Pop Culture Mania

2005-05-09T10:43:00.000-07:00

I guess this stuff even happens in Canada.

When The Prez Talks To GOD

2005-05-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

Thank you Bright Eyes for performing your thought provoking song on the Tonight Show, what a great song... "When the President Talks to God". Check it out!

http://www.prefixmag.com/Bright_Eyes_(Leno)(05.02.05)_(high).php

Lyrics to "When The President Talks To God"

When the president talks to God
Are the conversations brief or long?
Does he ask to rape our women’s' rights
And send poor farm kids off to die?
Does God suggest an oil hike
When the president talks to God?
When the president talks to God
Are the consonants all hard or soft?
Is he resolute all down the line?
Is every issue black or white?
Does what God say ever change his mind
When the president talks to God?
When the president talks to God
Does he fake that drawl or merely nod?
Agree which convicts should be killed?
Where prisons should be built and filled?
Which voter fraud must be concealed
When the president talks to God?
When the president talks to God
I wonder which one plays the better cop
We should find some jobs. the ghetto's broke
No, they're lazy, George, I say we don't
Just give 'em more liquor stores and dirty coke
That's what God recommends
When the president talks to God
Do they drink near beer and go play golf
While they pick which countries to invade
Which Muslim souls still can be saved?
I guess god just calls a spade a spade
When the president talks to God
When the president talks to God
Does he ever think that maybe he's not?
That that voice is just inside his head
When he kneels next to the presidential bed
Does he ever smell his own bullshit
When the president talks to God?
I doubt it
I doubt it

Laura Bush:Stepford Wife or Desperate Housewife?

2005-05-02T21:59:00.000-07:00

Check out the rather rique Laura Bush at a recent White House Correspondents Dinner at:
http://thepoliticalteen.net/2005/04/30/president-bush-first-lady-white-house-correspondents-dinner-video/

I recieved a comment asking me "what's so funny" about Laura's routine that night. I thought it was nice to see that Little Miss Librarian would approve of telling naughty jokes about a horse in their ranch getting more action than she getting from her very own early to bed hubby. Also, the revelation that the real head of the Bush clan is none other than monster-in-law Barbra Bush.

If you voted for Bush again, it must really make you feel all warm inside knowing that this administation can lighten up a little and have a little fun while thousands of American families loose sleep every night knowing their children are risking their lives in this unneccessary war. Yes, you can feel it from the Bush's, all is right with the world, life is good.

Mass. Gov. brainstorms a NEW AND IMPROVED Death Penalty!

2005-04-29T19:12:00.000-07:00

Republican Gov. Mitt Romney has got a killer bill he presented on Thursday that would bring back an American Institution to Massachusetts.....capital punishment. Abolished in 1984, he boasts this plan is to die for and "virtually foolproof"!
This hell of a bill includes several provisions that would require that there be "conclusive scientific evidence," like DNA or fingerprints, to link a defendant to a crime. And it would allow a death penalty to be imposed only if a sentencing jury finds there is "no doubt" about a defendant's guilt, a standard that is stricter than "beyond a reasonable doubt."
He claims,"this would not ever result in a questionable execution."
Ristricting capital punishment to murders that involve terrorism, prolonged torture, multiple killings, or the killing of police officers, judges, witnesses or others involved in the criminal justice system. Defendants who had previously been convicted of first-degree murder or were serving life sentences without parole would also be eligible.
This would also give the defendant the option of having two juries - one for the trial and one for the sentencing. That would allow a defendant to plead not guilty before the trial jury, but, once convicted, to admit guilt and show remorse before the sentencing jury in hopes of getting more lenient treatment.
This also includes a requirement that defendants get at least two and possibly three lawyers, that scientific evidence be examined by a review board, that every death sentence be reviewed by the state's highest court, and that a special panel be set up to handle complaints.
Mr. Romney, who is believed to have national political ambitions,(what a surprise!) and may intend his death penalty bill for a different audience as well: conservatives outside his state who are pivotal in Republican Party politics...... the timing of this bill also dovetails with his decision to take public positions on other moral issues like stem cell research.
Romney also boasts, "...it's a model for the nation."
Critics argue this proposal would be very expensive, with the cost of extra lawyers and commissions and juries, and would result in few death sentences, and tens of millions every year when what you might get is one execution every 15 years.
Mr. Romney said spending money on his plan would be a "high priority" because he believes that such a system would "have a deterrent effect and will save lives." Is this man a saint, or what?

DON'T ADOPTION AGENCIES EXIST IN ENGLAND?

2005-04-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

Apparently, the Mother of the Year Award goes to a Stacy Dow in London.
The 20-year-old Scottish woman, Stacy Dow, is suing a hospital where she had an abortion, at 16, in 2001. Then she learned later that one of her twins survived the operation.
It appears adoption agencies must not exist in London because the poor woman is now being forced to raise her three-year-old daughter, Jayde with her parents help, but, get this, she is now seeking £250 000 (nearly R3m) to cover the costs of raising this burden of a kid.
These words actually came out of her mouth, "I have got a child now that I wasn't planning to have and I believe the hospital should take some responsibility for that...."(the hospital) "....needed to take reasonable care to establish that the termination had been successful".
After the surgery, she had a visit to the doctor and she learned she was still pregnant with one of her twins.
This has actually happened before in 2001, where a 36-year-old mother from Stafford in central England received £10 000 compensation under an amicable agreement with a surgeon who had failed to end her pregnancy.
In that case too, one of a pair of twins survived the operation.

