Sunday, August 5, 2007

A Reporter at Large: The Black Sites: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker

A Reporter at Large: The Black Sites: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker:

"The circumstances surrounding the confession of Mohammed, whom law-enforcement
officials refer to as K.S.M., were perplexing. He had no lawyer. After his
capture in Pakistan, in March of 2003, the Central Intelligence Agency had
detained him in undisclosed locations for more than two years; last fall, he was
transferred to military custody in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. There were no named
witnesses to his initial confession, and no solid information about what form of
interrogation might have prodded him to talk, although reports had been
published, in the Times and elsewhere, suggesting that C.I.A. officers had
tortured him. At a hearing held at Guantánamo, Mohammed said that his testimony
was freely given, but he also indicated that he had been abused by the C.I.A.
(The Pentagon had classified as “top secret” a statement he had written
detailing the alleged mistreatment.) And although Mohammed said that there were
photographs confirming his guilt, U.S. authorities had found none. Instead, they
had a copy of the video that had been released on the Internet, which showed the
killer’s arms but offered no other clues to his identity. "


That is the problem with secret trials, they have been abused in the past, the power has been abused and people don't trust it. If you want to assure the American people that you are being honest, working to protect them, and doing your best to discover truth - you need a witness. It doesn't need to be an open trial, there are clear understandable reasons why that would not work. However a trial needs to be done in such a way that the accused is proven to be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. When all the evidence is a secret, and all the interrogations are done in secret, there is only doubt.

American Thinker: Stare Decisis: Not Quite What Senator Schumer Would Have You Believe

American Thinker: Stare Decisis: Not Quite What Senator Schumer Would Have You Believe:

"Led by Senator Charles Schumer, Senate Democrats are trying to bamboozle the American public into believing that Bush appointees to the Supreme Court are dangerous radicals.
Senator Schumer's suggestion and Justice Beyer's unusual and inappropriate complaint to Senator Specter that the newest members of the Supreme Court -- Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito -- are ignoring and overruling established precedent is of a piece with the mandarinate's general and untrue response to the Administration: the Mongols have taken over."


Does this mean that the bickering that has been the standard in Congress is going to start infecting the Supreme Court? There should be one body in this country that is above petty politics and that is the court.

CQ Today - House Approves Probe of Contested Vote in Bid to Restore Civility

CQ Today - House Approves Probe of Contested Vote in Bid to Restore Civility:

"The House took a step toward easing its latest partisan confrontation by agreeing Friday to create a panel that will investigate a controversial floor vote and make recommendations for changes in voting rules.
The bipartisan six-member select committee will probe Thursday’s contested vote on a Republican motion to send the fiscal 2008 Agriculture spending bill back to committee.
The Republican-sponsored resolution (H Res 611) creating the investigative panel was adopted minus “whereas” clauses accusing Democrats of improperly manipulating that vote."


This sounds like a fair resolution to the problem. When ever I am watching Congress I am shocked at the way they do their votes. Personally, I don't understand why they don't do all the votes through an electronic tally, with a record kept of each vote. The system as it is set up now, seems confusing to me.

Kucinich Questions Rumsfeld

TPMtv: Yearly Kos Chapter 17

The Corner on National Review Online

The Corner on National Review Online:

"They just replayed the whole mess from the House last night on C-Span. I spoke
to Novak and he doesn't remember anything quite like this happening before. Pretty outrageous, really. It is about as blatant an abuse of power as you can have in a
legislative body, to cheat on a vote total.

Republicans were playing a game that the minority usually plays — you have your guys vote with the other side, then have them change at the last minute. This forces the majority to come up with votes quickly. Although on close issues they would rather spare their endangered members in swing districts and give them a free vote, the majority leadership then has to tell their endangered members to bite their tongues and vote the party line.

Two Democrats changed their votes to ensure that the measure would fail, but then three Republicans did the same. The vote total was 215-213 in favor of the Republican motion to recommit. At that moment, Rep. Mike McNulty ( D-N.Y.), who was in the Speaker's chair, gavelled out the vote, thinking that it was a tie and the motion had failed. But he had miscounted — the motion had actually passed. The Democrats were only able to change this by cheating and changing more votes after the gavel.

