Tag Archives: supreme-court

Do Your Hobbies Make You Gay? [Stereotypes]

Lots of people flipped out over the Wall Street Journal ‘s decision to run a photo of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan playing softball. Were they trying to imply she’s a lesbian? Every extracurricular activity comes with a stereotype. More

Gaywatch: Law School Friends, Eliot Spitzer Say Kagan is Straight [The Gays]

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is not gay, says her law school roommate Sarah Walzer . Former New York governor Eliot Spitzer , who knew her as a Princeton undergrad, agrees. And yet, the rumor persists. More

TMZ’s Mother-Daughter Contest — WINNER!

The tribe has spoken

Elena Kagan vs. Chaz Bono: Who’d You Rather?

Filed under: Elena Kagan , Chaz Bono Solicitor General Elena Kagan ( left ) could transform history by becoming the fourth woman to sit on the

Lady Gaga, Conan O’Brien Make Time 100 Most Influential People List

President Obama, Sandra Bullock, Ben Stiller, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Swift are also named. By Gil Kaufman Lady Gaga Photo: Gabriel Bouys/ Getty Images Lady Gaga has met the Queen of England, but the avant-pop star now finds herself in even more rarified company in the new issue of Time magazine. Lady G takes her place alongside such luminaries as President Obama, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Apple’s Steve Jobs, “Avatar” director James Cameron, “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell and Oprah Winfrey in the new World’s Most Influential People list.

