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Monday, January 31, 2011

Alter Bergs

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

ZuckerBERG, EisenBERG and SamBERG

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Battle of the BERGS!

How Zuckerberg and Eisenberg finally came face to face on an SNL stage. 

The Facebook founder and his actor-alter-ego, poked fun at their network connection made possible by way of Mark's internet sensation Facebook, chronicled by Jessie in the film The Social Network

Andy Samberg, SNL's cast member for Zuckerberg parodies also shared the stage during Eisenberg's stint.


Citizen Kane of the internet generation ...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/reviews/article-1320630/The-Social-Network--story-Facebook-founder-Mark-Zuckerberg--Citizen-Kane-internet-generation.html

Perfect Partners tied to birth order

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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Born first or last in your family?

Opposites attract ...

Birth order positions have specific charateristics.  Before aged 7 the order of your birth position in your family was very influential to your outlook and character.

Read an article than explores the compatibility or not of partners as it refers to their birth order.

All hail the Soundtrack Guru .... JOHN BARRY

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception




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A great musical candle stilled its light last evening.  John Barry - great composer of several musical scores of the forever classic James Bond films as well as time honoured films Born Free, Out of Africa, The Lion in Winter and Dances with Wolves.

During the 1980s he collaborated with Duran Duran and Aha!

A fantastic contribution to pop culture history ~ a wonderful gift of creative intelligence. R.I.P.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1353931/My-crazy-days-John-Barry-naughtiest-boys-Sixties-Glenys-Roberts.html

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Middleton coat of arms

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Kate's dad must petition for a Middleton Coat of Arms - as a member of the royal clan she will need one in her new role as Princess.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Down & Out Of Their Minds In Beverly Hills.

Down & Out Of Their Minds In Beverly Hills.

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



Kim Richards in Escape to Witch Mountain
Kim and Kyle Richards

Mubarak make tweets not war

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception





Real HouseWIVES?

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



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TV housewives who are NOT Real Housewives.

Egyptian sadness

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception




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I must admit I am saddened to hear some ancient Phaoronic mummies have been destroyed in the chaos in Egypt.  Although I know the youth of Egypt have been pushed to this point I am sorry in these passionate days that they are blind to the priceless value of their Egyptian artifacts.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1351826/Egypt-protests-Looters-bid-steal-King-Tuts-treasures.html

Boardwalk Empire

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



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Boardwalk Empire hailed as pre-eminent Mafia drama du jour.  Lots of period pictures at the link.  I love the twenties (1920s that is!).

The Hawk Diandra Douglas

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



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The second swoop of the hawk Diandra Douglas has dumbfounded veteran divorce attorneys with her extremely tardy grab for Michael Douglas' money ten years after their divorce.

Diandra is a study in stange.

Read at the link for the history of the warring Douglases.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Hitler's last living bodyguard

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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Hilter's last bodyguard is still alive more than 65 years after the war.  Rochus Misch, Fuhrer bodyguard for five years was the last to flee the bunker after Hitler's suicide but was eventually captured by the Red Army, he was released in 1954. 

The Reich bodyguard with the global fan club ~ you can't make this stuff up folks.  Misch has been portrayed in several film roles, had books written on his life and been inundated with fan mail requests he can no longer respond to at age 93 but the requests keep coming.

The last survivor of the Fuhrerbunker is living out his life in a leafy neighbourhood in Berlin metres from the site of that notorious bunker.

And that's all folks!

Ted Haggard bi-sexuality

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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After years of expulsion and soul searching Ted Haggard has decided he is probably a bi-sexual. Well I could have told him that years ago.

Bible thumpers again ~ confusing themselves.

"I used to think the church was the light of the world.  But I've completely lost my faith in it .... People are, at their cores, hateful".  Poor Ted, yeah true enough.

Well I can have empathy for him because I am not a pious, stick up my arse believer.  My question to Haggard is this, in his day, at the top of his church, would he have forgiven a man for his foibles revealed as Ted's were about him?  Would he have forgiven a man like him?

The only thing I charge Haggard with is rampant hypocrisy.  Sexuality is as close to us as our breath and people who think not are boring, uptight types, ignorant about their sexuality.  Move on ...

observing Kate Hudson

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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I am not a mean girl and don't plan on having a mean girl blog, I love history but lately I've been posting on my observations ....

and I have been observing Kate Hudson.

Kate Hudson is a girl who publicly makes-out with her man-of-the-month and I often think, whoa girl, whoa, don't advertise your stuff so easily atleast wait for the man to be around for five minutes (I exaggerate) but she always seems too eager, too free, too willing to be photographed hanging off a new man.

She responded to criticism months ago by stating that those men were friends and what's wrong with kissing and hugging friends.  That sounded like hollywood smokescreen mumbo jumbo to me cause those men were more than friends, they were also lovers.

