Limbaugh: “I can see a possibility of supporting…”

June 3, 2009

Ok it’s gone full circle.

Judge Sotomayor (2001 “racist” statement), Rush (“reverse racist”), Newt’s tweets (new racism = old racism), barry (“would’ve restated it“), Republican video highlights, Gibbs (word choice poor), Sotomayor (poor choice of words), Newt (her words are unacceptable, barry and Gibbs agreed I shouldn’t have said racist) and then Rush(it was definitely a racist statement but I may be able to get around if she’s pro-life enough).

I have to think Judge Sotomayor being pro-life is the cause of these pink-faced men’s conversions. Who knows. it’s all political theater. When has barry not gotten what he wanted? Who besides Germany has said no to him?

And it’s barry’s MO to have someone test the waters before he even makes a verbal stand. Did he ever react to North Korea’s missile launch? I can see Sen Feinstein being the one. Roe v Wade has about as much chance of being overturned as Brown v The Board of Education. Even Roe hasn’t been able to make headway.

Anyway. Rush has seen the light…a halo to be exact….and it’s not barry’s.

LIMBAUGH: I can see a possibility of supporting this nomination if I can be convinced that she does have a sensibility toward life in a legal sense.

I don’t know that it will ever happen, but if you know, the opportunity to get somebody like her, she’s a Catholic, she’s a devout Catholic, she’s a Hispanic Catholic, Puerto Rican, they tend to be devout, she hasn’t got a record on this. Normally liberals do have a record.

And about the Twittering Newt?

LIMBAUGH: I didn’t know why he retracted it. What is it? It’s racism, reverse racism, whatever, but it’s still racism, and she would bring a form of racism and bigotry to the court. But as I said yesterday, folks, I’m — I’m — I may look past that.

Newt reconsiders original tweets re: Sotomayor

June 3, 2009

Judge Sotomayor capitulated through a third person that she “made a poor choice of words” and now Gingrich is backing off from his initial position made known through a coupla tweets. They both meant what they said. She didn’t know it would matter when she said it and Gingrich got the response he wanted…relevance.

They are simply doing what passes for bipartisanship – it’s always just a matter of who goes first.

NEWT GINGRICH: from op-ed in conservative Human Events.

Shortly after President Obama nominated her to a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, I read Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s now famous words: ‘I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life,’” he wrote.

My initial reaction was strong and direct — perhaps too strong and too direct. The sentiment struck me as racist and I said so. Since then, some who want to have an open and honest consideration of Judge Sotomayor’s fitness to serve on the nation’s highest court have been critical of my word choice.

Doesn’t that sound straight out of barry’s teleprompter?

And then Newt says, see, I was right – time to rehabilitate myself until next time….

With these critics who want to have an honest conversation, I agree. The word ‘racist’ should not have been applied to Judge Sotomayor as a person, even if her words themselves are unacceptable (a fact which both President Obama and his Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, have since admitted).”

That is the exact distinction of the Double Standard. In one direction, the words are racist and the person saying them is a racist. The other way it’s unacceptable and of course they’re not a racist.

President Obama and White House aides said Sotomayor’s choice of words was a poor one, but immediately fought back against critics who branded the judge racist.

I think it is probably important for anybody involved in this debate to be exceedingly careful with the way in which they’ve decided to describe different aspects of this impending confirmation,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said last Wednesday.

Newt got to be relevant, then he got to watch barry squirm, then he got to apologize, and then he got praised…and the cycle will start anew when he gets lonely again…..

Sen. Jeff Sessions, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee:

I’m very glad he backed off. I think that’s unusual, that commentators do that, and I think it was very good that he did. I think that will… help us. I think that will help us have a real good discussion about the serious issues that the nations faces and the court faces.

Did barry leave his teleprompter behind?

New Hampshire 6th state to legalize same-sex marriage

June 3, 2009

New Hampshire Gov John Lynch signed into law same-sex marriage.

NH 6th state behind Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and Maine.

4/29/09: Senate 13–11 and 3/26 House 186-179 needed amendment

5/6/09 Senate 13-11 and House 178-167 let religions decide for themselves

5/20/09 Senate 14-10 and House 188-186 sent it back to committee

6/3/09: Senate 14-10 and House 198-176 passed

Goes into effect Jan. 1, 2010.

GOV LYNCH: (full statement)

Today, we are standing up for the liberties of same-sex couples by making clear that they will receive the same rights, responsibilities – and respect – under New Hampshire law.

Today, we are also standing up for religious liberties.

This legislation makes clear that we understand that certain faiths do not recognize same-sex marriage, and it protects them from having to participate in marriage-related activities that violate their fundamental religious principles.

With the signing of this legislation today, New Hampshire will have taken every action possible to ensure that all families have equal rights to the extent that is possible under state law.

Most families in New Hampshire will awaken tomorrow, go to work and to school, and feel no impact from what we have accomplished today.

But for some, they will awaken tomorrow knowing we have said to them that they are equal, that they have the same rights to live and to love as everyone else.

Today should not be considered a victory for some and a loss for others.

Today is a victory for all the people of New Hampshire, who I believe, in our own independent way, want tolerance for all.

States allowing civil unions/same-sex-marriage/domestic partner

Samantha Orobator sentenced to life in prison

I wish I knew what kept happening to this post.

