Cotillion

The Beagle Project Blog: A guest post by Wallace's Rottweiler on the 150th anniversary of natural selection.

2008-07-01T22:47:00.000-04:00

The Beagle Project Blog: A guest post by Wallace's Rottweiler on the 150th anniversary of natural selection.

2008-07-01T22:46:00.001-04:00

The Beagle Project Blog: A guest post by Wallace's Rottweiler on the 150th anniversary of natural selection.

2008-07-01T22:46:00.000-04:00

The Beagle Project Blog: A guest post by Wallace's Rottweiler on the 150th anniversary of natural selection.

A Trip Across Israel

2008-05-27T22:03:00.002-04:00

My friend Steven posted this video, A Trip Across Israel - as you can see,

This video documents a drive across the entire width of Israel from the West Bank wall to the Mediterranean Sea. The point is to illustrate how small and intrinsically vulnerable it is.

The video is at liveleak: A Trip Across Israel.

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A Blog That Makes a Difference - Armies of Liberation

2008-05-20T10:13:00.002-04:00

I'm so lucky to call Jane (from Armies of Liberation) not just a "sister" in our group of bloggers, but a true friend, and this article about her just makes me burst with pride. Yay Jane!!!

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Jane Novak, a 46-year-old stay-at-home mother of two in New Jersey, has never been to Yemen. She speaks no Arabic, and freely admits that until a few years ago, she knew nothing about that strife-torn south Arabian country.

And yet Ms. Novak has become so well known in Yemen that newspaper editors say they sell more copies if her photograph — blond and smiling — is on the cover. Her blog, an outspoken news bulletin on Yemeni affairs, is banned there. The government’s allies routinely vilify her in print as an American agent, a Shiite monarchist, a member of Al Qaeda, or “the Zionist Novak.”

The worst of her many offenses is her dogged campaign on behalf of a Yemeni journalist, Abdul Karim al-Khaiwani, who incurred his government’s wrath by writing about a bloody rebellion in the far north of the country. He is on trial on sedition charges that could bring the death penalty, with a verdict expected Wednesday.

Right, remember him? Did you sign the letter? That's what this is all about; Jane got an article in the New York Times, but as nice as it is to get some recognition, none of what she does is for personal glory or publicity for herself (in fact, she's rather media-shy). It's about liberation. Even while this article is in the New York Times, she's working tirelessly for and worrying about al-Khaiwani's verdict tomorrow.

It's not too late. PLEASE, sign and pass on the word. The corrupt thugs in the Yemeni regime must be put on notice. A man's life depends on it, and by extension, so do countless others like him who fight corrupt and brutal regimes.

The story, short version:

Renowned journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani is one of Yemen's most prominent democracy advocates - for which he has paid a steep price. His paper has been closed, his website blocked, and his children threatened. He is now due to be sentenced on May 21 for "insulting the president" and "demoralizing the military."

During his arrest in June of 2007, Al-Khaiwani was beaten and his six-year-old daughter slapped unconscious. While released on bail in August, Al-Khaiwani was kidnapped and tortured by thugs who threatened his life if he continued to write about Yemen's president.

As al-Khaiwani's sentencing approaches, there is growing fear a guilty verdict will open the door for a brutal crackdown on Yemen's already-endangered journalistic community. Join with al-Khawiani's supporters in Yemen and throughout the world as we urge the Yemeni government not to imprison journalists for their work.

This is all you are asked to sign:

I write to protest Yemen's prosecution of journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani, who will be sentenced on May 21 for allegedly "insulting the president."

Al-Khaiwani is an outspoken independent journalist repeatedly targeted by authorities. His newspaper has been closed, his website blocked, and his children threatened. Yemeni and international human rights groups have observed that the charges are simply political retribution and pose a serious threat to Yemen's emerging free press.

Please intervene to ensure Al-Khaiwani goes free and that freedom of expression for all Yemeni journalists is protected.