A MEDAL OF HONOR FOR "SPIT AND RUN"

2005-04-24T18:27:00.000-07:00

Jane Fonda was appearing in Kansas City to promote her memoir, My Life So Far.
Michael D. Smith, a 54-year-old Vietnam veteran from Gladstone, sent a stream of tobacco juice at Fonda at a Plaza book signing Tuesday. Dozens expressed dismay. Many more, delight.
Comments ranged from:
"Spitting in Jane Fonda's face is every Vietnam vet's fantasy,""Bravo, Michael Smith. Bravo." "Heartfelt thanks." "Freedom of speech." "Made my day." "What a true American this man is!"
Opposing comments: "A Neanderthal." "No sense of decency." "Pathetic incident."
It appears support for this behavior to outnumber those who condemned his action by about 3-to-1.
This all stems from Fonda's anti-war activities, back in 1972 in North Vietnam, where she was photographed at an anti-aircraft battery and visited American POWs, who she claimed were well-treated.
She has never been forgiven. That anger over a war 30 years ago, which also surfaced in the 2004 presidential election, puzzles some.
Some said Smith should get the Medal of Honor; one suggested naming Smith citizen of the year. Thirty-two offered to cover his bail on the disorderly conduct charge. He was jailed briefly Tuesday night,and says he will plead guilty. Fonda won't press assault charges.
Her 1972 visit to Hanoi still burns many veterans as a grandstanding bid to aid the enemy. A photograph taken at the time showed "Hanoi Jane" posing atop an anti-aircraft gun used by the North Vietnamese — a stunt she now regrets.
"Good for Mr. Smith. Jane Fonda is a traitor –– who aided and abetted the enemy at a time of war," vented a Vietnam pilot. "She should be stood up against a wall and shot."
After the spitting incident, Barnett, said nearly as many veterans called offering to help pay any fine levied against Smith.
It seems all Smith did was give her lots of free advertisement and sell a lot of her books.

Marla Razuki truly believed in the "Culture of Life"

2005-04-24T07:01:00.000-07:00

MARLA RAZUKI

There are those of us who take advantage of our American right to express, and share with those who will listen, our opposition to the tragic war in Iraq.
But none of us has come close to doing what Marla Razuki had done in her very short life.
She was not sent to Iraq as American soldier or someone trying to impose a religious agenda on the people in Iraq. She was simply a true humanitarian who went into a dangerous situation to try and make a difference.
Take a moment to honor her memory and read about her.
click below to read more about her courage.
http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=9573

TEXAS POLITICAL "FAMILY VALUES" RHETORIC OVERRIDES "VALUING A FAMILY" FOR FOSTER CHILDREN

2005-04-22T17:48:00.000-07:00

TEXAS POLITICS FOILED AT ATTEMPT TO OVERIDE PLACEMENT

OF A LOVING FAMILY FOR FOSTER CHILDREN

On April 24, 2005, it seems the Texas GOP's retreated from the recent ban on gay foster parents. This attempted ban created a groundswell of public anger which prompted Texas lawmakers to reconsider. Leading Republicans in Texas, now distancing themselves from that proposal, which would have made it the only state to prohibit gays and lesbians from being foster parents. It seems the plan will die without becoming law.
The Texas House approved the plan last week, despite concerns that as many as 3,000 children could be removed from loving homes of gay parents. Not anticipating a groundswell of anger and criticism, conservatives backed away from the proposal Friday. GOP leaders, including Gov. Rick Perry, said the proposal is so flawed it could endanger a broader initiative to overhaul the Texas Child Protective Services agency.
Kathy Walt, Perry's spokeswoman, cautioned that the governor still believes that a "traditional marriage between a man and a woman is the best environment in which to raise children."

But hell....I guess they just couldn't round up enough traditional straight families there in the good ole wholesome state of Texas to place these poor innocent young-ins who are now being dangerously exposed to loving, caring, selfless gay people.

The Dope on the Pope

2005-04-21T17:41:00.000-07:00

BE WARNED: IF YOU CLAIM TO BE A CHRISTIAN, BUT ARE NOT A CATHOLIC, YOU JUST MAY HAVE BOUGHT YOURSELF A ONE WAY TICKET STRAIGHT TO HELL!!!!

RATZ ON OTHER CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS: He has repeatedly condemned "religious pluralism" and relativism, the idea that other religions can hold the way to salvation, and he has been instrumental in blocking the advance of priests who support such views.
RATZ ON SEXUAL ABUSE: "I am personally convinced that the constant presence in the press of sins of Catholic priests, especially in the United States, is a planned campaign, as the percentage of these offences among priests is not higher than in other categories, and perhaps it is even lower... One comes to the conclusion that it is intentional, manipulated, that there is a desire to discredit the church," - Pope Benedict XVI
Would it be a an outlandish prediction that pedophiles and their protectors will remain? (I have a pretty good idea whom Cardinal Law voted for.) The of course, gay men will be scapegoated and purged.
He has also written about about the need to rid the Church of "filth." By "filth," could he mean gay people? I wonder?
Different Pope....same shhh.......ift in power
Check out this great NY Times article: <http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/20/international/worldspecial2/20record.html?>,

DOMINIONISTS - WWJD? RECLAIM AMERICA!!

