The Twas The Night Before Christmas cards from Bernard Maisner are the ultimate in elegance. They are big, 8x6 and engraved. Eight cards will cost you $70. There is also an individual 7.5x10.5 for $34.
It is being reported that Barbara Walters let Elizabeth Hasselbeck do the Sarah Palin rally so that they can point to it when they fire her. It seems that producers are going to do a Star Jones and point to Elizabeth's "viewer likeability" as a reason for firing her.
A source is quoted as saying:
"I can confirm for you that this story is indeed true. In spite of the declarations of "peace and love" on camera, these two ladies do not speak to each other off camera anymore. Elisabeth has pretty much burned her bridges over there with the non-stop, right-wing rhetoric. It has gotten so bad that even Barbara had to warn her about not attributing statements to Barack Obama without proof.
While it is not nearly as contentious as the Rosie days, it is pretty bad. Mainly because the right-wing rhetoric doesn't end when the cameras go off. Elisabeth's hardline stance has also become a big problem with booking some A-list guests on to the show. Much of the staffers who happen to be democrats aren't pleased with her either, and don't go out of their way to interact with her unless absolutely necessary.
The whispered consensus is that Barbara and Bill let Elisabeth do the Sarah Palin rally to give her enough rope to hang herself. Meaning that they can then do what they did to get rid of Star, which was to use/point to "viewer likeability" to get her out. Just wait and see."
The Orange County Sheriff's Office has been sifting through hundreds and hundreds of psychic tips that have poured into the office since Caylee Anthony was reported missing.
Orange Co. deputies have received close to 5,000 tips in the case since it first broke in July. Deputies are taking these tips seriously -- most have already been prioritized and investigated. (I'm sorry, but investigating psychic tips is a waste of resources. If they have that much free time maybe they should be working on some of the other cases they have.)
The majority come from psychics who claim to have visions about what happened to Caylee. However most are just too vague to help.(That's how most psychics work. Yhey are just vague enough so that if they are wrong they don't seem like total frauds. But if they are right, which statistically they are bound to be once in a while, they shout it from the roof tops.)
"She felt her child was threatened, and didn't feel like she could protect her child," said an anonymous psychic who believes that Caylee is still alive. (That's just repeating what Casey has said since Cindy called the police.) Her visions show that Caylee is in Canada. (What did they run the border with Caylee. Most countries require proof of a child's identity and that you have the right to take them across an international border. Because sometimes we American tend to forget that Canada is a foreign country, but you need to cross an international border to get there.)
"I know that that child spent a considerable amount of time in a cottage, on a dirt road," said the anonymous tipster.
"Unless they're very specific where do you start," said Carlos Padilla, of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
The tips come from CrimeLine, e-mails, and even handwritten letters. Some are from as far away as Canada, Mexico, even Poland.
The more morbid visions show Caylee buried in the woods, in water, or burned in a farm field. (These visions are more likely to be true. But most bodies that don't turn up are usually in some out of the way place.)
"None of them ever panned out," said Padilla.
Investigators say they have followed all credible leads - even from psychics. In the end they believe it will not be a vision that solves this case. (Then why are they investigating them?)
"The person who knows is Casey, it all lies with Casey," said Padilla.
I still don't have the pumpkins. I still need to go buy more candy, for kids that never show up at my house. I'm at the point where I am practically begging my son's friends to stop by. I was going to do all that stuff yesterday morning, but my youngest was sick again. So I will rush around trying to do it this morning. And to top it off it's pouring down raining, last night we had a thunderstorm. The kids don't show up when the weather is nice so I'm not going to get my hopes up. And I still have to do an alter for Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead). I'll try to post pictures.
I was going to dress up as my old self, but my old self my considerably smaller. I have this lovely Alexander McQueen hobble skirt that I was going to wear, but it is a size 40. In order to get it on we would have to lower it over my head, and I wouldn't be able to go to the bathroom. And did I mention that Grandma would have to stand on a chair and lower it on.
So I'm going to be a drunken bridesmaid. I have a dress in a hideous material that I'm going to wear. And I'm going to accessorize with a vodka bottle, snagged pantyhose, a messed up updo, and lipstick smeared across my face. We have all attended at least one wedding where one of the bridesmaids looks just like that. I may even glue my of eyelashes to my cheek like it's falling off. At least this way I don't have to wear shoes, because what drunk bridesmaid can still find her shoes at the end of the night.
Police think they may have found the gun used in the Hudson family murders. It was found a few blocks over from where they discovered Julian King's body. And they are now calling William Balfour a suspect instead of a person of interest. And he is refusing to take a lie detector case, but that could just be a lawyer advising him not to do it.
And stop calling it the Jennifer Hudson Case. It's like calling the Caylee Anthony case the Lee Anthony case.
Is the McCain camp so uneasy about their VP choice that they have Sarah Palin doing Entertainment Tonight instead of serious news programs. The election is less than a week away.
A 16 year old in England got married in what may be the tackiest wedding ever. And it only cost her driveway paver father close to $200,000. I think Traveler is the politically correct way of saying Gypsy, but it isn't as romantic sounding.
The bride dazzled in her £16,000 Swarovski crystal-covered dress, the guests guzzled dozens of bottles of champagne and the smell of fake tan hung thickly in the air.
It sounds like a typical celebrity wedding, but the bride was 16-year-old traveller Missy Quinn, whose family threw an extraordinary £100,000 bash, celebrating with 150 guests.
“I wanted a proper Cinderella wedding. A day where I’d be the centre of attention,” says Missy. “It cost a fortune, but I’ve always wanted a big wedding and my dad has been saving for ages to pay for it.”
Missy met her husband, Thomas Moghon, 17, on a day out at Alton Towers theme park when she was just 13. She recalls: “Our first date was at a cinema, but my mother made my cousin, Mary, who was then 15, escort me!” The couple continued to date, despite Missy’s family leaving their caravan park in Stoke-on-Trent every summer to roam the UK, while Thomas lived with his parents in Wolverhampton.