That's it. Will you sign your name to that simple statement on behalf of freedom?

http://campaigns.aicongress.org/yemen/

Tiara Tip to Nice Deb

2008-03-31T10:49:00.001-04:00

Many of you may already know fellow blogger Nice Deb. She has a magnificent blog, which I read daily and to which I often link on my personal blog. She occasionally co-blogs at Ace of Spades HQ, too. Well, Deb has ~~been wrangled~~ agreed to be a part of The Cotillion aka the Tiara Media, a united group of female bloggers around the country. She is a wonderful addition to our blog roll and I'll hope you will check out her site.

Welcome, Nice Deb! We are richer for it.

cross-posted at Conservative Belle

HELP request

2008-03-24T09:32:00.001-04:00

Hi all,
I desperately need help a Skype and Yahoo security breach. Anyone who can help please email me at faustaw2@gmail.com
Thanks,
Fausta

Coveritlive nominated for Webare 100 Awards 2008

2008-03-16T09:52:00.002-04:00

UPDATE - VOTE HERE!!!!

My Cotillion sisters and I have broken in Coveritilive and its' President Keith McSpurren very well. In other words, we have abused the tar out of them and made them succumb to our demands for improvements - AND THEY LISTENED! I personally have done a tutorial with Keith McSpurren, The President of Coveritlive and MVRWC Beth at the same time. Beth had to apologize to Keith for my snarky behavior and Keith stood well with his own great sense of humor! Keith has always come to visit me when I use Coveritlive. The last time I used it I asked him to go grab me a beer and popcorn and people thought I was messing with a troll- LOL!

tiara tip Conservative Belle!

NOW GO VOTE!!!!

The Tiara Media takes Lynchburg by storm!

2008-03-15T21:45:00.002-04:00

The lovely Beth, of Yeah, Right, Whatever, came into Lynchburg today and I had the opportunity to drive on up hang out and have dinner with her.

She graciously brought me my own tiara (all the ladies of the Cotillion simply must have their own tiaras!), since all the fabric fondling of the past couple of weeks have addled my brains so much that I'd forgotten to acquire one! She presented it to me the moment I walked in the hotel room, and we wore them all night - and got FOUR inquiries as to what it was all about. The waitress at the restaurant got the concept immediately, but the other three comments were all from guys, who were a little bemused *snicker*

We chatted about kids, politics, God - didn't get to taxes, but we were, after all, at dinner ;-) It was a wonderful evening, and I may have the opportunity to get back up to Lynchburg this week and visit with her again. She is a lovely, articulate lady, who is even more gracious and lovely in person than she is online.

It was a great evening, and I was wonderfully blessed to be able to FINALLY meet one of my Cotillion sisters!

(crossposted from CatHouse Chat)

Spring BlogFest East: Saturday April 5

2008-03-01T08:35:00.003-05:00

Parkway Rest Stop and Fausta's Blog cordially invite you to
SPRING BLOG FEST EAST

When: Saturday April 5, 2008
6-11PM

Where: Sky Suite,Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street
Princeton NJ 08540

Buffet Menu: Hors d'oeuvres
House salad
Organic New York Strip "Prime Rib"
Seared Salmon with Pineapple-Mango Coulis
Tortellini with Tomato Parmesan Sauce
Chocolate covered white cake with peanut butter mousse and strawberry jam

How much: $45 per person, plus CASH BAR

You can make a check payable to Fausta Wertz, PO Box 1589, Princeton NJ 08542-1589 or use Paypal:

Please reserve early since the Sky Suite has capacity for only 75 people.

Bloggers who stay overnight in the Princeton area can continue the Blog Fest the next day, Sunday morning April 6, at JB Winberie's Restaurant, 1 Palmer Square East, Princeton, for brunch (not included in the $45 fee for the Triumph Brewery Saturday night buffet).

Accomodations in the Princeton area:
Within walking distance of Triumph Brewery: The Nassau Inn, 10 Palmer Square, Princeton NJ
Three miles from Triumph Brewery: The Palmer Inn 609-716-9100
Courtyard Marriott Princeton 609-716-9100 .

Any questions? Email faustaw "at" yahoo "dot" com

PS, To those of you asking, it's "Spring" BlogFest because if it's a success we might have another one later in the year, and "East" because I don't know of any other in the region, but I may be wrong. If there's another BlogFest in Spring in the East, we might change the name to "Spring BlogFest NJ", or even more specific, "Spring BlogFest Princeton".