2005-04-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

Meet the Dominionists biblical "literalists"

who believe God has called them to take over the U.S.
Despite their power, these fundamentalists still see themselves as a persecuted minority, waging a holy war against the godless forces of secularism.
Their leader? D. James Kennedy,1979 Founder of the Moral Majority

Their accomplishments?
*They organized round-the-clock protests and got Gov. Jeb Bush involved to defy the law and take Schiavo into state custody.
*Bringing over 4 million new Christian voters to the polls last November, sending George W. Bush back to the White House

*Helped send thirty-two new pro-lifers to Congress.
*Built their Coral Ridge Ministries into a $37-million-a-year empire
*They have a TV-and-radio audience of 3 million, by preaching that it's time to save America, not soul by soul but election by election.
*Bush even sought their blessing before running for president and continues to consult top Dominionists on matters of federal policy
Their future goals?
*Rewrite schoolbooks to reflect a Christian version of American history
*Stack school boards with Dominionists.
*Fill the nation's courts with judges who follow Old Testament law, post the Ten Commandments in every courthouse and make it a felony for gay men to have sex and women to have abortions.
*They are working to remake the federal courts in God's image. In their view, the Founding Fathers never intended to erect a barrier between politics and religion. "The First Amendment does not say there should be a separation of church and state," declares Alan Sears, president and CEO of the Alliance Defense Fund, a team of 750 attorneys trained by the Dominionists to fight abortion and gay marriage.
"Our job is to reclaim America for Christ, whatever the cost,.....As the vice regents of God, we are to exercise godly dominion and influence over our neighborhoods, our schools, our government, our literature and arts, our sports arenas, our entertainment media, our news media, our scientific endeavors -- in short, over every aspect and institution of human society."
*They want President Bush to appoint Roy Moore former Alabama chief justice-- who once penned an opinion calling for the state to execute "practicing homosexuals" -- to the U.S. Supreme Court.
"The other side knows we've got strongholds in the executive and legislative branches," Cass tells the troops. "If we start winning the judiciary, their power base is going to be eroded."
*The also have a direct line to the White House: The Rev. Richard Land, top lobbyist for the 16-million-member Southern Baptist Convention, enjoys a weekly conference call with top Bush advisers including Karl Rove.

Supporters to their cause?
Amway founder Rich DeVos, more than $5 million into the collection plate.
Jean Case, wife of former AOL chief Steve Case -- whose fortune was made largely on sex-chat rooms has donated $8 million. Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan, is also a major source of cash
Dominionist also support Rep. Walter Jones, congressman from North Carolina also now has a chance of passing his pet project, the Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act, which would permit ministers to endorse political candidates from their pulpits, effectively converting their tax-exempt churches into Republican campaign headquarters.
"America is under assault!" Jones thunders as his aides dash around the sanctuary snapping PR photos. "Everyone in America has the right to speak freely, except for those standing in the pulpits of our churches!"

Check out this chilling article about them in the recent Rolling Stone Magazine:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/_/id/7235393?pageid=rs.Home&pageregion=single7

For "Quotations that Support the Separation of State and Church" click below http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/ed_buckner/quotations.html

......another great reader friendly web page:http://earlyamerica.com/review/summer97/secular.html

Bush's iPod.....my choices for him

2005-04-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

President's iPod
The song contents of President George W. Bush's iPod have been revealed -- and some of the selections may surprise you.
The presidential iPod is heavy on country songs but also includes Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" and Stevie Ray Vaughan's "The House is Rockin'."My Sharona" by The Knack as well as John Fogerty's "Centerfield."
Ironically, Fogerty was one of the artists on the Vote For Change tour aimed at getting Bush out of office.
Other oldies that should really be on Bush's iPod:

"What a Fool Believes" by The Doobie Brothers
"Lyin'Eyes" by the Eagles
"New Fool to an Old Game" by Reba McIntire
"War is Hell (On the Homefront too)" by TG Sheppard
"For the Love of Money" by The OJays
"It's all Wrong, But it's all Right" by Dolly Parton
"(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I" by Elvis
"Out of Touch" by Hall and Oates
"What is Truth" by Johnny Cash
"What'd I say?" By Ray Charles
"Somethin' Stupid" by Frank and Nancy Sinatra
"Fool Hearted Memory" by George Strait
And finally, two oldies from Garth Brooks;
"Friends in Low Places" and "Shameless"

MICHAEL JACKSON NEW CD BOX SET!!!