Her most audacious display was while loving her friend A-Rod, the baseballer, her attention grabbing antics were too much, honestly she annoyed alot of us.  All except her, knew she would be dumped the moment the series wrapped and she was!   Minka Kelly, loving friend of Derek Jeter sat classily and quietly supporting her man eschewing all of crazy Kate's press craving.

While her latest baby daddy may have come after A-Rod, I'm hard pressed to say there was not atleast one (or more) 'friends' on her tour bus before British rocker Matt Bellamy climbed on but I will stand corrected if I'm wrong.

Kate Hudson is now pregnant after eight months with Ballamy which means she got speminated possibly five months in,  with no plans to marry, her bohemian bus keeps trundling on.

The reason for my missive.  Kate Hudson who is maddeningly public in all her acts now seems to be embracing subtlety, trying to hide her small 'bump', behaving like her fellow celebutantes who feign disgust at tabloid photogs while secretly loving the attention.

Well Miss Kate you can try on this new persona and start hiding and pleading for 'privacy.'  Having courted attention for so long, I for one will be amused when you start begging for space to live your life.

RHW of Bev Hills Reunion ... eve

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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The Cranky Old Broad weighs in on the fight between the sisters, Richards, that plummetted Kyle Richards' meteoric popularity to depths below her reviled co-bitch-star Camille Grammar.  So read away at the link to Old Broad's wise analysis of a fight that told more about the Richards' than they ever intended to spill.

And for an unexpected turn, as life is oft to do, Kim Richards rises as a bruised but largely redeemed phoenix despite her agressive bully of a sister. 

A peep at further reading on other castmates - "... Camile and Taylor are nothing but common trash who married well ..." lol.

The reunion tonight may shed more light and so, until then!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Some Aussie History

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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Before the British invasion of 1788 it is believed 300,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders lived alongside 500 varied clan groups or nationalities in Australia.

Evidence corroborates Aboriginal inhabitance of the Continent for 50,000 years.

The East Coast was claimed for the British by Captain James Cook in 1770 on the order of King George III and named New South Wales.  The Penal Colony began in 1778.

Matthew Flinders in 1804 circumnavigated the land mass then known as New Holland or Terra Australis in a leaking, rotting boat.  His map, named the "Elgin Marbles of Australian history" is referred to as Australia's 'birth certificate' but is housed at the British Hydrographic Office in Somerset, England and is an issue of growing contention.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1350614/The-Elgin-Marbles-Australia-demands-return-birth-certificate-map.html

Annual Australia Day festivities are on January 26th to celebrate the first arrival of a fleet of eleven convict ships from Great Britain and raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove - new citizens also call themselves Australian for the first time.

Flinders, hailed a hero, has been immortalized by 100 geograpic features named for him including a mountain range.  His adventure began in 1801 and was commissioned by Sir Joseph Banks and completed in 1803.  On his way home he was jailed by the French in Mauritius when he stopped for repairs and languished there for six years.

As a result work on his map was delayed until 1810, on his return to Britain he completed the map and his account of his trip, "A Voyage to Terra Australis," both published while on his deathbed in 1814.  He never saw the results of his heroic efforts.  Flinders is recognized for being the first to use the term Australia - very significant in the minds of Australians.

On the bicentenary of Flinder's death, Australia would like the map returned because it is the Elgin Marbles of Australian history.  The real Elgin Marbles are ancient Greek sculptures in the British Museum the Athens government has demanded be returned.

Matthew Flinders' life is a tower in history; and his storied life featured in several great tales of navigation - more details of his life are captured at the topic link.

Australia on our minds.

2008 Financial Crisis MAN MADE

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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The 2008 Financial Crisis was avoidable - the result of widespread failure of government regulation, corporate mismanagement and needless risk taking by Wall Street - an Federal inquiry concludes what normal thinking people had long known.

http://terarecipes.com/recipe_search_engine/specialrecipe/Yummy-Seafood-Pasta-Salad

http://terarecipes.com/recipe_search_engine/specialrecipe/Yummy-Seafood-Pasta-Salad

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Seafood pastaaaaaaaaa!

Remember the Manson Family?

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



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Manson family photo essay

Life.com photos - Manson Murders: The end of the 1960s
http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/30702/manson-murders-the-end-of-the-60s#index/0

Peter Thomas ... Real Husband of Atlanta

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception




On marriage ...

.... I didn't want to marry nobody.  I was dating this one celebrity and read in People magazine that she said she wanted to marry Peter Thomas.  So I went left on her.


About guys wearing heels in Atlanta ...

"That shit is not cute."


