Press Secretary Perino joined the "Dumb as a Box of Rocks" club!!

JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, during a press conference, Press Secretary Dana Perino was ask a question about the Cuban Missle Crisis and Bay of Pigs. Her response was that she did not know anything about them! Where did this person who works in the office of the highest position in the United States get her education? Geez, this was taught in our required educational system. Not having gone to college, I have no idea if this is covered in the history classes at that level.

But there is absolutely no excuse for ANYONE who went to school in the United States of America to not know what the Cuban Missle Crisis/Bay of Pigs was all about. Especially if you work in the White House Administration!!! Dana Perino is a perfect example of the "No Child Left Behind". She obviously fell through the cracks! I would love to read something written by her. Bet her sentence structure and possibly her spelling are lacking as well!!

Check it out at Perino: I Didn't Know What The Cuban Missile Crisis Was Be sure to read the responses to the article. They are priceless!!

Fires in California - and Idiot Smokers!!!

Here is a fine article by Patt Morrison on the Huffington Post today.

Cigarette Butts and Buttheads in a Time of Fire

Posted October 25, 2007 | 09:52 AM (EST)
Truly, I did not think we made 'em that dim any more.

Driving out of a Los Angeles hillside neighborhood this week, I stopped for a red light. In the car in front of me, the driver was smoking, languidly hanging his cigarette hand out of the window between puffs.

The wind was up and dry leaves were stirring. I watched his cigarette hand the way the fellow in the crow's nest on the Titanic must have watched the looming iceberg.

And then he dropped the burning cigarette butt in the street.

I was, as the English say, gobsmacked. The radio was reporting more acreage, more homes chewed up by fire. The sun was being caramelized by the haze of smoke. The ash was blowing in wisps off my windshield wipers. And this man flicked a lighted cigarette out of his car.

I leaped out of my car and hurried to stomp on the smoldering butt, grinding it out in the street. ''Are you nuts?'' I told him loudly -- my voice was shaking from the astonishment at what I'd just seen. ''The state is burning up around here, and you toss out a lighted cigarette? That's how these fires start! Be careful!''

He responded with some obscene insults. Then the light changed.

It's a misdemeanor in California to toss a lighted cigarette or cigar or match like that, but the cops I called told me they couldn't do anything -- they had to see it happening.

Something of the same happened to me in February, in stopped traffic on a major freeway. A man dropped his burning cigarette out of his truck. When I told him that he'd get a ticket if the CHP saw him, he answered that they'd let him off -- he was a sheriff's deputy.

I wonder about that deputy now. Has he been out directing traffic as people evacuate their smoky neighborhoods? Does he live in Canyon Country or Santa Clarita, and is his own home threatened by fire?

And what do you suppose he'd say to some man who tossed away the glowing cigarette butt that started the fire that burned down his house?

And here are some of the responses to her post.

BillW
I volunteer twice per month for the Caltrans Adopt-A-Highway program, picking up trash next to a local freeway in the LA area. We don't even bother picking up cigarette butts, as they are too small and way too numerous.

It is not at all uncommon to encounter a circular burned patch in the freeway landscaping, 1 to 2 feet in diameter, with a burned-out butt in the center. So if you try and tell me that lit butts don't cause fires, I'll call you a liar to your face.

Anyone who throws any kind of trash, burning or otherwise, out of their vehicle is an irresposible jerk, and a criminal.

CA Vehicle Code Section 23111 - No person in any vehicle and no pedestrian shall throw or discharge from or upon any road or highway or adjoining area, public or private, any lighted or nonlighted cigarette, cigar, match, or any flaming or glowing substance.

Too bad it isn't enforced. :-(

Maybe now is the time, with the fires fresh on our minds, to lobby the CHP and other agencies to allow reporting of license plate numbers of violators. They allow this for suspected drunk drivers, surely the potential devastation and economic damage from fires would justify this as well?

If that doesn't happen, I'd like to see someone put up a website where citizens could post plate numbers and pictures of violators and their vehicles.

Please note that the first draft of this post contained much more colorful language than what you see above, but that would never have seen the light of day.
posted 12:37 pm on 10/25/2007
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MJS
It's actually a very neat trick: you toss out the butt yet inside the car the asshole remains.

