A Long Time Coming!

It seems like years since I've posted on All Things Scorpia. My domain name expired, so hopefully readers will come back to this address. My Indie station has been the focal point of my existence. Well, after my son of course!

Man, so much has happened in entertainment and politics since my last post. Obama won the presidency and we're all on lame duck watch. The auto industry is dying as we speak, while wall street has sucked billions, relaxed at the spa, and has no memory of what happened. This economy and political hoopla is so frightening and entertaining at the same time. Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow have become household names. Bill-O the clown is pissed, because he no longer dominates on cable news. He called for an investigation of Nielsen, because there's no possible way that Keith O beat him in ratings land during the election.

Britney had a three ring circus, Paris found a fake BFF, Angelina had twins and working on triplets as we speak, Lindsay is gay, bi-sexual, or try-sexual. The list goes on and on just like the scandals in Hollywood!

Is it just me or has sports become a bore? Maybe it's the election that had us all under a Palin vs Obama spell. Now that the election over, but not the scandals will sports ever return to dominance. I mean seriously, Cavaliers, Ko-baby, and the Celtics have kept my interest in the NBA. I don't want to talk about the NFL. Ever since they moved MNF to ESPN and SNF to NBC, it's just blah.

Join me on my new blog, Scorpia's Lounge. I want to detail my journey from lab to fab! Also, I appreciate every one's support. U-N-U Radio is still rocking and Mr. Moon is holding it all down. I'm still getting submissions from artists all over the world. So thanks to you all!

Scorpia

Obama-Richardson: Will They Be the Democratic Ticket?

Political observers in some of America’s Western states have been floating the idea of an Obama-Richardson ticket since well before Barack Obama announced his candidacy for President.

Of course, most of them were projecting—and hoping--that the ticket would be Richardson-Obama. Despite his Washington experience and wide-ranging resume, however, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson quickly saw his presidential campaign overshadowed and overwhelmed by Hillary Clinton’s and Barack Obama’s high-profile battle.

The primary season finally will drag to an end in June, and then it will be up to the delegates and superdelegates to pick the Democrats’ standard bearer. Likewise, it will be up to the candidates and their campaign staffs to not alienate voters by endlessly playing “gotcha” politics with each other in the long, weary weeks until the Democratic convention in Denver, Aug. 25-28.

Most pundits predict that Senators Clinton and Obama will end up roughly splitting the remaining primary delegates, and no clear nominee will emerge in June. This projected stalemate already has resulted in some Obama supporters demanding that Hillary Clinton drop out of the race. And some Hillary Clinton supporters have responded by demanding that Barack Obama drop out.

Alarmed party leaders now worry that nasty rounds of charge and countercharge from the Clinton and Obama campaigns will alienate many voters and drive them toward John McCain or cause them to just stay home during the November general election.

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen has suggested that the Democrats should stage a “superdelegate primary” in June to break the Obama-Clinton deadlock, so one candidate can emerge with clear sailing and avoid a bitter showdown at the convention. Party leaders including Gov. Howard Dean and Sen. Harry Reid recently were considering this and other strategies for ending the potential impass.

No matter which one finally gets the go-ahead, however, international credentials will be absolutely crucial to the next Administration. Barack Obama is a political rookie on the world stage. As a former First Lady, Hillary Clinton has been a lot closer to the action. Yet, much of her experience can be summarized as flying around in White House jets and dealing at ceremonial and informal levels with a wide range of major and minor issues. That counts for something, of course, and could shorten her learning curve in the Oval Office. Yet neither Democratic candidate actually has the kind of down-and-dirty international experience they will need to cope with the diplomatic and military disasters the Bush Administration will leave behind next January.

Former U.S. Energy Secretary and U.N. Ambassador Bill Richardson could be an excellent Vice President for either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. He has been an able negotiator during dangerous situations in North Korea, Iraq and Cuba. But so could one other former Presidential candidate who has been a strong background player in this election: Retired four-star Gen. Wesley K. Clark, who was NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe from 1997 to 2000. Clark has extensive combat experience and held numerous command posts during his 34-year Army career. The next President may well need someone with this wide range of experience to help oversee getting the U.S. out of Iraq.

Indeed, Richardson and Clark likely will both be needed in some major capacity by the next Administration, even if the next President turns out to be John McCain.

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Video of the Day

Wow, they're really giving Obamagirl a run for her money!!! The singing is horrid and they all look so damn tacky! It's still funny as hell that someone would even upload this mess! Sorry for all the damn exclamations, but seriously! lol

Congratulations Girl!!!

AFP

It's about damn time that Angela gets her just due! Mrs. Bassett received a star on the "Walk of Fame" on Thursday. I've been a fan since her performance in the biopic " What's Love Got To Do With It" in 1993. I think most will agree that she should have won the Oscar. She's currently starring in the Tyler Perry drama/comedy " Meet the Browns" that premiered on Friday. Tyler Perry is featured on Yahoo for his box-office gross over the last few years. I think a nomination for " Akeelah and the Bee" would've been nice as well, just my two pennies!

Will The Sun Be Sued?

If you have been watching any of the entertainment media shows then you know that Lindsay was in a bit of a little sex scandal. She would've joined Pam, Paris, Kim, and others on top of the celeb sex tape list. Thank goodness someone is honest these days. Lindsay's ex, Calum Best immediately denied that it was her in the video. The tape has been all over Youtube and other viral sites. TMZ alleges that other images became available and the young lady in the vid doesn't even favor Lindsay. Congrats girl, you dodged a cokeless bullet!

Iraq: The American Surge...Toward Indifference

Once again, the Bush Administration’s Middle East political theater group has taken to the stage. It has struck its well-rehearsed poses and emoted its newest “We will prevail!” proclamations.

