EVEN THE OBVIOUSLY GUILTY ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY

I think he's guilty. You think he's guilty. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn't think he's guilty.

But this is the United States. One of the greatest things about its legal system is that people suspected of crimes are innocent until they are proven guilty in a court proceeding. It is one of the things that, despite all its other faults, sets our country above so many others.

So, how can the Illinois governor be thrown out of office for what are still only suspected, not proven, crimes? Doesn't that set an ugly precedent? What's to say that a zealous district attorney can't drum up false charges against a political leader he doesn't like, have him arrested and have that, rather than any actual conviction, lead to the politician's impeachment?

When someone is arrested for murder, they are usually kept locked up until the trial is over, even if they are later found innocent. That's to protect the public from potential harm while the trial is going on. I am not familiar with Illinois law, but perhaps there was a similar option available to the state legislature - a suspension of the governor's powers until the criminal matters were resolved.

As much as I think he probably is guilty, the fact of the matter is that now ex-Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has been thrown out of office for merely being suspected of crimes and malfeasance. And I do not like that.

If, however, the Illinois legislature had had the wisdom to toss him out on his ear for his haircut, well, I could have got behind that.

BAD BONUSES & A COUPLE OF GOOD RECOMMENDATIONS

I've got a friend whose husband recently lost his job in banking. He's pretty much the sole financial supporter of his family: himself, my friend, and their two kids. I hope he got his annual "bonus" at the end of last year before he got laid off.

You might wonder why I put "bonus" in quotes. Well, there are bonuses and then there are bonuses and lately, with the news of Wall Street firms paying out $18.4 billion in bonuses at the end of last year, it's become something of a dirty word. But, consider the fact that about 125 thousand people split all that money, (the average Wall Street bonus last year came to $112,000), and some of them really deserved it, needed it even. Like most things in economics, and especially in politics, it isn't as clear cut as it might seem.

Now don't get me wrong. I think John Thain, former head of Merrill Lynch, and any number of other scumbags who whooped it up with their company's money as the companies faltered and then collapsed, ought to go to jail. And not some white collar jail. I'd like to see how they do on a tier at San Quentin.

But most of the people who received their bonuses at the end of last year were like the husband of my friend. They were people who worked their assess off, at relatively modest - for the financial industry - salaries, who counted on their "bonus" to make their nut at the end of the year.

The thing is, a lot of what are called "bonuses" - and in the financial industry more than most - are really no more than a contracted part of a salary package. They aren't really bonuses at all. It's a way that companies have of rear-loading an employee's pay. There are all kinds of financial advantages to companies that do that.

It works like this: A company hires someone for a hundred thousand dollars a year, but it's broken up in the form of a five thousand bucks a month salary and a forty thousand dollar guaranteed "bonus" at the end of the year.

According to Webster's dictionary, a bonus is "something in addition to that which is expected or strictly due." By definition, I don't think you can guarantee a bonus.

Undoubtedly there were plenty of miscreants who stole real bonuses from their companies at the end of last year. (Although if they stole it, they no doubt knew what to expect, it's the "strictly due" part of the definition that trips them up.) And that's a crime, or ought to be.

But, most of the people who shared in that $18.4 billion were in the boat with my friend's husband. The boat where the "bonus" was just another part of their agreed upon salary and they needed it.

Unfortunately politics doesn't allow for much nuance. With regard to the slimeball crooks who stole real bonuses from their companies, I think President Obama's words weren't even harsh enough. But for the majority of hard working, honest employees who were included in that $18.4 billion, many of whom were also victims of the venality of their bosses, I feel nothing but sympathy.


So, here's a couple of things you can do to stretch those meager "bonuses" a bit further:
Jurassic is a Taiwanese theme restaurant / beerhall. Food's great (especially the basil and the claypot dishes), beer's just fine, waitresses are cute (Winnie, the one on the far right is an economics student at UCLA who's from Shanghai) and the place is wonderfully kitsch. And it's fairly cheap, too. What more could you want?
Jurassic
15301 Gale Ave.
City of Industry, CA

You can find al pastor tacos all over town, but these are some of the best I've found yet. (Some great looking chorizo and chicken, too.) Nights only, in front of El Nuevo Jalisco restaurant at
3017 North Main St.
Los Angeles, CA

Gul Panag cleavage show at Star Screen Awards

Gul Panag was seen exposing cleavage at the Star Screen Awards, in a black outfit. (Click to enlarge images)







Gul Panag exposing cleavage at Star Screen Awards

Bollywood's 15 hottest kissing scenes

Bollywood's 15 hottest kissing scenes. (Click to enlarge images)



Devika Rani and Himanshu Rai in 'Karma' (1933)







Zeenat Aman and Shashi Kapoor in 'Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram' (1978).







Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia in ‘Saagar’ (1985).