++++
posted 12:20 pm on 10/25/2007
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wcs55
Not to mention it takes approx 50 to 60 years for the butt to biodegrade.
posted 11:54 am on 10/25/2007
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filabac
Bronceye sounds like the guy at our local gas station who was told to put out his cigarette while filling his kerosene can. He demostarated to the attendant how harmless the butt was by dropping it into the can. Both spent a month in the burn center.
posted 11:50 am on 10/25/2007
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BobbyJoe
A cigarette butt won't start a fire, eh? That sure isn't what the insurance investigators told my parents when some idiot who had been renting their vacation home burned the house down after flipping his butts into the bushes around the house (which had a non-smoking rule for renters in the first place). My family learned the hard way that burning cigarette butts can most definitely cause a fire, and if that University of Minnesota study is so well regarded, you might want to share it with some of the people whose job it is to investigate the causes of house fires for a living.
posted 11:44 am on 10/25/2007
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TREDHEK
"Try to start a fire with a cigarrette butt. It won't happen."

AND

"Granolas seem to over-react."

Huh? Cigarettes set fire to other material. Hundreds of people die each year in fires that are accidentally started by cigarettes.

http://firesafecigarettes.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=48&itemID=1190&URL=About%20fire-safe%20cigarettes/What%20is%20a%20fire-safe%20cigarette?

I can only speculate on why you personally are unable to start a fire with another fire.
posted 11:35 am on 10/25/2007
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inkslave
I have seen more than one fire started with a dropped cigarette. Helps if you're in the desert and there's a serious wind. Like in Cali, say.

Glad you stomped it out. Glad you didn't get shot. And even though he cussed you out, you'll be in that driver's head next time he hangs his butt out a car window. (sorry, couldn't resist)
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Darwin48
Patt, Patt, Patt..You poor misguided fool. You are thinking about others again. What did I tell you? America is the land of "It's all about me, me, me." If you tell someone that they are doing something wrong or harmful to others...that makes YOU the bad guy, not them. This guy was right to yell obscenities, you actually told him he is ignorant...and he wishes to remain ignorant of his own ignorance. I mean, come on, why should he care? He can barel put two and two together much less worry about starting another fire, besides, someone else would put it out. Right?

For homework, I want you to watch 24 hours of any reality TV show to quickly learn this ignorant selfishness that you obviously lack. You are thinking about consequences of people's actions, and this country has neither the time nor patience for that. Remember, we have a president and administration where there are no consequences. Now, please, go to the mall, remember, drive, preferably a large SUV, and buy something completely frivolous. And please, start thinking about yourself...everyone else is doing it.
posted 11:23 am on 10/25/2007
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KoolBreez

I have seen people smoking and using cell phones while pumping gas! Each one alone can ignite the whole gas station..

Disclaimer: I am not self-righteously against smoking.. Far from it..I think smoking is a disproportionately singled out addiction.
posted 11:23 am on 10/25/2007
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flatus

Katrina was a crisis for the poor. Now we have a crisis for the wealthy. Hmmm let's see how the differences pan out.

posted 11:22 am on 10/25/2007
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bronceye
Try to start a fire with a cigarrette butt. It won't happen. The University of Minnesota, about 20m yrs. or so ago tried it under controlled conditions. I camp a lot and I can't get a campfire going with a butt. You try it and tell us of any conflagration that ensues. Granolas seem to over-react. You would have a better chance of starting a fire by running in a pair of courderoy pants.
posted 10:53 am on 10/25/2007

Silverstar
Strange, we here in Washington have had several fires that were traced to lighted cigarette butts thrown from cars. And we are not usually known for our dry arid conditions and Santa Ana winds. If you can't start a campfire with a cigarette butt, you need drier tinder. And quit making excuses for your nasty habits, both smoking and leaving your butts all over the place.
posted 11:31 am on 10/25/2007
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NotMyPrez
at the very least, its disgusting litter.
posted 11:39 am on 10/25/2007
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Geoffreys
this time of year, grassfires are started here in Texas on a regular basis by cigarette butts tossed out a window. Its fairly commonplace to drive down the highway and see patches of burnt earth ...

Bush Aministration's Rose Colored Glasses!!

I know I have been away for awhile - certainly not due to lack of important news!

But I just could not overlook this dandy piece by Andy Stern on the Huffington Post.

Rose Garden Colored Glasses
Posted October 25, 2007 | 10:06 AM (EST)

Earlier this week, the administration tried again to justify its astonishing veto of the popular SCHIP bill. Although the bipartisan bill will make healthcare benefits available to about 10 million children, the White House thinks we would be helping the wrong kids.

Now I confess that when we're talking about making sure children can get routine check ups, dental care and emergency medical treatment, I am not sure how to identify the right kids from the wrong.