June 3, 2009

This case is plain bizarre and the biggest mystery has yet to be solved. Samantha Orobator, 20, was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for attempting to  smuggle heroin out of Laos into Thailand. She was born in Nigeria and then moved with her family to London. Her mother said she had no history of drugs and didn’t know her daughter was in jail until January. Orobator was arrested and incarcerated in August.

I first heard of her last month when she was due to go on trial with a possible sentence of death by firing squad. This is where the case gets weird. She’s five months pregnant. And allegedly was pregnant when she was arrested and subsequently lost the fetus. It must be a coed jail with some form of contact because according to “a newspaper run by the Lao government” she impregnated herself with a fellow prisoner’s sperm. She insisted to her mother that she was not raped and that the father is not a prison official.

What else is she going to say facing life in prison?

No matter how or by whom -  being pregnant saved her life.

Last month she had yet to see a British lawyer and one that has flown to see her was not allowed to do so. She also had never seen a local lawyer. But a prisoner transfer agreement came out of it, which hinges on the status of her case. She has to have maxed out her case and her appeals – making the sentence final – before any transfer can take place.

And although the governments have made the deal – no one has been able to see Orobator to ask her what she wants (She communicated somehow with her mother).

2009 and a country can be refused access to their own citizen locked up in prison with nowhere to run. A pregnant woman, a continent away, who is only 20 and sentenced to life in prison.

If the trial took only three hours — how long can the appeals process be?

Source: CNN

Larry King: BGT judge Amanda Holden

Susan Boyle posts/videos/interviews

Aired June 2, 2009

CNN Transcript & Video

Can’t find an embeddable video.

Britain’s Got Talent judge, Amanda Holden is on a US media blitz after the non-Susan Boyle BGT Champiosn were crowned: Diversity, a dance group. But rather than leading off with the winners, she and Larry King discuss Ms Boyle’s emergency hospitalization in a psychiatric facility, clinic, hospital – whatever the Brits want soften it as,

It’s wrong. It never should have happened.

And it was completely avoidable had they thought and put her first – which meant allowing her, at the very least, to travel with her support system, Pebbles the cat. The only one on this planet that doesn’t care how she acts, what she says, how she looks and probably adores any type of singing. And it is the only means by which Ms Boyle finds physical comfort

============================
LARRY KING: You probably know by now that Susan Boyle, the singing sensation and runner-up on “Britain’s Got Talent,” may have cracked under pressure of being on the show and all the surrounding publicity. She’s in the hospital being treated for nervous exhaustion.

Joins us now is Amanda Holden, one of the show’s judges, to tell us what she knows and if the show might have contributed to Susan’s fragile state. She’s in New York. Thanks for being with us, Amanda.

AMANDA HOLDEN, JUDGE, “BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT”: You bet you.

KING: What do we know right now?

HOLDEN: Basically, we’ve spoken to Susan’s brother. She — he, in fact, spoke on the CBS early morning show this morning and — which is breakfast television — to say that his sister was very keen to come home as soon as she possibly could and that she was resting up in a clinic in London and that she was very much looking forward to coming out and seeing what was available to her when she — when she felt better.

KING: Is the show, Amanda, paying for the hospital bills and are they taking care of her?

HOLDEN: The show — I have no idea if they’re paying the hospital bills. I would imagine that they are, to be absolutely honest. We’re — you know, we’re a very loyal show. We love Susan very much. And, in fact, all the contestants that appear on our show are extraordinarily well looked after. So she is getting the best support she could possibly be getting at this time, yes.

[If how they treated Ms Boyle is "extraordinary" then they're in real trouble. And she is getting the best possible care frm strangers who are concerned with her personal well-being only. Not hospital ratings or skirt hem notoriety.]

KING: Your fellow judge, Piers Morgan, has said that there was talk of taking her off the show because of all the pressures on her. Were you involved? Were there any discussions like that?

HOLDEN: I wasn’t involved in any discussions like that. And I think Pierce has a slightly closer relationship with her because — well, the only thing I’m worried about with Susan Boyle is that she seems to have a crush on Piers Morgan. That’s the only thing I’m worried about.

(LAUGHTER)
KING: Huh.
HOLDEN: And she…
(LAUGHTER)

HOLDEN: She spoken with Piers. And I think that Piers has kind of reassured her, in the last week, during the final, that, you know, that she was doing well and that she mustn’t pay any kind of attention to the press and all the other stuff that was going other life. So I think Piers is probably more qualified to answer that question than me.

[Telling someone something is meaningless when they have no skills to handle it. They need to be physically guided and accompanied at all times. How was Ms Boyle going to be able to spot a scumbag paparazzo from a not so scummy reporter?]

KING: Yes, I guess.

HOLDEN: I had no real contact with her during that time.

KING: Despite all the tumult, there’s no disputing that Susan sang her heart out during the finale of the competition. Let’s watch.

(MUSIC: Ms Boyle singing the ending of “I Dreamed a Dream”)

KING: I know the dance troupe was terrific and they’ll be on with us later. But, frankly, why didn’t she win?

HOLDEN: Honestly, I can’t criticize the decision because it was the British public that voted in the end. I have no real idea, to be honest. I wonder whether it could be that — well, Diversity, I have to say — and you’ve probably seen it yourself and the rest of America will see it shortly — that Diversity were utterly fantastic on the show that night. They decimated the show. They really, really were amazing. And I just wonder whether maybe younger people voted and were quicker on the texts than — than the kind of people that were voting for Susan.

