I want to be friends with this girl...all of her shitty life choices make me feel amazing about winning the life-lottery.
Too Many Lies To Keep Up With
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Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
What are all the Jersey Shore Boys Gonna Do?!?
KANSAS CITY, KAN - One group of small business owners say that they are not happy about a special tax that's included in the landmark health care reform legislation - tanning salon owners.
The legislation includes a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning.
Northland insurance agent Sandy Gambel's office is just a few feet from her favorite tanning salon. She says that the tax won't necessarily stop her from tanning.
"Honestly, I feel healthier when I've got a little bit of a tan," said Gambel. "I feel better about me, when I've got that tan."
The executive director of the Indoor Tanning Association says that the tax will end up hurting salons, and that the government's estimate of how much revenue it will generate are pure fantasy.
The salon's owner says that he would hate to pass along the tax to his customers because of what it could do to business. But while tanning salon owners are not happy, dermatologists say that it means that their patients come in for exams a lot paler than before. One metro dermatologist says that he tells his patients that "pale is the new tan."
"Putting a tax on that may serve two purposes, from a health perspective," said Dr. Daniel Aires, a dermatologist at the University of Kansas Hospital. "Number one, it may discourage (tanning), hopefully, especially by young people. And number two, it can help pay for some of the health damages it causes."
Dr. Aires says that the date shows a link between tanning and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
The Indoor Tanning Association says that the legislation originally included a so-called "Bo-Tax," which would have taxed cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures, but they say that their strong lobbyists change the bill.
The legislation includes a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning.
Northland insurance agent Sandy Gambel's office is just a few feet from her favorite tanning salon. She says that the tax won't necessarily stop her from tanning.
"Honestly, I feel healthier when I've got a little bit of a tan," said Gambel. "I feel better about me, when I've got that tan."
The executive director of the Indoor Tanning Association says that the tax will end up hurting salons, and that the government's estimate of how much revenue it will generate are pure fantasy.
The salon's owner says that he would hate to pass along the tax to his customers because of what it could do to business. But while tanning salon owners are not happy, dermatologists say that it means that their patients come in for exams a lot paler than before. One metro dermatologist says that he tells his patients that "pale is the new tan."
"Putting a tax on that may serve two purposes, from a health perspective," said Dr. Daniel Aires, a dermatologist at the University of Kansas Hospital. "Number one, it may discourage (tanning), hopefully, especially by young people. And number two, it can help pay for some of the health damages it causes."
Dr. Aires says that the date shows a link between tanning and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
The Indoor Tanning Association says that the legislation originally included a so-called "Bo-Tax," which would have taxed cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures, but they say that their strong lobbyists change the bill.
Stupak Relents
A health vote falls in place after phone call from Obama
BY TODD SPANGLER
-- Here's how John Dingell described Bart Stupak, his congressional colleague and occasional duck blind buddy, on Monday: "He's got to be one of the best poker players I know."
Villified for weeks as the public face of the Democrats opposed to abortion rights who threatened to bring down President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, Stupak gave no hint that he was ready to play his cards.
The Democrat from Michigan's Upper Peninsula said that behind the scenes, decadeslong health care reform advocate Dingell was "chewing on me" as Stupak worked the White House for a clear statement that federal money couldn't be used for abortions.
The call from Obama came via cell phone about 3 p.m. Stupak walked to the House floor. They had a deal, the president said. On Monday, the White House acknowledged it helped put them over the top.
"Without Bart," Dingell said, "we wouldn't have the bill."
Obama calls, closes deal
Stupak knew when President Barack Obama called with a deal clincher -- an executive order reiterating that no federal funds would be spent on abortions -- that it was as good as he was going to get.
It broke the logjam on health care reform, allowing it to pass 219-212 late Sunday, but it seemed to please no one outside of Congress. Abortion opponents felt Stupak caved in to pressure, pro-choice groups felt he held the entire vote hostage.
The Senate had stripped from the bill an earlier provision that he wrote ensuring that no federal subsidies went to insurance plans that covered abortions, and, even if he had convinced House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to allow another vote changing the legislation, that would have sent it back to the Senate, where it most likely would have been stripped again.
