Tonight brings the unfortunate news that actress Natasha Richardson has died suddenly at the age of 45, following a head injury sustained on Monday while skiing in Quebec. The Tony Award-winning actress, whose career spanned decades and both stage and screen, had been on a ski outing at Mount Tremblant Ski Resort with her sons Michael and Daniel when she fell, and while she did not initially appear to be injured, her condition rapidly worsened, and she was soon hospitalized and eventually pronounced brain dead.

Her family has released the following statement, according to CNN:

Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.

She is survived by her husband, actor Liam Neeson, as well as sons Michael and Daniel and her mother, actress Vanessa Redgrave. It is reported via E! Online that her family is planning a small, private funeral. I would like to wish her family the privacy that they need to come to grips with this terribly unexpected tragedy.

Many of us learned back in our school days that the first to retort “Well, you’re fat!” in most any argument has run out of ideas. This lesson appears to be lost on conservative commentator Laura Ingraham, who in a recent radio show went for the cheap shot in disputing political blogger Meghan McCain’s views on the future of the Republican party.

Ms. McCain, pictured above with her father Senator John McCain, recently criticized controversial pundit Ann Coulter for the disservice her radical views have done to public opinion of Republicans and stated that such extremism would dissuade younger voters from associating themselves with the party. In a subsequent radio broadcast, Ms. Ingraham criticized Ms. McCain on rather different grounds, calling her “too plus-sized to be a cast member on the television show The Real World” - and with that, the gloves are off.

In her latest piece, Ms. McCain raises that age-old question - why does image precede message? She cites a certain treatment of women in the media that is often taken as the status quo, where a woman’s appearance is the first order of business, particularly when the aspect of appearance in question is the woman’s weight. Not only has Ms. McCain come under criticism for being “too heavy” at all of a size 8, but her mother, Cindy McCain, has been the target of unkind remarks for her thin frame. What is this elusive “perfect size” that we must aspire to, then? That ideal proportion that won’t distract fickle audiences from our words and ideas? I’d like to think that the size of my brain matters more than the size of my dress, but I’m sure that there are many who would say that it’s all in my head.

Today, President Barack Obama signed an executive order creating a government-wide council designed to address women’s rights - and in doing so, he cited the women and girls close to his heart. According to the Associated Press, the president and his administration created the panel as an effort to mark Women’s History Month, and his roles other than Commander In Chief were not far from his mind. He told all assembled, “I sign this order not just as a president, but as a son, a grandson, a husband and a father because, growing up, I saw my mother put herself through school and follow her passion for helping others.” He also told of his grandmother, who became a bank vice president, despite the gender bias that she faced along the way.

The order was signed with an eye towards the future, as well. The father of 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha cited the hopes and dreams of the younger generation, telling guests, “So now it’s up to us to carry that work forward, to ensure that our daughters and granddaughters have no limits on their dreams, no obstacles to their achievements — and that they have opportunities their mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers never dreamed of.” He also cited First Lady Michelle’s skill at balancing career and family as an inspiration. By creating this council, with senior adviser Valerie Jarrett as its head, our president has made it clear that his administration prioritizes women’s rights, as equality is not only good for women, but for the country as a whole.

For the past month, it seems like everyone has been talking about Nadya Suleman, the California woman who gave birth to octuplets. She has been the subject of many discussions, ranging from medical ethics to political policy, and her physical resemblance to Angelina Jolie has been fodder for many a wiseacre. So perhaps it was inevitable that eventually Dr. Phil, that noted dispenser of wisdom, would eventually weigh in. And did he ever!

According to a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Dr. Phil McGraw spoke with Ms. Suleman, who disclosed her fears for the future of her family. It is well-known that Ms. Suleman, a single mom, relies on government assistance, including food stamps and disability payments, and she revealed that hospital officials expressed concerns about her ability to care for the octuplets, along with her six other children. She now fears that her babies will not be released to her once they are developmentally ready - indeed, Child Protective Services has the authority to place a protective hold on the children if they believe Ms. Suleman to be unfit. They could even be placed in temporary foster care.

