Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Dead in '09
Dudes, check out Eunice Shriver -- she looks like the crypt keeper's girlfriend. Yikes.
http://www.bowlofserial.com/2009/09/03/famous-people-whove-died-in-2009-so-far/
http://www.whosdatedwho.com/celebrities/people/list/celebrity-categories.asp?FD=yod&ID=2009
http://www.bowlofserial.com/2009/09/03/famous-people-whove-died-in-2009-so-far/
http://www.whosdatedwho.com/celebrities/people/list/celebrity-categories.asp?FD=yod&ID=2009
LA Ink
So, I spent much of my Xmas vacation watching a TLC marathon on LA Ink -- then totally applied to be on the show (and used this as my 'website' -- so, um I better update it).
Basically, the show is sweet. The artists are pretty good, but the most annoying thing: the long, drawn out sappy story the person tells about their tattoo. I don't care. I have one tattoo that means anything, and its my dad's initials under a purple heart. Why? He died 11 years ago and got a purple heart while he was in Vietnam. The end. Seriously, that's it. Not anything else to it.
My other 7 tattoos -- well, let's talk about the emotional reason behind it...
1 -- my bat tattoo i got on halloween for $13. $20 with tip.
2 -- my sanscrit tattoo i got in NYC with my cousin by a guy who had tattooed wilford brimley. that was the sole reason i went there.
3 -- my owl. owls are cool.
4 -- my zombie geisha. zombies are awesome, and i wanted something that was dripping with flesh on my leg. And I'm soon going to add her boyfriend, a punk rock zombie in a Black Flag t-shirt.
5/6 -- the flowers/butterfly on my back. At 19, I got what nearly every 19 year old girls gets for a tatoo -- a buttefly on my shoulder. then I decided it wasn't that cool, so I had some cherry blossoms added. it looks cool now.
7 -- an awesome representation of a tara mcpherson painting I saw in a movie. the chick is naked (HOT).
that's it. that's about as meaningful as my permanent body scarring gets. I want to like my tattoos, not have them remind me of death or sadness. They should make me happy. And they do. :)
Basically, the show is sweet. The artists are pretty good, but the most annoying thing: the long, drawn out sappy story the person tells about their tattoo. I don't care. I have one tattoo that means anything, and its my dad's initials under a purple heart. Why? He died 11 years ago and got a purple heart while he was in Vietnam. The end. Seriously, that's it. Not anything else to it.
My other 7 tattoos -- well, let's talk about the emotional reason behind it...
1 -- my bat tattoo i got on halloween for $13. $20 with tip.
2 -- my sanscrit tattoo i got in NYC with my cousin by a guy who had tattooed wilford brimley. that was the sole reason i went there.
3 -- my owl. owls are cool.
4 -- my zombie geisha. zombies are awesome, and i wanted something that was dripping with flesh on my leg. And I'm soon going to add her boyfriend, a punk rock zombie in a Black Flag t-shirt.
5/6 -- the flowers/butterfly on my back. At 19, I got what nearly every 19 year old girls gets for a tatoo -- a buttefly on my shoulder. then I decided it wasn't that cool, so I had some cherry blossoms added. it looks cool now.
7 -- an awesome representation of a tara mcpherson painting I saw in a movie. the chick is naked (HOT).
that's it. that's about as meaningful as my permanent body scarring gets. I want to like my tattoos, not have them remind me of death or sadness. They should make me happy. And they do. :)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Teen Wolf - back in action.
MTV Brings On Star Trek Writers For A Teen Wolf TV Series
MTV is cashing in on the growing werewolf phenomenon by pitching out a Teen Wolf TV series. But the good news is, writers from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Prison Break are already on board.
MTV is looking into adapting the 1980s camp classic Teen Wolf into a television series, instead of (or as well as) the much-mooted film. Normally, this would be met with a loud and resounding "please no," but the writers being name-checked to work on the series have piqued our interest.
Attached to Executive Produce is Rene Echevarria from Castle who has been a writer and producer for The 4400, a few Star Treks and Dark Angel. We're excited about this one, but not so much the other two. Marty Adelstein, who did credible work on Prison Break, should not be let off the hook for his work on Made of Honor. And the series writer, Jeff Davis, has only worked thus far on Criminal Minds. But Davis did pen the Volton movie, so there's hope for some nerd cred within this new crew.
Next up on MTV's original series to-do list is an animated series produced by Saturday Night Live's Seth Meyers and Mike Shoemaker. The show is titled The Awesomes, and features a gang of moronic superheroes. Lorne Michaels will be produce it. I know Meyers is a huge comic book geek, but it's hard to get excited for bumbling superhero shows when The Tick aced that genre already. Plus didn't the ABC's attempt at this type of series, No Heroics, go down in flames? Still, MTV might actually be the right place for this type of show.
MTV is cashing in on the growing werewolf phenomenon by pitching out a Teen Wolf TV series. But the good news is, writers from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Prison Break are already on board.
MTV is looking into adapting the 1980s camp classic Teen Wolf into a television series, instead of (or as well as) the much-mooted film. Normally, this would be met with a loud and resounding "please no," but the writers being name-checked to work on the series have piqued our interest.
Attached to Executive Produce is Rene Echevarria from Castle who has been a writer and producer for The 4400, a few Star Treks and Dark Angel. We're excited about this one, but not so much the other two. Marty Adelstein, who did credible work on Prison Break, should not be let off the hook for his work on Made of Honor. And the series writer, Jeff Davis, has only worked thus far on Criminal Minds. But Davis did pen the Volton movie, so there's hope for some nerd cred within this new crew.
Next up on MTV's original series to-do list is an animated series produced by Saturday Night Live's Seth Meyers and Mike Shoemaker. The show is titled The Awesomes, and features a gang of moronic superheroes. Lorne Michaels will be produce it. I know Meyers is a huge comic book geek, but it's hard to get excited for bumbling superhero shows when The Tick aced that genre already. Plus didn't the ABC's attempt at this type of series, No Heroics, go down in flames? Still, MTV might actually be the right place for this type of show.
Argentina is the place to be!
SC gov was in Argentina, not hiking trail
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said he "wanted to do something exotic" to unwind after losing a fight over federal stimulus money and was in Argentina during his unexplained absence, not hiking the Appalachian Trail as his staff told the public when questioned about his whereabouts, a newspaper reported.
The State newspaper reported that Sanford arrived Wednesday morning at Atlanta's international airport on a flight from Buenos Aires, where he drove along the coast of what he called a "beautiful" city.
The Republican governor told the South Carolina newspaper he considering hiking, but at the last minute changed his mind.
"But I said 'no' I wanted to do something exotic," Sanford told the newspaper.
Sanford's spokesman Joel Sawyer declined to immediately comment to The Associated Press, and the governor did not return cell phone messages.
Sanford planned a news conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday at his office in Columbia.
Critics slammed his administration for lying to the public.
"Lies. Lies. Lies. That's all we get from his staff. That's all we get from his people. That's all we get from him," said state Sen. Jake Knotts, R-West Columbia. "Why all the big cover-up?"
On Monday, Knotts raised questions about where the governor was after hearing reports from security officials that the governor could not be contacted and his whereabouts were unknown. The governor's wife, Jenny Sanford, told The Associated Press she had not seen him since Thursday but was not concerned because he'd told her he wanted to get away and do some writing.
Later Monday, Sanford's staff said he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. A day later, they said he had called and planned to cut his trip short and return to work Wednesday because of all the attention his absence was getting.
Sanford said he has taken adventure trips for years to unwind. He has visited the coast of Turkey, the Greek Isles and South America, sometimes with friends and sometimes by himself. "I would get out of the bubble I am in," he told the newspaper.
Sanford said the legislative session was a difficult one, particularly because he lost a fight over whether he should accept $700 million in stimulus money. Sanford said he wanted lawmakers to spend the money on debt instead of urgent budget needs, but lost a court lawsuit.
"It was a long session and I needed a break," Sanford said.
Sanford said he tried to return through Atlanta to avoid the media attention his absence.
He declined to give any additional details about what he did other than to say he was alone.
Trying to drive along the coast could frustrate a weekend visitor to Argentina. In Buenos Aires, the Avenida Costanera is the only coastal road, and it's less than two miles long. Reaching coastal resorts to the south requires a drive of nearly four hours on an inland highway with views of endless cattle ranches. To the north is a river delta of islands reached only by boat.
A spokesman for Argentina's immigration agency wouldn't comment Wednesday on whether Sanford entered the country, citing privacy laws.
When The State asked Sanford at the airport why his staff said he was on the Appalachian Trail, Sanford replied, "I don't know."
Sanford later said "in fairness to his staff," he had told them he might go hiking on the Appalachian Trial.
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said he was concerned that the governor's staff lied about Sanford's whereabouts, adding that if they didn't know where he was they should have said so.
"For his staff to lie to the people of South Carolina and say he was one place when in fact he wasn't, that concerns me," Bauer said.
Sanford has been a fan of Argentina for years. While in Congress and since he's said that nation's Social Security system has a model the U.S. should follow.
Sanford, a trim, 49-year-old former real estate investor and Air Force reservist, is typically drained at the end of a legislative session, former aides said.
"It's not unusual to take off and kind of be by himself," said state Sen. Tom Davis, a Beaufort Republican and Sanford's former chief of staff. "It's part of what makes him him."
The governor has long been known as a loner — bucking GOP leadership during three U.S. House terms and casting the only dissenting vote on Medicaid coverage for some breast and cervical cancer treatment. He clashes often with the Republicans who control both chambers of his state Legislature, once famously carrying two piglets to the door of the House in opposition to what he said was pork-barrel spending.
But past vacations never left Sanford completely out of touch, said Chris Drummond, Sanford's former spokesman. At worst, Sanford would call in daily or would respond to voice mails.
Who was in charge became the political and practical question.
Essentially, Sanford's staffers said they'd decide who to call if an emergency popped up and the governor couldn't be reached. The state's constitution says a temporary absence would give the lieutenant governor full authority in the state. But the temporary absence has never been defined.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said he "wanted to do something exotic" to unwind after losing a fight over federal stimulus money and was in Argentina during his unexplained absence, not hiking the Appalachian Trail as his staff told the public when questioned about his whereabouts, a newspaper reported.
The State newspaper reported that Sanford arrived Wednesday morning at Atlanta's international airport on a flight from Buenos Aires, where he drove along the coast of what he called a "beautiful" city.
The Republican governor told the South Carolina newspaper he considering hiking, but at the last minute changed his mind.
"But I said 'no' I wanted to do something exotic," Sanford told the newspaper.
Sanford's spokesman Joel Sawyer declined to immediately comment to The Associated Press, and the governor did not return cell phone messages.
Sanford planned a news conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday at his office in Columbia.
Critics slammed his administration for lying to the public.
"Lies. Lies. Lies. That's all we get from his staff. That's all we get from his people. That's all we get from him," said state Sen. Jake Knotts, R-West Columbia. "Why all the big cover-up?"
On Monday, Knotts raised questions about where the governor was after hearing reports from security officials that the governor could not be contacted and his whereabouts were unknown. The governor's wife, Jenny Sanford, told The Associated Press she had not seen him since Thursday but was not concerned because he'd told her he wanted to get away and do some writing.
Later Monday, Sanford's staff said he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. A day later, they said he had called and planned to cut his trip short and return to work Wednesday because of all the attention his absence was getting.
Sanford said he has taken adventure trips for years to unwind. He has visited the coast of Turkey, the Greek Isles and South America, sometimes with friends and sometimes by himself. "I would get out of the bubble I am in," he told the newspaper.
Sanford said the legislative session was a difficult one, particularly because he lost a fight over whether he should accept $700 million in stimulus money. Sanford said he wanted lawmakers to spend the money on debt instead of urgent budget needs, but lost a court lawsuit.
"It was a long session and I needed a break," Sanford said.
Sanford said he tried to return through Atlanta to avoid the media attention his absence.
He declined to give any additional details about what he did other than to say he was alone.
Trying to drive along the coast could frustrate a weekend visitor to Argentina. In Buenos Aires, the Avenida Costanera is the only coastal road, and it's less than two miles long. Reaching coastal resorts to the south requires a drive of nearly four hours on an inland highway with views of endless cattle ranches. To the north is a river delta of islands reached only by boat.
A spokesman for Argentina's immigration agency wouldn't comment Wednesday on whether Sanford entered the country, citing privacy laws.
When The State asked Sanford at the airport why his staff said he was on the Appalachian Trail, Sanford replied, "I don't know."
Sanford later said "in fairness to his staff," he had told them he might go hiking on the Appalachian Trial.
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said he was concerned that the governor's staff lied about Sanford's whereabouts, adding that if they didn't know where he was they should have said so.
"For his staff to lie to the people of South Carolina and say he was one place when in fact he wasn't, that concerns me," Bauer said.
Sanford has been a fan of Argentina for years. While in Congress and since he's said that nation's Social Security system has a model the U.S. should follow.
Sanford, a trim, 49-year-old former real estate investor and Air Force reservist, is typically drained at the end of a legislative session, former aides said.
"It's not unusual to take off and kind of be by himself," said state Sen. Tom Davis, a Beaufort Republican and Sanford's former chief of staff. "It's part of what makes him him."
The governor has long been known as a loner — bucking GOP leadership during three U.S. House terms and casting the only dissenting vote on Medicaid coverage for some breast and cervical cancer treatment. He clashes often with the Republicans who control both chambers of his state Legislature, once famously carrying two piglets to the door of the House in opposition to what he said was pork-barrel spending.
But past vacations never left Sanford completely out of touch, said Chris Drummond, Sanford's former spokesman. At worst, Sanford would call in daily or would respond to voice mails.
Who was in charge became the political and practical question.
Essentially, Sanford's staffers said they'd decide who to call if an emergency popped up and the governor couldn't be reached. The state's constitution says a temporary absence would give the lieutenant governor full authority in the state. But the temporary absence has never been defined.
This is what we've come to.
Spencer And Heidi Officially Banned From E! Online
If you’re lookin’ for the latest goss on Spencer and Heidi, you won’t find it at E! Online. Ever. After giving its readers the opportunity to banish the couple from the site, editors have announced that they’ll be steering clear of all things Speidi-related from now ’til the end of time. Supposedly. Read their rationale below, then let us know whether you think they’ll actually enforce this so-called Speidi-Free Zone.
“A startling 94 percent of you elected for the Hills stars’ immediate expulsion. Consider them gone from our wheelhouse, voted off the island, fired, out and any other appropriate reality-show catchphrase … Barring any actual news (e.g., she gets knocked up, he falls off a cliff or—heaven help us—her album goes to No. 1), consider this their very last post.”
SIDENOTE: With Speidi gone, E! will have plenty o’ time to cover “real” news! And from the looks of it, change is already afoot. Since the ban (EOD yesterday), we’ve already counted three posts on Jon & Kate Gosselin, one on Megan Fox’s tattoo collection and a groundbreaking exclusive on Lindsay Lohan’s next scheduled dip in the pool. Sheez, anyone else ready for something softer?
If you’re lookin’ for the latest goss on Spencer and Heidi, you won’t find it at E! Online. Ever. After giving its readers the opportunity to banish the couple from the site, editors have announced that they’ll be steering clear of all things Speidi-related from now ’til the end of time. Supposedly. Read their rationale below, then let us know whether you think they’ll actually enforce this so-called Speidi-Free Zone.
“A startling 94 percent of you elected for the Hills stars’ immediate expulsion. Consider them gone from our wheelhouse, voted off the island, fired, out and any other appropriate reality-show catchphrase … Barring any actual news (e.g., she gets knocked up, he falls off a cliff or—heaven help us—her album goes to No. 1), consider this their very last post.”
SIDENOTE: With Speidi gone, E! will have plenty o’ time to cover “real” news! And from the looks of it, change is already afoot. Since the ban (EOD yesterday), we’ve already counted three posts on Jon & Kate Gosselin, one on Megan Fox’s tattoo collection and a groundbreaking exclusive on Lindsay Lohan’s next scheduled dip in the pool. Sheez, anyone else ready for something softer?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Please...God...NOOOOOOO.
Cafferty: What message would Palin send if she does not run for reelection?
There's growing speculation in Alaska that Governor Sarah Palin won't run for reelection in 2010. Politico reports that top Republicans and Democrats are quietly lining up to run for the office — should Palin decide not to.
No one has filed the official paperwork yet; but many are taking the governor’s silence as a sign that she’ll opt out of a second term in order to get more involved in national politics.
One politician who is weighing a run put it this way: "If you’re Palin, once you've flown first class, you don't go back to coach. She's been to the show and certainly seemed to like it there."
He suggests that barring some "unforeseen collapse on the national stage," Palin won't run again for governor.
Some experts expect the governor to wait as long as possible before announcing her plans — that way she can keep her options open and minimize her lame duck status as governor if she decides not to run again.
There's growing speculation in Alaska that Governor Sarah Palin won't run for reelection in 2010. Politico reports that top Republicans and Democrats are quietly lining up to run for the office — should Palin decide not to.
No one has filed the official paperwork yet; but many are taking the governor’s silence as a sign that she’ll opt out of a second term in order to get more involved in national politics.
One politician who is weighing a run put it this way: "If you’re Palin, once you've flown first class, you don't go back to coach. She's been to the show and certainly seemed to like it there."
He suggests that barring some "unforeseen collapse on the national stage," Palin won't run again for governor.
Some experts expect the governor to wait as long as possible before announcing her plans — that way she can keep her options open and minimize her lame duck status as governor if she decides not to run again.
West Memphis Three
If you don't know anything about this, you should. HBO did a two-part documentary and a fantastic book was written about the case "The Devil's Knot".
Its amazing that in this day and age, Arkansas is still backwards. I think they should secede...
http://www.wm3.org/
Shortly after three eight-year-old boys were found mutilated and murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas, local newspapers stated the killers had been caught. The police assured the public that the three teenagers in custody were definitely responsible for these horrible crimes. Evidence?