Ha Haaaaa I LOVE this man!  As they say in my land ... Big Up! LOL

"I can't stand Phaedra's ass.  I think Kim is crazy as fuck.  Nene has a big-ass mouth, okay?  And Sheree's not cute! She thinks she's cute, but she's not cute."  And this in ON the record.  The only one I like is Kandi, and she's too soft.  That's why she got played with Kim.  And that's how I truly feel."


Preach .... my brotha! hahahahahahahahaha

And he was in Montego Bay and I never knew .... boo


His reponse to wife Cynthia's earlier interview @ stoopidhousewives.com

Youth Malcontent

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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yay, yay, yay bring in that evil cow of a witch! Tunisia has issued international arrest warrants for the ousted president and his hated concubine.

23 years of Tunisian rule by Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and his leacherous nightmare wife and 30 years of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt!

What is wrong with these people!?  Why would new generations be satisfied living under their stagnant, stifling rule .... so annoying!  Go away - these insects are parasites not leaders!

If only this wish from our mouths to God's ears ...

Youth of the world burn these people right out of their gold strewn hideaways ... no family has the right to absurb the wealth of a nation unto themselves and their friends while trampling the ambitions and rights of everyone else.  Ripple rebellion across the world - no more old, thieving, corrupt, useless officials!

If only ...

Thought Today

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception





"Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point."

C.S. Lewis


Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James 4:10

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Rahm Emanuel

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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Dueling court orders - will Emanuel be eligible for the ballot in time for mayorial election day!?  Let's not forget - this IS Chicago.

Chicago, Chicago, that toddling town ....

Lyrics Sinatra
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/f/frank+sinatra/chicago_20055415.html

Oscar nominations

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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History rules the Oscar nominations!

A personal issue faced by monarch, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth's father and an old Wild West tale ...

How grand!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Poor Camille

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Camille Grammer ripped apart on The Old Broad Chronicles for her statement of Faye Resnick being "the morally corrupt."

http://oldbroad.wordpress.com/2010/12/24/the-morally-corrupt-camille-grammer-starred-in-a-porno/

By now we know Camille has a rather extensive pro-whoring past to which the specific links are available, above.

WOW .... I would be hanging my head in abject embarassment but I was raised to have an edit button.

Much of Kyle the bully's statements to Camille are making more sense to me now, such as at the ill-fated Allison Dubois dinner party -

Camille -  "but that's who I am .... "
Kyle - "no Camille, it's who you are pretending to be ... "

... hmmm ... there's a whole hell've alot going on with these people!

Interview with Camille's bestie Dedra, DD
http://stoopidhousewives.com/

If you keep scrolling on the link above you will land on the Taylor Armstrong article.

Allison Dubois

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK

Truly juicy blog with article links on Allison Dubois, friend of Camille Grammer and apparent fraud.  Found information on my new best blog "the old broad chronicle" http://oldbroad.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/what-the-hell-is-wrong-with-allison-dubois/

Lengthy article on Dubois ...
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/content/printVersion/804266/

Search terms on Camille and Allison
http://oldbroad.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/dec_2010_search_terms/

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Wild West Arizona

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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Old West towns were saloons, gambling dens and prostitutes known as "soiled doves."

In the Wild West of the 1880s gun control was far stricter compared to virtually no rules in Arizona today.  Guns were checked in at the hotel or sheriff's office shortly after riding into town and picked up on the way out.

Lax gun laws are being attributed to recent shooting deaths in that state. Regularly history reveals the forward thinking of past generations but improved technology and knowledge today has led to dumb founded ignorance. Why is that!?

Arizona's rugged rural history has enshrined their love of guns in its state wide 1910 constitution.

Often myth usurps history - the blazing six shooters in the 1881 gunfight at OK Corral actually went down in a narrow alley, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday were hailed as heroes much later, at first they were charged with murder.  Three Earp brothers and Holliday faced down four men in a 15 foot wide alley a block from OK Corral ... Virgil Earp, marshal, informed the men they were there to disarm them by enforcing the gun ordinance.  No one knew who fired first but later three men lay dead - all buried at Boot Hill - and their leader Ike Clanton had run off. 

Dubbed the "Gunfight at the OK Corral" by a 1920s pulp novelist, it catapulted the incident into the public domain and formed part of the old Wild West myth.

Dr. Tiy-E

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


what kinda name is Tiy-E?


Anyone seen this joker?  This ne'er do well con artist tried to court Sheree of Real Housewives of Atlanta while passing himself off as a doctor, Dr. Tiy-E Muhhamad, the "love doctor."

Nene outed him at Sheree's charades party - Nene and Kandi were aware of a scandal that exposed his doctorate deficit after he appeared on several talk shows including the Ricki Lake show sporting dread locks.

Now de-locked this fool was seen trying to double talk and humble Sheree because he simply didn't have the funds to date her but in line with his inherently dishonest nature he would not admit to being a broke ass poser.

