Entertainer of the Year

They nailed this one. There is no better choice. Fey is blowing UP!




Tina Fey voted AP Entertainer of the Year

By JAKE COYLE – 7 hours ago

NEW YORK (AP) — Tina Fey is the entertainer of the year? You betcha. Fey was voted The Associated Press' Entertainer of the Year, an annual honor chosen by newspaper editors and broadcast producers across the country.

Fey was selected by AP members as the performer who had the greatest impact on culture and entertainment in 2008.

The 38-year-old comedian bested runner-up Robert Downey Jr., whose comeback was capped with the blockbuster smash "Iron Man," and the third-place vote-getter, Heath Ledger, who posthumously wowed audiences as the Joker in "The Dark Knight."

But it was Fey who most impressed voters largely with her indelible impression of Gov. Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live." Her cameos on her old show (where she had been a head writer until 2006) helped drive the show to record ratings and eventually drew an appearance from Palin herself.

"Tina Fey is such an obvious choice," said Sharon Eberson, entertainment editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "She gave us funny when we really needed it and, in a year when women in politics were making huge strides, Fey stood out in the world of entertainment."

Fey's 2008 was a full year, though.

She also starred for the first time on the big screen in "Baby Mama" (which grossed $60 million at the box office) and won three Emmys for her critically lauded NBC sitcom "30 Rock," which she created, stars in and writes. In the comedy series category, she won for best lead actress and best writing, and shared in the award for best comedy series.

"She simultaneously entertained us with her wit and put a mirror up to the nation during the election and made us think about what was going on," said Scott Shive, assistant features editor at the Lexington Herald-Leader. "She is the epitome of the smart kid coming out on top for once."

As soon as Palin was chosen as Sen. John McCain's running mate, conjecture mounted that the similar-looking Fey would have to return to "SNL" to play her.

In an interview earlier this fall, Fey recalled watching early TV coverage of Palin: "That was the first time I thought, `Well, I kinda do look like her. I'd better really listen to how this lady talks.'"

Fey debuted the impression on the "SNL" season premiere and a sensation quickly followed. She made four more pre-election appearances as Palin on the late-night satire.

"From the winks to the nods to the accent, she nailed it," said Marc Bona, assistant entertainment editor of the Plain Dealer in Cleveland. "And she did so at a time when it seemed the whole country was tuned in — both to the presidential race as well as 'Saturday Night Live.'"

Her Palin impression has benefited "30 Rock," too. The show premiered its fourth season to 8.5 million viewers, a million more than last year's opener.

Recently, she was also nominated for a Golden Globe (for best performance by an actress in a TV series, comedy or musical), as well as a Screen Actors Guild award.

"The `SNL' stuff has certainly changed things for me," Fey said in October. "A lot more people seem to know who I am."

Last year's AP Entertainer of the Year also went to a comedian whose satire blended in with politics: Stephen Colbert.

Obama Cleared in Blago Scandal

Whatever the press and some Americans were expecting, they did not get it. For me, the outcome was never in doubt. Some sought to make more of this issue and tie Obama to it, but that was not to be. Can't we just be happy and faithful that there might just possible be a new direction in Washington?


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama's aides had no improper contact with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who has been accused of seeking to sell Obama's Senate seat, a review by his office concluded Tuesday.

Blagojevich is at the center of a corruption investigation that has made national headlines and left Obama's transition team scrambling to distance the incoming president from the scandal-tarred governor.

Blagojevich, like Obama a Democrat, has denied any wrongdoing and refused to resign from his job.

The report by Obama's office detailed contacts between Obama staffers -- including chief of staff Rahm Emanuel -- and employees in Blagojevich's office and concluded that there was "no indication of inappropriate discussions with the governor or anyone from his office about a 'deal' or a quid pro quo arrangement in which he would receive a personal benefit in return for any specific appointment to fill the vacancy."