The same police officers coerced an error-filled "confession" from Jessie Misskelley Jr., who is mentally handicapped. They subjected him to 12 hours of questioning without counsel or parental consent, audio-taping only two fragments totaling 46 minutes. Jessie recanted it that evening, but it was too late-- Misskelley, Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols were all arrested on June 3, 1993, and convicted of murder in early 1994.
Although there was no physical evidence, murder weapon, motive, or connection to the victims, the prosecution pathetically resorted to presenting black hair and clothing, heavy metal t-shirts, and Stephen King novels as proof that the boys were sacrificed in a satanic cult ritual. Unfathomably, Echols was sentenced to death, Baldwin received life without parole, and Misskelley got life plus 40.
For over 15 years, The West Memphis Three have been imprisoned for crimes they didn't commit. Echols waits in solitary confinement for the lethal injection our tax dollars will pay for. They were all condemned by their poverty, incompetent defense, satanic panic and a rush to judgement.
Its amazing that in this day and age, Arkansas is still backwards. I think they should secede...
http://www.wm3.org/
Shortly after three eight-year-old boys were found mutilated and murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas, local newspapers stated the killers had been caught. The police assured the public that the three teenagers in custody were definitely responsible for these horrible crimes. Evidence?
The same police officers coerced an error-filled "confession" from Jessie Misskelley Jr., who is mentally handicapped. They subjected him to 12 hours of questioning without counsel or parental consent, audio-taping only two fragments totaling 46 minutes. Jessie recanted it that evening, but it was too late-- Misskelley, Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols were all arrested on June 3, 1993, and convicted of murder in early 1994.
Although there was no physical evidence, murder weapon, motive, or connection to the victims, the prosecution pathetically resorted to presenting black hair and clothing, heavy metal t-shirts, and Stephen King novels as proof that the boys were sacrificed in a satanic cult ritual. Unfathomably, Echols was sentenced to death, Baldwin received life without parole, and Misskelley got life plus 40.
For over 15 years, The West Memphis Three have been imprisoned for crimes they didn't commit. Echols waits in solitary confinement for the lethal injection our tax dollars will pay for. They were all condemned by their poverty, incompetent defense, satanic panic and a rush to judgement.
Talk about irrelevant.
The Richard Nixon Presidential Library will allow access Tuesday to about 154 hours of Nixon White House tape recordings and 30,000 pages of documents that were formerly classified.
President Nixon announces the U.S. incursion into Cambodia during the Vietnam War in April 1970.
Among the tapes and documents are conversations about the Vietnam War, Nixon's second inauguration, the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 and the first Watergate trial, according to a library statement.
Tuesday's release is the 13th opening of Nixon White House tapes since 1980, the statement said.
The new Nixon tapes and documents will be available on the Internet and in the Richard Nixon libraries in College Park, Maryland, and Yorba Linda, California.
Nixon resigned August 9, 1974, over the Watergate cover-up -- the first president to resign from office.
President Ford pardoned Nixon the following month, saying it was necessary for the nation to heal after the Watergate scandal.
President Nixon announces the U.S. incursion into Cambodia during the Vietnam War in April 1970.
Among the tapes and documents are conversations about the Vietnam War, Nixon's second inauguration, the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 and the first Watergate trial, according to a library statement.
Tuesday's release is the 13th opening of Nixon White House tapes since 1980, the statement said.
The new Nixon tapes and documents will be available on the Internet and in the Richard Nixon libraries in College Park, Maryland, and Yorba Linda, California.
Nixon resigned August 9, 1974, over the Watergate cover-up -- the first president to resign from office.
President Ford pardoned Nixon the following month, saying it was necessary for the nation to heal after the Watergate scandal.
I'm not sad. Does that make me a bad person?
Ed McMahon dies at 86
Ed McMahon, the longtime pitchman and Johnny Carson sidekick who's "Heeeeeeerre's Johnny!" became a part of the vernacular, has died.
McMahon's publicist, Howard Bragman, said Tuesday McMahon passed away peacefully at the Ronald Reagan/UCLA Medical Center shortly after midnight.
McMahon had suffered a number of health problems in recent years, including a neck injury caused by a 2007 fall. In 2002, McMahon sued various insurance companies and contractors over mold in his house; he later collected a $7 million settlement.
Though he later hosted a variety of shows - including "Star Search" and "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes" -- McMahon's biggest fame came alongside Carson on "The Tonight Show," which Carson hosted from 1962 to 1992. The two met not long after Carson began hosting the game show "Who Do You Trust?" in 1957.
"Johnny didn't look as if he was dying to see me," McMahon, who was hosting a show on a Philadelphia TV station, told People magazine in 1980 about the pair's first meeting. "He was standing with his back to the door, staring at a couple of workmen putting letters on a theater marquee. I walked over and stood beside him. Finally the two guys finished, and Johnny asked, 'What have you been doing?' I told him. He said, 'Good to meet you, Ed,' shook my hand and I was out of the office. The whole meeting was about as exciting as watching a traffic light change."
Though McMahon was surprised to be offered the job as Carson's sidekick, the two soon proved to have a strong chemistry. Carson was, by nature, introverted and dry-witted; McMahon was the boisterous and outgoing second banana, content to give Carson straight lines or laugh uproariously at his jokes (a characteristic much-parodied by comedians).
Carson made cracks about McMahon's weight, his drinking and the pair's trouble with divorce. McMahon was married three times; Carson, who died in 2005, had four wives.
McMahon was also the show's designated pitchman, a talent he honed to perfection during "Tonight's" 30-year run with Carson - even if sometimes the in-show commercial spots fell flat.
For one of the show's regular sponsors, Alpo dog food, McMahon usually extolled the virtues of the product while a dog eagerly gobbled down a bowl. But one day the show's regular dog wasn't available, and the substitute pooch wasn't very hungry.
McMahon recalled the incident in his 1998 memoir, "For Laughing Out Loud."
"Then I saw Johnny come into my little commercial area. He got down on his hands and knees and came over to me. ... I started to pet Johnny. Nice boss, I was thinking as I pet him on the head, nice boss. By this point the audience was hysterical. ... I just kept going. I was going to get my commercial done. 'The next time you're looking at the canned dog food ...' -- he rubbed his cheek against my leg -- " ... reach for the can that contains real beef.' Johnny got up on his knees and started begging for more. I started petting him again ... and then he licked my hand."
McMahon also promoted Budweiser, American Family Insurance and -- on the most recent Super Bowl -- Cash4Gold.com. For his work with Carson, Entertainment Weekly named him No. 1 on its list of TV's greatest sidekicks.
Edward Leo Peter McMahon Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 6, 1923. His father was a promoter, and McMahon remembered moving a lot during his childhood.
"I changed towns more often than a pickpocket," McMahon told People.
He later joined the Marine Corps and served in World War II and Korea.
Though McMahon was well-rewarded by NBC -- the 1980 People article listed his salary between $600,000 and $1 million -- his divorces and some poor investments took their toll. In June 2008, The Wall Street Journal reported that McMahon was $644,000 in arrears on a $4.8 million loan for a home in Beverly Hills, California, and his lender had filed a notice of default.
McMahon and his wife, Pamela, told CNN's Larry King that McMahon had gotten caught in a spate of financial problems.
"If you spend more money than you make, you know what happens. And it can happen. You know, a couple of divorces thrown in, a few things like that," said McMahon, who added that he hadn't worked much since the neck injury.
McMahon later struck a deal that allowed him to stay in the house.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela, and five children. A sixth child, McMahon's son Michael, died in 1995.
Ed McMahon, the longtime pitchman and Johnny Carson sidekick who's "Heeeeeeerre's Johnny!" became a part of the vernacular, has died.
McMahon's publicist, Howard Bragman, said Tuesday McMahon passed away peacefully at the Ronald Reagan/UCLA Medical Center shortly after midnight.
McMahon had suffered a number of health problems in recent years, including a neck injury caused by a 2007 fall. In 2002, McMahon sued various insurance companies and contractors over mold in his house; he later collected a $7 million settlement.
Though he later hosted a variety of shows - including "Star Search" and "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes" -- McMahon's biggest fame came alongside Carson on "The Tonight Show," which Carson hosted from 1962 to 1992. The two met not long after Carson began hosting the game show "Who Do You Trust?" in 1957.
"Johnny didn't look as if he was dying to see me," McMahon, who was hosting a show on a Philadelphia TV station, told People magazine in 1980 about the pair's first meeting. "He was standing with his back to the door, staring at a couple of workmen putting letters on a theater marquee. I walked over and stood beside him. Finally the two guys finished, and Johnny asked, 'What have you been doing?' I told him. He said, 'Good to meet you, Ed,' shook my hand and I was out of the office. The whole meeting was about as exciting as watching a traffic light change."
Though McMahon was surprised to be offered the job as Carson's sidekick, the two soon proved to have a strong chemistry. Carson was, by nature, introverted and dry-witted; McMahon was the boisterous and outgoing second banana, content to give Carson straight lines or laugh uproariously at his jokes (a characteristic much-parodied by comedians).
Carson made cracks about McMahon's weight, his drinking and the pair's trouble with divorce. McMahon was married three times; Carson, who died in 2005, had four wives.
McMahon was also the show's designated pitchman, a talent he honed to perfection during "Tonight's" 30-year run with Carson - even if sometimes the in-show commercial spots fell flat.
For one of the show's regular sponsors, Alpo dog food, McMahon usually extolled the virtues of the product while a dog eagerly gobbled down a bowl. But one day the show's regular dog wasn't available, and the substitute pooch wasn't very hungry.
McMahon recalled the incident in his 1998 memoir, "For Laughing Out Loud."
"Then I saw Johnny come into my little commercial area. He got down on his hands and knees and came over to me. ... I started to pet Johnny. Nice boss, I was thinking as I pet him on the head, nice boss. By this point the audience was hysterical. ... I just kept going. I was going to get my commercial done. 'The next time you're looking at the canned dog food ...' -- he rubbed his cheek against my leg -- " ... reach for the can that contains real beef.' Johnny got up on his knees and started begging for more. I started petting him again ... and then he licked my hand."
McMahon also promoted Budweiser, American Family Insurance and -- on the most recent Super Bowl -- Cash4Gold.com. For his work with Carson, Entertainment Weekly named him No. 1 on its list of TV's greatest sidekicks.
Edward Leo Peter McMahon Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 6, 1923. His father was a promoter, and McMahon remembered moving a lot during his childhood.
"I changed towns more often than a pickpocket," McMahon told People.
He later joined the Marine Corps and served in World War II and Korea.
Though McMahon was well-rewarded by NBC -- the 1980 People article listed his salary between $600,000 and $1 million -- his divorces and some poor investments took their toll. In June 2008, The Wall Street Journal reported that McMahon was $644,000 in arrears on a $4.8 million loan for a home in Beverly Hills, California, and his lender had filed a notice of default.
McMahon and his wife, Pamela, told CNN's Larry King that McMahon had gotten caught in a spate of financial problems.
"If you spend more money than you make, you know what happens. And it can happen. You know, a couple of divorces thrown in, a few things like that," said McMahon, who added that he hadn't worked much since the neck injury.
McMahon later struck a deal that allowed him to stay in the house.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela, and five children. A sixth child, McMahon's son Michael, died in 1995.
Tell me again why I should give a shit about these people?
'Jon & Kate Plus Eight' recap: Crooked Houses and a Broken Home
While the news announced on last night's Jon & Kate Plus Eight was certainly of no surprise to anyone (reports flooded the Internet late yesterday afternoon that Jon and Kate Gosselin had filed for divorce) it certainly didn't make the episode any less painful to watch. But unlike the mega-awkward season premiere, this episode didn't come out with the high drama right away. In fact, the big moment didn't happen until 40 minutes into the show.
Not that the producers didn't give us some hints. We had some snippets of Kate telling us that she doesn't hate Jon and never will, and Jon telling us ''this is the hardest episode ever.'' Heavy stuff. Cue promotional tie-in! Yes, rather than tell us the inevitable, J&K fit in time for yet another product placement. Granted there was no Ace of Cakes or American Chopper television tie-in, but the Gosselins told us they ''heard of'' a company in Maine that built crooked playhouses for kids. I half expected Ty Pennington to burst out of the woods with a megaphone and a declaration to build the wee Gosselins their dream dream, albeit slightly slanted, houses.
Alas, no Ty, but last night's episode titled ''Houses & Big Changes'' did start with the preparation for said crooked houses. In between Jon clearing space in the woods and Kate molding Play-Doh with the kids, the folks at Kids Crooked Houses got the longest commercial ever. And while I should be very much used to this sort of thing on Jon & Kate as of late, I shuddered a little bit when most of the kids were sporting T-shirts for Kids Crooked Houses, becoming tiny little billboards. And, oh ye God, do we really need to point out the irony of something called a ''crooked house'' for this poor clan right now?
But, as per just about everything Jon does, the spot he picked in the woods was not okay with Kate. Her concern was that the houses were too far away, while Jon wanted to have them there to keep them out of the view of the paparazzi. Kate admitted she was ''going out on a limb here and risking World War III'' to talk to/argue with Jon over the placement of the houses. I don't know what I found most jarring here, the fact that Kate was actually afraid to approach Jon with something (rather than bark her usual orders) or the fact that I agreed with her reasoning, which wouldn't be the only time that would happen in this episode.
While Jon put up a protest to Kate's suggestion at first (he merrily rode on his tractor stating, yet again, he enjoyed his alone man time), with a little coercing from the KCH guys he caved for the plan for a new locale. Once the houses began to be assembled, Kate decided to have a backyard picnic and we finally got to spend some time with…the kids! You know, those eight cute rug rats the show had initially been about? Stated Kate: ''It doesn't matter where Jon and I are in our relationship, my kids still matter the most to me. If I have to put on a happy face to have a picnic with them, and put all those issues aside, I do.''
While the news announced on last night's Jon & Kate Plus Eight was certainly of no surprise to anyone (reports flooded the Internet late yesterday afternoon that Jon and Kate Gosselin had filed for divorce) it certainly didn't make the episode any less painful to watch. But unlike the mega-awkward season premiere, this episode didn't come out with the high drama right away. In fact, the big moment didn't happen until 40 minutes into the show.
Not that the producers didn't give us some hints. We had some snippets of Kate telling us that she doesn't hate Jon and never will, and Jon telling us ''this is the hardest episode ever.'' Heavy stuff. Cue promotional tie-in! Yes, rather than tell us the inevitable, J&K fit in time for yet another product placement. Granted there was no Ace of Cakes or American Chopper television tie-in, but the Gosselins told us they ''heard of'' a company in Maine that built crooked playhouses for kids. I half expected Ty Pennington to burst out of the woods with a megaphone and a declaration to build the wee Gosselins their dream dream, albeit slightly slanted, houses.
Alas, no Ty, but last night's episode titled ''Houses & Big Changes'' did start with the preparation for said crooked houses. In between Jon clearing space in the woods and Kate molding Play-Doh with the kids, the folks at Kids Crooked Houses got the longest commercial ever. And while I should be very much used to this sort of thing on Jon & Kate as of late, I shuddered a little bit when most of the kids were sporting T-shirts for Kids Crooked Houses, becoming tiny little billboards. And, oh ye God, do we really need to point out the irony of something called a ''crooked house'' for this poor clan right now?
But, as per just about everything Jon does, the spot he picked in the woods was not okay with Kate. Her concern was that the houses were too far away, while Jon wanted to have them there to keep them out of the view of the paparazzi. Kate admitted she was ''going out on a limb here and risking World War III'' to talk to/argue with Jon over the placement of the houses. I don't know what I found most jarring here, the fact that Kate was actually afraid to approach Jon with something (rather than bark her usual orders) or the fact that I agreed with her reasoning, which wouldn't be the only time that would happen in this episode.
While Jon put up a protest to Kate's suggestion at first (he merrily rode on his tractor stating, yet again, he enjoyed his alone man time), with a little coercing from the KCH guys he caved for the plan for a new locale. Once the houses began to be assembled, Kate decided to have a backyard picnic and we finally got to spend some time with…the kids! You know, those eight cute rug rats the show had initially been about? Stated Kate: ''It doesn't matter where Jon and I are in our relationship, my kids still matter the most to me. If I have to put on a happy face to have a picnic with them, and put all those issues aside, I do.''
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Jared's Insightfulness
me: i feel totally bipolar at my job
sometimes i love it and i'm like: how cool! i'm taking a four day trip to the UP!
2:36 PM and then i'm like: I fucking hate it here, i fucking want to go home, everyone's an asshole, this sucks.
this job is going to be the death of me
jared: i think all jobs are like that...thats why they are jobs and not something else
2:37 PM like...baseball games
if we could make baseball games our "jobs"...what would we have to complain about?
where at in the UP?
me: that was very profound
2:38 PM jared: who me?
me: YES
jared: lol
me: that was really insightful
sometimes i love it and i'm like: how cool! i'm taking a four day trip to the UP!
2:36 PM and then i'm like: I fucking hate it here, i fucking want to go home, everyone's an asshole, this sucks.
this job is going to be the death of me
jared: i think all jobs are like that...thats why they are jobs and not something else
2:37 PM like...baseball games
if we could make baseball games our "jobs"...what would we have to complain about?
where at in the UP?
me: that was very profound
2:38 PM jared: who me?
me: YES
jared: lol
me: that was really insightful
Monday, May 4, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sci Fi Convention Rules
This is probably one of the funniest things I've ever read. This are ACTUAL rules for a sci-fi convention happening in Romulus.
Rules (Yes, we do have some)
Social Interactions
* If you must argue, please do so in your room. People deemed confrontational in any way that interferes with the enjoyment of other convention goers will be referred to Secretary of Violence Sheryl Bradakis to schedule an appointment in the lists. Perform Nerf combat, then let it go.
* Often at conventions, many of various genders wear scanty costumes. Please be respectful by not touching them without a clear invitation, and by keeping in mind that "No Means No." Actually, these are good things to remember no matter what a person may be wearing.
