There’s a reason I never think too hard about current events in politics and religion.
It makes my head hurt.
I still think it’s important to keep up with world news, because it’s always good to stay current on which psycho militant Islamic Middle Eastern ruler is planning to blow up the United States during any given week. You know, for personal safety and all.
So when Pope Benedict XVI made what some are calling “negative” remarks about Islam on Sept. 12, I glossed over the media coverage. At least the Vatican wasn’t going to acquire nuclear weapons or send suicide bombers into other countries. But what some offended Muslims have threatened in response to the pope’s words might just constitute a security issue.
I returned to the topic this week to find bloggers had very strong opinions about the incident, which happened something like this:
Benedict was giving a lecture titled, “Faith, Reason and the University” at the University of Regensburg in Germany, where he had formerly been a professor. Just like the title says, he was offering an argument that faith must always be rationalized through basic human reason. According to what I’ve read about the pope, he’s big into the assertion that faith in God, whatever your religious belief, should be reasonable, and he backs it up with scholarship.
For Benedict, that argument doesn’t carry over to the Islamic concept of Jihad, or Holy War. But boy did he pick the wrong “scholarship” to back up his comments — a quote by Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus in 1391:
“Show me just what Muhammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached,” was the offending passage.
Benedict framed those “anti-Islamic” comments with something I think most people can agree on — that religion and violence are unreasonable and incompatible.
If only he had omitted the previous comment and gone with just this:
“The emperor, after having expressed himself so forcefully, goes on to explain in detail the reasons why spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable.
Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul. ‘God,’ he says, ‘is not pleased by blood — and not acting reasonably is contrary to God’s nature. Faith is born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly, without violence and threats.’”
He was clearly speaking of Jihad, not the whole of the Islamic faith.
Blogcritics.org reprinted a column by blogger Greg Strange, who calls Islam the “Religion of Perpetual Outrage.”
Strange roll calls comments from Muslim leaders and finds this one from Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam the most ironic:
“Anyone who describes Islam as a religion as intolerant encourages violence.”
I’m guessing Islamic militants have a thorough understanding of the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy.
Blogger Douglas Farah opines about the many demonstrations that took place in majority-Islamic countries in which effigies of the pope were burned. He says that sort of readiness to fight is what is taught to so many young people in the Middle East:
“When crowds can form in seemingly spontaneous reaction to an obscure and lightly-reported papal speech, it is evidence of an organization that has pre-positioned its people to strike when the opportunity arises. It was the same in the Danish cartoon riots.”
With the Western idea of freedom of speech, non-Muslims rarely have the same reaction when the tables are turned, according to Farah:
“Should the non-Islamic world riot at each anti-Semetic remark from the president of Iran, the Saudi royalty and imams?
“We would have time for nothing else.”
And though his intent was clouded by his quotation, I think that’s what the pope meant. A college professor of mine once said that nothing will change on the terror front until ideas change; until words cease to inspire violence.
I’m not someone who thinks democracy is a one-size-fits-all proposition, but dialogue is at the heart of diplomacy. But why talk if anything you say can be taken out of context to make the situation worse?
The pope, like most of the world, just wants an end to senseless terrorism. Tragically, his words backfired.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Name suggestions for the Hammond Square Mall
The Hammond Square Mall will be going through a major redevelopment beginning in April, and shoppers will be able to go to a completed "open air lifestyle center" beginning in 2008. New stores inclue Target, Outback Steakhouse, The Home Depot and the return of J.C. Penney.
Developers are looking for a new name for the area. Here's where you can post your suggestions.
Developers are looking for a new name for the area. Here's where you can post your suggestions.
CNN relieves 9/11 appropriately through news coverage
Country singer Alan Jackson asks this question in his 9/11 tribute song: “Where were you when the world stopped turning?”
I was in my webmastering class as a senior at Hahnville High School in St. Charles Parish.
When jetliners crashed into the Twin Towers that morning, I didn’t know it happened.
When I went to lunch around 10:30 a.m., a friend passed me in the hall and said, “Did you hear about the plane crashing into the World Trade Center?”
I immediately thought of the World Trade Center at the foot of Canal Street in New Orleans. I pictured a small single-engine plane dangling off of one or two floors of that massive white structure. I had been to the top of that building not too long before then to see the rotating restaurant on the top floor, which is now defunct.
Then he corrected me.
I didn’t know exactly what happened until I got off the school bus around 3 p.m.
While my future college classmates were sitting transfixed in front of television sets all day, experiencing the worst attack on American soil as a community, my principal decided to shelter us from the valid opportunity to learn and discuss current events.
When she got on the public address system at the end of the school day and announced a moment of silence for the many who had died in the event, I was dumbfounded. What in the world had happened?
I remember, too, that I wrote an essay that day on the WWI novel “All Quiet on the Western Front,” by Erich Maria Remarque, in English class. I later found out just how fitting that was.
For the five-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, CNN.com replayed their coverage from that day in real time, from 8:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.
I took the opportunity to see what I had missed that day. It was amazing to feel the emotions those reporters felt as our nation changed forever. I missed the actual moment the buildings collapsed, but I watched as CNN correspondents grabbed interviews with whomever they could, from congressmen to civilians on the Manhattan streets.
A lot has changed in five years. Pope John Paul II, who called the attacks “inhuman,” is no longer with us. Neither is Yassar Arafat, former Palestinian prime minister, who was seen issuing a statement that day denouncing the terrorists’ actions.
Most of us in southeast Louisiana didn’t truly know the pain of loss and disaster. Hurricane Katrina was another four years away.
Everything I felt that day came rushing back like never before. I watched in anger as CNN showed footage of Palestinians dancing in the street celebrating America’s pain. Senators cried “act of war” and got away with using expletives on air to describe the revenge we would exact on our enemies.
One senator lamented how distracted we had been. Education, health care and the economy, he said, were all minor concerns compared to national security and the safety of the American public.
I marveled at how five years — approximately 1,825 days — could unravel the good things that came out of 9/11 — the unity, pride, patriotism and solidarity we all felt.
Now 9/11 is inevitably tied to the Iraq War and then to oil prices. Discussion of the pros-and-cons of our polarizing President George W. Bush, as was illustrated so clearly in a Monday rant by Chris Matthews on MSNBC.
When I started to mentally rebut Matthews, I had to remind myself that the year was 2006. What seemed so cut-and-dry then isn’t so simple now.
But hopefully, in the years to come, we will continue to remember the victims and what we felt that day apart from current political spin and repercussions. It’s important for us to be reminded just what’s at stake.
I agree with the bumper sticker. We should not forget.
CNN helped me remember and did a service to all Americans by replaying its 9/11 coverage. I only hope they will continue that tradition every year.
I was in my webmastering class as a senior at Hahnville High School in St. Charles Parish.
When jetliners crashed into the Twin Towers that morning, I didn’t know it happened.
When I went to lunch around 10:30 a.m., a friend passed me in the hall and said, “Did you hear about the plane crashing into the World Trade Center?”
I immediately thought of the World Trade Center at the foot of Canal Street in New Orleans. I pictured a small single-engine plane dangling off of one or two floors of that massive white structure. I had been to the top of that building not too long before then to see the rotating restaurant on the top floor, which is now defunct.
Then he corrected me.
I didn’t know exactly what happened until I got off the school bus around 3 p.m.
While my future college classmates were sitting transfixed in front of television sets all day, experiencing the worst attack on American soil as a community, my principal decided to shelter us from the valid opportunity to learn and discuss current events.
When she got on the public address system at the end of the school day and announced a moment of silence for the many who had died in the event, I was dumbfounded. What in the world had happened?
I remember, too, that I wrote an essay that day on the WWI novel “All Quiet on the Western Front,” by Erich Maria Remarque, in English class. I later found out just how fitting that was.
For the five-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, CNN.com replayed their coverage from that day in real time, from 8:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.
I took the opportunity to see what I had missed that day. It was amazing to feel the emotions those reporters felt as our nation changed forever. I missed the actual moment the buildings collapsed, but I watched as CNN correspondents grabbed interviews with whomever they could, from congressmen to civilians on the Manhattan streets.
A lot has changed in five years. Pope John Paul II, who called the attacks “inhuman,” is no longer with us. Neither is Yassar Arafat, former Palestinian prime minister, who was seen issuing a statement that day denouncing the terrorists’ actions.
Most of us in southeast Louisiana didn’t truly know the pain of loss and disaster. Hurricane Katrina was another four years away.
Everything I felt that day came rushing back like never before. I watched in anger as CNN showed footage of Palestinians dancing in the street celebrating America’s pain. Senators cried “act of war” and got away with using expletives on air to describe the revenge we would exact on our enemies.
One senator lamented how distracted we had been. Education, health care and the economy, he said, were all minor concerns compared to national security and the safety of the American public.
I marveled at how five years — approximately 1,825 days — could unravel the good things that came out of 9/11 — the unity, pride, patriotism and solidarity we all felt.
Now 9/11 is inevitably tied to the Iraq War and then to oil prices. Discussion of the pros-and-cons of our polarizing President George W. Bush, as was illustrated so clearly in a Monday rant by Chris Matthews on MSNBC.
When I started to mentally rebut Matthews, I had to remind myself that the year was 2006. What seemed so cut-and-dry then isn’t so simple now.
But hopefully, in the years to come, we will continue to remember the victims and what we felt that day apart from current political spin and repercussions. It’s important for us to be reminded just what’s at stake.
I agree with the bumper sticker. We should not forget.
CNN helped me remember and did a service to all Americans by replaying its 9/11 coverage. I only hope they will continue that tradition every year.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Comments on the Mayoral Debate
Here's where you can post your comments about the mayoral debate, which was held Sept. 6 at the KIVA facility at the Cate Teacher Education Center, SLU.
Get your opinions on the candidates out there!
--------
Note: Here is the news story run in The Daily Star on Sept. 6:
Running for Mayor: Candidates state positions in forum
By Heather Crain
The four Hammond mayoral candidates marketed their strengths and ideas during a political forum Wednesday night at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Those vying for the position are incumbent Mayson Foster, Nick Gagliano, Montee Lemon and Arden Wells. The primary election will be Sept. 30.
Sponsored by local organizations and businesses, the forum was held at the Teacher Education Center in the Kiva room where only a few chairs were vacant.
Steve Bellas, a local broadcast journalist, served as moderator. The time and rules official was Daily Star Publisher Keenan Gingles.
Each candidate gave a three-minute opening remark and a five-minute closing statement. Seven questions were rotated among each contender with three-minute responses and 90-second rebuttals.
The topics included economic development, infrastructure, diversity, education, housing, recreation and safety.
Opening comments
Foster touted his administration’s proven leadership since taking office in January 2003 citing the opening of C.M. Fagan Drive 90 days into his administration, the wetlands assimilation project and the relocation of the Louisiana Army National Guard to the city.
“There is a definite leadership already established in the city of Hammond,” said Foster, a Hammond native and former banker.
Gagliano said he chose to start his career in Hammond after graduating from Louisiana State University. He owns a local marketing and advertising firm.
“I felt that we were a diamond in the rough,” he said. “The potential was unlimited. And 20 years later, I’m proud to say that I’m ready to take on the leadership role to help polish that diamond and make it sparkle for all families in Hammond.”
If elected, Gagliano said he would change the Hammond Planning and Zoning Commis-sion by removing those members who live outside the city limits, including one who lives in Ponchatoula.
“I cannot see the citizens of Ponchatoula allowing a Ham-mond resident to stay on their planning committee,” he said. “We have to make changes.”
Lemon, an employee of Mariner’s Inn, said everyone would be mayor if he were elected. Public transportation, AIDS awareness and education were his key points.
Wells, a local attorney who publicly announced last month that he had withdrawn his bid from the Sept. 30 election for mayor, used his opening address to push his candidacy for Tangipahoa Parish sheriff.