But as I keep saying, if Susan is a loser, then surely she is the biggest and best loser that we have in the world. And coming second is no bad thing.

KING: No, I know. She came in, though, with a small town amateur singer, learning disabilities due to suffering oxygen deprivation at birth. Some say the program exploited her and her vulnerabilities. Do you agree?

HOLDEN: I couldn’t disagree more. You know, she — she’s a grown woman who applied to come on a talent show. She enjoyed every second of every moment that I met her or saw her behind the — you know, behind-the-scenes. She was very excited. She was very proud to be taking part in the show.

And as you all could see through interviews that America was giving her and Britain was giving her in the kind of six weeks that she — we’ve all got to know her, she was very excited about everything that was happening to her. And to be honest, it was really just in the last week that she — I think the downturn in press in our country, I think, maybe stressed her out a little bit. And — and I think she was just quite upset about all the exaggerated stories and the kind of falsehoods that were being written about her.

And I think that, you know, everybody gets upset about bad press when you’re in this business. And she’s somebody that’s gone from anonymity to absolute worldwide, you know, phenomenon.

KING: Yes.

HOLDEN: So how — how is she expected to handle that? Nobody can handle that with the best will in the world. I’ve been in the business 15 years and I’m still not media savvy.

[Precisely. So why was Ms Boyle, an unsophisticated woman from a tiny little village in Scotland, someone who doesn't know what You Tube or the absolute phenomenon she is get thrown to the wolves? Why didn't she have a bodyguard, a media savvy assistant and a regular friend/family member with her at all times? And Pebbles. Who thought she could go a week - even a low key one - without her physical affection companion? And how is she to ask for help when she has no idea what is going on? When she thinks all the media people will be as kind and well-wishing as the ones who made it up to Blackburn? How is she to know that some people will say they are fans just so they can provoke her and capture it on video to put on YouTube? Physically she is a grown woman, yes, but emotionally she is more like a naive teenage girl - clearly evident from her crush on Piers - who seemed to be doing nothing to dissuade her.]

KING: Well, no question she was the favorite to win this weekend. She didn’t. Let’s take a look at the dramatic announcement.

====VIDEO CLIP FROM “BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT,” COURTESY FREMANTLE MEDIA=======
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The winner of “Britain’s Got Talent” 2009 is Diversity.
============END OF CNN VIDEO==============

KING: Diversity is going to be with us in a little while. Dr. Drew Pinsky has written the book on celebrity psychology. He’s got a reality show of his own. We’ll have insight into all of this. Does she have a future in show business? Next

======COMMERCIAL BREAK=====

====VIDEO CLIP FROM “BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT,” COURTESY FREMANTLE MEDIA========
Simon: You had the guts to come back here tonight, face your critics.
Amanda: I have never heard such powerful, confident vocals.
Piers: You should win this competition. I loved it.
=====END VIDEO CLIP======

KING: Speaking of entertainment, I know you’ve heard about my book, but this may shock you. I am going to be in Las Vegas — appearing in Las Vegas at Steve Wynn’s Encore Hotel on the night of Friday, June 19th. My wife Shawn will precede me with her songs and delightful patter. And I’m going to do an hour of comedy. Yes, the other side of Larry King. If you’d like to make reservations, we’re going to give the proceeds to the Larry King Cardiac Foundation. Just go to encorelasvegas.com — encorelasvegas.com. Hope to see you there.

Amanda Holden remains with us. She’s in New York.

Joining us here in Los Angeles, Dr. Drew Pinsky, the host of VH1′s “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” and author of a terrific book, “The Mirror Effect How Celebrity Narcissism is Seducing America.”

What do you make of this Susan Boyle thing?

DR. DREW PINSKY, AUTHOR, “THE MIRROR EFFECT

CELEBRITY NARCISSISM: Well, first of all, the first thing that jumped out at me is how the press reports these things. The idea of nervous exhaustion? That’s not a term that exists in medicine. That’s not a diagnostic category.

KING: There’s no such a thing?

PINSKY: The problem here is that here’s a woman that’s suddenly under the scrutiny of the spotlight who, as you said when you went out to break, maybe has some — some developmental issues, who is under tremendous stress and now has had a psychiatric decompensation and is in a psychiatric hospital. The question is, did the show harm her?

KING: Did it?

PINSKY: It’s hard to say. You know, how did — this is the first time these kind of experiences have really been undertaken by people. People that come out of nowhere all of a sudden are international superstars.

KING: But we’ve always had talent shows. Radio had “Major Bowes,” “Horace Heidt.” Frank Sinatra was on “Major Bowes.” He was discovered there. I mean that’s always existed.

PINSKY: Well, it’s interesting. And yet I would imagine people that developed international fame through that kind of programming developed — had — had very distinct talent and had careers as a result. It wasn’t people who flash and then are expected to just go back to their normal lives.

KING: Should we be, Amanda, concerned about that?

HOLDEN: First of all, I just want to say that — that Susan’s brother said on British television this morning that, yes, Susan has experienced learning difficulties. But in actual fact, when she was at school, she did as well as any of her other siblings. But throughout her childhood, always before an exam or anything else, she was of kind of a nervous disposition and always got quite anxious about kind of big exams.

