Obama’s Huffington Post: “Palin Will Run in ‘12 on More Retardation Platform”
Friday, July 3, 2009 | Kristinn
Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 6:31:16 PM by kristinn
The Huffington Post, an official arm of the Obama administration, published an article a few minutes ago on the resignation of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin with the following headline: Palin Will Run in ‘12 on More Retardation Platform
To make sure that the article’s reference to Gov. Palin’s infant son Trig who was born with Down Syndrome last year, the article is keyword tagged by the Huffington Post: …Sarah Palin Trig; Trig; Comedy News
The article is authored by Erik Sean Nelson was posted at the Huffington Post at 6 p.m. EDT.
The text of the article:
In Sarah Palin’s resignation announcement she complained about the treatment of her son Trig who always teaches her life lessons. She said that the “world needs more Trigs, not fewer.” That’s a presidential campaign promise we can all get behind. She will be the first politician to actually try to increase the population of retarded people. To me, it’s kinda like saying the world needs more cancer patients because they teach us such personal lessons.
Her first act as President: To introduce a Pre-K lunch buffet that includes lead paint chips. Sort of a Large HEAD-START Program.
She will then encourage women to hold off on pregnancies until their 40’s just to mix up some chromosomes.
She now is in favor of abortion only in case of diploid birth.
Her policies will increase jobs because Wal-Mart is building new stores each day and someone has to be the greeter.
This will lead to smaller government because fewer Americans will have the cognitive ability to hold a government job.
Look, she says she’s resigning as governor because people are making attacks on her and Trig. If she ever did become president, all Osama bin Laden would have to do to defeat the United States is Photoshop a picture of Trig and she’d surrender the country that night. As she said, “That’s not politics as usual.” It isn’t. Politicians don’t usually quit for so stupid of reasons.
Nelson’s HuffPo bio: Erik Nelson has written for several comedy websites and published short fiction while living in the deep South. He has studied the local culture of his Red State and feels confident that they have accepted him as one of their own. Big mistake.
Join him behind enemy lines, deep in the Red Zone. Or email him at erikseannelson@gmail.com.
The Huffington Post was recently invited to the White House to ask a question of Barack Obama at a nationally televised press conference. The questioner, HuffPo National Editor Nico Pitney, asked a question on a pre-arranged topic of Obama. Pitney was trusted to do so because of his background as a Democratic party operative.
Link to HuffPo article about Gov. Palin and her son Trig.
And his lame apology:
I wrote a piece making fun of the fact that a Trig Palin joke was given as the reason that Sarah Palin left office. I wrote jokes that were offensive but my intent was for them to be ironic and therefore not offensive. I was wrong. Within ten minutes of my post I received some emails from the loved ones of the retarded and I saw that my piece was hurtful. Therefore, I removed the post right after receiving the first 2 emails.
I removed it immediately because I saw that it did not come across as I intended. I apologize to all of those who were offended.
I couldn’t even finish it. Normally Kate Hudson is enough to charm me through a really bad movie, although she is not the greatest actress. But Matthew McConaughey just ruins everything he touches. This is what I always think of whenever I think of McConaughey:
I’ve been watching this all along, but then couldn’t remember if it was renewed or not. It is, and so it’s a show you should checkout.
I adore this show. If you love shows like Arrested Development or Family Guy, you will love it as well. It pokes fun at everyone and everything. I adore Jay Harrington (The Inside, Desperate Housewives) and Portia de Rossi (Arrested Development).
I hope that all of you have a wonderful holiday weekend. If you are traveling, please be safe. And, take a moment to think of the reason behind the holiday: our freedoms have been built on the courage and sacrifice of so many. Let’s all take a moment and thank our everyday heroes for their commitment to the greater good.
Yesterday at her father’s funeral, Shawn sang this song. I don’t know how she kept her composure; many felt the emotion through this song and there was nary a dry eye at the cemetary.
“His back is bent and weary
His voice is tired and low
His sword is worn from battle
And his steps have gotten slow
But he used to walk on water
Or it seemed that way to me
I know he moved some mountains
And never left his knees.
He faced the winds of sorrow
But his heart knew no retreat
He walked in narrow places
Knowing Christ knew no defeat.