Although they did not do so for hours, the House clerk's office finally did put a record of the vote online this morning, with the measure failing by a vote of 216-212."


I know that a lot of you might be reading this and thinking - BORING... but read it Click on the link and read more about it, you should attempt to understand it. I am not taking a side on this issue, it seems murky to me. I am posting it here because this is what John McCain would call a Seminole moment, and it is going to factor importantly into the campaign season for 2008 and perhaps beyond. It is also instructive to see how the gears of our government turn.

MotherJones.com | MoJoBlog - Social Issues and Political Commentary: Let the Warantless Wiretapping Resume

MotherJones.com MoJoBlog - Social Issues and Political Commentary: Let the Warantless Wiretapping Resume:

"It's official: The Protect America Act is on it's way to the president's desk
and, once it arrives, you can be sure it will be signed promptly so the
administration can resume its warantless eavesdropping program (legally this
time). Last night 41 House Democrats sided with their Republican colleagues to
pass the measure, greenlighted by the Senate on Friday, which revises the
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), allowing the NSA to intercept
foreign communications without obtaining a court order. Troubling to civil
libertarians and the House Democrats who voted against the legislation, is the
wording in the bill, which seems just vague enough that U.S. citizens and
domestic communications could still be swept up in the surveillance net, which
was the whole problem with the first incarnation of the administration’s
warrantless wiretapping program. According to the bill, electronic intercepts
involving people 'reasonably believed to be outside the United States' are fair
game. The question is what constitutes 'reasonable belief' and can the intel
community be counted on to adhere to this standard, particularly after the FBI's
well publicized abuses of its FISA authority."


These are issues that need to be resolved, it needs to be understood what the power of the government is and what the power of the government isn't in dealing with civil rights. Over the next six months, Congress and the White House have a chance to discuss these issues and find the right balance of power. In this issue more than any other I think that the voice of the American people need to be heard. Both sides in this debate are saying that they are speaking for the protection of Americans and they both have valid points. The problem is that on both sides there is also egos involved and it it hard to know where the stand for rights end and the stand for the sake of the stand begin.

My personal opinion is that they can listen to my phone. I am not breaking the law. I think that the fourth amendment that forbade unlawful search and seizure was more about the violation of property and person involved in having someone enter your home without your permission and take your property. It does no harm to me, if they are listening to my phone calls, they are really boring so it might allow them to get some sleep. I don't think that the same level of protection is needed for electronic searches as of standard searches.

The BRAD BLOG : CA Source Code Report: Diebold Voting Machines Can Be Hacked With Virus by Single Person, Affecting Entire Election

The BRAD BLOG : CA Source Code Report: Diebold Voting Machines Can Be Hacked With Virus by Single Person, Affecting Entire Election:

"Diebold Election Systems Inc. voting machines are not secure enough to
guarantee a trustworthy election, and an attacker with access to a single
machine could disrupt or change the outcome of an election using viruses,
according to a review of Diebold's source code.
'The software contains serious design flaws that have led directly to specific vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit to affect election outcomes,' read the University of
California at Berkeley report, commissioned by the California Secretary of State
as part of a two-month 'top-to-bottom' review of electronic voting systems
certified for use in California."


The fear on everyone mind is that of a person or group who would use this to take advantage of the system and manipulate a win for their candidate. While that is a scary prospect, we should also consider what a terrorist could do if they were intent on disrupting the system. In some ways this is the scariest idea, because at least there is some constructive logic to manipulating for one person versus another. What if a terrorist could break into the system and erase the election results so that whole segments of the population just lost their votes all together. We need to know that our voting system is more secure than that. A paper trail would not stop someone who was set not on changing the election, but destroying it.

McCain's one option to revive his campaign. - By John Dickerson - Slate Magazine

McCain's one option to revive his campaign. - By John Dickerson - Slate Magazine:

"In conversations I've had this week with Republican activists in Iowa and New
Hampshire, the comments about John McCain's campaign have been of a piece. It's
not just that they don't think he has a chance. They've moved past that. They're
now trading theories about the real reason he's staying in the race. The
prevailing view is that McCain is hanging on until January so he can claim
federal matching funds to pay off his debts.
McCain and his campaign insist they're earnestly trying to win, but that's not going to stop the chatter. He doesn't have enough money for ads. His campaign is so broke, in fact, the
candidate is flying coach and carrying his own bags."


