Saturday, March 29, 2008

Nipple Rings Raise Alarm @ Lubbock Airport in Texas


Imagine for a second that you have nipple rings. (Ouch!) After you pierce your nipples, the skin can heal around the piercing making subsequent removal of the rings very painful. Also, after you remove the rings, the holes in the skin can close up immediately, making reinsertion difficult.

Now imagine that you have a nipple piercing and that you are going to visit your great-uncle, and instead of driving you decided to fly. On your return trip from Lubbock, you walk successfully through the metal detector at the airport, but are pulled aside for additional screening. The hand wand beeps when the TSA Officer waves it over your breasts.

No problem. You calmly tell the officer that you have nipple piercings. That officer must be confused because the officer calls over another TSA agent, who tells you that you need to remove the nipple piercings. You probably cringe, because you know how painful removal is going to be.

You look around and see that you have now drawn a crowd. More officers come over, until the group includes four male and 2 female officers. In addition, there is a small group of interested parties peering over at you. You start to cry. Through your tears, you ask if you can show the piercings instead of removing them. You are told that you have to remove them or else you will not get on a plane. Although you are legally entitled to get a pat down instead of being forced to remove the nipple rings, no one tells you that, and so you begin the painful process.

In a private area, behind a curtain, you start to remove the piercings. One is easy, the other won't budge. You ask an officer for help and you are handed a large pair of pliers. As you cry, and struggle to remove the second piercing, you hear the male TSA officers snickering outside of the curtain. You probably want to brain them with the pliers, but you are focused on getting on that flight.

You finally are piercing free and re-enter the scan. You realize you forgot to remove your navel ring. You offer to remove it, but are told it is OK, since the officer can see it. You wonder why a similar inspection of the nipple rings couldn't have worked.

You get through the ordeal. You think about the pain, and humiliation that you would not wish on anyone else and then you call Gloria Allred, renown celebrity attorney.

Mandi Hamlin, 37, went through this experience on February 24, 2008. She is now demanding an apology from the TSA, and if one is not forthcoming she will plan to pursue legal options. Gloria Allred, Mandi's attorney, told reporters at a news conference that, "the conduct of TSA was cruel and unnecessary. Last time that I checked, a nipple was not a dangerous weapon. People who are pierced should not be snickered at, should not become the object of ridicule, should not be singled out for special and uneven and unequal treatment. They should be respected just like everybody else." Mandi told the reporters that "I wouldn't wish this experience upon anyone. I felt surprised, embarrassed, humiliated and scared. No one deserves to go through this."

The TSA released a statement admitting that "our procedures caused difficulty for the passenger involved and regrets (the) situation in which she found herself. We appreciate her raising awareness on this issue and we are changing the procedures to ensure that this does not happen again." The TSA also added that it was "well aware of terrorists' interest in hiding dangerous items in sensitive areas of the body. Therefore, we have a duty to the American public to resolve any alarm that we discover."

Apparently the TSA's Public Affairs office reached out to Mandi on Friday and she is open to giving them an opportunity to "do the right thing now."

As for flying again, Mandi says she will fly, but never from the Lubbock airport in Texas.


Source: CNN

LeBron James - Gisele Bundchen's Vogue Cover: Racist?


I looked at the cover and thought it was striking. Attention grabbing. Apparently some people looked at it and thought it was racist. Whaaat?! Someone please educate me.

Some say that the picture of LeBron is stereotypical, in that it shows James as the dangerous black man. LeBron, according to complaints, looks like King Kong and Gisele is the helpless Fay Wray. Also, the picture allegedly hits on another stereotype: the black man wanting the white woman.

Overly sensitive, are we?

I see a famous athlete - looking all powerful and like the champ he is. As a sign of his power and charisma, he just happens to be hanging out with one of the hottest models around. End of story.
Vogue, through spokesman Patrick O'Connell said that the magazine "sought to celebrate two superstars at the top of their game" in their once a year issue devoted to size and shape. He continued to say that "We think LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen look beautiful together and we are honored to have them on the cover."

Even if I stretch my imagination, I see no racism. The only complaint I could have is that Vogue is way, way behind the times, because it took them until 2008 to have their first black man on the magazine cover, when there have been so many viable candidates over the decades. If I think about that, maybe I will get upset.

Spontaneity - Where art thou?


Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Don't Even Waste Your Time Trying To Explain


Walk away, Dilly!

