Is this really front page news? With so many other things going on it would seem to me that Lilo’s latest foible wouldn’t even make the front page of the entertainment section. Unfortunately, the opposite is true and it would appear that every media outlet is running full coverage as though a different outcome was expected or deserved.

Maybe it’s more simple than that – maybe the American people need a comedic relief from all the pain and suffering that they’ve been going through in recent months. Speculation of a double-dip recession, concerns about the environment, concerns about BP dumping millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, and even concerns about mainstream, oft-trusted companies like Johnson & Johnson poisoning their children. Maybe America does need a break; because it just doesn’t seem like Lindsay Lohan going to jail for 90 days should be this big of a deal.

More of my two cents.

Ranter

I can’t be the only one tired of reading stories and hearing news about the Tiger Woods’ “transgressions.” Every day there is some new “story” about how Tiger failed. Some reminder that he’s not perfect. Is it tragic – absolutely. Is it front page, leading-story newsworthy – absolutely not. He’s a human being and regardless of what you think for having bought into the brand of Tiger Woods he is no less deserving of common decency and respect than the next person. Just because he is a public figure doesn’t give the media and America the right to smear his name across the headline of every news story, and frankly, if you can’t respect him as an individual, have some compassion and respect for his wife and family. It is Elin that was wronged here, not America.

It’s time to move along folks – this story is well past its 15 minutes.

ranter

Nobody can replace Oprah – her successful, 25-year daytime talk-show will be forever remembered as one of the most successful television shows of all time. To imagine anyone filling her time-slot, let alone her show, is nearly impossible, but Robin Williams’ recent David Letterman appearance pitched one possible replacement – Sarah Palin.

Apparently reading about Sarah Palin and seeing her plastered across every news outlet in America wasn’t enough.  Now we have to read about her daughter Bristol, 18, becoming another unwed mother on welfare.  When did this become okay?  More importantly, when did an unwed, Alaskan teen having a baby became national front page news?  This families’ 15 minutes of fame are up.

The good news, though, is that it gets better.  I’m actually quite surprised that we haven’t seen this family on Jerry Springer, but perhaps that will be next.  If you believe the RNC she’ll be running for office again at some point in the future…

So anyway, in case you were fortunate enough to miss the brief, Bristol Palin’s baby-daddy is “former high school hockey player” Levi Johnston, also 18.  His mother, Sherry, was recently arrested on multiple felony drug counts after she sent a pair of text messages to police informants discussing drug transactions.  Meanwhile, back in Wasilla, Bristol continues studying for her GED while her baby-daddy works as an apprentice electrician.  Of course, governor Sarah Palin’s office declines to comment on anything (probably for fear that it will end up on YouTube), which will simply leave us to speculate.

I’m a huge fan of golf – although watching it on television is a lot less enjoyable than playing it live.  Obviously, being a fan of golf makes me a huge fan of Tiger Woods, one of the greatest golfers of all time, but even his association with Buick wouldn’t convince me to even consider one of their cars.  Somehow I doubt that they suit the style and image of Tiger and his wife, either, so it is quite likely that Tiger Woods is celebrating today’s announcement that GM/Buick and Tiger Woods will be going their separate ways.

In typical GM fashion, there is a spin and a feeling, and in this case more than most they don’t mesh.  The announcement is saying to me “GM is broke, and Buicks aren’t selling – Tiger or not.”  The PR machine is spinning out a mutual, amicable separation:

“Tiger is expecting a second child in his family and he’s looking for more time in his schedule,” said Peter Ternes, G.M.’s director of communications for sales, service and marketing. “At the same time, General Motors is looking to cut costs… we both agreed that we would part our ways.”

I don’t know why Sarah Palin bugs me so much, but she does.  Every time I see her name or face staring back at me from the television or internet, I think to myself – “oh God, here she comes again.”  This time, I have to see her standing at a Wasilla, Alaska turkey farm, cup of Starbucks in hand, as she pardons a turkey.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-kjM1asH-8

What’s really hillarious to me is how ignorant she really is.  The media is playing her while the crackpot behind her is playing with my turkey dinner before stuffing it into some weird contraption.  All the while she’s rambling on about business, how the campaign trail was, and what she’s going to do for Alaska.  Heck, the only reason I like seeing Sarah Palin in the news is that I know Saturday Night Live is going to feature Tina Fey re-enacting the stupidity with an audiance laughing all the way.  Do you think John McCain is watching this thinking to himself… “thank God, it’s over.”

Ranter

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HpTBF6EfxY

I’m not Keith Olbermann’s biggest fan.  Honestly, even today I feel like his passion is sometimes misdirected, but his comments supporting same-sex-marriage [ no on Proposition 8 ] are spot-on, and he deserves accoldades for his passion, professionalism and journalism.  Take a minute to hear his word and try to explain how you could possibly justify voting to change the constitution to segregate a portion of the population based on their sexual preferences.

Ranter

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnSS0dEv-RQ

Every time Sarah Palin opens her mouth I cringe and now looking back I am thankful that the masses of America made the decision to elect Barack Obama President of the United States.  What’s frightening to me, though, is how many Americans were willing to vote for a ticket that includes someone this unqualified, evangelical, and unable to articulate a cogent thought.  My hypothesis… Americans saw an attractive woman in a skirt and voted for the person they wanted to see on television.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp8wMQjsS5s

West Hollywood isn’t the most conservative area of the country and the mostly gay community isn’t usually full of people protesting the treatment of ultra-conservative, Republican Christians like Sarah Palin, but some neighbors recently went protesting to the home of Chad Michael Morisette, a professional window display designer, who has a life-size mannequin of Palin in front of his house.  No, they’re not upset that a representation of Palin has come into their neighborhood – they’re upset because Sarah Palin is hanging from a noose wrapped around her neck with McCain right above her.

“They told us we respect you as artists, we’re just concerned about the effect on the community,” Morrisette said. “I don’t resent them. I’m not angry at them. I respect their rights.” Morrisette, 28, said he talked by phone last night with West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Prang. He said Prang told them that he respected his first amendment rights but urged him to take down the display. “He said, “Think of the bigger picture,’” Morrisette said. “I told the mayor I will have it down by 8 a.m. Saturday. He said, ‘Thank you, the sooner the better.”

Happy Halloween, Sarah Palin.

Ranter

Heidi Klum and Seal

Following some of the dumber ideas that I’ve seen in recent years, Heidi Klum and Seal are following the bandwagon started by Susan Sarandon, Stephen Baldwin, and Michael Stipe saying that they’re going to leave the country if John McCain wins the Presidency.  Hearing that I wish that they’d follow Tina Fey who says she’s leaving the planet.

Of course, I think it’s important to note that Seal can’t even vote in the election.  If he’s not willing to take the steps necessary then I think he should just shut his pie hole keep his opinions to himself.  As for Heidi, I wonder if she is even going to vote, although after hearing her reasons for wanting to meet/get to know her husband I have to wonder to myself – is this really the person that I want trying to decide who should be our next president?  Do you?

As for the rest of you threatening to leave if McCain is elected, and I don’t want McCain in office, either, the only thing I would take time out to say is this – America isn’t great because of our President or the people we put in charge.  America is great because of the citizens and what they bring to the table.  The government only goes so far and then it is our responsibility to make this country great.  We provider the work, the workforce, the financial freedom, the passion, and the commitment to make the country great.  Don’t give up on that because the person you want isn’t on top – do you share, live your life, and make this country what you want it to be.  Because, no matter who is elected, this is the greatest country on earth.

Ranter