Death at the home of actor Ving Rhames

Here's a sad and scary story. A man who worked for actor Ving Rhames was mauled to death by the actor's dogs. The actor has bragged to several magazines in the past about owning eight mastiffs. Pretty scary stuff.

Clinton and Obama in the Playground

Here's a nice and telling article from The New York Times about the relationship between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. In fact, this article goes very well with the political cartoon that Leah posted below. The article discusses how the two, once friendly to each other senators, now barely speak and try to avoid contact but watch each other very carefully. It also compares the Senate floor to a playground. Here is an excerpt:

Mrs. Clinton, of New York, and Senator Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut came first, laughing and smiling as they made their way to the Democratic side of the aisle. A few paces behind was Senator Joseph R. Biden of Delaware, who quickly joined the other two in a light moment. (Earlier, Mrs. Clinton and Senator John McCain , an Arizona Republican, had been trading warm banter near the front of the Senate floor, which takes on the air of a schoolyard during marathon voting sessions like these.)

Mr. Obama entered the Senate floor alone. He glanced at the other three, pulled out his Blackberry and paused for a few seconds before walking to the third row and taking a seat next to three freshman senators. As the evening passed, Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton each spoke with several Republicans in the room and to nearly every Democrat -- except each other.

It has got to be awkward for those two! Their schedules are so similar that they really can't avoid each other. Nice to see that Hillary, Joe, and Chris can still chill together on the Senate floor!

Mudslingers

By Daryl Cagle at MSNBC

While both candidates have their strengths and weaknesses, I've been particularly underwhelmed by Hillary and Barack recently. In this case, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Obama Vs. Pakistan

This continues my series on why Senator Barack Obama is NOT ready to be president and why my candidate, Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton, is. Also, I'll pretty much take anyone of the Democrats except for Obama. Okay...so maybe I'd leave Gravel and Kucinich as well but, at least, I give them credit for being more real.

Senator Obama has made more reckless remarks regarding how the U.S. should withdraw its troops from Iraq and stick them in Afghanistan and Pakistan to deal with terrorists. I'm sorry Senator but it is too soon to talk about taking our troops out just to stick them somewhere else. A big reason we want the war in Iraq to end is because we want our troops to come home and not to be thrown into another unneccessary war with no end in sight. There are other ways to hunt down Bin Laden then to throw us into another conflict. Hillary Clinton was right when she called Barack Obama's answer regarding meeting with the "bad" world leaders "naive" and "irresponsible." Here is a snippet of how Pakistan feels after Obama's comments from the Associated Press and posted at Hillaryis44.

Pakistan criticized U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama on Friday for saying that, if elected, he might order unilateral military strikes against terrorists hiding in this Islamic country. Top Pakistan officials said Obama’s comment was irresponsible and likely made for political gain in the race for the Democratic nomination. “It’s a very irresponsible statement, that’s all I can say,” Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khusheed Kasuri told AP Television News. “As the election campaign in America is heating up we would not like American candidates to fight their elections and contest elections at our expense.”

Obama said in a speech Wednesday that as president he would order military action against terrorists in Pakistan’s tribal region bordering Afghanistan if intelligence warranted it. The comment provoked anger in Pakistan, a key ally of the United States in its war on terror.

President Bush has worsened our relationships with countries ALL over the world and it is most definitely the worst in the Middle East and southwestern Asia. Pakistan is actually an ALLY of the US right now so please don't isolate them and threaten them with blanket statements about nuclear weapons and war. Other Democratic presidential candidates including Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, who is perhaps the most experienced in foreign policy having sat on the foreign relations committee, and Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut have called Obama out for his comments and Biden has echoed Clinton's call of Obama as naive. Obama stated he wanted to meet with our enemies...wonderful...all the Democratic candidates are for more diplomacy so your little tiff against Hillary Clinton was stupid and unneccessary for both campaigns. However, don't push countries that are not our enemies further and further away. Obama has the rock star quality and I feel that's why he chose to run...because he's very much enjoying the attention and popularity that comes with power. His comments are showing me more and more that he is not ready to lead this country. A few days ago Obama said how, out of all the candidates Democrat and Republican, he had the best and most foreign policy experience because he has lived oversees and has family overseas. NEWSFLASH...Obama lived oversees for FOUR years when he was SIX years old. Give me a break Obama, why don't you take a back seat and let your staffer David Axelrod run for the presidency because he is clearly more experienced than you. And fyi...if you want to distance yourself from George W. Bush...then think before you speak and don't start throwing stuff out there for political gain.