How to get to Princeton:
Princeton has its own (small) airport, but you can also fly into Philadelphia and drive into Princeton (apprx. 1 1/2 hr drive), or fly into Newark Airport and take NJ Transit to Princeton Junction and change to the train to Princeton.
NJ Transit runs trains from Philadelphia and New York City. You can also use Amtrak from locations in the East.
For driving directions, here's how to get to Triumph Brewing Co.

Nominate your favorite female blogger today!

2008-02-29T11:30:00.001-05:00

Soldiers' Angels (video must watch)

2008-02-23T10:30:00.000-05:00

I know my readers (from Kiss My Gumbo) expect a daily dose of humor, snark and positive. After all, I am the self-proclaimed "Princess of Positive. This weekend I would like to take the opportunity to encourage and inspire you to do more as an American than wonder about that missing yellow ribbon magnet that said, "I support the troops" (probably at the car wash with the gazillion others). I may like to laugh and be silly, but this weekend I am working on my serious side. I am privileged to be a part of Soldier's Angels and was invited to attend our first ever conference in Pasadena. I have wiped many tears from my face this weekend as we all continue to share our stories and inspire each other to do even more. And please don't tell me you are too busy - no excuses!

THE VIDEO

I am hanging out with many of the greatest Americans in the world: Patriot Guard Riders, Order of the Purple Heart, Gold Star Parents, American heroes, other angels. I promise to help you along as you decide how you can get your "Angel Wings" and start making a difference today. You can stop over to the main site and adopt a soldier (we have 700 soldiers waiting to be adopted) or join one of the many different teams with all levels of involvement. Or you stop on over to the Louisiana site , which I run, for the watered down version of the main site.

Please do something today!!! Our heroes fight for your freedom, they are our responsibility and volunteers do make a difference! YOU can make the difference in the life of a American Hero!

Come view my photo album online and as always, feel free to contact me gretaperry@gmail.com

(this very post can be found everywhere that I can possibly post it...Kiss My Gumbo, NOLA.com, Louisiana Conservative, Hooah Wife and Soldiers Angels' Louisiana) & The Cotillion.

We need more of these

2008-02-13T20:23:00.001-05:00

I was perusing The Birmingham News blog entries and ran across this one, featuring a local Marine vet who's making a stand in honor of those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom.

Michael Rudulph, a three-tour Marine veteran, has taken a stand -- vigilantly guarding the Eternal Flame of Freedom monument, a tribute to all war veterans, located in Linn Park here in Birmingham. The flame has been out for many years, and no one knows for certain how long or why. Sitting beside the monument with his own make-shift torch, a fire extinguisher, and some coffee, he has vowed not to leave his post except only to attend his classes at UAB and to sleep.

My hat's off to you, Mr. Rudulph! It does my heart good to see our own local heroes stepping up and setting a good example for the rest of us. I can't speak for anyone else, but I for one am tired of hearing about spoiled rotten starlets and pop stars hopping in and out of drug rehabilitation clinics. Give me more stories like Rudulph's. Stop rewarding bad behavior with press and start rewarding those who are actually trying to make a difference in this world -- even if it's only starting with one monument in a small park in the South.

To Michael, thank you for your service and for raising awareness. To The Birmingham News, we need more of these!

All Of Humanity Is Our Tribe

2008-02-12T13:58:00.000-05:00

AH-64 gun cameras capture a grueling air rescue:

The Crew Chief operates the hoist, as he pulls a casualty into the aircraft. This is a one person operation that is difficult to perform when the casualty is in a SKED, especially when the casualty has the added weight of body armor and equipment. The Medic rides the hoist to the ground and back up, time and time again.

Imagine performing this operation 20-25 continuous times wearing Night Vision Goggles (NVGs), the Crew Chief continuing to advise the pilots of aircraft drift and rotor clearance as the mountain side is dangerously close. He ensures the hoist is ready for the next lift and watches the Medics hand and arm signals as he also directs the positioning of the aircraft. It becomes apparent this task is physically exhausting and difficult to master in routine conditions, let alone this punishing-unforgiving terrain at night.

The cabin of the aircraft becomes crowded, and the difficulty the Crew Chief and the Medic have maneuvering recovered personnel inside becomes increasingly challenging.