“I just knew he was The One from the beginning,” says Missy. “I’ve never dated anyone else. He’s perfect.” Thomas proposed to Missy five months ago, when she was still only 15, in the same cinema where they had their first date. “I said yes straight away and we ran home to ask my dad’s permission,” recalls Missy.
“I was surprised they wanted to get married so young in this day and age,” says mum Theresa, 33, who tied the knot with Missy’s dad when she was 16. “But we could see they were madly in love, so we agreed to the wedding and all celebrated that night.”
The couple set a date for just six days after Missy turned 16. And for the next five months, there was a flurry of preparations. Missy went to a wedding dress designer in London and specified a two-piece ensemble encrusted with Swarovski crystals, along with a three metre-wide train. The outfit weighed an incredible 24st.
The sheer size of the dress meant Missy had to spend the night before her wedding day in a hotel – as the dress wouldn’t fit in her parents’ caravan.
On the day of the wedding, Missy was an hour late, not least because she struggled in and out of a Rolls-Royce Phantom to get to the wedding at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Congleton, Cheshire. It took 10 guests to help pull her out of the car.
Missy accessorised her dress with a £500 crystal bouquet, sparkling choker, tiara, belly-button jewel, hair clips and garter, plus fake tan, false eyelashes and body glitter. But it was the dress that stole the show.
Missy had to squeeze her way up the aisle, ripping the outfit on a pew as she struggled to the altar. “It was huge,” she says. “I wanted to outdo everyone else’s wedding dress. “It was extremely heavy and just standing in the church was really difficult. It felt so tight. I had to take off the train for the reception and it was still hard to stand. But despite all that, I felt just like Cinderella.”
When the ceremony – which was constantly interrupted by chatting from guests and even the bride and groom – finished, everyone moved on to the reception, in the North Stafford Hotel in Stoke-on-Trent. There, Missy and Thomas had their first dance to Destiny’s Child’s Brown Eyes, while guests guzzled bubbly and grazed on an all-day buffet.
The £100,000 bill – around five times the cost of the average UK wedding – was picked up by Missy’s dad Simon, 35, who tarmacs driveways for a living. Watching his little girl pose for photos on the big day, Simon, who wore a Hugo Boss suit and a diamond earring, said: “I’m very proud of her today.”
Showing no signs of being affected by the credit crunch, guests’ outfits featured crystals and feathers and they were plastered in gallons of fake tan. Girls as young as nine posed proudly in bikini tops, high heels and full make-up, while babies wearing £350 dresses were carried into the church.
Guest Victoria Docherty, 23, whose £700 hot pants and bra top outfit was handmade by a Welsh dancewear company, explains: “This isn’t unusual – it’s just what we do at weddings. It’s all very extravagant. Everything is paid for by the bride’s daddy.”
For the five months leading up to the wedding, while other teenagers around the UK were revising for their GCSEs, Missy was busy preparing for her big day – she’s been home-tutored since she was nine and will not sit any exams this year.
But the youngster already knows what she wants to do for a career. “I want to spend my days applying make-up and styling my hair. I want to get into glamour modelling. I don’t know if Thomas will like it, but that’s his problem,” she says.
Missy and Thomas honeymooned in Turkey and are now settling into married life in a new £18,000 caravan – a wedding present from the bride’s parents. “I think there will be times I’ll miss my parents, but they’re in the same caravan park so I can always visit, says Missy.
“Thomas might expect me to cook and clean, but I’m not going to. He can look after me as far as I’m concerned!”
California death-row inmate Scott Peterson is not writing letters to Casey Anthony after all. (Just when it seemed like it couldn't get weirder...BAM! It does.)
Several people close to the case said Wednesday that the Orange County woman accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter had received correspondence in jail from Peterson, who was convicted three years ago of killing his wife Laci, and unborn son, Conner. (He thought murder was the way of getting rid of an unwanted child too. Why people who don't want children to interfere with their "lifestyle" have them anyway is beyond me.)
After that information appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com, officials began checking it out. They found that Anthony has never received a letter from the convicted killer. OrlandoSentinel.com found that the story may have originated with Anthony, who talked to a corrections officer about mail she received. (The attention is starting to diminish and this was her way of bringing it back to herself. More people have been interested in the Hudson murders than her. Because when it comes down to it, nothing is really happening in her case. Maybe she'll tell officials where her daughter is. Then George and Cindy can bury her.)
A spokesman for her lawyer, Jose Baez, said Anthony had received a letter from a person with the last name Peterson who lives in San Diego (If I remember correctly isn't that where his parents live. Did they send the letter?), but nothing from the convicted killer. The spokesman said Baez screens his client's mail and would know if such correspondence had taken place.(Why is he screening her mail?Is he trying to protect her feelings. She has to know that everyone thinks she is a baby killer by now.)
None of the sources who spoke to the newspaper saw the actual letters.
A spokesman at San Quentin State Prison in California, where Peterson is held, said the prison does not track his mail. The spokesman said he did not believe that any letters came from the prisoner.
There is no known connection between Peterson and Anthony, other than similarities in their cases. (They both decided too late that they would rather party than be parents. And instead of just walking away decided murder was the answer.)
Anthony reported in July that her daughter had disappeared after being left with a baby sitter in mid-June. The child's body has not been found, but Anthony was charged with first-degree murder earlier this month.
Peterson, originally from San Diego, Calif., reported his wife missing in December 2002. The bodies of his wife and unborn child washed ashore in April 2003 in the San Francisco Bay. Peterson was convicted of the killings and sentenced to death in 2005. He maintains he is innocent. (Don't most murderers maintain their innocence no matter how strong the evidence.)
I know that this photo of Massachusetts's State Senator Dianne Wilkerson stuffing her cash into her bra has nothing to do with children. But political corruption is always good for a laugh. Seems that is where Wilkerson likes to hide the cash she receives from bribes. It totally reminds me of something my grandmother would do. Not the bribery part, just the cash in the bra part. I've been at checkout counters a million times while she digs in her bra for her wallet.