Hillary Clinton Caught in a Lie - Sniper Fabrication


Embellishment can be dangerous. Who hasn't been there? You spice up the story to make it more intriguing, you exaggerate to add more colour. Well, Hillary took it a bit too far and now her credibility is suffering.

Hillary Clinton has been lambasted in the press for lying about being at risk under sniper fire during a trip to Bosnia she made as first lady. Last Monday, during a speech on Iraq, Hillary waxed poetic about her Bosnia trip. Clinton said, "I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead, we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base." In December 2007, she had a similar dramatic version of events, "We landed in one of those corkscrew landings and ran out because they said there might be sniper fire. I don't remember anybody offering me tea on the tarmac when that was happening." Sounds exciting and also bolsters your run for president...except if you made it all up.

Videos of Clinton's trip to Bosnia reveal that she was greeted by a local school girl who read her a poem, along with a group of other children. No violence is seen on any of the footage.

The military is strongly condemning Hillary's fabrication, because of course it makes them look bad. Imagine that you are in charge of protecting the first lady and you allow her to be at risk of losing her life? You shouldn't bother showing up for work the next day. Retired General Walter Stewart said that Clinton's claims were insulting and noted that "heads would have rolled all over" if the military ever put the first lady at such levels of risk.

Clinton is also being criticized for making light of a very serious issue. A former Army analyst, quoted in the NY Post said, "You know, we have soldiers overseas now who are getting shot at by real bullets from real enemies who really want to kill them. Getting shot at by snipers is not something you forget - or make light of. If getting shot at by sniper fire qualifies you to be president, then there are thousands of guys in the military right now who are way more qualified than Hillary Clinton to be our next president."

Hillary has responded to the backlash by saying that she misspoke and admitting that the military did take good care of her. Clinton speaking on a Pittsburgh radio station yesterday said, "I have written about it in my book and talked about it on many other occasions and last week, you know, for the first time in 12 or so years, I misspoke."

First time you "misspoke" in 12 years? You know the Obama camp was not going to let Hillary get away that easily. Obama's campaign quickly identified at least 3 other times over the past several months where Clinton had shared her "under sniper fire" story.

Currently labelled a serial liar, it will be interesting to see how Hillary bounces back. I predict a few attacks on Obama's character coming from the Clinton campaign very soon and/or pictures of Clinton attending a church service or volunteering.

Thanksgiving


Thank you Lord

Thank you Lord

Thank you Lord

I just want to thank you Lord


For giving me one more day

For giving me one more day

For giving me one more day

I just want to thank you Lord


Thank you Lord

Thank you Lord

Thank you Lord

I just want to thank you Lord


Saturday, March 22, 2008

Laundry Day - I just want clean clothes!

Got enough quarters for 2 loads, have all the clothes to be washed in the laundry basket, it's early enough that I should find available washing machines. Feeling good.

Whoah, the machines don't accept quarters anymore. You now need to use money cards. The machine to purchase money cards only accepts $5, $10 an $20 bills. Sigh. Head back up to see if I have any cash. Really don't want to have to go to ATM just to get laundry done. Eureka! I found a $5 bill. Head back down to laundry room.

Sigh. The machine accepts the $5 and then spits it back out. I read the instructions closely and see minimum purchase is $10. I need a break from laundry, it's lunch time.

Post-lunch, I head outside to the ATM. I walk back and re-enter the laundry room with $20s in my pocket. I place a $20 bill into the money card machine. The machine accepts it and then spits it back out. Siiiiigh!! The stupid machine will only accept $10 bills! False advertising!

I head back outside, go to the corner store and swap a $20 for 2 $10s. I then head back to the laundry room...and...I am finally able to purchase the stupid money card!

Wow. Who knew it would be this hard to get clean clothes?

(N.B. Despite the rigmarole, I think the idea of money cards, vs. quarters, is actually more convenient.)