Dust-off has a crew of 4: Pilot, Copilot, Crew Chief, and Medic. During one of the earlier MEDEVAC missions the previous night, Dust-off, with its normal crew of 4, extracted 8 casualties, and 1 non-injured soldier in a single lift for a total of 13 on board. That operation was conducted under zero-lunar-illumination NVG conditions with no supplemental lighting used in the rear of the aircraft due to the tactical situation, adding dramatically to the level of difficulty.

Dust-off departed the pick-up (PZ) zone after 31 combined hours of medical evacuation, and without further incident.

The six men who were killed:

1st Lt. Matthew C. Ferrara, 24, of Torrance, Calif.
Sgt. Jeffery S. Mersman, 23, of Parker, Kan
Spc. Sean K.A. Langevin, 23, of Walnut Creek, Calif.
Spc. Lester G. Roque, 23, of Torrance, Calif.
Pfc. Joseph M. Lancour, 21, of Swartz Creek, Mich.
Marine Sgt. Phillip A. Bocks, 28, of Troy, Mich.

And back home a young man learns his best friend will not be coming home:

At a Pentagon ceremony this month, 1st Lt. Walter Bryan Jackson became one of a handful of soldiers since 2001 to receive the Distinguished Service Cross, the military's second-highest medal, for saving another soldier's life while himself wounded and under heavy fire in Iraq.

Jackson's award was overshadowed a week later, though, when he learned that his closest friend and West Point roommate, 1st Lt. Matthew C. Ferrara, had been killed in a mountain ambush in Afghanistan. Last weekend, Jackson was on stage in Los Angeles for his friend's eulogy. And on Friday, after a quiet Thanksgiving with his parents in Fairfax, Jackson packed his bag for another yearlong deployment, this time to lead a rocket platoon along South Korea's demilitarized zone.

"It's kind of hard to explain" how it feels to be part of a small segment of the U.S. population that is "bearing the brunt of the responsibilities" from today's conflicts, Jackson said as he waited for his flight at Dulles International Airport. "It doesn't affect society at large in the slightest. Life just goes on, and a lot of people . . . are more concerned about the price of gas than about soldiers fighting and dying," said Jackson, who has lost several comrades in the wars.

As young as he is, Lieutenant Jackson has already seen more than his share of action:

"We are a lot more serious," said the fresh-faced artillery officer, who turns 25 today, "because we know how short life is."

Within a few months of his graduation [from West Point], Jackson, the son of a naval officer, was sent to Iraq as an artillery officer for the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment. Based in the town of Hit in Iraq's western Anbar province, Jackson and his company commander were checking on Iraqis detained after a mortar attack when their Humvee almost rolled over, getting stuck in a ditch.

Standing guard with three other soldiers in an exposed area, Jackson spotted a few Iraqi men drive slowly by on scooters, apparently surveying the soldiers' location. A minute later, machine-gun fire tore into the soldiers from two directions, bringing down Jackson's commander, Capt. Eric Stainbrook, and 1st Sgt. David Sapp.

"A round hit me in the leg and kicked my leg out real hard," recalled Sapp, of Metter, Ga. "I fell over, and I felt another round hit my head, and my eyesight went out. Everything was black."

Lying on the ground, Sapp recalled, he began praying he wouldn't get shot again. "I was completely helpless, and I wanted to see my wife and daughters again."

Help came in the form of Jackson, who rushed to give Sapp first aid. But within seconds Jackson, too, was shot, in the left leg and hand. Slumped down, he nevertheless managed to return fire with his M-16 rifle.

Jackson tried to reload, but found the blood loss had left him too weak. "I didn't have the strength to pull the loading chamber back," he recalled. But he managed to stand up and help other soldiers carry Sapp to a Bradley Fighting Vehicle 30 feet away. "I knew how dire the situation was," he said. "If I didn't help out, someone else might get killed or wounded."

Sapp, whose arm and leg bones were shattered by bullets, was screaming in pain, both men recalled. In the Bradley, Jackson grasped Sapp's hand to comfort him, refusing medical aid for himself until they reached their base and he could no longer stand.

Sapp's wounds were life-threatening, and he was at risk of losing his limbs, doctors told him later.

