Blog @ MoreWhat.com

How’s this for a sexy teaser?

OMG! ‘Gossip Girl’ star Blake Lively flaunts her assets with a plunging neckline on the red carpet

A successful stint on what appears to be a popular television program. A girl whose appearance is visually pleasing. Or put another way, yes, this qualifies as eye candy. OMG, sex, exploitation, perhaps a political agenda and the masses will rebel. NOT

No need to discuss all the possibilities for debate on what is presented here. Just ignore the natural inclination to weigh in and enjoy the view.

Speaking of views provides a handy transition to the next related item. OMG, controversy over one person’s, correction, two persons’ decision to make a statement about a topic apparently important to them. The piece below is spot on in its analysis.

Tim Tebow chose to take a stand about his beliefs.

It’s certainly his right. He and his mother, Pam, are scheduled to star in a Super Bowl commercial next Sunday night that advocates an anti-abortion message. It has created a firestorm among special-interest groups believing that the national communal experience that has become Super Sunday should be independent of political infiltration.

Those who disagree with their position can choose to take their television remote in hand when the ad appears on CBS and change the channel.

And finally let’s consider a story from a member of the Palin family that is not an attack piece from the MSM or lefty blogosphere.

Bristol Palin vows no more pre-marital sex - and says other women should follow her lead

Here’s a kid dealing with accepting consequences for her decisions. As they say, she chose life. And even with a great deal of support from family and friends that is no easy path. Some may continue to criticize, attack and bash the Palin’s including Bristol. But her ‘goal’ is not something to diss. In addition to what she faces for years to come, if using the media attraction to promote responsible living also comes from it she should get applause not criticism.

So that about wraps up this presentation of three sex stories. A story about an attractive young woman and her apparel which may seem tame these days. A young man and his Mom taking a stand on what they believe at some personal risk. And another attractive young woman dealing with the reality of life’s serious consequences. All of them deal with sex in some way. A topic that can use both serious and light-hearted attention. But one that we must give proper consideration to avoid serious damage and unnecessary setbacks.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Battle of the network late TV hosts was caused by the network, one network, NBC. And scandal ridden David Letterman is not involved. It seems the whole thing was started by affiliate gripes about NBC’s time slot arrangement as indicated below.

Feeling pressure from affiliates, who have been griping for months about how Leno’s 10 p.m performance is hurting their late news and bottom line, NBC is scrambling to put together a strategy to appease them and keep Leno on the payroll.

Now it seems Conan O’Brien will jump ship over the situation.

“For 60 years, The Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news,” O’Brien said. “I sincerely believe that delaying The Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn’t The Tonight Show.”

The part O’Brien omits from the excerpt above and possibly any statement he has made is how the ‘franchise’ was built with the likes of Paar and Carson. That was the Tonight Show. This is not.

The opinion that no one will care about is offered here. In reverse order, O’Brien may be a capable TV host but nothing about his version of the show lives up to the history of it. Jay Leno is also quite capable. And he’s more likeable than O’Brien. While he maintained some aspects of the ‘franchise’ it appeared he had a tendency to inject a bathroom humor style of jokes as his episode progressed.

Steve Allen was first. Carson was King. Allen was impeccable and a ground breaker as were Paar and Carson. The same cannot be said of what followed. Putting Leno and O’Brien back where they were would probably be a good idea but won’t likely happen.

Let it die just like NBC has done with anything they touched over a number of years.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Are you simply being a voyeur or surrendering to morbid curiosity by following the current Tiger Woods saga? Maybe. The real question that seems to be ignored in this story as well as those of John Edwards, Mark Sanford, Elliot Spitzer and others in similar situations is the other element in the equation. It takes two to tango. And the secondary consideration of ‘the other person’ rarely rates much commentary.

Understandably, a tryst involving well-known personalities or a ‘celebrity’ is rich fodder for all media sources. Especially when the celeb is married to someone else. Then comes the role model discussion and the righteous indignation from some corners of the public mindset. Whether Joanna Jagoda, Rachel Uchitel, Jaimee Grubbs or someone else in the Tiger story or the co-conspirator in other such stories the ‘other woman’ in these scandals is ‘exposed’ to little downside.

In Jaimee Grubbs Tiger is it a simple case of a gold digger of sorts exploiting the celebrity of Tiger Woods? No doubt Tiger Woods regrets this publicity. Who knows if he regrets the choices that brought it to bear? One thing seems certain. Someone like Jaimee Grubbs stands to benefit financially from the story. Some media sources pay well for the details. It feeds the frenzy. It prolongs the agony. And it really serves no worthwhile purpose.

The debate will continue on whether or not ‘celebs’ should be held to a different standard. How much privacy is a celeb entitled to after choosing the public spotlight as a career choice? But what about the creepy crawler whose only intention from the start may have been the chance for fame, fortune or other benefits at someone else’s expense? Not the least of which may be Tiger’s wife, children or other family members.

Save the righteous indignation. If it were someone obligated to honor the public trust as in elected or appointed officials in government the outrage is warranted. If you cheat on your spouse it raises other ethical questions about a public official. Perhaps that is the only time the standard should be applied. Celeb scandals may be propped up by this foolish notion that it matters only to serve the profit incentive of those who stand to gain by it.