Yearly Kos

Although many of the Democratic candidates, particularly all the frontrunners, are attending the Yearly Kos convention, a lollapalooza for bloggers, media, and party activists, it's clear Hillary is making some serious efforts to garner some blogger love. True, Daily Kos likes to hate on her (Daily Kos, though often filled interesting info and honest, relevant analysis, can be haters) and yet, here she is, defending them against Bill O'Reilly's scathing remarks about daily kos.

Besides her quick response to O'Reilly and generous remarks about kos, she's continued her blog-love efforts with this, rearranging her schedule completely in order to participate in Yearly Kos's small, break out sessions with the candidates. Even though she had already made it clear that she couldn't make the sessions due to scheduling issues (not the Rudy/Romney -let's-avoid-real-questions-from-Americans-incl-snowmen kind of scheduling issues) she's recognizing the importance the netroots have on campaigns. Interestingly, while we think of the net as only young people, almost 40% of fbook users are over the age of 35, 46% of myspace users are over 35 yrs, and more than half of youtube users are 35 yr to 64 yr (comScore). Clinton can reach out to us collegiates, and Grandma, all at the same time.

Slow news day

Three way tie in Iowa, big snafu, Hil's still got it locked up in New Hampshire. Granite state loves her as much as I do!

Since Congress is supposed to be in their mandatory 30 day recess, I thought today was going to be a slow news day (I hate that there's no Hotline today). But, alas, those crazy kids up on the Hill just can't get it together, and serves them right. Republicans walked out of the House last night because the Dems supposedly weren't playing nice with their procedural vote. Anyways, on the upside, at least we passed SCHIP! Or some tangled, variations of it. Strong support in the Senate, a uh, slightly, marked up version from the House. SCHIP, the State Children's Health Insurance Plan, is due to expire in September. So it's up for reauthorization. Championed by a bipartisan team, it helps cover those families and children who don't qualify for Medicaid, but can't afford health insurance. Somehow the Bush administration thinks this is a bad thing, and are threatening to veto. *Cue sad music.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Jotts_Sab

Yes, Bush, you don't want to help these children. For shame.

In other news, though this is very outdated, I've recently found out that Bush endearingly refers to Karl Rove as a "turd blossom." Well, that makes two of us. Although Bush thinks it's cute, Wikipedia says:

Turd blossom' was used in 1960s Texas high school slang to describe the spreading smell of a fart, or the spreading stain of a loose bowel movement. Neither Rove nor George W. Bush attended high school in Texas, and they may have been unfamiliar with the original use of the word. 'Fart blossom' was a common variant.

2008 just can't come fast enough, now can it?

Three-Way In Iowa

It's a three-way tie in Iowa for the Democrats. According to Political Wire:

Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama and John Edwards are in a virtual tie for first place in Iowa, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. The survey found Obama had 27% support, followed by Clinton and Edwards tied at 26%. Gov. Bill Richardson was fourth with 11%."

While Clinton has a clear and consistent lead over Obama in national polls, with Edwards generally running a distant third, the contours of the campaign in Iowa appear far different. Edwards's strong base of support, built on the foundations of his second-place finish in the state's precinct caucuses in 2004, has turned Iowa into the most competitive early state for the Democratic field."

