HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY LEGOS … One of the Greatest Toys of all Times

Today, marks the 50th anniversary of the Legos brick. Happy birthday to one of the greatest toys ever invented for children. Legos have expanded more children’s minds with the building of nearly everything from houses to airplanes and all things in between including that what children just dreamed up on their own. Once again Legos … Happy 50th Birthday to easily one of the top 5 toys of all times. Legos are truly building blocks of child and adult learning.

The Lego company plans to celebrate the anniversary with, among other things, a worldwide contest to discover the best kid Lego builder. Each country will have its own national champion, Lego promises, and these lucky kids will get the right to come to headquarters in Denmark to fight it out for the world title.

Having, as I said above, covered two adult U.S. national model builder competitions, I can tell you that these things are great. I don’t know what Lego plans for the kids, but if it’s like the adult version, they’ll get some time to pull bricks from endless bins, and then a few hours to build something magical. They’ll also have to all craft the same object, with the best models getting a leg up for later in the competition.

Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund Crowned Miss America 2008 … From Anorexia to Miss America

19 year old Miss Michigan, Kirsten Haglund, was crowned the 2008 Miss America. Thankfully, she was not asked any questions on regarding geography or why Americans cannot find the US on a world map as last years contestant from South Carolina was. Just three years ago, Kirsten Haglund was was battling an eating disorder and today she finds herself Miss America 2008. 

LAS VEGAS —  Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund, a 19-year-old aspiring Broadway star, was crowned Miss America 2008 on Saturday in a live show billed as the unveiling of the 87-year-old pageant’s new, hipper look.

Haglund, of Farmington Hills, Mich., sang “Over the Rainbow” to clinch the title. She beat Miss Indiana Nicole Elizabeth Rash, the first runner up, and Miss Washington Elyse Umemoto, the second runner up for the $50,000 scholarship and year of travel that comes with the crown.

Haglund, a cheery, classic blond, wore a revealing silver sequined dress and black bikini during the evening gown and swimsuit portions of the pageant. As her platform issue, she promised to advocate for awareness of eating disorders, an illness from which she has recovered.

Army Sergeant Competes for Miss America Title: Jill Stevens, A.K.A. ‘GI Jane,’ Can Shoot a Rifle and Model a Swimsuit 

Miss America’s image has taken a beating lately, but this year an unlikely hero may be coming to rescue of the beleaguered pageant: “GI Jill.”

Among the contestants who will parade their talents, poise and beauty before the judges tonight in Las Vegas is Miss Utah — Army Sgt. Jill Stevens, from Kaysville, Utah, who will trade in her cammies for haute couture.

Serial Rapist: DNA Link Between Missing Brianna Denison and December Sexual Assault of University of Nevada-Reno Student

19 year old Brianna Denison has been missing since January 20, 2008, when she went missing without a trace from a Reno, NV friends home. Blood was found on her pillow and her cell phone and purse were left behind.

Police are now saying that there is a DNA link between the missing Brianna Denison and a prior sexual assault that occurred on December 16 of a University of Nevada – Reno student. The DNA was a match. It would appear that the Reno, Nevada area has a serial rapist on their hands.

Police said Sunday a DNA link between the disappearance of a 19-year-old woman and the December sexual assault of a college student leads them to believe a sole attacker was responsible for both cases.

DNA taken from the scene where Brianna Denison was last seen Jan. 20 matches DNA gathered after the Dec. 16 sexual assault of a University of Nevada-Reno student who lived several blocks away,
police commander Ron Holladay said.

Police believe a white male in his 30s is responsible for Denison’s disappearance and the attack, Holladay said.

“Our chances of capturing the suspect are exponentially increased now because of the DNA,” he said. “He probably lives in the area. It’s still my hope that Brianna is alive, and we’re expending every resource possible to get her back safely.”

Holladay said the victim of the earlier attack was interviewed again after the DNA match was made and that a more detailed description of the suspect was developed.