However, these latest performances almost could be likened to a Mel Brooks comedy, with various spokespersons singing, in chorus: “It’s springtime for bin Laden and Ahmadinejad!”

First, there was Vice President Cheney in Baghdad—again—for the (100th?) obligatory handshake photo with Nuri al-Maliki, then briefly—albeit bravely--venturing a short distance outside the Green Zone for “private discussions” over a well-guarded meal.

Then, President Bush went to the Pentagon, his own personal Green Zone, and declared that winding down his immensely unpopular war would show “evidence of weakness and lack of resolve.”

And John McCain, the man who would be Bush if elected this fall, met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and declared: “We are now succeeding in Iraq.”

The looming problem for the Administration, of course, is that almost nobody is paying attention to these political skits anymore. The crowd mostly has surged home, numb to any more exhortations and proclamations about “victory” and “staying the course.”

That giant sucking noise the Bush White House now should be hearing is the sound of Americans increasingly growing indifferent toward the war as they hunker down to try to save their households, their jobs, their health insurance, their life savings, their lifestyles and their college funds for their children and grandchildren.

You don’t have to ask: What is the sound of one hand cashing a 401(K) withdrawal check…while the other hand is selling off the family jewels on eBay? It’s now happening all around you, and maybe to you, too.

Yes, Osama bin Laden may be hiding in the hills of Tora Bora; he may be ensconced in an apartment in Islamabad; he may be delivering pizzas in disguise in Cincinnati . (If we knew, maybe we could just sic him with a Hellfire missile and declare victory.)

But bin Laden doesn’t have a bad mortgage or a five-miles-per-$5-a-gallon Hummer. He doesn’t have grown children who no longer can afford to live on their own and have started moving back home or appealing to Dad and Mom for more financial aid. He also doesn’t have neighbors falling into foreclosure on each side of his cave--or condo--and burning down their homes or killing themselves out of desperation.

A recent CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll found that 71% of Americans now believe spending on the Iraq War is hurting the troubled U.S. economy. The poll also found that only 32 percent of American continue to support the war, while 66 percent now oppose it.

In a CBS News poll taken near the fifth anniversary of the Iraq invasion, 64 percent of respondents answered that the Iraq War has not been worth the cost in blood and treasure. And another CBS News poll has tabulated that three out of four Americans now rate the national economy as at least somewhat bad.

Here is one other painful statistic: The price of oil has more than quadrupled since two particular ex-oilmen took office in 2001.

George Bush and Dick Cheney likely will have their unfocused and unwinnable Global War on Terror for at least a few more months. But most of us will be paying scant attention. We are now engaged in our own desperate battles: for personal economic survival.

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Heather Mills is a Piece of Work

The saga of the divorce between Heather Mills and Paul McCartney is finally nearing a conclusion. This week, the judge and jury determined a dollar amount that Heather would receive for her short four year marriage to Paul. And it ends up being no chunk change - $48 million dollars! That works out to $33,800 per DAY of their marriage. There aren't too many jobs out there where you can earn that much...legally anyway.

So she gets the huge sum and then what does she do? Heather pours water over the head of Paul's lawyer, Fiona Shacklefort.

This is the before heading in to court picture and the one on the right is the after. She obviously had a bunch of water, not just a small glass.

What on earth would make a grown woman have such a tantrum - in a public place, no less - and dump water over another in such a childish manner? Heather said it was because Fiona called her a bunch of names before she met her. Hmmmm....

I think the judge is probably more on target...he said Heather was devoid of reality. Ouch.

John Daly: Failed Again

Remember John Daly, the golfer from the PGA who had a great reputation going about a decade ago? Then we had the fall from grace, a divorce and a little problem with alcoholism. With me now? Good, because he has surfaced again, in not so good light AGAIN.

See, John lost his PGA pro card from offenses during his pro playing time. The PGA gets to control things like that I guess...other sports should too. Repeatedly fail drug tests? No more $45 million dollar contract for you. Banned from the pro sport. How many athletes would clean up their act if there were severe - I mean real - punishments for their actions? A few, I bet.

Back to John Daly. See, their was this little known guy named Arnold Palmer (I hope you read the sarcasm there) who was hosting a charity event/golf tournament this week. And John Daly was granted an exception by a sponsor and allowed to play. He appeared for the first two rounds and managed a reasonable score. Then it went downhill from there.

He says he called the Pro shop to get his tee time and was told 9:47 by a woman. It turns out, that wasn't the right time. John slept in and missed his chance. See, any player that is late gets the boot and a substitute is called in to replace them. And John's sponsor who has been getting him in to venues with an exemption fired his sorry ass. He said John is more interested in getting his next drink on than playing a round of golf. He called to fire him and didn't even do it in person he was so peeved. Maybe John should take the hint and go to rehab! Look at him - does he look like a healthy golfer?

Video of the Day

I just want to say thank you to Tina, Cherri, and Si for keeping the sight afloat. I've been really going through it, but with the help of these awesome writers, All Things Scorpia has still been successful. I appreciate the dedicated readers as well. Hopefully, I can post more often in the near future.


" Ken Lee" is my favorite song by Mariah Carey! lol

Of Lust, Stupidity and Testosterone Suicide

Lust can be instantly fatal to your political career, as now-resigned New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has discovered. So can acts of incredible stupidity. Score a big one there for Spitzer, as well. He scheduled one of his high-dollar hooker trysts on the night before Valentine’s Day.

To his credit, at least Eliot Spitzer did not try to claim he was conducting a secret, undercover investigation under the covers at several hotels.

Former President Bill Clinton still remains America’s all-time champion bonehead, of course. He presided over strong prosperity and a balanced budget, then got hauled into Congressional impeachment hearings for playing tawdry tiddlywinks with a 22-year-old unpaid intern, Monica Lewinsky, inside the supposed sanctity of the White House.

