The Ginger Gazette

Steve Jobs > Barrack Obama...?

2011-08-03T11:36:00.002-04:00

Is it possible Steve Jobs will abandon his mega mansions for a couple of weeks and come to run Washington?

American's should start begging now because, he might be able to teach us a thing or two about finances. As it stands now, "Apple has more cash than the United States government."

The graph below that shows how the cash stacks up isn't really all that fair. Apple has $76.2 billion in the actual books, actual available money, but on the other hand The United States' $73.8 Billion well... that's basically the money our government can operate within. Not to say we necessarily have the said money on hand...


Credit: Learnvest

The Financial Post explained it like this:

As Republicans and Democrats continue to work towards a compromise to the country’s debt ceiling crisis, the U.S. Treasury Department said on Thursday that Washington now has a total operating balance of only US$73.768-billion.
Meanwhile, Apple currently boasts a cash reserve of US$75.876-billion, as of its most recent quarterly earnings report at the end of June.

I know a lot of people argue that you can't run a country like you run a business. I'm beginning to wonder... Whatever else we are doing certainly isn't working in our favor.

As Obama Talks Morale Flops...

2011-07-28T18:41:00.001-04:00

President Barack Obama might want to talk to a political strategists to help him when it comes to the economy and the American morale.

A new Gallup poll has revealed that the faith Americans have in their economy has been steadily decreasing...this isn't shocking news to anyone. But why now? The poll clearly shows mid-May till mid-July. No economic data has really been released in these months, we haven't gotten new or worse numbers in unemployment and nothing really has been changing drastically. So why all the negativity?

One thing that has changed, is the amount of media attention on the economy. The front page of every newspaper for the past month has been on the economy and yet its the same story every single day... no one has come to an agreement. We are sick of the fighting and even sicker of the deadlock.

Also...

Obama has been holding an unusual amount of press conferences not to discuss the war, or rally the people but to basically point out how bad our economic situation is and complain that republicans won't compromise. I am sorry Mr. President but one of your many tasks is to improve the morale of your people and your not doing a good job. You can not raise morale by scaring people, telling us you can't guarantee social security checks.

The greatest speeches in American history given by politicians did not contain the idea that oh I'm sorry... I cant promise you guys a lot. We have a BIG problem. They contained words like "The Only thing we have to fear is fear itself," and words of encouragement that we could find comfort in.

"My Seizure Dog"

2011-07-25T14:43:00.004-04:00

UPDATE: Evan has raised enough money and got his dog... Success! Read more here...

Service dogs have been helping a wide range of people for many generations. They can guide the blind, help people with hearing impairments and can even help adults and children ailed by seizures. Evan Moss is a 7 year-old boy who has been experiencing seizures since he was one month old.

The Huffington Post reported that, "By the time [Moss] was 4-years-old, he was having 300-400 seizures a month. Every day, the normal activities of a toddler would be interrupted about 10-15 times by epileptic seizures."

But Moss wont let his seizures get him down. He, and his family, are hoping to get some much needed help from a four legged pal. They are working with a program called 4 Paws for Ability. It is a program that works specifically with helping children and their families.

One small issue facing Moss however is the expense of a service dog. The well trained pups cost a family around $13,000 after 4 Paws for Ability chips in. The young boy appears to have a solution to that however. Write a book!

'My Seizure Dog' written and illustrated by Evan Moss himself is the story of what life will be like for the young boy when he gets his dog. The 7 year old got a lot of Media attention for his smart fundraising idea and his book-signing at an Alexandria coffee shop called Grounded Coffee. WTOP reported: "About 400 people lined up despite the oppressive heat."

We wish Evan the best of luck. Reminds us of another success story starring another young inspiration, Taylor Merriam.

For General Donations: Click Here

To Buy My Seizure Dog: Click Here or get it on Amazon

And of course you can check up on Evan and his family by visiting his blog

Rep. David Wu will face ethics investigation and not back down... yet. UPDATE

2011-07-25T09:46:00.003-04:00

He was the first Chinese American to serve in the House of Representatives. Now, one of Oregon's U.S Representative is in hot water. Representative David Wu will face an ethics investigation by the request of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, The Oregonian reported: "I call on the Ethics Committee to initiate an investigation into the allegations against Congressman Wu," Pelosi said in a statement. "With deep disappointment and sadness about this situation, I hope that the Ethics Committee will take up this matter."