* If someone tells you to leave them alone, do so. Please report persistent "physical-presence spam" to Ops, and ask them to fetch the Conchair for you.
Sexuality
* The display of bondage gear or fetish clothing in public is controversial, but acceptable at the convention. We would recommend that it is most appropriate in the evenings. However please keep BD/SM scenes or play in your room to avoid non-consensual experiences for others.
* Please keep your public displays of affection rated PG-13.
Physical Activities
* If you disassemble or displace things which are not yours, please return them to their original condition and placement expediently.
* Even if you want to conduct a study of physics, don't cause objects to be propelled through the air. Also, please don't release objects such that they fall a greater distance than to the floor on which you are standing. If you can cause an object to remain suspended in midair without conventional means of support, go right ahead.
* Weapons, real or simulated, should remain secured and not be brandished about. Check out next section for what's allowed at the con. (Hint: "Slice" is bad. "Boom" is worse.)
* Most importantly, do not run while carrying scissors.
Costume Weapons
* Bladed weapons and replica firearms are allowed at Penguicon, either as parts of costumes or as part of dealer displays or pre-arranged martial arts displays. Blades that are part of costumes must be peace-bonded, and can only be displayed openly when worn as part of the entire costume. Blades and/or firearms should never be carried openly by themselves in the hotel.
* Replica and toy firearms are allowed, but not weapons which can actually fire any potentially damaging projectiles (or which could ever have). This means that actual pistols and rifles, bb guns, crossbows, and any similar weaponry, are all not allowed, even if they have been altered so that they can not now be fired convention staff cannot take responsibility for making an error in evaluating the weapon.
* Also, no weapon, whether it be a replica, toy, or anything else, can be brought to the convention if it contains gunpowder or any other explosive in any quantity. This means that caps for cap guns, blanks for starter pistols, bullets, or anything else with potential for explosion or fire will not be permitted. Also, costume items that contain or use an open flame or heating element are not allowed. (Note: to clarify for those bringing firearms for the "Geeks with Guns" event at the offsite range, the above items pertain to public display and costumes. Please be safe, sane and discreet.)
Alcoholic Beverages
* As part of con hospitality, Penguicon will be serving beer during evening and late night hours in the ConSuite. There may also be other events that will include beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages. In the interest of avoiding those awkward confrontations with the hotel, or those even more awkward late night meetings with the police, we ask that everyone please observe some common sense rules about alcoholic beverages at the con.
* Penguicon volunteers will be checking IDs before serving any alcoholic beverages. You must be 21 or over in order to drink.
* Proof of age will be required at the point of service, not during registration. In other words, you must bring your ID to the ConSuite in order to drink. Con badges will NOT indicate age, or be accepted as proof of age. Acceptable forms of ID are drivers' licenses, state issued picture IDs, military IDs, and passports.
* Anyone seen to be violating state drinking laws (for instance, by providing alcohol to someone under 21) will not be allowed into the ConSuite. Repeated or major violations may result in removal of the violators from the hotel.
* Open alcoholic beverages should not be brought into convention function rooms, or consumed in the public spaces of the hotel. Open beverages can be carried with you as you move from room to room, however.
* Room parties in guest rooms are welcome to provide hospitality (potentially including serving alcohol). Each party will need to decide how to handle appropriate alcohol management, Penguicon asks only that everyone comply with the hotel's requirements about not having alcohol in the function spaces and common areas, and that all parties follow state drinking laws. Have fun sensibly!
Other Mind Altering Behaviors
* Sleep deprivation and various states of -glycemia are too often overlooked when considering mind altering behaviors. Be good to yourself by getting some sleep in each 24-hour period, as well as at least one non-junk-food meal in the same time frame. You'll save yourself the trouble of feeling physically exhausted and unendurably moody. The 5-2-1 rule is a good recommendation: 5 hours of sleep, two meals and one shower per day.
* Do not take open alcoholic beverages out of the ConSuites or private rooms where they are served. Caffeine, however, may be consumed in any location.
* Please confine the use of any illegal drugs to another venue.
Smoking
Please, no smoking except in smoking guest rooms, the bar, and outdoors.
Parental Concerns
* Although we don't forbid children, we aren't claiming to be intended for them either. Parents bring their children at their own risk. For instance, there are some panel topics inappropriate for children. Some evening and night convention functions may involve attendee costume and activities possibly inappropriate for children. You don't want your child eating a lot of the free caffeinated mints in the consuite as if they were candy.
* We don't provide anything specifically intended for them to do. We don't charge for children age 12 or under to attend, we don't allow them to register as an attendee, and we don't kick them out. The one issue we have had, is that we do ask that parents not use the Chaos Machine or the board games room as babysitting. Those are popular with kids. But we then seek out the missing parent and make them accompany their child.
* If you bring your child, do not complain at the feedback session. If you are going to complain at the feedback session about the availability of caffeinated mints in the Consuite, or the distribution of condoms, or the supervisors in the game room or Chaos Machine kicking out your child for disruption, then do not bring your child to Penguicon.
Swimming Pool
* Pool hours will be posted, please pay attention to them!
* If you have children, please supervise them.
* Don't drink and swim.
* Be courteous to other users of the area.
* Be safe.
Checkout Time
The hotel's normal check-out time is 12:00 noon.
Get A Room! No Sleeping in the Lobby
Even if you are local to the convention, we encourage you to rent a room, for two big reasons. First, odds are good that you're going to want to hang out and do fun things until the wee small hours of morning. It's much easier to max out the fun potential of the convention if you don't have to worry about driving home. The second is for the sake of the convention. If enough convention members rent rooms, we don't have to pay for function space. Which means we can run the convention more cheaply, and afford to do it again next year. 'Nuff said, right? And anyone who volunteers at the convention is allowed and welcome to sleep in the volunteer suite (the "Penguin Pit"), providing there are a few square inches of unclaimed space.
Game Room Rules
* NO SMOKING. For the comfort of everyone, all of the gaming function spaces are non-smoking areas. Anyone caught smoking will be treated as though they are on fire.
* NO PETS. For the safety and comfort of everyone, only medically necessary service animals will be allowed in the gaming areas. Gaming staff will ask the owners of all other animals to leave.
* BE CAREFUL WITH FOOD & DRINKS. Eating and drinking are allowed in gaming, but please take extra care not to spill, and please properly dispose of all empty containers and waste materials.
* GAMING IS NOT A DAY CARE SERVICE. Anyone under the age of 13 must purchase a membership badge at the youth rate or be tethered to a parent or legal guardian at all times. Additionally, anyone under the age of 18 must carry contact information for a parent or legal guardian at all times. Gaming staff will ask anyone who is unwilling to comply to leave.
* RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE. The people who run games at Penguicon are unpaid volunteers. Likewise, other gamers paid for the privilege to play games at Penguicon. Gaming staff will ask anyone caught mistreating others to leave.
* RESPECT OTHERS' PROPERTY. Penguicon has a small gaming library, but most of the games are the private property of the gaming staff and other volunteers. Gaming staff will ask anyone caught mistreating any games to leave.
* NO TANTRUMS. Games have winners and losers. If you won, congratulations! But please don't rub it in. If you lost, please don't whine about it. Better luck next time! Gaming staff will ask anyone who causes or participates in any disturbance to leave.
* Above all -- PLAY FAIR, & HAVE FUN!
Rules (Yes, we do have some)
Social Interactions
* If you must argue, please do so in your room. People deemed confrontational in any way that interferes with the enjoyment of other convention goers will be referred to Secretary of Violence Sheryl Bradakis to schedule an appointment in the lists. Perform Nerf combat, then let it go.
* Often at conventions, many of various genders wear scanty costumes. Please be respectful by not touching them without a clear invitation, and by keeping in mind that "No Means No." Actually, these are good things to remember no matter what a person may be wearing.
* If someone tells you to leave them alone, do so. Please report persistent "physical-presence spam" to Ops, and ask them to fetch the Conchair for you.
Sexuality
* The display of bondage gear or fetish clothing in public is controversial, but acceptable at the convention. We would recommend that it is most appropriate in the evenings. However please keep BD/SM scenes or play in your room to avoid non-consensual experiences for others.
* Please keep your public displays of affection rated PG-13.
Physical Activities
* If you disassemble or displace things which are not yours, please return them to their original condition and placement expediently.
* Even if you want to conduct a study of physics, don't cause objects to be propelled through the air. Also, please don't release objects such that they fall a greater distance than to the floor on which you are standing. If you can cause an object to remain suspended in midair without conventional means of support, go right ahead.
* Weapons, real or simulated, should remain secured and not be brandished about. Check out next section for what's allowed at the con. (Hint: "Slice" is bad. "Boom" is worse.)
* Most importantly, do not run while carrying scissors.
Costume Weapons
* Bladed weapons and replica firearms are allowed at Penguicon, either as parts of costumes or as part of dealer displays or pre-arranged martial arts displays. Blades that are part of costumes must be peace-bonded, and can only be displayed openly when worn as part of the entire costume. Blades and/or firearms should never be carried openly by themselves in the hotel.
* Replica and toy firearms are allowed, but not weapons which can actually fire any potentially damaging projectiles (or which could ever have). This means that actual pistols and rifles, bb guns, crossbows, and any similar weaponry, are all not allowed, even if they have been altered so that they can not now be fired convention staff cannot take responsibility for making an error in evaluating the weapon.
* Also, no weapon, whether it be a replica, toy, or anything else, can be brought to the convention if it contains gunpowder or any other explosive in any quantity. This means that caps for cap guns, blanks for starter pistols, bullets, or anything else with potential for explosion or fire will not be permitted. Also, costume items that contain or use an open flame or heating element are not allowed. (Note: to clarify for those bringing firearms for the "Geeks with Guns" event at the offsite range, the above items pertain to public display and costumes. Please be safe, sane and discreet.)
Alcoholic Beverages
* As part of con hospitality, Penguicon will be serving beer during evening and late night hours in the ConSuite. There may also be other events that will include beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages. In the interest of avoiding those awkward confrontations with the hotel, or those even more awkward late night meetings with the police, we ask that everyone please observe some common sense rules about alcoholic beverages at the con.
* Penguicon volunteers will be checking IDs before serving any alcoholic beverages. You must be 21 or over in order to drink.
* Proof of age will be required at the point of service, not during registration. In other words, you must bring your ID to the ConSuite in order to drink. Con badges will NOT indicate age, or be accepted as proof of age. Acceptable forms of ID are drivers' licenses, state issued picture IDs, military IDs, and passports.
* Anyone seen to be violating state drinking laws (for instance, by providing alcohol to someone under 21) will not be allowed into the ConSuite. Repeated or major violations may result in removal of the violators from the hotel.
* Open alcoholic beverages should not be brought into convention function rooms, or consumed in the public spaces of the hotel. Open beverages can be carried with you as you move from room to room, however.
* Room parties in guest rooms are welcome to provide hospitality (potentially including serving alcohol). Each party will need to decide how to handle appropriate alcohol management, Penguicon asks only that everyone comply with the hotel's requirements about not having alcohol in the function spaces and common areas, and that all parties follow state drinking laws. Have fun sensibly!
Other Mind Altering Behaviors
* Sleep deprivation and various states of -glycemia are too often overlooked when considering mind altering behaviors. Be good to yourself by getting some sleep in each 24-hour period, as well as at least one non-junk-food meal in the same time frame. You'll save yourself the trouble of feeling physically exhausted and unendurably moody. The 5-2-1 rule is a good recommendation: 5 hours of sleep, two meals and one shower per day.
* Do not take open alcoholic beverages out of the ConSuites or private rooms where they are served. Caffeine, however, may be consumed in any location.
* Please confine the use of any illegal drugs to another venue.
Smoking
Please, no smoking except in smoking guest rooms, the bar, and outdoors.
Parental Concerns
* Although we don't forbid children, we aren't claiming to be intended for them either. Parents bring their children at their own risk. For instance, there are some panel topics inappropriate for children. Some evening and night convention functions may involve attendee costume and activities possibly inappropriate for children. You don't want your child eating a lot of the free caffeinated mints in the consuite as if they were candy.
* We don't provide anything specifically intended for them to do. We don't charge for children age 12 or under to attend, we don't allow them to register as an attendee, and we don't kick them out. The one issue we have had, is that we do ask that parents not use the Chaos Machine or the board games room as babysitting. Those are popular with kids. But we then seek out the missing parent and make them accompany their child.
* If you bring your child, do not complain at the feedback session. If you are going to complain at the feedback session about the availability of caffeinated mints in the Consuite, or the distribution of condoms, or the supervisors in the game room or Chaos Machine kicking out your child for disruption, then do not bring your child to Penguicon.
Swimming Pool
* Pool hours will be posted, please pay attention to them!
* If you have children, please supervise them.
* Don't drink and swim.
* Be courteous to other users of the area.
* Be safe.
Checkout Time
The hotel's normal check-out time is 12:00 noon.
Get A Room! No Sleeping in the Lobby
Even if you are local to the convention, we encourage you to rent a room, for two big reasons. First, odds are good that you're going to want to hang out and do fun things until the wee small hours of morning. It's much easier to max out the fun potential of the convention if you don't have to worry about driving home. The second is for the sake of the convention. If enough convention members rent rooms, we don't have to pay for function space. Which means we can run the convention more cheaply, and afford to do it again next year. 'Nuff said, right? And anyone who volunteers at the convention is allowed and welcome to sleep in the volunteer suite (the "Penguin Pit"), providing there are a few square inches of unclaimed space.
Game Room Rules
* NO SMOKING. For the comfort of everyone, all of the gaming function spaces are non-smoking areas. Anyone caught smoking will be treated as though they are on fire.
* NO PETS. For the safety and comfort of everyone, only medically necessary service animals will be allowed in the gaming areas. Gaming staff will ask the owners of all other animals to leave.
* BE CAREFUL WITH FOOD & DRINKS. Eating and drinking are allowed in gaming, but please take extra care not to spill, and please properly dispose of all empty containers and waste materials.
* GAMING IS NOT A DAY CARE SERVICE. Anyone under the age of 13 must purchase a membership badge at the youth rate or be tethered to a parent or legal guardian at all times. Additionally, anyone under the age of 18 must carry contact information for a parent or legal guardian at all times. Gaming staff will ask anyone who is unwilling to comply to leave.
* RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE. The people who run games at Penguicon are unpaid volunteers. Likewise, other gamers paid for the privilege to play games at Penguicon. Gaming staff will ask anyone caught mistreating others to leave.
* RESPECT OTHERS' PROPERTY. Penguicon has a small gaming library, but most of the games are the private property of the gaming staff and other volunteers. Gaming staff will ask anyone caught mistreating any games to leave.
* NO TANTRUMS. Games have winners and losers. If you won, congratulations! But please don't rub it in. If you lost, please don't whine about it. Better luck next time! Gaming staff will ask anyone who causes or participates in any disturbance to leave.
* Above all -- PLAY FAIR, & HAVE FUN!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Best ClevChat Ever
8:24 AM Lauren: You've been invited to this chat room!
MICHELE has joined
Lauren: yesss
group chat
MICHELE: what up, laydies
Lauren: i have my coffee
MICHELE: jealous
Lauren: it's all good
8:25 AM kona, baby
MICHELE: i have no umbrella!
Lauren: it is beautiful here
MICHELE: biiitch
Lauren: i want to go to the botanical garden
because it is free today
MICHELE: do you have the day off?
Lauren: yess
MICHELE: excellent!
Lauren: unfortunately then I have to work Wed-Sat
8:26 AM MICHELE: ohhhh
well, at least you'll probably get our rain for the rest of the week
:)
Lauren: yay
MICHELE: you won't be missing anything!
Lauren: the kitten is in the window watching birds
MICHELE: hahah!
Precious and upstairs cat have been doing taht
8:27 AM Lauren: there are a million birds in our backyard, it is weird
Mandy is coming to visit!
MICHELE: they're taunting your cats
i heard!
that's so exciting!
Lauren: i know
because i think i have those days off
MICHELE: that is so cool!
8:28 AM brunch it up
8:29 AM me: what's up
i'm tweeting
hahahahha
MICHELE: hahah!
i'm gonna check your tweets
Lauren: teet
MICHELE: dirrrty
me: so, i told michele already
Lauren: damn you and your twittering.
MICHELE: remember christina aguilera?
me: but lauren, youhave to hear
i applied for a job here and its working from home
8:30 AM Lauren: yes!
me: and making like almost 60,000 a year
so i'd be like a RICH person
MICHELE: daaaaamn!
me: i know!
Lauren: niiice
me: so...i had a phone call this morning
and the chick who has the job now has been totally talking me up
Lauren: excellent
me: and told me: basically, don't blow the interview and the job is yours
yessssssssssssss.
MICHELE: AHHHHHHHHHH!
Lauren: see, your karma has paid off
me: and i was like: i'll show up drunk and offer everyone weed
Lauren: commuting karma
me: do you think that will go over well?
8:31 AM MICHELE: you'll totally get the job that way
me: my commuting karma!
i love that!
i need to tweet that
MICHELE: hahah!
whoaaaaa
me: tweeted.
MICHELE: just read your twitter
8:32 AM me: i know!
i had a sex dream about NKOTB
and it was with joey.....
MICHELE: with all of them?
me: ewwwwww...he wasn't even my fav
MICHELE: oh, ok
me: well, it was sort of all of them
MICHELE: yeah, joey was kind of feminine
me: but joey was the one i remember, on some couch in bar while he watched sports
Lauren: didn't someone have a zombie dream? because this morning I had a zombie dream. Thanks
me: dude!
michele, tell lauren
my theory...
MICHELE: hahahah!
8:33 AM me: and she's in NYC -- she's screwed!
Lauren: um, the swine flu epidemic is like 7 miles from where i live
MICHELE: Mandy is convinced everytime a new flu strain pops up, people will become zombies
me: swine flu
Lauren: st. francis prep is very close
me: its the beginning of zombism
zombieism?