The U.S. attorney's office, in announcing the charges against Blagojevich this month, said Obama was in no way implicated. The transition team review also said Obama had not spoken to the governor about these issues.

But the report was unlikely to fully satisfy critics who have accused Obama's team of being less than forthcoming about Blagojevich's handling of the open Senate seat.

The transition office said it had the report ready for release last week but delayed its publication at the request of prosecutors, who were still interviewing witnesses for the Blagojevich probe.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Emanuel had privately urged Blagojevich's administration to appoint Obama confidant Valerie Jarrett to the Senate seat that Obama vacated when he was elected president November 4.

The report said Emanuel did have "one or two" telephone calls with Blagojevich and did recommend Jarrett for the job, but "there was no discussion of a cabinet position ... or of any other personal benefit to the governor in exchange for the Senate appointment."

Emanuel's phone calls were to tell the governor he was taking the White House chief of staff position and would be resigning his House of Representatives seat, and for a brief discussion about the Senate seat and the merits of various contenders, the report said.

It said Jarrett and strategist David Axelrod did not have any contact with the governor or his office. Dr. Eric Whitaker, a family friend who was not a member of the transition team, was approached and asked for information by a member of the governor's circle, the report said.

The review confirmed Obama's statements that he had no contact or communication with Blagojevich or members of the governor's staff about the Senate seat.

The scandal has been an unwelcome distraction for Obama as he focuses on plans to rebuild the U.S. economy when he takes power on January 20.

Lessons from the Great Depression

Another Wiki How posting that is super applicable in these economic times:


Recent economic times may mirror what American grandparents or great-grandparents went through in the Great Depression. While this time may be a challenge, it may be an opportunity to look back and learn how previous generations coped with tough economic times. Hopefully, we'll never need to relive their lessons learned, but at the very least we can appreciate their resourcefulness and gain perspective on our own situations.

Steps

1. Quit using credit. If you don't have the cash to make a purchase, then don't buy it. If you have credit cards, make sure the pay the balance off every month. If you can't pay off the balance, then cut up the credit card(s) and work on paying down what you owe. One of the first lessons learned by people who survived the Great Depression was to never borrow money unless you have a clear plan for how you're going to pay it back.[1] And when layoffs are a reality, expecting to pay for it with your Christmas bonus or your next paycheck is not a sound plan. If you don't have the money to pay for it right now, don't buy it.
   
   • Use Affirmations Effectively - Repeat this affirmation to yourself until it sinks in: Debt is not an option.
     
   • Prioritize Your Debts - Prioritizing your debts can help you pay them off as quickly as possible, and it can provide the security you need to get back on your feet even in lean times.
     
   
   
2. Nurture positive relationships with family and friends. They will see you through difficult times. Be honest with your family and friends that you are facing difficult times financially. Discover ways to barter and help each other. During hard times, many people bond through the simple pleasures in life, many of which are almost free. During the Depression, people still had fun, just not lavish fun. Children had soapbox derbies, teenagers had dance contests, people played Monopoly, did puzzles, read, and listened to the radio. It took some imagination and ingenuity, but they had a lot of fun without hanging out at the mall, and you can too. Get together to discuss philosophy or pray; play poker or make crazy quilt pillows; play instruments and dance. Many of the friendships and alliances formed during the Great Depression on the basis of such activities stood the test of time.[2]
   
   • Talk to Your Children About a Financial Crisis
     
   • Get Adult Kids to Pay Their Share
     
   • Have a Depression Dinner. Research what people ate during the Depression. It wasn't all pinto beans and corn bread.
     
   
   
3. Do it yourself. When money is short, you don't really have a choice - either you do it yourself, or it doesn't get done. Learn how to fix and maintain everything in your home, in addition to your clothes and accessories.
   
   • Sew. Learn how to mend torn seams, hem, sew buttons, and sew zippers. This will make your clothes last much longer. When you need new clothes, either shop at second-hand stores and tailor the clothes so they fit, or buy fabric and make your own clothes from patterns. You can also apply your sewing skills to recycle old clothes into handy new things, like turning an old pair of jeans into a tote bag.
     
