratings have been going down is because in the last few years the films that were up for awards were films no one really saw or heard of.
Take last years ceremony as an example, the films up for the top honor were the winner ’No Country For Old Men’ and “There Will Be Blood”, these are pictures hardly anyone saw before awards season. They didn’t become popular with the audience until after they won. Marion Cotillard won Leading Actress last year for ‘La Vie en Rose’, did anyone ever hear of that movie before Oscar night?
Last night I am sure will be a ratings success. Congratulations to all the winners and to Mr. Jackman for a great show. I can’t wait for next year.
The show is scheduled to air Tuesday, February 24th, 2009. Oprah interviews Ed Doud, the father of Nadya Suleman.
Mr. Doud says he questions his daughter’s mental situation, but then goes on to say that she shouldn’t be punished and we should give our help. That we should care that their house will be auctioned off May 5th because they’re behind $23,225 in mortgage payments. So are millions of American’s. Only they were responsible and didn’t look to have children out of a need for attention, fame and money.
Nadya should be punished not rewarded for this kind of insanity and irresponsibility. If this was another mother in her situation, 14 kids, unemployed and mentally unstable, then her kids would be taken away. This situation should be no different. It’s not like her mother or father are in a position to take care of them either.
A nonprofit called Angels in Waiting has offered Suleman just what she needs 24/7 care for her children and a place to stay. The founder of the California based nonprofit, Linda West Conforti, said it would cost about $135,000 a month for 12 caretakers. This money has to come from public donations.
If they want to help her then they need to cough up their own money.
I just read this not two minutes ago. This poll was taken in mid-January by a cross-section of Americans (I looked up cross-section in the dictionary and still don’t know what it means). It seems that they believe Obama is their number one hero. Excuse me?
Tell me what has this man done in his life that gives anyone a reason to call him a hero. Because he’s the first black president? First of all, according to his own biography he is mixed, black and white. Second of all, just because you are the first anything, even if you make history, does not make you a hero.
I honestly don’t know what to make of this. People must really believe he is the second coming. Anyone have answers for me?
April 1st is when working America should start seeing tax cuts in their weekly pay checks. This is what Obama said boasting about his ”Making Work Pay” tax break that will be in affect for two years. When the banks (who started this whole mess) needed the money they got it in record time. We have to wait.
This credit (up to $400 for individuals and up to $800 for married couples) will be spread throughout the year in take-home pay. It should allow workers to see about $13 a week more in their pay. In 2010, this credit will decrease to about $7.70 a week, if spread over a year. Oh Boy!!! Thanks Obama, $13 whole dollars more, what will I do with it? How is $13 a week supposed to boost the economy? McDonald’s for two cost more than that.
For those who don’t earn enough money to owe income taxes, they’re eligible for the credit too, to offset payroll taxes they pay. However, for anyone who makes $75,000 or more the credit is phased out. Whatever that means.
I would much rather have had the one time credit/stimulus, whatever you want to call it today, sent to me in a check like Bush did it. Unless, Obama wants to increase the $13 a week tax credit to $100 a week tax credit.
I want to give an example of weekly taxes in what some would consider a middle-class (you’re not poor, but you’re not rich) pay check in a NY working class family. Out of the primary bread winner’s weekly pay over $400 is taken out for taxes, again that’s $400 a week. Not including what his wife pays in taxes all year long. At tax time he files, but because he doesn’t own a home and not much to claim what does he receive back, a whole big $2,000 for working hard all year long. They took out over $20,000 over the course of a year but he gets back $2,000.
Please let’s not forget that even though someone doesn’t own a home they still have to pay rent. Now, I don’t know about the rest of the country but here in New York, we pay top dollar. If you are single, a studio will run you at least $700 but most of the time more. If you are a couple with a one bedroom, you will most likely pay between $800-$1000. If you have children, a two bedroom will cost you anywhere from $1,000-$1,300, a three bedroom $1,300-$1,600. Those are apartments, if you rent a house you are usually paying $1,900 or more.