Wells, a Ponchatoula resident, has previously said he is running for Hammond mayor in order to be able to buy uncensored political advertising at political rates.
Moving the seat of Tangipahoa Parish government — including the parish council, courthouse, jail and school board, from Amite to Hammond — was a key point for Wells during the opening.
Economic development
The candidates were asked to identify three components in creating a strategy for an economic development plan.
Foster answered first, saying that the city has already established a plan by working closely with the Hammond Indus-trial Development Board and the Tangipahoa Economic Development Board and by creating the Hammond Area Economic and Industrial Development District.
A new 162-acre business park off Airport Road, a potential Fortune 500 company locating to Hammond and the Small Business Development Center at SLU were his key points. Gagliano said he would establish a position for an economic development director who would be housed at City Hall. Active recruitment and retention would also be key to his economic development strategy. Lemon would create new jobs, promote education and have better communication within the city for his plan. Because of Hurricane Katrina, no one can take credit for the recent growth in the city, Wells said, adding that the elected mayor must ensure proper growth. Hammond must be viewed as the seat of parish government.
Civic center, traffic loop, annexation
Gagliano, whose major platform is upgrading the city’s recreation department, stressed the need for a first-class sports facility to draw people to Hammond.
He also proposed two traffic loops for Hammond on the north and south side, including expanding Club Deluxe Road, and spoke in favor of annexation by giving property owners a property tax incentive.
Wells said he hadn’t given much thought to a traffic loop, although he said there is need for more entrances and exits off the interstates, especially at Natalbany and along Interstate 12. He does not think Hammond needs a civic center because of the present facilities, such as the University Center.
Foster said a civic center is a definite need. The Tangipahoa Parish Tourism Commission is looking into establishing such a facility.
Foster pointed toward the city’s new master street plan available on the city’s Web site, which introduces a traffic loop and other extensions.
Annexation, he said, is not as easy as one thinks. The majority of the property owners and voters in the area must be in agreement in order to annex, and the city has been in negotiations.
Creating environment of inclusion in city
Lemon, the only African-American mayoral candidate, spoke first on the diversity question.
He said he would introduce more socialization into the community by encouraging the various races to socialize outside the workplace, such as church and recreation.
“I want everyone to be mayor with me,” he said. “We need to get along better. We should be a role model and set an example. We have to love one another.”
Diverting from the question, Wells made the assumption that Foster was against gambling and would garner the anti-gambling votes, while Gagliano was pro-gambling.
During his rebuttal, Gagliano refuted Wells’ claim, saying he is against gaming in Hammond. In response to the diversity question, Gagliano said he would actively knock on the doors of the community to learn about the needs of the diverse population.
He also stressed the need for a better-run sports program, which he believes would bring the races together.
Foster pointed toward African American city employees in department head positions as creating racial inclusion, including Director of Administration Martis Jones, the first African American female in the position, and the two men in charge of city finance and purchasing.
Operation Unity was also formed for this purpose soon after he took office, Foster said.
Education
The candidates were asked how they would advance the new education initiative formed by SLU, the Tangipahoa Parish School System, the Hammond Chamber of Commerce and the city.
Again, Wells said he would move the seat of parish government, including the school board, to Hammond. He questioned why residents have to drive 20 miles to Amite to attend school board meetings.
Foster said supporting the school system and SLU is key to further advancing the education initiative.
He mentioned the $60,000 city contribution to the school board that will purchase computers and related items for the in-school magnet program in Hammond.
Education is among Gagliano’s top three points in his 10-point plan. Because education is crucial to economic development, Gagliano said he would work with private and public schools to help them accomplish their goals.
He would also focus on vocational training and start an apprentice program at the city for students.
Lemon also stressed after-school and vocational training for students.
Housing
The candidates were asked what policy they would initiate to create affordable housing that would encompass green space, recreation and retail accessibility.
Foster referred to the new subdivision ordinance passed by the Hammond City Council this week that establishes rules for lot widths, green space, parking, drainage and more.
He also mentioned the city’s role in acquiring a grant to help residents with home down payments.
Wells said he is against government regulation on housing. People should be allowed to do what they want on their land unless it were to cause harm.
Lemon stressed the need to remove blighted houses in Hammond that often house drugs. He said he would get people out of the projects and into nice homes.
Gagliano would establish a zoning committee in each council district that could advise the city on housing needs. He commended the preservation districts such as the Iowa Addition Overlay District and the Hyer-Cate Preservation District and would encourage more of the same.
Recreation
Gagliano, who is president of the South Tangipahoa Youth Soccer Association, said the current amenities are woefully inadequate. He is calling for creating better facilities in Hammond for all sports.
He would establish a sports complex to house baseball, football, soccer and other recreation that would also attract major tournaments. He would also create more basketball courts and expand those already in place.
Restructuring the recreation department will also be a top priority for Gagliano.
Foster said the city’s recreation situation was in bad shape when he took office but positive changes, including more programming, have been made since then.
A recreation district must be implemented for further improvements, Foster said.
Lemon said the city needs an indoor facility on the north and south side of town.
Wells said he would govern and make the best of what recreation facilities the city had, but ultimately, the city isn’t responsible for providing recreation for everyone.
Safety, community policing
Lemon commended the Hammond Police Department and promised to be more involved as mayor. He said criminals should be “scared straight.”
Gagliano said crime is already growing in the city evidenced by a recent robbery at gunpoint at a local store and cars being broken into.
He touted more police pay and a substation on the east side of town. He supported community policing by neighbors looking out for one another.
Wells said the police department is wrought with nepotism and corruption, and he would change that if mayor.
In addressing Wells’ claim of nepotism, Foster said the department is under the civil service code and relatives can likely be hired.
He also said crime numbers are about the same as this time last year. He pointed toward neighborhood watch groups already established and encouraged local businesses to install good cameras.
Closing
Wells said he didn’t get to talk about a lot of issues he wanted to address. Describing Louisiana as an old plantation with many rich and poor people with some middle class, he said political corruption abounds in the parish.
He also claimed that vote buying, especially among the poor African-American community, was a factor in the district attorney and sheriff races and would be a factor in the Hammond mayoral race.
He encouraged African-Americans to remember the sacrifice of civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and not take bribes.
Lemon again stressed the need for AIDS awareness in Hammond, after-school programs for children and a willingness to work together in city government.
“We have an opportunity to determine our future like never before,” Gagliano said in closing. “It’s a clean slate. We can decide what we want our future to be. It’s time to raise the bar in our city of Hammond.”
Gagliano stressed his platform of being a candidate for all of Hammond’s families.
Foster reiterated the accomplishments of his administration, including the city’s quick response to Hurricane Katrina, the wetlands assimilation project, C.M. Fagan Drive, 120 demolished blighted homes, a council of nonprofit organizations and more.
“This race is about leadership,” he said. “This race is about proven leadership. And I believe that actions speak a lot louder than words. You know it’s easy for people to sit up here and talk about what they’re going to do, but until you’ve sat in that desk and you have the people that are calling you on an on-going basis, you don’t know the pressures that are coming down from every side.”
Get your opinions on the candidates out there!
--------
Note: Here is the news story run in The Daily Star on Sept. 6:
Running for Mayor: Candidates state positions in forum
By Heather Crain
The four Hammond mayoral candidates marketed their strengths and ideas during a political forum Wednesday night at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Those vying for the position are incumbent Mayson Foster, Nick Gagliano, Montee Lemon and Arden Wells. The primary election will be Sept. 30.
Sponsored by local organizations and businesses, the forum was held at the Teacher Education Center in the Kiva room where only a few chairs were vacant.
Steve Bellas, a local broadcast journalist, served as moderator. The time and rules official was Daily Star Publisher Keenan Gingles.
Each candidate gave a three-minute opening remark and a five-minute closing statement. Seven questions were rotated among each contender with three-minute responses and 90-second rebuttals.
The topics included economic development, infrastructure, diversity, education, housing, recreation and safety.
Opening comments
Foster touted his administration’s proven leadership since taking office in January 2003 citing the opening of C.M. Fagan Drive 90 days into his administration, the wetlands assimilation project and the relocation of the Louisiana Army National Guard to the city.
“There is a definite leadership already established in the city of Hammond,” said Foster, a Hammond native and former banker.
Gagliano said he chose to start his career in Hammond after graduating from Louisiana State University. He owns a local marketing and advertising firm.
“I felt that we were a diamond in the rough,” he said. “The potential was unlimited. And 20 years later, I’m proud to say that I’m ready to take on the leadership role to help polish that diamond and make it sparkle for all families in Hammond.”
If elected, Gagliano said he would change the Hammond Planning and Zoning Commis-sion by removing those members who live outside the city limits, including one who lives in Ponchatoula.
“I cannot see the citizens of Ponchatoula allowing a Ham-mond resident to stay on their planning committee,” he said. “We have to make changes.”
Lemon, an employee of Mariner’s Inn, said everyone would be mayor if he were elected. Public transportation, AIDS awareness and education were his key points.
Wells, a local attorney who publicly announced last month that he had withdrawn his bid from the Sept. 30 election for mayor, used his opening address to push his candidacy for Tangipahoa Parish sheriff.
Wells, a Ponchatoula resident, has previously said he is running for Hammond mayor in order to be able to buy uncensored political advertising at political rates.
Moving the seat of Tangipahoa Parish government — including the parish council, courthouse, jail and school board, from Amite to Hammond — was a key point for Wells during the opening.
Economic development
The candidates were asked to identify three components in creating a strategy for an economic development plan.
Foster answered first, saying that the city has already established a plan by working closely with the Hammond Indus-trial Development Board and the Tangipahoa Economic Development Board and by creating the Hammond Area Economic and Industrial Development District.
A new 162-acre business park off Airport Road, a potential Fortune 500 company locating to Hammond and the Small Business Development Center at SLU were his key points. Gagliano said he would establish a position for an economic development director who would be housed at City Hall. Active recruitment and retention would also be key to his economic development strategy. Lemon would create new jobs, promote education and have better communication within the city for his plan. Because of Hurricane Katrina, no one can take credit for the recent growth in the city, Wells said, adding that the elected mayor must ensure proper growth. Hammond must be viewed as the seat of parish government.
Civic center, traffic loop, annexation
Gagliano, whose major platform is upgrading the city’s recreation department, stressed the need for a first-class sports facility to draw people to Hammond.
He also proposed two traffic loops for Hammond on the north and south side, including expanding Club Deluxe Road, and spoke in favor of annexation by giving property owners a property tax incentive.
Wells said he hadn’t given much thought to a traffic loop, although he said there is need for more entrances and exits off the interstates, especially at Natalbany and along Interstate 12. He does not think Hammond needs a civic center because of the present facilities, such as the University Center.
Foster said a civic center is a definite need. The Tangipahoa Parish Tourism Commission is looking into establishing such a facility.
Foster pointed toward the city’s new master street plan available on the city’s Web site, which introduces a traffic loop and other extensions.
Annexation, he said, is not as easy as one thinks. The majority of the property owners and voters in the area must be in agreement in order to annex, and the city has been in negotiations.
Creating environment of inclusion in city
Lemon, the only African-American mayoral candidate, spoke first on the diversity question.
He said he would introduce more socialization into the community by encouraging the various races to socialize outside the workplace, such as church and recreation.
“I want everyone to be mayor with me,” he said. “We need to get along better. We should be a role model and set an example. We have to love one another.”
Diverting from the question, Wells made the assumption that Foster was against gambling and would garner the anti-gambling votes, while Gagliano was pro-gambling.
During his rebuttal, Gagliano refuted Wells’ claim, saying he is against gaming in Hammond. In response to the diversity question, Gagliano said he would actively knock on the doors of the community to learn about the needs of the diverse population.
He also stressed the need for a better-run sports program, which he believes would bring the races together.
Foster pointed toward African American city employees in department head positions as creating racial inclusion, including Director of Administration Martis Jones, the first African American female in the position, and the two men in charge of city finance and purchasing.