However, if you share the president's belief that we should only consider protecting the health of the children at the very, very bottom, there's a silver lining. According to the official White House Oct. 23 press release on the SCHIP veto, "Over half the families in America are not poor."

That's right. There's a high standard for you.

Straight from the folks who thought Brownie did "a heck of a job," we now can take comfort in the fact that according to the White House, "There are a lot of things you can say about half the families in America. Half of them aren't poor."

It's hard not interpret this as another sign of an administration that is profoundly out of touch with the lives of working people all around this country. But maybe what we've got here is a glass-half full kind of guy celebrating his milestones where he can find them. After all - a little cockeyed optimism at the White House probably brightens some of the darker headlines these days.

So donning our Rose Garden colored glasses, here's some other good news from the Bush administration:

* More than half of all the homes in this country have not been foreclosed on--yet.
* More than half of the residents of New Orleans were not permanently displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
* More than half of Halliburton executives haven't been indicted.
* More than half of the polar ice caps are still in place.
* More than half of Americans who don't have health insurance probably won't get sick today.
* More than half of college graduates won't have to declare bankruptcy immediately because of their student loan debt.
* More than half of oil company executives can still afford to fill their cars' gas tanks
* More than half the nations of the world still return our phone calls.

With this kind of good news, it's no surprise that well more than half of Americans are counting the days until the Bush administration is no more.

Andy Stern is the president of the 1.9 million member Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the fastest-growing union in North America

And here are some of the priceless responses!

dadw5boys
The wealthiest half depend on the poorest half to keep shopping so the Economy does not crash.
posted 12:31 pm on 10/25/2007
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lilyb
*More than half of Alaska is still free from oil drilling

*More than half of the border fence--still hasn't been built yet

*More than half of our troops haven't returned in body bags

It's really scary how much fun this is--I suppose we've all decided that levity is the only way to deal with this disaster of a President.
posted 12:19 pm on 10/25/2007
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Kungfublood
"Over half the families in America are not poor or in concentration camps or gas ovens and only half the people is southern California are on fire and half the service-people come home from war without external wounds that are covered by medical and only half of those will die from radioactive munitions exposure and less than half of them will ever know why half of their babies are deformed so severely that half of them die before they leave the hospital .Further only half the black male population is in prison and only half of them were smoking pot and half the people in the White house are not traitors and half of the people that are traitors are named Cheney and the rest are on the housekeeping staff.
posted 12:16 pm on 10/25/2007
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Jane22
It is precisely 453 days until George Bush is GONE! If ya want the minutes and seconds, ask Thom Hartmann, he knows! See, WE ARE COUNTING THE DAYS! I like your line, Nosybear. "Figures lie and liars figure..." That some of the parents of children who could have been covered by SCHIP are better off than others does not mean they should lack healthcare! Some places here in the U.S. require a high income to even survive. The one truly IGNORED fact is that there would not be homelessness, hungry working poor, or poverty if capitalists paid enough wages in keeping with costs of living here. That THE capitalist motive needs many to be poor cements the servant/slave classes that they require to maintain economic dominance and control. Elementary, my dears. This is a funny post! Sometimes appealing to humor can enlighten some people. Thanks, Peace
posted 12:08 pm on 10/25/2007
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collapse rbspickles
Good God....how did this imbecile EVER get in a position of power....let alone the MOST powerful position in the world? I am exhausted trying to keep up with his insane, inane views. And I also agree, NO HILLARY!!! Enough is enough for crying out loud. I say, vote EVERY incumbent out and put all fresh blood in...'cept of course the computerised voting machines will make sure that would NEVER happen.

God, I need a drink :(
posted 11:59 am on 10/25/2007
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Desiderata
And the saddest statisic: only two percent of Americans are the richest people in the world.

Now that's where more governmental assistance is so badly needed.
posted 11:33 am on 10/25/2007
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azcamp
Considering that half of Americans did not vote for George Bush in 2000, this means that our President represents only those who voted for him. I hope that none of those voters need health care for seriously ill children.
posted 11:32 am on 10/25/2007
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parisblues
Thank you, Andy, for your endorsement of John Edwards -- from the more than half of Democrats who do not want Hillary Clinton to be our nominee.
posted 11:25 am on 10/25/2007
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Ani
I can't wait until my wrist is fully recovered after surgery so I can type without pain.

Boy do I have a few things to say!!!!

Starting with this administrations's "good news" about Mr. Bush's draconian veto on behalf of those pesky uninsured children.