OK so I will stick to a working class family and I’ll throw in two kids. A three bedroom is needed. For arguments sake we will say they rent a house for $1,900. That’s just rent. Electricity which thanks to good ‘ol Con Ed has gone up three times in two years, even with “an economic crisis” is quite expensive. During the winter it can be around $150 a month (that’s if no one is home and the lights are always off), during the summer good luck, it can run you way over $300. That’s assuming you want air condition in 90 degree weather. Gas and heat during the winter will be no less than $300, during the summer without needing heat except for your dryer will be approx. $200. Then there is telephone or cellphone(s), cable, Internet access, car insurance, maybe a car payment and the all important groceries. Add them all up..$3,700 a month and I added everything using the lowest bills you can possibly have in NY. If the government is taking out $400 in taxes a week how much can the bread winner possible be taking home? Possibly, between $500-$900 a week. That’s between $2,000 and $3,600 a month take-home pay. That’s not even enough to cover the bills.
So I ask, what is an extra $13 a week supposed to do to help the million of Americans who can’t pay their bills? Where is our bailout?
If you haven’t seen the picture of Rihanna after she was allegedly attacked by boyfriend Chris Brown go to TMZ for the story and picture. Obviously, there is a strong case, but something in the article confused me.
Chris Brown was originally charged with making criminal threats. It’s supposedly based on one statement made by Brown during the incident. That makes for a weak case. However, after seeing the picture it’s more than likely going to be changed to a felony domestic battery charge. According to TMZ that is a less serious offense than making criminal threats.
Now, this is where my confusion comes in and I hear this time and again in different states. It is more serious to threaten someone’s life than it is to actually attack them. I want to know who sat there and decided this, because it truly amazes me.
Robin Gibb of The Bee Gees has an “open relationship” with his wife and it has resulted in a love child with his 33 year old housekeeper.
His wife, Dwina, apparently is not happy about it. By the way, Dwina is a bisexual former druid priestess. What is that?
Before I give my opinion let’s get this straight, threesomes are O.K., eight year affairs are fine, but having a child with another woman is betrayal. Uh OK!!
Now my opinion. I’m a big fan of The Bee Gees, but…YUCK!! ILL!!
Nadya Suleman has created a website asking the public for donations. Of course she did, how else is she going to take care of her 14 children?
We all know the story by now of how she had 6 children before giving birth to octuplets, all her children were conceived with in vitro fertilization. The 33 year old is single, unemployed and lives with her parents in a cramped 3 bedroom house. All her children are under 7. Oh! And she wants to go to school in the fall. Um excuse me, but who’s going to take care of your 14 kids?
The California Medical Board should revoke the license of the doctor who emplanted her with 6 embryos. Is it really all about the money? About that money, apparently it came from a settlement she received for her disability, which in her case was a painful back injury. I don’t know what to say first. It had to come from the settlement, because I don’t think public assistance or the state’s health insurance would have paid for this or the fact that she should have to give that money back. After all it was as a result from a so-called back injury and you can’t be pregnant with eight kids on a bad back. She should have taken that money and bought her current brood a bigger house.
This woman is sick and the doctor who went along with it is even sicker. He’s supposed to know better. She should not be given anymore of our time. No one should offer her anything, not a TV show, not a book deal, nothing. That is just what she wanted and those poor kids are going to have to suffer for their mother’s insanity. Nadya needs help, mental health, not any more of our time or money.
The NY Post publishes a cartoon with cops shooting a gorilla or chimp, whatever, the caption reads “They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.” This brings together two recent events, the passing of the stimulus bill and the attack of a woman by a chimp. Now, whoever reads this is free to draw their own conclusions and that they have. They automatically chose to use this as a racist bash against Obama. Shocking!
Whatever the intention of the cartoonist and the newspaper, it doesn’t matter now. It has caused quite an uproar. So much so that Al Sharpton has made it his mission to fight the paper, organize a rally and play the race card. Another shocker! Al Sharpton will organize a rally, a march and a boycott of anything if it will get him in the news. He is a publicity hound and does nothing to make this world a better place. In fact, he just ignites fires that one day he won’t be able to put out.
Some people may interpret the cartoon in a certain way that it causes offense to them. You cannot stop that, but it doesn’t mean that was the intention. Don’t get me wrong, I am not going to pretend to know what the true meaning behind it was. But is this any different then what they did to Bush? There were cartoons in the papers and magazines all the time portraying Bush in a poor light (that’s putting it nicely) and making him a running joke. He was our president, where was the uproar?
