Everyone has their own taste when it comes to music.

What may be considered music to one’s ears, may be considered simply torturous to others. Just because I feel that Michael Bolton sounds like a cat getting skinned alive, and that his music is some sort of cruel joke to all of mankind, doesn’t mean that some other tone deaf person has to agree with me.

One thing is for certain, whether it is the sweet voice of Bonnie Raitt or the overrated raspy voice of Bruce who stepped in it Springsteen… if it is played at decibels to make you feel that your ears are going to bleed and it is played over and over… it can be quite torturous no matter who it is.

Everyone is aware that the prisoners at Gitmo (Guantánamo Bay) were needlessly tortured by water boarding along with other degrading and unspeakable acts. 

One of the methods used was music played repeatedly and at ear piercing levels. The songs used and some of the artists who made that music are not too happy to say the least. How would you feel if one of your songs was used to torture someone? I am sure you would be horrified.

Well, Michael Stipe of REM, along with twenty or so other artists have aired their disgust, and have banned together and formed Close Gitmo Now.   

A little info on Gitmo first, before we get into which performers are saying Gitmo has to go.

Gitmo has held nearly 800 detainees in it’s history. An alarming majority of those detainees were never charged, nor went to trial. Only THREE of those detainees have ever been convicted of a crime.To keep Gitmo open is costing tax payers MILLIONS.

So what did the spokesman for the CIA say when it came to using music as torture?
He said nuh-uh.

George Little, a CIA spokesman said:

“music was used only for security, rather than “punitive purposes”

And in a 2005 CIA document, it stated,

“loud music or white noise was needed “to mask sound and prevent communication among detainees”

So what tunes and artists made it to the Gitmo “top 20″?

According to the National Security Archive, they used anything from the Meow Mix jingle, to the Barney theme song. They used such artists as Marylin Manson to Britney Spears. Although the Meow Mix jingle and the Barney theme song both make me cringe and is enough to drive anyone buggy, at ANY volume… I wonder if the Meow Mix or the Barney people have a problem with the fact their music was used at Gitmo? I haven’t heard anything from either of them and I have to say, if they don’t have a problem with it, then I have a problem with them.

Why would they use the Meow Mix jingle and the Barney theme if it was just “to mask sound and prevent communication among detainees”?
And why were detainees subjected to “variable light patterns” while this music was played? Is the CIA going to say they wanted to have a disco effect for the detainees? Although it really wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

If the CIA claims are true, then why didn’t they just use classical music at non dangerous levels without light patterns? The term liar liar pants on fire comes to mind.

Another little pesky factor besides the CIA not having the permission of the artists to use their music, is the fact that the artist’s music was used as an interrogation tool.

So which artists are pissed and saying close Gitmo now ?
Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Brown, REM, Pearl Jam, Roseanne Cash just to name a few.

Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Brown

Roseanne Cash recently appeared on The Daily Show with John Stewart to tell everyone about the petition they have created which people can sign at www.closegitmonow.org

The BBC recently reported:

REM call for Guantanamo closure

Rock bands including Pearl Jam and REM have joined a coalition of musicians to support the US president’s efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay prison.

The National Campaign to Close Guantanamo, which also includes former military officers, launched on Tuesday.

Many of the artists who have signed up are angry that their music was used as an interrogation tool in the jail.

But CIA spokesman George Little said music was used only for security, rather than “punitive purposes”.

In a statement, REM said: “We have spent the past 30 years supporting causes related to peace and justice. To now learn that some of our friends’ music may have been used as part of the torture tactics without their consent or knowledge, is horrific. It’s anti-American, period.”

Other artists to sign up to the coalition include Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, Roseanne Cash, Billy Bragg, Bonnie Raitt and Rage Against The Machine.

On behalf of the campaign, the National Security Archive in Washington is filing a Freedom of Information Act request seeking classified records that detail the use of loud music as an interrogation device.

‘Terrify and punish’

A report published in November 2008 by the Senate Armed Services Committee report, has already made several references to the technique.

In one case interrogators played records to “stress” a prisoner, Mohamedou Ould Slahi, who believed music was forbidden.

In 2003, he was questioned while being “exposed to variable lighting patterns” and repeated plays of a song called Let the Bodies Hit the Floor by the band Drowning Pool.

Jayne Huckerby, from New York University’s Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, said loud music was also played at clandestine prisons run by the CIA.

Following an early information request, Ms Huckerby received a CIA document dated December 2005 in which the agency explained that the use of loud music or white noise was needed “to mask sound and prevent communication among detainees”.

She argued that such sounds were not a “benign security tool,” but a way “to humiliate, terrify, punish, disorient and deprive detainees of sleep, in violation of international law”.

According to the National Security Archive, tracks by AC/DC, Britney Spears, the Bee Gees and Marilyn Manson were used at Guantanamo.

The Meow mix cat food jingle, the Barney theme song and an assortment of Sesame Street tunes also were played into detainees’ cells.

But the CIA insisted any music was played “at levels far below a live rock band”.

And Major Diana Haynie, a spokeswoman for Joint Task Force Guantanamo, said loud music has not been used with detainees since the fall of 2003.

Barack Obama pledged to close the Guantanamo detention camp by January, but Republican opposition in Congress has made fulfilling that promise look less likely.

 

So one of the reasons that Gitmo remains open is due to Republican opposition?
Although I am certianly not surprised by this…. WHY ARE THEY OPPOSED?
What reasons could the Republicans have to want to keep Gitmo going?

The NY Times stated that the estimated annual cost to operate Guantánamo Bay is anywhere from $90 million to $118 million. There are 226 detainees left at Gitmo. That is a cost of $400.000 to $520.000 per detainee. To incarcerate a prisoner in a supermax prison would be $75,000 in the US. Is anyone paying attention to this simple math? Get the facts

At a time when the US is in such an economic mess due to the carnage that was left behind by the lovely Bush administration, perhaps the millions of dollars spent on keeping Gitmo open can be used elsewhere? Ya think?

Now before our comment section turns into a shouting match between Republicans and Democrats…..
and people telling me to get my facts straight, (I only report what is out there) remember that this article is about how horrible it was to use an artist’s music to torture people AND the fact that their music was used without their consent. Not to mention what it costs to keep Gitmo going.

So if you have a comment about Close Gitmo Now or the musicians who started the petition, then that is fine. But if you want to argue about what Obama has done or not done to clean up Bush’s mess that he left behind, or the BS spin and scare tactics that the Republicans are using when it comes to the health care plan, (you know who you are, you silly teabaggers) OR if you are a Michael Bolton fan, then please go argue elsewhere. *SNICKER*

Can’t We All Just Get Along?

Rosie O’Donnel recently chatted with shock jock Howard Stern on Sirius XM Radio.

She dished about her not so fabulous relationship with her wife lately, Oprah Winfrey and Oprah’s BFF Gail. And oh yeah… that she thought her and Angelina Jolie almost hooked up once.

Was this wishful thinking on Rosie’s part? Or wishful thinking on Jolie’s part? Or just creepy Howard Stern with his usual everyday thoughts? *snicker*

First, about Oprah….
Both Rosie and Howard say they think that Oprah and BFF Gail are closer than they are letting people know.

From EOnline:

As for her thoughts on Oprah’s relationship with her BFF, Rosie and Howard think there may be some sparks.

“I don’t know that she and Gayle are necessarily doing each other,” Rosie said, “but I think they are the emotional equivalent of…”

“A gay couple,” the radio man finished.

“When they did that road trip, that’s as gay as it gets, and I don’t mean it to be an insult either,” Rosie explained. “I’m just saying, listen, if you ask me, that’s the couple.”

Doesn’t Howard imagine ALL women that have a relationship with another women of any kind in bed together? I can’t stand the man and he skeeves me out to no end. I bet his palms are always sweaty. EWWWW!

As far as Rosie thinking that Oprah and Gail are a couple? 
I just think her bringing up Oprah and Gail was ridiculous and a real yawn fest.
Although Gail would have been a BIG improvement over Stedman! (I always considered him Mr Excitement)

Don’t get me wrong, I am not defending Oprah the Scientology cult sympathizer in any way. Even though everyone is eternally grateful to Oprah for having Cruise on her show, which led to the famous career end phrase “jumping the couch”.

Hey Tom! How’s That Scientology Going For You Lately?

So if you are keeping score, I find Howard Stern, Rosie AND Oprah all repulsive. Oh yeah Cruise too. All for different reasons. And none of those reasons have anything to do with sex.

