You ain't blogged nothing yet!

Faces of Heroes: Michelle Ring

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:17:00 +0000

The other day I was watching the news. "Four US soldiers were killed in an explosion today raising the total casualties to 3840. In other news...."

In other news?! What people said would happen has happened. As the number grows, we've become more desensitized. I suppose that's human nature. Sad but true.

No matter what your views on the war in Iraq/Afghanistan, the fact remains--husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters are giving the ultimate sacrifice. Their deaths, and more importantly, their lives deserve much more than being relegated to a number on some list.
Starting Sunday, zerogossip.com will begin a series of profiles so you can put a face to the number. It's time to resensitize people! The young men and women over there deserve our attention.

Faces of Heroes: Michelle Ring

Michelle Ring was certainly no "girly girl." That's how her sister Karen remembers her. That's not a knock on the 26 year old Army corporal. While her sisters were into bows and laces, Michelle was scraping her knees climbing trees and getting dirty. "She was always looking to have fun," Karen said. "To do the extreme compared to her other sister and I. She had to be different. That was her goal. She never wanted to be like anyone else."

Missing: Ruth Alexander

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:10:00 +0000

Name: Ruth Alexander
Classification: Endangered Missing Adult
Date of Birth: 1960-06-24
Date Missing: 2005-07-30
From City/State: Decatur, GA
Missing From (Country): USA
Age at Time of Disappearance: 45
Gender: Female
Race: Black
Height: 66 inches
Weight: 180 pounds
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Complexion: Light
Identifying Characteristics: Pierced ears.

Circumstances of Disappearance: Unknown. Ruth was last seen at a family member's residence in the vicinity of the 2700 block of Aquamist Dr. in Decatur, GA. Her vehicle is also missing and is described as a burgundy 1995 Saturn with Georgia license plate.
Investigative Agency: DeKalb County Police Department
Phone: (404) 294-2575
Investigative Case #: 05-102336

Missing Children

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:43:00 +0000

Endangered Missing

FANNY NARVAEZ
DOB: Apr 22, 2002

Missing: Aug 2, 2007

Height: 3'0" (91 cm)

Eyes: Brown

Race: Hispanic
Age Now: 5

Sex: Female

Weight: 35 lbs (16 kg)

Hair: Black
Missing From: APOPKA FL United States

Fanny was last seen on August 2, 2007. She may be in the company of her non-custodial mother.

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
Orange County Sheriff's Office (Florida) 1-407-836-4357

Missing Children

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:59:00 +0000

DORA CASTEELS

DOB: Nov 20, 1992

Missing: Aug 25, 2007

Height: 5'6" (168 cm)

Eyes: Hazel

Race: White
Age Now: 14

Sex: Female

Weight: 140 lbs (64 kg)

Hair: Black
Missing From:WESTLAND MI United States
Dora was last seen on August 25, 2007. She may still be in the local area.

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
Westland Police Department (Michigan) 1-734-722-9600

UPDATE:

Dora Casteels missing from Westland, MI, has been recovered. Please discontinue dissemination of this poster. Your participation in this program has made a valuable contribution to this recovery.
Please remove and discard any posters on this case that you have placed in public view.Thank you for your support.The National Center for Missing & Exploited ChildrenVisit our web site at www.missingkids.com.

Missing Children

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:55:00 +0000

LEAH WALKER

DOB: Nov 24, 1989
Missing: Aug 15, 2007
Age Now: 17
Sex: Female
Race: White
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Hazel
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
Weight: 122 lbs (55 kg)
Missing From:CORPUS CHRISTI TX United States

She may be in the company of an adult male. They may have traveled to Island, Texas. Leah has a scar on her left wrist. Her ears, navel, and tongue are pierced.

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
Corpus Christi Police Department (Texas) 1-361-886-2600

Missing Children

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:52:00 +0000

KAREN HERNANDEZ

DOB: Oct 15, 1991

Missing: Aug 4, 2007

Age Now: 15

Sex: Female

Race: Biracial

Hair: Black

Eyes: Brown

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

Weight: 115 lbs (52 kg)

Missing From:SANDY SPRING GA United States

She may still be in the local area. Karen is Biracial. She is White and Hispanic.