I think that McCain is serving a useful role in the debate, I think he is a strong person, a strong candidate and that his ideas are contributing to the general debate. It is a shame that he does not have a better chance to get the nomination, I think he has the best chance of all the group of beating the democrats in the general election.

Then again, he isn't the only person in the campaign that is running low in the polls and show no sign of giving in. I think that it takes a special courage and will to run in the election, even when you are polling at one percent. You really have to believe in your ideas and hope that you are injecting ideas into the discussion and effecting the way those ideas are talked about.

Democracy Now Headlines- Fri. Aug. 03, 2007

The YearlyKos Circus

Mitt Romney's Mormonism [Oliver Willis: Like Kryptonite To Stupid]

Mitt Romney's Mormonism [Oliver Willis: Like Kryptonite To Stupid]:

"Furthermore, the Romney boosters like Hewitt and his lap-sitting blog partner Dean Barnett seem to have convinced themselves that questions about the less mainstream beliefs that are central to the Mormon faith (like the idea of biblical-style miracles happening here in America, or that the messiah will return and show up in Missouri in some capacity) are off limits. Bull. I don't see why theological questions are off the table. I think it's perfectly legitimate to ask Barack Obama, John Edwards, and Hillary Clinton if they believe that Jesus was the son of God, performed miracles, and that he'll return on the day of reckoning. They're all Christians, so I think it's safe to say that they believe those things in one form or another."


I think that the only time that a candidates religion is going to be an important subject for debate is when it is something that addresses their leadership and the choices they would make. Gay rights and the abortion debate are key examples of when the religious ideas of a candidate could effect what kind of job is done in office. Asking someone if they believe Jesus is the son of god does not have any effect on the way they will meet the demands of their office. If you ask them, do you believe that Jesus is coming back tomorrow and will take you with him, it could be argued to be relevant. Since that leader might not be so concerned about the day after tomorrow is they believes they are not going to be here.

Lets focus on real issues, beliefs should be personal.

Senate passes wiretap bill - Politics - MSNBC.com

Senate passes wiretap bill - Politics - MSNBC.com:

"WASHINGTON - The Senate, in a high-stakes showdown over national security,
voted late Friday to temporarily give President Bush expanded authority to
eavesdrop on suspected foreign terrorists without court warrants."


I think this is a strong and healthy solution to the standoff that was setting up on the hill. This kind of legislation will take a lot of understand, a lot of compromise and a lot of work to get it right. We cannot fail the security of America, and allow terrorists to sneak through the nets that would catch and stop their plans. On the other hand, Americans and their rights need to be respected. I would go so far as to add, that people outside of the country, American or not should have their rights respected as well. We have the power and the need to protect out country, but that does not have to come at the cost of taking rights and security from others.

The Real Fortress Of Solitude [Oliver Willis: Like Kryptonite To Stupid]


The Real Fortress Of Solitude [Oliver Willis: Like Kryptonite To Stupid]:

"Geologist Juan Manuel García-Ruiz calls it 'the Sistine Chapel of crystals,' but Superman could call it home.
A sort of south-of-the-border Fortress of Solitude, Mexico's Cueva de los Cristales (Cave of Crystals) contains some of the world's largest known natural crystals—translucent beams of gypsum as long as 36 feet (11 meters)."

Another Republican Charged With Sexual Crime [Oliver Willis: Like Kryptonite To Stupid]

Another Republican Charged With Sexual Crime [Oliver Willis: Like Kryptonite To Stupid]:

"A city councilman was arraigned Friday on charges that he raped and assaulted a
woman in his office just hours after they met in a bar.
Councilman Dennis Gallagher, a married father of two, turned himself in after a grand jury came back with the 10-count indictment on rape and assault charges. In testimony before the grand jury this week, he acknowledged an encounter with the 52-year-old woman but said it was consensual. "


I almost don't want to post stories like this anymore because it doesn't say anything about the republican party in my book. I am not a republican, but it isn't because of the immoral behavior of this leader or the many others who have been arrested. immorality is perhaps the only really bipartisan issue in congress right now.