2005-04-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

With all the sensational and damaging media press

Michael Jackson’s gotten lately, his legal bills have got to be completely out of control.
I recommend he put out a new collectors box set of the following songs which combine a collection of hits and more obscure songs, but they must be arranged in this exact order

Disc 1
Man in the mirror, Smooth criminal, Dangerous, Thriller
The lost children, Too young, I can’t help it, The way you make me feel
Human nature, Bad, Childhood, When I come of age
Love’s gone bad, It’s too late to change, Another part of me

Leave me alone, Beat it

Disc 2
Ben, With a child’s heart, P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
Privacy, Threatened, Someone in the dark, In the closet, You are not alone,
Wanna be startin’ somethin’, I wanna be where you are, Baby, be mine
Give in to me, Just a little bit of you, Make tonight all mine
All the things you are, are mine, I just can’t stop loving you
Say, say, say, Don’t stop till you get enough

PHARMACY MORALITY

2005-04-11T13:31:00.000-07:00

Pharmacy Morality and birth control pills, why stop there?
A growing number of "pro-life" pharmacists around the country are refusing to fill prescriptions for contraceptives or morning-after birth control pills because of moral or religious objections. Maybe a pharmacist who cannot dispense medicines lawfully prescribed by a doctor should find another line of work?
By one count there were some 180 reports of refusals in a six-month period last year, some describing earlier incidents, and the number is likely to grow now that religious conservatives are flexing their muscles in many spheres of life. Several states have laws granting pharmacists the right to refuse, and legislators in at least 10 states are pushing similar legislation. How much longer before right-to-life groups begin pressure one pharmacy after another to refuse service, leaving a diminished pool of pharmacies available to fill prescriptions for birth control purposes.

I just learned that Wal-Mart, for some years now, has refused to stock the morning-after pill.
I SAY WHY STOP THERE?
While you are waiting for your prescription and doing a little shopping in the drug store, maybe your pharmacist can look out for what's in your best interest by refusing to let you purchase, along with your meds, other things that may not be so good for you.

That pack of condoms and lube you got there? Forgetaboutit! My conscious won't let me ring that up for you!

Pack of cigarettes? Please, read the warning label on the side, then you'll know why it would be immoral for me to sell them to you.

And don’t even bring up to the counter those so-called fitness magazines with those lusty covers, and advertisements for penis enlargements, immoral I say!! And put back that Rolling Stone magazine, don't you know it's full of vulgar language! Nope, just can't sell you that garbage!

A romance novel? Why, put that back! Go get that copy of "Chicken Soup for the Soul in a Vegatative State" over there, I would be more than happy to sell you that.

This list could go on.......
Isn't it so nice to know that when we have a lax in moral judgment at the drug store, our high-minded pharmacists are there to look out for us.

HOT MEMO NOBODY WAS SUPPOSED TO SEE!

2005-04-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

(click on above memo for enlarged view)

A Hot memo now circulating came from the office of Florida Republican Senator Mel Martinez. It was written by Martinez legal counsel, Brian Darling.....who just resigned.
The controversial unsigned memo called the Terri Schiavo dispute "a great political issue" has been revealed.
It is being disavowed by Republicans including Martinez.
Martinez has issued a statement saying he found out Wednesday that the memo was from a staffer who "was unilaterally responsible."
Apparently, Martinez claims he pulled the document from his coat pocket and handed it to Iowa Democratic Senator Tom Harkin, thinking it was background information on a bill ordering a review of the Schiavo case. OOOPPSS!!!

The Next Pope....A Black Man?

2005-04-05T08:03:00.000-07:00

Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria, at 72,

is said to have a better than average chance at being the next pope. For the last decade he has been frequently mentioned as a candidate for the coveted position. A well-respected senior Vatican official with a good spiritual reputation and all the necessary political connections. Of the estimated 1 billion practicing Roman Catholics in the world, about 65% are from Africa, Asia and India.
Even those of us that are not Catholic, can't ignore what a historic event that would be, a black African from a Third World country in the highest position in the Catholic Church.
Such an event would be like electing the first black (or female) U.S. president. But is the world that claims to be less color-blind, ready for such a concept?
Makes me wonder, what do you think?

Million Dollar Question

2005-04-04T09:07:00.000-07:00

Rumor are flying that this was the very last person to visit Terri Shcaivo, alone....in the hospital, fact or rumor?