But, now his steps turn homeward,
so much closer to the prize.
He’s sounding kind of homesick.
There’s a longing in his eyes.
Strike up the band
Assemble the choir
Another soldier’s coming home
Another warrior hears the call he’s
waited for so long.
He’ll battle no more
He’s won his wars
make sure Heaven’s table has room
for at least one more.
Sing a welcome song
Another soldier’s coming home.“
Miss Julie gave birth to her third child on July 1st. Here is a picture of Baby N!!
I know, I slipped through without doing a June one. Sorry, was just too busy and distracted.
My friend Steph is doing a TNT triathlon. Click here to access her website, her donation page, and her blog. I’m so proud of her!!
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Wow, what a week!!
Sunday, The Vet and I went north and visited my mom. We had a nice visit, although I always feel badly because The Vet is not one to sit around and visit, so we never stay more than 1.5 – 2 hours. But Mom says she understands as my dad was never one to stay and visit either. In any case, Mom made her standard scalloped potatoes from scratch. I usually love this, but I just can’t eat it anymore – the fat from the butter and all just makes my stomach turn. I was sick all the way through into Monday.
Monday, I woke up and thought I was going to see my lunch from the previous day. I tried to keep it together, as I was meeting Munchesmom and her 4 munchkins for swimming. We’d already had to cancel several times due to weather and one of her munchkins’ injuries. So, I was bound and determined to push my stomach ails out of my mind. I did pretty well. 
The munchkins are really well-behaved and we had a great time.
Tuesday, I interviewed with a government agency. It was a 3-person panel, as per usual. They were very impressed when I gave them all copies of my portfolio. It has a sample of a class I created, a sample of a job aid I created, a sample of the training tips I used to send out, a sample of an e-learning class I created, and a sample of a needs assessment survey I created. The interview lasted 1.5 hours and about 2 hours later, they asked for my information so that they could begin the background check. They called yesterday and want to see me again on Tuesday.
Wednesday, I had to be at the airport by 8 in order to fly out to Chicago for my interview with the publishing company. I will detail out the reasons behind why American Airlines can suck it in another post, but I was 40 minutes behind schedule by the time I was in that limo from the previous post. However, I interviewed with my possible future boss, then her boss took us to lunch, then her boss interviewed me. I found out that I am the only one they have flown out to meet them and that I’m still their top candidate – at least I was, but my presentation sucked!! I screwed up and did a demo instead of a training. I think I’m okay though, but I’m not putting all of my eggs in one basket. I did not get home until about 8:30 pm that night.
Thursday, I had to get up and go get my niece, O, and take her to the airport for her flight. After that I went grocery shopping. By the time I was done with all of that, it was time to go to my WeightWatchers meeting. I was really tired all day.
Today, a friend of mine from college and I went up to the Cleveland area to attend Shawn’s dad’s funeral. It was a beautiful yet haunting service. Missy and I had a great time catching up, though, and it was great to see Shawn (despite the circumstances) after 15 years. I was gone from about 7 am to 4 pm. But it was totally worth it. Then when I got home, The Vet was very happy to see me ( heh heh) and then he made me dinner.
Tonight, my mom informed me that my aunt passed away last night. I can’t do the funeral on Tuesday because of my interview, so I am going to run up and back on Monday for the visitation.
Tomorrow? I’m going to the pool and vegging to my heart’s content.
Helen Thomas: Not Even Nixon Tried to Control the Media Like Obama
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
By Penny Starr and Fred Lucas
President Obama is introduced before taking questions during a discussion on health care, July 1, 2009, at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale , Va. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
(CNSNews.com) – Following a testy exchange during Wednesday’s briefing with White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas told CNSNews.com that not even Richard Nixon tried to control the press the way President Obama is trying to control the press.
“Nixon didn’t try to do that,” Thomas said. “They couldn’t control (the media). They didn’t try.
“What the hell do they think we are, puppets?” Thomas said. “They’re supposed to stay out of our business. They are our public servants. We pay them.”
Thomas said she was especially concerned about the arrangement between the Obama Administration and a writer from the liberal Huffington Post Web site. The writer was invited by the White House to President Obama’s press conference last week on the understanding that he would ask Obama a question about Iran from among questions that had been sent to him by people in Iran.