MICHELE: haaa, zombism
me: zombalism?
MICHELE: i like zombism
Lauren: zombiism
8:34 AM me: hahahha
MICHELE: double i, i like it
me: michele...gross email
i nearly gagged
Lauren: i think the cure in my dream was like a bath of pineapple juice or something
me: write that down!
MICHELE: i will gladly take a pineapple bath
me: because it could be a sign
8:35 AM Lauren: hahaha
yes
me: just remember: go somewhere with no windows like the Winchester
Lauren: I dreamt of the cure for zombiism
love that movie
me: best ever.
MICHELE: heee, me too
Lauren: I made my parents watch it and they were like "um, Lauren?"
me: my sister hasn't seen it
hahahah!
its beyond clever
its clever redefined
MICHELE: seriously?
8:36 AM it's so awesome
Lauren: they just couldn't relate to the generational hilarity
me: i could see my mom watching it and going: i don't get it.
and i'd keep looking over at her and saying: isn't that funny?
MICHELE: my mom was kind of meh about it, too
Lauren: i know
me: and she'd give me a fake laugh and i'd get really disappointed
Lauren: i know!!!
me: like mom, i thought better of you.
Lauren: i was like this is the best movie violence and comedy and love!
MICHELE: i felt the same way!
8:37 AM me: i know!
MICHELE: my mom has a great sense of humor
but wasn't feeling it
me: its a romantic viocom
Lauren: haha
MICHELE: romzomcom
me: awesome!
god, we are on fucking point today ladies
MICHELE: sadly, i did not make that up
Lauren: lolz
me: i'm going to have to blog this chat
MICHELE: the dudes who made it did
me: damn it!
MICHELE: i know
8:38 AM me: michele, don't ruin my moment!
Lauren: originality
MICHELE: i was so on yesterday, too
me: you were!
michele was f'ing funny yestserday
like everything she said was comedic gold
Lauren: we're funny gals
MICHELE: haha
me: even the reference to patrick swayze
MICHELE: probably because of the pms
hahah
me: i got my period last night
Lauren: mmm excess hormones create art
MICHELE: ew
me: well...FYI
MICHELE: mines not until next freaking week
me: maybe i shouldn't share that...
Lauren: it is like all artists being bipolar
MICHELE: and i'm already retardedly bloated
8:39 AM Lauren: i love my bc
MICHELE: no, if you can't share it here, where can you share it?
me: do you take seasonale?
Lauren: i am on YAZ
me: i tried that no period stuff...
i got wicked bad headaches
Lauren: so it supposedly takes care of my PMDD
whatever that is
me: oooooh...lucky
MICHELE: my mom totally had pmdd
me: is it like ADHD?
Lauren: it makes me not want to kill, but I also have no sex drive
so it is double effective
me: hahahha
8:40 AM MICHELE: my bc makes me waaay less moody
Lauren: indeed
MICHELE: but i still have acne
and bloat
and spotting
i think i'm only half woman
Lauren: YAZ is supposed to fix acne and crazy mood swings
MICHELE: i'm going to talk to my doc about it next week
Lauren: I can't eally tell if the no sex drive thing is the birth control or just personal preference
me: whatever i take has to have low estrogen
i'm so superiorily female i don't need anymore.
ha.
8:41 AM MICHELE: hahaha
i'm loling
me: loling
i'm loling like i'm watching a romzomcom
Lauren: i hate saying "lol" but enjoy "lolz" i am not sure why
8:42 AM MICHELE: lolz is slightly better than lol
i always just write out haha
Lauren: yes, i go with heh
MICHELE: that is my lol equivalent
me: i'm more obnoxious
like hahahahhahahahhaha
soemtimes i do haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaa
depending on my mood.
Lauren: yes
MICHELE: hhahahah!
8:43 AM your fingers know what to do
me: my laugh is horrible, so i'm trying to simluate via the keyboard
its tough to do
sometimes i laugh like Mutley, from the cartoon
where i just make like no noise
MICHELE: ha, that's mine
me: tough to type that out
MICHELE: a rasp
me: yeah!
i also do some weird french thing
and jeff always laughs and asked me if i want a croissant
8:44 AM Lauren: lozl
mmm. lozl
a new variant
it is like hebrew
8:45 AM i have invented the hasidic equivalent of lolz
me: thank god
8:46 AM the jews are severely lacking in good chat abbreviations
Lauren: I saw grey gardens
8:47 AM me: was it any good?
i avoided it since i want drew barrymore to die
Lauren: yeah
I was disappointed in Jessica Lange
I thought she would be better
me: how can you be disappointed?
its jessica lange
she sucks
Lauren: I expected Barrymore to suck
me: and you want to know why jessica lange sucks?
Lauren: uh, yes?
me: because i'm loyal, and my mom hates her for no good reason.
MICHELE: why?
hahah!
8:48 AM will you hate james woods for me?
me: my mom also hates susan sarandon and linda rondstat
so, i hate them too
james woods is kind of douchey
MICHELE: HAHAHAAH!
i hate him!@!!!
Lauren: maybe your mom just hates people that look like they have kewpie doll/fetal alcohol syndrome
8:49 AM MICHELE: BWHAHAHAHAHA!
oh my god
8:50 AM it took me a minute to calm down
Lauren: :)
me: maybe she does!
she should hate leondardo dicaprio too then
MICHELE: yes
me: i cant' even spell his name
8:51 AM MICHELE: he's gotten weirder looking as he's gotten older
like, he's a boy in a man's body
Lauren: speaking of which
benjamin buttons was stupid
8:52 AM MICHELE: hahah!@
haven't seen it
me: i had a feeling it would be
i heard its also very long.
MICHELE: i saw forgetting sarah marshall though
me: i saw the wrestler
MICHELE: i want to see that!
me: you totally forget its mickey rourke
you think you're watchign a documentary about that guy
MICHELE: damn
me: and i saw the day the earth stood still
and keanu reeves sucks
MICHELE: my dad is pissed about that movie
8:53 AM me: which one?
Lauren: the wrestler was awesome
MICHELE: earth stood still
he LOVES the original
me: because its beyond dumb?
MICHELE: it's his favorite movie
Lauren: you need to get 9 and a 1/2 weeks and the wrestler and have a movie marathon
me: its a great movie, the original
lauren: that would be depressing
its like hot MR then what the fuck happened to your face MR
MICHELE: DO NOT SEE ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO
me: hahahah.
8:54 AM okay.
MICHELE: worst movie
Lauren: too late
MICHELE: god
did you hate it?
i was so bored i forgot i was watching it at one point
me: that's amazing.
MICHELE: i picked up a magazine and was like, oh yeah, i'm watching a movie...
me: i want you to tweet that.
hahahha.
i'm dying.
8:55 AM MICHELE: hahah, ok
me: my coworkers hate me
sooo funny
MICHELE: hahahaha!
me: everything you guys are saying is making me so happy
i want to tell everyoen and no one here gives a shit
Lauren: haha
me: so, i'm just giggling at my desk like a moron
and now i have a meeting...
Lauren: that has been my lifelong struggle
aw
8:56 AM me: i have like FIVE today
Lauren: i don't have to work!!!!
but I do have to clean out my closet
I wish you could virtually be here to help me with that
MICHELE: i would make you throw everything out
i'm notorious for that
8:57 AM Lauren: that is what i need
i have to be brutal
there is serious overflow
me: i'm off ladies
Lauren: bye
me: but i'm saving this chat forever.
Lauren: :(
me: i don't know how...
but i'll figure it out.
8:58 AM MICHELE: click on chats!
it will be there!
have fun at your meeting!
Lauren: should i notify my lesbian friend that i will set her up with your cousin?
8:59 AM MICHELE: matchmaking!
Lauren: the unification of two crazy lesbians
9:00 AM MICHELE: hah!
MICHELE has joined
Lauren: yesss
group chat
MICHELE: what up, laydies
Lauren: i have my coffee
MICHELE: jealous
Lauren: it's all good
8:25 AM kona, baby
MICHELE: i have no umbrella!
Lauren: it is beautiful here
MICHELE: biiitch
Lauren: i want to go to the botanical garden
because it is free today
MICHELE: do you have the day off?
Lauren: yess
MICHELE: excellent!
Lauren: unfortunately then I have to work Wed-Sat
8:26 AM MICHELE: ohhhh
well, at least you'll probably get our rain for the rest of the week
:)
Lauren: yay
MICHELE: you won't be missing anything!
Lauren: the kitten is in the window watching birds
MICHELE: hahah!
Precious and upstairs cat have been doing taht
8:27 AM Lauren: there are a million birds in our backyard, it is weird
Mandy is coming to visit!
MICHELE: they're taunting your cats
i heard!
that's so exciting!
Lauren: i know
because i think i have those days off
MICHELE: that is so cool!
8:28 AM brunch it up
8:29 AM me: what's up
i'm tweeting
hahahahha
MICHELE: hahah!
i'm gonna check your tweets
Lauren: teet
MICHELE: dirrrty
me: so, i told michele already
Lauren: damn you and your twittering.
MICHELE: remember christina aguilera?
me: but lauren, youhave to hear
i applied for a job here and its working from home
8:30 AM Lauren: yes!
me: and making like almost 60,000 a year
so i'd be like a RICH person
MICHELE: daaaaamn!
me: i know!
Lauren: niiice
me: so...i had a phone call this morning
and the chick who has the job now has been totally talking me up
Lauren: excellent
me: and told me: basically, don't blow the interview and the job is yours
yessssssssssssss.
MICHELE: AHHHHHHHHHH!
Lauren: see, your karma has paid off
me: and i was like: i'll show up drunk and offer everyone weed
Lauren: commuting karma
me: do you think that will go over well?
8:31 AM MICHELE: you'll totally get the job that way
me: my commuting karma!
i love that!
i need to tweet that
MICHELE: hahah!
whoaaaaa
me: tweeted.
MICHELE: just read your twitter
8:32 AM me: i know!
i had a sex dream about NKOTB
and it was with joey.....
MICHELE: with all of them?
me: ewwwwww...he wasn't even my fav
MICHELE: oh, ok
me: well, it was sort of all of them
MICHELE: yeah, joey was kind of feminine
me: but joey was the one i remember, on some couch in bar while he watched sports
Lauren: didn't someone have a zombie dream? because this morning I had a zombie dream. Thanks
me: dude!
michele, tell lauren
my theory...
MICHELE: hahahah!
8:33 AM me: and she's in NYC -- she's screwed!
Lauren: um, the swine flu epidemic is like 7 miles from where i live
MICHELE: Mandy is convinced everytime a new flu strain pops up, people will become zombies
me: swine flu
Lauren: st. francis prep is very close
me: its the beginning of zombism
zombieism?
MICHELE: haaa, zombism
me: zombalism?
MICHELE: i like zombism
Lauren: zombiism
8:34 AM me: hahahha
MICHELE: double i, i like it
me: michele...gross email
i nearly gagged
Lauren: i think the cure in my dream was like a bath of pineapple juice or something
me: write that down!
MICHELE: i will gladly take a pineapple bath
me: because it could be a sign
8:35 AM Lauren: hahaha
yes
me: just remember: go somewhere with no windows like the Winchester
Lauren: I dreamt of the cure for zombiism
love that movie
me: best ever.
MICHELE: heee, me too
Lauren: I made my parents watch it and they were like "um, Lauren?"
me: my sister hasn't seen it
hahahah!
its beyond clever
its clever redefined
MICHELE: seriously?
8:36 AM it's so awesome
Lauren: they just couldn't relate to the generational hilarity
me: i could see my mom watching it and going: i don't get it.
and i'd keep looking over at her and saying: isn't that funny?
MICHELE: my mom was kind of meh about it, too
Lauren: i know
me: and she'd give me a fake laugh and i'd get really disappointed
Lauren: i know!!!
me: like mom, i thought better of you.
Lauren: i was like this is the best movie violence and comedy and love!
MICHELE: i felt the same way!
8:37 AM me: i know!
MICHELE: my mom has a great sense of humor
but wasn't feeling it
me: its a romantic viocom
Lauren: haha
MICHELE: romzomcom
me: awesome!
god, we are on fucking point today ladies
MICHELE: sadly, i did not make that up
Lauren: lolz
me: i'm going to have to blog this chat
MICHELE: the dudes who made it did
me: damn it!
MICHELE: i know
8:38 AM me: michele, don't ruin my moment!
Lauren: originality
MICHELE: i was so on yesterday, too
me: you were!
michele was f'ing funny yestserday
like everything she said was comedic gold
Lauren: we're funny gals
MICHELE: haha
me: even the reference to patrick swayze
MICHELE: probably because of the pms
hahah
me: i got my period last night
Lauren: mmm excess hormones create art
MICHELE: ew
me: well...FYI
MICHELE: mines not until next freaking week
me: maybe i shouldn't share that...
Lauren: it is like all artists being bipolar
MICHELE: and i'm already retardedly bloated
8:39 AM Lauren: i love my bc
MICHELE: no, if you can't share it here, where can you share it?
me: do you take seasonale?
Lauren: i am on YAZ
me: i tried that no period stuff...
i got wicked bad headaches
Lauren: so it supposedly takes care of my PMDD
whatever that is
me: oooooh...lucky
MICHELE: my mom totally had pmdd
me: is it like ADHD?
Lauren: it makes me not want to kill, but I also have no sex drive
so it is double effective
me: hahahha
8:40 AM MICHELE: my bc makes me waaay less moody
Lauren: indeed
MICHELE: but i still have acne
and bloat
and spotting
i think i'm only half woman
Lauren: YAZ is supposed to fix acne and crazy mood swings
MICHELE: i'm going to talk to my doc about it next week
Lauren: I can't eally tell if the no sex drive thing is the birth control or just personal preference
me: whatever i take has to have low estrogen
i'm so superiorily female i don't need anymore.
ha.
8:41 AM MICHELE: hahaha
i'm loling
me: loling
i'm loling like i'm watching a romzomcom
Lauren: i hate saying "lol" but enjoy "lolz" i am not sure why
8:42 AM MICHELE: lolz is slightly better than lol
i always just write out haha
Lauren: yes, i go with heh
MICHELE: that is my lol equivalent
me: i'm more obnoxious
like hahahahhahahahhaha
soemtimes i do haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaa
depending on my mood.
Lauren: yes
MICHELE: hhahahah!
8:43 AM your fingers know what to do
me: my laugh is horrible, so i'm trying to simluate via the keyboard
its tough to do
sometimes i laugh like Mutley, from the cartoon
where i just make like no noise
MICHELE: ha, that's mine
me: tough to type that out
MICHELE: a rasp
me: yeah!
i also do some weird french thing
and jeff always laughs and asked me if i want a croissant
8:44 AM Lauren: lozl
mmm. lozl
a new variant
it is like hebrew
8:45 AM i have invented the hasidic equivalent of lolz
me: thank god
8:46 AM the jews are severely lacking in good chat abbreviations
Lauren: I saw grey gardens
8:47 AM me: was it any good?
i avoided it since i want drew barrymore to die
Lauren: yeah
I was disappointed in Jessica Lange
I thought she would be better
me: how can you be disappointed?
its jessica lange
she sucks
Lauren: I expected Barrymore to suck
me: and you want to know why jessica lange sucks?
Lauren: uh, yes?
me: because i'm loyal, and my mom hates her for no good reason.
MICHELE: why?
hahah!
8:48 AM will you hate james woods for me?
me: my mom also hates susan sarandon and linda rondstat
so, i hate them too
james woods is kind of douchey
MICHELE: HAHAHAAH!
i hate him!@!!!
Lauren: maybe your mom just hates people that look like they have kewpie doll/fetal alcohol syndrome
8:49 AM MICHELE: BWHAHAHAHAHA!
oh my god
8:50 AM it took me a minute to calm down
Lauren: :)
me: maybe she does!
she should hate leondardo dicaprio too then
MICHELE: yes
me: i cant' even spell his name
8:51 AM MICHELE: he's gotten weirder looking as he's gotten older
like, he's a boy in a man's body
Lauren: speaking of which
benjamin buttons was stupid
8:52 AM MICHELE: hahah!@
haven't seen it
me: i had a feeling it would be
i heard its also very long.
MICHELE: i saw forgetting sarah marshall though
me: i saw the wrestler
MICHELE: i want to see that!
me: you totally forget its mickey rourke
you think you're watchign a documentary about that guy
MICHELE: damn
me: and i saw the day the earth stood still
and keanu reeves sucks
MICHELE: my dad is pissed about that movie
8:53 AM me: which one?
Lauren: the wrestler was awesome
MICHELE: earth stood still
he LOVES the original
me: because its beyond dumb?
MICHELE: it's his favorite movie
Lauren: you need to get 9 and a 1/2 weeks and the wrestler and have a movie marathon
me: its a great movie, the original
lauren: that would be depressing
its like hot MR then what the fuck happened to your face MR
MICHELE: DO NOT SEE ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO
me: hahahah.
8:54 AM okay.
MICHELE: worst movie
Lauren: too late
MICHELE: god
did you hate it?
i was so bored i forgot i was watching it at one point
me: that's amazing.
MICHELE: i picked up a magazine and was like, oh yeah, i'm watching a movie...
me: i want you to tweet that.
hahahha.
i'm dying.
8:55 AM MICHELE: hahah, ok
me: my coworkers hate me
sooo funny
MICHELE: hahahaha!
me: everything you guys are saying is making me so happy
i want to tell everyoen and no one here gives a shit
Lauren: haha
me: so, i'm just giggling at my desk like a moron
and now i have a meeting...
Lauren: that has been my lifelong struggle
aw
8:56 AM me: i have like FIVE today
Lauren: i don't have to work!!!!
but I do have to clean out my closet
I wish you could virtually be here to help me with that
MICHELE: i would make you throw everything out
i'm notorious for that
8:57 AM Lauren: that is what i need
i have to be brutal
there is serious overflow
me: i'm off ladies
Lauren: bye
me: but i'm saving this chat forever.