And they actually named it Exhibit D. Who said the government didn't have a sense of humor.
Of course my boobies are so small that if I stuck a quarter in my bra you could see it. source
Yesterday was pajama day at my son's school. He doesn't sleep in pjs, so I had to buy a pair the day before. I chose a pair that were kind of Halloweenish but not too much.
I just have to say if you can wear big horizontal stripes still look that thin you may need to gain some more weight. And this is after the summer's big 20 pound weight gain.
Katie "Jordan" Price is seen here with her son, Harvey and daughter, Princess Tiaamii. And Harvey is up and walking in his Dolce and Gabbana shoes. He looks so happy. And doesn't his folded wheelchair look a lot like the Bugaboo Bee. But can someone tell me why she is wearing her pjs. source
Gwen Stefani posted the first official photo of her son, Zuma Rossdale, on the No Doubt website. It seems that nobody by d-listers are selling photos of the their babies these days.
Although Chicago police have only one known suspect in the slayings of three relatives of actress Jennifer Hudson, some evidence suggests that more than one person may have been involved, law-enforcement sources said today. (How do you convince someone to help you murder innocent people. I have friends that I know would help me with petty vandalism. And I have spent many a night outside of my friends' boyfriends' houses. But they wouldn't help me murder somebody. There are limits to friendship.)
Investigators have focused on suspect William Balfour's movements on Friday, the day of the murders, as well as his conflicts with his estranged wife, Julia Hudson, and other members of the family. They are trying to determine whether another person drove Balfour to the West Side after the killings at the Hudsons' South Side home, sources said.
Witnesses said Balfour drove his teal Chrysler to the Hudsons' block Friday, arriving about 7 a.m. But later the vehicle was discovered by police parked about a mile away outside Robeson High School. Balfour's girlfriend told police that he was at her West Side home not long after the slayings of Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and the Oscar-winning actress' brother, Jason, at their Englewood home, sources said. (I hope they are checking out the girlfriend. How desperate was she to have a man? Maybe she thought he was going to murder Julia. And then she could have him all to herself.)
The body of Hudson's 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, was discovered Monday morning in the back of Jason Hudson's Chevy Suburban, parked on a West Side street.
Balfour has not been charged in connection with the murders but is held on a parole violation after being arrested and questioned in the case over the weekend.
Security video at the South Side high school showed someone parking the Chrysler on Friday, but investigators have not been able to determine the person's identity from the images, the sources said. (Can they tell if it is a man or woman?) A time stamp on the video showed the car was left there at 12:30 p.m. Friday, but it was unclear whether the stamp was accurate, sources said.
Meanwhile, cell phone records placed Balfour on the West Side at that hour, sources said. If the time stamp is accurate, it would suggest another person may have driven the Chrysler from the Hudson home to Robeson, sources said. In any event, Balfour did not use his own car to travel from the Hudson's Englewood house to his girlfriend's home near 19th Street and Spaulding Avenue on the West Side, police said.
As detectives continued searching for answers, the Cook County medical examiner's office released autopsy results Tuesday showing Julian King died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Also on Tuesday, new details emerged about Balfour's criminal and personal history.
In June, while on parole for a 1999 attempted murder conviction, Balfour was arrested for possession of cocaine. (He is such a winner. My family would lock me in the house if I brought someone like that home. And leave me there until I came round.)
According to court records, Balfour was stopped by officers after he got out of a vehicle that had turned a corner at high speed in an area where police were investigating calls of shots fired. Police found drugs in the car Balfour was driving.
The Illinois Department of Corrections was contacted about the new drug charges because he was on parole, but the agency decided not to revoke his parole and return him to prison, according to the records.
The case was dropped on July 16 after Cook County Circuit Judge David Skryd found police had no probable cause to arrest Balfour. (When you are parole aren't you suppose to stay away from people committing crimes?)
A law-enforcement source said Balfour also had violated his parole by failing to complete required counseling programs for substance abuse and anger management. (He needed anger management, but Julia still thought it was ok to bring him around her family. The best indication of future behavior is past behavior.) His case fell through the cracks, the source said.Prisoner Review Board Chairman Jorge Montessaid it is not uncommon for parole violations to go unnoticed. (Doesn't that make you feel safe.)
He said most inmates commit minor violations. Generally, a warrant for arrest on a violation is only issued in cases where a more serious crime or infraction has occurred, Montes said.
ORLANDO, FL -- The mother of a missing Florida girl charged with her murder reaffirmed her not guilty plea at an arraignment Tuesday and will stand trial starting January 5. (It may seem like that is a while, but the time will fly. And I wonder if they will broadcast the trial.)
Casey Anthony was not present at the arraignment. (I guess she doesn't want people to see her in handcuffs, they might get the idea that she is guilty.) The 22-year-old had entered a written not guilty plea on Oct. 17 to a charge of first-degree murder.
The state now has 15 days to turn over any evidence it plans to use in the trial to Casey's attorney.(At which point Jose Baez will try to have as much of the evidence thrown out as possible. But a lot of the evidence is good, weak but good. And when her former friends start testifying against her she can kiss her butt good-bye.) A pre-trial conference is scheduled for December 11.
Caylee Anthony disappeared in June but was not reported missing until July. She has not been found.
Last week forensic reports released by the State Attorney's office said that air tests of the trunk of Anthony's car revealed evidence consistent with the decomposition of a human body.
Spokesmen (I'm still wondering how they are paying for multiple spokesmen. They aren't a wealthy family.) for Anthony's parents and her lawyer said the report from Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee doesn't provide anything new. A judge ordered prosecutors to release it and they declined comment.
Air testing is used to detect compounds that are released when a body decomposes, and the report found five compounds consistent with body decomposition in Anthony's trunk. Tests also found evidence of decomposition on a hair strand described as "microscopically similar" to one found on Caylee's hair brush.