No one made any effort to hide their negative feelings about Bush and it was dismissed as freedom of speech, well that freedom still exists. Celebrities like the Dixie Chicks, who can’t keep their mouths shut for a minute, said out loud and proud that they were embarrassed by Bush. He was our president, where was the respect?
Like I stated above, I ‘m not going to assume I know what the intention was behind the cartoon. However, I do seriously doubt as some have said, that Obama (being the chimp) should be shot. The paper apologized. I think everyone needs to just relax and take it for what it was…a cartoon.
Here in New York alot has changed in the way the DMV collects fines for traffic and parking violations. It used to be that if you did get a ticket for say an expired inspection ticket or a broken light and you can show proof that the issue was resolved (fixed) within 24 hours then you would not have to pay the fine. That is no longer the case.
It seems that to collect so-called much needed funds for NY that if you receive such a fine and plead not guilty through the mail the DMV now sends a letter before a verdict from a judge has been granted in attempt to make a deal. They agree to lower the fine if you agree to plead guilty and pay. Then if you do not and the judge finds you guilty anyway, which it seems they always do now, well then you must pay before allowed to receive any appeal.
It also seems that a cop is allowed to issue a traffic violation and wait three months to submit the ticket. By that time you are found guilty due to not responding to the said ticket and your license is suspended. Which now it seems costs you even more that the ticket would have in the first place. If this happens and your license is suspended before you can receive a hearing you must pay a fee to lift the suspension and a bond fee. I guess in the eyes of the DMV you are considered a criminal and a flight risk, otherwise why would they ask for a bond to make sure you appear at the hearing.
Apparently, the powers-that-be forgot to inform some of their employees at the DMV of new rules. According to several DMV employees if a ticket is not submitted by the officer who issued it within a month the ticket becomes null and void. According to several employees you cannot pay or fight a ticket that is not in the system. Also, if you receive a ticket like I mentioned above and show proof of fixing the problem within a 24 hour period you should not have to pay the fine.
Unfortunately, according to the judges this is not true and they don’t care what you have to say to plead your case. For example, a ticket received due to an expired inspection sticker. It does not matter that the car was not even a year old and the inspection sticker was not updated prior to the sale of the car. I mean how many people really buy a car from a dealership and check the inspection sticker to make sure it’s a new one? The dealership acknowledged this, updated the inspection free of charge to the customer and included a note of the mistake on the invoice receipt as proof. As one judge stated this is not a defense and in order to receive an appeal to the decision the fine has to be paid.
Now why would I pay the fine and then appeal it? Like they are really going to give me my money back. I can understand if NY is trying to enforce driving laws, but at the expense of the residents. Maybe they should consider the person’s driving record, especially in a time where every penny counts. If this was a person’s first offense there should be some consideration. It just goes to show you where their priorities are. They claim to want to keep money in the pockets of the people, yet they are taking money from us any way they can.
Michael Phelps thought the punishment handed out by USA Swimming which leaves him suspended for three months was fair. I say it wasn’t. This athlete accomplished great things and he stands to accomplish so much more, should that be taken away from him because he made a poor choice in judgement. Because if we are penalizing people for poor choices I can name a few that have escaped such punishment.
It’s not like he used steroids or any drug that would have enhanced his performance. He smoked marijuana. Is he the best role model for kids now? Probably not. Does it take away from anything he has done in his life? No. He made a mistake. A mistake that did not affect his team or his ability to swim. So why the suspension?
In every sport we hear of people shooting other people or themselves. Baseball Hall Of Fame hopefuls who used steroids to basically cheat. NBA players so full of themselves they refuse to even play. These are things that call for banishment nevermind suspensions, and yet, Phelps is left wondering if this incident will affect his chances to compete in the 2012 Olympics. Not fair at all!
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is saying that the Democrats who voted on the $819 billion ”economic rescue plan” will be held accountable for how they spend it.
She said alot more, but that’s the gist of it. Well, let’s see, since the Dems voted on it, are the only ones who want it and will be the only ones to spend it, who else will they blame. She claims they took action when the Republicans would not, they stepped up. Maybe for them it’s easy to say let’s write a plan to use $819 billion more of taxpayers money and spend it how we see fit (that means on crap that serves their purposes and not in the taxpayers best interest). How do they sleep at night?
