Jack & Jill Politics

Wow have you changed the face of this website? cause last time I visited you I was on a Hotel in Turkey
and I remember you had another theme. Anyway it`s a great job you did up here guys and keep doing so from now on.

rikyrah: THIS is UNBELIEVABLE!!:

Bernie's funda-mental defense

If you thought Bernard Madoff’s $50 billion investment scheme was audacious, get ready for his alibi. Lawyers for the accused scammer are exploring an insanity defense, we hear.

“Bernie’s family and his attorneys may argue that, somewhere along the line, he had a mental break,” says a Madoff acquaintance. “They may even say he has a multiple personality disorder.”

Madoff’s grip on reality does show signs of slipping. The 70-year-old financier, now a prisoner of his East Side penthouse, wore a weird smile when he was photographed shortly after his Dec. 12 arrest. He’s also said to be taking a heavy dose of anti-anxiety medication.

“He seems really out of it,” says a source, who believes Madoff’s family fears he’ll follow the example of Rene-Thierry Magon de la Villehuchet, the Madoff client who slit his wrists last week. “He has a very low affect. Bernie barely speaks. His wife, Ruth, and his sons, Andrew and Mark, do most of the talking for him.”

Madoff’s lead attorney, Ira Lee Sorkin, told us: “I have no comment on Mr. Madoff’s defense or mental health.”

Dr. Keith Ablow believes Sorkin could make a case for diminished capacity.

“He might try to argue that Madoff suffered from dementia or a bipolar disorder,” says the psychiatrist, who has served as an expert witness in high-profile criminal cases. “

He could argue that Madoff committed the fraud during manic, euphoric periods and that he never found the equilibrium to correct his crime. Or that he was so delusional that he convinced himself the investment returns were real. You might also plead that he was incapacitated by some character disorder, like a malignant narcissism stemming from an early-life trauma.

“Insanity defenses rarely work,” Ablow notes. “But if you can influence just one juror, he may stand a chance.”

No doubt people will call him crazy like a fox and recall mobster Vincent (Chin) Gigante, who tried to escape jail by mumbling and stumbling around the streets in his bathrobe.

Top criminal attorney Edward Hayes doesn’t think it will fly: “Madoff admitted to his sons that he knew
it was a Ponzi scheme. His best defense is making himself essential to discovering where the money is and getting it to the victims.”

Still, just to be safe, the grinning Madoff might want to find himself a really tatty bathrobe.

I'v stated B4 that many of the RECENT HEADLINES READ DIFFERENTLY from the ARTICLE!! I'm glad that MANY of the COMMENTS from psychologists and attorneys are saying that the "diminished capacity defense" may NOT WORK!!

What a disaster HE created in the lives of sooo many people! SHAMEFUL!! CRIMINAL!! THAT'S ALL!! Geeeeez!!! ***shakin' my head!!***

He has nothing left really, a man without a country or a people. Did you see that New York Times article about Jews being ashamed of him? Insanity is probably not too far off at this point.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/24/us/24jews.htm...

Anovelista: Thank you for the article! True dat!! :>)

Personally, I have no problem with this. It's called parenting.

Tough love or too tough?
Dad punishes son for vandalism by making him advertise his offense

http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_11249330

Cruel and unusual punishment or just good, old-fashioned discipline?

Dennis Baltimore Jr. was caught vandalizing school property at Long Beach's Wilson Classical High School.

He was sentenced by his dad to walk the streets of Long Beach and Signal Hill on Tuesday for five hours in two locations wearing a sign saying, "I am a juvenile delinquent who should be punished. I have wasted your tax money with dumb acts of vandalism in the public schools."

When Dennis Baltimore Sr.'s phone rang Monday, he didn't know the call from his son's school would cost $875, the price of the vandalism.

"In a time of this uncertain economy, I'm sure the public is not going to like it," he said. "So one way I am going to discipline him is to have him walking around with a sign stating his crime."

Baltimore Sr., who works in the engineering department of DirecTV, moved to California a few years ago from Washington, D.C., where he worked for CNN and Fox News. He has a three-

day assignment to do video for Fox News for the presidential inauguration in January.

The father got the sign idea from a news story of an unemployed man in New York who recently advertised his resume on a board and walked the streets in search of a job.