"I don't think I would have lived" without the help of Jackson and another soldier, Sapp said in an interview this week as he underwent physical therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. "I'm forever grateful to both of those guys," said Sapp, who is now legally blind in one eye but hopes to remain in the Army unless he is medically discharged.

Jackson was also evacuated to Walter Reed, where he has undergone more than a dozen surgeries, the latest four months ago. Still, he has gradually made almost a full recovery, and considers himself lucky.

So he was devastated to learn last week that such fortune had eluded his roommate, Ferrara.

Ferrara, 24, of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, was returning from a meeting with tribal leaders in a remote border region in eastern Afghanistan when his foot patrol of about 30 soldiers was ambushed along a narrow mountain path, Jackson said. Insurgents fired AK-47 assault rifles on the patrol from different directions, killing six American and three Afghan soldiers, and wounding 19, the most U.S. casualties of any single incident this year. Without room to maneuver, Ferrara, a nephew of New Zealand Defense Minister Phil Goff, and the rest were trapped.

"Matt was killed instantly," Jackson said of his roommate, who was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and promoted to captain. "The reason they didn't take more killed in action was a lot of the casualties rolled down the hill."

Jackson said he plans to stay on active duty, at least until his obligation ends in 2 1/2 years. "I feel I kind of owe it to the people who have already sacrificed," he said. Still, he said he wishes more Americans would appreciate how soldiers continue to volunteer and put their lives at risk. "We don't ask for very much," he said.

Sometimes when I see the lunacy in Berkeley, or that fool of a mayor in Toledo playing at being a human being, I wonder why anyone would step forward to defend this nation? But then I read stories like this one:

I am a Marine Corps dad who picked up my son from the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot at Parris Island on Jan. 25. I had no idea what was in store for him when he came home to Columbus.

Upon our return, we have witnessed a gratitude from the people of Columbus that we did not expect. Last Sunday, my son, Pvt. Tyler Allen Leavitt, put on his dress-blue uniform for church to visit those who have prayed for him during the tough training that Marines must endure for the honor of being called a United States Marine.

During this "victory tour," Tyler has witnessed a grateful nation through the awesome, intimate hand of fellowship from the people of Columbus.

Read how the good people of Columbus, Ohio honored the service of a newly minted young Marine. It's a day brightener.

They get it. They really get it. This nation will never fail so long as we have people like the citizens of Columbus, Ohio and like Linda Ferrara, mother to four soldiers serving this country in the United States Army.

And First Lieutenant Matthew C. Ferrara. Killed November 9th, in Nurastan Province, Afghanistan. May light perpetual shine upon him.

Some people don't think that we have to fight just yet,
that we can wait and the crazies will go away
and not harm our little tribe.

They are already harming our little tribe.
All of humanity is our tribe.

- Linda Ferrara
Mother of 1LT Matthew C. Ferrara

Cotillion February

2008-02-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hello to all.

My apologies, for I have been swamped with real life stuff and therefore will have to do the lazy version (instacarnival) of the Cotillion round up.

In no particular order....and with no bedazzling graphics or images....

R-Kat presents Ch-ch-ch-changes! posted at Kat.

R-Kat presents Southside Concerned Citizens: Appeal to Misleading Authority posted at Kat.

Conservative Belle presents UPDATE: Army Captain Fights for Job, Post-Deployment posted at Conservative Belle.

News

R-Kat presents Experiencing God, week three posted at Kat.

Nicki presents What lessons are we teaching our children? posted at The Birthplace of the Process of Illogical Logic.

Politics

Beth presents Ann Coulter is an Idiot, Part Duh posted at MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, saying, "Ann Coulter and her fellow feces-flinging monkeys do more to destroy the conservative movement than so-called "RINOs" do on their worst days.
"Screw 'em.""

I don't think the women of the Cotillion are too big on carnivals but with the powerful entries today, who needs a lot of posts and links? Believe me when I say that these omnipotent women we have participating in the carnival today will make you want to position yourself for their individual scrutiny.

Have a Heart? Make It Healthy

2008-02-01T11:10:00.000-05:00

Today kicks off the first day of American Heart Month. In the month of February, Americans are spreading awareness of heart disease and prevention. In particular, women everywhere need to examine their lifestyles and determine what changes are necessary to prevent heart disease.

