Obama's Change Of Heart

U.S. President Barack Obama and Sasha Obama

U.S. President Barack Obama has backed away from a few of his public initiatives, some of which I think is regrettable. The President needs to stand firm on some issues.

Yes, he needs to listen to the American people, who are his constituents, but it is not everything that causes debate that he should cave in on, as it will unintentionally set up an image that people can run roughshod over him.

For example, the call for students to help Obama was not an unreasonable request. There is nothing wrong with serving one's country.

National healthcare is one thing, as it can prove tricky and costly at a time the nation is in financial straits, but helping your country is free of cost, as all that is required is to show up, willing to donate your time.

Was it not Kennedy who said "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." There's nothing wrong with community service and charity work. People need a helping hand and those able to do so should volunteer. Society has never been made worse for it.

I would encourage people, no matter what country they live in, to give of your time and help others. The rewards are greater than you could ever imagine.

WH withdraws call for students to 'help' Obama

UPDATED: - President Obama's plan to inspire the nation's schoolchildren with a video address next week erupted into controversy Wednesday, forcing the White House to pull out its eraser and rewrite a government recommendation that teachers nationwide assign students a paper on how to "help the president."

Presidential aides acknowledged the White House helped the U.S. Education Department craft the proposal, which immediately was met by fierce criticism from Republicans and conservative organizations who accused Mr. Obama of trying to politicize the education system.

White House aides said the language was an honest misunderstanding in what was supposed to be a inspirational, pro-education message to America's youths.

Among the activities the government initially suggested for pre-kindergarten to sixth-grade students: that they "write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president." Another task recommended for students immediately after listening to the speech: to engage in a discussion about what "the president wants us to do."

The novel curriculum plan brought sharp criticism from conservatives, including some who complained that classrooms were being used to spread political propaganda. In response, the White House last night confirmed they were revising the lesson plan that was distributed last week by the U.S. Department of Education.

"We're clarifying that language," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said...

http://www.washingtontimes.com

Gordon Brown On Lockerbie Scandal

"Brown denies 'double-dealing' over Lockerbie release" British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, was between a rock and a hard place last week, regarding the furor accompanying the release of Lockerbie bomber, Megrahi. He was released early, as he is dying of prostate cancer, which is often treatable with what is currently available on the market. Documents obtained by the press revealed, a memo in which Prime Minister Brown expressed, he did not want Megrahi to die in prison, fearing how it would look and the impact it would have on Britain's ties with Libya. Gordon and Sarah Brown Brown stated at the press conference that the early release was a decision taken by the Scottish government and not his office.

BP Finds Billions Of Barrels Of Oil

BP - 3 Billion Barrels Found

BP, British Petroleum, found billions of barrels worth of oil, while engaging in exploratory drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The value of the reserves made news everywhere.

Johnston Speaks About Sarah Palin's Sex Life

The dad of Sarah Palin's grandchild, Levi Johnston, keeps spilling her business to the press, in a move that is somewhat disloyal.

The latest article really brought home this fact, when he told a publication, the former Alaska Governor and vice presidential candidate, doesn't sleep with her husband anymore. Under the circumstances, you're out of line.

I cannot fathom your child is going to feel good later reading an article regarding you talking about his grandmother's sex life.

It's one thing to talk about your sex life with the press, as that is your business, but maybe you should stay out of hers. I cannot imagine it is helping anything other than your wallet.

Sarah Palin And Husband Don't Sleep Together, Says Levi Johnston

Posted on Sep 03, 2009 @ 09:03AM - Sarah Palin vehemently denied divorce rumors when they surfaced weeks ago, but now Levi Johnston has charged that the former Alaskan governor and her husband Todd don't sleep in the same room.

Levi, the father of a child with the Palin's daughter Bristol, has never held back in discussing the Palins and in the new issue of Vanity Fair he says: "I've never seen them sleep in the same bedroom. There was a lot of talk of divorce in that house and there were times when Sarah and Todd would mention it and sound pretty serious." ...

"Sarah would say something, and I don't know how it would make Todd mad, but his anger would elevate so fast. Todd would say, 'All right, do you want a divorce? Is that what you want? Lets's do it! Sign the papers!'" Johnston told the magazine.

http://www.radaronline.com

Michael Jackson's Funeral

Pop singer, Michael Jackson, who died of a drug overdose on June 25, 2009, was buried today, at Forest Lawn cemetery, in Glendale, California.

A number of entertainers are pouring into the funeral.

Mourners begin arriving for Jackson burial service

Under a tight cordon of security, a steady stream of luxury cars ferried guests to Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Glendale this evening for the final leg of pop singer Michael Jackson’s odyssey from death to burial.