Operation Unity was also formed for this purpose soon after he took office, Foster said.
Education
The candidates were asked how they would advance the new education initiative formed by SLU, the Tangipahoa Parish School System, the Hammond Chamber of Commerce and the city.
Again, Wells said he would move the seat of parish government, including the school board, to Hammond. He questioned why residents have to drive 20 miles to Amite to attend school board meetings.
Foster said supporting the school system and SLU is key to further advancing the education initiative.
He mentioned the $60,000 city contribution to the school board that will purchase computers and related items for the in-school magnet program in Hammond.
Education is among Gagliano’s top three points in his 10-point plan. Because education is crucial to economic development, Gagliano said he would work with private and public schools to help them accomplish their goals.
He would also focus on vocational training and start an apprentice program at the city for students.
Lemon also stressed after-school and vocational training for students.
Housing
The candidates were asked what policy they would initiate to create affordable housing that would encompass green space, recreation and retail accessibility.
Foster referred to the new subdivision ordinance passed by the Hammond City Council this week that establishes rules for lot widths, green space, parking, drainage and more.
He also mentioned the city’s role in acquiring a grant to help residents with home down payments.
Wells said he is against government regulation on housing. People should be allowed to do what they want on their land unless it were to cause harm.
Lemon stressed the need to remove blighted houses in Hammond that often house drugs. He said he would get people out of the projects and into nice homes.
Gagliano would establish a zoning committee in each council district that could advise the city on housing needs. He commended the preservation districts such as the Iowa Addition Overlay District and the Hyer-Cate Preservation District and would encourage more of the same.
Recreation
Gagliano, who is president of the South Tangipahoa Youth Soccer Association, said the current amenities are woefully inadequate. He is calling for creating better facilities in Hammond for all sports.
He would establish a sports complex to house baseball, football, soccer and other recreation that would also attract major tournaments. He would also create more basketball courts and expand those already in place.
Restructuring the recreation department will also be a top priority for Gagliano.
Foster said the city’s recreation situation was in bad shape when he took office but positive changes, including more programming, have been made since then.
A recreation district must be implemented for further improvements, Foster said.
Lemon said the city needs an indoor facility on the north and south side of town.
Wells said he would govern and make the best of what recreation facilities the city had, but ultimately, the city isn’t responsible for providing recreation for everyone.
Safety, community policing
Lemon commended the Hammond Police Department and promised to be more involved as mayor. He said criminals should be “scared straight.”
Gagliano said crime is already growing in the city evidenced by a recent robbery at gunpoint at a local store and cars being broken into.
He touted more police pay and a substation on the east side of town. He supported community policing by neighbors looking out for one another.
Wells said the police department is wrought with nepotism and corruption, and he would change that if mayor.
In addressing Wells’ claim of nepotism, Foster said the department is under the civil service code and relatives can likely be hired.
He also said crime numbers are about the same as this time last year. He pointed toward neighborhood watch groups already established and encouraged local businesses to install good cameras.
Closing
Wells said he didn’t get to talk about a lot of issues he wanted to address. Describing Louisiana as an old plantation with many rich and poor people with some middle class, he said political corruption abounds in the parish.
He also claimed that vote buying, especially among the poor African-American community, was a factor in the district attorney and sheriff races and would be a factor in the Hammond mayoral race.
He encouraged African-Americans to remember the sacrifice of civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and not take bribes.
Lemon again stressed the need for AIDS awareness in Hammond, after-school programs for children and a willingness to work together in city government.
“We have an opportunity to determine our future like never before,” Gagliano said in closing. “It’s a clean slate. We can decide what we want our future to be. It’s time to raise the bar in our city of Hammond.”
Gagliano stressed his platform of being a candidate for all of Hammond’s families.
Foster reiterated the accomplishments of his administration, including the city’s quick response to Hurricane Katrina, the wetlands assimilation project, C.M. Fagan Drive, 120 demolished blighted homes, a council of nonprofit organizations and more.
“This race is about leadership,” he said. “This race is about proven leadership. And I believe that actions speak a lot louder than words. You know it’s easy for people to sit up here and talk about what they’re going to do, but until you’ve sat in that desk and you have the people that are calling you on an on-going basis, you don’t know the pressures that are coming down from every side.”
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Losing grip on hip at age 22
I got back to my apartment Thursday night to find my roommate eagerly watching the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.
Some of her favorite bands were performing, and most of them were winning the little moon man statues given out for the best music videos of the year.
VMA night is one of the only nights of the year one can actually see musicians on the network, but that’s beside the point.
As bands such as Panic! At the Disco, A.F.I. and The All-American Rejects took the stage, I realized something. I’m just not that into mainstream music.
Don’t get me wrong. I listen to B 97.1 FM just as much as the next twentysomething. I keep up with the top 10 songs on iTunes. I even turn on VH1 every once in awhile, especially on Saturday mornings when they air the top 20 music videos of the week. I know what’s out there. I’m just not enamored by it.
The enthusiasm I had for any one genre of music seems to have faded away with my K-12 school years. Back then I loved alternative rock. Bands like the Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains seemed like a weird fit for a middle school girl, but I longed to be old enough to go to their concerts.
A few of those bands have stood the test of time, such as New Orleans-based Better Than Ezra and Orange County, California’s No Doubt.
But what was left of the late ‘90s rock and hip-hop scene seems annoying and almost regurgitated. The bands I first mentioned are part of a scene some call “emo,” that is, “emotional rock.” These bands’ piercings, makeup, weird hairstyles and over-the-top wardrobes scream out “we’re not very good musicians, so we need a schtick to be successful.” It’s a post-punk, post-alternative mix of distorted guitar and whiny vocals.
Panic! At the Disco gets creative with its instrumentation, using xylophones and horns, but the formula is still the same. I’ve heard it before being played by much better groups. I’ve realized that being strange for the sake of being strange just isn’t that interesting. And this is coming from someone who used to wear black lipstick in high school. (And no, I don’t consider myself a sell-out.)
Meanwhile, hip-hop, R&B and rap are not much better, although urban music seems to be the most innovative these days. A few years ago, we had the genius of Alicia Keys to save us from teeny bopper “artists” like Rihanna, Ciara and Cassie. Now three notes, a beat and vulgar lyrics will suffice for a hit tune, i.e. The Ying Yang Twins’ “Wait.”
Maybe it’s just that the major labels are marketing to teenagers now more than ever before. But if that’s true, I find it hard to believe that even teenagers like some of this stuff.
Now I find myself retreating into country music, which I admittedly hated for the first 19 years of my life. I find myself listening to 90.9 KSLU (college alternative) and Martini 106.1 (jazz, swing, blues and lounge) just to find some variety. I actually enjoy bluegrass music. If I find an artist I like, I find out who else is on that artist’s (usually independent) record label through the Internet. Or, I go to that artist’s friends pages on MySpace.com. That has become my new means of finding decent music. B 97 surely doesn’t help.
I’m also beginning to pay a lot of attention to Web sites like Pandora.com, which is a network of Internet radio stations that suggests songs based on the artists a user likes. Its creators call it the “Music Genome Project” because they’ve perfected a way to classify different musical traits to group similar tunes together.
Then there’s Last.fm, which tracks songs played on your computer and allows you to link up with people who enjoy the same music. That way, you can share musical discoveries with your online peers.
I now understand why my mom still listens to James Taylor and Barry Manilow. It was the music of her youth, sure, but at least that music had feeling. It came from a deeper place and was about the important things in life, not jewelry, cars and superficialities.
I’m just waiting for the day when I won’t have to actively seek out good music. In some future Utopian society, the satellite radio will be free for all, and eclectic musical tastes will be the norm rather than the exception.
Until then, I’ll keep searching, with a confused iPod full of Justin Timberlake and Dave Barnes songs to tide me over.
Some of her favorite bands were performing, and most of them were winning the little moon man statues given out for the best music videos of the year.
VMA night is one of the only nights of the year one can actually see musicians on the network, but that’s beside the point.
As bands such as Panic! At the Disco, A.F.I. and The All-American Rejects took the stage, I realized something. I’m just not that into mainstream music.
Don’t get me wrong. I listen to B 97.1 FM just as much as the next twentysomething. I keep up with the top 10 songs on iTunes. I even turn on VH1 every once in awhile, especially on Saturday mornings when they air the top 20 music videos of the week. I know what’s out there. I’m just not enamored by it.
The enthusiasm I had for any one genre of music seems to have faded away with my K-12 school years. Back then I loved alternative rock. Bands like the Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains seemed like a weird fit for a middle school girl, but I longed to be old enough to go to their concerts.
A few of those bands have stood the test of time, such as New Orleans-based Better Than Ezra and Orange County, California’s No Doubt.
But what was left of the late ‘90s rock and hip-hop scene seems annoying and almost regurgitated. The bands I first mentioned are part of a scene some call “emo,” that is, “emotional rock.” These bands’ piercings, makeup, weird hairstyles and over-the-top wardrobes scream out “we’re not very good musicians, so we need a schtick to be successful.” It’s a post-punk, post-alternative mix of distorted guitar and whiny vocals.
Panic! At the Disco gets creative with its instrumentation, using xylophones and horns, but the formula is still the same. I’ve heard it before being played by much better groups. I’ve realized that being strange for the sake of being strange just isn’t that interesting. And this is coming from someone who used to wear black lipstick in high school. (And no, I don’t consider myself a sell-out.)
Meanwhile, hip-hop, R&B and rap are not much better, although urban music seems to be the most innovative these days. A few years ago, we had the genius of Alicia Keys to save us from teeny bopper “artists” like Rihanna, Ciara and Cassie. Now three notes, a beat and vulgar lyrics will suffice for a hit tune, i.e. The Ying Yang Twins’ “Wait.”
Maybe it’s just that the major labels are marketing to teenagers now more than ever before. But if that’s true, I find it hard to believe that even teenagers like some of this stuff.
Now I find myself retreating into country music, which I admittedly hated for the first 19 years of my life. I find myself listening to 90.9 KSLU (college alternative) and Martini 106.1 (jazz, swing, blues and lounge) just to find some variety. I actually enjoy bluegrass music. If I find an artist I like, I find out who else is on that artist’s (usually independent) record label through the Internet. Or, I go to that artist’s friends pages on MySpace.com. That has become my new means of finding decent music. B 97 surely doesn’t help.
I’m also beginning to pay a lot of attention to Web sites like Pandora.com, which is a network of Internet radio stations that suggests songs based on the artists a user likes. Its creators call it the “Music Genome Project” because they’ve perfected a way to classify different musical traits to group similar tunes together.
Then there’s Last.fm, which tracks songs played on your computer and allows you to link up with people who enjoy the same music. That way, you can share musical discoveries with your online peers.
I now understand why my mom still listens to James Taylor and Barry Manilow. It was the music of her youth, sure, but at least that music had feeling. It came from a deeper place and was about the important things in life, not jewelry, cars and superficialities.
I’m just waiting for the day when I won’t have to actively seek out good music. In some future Utopian society, the satellite radio will be free for all, and eclectic musical tastes will be the norm rather than the exception.
Until then, I’ll keep searching, with a confused iPod full of Justin Timberlake and Dave Barnes songs to tide me over.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Cruise: Crazy and contract-less
In Hollywood, it’s simple.
Drive drunk and make anti-Semitic remarks and keep your movie’s distribution deal with Disney. Jump on Oprah’s couch and lose your 14-year movie contract with Paramount Pictures.
The latter, of course, actually happened to beleaguered superstar Tom Cruise Wednesday. Viacom, the parent company of Paramount Pictures, decided not to renew its contract with Cruise/Wagner Productions, halting finances that would have gone into future Cruise movie projects and specials.
Paramount Pictures chair Sumner Redstone blamed Cruise’s “controversial” behavior for his company’s actions. I like to call it the Scientology effect.
