There are lots of hot topics this week in the news and buzzing around. Politics, Olympians cashing in, births, and Harry Potter… who could ask for more?

I Biden You

I swear it's been like a long anticipated blockbuster movie. But what do you expect from a man who has the best PR available to assist in his run for the president? It can't just be a bunch of political experts sitting around being the think tank for Obama's Presidential campaign. No, no, no. All this buzz, grassroots fundraising, viral campaigning, a fight to the death with Clinton during the primaries, and the build up to who he would pick as his Vice President… it smells like Hollywood. This week has been like watching a movie trailer over and over and over… but it's of a movie you really want to see. And all you want to know is what the hell happens in that movie. The end of Act Two is here… finally.

I think it must have been one too many drinks late Friday night, because at three in the morning the press got wind from an un-named Democratic official of who Obama has picked as a running mate. Obama's camp did not want to release the information until Saturday morning via text message to those who signed up for text alerts from the campaign headquarters. And McCain's aides made sure the negative spin was right out there in the initial press releases and even has a new commercial airing pointing out the hypocrisy of Obama's running mate.

Obama has chosen Senator Joe Biden of Delaware and the official announcement was put up on the Obama website early Saturday morning. Biden has the foreign policy experience that Obama lacks and he will bring in working class voters. This is all good, however, there are some things about Biden that might not sit well with some. First, in his 1988 run for the presidency (he attempted to run for Chief several times), he dropped out of the race because he got caught using lines from British Labor Party leader Neil Kinnock's speech. His run this year did poorly in the Iowa caucuses, in which afterwards he was totally against running as veep on anyone's ticket. What a sore loser.

Biden is known for running his mouth off and being opinionated. That is one of the main reasons why Obama chose him (and why I kinda like him). Obama wants someone at his side who won't be a "yes" man and who will speak up. He sure picked the winner of vocal opposition to be in his corner because Biden is well known to be a long winded orator. He made it no secret last year that he felt Obama was too wet behind the ears to be President. During an ABC interview last year he said, "The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training." Harsh words. Yet, he was still the chosen one. Forgive and forget, I guess. Biden claims to exaggerate when he gets angry. I still say he was a sore loser.

The Democratic Obama-Biden ticket is officially official. At the first joint rally in Springfield, Illinois Saturday they stood together in Democratic unity pushing the whole "Change" and "It's Our Time" thing. Obama's introduction and presentation of his running mate was well received by the crowd, even if Obama almost introduced him as the next President rather than the next Vice President. Biden's speech was filled with enough candy to lure the hard working American their way and really pushed the stand up and take your country back from the greedy Republicans rant. He even jabbed his friend John McCain stating how he wonders which of the seven kitchen tables McCain will chose to sit at while hard working American's try and figure out this world today at their own kitchen tables. I'd say the gloves are off, folks.

The beginning of Act Three starts this week in Denver with a historic Democratic Convention. The list of speakers include Obama's wife, Michelle, Hillary Clinton, and former Virginia Governor Mark Warner will deliver the Keynote Address. Thursday night, Barack Obama will accept his nomination. Plenty of stars and VIP's will be in attendance, I am sure. The most interesting drama this week is that Obama has agreed to have an open roll call and Clinton's name will be on the nomination ticket. Hillary must be tone deaf because the fat lady has been singing for months. We shall see if this gesture of respect will show solidarity or a division. I am looking forward to the outcome of this race now that the finish line is in sight.

Chew on This

Last month, New York City's Health Department passed a law that all restaurants have to display on their menus the caloric amount of their foods. I have been a NYC resident for years and let me tell you, it really makes you think of what to order… and it can give any food addict post traumatic stress knowing how much calories you took in all those years. I think it's a great stride in the right direction of fighting the obesity epidemic and every city, state, and country that you can find a fast food joint should implement this law.

Just last week, the state of Alabama approved a plan to make any state worker pay for health insurance if they are out of shape. If they do not see their doctor by 2011 and fall within unhealthy guidelines for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, or obesity, they will be charged 25 bucks a month. They already charge $24 per month if a state worker happens to smoke. Needless to say, some people are not pleased. But as with any change, you will always find resistance.

It's about time the policy makers of this country stepped in and began to take control over the food industry's horrific practices of making processed and fattening foods more appealing – and cheaper – to Americans. However, to impose a monthly fee for health insurance if you are too fat hits too close to that Big Brother/communist feeling.

I don't understand why the government does not impose some sort of tax or fees on junk foods therefore making them less accessible and less attractive due to cost. The big food corporations have made plenty of profit worldwide for over sixty years and have had such an impact that obesity is rampant in countries that never had issues before – like Japan. Soda has become a staple in American households and drive thrus are common stops for those on the go. Litigation forced fast food restaurants to make their menus offer "healthier" options a few years ago, but they really are not that healthy for you. At least laws, like the one implemented in NYC, may make people more aware of what they are eating.