Lauren: :(
me: i don't know how...
but i'll figure it out.
8:58 AM MICHELE: click on chats!
it will be there!
have fun at your meeting!
Lauren: should i notify my lesbian friend that i will set her up with your cousin?
8:59 AM MICHELE: matchmaking!
Lauren: the unification of two crazy lesbians
9:00 AM MICHELE: hah!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Way to Go Iowa!
First same-sex marriage license issued in Iowa
DES MOINES — Melisa Keeton and Shelley Wolfe are the first same-sex couple with a license in hand at the Polk County administration building, now that an Iowa Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage has taken effect.
Judge Karen Romano granted a waiting-period waiver shortly after 8:30, and the couple, with a pastor in tow, plan to have a ceremony within the hour. Ordinarily there is a three-day waiting period in Iowa.
Wolfe, 38, and Keeton, 31, had a commitment ceremony about two years ago.
They were among about a dozen people gathered at the Polk County recorde's office by 7:30 this morning in anticipation of the Iowa Supreme Court's gay marriage decision going into effect. The court had issued an order early in the day confirming that the appeals process in the case had officially concluded.
The group, which stood in a drizzling rain, included at least three same-sex couples filling out papers on clipboards so they can apply for marriage licenses. Three women walked into the county administration building with T-shirts that read, "Engayged." Two men with tuxedos walked into the recorder's office shortly before 7:30 a.m.
Polk County Recorder Julie Haggerty has said she will not begin issuing licenses until she receives the formal go-ahead from the Polk County attorney's office. The formal order is expected to come down between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., said Assistant Polk County Attorney Michael O'Meara.
A group of same-sex-marriage opponents is also expected to arrive this morning to deliver a petition urging the recorder's office not to issue the licenses. Polk County sheriff's deputies are on hand to maintain the peace.
Two plaintiffs in the original Iowa court case got to the Polk County administration building before 7 a.m.
Standing with son Jameson, 2, were Ingrid Olson and Reva Evans.
"Just walking up, I got tears in my eyes," Olson said. "Seeing this building today was more powerful than the first time we walked up in 2005. Back then we knew we'd get turned away. Today I got a pit in my stomach."
They'll get married on June 15, which is Jameson's birthday.
"We feel like this is the state's birthday present for him," Olson said.
For Alicia Zacher, 24, and Jessica Roach, 22, both of Des Moines, it was deja vu. They had applied for a license in August 2007, after a Polk County judge's ruling briefly made gay marriage legal. Only one couple was married before the ruling was put on hold. Now, Zacher and Roach must go through the process again.
Today, they were the fourth couple in line. They planned to ask for a waiver from a judge so they could skip the three-day waiting period. They have a tentative appointment with a judge for 4 p.m. today to get married.
"I'm nervous," Zacher said. "I just want to go in and get the bureaucratic part over with."
Last night, they celebrated with family at P.F. Chang's restaurant in West Des Moines, Iowa. They'll celebrate tonight with friends.
"I just would like to have the protections in place as soon as possible," Roach said. "Like if tomorrow she got in a car accident, I'd have to call her mom in Nebraska."
No protesters were at the county administration building this morning.
When Chuck Hurley, leader of the Iowa Family Policy Center, arrived about 7:40 a.m., about 20 reporters and photographers surrounded him. Hurley has become the lead Iowa spokesman for anti-gay marriage protests. He believes that marriage should be only be between a man and a woman.
Elsewhere in Iowa, Emmet County Recorder Sue Snyder said no marriage licenses had been issued this morning, as of about 8:15 a.m. There was one protester of the marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a friend of Snyder's, who brought in a petition for Snyder to have, Snyder said.
"They're asking that we refuse to issue these licenses," Snyder said. "My response is that I'm governed by the state of Iowa to follow the laws and serve the people and that's what I will do. We just agreed that it would not cause any friction between our friendship, then we left it at that."
Contributing: The Associated Press.
DES MOINES — Melisa Keeton and Shelley Wolfe are the first same-sex couple with a license in hand at the Polk County administration building, now that an Iowa Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage has taken effect.
Judge Karen Romano granted a waiting-period waiver shortly after 8:30, and the couple, with a pastor in tow, plan to have a ceremony within the hour. Ordinarily there is a three-day waiting period in Iowa.
Wolfe, 38, and Keeton, 31, had a commitment ceremony about two years ago.
They were among about a dozen people gathered at the Polk County recorde's office by 7:30 this morning in anticipation of the Iowa Supreme Court's gay marriage decision going into effect. The court had issued an order early in the day confirming that the appeals process in the case had officially concluded.
The group, which stood in a drizzling rain, included at least three same-sex couples filling out papers on clipboards so they can apply for marriage licenses. Three women walked into the county administration building with T-shirts that read, "Engayged." Two men with tuxedos walked into the recorder's office shortly before 7:30 a.m.
Polk County Recorder Julie Haggerty has said she will not begin issuing licenses until she receives the formal go-ahead from the Polk County attorney's office. The formal order is expected to come down between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., said Assistant Polk County Attorney Michael O'Meara.
A group of same-sex-marriage opponents is also expected to arrive this morning to deliver a petition urging the recorder's office not to issue the licenses. Polk County sheriff's deputies are on hand to maintain the peace.
Two plaintiffs in the original Iowa court case got to the Polk County administration building before 7 a.m.
Standing with son Jameson, 2, were Ingrid Olson and Reva Evans.
"Just walking up, I got tears in my eyes," Olson said. "Seeing this building today was more powerful than the first time we walked up in 2005. Back then we knew we'd get turned away. Today I got a pit in my stomach."
They'll get married on June 15, which is Jameson's birthday.
"We feel like this is the state's birthday present for him," Olson said.
For Alicia Zacher, 24, and Jessica Roach, 22, both of Des Moines, it was deja vu. They had applied for a license in August 2007, after a Polk County judge's ruling briefly made gay marriage legal. Only one couple was married before the ruling was put on hold. Now, Zacher and Roach must go through the process again.
Today, they were the fourth couple in line. They planned to ask for a waiver from a judge so they could skip the three-day waiting period. They have a tentative appointment with a judge for 4 p.m. today to get married.
"I'm nervous," Zacher said. "I just want to go in and get the bureaucratic part over with."
Last night, they celebrated with family at P.F. Chang's restaurant in West Des Moines, Iowa. They'll celebrate tonight with friends.
"I just would like to have the protections in place as soon as possible," Roach said. "Like if tomorrow she got in a car accident, I'd have to call her mom in Nebraska."
No protesters were at the county administration building this morning.
When Chuck Hurley, leader of the Iowa Family Policy Center, arrived about 7:40 a.m., about 20 reporters and photographers surrounded him. Hurley has become the lead Iowa spokesman for anti-gay marriage protests. He believes that marriage should be only be between a man and a woman.
Elsewhere in Iowa, Emmet County Recorder Sue Snyder said no marriage licenses had been issued this morning, as of about 8:15 a.m. There was one protester of the marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a friend of Snyder's, who brought in a petition for Snyder to have, Snyder said.
"They're asking that we refuse to issue these licenses," Snyder said. "My response is that I'm governed by the state of Iowa to follow the laws and serve the people and that's what I will do. We just agreed that it would not cause any friction between our friendship, then we left it at that."
Contributing: The Associated Press.
Bye Bye Pontiac
GM to cut 23,000 jobs by 2011
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- General Motors announced plans to cut 23,000 U.S. jobs by 2011, drop its storied Pontiac brand and slash 40% of its dealer network in its latest bid to stay out of bankruptcy.
GM also announced an offer to its bondholders to swap $27 billion of the company's unsecured debt for stock. GM is offering bondholders 225 shares of its stock for every $1,000 it owes the bondholders in principal.
The moves are GM's latest efforts to cut costs and stem losses that have dogged its North American auto operations since 2005. But Monday's restructuring announcement goes much further than the viability plan GM unveiled to President Obama's auto industry task force in February.
The company had announced many of the job cuts in February, but Monday's news that GM would have about 38,000 hourly U.S. employees by 2011 represents an additional reduction of 7,000 to 8,000 jobs beyond what GM disclosed in its previous viability plan.
GM also confirmed reports that surfaced Friday and officially announced plans to drop its Pontiac brand altogether. In its earlier restructuring plan, GM had signaled that Pontiac would survive, albeit as a niche offering.
The company also said it would make more cuts to its dealership network than it announced in February, and at a much faster pace. GM said Monday it will cut the number of its dealers by 42% to 3,605 by 2010, up from its original plan to reduce its network to 4,100 dealers by 2014.
The Obama administration's task force, which found that GM's February turnaround plan was not viable, said Monday that the new plan "reflects the work GM has done since March 30 to chart a new path to financial viability." But the task force added that it "has made no final decision regarding the treatment of its current loan to GM or with respect to any future investments in the company."
The administration has given GM only until the end of May to reach deals with creditors and unions to cut costs or be forced into bankruptcy. But the Treasury Department did extended GM an additional $2 billion in loans last week, bringing its total federal assistance to $15.4 billion.
The United Auto Workers union and the ad hoc committee of bondholders were not available for immediate comment on Monday's announcements.
GM will still need to convince bondholders to take the deal and win further labor concessions from the union if it is to stay out of bankruptcy. The union announced a tentative deal with Chrysler LLC late Sunday in an effort to help that company meet an April 30 deadline to avoid its own bankruptcy filing.
If the GM bondholders take the offer, they will end up owning about 10% of GM. But they will be accepting stock worth only $380, based on Friday's closing price, for every $1,000 they are now owed on the bonds.
By accepting the offer, bondholders would be betting that the company's stock would rise in the future, and that the alternative of bankruptcy could result in them getting even a smaller percentage of what they are owed.
But taking the deal will still be risky. Even unsecured bondholders can hope to be paid something back on their bonds if the company is forced into bankruptcy at some point in the future, while stockholders are likely to be wiped out altogether.
If all parties agree to the new restructuring plan, the union controlled trust funds and the Treasury Department are likely to have even larger stakes in the new GM. The move could dilute the value of GM shares held by current stockholders to less than a 10% stake.
Still, shares of GM (GM, Fortune 500), a component of the Dow Jones industrial average, gained nearly 11% in early morning trading due to hopes that the company may now be able to avoid bankruptcy.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- General Motors announced plans to cut 23,000 U.S. jobs by 2011, drop its storied Pontiac brand and slash 40% of its dealer network in its latest bid to stay out of bankruptcy.
GM also announced an offer to its bondholders to swap $27 billion of the company's unsecured debt for stock. GM is offering bondholders 225 shares of its stock for every $1,000 it owes the bondholders in principal.
The moves are GM's latest efforts to cut costs and stem losses that have dogged its North American auto operations since 2005. But Monday's restructuring announcement goes much further than the viability plan GM unveiled to President Obama's auto industry task force in February.
The company had announced many of the job cuts in February, but Monday's news that GM would have about 38,000 hourly U.S. employees by 2011 represents an additional reduction of 7,000 to 8,000 jobs beyond what GM disclosed in its previous viability plan.
GM also confirmed reports that surfaced Friday and officially announced plans to drop its Pontiac brand altogether. In its earlier restructuring plan, GM had signaled that Pontiac would survive, albeit as a niche offering.
The company also said it would make more cuts to its dealership network than it announced in February, and at a much faster pace. GM said Monday it will cut the number of its dealers by 42% to 3,605 by 2010, up from its original plan to reduce its network to 4,100 dealers by 2014.
The Obama administration's task force, which found that GM's February turnaround plan was not viable, said Monday that the new plan "reflects the work GM has done since March 30 to chart a new path to financial viability." But the task force added that it "has made no final decision regarding the treatment of its current loan to GM or with respect to any future investments in the company."
The administration has given GM only until the end of May to reach deals with creditors and unions to cut costs or be forced into bankruptcy. But the Treasury Department did extended GM an additional $2 billion in loans last week, bringing its total federal assistance to $15.4 billion.
The United Auto Workers union and the ad hoc committee of bondholders were not available for immediate comment on Monday's announcements.
GM will still need to convince bondholders to take the deal and win further labor concessions from the union if it is to stay out of bankruptcy. The union announced a tentative deal with Chrysler LLC late Sunday in an effort to help that company meet an April 30 deadline to avoid its own bankruptcy filing.
If the GM bondholders take the offer, they will end up owning about 10% of GM. But they will be accepting stock worth only $380, based on Friday's closing price, for every $1,000 they are now owed on the bonds.
By accepting the offer, bondholders would be betting that the company's stock would rise in the future, and that the alternative of bankruptcy could result in them getting even a smaller percentage of what they are owed.
But taking the deal will still be risky. Even unsecured bondholders can hope to be paid something back on their bonds if the company is forced into bankruptcy at some point in the future, while stockholders are likely to be wiped out altogether.
If all parties agree to the new restructuring plan, the union controlled trust funds and the Treasury Department are likely to have even larger stakes in the new GM. The move could dilute the value of GM shares held by current stockholders to less than a 10% stake.
Still, shares of GM (GM, Fortune 500), a component of the Dow Jones industrial average, gained nearly 11% in early morning trading due to hopes that the company may now be able to avoid bankruptcy.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Meghan McCain, you dumb twat.
Meghan McCain: 'I Have Lots of Gay Friends'
Oh, Meghan. We're very proud of you for having the courage to speak before the Log Cabin Republicans, as a woman running for pundit.
You can read Meghan's full remarks to the gay Republican group here, in case you are interested in learning about how highly Meghan thinks of herself for being so young and progressive and young. Whee. The politics of failure have failed, Meghan announces, and Republicans can't just join Twitter and expect to win young voters! They have to join Twitter and have kicky gay hairstylists and read Pitchfork!
This is her explanation of "what it means to be a new, progressive Republican."
So tonight, I am proud to join you in challenging the mold and the notions of what being a Republican means. I am concerned about the environment. I love to wear black. I think government is best when it stays out of people's lives and business as much as possible. I love punk rock. I believe in a strong national defense. I have a tattoo. I believe government should always be efficient and accountable. I have lots of gay friends. And yes, I am a Republican.
Has Meghan ever examined why she is a Republican? No, whatever, she doesn't think about politics outside of these purely stylistic tribe-based frames. "I love punk rock. I have a tattoo." Good for you, those facts have nothing to with anything.
Does Meghan know that "Progressive Republican" actually refers to a specific set of issues beyond "I love giving lip service to my gay friends and think recycling is pretty cool"? Does she know that back in 1912, the year her dad lost his virginity to a stripper in Guam or something, a group of Republicans actually started a "Progressive Party" and that this party was not about "a strong national defense" and the government staying out of everyone's fucking business but, in fact, the opposite of those things?
The platform called for women's suffrage, recall of judicial decisions, easier amendment of the U.S. Constitution, social welfare legislation for women and children, workers' compensation, limited injunctions in strikes, farm relief, revision of banking to assure an elastic currency, required health insurance in industry, new inheritance taxes and income taxes, improvement of inland waterways, and limitation of naval armaments.
And yes this party was mostly actually about Teddy Roosevelt's tremendous ego but, you know, universal health care, higher taxes, and social welfare: what do you think about those things, Meghan? We know you have a tattoo and listen to Franz Ferdinand, but what can you tell us about Robert La Follette? He was this guy who probably would've pointed out that your mindless repetition of the meaningless buzz-phrase "a strong national defense" actually just means "arming the fuck out the nation while people starve."
Oh, Meghan. We're very proud of you for having the courage to speak before the Log Cabin Republicans, as a woman running for pundit.
You can read Meghan's full remarks to the gay Republican group here, in case you are interested in learning about how highly Meghan thinks of herself for being so young and progressive and young. Whee. The politics of failure have failed, Meghan announces, and Republicans can't just join Twitter and expect to win young voters! They have to join Twitter and have kicky gay hairstylists and read Pitchfork!
This is her explanation of "what it means to be a new, progressive Republican."
So tonight, I am proud to join you in challenging the mold and the notions of what being a Republican means. I am concerned about the environment. I love to wear black. I think government is best when it stays out of people's lives and business as much as possible. I love punk rock. I believe in a strong national defense. I have a tattoo. I believe government should always be efficient and accountable. I have lots of gay friends. And yes, I am a Republican.
Has Meghan ever examined why she is a Republican? No, whatever, she doesn't think about politics outside of these purely stylistic tribe-based frames. "I love punk rock. I have a tattoo." Good for you, those facts have nothing to with anything.
Does Meghan know that "Progressive Republican" actually refers to a specific set of issues beyond "I love giving lip service to my gay friends and think recycling is pretty cool"? Does she know that back in 1912, the year her dad lost his virginity to a stripper in Guam or something, a group of Republicans actually started a "Progressive Party" and that this party was not about "a strong national defense" and the government staying out of everyone's fucking business but, in fact, the opposite of those things?
The platform called for women's suffrage, recall of judicial decisions, easier amendment of the U.S. Constitution, social welfare legislation for women and children, workers' compensation, limited injunctions in strikes, farm relief, revision of banking to assure an elastic currency, required health insurance in industry, new inheritance taxes and income taxes, improvement of inland waterways, and limitation of naval armaments.
And yes this party was mostly actually about Teddy Roosevelt's tremendous ego but, you know, universal health care, higher taxes, and social welfare: what do you think about those things, Meghan? We know you have a tattoo and listen to Franz Ferdinand, but what can you tell us about Robert La Follette? He was this guy who probably would've pointed out that your mindless repetition of the meaningless buzz-phrase "a strong national defense" actually just means "arming the fuck out the nation while people starve."
Ridiculous...
Chrysler finance unit rejects aid
Detroit -- Chrysler Financial executives rejected a new $750 million loan from the Treasury Department after the company was unable to obtain waivers from top executives agreeing to strict pay limits, according to a government report to be released today.
The report from the Treasury Department's Special Inspector General overseeing the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, known as TARP, also confirms the government plans to give General Motors Corp. up to $5 billion in short-term assistance and $500 million to Chrysler LLC.
