tag:blog.mlive.com,2016:/flintjournal/bmata/1575 2009-05-27T14:58:27Z Brenda Brissette Mata's Opinons Movable Type Enterprise 4.29-advance tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2861969 2009-05-27T14:56:44Z 2009-05-27T14:58:27Z

I have one question regarding the waterboarding/torture controversy: What would we think if this enhanced interrogation technique were being used on Americans? Would we be upset? Would we call it torture? I've been thinking about it and I think I would...

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html I have one question regarding the waterboarding/torture controversy: What would we think if this enhanced interrogation technique were being used on Americans? Would we be upset? Would we call it torture? I've been thinking about it and I think I would... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2853150 2009-05-26T14:21:53Z 2009-05-26T14:26:52Z

Thank you. It's hard to find two more powerful words, except maybe "I'm sorry." Today I want to say thank you for letting me be a part of your lives these past 20 years. This is my last Sunday column: As part of the changes at The Journal, I'm one of many moving on to new adventures. I will still write as a freelancer. Right now the plan is for a weekly column in the new Social section. But for me, today marks the end of a career that has brought incredible joy....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html Thank you. It's hard to find two more powerful words, except maybe "I'm sorry." Today I want to say thank you for letting me be a part of your lives these past 20 years. This is my last Sunday column: As part of the changes at The Journal, I'm one of many moving on to new adventures. I will still write as a freelancer. Right now the plan is for a weekly column in the new Social section. But for me, today marks the end of a career that has brought incredible joy.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2800845 2009-05-19T15:20:59Z 2009-05-19T15:24:19Z

President Obama's speech at the University of Notre Dame on Friday was preceded by weeks of controversy. The pro-choice president speaking at the Catholic university was met with protest. Some pushed to have his speech cancelled. Some threatened to boycott the ceremony. When he spoke, he addressed the issue that sparked the protests -- abortion. Truly the most divisive topic in our nation....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html President Obama's speech at the University of Notre Dame on Friday was preceded by weeks of controversy. The pro-choice president speaking at the Catholic university was met with protest. Some pushed to have his speech cancelled. Some threatened to boycott the ceremony. When he spoke, he addressed the issue that sparked the protests -- abortion. Truly the most divisive topic in our nation.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2765303 2009-05-14T20:17:38Z 2009-05-14T20:28:04Z

Karen Lewis has a bat in her house and it just won't go away. I tossed her a few suggestions, can't wait to hear what works. I haven't seen Karen in years. We used to work together, but that was nearly 20 years ago. We lost touch, but reconnected on the the social Web site, Facebook....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html Karen Lewis has a bat in her house and it just won't go away. I tossed her a few suggestions, can't wait to hear what works. I haven't seen Karen in years. We used to work together, but that was nearly 20 years ago. We lost touch, but reconnected on the the social Web site, Facebook.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2765192 2009-05-14T20:10:20Z 2009-05-14T20:16:52Z

It's been a slow process, but, I've spent a couple years getting rid of stuff. What I didn't know was that I was part of a trend. A movement that is sweeping the nation. Some folks, smart folks, say the trend reflects the nation's changing economy. That we are responding by rethinking the idea of conspicuous consumption. Getting rid of stuff isn't easy. I don't just want to throw the stuff in a landfill, I wouldn't call myself a tree-hugger but that does seem stupid....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html It's been a slow process, but, I've spent a couple years getting rid of stuff. What I didn't know was that I was part of a trend. A movement that is sweeping the nation. Some folks, smart folks, say the trend reflects the nation's changing economy. That we are responding by rethinking the idea of conspicuous consumption. Getting rid of stuff isn't easy. I don't just want to throw the stuff in a landfill, I wouldn't call myself a tree-hugger but that does seem stupid.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2679477 2009-05-04T18:42:22Z 2009-05-04T18:53:57Z