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
Sandy Springs Police Department (Georgia) 1-404-730-7911

Missing Children

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:48:00 +0000

ROBERTA SIMMONS
DOB: Mar 13, 1991
Missing: Jul 20, 2007
Height: 5'2" (157 cm)
Eyes: Brown
Race: White
Age Now: 16
Sex: Female
Weight: 130 lbs (59 kg)
Hair: Brown
Missing From:ESSINGTON PA United States
Roberta may be in the company of an adult male. They may have traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She may have dyed her hair black with blue streaks.

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
Tinicum Township Police Department (Pennsylvania) 1-610-565-6500

Missing Children

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:38:00 +0000

Endangered Runaway

JADE LARSON
DOB: Apr 7, 1992

Missing: Aug 22, 2007

Age Now: 15

Sex: Female

Race: White

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Brown

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

Weight: 120 lbs (54 kg)

Missing From:PALM COAST FL United States

Both photos shown are of Jade. She may still be in the local area. Jade has a tattoo of a shamrock on her hip. She may use the alias name Alana Johnson.

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACTNational Center for Missing & Exploited Children1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
Flagler County Sherriff's Office (Florida) 1-386-313-4911

Missing Children

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 23:59:00 +0000

LACIE GILL
DOB: Dec 4, 1990

Missing: Aug 22, 2007

Height: 5'0" (152 cm)

Eyes: Brown Race: White
Age Now: 16

Sex: Female

Weight: 125 lbs (57 kg)

Hair: Brown
Missing From:RAVANNAOHUnited States
Lacie may still be in the local. She may have dyed her hair blonde.

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT National Center for Missing & Exploited Children1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
Ravanna Police Department (Ohio) 1-330-296-6486

Jessica Birge Found

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 23:54:00 +0000

FINAL UPDATE 9/18/2007
Body Found Identified As Missing New Braunfels Woman

The search for a missing Central Texas woman is over. Jessica Birge, 25, disappeared Aug. 11, after a day of tubing on the Comal River with friends in New Braunfels.
More than a month later, search teams have found Birge's body in the Guadalupe River. Her body was found inside of her car.
A helicopter company called Silver State donated a helicopter and a pilot to the search. They were flying over the area when they spotted something in the water. Dive teams were then put in the water at that location.
The area is south of the Common Street Bridge in the section that goes through Cypress Bend Park.
Unless you live in Central Texas, you may not have heard of the case of missing Jessica Birge. You likely will Friday night when CNN Headline News reports on the story. She disappeared without a trace August 11 in New Braunfels, Texas and hasn't been heard from since. Her college friend Ashley Stevener is among the many who are helping the family find the 25 year old.Jessica and Ashley lived in the same dorm at the University of North Texas in Denton and for the past six years, have been the best of friends."She is fun loving and a very caring and genuine person," Ashley said. "She's also a wonderful and dedicated friend. She is always there when you need her. She'd drive an hour to meet me so we could spend time together. "Ashley last spoke with Jessica August 10 by phone. A mutual friend was coming to town and Jessica wanted to brainstorm some memory ideas with Ashley. The friend had recently moved out of state and her sister needed a list of memories to give to her as a present. It was a good conversation, Ashley said. Jessica was also excited about her plans the next day.

The rest of the story on zerogossip.com

TMZ v. Britney Spears----fans that is!

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 23:47:00 +0000

The cyber war is on! The popular gossip website TMZ.com has decided to take on a week old Britney Spears fansite. It started with this:

Britney's Comeback? Not in Site!
Posted Aug 29th 2007 2:49PM by TMZ StaffFiled under: Wacky and Weird, Britney Spears

While most of the world has lost faith in the dethroned Princess of Pop, there is one fan are a few fans who have faith in the second coming of Britney, and now, they've erected a website! BritneysComeback.com's main mission is to support poor Brit Brit during these trying times.Unfortunately, for the people, er, person, at the site, Spears has failed to make the news for anything other than child abuse allegations, custody battles, animal negligence and half-assed pictures. Literally! The site's motto? "Britney Spears I Believe." Just when you thought Brit Brit had hit bottom, it seems someone has handed her a shovel. Cuz the gurl just keeps a-diggin'!