Their final stand - when she called his bluff to prove his qualification, his retort was that she prove she was a woman!  She was certainly born a woman but he was neither born nor did he qualify to become a doctor.

And just as I thought - he left her with the bill!!!!!  Sheree's take on this loser is on the second page of her blog post at the link.

Folks will do anything to be on TV including public humiliation.

Fraud alert!
http://www.google.com.jm/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=dr+tiye+muhammad&meta=&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=dr+tiye

The fall of Rome climatic?

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception 


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A study suggests climate change hastened the fall of Rome!

The rise and fall of civilizations are determined by climatic conditions.  For 2,500 years climate change impacted human history. 

Wet and warm summers prospered Rome while dry and varying conditions stymied the Western Roman Empire.

If we know historically that climate change caused the demise of civilizations will we take responsibility to mitigate the effects of current climate challenges?  Ask the dumb ass human ostriches who won't get onboard!

Are we alone? As our universe evolves ...

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


The great debate - are we alone in the universe or do other planets host beings similar to or vastly different than us and our fellow animal folk?  Because I never forget to lovingly include my furry friends.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1349786/Despite-discovering-planets-chance-finding-aliens-unlikely.html


It is surmised in 2012 we will have 2 suns - Betelgeuse, one of Earth's brightest night stars is losing mass and could collapse which may lead to us seeing a second sun.  Could this scenario represent the Mayan foretelling of the end they predicted in 2012?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/20/two-suns-twin-stars_n_811864.html


While in Greenland the sun rose two days early this year!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/20/sun-rise-early-greenland_n_811657.html

Marilyn & Liz

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



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In this day and age of over coverage and exposure people's long stored secrets are laid bare for cheap lewd entertainment. 

At the link Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor shared little known facial up-keep practice.

Chelsea, Davy that is!

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



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My girl Chelsea Davy ex-girl of Prince Harry living it up and having a whale without her Prince.

I like this girl, no clue why really, doubtless not princess material but such an ace mate for Harry ... oh well thats love n' life.


so so hot! lol


Meg Tilly

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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Anyone remember Meg Tilly?  I certainly do.  I sometimes wonder where she disappeared to.

She is also mother to Colin Firth's love child, Will.  Acting work and other thespian stressors drove the affair apart.

Somehow I never connected Meg Tilly to her fellow actress sis Jennifer Tilly (Bride of Chucky) either.

Meg is now an author with apparent plans to do small acting roles.

Her official web site ...
http://www.officialmegtilly.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meg_Tilly

Friday, January 21, 2011

Jesse James' Kat nip

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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Ok let's discuss these fools .... because they clearly want to be. 

Why would you have an entire love bird conversation on Twitter?  Do you have a need for the world to live in your relationship with you?  When they inevitably divorce they will appeal for "privacy" as all celebutard wanna-bees do.

The public statement from Jesse James exalting Kat Von D (yeesh) was designed to humiliate Sandra Bullock because men need to scratch that itch that demands they humiliate the previous woman while standing with the new one, as she purrs beside him, he throws cloaked insults at the woman he no longer loves ... he claims.

This woman is so inked I can't make out her ring of betrothed love.  Undoutedly this is water finding its own level because Sandra was cleary way above his pay grade.

So now Sandra looks sad.  Sadness - the emotion that follows anger, rage, disappointment, embarassment, humilation and so on. 

So getting married seven months post divorce is to prove what, exactly?  That their love is for the ages, it can't be quenched, it has mellowed and matured into a love that must engage?  Puleeze ... these people ain't foolin' nobody!  But themselves.

Bombshell McGee - another unsavoury character in this rags to ruin drama warns love lorn Kat that the same fate will befall her because he cheated on his wife and her.  When the man is cheating with you my dear, he can't be cheating on you at the same time.

These people missed out on some good old fashioned home training - just wild and crotchless, fancy free.  Please!!! give me a break will ya!.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20459118,00.html

http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2011/01/20/kat-von-d-jesse-james-diamond-engagement-ring/

more RHW of Bev Hills finale drama

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK


Photos at the link of the sad, troubling, complex ending of what had been an entertaining season's journey with the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.  The final picture we see of Kim is truly horrible.

LA Times review of season finale with one oops error - Taylor started the fight with Kim at her own party not the other way around ...
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/01/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-recap-more-armageddon-than-season-finale.html#comments

People.com who's-to-blame poll Kyle or Kim, Lisa or Taylor?  Taylor is winning handsomely.
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20459578,00.html

Thursday, January 20, 2011

RHW of Bev Hills finale

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


Click topic for LINK

I see why Kyle Richards dreaded the showing of tonight's season finale ... her animosity toward her sister Kim could not hold out long enough for her to realize Taylor had begun an argument with Kim.