Open Letter To Sean Penn From Maria Conchita Alonso

paracuriosos The following is an open letter addressed to actor Sean Penn, written by Maria Conchita Alonso who is an outspoken critic of the elected Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez.  This is in response to Penn’s appearance in HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” Dear Sean, WHY? Even though I have great respect for your artistic talent, I was appalled by a recent television interview where you vigorously showed support for the regime of Hugo Chavez. Therefore, I’ve decided to set the record straight for you regarding the Chavez regime, supporting my case based not only on my political ideologies, but on proven facts you choose to ignore. Otherwise, I believe your position would be different. Being born in Cuba, a country where freedom of speech is non-existent, it’s startling to observe how Venezuela, where I was happily raised, is fast becoming Cuba’s mirror image: Dismantling of fundamental democratic rights deserved by its people and citizens of the world. For example, you said that all Chavez-winning elections in Venezuela were “transparent.” Then WHY didn’t the government allow a manual recount of the votes and computer information when doubt set in? After all, how do you explain how these votes that were strongly favoring the opposition mysteriously reflected the opposite results the morning after, thus permitting Chavez to continue on? On what are you basing your conclusions? I strongly recommend that you read a report by the U.S. State Department written in 2009 entitled “The Fraudulent Elections in Venezuela”. We live in a Republic comprised of three autonomous branches of government: Supreme Court, Congress and Executive, thus, a true democracy. Then WHY do you accept violations by part of the government of Venezuela to ignore its Constitution whereby one man, military-educated Chavez, controls all branches of government? His military background is revealed by his philosophy: “I order, you obey and if you disagree you’re a traitor to the country.” And your voice is silenced along with the ability of freethinking. Did you know solely the government controls 92% of media communications? You’ve strongly criticized your own governments’ overspending and corruption, whereby the budget for We the people never ends up in the hands of those who need it most. Then WHY do you support a government with over $100 million in oil revenue that has 71% poverty? Or don’t you know that corruption is so rampant that the rightfully deserving poor never sees a “red cent”? In addition, the fact is that Chavez gives away millions of dollars; belonging to the Venezuelan people, to other countries in order to build a false sense of philanthropy of a man whose self-proclaiming ego is blinded by power behind a communist Cuban-style revolution, expanding such regime. We live in the U.S.A., the land of opportunity to do and say what we desire, respecting dissenting points of view, of course and without reprisals. Then WHY do you defend a government whose stronghold upon its people is so oppressive that a big price is paid for exercising freedom of speech: Persecutions, closing of radio and television stations, jail…and even death? You are fortunate enough to live in a country where you can buy property and claim it as your own to do whatever you want with it. Then WHY do you promote the interests of a government that violates the Constitution by hindering the possibility of development: Land, industries, commerce, communications companies, foreign investment opportunities, financial institutions and private property? This is an everyday scenario in Venezuela. Then WHY haven’t you informed yourself on these facts by reading Venezuelan and international newspapers exposing thousands of cases? Given your sense of community and respect for all people, I think you would defend the security of the citizens in your country. Then WHY do you validate a government that has converted Venezuela into the second most dangerous country in the world, where impunity is above 90% and its people live in a constant state of stress and fear of getting killed? Many wonder if this situation isn’t but a diabolic strategy by the part of the government, something to think about. Do you know that the weekend of March 13th there were 67 counted homicides only in Caracas? Furthermore, in the first 50 days of this year, there have been 140 express kidnappings for fast money (a 50% increase in 2009 versus previous years). After 11 years of the Chavez government, more than 16,000 people has been murdered by armed gangs and we’re not even at war like in the Middle East. In the U.S.A. the arm of the law comes down hard on government or private sector where cases of fraud and corruption are discovered. Then WHY do you defend a politician who promised to sweep corruption, but has ended up sponsoring illicit enrichment by part of his closest allies and civil servants, placing Venezuela as the most corrupt country in the Americas and in its political history? Corruption has increased 68% and inflation 31% in 2009. What a coincidence, Sean that the majority of those “corruptors” are members of the government you have chosen to embrace. You’ve demonstrated admirable assistance to those in need, due to natural disasters or poverty, those with desperate pleas to get their misfortune exposed for the whole world to see. Then WHY do you applaud the efforts of a government that has notoriously increased poverty (65% to 71%), produced scarcity of staple products and created an energy and water shortage crisis never seen in Venezuela? Not to mention the numbers of children begging in the streets. You may have missed it because the government tends to take the scenic routes for its guests. I invite you see the real Venezuela, stay for a couple of weeks without the logistics the government of said country organizes for you and you’ll be amazed with the results in your unaided observations. Sean, you