Recall that Cruise has done some questionable things in the past year or so. First there was the couch-jumping incident on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show in May 2005, in which Cruise ranted and raved (like a lunatic) about his love for his new girlfriend, the painfully innocent Katie Holmes. He has single-handedly fashioned the 21st century term for going bonkers: “Jumping the Couch.”
Then there was his battle royale with Matt Lauer on the “Today” show over use of anti-depressants. The “religion” of Scientology bans these drugs and apparently says sufferers can get over their afflictions using “vitamins.” Who knows the history of psychiatry better than anyone? Tom Cruise, of course.
Then there were some other freaky incidents having to do with the birth of Cruise and Holmes’ daughter, Suri. He bought a sonogram machine to do at-home ultrasounds, which, according to experts, isn’t exactly the safest procedure for an untrained person to be doing.
Then he told GQ magazine in April 2006 that he would eat the baby’s placenta. He later reneged on that statement, but there was no other reason for him to say that to a member of the media other than that he is nuts.
There’s a whole Web site devoted to this idea — www.tomcruiseisnuts.com. The site offers Cruise’s thoughts on such topics such as “women,” about which he said, “(Women) smell good. They look pretty. I love women. I do.” Nice use of adjectives there, Tom.
Recently there has been evidence to show that Cruise is no longer the sex symbol and box office go-getter he used to be. While his latest film made in the area of $400 million, at least one recent survey showed women are more than a little turned off by Cruise’s erratic behavior.
A poll by USA Today showed that half of respondents had a “negative” view of Cruise, and another by Marketing Evaluations, Inc. showed the “negative perception” of Cruise had risen 100 percent since mid-2005. If you’re a motion picture company looking to sell movie tickets, those numbers mean quite a lot.
And it’s not that his belief in Scientology has necessarily turned people off to him. Scientology is a “religion” created entirely by the late science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. It has targeted celebrities in order to fund its programs, and quite a few well-known personalities belong to it. Consider that John Travolta, Jenna Elfman (of “Dharma and Greg” fame) and even soul singer Isaac Hayes are Hubbardites. Yet that fact doesn’t seem to contribute to public bad tidings toward them. While their religion is kind of crazy, they’re generally not. But Cruise has crossed the line between being a regular Scientologist to being a proselytizing whacko.
And Americans generally don’t like big-time movie stars with opinions, much less a crazy streak. Rosie O’Donnell learned that the hard way when she ambushed actor Tom Selleck about his views on gun control on her former talk show. Her star’s only just returning now with her upcoming hosting gig on “The View.”
So Tom, for the sake of your as-yet-unseen baby daughter, please keep the crazy talk to a minimum. Babies can’t live on auditing and e-meters alone.
Drive drunk and make anti-Semitic remarks and keep your movie’s distribution deal with Disney. Jump on Oprah’s couch and lose your 14-year movie contract with Paramount Pictures.
The latter, of course, actually happened to beleaguered superstar Tom Cruise Wednesday. Viacom, the parent company of Paramount Pictures, decided not to renew its contract with Cruise/Wagner Productions, halting finances that would have gone into future Cruise movie projects and specials.
Paramount Pictures chair Sumner Redstone blamed Cruise’s “controversial” behavior for his company’s actions. I like to call it the Scientology effect.
Recall that Cruise has done some questionable things in the past year or so. First there was the couch-jumping incident on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show in May 2005, in which Cruise ranted and raved (like a lunatic) about his love for his new girlfriend, the painfully innocent Katie Holmes. He has single-handedly fashioned the 21st century term for going bonkers: “Jumping the Couch.”
Then there was his battle royale with Matt Lauer on the “Today” show over use of anti-depressants. The “religion” of Scientology bans these drugs and apparently says sufferers can get over their afflictions using “vitamins.” Who knows the history of psychiatry better than anyone? Tom Cruise, of course.
Then there were some other freaky incidents having to do with the birth of Cruise and Holmes’ daughter, Suri. He bought a sonogram machine to do at-home ultrasounds, which, according to experts, isn’t exactly the safest procedure for an untrained person to be doing.
Then he told GQ magazine in April 2006 that he would eat the baby’s placenta. He later reneged on that statement, but there was no other reason for him to say that to a member of the media other than that he is nuts.
There’s a whole Web site devoted to this idea — www.tomcruiseisnuts.com. The site offers Cruise’s thoughts on such topics such as “women,” about which he said, “(Women) smell good. They look pretty. I love women. I do.” Nice use of adjectives there, Tom.
Recently there has been evidence to show that Cruise is no longer the sex symbol and box office go-getter he used to be. While his latest film made in the area of $400 million, at least one recent survey showed women are more than a little turned off by Cruise’s erratic behavior.
A poll by USA Today showed that half of respondents had a “negative” view of Cruise, and another by Marketing Evaluations, Inc. showed the “negative perception” of Cruise had risen 100 percent since mid-2005. If you’re a motion picture company looking to sell movie tickets, those numbers mean quite a lot.
And it’s not that his belief in Scientology has necessarily turned people off to him. Scientology is a “religion” created entirely by the late science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. It has targeted celebrities in order to fund its programs, and quite a few well-known personalities belong to it. Consider that John Travolta, Jenna Elfman (of “Dharma and Greg” fame) and even soul singer Isaac Hayes are Hubbardites. Yet that fact doesn’t seem to contribute to public bad tidings toward them. While their religion is kind of crazy, they’re generally not. But Cruise has crossed the line between being a regular Scientologist to being a proselytizing whacko.
And Americans generally don’t like big-time movie stars with opinions, much less a crazy streak. Rosie O’Donnell learned that the hard way when she ambushed actor Tom Selleck about his views on gun control on her former talk show. Her star’s only just returning now with her upcoming hosting gig on “The View.”
So Tom, for the sake of your as-yet-unseen baby daughter, please keep the crazy talk to a minimum. Babies can’t live on auditing and e-meters alone.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Local's tirade parodied on YouTube.com
Digital video sharing Web site YouTube.com’s slogan is “Broadcast Yourself.”
For many users that means acting goofy and then uploading the video for millions of online viewers to see. That includes parodies of perhaps the most famous contestant on FOX reality show “Trading Spouses,” Ponchatoula’s Marguerite Perrin.
If you don’t know (or remember), Perrin is a self-proclaimed “God Warrior” who was made to live with a family in Massachusetts which was into new age religion. Suffice it to say, Perrin had what the show called “a meltdown of Biblical proportions” upon her Ponchatoula homecoming, yelling and telling everyone who doesn’t believe in Jesus Christ to “get outta (her) house!”
Those words are the title of a short video clip by kallen28, which shows a brunette young woman doing her best Perrin impression — lungs, angst and all.
There’s a similar video from film432 (this time it takes aim at they way Perrin ripped up the “Trading Spouses” prize money).
I counted at least six parodies, but OmenBoy4’s takes the cake. His “Dark Sided Beginnings” is a strange mix of “Star Wars” and “The Omen” with shaky camera work, atmospheric shots and a creepy vibe. The filmmakers say it is their tribute to Perrin. This would have been extremely effective if it hadn’t been put together by 13-year-olds, who also star in the film.
But it comes off as hilarious, which is, of course, the next best thing.
And Perrin’s foray on the Internet doesn’t stop there. In my relentless search for Internet weirdness, I stumbled onto www.margueriteperrin.com.
In an apparent effort to stretch her 15 minutes of fame, Perrin has turned to lampooning even herself. She’s selling downloads and CDs of a single called “Marguerite (Why Can’t You Be Sweet),” which is a pseudo rap song. The rapper sings, “Marguerite, Marguerite, why can’t you be sweet with that gap in your teeth” over clips of Perrin screaming such gems as, “I want my God, my family and a bucket of fried chicken.”
The single’s cover is framed by Perrin’s mouth, the body part that helped her make a name for herself. There are links to clips of her appearances on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno and even a link to a YouTube.com parody.
In some of the most bizarre pictures I’ve ever seen, Perrin poses with celebrities such as “Hercules’” Kevin Sorbo and VH1 reality show regulars Flavor Flav, Christopher Knight and Adrianne Curry. And if you look closely enough through her photo album from the 2005 Billboard Music Awards, you’ll find gossip blogger Perez Hilton in the background.
Unfortunately, Perrin’s site has a bulletin board and commenting features. This gives many malicious people a chance to voice their negative opinion of Perrin, putting her in an almost constant state of having to defend herself. And apparently the site had been attacked and replaced with pornography at some point in the past.
While it’s good that she’s learned to laugh at herself, the site makes Perrin seem almost like a cartoon character.
The site is touted as the “Official God Warrior” Web site, so maybe she’s a superhero.
A bobblehead doll of Perrin sold on eBay for $870, which was bought by Leno and presented during her appearance on “The Tonight Show.” She’s already got an action figure.
Here’s an idea for a great YouTube clip – Marguerite Perrin running around Ponchatoula in a God Warrior superhero costume, fighting crime and stopping criminals with her Banshee-like shreik. It could almost be Oscar-worthy with a $50,000 budget (that’s the amount of money the Perrin family received from “Trading Spouses.”)
Only on the Internet.
For many users that means acting goofy and then uploading the video for millions of online viewers to see. That includes parodies of perhaps the most famous contestant on FOX reality show “Trading Spouses,” Ponchatoula’s Marguerite Perrin.
If you don’t know (or remember), Perrin is a self-proclaimed “God Warrior” who was made to live with a family in Massachusetts which was into new age religion. Suffice it to say, Perrin had what the show called “a meltdown of Biblical proportions” upon her Ponchatoula homecoming, yelling and telling everyone who doesn’t believe in Jesus Christ to “get outta (her) house!”
Those words are the title of a short video clip by kallen28, which shows a brunette young woman doing her best Perrin impression — lungs, angst and all.
There’s a similar video from film432 (this time it takes aim at they way Perrin ripped up the “Trading Spouses” prize money).
I counted at least six parodies, but OmenBoy4’s takes the cake. His “Dark Sided Beginnings” is a strange mix of “Star Wars” and “The Omen” with shaky camera work, atmospheric shots and a creepy vibe. The filmmakers say it is their tribute to Perrin. This would have been extremely effective if it hadn’t been put together by 13-year-olds, who also star in the film.
But it comes off as hilarious, which is, of course, the next best thing.
And Perrin’s foray on the Internet doesn’t stop there. In my relentless search for Internet weirdness, I stumbled onto www.margueriteperrin.com.
In an apparent effort to stretch her 15 minutes of fame, Perrin has turned to lampooning even herself. She’s selling downloads and CDs of a single called “Marguerite (Why Can’t You Be Sweet),” which is a pseudo rap song. The rapper sings, “Marguerite, Marguerite, why can’t you be sweet with that gap in your teeth” over clips of Perrin screaming such gems as, “I want my God, my family and a bucket of fried chicken.”
The single’s cover is framed by Perrin’s mouth, the body part that helped her make a name for herself. There are links to clips of her appearances on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno and even a link to a YouTube.com parody.
In some of the most bizarre pictures I’ve ever seen, Perrin poses with celebrities such as “Hercules’” Kevin Sorbo and VH1 reality show regulars Flavor Flav, Christopher Knight and Adrianne Curry. And if you look closely enough through her photo album from the 2005 Billboard Music Awards, you’ll find gossip blogger Perez Hilton in the background.
Unfortunately, Perrin’s site has a bulletin board and commenting features. This gives many malicious people a chance to voice their negative opinion of Perrin, putting her in an almost constant state of having to defend herself. And apparently the site had been attacked and replaced with pornography at some point in the past.
While it’s good that she’s learned to laugh at herself, the site makes Perrin seem almost like a cartoon character.
The site is touted as the “Official God Warrior” Web site, so maybe she’s a superhero.
A bobblehead doll of Perrin sold on eBay for $870, which was bought by Leno and presented during her appearance on “The Tonight Show.” She’s already got an action figure.