And so I think that with a show like this, she’s a performer. I actually spoke to her the night — the day before — hours, in fact — sorry — before she went on stage for the final and ex — you know, I said to her that nerves, I believe, as a performer myself, are actually a good thing; that Barbra Streisand, in fact, always throws up, I think, before she goes on stage every night.

And Susan, you know, she was feeling nervous. But she went out there and she nailed it. You know, she did the best performance that we’ve seen. And let’s not forget, this is actually only the second or third time we’ve heard her sing. And she’s, you know…

[Ms Boyle personified the Show Must Go On. Not long afer her performance she was on her way to a psychiatric facility. This is just so wrong. I hope someone gets her an excellent lawyer. BGT has to pay her some of the blood money they made off of her.]

KING: Yes.
PINSKY: But she’s (INAUDIBLE)…
HOLDEN: I think that she will have a…
PINSKY: …hospital.
KING: Yes.

HOLDEN: She is in — she is in a place where celebrities go when they are burnt out. Now, I am obviously not a doctor. I’m not you. I have no factual information to give to you. I can only say to you what her brother, who, obviously, has been spending time with her and who has the best information, because he’s recently seen her, has said, which is that he believes that she wants to come home within a matter of days, rather than weeks…

[She was taken to the hospital under the Mental Health Act - same thing Britney was under. Ms Boyle has to stay until her doctors release her.]

KING: All right.
PINSKY: That’s excellent.

HOLDEN: And that she is excited about the prospect of seeing what’s out there. And, of course, you know, our show…

KING: She should be.
PINSKY: Yes.
HOLDEN: Yes. But she is under no pressure to do anything.

[NOW she isn't. BGT's done with her. All she's doing now is bringing BGT well-deserved scrutiny. The Doctor in chief where Ms Boyle is admitted is on her side and thinks there should be some sort of an investigation.]

KING: Let me get a — let me show something here. She was a guest on this show shortly after her amazing audition video was posted on the Internet. Here’s a little bit of that interview.

=====VIDEO CLIP=======
KING: How did you feel, by the way, Susan, when you came onstage?

SUSAN BOYLE: I felt — it felt very daunting at first. But I gradually picked up enough courage. I was very — I was very confident with the title.

KING: Now, people laughed, though, when you walked out. Some even rolled their eyes. They made faces — who is this lady? Didn’t that hurt you a little?

BOYLE: It didn’t bother me because I knew I had to get on with my act.

[Same as the finals]

KING: So you had no question about your singing?

BOYLE: Well, I wasn’t sure how it would be received. So I just thought I’d give it a whirl.
======END VIDEO CLIP =======

KING: Would you guess, Dr. Drew, that she still has a career in front of her? Wouldn’t you bet she does?

PINSKY: Oh, I bet she does, absolutely. And she will learn to become accustomed to this kind of stress, I am sure. But let’s make sure she has the care she needs. Let’s call this what it is. And let’s be sure that — I mean it’s really — it throws open an interesting question — should we be making sure that everybody that goes on shows like this has access to things that help them deal with the stress of these kinds of environments?

KING: Interesting point.

We’ve got the winners of “Britain’s Got Talent” next — the dance troupe Diversity, in 60 seconds.

Was Ms Boyle cheated by BGT & YouTube

Susan Boyle posts/videos/interviews

June 3, 2009

Source: Daily Mail’s PAUL REVOIR

So did Britain’s Got Talent and/or YouTube conspire to keep Susan Boyle from winning?

It’s possible.

I can see why BGT would want to if they were aware of Ms Boyle’s fragile state. Which, according to the Daily Mail, BGT did know. They reported Ms Boyle was being seen by psychiatrists throughout the week and on Saturday.

The problem was YouTube. They were replaying old clips of hers with the wrong number, which did not happen to her opponents. Her number was supposed to be 08 but 07 or 09 showed up – her opponents Diversity’s and Shaun Smith’s numbers. I can see one number showing up wrong – but both? It explains the 1-2-3 finish.

Folks also complained they couldn’t get through.

ITV spokesman:

The voting lines for the finalists were clearly displayed and read out after each act had performed in the final, with further calls to action for all of the acts at four further points in the evening.

We are satisfied viewers had ample opportunity to know which voting numbers to call. We are not responsible for any phone numbers which may have been posted on unofficial websites.

They may not have been responsible but they were responsible for the old clips being available. They made them available. They could and should have been removed but they wanted to make more money. Now of course they’re gone. Can’t milk the cow after it’s put out to pasture.

How close was the voting?

Close enough for the You Tube problem and busy phone lines to have potential significance.

Breakdown of votes.

Semifinals
Boyle 52.1 vs 36.2 Diversity
Boyle +15.9.

Finals
Diversity 24.9 vs 20.2 Boyle
Boyle -4.7.

20.6 percentage point swing

Head to head.

Both times.

Impossible to believe.

And just how much money did BGT make off Ms Boyle in the last week?

£5million from the phone/advertising revenue, which cashes out to over $8M.

The going price for an innocent woman’s sanity.

#1 Diversity, #2 Susan Boyle, #3 Julian Smith (16.4%) #4 Stavros Flatley (16.3%)

Judge Sotomayor “racist” comments “Poor choice of words”

June 3, 2009

Judge Sotomayor is a barry clone. She goes through intermediaries (who can claim to have “misheard” or “misunderstood) instead of going on the record. She still refuses to address her “racist comments” head on and it appears Sen Dianne Feinstein has volunteered (been chosen) to be the mouthpiece.

