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PEOPLE ARCHIVES -- MARCH 2010
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MARCH 22, 2010 -- MARCH 28, 2010 THIS WEEK: CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR TAKES A SEAT AT THE ROUND TABLE
Smartest move ABC has made in a long time! Amanpour is a true citizen of the world, born in England (mother a Christian), lived in Iran (father a Shiite Muslim), educated in England and the USA, married to James Rubin (Jewish) and traveled the world. Because she deals with FACTS the conservative comments here call her a leftist, a Muslim sympathizer (is there really something wrong with that?) and partisan in her politics, as if they aren't partisans. Christiane's reporting has always represented the best in journalism (summa laude from Rhode Island). As to her being a foreign correspondent, its about time we American get out of our shell and realize we are not the whole world, and Christiane will help us see this. She will help us understand how we are connected to the other peoples of the world as she has so admirably in the past. Read the article ABC NEWS/Christiane Amanpour named This Week anchor <> While I agree that Christianne is the most credible journalist in the international news arena I do have some trepidation that she can woo the masses on This Week as we have seldom seen her cover domestic issues. My sincerest hope is that she ushers back into mainstream networks a return to insightful and balanced journalistic reporting that will bring the world together through understanding and compassion. As a mid Fifties male I always made a point of watching her specials on CNN whenever I found out about them. I would encourage ABC executives to make her a senior reporter and give her wide latitude rather than pidgeon hole her in this position. In any case, they can put ABC News on top with her if they play this one right...... Read the article ABC NEWS/Christiane Amanpour named This Week anchor
MARCH 15, 2010 -- MARCH 21, 2010 "DEVIL IS IN THE VATICAN," SAYS CHIEF EXORCIST FATHER GABRIELE AMORTH
I was a seminarian in the mid 1970's in NY, so I may have some insight into The Church. Exorcists are rarely "showboats." They typically are extremely hypersensitive and intuitive to the "human experience." They are able, to one degree or another, to read or see-into the hearts of others. They know evil and ego when they see it. I am quite sure they have seen it at work in the lowest priest to the most celebrated arch bishop. Read the article U.K.TIMES/Chief exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth says devil is in Vatican <> I am both a scientist and a Catholic, and have been educated in astronomy, calculus, statistics, glaciology, geology, oceanography, meteorology, geography and computers, as well as biblical principles and theology, to name just a few subjects. There are many others out there in the Catholic Church who are highly educated. We have not "parked our intelligence at the door", as is often stated by ignorant individuals. Sure, there are people who have infiltrated the Catholic Church (including the Vatican) and done their best to sabotage it, but that certainly does not diminish the fact that there are many sincere, educated, charitable people out there who try each day to make this world a better place to live in. Catholic teaching can be summarized simply as this: love the Lord and love your neighbor as yourself. For those who think so highly of themselves at the expense of everyone else, I suggest you do your homework and think first before spouting off nonsense. Read the article U.K.TIMES/Chief exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth says devil is in Vatican <> To the rationalists among us, this is merely seen as a cause for humor, or as an attempt by the Vatican to excuse itself for its own sins with the old alibi that "the devil made us do it;" but I don't think they are capable of appreciating the breath taking nature of this revelation. When Pope John Paul was days away from shaking up the Vatican banking system and exposing corruption among Cardinals, some of them American, he died a mysterious death only thirty days into his papal tenure; this man is similarly taking his life in his hands with this revelation. The power of evil is real, call it by whatever name you will; that human beings can use certain forms of ritual to submit themselves to the service of evil is no cause for humor. While I would not unnecessarily trouble the sleep of the rationalists, I'm reminded of Hamlet's lines to his rational, philosopher/companion: "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Pope's chief exorcist says devil is in the Vatican <> Those who propose the abolition of all religion find themselves in the splendid company of Hitler and Stalin, among many other visionaries. People of religion have undoubtedly contributed to human misery, suffering and abuse, but I still prefer the company of Ghandi and Theresa of Calcutta and countless others. Superstition is awful, but ignoring reality and history is just as wrong. Read the article U.K.TIMES/Chief exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth says devil is in Vatican
MARCH 8, 2010 -- MARCH 14, 2010 CORY HAIM: REQUIEM FOR A LOST BOY
I agree that Lucas was his greatest piece of acting and a great film despite itself. However, LOST BOYS was an iconic movie for those who grew up in the 80's. A young Keifer, Jason Patrick, Jamie Getz and veteran actors Edward Hermann, Dianne West and a classic from Bernard Hughes. The music, the freedom...it was all I wanted from a movie in my teens and was ahead of its time with the vampire craze of today. One can hold up Lucas without putting down Lost Boys Read the article NPR/Cory Haim dies at 38:Lucas was much more than teen idol fare. <> So sad. How many of these child stars have grown up just normal, balanced adults? Too many of them go through years of various addictions, failed relationships, problems with their parents, totally unable to adjust to 'real life'. They've been so used and abused by agents and managers, that they just seem to lose their souls. Read the article U.K. DAILY MAIL/Cory Haim found dead of "accidental drug overdose <> I don't think anyone forced the drugs on him. But since we’re pointing the finger, let's point. To his parents, who allowed him to do anything he wanted at such a young age, because I'm sure they became just as wealthy from his success. Let's point at the press/tabloids, who built him up when he was successful and knocked him down when he was on the outs. Oh, but let's point the finger at ourselves. Not only did we eat up what the tabloids serve up about Mr Haim, but we got ENTERTAINMENT from his fall. Viewers watched him suffer on The Two Coreys, yet another reality show that encourages those who suffer to exploit their faults for our pleasure. When will the world see that these Reality Shows are nothing but modern day Gladiator battles. We lust for these flawed individuals to go down. From John and Kate to Corey Haim, we want them to self destruct. Damn the consequences, damn their families&friends who are left to pick up the pieces when the show is off. He entertained us as a movie star, and he entertained us as a wounded human being. Read the article EW POPWATCH/Remembering Cory Haim THE KID STAYS OUT OF THE TOWER