Taylor was asked by Lisa to settle her issue with Kim but who would think she would chose her birthday party hosted by Russell as the right place to start a fight and bring up the Camille/Kyle drama they were all desperately trying to forget.  Yeah, talk to Kim but at a party?

And then a terrible fight between sisters because the worst fights ever are the ones between people who love each other.  Disturbing.

That was truly disturbing.  Maybe too much reality for reality TV ...


The view from Kyle's blog ...
http://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills/season-1/blogs/kyle-richards/apples-and-oranges

So Sad Sandra

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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So, So Sad

JFK

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception



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Rare photographs from JFK's inauguration in 1961.


See the entire collection on Life.com
http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/54511/rare-and-unseen-jfks-inauguration#index/0

Its a Woman's World!

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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Weeks ago I got into a debate, unbidden, about the rights of women to have greater suppport in the work place during and after pregnancy.  The points made that day - which I found so annoying were:

  • men still run the world and their issues remain primary
  • budgets cannot support nursing rooms or day care areas at work
  • women will spend their time in the nursery and not on the job
  • most annoying ... women who have no children will resent perks given to women who are mothers
I insisted that a woman who is relaxed, knowing her baby is safely nearby will be more focused at work and productivity will increase.  I proved this years ago when I was quite young with an even younger assistant who came back to work early because I lobbied for her baby to come to work with her.  The irony was my bosses had no practical reason to deny my position and my plan worked marvelously.

It would do the world a great service if policies drafted by women were given prevalence in all social issuess.

Now lets get real - there is no other way to enter this world except through a woman including the idiotic men who see pregnancies as the flights of  fancy of working women.

If there is any point to be gained here is the recognition that women perpetuate the human race while having a career, bringing home the bacon and that includes single mothers who bear the entire financial burden.  Their responsibilities are tremendous.

Its about time women got some old fashioned RESPECT!  The male kind.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Studying Da Vinci

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Another theory of Mona Lisa.

An art historian believes she has identified the bridge in the painting at the river Trebbia at Bobbio and the serpent style road in the painting is still visible there. 

Clara Glori is confident that Mona Lisa is Bianca Giovanna Sforza daughter of Ludovico il Moro a noble man who lived 500 years ago and controlled Bobbio, a pivotal cultural center with a major cross roads and castle at its center aaso had a library of note. 

The valley of Bobbio was described by Hemingway as the most beautiful in the world.  The bridge or Devil's Bridge was so named through legend that the Devil constructed it one night after a pact with Saint Columbanus who promised the soul of the first passerby but the Saint sent a dog instead.

Da Vinci expert, Martin Kemp differs and declares Mona Lisa is Italian noble woman Lisa del Giocondo and sees no similarity to the bridge at Bobbio.

Love never fails

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Click topic for LINK to prayer with Joel Osteen

"And now these three remain:  faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love"

1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Primogeniture

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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The discriminatory 300 year rule of succession to the British throne outlined in the 1701 Act of Settlement, favours first born boys who take precedence over older female siblings.  A younger brother inherits the throne if no older brother stands in line but sisters without brothers will see the eldest sister crowned. 

The law was inspired by the need to prevent re-ascension of the Catholic Stuarts.  Its abolition will sever an important Constitutional link reinforcing the Church of England's relationship with the state.  Since 1981 there have been 11 attempts to change the law, all failed for lack of parliamentary support.

It has been declared old fashioned and unfair.

Ironically female British monarchs have been eminently more stable.

Monday, January 17, 2011

La Regente de Carthage

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception
avarice, malice, greed

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See the hated woman behind Tunisia's run-a-way corruption and disintegration.  Would everyone faced with the same freedom to undermine choose to pillage and plunder? I wonder.  I think not - takes a special rapacious reptilian nightmare type to do that.

When we refer to the woman behind the man - that was not the type of woman we imagine.

Leila Trabelsi, born 1957, fifth of eleven children of a dried fruit vendor and housewife, ex-hairdresser ... what happened to her, forgot her lowly roots?

GolDen GloBes FaShioN

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Boy!  Golden Globes fashion went to the dogs this year even the usual fashionistas lost their pedestal and fell spectacularly low.

