Palin donations to Planned Parenthood

It seems that an anonymous e-mail has been circulating urging people to make donations to Planned Parenthood in the name of Governor Sarah Palin, a vocal opponent of abortion. The rub was that for each donation in her name, a thank you card would be sent to her at the McCain - Palin campaign headquarters in Virginia.

Well it appears that Sarah Palin is doing quite well in this fund raiser. According to The New York Times blog, "The Caucus", Sarah Palin has raised $802,678 in donations from 31,313 people.

The blog goes on to say that, "Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood, called the response “phenomenal,” and said she wanted to personally thank the “tens of thousands of individuals who responded to this call to action.”"

Planned Parenthood said it would begin mailing the thank-you cards next week

The full story can be found at: http://www.thecausus.blogs.nytimes.com/.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Jenna Elfman who turned 37 years old today. Jennifer Mary Butala was born in Los Angeles California. Jenna graduated from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts as a dance major in 1989. She is married to actor Bodhi Elfman and they have a 14 month old son, Elias.

Jenna started out her career as a dancer and toured as a dancer with the group "ZZ Top". Jenna went on from there into commercials. Jenna is probably best know for her role as "Dharma Montgomery" with Thomas Gibson as her husband Greg in the series "Dharma & Greg". The series lasted 5 seasons and Jenna won a Golden Globe for Best Actress.

Jenna has moved her acting talent to the big screen and has been in such movies as, "EDtv", "Keeping the Faith", and "Touched". She has a movie due out soon with Tim Allen entitled, "The Six Wives of Henry Lefay", and can be seen on a new episode of the series, "My Name is Earl".

Twins lose division

At the end of play on Sunday, my beloved Minnesota Twins were a 1/2 game ahead of the Chicago White Sox in the central division of major league baseball. They had won 4 of 6 games in the week including beating the White Sox three straight in the Metrodome.

But the White Sox had had a game rained out earlier in the season and had to make it up to finish out their season. So they went to Detroit and beat the Tigers setting up today's one game playoff for the division championship.

The Twins lost that game today, 1-0, on a home run by slugger Jim Thome his 34th of the year and 541st of his career. As they say in baseball, there's always next year.

Another Sarah Palin moment

Excerpts from the Sarah Palin - Katie Couric interview keep coming out and only prove again and again that this woman is not qualified to be President of the United States. But you decide;

COURIC: And when it comes to establishing, I was curious, what newspapers and magazines did you regularly read before you were tapped for this to stay informed and understand the world?

PALIN: I’ve read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media.

COURIC: Like what ones specifically?

PALIN: Umm… all of them. Any of them that have been in front of me over all these years.

COURIC: Can you name any of them?

PALIN: I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news… Alaska isn’t a foreign country where it’s kind of suggested it seems like, wow how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, DC may be thinking and doing, when you live up there in Alaska. Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America.

Senator McCain made a big deal about suspending his campaign last week to go to Washington to lead his party in passing the bailout bill. His Republicans in the House of Representatives voted 133-65 against the bill. So much for his grand ploy to show his leadership abilities.

Response to bailout failure comes swiftly

As news of the failure of the federal bailout vote spread across the nation, Wall Street showed it's response with an unprecedented loss of 777 points on the DOW. The good news is that oil dropped below $100 a barrel which could mean lower gas prices.

House rejects bailout bill

By a vote of 228 to 205, the House of Representatives rejected the proposed $700 billion bailout bill of Wall Street. No re-vote of the bill is scheduled for today.

The vote breakdown is as follows:

Democrats: Yea: 140 Nay: 95
Republicans: Yea: 65 Nay: 133

The House is saying the bill may be introduced again later in the week for another vote.

Happy Birthday Brigitte Bardot

Happy birthday wishes go out to Brigitte Bardot who turns 74 years old today. Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot was born in Paris France. Wikipedia describes her as a French actress, former fashion model, singer, and animal welfare/rights activist. Brigitte is married to Bernard d'Ormale and has one son from her second husband, French actor Jacques Charrier.