The child's grandmother first called authorities in July to say she hadn't seen Caylee for a month and her daughter's car smelled like death. (This is the fact that will probably convict Casey. Who has a daughter missing for a month and never calls police.)
Anthony told authorities she had left her daughter with a baby sitter in June and the two were gone when she returned from work. She says she spent the next month trying to find her daughter(in nightclubs and her boyfriend's bed) and didn't call authorities because she was scared. Investigators say they have poked several holes in her story.
Residue of chloroform, which can be used to render someone unconscious, was found on the spare tire cover and trunk liner, though a trace was also found in a control experiment on a similar trunk. No usable finger prints were found on a shovel in the trunk.
"I don't feel the report came out with anything different that what (prosecutors) have been saying already," said Larry Garrison, spokesman for Caylee's grandparents. He said the grandparents "believe Caylee Anthony is still alive and are actively pursuing tips on her whereabouts (My nine year old believes in Santa Claus, that doesn't make him real.)."
Todd Black, a spokesman for Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez, said nothing in the report links Casey Anthony to the death of her daughter.
Donald Jones, a University of Miami law professor who is not connected to the case, said the reports don't prove Caylee's body was in the trunk because they were only "consistent" with the presence of a decomposing body.
"If you're building a house, it's a brick, not a wall," Jones said. "It's a nail in her coffin, and that coffin already has a lot of nails."
Still, he said, the defense has a difficult battle and needs evidence that leads away from Casey Anthony as a suspect (And in the time since Caylee has been missing they haven't been able to come up with anyone else to point the finger at. Unless you count the imaginary babysitter. And I doubt that even a jury of twelve idiots would buy that story.).
"Casey needs good news," he said. "This is not it."
The 7-year-old nephew of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson died of gunshot wounds, officials said on Tuesday, ruling his death a homicide like those of Hudson's mother and brother.
Julian King died of "multiple gunshot wounds," the office of Cook County Medical Examiner Dr. Nancy Jones announced. The boy's body was found on Monday in a stolen car abandoned on a Chicago street, four days after the two other members of the entertainer's family were shot dead in their Chicago home.
The likely time of death was not announced, so it remained unknown whether the boy was killed at the same time as his grandmother and uncle were, or was slain after being abducted.
Police have said they believe the slayings were the result of a domestic dispute, and have named as a "person of interest" a man with whom Jennifer Hudson's sister Julia -- the mother of the dead boy -- once had a relationship.
William Balfour, 27, was arrested and is being held for a parole violation. (Some people are saying that maybe somebody else did it because Balfour hasn't been charged yet. Person of interest is just a fancy way of saying suspect. The police are probably just collecting their evidence. They have the luxury of time since Balfour is on parole. Why rush to charge him, it's not like he's going to be bailed out. He isn't even in the jail, he's in prison. And most children are murdered by family members. It's a sad fact, but it's the truth.)
Hudson returned to Chicago during the weekend after the deaths of her mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and brother, Jason Hudson, 29. She has been in seclusion since then but went to the morgue on Monday to make the identification of her nephew's body.
Her sister Julia wrote of her loss in an entry on her MySpace (What is with MySpace being involved in almost every crime story these days?) page on Tuesday, saying that she "took comfort in knowing that Julian is with my mother and my brother and most of all the lord and now he's my angel protecting me."
Julia Hudson wrote that love had "cost me my beautiful family, my wonderful beautiful loving supporting mother Darnell, my true blue baby brother Jason...and last but never not least my only son Julian, my innocent baby one that was sheltered from all the evil in the world because we loved him so much." (You can't change a man ladies. If he's been convicted of a violent crime, leave his butt alone. Because you never know when he is going to be a danger to you, your children, or family.)
She thanked those who had prayed for her and supported her over the last few days. source
Guy Ritchie turned down a £20million settlement offer from Madonna. She made the offer in an effort to get Ritchie to allow the pairs two boys, Rocco, seven, and David, three, to live with her and daughter Lourdes in the United States. Ritchie wants the boys educated in England. And he is holding his ground.
It's nice to see that he is fighting for both boys and just not biological son, Rocco. I guess Madonna thought that the children were for sale.
And wasn't Madonna going on and on not too long ago about how great England was. Until the separation the country was her home. Does she want to move back to New York to be closer to A-Rod. She did this to Lourdes' father too, when she fell for Guy Ritchie she packed the girl off to the UK with little thought to her father's right to have regular contact with the little girl.
It is also being reported that the pair has reached the point where they are only communicating through lawyers. And their friends are having to choose sides. That is not good for the children. Hopefully the pair will come round for the sake of their children. source
Britney Spears' father is now the permanent conservator of her estate. No, Britney is not going crazy again (at least not in public), it is just a legal ploy.
"I've met several times with [Britney] and she requested that I not object to the permanent conservatorship," the singer's court-appointed lawyer Samuel Ingham said in open court.
"People shouldn't read too much into the word 'permanent'" explains Terry K. Wasserman, a mental health lawyer not involved with this case. "In many cases, it's just a formality to avoid having to renew a temporary status over and over again."
And with the way her legal fees are adding up, I would do just about anything to stay out of court. But it more than likely will be lifted when she is completely back on her feet.
A source close to Spears concurs, saying, "This is by no means something that's going to last forever. The conservatorship being made permanent in name is primarily to ensure increased time with her children, and provide support for her music and work goals."
Adds Wasserman: "Ms. Spears can regain control of her life anytime – as long as her doctors feel she's able to manage her own affairs."
At least her parents care enough to step in and take control. Look at what Amy Winehouse's parents are doing. Not a darn thing, and if she doesn't hit rock bottom soon she will end up dead. Now look at where Britney is, she's getting her career back, and most important she's getting her relationship with her boys back. source
Dinosaurs look to be the big theme in toys this holiday season. D-Rex is another interactive dinosaur. This toy has skin that feels like that of a real reptile. And the D-Rex is designed to react like a real pet instead of a remote control car. He even burps and farts in prank mode. You may find that disgusting, but trust me little boys will find it hilarious. And he will act as a guard dog for your child's room or belongings.