So what about Oprah’s BFF Gail? I don’t think I have EVER thought of that women before in my life in any capacity what so ever. I find her as about exciting as a fence post. Although again, she still would have been a better pick than Stedman.
FYI…when Stedman and billionaire gal pal Oprah finally ended their 21 year old fling, he received $250 mil for his “years of ridicule and you better keep your mouth shut” severance package. Wonder what Oprah’s gal pal Gail will get? *snicker*

So where does Angelina Jolie come into this picture?

Well….
Rosie told Howard that she talked to Angelina on the phone a couple of times way back when.
Ohhhhhh! That’s where she got the idea that they were going to hook up. Who could blame her? WHAT?

Some more help from EOnline… Rosie said,

“She gave me her phone number,” Rosie said. “We talked on the phone two or three times, but that was that. There was a tentative plan to have dinner that never came through.”

Fear got the best of Rosie and she wasn’t able to seal the deal.

“I was a little afraid of her,” she said. “She’s scary in a sexual kind of way. I have dreams about her a lot still.”

Dinner plans too? WOW! Now wonder Rosie thought that there may have been a little somethin’- somethin’ going on between them.
Are you freakin’ kidding me?

First off, I have to mention, that I find Angelina Jolie ALSO repulsive, and again, it has nothing to do with who she did, who she almost did, or who she is doing now. Which of course is Brad Pitt, who I can’t stand either since he hooked up with “Angelina -Jimmy- Deana”. My nickname for her because of her huge plumped up sausage-like lips. You know…. Jimmy Dean sausage?

And secondly…. who gives a rats ass?
Really. Sounds like Rosie is doing a little “shock jocking” herself to get some attention.
And does anyone really want to hear about Rosie’s….  ahem….”wet dreams?”

I think many people think that there is no way in hell that Rosie could have scored with Jolie and that Jolie is way out of Rosie’s league. You know because everyone thinks Jolie is Ms. Wonderful and her beauty is simply breath taking? *ROLLS EYES*

But remember when Jolie kissed her brother on the lips on camera way back when? That was WAY too long of a kiss for any one’s comfort. How about her fling with Billy Bob Thorton? (ick)
I really wouldn’t have been surprised one iota if she did actually hook up with Rosie back then. Nor would I have cared. Hell, I wouldn’t care now!

But of course times have really changed now for Jolie. She thinks that when she poops it should be bottled as perfume. And I would imagine that Jolie would think that Rosie is not worthy of having scary sex time with her now. Besides, Jolie is saving it all for BRADLEY. *puke*

I think it’s moronic that Rosie thought that a few phone calls and a dinner date than never happened was some sort of prelude to jumping in the sack with Jolie or anyone for that matter.

So a word of caution people……
If you are not into Rosie that way…. I wouldn’t talk to her on the phone. And whatever you do, don’t make any dinner plans with her. Because it will obviously be perceived as steamy foreplay and undoubtedly an invitation for sexy time.

Unless of course, you want to hit that…..

Where’s The Camel Toe Police When You Need Them?

This past Friday evening, ABC’s Nightline aired part two of their Inside Scientologyseries with anchor Martin Bashir. If you missed it, the videos are posted on ABC’s website. It is a MUST see.
 Part One is  here,  and Part Two is here.

Friday’s show was a continuation from Thursday night’s interview with ex-Scientology top executives Marty Rathbun, and Amy Scobee, as well as ex member Bruce Hines. They were all former members of Scientology’s Sea Organization.

Bashir also continued his interview with Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis who ended ripping off his microphone, and storming off the set. We will get to that juicy part later.

ABC Anchor Martin Bashir

Friday evening’s coverage focused on the celebrities in Scientology. Tom Cruise was the main focus.  Tommy Davis claimed that Scientology does not given special treatment to celebrities, but I beg to differ. Cruise considers cult leader David Miscavige one of his closest friends and Miscavige not only attended Cruise’s wedding, but he also tagged along on Tom and Katie’s honeymoon. Doesn’t everyone bring their “church” leader on their honeymoon with them?

Cruise is not only BFF’s with David Miscavige, but he was also a huge advocate for Scientology. I say “was” because Cruise has really simmered down since his couch jumping days. His leaked Scientology video, his insults against Brooke Shields for taking medication for her postpartum depression, and his famous “glib” interview with Matt Lauer has put a serious damper on his career and his popularity. 

Matt You Are So Glib!

If you ask just about anyone on the street these days of their opinion of Tom Cruise, most will say he is a kook.

Cruise is trying to re-boost his career, by not speaking publicly about Scientology and trying to show the world how “normal” his life is with his family. But are people buying it? I doubt it. Cruise is DEEP into Scientology. He co-founded the NY Rescue Workers and Firefighters Detoxification Program after 911. Again, this program is EXACTLY the same as Scientology’s Purification Rundown and their Narconon program.

Cruise also lobbied in Washington with a quest to have every school in the US teaching Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s “tech.” Applied Scholastics is the front name used in the schools, but it is without a doubt Scientology. Applied Scholastics has already infiltrated some of the schools in the US. I am not talking about Scientology schools like Delphi Academy and Will Smith’s New Village Academy, but rather regular public schools in our towns that are teaching children Scientology tech.

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, they started teaching Scientology tech in Prescott Middle School in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Applied Scholastics representatives assured them that the program was secular.  A couple of quotes from that story posted on the Scientology V. Education website:

The Baton Rouge school district agreed to pay $20, 000 a year to Applied Scholastics for a licensing fee and to hire a teacher from the nonprofit to help teach the course. Costs were offset by seed money that Travolta contributed and by donations from local businesses. Parents were enlisted to volunteer as tutors.

Dave Touretsky, a research professor at Carnegie Mellon University, that’s only because the academic experts don’t know the intricacies of Scientology.Study tech is “covert religious instruction” and therefore unconstitutional to teach in public schools, said Touretsky, who has studied Scientology and written extensively about Hubbard’s study skills curriculum.

Scientologists will use the program at Prescott to sell the program to other struggling communities, Touretsky said, and to promote the image of Scientology.

Rest assured, the teachers and the people in that town have NO idea what they are teaching these kids, nor understand how dangerous the tech can be for their children. Former Scientology member Monica Pignotti can tell you just exactly how dangerous the study tech is. Click here to read up on it yourself. I am not sure if Prescott Middle School has continued teaching this tech or not. I hope town officials and teachers have done their homework by now.

So a word of caution people, if your child’s school is approached with Applied Scholastics or any anti-drug pamphlets that contain the initials “CCHR” written anywhere on the pamphlet, please stay clear! The CCHR is another Scientology front group. Also stay away from the names Way To Happiness, or The Drug Free Marshals, just to name a few.

Scientology Can Use Some Body Language Courses!

These names are are ALL Scientology front groups. Sorry to sway away from  ABC’s interview, but any chance I have to make people aware that Scientology is trying to infiltrate our children’s schools, I feel compelled to make mention of it.

So back to the interview…

Former Scientology Sea Org member, Amy Scobee who was one of Scientology’s top execs and also one of the people who spoke out in the St. Petersburg Times articles, spoke with Bashir about the Purification Rundown.

Amy Scobee, Blonde On Bottom Right Hand Corner

She tells Bashir a horrifying story about when she was MADE to go on the Purification Rundown as part of a punishment within the Sea Org. Amy explains how daily she was ingesting 5,000 milligrams of niacin, exercising (usually a treadmill), and sitting in a sauna for five hours, for EIGHT MONTHS. She said she had“grey stuff ” coming out of her pores. I would imagine she was also ingesting oil, as this is another part of the Purification Rundown. As horrible as it was for Amy to be on this whacko science regimen, (which does not have any scientific data to back up its claims of actually detoxing the body at all) it was one of the things that woke Amy up and forced her decision to leave Scientology. And we are sure glad she is out. Bravo Amy!

Of course Scientology denies Amy’s story and says that the Purification Rundown is used for “religious reasons” by members. Hmmm.
Scientology is pretty crafty. They use different names for the Purification Rundown, like the NY Firefighters Detox Program, Narconon, and Criminon, and offer this program to the public and ask towns for funding using the town’s tax payer’s dollars. Exactly what they do with Applied Scholastics,  and The Drug Free Marshals etc…

They say that the program is secular and has NOTHING to do with Scientology. But yet when Scientology is pushed up against the wall, (as they were with Amy’s claims) they claim that the Purification Rundown is for “religious reasons.”

So how can they possibly claim that their front group programs are secular and have nothing to do with Scientology, when they are IDENTICAL to the same programs they are calling ”religious”?
Confusing? That is their intention.