Not to worry though, because they will be held accountable. This is pretty laughable considering these particular Democrats (including Pelosi and all her cronies) never claim responsibility for anything.
As our new President, Obama’s first order of his presidency was to suspend the war crimes trial of Omar Khadr and five men charged in the September 11th attacks.
A 120-day continuance was issued for the trial of Khadr by Army Col. Patrick Parrish. The ruling to suspend the trial of the other five men is expected today.
A native of Canada, Omar Khadr, is on trial for supporting terrorism and allegedly killing in 2002 at age 15 a U.S. Army Sgt., 1st Class Christopher Speer. Here is a kid, he was a kid at the time he committed the ”alleged” crime, that comes from what Canada calls ”The First Family of Terrorism.” His father was killed by Pakistani forces for being an alleged al-Qaida militant and his brother is being held on accusations of supplying weapons to al-Qaida.
The defendants in the 9/11 trial have opposed the delay. They want to plead guilty, which could give them the death penalty. Of course they do, they want to be martyrs. Instead continue with the trial and let them spend the rest of their lives in jail.
There has been criticism from human rights groups as well as others over Guantanamo. Obama wants to close Guantanamo and expects to put an end to the special war crimes court and chooses for the cases to be prosecuted in the U.S. Now I ask, how could moving these trials to the U.S. not pose a danger to America?
Now in my opinion I don’t think the family of Sgt. Speer or the families of the victims of 9/11 will be too happy and they shouldn’t be. They have waited long enough for justice. Obama should have left the schedule alone until the detainees could be transferred to a more neutral territory and the trials continued. Why suspend the trial and pro-long the process? As far as human rights groups are concerned, all these people have committed horrendous acts of violence against people of the U.S., whether they were soldiers or civilians. What about the rights of the victims? Shouldn’t justice be served in their name?
The main question is, should this have really been his first priority as president, to help detainees from other countries who have supported or murdered Americans? Really? I could have given a Top 50 list of topics that take more priority in this country.
Another topic on his agenda for early executive orders would be to overturn the Mexico City policy forbidding U.S. funding for family planning programs that offer abortions. I’m against abortion, but not against counseling on options (such as adoption) that is every woman’s right. However, I do not think U.S. funding should be used to do either considering all the people in this country who do not have health insurance.
If those funds must be used in a way to help family planning programs then use them here, let’s say for adoption. I mean we are hurting here and their priorities and major concerns are for murderers and Mexico.
Well, I never thought I’d see a plane floating in the Hudson River. However, today I did. US Airways Flight 1549 departed from Laguardia, but on it’s way to North Carolina made an emergency landing in the water. It has been said that a pair of geese flew into the engines.
All the passengers were rescued and the pilot is being applauded for landing the plane safely (in water) and not leaving the plane until he knew all the passengers had been taken out. The plane was intact floating in the river when rescuers and a Circle Line ferry brought everyone to safety. This could have easily been a tragedy but instead it is an amazing story.
I guess it’s just human nature to think everyone has it better than you. That everyone else’s life is happy and problem free. However, you should keep in mind that is often never the case. Everyone has problems, no one is always happy (is that even possible) and no ones life is as it seems.
It goes for both men and women. We and I say we because we have all been guilty of this at one time or another. We believe that someone else has a better life, a better relationship or a better job.
No one has a perfect life. Not the celebrity on TV or the friend who you think has it all. Everyone has issues. Everyone has their own crosses to bare and their own heartache, whatever it may be. Life was not meant to be perfect. It has ups and downs, good and bad times. You just have to learn to roll with the punches.
A part of life is having someone to share it with. Someone who you make promises to and create a family with. You buy a house, but the people in it make it a home. I think often times we forget that. It’s easy to say you are not happy anymore and you want out, because you think there is something better out there. Then when you realize that there is no one better it will be too late.
We think that love is supposed to stay the same, our feelings are not supposed to change. Of course they change. The couple sitting at the table next to you, the ones who can’t keep their hands off each other, the ones that leave you wondering where those feelings went. That is the stage they are going through in their relationship. Will theirs last because they are so in love at the moment? Maybe, maybe not? Love, Real Love, was meant to stand the test of time.
