Miley's Inspirational Shoot

Hey, she's in show biz - I don't care what she does to promote herself, but...
And the large but here is that her audience is pre and early teenage girls. The pics can be found in Vanity Fair. Disney Channel says that Miley Cyrus was manipulated to sell magazines. Hey, that's show biz! I'm sure she's on the Disney Channel so that kids will watch Disney Channel.
The ironic part is this quote from Miley Cyrus, "I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about."
General's apology, I should have warned you to roll up your pants - it's getting a little deep, here.

Pam: It's A Veggie Dog!

Big news from Malibu, California. Is that a picture of Pamela Anderson, PETA activist, eating a hotdog?
Seriously, folks, the actress was very upset that people would assume (from the picture) that she was actually eating a hotdog. It has been made clear that the meal in question was a veggie dog, sold at the concession stand at her sons' baseball game by the local Kiwanis Club.
We can all rest easy, now and return to our regular lives.
I'll have a beer & a dog or two and watch some play-by-play on ESPN.

Ban Truck Nutz?

I think they're creepy, not to mention tasteless. They're truck nutz. If a bunch of Florida lawmakers have their way, you'll be fined $60 if you get caught with them hanging from your tow hitch.
Only in America!
The sad thing is that some people thing that these are "cool." There's actually a web site where you can order these things - TruckNutz.com.
My official stand on this is that it's a shame that we should have to ban something that is assinine in the first place.

IRS' Snipes Hunt Ends

Wesley Snipes is a victim. A victim of bad advice & of greed. Unless he appeals the verdict, his ordeal with the IRS is over. Prosecutors said Snipes had earned more than $38 million since 1999 but still had not filed tax returns for the years 1999 through 2007 or paid any taxes prior to Thursday. He was sentenced to 36 months in jail.

The lesson here is: Don't try this, at home, boys and girls!

Maria Grazia Cucinotta

I've got this Feedjit gizmo on this blog. It's great! It tells me where my visitors are in the world and what particular post brought them to the blog. I've noticed that the top two "draws" to this site have been "Kitana Baker" and the "Deal Or No Deal Banker." Go figure? Speaking of figures, I am often asked who I think is the most beautiful woman in the world. Well, actually I'm never asked that - I just "think about it." What I'm doing here is simply spewing out text so I can surround these three pictures of Maria Grazia Cucinotta with words. This is so the pictures don't seem too gratuitous. My aim is simply to increase hits and to introduce the world to some true beauty. Yes, you are very welcome! You may remember seeing Maria in the James Bond Film, The World Is Not Enough. She plays the Cigar Girl at the beginning of the movie. Most of her work is in Italy. Why isn't she an international superstar? Because Hollywood, USA is run by wealthy gay men.

Barack's My Man!

I've been wondering who to support in the upcoming election. Hillary? McCain? Obama? Any could do the job! I was thinking that there must be something that one of the candidates had over the others. But, what could it be?
I discovered what it was! Alas, my mind is free! Kim Kardashian has thrown her support behind Barack Obama! If he's good enough for her, then he's certainly good enough for an old L7 like me!
Thank you, Kim. I've been voting for presidents for 40 years and I must admit, this time around I was a bit confused. I just wanted you to know that your help is appreciated.

Jack Faces Flack

CNN is being sued for $1.3 billion over remarks made by Jack Cafferty. The lawsuit was brought by a NYC based beautician and a Chinese elementary school teacher. The $1.3 billion amounts to one dollar per Chinese citizen - who are the alleged victims of Cafferty's remarks. Cafferty said the United States imported Chinese-made "junk with the lead paint on them and the poisoned pet food" and added: "They're basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years."
No hidden meaning, there!
I predict that he'll do the same thing he did when he was called on the carpet for calling Donald Rumsfeld a war criminal. He'll apologize and add that he still thinks that what he said was right.
The beauty of all this is that he has the right to say what he wants and we have the right to agree with him...or not!

MEGAN FOXiest

I feel that it is my duty to keep you up to date with social trends. The FHM on line poll has revealed a brand new sexiest woman of the year for 2008. She's Megan Fox. A 20 or 21 (who the hell cares) year old actress. her largest role to date was in the film, Transformers. I think she deserves at least 2 pictures on this post. By the way, the most "Googled" woman, Britney Spears was ranked #100 in this poll. Last year's winer was mommy-to-be Jessica Alba. Back to the pictures....kinda makes you believe that there is a God!