Back to Rathbun…
Marty Rathbun continued his interview with Bashir and said that he himself has “audited” both Tom Cruise and John Travolta. Boy… I would love to know what is in their files! Of course everything contained within a Scientology member’s file is supposed to be confidential. That is…confidential until you cross Scientology. After the St. Petersburg Times articles came out with ex member’s stories, Scientology published personal information on Amy Scobee, Tom DeVocht, Mike Rinder and Marty Rathbun in a 80 page issue of their Freedom Magazine.

Scientology even gave the “defectors” nicknames like the King Pin, The Adulteress, and so on. It was not only the MOST childish thing that I have ever read by an organization, it was rife with lies about the ex-members and Scientology’s spin. Proving once again that Scientology’s Fair Game policy is alive and well.

Although it was not brought up in the interview, Rathbun is known as an independent Scientologist. And there are also Freezoners. Freezoners are members who have left the organized “church,” but still want to practice Scientology. There are groups of Freezoners here and there world wide. Scientology now considers these people who have previously dedicated years of their lives and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on trying to climb up the Scientology’s Bridge their evil enemies. They are considered as SP’s, or suppressive persons.

Freezoners left the church as they felt that L. Ron Hubbard’s Tech was being “squirreled” by cult leader David Miscavige. To ”squirrel the tech” means to change the writings of L. Ron Hubbard in any way. Miscavige has changed the tech many times. He has changed it, repackaged it, and told the members that the old books were now incorrect, and that they had to buy the “newer” version. This was done to keep more money coming into Scientology. Sadly, members actually fell for it.

Changing any of L. Ron Hubbard’s tech is considered a big no-no in Scientology and many current members consider David Miscavige to be a suppressive person. Why they continue to stay in the “church” is a mystery. But slowly, that seems to be changing.

People who are Freezoners, also did not agree with the way the “church” was being run and could no longer stand all the abuses and illegal activities that were going on, so they decided to leave the “church” and set up business elsewhere, and yes it is in fact a business. People who want to practice Scientology outside the cult still have to pay for auditing and courses to whomever is offering them. What they charge is nowhere near the hundreds of thousands of dollars that organized Scientology charges. Which is where Rathbun comes in. He was one of Scientology’s top auditors before he left, and he continues to audit people today.

If today’s organized Scientology continues to crumble, Rathbun can end up with more “disciples” to audit. Perhaps he is hopeful for Travolta and Cruise to leave the cult and audit with him once again. Not likely though, especially not for Cruise. Cruise considers Rathbun an enemy of the cult and and a huge SP. Cruise does not appreciate what Rathbun is saying about David Miscavige and the abuses of the cult.

Tom Cruise’s lawyer sent a statement to ABC Nightline and stated that even though Cruise is aware of the things being said about David Miscavige, Cruise does not believe it.

BFF’s For Ever!

Really Tom? Miscavige is ruining your career in case you didn’t notice. How many people is it going to take for you to wake up and understand that David Miscavige is an abusive tyrant who only wanted you for PR purposes to promote the cult and oh yeah…take your money?

And as Bashir pointed out to Davis in the interview…these stories of abuse from ex-members were from randomized people. And of course Davis quipped back to Bashir with “Well that’s how it is made to look.” Sure it is Tommy.

Rathbun was in Scientology for 27 years, and his brain is totally immersed in the tech. He still believes that con man L. Ron Hubbard is the best thing since sliced bread and that his writings are still WORD.

Giddy Up L. Ron!

Rathbun never completely left Scientology, and he probably never will. But we are awful glad he came forward to speak out, as well as the others. Many more are likely to follow.

After 27 years, and being one of Miscavige’s top lieutenants, 
Rathbun is still programmed to live, eat and breathe Scientology. Rathbun also thinks David Miscavige should be made “to pay the piper” for all the people he has abused. Of course Rathbun himself admitted to being an abuser, but he never mentioned that he should pay the piper as well. Hmmm.

Freezoners who continue to practice Scientology, still mean they are being brainwashed, no matter how you cut it.  It’s the way the courses, the auditing and the drills were set up by Hubbard, at least there isn’t a Sea Org and David Miscavige is out of the picture. But hey, people can believe in what they want, as long as it doesn’t hurt and abuse others and as long as it doesn’t end up being another 
abusive cult off-shoot.

So getting back to Scientology spokesman Mr.Tommy Davis.
As I mentioned in the last article on this series, Tommy Davis’ body language was VERY telling. Again, I noticed he sat with tightly clenched hands, laughed nervously, and at one point was sitting with his arms and legs totally crossed. He looked like he was wrapped so tight, that you couldn’t pull a pin out if his butt with a tractor.
Bashir proceeds to ask Tommy about the e-meter and HIS own personal beliefs. Tommy was not very convincing when it came to the e-meter. The conversation went as follows:

Bashir: Has the e-meter ever been subjected to randomized clinical trials to assess it’s efficacy?

Davis: I have no idea. I don’t know why it would be. It works in Scientology and that’s what people use it. I don’t know why it would be subjected to random clinical trials.

Bashir: Because it’s a… mechanism for therapeutic care you just said…

Davis: In a religion.

Bashir: But has it ever been tested objectively is what I’m asking?

Davis: I mean it gets used every day by Scientology counselors.

Bashir: I’m not asking that. I’m asking…

Davis: To my knowledge, no. … And as far as evidence of the e-meter and its efficacy, the evidence of that is in those Scientologists who have used it to great benefit. And as far as the Church of Scientology is concerned, it’s the only evidence that matters, is the people and the results.

“In a religion?” Then why is the e-meter used for Scientology “Stress Tests” on the general public?

But wait, there’s more…

It’s hump day and what’s been going on in the world of celebrity gossip lately?
Same old crap and some new crap.

Lindsey Lohan went to court and partied the night before and the night after her court hearing. Yawn!
But wait… she said she’s afraid her Dad may kidnap her now. Uh.. again yawn. Wake me up when she does something new.

What’s also up?
Not Balloon Boy!  That news is SO rampant, that I am already tired of it. But it looks like reality has caught up with the Heenes. Honestly, I caught these loons on Wife Swap a while back and the father was a hot headed, delusional wacko, who thinks the sun rises and sets by him. I thought this man was questionable way back then, but you can’t always tell, with the way “reality” shows edit their shows. But now we know for sure. Yep! My gut instinct was totally spot on.

Now I think his wife is either abused and doesn’t know enough to get away and agrees with everything her idiot husband does regardless, or she actually agrees with everything her hubby does and also thinks you should raise your children by dragging them to twister romps and pulling them out of school and allowing them to trash talk to whomever they want. Either scenario is SAD. 
Oh! Have you seen their video on YouTube? I can’t understand what the hell they are singing about, but it looks pretty darn questionable. Future Beastie Boys ya think?

I wonder if wifey-poo will throw hubby under the bus, when it comes down to their day in court? Get out the popcorn! And as far as reality fame goes? Heenes… you got it now! Yah happy?

And more people who get under my skin…
Elisabeth Hasselbeck is back on The View. (oh joy) 
I guess little Ms. Perfect sent out some not so perfect baby pictures of her baby AND a guest appearance of her nipple to her friends and family by mistake. HA HA HA! This story brought me so much joy.

On to other idiots…
Rod Blagojevich (again NOT a celebrity), WILL appear on Celebrity Apprentice, yet another reason not to watch Trump’s show ever again.

And even more idiots…
Stephanie Pratt was busted for DUI. I wonder what bible thumper sista -in-law Heidi Montag will have to say about this? Maybe Heidi can get Stephen Baldwin to baptize Stephanie for her. ‘Cause we all know just how beneficial it was for Heidi. Praise Jesus!

And on to the King  and Queen of idiots…
Jon Gosselin is still hated by the majority of America. Well wait a minute…I stand corrected. Octomom, Nadya Suleman told Radar Online she thought Jon Gosselin was hot and has a crush on him. Ummm… hot?Perhaps Nadya needs her eyes checked and should pick up a paper every once in a while. Oh that’s right, she has 14 children, who has time?

But sorry Octomon, Jon was too busy getting his sexy on in a fancy cab with gal pal Hailey Glassman.
Hey Jon, you sure you want to pass this up? Could be a new show fer yah!
How about “John +Nadya +14+ 8 = The Earth Spinning Off It’s Axis”?

Well not if TLC has anything to say about it! They are already suing Jon for breech of contract, of course.
And he also has been ordered to pay back $180,00.00 back to his account with Kate. Kate ALSO has been ordered to pay some money back too. Seems like Karma has been rearing it’s ugly head with those two.