“When you call the reporter the night before you know damn well what they are going to ask to control you,” Thomas said.
“I’m not saying there has never been managed news before, but this is carried to fare-thee-well–for the town halls, for the press conferences,” she said. “It’s blatant. They don’t give a damn if you know it or not. They ought to be hanging their heads in shame.”
During today’s briefing, Thomas interrupted a back-and-forth between Gibbs and Chip Reid, the White House correspondent for CBS News, when Reid was questioning Gibbs about who was going to decide what questions would be asked of President Obama in a townhall meeting that was scheduled to take place in Annandale, Va., today.
Gibbs then had an exchange involving Reid and Thomas that went as follows:
Gibbs: “… But, again, let’s–How about we do this? I promise we will interrupt the AP’s tradition of asking the first question. I will let you [Chip Reid] ask me a question tomorrow as to whether you thought the questions at the town hall meeting that the President conducted in Annandale—“
Chip Reid: “I’m perfectly happy to—”
Helen Thomas: “That’s not his point. The point is the control–”
Reid: “Exactly.”
Thomas: “We have never had that in the White House. And we have had some, but not– This White House.”
Gibbs: “Yes, I was going to say, I’ll let you amend her question.”
Thomas: “I’m amazed. I’m amazed at you people who call for openness and transparency and—”
Gibbs: “Helen, you haven’t even heard the questions.”
Reid: “It doesn’t matter. It’s the process.”
Thomas: “You have left open—”
Reid: “Even if there’s a tough question, it’s a question coming from somebody who was invited or was screened, or the question was screened.”
Thomas: “It’s shocking. It’s really shocking.”
Gibbs: “Chip, let’s have this discussion at the conclusion of the town hall meeting. How about that?”
Reid: “Okay.”
Gibbs: “I think—“
Thomas: “No, no, no, we’re having it now–”
Gibbs: “Well, I’d be happy to have it now.”
Thomas: “It’s a pattern.”
Gibbs: “Which question did you object to at the town hall meeting, Helen?”
Thomas: “It’s a pattern. It isn’t the question—”
Gibbs: “What’s a pattern?”
Thomas: “It’s a pattern of controlling the press.”
Gibbs: “How so? Is there any evidence currently going on that I’m controlling the press–poorly, I might add.”
Thomas: “Your formal engagements are pre-packaged.”
Gibbs: “How so?”
Reid: “Well, and controlling the public—”
Thomas: “How so? By calling reporters the night before to tell them they’re going to be called on. That is shocking.”
Gibbs: “We had this discussion ad nauseam and—”
Thomas: “Of course you would, because you don’t have any answers.”
Gibbs: “Well, because I didn’t know you were going to ask a question, Helen.
Go ahead.”
Thomas: “Well, you should have.”
Reporter: Thank you for your support.
Gibbs: “That’s good. Have you e-mailed your question today?”
Thomas: “I don’t have to e-mail it. I can tell you right now what I want to ask.”
Gibbs: “I don’t doubt that at all, Helen. I don’t doubt that at all.”
Thomas, 89, has covered the White House during every presidency since John F. Kennedy’s.
- Sorry about lack of posts – have been crazy-busy
- Sunday: The Vet and I went up and visited my mom
- Monday: Munchesmom and her four munchkins joined me at the pool. We had a blast.
- Tuesday: I had Big Interview with government agency.
- Wednesday: I flew to Chicago and had even Bigger Interview with company from before. I loved them and I hope that they love me still. This is the sweet ride that they sent for me:
I’ll write more about the interview and trip later.
- Today: dragged my tired hiney out of bed and picked up my niece, O, and went to breakfast and then took her to the airport for her trip.
I’m soooooooooooooooo tired. I’m physically and emotionally drained. I’ll write more soon!!
The Darcy Connection by Elizabeth Aston
Ahhh, remember how Charlotte, Lizzie’s best friend, married the abominable Mr. Collins? This story focuses on what happens to their children (which of course, brings up images of Mr. Collins… ummm – yeah, I’m sure they kept their clothes on, it was completely dark, and they washed immediately afterward!). In any case, they have 3 children – 1 son who is just as boring as his father and two daughters.