So what does Dr. Phil have to say? While he echoes the hospital’s concerns, citing her lack of money, space, and resources, he does not believe that putting the children in foster care is an attractive alternative, as it disrupts the family unit. He told the Times, “You can’t turn your back on the mother without turning your back on 14 innocent children. They didn’t ask for this.”

During the 2008 presidential campaign, GOP vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin drew criticism and controversy when it was found out that her teenage daughter Bristol was pregnant, especially in light of the Alaska Governor’s well-publicized views favoring abstinence-only education. More recently, though, Bristol, now 18, has spoken to the media about the birth of her son Tripp - and she faced some tough questions about the media attention that she had to deal with during her pregnancy.

People reports on Bristol’s recent segment on Fox News in which she told Greta Van Susteren about her hope that her experience will serve as a lesson for others - she hopes that teens will wait longer than she did. She told Van Susteren that her situation was not the easiest one to raise a child in: “I hope people learn from my story … It’s so much easier if you’re married, have a house and career.” Nevertheless, she insists that the choice that she made to keep her child was not dictated by her mother’s staunch anti-abortion stance, stating emphatically, “It was my choice to have the baby.”

Her views do differ from her mom’s on the issue of abstinence-only education. While Governor Palin strongly favors teaching abstinence, her daughter feels that this stance is not realistic. Indeed, telling her parents of her own pregnancy was difficult for the teen - she says that the conversation was “harder than labor.” Nevertheless, she enjoys being a mother - she said, “I love it, just seeing him smile and stuff. It’s awesome.” And Tripp’s grandmother made an appearance during the interview as well - of all her family has been through in recent months, she says, “Hey, life happens.”

In building bridges, one must take down a few walls, and as Secreatary of State Hillary Clinton knows, one of the toughest walls to break sown is misconception - so she sought to set one straight. “If you want to know if democracy, Islam, modernity, and women’s rights can coexist, go to Indonesia,” she told other attendees at a dinner during her visit to Indonesia, chronicled in a recent New York Times article. Indonesia holds a special meaning for the current administration - President Obama lived there for part of his childhood. However, the country has also undergone what Mrs. Clinton referred to as a “great transfomation” - after the Asian financial crisis in the late ’90’s, Indonesia has bounced back as a democracy after escaping the autocratic rule of Suharto.

The Obama administration is reaching out to other countries in an effort to establish diplomatic relations, and it seems that Islamic countries are at the top of the list. However, Mrs. Clinton emphasized that this effort is not at the expense of worldwide diplomacy. She said to reporters, “There is no pigeonholing; there is no exclusivity. We are reaching out to the entire world.” Nevertheless, Indonesia does hold special interest for the Obama administration - the country’s counterterrorism efforts, along with environmental factors, give the administration particular motivation to increase relations. The global economic crisis is a factor as well - and as it is a global crisis, the administration is making an effort to guard against protectionism. As the world economy recovers, no nation is an island.

This time of year brings to mind romance, but women can give themselves the biggest Valentine of all by banding together to end domestic violence. On Friday, a bevy of big Hollywood names assembled to mark V-Day, playwright Eve Ensler’s event meant to bring an end to violence against women. The luncheon brought together stars of the screen, including Rosario Dawson (far right), who most recently appeared in Seven Pounds. According to People, Dawson reminded the crowd that violence against women and their families touches those in all walks of life. She said of Jennifer Hudson, who lost three family members in a triple homicide last October, and Rihanna, whose boyfriend Chris Brown is under investigation for domestic violence, that “these women are our sisters.” She also encouraged serious discussion of domestic violence rather than the treatment of the subject as gossip.