That victim was abducted outside her home on Dec. 16, taken to another location and sexually assaulted, then brought home by her
attacker, Holladay said. She also was the victim of a Jan. 19 attempted burglary at her home that may be connected to the attacker, Holladay said. (KOLO-TV)

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Scared Monkeys Radio Daily Commentary – Monday, January 28, 2008 – Finally, Some Happy News From Hollywood

• Dana discusses Milwaukee’s honoring of Arthur H. Fonzarelli

Download and Comment at ScaredMonkeysRadio.Com

“A Christmas Story” Comes to Life … Two Indiana 4th Graders Double Dog Dare as Tongues Froze to Flag Pole

Life imitating art … the childhood right of passage of sticking tongue to a flag pole. The end result is always the same.

Well it was right out of Ralphie and “A Christmas Story”. The flag pole tongue freezing incident even took place in Indiana of all places. The very location that “A Christmas Story” was supposed to take place in the northwest Indiana community of Hammond in the 1940s. Two 4th grade boys, Gavin Dempsey and James Alexander decided to put the theory to the test in real life.

Ralphie’s friends Flick and Schwartz disputing over whether or not a person’s tongue will stick to a frozen flagpole. Schwartz gives Flick a “triple dog dare,” and Flick’s tongue gets stuck to the pole, much to his terror. A suction tube within the flagpole was used to simulate the freezing of Flick’s tongue to the pole.

Well, they do show “A Christmas Story” for 24 hours straight from Christmas Eve day into Christmas Day so why wouldn’t one think that kids would do their “double dog dare” right of passage and see if their tongues really would stick to a flag pole.

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Dead Heat in Republican Florida Primaries for John McCain and Mitt Romney

With all eyes on the upcoming Republican Florida Primaries this Tuesday, the Rasmussen Report has it a tie between John McCain and Mitt Romney at 27% a piece. 57 delegates are up for grabs in a winner take all primary as the two have been battling in Florida over economic ideas. See Real Clear Politics are the polling averages. In a state where Independents cannot vote in the Republican primaries, Governor Charlie Christ has just endorsed John McCain. One wonders what would happen if former Florida Governor Jeb Bush endorsed one of the candidates?

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows a two-man race for the Republican Presidential Nomination. John McCain and Mitt Romney are tied for the lead at 27% and no one else is close. Mike Huckabee is eleven points back at 16%, Rudy Giuliani is at 14%, and Ron Paul is supported by 6% of Likely Republican Primary Voters.

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Aruba Travel/Tourism & Legacy of Natalee Holloway: “I Would not step foot on the Dutch island” … The Voice of the People Boycotting Aruba

Below is a rather interesting editorial regarding Aruba and why one person chooses never to vacation there. This person states many reasons why they would not travel to Aruba. That is what Aruba has missed in this entire sorted event. No amount of marketing changes one’s opinion or perception. Few times does anyone get a second chance to make a first impression. Aruba has had many chances and failed miserably every time.

Being a victim of a crime or losing a loved one is bad enough. However, when the very island (Aruba) where one would spend their hard earned money on a vacation blame you for the disappearance of your loved one and treats a victim like a suspect , one should take pause to put that location at the top of the list of places never to travel to.

Aruba has been told over and over that the boycott on their island is like no other. It is not an official boycott declared by a country or a state. In many ways its worse. Its a grass roots movement done by John Q. Public, “We the People”. Aruba has become synonymous with missing persons stories, not because of the number of ones that occur but because of the manner in how they went about solving the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.  Hey Aruba, ever heard of Scotch Tape? Its not a product, it’s a brand … Aruba, you have been branded.

Editorial: Desire’e Larson, Fargo, Letter: Would not step foot on the Dutch island

In regards to The Forum’s travel section Jan. 20 on Aruba:

I am sorry to say that when I am looking for a place to vacation, it will not be Aruba/the Dutch island. Sure, it is warm and tropical but after the Natalee Holloway fiasco, I would not step foot in this country no matter how beautiful or warm it is.

