Notes from the Grave: Miners Left Messages of Comfort to Kins

There is something eerily tragic about knowing your own unnatural death. We have extensively covered the execution of Nguyen Tuong Van (see November and December 2005 archives), who penned his own funeral arrangements. Now, the West Virginian miners' notes to their loved ones surface. Very tragic and sad indeed.

This Man Suffers from Constant Foot-in-Mouth Disease

From the Associated Press...

Robertson says Sharon's stroke is God's punishment

The Reverend Pat Robertson says Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's massive stroke could be God's punishment for giving up Israeli territory. The founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network told viewers of "The 700 Club" that Sharon was "dividing God's land," even though the Bible says doing so invites "God's enmity." Robertson added, "I would say woe to any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course." He noted that former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated. Robertson said God's message is, "This land belongs to me. You'd better leave it alone."

Is He Asking for a Whuppin'?

Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian has broken months of relative quiet and renewed his calls for a constitutional referendum as well as increased military expenditure, both of which will no doubt antagonize China.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4573066.stm

Grandma from Hell

http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_3368590

Did KTLA Channel 5 DUMP Stephanie Edwards?

Rumors and furore abound among Los Angeles viewers of the 117th tournament of the Rose Parade. Veteran co-presenter Stephanie Edwards's seat in the broadcast booth was filled by a Canadian with a politically correct surname, Michaela Pereira, while Stephanie was relegated to "reporting" from the sidelines in the pouring rain. Was this a mutually agreed-to arrangement? Or was Stephanie dumped for a younger Canadian?!

Local talk radio callers have expressed concern that Stephanie was unceremoniously dumped for a younger and more politically correct alternative. If this is true, it would be a sad commentary on the state of affairs of the already dismal Los Angeles media.

Lisa Gloucester
Free-lance writer
Los Angeles, CA