I have to confess I don't know if I have ever seen her in a movie. She mostly made French movies, many that couldn't be shown in the U.S. because of the skin shown. She was a sex symbol along the lines of and during the time of Marilyn Monroe. I think I may have seen her in a Playboy magazine once as a kid.

Brigitte Bardot has retired from the entertainment industry and spends her time fighting for causes. Wikipedia said during the 1990s she became outspoken in her criticism of immigration, interracial relationships, Islam in France, and homosexuality, and has been convicted five times for "inciting racial hatred".

McCain vs. Obama - Round 1

Friday evening marked the first of three presidential debates between Senators McCain and Obama. This first debate was held at Old Miss in Oxford, Mississippi. The debate was originally set to discuss foreign policy issues, but because of the current economic crisis, the first third of the debate was focused on questions on the economy.

Who won the debate runs along political lines. MSNBC, a left leaning news show, picked Obama as the winner, while FOXnews, more right leaning, picked McCain. CNNnews, which in my opinion is more to the center politically, had a poll that declared Obama the winner.

I watched the debates and tried to be impartial. (Ya right!!) I thought both candidates had their moments and each scored points during the 90+ minutes of debate. What was quite noticeable however was how Senator McCain never once looked at Senator Obama while talking to him, while many times Senator Obama looked at Senator McCain and ofter addressed him as John before starting to speak. Senator McCain also always addressed Senator Obama in the third person while talking about him as if he wasn't even in the room. Now I don't know if that is some kind of debate strategy, perhaps my friend Jack can enlighten me on this, but it just seemed rude to me. It also seemed like Senator McCain was talking down to Senator Obama, like an adult talking to a child.

Another revealing aspect of the debates was seeing the cameras catch the facial expressions of Senator McCain while Senator Obama was talking. He would sneer at times, or smile condescendingly, or roll his eyes. Not very professional in my mind.

The Senators have two more debates ahead of them in the next few weeks. Should be interesting. Governor Palin and Senator Biden face off this coming Thursday.

Despite all of McCain's theatrics this week, the presidential debates are back on for tonight. Do you think they will be asked about the economic crisis???

Happy Birthday Melissa Sue Anderson

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Melissa Sue Anderson who turns 60 years old today!!! Melissa was born in Berkeley, California. She is married to Michael Sloan and has two children, a daughter Piper, and a son Griffin. Melissa became a Canadian citizen in 2007 and currently lives in Montreal, Canada.

Melissa started her acting career with a guest spot on "The Brady Bunch" as Millicent, the girl who kissed Bobby and made him see fireworks. At 11 years old, Melissa won the role of Laura Ingalls on the long running series, "Little House on the Prairie". She starred on Little House for eight years and was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1978.

After leaving Little House, Melissa made an appearance on "Love Boat" where her on screen parents were trying to match her with the role played by Lorenzo Lamas. This appearance led to a real life romance with the actor. In 1979 Melissa won an Emmy Award for her performance in "Which Mother is Mine?", an ABC Afternoon Special. In 2006 Melissa starred in the TV mini-series, "10.5: Apocalypse"

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won the western division of the national league of major league baseball. They clinched the division with less than a week left in the season by winning 18 of their last 23 games.

The Dodgers last won the division four years ago. They have only won one post season game in the last 12. Hopefully they will do better this time around.

Dodgers and Angels in the world series????

AP Associated Press
September 25, 2008

Calif. pastors push for gay marriage ban

SAN FRANCISCO - Hundreds of pastors have called on their congregations to fast and pray for passage of a ballot measure in November that would put an end to gay marriage in California.

The collective act of piety, starting Wednesday and culminating three days before the election in a revival for as many as 100,000 people at the San Diego Chargers' stadium, comes as church leaders across California put people, money and powerful words behind Proposition 8.