"Every time I tried to do something legislatively, I was stymied," he said.
But he had another option. For days, Stupak, a Democrat from Michigan's western Upper Peninsula, had been working with the White House, on his own and through a good friend in Congress -- Rep. Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania -- to fashion a presidential order to allow Stupak and about nine other Democratic abortion rights opponents to vote for Obama's health care reform plan in good conscience. The problem was getting the White House to draw up a provision amid fears it would leak and spark a public fight. Finally, by the weekend, they left Stupak to draw it up and circulate it. Time was running short with a Sunday vote scheduled.
There was another motivation: Stupak's good friend Dingell, a Dearborn Democrat who has served longer in the House than anyone and has been pressing for health care reform for more than 50 years, was prodding him.
"It was tugging at me that I could stand in the way of Mr. Dingell's 50-something-year goal," Stupak said.
He had counted votes in the Senate -- he had no more than 45 for the statutory restrictions on abortion funding he still wants to see. Sixty votes are needed to get it passed in the Senate, though.
After Sunday's vote, Stupak caught more static. When Republicans moved to put Stupak's original provision into the bill Sunday, he rose to oppose it, calling it a tactic to destroy the overall bill's chances. Someone yelled "baby killer."
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer admitted he yelled it, but said he shouted, "It's a baby killer" about the deal struck between Obama and Stupak -- not Stupak himself. Neugebauer apologized. Stupak said the Texas Republican might want to apologize to the whole House.
"I was really surprised that they would do this," Stupak said. "Why would they personally attack me?"
He was surprised that Republicans denounced the executive order as meaningless, saying they never took that position when President George W. Bush used an executive order to restrict the use of human embryos for stem cell research.
Stupak could still face blowback at home. Two Democrats plan to challenge him in the August primary.
Beverly Prieskorn, a 68-year-old independent voter in Laurium on the Keweenaw Peninsula, said she admired Stupak's courage but is unhappy that he capitulated to Democratic bullying. "I know it was tough for him," she said.
BY TODD SPANGLER
-- Here's how John Dingell described Bart Stupak, his congressional colleague and occasional duck blind buddy, on Monday: "He's got to be one of the best poker players I know."
Villified for weeks as the public face of the Democrats opposed to abortion rights who threatened to bring down President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, Stupak gave no hint that he was ready to play his cards.
The Democrat from Michigan's Upper Peninsula said that behind the scenes, decadeslong health care reform advocate Dingell was "chewing on me" as Stupak worked the White House for a clear statement that federal money couldn't be used for abortions.
The call from Obama came via cell phone about 3 p.m. Stupak walked to the House floor. They had a deal, the president said. On Monday, the White House acknowledged it helped put them over the top.
"Without Bart," Dingell said, "we wouldn't have the bill."
Obama calls, closes deal
Stupak knew when President Barack Obama called with a deal clincher -- an executive order reiterating that no federal funds would be spent on abortions -- that it was as good as he was going to get.
It broke the logjam on health care reform, allowing it to pass 219-212 late Sunday, but it seemed to please no one outside of Congress. Abortion opponents felt Stupak caved in to pressure, pro-choice groups felt he held the entire vote hostage.
The Senate had stripped from the bill an earlier provision that he wrote ensuring that no federal subsidies went to insurance plans that covered abortions, and, even if he had convinced House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to allow another vote changing the legislation, that would have sent it back to the Senate, where it most likely would have been stripped again.
"Every time I tried to do something legislatively, I was stymied," he said.
But he had another option. For days, Stupak, a Democrat from Michigan's western Upper Peninsula, had been working with the White House, on his own and through a good friend in Congress -- Rep. Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania -- to fashion a presidential order to allow Stupak and about nine other Democratic abortion rights opponents to vote for Obama's health care reform plan in good conscience. The problem was getting the White House to draw up a provision amid fears it would leak and spark a public fight. Finally, by the weekend, they left Stupak to draw it up and circulate it. Time was running short with a Sunday vote scheduled.
There was another motivation: Stupak's good friend Dingell, a Dearborn Democrat who has served longer in the House than anyone and has been pressing for health care reform for more than 50 years, was prodding him.