JUDGE SOTOMAYOR:

I would hope that a wise Latina woman, with the richness of her experiences, would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life. Whether born from experience or inherent physiological or cultural differences, our gender and national origins may and will make a difference in our judging.

CNN: Sen Dianne Feinstein for Judge Sotomayor:

“She said, ‘Obviously it was a poor choice of words if you read on and read the rest of my speech you wouldn’t be concerned with it but it was a poor choice of words.”

And Sen Feinstein is putting out the good word on abortion as well. Though I’m not clear on what Feinstein is intimating.

Feinstein, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, added that she and Sotomayor “generally” discussed the issue of abortion, and that the judge believes strongly in legal precedent.

“I believe she has a real respect for precedent and … if that is really true then I will agree with her and I believe it is,” the senator said.

That makes me believe she is pro0life but as far as the law will abide by precedent. Gibbs was pushing the same word the other day: “strict adherence to precedent” So he knows her stand already.

Wasn’t one of barry’s promises to only pick a Justice who believes in Roe v Wade aka a woman’s right to choose?

Reuters video: Piers Morgan re: Ms Boyle

Susan Boyle posts/videos/interviews

June 2, 2009

Video clip of results being announced and Piers Morgan, Susan’s brother and a therapist re: Ms Boyle hospitalization.

The Early Show: Gerry Boyle (brother)

Susan Boyle posts/videos/interviews

June 2, 2009

Gerry Boyle, Susan’s brother talked with Harry Smith on the Early Show. No video.

GERRY BOYLE:

[She] seems to be coming back to her old ways. And she’s fine. She’s anxious to come home, and she’s starting to be a bit more like herself, I’m pleased to say — eager to come home to Scotland from London, and just, you know — she seems to be on the way back. Which is marvelous.

[Her] biggest worry, after Saturday night, is … where does her career go from here? Will she be still accepted? She didn’t win the competition. Will people still want to hear her sing? And will there be a career for her as we stand here today?”

Did Susan suffer some sort of mental collapse?

GERRY BOYLE:

Anxieties were high. I think, you know, seven weeks of, not pressure, but certainly media-intensified attention, you know, someone who’s used to the media would find that difficult. And I think eventually exhaustion, worrying about the outcome of the competition, and anxiety just took [their] toll.

What Susan needs most now, he said, is to “return from London to Edinburgh … (to) come home to Blackburn, be at home for a couple of days. You know, be reunited with the now world-famous Pebbles cat, and have a good cup of Scottish tea, and then, you know, have a couple of days just to come back to normality, and then perhaps hear from the people who want to work with her, see if there’s any offers on the table, just establish where does her career go from here? But in the immediate few days, just have a couple of days off, Susan, and rewind and gather your thoughts and you’ll be fine.

Does he or Susan fell exploited by the media?

GERRY BOYLE:

It’s marvelous to have all this attention. To have all these warm feelings coming from across the country, across America, from, let’s face it — Susan seven weeks ago was simply a little lady from Scotland, and you know, she’s very grateful that the opportunities are now opening up for her. … hopefully, in the next few days, but I wouldn’t say the media exploited her. I think the media, as we look back, Susan will realize the media give her an opportunity.”

A clinical psychologist added his two cents.

DR JAMES OLIVER:

Producers will pick the flakiest, most exotic eccentric, strange people — some of whom are a bit depressed, some of whom lack identity and are very weird, and they will be put on the reality TV shows because, I’m sorry to say, (people) want to watch them.

Where do you think he placed Gerry’s sister?

Access Hollywood: Gerry Boyle (brother)

Susan Boyle posts/videos/interviews

June 2, 2009

Professor (Doctor) Chris Thompson, the Chief Medical Officer at the mental health facility – The Priory – where Ms Boyle was admitted, says there has to be an investigation. “There has to be a set of questions, I think, the industry has to ask itself. How do we prevent this stress?”

Reportedly a “British Agency” is reviewing complaints against the show but “no formal investigation is underway”.

Though late today, BGT producers announced that they were examining “show protocols”.

What they allowed to happen to Ms Boyle was one thing – what they did to that 10 y/o girls was inhumane. They cannot have children competing with adults. It’s just not right.

Susan Boyle’s brother Gerry spoke with ACCESS HOLLYWOOD today.

How is she?

GERRY: She’s fine. She’s anxious to come home. Susan seems to be coming back to her old ways.

Her main concern?

GERRY: Will people still want to hear her sing? [Absolutely. Even if all she can handle is making studio recordings.] And will there be a career for her as we stand her today.

Did she crack under the pressure?

GERRY: I think her anxieties were high. And I think eventually exhaustion – worrying about the outcome of the competition – and anxiety just took its toll. She’s sounding a bit more like herself, I’m pleased to say. Eager to come home to Scotland from London.

Does she blame the media for her meltdown?

GERRY: Let’s face it, Susan seven weeks ago was simply a lady from Scotland. And she’s very grateful that opportunities are opening up, perhaps.

Her number one goal?

To be reunited with the now world famous Peebles cat. And then perhaps hear from the people who want to work with her and see if there’s any offers on the table — just establish where does her career go from here.

I wonder if Simon Cowell still plans on signing her.