Much like Jane Bennet was considered the beauty and Lizzie was, well, Lizzie, the Misses Collins are a great beauty (Charlotte) and, well, Eliza. The book is very well done, as are all of Ms. Aston’s. I wish that she would have gone into greater depths on the relationship between the sisters – Charlotte remains quite the enigma and her cold demeanor is never quite explained.
From Amazon:
“The Darcy Connection” follows the fortunes of Mr. Collins’ two daughters, Charlotte and Eliza, as they navigate their way through a merciless London season. Both Charlotte and Eliza are of marriageable age; however Mr. Collins, now Bishop of Ripon, has not the means to secure either of his daughters a desirous match. Fortunately for Charlotte at least, her wealthy godmother is willing to sponsor a London season for her, sure that her extraordinary beauty will ensure her a brilliant match. Headstrong Eliza however accompanies her sister not because an equally brilliant match is expected for her so much as to remove her from the sphere of a smitten suitor whose parents oppose of their son’s attachment to Eliza. Defiant, Eliza is resolved to show no interest in London swains and fashions — that is until a dismissive remark from a certain gentleman causes her to rethink her stance…
While quite the enjoyable and delightful read, Elizabeth Ashton did reuse many plot motifs and devices from previous novels — like beautiful but remote elder sisters, and heroes who seem to disapprove of the heroine and who make initial cutting remarks that they later live to regret. So really, there was nothing terribly original or unique about “The Darcy Connection.” On the other hand, it was a well crafted novel, full of thoughtfully depicted characters, that made for an absorbing and compelling read. So that even though I personally wished that Charlotte had been less of a cipher and that she had figured more vitally into the story at hand; and even though I thought that there was a missed opportunity not to have included Mr. Collins more into the plot, I will say that “The Darcy Connection” truly was a charming and delightful read.
Finger Lickin’ Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
I love Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum novels. Heck, with the luck that Stephanie Plum has, she and I are practically the same person! I do wish that the storyline would be advanced in some way – Stephanie really should make some choices one way or another. But still a great summer read!
From Amazon:
Stephanie Plum has had enough experience by now to be a seasoned vet, but somehow she still manages to stumble along the way – but I guess that is part of her charm. There are two things we can count on about Ms. Plum: She will bumble her way through the book and never commit to a serious relationship – both hold true in her latest adventure. Fifteen Lickin’ Fifteen has all the characters that we’ve come to love and even spends time developing some of their stories.
Lula, the clerk with a dubious past, witnesses the brutal murder of television star, Stanley Chipotle. This brings her the unwanted attention of keystone-capered-type-killers that are just as inept at their chosen career as Ms. Plum is at hers. Well, a big reward is offered for the capture of the killers, and Lula, along with Grandma Mazur, enter the cooking contest the TV star was in town to promote in hopes of catching them. Stephanie, meanwhile, is working with her on again, off again lover, Ranger, to solve a series of burglaries that appear to be inside jobs.
Franklin County Municipal Judge Harland H. Hale accepted guilty pleas to two counts of animal cruelty and one count of possessing a criminal tool a homemade silencer Santuomo used on the end of a rifle.
The pleas today could jeopardize Santuomo’s career. He still faces an internal disciplinary hearing with Fire Chief Ned Pettus Jr. He has been a firefighter since 1996.
Assistant County Prosecutor Heather Robinson said the facts of the case are brutal:
On Dec. 3, Santuomo laid down a plastic sheet in his basement and tied the dogs to a pipe, partially suspending their bodies. He shot them multiple times, then dumped their carcasses in a trash bin behind Fire Station 27 at 7560 Smoky Row Rd., where he was assigned.
“He later bragged about killing his pets to fellow firefighters, and he showed no remorse, even joking about it,” Robinson said. “Fellow firefighters were disgusted by what he did, and the Capital Area Humane Society was called to investigate.” (This is how serial killers start – first cruelty to animals, then moving on to human beings.)
Hale sentenced Santuomo to 90 days in jail and ordered him to pay a $150 fine. He must have no pets or firearms in his home for five years and serve 200 hours of community service; undergo random home inspections; and pay $4,500 in restitution for the costs of the investigation to the county and the Capital Area Humane Society, from which he had adopted the dogs.