Aruba is one of the hot spots for human trafficking. Child prostitution in Aruba has increased in the past five years from 4,000 to 15,000 children. I would not feel safe taking my two teenage daughters to a country that does not care about children and does little to stop sex crimes involving children. (Legal Prostitution in Aruba and Escort Services advertised in  free Tourist news papers delivered to the hotels)

(Click on pic to enlarge)

This country wants to lower the age of youth/adult consent from 16 to 12 years old so pedophiles have even greater access to children. I realize that our own country as well as others exploit children; however, Aruba has chosen to look the other way. CNN reported that Aruba has a dark side, “an island ruled by Colombian drugs  (And HERE) and Latin prostitutes.” (One might include mob ties as well)

“A magnificent washing-machine is sold here, its trademark is Aruba. The machine is an Aruban-Colombian product, its model called Cartel. The brand is well-known for its good performance in the United States and Europe. It is recommended by former ministers, members of Parliament, owners of casinos, supermarkets, cosmetics manufacturers and importers of cars and batteries. The washing-machine fits everybody who has become inexplicably rich from one day to another”.

Does this sound like a great place to vacation? Countless individuals such as the governor of Alabama and even Dr. Phil have chosen to boycott Aruba. Add my name to that list. Maybe if their tourism dollars suffer, they will look closer at their lack of human rights involving children. If you ever get a chance, watch the documentary, “Human Trafficking” on Lifetime.

I will be much more careful with my girls in foreign countries. Many girls in particular have been snatched while on vacation. I am not willing to take that chance by going to Aruba.

South Carolina Rout … Obama Takes Hillary Out Back Behind the Woodshed

No sooner did the polls close in the South Carolina primary and Barack Obama was declared the victor in a rout. This is not just a victory for Barack Obama, its a statement. With about 2% of the precinct reporting, Obama is leading Hillary 51% – 34%.

How will this affect the upcoming Florida primaries and Super Tuesday? One can only imagine the upcoming political tactics that will be used by the Clinton camp after this butt-kicking.

Michelle Malkin discusses the Barack Obama Rout. This contest was over before it even started … Barack wins going away. Michelle mentions its was a “Donkey” rumble …

I would dare say that Hillary had her “DONKEY BUTT” handed to her on a silver platter.

UPDATE I: Obama Beats Hillary Clinton in SC in a Landslide

Ouch!!! This one is going to leave a mark. With 98% of precincts reporting, Obama 55% – Hillary 27%. Check out the exit poll numbers and where the votes came from.

UPDATE II: The Bill Clinton Effect … A Negative One

So now both Hillary and Bill Clinton are looked upon as divisive. The once admired and sought after campaigner has become a negative influence as well. Maybe the Democratic Party has wised up and has a case of Clinton fatigue.

Bill Clinton’s aggressive campaigning in South Carolina in the days leading up to the state’s primary may have had a net negative effect among South Carolina’s Democratic primary voters, CNN exit polls indicate.

Roughly 6 in 10 South Carolina Democratic primary voters said Bill Clinton’s campaigning was important in how they ultimately decided to vote, and of those voters, 48 percent went for Barack Obama while only 37 percent went for Hillary Clinton. Fourteen percent of those voters voted for John Edwards.

UPDATE III: How will the Obama Rout Affect Future Primaries?

The South Carolina primary was such a butt kicking that Hillary lost in pretty much every demographic. One really has to wonder how such a landslide victory for Obama will affect the perception and opinions of voters in future primaries. Hillary Clinton could not wait to run from SC to Nashville, TN. No matter what spin comes from the Clinton camp, tonight was not good. Not at all.

“The choice in this election is not about regions or religions or genders,” Obama said at a boisterous victory rally. “It’s not about rich versus poor, young versus old and it’s not about black versus white. It’s about the past versus the future.”

The audience chanted “Race doesn’t matter” as it awaited Obama to make his appearance.

But it did, in a primary that shattered turnout records.

Chicago Police find Decomposed Body in Industrial Area, Deny Blue Barrel … Is it Stacy Peterson?