Longtime Jackson friend Elizabeth Taylor, who was whisked through the 25-foot-high cemetery gates in a Mercedes-Benz Maybach, was among an expected 200 guests at Jackson’s sunset burial service on a hot night exactly 10 weeks after he was found dead.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, actor Macaulay Culkin, baseball player Barry Bonds, comic Chris Tucker and lawyer Tom Mesereau, who successfully defended Jackson on charges of sexual molestation four years ago, arrived to take their places on white chairs lined up for the outdoor service in the tree-dappled, verdant park...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com

Chris Brown vs. Oprah

Chris Brown Has Taken On The O

Chris Brown: Oh no she didn't!

Girlfriend beater, Sony Music's Chris Brown, recently spoke out against talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, for a special she did on domestic violence, concerning the singer, who beat up his girlfriend Rihanna, in response to an attack from her.

Brown stated he has done favors for Oprah, such as singing at her school in Africa. Therefore, for her to look at the incident in the manner she did, proclaiming it a one-sided domestic violence issue, rather than stating she should help both of them was, "A slap in the face."

First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and U.S. President Barack Obama

"I commend Oprah on being like, 'This is a problem,' but it was a slap in my face. I did a lot of stuff for her, like going to Africa and performing for her school. She could have been more helpful, like, 'Okay, I'm going to help both of these people out.' - Chris Brown

"Oprah is very appreciative that Chris Brown performed at her school but she takes domestic abuse very seriously. She hopes he gets the counseling he needs." - Oprah spokesperson

Rihanna

Frankly, you opened yourself up to that in not controlling your temper and beating Rihanna back. You have been painted the villain and that is now your image.

Oprah denounced Chris Brown stating, once a beater always a beater, but I do think people can change. However, I'm certainly not vouching for Brown, as I do not know him, but think he lacks character and not just in the Rihanna incident. Neither Chris or Rihanna are decent people, as the public will soon find out.

Chris Brown Dodges Larry King's Questions

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Chris Brown's interview on the Larry King show was not truthful or forthright. He dodged most of the serious questions and lied about others, such as he and Rihanna not reuniting after their vicious fight, when the two were photographed together at Sean "Diddy" Combs' house in Miami.

Paparazzi further took photos of him on another occasion, visiting her place in Los Angeles, after the restraining order was issued. Then, there was the incident regarding the two singers staying in the same hotel last month.

King did a good job with the interview, asking pertinent, relevant questions, but Brown dodged them, one by one. That's not going to fly for the rest of their careers, which do not look promising anymore.

Singers, Take Care Of Your Voices

Whitney Houston on Good Morning America

Recently, I wrote about the depletion of singer Mariah Carey's voice and asked why Whitney Houston, who did a significant amount of illicit drugs, still sings better than Carey does, in spite of her narcotics usage.

Over the last week, Houston did a series of performances to support her new CD and the wear and tear on her voice, from years of drug abuse showed.

Actually, it was evident on the record and a song she released last year, as Houston now sounds like she is in a silo of some sort. It is due to poor production on the new album and years of drug abuse. However, her vocals were still strong and she can still sing.

Whitney Houston in the 80s

British pop singer, George Michael, one of the biggest voices of the 1980's, had a similar problem, where it was reported, doctors informed him, the cocaine use was burning his vocal cords to a crisp.

A still from George Michael's "Careless Whisper" video

Michael, who had found success as a soulful pop singer and songwriter, penning such megahits as "Careless Whisper" and "Faith" did not take the news well.

Celine Dion

Other singers, such as Celine Dion, had vocal trouble as well. The Canadian singer, enjoyed a massive string of hits, but something went wrong on stage one day and her voice disappeared. Scary. Her physician instructed her not to speak for two weeks and her voice came back.

I just realized something, all of the above mentioned singers are Sony artists (Carey spent most of her career on Sony).

Mariah Carey in the early 1990s

For years, since her voice began going south, Carey has obsessively filled hotel rooms with humidifiers, which is clearly a bid at saving her voice.

Mariah Carey trying to relive her old look from the beginning of her career

On the track "Like That" Carey brags about smoking marijuana stating, "Purple taking me higher" which was slang for getting high on weed. Drug use is not of help to her struggling voice.

Vocal changes sometimes happen, due to aging and at times, freak occurrences, but there's no need to speed it along with drug use.

In short, singers need to take care of their voices and not take it for granted. What you put into your body does have an effect. That goes for narcotics and cigarette smoking.

Obama's Ramadan Dinner

Video: Obama Holds Ramadan Dinner - The Associated Press

When I read the title of the above posted clip, I thought it said "Obama Holds Ramada Dinner" as in the Ramada Hotel (grin).