   • Get in touch with your inner handyman (or handywoman). Do you know how to fix a running toilet? Pack a water shutoff valve? Change a clothes drier belt? Replace an interior doorknob?
     
   • Change the oil in your car. While you're at it, you might want to check and change the fluids, battery and cabin air filter yourself. Alternatively, if you want to develop a good relationship with your auto mechanic, see if you can barter - perhaps an oil change in exchange for a professional haircut? Or a tire rotation for meat loaf?
     
   
   
4. See frugality as a virtue. There's a difference between being frugal and being cheap or stingy. A frugal person makes the most of what they have; a cheap person is just focused on not spending money. During the Great Depression, frugality was seen as a positive trait. During hard times, it'll help you get by, but when things get better, maintaining those habits will help you build wealth.[3] Plus, frugality requires planning, creativity, and critical thinking - all of which are important life skills, regardless of the state of the economy.
   
   • Reduce Expenses
     
   • Hypermile
     
   
   
5. Treat food with respect. When times get tough - really tough - you appreciate having food on the table. You might never know what it's like to have to eat wet bread for dinner, but you don't have to get to that point to make the resolution to never waste food. "Take all you want, but eat all you take."[1] Cook food from scratch and, if you can, go straight to the source (such as dealing directly with farmers) or become your own source: grow your own food, keep livestock, gather wild edibles, and/or hunt wild game if possible and legal. Whatever it is that you procure for food, never let it make it to the garbage can without a very good reason.
   
   • Save Money by Shopping Once a Month
     
   • Get Started in the Slow Food Movement
     
   • Keep Chickens in a City
     
   • Buy foods in bulk whenever possible.
     
   • Avoid "convenience" foods, as they are usually more expensive and less healthy. Learn to cook. You can save a lot of money by cooking from scratch rather than ordering take-out or take-away. A good thrifty cook can make a tasty, nutritious meal from inexpensive ingredients and "stretch a meal". Also, leftovers are much cheaper to bring to work or school than buying lunch.
     
   
   
6. Reuse, reuse, reuse. The amount of stuff you have should already be reduced by your limited spending, and you'll always want to think twice before throwing anything away, whether it's into the trash or the recycling bin. Get everyone involved, especially children - hold up an item that you would normally throw away and ask, "How can we reuse this?" Here are some ideas to get you started:
   
   • Reuse an Empty Altoids Tin
     
   • Turn a t-shirt into a sexy bikini or baby romper
     
   • Reuse Old Shower Curtains
     
   • Recycle Your Socks
     
   
   
7. Be thankful. Be thankful when you're economically strapped? Of course. Make a list of the top five things you couldn't live without, and chances are, all of those things are not possessions. Most of all, be optimistic. As one Great Depression survivor said, "I never thought a cloud was so dark that I couldn't find a silver lining" (Betty Davison).[2]
   

Tips

• "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." If possible, use the things you have until they are completely used up. Or, even better, do without things that don't hold up to use.
  
• Ask your older relatives and friends how they lived through the Depression. Most will be happy to share how they "made do". If you don't know anyone from that generation, consider volunteering at a local senior center or nursing home. You'll gain tremendous insight, and they will gain good company.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Budget Your Money
  
• How to Eat Healthy on a Budget
  
• How to Create a Household Budget
  
• How to Budget Your Money As a Teen
  
• How to Grocery Shop and Cook Frugally
  
• How to Furnish Your First College Dorm or Apartment on a Budget
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Apply Lessons Learned from the Great Depression. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Katrina's Hidden Race War

In describing the article appearing in the January 5, 2009 edition of The Nation, Tim Wise puts it well:

"And now, perhaps the biggest uncovered story about race in the past decade: while the media and others spun false stories of black depravity in post-Katrina New Orleans, white terrorists were hunting black people on the city's West Bank, shooting and killing them, and are now bragging about it, with impunity."