Why do I post it, because the public should know what kind of leaders they have in office.

Crooks and Liars » Things Get Heated Early In ABC GOP Debate - Brownback Goes After Romney On Abortion Flip-Flop

Crooks and Liars » Things Get Heated Early In ABC GOP Debate - Brownback Goes After Romney On Abortion Flip-Flop:

"The GOP Presidential Candidate Debate on this morning’s “This Week” started off with a bang as moderator George Stephanopolis played a robo-call sent out to Iowa voters from Sam Brownback’s campaign which attacks Mitt Romney’s stance on abortion and his claim to be pro-life. Brownback, who is not only pro-life, but whole life, stands behind the message, but Romney fires back claiming the ad was almost completely false and referred to Brownback as “holier than thou.”"


Listening to Mitt answer questions during the debate was a painful experience. With the exception of the right to life, and the war in Iraq - he never could answer the questions that were being asked of him. I don't trust Romney, he is getting slicker and slicker every day.

New Minnesota DOT Video: Moments After Bridge Collapse

SCLC To Honor Vick At Atlanta Convention - News Story - WSB Atlanta

SCLC To Honor Vick At Atlanta Convention - News Story - WSB Atlanta:

"'We will recognize Vick for being an outstanding human being,' said Steele. 'We will work with anyone who opens their heart and arms to us.'
The president of the SCLC told Channel 2's JaQuitta Williams the organization will honor Vick by praying for him. Steele said supporting people in need is what the SCLC has been about for the past 50 years.
'We're in support of Michael as a human being,' SCLC president Charles Steele said. 'Right now, he's feeling discarded, ostracized by people who are rushing to judgment. It's our responsibility to save him.'"


I think it is not fair to jump to conclusions of guilt when you do not know the facts of the case. I do not know if the charges in this case are true or not, so I am not attempting to claim that they are. However, it is just as wrong to jump to conclusions of innocence based on race, which this group is doing. Why is it based on race?

When the media drags out Phil Spector and paints him as a guilty man, does the SCLC come out and defend him? How about Scott Peterson, or Robert Blake or any other number of non-black suspects that have been smeared in the media. They are speaking out about Vick because they are assuming that the charges or the beliefs of his guilt are based on his race. Which I don't believe it is.

This is going to be a bad thing for them, if it turns out that the evidence comes through to support the charges that have been made against Vick.

Global-Warming Deniers: A Well-Funded Machine - Newsweek Technology - MSNBC.com

Global-Warming Deniers: A Well-Funded Machine - Newsweek Technology - MSNBC.com:

"Since the late 1980s, this well-coordinated, well-funded campaign by contrarian scientists, free-market think tanks and industry has created a paralyzing fog of doubt around climate change. Through advertisements, op-eds, lobbying and media attention, greenhouse doubters (they hate being called deniers) argued first that the world is not warming; measurements indicating otherwise are flawed, they said. Then they claimed that any warming is natural, not caused by human activities. Now they contend that the looming warming will be minuscule and harmless. 'They patterned what they did after the tobacco industry,' says former senator Tim Wirth, who spearheaded environmental issues as an under secretary of State in the Clinton administration. 'Both figured, sow enough doubt, call the science uncertain and in dispute. That's had a huge impact on both the public and Congress.'"


I think it shouldn't be over estimated the number of people in this country that are sceptical of global warming. However there is a group of people who do doubt it. I don't think it is because they believe what is being told to them by groups on the right. I think that for many it falls into a questioning of the nature of the politics of global warming. The best way to get this across is through communicating with them, I think that the movie by Al Gore changed the climate of debate around this more than anything else. In a topic this big though, there is always going to be some people who hold back, it isn't that they refuse to see the truth, it is just that the truth is hard to see if you don't trust scientist and politicians.

Soldier gets 110 years for rape, murder - Conflict in Iraq - MSNBC.com

Soldier gets 110 years for rape, murder - Conflict in Iraq - MSNBC.com:

"FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - A soldier convicted of rape and murder in an attack on an
Iraqi teenager and her family was sentenced Saturday to 110 years in prison.
The sentence was part of a plea agreement attorneys for Pfc. Jesse Spielman
had made with prosecutors that set the number of years he could serve in prison,
regardless of the jury's recommendation."