And speaking of Octomom, the Doc that implanted the SIX embryos (one split into two) into Octomom has been booted from the practice where he was employed for not following the rules. But of course he is still allowed to practice. Who knows what he will do now that he is on his own. I smell another reality show?
I can hear the promo now…
“Meet Dr. Eggo! He’s serving them sunny side up, so you too can have your very own reality show and start exploiting your very own litter of children in no time! Hey! Let Go Of My Eggo!”

Seriously, have you seen the latest clip of Octomon and her brood with all those kids crying? It makes me want to pull my hair out.

Speaking of child exploitation, Kate Gosselin tells Vanity Fair she ”feels like a prisoner” of her own fame and that the kids are starting to act out. STARTING to act out? Wow, if seeing Maddy in previous shows was only the start of her bitchdom, I woudn’t want to see her now. That child is not a force to be reckoned with! And please Kate…  let me get out the violin….you were being interviewed by VANITY FAIR and getting paid for it. Prisoner my ass!

On to more phony things….
Miss California, Carrie Prejean is being sued for her her boobs! K2 Productions (which directs the California USA pageant ) is asking Carrie for $5,200 back. I guess they paid for her boob job. K2 says it’s not about the money, and the money will go to charity. I doubt if will want the implants back. *snicker*

Speaking of cash….
Nicholas Cage is in a heap of debt. Cage is suing his former manager Samuel Levin for $20 million. Levin allegedly screwed with Cage’s money and Cage says that his manager is the one responsible for his current debt headache. Word of advice Nick…. don’t wait seven years before you check up on hired help that handles all your dough.

And on to big sloppy messes…
Anna Nicole Smith is back in the news again. Well, the court case of her doctors and Howard Stern that is.
In court, Larry Birkhead told a scathing account of Anna’s drug use while she was pregnant. 

Maurice Brighthaupt, former bodyguard of Anna, claims he saw Howard Stern, and Dr. Eroshevich injecting Anna with needles. He also said he saw Anna injecting herself. Why did this guy wait so long with this information? Supposedly Dr. Eroshevich was the bodyguard’s friend, as well as Stern. Sorry! No excuse.

Supposedly Anna Nicole was drinking pedialyte out of a baby bottle and laying in her own feces when found. Why was she ever brought to Florida in this condition? Now I know Anna was a complete mess with drugs, but when someone is that addicted to drugs and that incapacitated, she should have received help from the people around her, especially her doctors and those closest to her. Not checking into a Florida hotel. Stern was not present at her death, he was busy seeing a man about boat.

The IRS is also in play with Anna Nicole these days, and have filed a $125,112.86 tax lien on the estate of Vickie Lynn Marshall. So much for resting in Peace. Geez, what a mess.

And some weirdness in the news…
Marge Simpson is on the cover of Playboy’s October issue. Sorry, I didn’t find it at all amusing and I refuse to show a picture of it.
In fact I poo poo Playboy for advertising the Simpsons.

Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, Scientologist extraordinaire, donated TEN MILLLION DOLLARS to Scientology in May of 2008. Anyone that supports the Simpsons in any way is inadvertently giving money to Scientology down the line. Why would Cartwright give the money to her children, when she would rather hand it over to Scientology? Gotta keep everything KSW! (Keep Scientology Working) Right Nancy? Hope she wakes up some day.

Speaking of naughty pictures.
Levi Johnston (former husband of Bristol Palin) will be posing for Playgirl and has been in the gym bulking up for his upcoming saucy shots. I also caught him on a commercial for Wonderful Pistachio nuts. Yes, the man who will soon be showing his nuts was hawking nuts on TV. The commercial shows him with an immense bodyguard and Levi is eating a few nuts and the tag line says “Now Levi Johnston does it with protection”
I kid you not. See the commercial for yourself!
Wow! Talking about pissing Palin off! Yeehaw!

But wait it gets better….
Levi was interviewed by Vanity Fair. The name of the article is “Me and Mrs. Palin”.

Levi dishes about Palin and her lack of parenting, her bad moods, Todd flipping out and Levi was quoted as saying,

“I thought, Was this woman—who, at home, would literally say things that did not make sense—really running for vice president?”

You go Levi! I have a new respect for the boy. *snicker*

Then we move on to more puzzling things…
The court case of John Travolta.
Readers are probably wondering why I haven’t reported on this case as of yet. The testimonies in the court case were changing on a such a daily basis with so much “he said/she said” garbage going on, and with changing stories, that if I wrote about what was happening as it happened, I would have had to edit the story every single day.

I will be covering this story when and if I feel that some sort of conclusion of sorts has been made. I will say that this case has been one big puzzle of unanswered questions on BOTH sides.

And speaking of The Travoltas moving on …
Both Kelly and John attended the IAS (International Association of Scientologists)
Scientology 25th Anniversary at Scientology’s St. Hill Org in England.
Sadly, it looks like John will not be leaving this cult any time soon.

Tom Cruise, Katie and Suri were also in attendance. Poor Katie and Suri.

Scientology wanted people to believe that 4,000 people were in attendance at their event. ROTFL!
That number is just classic Scientology spin in which they are so famous for. They usually have to fly and bus tons of people in, as well as dressing up their Sea Orgers members to fill in the seats so it will look full. Reason for this? So their IAS PR photo will look like they are still successful to their members. It’s an old smoke and mirrors trick of Scientology, so they can continue to deceive their members. Lovely, isn’t it?

The IAS is nothing more than members donating money to Scientology. (which the majority goes straight to cult leader David Miscavige) In return for their donation, they get a discount on courses, auditing and such. Which is not a discount at all since they are donating money. Duh!

Cruise and Travoilta have donated millions and millions of dolllars to Scientology. Exactly what Scientology does with all that money as fas as “helping” to “clear the planet”  is a mystery. The money goes to buy more buildings that stand idle, make Miscavige richer and pay for all their pending court cases, lawyers and Sci goons. Oh! and I almost forgot, they have to pay their Sea Org slave labor members about .25 cents an hour.

US Magazine reported on the 25th Anniversary and quoted Cruise about the Scientology protestors outside the event:

Later, during a reception, Cruise was overheard chatting with another American man about the protesters outside the venue. “They’re squirrels,” Cruise said angrily, according to a witness. “Stuck in an electronic incident. It makes me so angry!”

“Protesters are squirrels stuck in an electronic incident?”
Oh Tom, you certainly are one brainwashed mofo.
A ”squirrel” in scio-speak, means someone that messes or changes the tech of dead cult founder L. Ron Hubbard. Aka “squirreling the tech”. And “stuck in an electronic incident” is more scio babble from Hubbard’s work.

I wonder if Cruise actually said this though? Personally, I think if anything he would of called the protesters SP’s (suppressive people) not squirrels. And I think the “stuck in an electronic incident” line may have been borrowed from a video of another wacky Scientologist named George, which we reported on recently. Many duplicate videos of Scientologist George (who is an OTVIII, the highest that you can get on Scientology’s Bridge) showed up on YouTube and showed just how brainwashed Scientologists become the longer they stay in. The video is totally unscripted and SAD.

Cruise is supposedly an OTVII on The Bridge To Nowhere.

One more level to go Tom until you reach the tippety top to the Bridge of Total Freedom!
Yippee!
Good luck with that Tom! Wait till you see what OTVIII is all about!
SO worth the millions and millions of dollars that you blew. *snicker*

And now for something completely different and funny….
I was watching TV the other night, and there was a brief teaser for Season 6 of the steamy Nip /Tuck show, which started on Oct 14th. I thought I was seeing things, when I saw Mario Lopez completely decked out in black lingerie complete with a garter belt and black stockings. But no, I looked it up and yep it was none other than A. C. Slater (his name on Saved By The Bell) in drag!

Mario played Dr. Mike Hamoui on the series and he was seen in a steamy shower scene in a previous episode. Damn! I am going to have to start watching that show! Kudos for Mario for having the balls of steel for donning the less than flattering get up.

And even though Mario is one huge piece of eye candy…
sorry, this outfit just doesn’t cut it for me Mario. *snicker*

Seriously people. Has everyone lost their damn minds?
The AMA Awards (American Music Awards) recently announced the nominees for 2009, and Michael Jackson is up for FIVE awards. When I read this news, I actually thought it was some sort of spoof.

But no, Jackson was nominated for Best Artist, Best Male Artist, Best Album, Best R&B Male Artist and Best R&B Album.