Al Wilson - R.I.P

Today, we say goodbye to Al Wilson. Al was just 68 and is remembered most for basically two songs, "Show & Tell" and "The Snake." "Show & Tell" was a #1 hit on Billboard Magazine's Hot 100 for Al in early '74. Media reports say that Al died of kidney faillure. He had been hospitalized at Fontana, Calfornia, east of Los Angeles.

Jay Thomas On "Letterman"

This is one of the funniest stories I ever heard! Radio DJ/Actor, Jay Thomas tells David Letterman an old radio story.
It helps if you are familiar with "The Lone Ranger" played by Clayton Moore. If you were ever involved with small-time radio, it would be even funnier!

Click here!

Shake, Rattle & Roll

I'm watching the early news on WPIX - CW11 out of NYC on the dish when my easy chair starts shaking. I mean, Jill Nicolini was looking good during the traffic segment, but.....
Actually it was an earthquake. It measured 5.2 and could be felt as far north as Milwaukee. This happened at 4:37AM CDT. We had another tremor about 6 hours later. No damage...just something to talk about.

Seven Wonders Of America!

ABC's "Good Morning America" has assembled a panel of experts to name the seven wonders of the United States. The series begins on May 5. I was thinking about this. What would my seven wonders of the USA be? In under 2 minutes, I came up with the following:
Wall Street - This is where personal fortunes are won and lost. The US financial markets affect the world's economy.
Washington DC - That's right, the nation's capital. Headquarters for our three branches of government. A wonder in that we are often wondering what they are thinking!
Hollywood - The entertainment capital of the world - though nothing in Hollywood is really real.
Grand Canyon - Magnificent hole in the ground, made by nature.
Las Vegas - A place in the dessert like no other place on Earth!
Niagara Falls - A lotta water. Probably a mistake of nature.
Hospitals - Any hospital, particularly a delivery room. That's where the miracle begins.

Income Tax Deatline

Today's the day! It's the deadline for filing your Federal & State income tax. It should be a paid holiday - only for tax payers! I don't mind paying tax. What I do mind is watching my tax money wasted. Wasted on politician's pet projects, wasted on lazy people who know that they will be taken care of. Wasted period. Federal, State, Local - you're all guilty of waste.
This year, there'e the economic stimulus rebate where we all get $600. We are reminded to file so we can get the money. Folks, let's take a look at this $600. Divide 600 by 52 and you get....that's right.....$11.54. $11.54 a week! If this is a lot of money to you, then you must be one of the lazy people who we are "taking care of" through various government programs.
If you want to stimulate the economy, why not lower taxes so we have more money to spend - every week?
Folks, I'm not normally a religious nut, but I can assure you that GOD is watching. He has a special place reserved for those of you who are desecrating my paycheck.

Selling Out!

You may have noticed that I added some ads to the left margin of the blog. Yes, I know, the blog is free to me (and to you) but, how shall I put this?
I like to eat. Actually, I eat everyday!
With the modest amount of traffic generated by this blog, I foresee profits from these ads allowing me to occasionally upgrade to the super sized menu at the local fast food restaurant!

More BS!

Britney spears was in another accident over the weekend. This time it was in bumper to bumper traffic on the freeway. She rear ended the car in front of her so hard that ran into the next one.
Looks like she drives as well as she sings....and acts.

Bogus Viagra Vendor Jailed!

News from Shanghai's Xinhua news agency that the general manager of a Shanghai chemical company was jailed for two years on Thursday for selling fake tablets of the male impotence drug Viagra on the Internet. I think I may have received some of his e-mail.
Yu Bohuai made a profit of over 60,000 yuan ($8,585) in 2006 and 2007 by selling 14,030 fake tablets to clients abroad and in Shanghai. He was arrested last July.
Viagra is marketed by Pfizer, the world's largest drug maker. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it to treat impotence in 1998.
There's a Pfizer plant in Terre Haute. They've had some huge layoffs, recently. There's even a rumor that the plant may close down completely. You see, we don't need any damn Viagra around here!

Miss USA

Miss USA was crowned, last night, in Vegas at the Hard Rock Cafe & Casino. She's Crystle Stewart, of Missouri City, Texas. She runs a party-planning and motivational speaking company, and models professionally.
My guess is that the value of stock in her company has recently jumped.
I'm not much on Beauty Pageants. I've judged a couple, on the county level. This can be a difficult job - almost impossible. Miss USA is judged on Swimsuit, Evening Gown and Interview categories.
In Terre Haute, we missed the first 15 minutes of the show as it was pre-empted by live coverage of Barack Obama who was speaking at the Terre Haute North High School Gym. Fascinating guy - he showed up on time, painted a wonderful word picture filled with ideas and promises and left, on time. Then we were switched to Miss USA.
Two different forms of fantasy.

