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Hello Cristobal
A tropical depression off the Southeast Coast has formed into Tropical Storm Cristobal.. At 2 p.m. EDT Saturday, the center of the storm was about 100 miles east of Charleston, S.C., and about 225 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. It's moving toward the northeast at about 7 mph and was expected to hug the Carolinas for the next two days..
The storm track keeps Cristobal off the coast of Northeast and into Atlantic by 2pm Tues..Labels: hurricanes, News, Weather
Shenandoah killing update..
Blogs reacting to the death of Luis Ramirez from Shenandoah, Pennsylvania..
The Pink Flamingo blog critical of 'locals' ... decrying those that are critical of local media for reporting the story..
The photos of Luis Ramirez floating online on AP newswire..A newswire for all to see, to the chagrin of Shenandoah officials..
Latina newsblog covers story..
Users on message board note that some news outlets chose to leave out the word 'illegal' when describing Luis Ramirez..
Death causes outrage on message board DemocraticUnderground..
Webblog Immigration Mexican American writes, "The young man, Luis Ramirez, died two days later. The imprint of his crucifix stomped into his chest by the jocks still embedded deeply into his skin. His fiance and three children were left crying, their father gone!"..
The world is now reacting to a violent act in Shenandoah, PA, a few days ago.
Reaction sure to continue for much time to come.. And when will small town officials realize that when a big story makes national news, you will NOT be able to hide things for too long!?Labels: Breaking news, News, Race Relations
THE BAT SOARS!
XXX
NEW NUMBERS: $66.4 MIL ON OPENING DAY FOR DARK KNIGHT, SMASHING SPIDERMAN 3 RECORDLabels: Batman, Dark Knight, Entertainment, Hollywood
A FEW OTHER HAPPENINGS ON THE GLOBE
SMALL TOWN, BIG CRIME
 Small town Shenandoah, Pennsylvania is making big news for a crime that rattled the area. .And now the crime is creating ripples of reaction across America. A lesson to learn: The new world of small town news making it big is alive and well, no matter what the local authorities would wish.
Luis Ramirez was beaten last weekend by a group of youths after some type of altercation. .Witnesses interviewed by the Pottsville REPUBLICAN HERALD said that there was a racial overtone to the crime. Ramirez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico living in Shenandoah, died days after the beating..
The Pottsville REPUBLICAN has covered the crime extensively,, most including reporting that local authorities didn't see any overt ties to a racial motive. By midnight, no one was arrested.. reports of what youths it may have been have both confused and infuriated the area. Local authorities haven't provided many answers, yet.
And now.. The news has gone national with the Associated Press reporting on the matter ..
The AP interviewed Ramirez's girlfriend, who said, "People in this town are very racist toward Hispanic people. They think right away if you're Mexican, you're illegal, and you're no good."
The AP reports that while no one was arrested, the police are interviewing youths, including members of the football team..
The POTTSVILLE REPUBLICAN issuing a cry for action this weekend in their editorial. Titled, "Fatal beating cries out for justice to be served", the REPUBLiCAN writes, "..So the idea of someone walking home in Schuylkill County on a warm summer night being accosted, taunted and beaten to death is, well, preposterous.
"This is America, land of immigrants, the great melting pot, beacon of democracy, liberty — and tolerance.
"Maybe it's time to drop the smugness.
..."Shenandoahans indeed must come together to ensure dignity, equality and liberty for all and to see that those responsible for this crime face justice.
"It won't bring Ramirez back, but at the least it will send a signal that this kind of atrocity will not be tolerated."
Tension boiling over this weekend. It's the annual Italian festival in Shenandoah. Celebration of culture in a small town, while a newer culture wonders what its place within the town is.. Yes, indeed, the nation is now watching a small town in Eastern Pennsylvania and how it will deal with a sickening crime. AP Photo/Rick SmithLabels: Breaking news, Race Relations
THE MYSPACE GENERATION: YOUR SPACE IS NOW THEIR SPACE
Judge determines 20-year-old Joshua Lipton should get two years in prison after viewing pictures posted on Facebook..
More: It's now the world where there are no secrets and every one's past downloaded and FTPed for good.. Lipton was charged with a drunken driving crash that seriously injured a woman..
Two weeks after the charges, he went to a Halloween party, dressed up like a jail bird .. laughed .. got photographed, and someone posted the pictures on Facebook.
Lipton's photo now being seen around the world .. He has been sentenced to two years after the judged viewed the photos and agreed with the prosecutor that Lipton an 'unrepentant partier' that had fun and partied while the victim of the crash recovered..
