January 30, 2014

and not that I'm an experienced DU contributor....but sheesh....lotsa newbies here....

January 29, 2014

Court Denies Stephen Glass Ability To Practice Law........ of "Shattered Glass" movie fame

(One of my favorite movies with Hayden Christensen as main actor. )

The California Supreme Court on Monday denied a law license to a disgraced former journalist who was caught fabricating dozens of stories for major national magazines.

The unanimous seven-judge court ruled that Stephen Glass had insufficiently rehabilitated himself in the years since his misdeeds, saying he "failed to carry his heavy burden of establishing his rehabilitation and current fitness."

Glass' misdeeds stunned the profession when they were uncovered in 1998. His widely publicized fall from grace earned the rising star a prominent place in the pantheon of journalistic cheats and scoundrels such as Janet Cooke and Jayson Blair — two prominent reporters caught fabricating quotes, sources and entire stories.

Glass' ethical missteps were turned into the Hollywood movie "Shattered Glass" and recounted in his novel "The Fabulist," for which he earned $190,000.

Glass, 41, now works as a paralegal for a Los Angeles law firm and lives in a suburb. Through his lawyer, Glass declined an interview request.

Attorney Jon Eisenberg said his client "appreciates the court's consideration of his application and respects the court's decision."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/27/stephen-glass-lawyer-license-ruling_n_4671820.html

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0323944/

January 25, 2014

Liam Neeson slams Mayor de Blasio over shutdown of carriage horses Read more: http://www.irishcent

Irish actor Liam Neeson has slammed Mayor Bill de Blasio for his attempt to end the carriage horse industry in Central Park, claiming a “land grab” could be underway.

In a strongly worded letter Neeson states, “I was appalled to learn of your intent to obliterate one of the most deep rooted icons of our city!...

“The horse drawn carriage industry is an integral part of this city and has been since the early 1860s. It has been serving New Yorkers and tourists alike for generations. I have heard you declaring it inhumane and not fitting with the fabric of our city. I am compelled to strongly challenge these declarations.”

Neeson goes on to say that the horses are well looked after, “These horses are well cared for, provided for and, perhaps, most importantly of all, have a job, in one of the world’s most bucolic settings, Central Park.”

He also voices the suspicion shared by many in the carriage industry that some of the animal rights advocates calling for the ban are more interested in making a land grab for the properties the stables are built on than they are in the welfare of the horses they house.

Many of these advocates are members of NYCLASS (New Yorkers for Clean, Liveable and Safe Streets), and a number of them, such as chief supporter and real estate mogul Steve Nislick, have deep professional roots in New York real estate and development. They contributed $1.3 million to the mayor’s campaign.

Neeson asks “Why don’t you come to the stables, meet with the business owners and see the conditions first hand?

“History teaches us that land grabs can manifest themselves in various ways. We all know the land on which these 4 stables sit is most valuable. Please do not become complicit in this type of practice.”

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/entertainment/Liam-Neeson-slams-Mayor-de-Blasio-over-shutdown-of-carriage-horses.html

January 25, 2014

Woohoo 57 days until St. Patrick's Day!!! and here are the top 10 facts about Irish Americans.....

1. Nine signatories of the Declaration of Independence.

2. 253 Irish-born men received a Medal of Honor.

3. 34.1 million claim Irish ancestry.

4. 153,248 Irish-born.

5. 68.9 % homeowners.

6. 24.1% Boston Irish.

7. 34.2% completed higher education.

8. $59,220 - median income.

9. 16 Dublins in USA.

10. First St. Patrick’s Day in the World!

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/Top-ten-facts-on-Irish-Americans-from-the-US-Census-Bureau-.html


and HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY, just a tad early.

January 24, 2014

Frankel legacy: the million dollar foal?

Rarely has an animal birth been more hotly anticipated but the equine answer to the Royal Baby has taken its first tentative steps at the home of racing, Newmarket in eastern England.

On Sunday, Song produced the first filly to the superstar stallion Frankel at the National Stud, and despite it being just a few days old, the expectation on it to succeed on the racecourse is already huge.

An anticipated 130 foals will be born to Frankel in 2014, none of which will race for two years but with the potential for some sporting sibling rivalry come 2016 at the earliest.
Song is owned by Khalid Abdul Rahim, of Bahrain, who paid $1.3 million for the mare when she was already in foal to Frankel.

Director of The National Stud Brian O'Rourke described the new offspring as "a very nice quality, athletic individual," adding that both "mare and foal are doing well."
There is even footage online of the foal taking some of its first steps in Newmarket. Mother and foal will stay together for at least five months.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/24/sport/frankel-foal/index.html?hpt=hp_c6

Getting excited for this years horse racing season.....

January 24, 2014

Bieber: 'What the f*** did I do?' Teen idol's spirited reaction to police who arrested him.

spirited reaction, what?? what the f*** did I do is spirited?? Wow. and I know the f word is used a lot....but spirited?? But what other word would describe his language. He's 19. Just asking.