I just can’t sit back and watch this stupidity unfold without asking WTF?
This may be the only time I will ever stand up for Lady Gaga.

The AMA Awards are actually based on sales and radio data from Nielsen. And for the last three years, fans were able to vote for the winners on AMA’s website.

So although Jackson’s album “Number Ones” is selling like hot cakes now,*shakes head*, it was RECORDED BACK IN 2003.
SIX YEARS AGO.
So why the HELL was it eligible for a nomination? And how is this fair to the other artists?
It’s not.

A tribute to Jackson at the AMA Awards would have been more than enough. Even although I am sick to death of ”Jackson mania” and do not understand the worship that this man is receiving. It just blows my mind that people have such short memories.

If you think the award nominations are insane, hold on to your sequined glove, because just when I thought it couldn’t possibly get any more ridiculous, I happen to see a petition online, for Michael Jackson to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. I kid you not.

Here is a snippet from the petition, and it is one of the funniest things I have read in a long time and I have bolded the parts I find most hilarious.

Dear Norwegian Nobel Committee,

We the undersigned, would like to nominate legendary performing artist and global humanitarian Michael Jackson for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. He was and will continue to be one of the most famous, and influential men on earth. Michael’s message for humankind has always been rooted in compassion, and kindness. He has succeeded a lifelong dedication to the well being of humanity. Moving beyond all political, social, and economic borders Michael Jackson consistently spread a positive message of global unity, healing, and love.

Wait…. I have to get off the floor, I was laughing too hard.
I know I always say this, but I swear, you can’t make this crap up.
Surprisingly, there are over 45,000 + people supporting this petition. *pinching myself*

Yes Jackson has helped some people over the years. Ok.
But the Nobel Peace Prize?
He doesn’t exactly have the best reputation. *snicker*
Remember?

Remember that tiny little court case where he showed up in his PJ’s?
You know, the one where they let him go even though the evidence was a mountain high? *grumble*

So back to the most ridiculous AMA Awards in the history of the AMA.

A truthful snipette LA Times:

Michael Jackson’s “Number Ones” will compete for favorite album in the pop/rock field against Lady Gaga’s “The Fame” and Taylor Swift’s “Fearless.”

Both of the latter have a decent shot at being represented at the upcoming Grammy Awards, but the latter won’t feature any albums from Jackson.

That’s because his “Number Ones” was released back in 2003. What’s more, the album is simply a greatest hits compilation, featuring only a pair of songs actually released this decade. Regardless of retail impact, a 2009 award show should be restricted to albums actually recorded within its recent history. At last check, Jackson has already won plenty of American Music Award trophies for the songs on “Number Ones,” including an artist of the century accolade in 2002.
A segment or two honoring Jackson would have been a better way to recognize the King of Pop’s contributions to music. The MTV Video Music Awards opened with a tribute to the star, and the 2010 Grammy Awards will surely feature some sort of Jackson memorial. Yet giving the artist posthumous awards, especially when said artist hasn’t released an album of new material since 2001, seems an unfair slight to today’s current crop of pop stars.

 

Yes! Exactly!
Thank you LA Times!

I think it is a damn shame that other artists are going up against someone that recorded an album SIX YEARS AGO, and who won’t be present to accept, because of a little minor detail that can not be rectified. What is it again? Oh yeah.. HE IS DEAD.

Further more, do people think that Jackson would have been nominated if he was still alive?
HELL NO!
Under these circumstances, and besides that other little thing about Jackson…. what was it again? Oh yes… the fact that he was an alleged child molester, who admitted on camera  to sharing his bed with young boys…
I think if he wins ANY one of these awards, it will show just how insane people really are and I may have to donate some money to NASA so they can continue working on an alternative planet for me to move to. (certainly not the moon, Jackson was already there too)

 Now you can bash me all you want in the comment section, because I know that all the Michael Jackson blind sheep without memories will be out in droves praising their fallen King.
So go ahead…bash away.

But keep in mind that these nominations for Jackson are simply NOT FAIR to the other artists, besides the fact that is beyond RIDICULOUS.

Yes the man was talented. We get it, I would never dispute that. But enough is enough!
Give the other artists the chance they deserve.

If Jackson ends up winning any awards, the best thing the Jackson estate could do, is to not accept it and pass up the award (s) to the most deserving artist. At least that would show some class.

If you were one of the artists that busted their tails to get where they are today and then lost to someone who would have not won if they were alive, whose album was recorded SIX YEARS AGO, and again that little minor detail of them being DEAD, how would you feel?
How would YOU feel if the shoe was on the other foot?
Or in this case…. the glove on the other hand?

I’ll take Johnny Depp please!
Is that the way the clients of California Cryobank sperm bank order their baby makers?

Apparently the California Cryobank has come up with the idea of matching up their sperm donors with famous celebrity faces. Are they genius entrepreneurs helping their clients make a tough decision of who they should pick as their baby daddy? Or are they just trying to make more money than other sperm banks by claiming their donors are celebrity look alikes? Or both?

How does this sperm bank match their donor’s faces with celebrities? With high tech face-recognition? Nope!
Employees of Cryobank sit around a table and put the donor’s pictures up on a screen and argue which celebrity looks like that donor the most. When they come to a consensus, they add that information to the donor’s file, and then the donor’s name goes into a huge data bank. Clients can then search the data base for a donor by which celebrity they want their child to look like.

Although clients are not allowed to see the donor’s ACTUAL picture by law, clients can  search for a potential donor by picking out a celebrity name.

Too superficial?
How will the general public weigh in on this?

I wonder if someone will pass up a donor with a better IQ, for a donor that looks like Mario Lopez? I also wonder if people out there will pick a celebrity look alike in hopes on trying to cash in on their offspring down the line, especially if their child ends up as a dead ringer of a celebrity.

Hey Kate Gosselin, this has your name all over it! Only eight kids? What’s the big deal? The Duggars have you beat by a landslide! It can be your new show! “Kate Plus Eight Plus Elvis!”
And remember Kate, there is a plus side besides the new show…which ever donor you pick… he can’t take money out of your bank account! 

Now I have seen just about every way there is to make a buck in the ol’ USA, and a lot of it ain’t too pretty. And there are some wackos out there who may try to claim that their child is the child of an actual celebrity. I wouldn’t put it past them. Far fetched? Perhaps.

But take the case  of a women trying to collect millions from Keanu Reeves. She is claiming that he is the father of at least one of her four adult children.  *snicker*
Even though Reeves took a DNA test to prove that he wasn’t the father, and he also said he never met the women, she still isn’t backing off. 
What did Reeves have to say about this whole ordeal? 
Rest assured, he didn’t say, ”eeeeeexcellent!” *snicker*

Of course Cryobank does have a disclaimer to cover their butts in this overly litigious world:

“No celebrity is meant as an exact match for any donor, nor should you assume that your future children will look like any celebrity listed.”

NBC’s Today Show covered the sperm bank story, and on this video, you can see the employees sitting around a table with the donor’s picture on a screen and trying to figure out who the donors most resemble. Man, where do I sign up for this cream puff gig?

Scott Brown, communication manager of the California Cryobank said to NBC TODAY,

“It’s not that our donors look like celebrities, it’s that celebrities look like our donors,”

Oh! I see what he did there…. he is SO crafty!

You can also pick a young or older version of the celebrity too. Perhaps you would like a young Sean Connery as OO7, or the older more sophisticated Sean Connery. The choice is yours!

There are MANY stars as well as athletes listed in their data base. And let’s not forget musicians and the less than famous celebs. You can pick from Eddie Van Halen to Jackass reality star Stev-O!
I kid you not, he is on the list.
Wow, seriously…if anyone picks the Steve-O look alike, I am afraid I just don’t understand, unless he is a nuclear physicist.

 
So are there people out there opposed to this celebrity look alike baby daddy factory? YES.

Some snippets from NBC’s TODAY,

The program has its share of critics, especially in the bioethics world. University of Albany professor Bonnie Steinbock bashed California Cryobank’s celebrity-match program on CNN, saying, “There’s something strange about a culture that has stratified rigid types of beauty where everyone looks alike; now they’re trying to create children through who the actor of the moment is.”

Brown’s defense:

Not so, says Brown. While the process may seem superficial, it is actually extremely helpful in guiding prospective parents through a stressful and often confusing time, he asserts.

“Seem superficial”?
Some people would argue that it is superficial. But don’t people have the right to choose which donor they want for whatever reason, since they are the ones paying for it? And what if it does help the client make their choice?