There's the part of me that applauds the controllers for letting a child participate in Dad's work. More parents should do that, and how cool is it for the kid that he got to clear some jets for takeoff? Talk about firing a kid's interest in a line of work! The other part says yeah, you're absolutely right, in an emergency this could suddenly be a major problem. But how often do emergencies occur, and how quickly do they have to be resolved? Let's be realistic about the risk here. And weren't there other controllers there who could step in to handle the emergency while the station with the child was immediately cut out of the loop? So slapping those involved heavily on the wrist without any sacking is my preferred course of action too. Read the article THE ECONOMIST/Air Traffic Control: Pwepare for take-off: <> As an ex-airline pilot, and current helicopter pilot, I would like anyone to tell me how one person was put in danger by this. The father, who is a certified controller, was at his station and was in complete control if anything went wrong. So what? The father, who is proud of his job introduced his son to aviation. I know there are those out their throwing stones who have let their kids steer the car and put more people in danger. This is what is wrong with the U.S.; everything is so serious. No one can have any fun anymore. Maybe this is why kids turn to video games and real life is too much for them. Read the article FOX NEWS/Kid at JFK clears for take-off? <> With 20 years of flying Air Force jets, I guess I have some say in this. Towers, Approach, Departure and en route Air Traffic Control Centers are not places where "cutesy" things should be done. For that controller to guide his child through the process of giving clearances, he had to degrade his own situational awareness of the airfield. There's no place for that in professional aviation. Read the article FOX NEWS/Kid at JFK clears for take-off? <> I’ve been talking to ATC for 40 years. If I had heard these instructions in the kid’s voice, I’m not sure I would have thought twice about it other than “that’s nice”. These particular transmissions were not at all critical and I’m sure the parent realized that. If there had been any misunderstanding no harm would have resulted. At worst the pilots would have asked for a repeat. And, the system of readbacks works. In any case I thought the kid’s voice was definitely more understandable than the typical New York Approach controller with whom I am dealing with usually. Read the article WALL STREET JOURNAL/Child's play: A kid directing traffic in JFK's control tower
MARCH 1, 2010 -- MARCH 7, 2010 ALEXANDER HAIG, WARRIOR-DIPLOMAT WHO WEATHERED WATERGATE STORM
I served with Alexander Haig in Viet-Nam. He was my battalion commander when I served with the 1/26th Inf. of the First ID. We fought some of the bloodiest battles of the war in the 1960's. Read the article NEW YORK TIMES/Alexander M. Haig Jr,, 85, forceful aide to two presidents, dies. <> I am as lefty as they come and I too am surprised by the level of discourse... dang... there are always those who love to throw more logs in the fire... Al Haig has died. He served his country the best way he knew how. Are there people somewhere who'd love to dance on his grave? Sure, but remember that what goes around comes around. Somewhere at some point, this level of current discourse will have to give way and we'll have to get the U.S. up from its knees, where it finds itself now. We keep looking at the trees while the forest is hurting... Read the article HUFFINGTON POST/Alexander Haig dead; former Secretary of State dies <> In discussing the events of March 30, 1981 it is important to distinguish between an order of succession and a chain of command. Less exigent, but as important is the difference between what’s in the Constitution and what is statutory. Read the article WALL STREET JOURNAL/Former Secretary of State and presidential adviser, Alexamder Haig, 85, dies
What a wonderful caring woman! I found a dog running in the country last month during that bitter cold. The dog was almost dead from starvation and dehydration, and near frozen. After trying in vain to find the owner, I had him checked out at the vet, got his shots, etc.
Whoever "dropped the poor dog off in the middle of nowhere in that terrible bad weather" should be prosecuted by the law! I wish more people would just give a home to one needy pet - they would be blessed in ways they cannot imagine! Read the article KANSAS CITY STAR/House by house, 'dog lady' brings creature comforts <> Mahatma Gandhi said "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Obviously, our nation has some big problems. Thank heavens for these caring people who take care of the helpless animals who give us unconditional love and companionship for so little in return. <> A million blessings on you Kate. I couldn't do this work because people's cruelty and stupidity would make me too angry to keep my cool. There are municipalities in our country where it is illegal to tie a dog up for more than a certain length of time -- in some places as low as 15 minutes. That's plenty long enough for a dog to go potty. Exemptions are made for certain hunting dogs. Other dog laws make it illegal to restrain a dog by putting a chain around its neck. Banning pit bulls is colossally stupid and does not work. People just tie them up out of sight and neglect/abuse them, and when they are found they are immediately euthanized even if they would make someone else a great family pet. Having meaningful, felony animal cruelty laws and animal control officers with police authority does work. Read the article KANSAS CITY STAR/House by house, 'dog lady' brings creature comforts
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