All Hands on Deck, Boys, 'Cause This Ship Was Made to Sink

So, by now, you've all probably seen that most-popular little video clip of the leader of the free world talking "off the record" on the record. And talking with his mouth full. And calling out "Yo Blair" (or "Yeah Blair"... depending on the transcript-or) to another free world leader. And saying "shit". And all that other stuff. Anyway, if you haven't seen it, you should go to CNN & watch (it's probably gonna be on the Most Popular list for more days than we care to know). I really think it's not such a big deal (in fact, I'm most disturbed by the fact that no one is making the bigger deal out of the fact that the mic was left on at a meeting of the powers-that-be while they're allowed to assume they're off the record -- c'mon, you KNOW that's when things actually get done). So, shame on the Russians (did I just say the Russians? yes, I did... b/c that's the only way I've heard it put... that "the Russians" were in charge of this event) for not turning off the mics to allow for candid conversation (with or without a roll in the mouth while speaking to other world leaders).

Enough about that. Now on to the CNN Exclusive (of the moment). The headline reads "Please get us out" and it's a full story about a family (from the pic, it looks like mom, dad, and three kids -- including one that's extremely young... maybe one) trapped in Lebanon. The lead is: "The Esseily family was winding up a vacation in Lebanon when the airstrikes began." And if you can get past that first line, it goes on to talk about how the U.S. embassy has told them "we'll call you" and they've yet to hear anything. However, if you're anything like me, you're still stuck on the first line. How does a familiy of five from California (they look normal enough) end up going to LEBANON on vacation?!?!!? Seriously! I really need to know. Honey, you know how you were looking forward to heading down to Aruba for vacation? Well, I've decided that we should go see the sights of Beirut instead. Of course, maybe they're penny-pinchers and it was cheaper. Now, that I would understand. But, if it's a spare-no-expense kind of vacation, WTF??? Anyway... so, yes... I do hope they get to get on the cruise ship that the U.S. government sent to evacuate the American citizens stuck in Lebanon. (How many could there really be, anyway? Anyone know?) AND... I'll even go so far as to say that I hope they get to take advantage of that fee-waiver that the White House announced today. OK... this paragraph just keeps getting stranger. Did anyone else even think to GUESS that the U.S. government would charge a get-us-out-of-this-living-hell FEE? Do they charge it every time they do an evacuation? What if you're taken hostage & the military has to come rescue you? Huh... I wonder if they accept American Express.

In all seriousness... I realize that the situation in the Middle East is extremely perilous. Anyone stuck over there (including all the native-folk) is in my thoughts & prayers. But seriously... a VACATION in LEBANON?

In other news, Mindy McCready went on trial for her 2005 DUI. Her attorney's story is that the field sobriety tests were not performed properly by the arresting officers. He also said, "she removed her shoes for the roadside test, but then found it hard to complete because her pant legs were too long and rocks were hurting her feet." Maybe J.J. can use that excuse when his court date rolls around. And another CLASSY line from the McCready story: "McCready has since sued McKnight over the beating and given birth to his child." Yeah, that's hit record material right there. CAN'T WAIT until she gets back into the studio.


Evidently, I just wanted to talk about the headlines tonight. And Cooper was not interested in the news at all. Actually, this was a pic from several days ago... one of those mid-afternoon siestas I liked giving Jon such a hard time about. But, I saved it for a later post & thought you might like to see it tonight. Sweet baby.