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Monday, March 17, 2008

Entwined with Patience

Talking to you sometimes feels like
I am violently scrubbing my skin with Scotch-Brite
shuddering as the jagged green edges grate continuously over my tender skin
At other times, it is as if I were a
wounded dog, desperately limping for shelter
just about to get to the sanctuary, and then having you
kick me sharply in the gut, more than once,
and the extreme pain just never dissolves into numbness

You make me want to fight
You make me want to rage
You make me want to forget my love for humanity
To forget what I know, and strive to be
Which is a wise person, who is
quick to listen
slow to respond
ready to forgive

But, then I hold on to sanity
I realize who you are
and that having you control anything about me
especially my emotions
is absolute madness
I fight for control
I get angry and sin not
I put you in your place or
I let it slide
I forgive

Ultimately, I am not my own,
but called for a greater purpose
No one said it would be easy
but it is a must,
with unbelievable benefits


Keri S. Smith

Halle Berry Gives Birth to First Child: A Baby Girl

Halle Berry gave birth to her first child on Sunday in Los Angeles. Halle, 41, and model Gabriel Aubry, 32, are the proud parents of a baby girl.

Halle has wanted to be a mother for a long time, and according to CNN, she told Oprah that she was convinced that motherhood was for her after playing a mother in "Things We Lost in the Fire." "I think it validated that I was meant to be a mother because every day I dealt with the character as a mother and thinking as a mother," Berry said. "It let me know that I must be a mother."

Halle has been married twice before, and has no immediate plans to wed Gabriel. The couple met in November 2005 during a Versace photo shoot. Halle says that they both feel fully committed to each other.

Their daughter is yet to be named, but Berry confirmed that their child would take on Gabriel's last name.


Update - March 19th - Baby's Name
The baby's name is Nahla Ariela Aubrey. Nahla is an Arabic-based name that means, "drink of water." Nahla weighed 7lbs 4oz.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

LOL of the Day - Friends with Benefits

"We're just friends"

"You know what that means, right? Friends with benefits. That is, medical, dental and a $25 co-pay"


Source: Comedian on E! making fun of the typical celebrity answer, 'No, we're just friends', when they are asked about their romantic relationships

7 Month-Old Baby Girl Dies Accidentally - Forgotten in Back Seat of Dad's Car

Sad news.

A father in Houston,Texas, accidentally left his baby daughter in the back seat of his car, where she died from the heat.

Normally, the girl and her brother would be dropped off at day care together in the morning, but on Friday, the mother carried the brother to day care separately because of swim practice. This change in routine proved deadly. The father, forgetting to drop his daughter at day care, left her in his parked car at Rice University, where he works. He realized his error when he arrived at day care in the evening to pick up his children and found his dead daughter in the back seat of his car.

Manage Your Anger Carefully


Good Friends with a Liar

Recently I realized how easy lying was for you
I saw you lie to save face
Was OK with you lying to justify a greater good
Heard you lie to get your own way
Was with you when you lied for convenience

You always lie...
maybe because it is the only tool you have honed
and because it seems to work so well
so far, I have let it slide
But doubts have surfaced
and while I believe I am in your inner circle,
As I sit here with you and examine your beautiful, smiling face
As I am again enraptured by your pleasing words
I wonder, how much of us is a lie too


Keri S. Smith

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood in Concert at Madison Square Gardens

Night 1: February 25th

Together again after ~40 years.

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood initially collaborated in the late 60s through the formation of a group called Blind Faith. While highly successful, the band stayed together only for a short time, long enough to launch one album and a tour and to create an appetite for a new sound: the fusion of blues and rock music.

As an audience, we were then starved for years, until we received another taste of the duo during the 2007 Clapton and Winwood collaboration at the Chicago Crossroads Guitar festival. And now, in 2008, there is finally more food to satisfy the craving. The superstars granted us a spectacular 3-night showdown at the Gardens in New York in late February.

Despite all the anticipation, the night started out on a slightly embarrassing note. Steve Winwood was on the piano and another guy was playing back up guitar. The guy on the guitar was really good. A few of us commented that said guy looked a lot like Eric Clapton. But of course it could not have been him…nobody puts Eric in the corner (shameless quote stealing from Dirty Dancing)! A while later, when this guy on the guitar started doing solo pieces, someone said that the backup guitarist got a great promotion. We all chuckled. How embarrassing for us, self-proclaimed fans, to realize that the guitarist was indeed Eric Clapton. Oops. We quickly and quietly got over our gaffe, and enjoyed the superb show.