The event also featured the reading of accounts of violence against women overseas - in particular, attendees listened to accounts of the rape and mutilation of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Actress Jessica Alba (second from right) read the story of one woman, and found herself brought to tears as she did so. The stories hit close to home for some stars in attendance. South African actress Charlize Theron (not pictured) recalled similar occurrences in her home country - the Oscar winner said, “I was born and raised in a country with similar turmoil. People want to help, but don’t know how.” Hopefully, efforts like V-Day will bring violence against women closer to an end.

Just a few short months ago, singer and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson faced what nobody should ever have to - the untimely death of three family members in a brutal triple homicide. However, tomorrow she will be back doing what she does best, and on the national stage, no less - she will perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl. The Dreamgirls star, who most recently appeared in The Secret Life of Bees, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Democratic National Convention in August, and a source told E! Online that “she certainly can nail it.” She has shown grace under pressure so far, and many anticipate that she will continue to do so as she returns to the public eye.

Jennifer’s hometown paper, the Chicago Tribune, recently published an article by Mark Caro where he discusses the impact of the tragedy on her career - even though she released an album less than a month prior to the death of her mother, brother, and nephew, any follow-up promotion of it has been derailed for obvious reasons. The star has withdrawn from interviews, as any questions that the media would have for her would be rather difficult. However, Caro writes that the public will embrace Jennifer when she does come back; he quotes Billboard’s Gail Mitchell as saying, “I think she’s going to be able to pick up where she left off and move forward.” She doesn’t just have the Super Bowl coming up either - she is set to perform at the Grammy Awards one week later, and she is up for four awards there. Best of luck to this talented young woman.

In 2005, two female students were expelled from a private Lutheran school in California after engaging in behaviors that were considered to be “characteristic of a lesbian relationship,” according to the Los Angeles Times. A recent court case maintained that the school was within its rights to do so, much to the dismay of those who believe this to be discrimination, not to mention the students themselves. The school’s position is that the disciplinary action was consistent with its religious mission, and that as a private institution, they were within their rights to enforce a code of conduct based upon Christian values. However, what was really protected here - freedom of religion, or the right to discriminate?

It is widely known that anti-discrimination laws protect citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation, among other criteria. Indeed, the decision in California’s 4th District Court of Appeal hinged upon the court’s decision that the school was not a business, and therefore was not obligated to abide by these laws. However, despite the exemption that the law allowed, the question remains: Were the school’s actions moral?

As a Christian institution, the school has a conduct code that is likely to include rules in keeping with Christian teachings, and this includes the belief that homosexuality is a sin. The code forbids students from deviating from those rules whether they are on or off campus, and it is stated in the conduct code that to do so is grounds for expulsion. However, it seems to me that such a policy is overly restrictive for high school students. The teaching of religious principles is one thing - however, for a student’s academic career to be derailed by way of expulsion for anything less than strict adherence does more harm than good. While individual institutions may have their own agendas, religious or otherwise, they are primarily educational institutions. Discipline should not come at a disproportionate cost to the student’s academic development, nor should it stifle self-discovery.

This morning brings tragic news: Mariana Bridi da Costa, a Brazilian model who had been fighting a severe infection, has died at the tender age of 20, according to CNN.

Ms. Da Costa, who had been a finalist on the Miss World pageant circuit, was a healthy, active young woman just one month ago - she showed no sign of illness until December 30, when upon her arrival at the hospital, she was diagnosed with a kidney stone and sent home.

Her boyfriend Thiago Simoes tells Britain’s Daily Mail that her condition worsened two days later - she returned to the hospital, where it was determined that she had a severe infection. As the antibiotic-resistant bacterial strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa spread through her system, her blood flow was severely compromised, and doctors eventually amputated her hands and feet in an effort to stop the infection’s spread. She also underwent surgery to remove her kidneys and part of her stomach, and eventually went into organ failure as a result of her illness. She passed away at 3 a.m. today.