Vinod Khanna and Madhuri Dixit in 'Dayawan' (1988).







Aamir Khan and Karisma Kapoor in ‘Raja Hindustani’ (1996).







Rani Mukherjee and Kamal Hassan in ‘Hey Ram’ (2000).







Mallika Sherawat and Emran Hashmi in ‘Murder’ (2002).







Abhishek Bachchan and Antara Mali in ‘Naach’ (2004).







Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi in ‘Kyun, Ho Gaya Na’ (2004).







Kareena Kapoor and Fardeen Khan in ‘Dev’ (2004).







Bipasha Basu and John Abraham in ‘Madhoshi’ (2004).







Anil Kapoor and Sameera Reddy in ‘Musafir’ (2004).







Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta in 'Salaam Namaste' (2005).







Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai in 'Dhoom 2' (2006).







Vidya Balan and Madhavan in 'Guru' (2007).







Bollywood's 15 hottest kissing scenes.

Hot beauty Kangana Ranaut kissing sexy scenes

These are some of the kissing scenes Bollywood's hot beauty Kangana Ranaut has done in one of her South films. (Click to enlarge images)

















Kangana Ranaut has a had a new hit with her latest movie, the horror flick, 'Raaz - The Mystery Continues'. Things are also looking up for her on the personal front, with her parents having invited her boyfriend Adhyayan Suman over to their house.

Sunday Scribblings - Regrets - 1/30/09

Skooter and I are off to North Carolina to meet my new granddaughter Sophie,

but this prompt, regrets, caught my eye and I had to make a comment, however brief and inconsequential, before we crank up the IPOD and drive north.

I do not have regrets. They are counterproductive. I know I have made lots of mistakes in my life but if I had it to do over again and did not make those particular blunders I would make others equally as grievous. No, it is better to look forward than dwell on the past.

There are certain things I would do differently. I would apply myself academically. I would be a better son, father, and friend. I would take the harder road versus the easy one. I would take better care of myself. I would ………….. Shit. I guess I do have regrets. Sonofabitch!!!!!!

Can you regret that you have regrets?

What is on your body "wish list"???

If you could hand pick from a pool of celebrity facial and body features to create that dream body what would you choose? I took a minute to think about what I would do and the choices are endless! So, to make it easier for you Famed Plastic Surgeons have come up with a "short list" of Hollywood's Hottest Looks of 2009. I will say, some of the selection seemed like a no-brainer, but there are a few choices that will surprise you. One such surprise is that international supermodel Giselle was dethroned as the most sought after body and replaced by Jennifer Anniston. I actually found this very refreshing that women are going for a more attainable "girl next door" look rather than the supermodel! Yes, Giselle we are all still jealous! :) Also, topping the list is Angelina Jolie's perfect pout with Anne Hathaway and Rosario Dawson pulling a close second and third.

The authors of the list say the criteria for being chosen is quite simple. The selection seems to follow who is in the limelight at the moment. As the hollywood elite show up on glossy magazine covers and on the silver screen their stock shoots through the roof. Oh, and don't worry fellas there are choices on the list for you too!!

more censorshit......

"Pull this one ya bastards!"

Hey Mickey You're So Fine

After seeing 52-year old Mickey Rourke In The Wrestler, it was hard not to notice the plastic surgery that has altered his appearance. Before becoming an actor, Mickey was actually a boxer and likely broke his nose a time or two. According to Makemeheal.com, Rourke has likely had several plastic surgery procedures which include a tight facelift, upper eyelid lift, multiple nasal surgeries, as well as possibly having had cheek, lower lip, and chin implants and a hair transplant. Although, he has likely wanted to improve his appearance from the damage of past boxing matches, this pugilist has lost some of his early facial characteristics. Although Mickey clearly looked hotter in the early days of 9 1/2 weeks, his acting skills have won him a Golden Globe and an Oscar Nomination for Best Performance be an actor in a leading role. I look forward to seeing him in Iron Man 2!

Nina Jose on Maxim Philippines February 2009

It's out now. Maxim Philippines February 2009 featuring Nina Jose on the cover is now up for grabs. So what can we say about this cover photo of Maxim February 2009? Uhmm, for one, the posing looks odd to me. Is it a strategic pose not to emphasize her figure? Coz she looks a little plump compared to her FHM March 2008 photos.

Another thing we noticed is that her sides don't look too natural at all. I mean, the cropping is very obvious. It's like a forced curves on the side. Also, the make up artist seemed to forgot to hide those eye bags. But nevertheless, Nina Jose still looks charming as ever.

Nina Jose and Hazel Ann Mendoza - FHM Cover Girls March 2008

Nina Jose and Hazel Ann Mendoza Covergirls for the March Issue of FHM Philippines.