Facebook .. Myspace. Yourspace. It's a whole new world. PHOTO Above: AP, photo released by the State of Rhode Island Office of the Attorney GeneralLabels: crime, New Media, News
THE GREATEST MOVIE VILLAIN OF ALL TIME
I'll have some more thoughts later on about this movie, Heath Ledger.. the good, the bad .. and ugly. I'll also have some thoughts on lamenting the death of Heath Ledger, who in this film proved himself as an actor, and led the Joker down a road to becoming the single greatest villain in any movie of all time.. Labels: Batman, Dark Knight, Entertainment, Heath Ledger, Hollywood, Joker, movies, News
BRIGHT LIGHTS FOR WARNER BROTHERS: RECORD MIDNIGHT OPENING FOR DARK KNIGHT, ALONG WITH FRIDAY NIGHT RECORD
'The Dark Knight' raked in $18.489 million in its midnight opening, according to distributor Warner Bros. That sets a new midnight opening record, beating 'Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith's benchmark of $16.5 million. 'Sith's full opening day ended up at $50 million... Word late last night that DARK KNIGHT had the biggest Friday opening. Ever. According to Deadlinehollywood.com, DK made $65 mil--defying experts and expectations of even Warner Bros.. Labels: Batman, Dark Knight, Entertainment, Hollywood
McCain jokes about age on Conan
THE PIANO MAN SINGS A FINAL SONG
Billy Joel said farewell at Shea Stadium Friday night during what AP and other news reports describe as an electrifying, sold-out final show ..
The stadium, which will be torn down after the current baseball season to make way for another new stadium across the street, erupted in applause for Joel .. "They're gonna be tearing this place down, but I wanna thank you ... for letting me do the best job in the world," he told them.
Even more amazing for the crowd, according to the AP: " Tony Bennett sang "New York State of Mind" with Joel on Friday, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler performed "Walk This Way," and Roger Daltrey of the Who did "My Generation. At the end of "My Generation," Joel smashed a guitar against the stage, breaking it in two.
McCartney came on at the end. He sang "I Saw Her Standing There" while on guitar and "Let It Be" on piano — the last song of the night. Joel sat on top of piano and sang backup.
Garth Brooks appeared on stage earlier wearing a Mets jersey, and in the audience, one of Joel's famous fans — ex-wife Christie Brinkley — sang along, word for word, to the chorus of "She's Always a Woman."
During the first installment of Joel's "Last Play at Shea" on Wednesday, John Mellencamp came on stage to perform his hit "Pink Houses," and Don Henley underscored the baseball theme with his standard "Boys of Summer."
( I forgot about life for a while too earlier this month. Billy Joel, one of the greatest performers of the 20th century, continues to soar to new heights in the 21st.)
Good morning Dark Friday! Are you at work today?
America sleeps in: up all knight with the Dark Knight..Fandango spokesman declares: Today is Dark Friday!With BAT fans staying up all night for the opening, attendance at work predicted to be lower than normal..Calling in sick throughout the nation. Why so serious?
SPREAD BAT WINGS: MASSIVE OPENING
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4,366 THEATERS STRONGLabels: Batman, Dark Knight, Entertainment, Hollywood, movies
Final wrap up: The Dark Knight returns
The moment all BAT fans have waited for.. I myself have waited for years. Ever since the final scene in the last movie starring Christian Bale, when Commissioners Gordon flashed that Joker card.. Unbelievable path to tonight at midnight, when DARK KNIGHT will start appearing on screens around the nation. I pre-ordered my tickets. The DARK KNIGHT poised to create a record box office this weekend..the biggest of all time. The Warner Bros ad blitz paid off. And now the reviews and news related items.. coming in fast and furious. Four stars from Ebert!"A" ratings from E!Online..Scalpers scalp DARK KNIGHT tickets online.. Scalping movie tickets! DARK KNIGHT has become one of the best reviewed movies on Rotten Tomatoes.. Aint It Cool news reviewer knocked 'flat on ass' by film..Labels: Batman, Dark Knight, Entertainment, Hollywood
Where in the world(s)
 Welcome to Mars, 2008Labels: Mars, News
BAT WRAP: DARK KNIGHT NEWS
The cast and crew celebrating the DARK KNIGHT premiere..
New Zealand HERALD with high praise for DARK KNIGHT..
Stars are also praising the film..
And Heath Ledger.. High emotion during premiere in New York City..
The buzz is building around the DARK KNIGHT release..
The film is poised to be the biggest movie opening--ever--in history.
And what about the next film? And even Darker Knight.. who should be the next villain?
Why so serious?Labels: Batman, Dark Knight, Entertainment, Hollywood
E COLI LINKED TO MEAT REPORTED IN 5 STATES
E Coli linked to meat now being reported in 5 states..CDC officials say 21 of the victims have been hospitalized and one developed kidney failure, but no one has died..
10:20am .. Why then?
President Bush's news conference this morning began at 10:20am. Odd timing? Maybe. At the same time, Ben Bernanke appeared before Senators this morning at the same time. The President bumped off the bad news. The headlines don't show the same confidence that Bush did today.. 
THE ECONOMY IS FALLING! THE ECONOMY IS FALLING!
All about that NEW YORKER cover..
The controversy and discussion continues.
I talked to a few people about this--one person I spoke to subscribed to the NEW YORKER but didn't think the Obama as terrorist comic gracing their front was clever.. Actually found it to be offensive.