President Clinton’s testimony to the effect that “I did not have sexual relations with that woman… (she merely had sex with me)” will long linger as an idiotic stain on what could have been a much grander legacy. Ms. Lewinsky, meanwhile, went on to sell handbags and have a brief TV career. More recently, she earned a master’s degree in social psychology from the prestigious London School of Economics.

In Spitzer’s case, a key to his downfall turned out to be a 22-year-old prostitute from New Jersey who was trying to earn enough money to stay in New York and make it as a rhythm-and-blues singer. By making it in a different way, of course, the infamous “Kristen” now likely will get a recording deal, as well as a book contract and movie offers. Entertainment moguls and publishers are quick to see the dollar signs where others just see sin and shame. (And, yes, we’ll probably buy her recordings, read her book, watch the made-for-TV movie and tune in once she starts showing up on Oprah and the late-night TV talk shows.)

Spitzer himself will go away in disgrace for a while and likely will face a ton of legal, family and marital troubles. Eventually, however, he may be back with his own tell-all, confess-all book, plus a movie deal and TV talk-show appearances—though probably not a recording contract.

Put lust and stupidity together, and you have dramatic downfalls stretching back through the entire history of human leadership. Senators, televangelists, judges, police chiefs, sheriffs, mayors, prosecuting attorneys, ministers, priests, star athletes—the list goes on and on.

Yeah, we men supposedly have been in charge during most of that time. And too often, we do a few great and noble things along the way, and then, seemingly at the peak of success, wake up one morning and can’t get our brains out of our boxer shorts.

Is social and political self-destruction somehow hardwired into our testosterone? Perhaps astute researchers can read all of the tell-all books and watch all of the tell-all movies and talk-show appearances and draw some scholarly conclusions.

Or maybe, we can just start putting more women into high office and see if they get caught with any boy toys.

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Elizabeth Smart: Five Years Later

It's been five years since Elizabeth Smart was returned to her family after being missing for nearly a year. The happy event is not one that many families with a missing loved one get to celebrate. And the Smart's know that and cherish the fact they were lucky.

In light of the five year anniversary, Elizabeth Smart and various members of her family have been making the press rounds. They are being advocates that you really can find missing children. Don't give up hope and never lose faith. Elizabeth is working with Federal officials to write a book detailing the experience and how to survive and thrive afterwards.

While no mention is ever made of what exactly she endured during those months of captivity, she was traumatized. Elizabeth's captors are still awaiting trial and Elizabeth says she will testify against them. In an interview with Good Morning America, she even fears they would seek her out again if they were ever released. She doesn't want that to happen, nor does she want them to be able to kidnap anyone else.

Elizabeth is a sophomore in college and appears happy and well adjusted. She doesn't seem to crave the spotlight, but knows that people want to see how she is doing, so she is doing interviews with the major news outlets. And for once, we hear and see a happy ending on the news.

Jessica Simpson is a Piece of Work

Jessica Simpson makes a big deal out of going overseas for the USO to entertain the troops. There is PR about it, she looks like a singer giving her heart, caring for the troops, blah blah blah.

Until the little report comes out from those handling her 'accommodations.' It seems Jess is pulling a little of her inner diva out. This is what is really happening...

She is traveling with an entourage that costs the government:

$20,000 per DAY for a stylist
First class airline tickets
First class hotel accommodations...not staying in the barracks

Oh wait - where is Tony Romo? He's on vacation, isn't he? Why didn't he go to support the troops?

The better food than the troops

Spring Water...

Anyway, Jess' rep denies the absurd allegations and claims the star is roughing it. Yeah, roughing it. This is what anyone would wear in a war zone in the desert...Kevlar vests and Daisy Dukes with full makeup on.

Brett Favre Reign Ends

It's been a sad week in Green Bay. After a few false reports during the past two years, the true one came out this week. Brett Favre announced he is retiring from the NFL after 17 years.

Brett set all kinds of records during his reign with the pigskin, namely a starting streak that goes back 275 games (starting in 1992!). He also has a touchdown pass record of 442, which surpasses Dan Marino's record of 421. Then there is the other records, like passing yards, number of pass completions and wins.

How will Green Bay replace him? Not only with a starting QB, but an icon for the city of Green Bay. In this day and age, it is rare that a quarterback can stay in one city for three or fours years, let alone 17! And have mostly positive seasons. AND go out very popular. And at the top of his game. The list of insurmountables goes on and on for Green Bay.

But, like anything else, Brett Favre has class. He made his decision and announcement well beyond the draft and trade deadlines, allowing Green Bay plenty of time to look for a suitable replacement. Except replacement isn't possible, not for a player with as much class as Brett Favre.

Watch his emotional retirement announcement. Tell me this man does not love the game...

Fleeing McCain and ‘More of the Same’?

An angry registered Republican told me this the day after the Texas primary gave John McCain clear sailing to the GOP nomination: “If McCain is elected President, I may move to Canada. He’ll just bring four more years of the same. We can’t afford that.”

He was particularly outraged that McCain had gone straight to the White House the day after the Texas primary and gotten George W’s praises and blessings, rather than distancing himself from Bush’s deeply unpopular Administration.

The Republican, a young, pro-life Internet technician, admitted he had crossed party lines and voted for Barack Obama despite the Illinois Senator’s limited and liberal voting record. “His speeches inspire me,” he said. “Have you listened to how well he speaks? How positive his messages are? I think he can bring Americans together and get us moving forward again. I’m just sick and mad about what has happened to my party under George Bush.”