live in a country where your parents had the freedom to teach you principles and respect for entities and human beings, where education hasn’t been manipulated by political agendas of those in power. Then WHY are you in favor of a country where day after day education isn’t plural by obligating a single-minded agenda and lack of respect for family structure? Did you know Sean that in Venezuela there is political indoctrination at a very early age, better known as “brainwashing”? And let me tell you that if parents don’t agree, they will lose custody of their children, just like in Cuba, a country you’ve placed on a pedestal.You are a product of a Jewish father. Then WHY is your fascination with a government that has overtly stated its hatred against the Jewish community worldwide, to the extent that the State of Israel condemned anti-Semitic attacks in Venezuela? Do you think it’s fair that many Jewish-Venezuelan families have emigrated because the Chavez government robbed their personal files when their temples and offices were under attacked in 2008? I don’t think so, Sean, that you would support violence as a means to impose your agenda. Then WHY do you support a government with close relationships with FARC, ETA, Cuban G-2, Government of Iran, Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah, among others, which are the most feared terrorist movements in the world? You have said that you applaud the actions that Chavez has instituted for his “pueblo”. Then WHY do you back him up when he himself has recently publicly recognized his failure for effective social programs (missions) in the areas of education, social service and hospitals; where each day the number of the uncared rises for lack of appropriate facilities and respective upkeep, and a country where the mothers give birth in the streets? This you can see on YouTube in investigative programs run on German, Swedish, Italian and Spanish television stations. Sean, have you considered researching the existence of the growing list of political prisoners, including journalists, on your own? For your information Chile, Peru and Costa Rica has that data. Furthermore, many of these prisoners are tortured and their families persecuted and threatened, just like the Cuba you stand up for. Is that what you support when you publicly declare that all those that say that Chavez is a dictator should go to jail? Sean, you have the right to say what you want, but as far as I know, your statements are contradictory to “Freedom of Speech”, the same one you enjoy in this country; by coincidence, “The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.” My intention isn’t to convince you, but to let you know what is truly happening in this beautiful country of noble people, Venezuela. I would encourage you to investigate in depth the “inside story” and realize for yourself the dark side behind the person you choose to idolize. Agreed, Chavez did win his first elections, but like Hitler, he betrayed what the country gave him: The vote of confidence. The following is an open letter addressed to actor Sean Penn, written by Maria Conchita Alonso Al who is an outspoken critic of the elected Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez. Dear Sean, WHY?Even though I have great respect for your artistic talent, I was appalled by a recent television interview where you vigorously showed support for the regime of Hugo Chavez. Therefore, I’ve decided to set the record straight for you regarding the Chavez regime, supporting my case based not only on my political ideologies, but on proven facts you choose to ignore. Otherwise, I believe your position would be different.Being born in Cuba, a country where freedom of speech is non-existent, it’s startling to observe how Venezuela, where I was happily raised, is fast becoming Cuba’s mirror image: Dismantling of fundamental democratic rights deserved by its people and citizens of the world.For example, you said that all Chavez-winning elections in Venezuela were “transparent.”Then WHY didn’t the government allow a manual recount of the votes and computer information when doubt set in? After all, how do you explain how these votes that were strongly favoring the opposition mysteriously reflected the opposite results the morning after, thus permitting Chavez to continue on? On what are you basing your conclusions? I strongly recommend that you read a report by the U.S. State Department written in 2009 entitled “The Fraudulent Elections in Venezuela”.We live in a Republic comprised of three autonomous branches of government: Supreme Court, Congress and Executive, thus, a true democracy.Then WHY do you accept violations by part of the government of Venezuela to ignore its Constitution whereby one man, military-educated Chavez, controls all branches of government? His military background is revealed by his philosophy: “I order, you obey and if you disagree you’re a traitor to the country.” And your voice is silenced along with the ability of freethinking. Did you know solely the government controls 92% of media communications?You’ve strongly criticized your own governments’ overspending and corruption, whereby the budget for We the people never ends up in the hands of those who need it most.Then WHY do you support a government with over $100 million in oil revenue that has 71% poverty? Or don’t you know that corruption is so rampant that the rightfully deserving poor never sees a “red cent”? In addition, the fact is that Chavez gives away millions of dollars; belonging to the Venezuelan people, to other countries in order to build a false sense of philanthropy of a man whose self-proclaiming ego is blinded by power behind a communist Cuban-style revolution, expanding such regime.We live in the U.S.A., the land of opportunity to do and say what we desire, respecting dissenting points of view, of course and without reprisals.Then WHY do you defend a government whose stronghold upon its people is so oppressive that a big