And it reveals that Treasury plans to offer as much as $1.25 billion to underwrite Chrysler and GM vehicle warranties if either automaker files for bankruptcy.
According to the 250-page report, the government on April 7 asked Chrysler Financial, as a condition of getting an additional $750 million, "to obtain waivers from the top 25 Chrysler Financial executives that would have waived legal claims against Treasury and Chrysler Financial resulting from the recent changes in executive compensation requirements for TARP recipients."
But the government claimed Chrysler Financial's management "informed Treasury that it was unable to obtain waivers from all 25 executives, therefore the request for additional funding was denied."
Chrysler Financial, however, said Monday that negotiations with the government never got to the point that executives were asked to sign compensation waivers.
"Chrysler Financial has determined that it has adequate private capital funding to cover the short-term needs of our dealers and customers and as such, no additional TARP funding is necessary at this time," it said Monday in a statement to The Detroit News.
"As such, executives have not been presented with any new demands with regard to executive compensation."
Although they are separate companies, Cerberus Capital Management, a New York private equity firm, controls both the automaker and Chrysler Financial.
The rejection of government money could increase Chrysler Financial's borrowing costs and hamper its ability to make loans for Chrysler vehicles. Chrysler's sales were off 46 percent in the first three months of this year.
After Chrysler LLC complained that lending fell dramatically in December without federal support, Chrysler Financial received a $1.5 billion loan in January. That allowed Chrysler Financial to relax credit standards and increase incentives. The government report disclosed Chrysler Financial had used $1.125 billion of that loan by March 31.
June 1 deadline looms
A government official said the White House task force may authorize this week $2 billion of the $5 billion in additional aid that today's Treasury report says will be coming to GM. CEO Fritz Henderson said Friday GM needs $5 billion to get through June.
GM faces a June 1 deadline, set by the government, to complete a tougher restructuring and cut the amount of its unsecured debt by at least two-thirds.
On March 30, deciding that GM's initial restructuring was inadequate, the Obama administration rejected the company's request for $16.6 billion in additional aid and forced out CEO Rick Wagoner.
GM is likely to unveil its bond exchange offer to the holders of its $28 billion in bonds next week. It is said to be preparing a tough offer that could be as little as 20 percent equity in a new company.
Chrysler, according to the Treasury report, will get $500 million while it attempts to "complete its restructuring plan." The Obama administration has agreed to provide up to $6 billion to a joint venture with Fiat SpA, if Chrysler can win concessions from its first-lien debtholders and the United Auto Workers and convince the government that it has a viable business plan.
The government says Chrysler isn't viable as a standalone company and vows not to provide it with any more aid after April 30 if it doesn't complete the tie-up with Fiat.
Counteroffer expected
Chrysler has offered the holders of its $6.8 billion in secured debt 15 cents on the dollar. The banks are expected to make a counteroffer this week.
The Obama auto task force on Monday met with Chrysler, UAW and Fiat officials as the deadline looms.
The task force "is continuing to work with all of the stakeholders involved to find a solution we hope that continues the Chrysler brand and strengthens the auto industry," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Monday. "We believe that was possible 20 days ago, and we certainly believe that is possible ... with about 10 days to go in this process."
If GM or Chrysler can't complete restructuring in the coming weeks, they could be forced into bankruptcy. The Obama task force has said that may be the "best option" to quickly seek court protection to restructure.
Other items in the Treasury report:
• Auto suppliers taking part in a $5 billion TARP program -- the Supplier Support Program -- to provide them with credit insurance or immediate payments for parts already shipped are not bound by the TARP compensation limits.
• The Treasury Department has used up $24.8 billion of the initial $25 billion set aside for its auto industry support program, including $13.4 billion in loans for GM and $4 billion for Chrysler LLC.
The auto programs account for 3.5 percent of the $700 billion allocated for TARP, the report said.
• The Government Accountability Office is investigating the loans made to automakers, asking, "What mechanisms did Treasury establish to protect the taxpayers' interests in providing federal assistance to the automakers?"
Detroit -- Chrysler Financial executives rejected a new $750 million loan from the Treasury Department after the company was unable to obtain waivers from top executives agreeing to strict pay limits, according to a government report to be released today.
The report from the Treasury Department's Special Inspector General overseeing the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, known as TARP, also confirms the government plans to give General Motors Corp. up to $5 billion in short-term assistance and $500 million to Chrysler LLC.
And it reveals that Treasury plans to offer as much as $1.25 billion to underwrite Chrysler and GM vehicle warranties if either automaker files for bankruptcy.
According to the 250-page report, the government on April 7 asked Chrysler Financial, as a condition of getting an additional $750 million, "to obtain waivers from the top 25 Chrysler Financial executives that would have waived legal claims against Treasury and Chrysler Financial resulting from the recent changes in executive compensation requirements for TARP recipients."
But the government claimed Chrysler Financial's management "informed Treasury that it was unable to obtain waivers from all 25 executives, therefore the request for additional funding was denied."
Chrysler Financial, however, said Monday that negotiations with the government never got to the point that executives were asked to sign compensation waivers.
"Chrysler Financial has determined that it has adequate private capital funding to cover the short-term needs of our dealers and customers and as such, no additional TARP funding is necessary at this time," it said Monday in a statement to The Detroit News.
"As such, executives have not been presented with any new demands with regard to executive compensation."
Although they are separate companies, Cerberus Capital Management, a New York private equity firm, controls both the automaker and Chrysler Financial.
The rejection of government money could increase Chrysler Financial's borrowing costs and hamper its ability to make loans for Chrysler vehicles. Chrysler's sales were off 46 percent in the first three months of this year.
After Chrysler LLC complained that lending fell dramatically in December without federal support, Chrysler Financial received a $1.5 billion loan in January. That allowed Chrysler Financial to relax credit standards and increase incentives. The government report disclosed Chrysler Financial had used $1.125 billion of that loan by March 31.
June 1 deadline looms
A government official said the White House task force may authorize this week $2 billion of the $5 billion in additional aid that today's Treasury report says will be coming to GM. CEO Fritz Henderson said Friday GM needs $5 billion to get through June.
GM faces a June 1 deadline, set by the government, to complete a tougher restructuring and cut the amount of its unsecured debt by at least two-thirds.
On March 30, deciding that GM's initial restructuring was inadequate, the Obama administration rejected the company's request for $16.6 billion in additional aid and forced out CEO Rick Wagoner.
GM is likely to unveil its bond exchange offer to the holders of its $28 billion in bonds next week. It is said to be preparing a tough offer that could be as little as 20 percent equity in a new company.
Chrysler, according to the Treasury report, will get $500 million while it attempts to "complete its restructuring plan." The Obama administration has agreed to provide up to $6 billion to a joint venture with Fiat SpA, if Chrysler can win concessions from its first-lien debtholders and the United Auto Workers and convince the government that it has a viable business plan.
The government says Chrysler isn't viable as a standalone company and vows not to provide it with any more aid after April 30 if it doesn't complete the tie-up with Fiat.
Counteroffer expected
Chrysler has offered the holders of its $6.8 billion in secured debt 15 cents on the dollar. The banks are expected to make a counteroffer this week.
The Obama auto task force on Monday met with Chrysler, UAW and Fiat officials as the deadline looms.
The task force "is continuing to work with all of the stakeholders involved to find a solution we hope that continues the Chrysler brand and strengthens the auto industry," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Monday. "We believe that was possible 20 days ago, and we certainly believe that is possible ... with about 10 days to go in this process."
If GM or Chrysler can't complete restructuring in the coming weeks, they could be forced into bankruptcy. The Obama task force has said that may be the "best option" to quickly seek court protection to restructure.
Other items in the Treasury report:
• Auto suppliers taking part in a $5 billion TARP program -- the Supplier Support Program -- to provide them with credit insurance or immediate payments for parts already shipped are not bound by the TARP compensation limits.
• The Treasury Department has used up $24.8 billion of the initial $25 billion set aside for its auto industry support program, including $13.4 billion in loans for GM and $4 billion for Chrysler LLC.
The auto programs account for 3.5 percent of the $700 billion allocated for TARP, the report said.
• The Government Accountability Office is investigating the loans made to automakers, asking, "What mechanisms did Treasury establish to protect the taxpayers' interests in providing federal assistance to the automakers?"
oooooooooh.......you're in trooooouuuuubbbbbbbbblllllllllleeeeeeee....
TARP cop: 20 criminal probes
Watchdog overseeing $700 billion bailout reveals his progress reviewing how money has been spent and calls for changes to prevent fraud.
By Jennifer Liberto, CNNMoney.com senior writer
Last Updated: April 21, 2009: 5:10 AM ET
WASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) -- The top cop tracking the government's $700 billion bailout program said Tuesday that he has opened 20 criminal investigations and six audits into whether tax dollars are being pilfered or wasted.
Neil Barofsky, the special inspector general overseeing the Troubled Asset Relief Program, released a 250-page report detailing a long list of concerns about government efforts to prop up hundreds of banks, Wall Street firms and auto companies.
Barofsky, whose investigations could lead to criminal charges, told CNNMoney.com in an interview that he wants taxpayers to understand where their money is going. At the same time, he wants to alert officials to weaknesses in TARP that could invite corruption or fraud.
"Our recommendations are forward looking and there are no vulnerabilities that can't be addressed," Barofsky said. "The balance of what we're trying to do is to inform, bring transparency and make appropriate recommendations."
The report reveals that Barofsky is looking into whether bailout decisions were influenced by those who stood to benefit from them and whether companies receiving bailout dollars are adhering to caps on executive pay.
Barofsky's report also makes several recommendations to Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and other officials charged with implementing the bailout. Among them: Require all TARP recipients to detail how they use bailout dollars and safeguard a new mortgage rescue effort against scams.
The backdrop: Bailout rage
The report comes as public outcry over government bailouts is mounting. The Treasury Department is under increasing pressure to protect tax dollars even as it attempts to repair the financial markets - agendas that are often at odds with each other.
Geithner is set to appear Tuesday before a separate congressional watchdog group, the five-member Congressional Oversight Panel, which released its own oversight report two weeks ago.
The overall bailout scrutiny is wearing on the financial sector and, one expert said, has caused confusion over the government's unprecedented entanglement with the private sector.
"It's become chic to demand more oversight of how the government is spending money to stabilize the financial system, yet we already have so many oversight entities in place, that it's hard to say who's responsible for ensuring how the money is spent," said Jaret Seiberg, policy analyst at Concept Capital's Washington Research Group.
Barofsky, in the interview, insisted his goal is to inform the public that someone is minding the store and that bailout programs are not a "black hole."
"It's not trillions of dollars going out the door without anyone keeping tabs on it," said Barofsky, who will testify before Congress on Thursday about his findings.
As an inspector general, Barofsky has legal firepower. He can use subpoenas to compel disclosure and is tasked by federal law to track the details of how banks are spending taxpayer dollars.
Barofsky, appointed by then-President Bush last November, has so far hired 35 members of a staff he expects to grow to 150. Currently working out of the main Treasury compound next to the White House, Barofsky and his staff are securing their own offices in the same building in downtown Washington that houses the Treasury staffers that administer TARP.
Barofsky, 38, is a former federal prosecutor from New York who spent years chasing after white-collar criminals, organized crime figures and drug traffickers. In one recent high-profile case, he prosecuted a trading firm that filed for bankruptcy a few months after raising millions in its initial public offering. The chief financial officer of that company, Refco, pled guilty to fraud and money laundering last year.
Red flags and recommendations
Barofsky told CNNMoney.com that he believes one of his report's most urgent recommendations is that Treasury develop a system to better figure out the value of the different types of shares it now owns in financial institutions.
The Treasury has invested hundreds of billions in companies in exchange for shares of preferred stock.
He said the need to better understand the value of the government shares is even more important now that the administration is considering a plan to convert preferred shares into common shares, which is the kind of stock that consumers usually hold.
"There needs to be asset valuation strategy so the Treasury can make the most informed decisions," Barofsky said. "I don't think anything bad has happened, but it's time for them to do that."
The report also warns federal officials, in great detail, against expanding a Federal Reserve-run program to allow investors to use cheap government financing to purchase questionable mortgage-backed securities. The program poses "significant fraud risks," according to the report.
In addition, Barofsky also warns federal officials to create safeguards barring conflicts of interest among banks and investors participating in the new Public- Private Investment Program to prevent "collusion between participants, and vulnerabilities to money laundering."
Finally, he said he is concerned about the Obama administration's nascent mortgage rescue program, which aims to help millions of homeowners get affordable loans. He's worried that the program could spur a wave of real estate fraud and suggests officials take steps to confirm the identities of participants and make sure homeowners know that they aren't required to pay fees to take part.
Barofsky's report did not detail the 20 criminal investigations, which it said "vary widely" and include securities fraud, tax, insider trading and public corruption matters. He has previously reported working with New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to investigate how bonuses were given to high-ranking employees of American International Group (AIG, Fortune 500).
The report also says that the $182 billion AIG bailout is the subject of two separate audits. One is looking at federal oversight of the bonuses. The other is probing bailout disbursements to AIG counterparties who had purchased insurance-like products from AIG.
First Published: April 21, 2009: 3:39 AM ET
Watchdog overseeing $700 billion bailout reveals his progress reviewing how money has been spent and calls for changes to prevent fraud.
By Jennifer Liberto, CNNMoney.com senior writer
Last Updated: April 21, 2009: 5:10 AM ET
WASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) -- The top cop tracking the government's $700 billion bailout program said Tuesday that he has opened 20 criminal investigations and six audits into whether tax dollars are being pilfered or wasted.
Neil Barofsky, the special inspector general overseeing the Troubled Asset Relief Program, released a 250-page report detailing a long list of concerns about government efforts to prop up hundreds of banks, Wall Street firms and auto companies.
Barofsky, whose investigations could lead to criminal charges, told CNNMoney.com in an interview that he wants taxpayers to understand where their money is going. At the same time, he wants to alert officials to weaknesses in TARP that could invite corruption or fraud.
"Our recommendations are forward looking and there are no vulnerabilities that can't be addressed," Barofsky said. "The balance of what we're trying to do is to inform, bring transparency and make appropriate recommendations."
The report reveals that Barofsky is looking into whether bailout decisions were influenced by those who stood to benefit from them and whether companies receiving bailout dollars are adhering to caps on executive pay.
Barofsky's report also makes several recommendations to Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and other officials charged with implementing the bailout. Among them: Require all TARP recipients to detail how they use bailout dollars and safeguard a new mortgage rescue effort against scams.
The backdrop: Bailout rage
The report comes as public outcry over government bailouts is mounting. The Treasury Department is under increasing pressure to protect tax dollars even as it attempts to repair the financial markets - agendas that are often at odds with each other.
Geithner is set to appear Tuesday before a separate congressional watchdog group, the five-member Congressional Oversight Panel, which released its own oversight report two weeks ago.
The overall bailout scrutiny is wearing on the financial sector and, one expert said, has caused confusion over the government's unprecedented entanglement with the private sector.
"It's become chic to demand more oversight of how the government is spending money to stabilize the financial system, yet we already have so many oversight entities in place, that it's hard to say who's responsible for ensuring how the money is spent," said Jaret Seiberg, policy analyst at Concept Capital's Washington Research Group.
Barofsky, in the interview, insisted his goal is to inform the public that someone is minding the store and that bailout programs are not a "black hole."
"It's not trillions of dollars going out the door without anyone keeping tabs on it," said Barofsky, who will testify before Congress on Thursday about his findings.
As an inspector general, Barofsky has legal firepower. He can use subpoenas to compel disclosure and is tasked by federal law to track the details of how banks are spending taxpayer dollars.
Barofsky, appointed by then-President Bush last November, has so far hired 35 members of a staff he expects to grow to 150. Currently working out of the main Treasury compound next to the White House, Barofsky and his staff are securing their own offices in the same building in downtown Washington that houses the Treasury staffers that administer TARP.
Barofsky, 38, is a former federal prosecutor from New York who spent years chasing after white-collar criminals, organized crime figures and drug traffickers. In one recent high-profile case, he prosecuted a trading firm that filed for bankruptcy a few months after raising millions in its initial public offering. The chief financial officer of that company, Refco, pled guilty to fraud and money laundering last year.
Red flags and recommendations
Barofsky told CNNMoney.com that he believes one of his report's most urgent recommendations is that Treasury develop a system to better figure out the value of the different types of shares it now owns in financial institutions.
The Treasury has invested hundreds of billions in companies in exchange for shares of preferred stock.
He said the need to better understand the value of the government shares is even more important now that the administration is considering a plan to convert preferred shares into common shares, which is the kind of stock that consumers usually hold.
"There needs to be asset valuation strategy so the Treasury can make the most informed decisions," Barofsky said. "I don't think anything bad has happened, but it's time for them to do that."
The report also warns federal officials, in great detail, against expanding a Federal Reserve-run program to allow investors to use cheap government financing to purchase questionable mortgage-backed securities. The program poses "significant fraud risks," according to the report.
In addition, Barofsky also warns federal officials to create safeguards barring conflicts of interest among banks and investors participating in the new Public- Private Investment Program to prevent "collusion between participants, and vulnerabilities to money laundering."
Finally, he said he is concerned about the Obama administration's nascent mortgage rescue program, which aims to help millions of homeowners get affordable loans. He's worried that the program could spur a wave of real estate fraud and suggests officials take steps to confirm the identities of participants and make sure homeowners know that they aren't required to pay fees to take part.
Barofsky's report did not detail the 20 criminal investigations, which it said "vary widely" and include securities fraud, tax, insider trading and public corruption matters. He has previously reported working with New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to investigate how bonuses were given to high-ranking employees of American International Group (AIG, Fortune 500).
The report also says that the $182 billion AIG bailout is the subject of two separate audits. One is looking at federal oversight of the bonuses. The other is probing bailout disbursements to AIG counterparties who had purchased insurance-like products from AIG.