Some pastors around the state and nation are encouraging their flocks to forgo solid food for up to 40 days in the biblical tradition.

Jim Garlow, the pastor of the evangelical Skyline Church in San Diego County, said he expects up to 100 young adults to spend five-plus weeks on his campus, subsisting on soup, juice and the promise of societal salvation.

"This is not political to us. We see it as very spiritual," said Garlow, a leader of an interfaith coalition that has held monthly teleconferences, shared sermons and solicited donations for the ballot measure.

Thousands of same-sex couples have tied the knot in California in the three months since the nation's most populous state legalized gay marriage. Massachusetts is the only other state to allow gays to wed.

A coalition of religious leaders called California Faith for Equality has been working to persuade people of faith to oppose the ballot measure on spiritual and social justice grounds.

"Everybody understands that Jesus, in his own culture, was notorious and persecuted for consorting with outcasts," said the Rev. Peter Laarman, a United Church of Christ minister who opposes the gay marriage ban. "When Jesus said all are welcome at the table, I think he really meant all."

Happy Birthday Heather Locklear

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Heather Locklear who turns 47 years old today. Heather Deen Locklear was born in Los Angeles, California, and graduated from Newbury Park H.S. She also attended U.C.L.A., but did not obtain her degree. She has dated Tom Cruise, Mark Harmon, Scott Baio, and was married to musicians Tommy Lee and Richie Sambora. She lives with her daughter by Richie Sambora in Thousand Oaks, California.

Heather started her career with appearances on "CHiPs", "Eight is Enough", "Fantasy Island", and "Love Boat". Her big break came when she was cast as Sammy Jo Dean on the series "Dynasty". She starred on the series "T.J. Hooker", "Melrose Place", and "Spin City". She tried out for the "Desperate Housewives" series but was beaten out by Teri Hatcher.

Happy Birthday Catherine & Michael

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Catherine Zeta-Jones who turns 39 years old today. Catherine was born in Swansea, Wales, UK. She is married to Michael Douglas and they have two children together, a son and a daughter. They divide their time between their homes in Bermuda, Wales, the Spanish island of Majorca, and the shore of Lake Trembland in Mont Trembland, Quebec.

Catherine has starred in many films including "The Phantom", "The Mask of Zorro", and "Entrapment". She won an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in the movie "Chicago".

It is also the birthday of her husband, Michael Douglas, who turns 64 years old today. Michael was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and is the son of Kirk Douglas, a star in his own right. Michael graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a BA in dramatic arts. Michael has a son from a previous marriage.

Michael started out on television in the long running series, "The Streets of San Francisco" with Carl Malden. He has won an Academy Award for directing the movie "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and for his acting in the movie "Wall Street".

President Bush, aka chicken little, addresses nation's anxieties

Wednesday evening President Bush addressed the nation in an attempt to sooth the rattled nerves of the nation over the recent economic crisis. During his 18 minute speech, Bush used the following phrases to ease our fears;

1. "America could slip into a financial panic, and a distressing scenario would unfold"

2. "More banks could fail, including some in your community."

3. "The stock market would drop even more, which would reduce the value of your retirement account."

4. "The value of your home could plummet. Foreclosures would rise dramatically."

5. "And if you own a business or a farm, you would find it harder and more expensive to get credit."

6. "More businesses would close their doors, and millions of Americans could lose their jobs. Even if you have good credit history, it would be more difficult for you to get the loans you need to buy a car or send your children to college."

7. "And ultimately, our country could experience a long and painful recession."

Thanks. I feel better now!!!

Palin - Couric interview

Couric: You've said, quote, "John McCain will reform the way Wall Street does business." Other than supporting stricter regulations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years ago, can you give us any more example of his leading the charge for more oversight?

Palin: I think that the example that you just cited, with his warnings two years ago about Fannie and Freddie - that, that's paramount. That's more than a heck of a lot of other senators and representatives did for us.