"It was tugging at me that I could stand in the way of Mr. Dingell's 50-something-year goal," Stupak said.
He had counted votes in the Senate -- he had no more than 45 for the statutory restrictions on abortion funding he still wants to see. Sixty votes are needed to get it passed in the Senate, though.
After Sunday's vote, Stupak caught more static. When Republicans moved to put Stupak's original provision into the bill Sunday, he rose to oppose it, calling it a tactic to destroy the overall bill's chances. Someone yelled "baby killer."
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer admitted he yelled it, but said he shouted, "It's a baby killer" about the deal struck between Obama and Stupak -- not Stupak himself. Neugebauer apologized. Stupak said the Texas Republican might want to apologize to the whole House.
"I was really surprised that they would do this," Stupak said. "Why would they personally attack me?"
He was surprised that Republicans denounced the executive order as meaningless, saying they never took that position when President George W. Bush used an executive order to restrict the use of human embryos for stem cell research.
Stupak could still face blowback at home. Two Democrats plan to challenge him in the August primary.
Beverly Prieskorn, a 68-year-old independent voter in Laurium on the Keweenaw Peninsula, said she admired Stupak's courage but is unhappy that he capitulated to Democratic bullying. "I know it was tough for him," she said.
State Employees get the shaft (not in a good way)
Here is a Guest Opinion from SEIU Local 517M Executive Vice President Phil Thompson that was published in the March 17, 2010 edition of the Oakland Press.
GUEST OPINION: CEOs should share in sacrifices, end hypocrisy of targeting state workers
BY PHIL THOMPSON
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Doug Rothwell sure is singing a different tune these days.
In 1999, while working in state government, Rothwell got a handsome pay raise that bumped his $108,000 salary to $190,000. Adjusted for inflation, that's nearly $240,000 in today's money. With the raise, Rothwell became the highest paid person in state government -- better-paid than even his then-boss, Gov. John Engler.
When Rothwell got the raise, he complained it wasn't enough, saying the bonus was the government's way of recognizing that his job required "a little more skill and talent than somebody managing a burger-flipping joint down the street," according to Gongwer news service reported Aug. 6, 1999.
Fast forward to 2010. While Rothwell no longer works in government, he's still complaining about public employee salaries -- except now, he thinks ordinary state workers earning one-sixth his old salary are paid too much. Talk about amnesia.
Rothwell and the group he leads, Business Leaders for Michigan, claim the only way to get Michigan out of a budget hole is by targeting state workers who have already made deep sacrifices year after year. Incidentally, the board chairman of Rothwell's group is David Joos, Consumers Energy CEO, who received a 148-percent pay raise this year, according to government filings. Last year, Joos pocketed $5.8 million in pay and perks, Mlive.com reported March 10. Joos, by the way, is the same man who pushed legislation that raises electricity rates to pay his salary and build an expensive plant Michigan doesn't need.
It's the height of hypocrisy when wealthy, powerful multimillionaires -- and some politicians in Lansing -- demand more sacrifices from ordinary state workers who have taken cuts after cuts, when they themselves refuse to share in the pain and accept real reforms.
Here are some reforms that will save taxpayer dollars without hurting working families or public services:
• Every year, corporate CEOs get more than $32 billion in tax giveaways. Michigan should review these loopholes to see if they create jobs, and end those that don't.
• Every year, Michigan spends $15 billion in private contracts. Michigan should renegotiate those contracts to find savings, as everyone else in today's tough economy is doing.
• Every year, some Lansing politicians refuse to end their own tax-payer funded lifetime health benefits. Ending these free perks now for current politicians would save taxpayers millions -- and show Lansing can lead by example.
Instead of adopting real reforms, CEOs and some politicians blame state employees. That's wrong because, every year come budget crunch time, state workers are the first to step up to help save taxpayer dollars.
According to a 2009 study by Michigan State University economist Dr. Charles Ballard, state workers have given up more than $3.7 billion in pay cuts, health care sacrifices and other concessions since 2001. Many workers also lost their jobs.
