Naked Sleep Walkers Beware
Did you know that wandering around your own home in the buff can get you tossed in jail? This is one of those issues I never gave a moment's thought until I ran across today's WaPo piece about a guy in Fairfax, VA who was recently jolted from a nap on his sofa by a bunch of cops waving a taser in his face and calling him a perv. Seems a neighbor had reported the guy for exposing himself to her and her young son as they were walking past his house that morning.
Fright Night, DC Style
With just over a week until trick or treat, NY mag's "Vulture" has posted its very helpful list of 7 Halloween Costumes to Avoid (paired with savvier alternatives.) I'm in complete agreement with all, especially the ban on dead celebs (despite my fondness for Farrah hair) and on Sarah Palin (unless you can get a hold of that va-va-voom jogging suit she's sporting on the cover of her new book). I'm also enchanted by the vision of scores of "Levi Johnston's" trooping around New York wearing only body stockings and strategically placed copies of Playgirl.
Next Up: Is Parental Frowning Scarring Kids?!
Continuing my look at b.s. stories aimed at provoking parents' angst, today's NYT "Thursday Styles" takes time off from obsessing about high-end retail to explore the disturbing trend in parental yelling. The piece suggests that, deprived of the outlet of spanking, frustrated parents are increasingly turning to yelling to discipline their kids. As one parenting expert is ominously quoted, "yelling is the new spanking." Afterwards, many mommies and daddies feel bad about all the shouting.
Heads Up All You Gleeks
For those of you already hooked on "Glee"--and those who soon will be--a little taste of tonight's delights.
Chris Brown's Victory Lap
I'm sorry, but there's something creepy about Chris Brown's launching a "fan appreciation tour" to thank the masses for sticking by him during the poor, poor man's ordeal of standing trial for brutally beating the shit out of his girlfriend. Not that Brown shouldn't be boot-licking grateful he's not cooling his heels in prison, much less preparing to rake in megabucks on a nationwide tour that is, sad to say, likely to get a boost from all his recent publicity. But from the fans' point of view, who really wants this kind of recognition? Whoo-hoo!
Trolling For Priests
This move by the Vatican to woo unhappy Anglicans by letting Anglican priests join the Catholic clergy even if married is just another sign of the Church's private recognition of how empty some of its traditions have become. What message exactly are we to take from this move? Celibacy is absolutely crucial to the clerical calling--except when it's not.
Oprah and Sarah: BFFs!?
There's buzz today about Oprah's announcement that Sarah Palin will appear on her show on November 16, the day before Palin's much-ballyhooed autobiography hits the shelves. No question this qualifies as must-see TV. I cannot think of the last time two such terrifying cult figures came lipstick-to-lipstick on the small screen. Maybe never. Also no question this is a brilliant move on Oprah's part.
Sorry, Prevention Not a Priority
Last week, I received a form letter from my internist's office, spotlighting one of the more peculiar characteristics of our health care system. It began: Dear Patients: As many of you know, Medicare does not cover preventive medical care or annual physical examinations. Comprehensive annual examinations are a very important part of your health care, allowing us to focus on prevention of illness and patient education. Due to increased Medicare scrutiny of its regulations, with audits and threats of sanctions against doctors, we can no longer bill preventive care as office visits.
Using Poison Gas to Save Lives?
Hey, cnn.com has the rare piece up that's about neither reality tv nor endangered children! This in itself is such a remarkable phenomenon you gotta check it out.
Homestate Pride Revisited
The Tennessee political pundit who periodically dings me with news from the Volunteer State dropped this jewel into my inbox yesterday about a new MTSU poll (that's Middle Tennessee State University) examining the prevalence of various anti-Obama rumors making the rounds. The birther movement is still going strong, with just over 1 in 3 Tennesseans saying it is "either probably or definitely true that Obama was born in another country." Among Republicans, this number jumps to 47 percent. The Muslim rumor has similarly impressive legs: A full 30 percent of Tennesseans believe Obama is probably