Early Life

She was born on August 26, 1988. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, Nina Jose used to spend money like there's no tomorrow, until her grandfather died that is. Nina's mom was adopted but she was Nina's granddad's favorite daughter, so she also became his favorite granddaughter. Her lolo's real family resented it and deprived Nina's mother of her share of the inheritance. "It's really unfair because my mom really worked hard for them."

She witnessed how poorly her dad treated her mom while she was growing up. "She's a battered wife. Para kaming nasa action movie, where in e-escape kami then hahabulin niya kami. Tatakbo nanaman kami then magtatago." Her parents are now separated. Her dad is living with another woman and she has a half sister on her mother's side.

"My relationship with my family is kinda err…complicated." Nina admits to the dysfunctionality of her family life. "I would always fight with my mom. Sometimes I even scream at her. But she always forgives me. I hate my dad because he always counts what he gives us. He's manunumbat, he's really annoying and feeling niya ang taas taas niya." Nina relates sadly. "I really want to help my mom out, one of the reasons I joined Pinoy Big Brother."

Nina has also worked before as a model for clothes and became anorexic. But after noticing her looks becoming miserable instead of glamorous, she started eating again. She sees herself now as a bit fat though and says she needs to lose weight. She has had her heart broken thrice but believes her true love is just out there.

There's a lot more of Nina that even she can't count everything on her two hands. She's a self confessed bratinella. But is best friends with God and Mama Mary. She can cook. She can clean. Though she rarely puts those skills to use. She doesn't know things like isaw and betamax. She only knows that fishballs tastes 'masarap'.

Katrina Kaif - were bounced back from the nightclub

Currently, Katrina Kaif and John Abraham are in US shooting for director Kabir Khan’s film ‘New York’. It so happened that during the shoot, one of the crew members threw a party at a nightclub and invited Katrina kaif, John and the director to the party. However, when John and Katrina, along with Kabir Khan, got to the club, they were denied entry because they were reportedly not carrying proper identification proofs. They even told the bouncers that they were known stars from India, but the argument apparently cut no ice with the American bouncers.

So, while everyone else were partying hard inside, John and Katrina kaif found themselves bounced out of the nightclub. They even drove back to their hotel and returned with ID proofs. But it was too late by then and the party had already died down.

Katrina Kaif Replaces Aishwarya Rai

After dethroning Aishwarya Rai from the numero uno position in Bollywood, Katrina Kaif is fast emerging as a threat to her in the brand endorsement circuit as well. The hot actress recently replaced Aishwarya to become the new brand ambassador of a prominent diamond jewellery brand.

Known for her sensuality as well as her feminine charm, Katrina kaif reveals why she chose to endorse the brand. "Be it a skin, hair or a jewellery product, I am very selective about the brands I endorse. I undertake extensive research on the company and try to ensure that the brand delivers on its promises made to the user of the product," proclaims a beaming Katrina Kaif.

Looking graceful in a white gown and bedecked with exquisite diamond jewellery, Katrina also shed light on her much appreciated on-screen chemistry with Akshay Kumar. "He's really hard working and has boundless energy. These traits are really inspirational and on top of that he's an absolutely wonderful person to work with," says the Welcome girl.

Katrina Praises Akshay; Avoids a Question on Salman



Bollywood beauty Katrina Kaif was happily promoting a jewelry brand, when she was asked about her on-screen pair with Akshay Kumar. Katrina left everything behind and gushed about Khiladi Akshay.

Katrina revealed how right from her first film with Akshay, she received a lot of compliments from people about her pairing with the Bollywood Khiladi. "Akshay is a wonderful person to work with and his energy and dedication is amazing. Therefore, he has been a huge inspiration for me," said Race star, adding she has done many films with Akki and shares a great rapport with him.

When asked for her take on her lookalike's promotion by her beau Salman Khan, however, Katrina brushed-off the question by just saying, "That is so sweet of him." Only Katrina knows the reason for her avoiding that question.

Trivia

Katrina Kaif will next be seen in Yash Raj Films' New York along with John Abraham and Neil Mukesh. The film is based on the 9/11 attacks.

Movie Story

When the Kat purrs, everybody takes notice. Only a few movies old, Katrina Kaif has already occupied the No. 1 position in Bollywood, dislodging the ice queen, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Having already worked with established directors, she attributes much of her success to the directors she works with and regards the director as the captain of the ship.
Initially hesitant to work with new directors, Kat is now open to work with the new breed of filmmakers.

Katrina has already signed up with veteran directors -- Prakash Jha and Raj Kumar Santoshi who are making Rajneeti and Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahaani respectively.

Nozomi Sasaki Photo book Visual Young Jump

Want to get yourself something nice to keep you warm this winter? How about the new Nozomi Sasaki photo book Visual Young Jump VSJ No# 81! Released last November, its got all the Nozomi Sasaki photos you can ask for. It’s got gravure as well as fashion photos - just don’t let your Japanese girlfriend find a copy or else she’ll get jealous!