In the meantime, my best to all,

Ani
posted 11:20 am on 10/25/2007
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locust
no, no, you got it wrong. Bush says half glass full. Half of all Americans can speak English good.
posted 11:17 am on 10/25/2007
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lgillooly
More than half of US citizens have not been wiretapped
more than half of us are not in Iraq

Gee,I feel better already
posted 10:56 am on 10/25/2007
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Nosybear
More great news: Half of all Americans make above median income!

Maybe that's where the Chimp got his statistic. Figures lie and liars figure but it's much easier to lie to the numerically illiterate.
posted 10:43 am on 10/25/2007

Grrrr . . . . .

Everyone really needs to read the article Treat illegal immigrants decently by Jagdish N. Bhagwati, Senior Fellow for International Economics.

From the end of the article:

Once passions aroused by the proposed reforms have cooled, Americans should be ready to see that a way must be found to treat illegals with the decency and respect that humanity requires, while respecting equally the innate American sense that laws matter. After all, America’s identity has been formed by immigration and an ever-expanding set of human rights. Perhaps a different and more realistic approach might get us what we could not achieve with uncompromising proposals.

In particular, why not build on the unappreciated fact that the illegals are not today the underclass with few rights that they were for many years? Immigration experts Guillermina Jasso and Mark Rosenzweig have shown that, under existing laws, almost 30 per cent of the new legal immigrants have had some illegal experience. With vastly increased ethnic minority populations, especially Hispanic, the illegals enjoy a higher comfort level than at the time of the IRCA. The Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa gave his response in 2006 to Mr Bush’s State of the Union speech in Spanish. There are numerous non-governmental organisations, such as the National Council of La Raza and civil rights groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, that give the illegals a substantial sense of protection.

If asking for full citizenship through the amnesty is currently impossible, we can work instead to raise this comfort level to something much closer to what citizenship brings, without asking for full citizenship. Cities such as New Haven have begun to do this. It never makes sense for the best to be the enemy of the good.

Can't you just feel your blood pressure rising?

I have never treated any illegal any differently than I do anyone else. And in the field I work in (education) I deal with them on a daily basis. However, how you treat anyone and the privileges that they are given are two very different things.

This writer, along with every illegal immigrant and their legal cohorts here in the United States are expecting privileges that even the citizens of the United States are not afforded.

While those privileges may be on the table for the citizens, just try to get any of those privileges when you need them. You will lose out over the illegal every time.

This from Sebastian Mallaby, Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, and Paul A. Volcker Senior Fellow for International Economics

The Low Risk From Immigrants
May 28, 2007
Washington Post

Of the many infuriating assertions in the immigration debate, perhaps this one takes top prize: that we have to keep illegal immigrants out for the sake of our security. This notion is wrong, not just because undocumented workers are statistically less likely than native-born Americans to commit crimes or because they are serenely indifferent to al-Qaeda’s teachings. It is wrong because it misses the most basic rule of smart homeland security.

What is not mentioned anywhere in the article is the cost to taxpayers for the illegals and the diseases that are being brought into the United States unchecked. It also fails to mention the terrorists cell groups that are now coming in from Mexico illegally. And missing from the article that every illegal here in the United States has committed a crime just by entering the United States illegally. Thus the statistics are very skewed.

And this article will probably send you over the edge. Not enough immigrants

US won't tell Britons why they're banned from travelling to America

British holidaymakers and businessmen banned from travelling to America under anti-terror laws will no longer have any right to know why they have been turned away.

The US Department of Homeland Security, set up following the September 11 attacks, last week applied for a blanket ban on disclosing the information it holds on Britons and other EU citizens.

Last month, Britain agreed to send the secretive US department all details of UK passengers before they fly to America.

The agency was given full access to huge amounts of information on individual passengers, including details of their credit cards, home addresses, e-mail addresses, frequent-flier records and even requests for special meals.

And, despite a huge privacy row in the European Parliament, it was also given permission to keep the airlines' lists of passengers' names for at least eight years.

The Department of Homeland Security last week said it intended to make this information available for 'routine use' by the intelligence community 'to protect the United States from terrorist threats' and to tackle cases of identity theft.

But it said it was also applying for a complete ban on disclosing the information it holds on individuals and then uses to turn passengers away.

Last week, it published a "notice of proposed rulemaking" for an exception from the US Privacy Act, which allows individuals to check records the American government holds on them.

The law is supposed to allow anyone to check files for mistakes but the new exception rule is being brought in on the grounds of national security and law enforcement.

If I were a Brit wanting or having to travel to the US, I would be plenty pissed that the US Government had all my personal information, especially credit card information. It would serve our country right if anyone in the UK never stepped foot on our soil again.