It was wonderful to see such talented musicians, in no-frills attire, completely relaxed, sharing stories, and laughing, as they alternated between solo and combined segments. Clapton and Winwood performed hit songs from their own repertoire as well as from other greats. Winwood, on the piano, rendered a powerful vocal performance of “Georgia on My Mind”, and if you closed your eyes, you could almost think that you were listening to Ray Charles. Clapton displayed his skills on the guitar across many songs, including, “Presence of the Lord” and “Kind Hearted Woman Blues.” The Clapton/Winwood duo continued to rock the house for several hours, and we left the concert well-fed that night.

Today though, we are again hungry, and longing for the date and time of the next meal. Eric, Steve – we hope it will be soon.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Surprisingly Poor Track Record for Clarence Thomas

I was stunned to read about Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas' performance over the past 2 years.

According to Time magazine, Thomas has NEVER asked a question during any of the court's oral arguments over the past two years. To put this in context, there have been 144 cases brought before the court since Thomas last commented on February 22, 2006, during a death-penalty case.

That is just ridiculous.


http://kerijam.blogspot.com/2008/01/anita-hill-clarence-thomas-17-years.html

Tamii and Angel Enjoying their St. Lucian Honeymoon


Things that make you go "huh??!"

Sitting at a social hour with some folks. Crowded room. Loud music. I had a box of cards on the table, wrapped in plastic. Great evening. Towards the end of the evening, I see my box of cards in their plastic wrapper, being lifted from the table by a woman at an adjacent booth. I stare in shock. What's she doing with my stuff?

The woman then proceeds to rub the plastic (my plastic!) all over her face. I ask the people with me, who are closer to the woman, to get my box of cards back ASAP. At the same time, the woman's date grabs the box from her and places it back on my table.

Huh????!!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Suffering from Inappropriate Blurting


The Democrats and John McCain are Lapping up President Bush's McCain Endorsement


Embraced by President George Bush...is that really the look to go for if you want to become the next President?

John McCain certainly thinks so. He is ecstatic that he received Bush's endorsement today. Bush has said that he will do whatever McCain asks, because he wants John to win. McCain said that he appreciated Bush's endorsement and "service to our country." McCain went further to say that he wanted Bush at his side as much as possible on the campaign trail.

Given Bush's track record, it seems a bit odd that McCain is doing cartwheels about the current President's endorsement. However, there may be some method to the seeming madness. A current official states that Bush will help McCain raise a lot of money. Also, according to this official, Bush is extremely popular with the GOP base and can influence them at election time. Really?

Back in Democratsville, the Democrats are high-fiving over McCains bullish support of President Bush and Bush's bullish support of McCain. They feel that they couldn't have received a better gift. According to Paul Begala, a Democratic strategist and CNN contributor, McCain has "now become Bush's third term." Why? Begala feels that McCain has "embraced the Bush tax cuts that he voted against. He was against them being temporary; now he wants them being permanent. That's like marrying a girl you didn't want to date. He is rushed to Bush's Social Security plan, even disavowing his own Social Security plan on his own Web site." Ouch.

Given Bush's reputation on the global stage, as well as in the U.S., McCain should carefully manage his need for money and influence in the Republican party, with other potentially negative ramifications of highly visible support from President Bush.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/05/mccain.bush/index.html

Nicole Ritchie Beats Aguilera...by a long shot

In the battle of magazine covers - covers of celebrity baby pictures to be precise - we have J. Lo at one end of the spectrum with $6.4 Million from People magazine, and Christina Aguilera falling more mid-tier, with $1.5 Million from People. Sales success for these editions can vary wildly. Christina Aguilera's cover didn't fare well, and Ms. Aguilera was not pleased and apparently revamped her management team in response to the poor sales. Nicole Ritchie, Lionel's daughter, ex-heroin addict, and Joel Madden's baby mama, apparently had a relatively smaller payout from People than Aguilera, but her baby pics are doing a lot better.

Nicole is expected to sell over 1.8 Million copies, much more than Aguilera. The reason? Nicole is more interesting - she is dating a tattooed rock-star, she has a famous dad, she was once a wild and crazy Paris Hilton BFF, who apparently has seen the light...and has calmed down. Who wouldn't pay to read about that?

http://kerijam.blogspot.com/2008/02/jlos-6million-dollar-babies.html

OMG - Hillary is suggesting a Clinton-Obama Dream Ticket!

Fresh off of her big wins in Ohio and Texas yesterday, and likely giddy with confidence and excitement, Senator Clinton is strongly hinting at a Clinton-Obama Democratic ticket, with her, of course at the top.