I have a feeling in the end John Edwards might win in Iowa. He needs the win to have a chance. Hopefully, Hillary Clinton will do some major Iowa campaigning in the Fall and take over both Edwards and Obama.

Movie Trailer: Rendition

Here is the new trailer for the film Rendition. This political thriller has a stellar cast including Academy Award winners Reese Witherspoon, Alan Arkin, and the always amazing Meryl Streep. Also starring are Jake Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard. I hope this movie isn't just a whole bunch of big names shoved into a terrible film. Rendition hits theaters this Fall.

Check out the trailer here.

Pollspot: Hillary and Rudy On The Rise

According to Political Wire:

A new Pew Research poll shows Sen. Hillary Clinton leading the Democratic presidential race with 40%, followed by Sen. Barack Obama at 21%, Al Gore at 12% and John Edwards at 11%.

On the Republican side, Rudy Giuliani leads with 28%, followed by Fred Thompson at 17%, Sen. John McCain at 16% and Mitt Romney at 10%.Key findings:

"Clinton has doubled her margin over Obama since the last Pew Research Center poll in April, making gains among younger voters and Democratic-leaning independents who have been a source of strength for Obama. Giuliani and McCain have seen their support fall since April, but Thompson has nearly doubled his strength. Fifty-three percent of Republicans say they want the party's nominee to take a different direction on Iraq than President Bush."

Hillary and Obama are squaring off this week over nuclear weapons. Obama said yesterday that we should pull troops out of Iraq and stick them in Afghanistan and Pakistan to deal with Al-Qaeda. Looks like someone is trying to appear more hawkish and more experienced than he actually is.

Bourne is Back!

Matt Damon is back for the third time as Jason Bourne this weekend in The Bourne Ultimatum. So far, the movie is receiving much critical praise and is currently 92% Fresh at Rotten Tomatoes with 34 Fresh and 3 Rotten so far. I'm definitely planning on checking this film out. The first film, The Bourne Identity, is one of my favorite films.

Bridge Collapse Kills 5

Another tragic story as an interstate bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota collapsed into the Mississippi River. So far 5 people have been killed. Let's hope that number does not increase. A link to the full story can be found here. Image courtesy of ABC News and the Associated Press.

What Whoopi Means For The View

As announced earlier today, Whoopi Goldberg was named the new moderator at The View. Whoopi is a great addition to the panel and I'm saddened I will not be in the US when the Oscar/Tony/Emmy/Grammy award winner takes the seat once held by Meredith Vierra and Rosie O'Donnell. The comedienne's inclusion as moderator will serve the show quite well. Whoopi Goldberg is a big name star and while she is not known for being as controversial as the former Queen of Nice Rosie O'Donnell...she doesn't come completely without baggage. Weight Watchers fired her as a spokesperson in 2004 after Whoopi criticized President Bush. Goldberg is outspoken and she'll fit in well. However, unless she really steps it up, The View shouldn't expect to see ratings as high as they were when Rosie was famously feuding with everyone from Donald Trump, Kelly Ripa, and, of course, panelist Elizabeth Hasselbeck. On choosing Goldberg, Barbara Walters probably did not want a repeat of last year, which most definitely must have caused the legendary broadcast journalist some serious stress, so Whoopi is a perfect choice as a big name who won't stir the pot as vigorously as Rosie did. Not to cause Ms. Walters more agita, I hope Whoopi does push the limits and speak her mind very loudly. While I have always been a fan of the show, Rosie O'Donnell made the show relevant and newsworthy. Rosie helped panelist Joy Behar step up her game as well and Behar's passion has really shone through since Rosie joined (and now exited) the panel. The View cannot take a step backward.