Anyone can make a mistake. Anyone can have character less stellar than we perceive. We are all human and subject to failures. In this case, it may be righteous to give Tiger and his family a break. The same could not be said for Edwards, Sanford or Spitzer. Their professional lives involved a public trust beyond any personal obligations to others. That is a significant difference. Enough said.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Tiger Woods is an idiot (Michelle Malkin)

Does this inspire you to ask any questions?

If there ever was a time when late night ‘variety’ show host David Letterman possessed any credibility as an observer or commentator on American culture and life in general it has expired. Sure, the David Letterman Show was merely the CBS response to The Tonight Show on NBC that has been reduced to nothing that resembles the earlier work of veterans Johnny Carson and Jack Paar. Another testament to the notion the Golden Years of Television may be a figment of someone’s imagination. Not unlike the idea that celebrity status is an achievement that bestows a rank and honor worthy of the owner’s display of class and taste.

News stories reported over recent days dominating gossip columns feature perhaps the number one celeb story about Roman Polanski. Barring some revelation vindicating this Hollywood sleaze from his despicable transgression decades ago justice is embarrassingly overdue for this common pedophile. And this week’s report that a CBS employee attempted to extort $2 million from David Letterman for sexual encounters with other CBS employees which Letterman admits adds to the lack of a code of conduct in the ‘entertainment’ business. Perhaps by coincidence this week’s guest list for Letterman included another ‘celeb’ with an equally bankrupt character. Madonna Louise Ciccone arrived on the show via the New York Rangers like the straight man to setup the relevant one liner describing her lifestyle choices. The fawning audience responded favorably to Letterman’s introduction of Ciccone which included a list of her commercial success.Undoubtedly they also approved of everything else ‘Madonna’. ( a name choice bordering on blasphemy given personal history)

Just like that audience various well-known and not so well-known Hollywood types volunteered their voices to rise in defense of Roman Polanski. While politicians who fall from grace are shamed under an avalanche of well deserved criticism and others in their ranks distance themselves from the offending entity no such ritual exists with Hollywood celebrity. For Hollywood it is more like a badge of dishonor than is adorned by the owner and increases their celeb status contrary to the shame that would attach to an ordinary human once they understood the error of their ways.

Dishonor for most people requires accepting the consequences for your behavior and providing some sort of restitution as part of the process of learning from your mistakes. Some mistakes may be too egregious for this simple atonement or ritual for righting a wrong. Not that anyone should adopt the dishonor routine observed by some in Eastern cultures that results in the demise of the culprit but the celeb world takes it to the other extreme. It’s okay. It’s cool. Fans love us for it. And that’s the problem.

For every pop culture icon or Ho_lywood celebrity who embarks on a personal crusade to save the world they would do well to look inward and cleanup their own backyard before engaging in publicity stunts to hide their own demons. Maybe that is why celebs fawn over President Obama. They see vindication for themselves in the Obamanation. A place that recruits from the most corrupt venues like The Chicago political machine. Celebs audacity is only trumped by the Messiah’s using Saul Alinsky’s rules for radicals. Promoting their morally bankrupt agenda while criticizing those favoring an adherence to traditional values and a return to founding ideals that built our nation.

For celebrities and members of the Obamanation who claim America’s image needs to be repaired you might start with introspection. Maybe America’s image is just fine. Maybe your’s is the one in need of repair.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

This is a follow up to a recent post on OMG, Idol, and Paula Abdul leaving over some conflict perhaps about, go figure, $$. The remaining question in that meaningless saga was who cares? Even in the pic above it appears Perry is gesturing a ‘heart’ with her hands but both her hands and arms could be gesturing ‘ZERO’. Draw you own conclusion.
Now the report is Katy Perry is the replacement. How’s that for cloning? Same gender, similar hair color and a marginal talent. But at least one video is entertaining as well as a parody video also presented here.

For obvious reasons the content of the video may at least be entertaining to some degree. Perry’s vocals, if this isn’t a Milli Vanilli thing, are decent. Adequate range demonstrated with an effective use of falsetto. So now, on to the parody with similar qualities.

The parody vid was reviewed in an effort to insure the absence of tasteless content. American Idol should have chosen the Venetian Princess for Abdul’s replacement. Besides, Abdul may translate into English as ‘the slave’. So how does Paula the Slave justify accepting any $$ for her role on Idol?
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

What is it about that which can be characterized ‘popular culture’ or some sort of phenomena of civilization at any given time and its attraction for the masses? On the internet it may be MySpace or Facebook or Twitter. On TV it may be so-called reality shows like Survivor or Dancing with the Stars or American Idol.

Is it simply that those whose job it is to dream up money making ideas for television find a way to get millions of people to pay attention long enough to sell a great deal of advertising time? The same could be asked of internet geniuses who assemble online infrastructure to handle millions of users for who knows what valid purpose if one exists.

It may be fair to state that sporting or athletic competition in its well known forms of baseball, football, basketball, golf, tennis, racing, the Olympics and many others have helped strengthen the sense of community shared by those in participating locales. Aside from the periodic falls from grace of various sports stars as with any other celebrity group, role models and the positive outcomes from ordinary folks engaging in athletic training and competition as well as being spectators can encourage personal achievement and the development of enviable human qualities.