State employees do vital work that keeps families in our communities safe, such as preventing contaminated or diseased foods from getting to consumers, inspecting roads and bridges for safety, and performing many other safety checks. Thousands of them also put their lives on the line every day, fighting fires and crime in our neighborhoods and keeping dangerous predators locked up.
State workers continue to serve proudly, doing more with less, tightening their belts and getting the job done.
Real reform requires everyone to sacrifice, not just state workers and their families.
They know what it means to sacrifice. They work hard without complaint. They have shown leadership by example. Rothwell and his CEO friends should end the hypocrisy and share in the sacrifice like everyone else.
Phil Thompson is executive vice president of the state Service Employees International Union, SEIU 517M.
URL: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/03/17/opinion/doc4ba0ac4c59767679770100.prt
© 2010 theoaklandpress.com, a Journal Register Property
VEsD/
GUEST OPINION: CEOs should share in sacrifices, end hypocrisy of targeting state workers
BY PHIL THOMPSON
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Doug Rothwell sure is singing a different tune these days.
In 1999, while working in state government, Rothwell got a handsome pay raise that bumped his $108,000 salary to $190,000. Adjusted for inflation, that's nearly $240,000 in today's money. With the raise, Rothwell became the highest paid person in state government -- better-paid than even his then-boss, Gov. John Engler.
When Rothwell got the raise, he complained it wasn't enough, saying the bonus was the government's way of recognizing that his job required "a little more skill and talent than somebody managing a burger-flipping joint down the street," according to Gongwer news service reported Aug. 6, 1999.
Fast forward to 2010. While Rothwell no longer works in government, he's still complaining about public employee salaries -- except now, he thinks ordinary state workers earning one-sixth his old salary are paid too much. Talk about amnesia.
Rothwell and the group he leads, Business Leaders for Michigan, claim the only way to get Michigan out of a budget hole is by targeting state workers who have already made deep sacrifices year after year. Incidentally, the board chairman of Rothwell's group is David Joos, Consumers Energy CEO, who received a 148-percent pay raise this year, according to government filings. Last year, Joos pocketed $5.8 million in pay and perks, Mlive.com reported March 10. Joos, by the way, is the same man who pushed legislation that raises electricity rates to pay his salary and build an expensive plant Michigan doesn't need.
It's the height of hypocrisy when wealthy, powerful multimillionaires -- and some politicians in Lansing -- demand more sacrifices from ordinary state workers who have taken cuts after cuts, when they themselves refuse to share in the pain and accept real reforms.
Here are some reforms that will save taxpayer dollars without hurting working families or public services:
• Every year, corporate CEOs get more than $32 billion in tax giveaways. Michigan should review these loopholes to see if they create jobs, and end those that don't.
• Every year, Michigan spends $15 billion in private contracts. Michigan should renegotiate those contracts to find savings, as everyone else in today's tough economy is doing.
• Every year, some Lansing politicians refuse to end their own tax-payer funded lifetime health benefits. Ending these free perks now for current politicians would save taxpayers millions -- and show Lansing can lead by example.
Instead of adopting real reforms, CEOs and some politicians blame state employees. That's wrong because, every year come budget crunch time, state workers are the first to step up to help save taxpayer dollars.
According to a 2009 study by Michigan State University economist Dr. Charles Ballard, state workers have given up more than $3.7 billion in pay cuts, health care sacrifices and other concessions since 2001. Many workers also lost their jobs.
State employees do vital work that keeps families in our communities safe, such as preventing contaminated or diseased foods from getting to consumers, inspecting roads and bridges for safety, and performing many other safety checks. Thousands of them also put their lives on the line every day, fighting fires and crime in our neighborhoods and keeping dangerous predators locked up.
State workers continue to serve proudly, doing more with less, tightening their belts and getting the job done.
Real reform requires everyone to sacrifice, not just state workers and their families.
They know what it means to sacrifice. They work hard without complaint. They have shown leadership by example. Rothwell and his CEO friends should end the hypocrisy and share in the sacrifice like everyone else.
Phil Thompson is executive vice president of the state Service Employees International Union, SEIU 517M.
URL: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/03/17/opinion/doc4ba0ac4c59767679770100.prt
© 2010 theoaklandpress.com, a Journal Register Property
VEsD/
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!
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