price is paid for exercising freedom of speech: Persecutions, closing of radio and television stations, jail…and even death?You are fortunate enough to live in a country where you can buy property and claim it as your own to do whatever you want with it.Then WHY do you promote the interests of a government that violates the Constitution by hindering the possibility of development: Land, industries, commerce, communications companies, foreign investment opportunities, financial institutions and private property? This is an everyday scenario in Venezuela.Then WHY haven’t you informed yourself on these facts by reading Venezuelan and international newspapers exposing thousands of cases?Given your sense of community and respect for all people, I think you would defend the security of the citizens in your country.Then WHY do you validate a government that has converted Venezuela into the second most dangerous country in the world, where impunity is above 90% and its people live in a constant state of stress and fear of getting killed? Many wonder if this situation isn’t but a diabolic strategy by the part of the government, something to think about. Do you know that the weekend of March 13th there were 67 counted homicides only in Caracas? Furthermore, in the first 50 days of this year, there have been 140 express kidnappings for fast money (a 50% increase in 2009 versus previous years). After 11 years of the Chavez government, more than 16,000 people has been murdered by armed gangs and we’re not even at war like in the Middle East.In the U.S.A. the arm of the law comes down hard on government or private sector where cases of fraud and corruption are discovered.Then WHY do you defend a politician who promised to sweep corruption, but has ended up sponsoring illicit enrichment by part of his closest allies and civil servants, placing Venezuela as the most corrupt country in the Americas and in its political history? Corruption has increased 68% and inflation 31% in 2009. What a coincidence, Sean that the majority of those “corruptors” are members of the government you have chosen to embrace.You’ve demonstrated admirable assistance to those in need, due to natural disasters or poverty, those with desperate pleas to get their misfortune exposed for the whole world to see.Then WHY do you applaud the efforts of a government that has notoriously increased poverty (65% to 71%), produced scarcity of staple products and created an energy and water shortage crisis never seen in Venezuela? Not to mention the numbers of children begging in the streets. You may have missed it because the government tends to take the scenic routes for its guests. I invite you see the real Venezuela, stay for a couple of weeks without the logistics the government of said country organizes for you and you’ll be amazed with the results in your unaided observations.Sean, you live in a country where your parents had the freedom to teach you principles and respect for entities and human beings, where education hasn’t been manipulated by political agendas of those in power.Then WHY are you in favor of a country where day after day education isn’t plural by obligating a single-minded agenda and lack of respect for family structure? Did you know Sean that in Venezuela there is political indoctrination at a very early age, better known as “brainwashing”? And let me tell you that if parents don’t agree, they will lose custody of their children, just like in Cuba, a country you’ve placed on a pedestal.You are a product of a Jewish father.Then WHY is your fascination with a government that has overtly stated its hatred against the Jewish community worldwide, to the extent that the State of Israel condemned anti-Semitic attacks in Venezuela? Do you think it’s fair that many Jewish-Venezuelan families have emigrated because the Chavez government robbed their personal files when their temples and offices were under attacked in 2008?I don’t think so, Sean, that you would support violence as a means to impose your agenda.Then WHY do you support a government with close relationships with FARC, ETA, Cuban G-2, Government of Iran, Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah, among others, which are the most feared terrorist movements in the world?You have said that you applaud the actions that Chavez has instituted for his “pueblo”.Then WHY do you back him up when he himself has recently publicly recognized his failure for effective social programs (missions) in the areas of education, social service and hospitals; where each day the number of the uncared rises for lack of appropriate facilities and respective upkeep, and a country where the mothers give birth in the streets? This you can see on YouTube in investigative programs run on German, Swedish, Italian and Spanish television stations.Sean, have you considered researching the existence of the growing list of political prisoners, including journalists, on your own? For your information Chile, Peru and Costa Rica has that data. Furthermore, many of these prisoners are tortured and their families persecuted and threatened, just like the Cuba you stand up for.Is that what you support when you publicly declare that all those that say that Chavez is a dictator should go to jail?Sean, you have the right to say what you want, but as far as I know, your statements are contradictory to “Freedom of Speech”, the same one you enjoy in this country; by coincidence, “The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.”My intention isn’t to convince you, but to let you know what is truly happening in this beautiful country of noble people, Venezuela. I would encourage you to investigate in depth the “inside story” and realize for yourself the dark side behind the person you choose to idolize.Agreed, Chavez did win his first elections, but like Hitler, he betrayed what the country gave him: The vote of confidence. Open Letter To Sean Penn From Maria Conchita Alonso is a post from: Daily World Buzz Continue reading