Tom DeLay : Scandal Man

2005-04-01T07:31:00.000-08:00

Meet Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX), the man Republicans have chosen as their Majority Leader in the House of Representatives.
Tom DeLay is at the center of a bewildering array of investigations into corruption, abuse of power, and ethics violations.
As the courts and committees investigate DeLay's misdeeds and hand down indictments, keeping track of all the scandals can be a full-time job. So we thought it would helpful to offer folks this quick and easy guide.
1. The Westar Scandal
In 2002, executives at Kansas energy company Westar wrote a memo outlining how they could purchase a "seat at the table" with $56,500 in contributions to political committees associated with Tom DeLay and the GOP. DeLay was later admonished by the House Ethics Committee for creating the appearance of impropriety.
2. The House Medicare Vote Bribery Scandal
Tom DeLay and the Republican leadership kept open the vote for the Medicare bill for three hours -- long past the 15 minutes specified in House procedures -- in order to pressure Republicans to vote for the bill. Rep. Nick Smith (R-MI) said GOP leaders offered "bribes and special deals," leading to an investigation by the Ethics Committee, which admonished DeLay.
3. The Texas Redistricting Scandal
When DeLay and his fellow Republicans were redrawing the Congressional districts in Texas to push Democrats out of the House, he used the Federal Aviation Administration to try and track a plane containing Democratic state legislators. The House Ethics Committee investigated DeLay's actions and once again admonished him.
4. The K Street Scandal
Tom DeLay has pushed lobbying firms to deny jobs to Democrats, and hire only Republicans, resulting in another Ethics Committee admonishment for inappropriately pushing a lobbying firm to hire a former GOP congressman. DeLay has pressured GOP lobbyists to make contributions to Republican candidates and the RNC.
5. The TRMPAC Scandal
In Texas, it's illegal for corporations to make donations to fund political campaigns. So Tom DeLay's Texans for a Republican Majority political action committee (TRMPAC) took $190,000 in corporate contributions and funneled them to the RNC, which then donated exactly $190,000 to TRMPAC-supported candidates. DeLay and TRMPAC are currently under investigation by a grand jury.
6. The Travel Scandal
An investigation by the Justice Department showed that Tom DeLay accepted a trip financed by the Korea-U.S. Exchange Council, breaking House rules that prohibit accepting travel expenses from "a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal."
7. The Ethics Committee Scandal
Knowing that he faced investigation for a growing pile of scandals, Tom DeLay and the GOP House leadership purged the Ethics Committee of Republicans -- including Chairman Joel Hefley (R-CO) -- who weren't willing to overlook charges against DeLay, replacing them with members loyal to the leadership. They then changed the Committee rules to make it more difficult to begin investigations. Democrats on the Committee have refused to take any action in protest until the rules are restored.
Tell Your Friends!!! This article is from the DNC Special Report at http://www.democrats.org/specialreports/delaycasefile/index.html

THE PASSION OF THE EASTER BUNNY

2005-03-31T06:25:00.000-08:00

Tragic roadkill of Peter Cottontail

In a related story........

Tragic story from last year April 07, 2004
Because if we forget the past, we are condemed to repeat it.

EASTER BUNNY WHIPPED AT CHURCH SHOW
A church trying to teach about the crucifixion of Jesus performed an Easter show with actors whipping the Easter bunny and breaking eggs, upsetting several parents and young children.
People who attended Saturday’s performance at Glassport’s memorial stadium quoted performers as saying, "There is no Easter bunny," and described the show as being a demonstration of how Jesus was crucified.
Melissa Salzmann, who took her 4-year-old son J.T., said the program was inappropriate for young children. "He was crying and asking me why the bunny was being whipped," Salzmann said.
Patty Bickerton, the youth minister at Glassport Assembly of God, said the performance wasn’t meant to be offensive. Bickerton portrayed the Easter rabbit and said she tried to act with a tone of irreverence.
"The program was for all ages, not just the kids. We wanted to convey that Easter is not just about the Easter Bunny, it is about Jesus Christ," Bickerton said.
Performers broke eggs meant for an Easter egg hunt and also portrayed a drunken man and a self-mutilating woman, said Jennifer Norelli-Burke, another parent who saw the show in Glassport, southeast of Pittsburgh.
"It was very disturbing," Norelli-Burke said. "I could not believe what I saw. It wasn’t anything I was expecting."

MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY

2005-03-30T11:06:00.000-08:00

Dispite the fact polls show public support is not so hot about the idea of private accounts concerning Bush's Social Security plan, Bush just may get his way after all. How?...through executive order.
So, if Bush can't convince Congress to back his private account plan, he may sign an executive order for a smaller version of his plan, which would allow federal employees to experiment with a heavily regulated form of private accounts, which isn't the way he wants to go.
No, he wants a broad national plan, passed by Congress and signed by him. But if he can't get Congressional passage of an overall Social Security change plan (or even just the private account portion), Bush just may use the executive order route to ensure that a test version is put into effect.
Clinton was criticized for his using executive orders when he tried to get his health care plan passed, but he knew in doing this he had to be cautiuos because of the risk that Congress or the courts overturning him.
But Bush has less risk in that regard, thanks to Republican dominance in both arenas.
Take note, if Bush uses this to change Social Security, it will be the fourth major arena in which he has advanced policy using presidential directives.
1. He almost single-handedly created his multi-billion dollar faith-based initiative through executive orders, allowing churches and religious institutions access to taxpayer money for drug treatment, mentoring and other social service programs.
2. His presidential directives have guided much of the covert war on terrorism.
3. He has significantly relaxed regulations and oversight of a number of large business industries via executive order.
Congress and the courts rarely overturn such directives, thereby raising the specter of unchecked, un-reviewed and potentially even presidential abuse of power.
So this fall, whether the issue is Social Security or what to do in the nuclear standoffs with Iran and North Korea, keep your eyes on the Prez, he might just pull a fast one, again.

SOMETIMES THE ONLY WAY TO SHOW PEOPLE HOW MUCH YOU RESPECT LIFE IS BY SENDING THEM DEATH THREATS

2005-03-28T06:19:00.000-08:00

It seems Terry Schiavo has devoloped quite a strong following of highly ethical supporters on her behalf. In fact, these supporters feel so strongly about her right to life that they are doing everything they can to show how much they honor the life.