There is one huge problem that a foresee. It's a huge toy 22 inches long. And it requires huge batteries, 5 C batteries and 2 AA. I think the toy companies are secretly owned by battery manufacturers. But that's just my opinion after buying toys for almost two decades. $129.88 Also of interest: Kota the Triceratops Hasbro Room Tech Beingz Lazertag Multiplayer Battle System
My nine year has chosen his Halloween costume. For the second year in a row he will be a Transformer. The exact same Transformer that he was last year, Optimus Prime. But last year he was Optimus Prime from the movie, this year he wants to be Optimus Prime from the cartoon. I wanted him to be a hot dog.
I still have last years costume hanging in my closet, and it still fits him. But like a fool I bought the animated version costume. Maybe I can find another child to give it to. We don't live in an area where all the parents can afford $30 on a costume that a child will only wear once. Also of interest: Pottery Barn Halloween Costumes Tom Arma Halloween Costumes
A phony State Board of Elections flier advising Republicans to vote on Nov. 4 and Democrats on Nov. 5 is being circulated in several Hampton Roads localities, according to state elections officials.
In fact, Election Day, for voters of all political stripes, remains Nov. 4.
The somewhat official-looking flier - it features the state board logo and the state seal - is dated Oct. 24 and indicates that "an emergency session of the General Assembly has adopted the follwing (sic) emergency regulations to ease the load on local electorial (sic) precincts and ensure a fair electorial process."
The four-paragraph flier concludes with: "We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but felt this was the only way to ensure fairness to the complete electorial process."
No emergency action has been taken by the General Assembly. It is not in session and lacks the authority to change the date of a federal election.
State Board of Election officials today said they are aware of the flier but disavowed any connection to it.
"It's not even on our letterhead; they just copied the logo from our Web site," said agency staffer Ryan Enright, noting the flier has been forwarded to State Police for investigation as a possible incident of voter intimidation.
Election officials did not specify in which Hampton Roads localities the flier had been spotted.
State Police are aware of the complaint and are looking into it, said spokeswoman Corinne Geller.
In 2007, the General Assembly passed a law making it a Class 1 misdemeanor to knowingly communicate false information to registered voters about the date, time and place of the election or voters' precincts, polling places or voter registration statuses in order to impede their voting. The measure is one of the few such deceptive voting practice laws in the country, according to the watchdog group Common Cause.
Gotta love their spelling errors in the flier.
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The day before the mother of a missing 3-year-old Orlando girl will officially be arraigned on murder charges, a veteran defense attorney said the evidence in the case is weak at best. (It may be weak evidence but a jury will take one look at her partying and convict her for that if nothing else.)
Anthony has already entered a written plea of not guilty, and is not required to be in court.
Attorney Diana Tennis said she is not sure the state's case against Anthony is solid.
'There's a big difference between interesting science evidence and evidence that actually gets to a jury," Tennis said.
Authorities on Friday released a report from a Tennessee lab that found five compounds consistent with body decomposition. Tests found evidence of decomposition on a hair strand found in the trunk, described as "microscopically similar" to one found on Caylee's hair brush.
"This whole talk about the 'body farm' and these interesting tests that this one organization is doing is very, very fascinating. It may be good information, but it's also possible that the jury is never going to hear about it," Tennis said. "(The Body Farm is not some fly by night group of quack researchers. They are probably the most credible organization in the world when it comes to dealing with human decomposition. And it is part of a university department.)
Tennis cited the example of lie-detector tests, which law enforcement agencies consider credible but courts do not.
"No matter how good the science may be, that doesn't mean the judge is going to let the jury hear about it if it's not completely trustworthy," Tennis said.
Meanwhile, Caylee's grandfather, George Anthony, said a ceremony held for missing children at Florida's Capitol was "gut-wrenching."
George and his wife, Cindy Anthony, joined 13 other families and Gov. Charlie Crist at the annual Missing Children's Day commemoration Monday.(Caylee is not missing. That mother of hers knows exactly where she is. And she could put her parents out of their misery just by telling them where she is.) Cindy Anthony said the other families in attendance offered comfort and inspiration. (The other families were probably hoping for just a tiny percentage of the attention that the Anthony case has gotten.)
Cindy Anthony said her family continues to believe Caylee is alive.
A national search for Caylee continues.(Even though her mother could bring her home with a couple of words.) Also of interest: Caylee Anthony Update 27 October How Many Missing Black Boys and White SUVs Are There In Chicago source
If you take your child to every red carpet event for kids you are not on the A-list, especially if they are under two. Kim Fields with Sebastian photos Jennie Garth with Lola, Luca, and Fiona photo Alison Sweeney and Ben photo Marissa Jaret Winokur and Zev photo
About 100 people had assembled Monday evening for a candlelight vigil outside the Englewood neighborhood family home of Academy Award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, where her mother and brother were found slain Friday. (They could at least mention Julian's name before they start going on about the Academy Award.)
It was confirmed earlier in the day that the actress' 7-year-old nephew also had been killed. (And that nephew is called what? His name isn't nephew.)
The group outside the Hudson home included both friends and strangers that came to support the family with song and prayer.
Killed were Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, brother, Jason Hudson, and nephew, Julian King. Police were questioning the estranged husband of Hudson's sister Julia, the mother of Julian. (This story probably would have made national news even without the connection to Jennifer Hudson because three generations of a single family were murdered. It is a shocking story in its own right.)
The memorial outside the home in the 7000 block of South Yale Avenue had grown substantially Monday with photos of the victims, stuffed animals, balloons and posters for people to sign.
Around 6 p.m., the crowd sang Jennifer Hudson's song "Spotlight."
News of Julian's death was on everyone's mind. (No matter how many times I read of murdered children, I just don't understand how anyone could murder a child.)
Latrice Wells, 31, from the neighborhood, was at the vigil and said she knew the family. Wells recalled seeing Julian riding a four-wheeler down the block. "He loved being outside playing and talking to everyone. He was a joyful little boy," she said.