Worst Dressed
http://wonderwall.msn.com/tv/2011-golden-globes-worst-dressed-10863.gallery


Best Dressed
http://wonderwall.msn.com/tv/2011-golden-globes-best-dressed-10862.gallery


Worst After Party Dresses
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1347868/Golden-Globes-2011-worse-dressed-Afterparty-fashion-faux-pas.html


Green Gowns at the Globes
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1347875/Golden-Globes-2011-Angelina-Jolie-Catherine-Zeta-Jones-Elizabeth-Moss-green.html


More Dresses Colour Coded
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1347803/Golden-Globes-2011-Eva-Longoria-Christina-Aguilera-Scarlett-Johansson-best-fashion.html


The Very Special Case of Helena Bonham Carter
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1347778/Golden-Globes-2011-Helena-Bonham-Carter-stands-mismatched-shoes.html


Watchin' the frocks
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1348106/Golden-Globes-2011-Never-mind-movies-watch-frocks-says-LIZ-JONES.html

the Pahlavi monarchy

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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The Iranian Revolution of 1977- 79 ended the monarchy.  For 200 years, two monarchic dynansties prevailed - the Qajars (1789-1926) and the Pahlavis (1926-1979).

The unpopularity of the Pahlavi's was long in progress while they enjoyed wealth, luxury and power and it was abruptly swept away, as has often been done. 

The young adult royals of that lost dynasty watched perplexed as the youth of their country stood for democracy while they could find no place for themselves within it.  Prince Alireza Pahlavi committed suicide recently having followed his sister Leila's suicide in 2001.

Sad end to lives of quiet desperation.

The crumbs of hate and disharmony

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

The entrails of  blood sucking parasites. 

In our world today, several countries grimace as they face the rot of throwing off useless leaders or contemplating their long suffering bad luck of having useless leaders.

For every useless, blood sucking leader are civilians who aid and abet their corruption - the human spirit on display - dare I say!

If you have nothing to offer stop cluttering the halls of power with your mediocrity.  At the very least, these people are annoying at the worst they stall human enterprise and development.

Contestant number one ...
Jean-Claude Duvalier returns to Haiti after 25 years in exile ... what could he possibly want from Haiti! Pray tell?
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/01/16/haiti.duvalier/index.html

Contestant two ...
In Lebanon, Hezbollah caught with its pants down, withdrew its members and caused the collapse of goverment but also rejects Saad Hariri as a caretaker prime minister even as this move destabilizes the country.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/01/17/lebanon.government/index.html

Contestant three ...
Tunisia! Has announced a new goverment although it includes members of the authoritarian, freedom choking one that scores of lives were given so that they would be rid of this murderous regime.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/17/tunisia.protests/index.html

Contestant number four ...
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/06/george.clooney.sudan.vote/index.html
The Sudan.  Poor George Clooney is over there trying like hell to ensure a smooth election for their vote to establish the 196th country in the world and split the Sudan into North and South for good this time.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/05/sudan.timeline/index.html

The Lovely Contestant number 5 ...
Fellow African leaders have journeyed to the Ivory Coast to convince President Laurent Gbagbo that his loss at the polls means he has lost the election and must step down but the man will not go even as people die violently at the hands of his lecherous henchmen!
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/03/ivory.coast.crisis/index.html?iref=allsearch

Which leads one to begin to agree with Julian Assange's rebellion to blow the damn baby wholely out of the water and disclose every inch of secret information he can find and put a serious dent in what is, after all, not diplomatic nor financial management in favour of the many but only to the copious benefit of the few.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/01/17/wikileaks.swiss.banking/index.html?npt=NP1

Now obviously there are others or possibly most, countries who find their leadership contestants woefully wanting of any ability to lead.  As for Zimbabwe, why bother comment? Or Nigeria?

"I have a dream" ... in 1963

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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A teenager from segregated, McComb, Mississippi lives in 61 year old architect, Ed Jackson Jr.  In the 1960s he lived in an oasis of black sufficiency - those wonderful, dignified minority neighbourhoods are no more - and 250,000 were told to stand fast at the Lincoln Memorial Mall in 1963 until ... "justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream."

His 30 foot stature to the legacy of Martin Luther King is named the Stone of Faith from a line in a King speech, "With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope."

Jackson's dream is 14 years in making and will be dedicated in seven months on the 48th anniversary of King's monumental speech.

Suits of Old

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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The auction of John Lennon's suit pictured on the cover of Beatle's album, "Abbey Road" was good news to its owner until his land lord intercepted.  Biond Fury, aptly named, owed rent on his Manhatten apartment, infuriating his landlord who has sued the gallery to collect $21,000.00.

Oddities ... of the mind?

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Well I never - some folks have lots of time and piety on their hands.  Like this lady who has recreated Da Vinci's the Last Supper out of laundry lint.  She even washed a variety of coloured towels so she could collect lint of various colours!

Truly?

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Ancient Wine Making

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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OLDEST WINERY IN HISTORY?

Clay pots and vats discovered in a sprawling Armenian cave appears to have been an operation to press and distill grapes during the Copper Age 6000 years ago. 