She should sign with a small label. Somebody who can take care of her and look after her interests with her well-being in mind. Not some big label where it’s an assembly line and tons of non-performing media appearances and obligations.

How much more publicity can one get than 200 million YouTube hits?

One of her brothers is supposedly a big business man. He should stick it to Simon and everybody else and find somewhere in Scotland so she could still work with her singing coach Fred O’Neil – someone who actually cares about her. She has enough of an internet following to make millions selling her CD on her own website. She should reap the rewards of her own work without Cowell – who failed her – getting a cut.

Susan Boyle: video comments after semifinal win

Susan Boyle posts/videos/interviews

June 1, 2009

Here is Ms Boyle’s interview the morning after her semifinal performance of Memory. Does there appear to be anything wrong with her? So what really happened and who was (not) watching out for her?

Her words here are prophetic and very sad in light of what BGT allowed to happen. Just watch how genuinely surprised she was that she made it through and how she enjoyed the audience reaction. Her last sentences are hard to hear her say.

How much of it was a “good moment”?

Sad. Very sad. And very wrong.

darbs45

MS BOYLE: It’s the morning after the [semi] finals, which was on Sunday night, and I’m feeeling pretty good because it was a totally unexpected result. I’m feeling pretty good about the result.

My performance – I was too busy concentrating on how I was doing. It was a pretty rocky start to begin with – because to begin with I sorta has a cocky note – and that’s because I had a cold. But I said to myself, ‘Well you better pick yourself up and keep going’. So that’s all I did was keep going and after that it just got better.

And the audience reaction was really stunning! Laughs.

The performance in Glasgow, you’re was only in front of 4,000 people. That particular one in the TV studio on Sunday night was entirely different and the pressure was really on me. But you tend to ignore the fact that other people are watching and just concentrate on what’s happening in the here and now in that particular studio.

Well, it all really began after the audttions in Glasgow. It was a kind of an instant reaction after I sung I Dreamed a Dream. I don’t know how many hits I had on YouTube – but the only tube I know is a tube of Smarties. [candy] I really don’t know much about computers. Laughs.

It feels really good to have friends around the world, especially so many, but it’s veruy overwhelming – it’s very hard to put into words.

I’m really looking forward to the final. I’m looking forward to giving an improved night.

I’m not 100% sure I can get through because anything can happen, but I’m going to do the very best I can, then.

Because I really want this moment to be a good moment.

I want to really fulfill this dream and see it through to the end.

And what happened?

It wasn’t a really good moment and the question has to be asked, why?

BGT fed Ms Boyle to the wolves

Susan Boyle posts/videos/interviews

rant alert

June 1, 2009

What’s perfectly clear is Britain’s Got Talent used Ms Boyle. They used her for publicity and did not adequately foresee or care for her needs. None of that would have happened had someone accompanied her who knew her. What happened was 100% completely avoidable if they had taken a moment to think that maybe someone who has trouble coping with the world in a little village in Scotland might have a wee bit of a problem in London with the noise and people and paparazzi and reporters who provoked her for that exact reaction.

How many human beings would have been able to handle coming from obscurity in a little village to a global sensation literally overnight. Nobody has had as many You Tube views that quickly. She was 5th overall (186M) a month ago. Who knows what it is now.

And she has gotten nothing for it. Not a single penny from YouTube.

Imagine what it would mean if she were paid a penny per hit. That’s all.

How would it make her feel?

Would it mean her sanity and well-being were worth something?

That she is talented and has a future?

How much self-esteem would a single check help rebuild?

What better way to literally show her that folks do want to buy her CD and do want to hear her sing as soon as she is able?

It’s just one more aspect of her treatment that is so completely wrong.

After seven weeks of attention and anxiety and a week of global humiliation, what does Ms Boyle tangibly have?

A stay in a psychiatric facility.

How closely were they watching her?

One thing is for certain – Britain enjoys tearing down their own. It’s despicable. And that Neil Sean is a true beast calling Ms Boyle “ugly and unmarketable” on Good Morning America in front of the whole world – and perhaps even Susan herself.

It should be Britain’s Got Heathens.

Does anyone know who the reporters were? What country they were from?

How much they got paid to provoke her?

What about the ones who took the video and pictures when she was being taken for medical treatment?

Where was the BGT personnel then? Why was there no security?

Or was she already on her own since the show was officially over?

It’s disgusting.

Piers is disgusting. Making all those appearances – using Ms Boyle as an excuse to push America’s Got Talent and getting his notoriety. He went on the morning shows and commented without ever having talked to her to hear himself from her what she was feeling and what happened.

Why wasn’t he protecting her? Someone she clearly respected and trusted?

Did they ever go out to dinner like he asked?

Simon Cowell apologizes to her but does nothing to protect her and wants to make money off of her. He goes on Oprah and Ms Boyle is on via satellite and can’t even sing.

Amanda? Forget about it. She did her share of interviews. They all got face time because of her and how did they thank her?

By abandoning her. By allowing her to be slaughtered and fed to the paparazzi from every imaginable country – as if Britain’s own weren’t enough.

Why was Ms Boyle in the midst of all those people?

Why wasn’t she kept in a controlled environment?

Britain was “affectionately” calling her “The Hairy Angel”. What do you think the paparazzi and foreign reporters said when she was just a couple of feet away? Has anyone determined what they exactly said to set her off?