So what do these other popular culture phenomena have to offer? Where does MySpace, Facebook or Twitter offer some redeeming social value that trumps its obvious monetary benefit for those who control it? Certainly it is fair to say a handful of people have gained by competing on American Idol each year. And it is also fair to say that aside from the lure of a chance at great wealth they may be pursuing an honest dream to achieve a goal in the performing arts in some way. But where is that avenue for personal development with the others? Sure, you can network on social networking sites and it may possibly lead to assistance in reaching some reasonable goal like landing a job or something similar. But is that why so many are attracted to these current popular culture icons?

One Wiki definition offered for popular culture may expect too much from these ‘human activities’. Popular culture (or pop culture) is the culture — patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activities significance …

Another definition from artconnected DOT org may be viewed as too critical of pop culture. The opposite of high cultural art forms, such as the opera, historic art, classical music, traditional theater or literature; popular culture …

But one from edublogs DOT org may be close. Cultural experiences widely enjoyed by members of various groups within the community.

Those definitions were simply found by using the define search on Google. But none of this answers the question of why some forms of popular culture do not appear to have any really useful value other than generating revenue. The only reason this point is raised on this blog is that it seems all the hype and talk about these current pop culture forms rests solely with the fact they are popular by virtue of the quantity of people attracted to them. How is that a measure of anything other than commercial success? How does it advance the species? How does this make us better? Is there anything about it which indicates a higher goal? Or is it just about money or being cool?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Illegal file sharing sites is a topic that seems to never go away. The same could be said of malicious hackers and spam. And let’s not forget about those who want to rule the internet or tax it or overcharge for connection to it and use of it. But in terms of the specific story in this post, a writer being fired for illegally accessing a copy of a not yet released movie. What was he thinking?

Writer loses job over Wolverine
(from the BBC)

A US columnist is out of a job after posting an online review of an illegally downloaded copy of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Roger Friedman, who wrote the piece on his regular column, had worked at the Fox news website for 10 years.

Fox News said that the company’s representatives and Friedman “mutually agreed to part ways immediately”.

Here’s an interesting twist to the story.

Effects company denies leaking ‘Wolverine’
Friday, April 3 2009
By Lara Martin, Entertainment Reporter

An Australian visual effects company has denied leaking an unfinished workprint of X-Men Origins: Wolverine one month before its release.

What always accompanies stories in the main stream media and elsewhere are conflicting reports or widely differing estimates.

‘X-Men’ leak isn’t the real ‘Wolverine’
Tuesday, April 7th 2009
NY Daily News

Since word broke last week that a rough copy of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” was leaked onto the Web, an estimated 75,000 people hoping to see a potential blockbuster early and for free have downloaded Hugh Jackman’s comic-book actioner, set for release May 1.

Aside from the comment that this is ‘not the real movie’ notice the ‘estimated 75,000′ part. It would be fair to assume they mean ‘not the real movie’ to indicate the leaked version is a working copy that will be edited before release.

‘Wolverine’ premiere may be in your town, or on your computer
07:45 AM PT, Apr 5 2009
LA Times

Wow, what is going to happen when “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” hits theaters on May 1?

More than 100,000 downloads of a nearly finished version of the film were snatched off of file-sharing websites this week after a copy of such a version of the 20th Century Fox film was leaked. The FBI is investigating and, believe me, the studio was badly rattled by the theft — this film, on paper, looked like it could be one of the biggest releases of 2009 but it has been encountering considerable turbulence for a movie still sitting on the runway.

You gotta love it. The 100,000 download estimate is from an item dated the fifth while the 75,000 estimate is from the seventh.

Wolverine Movie Bootleg: More than 1 Million Downloads
Monday April 6, 2009
AppScout

That leaked version of X-Men Origins: Wolverine has been online for about a week. And despite 20th Century Fox’s best efforts to curb its spread, the movie has been downloaded by more than one million users via BitTorrent.

But even better is the one million estimate offered on the date in between the other two. It may seem like a small thing and in this case it has the diminished value of who cares? Not so much who cares about the varying, correct or incorrect estimates but who cares about the movie? If you have an appreciation for storytelling or the cinematic experience, whatever that is these days, it is understandable you may be interested in this movie if the genre is your ‘thing’. But no matter what your interests or what you watch or how you fulfill the need to satisfy your personal demand for such leisure pursuits it is tough to argue that Hollywood and other sources for movies rarely fail to disappoint. The hype is also rarely justified after viewing the promoted offering.

To counter that conclusion readers are encouraged to submit their candidates for a list of spectacular examples of fine productions from the movie industry.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Where to begin? How about the idea of being ‘unleashed’ but waiting until after the results come in before you really climb on board? For how long was Oprah avoiding politics on her talk show? She then endorses Obama, understandable, and does some campaigning, understandable, and then what, hedges her bets? Once the victory for Obama was in hand, then it was ‘unleashed.’ And that my friends is ‘unbelievable.’ But was there more going on behind the scenes all these many months. Were those publicly or privately supporting Obama from Hollywood spontaneously or independently coming to that decision? Or were they ‘inspired’ or ‘encouraged’ by the billionaire media power to back her candidate?