Check this out .... Such sweethearts they are for taking the time to go out of their way to make their point concerning honoring "life".

Since the case has attracted an overdose of national publicity, Mr. Schiavo has become the subject of such intense, widespread hatred that he and his family regularly receive death threats.
His brother Scott, who lives in Pennsylvania, said he had received enough such threats this week to send off his children.
On Friday, the F.B.I. said it arrested a man in North Carolina for sending an e-mail message that offered a $250,000 bounty for Michael Schiavo's death.
George Greer, the judge in the Schiavo case, needs armed bodyguards.

May the Lord look down on them and give them their just dues.

LIFE' BURDENS

2005-03-28T06:03:00.000-08:00

Someone sent this to me, love it.....
Dealing with the Burdens of Life:
1. Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
2. Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
3. Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
4. Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
5. If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
6. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
7. Never buy a car you can't push.
8. Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
9. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
10. Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
11. The second mouse gets the cheese.
12. When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
13. Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
14. You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
15. Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

Bush: Death and Life Support

2005-03-24T07:36:00.001-08:00

Hey you people out there holding signs bowing your heads down in prayer, did ya know that just last week in Texas a baby was removed from life support against his mother's wishes? All because of the Texas Futile Care Law. When he was Governer, Bush signed this law in Texas that expressly gave hospitals the right to remove life support if the patient could not pay and there was no hope of revival, regardless of the patient's family's wishes.

Recently, Republicans voted to eliminate medicaid funding that pays for the kind of care that someone like Terry Schiavo and many others who are not so severely brain damaged need all across this country.

Did you know that Bush, as Governor of the Lone Star state signed for the execution of no less than 152 people. It has been said that statistically 7% of all people that are sentenced to death are innocent, so it is safe to assume that Bush signed for the deaths of about 11 innocent people.

Let's hope your prayers go out to these other families too.

latest CNN updates: http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/24/schiavo/index.html

Senators come to the rescue!

2005-03-24T07:36:00.000-08:00

Hey you people sitting out there with those signs, heard about the tort reform that is being contemplated by the Republican congress which would preclude malpractice claims like that which has paid for Terry Schiavo's care thus far?

And add to that, did ya read about the newly approved bankruptcy bill which will make it even more difficult for families who suffer a catastrophic illness, like Terry Schiavo's because they will not be able to declare chapter 7 bankruptcy and get a fresh start when the gargantuan medical bills become overwhelming.

Could this Terry Schiavo case be another calculated political move by congress designed to appease the religious right? Notice how the news anchors repeatedly say that the congress is "stepping in to save Terry Schiavo" Makes you wonder even more if we can trust the "objective" mainstream media.
What great television this makes watching her "family", congress and the church challenging this woman's husband and the judicial system that upheld Terry Schiavo's right and explicit request that she be allowed to die if extraordinary means were required to keep her alive.

Facts on this case are on the following link http://abstractappeal.com/schiavo/infopage.html

GOOD OL' AMERICAN KILLING SPREES ARE BACK!

2005-03-23T07:32:00.000-08:00

Killing sprees are once again ravaging our America. Finally something to distract us from the stress of possible outside terrorist attacks here in the land of the free.

Feb 24, estranged husband with AK-47 rifle in hand walked into a Tyler, Texas court, killing ex-wife, a bystander, also wounding his son and three others.
Feb 28, a Chicago judge returned home finding husband and mother shot dead.
March 3rd, defendant in Atlanta courtroom fatally shoots judge, court reporter, a deputy, then later, a federal agent.
A day later, Wisconsin’s Terry Ratzmann sprays bullets in church service killing eight people, including pastor.
That same weekend, in Philadelphia, ten people died in homicidal shootings, among them three children.
March 22nd, Northern Minnesota student claimed 8 lives in high school shooting, kills grandma and her husband, then self.
In response, a few states are trying to crack down on gun violence.

Thirteen states are considering banning assault weapons or strengthening an existing ban.
Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Washington may follow California's lead outlawing .50 caliber rifles.
Arizona, Illinois, Iowa and Washington favor closing the "gun show loophole" allowing gun buyers to bypass background checks.
Of course, this will likely be offset by the NRA's counter-lobbying efforts, which argues that these recent events makes it even more important to weaken the few existing gun control protections we already have.
Tennessee lawmakers want handguns in schools, day-care centers and bars.
Texas and Illinois (which are weighing at least a dozen bills backed by the NRA) believe prosecutors and judges should be armed.
In Philadelphia, where 67 gun-related homicides have occurred this year, state law prevents the city from enacting tougher gun control measures. The mayor John Street wants a moratorium on all gun permits. But the GOP-controlled legislator won't budge and Democratic Governor Ed Rendell refuses to address the issue.
This giving in to the gun lobby occurs at a time when Americans murdered by firearms has increased 14 percent between 1999 and 2003. After declining for seven consecutive years in the 90s, the total number of gun-related fatalities has also risen.
Bush's 2005 budget cuts could force 88,000 police officers off the streets!
After failing to renew the popular assault weapons ban, Congress is once again trying to immunize gun manufactures from civil liability for letting weapons fall in the hands of gun traffickers, snipers and terrorists.
A Government Accountability Office recent report found that forty-seven suspects on an FBI terrorist watch list legally purchased firearms in the United States last year.
Feel safer now? Check this out this kids gun prevention game http://www.bradycenter.org/game/