Does anyone else see the dangers of President Bush's new "laws" that he can glean information for anyone, at anytime, and in whatever means they deem possible? It ain't gonna get any better, folks!

If she had declined in the first place, she could have showed a little class. But noooo . . . . . .

The Duchess of Cornwall has pulled out of attending the memorial service for the 10th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, Clarence House said today.

Camilla was invited by Princes William and Harry and had initially accepted.

But today it was announced that she has decided not to go, fearing that her attendance could divert attention from the purpose of the occasion.

it is on the insistence of Charles and Sir Michael Peat that she feels compelled to attend.

One source said: "Charles wants her at his side and he seems to be of the view that old criticisms will be swept away by the emotion and solemnity of the day.

"He has told her it is her duty to be there even though she finds the whole idea horrendous and knows that, whatever happens, she'll be pilloried."

Already some pro-Diana groups have threatened to throw eggs at the Duchess should she attend.

Camilla will also be aware that, from the outset, the Queen has viewed the prospect of her attendance with great displeasure.

One well-placed source said: "She was in favour of Camilla immediately making it clear that she would not be going even if that meant using her recent hysterectomy as an excuse not to.

"It's certainly not a topic on which the Queen and Charles are in agreement."

The Queen will break her annual holiday in Balmoral to travel to London to the memorial – in stark contrast to her initial refusal a decade ago to leave her Scottish estate when news of Diana's death broke.

She has stopped short of playing an active role in the organisation but has counselled her grandsons towards solemnity and away from the showbusiness glitz of last month's celebratory memorial concert.

Prince Charles pushed for her to be given an invitation. And I am quite sure, out of respect for their father, the Princes William and Harry would have extended an invitation anyway. But I am also sure that it was not a truly heartfelt invitation.

Camilla should have politely declined the invitation at the onset. Prince Charles is so gung-ho in making their countymen accept Camilla 100% that he will do anything to make her the new Queen.

While Princess Diana was no saint, she stepped into a pile of cow poop when she married Prince Charles. And being young, and, as any young girl would have been, absolutely "star" struck, she could not have forseen what would happen.

She may have faltered in her handling of the whole mess, but in the end, she gained class and went on to do wonderful things. And she did something the royal family could never do - was extremely affectionate to her sons.

I have no empathy for either Prince Charles or Camilla. They deserve one another and they deserve every bit of snubbing they get.

And while Camilla may be of the opinion that she married the man she was meant to be with, no one would have disputed that had she not carried on with him while he was married to Diana. It only showed how classless she was. Even if she believes that she were being pursued by Charles during this period, she could have rejected his advances.

I am fully aware that Camilla does try to keep away from controversy where Diana is concerned, and it is her husband who is pushing her do make appearances she does not wish to attend because of the controversy it would stir up, this is the man she feels she was destined to be with. Perhaps now she can see the true Prince Charles, and not the vision of her Prince in Shining Armour that he was while it was strictly an illicit affair.

I truly hope that the young Princes will be able to live a life that their Mother wanted for them and that they will be able to break the frigid icecap that the royal family is know for.

I am sure it would bring a warm fuzzy feeling to the rest of the world to see these Princes show affection publicly as well as privately to their children. That will be Diana's Legacy!!

This is just toooo sickening!

I cannot for the life of me figure out why any Mother would want her very young child to emulate Paris Hilton. Can you imagine what this young child will grow up to be like? Truly pathetic.

I couldn't even bring myself to categorize this under entertainment!

MORE THAN 100 ABUSED PETS FOUND IN N.J. MANSION

August 16, 2007 -- A New Jersey stockbroker and his wife maintained an animal house of horrors -- a feces-filled mansion where they kept more than 100 malnourished and neglected dogs and cats, officials said yesterday.

SPCA workers fought the foul stench of death to recover 24 animal remains and about 100 live pets during a shocking two-day operation at the home of Merrill Lynch securities broker Philip Tamis, 66, and wife Cynthia Stewart, 49, in tony Saddle River.

One dog's fur was so matted and caked in feces, rescuers couldn't figure which end was its head.

It wasn't immediately clear why the couple collected so many animals.

The couple was charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty last night. More counts were pending.

Many of the deceased animals -- two dogs, 18 cats and four unidentifiable animals -- had been dead for more than a year.

"The majority were cats, but one [set of remains] was in a liquid form of decomposition that looked like a puppy," said Frank Saracino, deputy chief of law enforcement for the Bergen County Prosecutor's Animal Cruelty Task Force. Health officials have condemned the house because a massive amount of animal waste has compromised its structural integrity.