Da Costa’s loved ones have told the media that she was a rising star with a warm heart. Simoes told CNN that she expressed hope, even in the throes of her illness: “She told me she was praying to stay alive, that she still had a lot to do on this earth, that she wanted to go on with her plans.” He says that she had been well on her way to becoming a star, having signed with renowned modeling agent Dilson Stein. On his blog, da Costa’s friend Renato Lindgren expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by supporters all over the world: “On behalf of all the family, we are grateful for the support and the affection that the entire world has sent to us.”

Yesterday afternoon, Hillary Rodham Clinton was sworn in as Secretary of State, joining President Obama’s foreign policy and national security team and resigning her post as a New York Senator. The official start of her duties began after the Senate confirmed her in a 94-2 vote, along with a day-long debate on the potential consequences of her husband’s overseas fundraising.

Prior to the vote to confirm Clinton as Secretary of State, Senator Jim Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, expressed concern over foreign donations to the Clinton foundation, and urged the Clintons to fully disclose all foreign donations, including those from individuals. Ultimately, though, Clinton was confirmed by a 94-2 margin, with Cornyn among the votes for her confirmation. Only Jim DeMint and David Vitter voted against her.

According to New York Newsday, Clinton resigned her Senate post immediately after she was sworn in - it is now up to New York Governor David Patterson to appoint her successor. While Caroline Kennedy was previously a contender to fill the vacancy, she recently withdrew her name from consideration; according to Newsday, Patterson has not made his selection yet, but hopes to make an announcement by Friday or Saturday. Ms. Kennedy has cited personal reasons for her decision to withdraw - as many of us already know, her uncle, Senator Edward Kennedy, has been diagnosed with brain cancer and suffered a seizure on Tuesday during an inaugural luncheon. Newsday’s Dan Janison reports on the consequences of Kennedy’s withdrawal. He reports that Andrew Cuomo, Thomas Suozzi, and Steve Israel are among the remaining contenders.

As consumers of popular media, we often find favorite personalities to identify with. We might imitate their clothing choices and hairstyles, but do we imitate their lifestyles as well? Recently, I came across a list by Soraya Roberts of AOL of the Worst Female Role Models on TV. Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) of Sex and the City is on the list, for her tendency to drop everything for Mr. Big, along with Felicity’s Felicity Porter (Keri Russell), who changed her college plans to follow a crush cross-country. These fictional femmes, along with the 8 other characters on the list, have the utter nerve to make mistakes, fall too hard, and do the things that no self-respecting “role model” would ever dare to do.

My first reaction was that these women are not necessarily role models in the sense that Ms. Roberts seems to imply - as a single gal in the city, I might envy Carrie’s wardrobe, but I draw the line at her love life! I watched Friends for the witty one-liners rather than a realistic portrait of twenty-something living, and while as a college-bound teen I was an avid Felicity fan, never once did I watch her Ben-Noel melodrama and actually think that this was something to aspire to! My knee-jerk reaction is to view television as pure escapism, and I was at first taken aback by the idea that anyone should expect a television character to serve as a moral compass - don’t we have our own principles and real-life role models to guide us? However, a recent study at Herriot Watt University in Edinburgh (source: BBC) showed that people who watch romantic comedies often have expectations in their own love lives shaped by the happy endings in the movies - needless to say, those expectations are often unrealistic.

It seems to me that popular culture does have the potential to shape our behavior - but only if we let it. The characters in our favorite TV shows and movies make very real mistakes, but in a fictional world, where the consequences are often done away with in a plot twist or simply nonexistent. In fact, some of the most entertaining characters are often the most flawed - it is up to us to separate fact from fiction and to make the right decisions for ourselves.

President Elect Barack and Michelle Obama have choosen Harvard MBA Desiree Rogers, currently a prominent Chicago businesswoman to be their personal social secretary. Rogers, 49, will be the first African American White House social secretary. Rogers will be leaving her current position as an executive at Allstate Financial in Chicago to come to Washington later this winter.