A day before the Texas primary, I had another unexpected encounter with an upset Republican. I was in a bank, making some changes to one of my accounts. When the process was completed, the banker looked at me and asked very quietly: “Have you voted yet?” (In Texas, as well as some other states, registered voters can go the polls starting more than a week before the official primary or general election day.) After I nodded yes, something odd happened. The banker pressed me with another question, trying (without being too impolite) to find out how I had voted.

“I voted for change,” I told her, leaving her to guess whether I had supported Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.

She smiled. “I voted for Bush twice. But this time, I voted for change, too,” she admitted quietly. “And experience.”

“That’s code for ‘Hillary,'” I said.

She nodded. “In our bank meetings, we keep saying things are going to have to change soon. We can’t afford what’s happening to the economy, and neither can our customers.”

While her candor and vote pleased me, it also struck me as odd that a banker would reveal this much during a penny ante transaction. The big picture, however, quickly came clear after I got home and did a little Web surfing. Many economists increasingly are worried that the current recession may trigger a wave of bank failures that would rival the savings and loan meltdown of 1989.

For example, CNNMoney.com reported: “The banks most at risk for failure are generally smaller ones, not the huge global banks hit by billions in writedowns from subprime mortgage problems.” The small banks, CNNMoney pointed out, “are big players in the business of construction loans made to homebuilders—loans that were backed by new homes now worth a fraction of the original estimated value.”

I had just driven home from a small bank in a small city where new housing construction has boomed for several years but recently has slowed to a standstill. With the economy very much on her mind, my worried banker had crossed party lines and voted for her number-one issue, her pocketbook and her job.

Now that the price of gasoline is pushing quickly toward $4 or more a gallon and the endless Iraq War is still staggering forward on mountains of borrowed cash, America is tilting toward economic disaster. And average citizens in the heartland are both feeling it and fearing it.

Bold new leadership is needed now. But now can’t start happening until next January, when a Democrat, chosen by voters from both parties, takes the oath of office.

Yes, we will need words that inspire us. And we will need experienced leadership that can help pull us together quickly and show us how to make sacrifices for the common good: our survival.

We will need both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the White House in January, 2009.

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Hillary Clinton Pulls One Out...

Yesterday was a big day on the political front. Not only did Hillary manage to save her campaign and keep moving forward, but Republican Mike Huckabee dropped out of the race. Huckabee's exit leaves the Republican nomination to John McCain. Great.

It's probably a good thing Hillary managed to win three of the four states. Seeing as how she had appearances booked on all three major network's morning shows on Wednesday...it might have been a little embarrassing had she lost! She was up all night celebrating...

What does Obama have to say about Hillary's three wins?

I still have more electoral votes. Nah na na na nah. I'm going to the be-eachhh.

OK, he didn't exactly say that. Are you eagerly anticipating who will win the nomination or anticipating for it to be OVAH already?

Is It Contagious? Reese Witherspoon's News

While we all love hearing good deeds, we also loving hearing the dirt. But now, two days in a row, we have great deeds being performed by young starlets. Is there something in the water?

Reese Witherspoon was in New York at none other than the United Nations building. Was she touring? No way! Reese was seated in on a press conference where she announced that Avon and the UN (she is the spokeswoman for Avon) are partnering up for the Development Fund for Women.

And of course, Avon is selling an Empowerment Bracelet to raise funds. The first $500,000 in sales will be matched by Avon, making a donation to the fund worth at least $1 million if all goes well. (Reese is modeling the bracelet above). Bracelets are $3 each and can be purchased from your local Avon representative or through the website. Click here to find out how you can get your own Empowerment Bracelet.

Photo courtesy of People.

Hopefully tomorrow we can get back on track and get some dirt from Hollywood!

A Star Worth Noting: Drew Barrymore

Finally, a star (OK, another, there are a few stars with consciences) has stepped up to the plate. Drew Barrymore announced (or will announce if you are on the west coast) on Oprah today that she is donating $1 million dollars to the World Food Programme.

Oprah is known for giving a lot and it is great that she showcases stars who do something instead of just talk about it. Where is all of the difference Paris Hilton was going to make when she got out of jail? No where. Luckily more stars are stepping up quietly, without bells and whistles, to do something about the condition of the world. Drew was on the Oprah show, along with the program director of World Food Programme, where she has been an ambassador for children's hunger since 2005. She has made trips to Africa and seen hunger firsthand and knows that just a little bit of food and money can bring relief to these children.

The World Food Programme helps organize programs to feed children in Africa who are starving, literally. Visit their website to see if you can help.

Picture courtesy of People Magazine.

Smartest Dumb Thieves Ever

In case you hadn't heard, there was a very impressive jewel heist on Sunday in Milan. By impressive, I mean the planning and thought behind it. The cache, wasn't so impressive. The jewel thieves were probably a tad disappointed when they got home.

This is how it went down. Several times during the last few MONTHS, neighbors living in the area complained about noise in the early morning hours and late at night. The police were even called to investigate, but found nothing.

On Sunday, the armed, masked thieves stepped out from the basement via a tunnel bored through the cement. They forced employees in the showroom in to a small room where they were tied up while they went to clean out the safes.

Except the safes were mostly bare. This jeweler - Damiani - is famous for loaning his jewels out to stars on Oscar night. He had also lent a lot of his jewelry to the Tokyo store that was celebrating a grand opening that day. Oops.

In short, the most valuable jewels were already gone. (Tilda Swinton was wearing the bracelet above that was one of his premier diamond pieces Sunday night.)

All of the planning - from gaining access through a building next door that was undergoing remodeling so no one questioned the tools going in and out to the amount of time spent digging through cement walls - was a waste. Yeah, they did get some gold, platinum and diamond jewelry, but not the uber expensive stuff.

See kids, crime never pays. Even when you think you have it all figured out, an Award Ceremony will snag your plans. Robberies in the movies like Ocean's 11, 12 & 13 never work out how Hollywood writes them. Hollywood will always write the movies and wears the jewels...never the thieves.