Another person I talked to that wasn't intellectual as the NEW YORKER professes to be, thought it was pretty funny--and saw the humor! And he likes Obama.
Andrew Sullivan with an interesting perspective on the NEW YORKER flap..
Another analyst writes that the cover, though parody, fans the flames of the Obama rumors.
Remember back in the 90's when there was no decency or standards? How we long for those days again.. Labels: Campaign 2008, News, Obama
Clowns on the interstate
Actual photo from Interstate 81 near Harrisburg, PA, today..
A traveler riding a bike. With a giant tire.. His carbon footprint may be small, but his danger level of going 5 miles per hour on a clown bike on an Interstate with cars traveling 75 to 80 mph may he higher than ever.
I hope he got where he was going.. However, with his speed the way it was, he most likely is still going there. Labels: Odd, Random rakings
This Bud's for Belgium
 What will the Budweiser Clydesdale look like in a pair of Brantanos?!
Everything seems to be spinning mercilessly out of control (and that's not even the AP saying it) .. banks closing, fears of mortgage brokers shutting down.. Wall Street mayhem.. Obama in Muslim attire gracing the cover of the New Yorker!
It's nice to know you can sit down to a good American beer.. Anheuser-Busch .. sold!?
Yes, the "American" beer sold to Belgium brewer InBev for $52 billion .. The sale was not supposed to happen, the CEO said months ago. Not on his watch.
He watched.
It sold.
According to NPR and other news sources, employees of .. Bud .. were told not to talk to the press. They didn't. Yet.
They probably won't drink Bud again.
While making money is deeply American, so is drinking beer. And drinking it to excess, as well.
But the next bar scene you go to in Anytown, USA, you may not see as many Buds being for you.. Not now ..
150 years of local management coming to a cold end in St. Louis. PHOTO: AP Photo/Geert Vanden WijngaertLabels: News
Is nothing sacred anymore!?
Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel end their relationship..At least we got two good songs out of it. .thanks to Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
Life is short.. Look up
Venezuela's Chavez says oil could reach $300 | Reuters
B A I L O U T ! !Reports tonight that the White House is going to ask Congress for the authorization to buy stock in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.. It will also ask Congress to increase their lines of credit.. The Treasury Department this Sunday night issued a statement about the crucial role both mortgage giants play in the economy..The steps being taken to sure up both giants.. The government not expected to help other companies. Labels: Breaking news, Economy, Money
A tale of two magazine
Obama is a Christian on NEWSWEEK, a Muslim on the NEW YORKER..  NEWSWEEK's choice tasteful.. kind.. The NEW YORKER? A little mean. .and causing a stir. The Obama camp is speaking out against the cover..
ALL EYES ON FREDDIE
Will Wall Street turn into FREDDIE horror?
Treasury Department officials worked telephones this weekend to make sure Freddie Mac will be able to sell $3 billion of its securities tomorrow..
According to UK media, the White House is scrambling for options on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.. All eyes will be on Freddie Mac and the Treasury Department tomorrow. Sleep well. Labels: Money, mortgage, News, Wall Street
The world is at ease..It's a boy--and girl
When in Wisconsin, don't have sex with dead people
  
No, really. It's illegal. You may have already known it's completely reprehensible.. But now it's illegal. Three men dug up a woman that died a week earlier in an auto accident, all in order for one of them to have sex with the corpse.. The Grant County Circuit Court dismissed the charges after agreeing with the defendants' interpretation of the law that sexual assault is not applicable to a dead person unless the defendant was responsible for the death of the victim..
The state Supreme Court weighed in, voting 5-2 that reversed the lower court decision .. The high court ruled that it's a crime because there is no consent from the victim.
How 'bout the fact that it's a dead body!
All of the grave diggers were 22.. Their intentions were obvious.
Authorities said that a passing driver saw the incident happening.. before they have the chance to do their deed.
And now with the Supreme Court decision, sex with the dead is banned in the state..Labels: crime, Disgusting, News, Odd, Random rakings
The Sunday Morning Sidewalk
If it's Sunday, it's the morning sidewalk.
Random news and links from around the world.
Smoke Iran: John McCain once jokingly sang "Bomb Iran" at a town hall, now he has hit Iran over the issue of cigarettes: McCain inferred that cigs can be used to kill Iranians. McCain now being condemned by Iran..
New system of government in Iraq: Handing out cold hard cash to people on streets begging for help.
 REUTERS
The tallest half naked woman you'll ever see..
Welcome to the brave new world: The Brangelina twins are here: Angelina Jolie has given birth to a girl and a boy..
AFP photo
Big feet.. wooden penises?! The age of penis enlargement ends in Jakarta as a woman heralded for supernatural skills in making penises bigger has died.. With Mak Erot gone, where in the world will sad men in Indonesia go? One net user suggested a vacuum
The apology tour: Pope arrives in Australia speaking out against sex abuse scandal that rocked the Church in the country..Labels: Random rakings, Sunday Morning Sidewalk
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