This Is Not The Way To Start The New Year: FEAR

This was taken from the www.whitehouse.gov:

Executive Order — Medical Countermeasures Following a Biological Attack

ESTABLISHING FEDERAL CAPABILITY FOR THE TIMELY PROVISION OF
MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES FOLLOWING A BIOLOGICAL ATTACK

Basically, what he is saying is that following a biological (anthrax) attack the U.S. Postal Service is allowed to deliver medical countermeasures (antidote). Well, thank you Mr. President, that makes me feel all safe & confident that all the branches of the U.S. Government are doing their job (uh not!).

This Executive Order is released after a Nigerian man tries to blow up a plane last month, Newark Airport was on a Security Lockdown Sunday night and the masterminds of the 9/11 attack on America are facing a trial in New York.

So is the message we are getting for the new year to be afraid, be very afraid in 2010? Because when a President makes an announcement like that it kind of makes me believe it’s just a matter of time.

Mr. Obama didn’t anyone ever tell you that is not the way you show confidence in your government? The American people need you to do your job and do it right. You are focusing on all the wrong things and in the meantime we are sitting ducks for another terrorist attack.

Airport security measures have been tightened since Christmas Day, they never should have been lowered. The Nigerian man was on a terror watch list, so someone wasn’t doing their job letting him in the country to begin with. Now we are being told if we fly our lives will be disrupted further due to new screening measures, which please understand I am all for. However, as Americans are arriving early, subjected to more screenings and randoms checks, terrorists are still getting through.

This is why, two very simple reasons:

1) The people in charge of airport security are lazy. They don’t want to be bothered having to detain someone or go through all the procedures for people they know are of interest. Instead, they “randomly check” those who they know are not a threat. It’s fast and easy for them.

2) The people in charge of airport security are afraid of being portrayed as prejudice. If they stop someone to “randomly check” them because of their race, nationality or ethnicity they are yelled at and bullied into believing that it is racial profiling. That these people should not be picked out just because of their background.

Fix this problem and fix it fast. Also, Mr. President one more thing (for now) do something besides talk and spend money. All you have done since you took office is spend Billions and Trillions of dollars and we are no where near the end of this economic depression or any terrorist threat. Let’s make that your New Years Resolution!

Phillips Family Speaks Out About Mackenzie’s Claims

The same day Mackenzie Phillips appeared on Oprah with her shocking revelation members of her family spoke out.

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.

Mackenzie Phillips Spills Her Secrets

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.

Those We Lost August 2009 Remembered

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.

R.I.P. Patrick Swayze, Our Favorite Dirty Dancer

Actor Patrick Swayze died Monday at age 57 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

The star of hit movies such as “The Outsiders,” “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” will be remembered for his strength and his charisma.

Health Care Reform: The Obama Plan

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.

Source: WhiteHouse.gov

Michael Jackson’s “This Is It!” Movie Release Date

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.

Stay tuned as this story develops.

Octo-Mom Needs 14 Slaps, One For Every Child

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.

Murderer Should Not Be Shown Compassion

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.

Man on Wire Act Was 25 Years Ago Today

Some called it insane, some called it amazing, whatever you want to call it Philippe Petit’s daredevil act was 25 years ago today.

The Frenchman strung a wire between the Twin Towers and walked across it.   The high wire act was documented in the film “Man on Wire.”

I’d call him lucky!!

Reason For The Accident On The Taconic Revealed

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.

Perez Hilton Uses Internet AGAIN To Gain Publicity – For His New Label

You gotta hand it to him, Perez Hilton knows how to use the Internet and Social Media Sites to his advantage.

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.

Another Michael Jackson Memorial In The Works

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.

The Word Midget Is As Offensive As A Racial Slur

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.

Bronx Says Goodbye Stella D’Oro

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.

Source:  Wallet Pop

Is North Korea Looking For A War?

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.

Read the Official Webpage of The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

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?