On July 22nd of this year Wu was accused, by a teenage girl, of an unwanted sexual encounter. To make matters worse the young woman is "the daughter of a longtime friend and campaign donor", reports The Oregonian.

This is not Wu's first accusation of sexual charges. While attending Stanford University Wu was accused of sexually assaulting an ex-girlfriend. Though criminal charges were never filed he was punished by the school in 1976.

Late Sunday night one of Wu's adviser's spoke to POLITICO, anonymously. “He isn’t going to be running for reelection. But he hasn’t done anything that rises to the level of requiring him to resign.”

Wu will be retiring in 2012.

Democrats are not happy with the decision. Already, suffering from one sex scandal this summer they are worried about their image and most wish Wu would simply step down.

The 2012 elections loom ahead and the Democrats, of course, worry about this effecting their chances.

Update: Congressman Wu will Resign WTOP reports.

Wu announced earlier today his decision to resign: "The wellbeing of my children must come before anything else," Wu said in a statement. "With great sadness, I therefore intend to resign effective upon the resolution of the debt-ceiling crisis. This is the right decision for my family, the institution of the House, and my colleagues."

He will not be making it to that projected 2012 retirerment date, but will still no doubt be seeing a pretty nice pension later on...

A Look Into... Horrible Bosses

2011-07-23T01:34:00.008-04:00

"The key to success is taking sh*t."

Could it be? Jennifer Aniston is finally in a good funny movie? I think so...

Tonight, in a last ditch effort to avoid the heat, that has slowly been melting the fine city of D.C I went on over to the movie theater. Me and the 600 other people who had this excellent idea waited in line as I was faced with a decision... Do I see steamy Justin Timberlake and his equally hot co-star Mila Kunis go at it in a friends turned lover movie I probably already knew the end to, or this movie Horrible Bosses?

I opted for Bosses, and boy am I glad I did.

Normally, a funny movie puts every single funny part in the trailer. Which really is low of them in my opinion... you go with such high expectations and leave the theater thinking I could have saved the $11

and just watched the trailer on YouTube for more kicks than that. This, my friends, is not one of those movies.

You can watch the trailer all you want and still get a bunch of funny jokes when you actually see the movie! What is this madness?

Seriously good movie.

A Look Into... The Help

2011-07-21T16:22:00.006-04:00

"You is kind. You is smart. You is important."

-Aibileen

Entering it's 21st week on the New York Times Bestsellers List, The Help by Kathryn Stockett is a novel that transports it's readers to the world of Jackson, Mississippi. The year is 1962 and race doesn't just describe the color of skin but it determines your life.

The Help, follows the lives of three courageous women as they try and turn Jackson on it's head. A book about racism, the friendship among women and changing perceptions. I could not put this book down.

I picked this book up on a whim at the airport unsure if I would like it. Three days later I flipped the last page, thoroughly in love.

I recommend this book to all! Especially with it's motion picture coming out so soon... (August 10th)

I don't know how you guys feel, but if I can help it I always read the book before I see the movie.
(Hello Harry Potter Fans!)

However I don't mind watching trailers before I've read... so here is a little teaser to peak your interest:

4 Paws for Princess Taylor

2010-12-18T03:37:00.020-05:00

The holidays are a great time to see the best in people and opportunities to help those in need are boundless. Here is a fundraiser I just heard about called 4 Paws for Princess Taylor. It's a fundraiser for a little girl who was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of two. Taylor, now 5, finds that as she grows the seizures appear to be getting worse, happening almost every day. Her family is hoping to find some relief in the form of a specially trained dog.

This canine pal would help Taylor immensely; it would be able to detect, through smell, when Taylor was going to have a episode and could alert her parents so that they could prepare for the ordeal. These dogs, however, are more expensive then the average mutt, running $13,000. The family is reaching out for help through their website: http://4pawsforprincesstaylor.wordpress.com/

I think this is a great fundraiser and you can help even by donating small amounts.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!!