Videos of the Week! Adult Content

Response from Jimmy Kimmel



I'm sure you've all seen this by now, for those who haven't, enjoy!!

Blind Man's Sight Restored!

AFP/File

This has got to be one of the most extraordinary miracles I've ever heard of! Please don't misunderstand my words like the whole American media did with Michelle Obama. I think it's clear what the most fascinating miracle is, if that's your belief.

Bob McNichol, 57, from County Mayo in the west of the country, lost his sight in a freak accident when red-hot liquid aluminium exploded at a re-cycling business in November 2005. His eyesight has been restored after a procedure was done, by inserting his son's tooth in his eye! The technique was first done in Italy in the 1960's. Dr. Christopher Liu from the Sussex Eye Hospital in Brighton, England was the miracle worker in this story. The procedure used on McNichol involved his son Robert, 23, donating a tooth, its root and part of the jaw. McNichol's right eye socket was rebuilt, part of the tooth inserted and a lens inserted in a hole drilled in the tooth. The first operation lasted ten hours and the second five hours. Wow, talk about love for your father!

Run! Ali Lohan Wants to be Famous

Ali Lohan, the little sister to Lindsay Lohan, is only 14 and starting in on Hollywood. She was interviewed for an upcoming issue of Teen Vogue, where she literally gushes about wanting fame and stardom for herself.

"I want it so bad. So bad you don't even know. And now, it's actually happening."

That's scary. She's seen big sister get what she wants - from cars to houses to drugs to rehab. And she still wants what her sister has. What teenager wouldn't? The lifestyle is made to look glamorous and fun and without consequences - at least until recently. We'll see what happens to Paris Hilton's little brother Barron when it comes to his sentencing for his recent DUI bust. If he gets smacked down to jail, maybe the younger, starry eyed crowd won't be so wild with wanting stardom.

But for the Lohan family - not likely. Ali is fresh faced and an almost exact replica of an innocent looking Lindsay from just a few years back. Unfortunately, it probably won't be long until she is hounded by paps and pulling underage stunts that get her in trouble...unless mom/manager Dina has learned her lesson and takes charge. I'm not placing any bets though. Look at the Spears' family history of stardom for example.

Ali will be starring in a reality series with her mother as they make their way through Ali's musical 'career' and Hollywood life this spring/summer.

What do you think? Will she learn the lessons of her sister and stay out of trouble or will it get her in trouble even faster because she knows the ropes?

Photo courtesy of Teen Vogue.

Amy Winehouse, Mistress of Shock

I am fascinated... no, mesmerized by Amy Winehouse. I'm not sure why. I know it's not her voice or impeccable taste in fashion and makeup, nor her iconic personality that we all strive to emulate. And I'm pretty sure it not her conscientious attention to personal hygiene.

I think what hypnotizes me every time I see a picture of Amy is that she is so absolutely freakish unique. It's like the deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car or the horrific accident where you don't want to look but you can't help yourself.

What I'm wondering is, does she intentionally look like this for the shock value or is the girl completely clueless? Or a third option... maybe she just doesn't give a sh*t

Seeing an image of Amy Winehouse is like going to a scary movie. You scream all the through, but can't wait until the next one!

Image Source: The Meat Scale

Hillary Clinton Gets Star Power

We've seen the big names that have been supporting Barack Obama lately...the biggest being Oprah Winfrey. Has her star power influenced other women to pull for Obama? Maybe...maybe not. To counter that power and momentum on the Obama side, Hillary Clinton has pulled in some big fire power over the weekend.

First up is Tina Fey - who was the first host of Saturday Night Live since the writer's strike ended last week. This is what she has to say on Weekend Update:




Then we have Ellen DeGeneres joing in the political circus and throwing her hat to Hillary. This is their discussion yesterday at a political rally.



So what do you think of these clips? Will they help gain momentum for Hillary or hurt her? They are funny...and true! Is it too late for Hillary to make a comeback?

Is Paris Hilton Hearing a Clock?

Paris Hilton has been seen with Benji Madden - the brother of Nicole Richie's baby daddy - for two days in a row now. And they have been dubbed as dating, which is hilarious. Two days, not even dates necessarily, and the pair are dating! Paris moves fast, but come on!

Secretly, I think it is a disaster. Paris turned 27 recently, and I bet she started hearing her biological clock a tick tocking. Her BFF Nicole had a baby and looks awesome, and Joel Madden is over the moon with his daughter and baby mama. So, it's not too far of a stretch to say his brother Benji might see the little family and be envious. Enter Paris, who is envious and egads! We might have a second little Madden family blooming soon.

Paris can't be Nicole in the baby department, but she could get a running jump on any marriage plans. Imagine what a paparazzi mess her wedding would be like!

Do you think Paris is hearing her biological clock starting to tick away the minutes she has left for a family?

Ralph Nader: The Political One-Car Accident

I used to admire Ralph Nader. He actually saved my life in 1966, after I read his 1965 book, Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile.

I was a semi-penniless college student driving a worn-out 1962 Chevrolet Corvair, which Nader prominently featured in his first chapter, titled “The One-Car Accident.” I had bought the car very cheaply from a gas station near campus, and, since I didn’t have much cash, the seller gladly had recorded the shady sale as “five used tires” on my gasoline credit card.

I soon realized, however, that I had an unstable beast on my hands. The engine was in the rear, which made the Corvair feel as if it were about to flip around tail-first any time I had to make fast stops or maneuver quickly in traffic. On wet or snowy roads, I drove with white knuckles and death-grips on the steering wheel, fearful that the heavy rear-end suddenly would start oscillating and whip around to the front. Until I read Nader’s book, I had no idea that the Corvair was hypersensitive to air-pressure differentials and temperature changes in its front and rear tires. And I was unaware that the car’s suspension system had serious design flaws which sometimes caused crashes.