I would really like opinions on this.

The Girl Who Never Ages

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.

Source:  ABC News

Michael Jackson’s Last Will

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.

Drugs Seem To Be The Cause Michael Jackson’s Death

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.

Source:  TMZ

The Real Biological Parents Of Michael Jackson’s Kids?

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.

Source:  US Weekly

Vibe Magazine Closing

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.

Michael Jackson Goes Home To Neverland

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.

Michael Jackson Recorded Over 100 Secret Songs

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.

Swedish Parents Won’t Reveal Child’s Gender

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?

Source:  The Local – Sweden’s News In English

Michael Jackson’s Parents Want Temporary Guardianship Of His Kids And His Estate

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, Katherine has 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.

A hearing is set for next Monday.

Second Autopsy On Michael Jackson Under Way

Joe and Janet Jackson made appearances at the 2009 BET Awards Show Sunday, watching as the celebrities paid tribute to Michael.  Janet made a heartfelt speech regarding her brother.  She thanked everyone for their love and support and expressed the family’s grief over losing their loved one.

Also accompanying Joe was the family attorney L. Londell McMillan who is the only person to speak on behalf of the Jackson family.

News was released about a second autopsy being conducted at the request of the family. There were no other details regarding a second autopsy except that the family would have more to say later.

Madoff Gets Sentenced To 150 Years In Prison

On Monday June 29, 2009 Bernard Madoff was given the maximum sentence of 150 years in prison.  That’s a far cry from the 12 years his lawyer was requesting.  Under current federal court rules he must serve at least 80% of the sentence, which would keep him behind bars for 120 years before he’s eligible for parole.

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 Son Of Sam Shows Remorse

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.

The Madoff’s Lose Their Assets

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.

Calvin Klein Replaces Controversial Billboard

The controversial Calvin Klein billboard that I wrote about a week ago has been replaced with a swimwear ad.

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.

Oh well, as long as it’s gone.

Mother Let Boy Reach 555 Lbs.

Jerri Gray from South Carolina is out of jail on $50,000.00 bond after being charged with neglecting her obese son.

Gray allowed her son Alexander Draper to reach 555 lbs. by the age of 14 and that’s when law enforcement finally stepped in.  Alexander’s mother claims she cannot afford to get her son treatment and blames a hectic work schedule on his weight gain.  She says she was forced to buy fast food in between shifts.

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?

Perez Hilton Apologizes

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.

Perez acknowledged he used a word that is hurtful and has been used against him in the past. The same gay slur Isaiah Washington used against a co-star and was branded a gay-hater by Perez himself.

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.

Oscar Winner Used Craigslist To Rape Women

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.

Madoff Says 12 Years Is Enough

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.

Terry Nichols Claims Prison Food Makes Him Sin

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!

Perez Hilton “Attacked”

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.

Will.I.Am gave his account of what happened and hhmm I don’t know for some reason I believe him.

Chris Brown Pleads Guilty But Gets No Jail Time

Chris Brown pleaded guilty to assault charges on Monday, but he will not go to jail.  The charges stemmed from a fight Brown and singer Rihanna had on February 8th, 2009, which left her battered and bruised. 

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.

NFL Player Suspended Indefinitely

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.

Calvin Klein’s Newest Controversy

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.

Who’s The Racist?

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.

A Plot To Bomb NYC Temple

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?

It Was 30 Years Ago We Saw The First Face On Milk Carton

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.

9/11 Joke Not So Funny Obama

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.

Legendary Gossip Columnist Let Go

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.

Source:   The Associated Press

Octuplet’s Grandfather On Oprah

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.

Source:  Huffingtonpost.com

Who thinks Obama is America’s Hero?

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?

 

Source:  AOL – Results of The Harris Poll

Octuplets Mom Wants Your Money

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 Cartoon Controversy

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.

Michael Phelps Suspension Unfair

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!

Plane Lands In Hudson River

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.