White vigilante justice tore through New Orleans after the storm. But no official investigation has shed light on the violence.

Read about Katrina's Hidden Race War.

Racists in Alaskan State Government?

Fox News is reporting this. Palin is minimizing the account, but one would kinda expect it doncha think?

Racist jokes about President-elect Barack Obama have been circulating among e-mail accounts in Alaska's state government, the AP finds.

AP

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Alaska officials are investigating racist jokes about President-elect Barack Obama that have been circulating on state government e-mail accounts.

One of the five e-mails obtained by The Associated Press asks about the outcome of the Democrat's victory after all the time and money invested and concludes: "Another black family living in government housing!"

State officials were unaware of the e-mails until asked about them by the AP.

[The Associated Press did not report whether it had checked to see if any similar e-mails had been circulated in state governments other than Alaska.]

Three of the racist messages were confirmed by the state's information technology division after an electronic search of the government's e-mail system, Administration Commissioner Annette Kreitzer said Wednesday.

"It's embarrassing to the state," she said.

Kreitzer said she alerted the office of Gov. Sarah Palin -- the failed Republican vice presidential candidate -- about the e-mails.

Bill McAllister, Palin's spokesman, said in an e-mail that the matter concerned individual actions taken by a handful of state employees among thousands.

"My understanding is that the Department of Administration is following up on this with the individuals who took action to forward the offensive e-mails," he said. "This is, of course, a confidential personnel and disciplinary matter that has nothing to do with the governor's office."

Officials were not releasing the names or positions of workers involved.

It appears the original e-mails were sent to state employees from outside the state system, but some state employees forwarded them.

One e-mail, with the subject line of "Night Befo Crizzmus," was forwarded dozens of times, Kreitzer said.

It was not immediately clear how many workers were involved in forwarding the e-mails.

The personnel files of state workers who circulated the jokes will be examined for a pattern of similar behavior, Kreitzer said. Discipline will be determined by past behaviors and could range from diversity training to letters of reprimand, she said.

The state was investigating whether the two other e-mails given to the AP also were in the state system, Kreitzer said.

Just in Time for Christmas

How to give gifts unconditionally!! Such a timely posting I was glad to come across today that I felt I should repost it in its entirety. Perhaps we'll become unselfish gift givers this holiday season. Maybe we need to in the face of our current economy!

How to Give Gifts Unconditionally

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Giving gifts unconditionally is not necessarily simple. Gift giving can sometimes feel like a chore that makes us resentful. Other times we give gifts in order to get something in return, even if it is simply the gratitude from the recipient. Seen in this light, we are really giving to get what Daniel Goleman terms a "narcissistic hit", something that isn't exactly motivated by altruism.
How can we learn to give gifts without strings attached when we are accustomed to feeling either a sense of duty, or we want gratitude from others in return? Unconditional gift-giving starts by sharing a piece of yourself - your love or esteem and care for the other person shown by the time taken to select a gift in a considerate manner, and combining this with not wanting anything at all in return.

Steps

1. Find a gift that means something about the other person to you. Be proud of what you choose. Don't just buy something because it is in the bargain bin or because it was the most expensive item in the store. Put effort, care and consideration into the purchase or creation of the gift. Making the gift yourself is definitely an option too, and is even more a "piece of you", so feel free to do so.
   
2. Let it be a surprise. A gift prompted by persistent requests for it is not as exciting or fulfilling as a gift that is a total surprise. This does not mean that you cannot give things sorely needed by the recipient but how you will know this is by observing their life and knowing them, rather than heeding direct requests for items.
   