He also was ordered to write a letter of apology to a firefighters magazine and to readers of The Dispatch.
Hale said Santuomo will be permitted to serve his jail time in 10-day stints over a two-year period. (Bull shit – since when do the criminals pick their jail time?!?!)
Perez Hilton Sues Black Eyed Peas Manager for Black Eye
Today 1:55 PM PDT by Josh Grossberg
AP Photo/Perez HiltonPerez Hilton is ready to eat his peas and then some.
Hollywood’s most hated gossip hound has filed a lawsuit claiming he suffered a black eye and “emotional distress” at the hands of the Black Eyed Peas tour manager during a Monday morning smackdown in Toronto.
In his complaint filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court under his legal name of Mario Lavandeira, the blogger says he was beaten up by 36-year-old Polo Molina following a dispute with will.i.am and Fergie over the artistic merits of the Peas’ new album, The E.N.D. Hilton also claims his civil rights were violated by Molina’s actions.
Hilton is seeking compensation for medical expenses and unspecified general and punitive damages.
Molina was arrested by Toronto police and charged with one count of assault after allegedly striking Hilton in the face outside a downtown club during an afterparty for the MuchMusic Awards. The hit came after the openly gay Hilton called will.i.am “a f—–t.” (Isn’t there a saying for this – oh yeah – pot – kettle – black.)
In the aftermath, Hilton and will.i.am posted dueling videoblogs detailing their cases. Hilton was also skewered by celebrities like John Mayer and Kelly Clarkson, who felt the attack was deserved given his online trash-talking, as well as the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which slammed him for using the slur.
Hilton has since apologized for his “misguided” comment, saying that “words can hurt” and that he wished “none of it had happened.”
That prompted a follow-up statement from GLAAD today.
“Perez Hilton’s acknowledgement that words can hurt is an important step in the right direction, and while his change of tone is welcome, he still seems to be justifying the use of the slurs,” said GLAAD spokesman Rashad Robinson.
“A statement that stops short of apologizing for and disavowing the use of that slur doesn’t get us where we need to be—these are vulgar antigay slurs that feed a climate of hatred and intolerance that continues to put our community in harm’s way. When someone from our community uses a far-reaching media platform to promote these kinds of slurs, it sends a message that it’s OK to use these dehumanizing words.”
The gay rights organization then called on Hilton to cease and desist from using such “demeaning and defamatory language” against any group on his website.
So far—and against type—he’s remained mum.
In other words, dumbass, you’re propagating a stereotype, which hurts everyone.
Music Blogs > Reality Rocks > Cowell’s Confession: Simon Says, “I Was Wrong”
Cowell’s Confession: Simon Says, “I Was Wrong”
Well, these are six words I never thought I’d hear come out of Simon Cowell’s mouth: “I don’t always get it right.”
Although Simon has very occasionally apologized to a harshly criticized American Idol contestant, Simon rarely admits he’s made a mistake. And to be honest, he rarely DOES make a mistake. Sometimes–in fact, most of the time–his critiques are unnecessarily cruel, but they’re usually dead-on correct.
However, in a letter to U.K. paper The Daily Mail this past weekend, Simon discussed his other popular show, Britain’s Got Talent, after an extremely controversial season that included sobbing underage contestants and the very public post-finale emotional meltdown of frontrunner Susan Boyle after she placed second. “I, of course, am inevitably portrayed as the evil ringmaster. I didn’t get into show business to make little children cry or upset a nice lady like Susan Boyle,” Simon wrote. “The time has finally come for me to set a few things straight.”
He added, candidly: “And I’m the first to hold my hands up and admit I’ve made mistakes.”
First, Simon addressed the children on the show, as much of the BGT backlash has centered on accusations that the younger contenders were exploited for TV drama (like 10-year-old “baby Beyonce” Natalie Okri, who cried and called Simon a “meanie” after he eliminated her in the semi-final round; or 12-year-old drummer Kieran Gaffney, who appeared crestfallen when he was didn’t make it to the finals; or 10-year-old singing ballerina Hollie Steel, who nervously broke down in the middle of one of her live performances and bawled hysterically, begging for another chance, until Simon nicely granted her a do-over).