That once in a lifetime love that was meant to be, will always be, but the feelings won’t always be the same. You get married and most times start a family. The person that you looked at as your lover is now the mother/father of your child, so of course you will look at them differently. You will feel love, but a different kind of love.
We think that we are always supposed to be ”in love” with the person we marry. Love changes over time. The “in love” feeling you had when you met turns into true love, a love that defines a relationship, a respect, an understanding that only you share with that person. That person is the most important thing in your life or at least they should be. Love is not meant to be just a rush of feelings, it’s meant to be so much more.
Also, we forget that no relationship goes without problems. During the course of life and all those ups and downs the people we are with go through them too. When we are up we are great and happy and love the person we are with, but when we’re down we are sad or depressed and that stress causes tension in a relationship. We forget that the person next to us through it all is the one that knows us better than anyone, knows our flaws and accepts them. That is the person who will be the only person you can count on for anything.
Then we have the times when we are at the plateau which is where we are usually and we go through day to day motions. That is when our mind wanders. We are bored with our job. It wasn’t what we planned on doing for the rest of our lives. It wasn’t the career we thought we’d have. Well, in life you have to make sacrifices and choices. It’s not one persons fault, it’s what we choose to make our lives work. Does the job we choose define who we are? No. Should it? No.
We have to make allowances for ourselves and the situations that life puts us in. It’s just the way it happens. But the person you envy who took your dream job, he probably hates it half the time. We don’t always love what we do, but we do it anyway. Does it suck just to make ends meet and not have passion in what we do? Yes, so what do we do, get a hobby.
We start to think is this what my life is? Is this what I want? Am I in a rut, unmotivated or uninspired? Sure you are. Life and relationships have moments. Moments of joy and happiness, moments of sadness and pain, but they don’t happen everyday. Face it we don’t walk around excited about everything and always look at our partner in awe. So it’s not just you, it’s everyone. Everyone goes through the same thing, we think the grass is always greener on the other side. That the other persons life is somehow better than our own. You know what? Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t, but no matter what their life isn’t always great. Their job sometimes sucks just as much as yours and their husband or wife fights with them too. So get over it!!!!!!
That is exactly what Danny Platt of New Orleans did. After initially telling police that men with guns kidnapped his 2 1/2 year old son, Ja’Shawn Powell, the man confessed to killing the child.
Actually I shouldn’t refer to him as a man, I should’ve typed monster. He killed his own child, an innocent little boy, because he didn’t want to pay court ordered child support.
I’m trying to wrap my head around this. He brought the child into the world and even though he had visiting rights he never cared to see his son. That is until a court ordered him to financially help support the child, so then he decides to pick-up the boy and murder him. This way if there is no child, there is no need to give the mother money to take care of him. What a waste of human life!!!
While reading some news articles on the web and the comment threads, one of them stood out to me. It explained, when asked how, President George Bush kept us safe. The first WTC bombing in 1993 happened while Clinton was President. The USS Cole (2000) was attacked, also when Clinton was in office. Although that attack didn’t take place in America U.S. Soldiers were killed. September 11, 2001 took place about 8 months after Clinton left office. Which means the terrorists were allowed not only to enter the country (wasn’t Atta on watchlists), but to plot and plan our demise. All this took place under Clinton’s watchful eye (yeah right!).
Since 9/11 NO terrorist attacks have occurred in America and any attempts have been stopped before damage was done. We have been kept safe under President George Bush.
People like to say Bill Clinton was a great president, but when I ask what made him great they have no answer. Clinton opened the gates to America and never closed them. He also wasn’t too concerned about who was let in. You want to blame someone for the rise in unemployment blame him. If all these illegal immigrants weren’t here then Americans would have jobs. We would have our health insurance and our public assistance – instead Clinton made an America that is the land of opportunity for everyone except those who were born here.
John Travolta and Kelly Preston’s 16 year old son, Jett, died on Friday, while on a family vacation in the Bahamas. They say he had a seizure in the bath tub and hit his head. My heart goes out to the family during this difficult time. It doesn’t matter why this happened or how so I will not speculate, it only matters that a life was lost suddenly.