I think that this is something that is going to make a statement to the world. That these crimes that have been committed by these soldiers are not condoned by either the people of America or the Government of Iraq. It is good to see justice served in this case.

Diddy Plans Romantic Yacht Week With Sienna Miller | Hip-Hop Crunch

Diddy Plans Romantic Yacht Week With Sienna Miller Hip-Hop Crunch:

"P Diddy has invited Sienna Miller to stay on his luxury yacht next week. The pair will meet up in Ibiza before going sailing together on the RM Elegant. A mole tells the British tabs: “He is expecting romance. He has candles and endless bottles of fine Cristal champagne on ice.”"


I am really speechless about what to say about this match. Is she trying to be the next Heidi Klum? This is just a match I never would have guessed, and I don't see working out.

Access Hollywood | Report: Lindsay Lohan Checks Into Rehab In Utah | Celebrity and Hollywood News

Access Hollywood Report: Lindsay Lohan Checks Into Rehab In Utah Celebrity and Hollywood News:

"SUNDANCE, Utah (August 5, 2007) -- Lindsay Lohan has checked into the Cirque
Lodge drug and alcohol treatment center in Sundance, Utah, according to a CBS
News radio report.

This would be Lindsay's third stint in rehab, following her previous stays at Wonderland and Promises in the Los Angeles area."


It is pretty clear now that Lohan is in rehab in Utah, hopefully she is getting healthier.

Banana and Terror

Authorities puzzled about mother in deaths of children left in hot car - CNN.com

Authorities puzzled about mother in deaths of children left in hot car - CNN.com:

"'She was either told to come to work or be fired, or she was afraid to call in sick -- one of those things,' said police Lt. Michael Fowler. She made it to her job at a county-run group home July 29, a typically warm summer day. After eight hours, she called a supervisor and said she had to leave because of child-care issues.

According to her employer, she didn't tell the supervisor or a co-worker that for all that time, she had left her 1-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son in her Chevy Cavalier hatchback, parked on a residential street. She had left Triniti and Shawn with battery-powered fans, food and drinks, but it was not nearly enough to combat the sweltering conditions inside.

She later told relatives that when she got to the car at 11:30 p.m., the
children were unconscious and had weak pulses.
A day later, police found her at her apartment wailing, 'Oh, my babies!' Officers said in a police report that she tried to kick and bite them and asked them to kill her.

The bodies of the children, bathed and dressed, were found wrapped in trash bags and stuffed under the sink."



There are so many mistakes that were made by this lady, while I want to be clear I understand that the position she was put in wasn't easy.

First of all, she choose her job over her kids. While she may not have known that the results would have been their death, what did she think was going to happen. Did she not understand that she was putting her children at risk, there are a multitude of threats they could have befallen them.

Second according to her own story they were alive when she got back to the car. Why did she not call 911, why did she not take them to get medical care? If she had taken these steps maybe the children would still be alive. My guess is that she was afraid of getting in trouble for leaving them in the car. Again she is choosing something over her children's safety, very clearly this time.

Third, she attempted to hide the deaths from authorities. Did she really think that she was going to be able to keep authorities from discovering her children had died. If she washed and clothed her children, it shows that she cared about them. If she cared about them more, she might have made the choices that would have saved their lives.

I am further curious to what kind of group home she was working in, and if she was fit to be placed in such a home. Her own ability to make correct choices, and to think logically seems challenged and could be a danger to the residents of the home.

Ron Paul Interviewed on Big Story Weekend






Brief Update: Biden, Richardson, and Huckabee

BEST OF THE WEEK

SUN
Gabby Babble: Richard Branson Reveals Losing Mile High Virginity

First of all this is way more than I wanted to know about Richard Branson. Secondly though it is funny to think that he has an airline that flies under the name "Virgin". I wonder what his policy is regarding such things on his airline.

MON
Brad and Angie Retiring and Moving to Europe?

Some how the trade of the Beckhams for Angelina and Brad doesn't really seem all that fair. I mean it is true that David is a great soccer player, and Brad isn't. However, Angelina is a good actress and Victoria isn't an actress at all.I can understand how they would want to get away from it, and live a quiet life. I don't know that any place in Europe is going to work, I think that maybe Africa would work better, but even when they were in Namibia there was photographers there.