Soon after reading Unsafe at Any Speed and surviving several near accidents, I got rid of the compact deathtrap and bought a tank: a 1958 Dodge with huge fins rising at its back and a massive engine in front. That car was as big as a parade float and fully loaded with the best Detroit steel and chrome. For as long as it lasted, I felt relatively safe at almost any speed.

So, thank you, Ralph Nader, for getting me out of that Corvair with my life and limbs intact. And now, shame on you, for screwing up the 2000 presidential election. By jumping in and stealing much-needed votes from Al Gore, you set the stage for King George and the neocons’ endless, needless war in Iraq. Double-shame on you, Mr. Nader, for stealing votes away from John Kerry in 2004, when Kerry really needed all the help he could get in his torpedoed attempt to oust Bush. And now, triple-shame on you for thinking your laudable war on corporate greed and corporate power should become the central issue in this year’s presidential race. Yes, it’s an important issue—one issue that definitely needs addressing. But it’s just one among hundreds of other pressing concerns.

You will get some votes. Many Americans are fed up with both parties and are paying scant attention to either side. And you are free to run for high office in our marvelous—and marvelously flawed—system. But you won’t win. In a really tight contest, you might siphon off just enough votes from an Obama-Clinton or Clinton-Obama ticket to let John McCain and his running mate slip through the back door.

Is this what you want? Do you hope historians will credit you as the man who gave us at least 12 consecutive years of conservative Republicanism and helped make the current American economy unsafe at any speed? Are you secretly happy that our once-vaunted international power and reputation have spun around into a one-car accident?

What can you offer that will help our nation heal and recover in this time of crisis? A corporate-free chicken in every pot? Two pimped-out Corvairs--on blocks--in every garage?

George Clooney in Jelly Belly Beans

Image: In Case You Didn't Know

Here's my contribution to all the Oscar hoopla. George Clooney always looks hot... and sweet, but even sweeter is this image of the 46-year-old actor made of 10,000 Jelly Belly Gourmet jelly beans.

George's hair is high lighted with Buttered Popcorn flavored beans and his cheeks are Cotton Candy. I'll admit George's likeness in candies loses something in translation but hey, they're Jelly Belly!

The bean art is scheduled to be donated to a charity of George's choice sometime next week, I mean if it makes it that far. With George looking good enough to eat, they might just find a few beans missing. Know what I mean?

The Madness aka the Red Carpet

Watching the Red Carpet is wildly entertaining before any big award show. And tonight was THE big one - the Academy's - and everybody was watching since the award show season was shortchanged this year. So, everyone wanted to see the dresses, the glamour and the....train wrecks. Don't lie! You wanted to see an awful dress,a slip or something gossip worthy happen to talk about tomorrow.

Well, here it is in the form of Gary Busey, Jennifer Garner, Laura Linney and Ryan Seacrest. Ryan Seacrest does his best to recover, but what can you do when a whacko is loose on the floor? Watch the video and have fun...

Paula Abdul is " Dancing Like There's No Tomorrow"

Straight up now tell me, is Paula Back?

Video of the Day

Lesson numero uno, don't mess with your co-workers while they're on an important phone call! LOL

Angelina Confirms What Everyone Already Knew

Steve Granitz / Wire Image

The mouths of all dropped when Angelina and Brad showed up at the 2008 Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica on Saturday. A very thin, pregnant Angelina smiled shyly and was protected by her aging partner. I mean don't get me wrong, he's still handsome, but the age and kids are definitely catching up with him. It's crazy to think that just years ago Angelina didn't want to give birth to kids. Well if you want an example of changing your mind then Angelina not Halle is it. Congrats and I'm sure the pics will get bigger and bigger as the months progress!

Guess Who's Back!

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File

Before I start with the news, let me apologize for not being more frequent with my posting. I think the problem has been solved. I hope you'll embrace the new writers that are on board. Tina Musial, SiDunn (resident political opinion), and Cherri Fox that will bring fresh and sometimes unusual news. I will still post, but not as frequent.

On to the big news in politicalville! I think it's a perfect title for the election, it's truly becoming a television series. Ralph Nader is back to raise havoc and stir the gumbo amongst the Democratic party, just as he did in the 2000 election! He will enter the race as a third-party candidate. He's very vocal about his displeasure of the Bush administration as well as the Democratic nominees. He stated, "the White House contenders as too close to big business and pledging to repeat a bid that will shift the power from the few to the many." So there it is, I had to change the poll on the home page as soon as I heard the news. Please feel free to leave your comments about the man that can change everything!

Video of the Day

Chairspinner
Uploaded by TheCubeFarmer

Hilarious Vid about a stupid man with nothing better else to do than spin and fall!

Shaq in the Desert!

I've been waiting to blog about this story, because I always like to see how the headlines will play out and now that it has, let me give my two non-expert cents. Shaq Diesel is now the face of the Suns and it's apparent, because the Suns website now has a " Diesel" size intro! It seems that everywhere he goes the red carpet, I mean orange is waiting. Seriously, can you blame the orange fans from being excited? I know that he's at the tail end of his career, but we all know that Shaq's ability to become rejuvenated is likely, just look at the IcyHot commercials, one pad and you're all better. I think that the Suns' new rivals, the Lakers have forced their upperhand and challenged them silently. The Lakers acquired Paul Gasol and he's already making an impact on the purple and gold floor. Shaq may not jump high or dunk as powerful like that classic take down of the rim in Orlando, but he sure can make a guard think about putting in a smooth floater near the rim. His presence is so important in the post. I love the Spurs and want the Rockets to succeed, but I think that having Shaq and allowing Amare to finally play a true power forward will give the Suns more edge. Grant Hill and Shaq, two classy vets helping the young ones!

