RIP Caylee Anthony

As many of you have heard on Friday(12/19) confirmation was given that the remains found on December 11th were that of little Caylee Anthony. Although many expected this to be the case, it is no less sad to have such a grim and final conclusion to this 6 month search.

I write this as an offer of condolence to little Caylee Marie Anthony.

Caylee,
We may never know what happened to you. We fortunately may never know what terror and fear you must have suffered in the last moments of your life. I am sorry that you will never get to grow into a young woman, get married and maybe have children of your own. I am sorry that your potential was cut so short and someone felt that your life was not worth sparing. I hope that you are now reaping the benefits of heaven. I hope that you can forgive whomever did this to you and rest in peace. Your story has touched the hearts of millions and I think I speak for all of them when I say I hope there is swift justice for you in the near future.

May God bless your soul.


Now to Casey Anthony -

I am not sure what happened, and we may never know, but I hope that you receive a punishment fitting of your behavior. I cannot out right claim you guilty because everyone is afforded the presumption of innocence, but I must say the evidence against you is pretty overwhelming. The lies and lack of urgency to find for your child are criminal enough in my opinion. As a mother, the only explanation for why you would mislead those who were trying to locate your child is because you had something to hide with regards to what you did to her. In your shoes, I would do everything I could to find my child- including helping with the search, which I also find odd that you did not do. If you did something to her, even if it was an accident you acted with complete disregard for your daughter's life. You placed yourself over your child- an action that many mothers find unfathomable. So, I would say to you: You failed your daughter in life, so in death, you should do the honorable thing and admit your wrong doing so Caylee can at least know that her mother cared enough about her to seek forgiveness and allow her to rest in peace.
I hope you get the harshest punishment available- short of death- because I think you should have to live the rest of your life remembering what you did and suffer everyday of it.

Bush Admits to Failure

Not, with his entire Presidency, although that should be the first admission on his list. But he does admit that when he was elected President in 2000, he had a goal of changing the tone of politics in Washington. Now after eight consecutive years in the White House, Bush admits that he did not do a good job of completing that goal and considers his efforts a failure.

I feel this is just Bush's attempt at setting the tone for his legacy as President. He would like us to believe that he was a reflective, earnest and now, remorseful diplomat (owning up to his shortcomings) and not at all what he actually was: A bull-headed, stubborn, authoritarian who ruined and disgraced the country.

-Nice try Bushy, but I'm not buying it!

Complete article here.

Alienated Obama Population

A key group that was influential in electing Barack Obama is upset today after it was announced that Rick Warren, an Evangelical Pastor, will conduct the inauguration benediction.

Warren draws this opposition from gay rights groups who are angered by his support of Prop 8, in California (the gay marriage ban).

However, Obama had these words to say in response: "America needs to come together, even when there's disagreement on social issues. That dialogue is part of what my campaign is all about." He also adds that he will continue to be a champion for equal rights including those of gays and lesbians.

The Human Right's Campaign, a gay and lesbian civil rights group, wrote Obama a letter stating its disagreement with his choice and urged him to reconsider. They also said: "We feel a deep level of disrespect when one of the architects and promoters of an anti-gay agenda is given the prominence and the pulpit of your historic nomination."

You can find the complete article here.

Hump Day News Mix

So, here's what I found most interesting in the news over the past week. Some are the usual headlines found everywhere and a few are some fascinating tidbits I found along my news travels.
Here goes!

1. In a plot twist fit for the best of TV dramas, it has been reported that Jesse Jackson, Jr. (JJJ) has been an informant to the US Attorney's Office for at least a decade. Yes, that's right, he has been a snitch for 10 years. WOW! His informant career began when, in 2002, Blago (then running for Gov. of Illinois) tried to solicit $25,000 from JJJ, which he did not end up getting. Around the same time JJJ's wife, Sandi, was pursuing the Director of the States Lotto Commission job, a post she did not get. Blago later told JJJ, "you see what $25,000 would have done?"*Gross* Which prompted JJJ to inform the US Attorney of the attempted shake down.