TUE
Jude Law Dating Cameron Diaz? Pop Crunch

My first thought was god no. On further thought they might be good for each other.

WED
It's Official - Whoopi joins The View

It almost makes me wish I could watch the show. I am sure there will be plenty of great moments that make their way to the internet though. I think Whoopi is great for the show, it brings back a racial mix to the show, and she can be just as out spoken as Rosie - except she is funny. It will be fun to see how this changes the dynamic of the show.

THUR
Charges dropped against Dog the Bounty Hunter - TV Squad

This is good news, it seemed silly to be prosecuting him for arresting a rapist.

FRI
Britney Spears and Alli Sims, Reunited by a Green Sucker Allie Is Wired - The Entertainment Blog

It looks like Alli and Britney have been able to patch up their differences. I am sure it had nothing to do with the differences that Britney might make in her potential pop career. Actually maybe they can help each other, Britney will give her cousin a boost, and Alli will make Britney look humyn again.

SAT
Gabby Babble: Brad and Angelina Canceled Their Family Vacation?

Canceled vacation, what do you think, source of problem or sign of problem or both? While the rumors have increased that the two have been fighting and some are saying the relationship is over, is it. Others are claiming that it is as good as ever.

Who Is.... 2008 Democratic presidential candidates - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2008 Democratic presidential candidates - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Hillary Rodham Clinton, born October 26, 1947, in Illinois, U.S. Senator from New York and former First Lady of the United States. Clinton announced the formation of her exploratory committee on 20 January 2007, with a post on her website. She has delivered several speeches which analysts say are intended to reach out to moderates. She has also been holding fundraising meetings, including meeting with women from Massachusetts, a key constituency of potential rival and 2004 nominee John Kerry; however, these activities are consistent with the lead up to a campaign for re-election to her Senate seat in 2006. Many Republicans appear to be hoping that Senator Clinton will run for President, presumably believing her to be a polarizing figure. If elected, Clinton would be the first female president. Clinton announced on January 20, 2007, that she will run in 2008 (the same day she announced the formation of an exploratory committee). She has filed the official paperwork for an exploratory committee

CIA Torture?

Socialite Paris Hilton

Gabby Babble: Madonna and Guy Win as the Best Dressed Couple?

Gabby Babble: Madonna and Guy Win as the Best Dressed Couple?:

"1. Madonna and Guy Ritchie
2. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
3. David and Victoria Beckham
4. Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale
5. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher"


Congrats to Madonna, she remains a force in the fashion world over 20 years after her rise to power from the streets of New York. Brad and Angelina are also a good choice, they always look great -as for the rest of the list, well I guess they aren't that many couples in Hollywood. I would have put Courtney Cox and David on there before Gwen and Gavin though.

Gabby Babble: Are Reese and Ryan Getting Back Together?

Gabby Babble: Are Reese and Ryan Getting Back Together?:

"'They met for lunch this week at the Votre Sante health-food restaurant, a
regular Brentwood haunt for Reese on San Vicente. And they're going on runs
together around the Brentwood Country Club. Both are regular, dedicated runners.
Running is a very healing, meditative thing, so maybe it will work its magic on
them.'"


I am holding out to believe this until I see more evidence, but it would be good. Brad and Jennifer are always called the Hollywood golden couple, or they were, but I think it was really Ryan and Reese that were the Hollywood golden couple. They also had some cute kids.

Buzz Foto LLC - Paparazzi Is An Art Form!


Buzz Foto LLC - Paparazzi Is An Art Form!: "Off To Hef’s Last Night"

It is good to see Nicky out with her man, she doesn't get as much attention as Paris, which I don't think she wants. However she has her own classy beauty, and it is lovely.

celebrity nation: Usher weds in lawyer's office

celebrity nation: Usher weds in lawyer's office:

"A week after calling off their lavish Hamptons wedding, Usher and Tameka Foster
tied the knot on Friday in the Atlanta office of the singer's lawyer. The
marriage came after much speculation that the pair had called things off as a
result of fighting and Usher's mom's dislike of Foster. However, the couple
insists that last week's cancellation was due to a pregnancy scare."