"I didn't come up with this idea myself. I want to thank the guy in New York," he said. "When I saw that, I went to the store, bought the supplies and made the sign."

According to his dad, the 10 th-grader was trying to get attention when he painted graffiti of a fictitious gang on school property.

"I was thinking about being a gangbanger, but once I saw what the punishment was, I was like, no," Baltimore Jr. said.

The 16-year-old also cringed from the attention his punishment drew as onlookers laughed, pointed and took pictures while reading the sign.

"I want him to feel all of those things because I want him to always question himself before he makes a decision," his father said.

It's called parenting 101. All ACTIONS have consequences. He won't forget.

Although, my daddy used to say, "The quickest way to a child's brain is through the seat of his pants.'

Yup!

Great article! Good old fashion tough love! It'll make a man out of him!

this IS parenting.

good old fashioned SHAME.

the son was so ' tough'. well, be 'tough' and walk those streets telling folks what you did

Exactly! The kid literally said "I was thinking about being a gangbanger."

He's lucky to have his dad. I wish more parents would get into this while they still have some control/influence over their kids.

Anovelista: Heeeeeey! :>) :>) Ima CO-SIGN!! It's called parenting!

Heeeeeeey GreenLady!

Wouldn't it be nice if more "parents" tried it out sometime?!

Anovelista: In my "former life", I worked with "families" who would BEG me to "help them impose some sanctions" on their -OUT OF CONTROL- young'ens!

In many cases, "WE" could work out something "like this" to the satisfaction of the students annnnd the parents/guardians.

I was PLEASANTLY surprised at the THANKS that I would get from the STUDENTS! There are those who really want/appreciate CONTROLS!

These were the "BETTER" scenarios! :>) :>)

That makes sense. I think kids appreciate restrictions for the most part because it shows that someone cares for them. Kids with no rules and/or boundaries tend to miss the structure and it shows up one way or another later in life.

Anovelista: because it shows that someone cares for them.

There U go!!! ON POINT!! :>) :>)

rikyrah: ***shakin' my head*** WHEW!!

Bush Avoids the Spotlight on Vacation, Despite International Conflict

December 28, 2008 7:03 PM

ABC News' Kirit Radia reports from Crawford, Texas:

Even an emerging crisis in the Middle East, one he pledged to resolve just 13 months ago, has not drawn President George W. Bush from his final vacation before leaving office. Despite his personal pledge at Annapolis last year to broker a deal between Israel and the Palestinians before 2009, this weekend Bush sent his spokesmen to comment in his stead.

The spokesman's statement, while blaming Hamas for the outbreak of violence, did not signal that the United States is prepared to step in to resolve the conflict, suggesting that this president is content to leave the matter for his successor.

Since departing Washington for Crawford on Friday, President Bush has made no attempt to be seen in public. In fact, he has yet to leave his ranch.

His spokesmen said that the president has stayed in the loop, receiving his usual briefings and consulting with his top advisors. He had at least one talk with a foreign leader, a conversation with Saudi King Abdullah, yesterday.[Saturday.]

Not atypically, we have yet to learn anything more about what is keeping the commander in chief busy, though one can assume there is brush to be cleared, trails to be biked, and perhaps even fish to be caught.
[BWAHAHAHA!!]

The Western White House expects to begin briefing reporters starting tomorrow, which will hopefully shed some light on the U.S. response to the Israel-Gaza situation… and on the president's schedule. [THAT WOULD BE ON MONDAY!]

LAWD HA'MERCY!!! :>)

Did Mr. President-Elect Obama "CALL HIM OUT" by stating that "There is ONLY ONE PRESIDENT!!" YES HE DID!! :>) :>)

This is "WHYCOME" the reporter HAD TA go lookin' for HIM[The ONLY PRESIDENT!]

Poetic justice annnnnnnd, GREAT CHESS!! :>) :>)

"Even an emerging crisis in the Middle East, one he pledged to resolve just 13 months ago, has not drawn President George W. Bush from his final vacation before leaving office."

-He's ALWAYS done this.

I'm not surprised.