Ah, but then it is Hollywood, and liberal causes are not uncommon. Below it states ‘TV host finally free to gush over Obama.’ What was stopping her before? Was it the possibility that he would be defeated? Would that have been an embarrassment to the TV mogul? And then there is the two day Obamafest on her show after the election victory. Ratings through the roof is a nice little upside to her philosophical tribute to the new President-elect. Pardon the cynicism. But for one who accumulated all this public affection and wealth through television does using that fame and fortune with a sudden interest in politics seem contrived?

Wealth is power. Power in politics is influence. Connect the dots. BTW, look at all the media attention this creates not to mention alliances.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

IT’S ‘OPRAH UNLEASHED’: TV host finally free to gush over Obama on …
Eurweb.com, CA - Nov 6, 2008
*Wearing a t-shirt that read “Hope Won,” Oprah Winfrey was extra happy on her talk show Wednesday in a broadcast dedicated to new President-elect Barack …

Mega-rich Oprah Winfrey claims on TV to have been ‘unleashed’ by …
Daily Mail, UK - Nov 6, 2008
By Daily Mail Reporter A host of celebrities have come out in force to congratulate new President-elect Barack Obama on his historic Whitehouse victory. …

Oprah Winfrey and celebs celebrate Obama’s win
Mirror.co.uk, UK - Nov 6, 2008
By Anton Antonowicz In Grant Park, Chicago 6/11/2008 Ecstatic Oprah Winfrey punches the air in delight as she celebrates Barack Obama’s election triumph. …

Obama gooses ‘Oprah’ to season high
Media Life Magazine - 1 hour ago
By Toni Fitzgerald The cable news networks weren’t the only ones to get a colossal boost from Tuesday’s election. On Wednesday, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” hit

So who was that guy Oprah was hugging on during Obama’s victory …
Chicago Sun-Times, United States - Nov 6, 2008
By Mark Bieganski on November 6, 2008 8:44 AM Oprah Winfrey might have been surrounded by some of her favorite …

Oprah shares her thoughts on Obama winning the election: “I’m …
Examiner.com - Nov 6, 2008
by Jeana Lee Tahnk, Seeking Balance Examiner When Oprah Winfrey announced her support for Barack Obama at the beginning of his campaign, she made a vow that …

Oprah guest stars on fey’s ‘30 Rock’
Telegraph-Journal, Canada - Nov 6, 2008
AP Oprah Winfrey waits with Stedman Graham at the election night party for President-elect Barack Obama at Grant Park in Chicago Tuesday. …

Oprah Winfrey lifts lid on political talk on her show after Obama win
New York Daily News, NY - Nov 5, 2008
BY RICHARD HUFF Oprah Winfrey released a ton of pent-up energy on her daytime chat fest Wednesday - the first since Barack Obama was elected the nation’s
Oprah ‘Unleashed’ After Her Candidate’s Win
ABC News - Nov 5, 2008
By LUCHINA FISHER With the election won by the candidate she endorsed off air and stayed mum about on her talk show, Winfrey finally admitted from the stage ..

Oprah: Now that Obama has won, ‘I’m unleashed!’
Chicago Tribune, United States - Nov 5, 2008
Oprah Winfrey greeted viewers in a live show from Chicago this morning, a mere 10 hours after President-elect Barack Obama delivered his acceptance speech a ..

Oprah Unleashed in Post-Election Show
Washington Post, United States - Nov 5, 2008
By Ed O’Keefe So said Oprah Winfrey as she launched a post-election discussion on her program, the first such televised political conversation she’s .

Winfrey on Obama: ‘I’m unleashed’
Chicago Tribune, United States - Nov 5, 2008
AP CHICAGO - Oprah Winfrey says she doesn’t know the man whose shoulder she sobbed on during Barack Obama’s election night rally, but she’s grateful. …

Oprah’s big day
Chicago Tribune, United States - Nov 5, 2008
Oprah Winfrey, interviewed Tuesday on New York’s Power 105.1, said it was a day of “rejoicing for me. It’s a powerful thing we are going to do today, …

Winfrey urges Americans to vote
kjrh.com, OK - Nov 5, 2008
Talk show host Oprah Winfrey introduces Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) to a crowd of 29000 during a campaign event at the William

Oprah Shares Her Excitement for the New President
BuddyTV, WA - Nov 5, 2008
Oprah Winfrey has always been an avid supporter of Barack Obama. For the first time, she exerted political influence and publicly endorsed him in the 2008 …

OPRAH AND ‘VIEW’ LADIES REACT TO OBAMA’S WIN
New York Post, NY - Nov 5, 2008
By DON KAPLAN and MICHAEL STARR EVEN Oprah doesn’t know whose shoulder it was that she was crying on during Barack Obama’s speech Tuesday night. …

Oprah Winfrey Will Get To Wear Already Chosen Dress To Obama’s …
AHN - Nov 5, 2008
Chicago, IL (CNS) — Oprah Winfrey believed in Barack Obama so much, she already had her presidential inauguration dress picked out. …