A week of frantic rumors have come to an end and the two have gotten married, I wish them the best in their new life.

Faded Youth Blog » Blog Archive » THE LBT: WHO OWNS IT?


Faded Youth Blog » Blog Archive » THE LBT: WHO OWNS IT?

I clearly have to say that Lauren looks better in this dress, it looks neat and simple on her - and it matches her skin tone great. It is a great dress for a night out. Sarah is wearing a necklace that disturbs the neat appearance of the dress, and has mismatched it with a brown bag. I think she would look much better if she had carried a black clutch with this dress.

Matt Damon Does Matthew McConaughey


--
I originally had a a video of Matt promoting his new movie on Letterman but it got deleted.

Buzz Foto LLC - Paparazzi Is An Art Form!


Buzz Foto LLC - Paparazzi Is An Art Form!: "BRANDON DAVIS at Area in West Hollywood last night"

Director Dunst Shoots Short Film | Kirsten Dunst : Just Jared

Director Dunst Shoots Short Film Kirsten Dunst : Just Jared:

"Kristen Dunst puts her acting on the back burner and puts on her director’s
cap, directing small crew and actors in Los Feliz on Friday for a “Glamour
Reels” short film."


Well not only is she hot but she in multi-talented. That's what I like in a girl.

WHERE IS LINDSAY LOHAN

Lindsay Lohan Back with Her Mom in N.Y. - Lindsay Lohan : People.com:

"Laying low following her July 24 arrest for DUI, driving with a suspended
license and cocaine possession, Lindsay Lohan, 21, quietly made her way to mom
Dina's house in Long Island, N.Y., on Friday.

She flew first class to Kennedy airport with sister Ali, 13, and is now in the arms of her mother, grandmother and younger siblings, the New York Post reports. "


Other reports are placing her in Utah at a rehab center. As far as I know there is no concrete proof that she is in either one of these places. When she is ready for the public again, she will come out, lets hope that she is taking care of herself and getting better.

Guess Who? | POPSUGAR - Celebrity Gossip & News.


Guess Who? POPSUGAR - Celebrity Gossip & News.

They changed the site and now you have to actually guess or give up before you can see who it is - check it out.

More Matt Manjoyment - Go See Bourne! | POPSUGAR - Celebrity Gossip & News.


More Matt Manjoyment - Go See Bourne! POPSUGAR - Celebrity Gossip & News.:


"On his 'good guy' image: I don't hold myself to some higher standard of
behavior. You don't have to do a lot to be seen as nice. I guess some of these
people must be such rampant pricks that people are amazed when you say hello. I
don't know why people like me, and I don't know if I want to know. That might be
the kiss of death. I'd rather people not know a lot about me and go see the
movies. On his 'good guy' image: I don't hold myself to some higher standard of
behavior. You don't have to do a lot to be seen as nice. I guess some of these
people must be such rampant pricks that people are amazed when you say hello. I
don't know why people like me, and I don't know if I want to know. That might be
the kiss of death. I'd rather people not know a lot about me and go see the
movies. "


I really like Matt.

Alive And Well In Long Island | Dlisted


Alive And Well In Long Island Dlisted

I can see it now, Ali is telling her friends, "you are going to be the black guy that I blame this on, and you are going to be the guy that tries to take the wheel, while I scream that I can do what ever I want". The only thing it looks like they are missing is someone in another cart to chase around the neighborhood.

X17 XCLUSIVE: Britney At War With Paps? (X17 Online)

X17 XCLUSIVE: Britney At War With Paps? (X17 Online):

"It's a never-ending battle! On Friday, August 3rd, Ms. Spears dropped off her
dog London (with cousin Alli) at a Beverly Hills vet for a checkup. Britney
stayed in the car and, while she was waiting, become frustrated with the paps
blocking her way and called in for police reinforcements. The pop singer was
finally able to move and the road was cleared when Alli eventually returned with
the healthy pup. Just another day in the life of a superstar!"


More trouble between Britney and photographers. This one seems like it is a case of her over reacting, in the video they are no where near her car. Later in the day she was all smiles though, so it looks like she must have just been in a bad mood.