Miss California, Carrie Prejean, deserves a big pat on the back for being honest when asked by one of the judges at the Miss USA contest about her views on marriage. Prejean said she believes that marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. "Well I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one way or the other," she said. "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. You know what, in my country, in my family, I do believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there. But that's how I was raised and I believe that it should be between a man and a woman." Good for her for being honest and for standing up for what she believes....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html Miss California, Carrie Prejean, deserves a big pat on the back for being honest when asked by one of the judges at the Miss USA contest about her views on marriage. Prejean said she believes that marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. "Well I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one way or the other," she said. "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. You know what, in my country, in my family, I do believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there. But that's how I was raised and I believe that it should be between a man and a woman." Good for her for being honest and for standing up for what she believes.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2633199 2009-04-27T19:12:16Z 2009-04-27T19:27:10Z

Swine flu! Possible pandemic! Pigs are flying! OK, pigs aren't flying, but you might think they were with the flaming reaction this lastest flu outbreak is getting....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html Swine flu! Possible pandemic! Pigs are flying! OK, pigs aren't flying, but you might think they were with the flaming reaction this lastest flu outbreak is getting.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2586504 2009-04-20T16:50:00Z 2009-04-20T17:03:51Z

Susan Sarandon voted sexiest 60-something.Quick, what does 60 look like? Gray? Wrinkly? Badly knitted afghans spread across creaking knees? Maybe 30 years ago that was someone's idea of 60, but these days 60 is the new 40. Which makes 40 the new 20, and if you continue to follow that line of thinking makes a 20-something an infant. Maybe you have to be 40 to appreciate the way our view of age has changed, but even 20-somethings agree that 60 doesn't mean gray hair and wrinkles....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html Susan Sarandon voted sexiest 60-something.Quick, what does 60 look like? Gray? Wrinkly? Badly knitted afghans spread across creaking knees? Maybe 30 years ago that was someone's idea of 60, but these days 60 is the new 40. Which makes 40 the new 20, and if you continue to follow that line of thinking makes a 20-something an infant. Maybe you have to be 40 to appreciate the way our view of age has changed, but even 20-somethings agree that 60 doesn't mean gray hair and wrinkles.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2565531 2009-04-16T17:43:25Z 2009-04-16T18:47:38Z

By Ryan GarzaHubert Williams in his garden in Flint in Sept. 2008 This will be the third year I've attempted a serious garden and while I've failed more than I've succeeded, I'm determined to try again. Gardeners, those who seem to have dirt in their blood, believe that the benefits are too good to ignore. Besides, I promised Hubert Williams I wouldn't give up....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html By Ryan GarzaHubert Williams in his garden in Flint in Sept. 2008 This will be the third year I've attempted a serious garden and while I've failed more than I've succeeded, I'm determined to try again. Gardeners, those who seem to have dirt in their blood, believe that the benefits are too good to ignore. Besides, I promised Hubert Williams I wouldn't give up.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2558428 2009-04-15T18:53:13Z 2009-04-15T18:56:21Z

After years of watching goofy-looking people showcased on "American Idol" as jesters and fools, I didn't know what to expect when a friend sent me this video from "Britain's Got Talent." But it gave me goosebumps. I did a quick Google search and it looks like everybody's talking about Susan Boyle. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html After years of watching goofy-looking people showcased on "American Idol" as jesters and fools, I didn't know what to expect when a friend sent me this video from "Britain's Got Talent." But it gave me goosebumps. I did a quick Google search and it looks like everybody's talking about Susan Boyle. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2551595 2009-04-14T19:52:32Z 2009-04-14T19:59:35Z

I say we roll up a newspaper, I must have one around here somewhere, and swat Newt Gingrich on the nose. A new puppy is finally taking up residence in the White House and the former speaker of the House, on ABC's "This Week" Sunday, said that he hopes the Obama girls love their new dog, but added "I think that this whole thing is fairly stupid." Calm down, Mr. Former Speaker -- it's just sweet and slightly interesting and this country is desperately in need of a little lighthearted fun....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html I say we roll up a newspaper, I must have one around here somewhere, and swat Newt Gingrich on the nose. A new puppy is finally taking up residence in the White House and the former speaker of the House, on ABC's "This Week" Sunday, said that he hopes the Obama girls love their new dog, but added "I think that this whole thing is fairly stupid." Calm down, Mr. Former Speaker -- it's just sweet and slightly interesting and this country is desperately in need of a little lighthearted fun.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2532681 2009-04-10T19:45:08Z 2009-04-10T19:51:02Z