OPRAH HELD CELEB CONFERENCE CALL FOR OBAMA: Plus, today’s episode …
Eurweb.com, CA - Nov 5, 2008
*On the day before America cast their vote for president, Oprah Winfrey was busy hooking up a morning conference call among prominent African Americans to …

Oprah Celebrates Obama With a Two-Day Election Special
Chicagoist, IL - Nov 5, 2008
Though Oprah promised not to use her show as a pulpit for the Obama campaign, she didn’t say anything about throwing a house party for his win! …

Overjoyed Oprah leads the celebrations after Obama sweeps to victory
Mail on Sunday, UK - Nov 5, 2008
By Emily Sheridan and Donna Mcconnell Oprah Winfrey joined hands with political veteran Jesse Jackson to celebrate the news that Senator Barack Obama’s …

Oprah lauds Barack Obama victory
PRESS TV, Iran - Nov 5, 2008
Talk-show billionaire, Oprah Winfrey says America made the right decision by electing Democrat Barack Obama as the 44th US president. …

Oprah: ‘Colour purple rules’
Channel 4 News, UK - Nov 5, 2008
Eleven months after controversially breaking her own apolitical stance and publicly backing Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey enthusiastically welcomed his …

Gauging the ‘Oprah Effect’ on Obama’s Candidacy
WJLA, DC - 16 hours ago
- Talk show host and media queen Oprah Winfrey has made huge successes of books and other products by mentioning them on her show. …

‘Oprah Winfrey Show’ Has Season-High Rating
Broadcasting & Cable, NY - 15 hours ago
By Paige Albiniak — Broadcasting & Cable, 11/6/2008 7:12:00 PM CBS Television Distribution’s The Oprah Winfrey Show hit its highest single-day ratings in …

Oprah to debut will.i.am video celebrating Obama victory
CaymanMama.com (press release), TX - 15 hours ago
Los Angeles, California (CaymanMama.com) — Oprah Winfrey has been one of President-elect Barack Obama’s biggest, loudest and most influential supporters. .

‘Oprah’s’ Post-Election Show Hits Household High
Television Week, MI - 15 hours ago
By Andrew Krukowski “The Oprah Winfrey Show’s” post-election program Wednesday took in its highest ratings in metered household markets in almost nine …

Oprah Winfrey: Sun-Times’ Obama cover the ‘best’ in the world
Chicago Sun-Times, United States - 23 hours ago
By Mark Bieganski on November 6, 2008 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) A day after parading on stage with a historic copy of the Chicago

Oprah Winfrey’s got her inaugural ball gown
Los Angeles Times, CA - Nov 4, 2008
Well, Oprah Winfrey’s already picked out her gown and she’s ready for Barack Obama’s inaugural ball. According to TMZ, via the Top of the Ticket, …

Star power not the ticket
Chicago Sun-Times, United States - Nov 4, 2008
BY BILL ZWECKER Sun-Times Columnist It’s probably not surprising that a lot of Barack Obama’s biggest celebrity supporters — both from Hollywood and the ..

Oprah Winfrey arrives at Grant Park
Chicago Sun-Times, United States - Nov 4, 2008
“I feel good,” Winfrey told ABC News, “I feel like this is what we wanted and hoped for and worked for.” Oprah Winfrey answers reporters’ questions while …

Oprah “Rejoicing,” Already Bought Inauguration Dress
Huffington Post, NY - Nov 4, 2008
Oprah Winfrey called into the Ed Lover show on New York’s Power 105.1 FM Tuesday morning, where she encouraged listeners to vote and shared her excitement …

Oprah Winfrey Talks to ET About Barack Obama’s Projected Victory
Entertainment Tonight News - Nov 4, 2008
With mutliple news sources calling the election in Barack Obama’s favor, Oprah Winfrey is sharing her excitement with ET over Obama’s groundbreaking, …

Where Will Oprah Be Tonight?
Blackvoices - Nov 4, 2008
By Bridget Bland, Blackvoices.com The talk show maven, who gave her stamp of approval to Barack Obama very early in the campaign race, called in to New …

INTERVIEW: Oprah Says She’ll “Unleash” After The Election
WKBN, OH - Nov 4, 2008
During the discussion Oprah also explained a “visual board” she’s created to imagine an Obama presidency. Campaign 2008: Get the latest news, video, …

Another take on O…..

Just Say No To Oprah (Big Dog’s Weblog)

McCartney’s ex donating $1M in vegan food to Bronx (AP)

She tells the New York Post that she wants to make sure children in the neighborhood “have as many nutritional advantages as anyone else.”

Give them a ‘vegan’ and they can be strange for a day. Teach them to ‘vegan’ and they can be strange for their entire life. Upon first viewing this report title it appeared to be a spoof. But oh no, Heather Mills knows what’s best for the children of the Bronx and with ex-husband Paul’s money she can prove it. Celebs and others with more money than they know what to do with can be counted on to tell us all what we need to do and what we’re doing wrong.

Is that a little harsh? Hey, Heather, how about using the million to establish some sort of nutrition or health initiative that might be more practical than a million bucks worth of food and could be sustained for a much longer time?