Clinton said, "that may be where this is headed. But of course we have to decide who is on the top of the ticket. I think the people of Ohio very clearly said it should be me. I really think that now that Senator John McCain is going to be the nominee, Democratic voters have begun to take their decision very seriously, and that works to my benefit. This campaign is evolving. New questions are being raised. New challenges are being put to my opponent."

Someone should alert Obama about this potential shared ticket. He still views himself as the front runner and felt that Clinton's recent victories had minimal impact on his lead. Obama shared that, he and his team would "continue to win delegates. We will continue to campaign in every state and, by taking that approach, I am pretty confident we will have won more states, won more delegates and won more of the popular vote...we are going to be in a stronger position."


Source: CNN, Newsday.com

Cover of the Day - NY Post - Hillary Clinton Success


Hillary Did It - Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island are Hers

Obama had great momentum. He attained 12 consecutive wins since Super Tuesday. There were high hopes for him for the next primaries. He won Vermont. Was he a sure thing for the Democratic nomination? Not yet. Senator Clinton resurges.

To remain competitive, Hillary had to win in Ohio and Texas - delegate rich states. She won both contests as well as Rhode Island. According to her husband, that makes her a sure thing for the Democratic nomination. The reality is that neither Barack nor Hillary have enough pledged delegates in order to win - Obama is in the lead with 1,378 and Clinton has 1,269; candidates will need 2,025 to gain the nomination.

Obama continued to do well with the youth vote, while Clinton had greater success with the over 60 crowd. As expected, Clinton received strong support from the Hispanics - 64% vs. Obama's 32% - and Obama held on to the Black vote - 83% compared to Clinton's 16%.

The drama continues on the Democratic front, with no clear winner in sight. On the Republican side, Huckabee finally got the message and dropped out of the race, in light of McCain's wins in Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island. McCain has more than the 1,191 delegates needed for the Republican nomination and is expected to receive President Bush's endorsement today.

Sarcasm At Its Best


Saturday, March 1, 2008

Encouragement - Excerpts from Proverbs 10

3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

8 The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.

22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.

25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

Barack Obama's US Weekly Interview

So how familiar are you with US Weekly?
My wife reads it.

What's your preferred reading material, then?
The books I never tire of are the ones I read with my daughters. Malia and I recently finished reading the Harry Potter series out loud to each other.

Do Malia or Sasha ever ask about Britney Spears?
Actually, yeah. But they're very sensible. They're pretty down on Britney and Paris and all of that. They think that's very "yuck". They're way more into Hannah Montana and Beyonce'. They got to go backstage and meet Beyonce', and they just love her to death.

What if they wanted to become actresses?
I would support any decision they make, but my instinct is that my 9-year-old will shy away from the limelight. My 6-year-old on the other hand, is a ham! I don't know if this will continue or not, but that's their temperament right now.

Are you a cool dad?
I think I'm pretty cool. I'm sure I could embarrass my girls, but I choose not to. [Even when I danced with Ellen DeGeneres], I thought [my moves] were pretty sweet. That's why my 9-year-old isn't embarrassed - because I can "bust a move," as they say.

Your supporters include Oprah Winfrey. Ever been starstruck?
I don't really get starstruck. Everyone I've met has been very nice and friendly, like Kal Penn. During the writers' strike, he was like a staffer! And Scarlett Johansson has been traveling a lot. George Clooney is a good friend. He and I worked on Darfur issues together. I'm always impressed by people who do their homework...and use their celebrity to advocate for issues. George does that just about as well as anyone I know.

Does Michelle have a celebrity crush?
She loves Stevie Wonder. I've been teasing her because Stevie fell off the stage at one of our events. I said to her, "This is your favorite performer, and you push him off the stage?" Fortunately, he was OK.

Name the songs for your campaign soundtrack.
I'm pretty partial to the "Yes We Can" song made by a group of talented supporters. A couple of others we play at rallies are "Think" by Aretha Franklin and "City of Blinding Lights" by U2.

What do you do in your free time?
I'll take a look at the sports pages to see how the White Sox or the Bulls are doing. Michelle loves Sudoku.

Your favourite foods?
I like a good chili, and cobbler. [According to Michelle, he "makes a mean chili!"] But in a rush, I snack on trail mix.

So, boxers or briefs?
I don't answer those humiliating questions. But, whichever one it is, I look good in 'em!


Source: US Weekly, Issue 682, March 10, 2008