One Facebook comment about Spam and, well, I got spammed. The canned meat product came up in a conversation which got me thinking about Spam. Which got me thinking about other "fake" food products. Like Velveeta which is to cheese what Spam is to meat. My mother will deny it, but she used to serve Spam....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html One Facebook comment about Spam and, well, I got spammed. The canned meat product came up in a conversation which got me thinking about Spam. Which got me thinking about other "fake" food products. Like Velveeta which is to cheese what Spam is to meat. My mother will deny it, but she used to serve Spam.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2512140 2009-04-07T21:15:45Z 2009-04-07T21:37:23Z

Gilles Marini without a shirt? Is it just me or does even the memory of that dance make the temperature rise a little bit? I can't tell you what Marini was best known for before his appearance on DWTS (I did hear he had a part in the "Sex and the City" movie, but I haven't seen it yet.) but he appears to have a solid future as a ballroom dancer. Marini's paso doble (which began sans the aforementioned shirt) was hot, hot, hot. But on to the real DWTS news. Kidding, there's no real DWTS news. This program is the lighter than cotton candy, just as decadent and useless. Too much will make your stomach hurt and rot your teeth, but in small doses, it's a blast....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html Gilles Marini without a shirt? Is it just me or does even the memory of that dance make the temperature rise a little bit? I can't tell you what Marini was best known for before his appearance on DWTS (I did hear he had a part in the "Sex and the City" movie, but I haven't seen it yet.) but he appears to have a solid future as a ballroom dancer. Marini's paso doble (which began sans the aforementioned shirt) was hot, hot, hot. But on to the real DWTS news. Kidding, there's no real DWTS news. This program is the lighter than cotton candy, just as decadent and useless. Too much will make your stomach hurt and rot your teeth, but in small doses, it's a blast.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2491004 2009-04-03T14:33:38Z 2009-04-03T15:57:57Z

Steve-O, the "Jackass" star stomping his way across the dance floor on ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" received a pass this week while Hugh Hefner's former gal pals, Holly Madison, and Apple's clown prince Steve Wozniak got the boot. The right decision to be sure. Steve-O, who said that he was proud of himself for getting through all the stress of the rehearsals without drugs or alcohol, seems to be miles away from the goofy guy he used to be. That alone should have earned him an extra week....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html Steve-O, the "Jackass" star stomping his way across the dance floor on ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" received a pass this week while Hugh Hefner's former gal pals, Holly Madison, and Apple's clown prince Steve Wozniak got the boot. The right decision to be sure. Steve-O, who said that he was proud of himself for getting through all the stress of the rehearsals without drugs or alcohol, seems to be miles away from the goofy guy he used to be. That alone should have earned him an extra week.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2490443 2009-04-03T14:27:04Z 2009-04-03T14:33:24Z

There are toys strewn throughout the house, smudged prints on the windows and mud tracked from the front door to the kitchen floor. Crying, in the middle of the night, breaks through a sound night's sleep and a few weeks ago I was late to work, delayed because one was sick. There's begging for sweets instead of eating what's been prepared and that look -- the one that says "I just did something wrong, but you don't know about it yet," followed by a soulful plea for forgiveness for the bad behavior. There's the chasing that comes at bathtime and the sitter arrangements that have to be made when vacation time rolls around. All in a house without children -- this is dog-doings....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html There are toys strewn throughout the house, smudged prints on the windows and mud tracked from the front door to the kitchen floor. Crying, in the middle of the night, breaks through a sound night's sleep and a few weeks ago I was late to work, delayed because one was sick. There's begging for sweets instead of eating what's been prepared and that look -- the one that says "I just did something wrong, but you don't know about it yet," followed by a soulful plea for forgiveness for the bad behavior. There's the chasing that comes at bathtime and the sitter arrangements that have to be made when vacation time rolls around. All in a house without children -- this is dog-doings.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2476798 2009-04-01T16:07:21Z 2009-04-01T17:22:03Z