The crusade against smoking has about a 10 year lead on the food industry as far as campaigning against the perils of smoking with an actual impact… so hopefully the crusade against obesity won't take as long. Just like people are shamed if they smoke these days, maybe it will become shameful to eat a Big Mac in the future. I can just see people going into alleyways binging on Hostess Cupcakes by the box.

Mandela Wins the Bronze

Former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Nelson Mandela turned 90 years old last month. In his honor, a bronze statue was erected at the entrance to the prison where he spent the last years of his imprisonment. He was the first black president in the country's first democratic race after a white apartheid government ruled. Also, his house in Cape Town home and the cottage at the Groot Drakenstein prison (that he spent the last 9 years of his 27 year imprisonment) are to be made into museums. I dunno… but that all seems to be very little compensation for all that this great man has done for racial diversity. It's almost equivalent to giving him a tee shirt that says "I saved South Africa from Apartheid and all I got was this lousy tshirt".

 

 

 

We May Never Watch Watchmen

Earlier this year, Twentieth Century Fox filed a lawsuit against Warner Brothers claiming that WB does not own the distribution rights to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' graphic novel "Watchmen" (the highest selling graphic novel of all time). The movie is directed by Zack Snyder (who also directed "300"). Snyder rushed the first cut of the movie before any legal action took place. Fox wants to halt the release of the movie, slated to be released March '09, claiming they have the rights to make the film dating back to 1991. The case is still on-going. Fox claims they do not want a cut of the profits, they just want to stop the movie from being released. What do you think?

 

 

 

Harry Potter's Train to School is Delayed

Warner Bros. announced that the next movie installment of the "Harry Potter" franchise will be delayed until 2009 (original release date was November). YouChoose members are fighting back with an online petition requesting to release the movie as planned. WB's summer release will offer "better box office potential" and they blamed last year's writer strike for the setback. Or could it be Daniel Radcliffe's fully nude performance in the Broadway play Equus that's causing the delay? Hopefully, the fans will get their way… after all even bad publicity is good publicity.

 

If I Had a Crystal Ball

Zuma. Pilot. Apple. Harlow Winter. I know, I know… it sounds like I am sending out the order to the military to invade Iraq or it's a list of strippers names at your local gentlemen's club. But… it's really a partial listing of celebrity's baby names. I am all about individuality and being unique. However, I do have a problem with celebrities forcing their kids into the spotlight by naming them in the extreme. Just this week Matt Damon's wife gave birth to a girl, Gwen Stefani popped out another boy, Jason Lee's live in girlfriend gave birth to a girl, and Ricky Martin's surrogate mother gave birth to his twins. This past summer gave birth to a busload of Hollywood babies (Brangelina, Nicole Kidman, Jessica Alba, Matthew McConaughey to name a few new parents). I can't wait to see the tabloids twenty years from now.

Small Nuggets

• Michael Phelps is living the life of a rock star – book and movie deals, endorsements, hot women groupies throwing them on him. Not bad for a kid who was scared to put his face in the water at age 8. That's right folks… our golden boy (literally) was terrified of the water when he was a kid.
• The producers of the new "90210" are not allowing the press to get a sneak peak at the first episode. Either they are keeping the plot secret or something is not right with the cast. Either way, I am sure the press is not disappointed.
• Lawrence Fishburne will be replacing lead William Petersen on CBS' "CSI" this season. He will play a forensics scientist that has a genetic profile similar to a serial killer. I hope he takes the red pill.
• Jason Mesnick will be the next Bachelor on ABC. The single dad got his heart broken on national TV last spring when Bachelorette DeAnna Pappas rejected him during the final rose ceremony. He will have 25 women to choose from in his quest for a love. There is no better way to get back at your ex than having 25 hot women (literally) fighting for you in front of millions.
• GossipSauce scooped the new cast for the next "Dancing With The Stars" season. Boy, I sure hope Susan Lucci wins something.
• Jerry Seinfeld is the new Microsoft spokesperson. Look for the ads starring him and Bill Gates this fall. I wonder if the ads will be "about nothing".
• McMahon's house was sold to an undisclosed party. I guess the bromance is over with Donald Trump.
• Da Brat was sentenced to 3 years in prison for whacking a rum bottle over a waitress's head. She should have considered using vodka instead… less of a headache the next day.
• Janet Jackson announced the upcoming release her new lingerie line "Pleasure Principal". I hope they get "Control" over the possible wardrobe malfunctions. Then again, maybe they will put in many malfunctions… it is after all lingerie.

 

— Kathy S., Freelance Gossip Writer

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