Here’s an idea for a great YouTube clip – Marguerite Perrin running around Ponchatoula in a God Warrior superhero costume, fighting crime and stopping criminals with her Banshee-like shreik. It could almost be Oscar-worthy with a $50,000 budget (that’s the amount of money the Perrin family received from “Trading Spouses.”)
Only on the Internet.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Track record not good for reality TV marriages
When singer Jessica Simpson made her famous remarks about tuna (shouldn’t Chicken of the Sea actually be chicken?), I knew her marriage to fellow singer Nick Lachey would probably crumble.
The couple’s MTV reality show, “Newlyweds,” lasted three seasons in 2004 and 2005. Like with most reality shows, the producers manipulated the footage to characterize Simpson as a ditzy anti-homemaker and Lachey as a down-to-earth, laundry-doing normal guy.
Whether those images are correct doesn’t really matter now. MTV, Simpson and Lachey made their money, and the pair became almost exponentially more famous. But that success came at the cost of their marriage.
I shouldn’t have had an opinion on the prospects of a lasting union between these two, but when their relationship was on display for hours on end on a popular cable channel, it’s hard not to care. Maybe Lachey just saw the warped view of his wife the rest of America was seeing.
And when the split became public, the couple’s cry for privacy was almost a slap in the face to their fans, who couldn’t understand why they could watch the first year of marriage yet be cut off from the divorce drama.
Even Lachey himself admitted the damage the show did to his relationship in an interview in Rolling Stone.
“Jessica and I began playing these parts even when we were by ourselves. It became a really blurred line. There was a question about what truly was our reality,” he said. “When you are on a reality show, your life ceases to be reality. It becomes TV.”
Over the weekend I ashamedly watched another marriage-on-display, that of “Brady Bunch” alumnus Christopher Knight and tenuously famous Adrianne Curry, winner of the first “America’s Next Top Model.” Their show is called “My Fair Brady.”
Curry met Knight on the set of another VH1 reality show, “The Surreal Life.” Her career, her relationship, really her entire life at this point, are all tied to reality television. When Curry finally realizes that real “reality” is not TV “reality,” she might go a little more crazy than she already is.
The track record for reality marriages is not good.
Within the past month, two couples featured in MTV shows have called it quits. Model Carmen Electra and rock musician Dave Navarro broadcasted their weird 2004 nuptials on a gothic-themed show called “Til Death Do Us Part.”
I guess that whole “til death” thing was only until the glow of reality show celebrity started wearing off. Then again, Electra did marry basketball bad boy Dennis Rodman in 1998, so her sense of “reality” was already questionable.
Then there’s Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and beauty queen Shanna Moakler, whose marriage ended in divorce after two years. The two had starred in “Meet the Barkers” on MTV. The really sad part here is that the couple’s children had been paraded on television as well. But at ages 2 and 8 months, at least the kids will be able to see their parents in a loving relationship, even if it has been edited and set to music.
It’s interesting that possibly the strongest marriage to be shown on reality TV was actually set up on reality TV — that of “Bachelorette” Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter. They were married in 2003 and appear to be going strong.
And here’s one to watch: Britney Spears and Kevin Federline. The pair qualify as a “reality” couple through “Chaotic,” the UPN show that documented much of their early relationship and some of their engagement. Cameras have certainly not helped the couple gain any more respect, but will cameras destroy their relationship? Only time will tell.
The couple’s MTV reality show, “Newlyweds,” lasted three seasons in 2004 and 2005. Like with most reality shows, the producers manipulated the footage to characterize Simpson as a ditzy anti-homemaker and Lachey as a down-to-earth, laundry-doing normal guy.
Whether those images are correct doesn’t really matter now. MTV, Simpson and Lachey made their money, and the pair became almost exponentially more famous. But that success came at the cost of their marriage.
I shouldn’t have had an opinion on the prospects of a lasting union between these two, but when their relationship was on display for hours on end on a popular cable channel, it’s hard not to care. Maybe Lachey just saw the warped view of his wife the rest of America was seeing.
And when the split became public, the couple’s cry for privacy was almost a slap in the face to their fans, who couldn’t understand why they could watch the first year of marriage yet be cut off from the divorce drama.
Even Lachey himself admitted the damage the show did to his relationship in an interview in Rolling Stone.
“Jessica and I began playing these parts even when we were by ourselves. It became a really blurred line. There was a question about what truly was our reality,” he said. “When you are on a reality show, your life ceases to be reality. It becomes TV.”
Over the weekend I ashamedly watched another marriage-on-display, that of “Brady Bunch” alumnus Christopher Knight and tenuously famous Adrianne Curry, winner of the first “America’s Next Top Model.” Their show is called “My Fair Brady.”
Curry met Knight on the set of another VH1 reality show, “The Surreal Life.” Her career, her relationship, really her entire life at this point, are all tied to reality television. When Curry finally realizes that real “reality” is not TV “reality,” she might go a little more crazy than she already is.
The track record for reality marriages is not good.
Within the past month, two couples featured in MTV shows have called it quits. Model Carmen Electra and rock musician Dave Navarro broadcasted their weird 2004 nuptials on a gothic-themed show called “Til Death Do Us Part.”
I guess that whole “til death” thing was only until the glow of reality show celebrity started wearing off. Then again, Electra did marry basketball bad boy Dennis Rodman in 1998, so her sense of “reality” was already questionable.
Then there’s Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and beauty queen Shanna Moakler, whose marriage ended in divorce after two years. The two had starred in “Meet the Barkers” on MTV. The really sad part here is that the couple’s children had been paraded on television as well. But at ages 2 and 8 months, at least the kids will be able to see their parents in a loving relationship, even if it has been edited and set to music.
It’s interesting that possibly the strongest marriage to be shown on reality TV was actually set up on reality TV — that of “Bachelorette” Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter. They were married in 2003 and appear to be going strong.
And here’s one to watch: Britney Spears and Kevin Federline. The pair qualify as a “reality” couple through “Chaotic,” the UPN show that documented much of their early relationship and some of their engagement. Cameras have certainly not helped the couple gain any more respect, but will cameras destroy their relationship? Only time will tell.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Outrage over Mel Gibson's tirade misplaced
News flash: Mel Gibson is an anti-Semite.
That was the big story coming out of Hollywood last week. Cable news channels seemed like broken records discussing the many facets of “Melgate,” and blogs used their best Internet real estate on drunken pictures of the “Lethal Weapon” star.
If you run a Google search on Gibson and hadn’t heard anything about his drunken driving arrest in California on Aug. 4, you probably wouldn’t learn very much about the crime itself. Many columnists are dead set on nailing Gibson, director of “The Passion of the Christ,” as a Christian hypocrite, and apparently, public enemy No. 1.
Gibson had been speeding down the Pacific Coast Highway and blew a 0.12 on the breathalyzer. Initial reports said he was arrested without incident, but he allegedly launched into a tirade that included anti-Semitic remarks, such as, “F*** Jews... the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.”
The arresting officer was Jewish and told the Associated Press that he wasn’t particularly offended by Gibson’s remarks. He chalked it up to a drunken man acting stupid.
Meanwhile, there is outrage in Hollywood, much of which is controlled by Jewish producers and directors. Barbara Walters said she would never see another Gibson film. Rob Schneider of “Deuce Bigalow” fame took out an ad in Variety to state that he would never work with Gibson (not that Mel would be interested in the next installment of “The Animal” anytime soon).
Disney, which is promoting Gibson’s upcoming epic “Apocalypto” is running scared. ABC said it halted plans for a Gibson-produced miniseries on the Holocaust.
But they’re not outraged that Gibson was speeding excessively with an open container of tequila by his side. They’re not outraged that he was endangering the lives of the general public. They’re not outraged that he was breaking one of our country’s most important laws.
It’s sad that more air time and attention is given to what a drunken man said than to what he did.
Don’t get me wrong. I definitely think what he said was, in his words, “despicable.” But when the murder of six Jewish women at the Jewish Federation office in Seattle got second billing, for a time, to Gibson’s story on the Anti-Defamation League’s Web site, there’s certainly a disconnect.
The fact remains that disliking, or even hating, a group of people is not against the law. This “thought crime,” as columnist Zev Chafets put it, won’t do much for Gibson, who relies on public perception to keep his movie projects greenlighted. But if it were a non-celebrity, the nature of his remarks wouldn’t even be an issue.
I find it “despicable” that the important issue of drunken driving is being overshadowed by Gibson’s remarks. In Louisiana in 2004, 38 percent of all 904 fatal crashes were alcohol-related. A friend of mine lost her father to a drunken driver earlier this year, and I’m sure every one of my readers has a similar story.
Gibson is now in a position to do some real good by advocating for groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
He has had his troubles with alcohol in the past, and I think if he can clean up and continue to be vocal about his ordeal, he will help others who may be in the same situation. He has apparently gone into rehab, and hopefully he will not be given preferential treatment when he is brought up on his charges.
I suppose with the war between Israel and Lebanon still raging, Americans are especially sensitive about hateful remarks against our allies. But I have to believe that the threat of motorists dying is much more important than an actor’s drunken, un-acted-upon tirade.
That was the big story coming out of Hollywood last week. Cable news channels seemed like broken records discussing the many facets of “Melgate,” and blogs used their best Internet real estate on drunken pictures of the “Lethal Weapon” star.
If you run a Google search on Gibson and hadn’t heard anything about his drunken driving arrest in California on Aug. 4, you probably wouldn’t learn very much about the crime itself. Many columnists are dead set on nailing Gibson, director of “The Passion of the Christ,” as a Christian hypocrite, and apparently, public enemy No. 1.
Gibson had been speeding down the Pacific Coast Highway and blew a 0.12 on the breathalyzer. Initial reports said he was arrested without incident, but he allegedly launched into a tirade that included anti-Semitic remarks, such as, “F*** Jews... the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.”
The arresting officer was Jewish and told the Associated Press that he wasn’t particularly offended by Gibson’s remarks. He chalked it up to a drunken man acting stupid.
Meanwhile, there is outrage in Hollywood, much of which is controlled by Jewish producers and directors. Barbara Walters said she would never see another Gibson film. Rob Schneider of “Deuce Bigalow” fame took out an ad in Variety to state that he would never work with Gibson (not that Mel would be interested in the next installment of “The Animal” anytime soon).
Disney, which is promoting Gibson’s upcoming epic “Apocalypto” is running scared. ABC said it halted plans for a Gibson-produced miniseries on the Holocaust.
But they’re not outraged that Gibson was speeding excessively with an open container of tequila by his side. They’re not outraged that he was endangering the lives of the general public. They’re not outraged that he was breaking one of our country’s most important laws.
It’s sad that more air time and attention is given to what a drunken man said than to what he did.
Don’t get me wrong. I definitely think what he said was, in his words, “despicable.” But when the murder of six Jewish women at the Jewish Federation office in Seattle got second billing, for a time, to Gibson’s story on the Anti-Defamation League’s Web site, there’s certainly a disconnect.
The fact remains that disliking, or even hating, a group of people is not against the law. This “thought crime,” as columnist Zev Chafets put it, won’t do much for Gibson, who relies on public perception to keep his movie projects greenlighted. But if it were a non-celebrity, the nature of his remarks wouldn’t even be an issue.
I find it “despicable” that the important issue of drunken driving is being overshadowed by Gibson’s remarks. In Louisiana in 2004, 38 percent of all 904 fatal crashes were alcohol-related. A friend of mine lost her father to a drunken driver earlier this year, and I’m sure every one of my readers has a similar story.
Gibson is now in a position to do some real good by advocating for groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
He has had his troubles with alcohol in the past, and I think if he can clean up and continue to be vocal about his ordeal, he will help others who may be in the same situation. He has apparently gone into rehab, and hopefully he will not be given preferential treatment when he is brought up on his charges.