Couric: But he's been in Congress for 26 years. He's been chairman of the powerful Commerce Committee. And he has almost always sided with less regulation, not more.

Palin: He's also known as the maverick though, taking shots from his own party, and certainly taking shots from the other party. Trying to get people to understand what he's been talking about - the need to reform government.

Couric: But can you give me any other concrete examples? Because I know you've said Barack Obama is a lot of talk and no action. Can you give me any other examples in his 26 years of John McCain truly taking a stand on this?

Palin: I can give you examples of things that John McCain has done, that has shown his foresight, his pragmatism, and his leadership abilities. And that is what America needs today.

Couric: I'm just going to ask you one more time - not to belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation.

Palin: I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you.

KNX1070.com
September 22, 2008

Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw have donated $100,000 to the campaign to defeat a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in California.

Their donation is the latest high-profile contribution to the campaign, as gay marriage advocates seek to narrow a gap in fund-raising. Brad Pitt donated $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign last week, in what was seen as a wake up call to entertainment industry figures to pony up more money for the fight.

The proposition would restrict marriage to unions between a man and a woman.

Spielberg and Capshaw said in a statement, "By writing discrimination into our state constitution, Proposition 8 seeks to eliminate the right of each and every citizen in our state to marry regardless of sexual orientation. Such discrimination has NO place in California's constitution, or any other."

Curious Statement

White House Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto said today (Tuesday) that Vice President Dick Cheney was sent to Congress to drum up support for President Bush's $700 million dollar bailout of Wall Street.

While doing so, he made the following statement regarding the bailout plan; "the plan was not slapped together and had been drawn up as a contingency over previous months and weeks by administration officials."

1. Does that mean that the Bush Administration has known about the pending Wall Street crisis for months?

2. If so, did they try to hide the crisis to further McCain's presidential campaign?

3. If so, how much more is it going to cost us now than it would have "months" ago?



This sounds really stinky. Sort Bush like don't you think?

Not the gayest place on earth???

I read this on americablog.com today. They seem to believe the information to be true.

What is Disney's involvement with gay-hating marriage ban in California?

It's a small hateful world, after all.

I received an email from a source I trust, and it's allegedly an update from the gay-haters in California (who are trying to nullify the marriages of thousands of gay families in California), notifying them that their anti-gay signs won't be ready for a few weeks because they're still coming from China. Putting aside the irony of the gay-haters outsourcing their hate to a place that has one of the worst human rights records on the planet, what really got my interest was why an official Disney.com email account appears to be coordinating the gay-bashers' activities in California.

From: G.D. @disney.com
Subject: Prop 8 Yard Signs
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2008, 10:52 AM

Volunteers:

The YES on Prop 8 yard signs have been delayed in route from China. We expect to distribute them within the next two weeks. I will email you as soon as they arrive so we can make sure you have one immediately. In the interim, please continue to take note of any friends or family who would like one as well.If any of you would like to make calls, please email me and I will arrange a training session in Burbank and provide you with all the necessary materials.

Thanks so much,

G. D.

My friend Jack and I went to the beach over the weekend. Sunday was a beautiful day with the temperatures in the upper 70's, clear skies, and a slight breeze. The ocean was a bit nippy, but not bad once you got in. Many of the "Sunday regulars" were there including "Allen", the "nude volleyball group", and the "stick ball players".

I noticed for the first time a rock garden constructed by someone there. If you look closely at the photos you can see that someone has taken the time to stack odd shaped rocks on top of one another. Some of the formations are five rocks high. The tall one in the upper photo is especially cool and marks a sand path made through the rocks to the water.

A short time after taking the two photos on the left, one of the beach goers walked up and began to restack some of the rock formations. If you look closely at the photo on the right you can see a very large rock on a much smaller rock at the left edge of the photo. The guy had great patience in stacking the rocks. The three rock formation in the lower right of the photo was my best effort at stacking. My photos don't do justice to the formations this guy put together. What patience.