UPDATE: They did it!!! Taylor and her family have raised enough money to get the dog they thoroughly deserve if you want to follow Taylor and the rest of her journey, they have created a facebook page. Congrats Taylor!

Taylors Fundraiser Spotlight on My Fox 35 Orlando

Justice In Smart Case Finally Served

2010-12-10T19:37:00.002-05:00

Over eight years ago America became captivated with the story of Elizabeth Smart, a young girl age 14 who was taken from the safety of her parent’s home in Utah and forced into a world of abuse and sexual assault.

It took nine long months for authorities to find Smart. Those months were filled with derogation and abuse CNN reported, “Smart testified that she awoke to find a man holding a cold steel blade to her neck. She was taken from her bed and marched up a rugged mountain path in her red silk pajamas. When they reached Mitchell's remote camp, Smart testified she was "sealed" to her captor in a marriage ceremony, raped and shackled between two trees with a metal cable. She said she was degraded and treated ‘like an animal.’”

It’s been a long time coming but finally a federal jury has found the man who kidnapped Elizabeth Smart, Brian David Mitchell, guilty. Mitchells legal team tried to plead a insanity defense, which the jurors rejected. Mitchell now looks to be facing life in prison. The Salt Lake Tribune reported: “Mitchell was convicted of interstate kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor to engage in sexual activity for holding Smart captive for nine months, including near-daily rapes and a trip to California and back.”

Smart was thrilled with the verdict releasing the statement: “I hope that this is not only an example that justice can be served in America, but that it is possible to move on after something terrible has happened, and that we can speak out and we will be heard.” The entire Smart family released jubilant statements of the momentous day and was captured in images that revealed nothing but smiles. They are more then happy to move forward with their lives and there is a sense that this chapter is finally over.

The Disney Effect Claims One More Victim.

2010-06-26T21:24:00.001-04:00

Now I'm not normally one for calling out kids on their wild behavior but Miley Cyrus doesn't seem to want to be ignored. Her new music video 'Can't Be Tamed' shows a different side of the Disney star. She is using the same excuse all our old Disney 90's pop tarts used when they made the switch, from nice girl to dirty, she tells the public that she's just growing up and its part of her maturing. Not even legal Miss Cyrus seems to think maturing means wearing skimpy leather attire and making out with both sexes center stage at her last two live concerts. Mothers abound have been shrieking their disapproval as Miley Cryus turns Britney on us. So who do we like better the girls Disney took in or the girls Disney spat out?

2010-06-25T01:26:00.001-04:00

It's Bacckkkk....

Futurama came back this evening in a one hour premiere. the series aired from March 28, 1999 to August 10, 2003 on Fox. The shows schedule was always a little sporadic and Fox choose to cancel the series but here we are years later and Comedy Central has decided to pick it back up. It's yet to see how well or bad the series will do but this late 6th season will have a total of 12 episodes, good or bad. So did anyone catch the series premier? What did ya'all think?

Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) Official 2010 FIFA World Cup (TM) Song

2010-06-10T00:52:00.004-04:00

BP

2010-05-28T19:33:00.002-04:00

It's been simply forever since I've decided to post so I wanted this to be a good informative post. I wracked my mind for something good to write about and I think BP is one of the best things to inform people. Before we get started let me clear something up with the general public BP does not stand for British Petroleum. I can not tell you how angry I was when our own president called it British Petroleum that is a name they used some time ago BP now stands for Beyond Petroleum. So BP has really... fucked up. I can't put it anyway around a month ago one of their big oil rigs exploded leading to a massive leak of water from under the surface in the gulf of mexico. So what is BP going to do about this massive "leak"? I think this video best describes it and the audacious quality of those ideas.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

There Will Be Blame

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

Oscar Night

2010-03-08T16:17:00.002-05:00

So last night was a big night of glitz, glamor, winning and losing. The 82nd Annual Oscar's was hosted and some of the big name wins were as follows:

Best Picture/Directing: The Hurt Locker

(Kathryn Bigelow who ironically is Avatar's Director, James Cameron's, ex wife.)