I suppose with the war between Israel and Lebanon still raging, Americans are especially sensitive about hateful remarks against our allies. But I have to believe that the threat of motorists dying is much more important than an actor’s drunken, un-acted-upon tirade.
Monday, August 07, 2006
News on the Hammond Mall
This is for an anonymous commenter on the last post from Daily Star Managing Editor Lil Mirando:
"The mall's new owners -- Palace Properties -- are going to announce their plans to upgrade Hammond Square Mall in September. They have already announced that the new Hammond mall will be twice as big as it is now. We'll know more in September. They already have their plans in place, but they are not ready to announce it to the public yet."
A quick note: All off-topic posts from now on will be deleted. If I need to respond to any questions raised in an off-topic post, I will do so in a new post. Also, any comments about Daily Star news coverage or letters to the editor will be forwarded to the appropriate people by email and then deleted. Remember that if you want a specific response to something, please identify yourself and leave contact information. We can't reply to "anonymous."
"The mall's new owners -- Palace Properties -- are going to announce their plans to upgrade Hammond Square Mall in September. They have already announced that the new Hammond mall will be twice as big as it is now. We'll know more in September. They already have their plans in place, but they are not ready to announce it to the public yet."
A quick note: All off-topic posts from now on will be deleted. If I need to respond to any questions raised in an off-topic post, I will do so in a new post. Also, any comments about Daily Star news coverage or letters to the editor will be forwarded to the appropriate people by email and then deleted. Remember that if you want a specific response to something, please identify yourself and leave contact information. We can't reply to "anonymous."
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Gossip columnists, bloggers coerce Bass out of closet
Even if you've never heard of boy band *NSync, you've by now heard of the group's former bass singer, Lance Bass.
Bass, a native of Laurel, Miss., revealed Thursday to People magazine that he is gay. It wasn't a big surprise to gossip blogger Perez Hilton, who has made it his personal mission to "out" Bass.
Over the last few months, Hilton has hammered out stories about Bass and his boyfriend, "Amazing Race" season four winner Reichen Lemkuhl. Apparently Bass and Lemkuhl, who is openly gay, were spotted at different events wearing each other's shirts.
That, in gossip blogger-land, is apparently convincing evidence.
More stories followed about clubgoers seeing the couple in a gay bar in Provincetown, Mass.
Pretty soon the mainstream media picked up on the brewing speculation. For many longtime *NSync fans and celebrity watchers, Bass' revelation was a "well, duh" moment. But, as with most stories coming out of Hollywood, Bass had his reasons to come forward. (Remember when Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey announced their breakup the night before Thanksgiving just to spite celebrity journalists?)
Bass knew his story was about to move beyond the pages of perezhilton.com in a big way.
He told People: "The main reason I wanted to speak my mind was that (the rumors) were really starting to affect my daily life. Now it feels like it's on my terms. I'm at peace with my family, my friends, myself and God, so there's really nothing else I worry about."
But Hilton's mission, and that of gay and lesbian newspaper the Washington Blade, doesn't stop with Bass. They're out to "out" others, such Star Wars' Hayden Christensen, "Brokeback Mountain's" Jake Gyllenhaal, "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken, singer Ricky Martin and even actor Matthew McConaughey.
"I know there is some controversy about outing people, but I also believe the only way we're gonna have change is with visibility," Hilton told entertainment television show Access Hollywood. "And if I have to drag some people screaming out of the closet, then I will."
Hilton says celebrities who live an "openly closeted" lifestyle and deny their homosexuality publicly perpetuate the idea that an actor or singer cannot be successful and gay at the same time. And that, whether out of shame or a simple business decision, makes it more acceptable for the public to be intolerant toward gays.
While that is a noble sentiment, it's a course of action at least one gay and lesbian rights association disagrees with.
Damon Romine, entertainment and media director of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, has stated that coming out is a personal decision and not something that should be speculated upon by the media.
If Bass truly wanted to be left alone, he should not have shown up at the clubs or engaged in what one columnist Chris Rovzar called "man sharing."
It's a terrible way to live, but it's both a celebrity's blessing and curse.
U.S. free speech laws make it difficult to prove defamation in the case of both public officials and celebrities. Being "public" is part of how they make a living. If Bass were a low-key college student, surely the outcome would be different.
And frankly, I love reading about my favorite celebrities. Without speculation, gossip would almost cease to be.
Yet I have to question Hilton's motivations. He says his crusade is to further gay rights, and that is great. But I seriously doubt that the outing of a few high-profile celebrities will single-handedly stop hate crimes and discrimination against gays. His energy and zeal would be better put to use speaking out against these things and making political statements.
After all, what good are celebrities to a cause if they refuse publicly to identify with it?
We've got Brad Pitt advocating for environmentally-sound rebuilding in New Orleans, Angelina Jolie advocating for orphans in Third World countries and Perez Hilton advocating for Tom Cruise to come out of the closet.
Which one would make more of a difference in the world?
Bass, a native of Laurel, Miss., revealed Thursday to People magazine that he is gay. It wasn't a big surprise to gossip blogger Perez Hilton, who has made it his personal mission to "out" Bass.
Over the last few months, Hilton has hammered out stories about Bass and his boyfriend, "Amazing Race" season four winner Reichen Lemkuhl. Apparently Bass and Lemkuhl, who is openly gay, were spotted at different events wearing each other's shirts.
That, in gossip blogger-land, is apparently convincing evidence.
More stories followed about clubgoers seeing the couple in a gay bar in Provincetown, Mass.
Pretty soon the mainstream media picked up on the brewing speculation. For many longtime *NSync fans and celebrity watchers, Bass' revelation was a "well, duh" moment. But, as with most stories coming out of Hollywood, Bass had his reasons to come forward. (Remember when Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey announced their breakup the night before Thanksgiving just to spite celebrity journalists?)
Bass knew his story was about to move beyond the pages of perezhilton.com in a big way.
He told People: "The main reason I wanted to speak my mind was that (the rumors) were really starting to affect my daily life. Now it feels like it's on my terms. I'm at peace with my family, my friends, myself and God, so there's really nothing else I worry about."
But Hilton's mission, and that of gay and lesbian newspaper the Washington Blade, doesn't stop with Bass. They're out to "out" others, such Star Wars' Hayden Christensen, "Brokeback Mountain's" Jake Gyllenhaal, "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken, singer Ricky Martin and even actor Matthew McConaughey.
"I know there is some controversy about outing people, but I also believe the only way we're gonna have change is with visibility," Hilton told entertainment television show Access Hollywood. "And if I have to drag some people screaming out of the closet, then I will."
Hilton says celebrities who live an "openly closeted" lifestyle and deny their homosexuality publicly perpetuate the idea that an actor or singer cannot be successful and gay at the same time. And that, whether out of shame or a simple business decision, makes it more acceptable for the public to be intolerant toward gays.
While that is a noble sentiment, it's a course of action at least one gay and lesbian rights association disagrees with.
Damon Romine, entertainment and media director of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, has stated that coming out is a personal decision and not something that should be speculated upon by the media.
If Bass truly wanted to be left alone, he should not have shown up at the clubs or engaged in what one columnist Chris Rovzar called "man sharing."
It's a terrible way to live, but it's both a celebrity's blessing and curse.
U.S. free speech laws make it difficult to prove defamation in the case of both public officials and celebrities. Being "public" is part of how they make a living. If Bass were a low-key college student, surely the outcome would be different.
And frankly, I love reading about my favorite celebrities. Without speculation, gossip would almost cease to be.
Yet I have to question Hilton's motivations. He says his crusade is to further gay rights, and that is great. But I seriously doubt that the outing of a few high-profile celebrities will single-handedly stop hate crimes and discrimination against gays. His energy and zeal would be better put to use speaking out against these things and making political statements.
After all, what good are celebrities to a cause if they refuse publicly to identify with it?
We've got Brad Pitt advocating for environmentally-sound rebuilding in New Orleans, Angelina Jolie advocating for orphans in Third World countries and Perez Hilton advocating for Tom Cruise to come out of the closet.
Which one would make more of a difference in the world?
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Riding the information superhighway to a new home
Each weekend, American interstates and highways become an underground railroad for rescued pets.
They’re on "transports," in which volunteers take turns driving part of the way from point A to point B — usually from a shelter to an adoptive home. Sometimes those two points are many states and a few overnight stops away.
But before these lucky dogs (or cats) hit the road, they’ve already taken a ride on the information superhighway. They’ve probably been the subject of a blog or two, and they’ve most likely graced a message board or mailing list. They probably also have their own Web page at PetFinder.com or other rescue Web sites. (How many of us are this popular?)
In the face of today’s huge pet overpopulation problem, the more exposure a pet can get online, the better. And unlike Britney Spears, they don’t mind the attention.
Betty Dorsey of Knoxville, Tenn., said before the Internet, her rescue efforts to place adoptable dogs in new homes relied on word-of-mouth and local newspaper ads.
"It's definitely more efficient... you get so many more dogs adopted (online)," she said. "We've gotten calls from all over New England, as far west as California and even from overseas."
Of course, overseas transports would be pretty stressful on the animals, but it just goes to show the power of a cute picture and a short blurb on a Web page.
A springer spaniel named Freddie got Amelia Hudson of Baton Rouge interested in rescue in 1990 after she rescued the dog from a neglectful owner. That experience led her to other rescue work both for springers and other breeds. She now helps with transports whenever she can.
She credited the Internet with helping her improve her rescue operations, and since 2002 she has rescued 70 springers.
"I had difficulty finding what I considered to be acceptable adoptive families (for my dogs)," she said.
Then she got in contact with national group English Springer Rescue of America. ESRA had "stringent adoption standards" that included online applications, phone screenings, checks of veterinarian care histories and home visits. Now, instead of waiting for a local family, Hudson can network with people across the country that ensure that her dogs are going to good homes, no matter where they are.
And then the transports begin.
I found a transport list for Mia on Yahoo! group gulfcoast_rescue_n_transport. Mia is a 1-year-old pit bull that was taken off the streets in Houston. Because of her breed, authorities there threatened to put her down. But Mia’s finders wanted to get her back to their house near Tampa, Fla. They just needed a little help in doing that.
Because of traffic and other delays, Mia spent all day — from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. — on the road. But she is now in a safe, loving home. It's a wonderful feeling to know that just by driving her from Baton Rouge to Slidell, I made her new life possible. It took less than two hours of my time and about a half tank of gas.
This is low-committment animal rescue, but it is vital nonetheless. It's proof that anyone can get involved with some aspect of animal rescue, regardless of how little time or money is available.
Dorsey said that no matter what type of breed or pet, there's a rescue organization dedicated to it. And all of those organizations can be national with the help of the Internet. You can shop online with companies that donate a portion of their proceeds to rescue, you can donate money or supplies to shelters, you can transport animals or you can spend time volunteering at the local shelter. None of those things require you to take an animal into your home.
But if you do have that opportunity, search for a local shelter or rescue on PetFinder.com. They're always looking for people to foster dogs and cats before they are adopted.
So the next time you see a dog happily riding shotgun down the interstate, know that he or she could be riding to freedom and a new life. All they need are a few good volunteers.
Resources:
Dorsey's all-breed rescue can be found at www.grreatdogrescue.com
English Springer Rescue of American can be found at www.springerrescue.org.
Start your search at www.PetFinder.com or groups.yahoo.com.
They’re on "transports," in which volunteers take turns driving part of the way from point A to point B — usually from a shelter to an adoptive home. Sometimes those two points are many states and a few overnight stops away.
But before these lucky dogs (or cats) hit the road, they’ve already taken a ride on the information superhighway. They’ve probably been the subject of a blog or two, and they’ve most likely graced a message board or mailing list. They probably also have their own Web page at PetFinder.com or other rescue Web sites. (How many of us are this popular?)
In the face of today’s huge pet overpopulation problem, the more exposure a pet can get online, the better. And unlike Britney Spears, they don’t mind the attention.