However, it actually stated "Obama Holds Ramadan Dinner." Then I thought, "Oh snap, here come the 'Obama is a Muslim' rumors again."

Obama Speaks About Swine Flu Meds

Video: Obama Speaking About H1N1 Prevention in Schools - Bloomberg Bloomberg

U.S. President Barack Obama, gave a press conference today, regarding immunizing citizens against the H1N1 virus, also known as the current, virulent strain of swine flu.

There is some trepidation about the available drugs that have been created to combat H1N1, as there are reported deaths and side effects in some cases. President Obama sought to allay those fears.

The Sick World Of Philip Garrido

Jaycee Lee Dugard

Every time I read the Jaycee Lee Dugard story, it breaks my heart. What that poor young woman must have gone through, being kidnapped by psychopaths at age 11 and finally finding freedom at age 29.

When one looks at pictures of the backyard, behind a filth backyard that depraved felon, Phillip Garrido and his wife, Nancy, kept her in, molesting, raping and impregnating her, it makes one upset, as in essence, it is like she was in prison. He took her youth from her. No child deserves that. It is one of the sickest stories I've ever heard.

Then to think, Garrido impregnated her at age 14, then again at age 17, the babies delivered in filth, by two drug abusing psychopaths that raised them in squalor, to believe their underage mother is their sister, makes one upset all over again.

There really are evil people in this world. Sadly, Jaycee's story is not new, as similar cases have happened in Europe as well.

However, the judicial system has a responsibility to innocent members of society, to lock up such individuals, as such sociopaths belong in mental institutions and prisons, to protect law abiding men, women and children. Freedom is a privilege for the good and law abiding, not the lawbreaker.

Too often, juries sentence men and women to decades in prison, but they are released in a few short years, thanks to the parole system, to wreak havoc all over again, which is ridiculous.

Prior to the abduction of Jaycee, Philip Garrido kidnapped and raped a woman, received a 50-year sentence, then was out on the streets in 8-years, thanks to the parole board.

Some articles mentioned he found religion after the terrible things he did to Jaycee, but he clearly was not repentant, as he did not return Jaycee to her family and turn himself in to authorities.

What he found was not religion, but new age cult psychobabble, such as "mind control." No legitimate religion utilizes such oppressive, intrusive tools. He used "brainwashing" to control Dugard and her daughters, who I hope he did not molest and rape as well.

They have recently been told the man that is their biological dad, kidnapped and raped their mother when she was a girl of 11.

This must have caused additional psychological problems, but they needed to know the truth. I hope they will recover and not struggle with conflicting feelings within themselves, knowing they are related to a man that did such things.

The situation is so sad and those girls are going to need prayers, as will Jaycee, so pray for them. The press should also leave them alone and allow them to heal in peace.

Jaycee Lee Dugard's Kids "Starved Of Information”

Sep 02, 2009 @ 07:05AM - Never Watched TV, Never Heard Of U.S. President; Being “De-Brainwashed.”

Starlite and Angel, the two daughters Jaycee Lee Dugard had with her accused kidnapper, Philip Garrido, were "starved of information," have never watched TV, have never heard of the U.S. President, and are undergoing "de-brainwashing" therapy, according to investigators Wednesday.

Dugard, 29, Starlite, 15, and Angel, 11, were all undergoing therapy in the Bay Area, where they are residing at a safe house with Jaycee's mother, Terry Probyn, and their aunt, Tina Dugard.

"They are both intelligent kids but they are very naive about the real world," a Contra Costa Sheriff's Department officer told the UK Sun. The girls "have no concept of math, geography and history or anything outside their town of Antioch."

The girls, according to officials, are being fed just as they were before, one of many efforts experts are taking so as not to make an already-traumatic transition that much harder.

"They are being given TV microwave dinners and their favorite meat loaf meals," police said. "They have never had fizzy drinks, so they get cooled water, which is what they are used to."...

http://www.radaronline.com

Jaycee Lee Dugard's Daughters Cried When Their Father, Phillip Garrido, Was Arrested

September 1, 2009 1:07 PM - NEW YORK (CBS) - The two daughters of Jaycee Lee Dugard and Phillip Garrido cried when their father was arrested last week, according to Dugard's stepfather, Carl Probyn.

"They were attached to him. They cried when this happened," Probyn said. "It’s like being on Mars" for Jaycee and his daughters...

Up until a few days ago, Jaycee’s daughters "thought Jaycee was their sister. They didn’t realize she had been kidnapped," Probyn told the Early Show’s Maggie Rodriguez on Monday...

http://www.cbsnews.com