Wells found out about Julian's death on television and said she cried. She arrived at the memorial site with a stuffed animal. "I feel what they're going through," Wells said.
Some people who didn't know the Hudson family said they showed up to provide support. Shelia Smith, a nurse at nearby hospital, brought a yellow rose. "It really hit home because it's like losing one of your own," she said.
Hudson, who gained stardom after appearing on "American Idol" and then won an Academy Award for the movie "Dreamgirls," spent the days since the murders out of the public eye (Because she realizes that this isn't about her. Julian was her sister's child. I bet she is with her sister giving her the love and support that Julia needs. Because as much grief as Jennifer Hudson feels her sister, Julia is feeling it a million times worse.) but high in public consciousness. And Monday, her family and supporters feared the worst -- that the body found early Monday on the West Side in a white Chevrolet Suburban was Julian.
The SUV belonged to Jason Hudson.
A parade of cars moved slowly past her family's home Monday morning, squeezing past news vans and a gathering crowd of reporters. Neighbors came by to drop items on the memorial or simply came to stand quietly and reflect on the violence that is too often a part of the neighborhood.
"Everybody is sick of going through stuff like this," said Artisha West, who did not know the Hudson family but used to live in the area. "We all have to stick together. All these young children are dying, and for what?"
Soon after Julian's body was found, neighbors and well-wishers from the Englewood neighborhood flocked to the Hudson home, dropping off teddy bears and flowers at an ever-growing memorial on the sidewalk.
No one knew each other or planned it ahead of time. All said they gathered in a common grief.
"To hear of this tragedy, the only thing I could do was come by and pray," Rev. Luther McDade, a pastor at the First Missionary Baptist Church on East 75th Street, said as more than a dozen people from the gathering crowd encircled the memorial in prayer.
"Everybody is touched by this," said Kevin Smith, who brought his 5-year-old son, little Kevin. (Maybe people should leave their kids home when they visit crime scenes. Let them enjoy the innocence of childhood. I doubt little Kevin really understands what is going on. Now he is probably worried about if this is going to happen to him.) "You just wish there was more that you could do. You can't do nothing but come by here and pay your respects and pray that your own family is taken care of."
Lynetta Clark rushed to the home moments after learning a third body had been found.
"It's just crazy," she said. "You need to hold onto your baby as tight as you can. I feel so sorry for the family."
In front of the Hudson's home, men in heavy jackets and hooded sweatshirts came to kiss the twin white crosses marked for Darnell Donerson and Jason Hudson.
"They were a very close family, I just can't believe this," said neighbor JemiaLaye, who said she was friends with Jennifer's sister Julia growing up. Laye dropped off a pink monkey stuffed animal onto the pile.
"She loved that boy," Laye said of Julia. Of the woman's son, Julian: "He was always happy and saying hi to everybody."
As pieces began coming together in the police investigation, the Hudson family also had spent the weekend praying, holding out hope until reports said a boy's body was found in Jason Hudson's SUV. (Ladies be careful who you bring around your kids.)
The McCain Campaign and friends have begun a nationwide negative campaign that uses robocalls quietly poison voters' information with lies and fear tactics. These calls target voters by demography or geography with thousands of recorded messages or paid telemarketers to push a sleazy message.
1. Robocall Claims Obama Works "Closely" With Terrorists From the following organizations: McCain-Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee In the following locations: Colorado, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, New Hampshire Description: Smear groups and now a desperate McCain campaign are trying to connect Barack to William Ayers using shady, stale guilt-by-association techniques. The facts behind this false attack: The smear associating Barack to Ayers is “phony,” “tenuous,” even “exaggerated at best if not outright false.” TRANSCRIPT: "Hello, I’m calling for John McCain and the RNC because you need to know that Barack Obama has worked closely with domestic terrorist Bill Ayers, whose organization bombed the US Capitol, the Pentagon, a judge’s home, and killed Americans. And Democrats will enact an extreme leftist agenda if they take control of Washington. Barack Obama and his Democratic allies lack the judgment to lead our country. This call is paid for by McCain-Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee …”
2. Palin Criticizes Robocalls and Then Records One From the following organizations: McCain-Palin campaign and the Republican National Committee In the following locations: Nevada, Wisconsin Description: Despite saying voters were “irritated” by robocalls, Gov. Palin herself stars in the newest robocall from the McCain campaign. CNN Political Ticker: Palin says voters ‘irritated’ by robocalls. TRANSCRIPT: “Hi this is Sarah Palin. One of our local campaign volunteers just called you and I wanted to follow up and ask for you support. You know our opponents may talk a lot – they haven’t done much listening. I know what it’s like to be a hard-working mom. I know how hard it is to make ends meet during tough times like this. John McCain and I know our country is hurting and we know how to turn it around. We’ll get our economy back on track. We’ll cut your taxes and lower prices at the pump and at the grocery store. John McCain and I are the Mavericks who will reform Washington, Wall Street, and all the wasteful government in between. I hope John McCain and I can count on your support on November 4th. We won’t let you down. Paid for by McCain-Palin 2008 …”
3. Robocall Exploits Fear of Terrorism From the following organizations: Republican National Committe and McCain-Palin campaign In the following locations: Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, Colorado, Maryland Description: This recent robocall, using the voice of former governor Tom Ridge, recycles the tired campaign tactic of trying to scare voters with threats of terrorism. The truth: Barack Obama has a plan to keep America safe. Barack has supported increasing funding for homeland security and has a plan to increase the security of our transit systems, rail lines, and ports, and secure our chemical and nuclear plants. Learn more about Barack’s plans to keep America safe. TRANSCRIPT: “Hello, this is Governor Tom Ridge, America’s first Secretary of Homeland Security. I’m calling for John McCain and the RNC because this week Joe Biden, Barack Obama’s running mate, made startling comments we must take very seriously. He reminded us of Sen. Obama’s inexperience when he said that America would face an international crisis that Sen. Obama would be unprepared to handle alone. If the Democrats win complete control of government, they will want to give traditional civil rights to terrorists and talk unconditionally to dictators and state sponsors of terror. Barack Obama and his Democrat allies lack the experience and judgment to lead America. [New voice] Governor Ridge is right. If Democrats take complete control of government, our nation’s security will suffer. We need leadership and experience to change Washington and keep America safe. This call is paid for by the Republican National Committee and McCain-Palin 2008 …”
4. Robocall Deceives Voters About Obama's Strong Record on Crime From the following organizations: Republican National Committee and McCain-Palin campaign In the following locations: Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, Wisconsin Description: Using a tired old trick out of the Republican playbook, this robocall tries to scare voters by deceptively attacking Obama’s record on crime. Barack Obama has a strong record of being tough on crime. Throughout his career in public service, Barack advocated tougher measures to fight crime and consistently voted to provide more resources to local law enforcement officials:
Barack co-sponsored legislation that became the first major anti-meth federal law.