Take the opinion of a perspective Mom who was trying to pick a donor:

“I’m flipping through the catalog with a friend of mine, feeling like I was about to recruit a basketball team, because it was just all stats.” And while she whittled down her list, the Cryobank couldn’t show her a picture of the donor — but it could tell her one of her finalists resembled Freddie Prinze Jr.
“For me, that clinched it right then and there,” she said. “I’ve always found him attractive!”

Freddie Prinze Jr.? Really? That clinched it for her? To each their own.

So matching a face to a donor may actually make some clients feel more at ease about who they pick, or actually help them to decide who to pick. I hope people have the good sense to pick donors with good qualities, rather than picking a donor because they like Orlando Bloom.
But then again, this is the land of the SUPER DUPER superficial, so nothing would surprise me.

I wonder if Cryobank’s business will be booming?

I can see it now…
Mothers with their kids are at the playground and one mother says to another,
“wow your little boy really looks like Leonardo DiCaprio! Any relation?” 

The proud Mom says, “Well no, it was donor #09756-QL5, we were really big fans of the movie Titanic, so that’s why we went with him”.

I guess if there is one guy who is a real dead ringer of a handsome celebrity, he will be in big demand and asked to come back quite often. There can be a panic at Cryobank if they run out!  What happens then?

It may go something like this:

“OMG! We are fresh out of the Ryan Reynolds look alike! Get 9087-K490L on the phone stat! Tell him we have some new vids and magazines! Yeah I know he has been in twice a day for the past month and he’s a bit tender… Chain him down again if you have to, until he puts out. We are in the baby making business people!”

MORE???

I guess in the long run it can become quite a lucrative and fun “job” if you are a celebrity look alike donor. What guy wouldn’t want this gig? At $50- $75 a pop, I am surprised that there is a job shortage for men in the US! Hell, they ain’t getting paid for doing it at home!

Tough luck for all you donors out there who look like Gary Busey (sorry Gary) or OJ Simpson. (not sorry OJ)

I imagine their “stuff” wouldn’t have too many takers and is probably passed up for the gloopus of a more hunkier looking celebrity look alike.

But things may not work out exactly the way you have planned. Even though you picked out your favorite celeb look alike, don’t forget there is a 50/50 chance that your child may be a girl and you may end up with a pretty scary looking child! And I am more than sure that Cryobank does not issue refunds for fuglies.

Very Scary Indeed!

I bet some clients just won’t really care if the donor they picked has only two brain cells….
Just as long as their celebrity knock off looks good in a tux!

Come on people!
Are you freaking kidding me?

Michael Vick who went to jail for being the leader of a dogfighting ring, was just released from jail after serving only 18 months of his 23 month sentence at Leavenworth.

Not only was his sentence a mere slap on the wrist, but he has once again signed up with Nike as a spokesman. Nike dropped Vick back in 2007, but they recently changed their minds and struck a new deal with him. The amount Vick that will receive from Nike has not been disclosed.

To make matters even more sickening, Vick will have his own eight part television series called the “Michael Vick Project” which will come out in 2010. The project will be produced by DuBose Entertainment,( Vick’s production company) MV7 Productions and Category 5 Entertainment. It will air on BET.

A snippet from Msnbc.com  about the show:

“The tentatively titled “Michael Vick Project,” a “docu-series,” not a reality show per se, will spotlight his comeback with the Philadelphia Eagles and also delve into his back story, from his difficult childhood to his 2007 arrest for running a dog-fighting ring, according to the L.A. Times.”

 
WTF?
Why would Nike and BET do business with someone who was guilty of animal cruelty? This means he will STILL be profiting from dogfighting in the long run.

But guess who else is behind this project?

According to the LA Times,

The project has the support of the Eagles, the NFL and former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, who has acted as Vick’s mentor since his imprisonment, say the producers. Also on board, they say, is the Humane Society, which has enlisted Vick in its battle to end the widespread abuse of dogs in the inner city.

What is this about Vick working with the Human Society? What does “enlisted Vick in it’s battle to end widespread dog abuse” mean exactly?

According to Humane Society president, Wayne Pacelle, who met with Vick while he was in Leavenworth, Vick is supposed to work towards getting young kids to cease any involvement in these activities by appearing in public service announcements.

No word lately about this particular project. I just don’t think these PS announcements will go over too well with the general public. They just may come off looking like a skit from Saturday Night Live in my opinion.

And unless Vick is volunteering his own time, donating funds from his new show and shoveling sh*t out of dog pens at the local pound, I am not convinced at all that he is a changed man.

They confiscated more than SIXTY dogs from Vick’s place when they broke up his dogfighting ring. Apparently BET and Nike have very short memories. And I presume that coach Tony Dungy is only concerned with getting Vick back on the field.
It was Roger Goodell, who suspended Vick indefinitely. Kudos to Goodell!

 
Thank goodness 22 of these poor pitbulls went to Best Friends rehab sanctuary in Utah.

National Geographic has a TV show called DogTown, which spotlighted Vick Dogs.

Meet Denzel, Just One Of Many Of Vick’s Victims

And Georgia, Another One Of Vick’s Victims

Of course the pictures above of Denzel and Georgia show their battle wounds from their fighting all healed. But their scars are still very visible on their faces as well as in their eyes.

Anyone who supports Vick, will be supporting someone who was guilty of a very cruel and brutal pastime.

The short time he spent in jail, was simply not enough. And although he has a three year probation, which requires him to wear an electronic monitor and to work a $10.00 an hour construction job. Again, not enough. 

Many people are not able to find a job these days. I’m sure that they would love to have that job in this economy. But instead, they give the job to a convicted animal abuser.

If the “Michael Vick Project” goes through, I hope the show goes over like a fart in church.

I sincerely doubt that Vick has proven ANY remorse what so ever by serving his cream puff jail sentence. And it sounds like these new deals with BET and Nike may have been struck during his jail time, since they are going to happen relatively soon.

So that means he sat and jail and wheeled and dealed about making MORE money as soon as he got out. And again that money will be made from him telling his story about his tough childhood and his arrest for dogfighting. Therefore profiting from dogfighting once again.

I don’t know who I am more disgusted with…
Vick the dick, the justice (?) system, or the other a-holes who are awarding him with continued wealth and fame. 
JUST DISPICABLE!

The only reason why I gave Vick ANY mention at all, was to spout my outrage. I can only hope that people will choose to send Vick a message by not supporting him in any way shape or form.

So write to Nike and BET and tell them how you feel about them hiring a man who operated a dogfighting ring and who not only had the dogs trained to kill each other, but then put money down on watching the dogs tear each other apart.

Tell BET he should not profit from telling his story. And tell them if this show does go through, that any money made from this series should go straight to the Best Friends dog rehab where his dogs were sent.

And as far as Nike goes…
If they insist on using Vick for a spokesperson….
Then Vick should set up some sort of deal with Nike. They can either have a percentage of their sales go straight towards animal rehab, or they can deposit a percentage of his pay right into the Best Friend’s bank account.

Of course I hope public outrage nixes both deals before they can ever happen.
But if they go through, Vick should have to redeem himself by having his money go to abused animals.
Although as far as I’m concerned, he can never be redeemable in my book.

No Animal Should Ever Have To Endure This Torture

They say Karma is a bitch, and I hope it catches up to Vick real soon.

Well, well, well.
Looks like Paris will be mixing junk food and fine art.

Yes, McDonald’s is slated to move into the famed Louvre in Paris.
This news made me both cringe and laugh.

Even though there is an underground mall in the Louvre and a food court, I hardly think that picking McDonald’s as a gastronomic delight shows good judgment or taste.

Underground Mall In The Louvre

I find it very ironic that Paris chose to put a McDonald’s in the Louvre. Not only did they pick a restaurant that is a crappy corporate fast food chain, but they picked a food chain that pretty much screams The United States of America. Especially with France’s lonnnnng history of poo-pooing the US.

The US should be poo-pooed for their love affair with fast food. It’s sad that McDonald’s has become one of the symbols of US culture by many.

I would be happy if all the McDonald’s, Burger Kings, Kentucky Fried Chickens, and the rest of the heart attack restuarants would all go away. They lure customers in with convenience and low prices, and could care less about their customer’s health.Yeah, I know, everything in moderation, and it’s up to the individual if they want to eat there or not. But many people just don’t get how dangerous these places are to their health.The fat content and calorie counts are not in plain site for the consumer in these places, and I think they should be posted.

These restaurants (I use the term lightly) not only play a major role in US obesity, but other related health problems such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and many more.
WE SIMPLY DON’T NEED THEM FOLKS.