Admiral: I know! Just seeing it in print - - - - ***shakin' my head***

22 MORE DAYS of SHRUB!! [Glass half-full interpretation!] Yaaaaa! :>)

icebergslim: THANK YOU!!! ALWAYS A WINNER!! :>)

rikyrah: Another "VACATION -Sighting":


Obama Visits High School Friend in Hawaii
Sunday, December 28th, 2008

The president-elect, his wife and kids as well as close friends Eric Whitaker and Marty Nesbitt travel two hours from their vacation compound to just west of Waialua, Hawaii.

They're said to be visiting the home of Bobby Titcomb, a high school friend of Obama's. Pool report here.

'cause HE/THEY can visit whoeva HE/THEY like! :>) :>) :>) Love that SONG! :>) :>) :>) ***head bobbin' to da beat*** :>)

Laura Bush: My Husband's Not A Failure

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/28/laura-...

WASHINGTON — First lady Laura Bush says she disagrees with critics who say her husband's presidency was a failure.

In an interview aired Sunday on Fox News Sunday, Mrs. Bush says she knows her husband's eight years in office was not a failure, and says she doesn't feel as if she needs to respond to people who view it that way.

She says history will judge the two-term presidency of George W. Bush.

Mrs. Bush notes that under her husband's watch, the nation has been kept safe from attack since Sept. 11 and that his administration toppled Saddam Hussein and liberated millions of people in Afghanistan and Iraq from oppressive governments. She also talked of her husband's work to provide treatment for disease to millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa.



Whatever, Laura! (Eye Roll)

"Laura Bush: My Husband's Not A Failure"

-YES he is, Laura.

He makes James Buchannan look good!

well, despite it all, Laura is RIDE OR DIE with Dubya.

Eartha Kitt Catwoman episodes are on youtube. I'm just going to highlight.

Dressed to Kill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWfLp8yT4K4

My favorite lines: Ridiculous! How can Batgirl be the best? No best dressed list is complete without the addition of the queen of criminals, the princess of plunder! (Her sidekicks were minx and angora). In any comparison between Batgirl and myself she runs a poor third.

YouTube's Best Of 2008: Top Ten Videos

It's been a great year for YouTube. It's officially a vital campaign tool, and there's still no shortage of goofy comedy videos. Below we've compiled the top 10 for 2008, arrived at by combining the number of times viewed, newsworthiness and hilarity to bring you the cream of the crop.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/27/youtub...

One of my favorite pictures from the campaign; in regards to the "paraody", I don't even know what to say.

Is it ignorance, I don't think so; I believe the song and other actions by the RNC are deliberate efforts to re-energize the base and bring them back to the party.

The other side of me says they are just ignorant and continue to shoot themselves in the foot regarding any type of outreach possibilities to our community etc...

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary responds to the Barfack the Magic Negrocontroversy.

Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton wrote Puff the Magic Dragon, a children's song that has also been misrepresented as extolling weed-smoking.

Rice: Obama election a unifying symbol

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the country is not "race-blind" and "we shouldn't deceive ourselves that we're race-blind," but said the election of Barack Obama as the first African-American president was a key moment in history.
"I think all Americans were quite taken with the fact that we were able, after the long history we've been through, that initial birth defect of slavery, that we've elected an African-American," Rice said in an interview taped recently on CBS' Sunday Morning. "And that's enormously heartening for people in the country, but also people worldwide who still have trouble with differences."

Rice, who left segregated Alabama to eventually become the first African-American female to be secretary of state, warned that the United States still has problems with race.

"But I do think we've gotten to the place that we don't see a person and say, 'That's a black person, therefore they must be ...' And that's an enormous step forward."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-12...

She is just trying to cement her place in history and leave on a positive note. This is all a bunch of postering on her part.

Chris Chambers: Hey! :>)

Well, she has ta do this so that HER BOOK can end with - - - - - - -

Annnnnnd they lived happily ever after! THE END!

***shakin' my head*** :>) :>)

Maybe with the final statement. I'm sure being the age she is and coming from a segregated Alabama, she surely has some real feelings about Obama's election.

Hey MsMartin!