And continued Thursday with this:

Britneyscomeback Fires Back
Posted Aug 30th 2007 1:13PM by TMZ StaffFiled under: Train Wrecks, Britney Spears

TMZ's story yesterday regarding Britneyscomeback.com was not welcomed with open arms by her fan fans. Today, the site posted that they "will report on all of TMZ's news updates, since TMZ clearly holds high standards for researched stories." But the site isn't pleased with TMZ's "hurtful non-news stories." Ding dang, y'all!As an example of the power of Britney's fans, they cite her high record sales back in 2000 for "Oops! I Did it Again." What they fail to understand is that we at TMZ believe in baby steps -- so even though wearing knickers may seem "non-newsy" to some, for Britney, it is definitely a major step forward -- and clear evidence that Brit is well on her way to re-conquering the world! A journey of a million miles starts with just one hoocher-covering step.

Wow, two articles in two days about a fansite? Sounds like somebody can dish it, but can't take the heat! What could possibly raise the ire of a site dedicated to highlighting the low lights of the rich and famous? It's the brand new website called Britney's Come Back. Designed by a webmaster who wishes to remain anonymous, BCB as we'll call her has been a fan of the pop superstar for years. Instead of dwelling on the drama of the past several months, she wants to focus on the come back.....

The rest of the story on zerogossip.com

Tawny Heath is Crazy about Crazy! (zerogossip)

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:36:00 +0000

Tawny Heath has released her latest song "Crazy". Break out the dancing shoes and check it out! MORE >>

Toronto Model: "I'm Weird!" (zerogossip)

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:33:00 +0000

Ha! No, she's not really weird, in the normal weird sort of manner anyway. You may have seen her while walking in a mall or while leafing through a magazine. It’s hard to miss her. She jumps right out at you in the ads. At just 18 years old, Sabrina Couture is already what some say one of the most beautiful women in the world. And her career has only just begun. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, she was discovered by a photographer and immediately hired as a model for Toshiba Canada. She went on to become a spokesmodel for Enzo Milano hair care products and is even dipping her toes into film making. She’s a 5’5 blonde buxom bombshell who says she’s secretly in love with Frank Sinatra. Well, now that secret’s out and soon the name Sabrina Couture won’t be much of a secret either. MORE >>

She Rocks From Her Heart and Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:29:00 +0000

It began with a gutsy email. Earlier this summer, young Mexican rocker Linda Lopez wrote to celebrity blogger Perez Hilton and asked the sometime cantankerous scribe to listen to her song, “Dame Una Razon”. Risking a public slap-down or even worse, no response at all, Linda waited. MORE >>

Just because

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:26:00 +0000

Dog+Ice Cream = BIG Mess

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 01:01:00 +0000

I think my dog is a pretty cool guy. We're alone now and get to hang out together. Hanging out means he lies on the couch until he hears anything remotely sounding like the refrigerator door opening. At that point, he's my best friend.

So, there was some butter pecan ice cream in the freezer. I don't know who bought it because it sure wasn't me. He looked at me with those begging dog eyes that said, "If you don't give me a lick, I'll shit on your rug."

So, I gave him a lick. Actually, I gave him the entire box. I mean even when it's melted, it's just sort of milk...right? Wrong. He enjoyed it. He gobbled it up and even gnawed at the box until it was a mushy pulp.

The next morning, he thanked me profusely. Have you ever seen a half gallon of butter pecan ice cream after it's been processed through a dog? I could have sworn it smelled better when I gave it to him. There are areas on the wall....ugh...I can't even begin to fathom how he shot it up there. Needless to say, he's never getting ice cream again, and I'm never going to look at it or him the same way again.

Visitors From Above, or Floating Lanterns--You Decide

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 02:49:00 +0000

Have you ever looked into the night sky and saw something that just didn't appear "right" and shrugged it off? Next time, perhaps, you shouldn't. UFO sightings are on the rise. Since 2006 in the US alone there have been over 8500 unexplained sightings reported to the National UFO Reporting Center. Last month in Stratford-Upon-Avon in the UK, the town came to a halt when 5 mysterious lights hovered overhead for 30 minutes. They were later dismissed as mere lanterns launched by a local rugby club but at least one UFO investigator thinks that's a load of, well...space junk. Just days earlier, Kenneth Parsons, founder of The British Earth & Aerial Mysteries Society witnessed a similar sighting in Farnborough, Hampshire, UK. According to Ken, they weren't lanterns. Nor were they what people have come to believe UFOs are. For this interview, put aside your notions of flying saucers and black triangles. Ken believes these lights are much more than that. In fact this UFO expert says, we are not alone.....MUCH MORE ON ZEROGOSSIP.COM

New Posts on zerogossip.com

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 03:56:00 +0000

Don't forget to check out zerogossip.com. Here's a look at what you'll find:

The Rising Stars of NASCAR
When I was 11 years old, I lived across the street from Westboro Speedway in Massachusetts. It was a tiny track but the thunderous noise on Saturday nights always piqued my interest. I had no money so I walked across the street and searched for a hole in the fence. I found it and became an univited season ticket holder. Ever since, I've been hooked.