Ashley Olsen's new acting challenge

2005-03-22T11:54:00.000-08:00

Rumours are flying that Olsen twin, Ashley is currently filming a straight to video sequel to the movie "New York Minute", without her sister Mary-Kate who is said to still be in an undisclosed treatment facility seeking professional treatment of an eating disorder.
Sources say Ashley was encouraged by her sister to continue with the production.
Mary-Kate knows she cannot make a commitment right now to be in this movie. A production assistant on the set stated that Ashely sees the bright side of this dilema and welcomes this as an acting challenge to play both distinctly different characters from this movie. She is hoping this breakthrough performance will give critics a chance to appreciate her ability to play both her character, as well as her sisters part. Mary-Kate is said to be rooting for her sister take on this risky acting challenge. Check this out for more on them than you would ever want to know http://www.olsen-twins-news.com/articles/faq/

The soon to be Presidential Middle Finger

2005-03-22T09:50:00.001-08:00

While President Bush was still Governor of Texas in the U.S of .A, he would make an effort to take time out of his busy schedule practicing ways to communicate in some form of language all countries of the world could understand.
Check this site out for a good laugh http://www.bushorchimp.com/

Bush reaching....deep

2005-03-22T09:41:00.000-08:00

Even while he was Governer, before Bush went in search of WMD, he always had a knack for dugging deep in search of hard evidence
What's up with the mysterious Bush Bulge? Conspiracy theories abound. Check it out here http://homepage.mac.com/c.shaw/BushBulges/PhotoAlbum15.html

2005-03-22T08:22:00.000-08:00

WHO IS STALKING WHO?

Another Bizzaro Jackson Family Court Case.
First, in California, Janet Jackson, won a 3 year restraining order against "alleged fan turned stalker" Robert Gardner, 39, of New York who was ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from the fading pop star and her business associates. To which he responded, "I do not want to be considered a stalker....I'm one of her fans." He claims to have business and personal matters to discuss with Jackson, but has been bombarding the singer with faxes and letters for nine years.
But it's another story in Ohio, where Janet, (Miss Jackson, if your nasty!) is the alleged stalker, and was named in court papers by a novelist Angela Whitterson, who filed a request seeking protection from the "tyrant Janet," accusing the singer of "actively harassing and stalking" her, as well as being a "complete nuisance."
It seems "Damita Jo" has badgered her for nearly six years by "home phone, cell phone, email, laptop computer and PC" in an effort to arrange "trysts and in-person meetings.", also hacking her personal computer, bugging her telephone, hiring a private investigator to trail her, and orchestrating repeated acts of vandalism on her 1992 Honda Civic and 1992 Honda Accord, among other "tyrannical things."
"You people have NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO idea what she and this has been putting me through. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO idea," Whitterson wrote on her Website.

Want to make obscenely hilarious Janet Jackson cupcakes, don't ask, just check it out here (mature only)http://www.amateurgourmet.com/the_amateur_gourmet/2004/02/janet_jackson_b.html

2005-03-22T07:27:00.000-08:00

$$$$$ DVD BOOM ! $$$$$$

.......vs Box Office Reciepts

Check out DVD top ten

http://et.tv.yahoo.com/topten/movies/dvdsales/

DVD BOOM: THE INCREDIBLES sales surpass box office reciepts

2005-03-22T06:59:00.000-08:00

Though box-office revenue has remained steady at about $9.2 billion a year in recent years, since the mid-'90s, home video sales have surpassed the domestic box office. Last year, DVD sales alone — excluding VHS format — skyrocketed to $15.5 billion.
And first-day sales are key to a title's success on home video, just as it has been in theaters
The Incredibles sold 5 million copies the first day the DVD arrived in stores.
Movie fans have more chances to be first at a movie event: when it arrives in theaters and later on DVD.
There are big titles coming out every week now. Six or seven years ago, there was a big title only every month or month and a half.
Typically, a DVD gets 50% to 70% of its sales in the first week.
The latest big event on DVD: The Incredibles, which in its first day last Tuesday sold 5 million copies, mainly on DVD, in the US. Even at a discounted price of $20 a DVD, that's $100 million, far surpassing the $70 million the movie took in during its first weekend in theaters.
The Incredibles- Day 1 on DVD: $100M(5 M copies, plus VHS) Week 1 in theaters: $93M
The Passion of the Christ Week 1 on DVD: $134.6M Week 1 in theaters: $119.3M
Ray Week 1 on DVD: $75.2M 20 weeks in theaters: $75.3M
Finding Nemo and Shrek 2 both surpassed $200 million in their first week on DVD.
The Lion King, All time champ did $340 M the first week it came out on home video in 1995.
Other blockbuster movies that opened faster on DVD than in theaters:
Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, Monsters, Inc. and Van Helsing, even smaller films like Napoleon Dynamite, the most talked-about pop culture movie of last year, made $44.5 million in its first week on DVD - which is more than it made in it's entire run in theaters.
And as with theatrical releases, word of mouth on a DVD creates good hype.
Retailers cut prices of new releases to keep customers coming back — to keep both sales and buzz about the films at high volume.
Great site to check out currentBox Office results click below
http://movies.go.com/moviesdynamic/boxoffice?cat=index

2005-03-21T10:46:00.000-08:00

Read below about The Great Hayao Miyazaki

GREATEST COLLECTION OF DVD ANIME.....EVER!!! MIYAZAKI RULES!!!