Blago is just disgusting- aside from his hair that makes me want to bring out the rodent traps- I am thoroughly disgusted by this guys arrogance and complete stupidity. Yes, I am aware that this sort of wheeling and dealing (as despicable as it may be) happens all the time in politics, but it is usually done with at least a hint of indiscretion and humility. This guy is just unbelievable, not only for his past actions which caused his arrest, but his utter refusal to resign *ugh*. Yesterday the impeachment panel convened with no solution met, and Blago made a decision to finally speak to the public about the scandal. He says he is ready to tell his side of the story. While being asked about when he will comment the arrogant a** offered these cocky and flip words, "To quote Elvis, hang loose, Now can I get a run in, do you think?" *Jackass*

2. The Republican party showed glimpses of morality and sanity when a highly influential member and potential candidate in 2012, Newt Gingrich, spoke out about the RNC attacks being lodged at President-Elect Obama with reference to the Blago scandal. Newt Gingrich and other Republican party members are not jiving with the current mode to trash the incoming President with character attacks and ads questioning his honesty and transparency within Blago-gate. Newt Gingrich sent a letter to the chairman of the RNC, where he had these words to say:

"I was saddened to learn that at a time of national trial, when a president-elect is preparing to take office in the midst of the worst financial crisis in over seventy years, that the Republican National Committee is engaged in the sort of negative, attack politics that the voters rejected in the 2006 and 2008 election cycles. The recent web advertisement, "Questions Remain," is a destructive distraction. Clearly, we should insist that all taped communications regarding the Senate seat should be made public. However, that should be a matter of public policy, not an excuse for political attack."

And the RNC may be listening, offering a response stating their agreement with President Elect Obama that the current vacant seat belongs to the people of Illinois and the only way to end the taint of Blago-gate is to hold a special election. *I'm glad to see they can learn from their mistakes. I mean don't they understand that one of the main reasons they are no longer in power is there consistent use of divisive politics. It's just not needed, especially in our current trying times- I commend you Newt (and I never thought I would EVER say that).

3. Just when I thought that we had reached the bottom of the unscrupulous Wall Street barrel, Bernard Madoff rears his ugly head and gets his dirty laundry aired and is arrested for it. This is another scum bag that makes my skin crawl. I mean this guy should be placed underneath the jail and all his money given to charity.

So, as a result of this man, and the SEC - who admits to not taking the tips they received about this potential fraud 9 YEARS AGO, seriously- several charities and foundations are having to close their doors because their entire endowments have been wiped out due to the basic Ponzi Scheme perpetrated. An act where initial investors are paid off with money from later investors, until no more money can be raised and the scheme collapses. *Despicable*

Now, about $50 billion has been lost, which constitutes one of the largest frauds committed in history. *Gross* And what is the grossest of the gross, is Mr. Madoff used to serve on a Government Committee established to protect investors by ensuring accurate and full public disclosure of information to them, all while he was cooking the books and defrauding individuals, non-profits and foundations of their money. If I was a proponent for torture, he would be a prime candidate.

4. What Women Want? A question asked by the YWCA, towards young women, especially African-American young women, about what they would like to see from the incoming first lady and the Obama Administration.
In a recap: Generation Y women want a first lady that is an example of current leadership who champions for civil rights, equal pay for women and creates change we can see in our everyday lives.

Some responses offered:
• Generation Y women (aged 18-29) are likely to be more demanding of the new
administration than older women. Significantly more young women say that the new
administration must make several domestic issues “top priority” in the first year than older
women, including health care reform (87% v. 76%), quality and cost of education (85% v.
76%), the housing crisis (83% v. 69%) and HIV/AIDS (66% v.45%).

• Women say that lack of jobs and other economic uncertainties are potentially the
greatest barriers to progress for women over the next ten years. Women say the top
barriers to progress for women like them are:
o Lack of retirement savings (70%)
o Major illness or medical expense (68%)
o Lack of jobs or layoffs due to jobs sent overseas (63%)
o Cost of college (60%)
o Lack of affordable and accessible childcare, tied with unequal pay (59%)

• Most American women (57%) want the next First Lady to take a visible leadership role
and champion issues that are important to her. Older women, aged 63 to 70, would
prefer that she stays behind the scenes.

Check out the video on the this topic. Generation Y is thought to be a demanding and changing force for the new administration.

5. Last off, a story about the New York Governor's attempt to punish those who choose to drink non diet or sugar free drinks. The Governor has proposed an 18% tax, named "the obesity tax," be added on to the current sales tax for all non-diet pop (soda) and fruit drinks that contain less than 70% natural fruit juice.