This story was just plain strange and seemed to scream ‘post me’.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

postscript: Veggies are wonderful. The opinion here is that everyone should eat more of them. The author of this blog consumes vast quantities of vegetables along with grains, legumes, fruit, and go figure, meat and fish as well as many other ‘food’ items. This post is not a rejection of vegetables but more a rejection of any cult-like status afforded those with a near fanatical approach to nutrition or any other subject. It’s downright scary or at least bizarre.

And Paul McCartney has got to be thinking ’so that’s where my money’s going.’

Trackposted to Rosemary’s Thoughts, Democrat=Socialist, Right Truth, Stageleft, and The World According to Carl, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

For a very rich woman to call Barack Obama an elitist can put a smile on your face. It seems a bit strange for one rich person to call another elitist. Isn’t that reserved for the have-nots to call those who have? That aside, the real story is that Lady Rothschild was on the DNC platform committee, so it’s not like the well heeled are not as likely to be liberals as conservatives. Rothschild resigned her membership when endorsing the McCain/Palin ticket indicating Barack Obama gave her no reaosn to trust him.

Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild is an ardent Hillary Rodham Clinton supporter who raised scads of money for the New York senator’s failed presidential campaign.

You gotta love and also question or be a little suspicious of her motives and the following quote, “I have a wonderful life,” the wealthy socialite told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Wednesday. “I want John McCain and Sarah Palin in the White House so other people can have that wonderful life.”

The Lady R has more great quotes which is probably a prerequisite for being that rich. “I’m going to stay a Democrat,” she said. “Ronald Reagan might have said it right — the Democratic Party left me, I didn’t leave the Democratic Party.” This whole affair may cause some difficulty for the latest ad and strategy from Obama referring to McCain being connected to rather than fighting against the old boy network. With the Lady R making news as well as Obama’s recent attraction to other elitists in Hollywood to raise money at 30k a piece rejecting his past alliance with small wallets of ordinary Americans and public campaign finance, the Messiah is showing his true colors which mocks his claim that McCain is somehow tarnished by special interest.

Go figure, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer annoyed Lady R when he asked if she was getting grief from the Dems. “I’m getting it all the time, particularly from the likes of you, the liberal elite,” she quipped. “You’re the elite, not me.” It’s also funny that these links are from the LA Times report on this story. You know, near where Obama’s Hollywood friends live who can afford to give him five figures at the drop of a hat but love to claim compassion for the rest of us. Lady R’s endorsement is probably some peculiar left wing strategy designed to torpedo McCain’s campaign. But it really doesn’t matter since the defection alone provides ammunition for more shots at the kook fringe and the liberal laments on how they once represented the ordinary people but never really did.

With the fish wrap NYT has reported in their version of the story that Lady R and the Queen of Cringe are tight it may explain the public defection of a prominent Democrat to the GOP ticket. Hillary cannot politically afford to openly cause trouble for Barack Obama but she can use a surrogate to get the job done. But she makes it believable with the following quote on the Dems….

“I believe that Barack Obama with MoveOn.org, and Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean have taken the Democratic Party too far to the left,” she said. “I’m not comfortable there.”

Here comes the part where Lady R with or without complicity from the NYT, distances herself from Hillary which gives more credence to the conspiracy theory on this blog that the two are working hard to defeat Barack Obama. ‘ Had she talked her decision over with Mrs. Clinton who urged her supporters to stand with Mr. Obama? No, no, said Ms. de Rothschild, smiling and shaking her head. “Not since the convention. I’m sure she is not pleased with what I’m doing today, she conceded. “But you know what, I have to do what I believe in.’ But if you are aware of the danger to this country presented in the form of the far left and Barack Obama, et al, who cares? Good for you, Lady R, regardless of your motives you are helping the rest of us who know the Dems ticket is not in this country’s best interest. If you are assisting Hillary in preparation for her next run for President we’ll deal with that later. One political crisis at a time.

And it is no surprise that WaPo is focusing on the downside of the Lady R endorsement citing political flak McCain will take in light of a rich, detached aristocrat favoring the GOP while Wall Street implodes and Obama flings mud at his opponent that could just as easily be aimed at the Dems. Along with the WaPo link, others are provided here for your reading enjoyment.

Top Clinton fundraiser backs McCain over Obama

Clinton Fundraiser Endorses McCain in ‘Personal’ Decision

Dem McCain Backer: Choice is a ‘Noose’ on Women

The Women Wars Continue for Barack Obama and John McCain
U.S. News & World Report, DC
Women from all over the world and both sides of the political aisle got angry and got going today. The McCain campaign gushed over an aisle-crossing by …

Insanely Wealthy, Titled Aristocrat Thinks Barack Obama Is ‘Elitist’
New York Magazine, USA
Remember Lynn Forester de Rothschild, the fantastically wealthy wife of an heir to England’s most influential and storied banking dynasty? About a year ago, …

Top Clinton Fund-Raiser Backs McCain
New York Sun, United States -
By RUSSELL BERMAN, Staff Reporter of the Sun | September 17, 2008 WASHINGTON — Senator Clinton has pleaded with her supporters to back Senator Obama, …

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

That Michael Moore proudly displays his love of the left is well known. That Michael Moore continues to express tasteless, despicable comments on behalf of the left is also well known. That other lefties like a former DNC Chairman would engage in such practices says a great deal about the Democratic Party.