"The wood floors are buckled from the urine and feces," said Saracino. "There's feces in every square inch of this home."

Tamis is a Merrill Lynch broker based in Paramus, and his employers benched him yesterday when they learned of the raid.

"These are disturbing allegations," said Merrill Lynch spokesman Mark Herr. "Mr. Tamis has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this matter."

Tamis and Stewart appear to be up to their eyeballs in debt.

They filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 1997 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2005.

When authorities first busted into their home Tuesday and rescuers carted off the animals, Stewart cried out, "They're my babies!"

While their initial intent may have been good, these are adults and as adults they should know when it is time to not take in anymore than they can handle, regardless of the size of the house. And to allow the filth is incomprehensible! I hope they spend a long time in jail.

Open mouth - Insert foot - part 2

According to an editorial published Wednesday in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Rep. Randy Kuhl (R-N.Y.) - a man alleged to have once pulled two shotguns on his then wife at a 1994 dinner party - "has thought of arming himself, given the perception -- not accurate, he said -- that he is an inflexible supporter of President Bush's approach to the Iraq war."

The editorial board's blog quoted Kuhl as saying he has "thought about packing" in light of the perceived security threat to himself and his offices.

A spokeswoman for Kuhl confirmed that Iraq war protestors targeted the congressman's offices in Bath and Fairport, New York, on Monday of this week but that Kuhl wasn't working at either office that day.

And while she acknowledged that the protests have made her boss rethink security, she disputed that Kuhl is seriously considering arming himself. "That comment was taken way out of context," the spokeswoman, Meghan Tisinger, told the Sleuth.

She said when Congressman Kuhl told the Democrat and Chronicle editorial board that he had "thought about packing" - he was just joking. (Get a sense of humor, people!) "It was one of those sarcastic, offhanded comments," she said.

Plus, Tisinger explained, Kuhl was joking about arming himself in the context of increased security on Capitol Hill in light of the approaching anniversary of 9/11.

Will people never learn? Think, think, think before opening your mouth

Huffington Post title inappropriate!!

This is the title of an article on Huffington Post today, under Politics:

Vanity Fair Examines "Judi" Nathan
Ex-Husband: "She Is A Manipulator And A Pathological Liar... Adopted A Child For Status Purposes"

I read the article and nowhere was that phrase even stated in the article, much less infer such a thing.

I think Huffington Post better get their heads out of their backsides and post appropriate titles for their articles before they get their pants sued off!!

3 Bodies Found at Home With Dead Infant

OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) -- Investigators found three tiny bodies in and near the home of a woman who was charged last week with killing her newborn child, police said Monday.

None of the bodies was full-term, said Ocean City Police spokesman Barry Neeb. He said it would take testing to determine the causes of their deaths and if they were all related to Christy Freeman.

Freeman, 37, came to authorities' attention on Thursday while she was hospitalized. Medical personnel called police after determining she had been pregnant but could not account for the child.

After interviewing her, police searched Freeman's home and found the body of an infant wrapped in a blanket. Freeman was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder and manslaughter under a 2005 law allowing charges for the death of a fetus that can live outside the womb.

Officers continued searching the home and property during the weekend and found the other three small bodies in the house and nearby, Neeb said.

Police said Freeman's four other children were safe and with her longtime boyfriend.

Freeman, owner of Classic Taxi in Ocean City, was to have a bond hearing later Monday.

I cannot believe that this woman has not heard of birth control. One dead infant and 3 dead fetuses and 4 live children. And she is 37 years of age. My gawd - clinics give free birth control pills!

The Generation Gap in the Workplace

When Whippersnappers and Geezers Collide
by LISA BELKIN
Published: July 26, 2007
Summer is the season of culture shock in the working world, when the old guard comes face to face with a next wave of newcomers, and the result is something like lost tribes encountering explorers for the first time.

Add to this the favorite fact of human resource managers everywhere: this is the first time in history that four generations — those who lived through World War II, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y — are together in the workplace.

Managers tell stories of summer associates who come to meetings with midriffs exposed, baring a belly ring; of interns who walk through the halls engaged with iPods; of new hires who explain they need Fridays off because their boyfriends get Fridays off and they have a share in a beach house. Then there is the tale of the summer hire who sent a text message to a senior partner asking “Are bras required as part of the dress code?”

Some of the blame for this knowledge gap lies with the very elders who are scratching their heads.