He supported the COPS programs that provided much-needed resources to local police officers.
He cosponsored a bill creating a national database on sex offenders: http://www.nsopr.gov/
And he voted to reauthorize the landmark Violence Against Women Act.
For their tough records on crime, Barack Obama and Joe Biden earned the endorsement of the National Association of Police Organizations, a group that represents over 2,000 police organizations across the United States. (read more) TRANSCRIPT: “Hello, I’m calling for John McCain and the RNC, because Democrats are dangerously weak on crime. Barack Obama has voted against tougher penalties for street gangs, drug-related crimes, and protecting children from danger. Barack Obama and his liberal allies have a disturbing history of coddling criminals. So we can’t trust their judgment to keep our families safe. This call was paid for by the Republican National Committee and McCain-Palin 2008.”
5. Robocall Twists Obama's Words to Make False Claims About Obama's Gun Policy From the following organizations: Republican National Committee and McCain-Palin campaign In the following locations: Iowa, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Wisconsin Description: This robocall misleads voters on Obama’s gun policies by twisting Obama’s words. Barack Obama is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment: “I believe there is a Second Amendment right. I think it is an individual right. I think people have the right to lawfully bear arms.” During Barack’s career in the Illinois and United States senates, he proudly stood to defend the rights of hunters and sportsmen while doing everything he could to protect children — including his own two daughters — from illegal gun violence. (read more) TRANSCRIPT: “Hello, I’m calling for John McCain and the RNC, because Barack Obama says Midwest folks like us cling to our guns because we’re bitter. And elitist Democrats who want to control Washington have tried to completely ban handguns and most hunting rifles. The NRA said that Barack Obama would be the most anti-gun president in American history. These elitist Democrats just don’t understand us, and we can’t trust them with our second amendment rights. This call was paid for the Republican National Committee and McCain-2008 …”
6. Robocall Misleads on Spending and Taxes From the following organizations: McCain-Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee In the following locations: Colorado, North Carolina Description: This misleading robocall seeks to scare voters about Barack and his economic plan. The facts behind this false attack: The truth is Barack has proposed an economic plan for the middle class that will get our economy back on track, by both reducing government waste and cutting taxes for 95 percent of American families. (read more) You can find out what your tax cut is by using the Obama Tax Cut Calculator. TRANSCRIPT: “ … with grocery costs and a struggling economy, we cannot afford Barack Obama and the Democrat’s $1 trillion in new taxes and spending. With the wall Street bailout, we’re simply in over our heads. We cannot afford another $1 trillion in big government bureaucracy, higher taxes, and more wasteful spending that our children will have to pay for. This call is paid for by McCain-Palin and Republican National Committee …”
7. Robocall Claims Obama and His Allies "Aren't Who You Think They Are." From the following organizations: McCain-Palin campaign and the Republican National Committee In the following locations: Virginia, Florida, Wisconsin Description: This McCain/RNC robocall to Virginia, Florida and Wisconsin residents warns that Barack Obama and the Democrats can’t keep America safe. The facts behind this false attack: In truth, Barack has supported increasing funding for homeland security and has a plan to increase the security of our transit systems, rail lines, and ports, and secure our chemical and nuclear plants. Learn more about Barack’s plans to keep America safe. TRANSCRIPT: “Hello. I’m calling on behalf of John McCain and the RNC because Barack Obama and his fellow Democrats aren’t who you think they are. They say they want to keep us safe but Barack Obama said the threat we face now from terrorism is nowhere near as dire as it was at the end of the Cold War. And Congressional Democrats now want to give civil rights to terrorists. John McCain and his party allies understand the threats we face. When you vote, vote for the team you can trust to keep America safe. This call was paid for by McCain-Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee.”