First Published: April 21, 2009: 3:39 AM ET
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
One of My Fav Poems, by Robert Frost
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same;
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same;
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Boo Hoo Bitch.
Palin replaced as headliner for Republican dinner
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Sarah Palin will no longer headline a major Republican dinner in June, a Republican official told CNN Tuesday.
Former House speaker Newt Gingrich will replace Palin as the keynote speaker at a joint fundraising dinner held by the campaign committees of Senate and House Republicans.
The scheduling change follows a communications breakdown between Palin's political staff and her aides in Alaska that left the dinner's organizers unsure the Alaska governor would actually attend the Washington event.
Congressional Republicans announced earlier this month that Palin would deliver the keynote speech at the dinner, but the governor's staff in Alaska said the next day that the governor knew nothing about the speaking slot.
"I communicated with the governor directly and she did not know anything about it," a Palin aide told the Anchorage Daily News after the speech was announced. "I pointed out the [National Republican Senatorial Committee] press release and she was like, 'No.'"
The NRSC said at the time that aides at Palin's political action committee — SarahPAC — had agreed to attend the dinner, but that the governor's staff in Alaska had not been made aware.
Two weeks ago, a spokesman for Palin, Bill McAllister, told CNN the "the governor herself had not confirmed" the appearance and that the matter was "still under review." Aides to Palin did not respond to multiple e-mails sent over the last week asking if Palin would make the trip to Washington this summer.
"After initially confirming her attendance, Governor Palin's team informed the Committees that her gubernatorial responsibilities in Alaska prevented her from committing until the end of the legislative session," he said.
"We completely understand and respect Governor Palin's focus on her official state business; however, there is obviously an enormous amount of planning that goes into this annual event. For that reason, we invited and are honored to have former Speaker Newt Gingrich join us as our speaker at the 2009 Senate-House Dinner. As one of our Party's brightest minds and most energetic speakers, we are looking forward to having former Speaker Gingrich provide the keynote address on June 8."
UPDATE II: Ken Spain, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the committee decided to "go in another direction."
“Speaker Gingrich is a leader and an influential voice within the Republican Party and we are thrilled to have him," he said.
UPDATE III: Palin's staff continued to deny that she had ever been scheduled to attend. "The Governor never confirmed her attendance at the event," said SarahPAC spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton. "She was honored to receive the invitation and asked to confirm her attendance at the end of the legislative session. Governor Palin is thrilled to hear that Newt Gingrich will address the audience as the Governor continues to focus on Alaska."
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Sarah Palin will no longer headline a major Republican dinner in June, a Republican official told CNN Tuesday.
Former House speaker Newt Gingrich will replace Palin as the keynote speaker at a joint fundraising dinner held by the campaign committees of Senate and House Republicans.
The scheduling change follows a communications breakdown between Palin's political staff and her aides in Alaska that left the dinner's organizers unsure the Alaska governor would actually attend the Washington event.
Congressional Republicans announced earlier this month that Palin would deliver the keynote speech at the dinner, but the governor's staff in Alaska said the next day that the governor knew nothing about the speaking slot.
"I communicated with the governor directly and she did not know anything about it," a Palin aide told the Anchorage Daily News after the speech was announced. "I pointed out the [National Republican Senatorial Committee] press release and she was like, 'No.'"
The NRSC said at the time that aides at Palin's political action committee — SarahPAC — had agreed to attend the dinner, but that the governor's staff in Alaska had not been made aware.
Two weeks ago, a spokesman for Palin, Bill McAllister, told CNN the "the governor herself had not confirmed" the appearance and that the matter was "still under review." Aides to Palin did not respond to multiple e-mails sent over the last week asking if Palin would make the trip to Washington this summer.
"After initially confirming her attendance, Governor Palin's team informed the Committees that her gubernatorial responsibilities in Alaska prevented her from committing until the end of the legislative session," he said.
"We completely understand and respect Governor Palin's focus on her official state business; however, there is obviously an enormous amount of planning that goes into this annual event. For that reason, we invited and are honored to have former Speaker Newt Gingrich join us as our speaker at the 2009 Senate-House Dinner. As one of our Party's brightest minds and most energetic speakers, we are looking forward to having former Speaker Gingrich provide the keynote address on June 8."
UPDATE II: Ken Spain, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the committee decided to "go in another direction."
“Speaker Gingrich is a leader and an influential voice within the Republican Party and we are thrilled to have him," he said.
UPDATE III: Palin's staff continued to deny that she had ever been scheduled to attend. "The Governor never confirmed her attendance at the event," said SarahPAC spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton. "She was honored to receive the invitation and asked to confirm her attendance at the end of the legislative session. Governor Palin is thrilled to hear that Newt Gingrich will address the audience as the Governor continues to focus on Alaska."
What Opening Day Means to Me...
First of all, don't go to the game. its a total buzzkill. the beer prices are too high and the bathroom lines are too long.
Schedule:
9 am: get up. eat cereal, to soak up the beer.
9:30 am: head downtown. find a place to park. write down where your car is because there's no way you'll remember later on.
10 am: State theater. beers. run into guys i used to date. get them to buy us beers.
11 am: Elwood. beer. run into guys i used to date. get them to buy us more beer.
12 pm: Hockeytown. beer. run into other guys i used to date. get them to guy us more beer.
1 pm: find a place with chili dogs. laugh obnoxoiusly.
2 pm: rally. more beer. we walk to greektown, hit up some of those bars, for a change of scenery.
4 pm: party at my friend's house. more FREE beer.
7 pm: head home (how? not sure...)
8 pm: bed.
wake up at 8 am the next day.
This should full explain why its my favorite day of the year.
Schedule:
9 am: get up. eat cereal, to soak up the beer.
9:30 am: head downtown. find a place to park. write down where your car is because there's no way you'll remember later on.
10 am: State theater. beers. run into guys i used to date. get them to buy us beers.
11 am: Elwood. beer. run into guys i used to date. get them to buy us more beer.
12 pm: Hockeytown. beer. run into other guys i used to date. get them to guy us more beer.
1 pm: find a place with chili dogs. laugh obnoxoiusly.
2 pm: rally. more beer. we walk to greektown, hit up some of those bars, for a change of scenery.
4 pm: party at my friend's house. more FREE beer.
7 pm: head home (how? not sure...)
8 pm: bed.
wake up at 8 am the next day.
This should full explain why its my favorite day of the year.
90210 Dissection
So, its back. Not that nasty case of chlymadia I picked up in my 20's (ha.ha.), I mean 90210.
And I'm noticing a few things...
1. Naomi could be very attractive. but she's one of those girls that if you saw her on a street, you'd like: she sort of resembles a trout. but on TV, we're supposed to think she's drop dead gorg. I don't think I'm buying it.
2. the new guy, Liam (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1782667/) keeps getting compared to Dylan. He AIN'T Dylan, and if he was, he'd be dating Annie, since she's the Brenda character. Which brings me to what this blog is really about...
THIS 90210 Ain't the OLD 90210. So stop comparing them. Stop it. Just stop it.
Why?
1. they have zip in common besides the fact that two students moved to beverly hills. I'm guessing, and this is just a hunch, that this probably happens from time and time and we don't need to keep trying to draw comparisons.
2. I'm pretty sure there wasn't a main character that went crazy and tried to kill her teacher and film her and her boyfriend having sex.
3. naveed = steve? really? steve was hideous. really, seriously. why did we do NOTHING about his hair for an entire decade?
4. THIS 90210 has made the mistake of putting WAY too much into season 1. like, what the hell are you going to do after this:
-- main character has drug problem, goes to rehab, gets boys who has loved her forever, gets pregnant with another guy's kid, reconciles with mom. this took YEARS to evolve on the old show.
-- another main character doesn't believe in love, falls in love, goes crazy, loses virginity, goes crazier, tries to kills someone
-- another main character pines for boy, gets boy, boy "cheats", breaks up with boy. It took 2 2/12 seasons for this to happen for Brenda and Dylan
-- dad finds out he has a kid with high school girlfriend, find kid, he steals from them, family in turmoil, hottie kid leaves...
okay, I know that times have changed and kids today need faster excitement...but this is f'ing ridiculous. where the heck do we go from here?!?!?
I'll have some predictions tomorrow...stay tuned!
And I'm noticing a few things...
1. Naomi could be very attractive. but she's one of those girls that if you saw her on a street, you'd like: she sort of resembles a trout. but on TV, we're supposed to think she's drop dead gorg. I don't think I'm buying it.
2. the new guy, Liam (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1782667/) keeps getting compared to Dylan. He AIN'T Dylan, and if he was, he'd be dating Annie, since she's the Brenda character. Which brings me to what this blog is really about...
THIS 90210 Ain't the OLD 90210. So stop comparing them. Stop it. Just stop it.
Why?
1. they have zip in common besides the fact that two students moved to beverly hills. I'm guessing, and this is just a hunch, that this probably happens from time and time and we don't need to keep trying to draw comparisons.
2. I'm pretty sure there wasn't a main character that went crazy and tried to kill her teacher and film her and her boyfriend having sex.
3. naveed = steve? really? steve was hideous. really, seriously. why did we do NOTHING about his hair for an entire decade?
4. THIS 90210 has made the mistake of putting WAY too much into season 1. like, what the hell are you going to do after this:
-- main character has drug problem, goes to rehab, gets boys who has loved her forever, gets pregnant with another guy's kid, reconciles with mom. this took YEARS to evolve on the old show.
-- another main character doesn't believe in love, falls in love, goes crazy, loses virginity, goes crazier, tries to kills someone
-- another main character pines for boy, gets boy, boy "cheats", breaks up with boy. It took 2 2/12 seasons for this to happen for Brenda and Dylan
-- dad finds out he has a kid with high school girlfriend, find kid, he steals from them, family in turmoil, hottie kid leaves...
okay, I know that times have changed and kids today need faster excitement...but this is f'ing ridiculous. where the heck do we go from here?!?!?
I'll have some predictions tomorrow...stay tuned!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Do I really give a shit what meghan mccain + TMZ think? Obviously, yes. I do.
Meghan McCain: Is Schock the GOP's Mr. Right?
Posted: 02:09 PM ET
From CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart
In a new blog post, Meghan McCain discusses Rep. Aaron Schock.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — At 27 years old, Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock is the youngest member of Congress. He's also possessed of washboard abs and has, as of late, become a favorite target of celebrity gossip outlet TMZ. And the daughter of the last Republican presidential candidate thinks he might just be the answer to the GOP's troubles.
"The first time I ever heard of Congressman Aaron Schock, I was hanging out with some friends during a girls' night in, and one of my friends yelled to me from the other room: 'Meghan, there's a congressman on TMZ,'" Meghan McCain writes Tuesday in her latest blog post for the Daily Beast. "To which I answered: 'Twenty bucks he's a Democrat.' Well, I was wrong."
"…At the end of the day, Congressman Schock is only three years older than me. Which means he can relay a message in ways my father never could," she says.
TMZ is owned by Time Warner, which is also the parent company of CNN.
McCain gives Schock high marks for reaching out to demographic groups that do not traditionally vote Republican, for his calls for greater ideological flexibility, and his decision to avoid negative campaign ads.
"As someone who has been personally attacked when I invited political discourse, I firmly believe that talking about our differences — instead of mudslinging — can only bring people closer to the Republican Party and force them to take a second look at their candidates," she writes, referring to recent public spats with conservative commentators Laura Ingraham and Ann Coulter.
McCain says the "congressman-turned-TMZ-hottie" may be the cure for what ails the GOP: "If nothing else, in an Obama-crazed land, he is getting people's attention and putting another fresh face at the center of what it is too often perceived as an old-news, boring party."
Huffington Post's Repub Hotie
Liberal site's readers vote Republican 'Hottest Freshman'
Republican Rep. Aaron Schock won a Huffington Post readers' poll to determine the hottest freshman Congress.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Who says bipartisanship is dead?
Readers of the liberal Web site the Huffington Post have crossed ideological lines and voted Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock the “Hottest Freshman” in the 111th Congress.
At age 27, Schock also has the distinction of being the youngest member of Congress.
Although nearly 10,000 votes were cast in the site’s poll, Schock suggested that he might have gotten some help from some participants who weren’t exactly unbiased. “It’s flattering,” the congressman said in a statement Wednesday. “Apparently my friends and family have a lot of time on their hands.”
Schock hails from Peoria, Illinois and represents the state’s 18th District in the House of Representatives.
Republican Rep. Aaron Schock won a Huffington Post readers' poll to determine the hottest freshman Congress.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Who says bipartisanship is dead?
Readers of the liberal Web site the Huffington Post have crossed ideological lines and voted Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock the “Hottest Freshman” in the 111th Congress.
At age 27, Schock also has the distinction of being the youngest member of Congress.
Although nearly 10,000 votes were cast in the site’s poll, Schock suggested that he might have gotten some help from some participants who weren’t exactly unbiased. “It’s flattering,” the congressman said in a statement Wednesday. “Apparently my friends and family have a lot of time on their hands.”
Schock hails from Peoria, Illinois and represents the state’s 18th District in the House of Representatives.
The REAL Political Issue...
The First Gen Y Congressman
The new Congress that convened this week is the oldest in history, with the average Representative's age rising to a record 57. That's three decades older than Aaron Schock, the youngest member of Congress and the first to be born in the 1980s. The 27-year-old Illinois Republican is already a political veteran: he won a seat on Peoria's school board at 19, rose to school-board president at 23 and then won two terms in the Illinois state legislature. He spoke with TIME about his early success, reaching out to Gen Y voters and the odds of having any fun in Washington.
Most of your colleagues in Congress are old enough to be your parents. How do you see the job differently than they do?
It's a little lonely being the only one in my 20s here. But obviously, I do bring somewhat of a different perspective because I hope to be around as an American citizen for the next 50 years, Lord willing. The programs we're voting on and the policies we're implementing are things my generation will be paying for for the next 50 years. So I look at it in a different light than somebody who may be in their 60s or 70s.
Do you think of yourself as part of Generation Y? How would you describe people your age?
I hadn't until I became a candidate and I was informed that I'd be the first Gen Y Congressman, so I actually started a leadership PAC as a candidate that was titled GOP Generation Y Fund. So I've tried to play off that to my benefit and to the benefit of other young candidates who might be running in the future.
As far as this generation, I think we're a very involved and engaged demographic. I think you saw that in the last election.
That's true — your generation was very active politically last year. But most supported Democrats. Is there something your party doesn't get about younger voters?
I think at times elected officials lose sight of the fact that the younger generation uses different means of communications. They don't necessarily pick up the New York Times to get their news. They may go online, and they may use more things like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube — things that members of the older generation aren't as accustomed to using to communicate with constituents.
If President-elect Obama's campaign taught us anything, it was how to use new media to reach out to youth. If your source of information is your iPhone and your Facebook page, then hands down, Senator Obama did a much better job than Senator McCain. Job One is just reaching out and communicating.
You graduated from college in two years. You joined the Illinois legislature at 23. Why the hurry?
I'm a big believer that when opportunity presents itself, you've got to seize it. I've been very fortunate that the doors of opportunity have been opened, and I've walked through them. I've been very blessed that back home, the community has supported me — I look back at photos of me when I was running for school board at 19 and I joke that I don't know if I would have voted for that kid.
It's humbling to know that several hundred thousand people cast their ballot to put a 27-year-old in the U.S. Congress. To have their faith in my ability to represent them and to do a good job for central Illinois means a lot. That weighs heavily on me, the responsibility to deliver for them.
There are lots of young people in Washington and plenty of opportunities to unwind. Is having fun on your agenda?
I asked my scheduler about that yesterday, and I didn't see it on there for the first six months [laughs]. The schedule that the Speaker has put out is pretty aggressive. The weekends that I have, quote, free, I'm planning to go back to central Illinois. Those are the folks who gave me the job, and I need to stay in touch with them.
But I'm a big believer in balance too. You can't be all work and no time for family and friends, so that's important to me as well.
Are you dating anyone, Congressman?
Not yet. Put out the word!
Now that you have a congressional staff, is it strange to be the boss of people older than you?
When I was a state legislator, my staff was all older than me. What I have found with my colleagues is, if you're respectful with one another and you have a level of professionalism, it's reciprocated. I figure when they apply to work for me, they know who they're applying to work for, so if they had a problem with the age thing, they probably would not have sought employment with me.
Members of Congress get special license plates and free postage, right? Any other cool perks of the office so far?
There are definitely perks, but I can tell you my constituents think there are more perks than there actually are. They wanted to know right away where my bodyguards were, and they were surprised that I haven't found a place to stay yet. They said, "You're kidding — you have to pay for that?" Sometimes they think that the opulence is more than what it actually is. I put my pants on one leg at a time this morning and walked to the Capitol. But it's definitely a privilege to serve.
Your predecessor in the 18th District, Ray LaHood, has been nominated as President-elect Obama's Transportation Secretary. Abraham Lincoln once represented that district as well. What's down the road for you?
As far as where I want to go, I'm a big believer in staying on task and doing a good job in the position you've been given. And who knows what the future may hold.
The new Congress that convened this week is the oldest in history, with the average Representative's age rising to a record 57. That's three decades older than Aaron Schock, the youngest member of Congress and the first to be born in the 1980s. The 27-year-old Illinois Republican is already a political veteran: he won a seat on Peoria's school board at 19, rose to school-board president at 23 and then won two terms in the Illinois state legislature. He spoke with TIME about his early success, reaching out to Gen Y voters and the odds of having any fun in Washington.
Most of your colleagues in Congress are old enough to be your parents. How do you see the job differently than they do?
It's a little lonely being the only one in my 20s here. But obviously, I do bring somewhat of a different perspective because I hope to be around as an American citizen for the next 50 years, Lord willing. The programs we're voting on and the policies we're implementing are things my generation will be paying for for the next 50 years. So I look at it in a different light than somebody who may be in their 60s or 70s.
Do you think of yourself as part of Generation Y? How would you describe people your age?