Leading the charge of this awareness campaign for several years is none other than our lovely First Lady Laura Bush. She is the Heart Truth ambassador and has been since Valentine's Day in 2003. Heart Truth is the organization dedicated to making women aware of the risks of heart disease.

According to Dr. Tedd Mitchell writing in USAToday, the statistics are improving for awareness. But the risks are still great without taking action.

According to hearttruth.gov, in 2000, only 34% of women were aware that heart disease was the No. 1 killer of American women. By 2006, that had increased to 57%. Despite the gains, the campaign remains in full swing: "We want women not only to understand that it's a killer, but also that the 'classic' sign of heart attack [chest pain] may not be present," the first lady says. "Symptoms in women tend to be different than in men. Decreased energy, indigestion, pain in unusual areas such as the jaw or neck -- these should not be dismissed."

Ladies, assess your risk. Know your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar. These are risks that lead to heart disease. You also should know your family history. Did a parent have heart disease at an early age? Do you have a brother or sister with heart disease? If so, your risk might be increased.

Did you know?

Top 5 causes of death for American womenOne in four women dies from heart disease, making it the No. 1 killer of American women, regardless of race. Here's the death toll in a recent year:

Heart disease: 332,000
Stroke: 91,000
Lung cancer: 68,000
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 64,000
Breast cancer: 41,000
Source: 2004 figures from National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Heart Truth has some tips for women to prevent this deadly disease.

Don't smoke, and if you do, quit. Women who smoke are two to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-smoking women. Smoking also boosts the risk of stroke and cancer.
Aim for a healthy weight. It's important for a long, vigorous life. Overweight and obesity cause many preventable deaths.
Get moving. Make a commitment to be more physically active. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week.
Eat for heart health. Choose a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, and moderate in total fat.
Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), and blood glucose. Work with your doctor to improve any numbers that are not normal.

So today I am making a pledge. I promise to exercise 30 minutes every single day in the month of February beginning today. That's 29 days because it's a leap year. And I will even post in the comments here every week to prove I'm doing it.

And in addition, I'm challenging all of my Cotillion sisters (a group of at least 50 women) to do the same thing. So what say you, ladies? Up for the challenge?

What about the rest of you? Will you pledge to do it too?

Cross-posted at Conservative Belle

American Idol Liveblogging

2008-01-30T08:11:00.000-05:00

Current liveblog hosts for this are Beth from Blue Star Chronicles and Greta from Kiss My Gumbo.
scrolling="no" height="150px" width="420px" frameBorder="0"
style="border: 2px solid #323232;" >

You can also head to My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy for a different liveblog session.

Convincing the world that Mardi Gras is G-rated

2008-01-29T13:22:00.001-05:00

I've been writing my butt off over at Kiss My Gumbo and NOLA.com for the past year. Being deep into Mardi Gras season, I've had lots of great material to write about...parades, balls etc.... Last night (on a school night), I took the kids to the local parade that was supposed to "roll"on Friday night (but it rained). My hubby will be riding in his parade on Friday night and we will be sitting with a gang of friends to catch tons of "throws" from him!

Still, there is a sad misconception that Mardi Gras is all about college girls showing their boobs. I have now been to over 15 parades and sorry to disappoint boys, but that doesn't happen on the parade streets. That may go on in the French Quarter after dark during the Mardi Gras festivities, but otherwise nope. We even went to the dog parade, Barkus, in the French Quarter this past weekend and every family was there with the kid.

I am trying like heck to get the message out to the world that New Orleans is the best place to take your family and come for a visit and heck...live! Now take a couple of minutes and watch this footage my friend Milena took of the parade we went to last night!

And if you haven't come over to visit before, come visit my Louisiana everything blog - KISS MY GUMBO y'all! This post can be found at The Cotillion site and Hooah Wife and friends!

Join us while we blog American Idol this season

2008-01-15T22:24:00.001-05:00

We did the premier night live blog and the transcripts can be read here.

Now join us Wednesday night for Season 7 auditions #2. Lots of snark and funny stuff to make AI extra fun!

