Let's Play "Is That An Impeachable Offense"

Poor Blagojevich feels he's being persecuted. Claims the House has wanted to impeach him since 2007 when there was a budget impasse. Claims that he has fought for healthcare reform and property tax relief but the House failed to act.

He started to go through the list of impeachable offenses that were listed in impeachment papers, but stopped short after only naming the Prescription Drug Program and an instance where he circumvented the All Kids Health Program to help a 19 year old young man. He dropped Rahm Emmanuel's name saying that he was the Congressman who suggested the Prescription Drug Program for which he claims is one item on the list of what he is being impeached for. (Way to go Rod, name dropping and trying to tarnish a member of President Elect Obama's cabinet. That's really going to help you now.) Then he dragged out people who he claims to have helped with medical issues by circumventing procedures of the House, he claims with legal approval.

He quoted another British Poet, Tennyson's Ullysses. He quoted the last section:

"though We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

Ummm, for someone apparently so well read, he obviously failed to read and follow the rules and responsibilities of his office, and how to properly inact legislation. I doubt it says anywhere that he can sell a senate seat or circumvent the House by inacting legislation on his own.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

The House Has Approved Impeachment

House Votes To Impeach Blagojevich
All but 1 representative voted for impeachment (114 to 1). He now must face a trial in the Senate which will begin January 25th. So this is still not yet over.

Dear Mr. Blagojevech,

It takes only 60 votes to approve impeachment. The House voted 117 to 1 to approve impeachment. Stop wasting the states time and resources. You cannot stop the inevitable. You need to step down now so the state can get back to business.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Another Bailout?/Everybody Hurts

I thought this was a joke, until I saw it on MSNBC.com. Flynt, Francis Want $5 Billion Porn Bailout. Larry Flynt said that Congress must "rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America." Really? I don't know about you, but I'm doing just fine in that department. Are they for real? This is absolutely outrageous. Are they serious? You know what? It's Larry Flynt and Joe Francis, I'm betting they are serious because they're just arrogant enough to try something like this.

If they think this "stunt" is going to sell more XXX DVD's they are in for a rude awakening. For their customers, if it's a choice between food and one of their DVD's, I'm betting food wins.

The economy is hurting their businesses. Awww. Really? To quote REM, EVERYBODY HURTS.

(Just an aside, what is with Michael Stipes' eyebrows in this video?)

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

I WANT MY KIDNEY BACK

I want my kidney or 1.5 million dollars. That's what Dr. Richard Batista wants from his wife whom he gave a kidney to in 2001. She's filed for divorce, he wants it back. US Man Wants Value of Kidney In Divorce Settlement.

I thought it was illegal to sell human organs. Isn't it? I mean, if it isn't then don't we run the risk of healthy patients suspiciously dying like in the thriller Coma? Personally, I had nightmares for weeks after seeing that movie.

This guy and his attorney need to be thrown out of the courthouse on their behinds.


Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Tag, I'm It

Joey at Bloggin' Mama has tagged me, and meme’d me at the same time… I've never been tagged or meme'd before, I'm not sure how I feel about this.

The tagging - I’m supposed to go to my picture files, choose folder #6, choose the 6th picture, then post it on my blog, and give you all a very very intriguing explanation of said picture… You're in for a treat, this is from Halloween. This is Anastasia's grand niece in her adorable kitty kat kostume.
I just barely made it to meet Anastasia over at her niece's house with the camera. I had dropped my son off to trick-or-treat with his friends and then drove 120 miles roundtrip to have my daughter admitted to the hospital and I was racing to meet Anastasia so I could take this great photo.

Now on to the MeMe… I've never had to MeMe before, is it painful?…

So here I go… 7 random facts about me: (Ouchie…)
Just for snicks and grins, and because I want to (and the rules don’t say that I can’t), I’m doing this in reverse order (ala Letterman’s Top 10, only this is top 7):

7. Anastasia and I were rabid Cubs fans, but we are still in mourning, please… respect our privacy, we don’t want to talk about.

6. In my freshman year of high school I flunked gym one quarter, so the next quarter I had to take gym twice a day. And no, they were not kind and did not schedule gym classes back to back. I swear all I did that quarter was change clothes.

5. Much to my children’s chagrin, I am not a gamer, so Anastasia (aka "the fun Mom") plays video games with them. I have my DS and I’ll play puzzle type games – Sudoku, Crosswords, but that’s the extent of it. I fear if I start getting involved in it, I will become obsessed. Kind of like with the computer. Nuff said.

4. I wore horn-rimmed glasses in kindergarten.

3. I used to be incredibly, terribly, painfully shy. Now I am only terribly shy.

2. I grew up in a suburb of Milwaukee, WI.

1. Twenty years ago, on a whim, not knowing a single solitary person, I moved, lock stock and barrel to Chicago, IL. This was my first move away from home on my own.