Now The View has typically had five people on the panel. Barbara Walters did not do the show daily when the panel had five women. With Star Jones Reynold's abrupt departure last year after ABC did not renew her contract and O'Donnel's departure, Barbara Walters has rarely missed a day. She especially has not missed a day since O'Donnell left because that would leave Joy and Elizabeth alone with a guest host and, more importantly, the guest hosts have been serving as auditions to permanently fill the vacated seat. The most frequent guest host this past year has been comedienne Sherri Shepherd. Shepherd is hilarious and definitely a great guest host when she fills in. Her chemistry with the other hosts has been spot-on and Sherri even tried to squash the fight between Rosie and Elizabeth, which Barbara must have approved of, that led to O'Donnell's early exit. Insiders were already leaking information that Sherri Shepherd had been offered a spot on the panel alongside Whoopi Goldberg and that negotiations had started.

However, today saw the announcement of only Whoopi Goldberg as moderator. There was no mention of the other empty seat. No offense to Sherri Shepherd, but they wouldn't announce a big name like Whoopi Goldberg before they announced Sherri Shepherd as a new panelist. Therefore, I have the feeling things maybe did not go as planned for producers and we aren't going to see a colorful and comic (Shepherd's addition would make for three comedians on the panel) group come Labor Day. Now, reports and rumors are being circulated that negotiations with Shepherd fell through and she will not be joining the panel permanently. Sources say that Shepherd was asking for $2 million and that the show was not willing to give her that. Goldberg's salary is reportedly going to be $2 million and, clearly, Whoopi is a much bigger and known name than Sherri Shepherd so I think Shepherd asking for $2 million is a bit outrageous and I don't know why she thought they would pay her that much. I doubt that even Joy Behar (who's been with the show since the beginning) and Elizabeth Hasselbeck get paid that much. Who knows? This is all a bit of rumors for now and come Fall, the panel may very well include Sherri Shepherd. If they choose to go with someone else my vote goes to Kathy Griffin, who would really make the show catch fire and the combination of her and Whoopi would make the show skyrocket in the ratings department. Kathy, though named a front-runner, seems like a long shot to me since Barbara Walters does not seem to be a fan of the outrageous My Life on the D-List red-head at all. But who knows if Barbara will put aside her distaste for some stellar ratings. Sherri Shepherd...I love you girl but let's all move aside for Miss Kathy Griffin. All in all, we should be in for a fun ride once The View starts its next season in September.

Pollspot: Hillary Moves On Up

While national polls do not matter as much as individual state polls, they still provide a lot of insight. Here's a new poll courtesy of Political Wire:

Sen. Hillary Clinton opened a 21-point edge over her closest contender, Sen. Barack Obama, leading him 43% to 22% in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. John Edwards is third with 13% support.

Key finding: "Clinton has earned high marks for experience and benefited from stepped-up antiwar moves in recent months."

21 point lead sounds good to me. Let's shut this thing down and win Hillary!

Whoopi Joins The View

Whoopi Goldberg was officially announced as the new moderator for The View today by Barbara Walters. The hilarious comedienne is taking the spot of Rosie O'Donnell and which once belonged to Today's Meredith Vierra. Walters did not name who would fill the spot vacated by Star Jones Reynolds. Many believe that spot will soon go to Sherri Shepherd.

Starbucks Raises Prices

So it's a hot summer day in the middle of July and your eye catches the shimmering green letters on the facade of a small, chic coffee shop. Just simply reading what these magical letters spell out sends a refreshing and fulfilling feeling to your body and soul. You gaze into the oh-so-familiar circular logo, with a woman in the middle surrounded by the words, "STARBUCKS COFFEE," and your car immediately changes directions to the adjacent parking lot.

You walk in smelling the sensational essence of a variety of coffee brews, while taking in the calm and collective ambiance. A feeling of sophistication and relaxation floods your mind as you watch people type away at their laptops or engage in a vibrant conversation, only getting you closer to order your favorite drink.

How about a java chip frappuccino? Maybe a light, chai tea? Tall? Grande? So many choices - all very delicious.

Yet today is different.

The register rings up not your familiar price for your delicious drink, but a price much higher than what you expected. Can this be true? Well in fact it is.

As of July 31st 2007, the company, Starbucks, has increased their prices on their well known coffee beverages and everyone is asking why.