Gumbel Gone From NFL Network

For the past two years Bryant Gumbel has been teamed up with Chris Collinsworth on the NFL Network. It was announced today that Gumbel is no longer going to be doing games. It sounds like he was canned. NFL Network says they are immediately searching for a new play-by-play guy. Gumbel has a reputation for being, uh...er...difficult to work with. Perhaps his difficulty has finally surpassed his popularity.
No reason to be sad for the guy. I'm sure he'll surface, somewhere.

Taxes Done At The Pub!

Yes, in a world of multitasking, you can now get your taxes prepared as you enjoy a cold one at your local tavern - in Hoboken, N.J. This is the brainstorm of CPA Carmine Sodora. Since 2005, he's been setting up shop in area taverns, during the ten weeks leading up to the tax deadline. He even has a website.
I wonder if this would work for dentistry.....Greg?

Mischa Cops A Plea

Let's just say a guy like me get's caught driving under the influence, with some marijuana in my possession and without a driver's license. I'd be cooked - history!
Well let's take a look at the latest chapter of L.A. Celebrity Justice, shall we? Actress Mischa Barton, who starred on the television drama "The O.C.," was sentenced on Thursday to three years probation and ordered into an alcohol education program after she pleaded no contest to drunken driving.
As part of the plea deal, which spared the London-born actress any jail time, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a marijuana possession charge and reduced a charge of driving without a license to an infraction, a court official said. She was fined $2,000 which, for people like her, is about 37 cents.

I'm impressed!

Clinton In Clinton

President Bill Clinton is scheculed to visit Clinton, Indiana, tomorrow. If you're not from around here, you may not know about Clinton, Indiana. It's a nice clean little town with a population of a little over 5,000. That's right, 5,000 people!
Clinton, the city, is not known for great wealth. According to the 2000 census, males had a median income of $28,294 versus $22,927 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,601.
So why the hell would Clinton come to Clinton? The answer: votes. Indiana is having its primary in May. Usually Indiana's May primary is no big deal because the presidential candidates are already selected by that time. Not this year...
That's why Hillary came to Terre Haute in March, Chelsea in April and now Bill will be in Clinton tomorrow.

It's been more than 25 years since a presidential candidate has visited this area. Now we're important! Now they love us! We've got what they need!
Bottomline:
1. Either Hillary or Obama could win, the race is that close.
2. Hillary really, really, really wants to win this one.

Me? Well, those who know me will not be surprised when I say that there is nothing lower on this earth than a draft dodger. If my dad's generation were like you, Mr. Bill, we'd all be goosestepping. And we sure as hell wouldn't be speaking English!
I wish they'd leave us alone. I vote in Illinois!

Secret Gets Dumped

Secret Talent Of The Stars was apparently a secret that nobody cared about. The show first aired last night on CBS and was cancelled this morning. Could it have been worse?
I confess - I missed it! Mrs. General Tom & I were watching reruns of Becker on WGN - good stuff. Sad to say, we missed Star Trek's George Takei singing "On The Road Again," Clint Black doing stand up comedy and Mya tap dancing. The show drew 4.6 million viewers, many of whom tuned out before the show was over. An audience of 10 million probably would have kept the show from being cancelled. American Idol consistantly reaches 30+ million people.
Back to the folks at CBS, shouldn't someone get fired? Like the guy who ultimately approved the scheduling of "Secret Talent Of The Stars?" You would think that CBS would've tested the show among some "real people."

Dumb, dumb, dumb.

You know, this makes the investment in a new High Defination Television Set a little less important.

BA: No To Naomi

Following her recent tiff, Naomi Campbell has received a lifetime ban from British Airways. The word from the airline, "All incidents of abusive or disruptive behavior towards fellow passengers or staff are taken extremely seriously and will not be tolerated," adding that it was policy not to specifically comment on individual passengers. This was sparked over some "missing luggage." We've all had misplaced luggage, but I guess we're not all as special as Naomi.
Lesson: If you're going to pitch a fit, don't do it on an airplane or in an airport. And if you are mad enough to spit, make sure that a cop is not standing in front of you!