September 2009 Philippine Bar Exam Results and Passers Are Now Released

After the much wait by the 5,903 bar examinees in the September 2009 Philippine Bar Examinations administered by the Supreme Court, the complete list of Bar Exam Passers are now out! The Bar Exam results say that out of the total 5,903 would-be lawyers who took the bar exams, only 1,451 passed it. The Philippine Bar Examinations this year is hard given that the passing rate was even lowered from 75 to 71 to accomodate more people to pass the exam. Are you excited to know if you yourself, your friends or colleagues passed the 2009 Bar Exam? You can view here the complete list of September 2009 Philippine Bar Exam Results . September 2009 Philippine Bar Exam Results and Passers Are Now Released is a post from: Daily World Buzz Continue reading

Should I Buy a Toyota – Should The Re-Call Scare me?

Should I Buy a Toyota – Should The Re-Call Scare me? 5 answers , 0 raves I know all about all of the re-calls but still think they are good cars… Tell me what you guys think…. My buddy just sent me this picture regarding Toyota and i could not stop laughing…. http://www.truthdig.com/cartoon/item/not_as_dumb_as_he_looks_… Is the price of the car going to go down more if i wait? Buy a Toyota 60% (3 answers) No way! – Dont Buy a Toyota 40% (2 answers)

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Should I Buy a Toyota – Should The Re-Call Scare me?

Sweet 16 Parties: Recession-Proof?

Sweet 16 Parties: Recession-Proof? 1 answers , 0 raves This is good news for the tiara-wearing teen set, perhaps bad news for humanity in general: According to the Los Angeles Times, business is brisk for that sparkly and slightly grotesque niche of the special-events industry that targets adolescents (and their parents, of course) looking to throw down in a big way for sweet 16 parties, quinceañeras and other brink-of-adulthood bashes. No way! 100% (1 answers) Yes 0% (0 answers)

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Sweet 16 Parties: Recession-Proof?

Does Lindsay Lohan Even Know That She’s Suing E*Trade? [Lawsuits]

Stupid lawsuits are filed every day, and Lindsay Lohan does stupid things every day. But is she really behind the E*Trade lawsuit that bears her name? According to a complaint filed in New York’s Nassau County Supreme Court on Monday, Lohan claims that the E*Trade advertisement that refers to a “milkaholic” named Lindsay appropriated her name and image without her consent, and she is seeking a whopping $100 million in damages and an injunction against further broadcast of the commercial. It’s a ludicrous claim, as former Gawker editor Joshua Stein, who happened to be reporting on the development of that very ad for Esquire and has produced documents showing that the “mikaholic” character was originally named “Deborah,” has demonstrated . But the strange thing about the suit is that the lead attorney on the case, Stephanie Ovadia, has done legal work for Michael Lohan in the past , and Michael has repeatedly posted fulsome praise of Ovadia’s legal skills to his Twitter feed as recently as January. Last we checked, Michael was still in the midst of his famous feud with Lindsay—just last week, father and daughter were lobbing tabloid insults at one another , with Lindsay saying she didn’t speak to Michael and calling him “nuts.” So why would she seek out her dad’s lawyer just a few days later to file a $100 million lawsuit? Sure, the high-end Hollywood lawyers that Lindsay has employed in the past wouldn’t be stupid enough to draw up the E*Trade complaint, but surely she could find a bottom-feeding attorney of her own to embarrass themselves for money and attention. And she could probably find one who is a member of the state bar in which the suit was filed. According to the web site of the New York Supreme Court’s Appellate Division , which is responsible for admitting attorneys to the New York bar, no one going by the name “Stephanie Ovadia” is currently entitled to appear before New York courts (which may explain the presence of Ovadia’s co-counsel Anand Ahuja, who is admitted to the bar, on the complaint). According to press accounts posted on Ovadia’s web site , she has practiced law in New York in the past. But she certainly doesn’t seem like a go-to lawyer for a multimillion dollar case—unless you can sue people for $100 million over parking tickets. Ovadia didn’t return a phone call and e-mail asking how she got involved in the case and whether she’d ever spoken to Lindsay Lohan about it. And we don’t really know where to go to ask someone from Lindsay’s side about it, considering the fact that her long-time publicist is on a “hiatus.” Her mother Dina Lohan told the New York Post today that Lindsay was outraged by the ad, adding, in a telling use of the first person, “I’m just basically glad I took a stand.” And to to complete the circle, Radar Online quoted Michael Lohan just two days ago saying that he and his ex-wife had reconnected and were “crying to each other” on the phone after he took a heart-related trip to the hospital. A cynic might suspect that Lindsay’s money-grubbing parents recently started talking again and hatched a plan to attach their daughter’s name to a bullshit lawsuit filed by a provincial lawyer that one of them knows. But we can’t imagine what sort of parents would treat their daughter that way.

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Does Lindsay Lohan Even Know That She’s Suing E*Trade? [Lawsuits]