According to The Seattle Times:

...caffeine addicts will pay an average 9 cents more for a cup of coffee at Starbucks, partly because of the rising price of the milk and whipped cream.

The increase was unexpected, given how infrequently the Seattle chain has raised prices. The last increase, which averaged a nickel, came less than 10 months ago.

Before that, Starbucks hadn't raised prices since an 11-cent increase in 2004.

The company cited rising prices "inside the supply chain," including higher dairy, fuel and energy expenses.

Dairy costs, in particular, have hurt several of the nation's largest food companies in recent months.

Indeed, it is the rising dairy costs that have contributed to such a rise in Starbucks coffee prices. Many "regular" customers may not enjoy the recent increase (perhaps remembering the good ol' days when buying your favorite coffee-infused beverage seemed like such a good deal), but will most likely continue to purchase their reliable source to stay awake at the office. However, there are many who believe such an action to be outrageous.

Having enjoyed a beverage or two from Starbucks myself, I have to admit that such a price increase did raise my attention. However, I don't feel that Starbucks will lose many of its followers and will continue to thrive as one of the most recognized coffee shops in the world.

US Deaths Down

According the Associated Press and MSNBC, the month of July saw the lowest American death toll (73) in the Iraq war in 8 months. However, that toll is nearly twice as high as in the same month last year.

A link to the full article can be found here.

While this is most definitely good news, 73 deaths is still far too many. End the war. Bring our troops home. That's all I have to say.

Nicole Richie: Eating For Two

Nicole Richie has FINALLY confirmed to Diane Sawyer that she is FOUR months pregnant. The father is Joel Madden of Good Charlotte, who last dated Hilary Duff. This comes days after Nicole was sentenced to spend FOUR days in jail. Is FOUR her lucky number?

Because it's just too damn funny...

Watch as this reporter makes broadcast journalists cringe in the WORST interview ever. Watch the first minute and then fast forward to the last minute where homegirl even messes up which network she works for.

Pollspot: Obama Moves Up

Rich will be pleased with these polls. I, of course, think these new polls are abysmal. I guess all the drama following the Democratic debate was good for Obama who, in my opinion, performed sub-par.

Courtesy of Political Wire:

South Carolina:

Among Democrats, Obama 33%, Clinton 29%, Edwards 18%
Among Republicans, Giuliani 28%, Thompson 27%, McCain 10%, Romney 7%

This poll is interesting because a poll last week showed Obama trailing in 3rd place now it likes like he has narrowly passed Hillary Clinton. Obama still trails the Black vote in South Carolina. Meanwhile, Romney's campain issued a release calling him the front runner. I guess they didn't take a look at South Carolina before that memo.

New Hampshire:

Among Democrats, Obama 31%, Clinton 31%, Edwards 14%, Richardson 7%
Among Republicans, Giuliani 27%, Romney 26%, Thompson 13%, McCain 10%

In critical New Hampshire, Clinton and Obama are in a virtual tie as Obama picks up the vote with male Democrats. Expect a Clinton/Obama showdown here in coming months. Also tied are Giuliani and Romney.

Finally...

Iowa:

Among Democrats, Clinton 30%, Edwards 21%, Obama 15%, Richardson 13%
Among Republicans, Giuliani 22%, Romney 21%, McCain 17%, Thompson 13%

This key state has Clinton in the lead though polls last week showed Edwards narrowly edging her out. Obama is losing ground to Bill Richardson who is better known in the region than he is out here in the East. Again, Romney and Giuliani are tied here so I don't know where his campaign got the idea to call him the GOP frontrunner.

It's anyone's game in both parties! Quite the exciting race. Knock em out Hill!

A Prayer For Robin Roberts

Good Morning America's co-anchor Robin Roberts announced today that she has breast cancer. She will undergo surgery to treat the cancer this Friday. The ABC News reporter discovered the lump during a self-examination. We are praying and thinking of you.