“You just can’t imagine how awful it was, sitting in my judge’s chair, watching 10-year-old Hollie Steel start to cry in front of millions as she struggled to remember the lines of her song,” Simon wrote. “Oh God, it was terrible. Poor child. So I decided to let her come back later in the show to sing again. I was acting on instinct, thinking on my feet, just as I’ve always tried to do throughout my 30-odd years in the entertainment industry. In this instance, I thought giving Hollie a second chance was the right thing to do. Yet, ironically, I have had more complaints about Hollie being allowed to perform twice than anything else on the show.”
Simon continued: “Yet, perhaps my biggest regret of this year was…with Aidan Davis, the 11-year-old street dancer from Birmingham. In the final, I made him cry, too, by describing his performance as lackluster–it was a huge, huge mistake. It almost ruined the whole evening for everyone…I had treated him as I would an adult, forgetting that he was only an 11-year-old child with a dream. I apologized to him afterwards, but it didn’t make me feel any better about it. Moral of the story? I don’t always get it right. Looking back, I know I could’ve been kinder.”
Simon also admitted he could have been kinder in his treatment of Susan Boyle, who since her meteoric rise to reality-TV fame has suffered an equally swift and dramatic fall, being hospitalized for post-defeat exhaustion and cancelling a couple live performances on the Britain’s Got Talent tour amid rumors that she was hysterical and missed her cat Pebbles too much.
“Looking back on it all, it has become clear to me that we didn’t handle the situation with Susan as well as we could have,” Simon wrote. “Yet to be honest, when I analyze exactly what happened, I don’t know that I could have done it any differently…after she sang [in her first audition], I thought she had come over well, but not sensationally. I certainly didn’t think: ‘Here comes a phenomenon who is going to become the most famous woman in the world, I wonder if she can mentally cope with it?’”
Simon went on to say at first he had no clue that Susan might be emotionally unstable, stating: “She looked a bit eccentric and certainly a character, but that was all….She seemed fine with all the attention–I thought she was utterly charming and really thrilled with what had happened. I thought–perhaps naively–that she was in control. When I asked her if she was enjoying herself, she replied: ‘Simon, I am having the time of my life.’ I was pleased. I thought whatever happens, we have changed this lady’s life.”
Simon did write that he started to see cracks in Susan’s armor during the semi-finals. “I said [to her]: ‘Susan, are you sure this is still all OK?’ And again she said, yes, she was fine. I told her the most important thing was that she enjoyed the experience; that it had to be the best night of her life. Even then, I didn’t pick up on any unduly troubling signs….Then, during the final show, at the crucial point when the dance group Diversity won, I looked over at her face and thought: ‘Christ, she doesn’t know how to deal with not winning.’ It was a bad moment.”
After assuring in his Daily Mail open letter that he will continue to support Susan in everything and anything she does, he posed the two-part question that many people–from regular BGT viewers to media pundits to mental health experts–have been asking for weeks now:
“Should we impose a minimum entry age and introduce some form of stricter psychological screening for applicants?”
Simon argued that the answer was no.
“I’m not so sure. How could that work? There is no easy way of achieving fame, and no guaranteed or trusted way of dealing with it. Yes, there have been problems, but overall I think it is a positive experience for [Susan]. I’m glad we gave her this opportunity and–more importantly–I think Susan is as well. Then there are the children. We have to go through a ton of regulatory bodies and red tape to get them to appear. It would be far easier not to have them, but I like having youngsters on the show. Why shouldn’t they have a chance to show off a talent if they’ve got one? And win or lose, I want it to be a fun experience for them. We take as many precautions as we can. They have minders or their parents with them at all times, and we take great care of them, too. Yes, on stage things can go wrong, as it can with any live broadcast.”
Simon concluded his lengthy letter with this:
“I accept I’ve made mistakes along the way. I like to believe, however, that there are more positives than negatives from the shows I’ve made. I’m proud that we’ve found real stars and given normal people a chance to fulfill their dreams. I also accept, as the shows grow, that I have new responsibilities to my contestants. But, most importantly, I’m proud to be making a show in Britain that shows British character at its best. Amid all the controversy over Susan Boyle, it’s easy to forget that this year’s Britain’s Got Talent was won by a bunch of young guys who worked extraordinarily hard for months on end to get that coveted opportunity to perform in front of the Royal Family. I think Diversity are incredible, totally amazing. They prove to me, without a doubt, that while it may have its fair share of sour cynics and bitter moaners, Britain really has got talent.”