2005-03-17T16:28:00.000-08:00

THEY REALLY DO MAKE GREAT ANIMATED FILMS
OUTSIDE OF THE US.
Finally out, from Japan's Ghibli Studios; the great Hayao Miyazaki's 1984 classic animé feature;

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. What a great visually original sci-fi fantasy film it is.

I have personally never cared for anime films. Most are just too violent or very silly stuff for the young kiddies. But Miyazaki's work is so much more in line with the ambitious works of Disney animated classics (which the studio is also distributing here in the US) . Yet the story concepts are more original and less formulaic, which is closer to the ambitious storytelling of Pixar films, where the story always comes first. Most of these unpredictable movies have primarily strong complex female heroines, which is not something we see often enough in US films. These unique works, that are international blockbusters, are the only anime DVD's worth experiencing over and over again. Here is his classic collection:

Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro (1979) technically his first feature, but not based on an original concept. An action adventure James Bondish fun film, I dont see it as his greatest work, dont start here.
Laputa: The Castle in the Sky (1986) action adventure fantasy, lost of humor, visually stunning, but with the violence it is more for older kids
Princess Mononoke (1987) action adventure, very violent, darker story, not for the young ones, but still great stuff
My Neighbor Totoro (1988) this one's for younger kids, no violence, just a great touching classic childrens story, one of his best understated work. Still my favorite.
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) another great childrens story about a young witch coming of age, no violence, beautifully comes together, visual treat.
Porco Rosso (1992) just released, so I havent seen it yet, but I am told it is for older kids and is a fun retro adventure of a pilot that is also a pig
Spirited Away (2001) First Oscar winner for best animated film. A good one to start with. An Alice in Wonderland type of story, see why it is so great. Not terribly violent, but strong images that may scare the little ones
Howl's Moving Castle (2004) Has gotten rave reviews, will not be released until June 2005.

If you like the above films check out these other Ghibli Studios Classics:
Whisper of the Heart (1985) another great fantasy story, not yet released here in the US.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988) Tragic war story, and how it devasates children, it will bring tears to your eyes
The Cat Returns (2002) lighthearted sequel to Whispers of the Heart, just released on DVD

For more great info on Miyazaki check this site out http://www.nausicaa.net/

2005-03-17T10:50:00.000-08:00

LOST
I love this show......The premise, they are lost....hell, I watch the show religiously and I'M LOST!!!

2005-03-17T09:35:00.000-08:00

American Idol
"How I, thee, Simon Cowell rate my level of humility."

Can Simon Cowell's ego get any bigger, suggesting American is listening to him when they decide to phone in their votes.....yeah, right.

2005-03-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

THE SIMPSONS!!!!
TAKE NOTE: ALL of Springfield is goin' straight to HELL!!!....but which one?
Take note: There are 71 Springfields in 36 states and possessions:
Springfield, Alabama x4 Springfield, Arkansas x2 Springfield, California Springfield, Colorado Springfield, Florida x2 Springfield, Georgia x9 Springfield, Idaho Springfield, Iowa Springfield, Illinois Springfield, Indiana x2 Springfield, Kentucky Springfield, Louisiana Springfield, Massachusetts Springfield, Maryland x4 Springfield, Maine Springfield, Michigan x2 Springfield, Minnesota Springfield, Missouri Springfield, Mississippi Springfield, North Carolina x4 Springfield, Nebraska Springfield, New Hampshire Springfield, New Jersey x2 Springfield, New York Springfield, Ohio Springfield, Oregon Springfield, Pennsylvania x2 Springfield, South Carolina x3 Springfield, South Dakota Springfield, Tennessee x2 Springfield, Texas x3 Springfield, Virginia x8 Springfield, Virgin Islands Springfield, Vermont Springfield, Wisconsin Springfield, West Virginia
TAKE THIS FUN SIMPSONS PERSONALITY TEST ON THIS LINK: http://www.matthewbarr.co.uk/simpsons/

The Passion of the Mel

2005-03-17T06:21:00.000-08:00

Rumour has it that Mel Gibson is putting together

a new "directors cut" 4 disc special edition DVD box set of

"The Passion of the Christ" Directors Cut.

Sources say Mel has expressed concerns relating to how

Christ actually went through a total of 8 hours of torture.
Because of this, the new box set will include 6 extensive hours of deleted scenes depicting a grueling real time experience that was clearly lacking in the theatrical release. A source say that Mel has said, "This is gonna be great, now audiences will now experience every gut-wrenching moment, each horrific second, on how it really happened.

It's the only way to do justice to this labor of love."

Click here for "Passion" spoofs http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=4073