Eva Mendes the Latest Rehab Victim

Photo by: Francois Durand / Getty

Hey my fellow readers, I know it's been ages since I last blogged, but my life tends to be crazy sometimes. This story came out of nowhere! Eva " caliente" Mendes is now in rehab at Cirque in Utah for an unknown substance abuse problem. I'm not the one to play the guessing game, so I won't even comment on what I think the drug of choice is. There has been a couple of reports from unknown sources that Eva has a Cocaine addiction and then others say it's prescription drugs. Hollywood wants skinny women to become the face and brand of these high-priced products. It's been told before, beautiful starlet turns alcoholic or drug whore. I know the words were a little harsh, but seriously lets get real! I know no one is perfect, but can there be one half-way decent person that doesn't feel the need to drink or snort Coke. I've never wanted to be in the Hollywood scene, not because I wouldn'te be able to handle it. I just don't like people commanding me around, but at the same time money rules the world and with this economic crisis we're in, celebs are taking all that they can. I wish Eva a much deserved recovery, she seems very genuine and sweet! Currently, she's taken a short leave to take care of some personal issues in Los Angeles and will resume treatment very soon.

Video of the Day

Now this one is funny!

It's on Down Under!!!

" Down Under" has been downright crazy! Every prediction that commentators and I had are thrown out the window. On the ladies side, Serena and Venus have been so inconsistent lately that I never had them in the finals, like the Williams showdown of years previous. Although, I had higher expectations from Serena, because she was the defending champion of the grand slam. Venus on the other hand has been battling injuries for the last couple of seasons, so it was awesome just to see her past the third round. My pick for the final was Justine Henin and Jankovic, but fiery sexy Serbian player, Ivanovic was determined to make all those theories crumble. Sharapova, the Canon girl stepped her game up to overcome Henin and finds herself in a showdown with Ivanovic. The men on the circuit are certainly drooling for that one!

Now to the men! Nadal and Federer are out of the running for the grand slam title. I wasn't so much surprised at the Nadal loss, because he tends to have trouble on the hard courts. Djokovic beat Roddick, Nadal, and Federer in the Rogers Master Series last season, so he was clearly the favorite to beat him again. I've been watching Tsonga for awhile and until the injuries, I had him in the top 20. He beat Nadal and will climb into the top 20 today. So that's it, Tsonga vs Djokovic and Sharapova vs Ivanovic! I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Tsonga will beat Djokovic and Ivanovic will shock Sharapova with a bad ass performance and win the Aussie Slam.

Update:

Well, I'm eating my words right now. Tsonga put up a good fight in the 4th set, but lost in the tiebreak to make Novak Djokovic the youngest player to win the Open and the 1st Serbian to win the title as well. The less glamorous outcome occurred on the women's side, Sharapova grunted and screamed her way to the title, winning her first Australian Open. Congrats to all the runner-ups and the winners!

R.I.P. Heathcliff Andrew Ledger

I know it seems like ages since the last time I've posted anything, but my life has just been so crazy! Anyway, this story has really saddened me, Heath Ledger was such a great actor! It's just a complete tragedy what happened. Although, details are very vague and kind of unclear in my opinion, he was pronounced dead at 3:36 p.m. on Jan 22. I really don't understand the lack of common sense that some people possess, seriously! Why the hell did the masseuse call Mary-Kate Olsen? Did they have an intimate relationship? When a person is cold and not breathing, you don't call someone that can help only by getting private security, because they know people! He was taking so many prescription pills, all which I'm familiar. It's hard sometimes to follow the label, because you want it all to stop at once. You're anxious, can't sleep, and a quick fix is usually what people seek! I was watching the news this morning and the latest news to come out of this story is the protest that apparently will occur during his funeral by a Baptist group. The group will protest the fact that Heath played a gay character in the Oscar blockbuster, Brokeback Mountain. Come on people, let the man rest in peace for goodness sakes! It was a role, not a true life story idiots. Dark Knight will arrive in theatres in the summer, Ledger plays the Joker. It's going to make big money just for the sympathy towards the actor and I'm going to be totally creeped out! The great ones always die young.

Video of the Day

I was a little reluctant to post this video of the day, but then I thought, I hate the Cowboys so why not bask in all their losing glory! The funniest part of Owens' tear jerker press conference was his remarks about having good relationships with his past quarterbacks. He must have totally been under hypnosis or maybe he was in some drug induced coma, because he acted like a 5 yr old whining his way from city to city. Everyone deserves a vacation, but not during the playoffs. It's not time to get hidden under the skirts! Romo was just bad and the receivers even worse! So keep crying TO and remember there's always next year, so keep you're popcorn ready!!!

Britney Spears and Drama Don't Mix!

I haven't been quick to hop on the Britney trail like all the other celebrity bloggers. I said to myself that I wouldn't put my opinions out there until the details of situation were more clear. Britney was involved in a child custody showdown with her ex K-Fed. She was apparently high on some unknown substance and taken to Cedars-Sinai for evaluation. She was released this weekend. Her family is very disappointed that the hospital didn't keep her longer, I second that! Anyway, Dr. Phil had planned to air a special show about Britney and the troubles that she's encountered over the last couple of years. The show has been scrapped by Phil, because he wants to respect the family's wishes. However, the family did ask that Dr. Phil go to the hospital and visit Britney and he granted their wish. I think people should realize that this girl really needs help. It's not some game or attention that is being sought, she's not at all mentally there! It's crazy how Hollywood puts a popularity meter on your back based on how infamous you are. I can only hope that Britney will get it together, because she's lost custody of her kids and that should be more important! I know it would be for me, damn the records, forget about the parties. I would want my kids back and will do anything necessary to gain at least supervised custody. Unfortunately, until Britney is mentally stable, she won't think like that. At least, the children weren't harmed, but what an adulthood their going to have! Child stars have access to an excessive amount of drugs, alcohol, and other dangerous habits and usually it's because family problems were their during early childhood. Hopefully, they'll be lucky enough to have a father that puts his career on hold in order to provide the best, safest care possible. His music is terrible, but he's turning out to be a really respectable guy! I can't knock anyone who's stepping up to the plate, the only question I have is, what's the motive? If the answer the children then he has my vote!