3. Think beyond stuff. Stuff is all very nice and cute when wrapped up but stuff ends up drowning us. Sometimes, giving stuff is giving a burden to another person and the "condition" involved in such a gift is that the recipient puts up with shelving your stuff in their already over-crowded life. If you are gifting the "person-who-has-everything", avoid stuff. Consider alternatives that won't oblige the condition of adding to clutter on the recipient, gifts such as:
   
   • A promise to visit monthly to take an elderly recipient to art galleries or botanical gardens;
     
   • A service - nappy (diaper) washing service, house-cleaning service, car-wash etc.
     
   • Plants for the garden that will produce food, scent, colour or shade
     
   • A voucher for a massage, spa treatment, fitness class
     
   
   
4. Think carefully about what the other person would not buy for themselves. If you give items that a person is already very adept at getting for themselves, muzzling in on this territory can be a means of invading it and substituting their sense of style with yours. Don't even bother; if you know the person well, you will know already what they do well enough without your help. Look instead for the things they'd never consider purchasing - like the red shoes with really high heels you overheard them pondering about but muttered that they couldn't afford, a trip to a spa resort that they would never think to slow down for normally, or a new food that is something they've never tried before etc.
   
5. Let the recipient know gently and without great "hoo-ha" that your gift can be returned to a store, re-gifted, or donated if it doesn't make them feel comfortable or happy. You do not want to create a noose around their necks. If you ever had an experience growing up when someone in your family gave your family something hideous and it was ferreted out each time this person visited, you will know that the sense of obligation can turn gift-receiving into a burden rather than a delight.
   
6. Avoid giving "useful" items that the whole household needs and will make use of. The toaster for mother on Mother's Day, the car-cleaning gear for dad... These things do service for everyone and are not gifts in the usual sense. If you must produce such items as gifts, gift them to the house, the car, or the family as a whole. These sorts of items are just too impersonal and too widely useful for all to be a true gift and this makes them conditional - you are giving something provided that everyone gets to use it.
   
7. Expect nothing in return. You are giving because you want to. If you don't want to, then you need to reassess the point of what it is that you are really doing. Do not expect gratitude, smiles or something in return. Although most respectful and well-mannered people will demonstrate gratitude, there are times where this will not be forthcoming for one reason or other but that does not necessarily mean that the person doesn't respect your gift-giving or not appreciate it. Sometimes people are embarrassed, too surprised, shy, ashamed, or self-conscious to react in a gracious manner. If you have given with good heart, their reaction or lack of one should not bother you. Look deeper and you will see truly how the gift has been received.
   
8. Be considerate about presentation. Wrapping and presenting the gift well show your sense of style and also that you have taken care to present your gift nicely, a demonstration of respect for the recipient. It doesn't have to be complex, and recycling is de rigueur.
   

Tips

• If both the gift-giver and the recipient are well-versed in civil interactions, the giving of gifts unconditionally will go very smoothly; the giver will give without expecting anything back and the recipient will show appreciation without prompting. That's an ideal world and mitigating factors always intervene, so always be generous in your interpretation of the recipient's reaction. Maybe not today, but some day down the track, you might learn that your act of selfless generosity and kindness turned that person's life around.
  
• Read O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi to discover something about selfless giving and the power of love over possessions.
  
• Try giving gifts on a random day. It goes a long way to show that you do not expect something back if you give a gift for no reason.
  
• The ultimate unconditional gift is the anonymous gift.
  

Things You'll Need

• Gift
  
• Wrapping paper and other presentation effects
  
• The Gift of the Magi
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Give a Great Gift to Someone
  
• How to Choose an Anniversary Gift
  
• How to Grow Plants to Use as Gifts
  
• How to Make a Wedding Scrapbook as a Gift
  
• How to Buy Creative Gifts for Your Teenage Friends
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Give Gifts Unconditionally. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop

Here is the now famous scene of President Bush deftly avoiding the size 10's being hurled at him. No matter what your political views one has to agree that The Secret Service was slow to act on this one. Had this journalist pulled out a weapon the tone of reporting would be drastically different. Luckily there was no injury--at least not a physical one. The insult, however, was clear and effective.