I hadn't until I became a candidate and I was informed that I'd be the first Gen Y Congressman, so I actually started a leadership PAC as a candidate that was titled GOP Generation Y Fund. So I've tried to play off that to my benefit and to the benefit of other young candidates who might be running in the future.
As far as this generation, I think we're a very involved and engaged demographic. I think you saw that in the last election.
That's true — your generation was very active politically last year. But most supported Democrats. Is there something your party doesn't get about younger voters?
I think at times elected officials lose sight of the fact that the younger generation uses different means of communications. They don't necessarily pick up the New York Times to get their news. They may go online, and they may use more things like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube — things that members of the older generation aren't as accustomed to using to communicate with constituents.
If President-elect Obama's campaign taught us anything, it was how to use new media to reach out to youth. If your source of information is your iPhone and your Facebook page, then hands down, Senator Obama did a much better job than Senator McCain. Job One is just reaching out and communicating.
You graduated from college in two years. You joined the Illinois legislature at 23. Why the hurry?
I'm a big believer that when opportunity presents itself, you've got to seize it. I've been very fortunate that the doors of opportunity have been opened, and I've walked through them. I've been very blessed that back home, the community has supported me — I look back at photos of me when I was running for school board at 19 and I joke that I don't know if I would have voted for that kid.
It's humbling to know that several hundred thousand people cast their ballot to put a 27-year-old in the U.S. Congress. To have their faith in my ability to represent them and to do a good job for central Illinois means a lot. That weighs heavily on me, the responsibility to deliver for them.
There are lots of young people in Washington and plenty of opportunities to unwind. Is having fun on your agenda?
I asked my scheduler about that yesterday, and I didn't see it on there for the first six months [laughs]. The schedule that the Speaker has put out is pretty aggressive. The weekends that I have, quote, free, I'm planning to go back to central Illinois. Those are the folks who gave me the job, and I need to stay in touch with them.
But I'm a big believer in balance too. You can't be all work and no time for family and friends, so that's important to me as well.
Are you dating anyone, Congressman?
Not yet. Put out the word!
Now that you have a congressional staff, is it strange to be the boss of people older than you?
When I was a state legislator, my staff was all older than me. What I have found with my colleagues is, if you're respectful with one another and you have a level of professionalism, it's reciprocated. I figure when they apply to work for me, they know who they're applying to work for, so if they had a problem with the age thing, they probably would not have sought employment with me.
Members of Congress get special license plates and free postage, right? Any other cool perks of the office so far?
There are definitely perks, but I can tell you my constituents think there are more perks than there actually are. They wanted to know right away where my bodyguards were, and they were surprised that I haven't found a place to stay yet. They said, "You're kidding — you have to pay for that?" Sometimes they think that the opulence is more than what it actually is. I put my pants on one leg at a time this morning and walked to the Capitol. But it's definitely a privilege to serve.
Your predecessor in the 18th District, Ray LaHood, has been nominated as President-elect Obama's Transportation Secretary. Abraham Lincoln once represented that district as well. What's down the road for you?
As far as where I want to go, I'm a big believer in staying on task and doing a good job in the position you've been given. And who knows what the future may hold.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Her Alleged "Beating"?? We don't even know if it was HER...
Rihanna: How She Can Heal
As Rihanna recovers from Sunday morning's alleged beating by her boyfriend, Chris Brown, the singer will need to tend to more than her bruises.
According to experts, a victim must surround herself with people who will not make her feel responsible for what happened.
"Friends, family, people who will give you good and positive information and not ask questions like, 'So, what were you doing?' " explains Rita Smith, executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Adds Sheryl Cates, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline: "I'd say to Rihanna, 'You did not cause this.' "
Normal Response
As her physical wounds heal, Rihanna could still suffer sleeping problems, a change in eating patterns and a lack of concentration, says Smith. "She could also experience an exaggerated startle response," says Smith. "Somebody raising their hand to say hi near her might bring a reaction.
"This is a normal response to being a victim of violence. Those things will lessen and go away, but they'll be around for a while," adds Smith.
Joining a support group or speaking with a counselor involved in a domestic violence program can aid in healing, says Sue Else, president of the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
"Feeling like there is safety net around you is going to help that," says Else. "Feeling like you're not in this alone – that you didn't do anything to cause it."
**** I hate everyone who contributed to this article.
As Rihanna recovers from Sunday morning's alleged beating by her boyfriend, Chris Brown, the singer will need to tend to more than her bruises.
According to experts, a victim must surround herself with people who will not make her feel responsible for what happened.
"Friends, family, people who will give you good and positive information and not ask questions like, 'So, what were you doing?' " explains Rita Smith, executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Adds Sheryl Cates, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline: "I'd say to Rihanna, 'You did not cause this.' "
Normal Response
As her physical wounds heal, Rihanna could still suffer sleeping problems, a change in eating patterns and a lack of concentration, says Smith. "She could also experience an exaggerated startle response," says Smith. "Somebody raising their hand to say hi near her might bring a reaction.
"This is a normal response to being a victim of violence. Those things will lessen and go away, but they'll be around for a while," adds Smith.
Joining a support group or speaking with a counselor involved in a domestic violence program can aid in healing, says Sue Else, president of the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
"Feeling like there is safety net around you is going to help that," says Else. "Feeling like you're not in this alone – that you didn't do anything to cause it."
**** I hate everyone who contributed to this article.
Employment Purgatory
Recession leaves many working in limbo
The morning after she lost her job, Patty Powers expected to wake up with that feeling of dread you get when you realize that something bad has happened, like a death in the family.
Instead, she felt relief.
“I almost felt like a new opportunity had opened up for me,” she said. “I really felt worse when I was waiting.”
For months, Powers had gone to work knowing there would be little if any work for her to do because of a steep slowdown in business at the health care consultancy where she worked.
At first, her boss used the lull to encourage employees to take additional training. The staff also took on a pro bono case and was encouraged to seek out other potential business leads. In their copious downtime, they sent around computer games to play.
Toward the end, Powers said her boss literally gave her the assignment of updating her resume. Finally he called her into his office and, in an emotional hour-long meeting, told her he would have to let her go.
It was only after that that the Ontario, Calif., resident realized how hard it had been to go to work every day knowing that it might be her last — or might not.
“I really didn’t know how stressful it was until I got laid off,” said Powers, 50. “It was like a hindsight thing.”
The economic recession has pushed hundreds of thousands of Americans into a similar employment limbo, still holding on to a job but worried that they might lose it any day.
U.S. companies announced plans to lay off 241,749 workers in January alone, the largest monthly total since January of 2002, according to data from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The pace of job cuts hasn’t abated much in February, either, with companies such as General Motors announcing plans to cut thousands more jobs over the next year.
It can often take months for companies to complete a massive layoff, leading to a nerve-racking period in which workers are left to wonder whether they will be targeted, and anxious to defend their position.
Of course, no one relishes the thought of the unemployment line, and the nation’s soaring jobless rate has left many laid-off workers unable to find a new job at all, let alone one that is comparable to their old one.
Still, for some the most stressful part is the ambiguity of not knowing if, or when, they will be joining the swelling ranks of the unemployed.
“The condition of uncertainty is sometimes actually worse than actually knowing that you’re going to get laid off,” said Leon Grunberg, a professor of comparative sociology at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., who has studied downsizing extensively.
His research showed that people who were fearful of losing their jobs but hadn’t lost them yet were more likely to suffer symptoms of poor health, such as headaches, indigestion and sleep disorders.
The widespread fear of layoffs, combined with an absence of any concrete information, also can have a deep impact on both morale and productivity, as workers find it hard to keep their minds on their jobs amid rumors about who could be next and anxiety over what will happen if they are the ones to get the pink slip.
‘Just a matter of time’
Every payday for the last two months, Jackie Hopkins has watched as some of her co-workers have been let go. And every payday, she’s wondered if she will be next.
“I know it’s just a matter of time,” she said.
The 40-year-old purchasing supervisor for a manufacturing company already has had both her wages and hours cut as the slowing economy has led to a drop in business.
Hopkins' fears are compounded by the fact that her husband, a welder, has been unemployed since October 2007. The couple lost their home of five years to foreclosure and are currently renting a trailer in Bremen, Ohio, and trying to save money wherever they can.
The situation has left her riddled with anxiety, worried about doing her best at work and consumed at home with looking at job sites and wondering how she will pay her bills and keep food on the table.
“This is something that consumes my whole life,” she said. “It’s all I think about.”
Hopkins said one of the hardest parts is that she actually has always loved her job, which she has held for nearly eight years, and would never have thought of leaving. Even now she is trying to keep her morale up despite her worries about her own future.
“You try to let the company know that yeah, you’re rooting for them and everything else, but deep down inside it’s like, ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do when I’m on the unemployment line?’ ” she said.
Many workers who still have jobs say they nevertheless are planning for the possibility that they won’t.
Scott Ho, a 29-year-old designer for an architecture firm, figures that if he gets laid off his best chance for finding new employment will be to transition to a career in transportation, but he knows that could take time. The Monterey Park, Calif., resident recently moved back in with his parents so he can save money and pay off debts.
He originally had planned on making that move to save up for a house, but after his company laid off some workers, he said, “now it looks more like it’s a matter of survival.”
Many workers also worry about what will happen to the people they serve if they are let go. Tricia Henington has worked as a school nurse in Idaho since 1992, doing everything from helping students with insulin shots to administering feeding tubes.
Now, with the state facing a budget crunch, she’s worried that her job may be on the chopping block.
Henington said she’s sympathetic to the school district’s budget woes, and she doesn’t want to see academics and extracurricular activities cut, even if it means she loses her job instead. Still, she said that without her position, parents and teachers might have to take on her responsibilities, adding to their burdens and stresses.
On a personal level, Henington also worries that if she loses her job she’ll have to go back to school to update her skills for other nursing work. At 52, she doesn’t relish the thought of retraining for a new job when she had hoped to retire in her current one. Perusing the job listings, Henington also frets about whether she’ll be able to find a new job that provides benefits for herself and her husband, a rancher.
There are days, she admits, when she wakes up at 5 a.m. to get ready for work and wonders why she even bothers.
“It’s hard to go to work and put on that happy, cheery face when you know, come July, you may get that letter saying you haven’t been renewed,” she said.
Hard to move on
Being in limbo also makes is hard to move on to a new job — assuming there is one in this difficult economy.
For one thing, it’s hard to find the time to search, or train, for a new job when you are already dealing with the workload of a full-time job.
There are other distractions as well. Powers, the computer programmer, said she felt like a traitor to consider new jobs while her boss was still paying her despite the evident slowdown in business.
Now that she is officially unemployed and starting her job search, she said she feels sorry for her former co-workers.
“I’m sure it’s worse for them because they have both the stress of thinking that they’re next, and the guilt of being the ones that didn’t get laid off,” she said.
While layoffs create anxiety for workers, Grunberg’s research showed that the process also can be extremely difficult for the managers who are charged with carrying out the job cuts.
Fred Smith has been in the business of building fences since 1982 and has owned his most recent business since 2004. But in recent months, he’s seen business slow considerably and also has been stuck with unpaid bills from customers who have gone bankrupt. That’s left him no choice but to lay off 19 workers for the first time.
He called it “the hardest thing in the world.”
“There’s been a lot of tears shed just for the people I’ve had to let go,” he said. “It’s devastating because they don’t know how they’re going to pay their bills.”
Smith, who runs Accurate Fence LLC in Buford, Ga., also has had to cut pay for his salaried employees, and he is trying desperately to keep the workers he has left busy enough to collect a paycheck. He said it’s tough to see how worried his employees are that they could be next.
“They’re wanting to do extra, go extra just to keep from losing their jobs, but right now the jobs are just not coming in,” he said.
The morning after she lost her job, Patty Powers expected to wake up with that feeling of dread you get when you realize that something bad has happened, like a death in the family.
Instead, she felt relief.
“I almost felt like a new opportunity had opened up for me,” she said. “I really felt worse when I was waiting.”
For months, Powers had gone to work knowing there would be little if any work for her to do because of a steep slowdown in business at the health care consultancy where she worked.
At first, her boss used the lull to encourage employees to take additional training. The staff also took on a pro bono case and was encouraged to seek out other potential business leads. In their copious downtime, they sent around computer games to play.
Toward the end, Powers said her boss literally gave her the assignment of updating her resume. Finally he called her into his office and, in an emotional hour-long meeting, told her he would have to let her go.
It was only after that that the Ontario, Calif., resident realized how hard it had been to go to work every day knowing that it might be her last — or might not.
“I really didn’t know how stressful it was until I got laid off,” said Powers, 50. “It was like a hindsight thing.”
The economic recession has pushed hundreds of thousands of Americans into a similar employment limbo, still holding on to a job but worried that they might lose it any day.
U.S. companies announced plans to lay off 241,749 workers in January alone, the largest monthly total since January of 2002, according to data from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The pace of job cuts hasn’t abated much in February, either, with companies such as General Motors announcing plans to cut thousands more jobs over the next year.
It can often take months for companies to complete a massive layoff, leading to a nerve-racking period in which workers are left to wonder whether they will be targeted, and anxious to defend their position.
Of course, no one relishes the thought of the unemployment line, and the nation’s soaring jobless rate has left many laid-off workers unable to find a new job at all, let alone one that is comparable to their old one.
Still, for some the most stressful part is the ambiguity of not knowing if, or when, they will be joining the swelling ranks of the unemployed.
“The condition of uncertainty is sometimes actually worse than actually knowing that you’re going to get laid off,” said Leon Grunberg, a professor of comparative sociology at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., who has studied downsizing extensively.
His research showed that people who were fearful of losing their jobs but hadn’t lost them yet were more likely to suffer symptoms of poor health, such as headaches, indigestion and sleep disorders.
The widespread fear of layoffs, combined with an absence of any concrete information, also can have a deep impact on both morale and productivity, as workers find it hard to keep their minds on their jobs amid rumors about who could be next and anxiety over what will happen if they are the ones to get the pink slip.
‘Just a matter of time’
Every payday for the last two months, Jackie Hopkins has watched as some of her co-workers have been let go. And every payday, she’s wondered if she will be next.
“I know it’s just a matter of time,” she said.
The 40-year-old purchasing supervisor for a manufacturing company already has had both her wages and hours cut as the slowing economy has led to a drop in business.
Hopkins' fears are compounded by the fact that her husband, a welder, has been unemployed since October 2007. The couple lost their home of five years to foreclosure and are currently renting a trailer in Bremen, Ohio, and trying to save money wherever they can.
The situation has left her riddled with anxiety, worried about doing her best at work and consumed at home with looking at job sites and wondering how she will pay her bills and keep food on the table.
“This is something that consumes my whole life,” she said. “It’s all I think about.”
Hopkins said one of the hardest parts is that she actually has always loved her job, which she has held for nearly eight years, and would never have thought of leaving. Even now she is trying to keep her morale up despite her worries about her own future.
“You try to let the company know that yeah, you’re rooting for them and everything else, but deep down inside it’s like, ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do when I’m on the unemployment line?’ ” she said.
Many workers who still have jobs say they nevertheless are planning for the possibility that they won’t.
Scott Ho, a 29-year-old designer for an architecture firm, figures that if he gets laid off his best chance for finding new employment will be to transition to a career in transportation, but he knows that could take time. The Monterey Park, Calif., resident recently moved back in with his parents so he can save money and pay off debts.
He originally had planned on making that move to save up for a house, but after his company laid off some workers, he said, “now it looks more like it’s a matter of survival.”
Many workers also worry about what will happen to the people they serve if they are let go. Tricia Henington has worked as a school nurse in Idaho since 1992, doing everything from helping students with insulin shots to administering feeding tubes.
Now, with the state facing a budget crunch, she’s worried that her job may be on the chopping block.
Henington said she’s sympathetic to the school district’s budget woes, and she doesn’t want to see academics and extracurricular activities cut, even if it means she loses her job instead. Still, she said that without her position, parents and teachers might have to take on her responsibilities, adding to their burdens and stresses.
On a personal level, Henington also worries that if she loses her job she’ll have to go back to school to update her skills for other nursing work. At 52, she doesn’t relish the thought of retraining for a new job when she had hoped to retire in her current one. Perusing the job listings, Henington also frets about whether she’ll be able to find a new job that provides benefits for herself and her husband, a rancher.
There are days, she admits, when she wakes up at 5 a.m. to get ready for work and wonders why she even bothers.
“It’s hard to go to work and put on that happy, cheery face when you know, come July, you may get that letter saying you haven’t been renewed,” she said.
Hard to move on
Being in limbo also makes is hard to move on to a new job — assuming there is one in this difficult economy.
For one thing, it’s hard to find the time to search, or train, for a new job when you are already dealing with the workload of a full-time job.
There are other distractions as well. Powers, the computer programmer, said she felt like a traitor to consider new jobs while her boss was still paying her despite the evident slowdown in business.
Now that she is officially unemployed and starting her job search, she said she feels sorry for her former co-workers.
“I’m sure it’s worse for them because they have both the stress of thinking that they’re next, and the guilt of being the ones that didn’t get laid off,” she said.
While layoffs create anxiety for workers, Grunberg’s research showed that the process also can be extremely difficult for the managers who are charged with carrying out the job cuts.
Fred Smith has been in the business of building fences since 1982 and has owned his most recent business since 2004. But in recent months, he’s seen business slow considerably and also has been stuck with unpaid bills from customers who have gone bankrupt. That’s left him no choice but to lay off 19 workers for the first time.
He called it “the hardest thing in the world.”
“There’s been a lot of tears shed just for the people I’ve had to let go,” he said. “It’s devastating because they don’t know how they’re going to pay their bills.”
Smith, who runs Accurate Fence LLC in Buford, Ga., also has had to cut pay for his salaried employees, and he is trying desperately to keep the workers he has left busy enough to collect a paycheck. He said it’s tough to see how worried his employees are that they could be next.
“They’re wanting to do extra, go extra just to keep from losing their jobs, but right now the jobs are just not coming in,” he said.
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