Police have found a badly decomposed body in an industrial area of Chicago, IL. The police are denying that a blue barrel was located near the remains found; however, an original mention of a blue container in a statement from Lyons, Illinois, police. The initial comment rose suspicions that the remains maybe that of Stacy Peterson. However, a spokesman for the Chicago Police Department said the body appears to be that of a female with reddish-blond hair.

The original mention of a blue container in a statement from Lyons, Illinois, police sparked interest because of the possible tie to Stacy Peterson, 23, who disappeared October 28.

Illinois State Police have named her husband, Drew Peterson, a suspect. They have investigated whether the former Bolingbrook, Illinois, police sergeant removed a blue plastic container from his home the night before his wife was reported missing.

Drew Peterson, 53, has consistently said he believes she ran away with another man.

Chicago Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said on Saturday that no blue barrel was found near the body.

UPDATE I: Frozen Remains Found In Field Not Peterson, Stebic

South Carolina Primaries … Obama Way in the Lead Over Hillary Clinton

As Democratic presidential hopefuls head into the South Carolina Primaries, Barack Obama has a commanding lead over Hillary Clinton in the polls. According to Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Polls,Obama leads Hillary 41–26%

Real Clear Politics shows a rather wide lead for Obama in SC who in November 2007 trailed Hillary Clinton. Scott Rasmussen has it at Obama 43%, Hillary Clinton 28%. One thing is for certain, the once thought of Hillary cake walk to the Democratic nomination is a thing of the past.

UPDATE I: Obama and Hillary Clinton Face off in SC for 45 Democratic National Convention delegates

Interviews with voters as they left their polling places indicated about half the electorate was black.

Half the voters said the economy was the most important issue in the race. About one quarter picked health care. And only one in five said it was the war in Iraq, underscoring the extent to which the once-dominant issue has faded in the face of financial concerns.

Roughly half the voters said former President Clinton’s campaigning for his wife was very important to their choice.

The exit poll was conducted by Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International for The Associated Press and the networks.

UPDATE II: Strong Turnout in South Carolina Primary 

One has to wonder how will Hillary Clinton react to a double digit loss in SC? With signs pointing to a record turnout could a resounding win in South Carolina tonight by Barack Obama propel him into “Tsunami Tuesday”?

“Turnout has been steady, and some counties have described it as heavy,” said Chris Whitmire, spokesman for the state election commission. “Our absentee numbers indicate that we could have higher turnout than last weekend,” when the Republican Party held its primary.

Because the Democratic primary in S.C. is first to feature large number of black voters, could we see Hillary Clinton’s racial strategy back fire? The Q and O Blog poses an interesting question …

If John Edwards manages to slip by Hillary Clinton into 2nd, what effect will that have on the race? If he doesn’t manage at least second, is he gone? If he goes, who benefits the most?

In either case, I believe that this damages Team Clinton. A third place finish would be disastrous for Billery. If John Edwards left the race one would have to imagine that 6 or 7 in 10 voters would go for Barack Obama.

UPDATE III: (5:11pm edt) Barack Obama Declared Winner in South Carolina Primary.

Well that was quick. Now the real question is just how large the margin of victory will be and if Edwards can finish second.

While the race for second-place is too close to call, Sen. Hillary Clinton appears to be leading former Sen. John Edwards in the race for second. This is the second win of the nomination battle for Obama, who won the Iowa caucuses earlier this month, but this is his first win in a state with a sizable African-American population.

Obama projected to win South Carolina

(CNN) — Barack Obama will win the South Carolina Democratic primary by a substantial margin, CNN projects based on exit polls.

Obama runs away with SC primary

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Barack Obama routed Hillary Rodham Clinton in the racially-charged South Carolina primary Saturday night, regaining campaign momentum in the prelude to a Feb. 5 coast-to-coast competition for more than 1,600 Democratic National Convention delegates. 
 
Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina was running third, a sharp setback in the state where he was born and scored a primary victory in his first presidential campaign four years ago