8. Rudy Giuliani Enters the Robocall-fest Attacking Barack's Strong Record on Crime From the following organizations: Republican National Committee and McCain-Palin campaign In the following locations: Colorado, Indiana, Maine, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin Description: Rudy Giuliani makes a deceptive robocall for McCain, trying to scare voters by challenging Obama’s record on crime. This robocall falsely claims that Barack Obama opposes mandatory prison sentences for certain serious crimes. That’s absurd and completely untrue. In fact, Obama has supported increased penalties on sexual offenders. He even co-sponsored the legislation that created the national online database of offenders and helped to pass a law extending the statute of limitations on sex crimes. Barack also made it easier for victims and their families to find closure after experiencing a vicious crime. By removing the statue of limitations for first-degree murder and extending it for sexual crimes in Illinois, Barack opened doors for law enforcement to prosecute more cases. For their tough records on crime, Barack Obama and Joe Biden earned the endorsement of the National Association of Police Organizations, a group that represents over 2,000 police organizations across the United States. (read more) TRANSCRIPT: “Hi, this is Rudy Giuliani, and I’m calling for John McCain and the Republican National Committee because you need to know that Barack Obama opposes mandatory prison sentences for sex offenders, drug dealers, and murderers. It’s true; I read Obama’s words myself. And recently, Congressional liberals introduced a bill to eliminate mandatory prison sentences for violent criminals — trying to give liberal judges the power to decide whether criminals are sent to jail or set free. With priorities like these, we just can’t trust the inexperience and judgment of Barack Obama and his liberal allies. This call was paid for by the Republican National Committee and McCain-Palin 2008 …”
9. Robocall on Health Care Deceives Voters From the following organizations: Republican National Committee and McCain-Palin campaign In the following locations: Missouri, Wisconsin, Colorado Description: This McCain robocall seriously misleads voters about Barack Obama’s health care plan by calling it a “government takeover” instead of what it is: a common sense plan to help ordinary Americans afford much-needed medical care. Barack Obama has a plan to bring quality, affordable health care within reach for all Americans. As Barack has said, if you like your current employer-based health care, you can keep it and your premiums will go down. If you don’t have health insurance, you have a choice of new, quality, affordable health care options. It’s not a mandate – it’s a choice. The Obama-Biden plan requires health care for children in order to make sure that all American children can go to the doctor when they need to and get the quality care they deserve. And if you have a pre-existing condition, you can’t be turned away. Barack Obama and Joe Biden also have a plan to protect Social Security for our seniors today and future generations. Learn more about the Obama-Biden Health Care Plan and their Plan for Seniors. TRANSCRIPT: “…John McCain and the RNC because Barack Obama and the Democrats have jeopardized our Medicare and Social Security with their proposed massive government takeover of health care, and will be reducing access to doctors and slowing development of life-saving drugs. Don’t let the inexperience and poor judgment of Barack Obama and his Democrat allies put our livelihood at risk. This call was paid for by the Republican National Committee and McCain-Palin 2008 …”
10. Robocall Smears Obama's Response to Flood From the following organizations: McCain-Palin campaign and the Republican National Committee In the following locations: Iowa Description: This robocall falsely accuses Barack Obama of not properly helping Iowans during the recent flooding. The facts behind this false attack: This attack couldn’t be further from the truth. Watch this video of Barack personally filling sandbags and helping flood victims in the region:
TRANSCRIPT: “Hello, I’m calling Iowans on behalf of John McCain, Sarah Palin and the RNC because congressional Democrats’ response to the June floods was not only embarrassing, it was negligent. While John McCain took time from campaigning to survey the damage caused, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid sent Congress home for summer vacation, leaving us stranded. John McCain, Sarah Palin and their party allies have spent a lifetime fighting to put government on our side. What do you vote this election? Vote for the team that will make government work for us again. This call is paid for by McCain/Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee …”
11. Robocall Scares Voters, Saying Democrats "Endanger American Lives" From the following organizations: Republican National Committe and McCain-Palin campaign In the following locations: Ohio, Wisconsin Description: This robocall is just another shadowy attempt by John McCain and the Republican Nation Committee to smear Barack by distorting his record on supporting American troops. The non-partisan Factcheck.org labeled such smears “highly misleading,” and retired admiral John Natham has defended Barack: “Senator Obama has consistently voted to fund our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and, just as importantly, a proven record of support when they return home … Despite consistent distortions of his record, thousands of veterans like myself support Senator Obama because he has the judgment, character and integrity to be a great president. We will need a great president to lead us in these very challenging times.” Learn more about Barack’s support for our soldiers. Read more: here. TRANSCRIPT: “This is Orson Swindle. I’m calling on behalf of John McCain and the Republican National Committee. John McCain and I were POWs together. I know John’s character, integrity, courage and leadership. He supports our troops and veterans. Over 300 retired generals and admirals, 300 retired staff NCOs [non-commissioned officers], and hundreds of former POWs support John McCain. Twenty-one past VFW and American Legion national commanders support him. They trust his leadership. Democrats attempt to cut off crucial troop funding, accuse our troops of war crimes, and Senator Biden predicts Senator Obama will be tested. A weak President will, indeed, be tested. Obama and Democrats’ politics endanger American lives. They are not qualified to lead our military and our country. When you vote, vote for the team that puts leadership, character and country first. John McCain.”
12. McCain's Newest Robocall is Being Used in his Home State Arizona: Robocall Discounts Barack's Experience to Scare Voters. From the following organizations: Republican National Committe and McCain-Palin campaign In the following locations: Arizona Description: This robocall uses the fear of terrorism to scare voters from Barack. But Americans are tired of the same old politics and scare tactics. They want a debate about the issues — like the economy, health care, education and taxes. Barack Obama is talking about the issues that really matter to working Americans — such as lowering taxes for the middle class and making health care affordable. And Barack Obama has a plan to keep America safe. Barack has supported increasing funding for homeland security and has a plan to increase the security of our transit systems, rail lines, and ports, and secure our chemical and nuclear plants. Learn more about Barack’s plans to keep America safe. TRANSCRIPT: “I’m calling for John McCain and the RNC because Barack Obama is so dangerously inexperienced, his running mate Joe Biden just said, he invites a major international crisis that he will be unprepared to handle alone. If Democrats win full control of government, they will want to give civil rights to terrorists and talk unconditionally to dictators and state sponsors of terror. Barack Obama and his Democratic allies lack the experience and judgment to lead America. This call was paid for by the Republican National Committee and authorized by McCain-Palin 2008.”
Report inappropriate or hateful campaign material: here.
This kind of negative campaign depends on flying under the radar to make their full effect felt. If you spot one, please send it to us right away so we can add it to our database. Report a Robocall
Fight Back! Report a smear! These Robocalls should not be tolerated!
**Please feel free to use and link to this website and any postings, but please give credit, preferably with hyperlink. I am happy to help with your research.
Also see Obama and Biden's reaction to the robocalls, and McCain's links to terrorism: here Please stumble, digg it, reddit, and any other social bookmarking you like below:
A phony State Board of Elections flier advising Republicans to vote on Nov. 4 and Democrats on Nov. 5 is being circulated in several Hampton Roads localities, according to state elections officials. 