So, back to the Louvre…

The NY Post wrote:

PARIS — French culture and American convenience will come together in December — thanks to plans by the McDonald’s restaurant chain to hang its shingle in the shadow of the Louvre.

McDonald’s is delighted at the prospect of feeding hungry culture vultures. But not everyone is happy about mixing high art and fast food.

The McDonald’s will be installed in the food court of the underground mall adjoining the museum, known as the Carrousel du Louvre, as the fast food chain fetes its 30th anniversary in France, McDonald’s France said.

The pairing could serve the interests of both. The Louvre is the world’s most visited museum; France is McDonald’s top market outside the United States.

In France and elsewhere, McDonald’s is emblematic of U.S.-driven globalization and the homogenization of cultures. However, the fast food chain’s chief executive, Jim Skinner, said in an interview published Monday that the reason McDonald’s is such a hit in France, where it has over 1,000 outlets, is that “we are perceived as a French enterprise.”

The McDonald’s on the famed Champs-Elysees Avenue is the most profitable in the world, he said. The interview was published in the economic daily Les Echos.

The Louvre refused comment on the expected arrival of its new neighbor. Spokeswoman Aggy Lerolle said only that it is not up to the museum veto McDonald’s arrival since the Carrousel is run by a private company rather than the state-run museum.

However, some French are indignant about mixing French fries and art treasures in the backyard of the former palace of the Sun King, Louis XIV.

The Web site louvrepourtous.fr, which is aimed at keeping museum visitors informed, is among those whose hackles have been raised at the coming of McDonald’s, even in a food court where a variety of restaurants offering cuisines of the world are present.

“Rendezvous in December for a Mona Lisa Extra Value Menu,” it wrote, contending that the Louvre could have, and should have, put its foot down.

Some saw McDonald’s taste for art coming long ago. In January 2007, the culture wing of the large CFDT union decried what it said was the “Disleylandization” of French culture, claiming the state is looking to turn museums into theme parks. It cited plans for the so-called desert Louvre, to open in 2013 in the United Arab Emirates, and the arrival of a Starbucks coffee house near the Louvre.

“When will McDonald’s set up shop?” the union asked, perhaps more presciently than it wished.

McDonald’s says no date has been set for its opening at the Carrousel du Louvre.

European art and what passes for American cuisine have crossed paths before. The former chief of Italy’s McDonald’s chain, Mario Resca, now supervises that country’s chain of
illustrious museums.

 

“The McDonald’s on the famed Champs-Elysees Avenue is the most profitable in the world“.

In the world?  Wow.
I also had no idea that there were already over 1000 McDonald’s restaurants in France.

So I guess they figure one more can’t hurt? 
The one in the Louvre will probably end up outselling the Champs-Elysees Avenue location.

AND Starbucks, another more recent symbol of American culture (again, very sad) may be moving down the block from the Louvre? 
I say anybody who is dumb enough to pay Starbucks for their over priced coffee concoctions can have them.

Hmmm… Remember France… those who throw stones….

But perhaps the Louvre can put a spin on this particular McDonald’s location and turn it into an artsy/educational approach for the kids.

Maybe they can have the very first ”Mona Lisa Happy Meal”.
Or perhaps something more catchier like the “Oui Oui Happy Meal”, (well… maybe not)
The kids can collect “Paintings of The Louvre Trading Cards”!

Although the painting below of Madame de Sorquainville by Jean-Baptiste Perronneau, in which he brilliantly captured the first official “purple nurple“ in oil in 1749, should be left out of the Happy Meal trading card collection in my opinion.

Hey Kids! Collect Them All And Receive Free Pommes Frites!

And what about the parents?
How about a ”McDavinci  Sandwich”meal? It can come complete with secret codes that you must hold in front of a mirror and decipher for your chance to win a free McDe Milo shake or the grand prize of a family four pack of tickets to the Louvre. Dan Brown would be so tickled! (if this idea materializes… I want 10%)

So France… you took Jerry Lewis, (well, not really) and now you are putting a McDonald’s in the Louvre? 
What’s next? A Dunkin Donuts selling “croissanwiches” next to the Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower?

So will the French become chubby from all the junk food they will be consuming? Only time will tell.

Some Americans love junk food SO much, they have become quite desperate! 
Just ask Darrel Medley of Jacksonville…

A Jacksonville man has been charged for extorting a Jacksonville Dunkin Donuts for a croissanwich.

Darryl Andre Medley, 33, of Sherwood Road, was charged Friday by the Jacksonville Police Department with extortion and resisting a public officer.

Medley told another customer to go ahead of him in line, Capt. Billy Houston said.

“He told her she was going to pay for his too. She thought it was a joke until he motioned down and acted like he had a gun,” he said.

Medley was located about a block away from the Dunkin Donuts on Sherwood Road and U.S. 17 without a weapon, Houston said.

No injuries were sustained by the victim.

Bond was set at $6,000.

Wow $6,000 bond for a croissanwich heist! 
Yeehaw! Totally worth it dude! *snort*
I swear, you can’t make this crap up.

FYI: “The kipfel – ancestor of the croissant – has been documented in Austria going back at least as far as the 13th century. The French version of the kipfel was named for its crescent (croissant) shape.”
Thanks Wikipedia!

AND many people also think that french fries were invented by the French. Nope!
French Fries first showed up in BELGIUM.
Thanks again to Wikipedia:
“Belgian historian Jo Gerard recounts that potatoes were fried in 1680.”

Gee, France…. can’t you come up with your own dern junk food for cripes sakes! *snicker*

So to the controversy…
Many people are outraged over McDonald’s moving into the Louvre. Some people think it’s a shock at first and that visitors to the Louvre and residents of France will get over it, and others could simply care less.

I am stuck between being a little dismayed, and not caring, mixed with a little bit of gloating over the fact that France seems to be getting more and more Americanized.

I do know I wouldn’t like to see a McDonald’s move into the MET.

So what’s your take on McDonald’s moving into the Louvre?
Should we have the same attitude as France’s former Queen, Marie Antoinette? 
And say “let them eat burgers“?

Do you say, oui?
OR… non et non ! (absolutely not!)
OR… je m’en fiche! ( I don’t care)

Speak your mind and leave a comment.
Merci!

Looks like Dr. Phil has a wacky gold digger to contend with.

Shirley Dieu, is alleging that Dr. Phil AND his crew, held her captive, brainwashed her, touched her naughty bits, and also paraded a nude man in front of her when she partook in a Dr. Phil’s House show.

Wow! Where can I sign up? Sounds like one hell of a weekend! *snicker*

I only mentioned some of the more juicier claims by Shirley. There are a hell of a lot more. AND she waited two years to file the case after the supposed “incidents” occurred.
She claimed that she was too afraid. Now I can understand her being afraid of Oprah…. But Dr. Phil?

Oh wait… Oprah owns Dr. Phil’s butt. I guess her claim of being afraid does sound like a reasonable explanation now. I kid.

Shirley filed her lawsuit in LA yesterday, and she will be representing herself. *laughs holding sides*
I wonder how they kept a straight face when they saw her lawsuit?

Wow, representing yourself, huh Shirley?
No surprise there. What lawyer in their right mind would even touch this case with a ten foot pole?
After all Johnnie Cochran is gone. *snicker*

Apparently, Shirley is not a stranger to filing cases. She has a history of being slightly litigious to say the least AND to make this case more snarkier, she filed for bankruptcy last year. Sounds like Shirley is in need of some cash.

A snippette from People:

“It’s unclear how much she is seeking in damages but Dieu – who filed a malpractice suit against an Orange County hospital in 2002 and sued a car dealership in 2007 – is acting as her own attorney, and her filing is filled with misspellings and grammatical errors.”

“Misspellings and Grammatical errors?” Sounds like I filed it! *HA!*

Eonline had the whole story:

Dr. Phil’s Bedside Manner: Brainwashing, Groping, Falsely Imprisoning?

We don’t know what the disease was, but this is one instance where the treatment was definitely worse. Much, much, creepily worse, if the allegations are true.

Dr. Phil McGraw was on the receiving end of a bizarre and damning, to say the least, lawsuit yesterday, with a former female patient of his alleging that the TV doctor and select members of his production staff held her captive, brainwashed her and subjected her to constant exposure by a naked man, among other accusations.

As if that weren’t enough, she also claims that McGraw even once groped her during a therapy session.