Nikki Giavasis
Unlike many people, I hadn't heard of Nikki Giavasis before June. It was then the country was shocked by the brutal slaying of Jessie Davis, a young pregnant mother and her unborn baby in Ohio. Bobby Cutts Jr., the alleged killer was Jesse’s boyfriend. He was a cop and the father of not only her 2 year old son, but also of the baby girl she was carrying.
People wanted answers. How could someone do such a horrible thing? Actress/model Nikki Giavasis knew.
I had the chance to sit down with Nikki, albeit from 3000 miles away and via computer, to talk about this and so much more. Born in a small town in Ohio, she lived a life of great triumphs and unspeakable tragedy. I think you’ll find she is an extraordinary person and someone you’ll hear a lot more about soon.

Look Out Mariah, Here Comes Tawny Heath
She may well be the next pop sensation since the early years of Brittany Spears, but you won’t be seeing her on American Idol anytime soon. She’s too busy writing and performing already. Eighteen year old Tawny Heath has two parents, two brothers, three dogs and a blankie. Yeah, we’ll get to the blankie later. But those ingredients, Tawny says, are why she’s becoming as successful as she is. “My family has always been behind me my whole life. My mom gave up her career a couple years ago when my career started progressing so she could be with me all the time. My brothers and dad are really great too in helping anyway they can. I couldn't ask for a better family.”

The Golden Girls Like You've Never Seen Them Before
It’s hard to believe it took this long but finally, the first art exhibition devoted to erotic depictions of the “Golden Girls” is opening in Hollywood August 11. That’s right, Blanche, Dorothy, Rose and Sofia in their uncensored glory.
Golden Gals Gone Wild is the brainchild of writer, model, actress and glass eater Lenora Claire. You may remember her as the muse in the Billy Talent music video “Fallen Leaves,” or any number of horror flix including, “Black Dahlia Movie,” “Tales from the Crapper,” or “Kenmore Ave.”
She is also a successful event producer and curator and huge “Golden Girls” fan. Zero Gossip had the chance to talk with Lenora as she prepared for the event.

New Wave Femmes Standing Up to Sexism
Her name is Destiny Herndon-DeLaRosa. At just 23, this Texas native has already had a life filled with difficult challenges which instead of hindering her, enhanced her perspective. Born in 1983 to an unwed mother, she says on her New Wave Femmes website, "Being the product of an unplanned pregnancy, I guess you could say I was even Pro Life in the womb." At 16 and unmarried herself, she became pregnant. While many of her friends were doing normal high school stuff, she gave birth to a baby boy. Four years later, she married and a year after that, Destiny and her husband Abrahm found out she was expecting again. The joy of another child, and this one a girl, turned to pain when doctors found a spot on the babies heart. There was a chance, the doctors said, the child could be born with Downs Syndrome. "Knowing that I would not abort either way gave me a kind of peace about it all; my husband and I would love this baby no matter what," she said. In May 2006, the child was born, completely healthy. But now, with two children to raise, Destiny's own awareness of what she felt were unhealthy "messages" being sent through advertising, the media and even from just everyday people became heightened. She took action.

There's A New Blog in Town

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:57:00 +0000

I've read the TMZ's and the Perez Hilton's (man, I hope there's only one!) out there. There is something about sites like that people like or are at least drawn to. What many forget is that the people written about are actually, get this, real people. Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, and apparently even Tom Cruise are real people with real lives and real problems. Just like you and me.
OK, off the soap box...I'm launching a new blog. Whoa! It's not spam! :) Give zerogossip.com a try. Launching in just about 15 minutes with an exclusive Nikki Giavasis interview. What an amazing woman with an incredible life story.
This new blog is designed to be 100% gossip free. Sorry, no pictures of young starlets in distress or unfounded claims of debauchery (look it up ). And it's not all about celebrities. I want it to be about people. Famous, infamous, and not so famous alike. There's so much out there in the world that gets glossed over for the salicious juicy stuff.
Do you have a story to tell? A new project to talk about? Something to get off your chest? Head over to zerogossip.com and submit your contact info.
But most of all, have fun!