“This is the largest, healthiest, most pampered generation in history,” she said. “They were expected to spend their spare time making the varsity team,” not working part-time, Ms. Crane said. Their parents, she said, showed their love by staying late at the office to bring home more money. The children expect to be home for dinner. Career dominance, their thinking goes, can be achieved by 5 p.m., can’t it?

I have comments, but will save them for another blog!!

I vote for this guy for Idiot of the Year

Jul 28, 2007 US/Pacific
Man Arrested For Selling Pot At Mall Kiosk
TEMECULA, Calif. A 22-year-old man was arrested at the Promenade Mall in Temecula for allegedly selling marijuana from the kiosk he worked at, according to authorities.

Jeffery Cook was arrested about 12:30 p.m. Friday on suspicion of possession of marijuana for sale and sale of marijuana, said Temecula police Sgt. Mike Ellsworth.

The kids are not being served

L.A. school board gets 73% pay increase

A little-known compensation panel decides that only those who agree not to hold down other jobs will be entitled to it, however.
July 28, 2007
An obscure citizens panel voted Friday to hike the annual pay of Los Angeles Unified School District board members by 73%, increasing it from roughly $26,000 to nearly $46,000 — but only for board members who agree not to hold down other jobs.

The Charter Amendment L Compensation Review Committee rebuffed a last-minute request for a much bigger salary boost by Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar, who asked that school board members receive as much as $90,000 a year.

And where is the money going to come from? What will be taken away from the kids to pay for the adults greed?

The parents of every student in the Los Angeles School District should be up in arms and protesting loudly!

Friggin Unbelievable!!

PRISONER ASKS JUDGE TO TRIM HIS SENTENCE
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA - A Temecula man who pretended to be a police officer in order to rob a man outside a bar in Bloomington has written a letter from prison asking a judge to reduce his sentence.

Jesse Adrian Wagner claims he is entitled to have his sentence of more than nine years in prison nearly cut in half based on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that restricted judges' ability to hand down maximum terms.

Wagner robbed the man in 2003 shortly after he left the El Noa Noa bar.

Prosecutors said Wagner, who worked as a bail agent, dressed in a blue uniform with patches on it when he robbed the man of $200.

He also wore a bulletproof vest and drove a car outfitted with spotlights as well as a wire cage in the back seat.

The man cooperated with Wagner because he believed Wagner was a police officer.

Jurors convicted Wagner of charges including robbery, false imprisonment and impersonating an officer.

Judge Michael Libutti sentenced him to the maximum term of five years in prison for the robbery and then stacked on additional years for the remaining counts.

In January, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that judges in California could not sentence a defendant to a maximum term unless a jury first concluded that the crime involved aggravating factors.

In this case, Wagner claims that jurors did not find aggravating factors, so Libutti should have sentenced him to no more than three years for the robbery and then ordered the sentences for the remaining counts to be served concurrently rather than consecutively.

Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Youngberg said her office would oppose the request.

She said Wagner, who is serving his time in Tehachapi State Prison, has prior convictions that qualify as proven aggravating factors, and she believed there is little chance a judge will reduce the sentence.

Nonetheless, she said Wagner is within his rights in making the request.

What good is it to have judges who hand down judgements only to have higher court judges over rule them? I am fully aware that in some cases you get a nut case of a judge that really does something stupid, but in this case, I do not see anything nutty about the sentence the judge handed down.

Sometimes you just gotta scratch your head and say "what the hell?".

There has got to be a point in time that this absurdity ends. There is absolutely nothing wrong with stiff sentences for crimes. I would make the criminals and criminals to be think again before committing a crime.

Why shouldn't that point in time be now?

What a noble "Prince"

Prince Found Naked After Robbery By Gang of "Attractive" Women
July 27, 2007, 3:40 PM PDT
Frederic von Anhalt, the eighth and longest-lasting husband of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, was found naked today in the backseat of his Rolls Royce behind the Bel-Air Country Club, claiming he been mugged by three attractive women, police said.

Police were called about 10 this morning to the 10600 block of Bellagio Road, which is behind the Bel-Air Country Club, to find von Anhalt, believed to be 64 years old, sitting naked in the backseat of his car, said Kevin Maiberger of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section.

Uh huh - and if you buy that story, I have a plot of land just for you! Sounds to me like there was a little hanky panky and he doesn't know how to explain it away!

The list of names of the "entitled" just keeps getting longer!

A quote from Paula Abdul.

"The whole thing about me being a judge on ‘American Idol’ is, it is the toughest job for me, because I have to think about something positive to say even when they're trying to rise above adversity, " she said. "So sometimes when I'm excited and want to get something out to say, I'll stop."