It’s not a stretch to believe it was something about her physical appearance. Everyone knows she was bullied as a child and referred toi as “Simple Susan”.

How is Hairy Angel any better?

It’s exponentially worse because the whole world heard and saw and read her being called that. Things she could read, see and hear.

What’s 20 kids versus millions and millions of people? Especially when the words will be floating in cyberspace forever.

Ms Boyle finally had her dream come true, and when the moment came, she was exhausted and maybe even medicated, making her performance even more remarkable.

Where was her animation?

Her exuberance and childlike joy?

Where was Susan?

Why did the producers allow her to be stolen away?

Why didn’t they at least allow her to bring Pebbles? A source of familiar comfort that has never judged her or said anything about how she looks. Something that could have calmed her. Someone she could have talked to who she knew would listen.

Did they take any kind of precautions or evaluate her needs?

From the outcome it doesn’t appear so. Her family should sue Britain’s Got Talent. She was used by them and not adequately protected in return. The producers took advantage of her to hype their show and get press with nothing given to her in return. Not even a security detail to keep folks away from her.

It’s sinful.

They allowed her to go astray. They didn’t care enough to do something before it got out of hand. The question is what, if anything , were they doing? Professional actors have a hard time navigating the press and paparazzi – and a woman from a small village in Scotland? What chance did a woman with the naivete of a teenage girl have with the entire planet after her?

I think what she did was nothing short of miraculous. She got up there despite it all and gave a stunning performance. That should not get lost in all of this even thougn it appears it already has.

What was the actual inciting factor?

The press, the paparazzi, anxiety of how she was going to do, lack of rest, pressure on her from the show to perform, do press and be perky?

Or was it inherently neurological?

Was it the actual brain damage caused by the perinatal anoxia that made her unable to cognitively and emotionally cope with the stimulation of London and massive media crush?

She said on video the morning after the semi-finals that she “really wanted this moment to be a good moment” And that she wanted “to really fulfill this dream and see it through to the end.”

Was it?

What dream of hers came true?

And who allowed it to be destroyed?

She was suffering and no one seemed to know what was going on. How much pressure did the producers put on her when she said she wanted to quit? What did they threaten her with? Was she able to discuss the situation with anyone she knew?

Where were her 8 siblings and their children?

And if she was that impaired after the show – she had to be so before it and perhaps for days leading up to it.

She did it despite everything. She did see it through to the end. Although it wasn’t the “really good moment” she had hoped for.

They exploited her and made millions of dollars while doing so….the phone companies…the sponsors…the online and regular papers….the tabloids and paparazzi and the news/entertainment shows in the UK, here in the US and elsewhere.

How much of a boost has she singlehandedly provided Blackburn’s economy?

How many folks who once shunned her have been making money off the fans and reporters who have been staying in their hotel, shopping in their stores and eating and drinking in their pubs?

And Ms Boyle ?

What has her simple dream to sing before the queen cost her?

Ms Boyle admitted to mental health clinic

Susan Boyle posts/videos/interviews

June 1, 2009

After giving her all, Ms Boyle had had enough. Too much. The specifics are not really necessary. The point is she was stretched to the breaking point after having been used and manipulated by Britain’s Got Talent. This clearly didn’t come on overnight. And the very least they could have done was let her travel with Pebbles.

Ms Boyle’s comments after Diversity won. See here for the winner being announced. She smiled and cheered and did not throw a tantrum. She showed a bit of leg, yes.

(Daily Mail)

SUSAN BOYLE:

The best people won. They’re very entertaining, and lads — I wish you all the best.

What a journey.

Unbelievable, very humbling.

———
She didn’t appear out of her gourd. Tired, subdued, and maybe even medicated but not in need of observation. But several hours later she was taken to the clinic accompanied by police.

After the show:

Susan was reportedly emotionally drained out and was coping with the fact that she’s a runner up. Show aides contacted the police after noticing that she was acting strangely at her London hotel.

A source elaborated, “She’d been at the hotel for a few days, but since Saturday’s final had been acting strangely, causing a bit of a stir. The staff were concerned – something wasn’t right.”

Scotland Yard:

Police were called at approximately 6pm (1700 GMT) to a central London hotel to doctors assessing a woman under the Mental Health Act. Police and ambulance attended. The woman was taken voluntarily by ambulance to a clinic. At the request of doctors, police accompanied the ambulance.

In an official statement a Talkback Thames spokesperson said:

Following Saturday night’s show, Susan is exhausted and emotionally drained. She has been seen by her private GP who supports her decision to take a few days out for rest and recovery. We offer her our ongoing support and wish her a speedy recovery.

That’s as straightforward as I could find.

She was transported under the Mental Health Act to a facility (The Priory) specializing in mental health issues. Which means there was some degree of risk of harm to herself and/or others or she was unable to care for herself and that she wasn’t at first wiling to be transported there. She was admitted for more than “rest” and most likely will be there longer than a “few days”.

Can’t they bring her Pebbles?

Pix of the day: “Obama sure likes refried beans”

June 2, 2009

Source: NBC 5′s MARCUS RILEY.

Obama just loves refried beans.

Sign in front of RICHARD TISCH’s Will County Loan Company in Lockport, which is clearly in reference to barry’s appointing of Judge Sotomayor. But it’s not a special occasion. He’s put up other signs, which he refers to as “political satire”. When Bill Clinton was in office it was:

Hillary’s Health Plan: Free Condoms for Wild Bill

June 2008:

My choice for President? Dr. Condoleeza Rice

October 2008, when Sen McCain raised the issue of border security with Mexico:

John McCain just loves refried beans.