I have to say, I commend Simon for taking the time to write this. Viewers tend to see him as an unfeeling, dream-crushing bully who has no concern for how his nasty barbs affect contestants, as long as his sardonic soundbites generate big ratings and morning-after watercooler buzz. And naturally, what transpired during the course of the most recent Britain’s Got Talent season seemed to only cement Simon’s tough image. However, this letter–in which he turns his coldly critical eye on himself for a change–humanizes Simon Cowell. It’s refreshing to see that his brutal honesty also applies to his own behavior.
I did want to share my favorite pic of myself as a child. I love that it’s real – not posed or anything. I was upset that I wasn’t allowed to go into the attic with my father and brothers.
Whether your children are human or furry, whether s/he or they arrived via marriage, surprise or gift, whether you share DNA or were brought together through fate, chance, or circumstance, you all have one thing in common: Love.
Happy Father’s Day!!
You know, it’s been so long since I’ve reviewed a show that I had to go back and see what the heck I called these posts. Anyway, we just switched to Time Warner from satellite, and with it comes a year of Showtime for free. At first, I thought, now Showtime, that would be great!! But you know what they run ad nauseum ? Mission Impossible: 2. Really? Cuz it was such a giant hit in the theaters? Ummmm, no. Sleepy Hollow? Nope, not a hit either.
But, they do have a fabulous show in:
I have watched the first 2 episodes and I love it. But is that surprising? Has Edie Falco ever made a misstep in her career? I think not. Nurse Jackie is similar to Dr. House, in that she is a drug-addict and she can be aloof. But, she is her own character in that she rights wrongs in her own way – such as flushing an ear down the toilet after its owner said that American women enjoy being cut up. It shows back up in the 2nd episode in a hysterical scene.
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Boxer, the U.S. Senator, Chides Brigadier General for Calling Her ‘Ma’am’In case you forgot, Barbara Boxer is a senator. The feisty California lawmaker felt the need to remind an Army brigadier general of that fact Tuesday during a hearing before her Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, where the military officer testifying had the apparent gall to call Boxer “ma’am.” Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was testifying on the Louisiana coastal restoration process in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He began to answer one of Boxer’s questions with “ma’am” when Boxer immediately cut him off. “You know, do me a favor,” an irritated Boxer said. “Could say ’senator’ instead of ‘ma’am?’” “Yes, ma’am,” Walsh interjected. “It’s just a thing, I worked so hard to get that title, so I’d appreciate it, yes, thank you,” she said. “Yes, senator,” he responded. YOU DECIDE: Super Sensitive or Right On? However, Walsh surely meant no disrespect, as military protocol advises that officers may use “sir” or “ma’am” when addressing anybody higher than them on the chain of command. “We would call them ’sir’ or ‘ma’am’ or ’senator such-and-such’,” Army spokesman Lt. Col. Nathan Banks said. Banks said any of those terms would be “appropriate” when addressing a senator. According to one guide, the Navy and Coast Guard typically use “mister” or “miss” to address officers below the rank of commander, and “sir” or “ma’am,” or a specific title, to address anyone at that rank or higher. “You can never go wrong by using ‘Sir’ or ‘Ma’am,’ but it is a nice touch if you can properly address a senior officer,” says the guide, Military Protocol: Uniformed Services. A rep for Boxer said she and Walsh later spoke and discussed their respect for each other. “Senator Boxer called Brigadier General Walsh earlier today. They had a friendly conversation, expressed their respect for each other and talked about how they look forward to working together to protect our communities from natural disasters.” Tuesday’s hearing was hardly the first time a military officer used those terms during sworn testimony. The same day at a Senate Armed Services subcommittee hearing, two Navy officials repeatedly referred to Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., with the title, “sir.” “Yes, sir,” Navy Vice Adm. Bernard McCullough said when answering questions. Wicker raised no objections. |