New Blog Site Opening!

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 02:38:00 +0000

I invite you to my new blog site zerogossip.com. It's the latest source on the web about people like you. Everything you'll see is 100% gossip free. All profiles are done by interview...no second hand sources, no digging in the mud. If you are looking for a starlet in a state of distress, head over to one of the gossip pages. It won't be there. This site is about people--famous, infamous and not so famous. Everyone has a story to share. I hope you do too. Enjoy!

Youtube Video of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 03:25:00 +0000

This one is a month overdue but worth the wait! Even I have a soft spot! :)

Rising Stars in NASCAR

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 03:56:00 +0000

When I was 11 years old, I lived across the street from Westboro Speedway in Massachusetts. It was a tiny track but the thunderous noise on Saturday nights always piqued my interest. I had no money so I walked across the street and searched for a hole in the fence. I found it and became an univited season ticket holder. Ever since, I've been hooked.
Fast forward 3 decades and now I'm in the fortunate position to be intimately involved with NASCAR. I get a lot of guff from people who don't understand the attraction of watching cars go round and round for up to 4 hours. To those people I say, go to a race. It only takes one and you'll be hooked. NASCAR is an event. Football has its tailgate parties, NASCAR fans arrive days before the race, set up in giant motor home communes. Flags from drivers past and present fly in the breeze the the smell of hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks and beer...lots of beer...fill the air. It's an event. It's like Woodstock every weekend except the music is a symphony of 43 cars and 750 horsepower. The sound will rattle you to the bone and if you've never felt that, or seen a pack of warriors speeding by you at 200 mph, you've never experience NASCAR. Trust me. It takes one race to hook you. Where else can fans essentially walk into a team's locker room and rub shoulders with the likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart. The garage is their locker room and they gladly invite you in.
OK, that's the big time. Today I had the chance to meet with some of the rising stars of NASCAR. And what a group they are.
First, there's Marc Davis. Marc got his driver's licence back in November but began his driving career as a very young boy. At just barely 17, he's one of the rising stars in the Busch East Series. He's about to be a senior in high school yet manages to be a normal student, a normal kid and a formidible force on the race track. He has to wait until he's 18 before he can get into a Busch car, but given that time, he will be ready. His goal is to eventually be champion. That would be groundbreaking. As a member of the Joe Gibbs Developmental Racing team, Marc is African American. He's got a great future ahead of him.
Marc's team mate is none other than Connecticut native Joey Logano. Joey is also 17 and so far has won 5 races this season. Keep in mind he's competing with drivers with far more experience and racing for longer than Joey has been alive. He too, must wait until he's 18 to jump to Busch but expect to be hearing more about this star soon. Joe Gibbs knows how to pick them!
Then there's Michelle Theriault. That's right, Michelle. Driving the Glock Chevrolet for Spraker Racing, she proves each weekend on the track that once that helmet goes on, there's no difference between man or woman. She's just as competitive. She started racing after her dad let her sit in a race car at the age of 5. I hadn't mastered a Big Wheel at that age yet she powered her way through several racing series with the help of her family taking home an impressive stash of trophies. She's smart and savvy and is biding her time before she takes the wheel for the Daytona 500. And she will.
Take my advice. Take in a race. Buy a 24 or 8 hat and sit in the stands. Don't forget to rent a scanner so you can listen in to the drivers talking to their crews DURING the race. Some language is borderline PG but to hear that kind of emotion, well it's all about racing.
See you at the track!