Excluded from the tax would be all diet soft drinks, coffee, tea, milk or bottled water. *which should be taxed for its environmental hazards*

This tax is estimated to raise approximately $400 million in its first year of use and over $500 million the second.

Those for the proposed measure say this type of tax worked for reducing cigarette purchases and is worth trying since soft drinks are associated with obesity. Those against the tax have said that combating obesity requires changes in lifestyle and education, and taxing food doesn't change long term behaviors related to weight gain/loss. Others against it have said that this is just an attempt to grab money from hard working New Yorkers and could hurt pop sales and eventually endanger jobs. Maine is another state participating in such a tax.

This could be a good idea and may work. I know obesity is an important issue, I mentioned it yesterday- but being slim is not the law. Punishing the public and forcing them to pay extra for regular drinks is a bit much, and possibly steps over a line in my opinion. I personally am not obese, I'm still trying to lose about 20lbs. of gained baby weight, but I'm not obese. I also HATE diet anything, the tastes makes me want to gag- and the lingering after taste- forget about it. So, I would be highly upset if I was forced to pay extra for what I liked, just because someone thought it was bad for me- that's my choice!

And that's the news. Feel free to comment.

Good News on the Female Frontier

There is a credible female option for the NY Senate seat that will be vacated by current Senator Hillary Clinton, with Caroline Kennedy seeking the seat.

Not that Fran Drescher lacks intelligence, but her credibility as a senator is lacking- you all remember that debacle called "The Nanny" and that laugh, can you imagine listening to that on the Senate Floor, Oy vey!. I think she is best suited to continue to champion for cancer research.

Caroline Kennedy has decided to forgo her life long ambition to avoid the public spotlight and put her hat in the ring for one of New York's highest posts. Congrats and Good Luck to Caroline!

* And a small prayer that the Kennedy curse is officially dead*

MSNBC Fans

If you are a fan of MSNBC like I am, you will be intrigued to know that David Shuster will be replacing David Gregory at the 6:00PM, 1600 Pennsylvania, time slot.

This, in my opinion, is a suitable replacement. Although, I do find it very hard to concentrate on what this guy is saying because of the weird motions he makes with his mouth while talking; he always looks like he's straining to pass a gall stone or something. Really weird.

For those of you who watch him, you know what I'm talking about.

Oh, how the tables have turned...

McCain is being quoted as not promising to support Gov. Palin, if she should run for President in 2012. Wow, just two months ago, she was his running mate, and being touted as a true leader and fellow "Maverick." Now the woman can't even count on his support? He tries to play it off and claims there are plenty of promising young governors to put support behind, so he won't claim allegiance to Palin at this point in the game. But regardless, this is not a ringing endorsement for Palin. It's a rough road ahead when your previous running mate won't support you.

My only question is: If John McCain won't even vote for her, why in the world would he pick her as the person to take his place should something happen to him?

Politics, go figure?

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Call to arms, and a glimmer of Hope

In a recent article published by Market Watch, it was stated that the Millennial Generation (aka Generation Y) will be the key to rebuilding the economy, if only because we are young and just beginning our lives in the real world.

As a member of this influential group, I am taking a stand and asking that my fellow Y'ers take a proactive role in ensuring that we make the most of this powerful responsibility and become active in our economic future. Our parents, the Boomers, have hopefully raised us right and set us out into the world to make our mark. We also have a new President who has the ability to offer this generation a powerful head start in life, ( home purchase assistance, education tax credits, workforce innovation, etc.) if we hone in on the opportunities. We are coming into power and as the article states, are not stressing as much about the current economic downturn because we don't have the much time or as many resources invested in the issue.

The number of people between the ages of 20 and 30 are staggering, which has exceptional economic implications. With so many individuals in this age range entering the workforce, there is the potential to see large job growth, and with the current job shortage this generation can demand higher wages, which will aid in our desire to spend money on clothes, new technology, eating out and other social life treats. Not to mention we are going to be the next generation to be getting married and starting families, so naturally we will eventually want to acquire large assets like homes and cars. This speaks well for the future of our economy.

Even though times are tough and things look bleak, look towards the future leaders of this world and have faith that with our shear volume and blind ambition and energy, we can help save the day. So, all you Millenium babies out there, go out and prosper, your country depends on it.


"The Millennials are on the move, and like their Boomer parents will be an unstoppable force in American economic and social life for decades."