Obama and Huckabee are Winners in Iowa!

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES)

It seems as if Hilary has lost some steam! She fell shortly after Sen. Edwards in Iowa, which tells me that having her husband, former president Clinton by her side everywhere she goes, doesn't sit well with women all over this country and it's probably sickening for the men. Please don't miss understand what I'm writing, I like Hilary and some of her views about what this country needs to be in the near future. She just comes off as a real insecure or very dependent person! I think Clinton was a great president, we definitely weren't dealing with all these messes from the current administration, but still it's not new thoughts. She'll have her husband's initiatives and values when it comes to politics. I'm still undecided with who I'll vote for, but Obama is looking real good right now. I'll continue to watch the debates and read up on every candidate, because like I said, the best person for the job could be Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green or whatever else is out there.

Huckabee hanging with Chuck Norris and playing bass with Mama Kicks must have persuaded a few Walker fans! He's been the talk on the View just about everyday. Remember when Clinton played the Saxophone, everyone deemed him the Black president, which I never understood. So Mike is coming off real cool to the young people. Huckabee is headed to New Hampshire with the rest of the crew, but with little money and already behind in the polls there. So we'll just have to see what happens! Will Clinton get out of her 3rd place rut? Will Obama continue to gain voters and win NH as well? Will Mitt Romney ever shut-up? Will Giuliani admit he's a womanizer? I think that's enough questions for now.

Boston Triple Crown?

It's time for a little sports wrap-up of my favorite teams, which all hail from Beantown! Is it possible that Boston will have 3 championships? I think so, at least that's what the numbers say. I know the whole spy gate controversy was a total damper on my Pats, but just look at the results! Let me just give you some stats so you can be on the same page even if you're not a die hard sports fan like myself. Tom Brady sets a record 50 touchdown passes, the franchise sets a record of 75 touchdowns in a single season, and 589 points for the year, which is a NFL record. The end result is 16-0! Did I mention one of the main reasons for their success? Randy Moss has calmed down and matured so much as a player. He caught a record 23 touchdown passes from the Stetson model. It's the first time that a team has went undefeated in a 16 game season. The '72 Miami Dolphins were 14-0 and then won the Super Bowl! Basically, New England is the clear favorite to win the big one.

Now on to the big three in green. Garnett, Allen, and Pierce are averaging 59.5 points this season. We've just reached the 30 game mark and they're dominating the East and West. The team's record is 27-3! The question is, can the big three stay healthy enough to keep it going? I think what Boston has this season is remarkable, they have so many bench players that piece it all together. Eddie House is a journeyman in the league, but his outside shooting has brought him much success with the team. Boston has so many outside shooters: Ray Allen 38%, Pierce 40%, Rondo 33%, House 44%, Tony Allen 44%, Posey 40%, Pruitt 33%, Scalabrine 30%, need I say more!!! The Celtics are a well oiled machine and until the wheels fall off they're on their way to the promise land.

I can only hope that the Pats and Celts can follow in the footsteps of my beloved Red Sox and bring the triple crown to Beantown. There's still 50 games left in the NBA regular season and the Patriots have a bi-week before they start their run for the trophy. Only the strong survive and in the words of my boss man, Lets go Redtriotics!!!

Leave Miley Alone!!

REUTERS/Mike Cassese (CANADA)

I'm a little late with my opinion of the whole Miley Cyrus pics, but as always my two cents will be given. First of all, why are we so paranoid about every damn thing? I mean seriously, it's hilarious to me how society will expose kids to sex, drugs, and fashion that I feel is to much like an adult, but when pics surface that to me seem innocent, everyone is in an uproar! The girl is 15 for goodness sakes, she could be like Drew Barrymore snorting coke at a club where the age minimum is 21. Please don't get me wrong she may end up like so many celebs who are lost right now, but at this point in time that doesn't seem to be the case. I think it's sad that we have such a double standard of what's appropriate. Moms and dads are letting kids watch all these mature shows and buying magazines that have Paris Hilton half-dressed on the cover. When are parents going to take some responsibility for what their children do or watch? You can't control everything that they do when they're not in front of you, but in your presence you have the discretion! I think it's good that Miley still has her innocence, especially having so much money at her fingertips. We can't continue to give false role-models to these young people. I said this about Jamie Lynn and the same goes for Miley! She's been on radio shows defending herself, letting everyone know that it was her BFF and there's nothing more going on. If she's not ready to question her sexuality then why are we?

What's in Store for 2008?

I hope everyone is having a wonderful New Year. I'll resume my blogging duties tomorrow. Today, I want all my readers to take a moment and be thankful for whatever you have. You know to many times we forget about the small things in life. I have a habit of complaining when seriously there's no need to. We're all superficial at times, but that doesn't mean that being ungrateful is cute. So enjoy family and friends as you eat Black-eyed Peas and Cabbage and throw all the problems you had in 2007 out the window. Of course more drama is in store, we'll have a new president by the end of 2008, new celeb mess, and more starving people in the world. I want people to join me in that fight, help the refugees around the world to have some food and shelter. Please go to www.unhcr.org and give a little or contribute $10/month. I wasn't paid for this little advertisement, so know that this request is very genuine and close to my heart!