The Obama’s have selected a highly-educated woman who has a great social stature and understanding of the demands on the office. It is clear that they are very focused on ensuring they are introduced to the country and the world with great attention to detail and no stone left unturned. Rogers knows the Obama family well and this puts her in a great position to get down to work immediately as she already knows their preferences, ethics and tastes.

The position is far-reaching. The job entails being involved in every event or ceremony that occurs at the White House on or the grounds. Beginning the moment after inauguration, Rogers will be responsible for organizing the swearing-in of Obama’s new Cabinet.

Her vision will be to make the White House more accessible and more inclusive. She is also committed to developing events featuring children because the Obama’s have two school-aged daughters, Sasha and Malia who will be the first young kids in the White House in over 30 years.

Ann Stock, a social secretary under the Clinton White House was once responsible for organizing the historic signing of the Mideast peace agreement, for 4,000 guests, on four days notice.

Prior to joining Allstate, Rogers headed a $2 billion utility.

SOURCE: WASHINGTON POST

A recent story on CNN.com titled My REAL life as a call girl proposed some very interesting and circular questions. Stating factually, the article asserts that experts disagree on whether or not prostitutes are victims. The sordid and not so sordid stories of how women fall into prostitution are as numerous as there are prostitutes. Is a high-end escort or call-girl different at all from a prostitute or are we just splitting hairs over semantics?

This story discuses one woman, Natalie McLennan moved from Montreal to New York City eight years ago at the age of 20 to pursue an acting career. She met a pimp, Jason Itzler, at a cocktail party who convinced her that “dating” men would be better than waiting tables while she waited for her acting career to take off.

Within four years she was earning $2000 an hour. She would see two or three clients a day for about two hours each. She was earning upwards up $12,000 A DAY, as a prostitute. In 2005 she was the July cover of New York Magazine and three months later her escort agency was shut down. She was arrested for prostitution and spent 26 days in jail.

McLennan knew what she was doing. She made a conscious choice to engage in those behaviors. Should that be illegal? She wasn’t coerced. She wasn’t selling herself for drugs or other criminal money. She was simply trading sex for money. The bottom line is that prostitution according to Wikipedia is the act of performing sexual activity in exchange for money. The legal status varies from one jurisdiction to another; in some parts of the world it is legal and in others it is punishable by death.

Do you think this is a slippery slope of legalities and situations or is it just wrong, morally? Legally?

Your thoughts?

::

Natalie McLennan’s tell-all book The Price: My Rise and Fall As Natalia, New York’s #1 Escort is due out soon.

Karen Hughes spoke on Larry King Live tonight (CNN) about Sarah Palin’s wardrobe and she was wearing a leopard print silk blouse.  And as I type this I am wearing unmatching pajamas and old ratty stained slippers.  So who has a better leg to stand on?  I don’t know, actually.

Within moments of being chosen as John McCain’s running mate the Republican National Convention had shoppers at Neiman Marcus and Saks shopping for new clothes for Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.  They have spent over $150,000 so far on clothing, make-up and accessories.  It was also reported by the Huffington Post and the Politico that the RNC also purchased clothing for her husband Todd Palin and her infant son.

Did you donate money to the RNC?  Do you mind that your money was spent on such adornments? I have heard that they plan to donate the clothes to charity but I do not have a source to back up that claim.

With all the crisis going on in this country right now it is shameful that we are discussing this issue.  Shameful that thirteen days before the most crucial and pivotal Presidential election in our nation’s history we are discussing a state governor/Vice Presidential candidate’s clothing as the headline story on Larry King Live.

McCain headquarters has said this is a trivial issue.

I think I agree.

Be careful what you say Democrats, it wasn’t too long ago that Republicans jumped on John Edwards for getting a $400 haircut with his own campaign funds.  He later paid the campaign back with his own money.  It isn’t unheard of for candidates running for a major office to treat themselves to some fancy tailoring and primping.   It really just gives us something to talk about on a slow news day, or when the DOW drops yet another 500 points.

More evidence of what RNC donors paid for:

…. at least she wears it well?