Betty Dorsey of Knoxville, Tenn., said before the Internet, her rescue efforts to place adoptable dogs in new homes relied on word-of-mouth and local newspaper ads.
"It's definitely more efficient... you get so many more dogs adopted (online)," she said. "We've gotten calls from all over New England, as far west as California and even from overseas."
Of course, overseas transports would be pretty stressful on the animals, but it just goes to show the power of a cute picture and a short blurb on a Web page.
A springer spaniel named Freddie got Amelia Hudson of Baton Rouge interested in rescue in 1990 after she rescued the dog from a neglectful owner. That experience led her to other rescue work both for springers and other breeds. She now helps with transports whenever she can.
She credited the Internet with helping her improve her rescue operations, and since 2002 she has rescued 70 springers.
"I had difficulty finding what I considered to be acceptable adoptive families (for my dogs)," she said.
Then she got in contact with national group English Springer Rescue of America. ESRA had "stringent adoption standards" that included online applications, phone screenings, checks of veterinarian care histories and home visits. Now, instead of waiting for a local family, Hudson can network with people across the country that ensure that her dogs are going to good homes, no matter where they are. And then the transports begin.
I found a transport list for Mia on Yahoo! group gulfcoast_rescue_n_transport. Mia is a 1-year-old pit bull that was taken off the streets in Houston. Because of her breed, authorities there threatened to put her down. But Mia’s finders wanted to get her back to their house near Tampa, Fla. They just needed a little help in doing that.
Because of traffic and other delays, Mia spent all day — from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. — on the road. But she is now in a safe, loving home. It's a wonderful feeling to know that just by driving her from Baton Rouge to Slidell, I made her new life possible. It took less than two hours of my time and about a half tank of gas.
This is low-committment animal rescue, but it is vital nonetheless. It's proof that anyone can get involved with some aspect of animal rescue, regardless of how little time or money is available.
Dorsey said that no matter what type of breed or pet, there's a rescue organization dedicated to it. And all of those organizations can be national with the help of the Internet. You can shop online with companies that donate a portion of their proceeds to rescue, you can donate money or supplies to shelters, you can transport animals or you can spend time volunteering at the local shelter. None of those things require you to take an animal into your home.
But if you do have that opportunity, search for a local shelter or rescue on PetFinder.com. They're always looking for people to foster dogs and cats before they are adopted.
So the next time you see a dog happily riding shotgun down the interstate, know that he or she could be riding to freedom and a new life. All they need are a few good volunteers.
Resources:
Dorsey's all-breed rescue can be found at www.grreatdogrescue.com
English Springer Rescue of American can be found at www.springerrescue.org.
Start your search at www.PetFinder.com or groups.yahoo.com.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Election issues.
What are some of the most important issues candidates need to address in the Sept. 30 election?
(There will be races for Hammond mayor, city council seats and Tangipahoa School Board in addition to races in Kentwood and Tickfaw.)
Lot requirements, recreation and traffic are just three hot issues. Are there more?
(There will be races for Hammond mayor, city council seats and Tangipahoa School Board in addition to races in Kentwood and Tickfaw.)
Lot requirements, recreation and traffic are just three hot issues. Are there more?
The rules of blogging...
Blogs are funny things.
They’re an interesting mix of observation, conversation, analysis, opinion, news and sometimes art.
The writer doesn’t have to be witty, nor does the topic have to be all that interesting for Internet controversy to start brewing.
Earlier this year I attended the Southeast Journalism Convention at Emory University in Decatur, Ga. Blogs, or “web logs,” were the hot topic of many sessions. I heard from college professors who analyzed the importance of blogs in modern news reporting and their pros and cons for the average web user.
Overwhelmingly, blogs were seen as a positive force. Yes, blogs were responsible for their fair share of publicizing rumor and urban legend. But they make it simple for anyone who knows how to surf the Internet to upload his or her own content. That fact alone has shifted the way
information gets to the public.
Before blogs, newspaper editors and publishers set the agenda and spread information. Now regular people can do the same thing.
But the other interesting thing about blogs are their ability to record real-time feedback from readers, who can mostly choose to remain anonymous. Sure, letters to the editor are a great way to voice your opinion, but anything you say has to be tempered by the fact that your
name is attached to it.
People get mighty brave under the guise of anonymity. I’ve read some pretty nasty things posted on blogs, and even directed toward me personally, that would never have been said to my face. But that’s the price you pay when you put your thoughts on the digital page.
My recent posts about Britney Spears on hammondstar.blogspot.com have garnered a few snide remarks. Personally, I think it’s everyone’s right to have an opinion on Spears, but a few of my readers think otherwise. I’ve gotten responses that range from, “Who the hell cares about Britney?” to “Who gives a flying flip about Britney?” So I might have been mistaken when I thought readers would care about her. If not for the blog, I might never have gotten those responses.
And there’s been a tiny bit of controversy as of late over something I want to clear up. Someone answered my “should Britney move back to Kentwood?” question with a command to become more “informed” about what our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are going through for the promise of a free education.
My columns are entertainment-related and are not about war, death and international diplomacy for a reason. The Daily Star (and for that matter, numerous Internet news sites) does a great job of reporting on those serious issues. Just because I don’t write about “serious” topics does not mean I don’t care about them.
On that same note, please keep in mind that The Daily Star does not upload everything to its website. So please do not think that just because something is not on the website that we have not included it in the paper.
So with that said, I want to invite you to enter the blogosphere. From time to time I’ll be posting some “real news” opinion questions for readers to answer. I’ve already posted a few. There’s one about about lot sizes in Tangipahoa that I wish more people would respond to since zoning is such a vital topic in our expanding parish.
And of course, there’ll be celebrity, entertainment and blogger news from me.
They’re an interesting mix of observation, conversation, analysis, opinion, news and sometimes art.
The writer doesn’t have to be witty, nor does the topic have to be all that interesting for Internet controversy to start brewing.
Earlier this year I attended the Southeast Journalism Convention at Emory University in Decatur, Ga. Blogs, or “web logs,” were the hot topic of many sessions. I heard from college professors who analyzed the importance of blogs in modern news reporting and their pros and cons for the average web user.
Overwhelmingly, blogs were seen as a positive force. Yes, blogs were responsible for their fair share of publicizing rumor and urban legend. But they make it simple for anyone who knows how to surf the Internet to upload his or her own content. That fact alone has shifted the way
information gets to the public.
Before blogs, newspaper editors and publishers set the agenda and spread information. Now regular people can do the same thing.
But the other interesting thing about blogs are their ability to record real-time feedback from readers, who can mostly choose to remain anonymous. Sure, letters to the editor are a great way to voice your opinion, but anything you say has to be tempered by the fact that your
name is attached to it.
People get mighty brave under the guise of anonymity. I’ve read some pretty nasty things posted on blogs, and even directed toward me personally, that would never have been said to my face. But that’s the price you pay when you put your thoughts on the digital page.
My recent posts about Britney Spears on hammondstar.blogspot.com have garnered a few snide remarks. Personally, I think it’s everyone’s right to have an opinion on Spears, but a few of my readers think otherwise. I’ve gotten responses that range from, “Who the hell cares about Britney?” to “Who gives a flying flip about Britney?” So I might have been mistaken when I thought readers would care about her. If not for the blog, I might never have gotten those responses.
And there’s been a tiny bit of controversy as of late over something I want to clear up. Someone answered my “should Britney move back to Kentwood?” question with a command to become more “informed” about what our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are going through for the promise of a free education.
My columns are entertainment-related and are not about war, death and international diplomacy for a reason. The Daily Star (and for that matter, numerous Internet news sites) does a great job of reporting on those serious issues. Just because I don’t write about “serious” topics does not mean I don’t care about them.
On that same note, please keep in mind that The Daily Star does not upload everything to its website. So please do not think that just because something is not on the website that we have not included it in the paper.
So with that said, I want to invite you to enter the blogosphere. From time to time I’ll be posting some “real news” opinion questions for readers to answer. I’ve already posted a few. There’s one about about lot sizes in Tangipahoa that I wish more people would respond to since zoning is such a vital topic in our expanding parish.
And of course, there’ll be celebrity, entertainment and blogger news from me.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
If you're interested in the wider blogosphere...
Try technorati.com. This site is like an index of independent blogs. There are photo and video blogs as well as blogs on just about any topic.
Have fun surfing! :)
Have fun surfing! :)
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Blogging the news from Hollyweird
I knew it was only a matter of time before I wrote a blog about a blog.
Indeed there are many enlightening, artistic and educational blogs out there in the so-called "blogosphere." Web surfers can take advantage of the opinions and insights of intellectuals and swap stories with people who share their hobbies. Public discourse is now a clickable comment away.
But I'm not here to talk about those blogs. I'm here to talk about what's really important — Hollywood gossip. And Internet bloggers have this topic covered even more thoroughly than the war in Iraq or the North Korean missile crisis.
My two favorite spots for all the weird news fit to upload are perezhilton.com and dlisted.com. (A word to parents — these sites sometimes fall on the raunchy side. And that's almost a necessity in order to report about people like Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton.)
Perez Hilton (AKA Miamian Mario Lavandeira) averages 700,000 readers on his site each day. His blog rose in popularity after he published some of the first paparazzi pictures of lovebirds Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt together. Like most other celebrity blogs, most of Hilton's information comes from weekly magazines (and he somehow manages to get the scoop before they even hit grocery store shelves).
Recent topics include the birth of actor Russell Crowe's second baby boy, a fire at Ozzy Osbourne's mansion and speculation that "Scrubs" star Zach Braff could be dating newly-single singer Jessica Simpson. Not to mention Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' mysterious baby girl Suri, who's now nearly three months old and has apparently never left Cruise's home.
There's the familiar obsession with naming celebrity couples (do Bennifer, Brangelina and TomKat ring any bells?). Hilton's readers' latest suggestion is "Minnillo BlahNick" for Simpson's ex Nick Lachey and MTV VJ Vanessa Minnillo.
Hilton also attempts (sometimes unsuccessfully) to start language trends.
His last buzzword, "peppered," roughly meaning "really cool" was quickly taunted by readers.
He's buddies with his namesake, Paris, and he also hangs out with troubled young actress Lindsay Lohan. And even though the former journalist claims everything on his site is true, his recent omission of Paris' hit-and-run accident shows where his loyalties lie. (With the money, of course.)
If you've ever wondered who that strange chubby guy was commentating on VH1 or E!, it was probably Hilton.
Then there's DListed, which is put together by New Yorker Michael K. What DListed lacks in "culture" (if you can call a pink layout and digital graffiti on paparazzi photos "culture"), it makes up in sarcasm. Michael K offers the "news" along with his no-holds-barred commentary. It's usually scathing.
DListed also features celebrity birthdays and news on films currently in production. (I learned that July 6 was both President George W. Bush and the Dalai Lama's big day, so maybe these blogs aren't totally useless.)
Michael K's nickname for Paris Hilton is "Parasite." And while he doesn't have any ties to real celebrities, I think his distance from Hollywood makes him a true celebrity observer. He's just like any one of us looking in from the outside, just with better sources. And while that might cost him a few of Hilton's sought-after "world exclusives," I think it makes him more credible.
As credible as a gossip monger can be, that is.
These days the definition of "real news" is expanding, thanks to 24/7 cable news networks, blogs and the public's apparent need to be entertained. Hilton and Michael K are only two of the hundreds of bloggers out there, and with a few clicks, anyone can join their ranks.
These men have made entire careers out of being shameless and adept at finding, stealing or creating information. It also helps that they're not afraid of being sued, but that's another blog altogether.
So go ahead and enjoy the fluffy stuff. With all the depressing things going on in the world and especially southeast Louisiana, I think we all deserve to be entertained by the news every now and then. The great thing about celebrity news is that entertainment is exactly what it's supposed to be.
Renee Allemand should not be held responsible if you actually end up liking Paris Hilton's singing voice. She gets calls at 254-7817 and e-mails at webmaster@hammondstar.com.