The Rules say I have to pass both of these on to 5 people, so here are the lucky people:

I Am Harriet
Definitely Maybe
Shaunispeaks
I Do Things So You Don't Have To
Havoc and Mahem

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Men Charged in CA Gang Rape/How to help the victim

A quick update to my earlier post, My 2nd Conversation - 10 Month 10 Lives Challenge regarding the brutal gang rape of a lesbian in California. (California Authorities Investigate Lesbian's Brutal Gang Rape). 2 Men, Teen Charged in Gang Rape of California Lesbian.

Fundraisers and where to contribute to help pay the victim's medical bills, moving fees and other costs associated with her recovery:
If you live near Oakland, California and would like to attend one of the fundraisers for the victim, referred to as "Richmond Jane Doe" the information is available via this link Richmond Jane Doe - Upcoming Benefit - Oakland 1/9, 1/29.

If you would like to send a card, please mail it to:
Richmond Police Department
Attn: Sgt. Brian Dickerson
1701 Regatta Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94804
If you can send a financial contribution (even a few dollars) , please mail a check payable to Community Violence Solutions to:
Community Violence Solutions
Attn: Mrs. Joanne Douglas
2101 Van Ness Ave.,
San Pablo, CA 94806
In the memo section of the check please write: Richmond Jane Doe

For credit card donations are being accepted via the Community Violence Solutions and Rape Crisis Center of Marin & Contra Costa Counties. Be sure to note on the donation page that this is for "Richmond Jane Doe"

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Leave Lindsay Lohan & Samantha Ronson Alone Already

Why can’t the crack media outlets (and by crack I don’t mean hard investigative) leave Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson the hell alone? Those fine crack media outlets like Access Hollywood, E! Online, Extra, ET, TMZ and Perez Hilton Online are among probably hundreds of other gossipy newsy sites that have picked up on this “alleged break-up”.

First there was the “Is she or isn’t she”, now they are reporting that Lindsay has “broken up” with Samantha.

Reports of a fight at a New Year’s Eve party in Miami and a shoving altercation in a seedy alley. A shoving match at the couple’s hotel room and home allegedly resulting in broken mirrors. A fight at Miami International’s American Airlines Admirals Club lounge. And then the story that Lohan was so inconsolable that flight attendants allegedly asked Lindsay if she wanted to disembark the plane.

Leave them the hell alone.

Don’t you have anything better to do? Really? Isn’t there any other 'legitimate' celebrity news out there that isn’t trying to force a wedge between a couple, take advantage of a celebrity’s grief or take advantage of a celebrity’s illness? There has to be something else out there that is celebrity newsworthy.

Do you all get your rocks off by breaking up celebrity couples, bringing grieving celebrities to tears and exploiting an ill celebrity for your your personal gain? Yes I am talking to you Barbara Walters! You should be ashamed of yourself for exploiting, yes EXPLOITING Patrick Swayze and his lovely wife.

You know what I hope? I hope that Lindsay and Samantha are messing with the media. I hope they are blissfully happy, sitting around their house, having dinner or a few cocktails and making up scenarios to mess with the media.

Lindsay: Hey Sam, what say we stage a big argument at that New Year’s Eve bash in Miami?
Sam: Sounds good. Why don’t we get into a loud shoving match in the alley afterward?
Lindsay: I’m in. We could have a fight at the airport too. Make them think we’re breaking up. Damn! This is going to be good!
Sam: On the plane you could be like crying inconsolably, like you’re really upset about the whole thing. That’ll make it seem totally real. This is going to be fun!
Lindsay: They’ll totally fall for it. Sam, you’re the best!
Sam: Linds you’re the best!

Ok, that’s what’s in my head. (That and some skimpy outfits, but shhhh, don’t tell Anastasia that part.) I hope I'm right. About the making up the scenarios just for the benefit of the media. (Well, the skimpy outfits part would be ok too.)

Did I just write a post asking the media to leave Lindsay and Samantha the hell alone and telling off Barbara Walters? Maybe I'm getting feverish, but I still meant every word of it.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

STAND UP! Nationwide DOMA Protest January 10, 2009

The author of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act)agrees that DOMA has to go No Defending the Defense of Marriage Act from The Los Angeles Times

From Join The Impact's website:

"On Saturday January 10th, 2009
We ask you to join us in making the LARGEST IMPACT YET! Let's take our message all the way up the ladder to President Elect Barack Obama himself!

On January 10th, we will come together as one UNITED FRONT asking the LGBTQ community to join us in signing an Open Letter to President Barack Obama, during a NATIONAL DOMA PROTEST.

This letter will remind President Elect Barack Obama of the promises he made to us.
It will also serve as a pledge from our community that we will hold him to his promises and help him achieve them.

We can’t just put a letter online and ask that people sign it.
We need to take to the streets. As we all know…
VISIBILITY IS THE KEY TO EQUALITY!
Outreach & Education Will End Discrimination.
We MUST Infiltrate, to Educate, and Stop Hate!

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO:
* Find out who is organizing a DOMA Protest in your area. (Quick Link to State Page)
* Download the Open Letter and take to the streets to gain signatures.
* Get one million signatures (in total across the nation) by the end of the day on January 10th.
* Mail the collected signatures to the JTI clearinghouse address BY DEADLINE: Join The Impact, PO Box 141491, Columbus, OH 43214

NOTE:
If you can't organize a protest or one is not organized in your city (understandable with the holidays and all), then don't worry, you can still participate:

o Sign up to organize a carpool in your area that gets everyone to the closest protest
o Get a group of friends together to canvas your neighborhood to get signatures for the open letter.