Michael Moore: Gustav is proof of God

2:36 PM Sun, Aug 31, 2008
Wayne Slater-Dallas Morning News

Liberal filmmaker Michael Moore has his own take about the divine aspects of Hurricane Gustav’s scheduled landfall just as Republicans open their convention in St. Paul. Says Moore: “Gustav is proof that there is a God in Heaven.”

How the ‘letter’ described below is considered a backtrack by Michael Moore on his shameless comments about ‘proof of God’ is not known. If you actually read it the sentiment suggests he is only extending his reprehensible remarks.

Michael Moore backtracks on Gustav and the GOP

Top of the Ticket, Politics, Coast to Coast with the LA Times
– Leslie Hoffecker

Michael Moore calls on God to let Hurricane Gustav die offshore.Friday, we noted Michael Moore’s comments on MSNBC describing the timing of Hurricane Gustav (during the Republican convention) as divine intervention.

Today, Moore — who almost immediately came under fire for his remarks — responded by releasing an “open letter to God.”

The reference below is linked to its source while the VIDEOS are linked just below the excerpt. Another copy of the ‘Two Democrats’ video was linked rather than the one cited at the source as it seems the audio quality is better.

Meanwhile the Democrats — at least some of them — are gloating, as this YouTube clip shows.

“That just demonstrates God’s on our side,” former DNC chairman chairman said, with a smug smile and a snicker. “Everything’s cool.”

The remark from this Democratic leader was not received well, and, in fact, is less demonstrative of God’s will than it is of a new air of uncertainty and sweaty desperation coming from high-level Democrats. Clearly irked and frightened by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s entry into national politics, they’re now resorting to reading things into the tea leaves that aren’t really there, or as this case shows, just simply making up crap.

Even worse than Fowler’s snickering was Michael Moore’s outright guffaws along with — you guessed it — Keith Olberman on MSNBC.

“I was just thinking this Gustav is proof there is a God in heaven,” Moore said with a raspy laugh. “To have it planned at the same time. That it would actually be on its way to New Orleans for Day One of the Republican Convention in the Twin Cities at the top of the Missisippi River.”

Below are the VIDEO links as mentioned above.

Two Democrats Make Fun of the Hurricane and Palin (VIDEO) from reference above

Michael Moore Glad Hurricane Gustav Will Hit New Orleans, Louisiana (VIDEO) from reference above

Other reactions in the blogosphere…..

Fowler Apologizes For Offending, Attacks Recorder (Big Dog’s Weblog)

Democrats Laugh At Potential New Orleans Disaster (Big Dog’s Webllog)

Fmr DNC Chair Thinks Hurricane Proves God is on the Side of the Dems (Maggie’s Notebook)

While Louisiana prepares for Hurricane Gustav, Dems gloat and guffaw; RNC opening night cancelled; Fowler apologizes (Michelle Malkin)

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Most popular content at places like Google or Yahoo appear to be simply a count of clicks or how many times someone forwarded the content via email. With that in mind it is still telling to view such lists from time to time even if one cannot draw any significant conclusions from the activity. As you might suspect there are times when the ‘most popular’ lists contain such dribble it is a wonder the ‘clickers’ can muster the mental strength to dress themselves. And then from time to time some more noteworthy or entertaining content from the world of current events or politics or world affairs is included which can give pause for optimism. Lately that seems to be the case. There is more content that might actually be meaningful in the most popular content lists. Here are some examples:

Biden is Democratic favorite for Obama’s No. 2

AP -
Sent 102 times

CHICAGO - Sen. Joe Biden has emerged as the clear favorite among Democrats to be Barack Obama’s running mate for his understanding of foreign policy in grave global times and his fighting spirit against the rival Republican ticket.

Even though the MSM seems to again be hurting for new stories that satisfy their appetite for tabloid journalism, the ‘veepstakes’ is their clear winner lately. As the number two emailed story at the time, one can only guess at how many of the senders had a political affiliation. Maybe like the Presidential election polls that split is a dead heat and an even number of liberals and conservatives sent the story along with 20 or 25 independents.

But really, until the two presumptive nominees name their VP canididates, who cares? In terms of campaign strategy, sure it makes some sense on when and wher e and for how long you can control the news cycle. But other reports indicate Obama will announce soon and McCain will announce immediately following the Dems convention to steal the weekend news cycle and beyond, stealing the spotlight from The Annointed One. Again, who cares? But the story made the most popular list at Yahoo and we all know that matters. Even if we can’t tell what significance it holds at least someone is reading about something other than Britney or Paris, except for Obama. Paris Hilton may be Obama’s real Obamagirl and he may be offering her the job of VP is she can spell it. It would be no worse than his other suspected choices. If he picks Biden he will no longer have to steal speeches from Mass Gov Deval Patrick. The old plagiarizer Biden can handle that for him.