This little lady has no idea what a "tough job" really is. She needs to get out in the real world to see what a tough job is. And she really needs to stop whining and feeling as though she is "entitled" to anything.

What is it about people who have money or fame (even if the fame comes from just being an idiot) that makes them think that they are entitled.

I have watched 2 clips from her reality show. One was when, according to her, she was fired from the Bratz movie (according to her Reps, she quit due to a busy schedule). And the other was when she was to make an appearance on some show in New York. She and her entourage of assistants were in a cab and due to the bad weather, Paula's hairdresser and another assistant she needed to help put words in her mouth for the interview were not able to get a flight to New York because of the bad weather (not sure whether the bad weather was at the starting city or in New York).

Well, that was not an excuse, according to Paula. They had to get to New York.

I guess the work of God just is no excuse for Paula.

In both of these clips, Paula is slurring her words terribly and ends up crying. She is a train wreck waiting to happen. Thank goodness she is always being chauffered around and not driving herself.

I have news for Paula. She is no better than I am, just better known.

This another one of those spoiled people with money. She is in the same category as Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan.

Redskins Players Defend Falcons Quarterback's Dog Fighting Operation

NORFOLK, Va. — Washington Redskins players Clinton Portis and Chris Samuels defended Michael Vick on Monday by ridiculing the notion that dog fighting is considered a crime.

In an interview with WAVY-TV, Portis said that if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback is charged and convicted of being involved in a dog fighting operation, then authorities would be "putting him behind bars for no reason."

"I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not," Portis said. "But it's his property; it's his dogs. If that's what he wants to do, do it."

Portis said dog fighting is a "prevalent" part of life.

Portis, a native of Laurel, Mississippi, added: "I know a lot of back roads that got a dog fight if you want to go see it. But they're not bothering those people because those people are not big names. I'm sure there's some police got some dogs that are fighting them, some judges got dogs and everything else."

"Politicians," added Samuels, who found it hard to keep from giggling while Portis was talking.

"Presidents," added Portis with a laugh.

Vick has been under investigation since April 25 when police conducting a drug investigation raided the house owned by the quarterback in rural Surry County and found dozens of dogs. They also found items associated with dog fighting, including a "pry bar" used to pry apart a dog's jaws. No charges have been filed.

Dog fighting is a felony in Virginia, but Portis said that if Vick is charged and convicted: "Then I think he got cheated. ... You're putting him behind bars for no reason -- over a dog fight."

"Haven't you seen Animal Planet?" Samuels added with a giggle.

Hours after making light of the possible crime in the television interview, Portis issued a statement late Monday through the Redskins.

"In the recent interview I gave concerning dog fighting, I want to make it clear I do not take part in dog fighting or condone dog fighting in any manner," the statement said.

Personally, I hope Vick fries. As for these two idiots, they are no better than Vick, they just haven't gotten caught participating in these dogfights. Their day will come!

I DO NOT believe that dogfighting is a "prevalent" way of life. Only in the areas of this country where the people think in a backwards manner. Instead of sending those dogs out to fight to the death, why aren't all the people who thrive on this out there putting themselves out there against others of their ilk fighting to the death? Now that would be exciting to see! And it would take out these "non" humans at the same time! That is what I call killing 2 birds with one stone.

What's to gain?

This just in from "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," where Michael Moore is a guest this evening:

The Bush administration has subpoenaed Moore over his trip to Cuba with 9/11 rescue workers, which he included in his new documentary film, "Sicko." The press release is in the link below.

- Ken Bazinet

MICHAEL MOORE ANNOUNCES THAT HE’S BEEN SUBPOENAED BY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION ON “THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO”
BURBANK-July 26, 2007 – Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Michael Moore announced that the Bush Administration has subpoenaed him in the wake of his recent trip to Cuba on the July 26 episode of NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (Monday-Friday, 11:35 p.m. - 12:37 a.m. ET). "I haven't even told my own family yet." Moore began, "I was just informed when I was back there with Jay that the Bush administration has now issued a subpoena for me."

I am not sure just what the Bush Administration wants from Moore. Is this just a way to harrass the man that has been a thorn in their sides for years? Is this a way that Bush "thinks" he can get his ratings up?

I honestly do not know what on earth can be gained by subpeonaing Moore. (I know, subpoenaing looks really funny, but that is the correct spelling!!)

Phil Spector's continuously bad hair

I swear, don't people take a good long look at themselves in the mirror before they leave the House? Gotta admit, the last two 'dos are better than the first, but he needs someone with an ounce of sanity to advise him on his hair!