News items and ponderings on them
Apparently North Korea has released Jeffrey Fowle, an American who has been jailed by the North Koreans since May. CNN learned of the story but agreed to delay releasing it until Fowle had landed safely on Guam. Reporter's note: What about Kenneth Bae? Oh and Jeff, while you're at Andersen Air Force Base, can you pick up a few things I left in a barracks there? It's the one next to the golf course.
A South African judge has sentenced double-amputee Oscar Pistorius to five years in jail. She ruled that the prison system could handle Pistorius' medical needs, eliminating any reason for him to be allowed to serve his time under house arrest. Reporter's note: I didn't buy the need for house arrest argument anyway. Five years for what was essentially ruled to be manslaughter seems fair, until you realize he might be out in as little as ten months.
Renee Zellweger was turning heads at the 2014 Elle Women in Hollywood event on Monday, but not for the reasons you might think. She looks remarkably unlike the woman we last saw on the big screen in 2010 and even less like she did when she won her Oscar. Reporter's note: I'd bet money she wasn't working by choice and she has a film out next year. Way too much emphasis is placed on the looks of actresses anyway.
There are reports that Kris Jenner is very upset that Bruce Jenner is dating a woman who was once personal assistant and long-time best friend of Kris. Ms Jenner attempted to debunk these reports in an appearance on the Today Show, but some aren't buying it. Reporter's note: No one has any business being upset about who their ex chooses to spend time with. Especially when they are the one who did the dumping.
In Connecticut, a man serving a 56 year sentence for murder and other charges is suing the state in order to be able to read a book. This book is a reference material for drawing the human form and it contains numerous photographs of nude models; violating the state's ban on "pornography" in prison. Reporter's note: There is no good reason to ban this book. Are all back issues of National Geographic that show women's breasts removed from the prison library?
Brittany Maynard, the 29 year old Oregon woman who will end her own life on November 1st has given her last public statement. Here it is:
“The response from you all has surpassed our wildest expectations. On behalf of my family, thank you for the outpouring of love and support.”
“This journey has been challenging, to say the least. We’ve uprooted our lives. I take prescription drugs to reduce the swelling in my brain, that have caused my entire body to swell instead. Dan and I have given up our dreams of having a family. My mother is soon to lose her only child. We can all agree that no parent should bury their child.”
“I didn’t launch this campaign because I wanted attention; in fact, it’s hard for me to process it all. I did this because I want to see a world where everyone has access to death with dignity, as I have had. My journey is easier because of this choice.”
Reporter's note: I'm so amazed at her courage, and how she wants everyone to be able to make the choice she's making. Reading about how her disease would ravage her brain and how that would make her last months a living hell makes me think I might well do the same thing in her place. She will be in my thoughts a week from Saturday.
Michael Sam, the first openly gay man to be drafted by an NFL team was released by the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys had signed Sam to their practice squad after the St. Louis Rams had waived him earlier this season. Sam thanked the Cowboys organization for giving him a chance and said he would continue to pursue a career in pro football. Reporter's note: As the trailblazer, Sam will be closely watched for his entire career. Hopefully the equivalent of Dan Bankhead will come along in time.
TMZ is reporting that actress Elizabeth Pena died from complications of alcohol abuse. Reporter's note: People should recognize that alcoholism is a real disease, with real consequences if not properly held in check. I also remember very well when a TV series she was in was cancelled. "I Married Dora" lasted 13 episodes before it got the axe. The last scene of the final episode is memorable because they broke the fourth wall.
Fox News co-host Kimberly Guilfoyle told young women they don't need to bother voting. Instead they should focus on Tinder and Match.com. She claims they lack the proper life experience to be voting. Reporter's note: Her sexist remarks were almost certainly driven by the fact that young women tend to vote almost exclusively for Democrats, as Republican strategists continue to worry that this voting bloc may prevent them from taking control of the Senate in November.
A South African judge has sentenced double-amputee Oscar Pistorius to five years in jail. She ruled that the prison system could handle Pistorius' medical needs, eliminating any reason for him to be allowed to serve his time under house arrest. Reporter's note: I didn't buy the need for house arrest argument anyway. Five years for what was essentially ruled to be manslaughter seems fair, until you realize he might be out in as little as ten months.
Renee Zellweger was turning heads at the 2014 Elle Women in Hollywood event on Monday, but not for the reasons you might think. She looks remarkably unlike the woman we last saw on the big screen in 2010 and even less like she did when she won her Oscar. Reporter's note: I'd bet money she wasn't working by choice and she has a film out next year. Way too much emphasis is placed on the looks of actresses anyway.
There are reports that Kris Jenner is very upset that Bruce Jenner is dating a woman who was once personal assistant and long-time best friend of Kris. Ms Jenner attempted to debunk these reports in an appearance on the Today Show, but some aren't buying it. Reporter's note: No one has any business being upset about who their ex chooses to spend time with. Especially when they are the one who did the dumping.
In Connecticut, a man serving a 56 year sentence for murder and other charges is suing the state in order to be able to read a book. This book is a reference material for drawing the human form and it contains numerous photographs of nude models; violating the state's ban on "pornography" in prison. Reporter's note: There is no good reason to ban this book. Are all back issues of National Geographic that show women's breasts removed from the prison library?
Brittany Maynard, the 29 year old Oregon woman who will end her own life on November 1st has given her last public statement. Here it is:
“The response from you all has surpassed our wildest expectations. On behalf of my family, thank you for the outpouring of love and support.”
“This journey has been challenging, to say the least. We’ve uprooted our lives. I take prescription drugs to reduce the swelling in my brain, that have caused my entire body to swell instead. Dan and I have given up our dreams of having a family. My mother is soon to lose her only child. We can all agree that no parent should bury their child.”
“I didn’t launch this campaign because I wanted attention; in fact, it’s hard for me to process it all. I did this because I want to see a world where everyone has access to death with dignity, as I have had. My journey is easier because of this choice.”
Reporter's note: I'm so amazed at her courage, and how she wants everyone to be able to make the choice she's making. Reading about how her disease would ravage her brain and how that would make her last months a living hell makes me think I might well do the same thing in her place. She will be in my thoughts a week from Saturday.
Michael Sam, the first openly gay man to be drafted by an NFL team was released by the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys had signed Sam to their practice squad after the St. Louis Rams had waived him earlier this season. Sam thanked the Cowboys organization for giving him a chance and said he would continue to pursue a career in pro football. Reporter's note: As the trailblazer, Sam will be closely watched for his entire career. Hopefully the equivalent of Dan Bankhead will come along in time.
TMZ is reporting that actress Elizabeth Pena died from complications of alcohol abuse. Reporter's note: People should recognize that alcoholism is a real disease, with real consequences if not properly held in check. I also remember very well when a TV series she was in was cancelled. "I Married Dora" lasted 13 episodes before it got the axe. The last scene of the final episode is memorable because they broke the fourth wall.
Fox News co-host Kimberly Guilfoyle told young women they don't need to bother voting. Instead they should focus on Tinder and Match.com. She claims they lack the proper life experience to be voting. Reporter's note: Her sexist remarks were almost certainly driven by the fact that young women tend to vote almost exclusively for Democrats, as Republican strategists continue to worry that this voting bloc may prevent them from taking control of the Senate in November.
posted by me at 3:38 PM
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