Hey Justice!

msmartin: HeeeeY! Hope you had a GREAT Christmas Day, etc. :>)

She has actually stated those very sentiments! [soon after the June 3.] :>)

You're right on point!! :>)

Merry Christmas GreenLady! I hope you had a great Christmas too!

msmartin: THANK YOU! :>) :>) I did! :>)

America to Celebrate the Careers of Six Extraordinary Artists,
Gala will be broadcast on CBS Tuesday, December 30 at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT)

Morgan Freeman, George Jones, Barbra Streisand, Twyla Tharp, and Pete Townshend & Roger Daltrey To Receive 31st Annual Kennedy Center Honors

Washington, D.C.—The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced the selection of the individuals who will receive the Kennedy Center Honors of 2008. Recipients to be honored at the 31st annual national celebration of the arts are: actor Morgan Freeman, singer George Jones, director, singer, actress, composer and producer Barbra Streisand, choreographer Twyla Tharp, and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who.


http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/speciale...

For a moment I thought you said Grace Jones, not George Jones.

Oh well...sigh. Maybe next time.

lavender, while it would be facinating to see Grace Jones at the Kennedy Center, I don't think her body of work is substantive for the Honors at this juncture.

I'm looking forward to seeing Morgan Freeman's Honor segment. "Shawshank Redemption" is one of my favorite movies, in which he starred.

I'm a big Twyla and Babs fan too.

I'm SOOO happy for Mike Singletary. He's a good guy, and was totally #($*ed over by the Bears.

For sports fans: the Redskins are just plain mediocre--why can't folk here in DC deal with that? The Eagles will break their fans hearts next year, trust me. The Ravens rule.

For folk coming here in three weeks: bring long underwear and walking shoes, plenty of cash. Bring walking shoes even if you are going to balls (even non black tie parties will be called "balls") as you will likely not find a cab and the Metro will be crowded, even at night. Park elderly folks down at the end of the Mall nearer the Wash Monument, as there will be jumbtrons set up, and the Smithsonian musuems will have the warmest, cleanest restrooms.

That's all till 09.

Ok, is anybody watching PEO swagger in the Illinois State House and about Illinois with Steve Kroft?

I missed it. Geez, I hate that. Hope I can watch it on YouTube as well.

Justie58, Here you g!

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3...

spirit: THANK YOU!! I had to drive my son to the airport. :>) :>)

I told him about "MY AIRPLANE "STORY"! :>) :>)

Do you know that he started ***shakin' his head*** and saying Mom! Mom! Mom!

Do ya think something is in the GENES?? :>) :>)

lol

There you go again! Yep, must be the genes thing!

Too funny!

Justice58: What can I say? ***smilin'*** :>) :>)

Spirit,

Thanks, you're a jewel. I'm off to watch right now.

Justice58/Kat: Please PASS the "JJP POPCORN." :>) :>)

AARRGH! I missed it! Hopefully it will be on YouTube.

Kat:

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3...

Im watching it! Good stuff.

I was just coming in here to tell yall it's Obama night on 60 Minutes but rikyrah is on the job, as always! :)

Hellooooo Virtual Dap!

Virtual Dap to JJP family .

It's great to be back in the Twin Cities; land of the fantabulous fist bump!

spirit: Heeeeeeyy! I forgot to say it B4!! :>) :>)

Hope U & YOURS had a Blessed Christmas! :>) :>)

howdy Green Lady, I am Baaaack!!!

rorysmomma: Heeeeeeey!!!! :>) :>)

WELCOME BACK!!! :>) :>)

Hope you & yours Had a Blessed Christmas!! :>) :>)

We had a blessed Christmas, and then the children got sick while we were visiting with my mother... Other than that , all was well.

rorysmomma: GREAT - - on the "all was well." :>) :>)

Childre's little tummies can be sensitive. Awwwww. :>)

Thank you, GreenLadyHere. We had a peaceful and Blessed Christmas!

PEO is LARGE & IN CHARGE. It's great to look back on his Journey, isn't it?

He'

It is wonderful to look back and remember all the emotions I felt during that time. We made it, we're here.

Yes, msmartin, we made it and how exciting! My husband and I spent Christmas in Iowa.

We visited De Moines "Baby Boomer Cafe" where they sell the Obama Chocolate-Chunk Cookies. They're quite good.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/200812...

spirit: YEP!! :>) :>)

Annnd, HE'S BLACK! He just said so!!!!!!

MEDIA ALERT:

60 Minutes - ALL OBAMA TONIGHT

rikyrah: THANK YOU!! :>) :>) All "EQUIPMENT" is/are operable!! :>) :>)

Ah....One of my favorite pics! Just too cool!