What If Bruce Willis Played Harry Potter? | PopOpinions.com


Teeth and Eyebrows. at The Deli


Pitt, Jolie deny split rumors

Pitt, Jolie deny split rumors

"BEIJING, Aug. 5 -- Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have denied reports that they are on the verge of splitting up.
Rumors have been rife in recent months that the couple - who have been together for three years - are no longer making each other happy."


The question now is, does a denial make it more or less likely that they are breaking up, or does it have not effect on the rumors at all. This is a couple that talked for months about how they were just friends, when all the rumors said that it was something more. They have a history of attempting to conceal the truth.

Lawyers For Photographers Attacked By Britney’s Crew Issue Formal Statement

Lawyers For Photographers Attacked By Britney’s Crew Issue Formal Statement:

"Las Vegas, Nevada - On July 26th, 2007 at approximately 11:30 am. photographers Andrew D eel z and Kyle Henders on were taking pictures at a safe distance of approximately 30-50 feet of Britney Spears as she was exiting the Spa of the Wynn Hotel Las Vegas accompanied by two bodyguards. When Kyle Henderson attempted to get closer for a better picture, he was slammed into an adjacent wall by Julio Camera, one of the two bodyguards. Mr. Camera proceeded to squeeze Mr. Henderson against the wall until Wynn security intervened and requested Mr. Henderson to leave the hotel.
While Mr. Henderson was being escorted out of the hotel, he was joined by Mr. Deetz, who had until then remained approximately 50 feet away from Ms, Spears and her group. When Mr. Henderson and Mr. Deetz were no less than 30 paces from Ms Spears and her group and walking away in the opposite direction, Mr. Camera suddenly and without any provocation ran up to Mr. Deetz in a rage and attacked him from behind. Mr. Camera proceeded to throw Mr. Deetz on the wound and began brutally beating Mr. Deetz. Throughout the vicious attack, Mt Deetz remained helpless on the floor of the hotel receiving a barrage of punches and kicks to the head and body until Wynn security finally was able to pull Mr. Camera off of him. The injuries received by Mr. Deetz were extensive and included multiple bruises to his face and head as well as injuries to his back, neck, and other parts of his body.
Immediately after the attack, Ms. Spears ran towards Mr. Henderson and attack him but was stopped by Wynn security, While Ms. Spears was being restrained by Wynn security, she threw a baby bottle at Mr Henderson. Ms. Spears then turned to Mr. Deetz and, in front of hotel guests and other bystanders, began to yell repeatedly at the top of her voice to Mt Deetz, “I am going to kill you! I am going to flicking kill you!” Ms. Spears also shouted that Mr. Deetz should get a restraining order against her because she was going to kill him and if she wasn’t able to kill him she would hire someone that would."


This report is a little different than others I have read, and I think that there might be some points that are not accurate. However the larger part of the story is bad enough that I think that Britney should just settle this out of court. It might cost her a small chunk of change to do that, but the bad press and keeping this story in the media through a trial would damage her career.

The funny thing is that if he gets a restraining order, since it would force him to stay away from her it would probably give Britney what she wants.

WHERE IS LINDSAY LOHAN?

LINDSAY LOHAN IN UTAH REHAB:

"'The Insider' Online breaks news that LINDSAY LOHAN has entered the Cirque
Lodge drug and alcohol rehab in Sundance, Utah. According to sources within the
facility, the 21-year-old star arrived this weekend to begin the intense
rehabilitation program that is expected to last a minimum of 30 days."


This is the same treatment center that treated Mary-Kate Olsen and David Hasselhoff. Maybe the distance from Hollywood means that it will mean some real change. Mary-Kate seems to have done better since her time at the rehab.

IOWA REPUBLICAN DEBATE AUGUST 05, 2007









































The boy who cast a spell on Hermione | the Daily Mail

The boy who cast a spell on Hermione the Daily Mail:

"Not so long ago Emma Watson was bemoaning her inability to find a boyfriend. The 17-year-old actress feared her feisty portrayal of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films might have intimidated potential suitors.
But last week, Emma's fears seemed unfounded as she enjoyed a magical time on the French Riviera under the spell of handsome young rugby player Tom Ducker."


I sure hope Ron doesn't find out, we know how he reacts to things like this. They make a cute couple, maybe it reminds her of quidditch.

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