Actor in a Leading Role: Jeff Bridges (Crazy Hearts)

Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side)

Animated Feature Film: Up

Art Direction/Cinematography: Avatar

Costume Design: The Young Victoria

For the complete list along with acceptance speeches click here

Ke$ha Parody

2010-02-22T19:02:00.002-05:00

A Funny

2010-02-19T13:53:00.001-05:00

Miss Him Yet?

2010-02-14T13:13:00.001-05:00

Found along Interstate 35 outside Wyoming, Minn. this billboard sparked the interest of thousands as it "was one of the most-searched items on Google Tuesday."

some people are concuring with the billboard while others oppose it

the real question is

do you miss him?

Superbowl 2010

2010-02-08T09:34:00.005-05:00

Saints vs. Colts Superbowl 2010

Saints won 31-17, it's the first Superbowl win for the Saints

"We knew that we had an entire city and maybe an entire country behind us" said MVP QB Drew Brees

This will for sure be one of the longest Mardi Gra's for Bourbon street

The Who played the half-time show, which was pretty good considering how old they are. But their vocals have defiantly taken a shot. The commercials weren't all that good but here are some examples of the better ones:

Let me know if you have any highlights/commercials that you loved on the superbowl

Happy Monday!

"10 Futuristic Cell Phone Concepts" from Toxel.com

2010-01-30T22:52:00.004-05:00

Toxel.com

I don't know about you guys, but I am simply obsessed with Stumbleupon.com

I was on it tonight and I came across some cool sites but one of the best was a site that did an article on 10 futuristic cell phone concepts. Toxel describes the article as a "Collection of the most creative and interesting cell phone concepts designed by talented people from all over the globe."

Here are some pics of the ultra cool designs:

What do you guys think?

Nerimon, YouTube Sensation Points Out the 'Finer' Points of Pop Music

2010-01-27T17:15:00.002-05:00

A New iProduct for the Apple Fans

2010-01-27T16:08:00.001-05:00

http://www.apple.com/

Apple has done it again.

"At a press event in San Francisco today, Steve Jobs introduced us to the iPad, his company’s hotly anticipated entry into the tablet market that is set to release worldwide in 60 days." - EW.com

It looks like a rather large iPhone but it's a lot more then that. "iBook app, which will let iPad owners create their own library of titles purchased and downloaded from a central iBooks store." Amazon's Kindle must be one unhappy camper.

"At first glance, the device does not look like much, and as rumored it basically resembles a large iPhone, complete with a home button and glass touch screen. True to the style that has come to define Apple products, the device looks simple and well-built, with a rigid glass display and a inch or so of bezel area around the display. The display is a full capacitive multitouch panel, as was expected, but is also an LED-backlit IPS (In-Plane Switching) display that has a great viewing angle. The back is aluminum, and there are various connectors on the sides for power, sleep, and volume controls." - Cnet

It looks sick, and all I know is I want it. Badly.

Haiti Hit

2010-01-15T17:01:00.003-05:00

So I've been a really bad blogger this month, and I'm sorry; I was just so caught up in all the excitement of my life. But now I'm back (yay!) and I have a really good cause to write about so hopefully it makes up for my neglecting you all.

So unless you live on another planet (or under some very large rock) you've heard all about the disaster that's hit Haiti.

It is extremely important to help out countries that face environmental disasters, especially if said countries face the issues that come with being a developing nation. "It is important to give quickly in the Haitian quake because that nation does not have the resilience of prosperous developed nations," says Richard Sylves, a professor of political science at the University of Delaware. Mr. Sylves appears to be right and Haiti needs all the help it can get.

If your thinking you don't really have time to go to a meeting, and you don't have a lot of time or money to volunteer you can still help out. Visit any of the websites below, or text “Haiti” to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross for relief.

http://www.unicefusa.org/

https://www.habitat.org/

If any one has any other good websites for the relief of Haiti please comment or you can email the link to gingergazette@gmail.com

and I'll add it on up here.

Thanks and I hope you guys have a great weekend!