South Carolina Republican Debate

2008-01-10T21:00:00.000-05:00

Tonight's South Carolina GOP Debate

2008-01-10T09:30:00.000-05:00

Some of us in Cotillion are going to try to do this at multiple blogs (but it will definitely be here as well as at my blog, at the very least), so I'll update this post with where else this live-blog will be posted. You'll be able to see the same thing and comment at any of the sites hosting it. :)

Introducing The Cotillion Carnival

2007-12-29T08:58:00.000-05:00

I know by now that all of you blog junkies are acquainted with, and read, the Cotillion on a daily basis! What you don't know is that we have decided to start a monthly carnival.

Why not start 2008 with the sharp wit and a brimful of smarts from the ladies of the Cotillion. This edition will bring you topics ranging from daily life in Louisiana to visiting a concentration camp in Germany.

'Tiara Media' proudly presents the New Year edition of the Cotillion Carnival.

Greta Perry of Kiss My Gumbo, and self proclaimed princess of positive, tells us of how a J for Governor bumper sticker saves the day in Mandeville, Louisiana.

Fausta's Blog sends us her article about Jeanne Assam and the case for Carry Concealed Licenses.

My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy is always looking out for our military. With this entry she shows how easy it is for all of us to support our troops. What Kind Of World Do You Want?

This is about a fundraiser for charities (including Fisher House and the USO) where you just watch user-created videos, and donations are made per view. Revver hosts the videos, and the (unobtrusive) ads pay for the donations--approx. $1 per view. Simple!

Seriously, it can't get any easier than watching a video people. How many YouTube videos have you watched this past year? Yeah, do the math and go watch some videos!

The Sisu Blog presents He actually believes the bald-faced tales he spins posted at sisu. "He" being Mr. Clinton, but the blog post is packed full of more interesting pontifications that you really need to go absorb for yourself. I don't know why I am surprised; I should be used to it by now. Those crazy Clinton's.

Something...And Half Of Something gives us reason number 576938172 for why she doesn't watch television. Britain's airwaves try to join the reality genre with a show called, "Make Me A Muslim" but as Linda points out, they really don't get the whole reality TV thing:

It doesn't appear that anyone suffered the true effects of Sharia law, presumably they were not flogged on public television for their lapses into the evil alcohol and their failure to cover themselves with a sheet. No one was crucified or hanged or mutilated, everyone retained their heads. So, I guess Britain isn't really ready for reality TV.

PC Free Zone found some ads that are totally absent of all this awareness of hurting someone's feelings. The Dutch Government Fireworks Safety Ads. Wild Thing says, "These are so funny and applause to the Dutch Government for not being PC about their ads."

The Median Sib is trying to stay away from the news and politics (can't say that I blame her), so she sends us a book review for 90 Minutes In Heaven. This book has been recommended to me several times but I keep passing. Now that I have read the review, I will have to pick it up. The Median Sib also shares with us a personal memory.

Here is another submission from The Median Sib, she shares her New Year's traditional menu with all of us; sounds yummy!

After taking a very short sabbatical from blogging, Villainous Company comes back into the realm with a vengeance, and I'm very grateful she is participating in this carnival. She sends in a post titled Searching For The Meaning Of Christmas.

Blue Star Chronicles writes about a recent visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp. I'm glad she sent this link in for the carnival. After reading it several times, myself, I still can't comprehend what that must have been like. It sickens me and breaks my heart at the same time to read about that time in history. Here is a snippet -

Reading about the concentration camps of the Third Reich and touring one of them are two completely different experiences. Reading about the camps, watching a documentary is an intellectual exercise. Walking through the camp, seeing the pictures of the victims, reading their stories, seeing the bullet holes in the wall in front of which executions took place, looking at the ovens in which bodies were disposed of, seeing the sites where ashes were disposed of is an emotional experience …. visiting the place gives an entirely different perspective.

This, unfortunately, ends our first carnival. Thank you to everyone who participated. I'd like to take this time to wish us all a Happy New Year and may our futures be filled with blessings, prosperity, and good will toward all.