What do his customers think?

People read the signs, but they never forget the ones they don’t like. It’s not against the Mexican people. It’s only if you choose to read it that way.

Perhaps someone should clue him in that Sotomayor’s parents are from the Spanish-speaking area of Puerto Rico – not Mexico.

TISCH, obviously not a barryfan, has no problem pointing out that barry is once again pandering to a demographic – this time the Hispanic vote. That barry is trying to “buy the Mexican vote” because “she’s not the best qualified person to do the job.”

Racially motivated?

Some people, for instance the sign that’s up there today, like to put a racial issue there. That’s not what it’s intended to do. I’m simply saying that Barack Obama is probably the smartest politician to hold the office, but he made a decision based on politics and not what’s best for the country.

Chicago-based folks clearly see that barry’s MO consists of one thing and one thing only: political expedience.

He is always looking forward – in this case, reelection – when he hasn’t even started to govern. And it’s because he doesn’t know how – just like he didn’t know how to legislate and never would have made it to the US Senate without Emil Jones sending legislation his way.

How many swing states has he been to? As the polls shift, so does barry’s position. What hasn’t he changed his mind on? Abortion? And if Judge Sotomayor is a real Catholic, as in pro-life?

She is just as good as him at hiding her personal beliefs. After all the years she has spent on the bench nobody knows her views. He was actually going for a twofer – a bog box and a little box: women and Hispanics. But if it turns out she is pro-life, which I would bet she is, it’s going to be the last strike for the Hillary people. And it would be just rewards for NARAL’s gassy-eyed Ms Keenan.

The only group barry hasn’t bothered to pander – and has actively dissed – is the LBGT community because there is no pay off. They aren’t about to vote Republican – so by not pandering he’s trying to capture some of the Bible belt.

Tisch is right. barry’s true political genious has nothing to do with all that lofty not based in reality messiah complex ramblings about Change! and team of rivals and shifting the oceans I will never lie to you because I am The One we’ve been waiting for telepromptering. It has to do with how he gets away with saying it and not doing it. I still can’t figure out if folks – including the barrymedia – don’t care or if they are really that ignorant.

Don’t look at barry’s words – they mean absolutely nothing. Just like his ridiculous fairy tale on Iraq that folks bought at face value when his actions did not in anyway follow his politically expedient “speech”. When it came to action – when he finally had to act and set a timetable – it wasn’t at all like he promised (and won the nomination on). He ended up basically following Bush’s timetable. And it’s the same as FISA, military tribunals, release of torture photographs and will be with Guantanamo Bay.

If you really want to know what barry will do – look at the polls and figure out what would reap the biggest political reward and then put your money down. If you need proof  – look back on his “refining of policy positions” throughout the primaries, before the convention, the general election, the transition and since he has become president and compare his words and actions. It’s all right there.

What is it going, folks?

Overturning Roe v Wade?

Circuit Court Judge Stephen White assigned to Peterson case

Updated Drew Peterson posts/videos

June 1, 2009

Well won’t be anymore judges unless it comes from the Court. Both the prosecution and defense have used their substitution motions. The original judge was to be presiding felony Judge Richard Schoenstedt. But on 5-18, Peterson’s arraignment the prosecution surprised the defense by requesting Judge Richard Schoenstedt be replaced on “the grounds of prejudice against the state”. No real reason needed to be disclosed. The defense attempted to fight it but Will County Chief Judge Gerald McKinney assigned Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes .

Initially, the defense had no idea who she was and said they objected. After the break they said she was fine. As a fleeting counterpoint the defense thought about requesting a new prosecutor but never went through with it. She refused to lower Peterson’s bond and at that hearing defense attorney Joel Brodsky brought up the issue as to whether she should recuse herself because she had signed then Kathleen Peterson’s order of protection from Drew – [I see I never posted this]. She said she did not remember the case (2002) and again they said they were fine with her — that she had a “very sharp legal mind” and is “not afraid to make unpopular rulings” and “that’s exactly the type of judge we want”. But the judge gave them 9 days to file a motion, which they did, citing “prejudice against the defendant’. They also requested that Judge Daniel Rozak – who agreed with the $20M bond – not be assigned.

Yesterday, Chief Judge Kinney assigned Circuit Court Judge Stephen White.

I wonder if it will prompt another Peterson call to The Today Show or Mancow. I realize I never posted that phone call either. Absolutely disgusting. Will find it.

Next hearing set for Wednesday, June 3rd, 1:30.

Glenn Selig, Peterson/Brodsky publicist:

A new judge was assigned today in the Drew Peterson case. Circuit Judge Stephen White will now oversee proceedings. Will County Chief Judge Gerald Kinney made the decision this morning. The defense team representing Peterson wanted Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes replaced.

“We’re pleased that we can finally get moving on the merits of the case,” says lead defense attorney Joel A. Brodsky.

The next hearing in the case is set for Wednesday at 1:30pm CST where attorneys will discuss the merits of sealing discovery and limiting Peterson’s face-to-face contact with his legal team.

Saudi Arabia’s pre-POTUS preparations

June 1, 2009

 

barry’s paid >$1,066,691.94 in legal fees since lawsuits began