Nozomi Sasaki, hot Japanese fashion model and gravure idol

Nozomi Sasaki is a pretty 20 year Japanese fashion model and gravure idol from Akita prefecture. Nozomi-chan started as a teen model when she won two modeling competitions Young Jump’s GYARUKON Grand Prix 2005 and Princess Pinky Grand Prix 2006. She has been featured many times as fashion model for Pinky magazine though she has also been featured Young Jump, Up To Boy, Weekly Playb*y, Sabra, Bidan and some fashion catalogs .

If your Japanese girlfriend attended the Tokyo Girls Collection 2008 event, she would have told you that Nozomi Sasaki was one of the fashion models.

See more photos of beautiful Nozomi Sasaki .

BTW, there is a seiyuu (voice actress) with the same name Nozomi Sasaki from Kanagaawa prefecture.

Three Word Wednesday - 55 Flash Fiction Friday - Caress, Jagged, Ruthless - 1/28/09

The prompts for Three Word Wednesday (caress, jagged, ruthless) conjured up a woman that every man has known. My initial jottings formed an exact 55 word image. That never happens. It usually takes a lot of wordsmithing. I left my first draft alone. I hope you enjoy it.

Her caress was both velvet and the jagged cut of a serrated blade.
A wound that would never heal.
Her love was equally ruthless and tender.
He now understood the close proximity of pleasure to pain.
He knew she was a succubus, but his soul ached for the sweet danger she brought into his life.

don't leave home without it.

Sunday Scribblings - Phantoms & Shadows - 1/25/09

I have been blogging for nearly two years. Writing here, usually in response to prompts supplied by various blog sites, has brought to light memories from the shadows of the disturbed recesses of my mind. I try to recount and record these stories before they once again become phantoms and slip back into the darkness. This week’s Sunday Scribbling instructions brought back memories of elementary school.

For nearly all of my 6 years of primary education, I attended Silver King School. It was located in a small gulch just east of Smelterville, Idaho. A creek flowed along beside the school and adjacent to the playground area. Sounds like an idyllic setting. However any image you have conjured of a trout filled, crystal clear, mountain stream flowing down the valley is premature. Upstream from the schoolhouse was plant that refined zinc. All of the waste created by that refinery was washed downstream to us. Zinc is a heavy metal, and though our bodies require a minimal amount of zinc for maximum performance, we do not require, nor can we tolerate the amounts that oozed from that creek. When I think of this water, lyrics from an old Chris Rhea song come immediately to mind:

“I'm standing by a river but the water doesn't flow
It boils with every poison you can think of.”

The water was a color that I am certain God never intended H2O to be. It was a grayish/green opalescent liquid. We did not routinely wade into the toxic waste, but from time to time one of our playground kickballs would sail over the chain-link fence and one of us would fetch it. There was one kid that had some kind of seizures and every so often we would find him walking down the stream. Someone would go retrieve him too. This creek feeds the Coeurd'Alene River which, in turn, issues into scenic Lake Coeure'Alene, where we swam, fished, and water skied.

Had that been the only environmental issue we faced, this writing would not have the impact on the reader that I had hoped for. The school was also in the shadow of huge smokestacks (first one, then a second was built) which belched the exhaust from the huge lead and silver refinery that was on a hillside just a few hundred yards east of the school.

We were so accustomed to the “smelter smoke” that we hardly even noticed except on the days it was particularly pungent. This was long before there was an EPA. The focus of the government in those days was mutually assured destruction of the Russians and not air quality. The air we breathed on a daily basis was more toxic than any Los Angeles has ever experienced. If there were air quality warnings in 1960, we would never been allowed outside at all. The combination of the water and the air would have made Erin Brockovich throw up her hands and run for cover. The hillsides had been choked and were devoid of any vegetation. What did our lungs look like?


Our playground contained equipment that would be banned today. Corroded from the very air that we inhaled and corrupted from exposure to too many Idaho winters, we survived playing on it. A tetherball hung from a pole. We would beat the crap out of it but I don’t think we ever completed a game. It seemed the only rule was you couldn’t grab the rope. I do not even know if that was a legitimate game or just something we had in Idaho. It was featured in Napoleon Dynamite, a film that was a pretty accurate portrayal of Idaho life.

Inside that schoolhouse, we received a quality education. Outside we were subjected to toxins, but inside we were exposed to music, art, and literature. Though I can’t recite what I had for lunch yesterday, I can recall from memory several poems that I learned nearly 50 years ago. Any aptitude I possessed for creative writing was nurtured inside that building. Though most of our parents, who were employed by the very company that was poisoning us, had not completed high school, many of us went on to earn advanced degrees. The foundation that I received at Silver King Elementary School prepared me for the future. Thank you Mrs.Woolum.