Merry Christmas 2009!! (Or anything else you might celebrate)

2009-12-25T01:28:00.002-05:00

Hope everyone is having a great holiday!

xoxo The Ginger Gazette

Brittany Murphy - December 20th 2009 (RIP)

2009-12-20T18:31:00.002-05:00

"2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany’s family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon... See you on the other side kid."

-aplusk (Ashton Kutcher's twitter account)

The above is Ashton Kutcher's response to the loss of ex-girlfriend and co-star Brittany Murphy.

Mrs. Murphy died at 10:04 this morning morning. She was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after her husband placed a 911 call at around 8 this morning. It was their that it was determined she had entered cardiac arrest and could not be revived. Murphy is most famous for her roles in "Clueless," "8 Mile," and "Don't Say a Word." TMZ had the following updates to add:

"UPDATE 3:11 PM ET -- Sources tell TMZ Brittany Murphy's mom discovered her unconscious in the shower. We're told when paramedics arrived, they quickly determined Murphy was in full cardiac arrest and immediately administered CPR. They continued CPR in route to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center -- several miles away -- and Murphy was unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

We're told the LA County Coroner's is picking up Murphy's body from Cedars later today and will launch a death investigation.

UPDATE 4:00 PM ET -- We're also told the LAPD has launched a death investigation.

UPDATE 4:07 PM ET -- A rep for Murphy tells TMZ, "In this time of sadness, the family thanks you for your love and support. It is their wish that you respect their privacy."

UPDATE 5:21 PM ET -- Two LAPD officers were just spotted going into Murphy's home.

UPDATE 5:34 PM ET -- A neighbor of Brittany's tells TMZ she saw Brittany getting taken out on a stretcher with paramedics performing CPR. The neighbor said Brittany "looked dead.""

Down Tiger

2009-12-03T13:01:00.002-05:00

(photo credit examiner.com)

Tiger Woods is probably one of the most respected sportsmen out there.

His record is so clean it shines and he always seems to bring joy with that killer smile and the likewise bod.

Well it seems he's been bringing a lot of joy to a girl named Jaimee Grubbs, a former tool academy contestant. Boy has she upgraded...

(Photo credit Jaimee Grubbs / VH1)

Needless to say Tiger's record is not so clean as of this week, that will happen when you cheat on your wife in what allegedly is a 31-month affair.

The media is in a frenzy.

Tiger Wood's released the following statement: "I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart,"

"I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means."

The family is supposedly in intense couples therapy, and Tiger will not be playing in the infamous Chevron World Challenge often referred to as "Tiger's Tournament".

There are rumors flying around now that Tiger woods is paying his wife up to $5 million to stand by at his side plus an extra $55 million in their prenup I believe its an effort on his and his lawyers part to try and keep Wood's endorsements.

Minarets Banned in Switzerland

2009-11-30T08:46:00.005-05:00

(Photo Credit)

"Swiss voters have supported a referendum proposal to ban the building of minarets, official results show." (BBC)

Minarets are tall slender towers, typically part of a mosque, they contain a balcony from which a muezzin calls Muslims to prayer. The swiss have voted against the creation of any new minarets.

Switzerland's government did not wish to put a ban on the minarets, they feared that this would reflect badly on Switzerland's image in the Muslim world.

"voters [though] worried about rising immigration - and with it the rise of Islam - [so they] have [chosen to ignore] the government's advice."

so the ban was voted in favor by the people. It is targeting one religion which is why so many find the referendum so distasteful. The ban itself seems to scream intolerance. Which is why most of Europe is pitting itself against the ban and trying to reason with Switzerland to repel the referendum.

You wouldn't really know it, but there are many Muslims in Switzerland, around 400,000 live in the country. With such a large community you would imagine a strong sense of Islamisation, you'd be wrong. Switzerland itself only has 4 Minarets and after the ban that is all it's set to have unless something dissolves the law.

Martin Baltisser, the SVP's (Swiss People's Party) general secretary, told the BBC: "This was a vote against minarets as symbols of Islamic power."

Switzerland accepted their people's decision however and said the following: "The Federal Council (government) respects this decision. Consequently the construction of new minarets in Switzerland is no longer permitted."

(Quotes from BBC article)