If Your Tummy Hurts, a Bad Summer Lies Ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 23:48:00 +0000

What a strange news day it's been. We've got the pizza delivery man who may have played a part in blowing himself up (Pizza bomb); George Bush is ordering his staff not to tell on him (No talking!); the man who couldn't foresee the devastation of Katrina even with experts begging him to listen has a gut feeling the US will be attacked this summer; (Chertoff) a frozen baby mammoth (see Ice Age I or II) has been found in Siberia and scientists want to try and clone it (2 mammoths for the price of 1).
And then you have the main event. In this corner, weighing 285 pounds and looking a tad disheveled, Michael Moore. In the other corner, weighing in at 105 pounds (after a heavy duty spritzing) it's Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Your referee tonight, wandering around aimlessly is Larry King. Did any of you see that last night? I'll link you to the Wolf Blizter smack down that led up to it but man, like him or hate him, Michael Moore makes you think. I've always been a CNN person. Yeah I know, everyone has an agenda and all news outlets have their own biases but it was less apparent on CNN (to me) than say, oh…Fox which has no shame in proclaiming their "fair and balanced" format…if you happen to be a Republican that is and have an 8 x10 of George Bush hanging on your living room wall.
Michael Moore is a filmmaker whose films are meant to make you think. You may not agree with his tactics (like ambushing an obviously frail Charlton Heston in Bowling for Columbine) but he has a point and he does a very good job getting it across. "Sicko" came out this week and CNN aired a report by the good Dr. Gupta essentially saying powerful film but filled with flaws and fudged facts. Fudged facts, my candy loving friends is a nice way to say lied. So, CNN had the cajones to air that piece just before having Moore on for a live interview. Gutsy move! But he was up for it. You could actually hear Wolf Blitzer's butt cheeks slapping together when Moore demanded an apology...not for this so much but for the same type of report CNN did on "Farenheit 911". Wolf did his best to defend Dr. Gupta by saying he went in to help with surgeries on troops in Iraq. Nice, but not the point.
Enter Larry King.
King got both Moore and Gupta on his show the next night live. The battle lasted 30 minutes (because we all needed more information on the whack job married couple that began their relationship with a blinding splash of lye). Gupta looked good. Moore, well, Moore looked like Moore. But he had his stuff together. He cited facts and directed Gupta to where the facts came from. At times, Sanjay looked like he'd rather be back in the OR. People's views will differ but I give Michael the win on a TKO.
The American health care system is in crisis and has been for decades. It needs to be fixed. We have the people and the smarts to do it. But do we have the will?

ROUND 1

ROUND 2

ROUND 3

ROUND 4

YOUTUBE VIDEO OF THE WEEK

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 19:24:00 +0000

If you need a laugh, and face it, who doesn't, take a look at this video and watch as the comedian loses total control. By the time it finishes, you won't be able to get this guy's laugh out of your head....trust me!

Or, how about watching someone watching this video. This might just be even funnier!

No Hand Shakes; No High Fives

noreply@blogger.com (Norm) — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 02:29:00 +0000

Meet Deborah Hernandez. She's the principal of the Joyce Kilmer Middle School in Vienna, Virginia. It appears her goal in this southern state where warm embraces of friendship were once welcome, is to help make her students cold, uncaring and distant. Debby has decided she and her staff can no longer determine what is good touching and what is bad touching in school. So, taking the easy and cowardly way out, she has banned ALL touching. Now granted "touching" can be an uncomfortable word in these days of kindergartners being suspended for sexual harassment, however here are a couple of other terms that are less touchy but just as banned at Kilmer.

Hand shakes--Totally unacceptable.
High fives--See you in detention.
Post touchdown butt slapping--Prepare for homeschooling, cuz you're not coming back here.
Hugs--A large red H will be branded to your head.
Teachers knocking boots with the kiddies--That still may be ok.

Hernandez and others like her, and there are others, are helping destroy our kids. Too strong a statement? I don't think so. These kids will grow up wary of human touch and as cold and aloof as the Europeans already think we are. Take a trip overseas and you are greeted by friends with a kiss on each cheek and a brief hug. For generations in the US, we've been conditioned with the handshake as the closest you get. Why is it that we look on with muted interest in tragedies and wars in other countries, hell even around us? Because we've been conditioned that way. And if old Principal Hernandez gets her way, things are going to get a whole lot worse.

Take a look at some headlines from around the world.

"No-touching policy could land students in detention for high-fives" CNN

"Hug lands student in hot water" Edmonton Sun, Canada

"Head bans hugs and handshakes" Guardian Unlimited UK

"Virginia school's no contact policy has some pushing for change" Int'l Herald Tribune, France

"Virginia middle school bans touching among pupils" ShortNews.com, Germany

"Precedents: Finishing touching" Sydney Morning Herald, Australia

I don't want to give out her email address in case you wish to express your views to her. Take a look at the school's website (but don't touch it!). I think you'll figure out a way to contact her.
http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/KilmerMS/administration/index.html