Ironic Headline of the Year Contest

2007-12-20T08:09:00.001-05:00

No stinkin prizes and the winner will be announced New Year's Eve. So let's see what you got!!!
I'll be the judge, so this headline doesn't count. I think it would be a serious contender! Please include source.
"Lynne Spears shelved plans to publish a book on parenting!"

Those Pesky Kids

2007-12-12T08:15:00.000-05:00

I recently wrote about my neighbor's house being vandalized by teenagers. Now Frosty got "iced" in Slidell, bomb threats made to local High Schools and then all them pesky kids were arrested. Dang, I thought I moved to Utopia??? You see, all these things did happen in my backyard! The back yard of a lovely Louisiana suburb (St. Tammany), not the city! Then again, last week, my friend Merri from Omaha, had to deal with something in her backyard that she thought would never happen.

You see, I don't have teens yet. I still live in the world where I encourage letters to the tooth fairy, cuddling of their Webkinz at night (9 & 7 y olds) and reading cute little fuzzy bedtime stories. My oldest is 11yo and NO - he does not have a MySpace or a cell phone or is out roaming the streets without supervision. Am I the perfect parent? Heck no! If Dr. Phil put a hidden camera in my house I am sure I would be told I should be institutionalized from time to time. Will my kids ever vandalize a yard? Will my kid call in a bomb threat? Will my kid lie to me? Who knows!!!!! Will I kick their butts and punish them until they make six figures and can support me? Hey, not a bad idea!

Wake up call to all!!!! The world is not perfect, never has been, never will be. "You" are not the most important thing in the world, kids are! These pesky kids will soon be our Army, our police, our firefighters, our (*gasp*) politicians. We can't afford to look the other way and write any kid off! I was a high school teacher and did my time in "alternative" schools and even worked in a children's lockdown facility for a short stint...all these pesky kids are ours. It takes a village to raise an idiot (oh wait, I must have that wrong...and no- I ain't no Shillary fan), it takes a parent to raise a child. But if that parent ain't emotionally or physically available, we can't look the other way.

Don't get me wrong, I can't tell you how many days I think of putting a stinkin' bubble over my house and becoming Amish (as long as I can keep my internet). I would shield my little buggers from the kid who popped the inflatable Frosty (though I would be secretly cheering on the sideline). I could home school them and protect them from all "those" kids who teach them bad words on the bus and from bomb threats to their schools. Puh-leeze! I would be institutionalized if I did that! But as I said before, it ain't about me or you, it is about them. So the Princess of Positive (moi') wants to know, whatrugonnadoaboutit? (this is where you comment folks)

*this and all future posts can be found at my personal blog and NOLA.com (who is currently contemplating if $200 a month for all this "quality" blogging is enough for the Princess of Positive - HINT HINT!). Holiday shopping ideas here and don't forget to click my ads and buy stuff!

Select A Candidate Quiz 2008

2007-12-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

I took another quiz on the Presidential candidates who best match my views and beliefs.

Tom Tancredo came out on top - huh? We agreed on 8 of 11 of the topics in the quiz. He'll never get the nomination.

Duncan Hunter came in next with Fred Thompson coming in third. As a total surprise, John McCain came in fourth and the dude I'm leaning towards, Mike Huckabee - and yes I'll blame it on the Chuck Norris fog, came in fifth; but we disagree on more of the issues than we agree so I may have to re-think this whole thing, yet again.

However, some of the questions were worded "weird"; for example, the question on Iraq went like this:

The last two choices, to me, are the same thing - I selected that we were going to be in Iraq for a very long time as a support force but the last option says the same thing, practically. I could go with either. But all of the candidates were in disagreement with me, which I found a little off. I'm all for us getting the job done so I don't know why we came out different on this very important issue.

Another thing I found interesting was that all of the candidates were against legalized abortion but they were for the death penalty. I've said it once, I'll say it again...if I am going to be pro-life I need to be pro-life all the way. This issue is not a political thing with me; it's more of my faith/religion. So don't tell me religion doesn't play in politics. It does. Oh sure, as an individual I'd love to be FOR the death penalty, especially to the evil doers to our children, and to be honest you won't hear, or see, me protesting a death penalty sentence either.

The most distraught and disturbing thing I took away from the test was the following -

My age group has gone up into the next category. Well, not officially until the 11th of this month, but still.

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