More most popular will be back later

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Obama backs away from McCain’s debate challenge

By DOUGLASS K. DANIEL
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic candidate Barack Obama on Saturday backed away from rival John McCain’s challenge for a series of joint appearances, agreeing only to the standard three debates in the fall.
In May, when a McCain adviser proposed a series of pre-convention appearances at town hall meetings, Obama said, “I think that’s a great idea.” In summer stumping on the campaign trail, McCain has often noted that Obama had not followed through and joined him in any events.
Obama’s reversal on town hall debates is part of a play-it-safe strategy he’s adopted since claiming the nomination and grabbing a lead in national polls

Whether you believe Barack Obama is an empty shirt or not or deserves the monikers suggested by his political opposition, his avoidance of debate with the other presumptive nominee in the upcoming Presidential election gives credence to the notion that Barack Obama is more of a marketing campaign than a political one. Of course political campaigns have an element of marketing but playing it safe by not meeting the competition head on and avoiding the need to show substance instead of only carefully prepared fluff will strengthen the belief there is nothing more than the marketing campaign behind the candidate Barack Obama.

Obama Central: Peace, Harmony and Deep Secrecy

Decisions are guarded with extreme secrecy, none more so than the upcoming vice presidential selection, and that has occasionally irked members of Congress. In recent days, as Republicans publicly accused Sen. Barack Obama of appearing presumptuous during his presidential-style trip to Europe, Democrats privately expressed concerns that Obama has become too Chicago-centric, relying on his inner circle rather than a broader group that encourages input from Washington and elsewhere.

It is funny that for as much as the Democrats like to criticize President George W. Bush, the article above cites a comparison between the Obama campaign of 2008 and the Bush campaign of 2000. Another comment in recent news provided a remark on the surprise that the polls were essentially a tie considering the 2006 mid term elections and the fall from grace of many in the Republican party. Yes, the Democrats are their own worst enemy in campaigns, elections and all things political. If there is a way to lose, they’ll find it. The bitter fights between Clinton and Obama in the primaries looks now more like a theatrical strategy with so many Clinton staffers moving to the Obama camp. Mr Obama, if the Clinton campaign was such a bad choice for Democrats, why are you hiring so many of their staffers? And why do you carefully suggest that Hillary would be on anyone’s VP short list as you compliment her abilities and importance to the Democratic party? Either she was a bad choice for President or she wasn’t. And if you don’t believe she was a good choice for President why would she be on your short list for VP? It is more of the say what you need to at the time and a not so carefully prepared communication that characterizes your campaign and the belief you think you are the chosen one and need not challenge the idea that you bring nothing to the table.

A brief resume’ in state politics, as well as a short time in the US Senate but with no shortage of baggage and now you want to be President. Maybe the Messiah or celebrity criticism for the “One” are not so off the mark after all.

A brief commentary from the Mirror in the UK supports the idea that the world tour of Barack Obama fell flat. Some say Obama lost nine points after the tour without the expected initial bounce in the polls. And while John McCain continues to request ‘townhall’ type debates with Obama, another report indicates Obama will agree to this in the fall, the arrangements are not clear. The strategy is that Obama does well with prepared remarks and speeches but had trouble in the primaries when required to think on his feet and provide spontaneous answers. McCain would obviously like to help Obama produce some serious gaffs in a debate. The point here is the notion that Senator Barack Obama needs all communication to be prepared and vetted in advance of distribution. It appears he may not have a grip on the task at hand. If one is well schooled on matters related to the job one seeks, it should be a simple proposition to engage in debate on such topics. To have a working knowledge of public affairs and all that goes with public service in government should enable a candidate to challenge an opponent in public debate. Perhaps Mr Obama is lacking these skills and postponing the risk of failure until well into the fall.

A report from the Economic Times (India Times) begins with a bleak title for the Obama camp. Obama’s downward spiral continue, McCain trails by 3 points, may say it all. The world tour of Barack Obama might lead one to make the leap that the Senator from Illinois is or wants to be a celebrity. But this report from another foreign country ( not on his world tour ) suggests there was a ‘bounce’ after the tour but it has faded. In contrast, Senator McCain’s campaign was given last rites early in the primaries only to see him emerge victorious when it really mattered. A feat repeated in his defiant support of the ’surge’ in Iraq when it was extremely unpopular, against political wisdom and far from a self-fulfilling prophecy. And yet, the surge worked, McCain’s campaign is doing just fine and the one referred to as a maverick has again demonstrated he just might know what he’s doing.

Neither campaign or candidate is perfect. From this blog, again, a major flaw with Senator John McCain is McCain/Kennedy or in other words, amnesty and that he favors it. The fallback for this problem is the hope that once again public anger over such a proposal will be adequate to defeat any such legislation or inaction on following the rule of law. With accusations of astroturfing by Axelrod from the Obama campaign while working in his capacity as a public relations operative, it is not a big leap to understand that the Obama campaign is little more than a public relations scheme of a candidate who took the shortest possible path to candidate for President with little or no substance to bring to the table.

That’s enough for the second post on this blog in many months. Except to leave you with some links by others on the topic from countries other than the US.

Obama Finds Himself In A Pickle On Offshore Drilling

Besotted by Obama, Canadians should look closer

Hold off on that Obama coronation