All told, the 56-year-old Shirley Dieu is suing McGraw, Paramount Pictures, which produces his show and on whose lot the alleged captivity took place, two show producers and another doctor, for brainwashing, indecent exposure, illegal touching assault and battery, public ridicule and humiliation, mental and physical abuse, fraud, negligence and intentional harm, practicing without a license, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and preventing a witness from reporting a crime.

That’s it—one more batch of scandalous talk show host allegations and we’re looking at a trend.

Dieu is representing herself in the case and filed the suit in Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday over the incidents, which she claims went down almost exactly two years ago to the day. There’s no word on why she waited so long to file the suit, but more pressing legal matters could be to blame. Dieu filed for bankruptcy in 2008 and seems to have a rather sue-happy past.

As for the current list of alleged wrongdoings, Dieu claims they took place between Oct. 9 and Oct. 11, 2007.

While she does not specify why or for what ailment she sought Dr. Phil’s assistance, she claims she was held captive in his Hollywood studio, itself bordered by 12-foot walls and fences, where despite repeated attempts to escape she was told to stay and even physically prevented from leaving.

She claims she was unethically and illegally being treated by McGraw, who she claims is not licensed to practice in California. And while her diagnosis is unclear, she makes no bones about the prescription.

Dieu claims she was “forced to be in the same room with a completely naked live man while he exposed his entire naked body, genitals and all.”

During her involuntary stay, she says staff not only prevented her from leaving but cut the phone lines when she attempted to call 911. She says she was denied access to her cell phone and was routinely promised food, books and other items which never materialized.

At one point, she claims she “was told to sit in one spot for an unrealistic amount of time and told to not leave her seat.” When she attempted to get up, she was “touched inappropriately in order to prevent her from escaping.”

Dieu also says she was “brainwashed to trust her captures” and “programmed” to believe she was in a safe environment and receiving “real therapy from a licensed doctor.”

According to the court documents, she says she suffered public ridicule and humiliation when she was subjected to edited tapings that “mislead the public” and warped her depicted personality.

As for the TV doctor, she claims that during an Oct. 9 therapy session with Dr. Phil, she “was touched on her left breast.” She went on to say that she was afraid to say anything about it at the time, but that she was “touched improperly” by some of the other defendants (other than McGraw, she doesn’t name names).

 She claims the experience resulted in severe trauma and caused her to seek therapy—well, more therapy—and led to her hospitalization.

She is seeking unlimited general damages, punitive damages, exemplary damages, fees and court costs.

Now I am not a fan of Dr. Phil in ANY capacity.
First off, he is NOT a doctor. I find his voice very annoying, and I can not stand his ”Dr. Phil-isms”.
Like…”You are prettier than a speckled pup in a red wagon“. (someone actually said that to me in Tennesee once… I almost married him)

Sorry Shirley…
I just can’t picture Dr. Phil, ”the chrome dome” sexually or mentally abusing anyone. And it makes me queasy just to think about it. *shudder*
I wonder if his wife Robin calls him “Quick Draw McGraw”?
*double shudder*

I digress…
So I think it is safe to say that Dr. Phil won’t be spending any time in the pokey. I can be wrong though. 
You never know. I was a bit shocked over the whole David Letterman scandal.
But if I am wrong… I will eat my hat. (note to self… buy a hat)

After Dr. Phil was made aware of Shirley’s lovely lawsuit and he stopped laughing, (I can only assume) he had this comment:

“All of Shirley Rae Dieu’s claims are without merit. As with all of the occupants of the DR. PHIL House, Ms. Dieu participated voluntarily, having submitted her personal story with the hope that she could confront, and overcome, her individual issues.”

I think that is a nice way of Dr. Phil telling Shirley to stick it wear the sun don’t shine.

Perhaps Dr. Phil can offer Shirely some much needed counseling?
Oh snap!

No I am not talking about his bathroom habits or Britney.

It looks like K-Fed is a real dirty bird and may end up as a jail bird if he doesn’t pay up!

TMZ posted pictures on their website which revealed the total mess and supposed damage that K-Fed left behind when he moved out of his rental property in Tarzana Ca. Gee K-Fed, just because you lived in Tarzana, didn’t mean you had to live like Tarzan. *snicker*
 
So I guess it is a case of white trash, leaving trash. No surprise there.

Although TMZ may have exaggerated things a bit, the place did look pretty darn unsavory. Most of the pictures they posted were kind of boring though. *Yawn*
But we included the two pictures that made K-Fed look like a total slob.

Laundry Day At The Federlines?

Other pictures from TMZ were almost laughable, like a few tiles missing here and there, or paint wear on the cabinets with a few knobs missing.

There was one picture of an outdoor lamp that looks like there was a bird’s nest behind it. Not sure where they were going with that one. Did they think K-Fed built the nest? Oh that’s right, he is a dirty bird. *snicker*

Of course the mini fridge was pretty disgusting and there was a myriad of ciggy butts all over the property and a busted lamp and some chips in assorted things here and there.

So I guess collectively it must have looked pretty darn bad to the owners. So bad, that the owners are asking for over $100,000.00 in payback for repairs and back rent. Yup! K-Fed skipped out on SIX MONTHS rent. Whoopsy!

Popeater wrote:

One-time rapper Kevin Federline, aka “K-Fed,” is being asked to pay over $100,000 in unpaid rent and damages for a ransacked home, TMZ reports.

Aren’t the parents supposed to clean up after the kids? One-time rapper Kevin Federline, aka “K-Fed,” is being asked to pay over $100,000 in unpaid rent and damages for a ransacked home, TMZ reports.

K-Fed has been accused of trashing a Tarzana, California home where he lived until this past May. The owners also claim Federline disappeared unexpectedly without paying his last 6 months of rent.

The owners are demanding $110,661 in damages and unpaid accommodation. The list of what has been wrecked is as bizarre as it is exhaustive. Via TMZ:

- Cigarette butts and empty beer bottles filling the gutters,
- A broken beer dispenser on the barbecue island,
- Cracked light covers,
- Mangled light posts,
- Cracked tiles,
- Drawings on the walls,
- Dead plants and trees due to failure to upkeep,
- Unapproved conversion of a room into a studio,
- Malfunctioning dishwasher with broken baskets,
- Smoke detectors that have been dismantled,
- Oil damage on the front driveway,
- Unapproved tinting of master bathroom windows,
- Missing garage door opener,
and the pièce de résistance
- Permanent spit marks on the exterior paint! No camels were reported on site.

The letter threatens to take K-Fed to court if he refuses to pay.

Federline, 31, is a dancer, rapper, fashion model and, ahem, actor. He was married to pop princess Britney Spears for two years before their highly-publicized divorce. They were also involved in an ongoing custody battle over sons Sean Preston and Jayden James Federline. There is no word about how clean the boys’ rooms are.

“Permanent spit marks” Huh? Maybe from chewing tobacco? Does K-Fed or his buddies partake in a little pinch between the cheek and gums? (that’s chewing tobacco for all you non-rednecks) if not, does spit actually stain paint? Ewww!

And lately, K-Fed has not exactly been the picture of health either, he is really packing on the pounds as you can clearly see.

I have read rumors that he was supposed to be on the upcoming VH1 Celebrity Fit Club Season 7, but then he denied those rumors.

But guess what? Celebrity Fit Club has just confirmed it.

Can it be that K-Fed is packing on the pounds on purpose so he can have a paying gig? It certainly looks that way to me. It seems awfully ironic that a person who has always looked very svelte, suddenly packs on the pounds and then is going to be on Celebrity Fit Club. Hmmm… I smell a rat.

Of course this is all speculation on my part. But I wouldn’t put it past Sean and Jayden’s baby daddy to supersize himself for the cash. Yes of course I know that the pictures prove he is portly now, but did he graze on food just so he can get on the show?

And if so… it further proves that reality TV has little reality.

He will also be appearing with his other ex, Shar Jackson as well as perpetual loser and Whitney Houston’s ex,Bobby Brown.

Egad, “Celebrity Fit Club” will do anything for ratings. Perhaps they can bring back Dustin Diamond (I hate Screech) with K-Fed and they can duke it out in the ring together. Now your talking ratings! I don’t know who I would root for. It’s  a toss up, but a double KO would be totally SWEET!

But seriously…

It’s time to grow up KEVIN. You’re over thirty, your career *cough* is toast, and your living like a slob. Your parenting skills have become pretty questionable now, (well, I should say have worsen) since you are not paying your bills and you turned a rental property into a total sh*t hole in your wake. Not cool when there are kids involved.

So to K-Fed… time to nut up or shut up.