The Point of this event...
... to gather at least one million signatures on an Open Letter to President Barack Obama to be delivered to him on his first day in office.

The event itself will vary by location depending on organizers availability and local sense of how to best do it. Please make posts below to discuss ideas...

Join Us on January 10th for 1 Million Signatures to Repeal DOMA!
If there isn't one, then volunteer to organize an event, or organize to collect signatures!"

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Are The Eagles Bidding Farewell...Again?

Apparently hell has frozen over again. The Eagles are touring again. What’s that you say, didn’t the Eagles do a “Farewell Tour” in 1994 to promote their new album “Hell Freezes Over”? They are now promoting their 2007 Album “Long Road Out Of Eden” and have Concert Dates January thru July 2009.

I don’t know about you, but I had my fill of “Hotel Calfornia” back in 1976 when it came out. For me, hearing it is worse than nails on a chalkboard. Nuff said. Just in case you like nails on a chalkboard, enjoy:

As I recall the ticket prices for the 1994 tour were outrageous. Ticket prices for the current tour range from $75-$201. Ticket brokers are selling premium seats for well over $600.00.

I have no need to see a bunch of geriatrics trying to rekindle their youth from the 70’s. Maybe now that I’m in my 40’s I’m ‘over’ wanting to see my favorite bands live. I don’t think that’s really true. I would accompany my kids to a concert, provided they weren’t going to see The Jonas Brothers or Miley Cyrus. I would go see Third Eye Blind, The Killers, Coldplay, Nickelback, All American Rejects. I would definitely go to see one of 'todays' bands.

What I think IS true is that I wouldn’t go to a concert for a group that I enjoyed ‘back in the day’. I want to remember them in their glory. Not gray haired, wrinkled, sagging jowls, pudgy, off key and unable to remember the lyrics to their old hits.

Know what I mean?

Whatever happened to old rockers and stars becoming recluses? Ahh, the good old days.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

Oprah's Touch/I Shook Hands With Oprah

Oprah is in the news again. It seems another of her book club selections is a fraud. Is Oprah’s Golden Touch Tarnished? This is the third time she's been duped. Doesn't she have staffers to check on these books? What I don’t understand about these authors is, why is it necessary to be fraudulent? Can’t you tell a compelling story in a novel? Does it really have to be a memoir/biography in order to be inspirational and noteworthy? I don’t get it.

Anyway, this made me think of my Oprah story. And it is completely true. I was at a taping in October 1994 when Paul Reiser was promoting his book “Couplehood”. I was 7 months pregnant and bigger than a house and not terribly thrilled to be attending the taping. My husband (now ex-husband) had “surprised” me with tickets. Apparently my ex-husband had numerous conversations with one of Oprah’s assistant producers and somehow charmed her into the “Full Oprah Treatment”. What is the “Full Oprah Treatment” you ask? A limousine picks you up at the crack of dawn and drives you to Harpo Studios (and gives you a ride home after the taping). Did I mention I was 7 months pregnant and bigger than a house and he sprung this on me 10 minutes before the limo driver arrived? I had nothing to wear. Absolutely nothing. I think I ended up wearing the only blouse I had that fit and sweatpants. Sweatpants! I was mortified.

We arrived at Harpo Studios, went through the security line and were ushered into a large room with tables of fruits, bagels, bakery items, coffee and juice. The room was full of other couples. Cute perky couples, perfectly coiffed. Oprah staffers ran around the room with headsets on and clipboards in hand. The assistant producer assigned to us coached us and told us what to expect and told us to watch for our queue to go to the microphone and tell our story. Let’s just say I was less than thrilled that she was implying that I was going to talk ON CAMERA and tell some cockamamie story that apparently my ex-husband had used to get the “Full Oprah Treatment”. I was ready to kill him at that point.

After what seemed like an eternity, all of us were ushered into the studio and seated. More instructions were given.

Queue Oprah, she introduces Paul Reiser.
Queue cute perky couples with silly stories.
Queue more cute perky couples with silly stories.
Queue us!
Oh SHIT!
I get my pregnant ass out of my seat and walk over to the microphone, wondering what the HELL I am doing there. (Also wondering if I will be able to speak because the last time I was on a stage was in 4-H in a play in junior high and when I opened my mouth, nothing came out. All I can think of is that and the fact that I should have passed on the orange juice earlier, because now my pregnant ass had to use the bathroom.)
Queue commercial break.
Queue Oprah.
Oprah introduces a couple who were married for like 50 years.
Oprah closes the show.
They skipped us!
Hallelujah!

Oprah finished up, the taping ended and the audience filed out just past the stage area to shake hands with Oprah on camera. People in line were whispering that she did that so that no one could say that she promised them anything. Whatever. No big deal.

I shook hands with Oprah.

Lola's Diner
©2008-2009