Writer Shade Of Pale

Yes, I remember during the Summer of '67, back in Bayville, New York, sitting outside at night trying to explain the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" to my girlfriend. Well, I still don't understand what the song says, but we finally found out who (legally) wrote the song. It was Gary Brooker, lead singer and founder of Procol Harum. While much of the song is based on Johann Sebastian Bach's works including "Air on a G String," Brooker wrote the haunting organ intro. This ends a long time legal battle with Matthew Fisher, a musician who was with Procol Harum when the song was recorded. He claims that his creative influence at the time of the song's recording should make him co-writer. The song sold more than 10 million copies. At stake was about $2 million in royalties. Two years ago, Fisher won a lower court ruling which said he was co-author.
In today's ruling, the judge said that, while Fisher should be credited with co-authorship of the seminal track, the fact that it took him 38 years to take the case to court meant he should not benefit financially.
If I were the judge, I would have given the judgement to whoever could tell me what Keith Reid meant when he wrote, "...one of 16 vestal virgins who were leaving for the coast...?"

Great song!
Link to 1967 performance.

Link to 2007 live performance.

Link to a live performance with the "missing verse."

Idol Prediction

This is my first season of watching American Idol. I know, let me explain. I've never viewed myself as a slave to fashion or popularity. Just because everyone is watching a particular show, well,it doesn't necessarily mean anything to me.

The contestants on Idol are all talented. I could see each of them becoming successful in the music business. For this reason, it doesn't really matter who wins! Each has already been recognized!
With this in mind, my pick for the winner of the competition is Michael Johns. The guy can sing anything and he's not afraid to take chances while performing.
I may be wrong.....there's a first time for everything!

Mills To Judge Miss USA

Sir Paul McCartney's recent ex has been chosen to help judge the April 11 finals of the Miss USA Pageant. I guess she needs the money...or the attention. Other judges include: actor/comedian Rob Schneider, actor/musician Joey Fatone, actress Kristian Alfonso, Olympic-champion swimmer Amanda Beard, actress Kelly Carlson and San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman. Donny and Marie Osmond (remember them?) will host the telecast of the 57th annual pageant, aired live from 'Vegas on NBC. Contestants from 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in the swimsuit, evening gown and interview categories. The Miss USA show is owned by Donald Trump. If I were producing the show, I'd pick judges like, Eliot Spitzer, Bill Clinton, Hugh Grant, Hugh Hefner, Ellen DeGeneres - you know, people like that. My choice for host? Howie Mandel, of course.

A-Rod Wins!

Division title? League Pennant? World Series? Thay're all not important! When it comes to bringing home the bacon, Alex Rodriquez is the top bananna! This year he'll gross $28 million. Tossing around million dollar salary figures is nothig new in Major League Baseball. But, compare A-Rod's $28 million to the mere $21.8 million shared be ALL 33 players on the Florida Marlins opening-day roster + their players on the disabled list!
Some people see this as being obscene. Other's say that he's worth every penny because of the profit generated by his playing in the nation's largest market.
I'd rather see big money go to people who actually create jobs, cure diseases - you know, important stuff.
The equalizer, here, is that when you play in NY, if you don't produce, the fans let you know. I remember Roger Maris getting booed in 1961. He ended up with the season record of 61 home runs that year! If Rodriquez doesn't have a $28,000,000 year, the fans will remind him!

Miss Bimbo

Miss Bimbo. You won't believe this! Miss Bimbo is an on-line internet game, popular in Great Britan and France, where 9-15 year old girls compete. Each girl gets an avatar and is responsible for feeding and grooming her to become the hottest and most fashionable bimbo. There's a scoring system involved. The game is free, for starters. If you're not doing well, you can buy points.
Parents are not excited about the popularity of Miss Bimbo.

I think this one looks real swell. Dignified with the necktie, yet sort of playful at the same time!

I'm surprised that Paris or Britney didn't come up with this idea, first.

Allen Sues

Woody Allen on Monday sued American Apparel Inc, claiming the U.S. clothing company used his image in advertising on billboards and the Internet without his consent or compensation. This is not a recent thing. The billboard that you see, here, was erected in the spring of 2007. It's from "Annie Hall." The caption reads "Exalted Rabbi" or "Most Holy Rabbi." Also, note that the billboard is on "Allen St." in NYC. I wonder how this will sell tube socks? Woody should be glad to have his mug plastered in public. After all, his star is not shining as it once was!