Beth And Greta In Aruba Again

According to The Monkeys, Beth Holloway Twitty and Greta Van Susteren arrived in Aruba today.

It's not yet known what they intend to do or where they intend to stay.

Let's just hope that something productive comes from their mission.

Photo courtesy of 24ora.

New Levels at Columbian University!

Amid protests Iranian President (Tom) Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke at Columbia University yesterday and revealed many fun facts!

Photo courtesy of Chris Hondros/Getty Images, by way of U.S. News & World Report.

Michael Con-Vick

In light of the likely upcoming plea deal, here's hoping Vick serves enough time to become known as a 'con-vick'!

Cheers to another great cartoon by Gary Varvel!

Michael Vick: The Jury

While I would relish the thought of Michael Vick facing a jury of his 'pee-ers', I'm not naive. He'll accept a plea bargain to assure that ALL of the facts aren't made known to the public.

I find comfort in knowing that there is that other Juror, to whom he will one day answer.

Don't forget that DOG spelled backwards...

I really needn't expound further upon my thoughts related to Michael Vick's "alleged" heinous and despicable activities (but I probably will... how can I help but?).

This cartoon by Gary Varvel speaks volumes. as it contrasts sociopathic narcissism with the sentimentality and humanization of animals, dogs in particular.

Back Row from the left: Scooby Doo, Goofy, Underdog, Astro (from the Jetsons). Front Row from the left: Snoopy, Droopy, Grimmy (from Mother Goose and Grim comic strip) and Ren (from Ren and Stimpy animated TV show).

*The one plus to having this cartoon sent to me by email is that I discovered a talented artist with an extraordinary blog. Check it out!

Glimpse of Vulnerability in Wall of Strength

Although David Ritcheson demonstrated extraordinary strength, in enduring surgeries, criminal trials and congressional testimony... he exposed a tiny bity of vulnerability:

"I shouldn't care what people think," Ritcheson told a reporter last spring. "But it's like everyone knows I'm 'the kid'. I don't want to be a standout because of what happened."

David Ritcheson, In His Shoes

David Ritcheson jumped to his death from the cruise ship Ecstasy earlier today, in a decided effort to bring his personal pain to an end.

David is the young man who suffered unspeakable violence and acts of hatred last April, when his attackers taunted him with racial slurs, kicked, punched and sodomized him, poured bleach on his body and left him for dead.


David fought gallantly through 30+ surgeries to repair internal injuries, testified successfully against his attackers, and appeared before Congress on April 17th of this year, on behalf of Hate Crime legislation:

"I appear before you as a survivor. I am here before you today asking that our government take the lead in deterring individuals like those who attacked me from committing unthinkable and violent crimes against others because of where they are from, the color of their skin, the God they worship, the person they love, or the way they look, talk or act."

It is a common experience to us all, that we grow and pass through life, wanting to fit and wanting to blend. If we are known for something, we dream of being known for athletic prowess, beauty or talent. Teenagers chart their paths in many directions, but with one overriding fear: embarassment.

I've thought, many times, of young David... a teenage male, having to face his peers and his infamy, with the burden of his past, albeit a past over which he had no control. And, at his tender young age, I couldn't fathom his strength. I'm sure that people, who ordinarlily wouldn't have, reached out to him... with the best of intentions. And still he questioned. And still he hurt.

This is such a shame. I believe the world lost a young man that held a lot promise for many good things, had he found the strength to endure these tender years of emotional hardship. If I truly place myself in his shoes, however, I understand. I totally understand.

That awful event, a year ago, should not have happened. And it could not have happened at a worse time in David's life, psychologically.

His refusal of therapy, in my opinion, should have been the first sign of his growing depression and impending decline... but I also understand the mixed signals that the truly troubled soul can convey. And often, by human nature, their loved ones see what they want to see.

I'm sorry that it came to this. My heart goes out to his parents, and to all that love him. It's a shame... not on him, but on the hateful and criminal perpetrators.

Amen, Mayor White

"If there was enough money for somebody to steal, there was too much money."

Quote by Mayor Bill White, regarding the Mayor Pro Tem scandal.

$130,000 Hires How Many Cops?

I'm not sure how much an HPD officer makes, but even if we hired only one with this swindled waste of taxpayer's cash, I'd be good with it. What an outrage!

A Valentine Goat

I had a GREAT Valentine's Day, and I hope you all did, too!

This is one of the best Valentine's stories I've ever read.

'Love' was born on February 7th, bearing a perfectly shaped heart on its fur. Barbara Opper, the goat's owner, believes it to be a Valentine's Day gift from her deceased husband, who died nine years ago.

I don't know about you, but... I believe.

Celebrities

They should that their place is on television, in the movies, on the red carpet, in the entertainment blogs and in the gossip magazines... NOT floating in the flood waters of New Orleans with a camera crew, or perpetrating a political agenda.

Charity is one thing, and I believe it is our divinely ordained charge, to help others in all the ways we are able.

Too often, though, celebrity charity is doled out with overwhelming measure of self aggrandizement and underlying manipulation of the populace.

And I'm really getting sick of it.

In the Midst of a Mild, Sunny Day...

There is the gloom and doom of 24 hour news networks. And today, I had to get away.

Katrina On My Mind

Hurricane Katrina has been on my mind a lot these last few days... and then I had this thought!

Sucky News

1. Houston is The City of Syrup. And no, I ain't talking about Mrs. Butterworth's.
2. The State Legislature failed for the third time to pass school funding legislation.

Boom!

Just cause a gun went off... don't mean no threat. It just mean you might want to pause and think about where you are!

Some Parents Support Their Children's Decisions

Cindy might think her son's decision to volunteer and dedicate his life to defend our country and to advance freedom in the Middle East... was totally full of crap.

But other parents resent the way she used their son's sacrifice to support her anti-war cause.

Ellen Degeneres and the Emmys

Ellen signed to host the Emmy Awards again on September 18th!

"You know me," Ellen said. "Any excuse to put on a dress."

Photo by MSNBC.

Back!

Discovery Returns Safely! What a divine sight!

Spectacular Photo by NASA.

Men...

They shouldn't be left to their own devices!

Prayers for Discovery

The Columbia accident was sickening and traumatizing.

Remnants were found in my hometown, and the huge tires fell to the ground on a friend's farm. It is a day that remains etched in my memory, and it causes me to worry...

And I pray for Discovery's safe return.

Will Support Gay Rights For Cash

Well, that's what Supreme Court nominee, John G. Roberts, Jr. did!