The oldest known winery had been in Israel in 1650 BC.

http://blogs.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2011/01/12/share-bbc-americas-royal-wedding-countdown-widget

http://blogs.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2011/01/12/share-bbc-americas-royal-wedding-countdown-widget

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

MY ROYAL WEDDING DAY COUNTDOWN

Pirate Blackbeard

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Edward Teach a.k.a. Blackbeard - notorious pirate - helmed the Queen Anne's Revenge that ran aground in 1718 and it may be the archaeological find under excavation for ten years.  A recovered sword hints that the excavation may be the ship of Blackbeard.

Blackbeard had a fearsome appearance of long beard and sworded weapons and pistols strapped on his person.  He once blocked the port of Charleston with his ship and held the town ransom until he was paid.  He was killed by the Royal Navy and his head suspended from a sloop to warn fellow pirates.

Middleton Money n' More

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Kate Middleton's money as she morphs from bride to princess ...

Royal titles - did you know?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_royals/20110112/wl_yblog_royals/kate-middleton-duchess-of-cambridge-a-primer-on-royal-titles

Royal wedding timetable
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/7566418_prince_william_and_kate_middleton_royal_wedding_day_timetable

How the civil rights message was won ...

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Shine a light on it!
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In publicising social issues of grave and necessary importance - the matter of the critical mass is always the water shed moment.  Also called the tipping point, this important step recognizes the need to enroll activists who are not only members of the indigenous group on the front line of an issue but also those who are passive observers, unaffected by the issue.

And so it came to be that leaders of the civil rights movement recognized the need to enlist white Americans to join the cause of black Americans.

In the civil rights movement the power of non-violent protest to get the message across was renewed.

Sammi n' Ronnie

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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Jersey Shore's love lorn sap Sammi can't get past Ronnie's cheating and lying ways in Miami and needs to control his every move on the Jersey Shore by becoming his shadow and crawling ceaselessly up his ass.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20456788,00.html

When the love is bad it's best to leave it be.

50 Year Anniversary of Kennedy Swearing-In

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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On a cold day a young, untried but inspired president-elect was sworn in ... sound familiar?  Although this inauguration was 50 years ago, not the recent swearing in of Barack Obama.

7 of 10 Americans were not born on the day JFK was inaugurated.

"We observe today, not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom."

He was the first Roman Catholic President with a younger staff than ever before - also familiar?

There was youth and glamour, in the form of the new first lady Jacqueline Kennedy.  The day was celebrated with a rush of celebrities who descended on D.C.

Bathed in brilliant winter light, the words of that young president was his primary goal, to deliver a speech that would assuage his skeptics and declare his ability to lead.

Signature lines ...
  • The torch has been passed to a new generation.
  • And so my fellow Americans, ask not what you country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. 
  • Bear any burden ...
  • Long twilight struggle.
  • Now the trumpet summons us again.
  • Let us never negotiate out of fear ... but let us never fear to negotiate.
Despite unsavoury revelations, the Kennedy presidency is loved regardless ... it was a promise of hope violently interrupted.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

FAMILIARITY AND CONTEMPT

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

 Click topic for LINK

The film that opened the Windsor family to the world was a bad idea at the time and the Queen, who later agreed, has refused to authorize its viewing ever since.

The film exposed the family and killed its Royal mystique.  After the 1969 showing, gossip has plagued the Royal family and life has never the same.

Friday, January 14, 2011

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Say goodbye to David Nelson -the last of Ozzie and Harriet's boys - has passed away.

RHW of Bev Hills Roundup

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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On this episode Kelsey does the deed we have known about for weeks and tells Camille the marriage is over and we are almost sorry for her but don't cry for Camille, her $50 million divorce deal will keep the obnoxious spirit we have grown to love and expect, alive and well.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/01/about-late-last-night-camille-kelsey-grammer.html

on meeting Kelsey's special "friend" -
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20457804,00.html

dueling Grammers -
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20457631,00.html

Also on this episode, Lisa lifts the lid on Taylor's two-faced tom-foolery, as the one who stoked the fire that became Kyle and Camille's drama. 

She is wriggling her way into Kyle's life and between Kyle and Lisa's friendship because Kyle has the husband and marriage Taylor dreams was her own.  Lisa is not pleased.  Boo hoo Taylor, any moron can see your marriage is ridiculous, right away. 

Now she mopes and cries on their shoulders about Russell's lack luster attitude.  She married him for the money.  Taylor is not on the up and up and Kim has been on to Taylor from the start.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Golden Globes fashion history

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Golden Globes fashion from the 50s through the 80s ...

Pet Sense

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Do pets have sixth sense?  You betcha they do!
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JFK

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Online JFK archive.

Facebook Flux

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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Winklevoss challenge soldiers on ...

Slideshow of shame

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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THE WRONGLY CONVICTED!

Astrological Flux

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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3000 years of the Earth's wobble has worked its way out of alignments made 2000 years ago - our horoscopes link us to astrological positions relative to the sun.  We are now a month out of alignment. 