The Sunday snow should not have been a surprise. After all, we're Michiganians. Or Michiganders. I've never been able to figure out which is preferred. They tell us in elementary school that Michigan comes from a Chippewa word "meicigama" that means great water. I think it's an Indian word for "wait five minutes, the weather's bound to change." To be from Michigan means having to be adjustable. Especially when it comes to the weather....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html The Sunday snow should not have been a surprise. After all, we're Michiganians. Or Michiganders. I've never been able to figure out which is preferred. They tell us in elementary school that Michigan comes from a Chippewa word "meicigama" that means great water. I think it's an Indian word for "wait five minutes, the weather's bound to change." To be from Michigan means having to be adjustable. Especially when it comes to the weather.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2443353 2009-03-26T14:34:58Z 2009-03-26T14:46:05Z

If "Dancing With the Stars" has proved anything, it's that women known for being hot and sexy do not necessarily make good dancers. Denise Richards, best known as Charlie Sheen's ex, got the toss this week. She was my choice to go. The dance-off now required for bottom two contestants was between Richards and Holly Madison, best known as one of the many, many blonde girlfriends of Hugh Hefner's dotage. Bye bye Denise Richards....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html If "Dancing With the Stars" has proved anything, it's that women known for being hot and sexy do not necessarily make good dancers. Denise Richards, best known as Charlie Sheen's ex, got the toss this week. She was my choice to go. The dance-off now required for bottom two contestants was between Richards and Holly Madison, best known as one of the many, many blonde girlfriends of Hugh Hefner's dotage. Bye bye Denise Richards.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2425776 2009-03-23T20:04:09Z 2009-03-23T20:14:07Z

Sorry, but I'm thrilled Belinda Carlisle got the toss on "Dancing With the Stars." Steve-O, bad as he is, deserves another chance. And Steve Wozniak, horrible as he is, at least gives us reason to smile. But it looks like injuries are a serious problem for the two Steves, who are both likely to end up in rivaling for the bottom positions. Rumors abound that Wozniak, who now has a pulled hamstring, maybe not be up to it....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html Sorry, but I'm thrilled Belinda Carlisle got the toss on "Dancing With the Stars." Steve-O, bad as he is, deserves another chance. And Steve Wozniak, horrible as he is, at least gives us reason to smile. But it looks like injuries are a serious problem for the two Steves, who are both likely to end up in rivaling for the bottom positions. Rumors abound that Wozniak, who now has a pulled hamstring, maybe not be up to it.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2393064 2009-03-17T18:10:36Z 2009-03-17T18:24:29Z

Wow. Gillis Marini is heating things up on "Dancing With The Stars." Outside of his part as the naked neighbor on "Sex In The City" not many people knew this actor's name until he teamed up with dancer Cheryl Burke. Now he's certainly one to watch and not likely to be eliminated....

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html Wow. Gillis Marini is heating things up on "Dancing With The Stars." Outside of his part as the naked neighbor on "Sex In The City" not many people knew this actor's name until he teamed up with dancer Cheryl Burke. Now he's certainly one to watch and not likely to be eliminated.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2009:/flintjournal/bmata//1575.2387245 2009-03-16T17:47:28Z 2009-03-16T18:00:54Z

In a battle of blonde conservativism, a war of words seems to be heating up.Meghan McCain Meghan McCain, daughter of the former presidential candidate and his wife Cindy, writes about politics and pop culture via her blog for TheDailyBeast.com. She recently turned her keyboard on Ann Coulter, the acid-tongued conservative commentator, calling Coulter the "poster woman for the most extreme side of the Republican Party."...

Brenda Mata | Flint Journal http://connect.mlive.com/user/bbmata/index.html In a battle of blonde conservativism, a war of words seems to be heating up.Meghan McCain Meghan McCain, daughter of the former presidential candidate and his wife Cindy, writes about politics and pop culture via her blog for TheDailyBeast.com. She recently turned her keyboard on Ann Coulter, the acid-tongued conservative commentator, calling Coulter the "poster woman for the most extreme side of the Republican Party."...