My Sick Mind

"I'm going to hold my breath until you say you believe me!" WASHINGTON - Speaking before an American Legion convention in Salt Lake City, the White House is bringing representatives from countries that have suffered terrorist attacks to populate the audience at President Bush's next war-on terror speech, to emphasize the global nature of the enemy. My question to the blog: Why do we need to know - constantly - that the government is fighting a war on terror? Not the one in the Middle East - the one over here - the one with the scare tactics. Other than frightening us (which I suppose is their aim) there is really no need to know the lengths to which the government is going to keep terrorists away from our country. Like the war on drugs (which is also wasted money) it will go on without any input from us. So, include me out and handle it on your own. When you continue to mention the "good work" you're doing, it only serves to convince me that you ...

WASHINGTON, DC August 17 (AP) - A federal judge ruled Thursday that the nation's top cigarette makers violated racketeering laws, deceiving the public for years about the health hazards of smoking, but said she couldn't order them to pay the billions of dollars the government had sought. U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler did order the companies to publish in newspapers and on their Web sites “corrective statements” on the adverse health effects and addictiveness of smoking and nicotine. She also ordered tobacco companies to stop labeling cigarettes as “low tar,” “light,” “ultra light” or “mild,” since such cigarettes have been found to be no safer than others because of how people smoke them . BOSTON August 30 (CBS/AP) - The level of nicotine that smokers typically consume per cigarette has risen about 10 percent in the past six years, making it harder to quit and easier to get hooked, according to a new report released by the Massachusetts Department of Health. The study show...

I just got it... Invincible The story of Vince Papale. ...boy, do I feel like a dope.

This photo released by the Capla Kesting Gallery(CKG) shows a sculpture purportedly cast from 19-week old Suri Cruise's first bowel movement. The work by controversial artist Daniel Edwards, is to be auctioned off for charity on eBay next month.(AFP/CKG-HO) Boy, am I mad at my parents for not saving my first poop. Not that it would sell on eBay, but a guy would sure like to have his first poop for the old mantle. It beats the Hell out of those bronzed baby shoes.

I'm following-up yesterday's rant with some pointed moments from President Bush's visit to New Orleans on Monday. The following news article appeared on Yahoo News today. And, while you're feeling non-represented, Pam has a neat anecdote that demonstrates how wealthy people complain. This is supposed to be funny, but I don't see the humor: NEW ORLEANS - The president began a national day of remembrance for Hurricane Katrina victims by meeting with Mayor Ray Nagin in a neighborhood where homes are still stained with high-water marks. As Bush walked into the packed Betsy's Pancake House in New Orleans, waitress Joyce Labruzzo jokingly asked: "Mr. President, are you going to turn your back on me?" "No ma'am, not again," he replied to laughter. It was a lighthearted moment. But it could have been a metaphor for the Bush administration's poor response to the storm and the president's work since to make amends. "Money is beginni...

August 29 marks the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall in New Orleans, and the most devastating natural disaster since Paris Hilton got a TV show. According to a new poll, most Americans are wary of another such event – (the hurricane, not Paris) : Their confidence shaken by Katrina , most Americans don't believe the nation is ready for another major disaster, a new AP-Ipsos poll finds. Poor people are more likely to fear becoming victims of the next disaster. The survey, conducted one year after the devastating hurricane and with much of New Orleans still in shambles, found diminishing faith in the government's ability to deal with emergencies . While it may seem otherwise, I don’t think too many people in the White House are all that concerned about it, for a few reasons. First, disasters give Americans something to take their minds off how scre wed up the rest of the country is. It focuses media att ention on the affected area, with the appropria...

I love good irony, and today's news is full of it. First, this story from Brattleboro, Vermont, where kids are running the streets naked, apparently for no reason other than boredom. It will get cold in Vermont soon, so have your fun now, kids. Shrinkage. Apparently, it isn't illegal to appear nude in public there if your intent is not to arouse someone sexually. That sounds like a good, healthy attitude. Although I wouldn't do it myself, I applaud their bravery. Then, we're off to Warsaw , Poland, where Warsaw's symbol, a half naked mermaid (pictured above), will have her chest covered on a poster promoting the Miss World competition, after the original version was judged too erotic. They re-drew the poster with a sash over the formerly naked breast. Maybe they should hold the contest in Vermont. While strolling our local shopping mall over the weekend, I noticed a new Victoria's Secret store opening soon. The innards were still in disarray, and they ...

I just returned from my weekly sojourn to the supermarket, which you may know, is one of my (least) favorite cultural experiences. But, it is necessary, so I persevere. Suffix: severe. My local supermarket has installed the sanitizing towelettes outside, so that we can wipe off the snotty residue of our fellow shoppers, for a safe and clean shopping experience. Pick your nose, sneeze, cough and scratch yourself. It's OK, we'll clean up after you. Of course, since I didn't shave today and left the house in gym shorts and a football jersey - looking kinda ratty, I ran into a woman I know. I had to do a quick "hello", since I was not prepared for a stop-and-chat. Then, of course, for the remainder of the trip it was essential that I avoid her - peering around every aisle to see if I was going to run into her again. Sometimes, it's required to skip a lane to get out of the shopping rhythm. Mission accomplished on that one. I think it's interesting that laundry...