"The earliest known astronomer to recognize and assess the movement of the precession was Aristarchus of Samos, who lived around 280 BC." 

Precession - the shift is the wobble of the Earth's axis caused by the gravitational pull of the moon to the Earth's equator. 

The North Star, Polaris, is the closest star aligned with the North Pole, when the Pyramids were constructed the aligned star in the constellation Draco was Thuban and in 12,000 years the North star will be Vega in the constellation Lyra.  A complete rotation lasts 26,000 years.

Wrongfully convicted man freed after 18 years

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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And all I can say about this is its a damn striking shame!

Human Rights advocates like myself know the overhaul of the Criminal Justice System cannot come too soon.

Some more Palin Stupidity ...

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Oh dear is a good ting hypocrisy and stupidity not a crime.

Like Oliver, we asked for more and in this case we got it ... more Palin stupid.

Ok, here we go.  Sarah Palin accuses journalists of "blood libel" for linking her virulent political rhetoric to the shooting in Arizona.

BUT, blood libel is a medieval chapter in history when Christians blamed Jews for the kidnapping and murder of their children for their blood which led to the torture and execution of Jews.  A nightmare of thoroughly anti-Semitic memory. 

Not the least surprised am I that Palin does not know her history!

Did you know ...

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Did you know Melanie Griffith has a website named Avalon?  Its theme is full of images of angelic whimsy - like entering a mythological land ... check it out, see for yourself.

That man is a success ...

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Inspiration of the Band of Brothers dies.

Army Officer, Dick Winters, army officer of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion E Company. We always remember them for being the greatest generation that ever lived ... the survivors of the second World War.  His soldiers were his band of brothers ...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postmortem/2011/01/dick-winters-dies-wwii-hero-co.html

That man is a success

who has lived well,
laughed often and loved much;

who has gained the respect of intelligent men
and the love of children;

who has filled his niche
and accomplished his task;

who leaves the world better than he found it,
whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem or a rescued soul;

who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty
or failed to express it;

who looked for the best in others
and gave the best he had.

Golden Globes Snubs and Surprises

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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Golden Globe history ...

Controversies, surprises, history making noms and disappoints - its all here - be surprised by trivia you hardly thought you never knew!

like ... Jamie Foxx in 2005 - three nominations in as many categories for Collateral - best supporting actor, Redemption - best actor on TV or in a miniseries and Ray - best actor in a musical or comedy - he won that one!

Miss Golden Globes

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Miss Golden Globes of the past  ...

Linda Evans, Anne Archer, Melanie Griffith, Laura Dern, Joely Fisher, Freddie Prinze Jr, Dakota Johnson, Lorraine Nicholson and Rumer Willis.

Ever wondered who was that sexy little thing in the sexy little panties in that first scene with Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker in the hit movie of 2010 - The Social Network?  It was Dakota Johnson ... daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Making Baby Girls

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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2 articles on strategies for conceiving girls ...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1343497/Greens-means-girls-Research-claims-vegetable-diet-gives-daughters.html

Star 1973.com ~ Archive Website

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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See an online archive of the 70s teen magazine that ran for five publications over as many months and then folded.  Teen angst in all its displayed glory, over-the-top advice and irreverent coverage of L.A.'s teen groupie scene.

A blast to the 70s teen past.

Tragic Time Travel with Karen Carpenter

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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The disturbing and prophetic interview with 23 year old Karen Carpenter in 1973. 

Her death from Anorexia Nervosa, 10 years later, helped throw the spotlight on an issue that offers greater awareness for girls today.

Child Models of Vogue

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


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See the children at the center of Vogue's racy child photo shoots.

Worst Trends of the Decade?

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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These poor things have been designated the worst trends in the first decade of the 21st ....

Among them - leggings, day-glo crocs, silly bandz, over tanning and more, have earned this dubious shout out!

Remembering the Fallen

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Remembering the six victims of the Arizona shooting during last weekend.

May their souls R.I.P.

Kennedy's miniseries Flagged

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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Woohoo more Kennedy controversy!

In an earlier blog, this week, I mentioned the cancellation of an eight-part-miniseries on the lives of Kennedy couple Jack and Jackie.  Commissioned by the History Channel, the series was cancelled due to alleged inaccuracies.  Word on the street is that Kennedy cousins, Maria Shriver and Caroline Kennedy lobbied hard for its withdrawal.

http://www.newser.com/story/109367/who-killed-the-kennedys-caroline-maria-shriver.html?utm_source=lunchbox&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20110110

And now the producer Michael Prupas insists it was meticulously researched but does not blur the blemishes of their family legacy.  He insists it is a positive reflection but not without their flaws displayed.

Inaccurate or not, controversial or not, historical or not - I WANNA SEE IT!