Indeed there are many enlightening, artistic and educational blogs out there in the so-called "blogosphere." Web surfers can take advantage of the opinions and insights of intellectuals and swap stories with people who share their hobbies. Public discourse is now a clickable comment away.
But I'm not here to talk about those blogs. I'm here to talk about what's really important — Hollywood gossip. And Internet bloggers have this topic covered even more thoroughly than the war in Iraq or the North Korean missile crisis.
My two favorite spots for all the weird news fit to upload are perezhilton.com and dlisted.com. (A word to parents — these sites sometimes fall on the raunchy side. And that's almost a necessity in order to report about people like Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton.)
Perez Hilton (AKA Miamian Mario Lavandeira) averages 700,000 readers on his site each day. His blog rose in popularity after he published some of the first paparazzi pictures of lovebirds Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt together. Like most other celebrity blogs, most of Hilton's information comes from weekly magazines (and he somehow manages to get the scoop before they even hit grocery store shelves).
Recent topics include the birth of actor Russell Crowe's second baby boy, a fire at Ozzy Osbourne's mansion and speculation that "Scrubs" star Zach Braff could be dating newly-single singer Jessica Simpson. Not to mention Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' mysterious baby girl Suri, who's now nearly three months old and has apparently never left Cruise's home.
There's the familiar obsession with naming celebrity couples (do Bennifer, Brangelina and TomKat ring any bells?). Hilton's readers' latest suggestion is "Minnillo BlahNick" for Simpson's ex Nick Lachey and MTV VJ Vanessa Minnillo.
Hilton also attempts (sometimes unsuccessfully) to start language trends.
His last buzzword, "peppered," roughly meaning "really cool" was quickly taunted by readers.
He's buddies with his namesake, Paris, and he also hangs out with troubled young actress Lindsay Lohan. And even though the former journalist claims everything on his site is true, his recent omission of Paris' hit-and-run accident shows where his loyalties lie. (With the money, of course.)
If you've ever wondered who that strange chubby guy was commentating on VH1 or E!, it was probably Hilton.
Then there's DListed, which is put together by New Yorker Michael K. What DListed lacks in "culture" (if you can call a pink layout and digital graffiti on paparazzi photos "culture"), it makes up in sarcasm. Michael K offers the "news" along with his no-holds-barred commentary. It's usually scathing.
DListed also features celebrity birthdays and news on films currently in production. (I learned that July 6 was both President George W. Bush and the Dalai Lama's big day, so maybe these blogs aren't totally useless.)
Michael K's nickname for Paris Hilton is "Parasite." And while he doesn't have any ties to real celebrities, I think his distance from Hollywood makes him a true celebrity observer. He's just like any one of us looking in from the outside, just with better sources. And while that might cost him a few of Hilton's sought-after "world exclusives," I think it makes him more credible.
As credible as a gossip monger can be, that is.
These days the definition of "real news" is expanding, thanks to 24/7 cable news networks, blogs and the public's apparent need to be entertained. Hilton and Michael K are only two of the hundreds of bloggers out there, and with a few clicks, anyone can join their ranks.
These men have made entire careers out of being shameless and adept at finding, stealing or creating information. It also helps that they're not afraid of being sued, but that's another blog altogether.
So go ahead and enjoy the fluffy stuff. With all the depressing things going on in the world and especially southeast Louisiana, I think we all deserve to be entertained by the news every now and then. The great thing about celebrity news is that entertainment is exactly what it's supposed to be.
Renee Allemand should not be held responsible if you actually end up liking Paris Hilton's singing voice. She gets calls at 254-7817 and e-mails at webmaster@hammondstar.com.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Britney Spears fights fire with fire
How do you get a celebrity-hungry public to stop caring about you? For Britney Spears, the best way is to pose nude in a national fashion magazine.
Since Spears’ June 15 interview with Matt Lauer on NBC’s “Dateline,” columnists around the world have weighed in on Spears’ finer points. There was her straw-like hair, her malfunctioning fake eyelash, her see-through maternity top and her horrid denim miniskirt. It’s easy to make fun of her; that’s been established.
It’s been reported that neither of Spears’ publicists (or stylists) were present before or during the interview, and we saw the results. The Kentwood native called herself “country” in what might be construed as an insult to this area.
Being “country” doesn’t give someone a pass to endanger his or her baby by ignoring child safety seat laws. But even if she doesn’t adhere to that reasoning, she’s got to realize that traveling on a rural road in Kentwood is worlds different than zooming around on a Los Angeles freeway.
She’s under a lot of scrutiny, and she’s right — any normal person probably wouldn’t have had to deal with a negative public backlash over supposed baby blunders. But then again, normal people don’t have nude spreads in magazines.
According to a poll conducted by US Weekly, 87 percent of respondents said they had actually lost respect for Spears since her much-hyped interview.
So Spears apparently went into image makeoverdrive. The cover of Harper’s Bazaar shows a black-haired, airbrushed and beaming Spears wearing nothing but an exquisite jeweled necklace. The images are a far cry from the interview, which saw Spears breaking down in tears and begging to be left alone.
But poor Britney is pleading into deaf ears. As long as gossip magazines continue to thrive on pictures and rumors, the paparazzi will never leave her alone. There’s simply too much money to be made.
And now, with the nude photos and another set of pictures she sold to OK! magazine, Spears is fueling the very fire that consumes her. If she wants to be out of magazines, why on earth would she consent to appear in them?
It was the same situation after her 2004 marriage to wannabe-rapper Kevin Federline. She wanted to be left alone, but somehow found it within herself to air “Chaotic,” a reality show mostly composed of Spears walking around with a camcorder during the early weeks of her canceled Onyx Hotel Tour.
There’s got to be a point where Spears just throws up her hands in this battle. Rumors and lies, if that’s what they are, will catch up to those who spread them. The American public, as celebrity-crazed as it is, isn’t stupid.
Spears apparently just gave up her faith in Kabbalah, but I think a belief in karma would suit her better.
In her attempt at damage-control, Spears is only damaging herself more. Forget image, forget record sales, forget celebrity ... if leading a low-key life is what will make her happy, then she should go for it and never look back.
Or maybe her all-encompassing celebrity status will keep her from achieving that.
Either way, Spears needs to start dousing her life’s flames. Inviting more media attention isn’t the way to do it.
Renee Allemand receives e-mail at webmaster@hammondstar.com and voice mail at 254-7817.
Since Spears’ June 15 interview with Matt Lauer on NBC’s “Dateline,” columnists around the world have weighed in on Spears’ finer points. There was her straw-like hair, her malfunctioning fake eyelash, her see-through maternity top and her horrid denim miniskirt. It’s easy to make fun of her; that’s been established.
It’s been reported that neither of Spears’ publicists (or stylists) were present before or during the interview, and we saw the results. The Kentwood native called herself “country” in what might be construed as an insult to this area.
Being “country” doesn’t give someone a pass to endanger his or her baby by ignoring child safety seat laws. But even if she doesn’t adhere to that reasoning, she’s got to realize that traveling on a rural road in Kentwood is worlds different than zooming around on a Los Angeles freeway.
She’s under a lot of scrutiny, and she’s right — any normal person probably wouldn’t have had to deal with a negative public backlash over supposed baby blunders. But then again, normal people don’t have nude spreads in magazines.
According to a poll conducted by US Weekly, 87 percent of respondents said they had actually lost respect for Spears since her much-hyped interview.
So Spears apparently went into image makeoverdrive. The cover of Harper’s Bazaar shows a black-haired, airbrushed and beaming Spears wearing nothing but an exquisite jeweled necklace. The images are a far cry from the interview, which saw Spears breaking down in tears and begging to be left alone.
But poor Britney is pleading into deaf ears. As long as gossip magazines continue to thrive on pictures and rumors, the paparazzi will never leave her alone. There’s simply too much money to be made.
And now, with the nude photos and another set of pictures she sold to OK! magazine, Spears is fueling the very fire that consumes her. If she wants to be out of magazines, why on earth would she consent to appear in them?
It was the same situation after her 2004 marriage to wannabe-rapper Kevin Federline. She wanted to be left alone, but somehow found it within herself to air “Chaotic,” a reality show mostly composed of Spears walking around with a camcorder during the early weeks of her canceled Onyx Hotel Tour.
There’s got to be a point where Spears just throws up her hands in this battle. Rumors and lies, if that’s what they are, will catch up to those who spread them. The American public, as celebrity-crazed as it is, isn’t stupid.
Spears apparently just gave up her faith in Kabbalah, but I think a belief in karma would suit her better.
In her attempt at damage-control, Spears is only damaging herself more. Forget image, forget record sales, forget celebrity ... if leading a low-key life is what will make her happy, then she should go for it and never look back.
Or maybe her all-encompassing celebrity status will keep her from achieving that.
Either way, Spears needs to start dousing her life’s flames. Inviting more media attention isn’t the way to do it.
Renee Allemand receives e-mail at webmaster@hammondstar.com and voice mail at 254-7817.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Restaurant's new owners won't accept gift certificates
By John E. Schott
In December of last year, I purchased some gift certificates from (a local restaurant). Last Friday night, I went to (the restaurant now operating under new ownership) and was informed by the owner that my gift certificates would not be honored.
The owner explained to me that when they opened, they were honoring the (previous restaurant’s) gift certificates. However, as time went on, too many certificates were showing up and he decided to no longer honor them.
He went on to say that the gift certificates were discussed when the business changed hands but he has now made a decision to cut his losses by no longer taking the certificates. To me, his accountant made a huge error by not including these gift certificates as another liability on the books and include them in the transaction.
At this point, I think the certificates should be honored as a cost of doing business as opposed to the negative good will that will be generated by not taking them.
The owner tried to put the blame on the previous owner and said I needed to take up my issue with him. I have made several attempts to contact him without success. Individually, it’s not much money, but collectively, it is several thousand dollars outstanding with small consumers like me.
Needless to say, my family and I did not eat there but proceed to (a chain restaurant) instead. We were not in the mood to give any locals our business.
If anyone has any suggestions on how to recover my losses and as a public service to others in my shoes, please advise The Daily Star blog at www.hammondstar.com or me at my e-mail address, johneschott@hotmail.com.
— John E. Schott, Tickfaw
In December of last year, I purchased some gift certificates from (a local restaurant). Last Friday night, I went to (the restaurant now operating under new ownership) and was informed by the owner that my gift certificates would not be honored.
The owner explained to me that when they opened, they were honoring the (previous restaurant’s) gift certificates. However, as time went on, too many certificates were showing up and he decided to no longer honor them.
He went on to say that the gift certificates were discussed when the business changed hands but he has now made a decision to cut his losses by no longer taking the certificates. To me, his accountant made a huge error by not including these gift certificates as another liability on the books and include them in the transaction.
At this point, I think the certificates should be honored as a cost of doing business as opposed to the negative good will that will be generated by not taking them.
The owner tried to put the blame on the previous owner and said I needed to take up my issue with him. I have made several attempts to contact him without success. Individually, it’s not much money, but collectively, it is several thousand dollars outstanding with small consumers like me.
Needless to say, my family and I did not eat there but proceed to (a chain restaurant) instead. We were not in the mood to give any locals our business.
If anyone has any suggestions on how to recover my losses and as a public service to others in my shoes, please advise The Daily Star blog at www.hammondstar.com or me at my e-mail address, johneschott@hotmail.com.
— John E. Schott, Tickfaw
Should Britney move back to Kentwood?
An article in In Touch magazine claims that Britney Spears is moving back to her hometown of Kentwood. However, her publicist denies the report.
What do you think? Should Britney move back to Kentwood? Would it help with her problems with the paparazzi, or would it just turn Kentwood into a photographer's paradise?
What do you think? Should Britney move back to Kentwood? Would it help with her problems with the paparazzi, or would it just turn Kentwood into a photographer's paradise?
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