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Politics

The Lycos 50 Blog: News from the Pop Culture Fast Lane
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Girl Swallows Magnets
Haley Lents, an 8-year-old from Indiana, swallowed 30 magnets and steel balls from a toy called Magnetix, made by Mega Brands, in late May. Haley underwent emergency surgery in order to remove the magnets that left 8 gunshot-like wounds in her intestines. Jason Lents says he and his wife were in the room when Haley consumed the parts and doesn’t know why his daughter would do such a thing, saying she “gets A's and B's, and we taught her not to do stuff like this.” Haley Lents told Early Show co-anchor, Maggie Rodriguez, she ingested the ten magnets and 20 steel balls because they “looked like candy.” Haley now wants to tell other kids not to do the same thing; she and her father will be spreading awareness.  Mega Brands has issued the following statement: “Mega Brands was saddened to learn that a child sustained injury from ingesting a large number of toy parts, some of which apparently contained magnets. While we have not been able to confirm whether the toy involved was a Mega Brands product, it is clear this was a highly unusual and isolated situation and is not indicative of any problem with Mega Brands' magnetic construction toys currently on the market. In general, if a child swallows 30 pieces of any toy, it is likely that it will result in harm regardless of the toy in question.”

Posted by lycos50 at 4:48 PM EDT
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Rachael Ray Scarf Controversy

Rachael Ray’s latest Dunkin’ Donuts commercial has caused quite a controversy, as the popular chef sported a scarf that resembles a ‘keffiyeh.’ Fox News reporter Michelle Malkin says “The keffiyeh, for the clueless, is a traditional scarf of Arab men that has come to symbolize murderous Palestinian jihad. Popularized by Yasser Arafat and a regular adornment of Muslim terrorists appearing in beheading and hostage-taking videos, the apparel has been mainstreamed by both ignorant and not-so-ignorant fashion designers, celebrities, and left-wing icons.”

Dunkin’ Donuts first ignored the complaints, claiming the scarf Ray was wearing was fashion and not a ‘keffiyeh,’ but finally pulled the commercial after getting harassed by the media. The company states, “In a recent online ad, Rachael Ray is wearing a black-and-white silk scarf with a paisley design. It was selected by her stylist for the advertising shoot. Absolutely no symbolism was intended. However, given the possibility of misperception, we are no longer using the commercial.”

 

 


Posted by lycos50 at 4:13 PM EDT
Friday, 23 May 2008
Tragedy Strikes Christian Home

Tragedy struck the family home of Christian singer Curtis Chapman on May 22 when his 5-year-old daughter was struck by car and died. According to police reports, Maria Sue was playing in the driveway of the family’s home on when she was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her older brother. Maria Sue was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee where she passed away. Maria Sue was the youngest of three daughters Chapman and his wife adopted from China. The Chapman’s adopted Shaohannah in 2000, Stevey Joy in 2003, and Maria in 2004.

 

A large number of adoption groups gathered and prayed for Chapman and his family. The singer and his wife promote international adoption, but also have three biological children. The two founded “Shaohannah's Hope,” which is a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption. A memorial service for Maria Sue is set for May 24. The family released a statement requesting donations to The Shaohannah Hope Ministry in lieu of flowers. 


Posted by lycos50 at 4:13 PM EDT
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Ted Kennedy Faces Cancer

On May 17 Senator Ted Kennedy, 76, was rushed to the emergency room due to stroke-like symptoms. The Senator was first admitted to Cape Cod Hospital, but was quickly transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital. On May 20 Kennedy was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor, which had mimicked symptoms of a stroke but was in fact a seizure caused by the malignant growth in his brain.

 

“The Kennedy family has faced adversity more times in more instances with more courage and more determination and more grace than most families have to," said Senator John Kerry. “Every one of us knows what a big heart this fellow has. He's helped millions and millions of people — from the biggest of legislation on the floor to the most personal.”


Posted by lycos50 at 6:01 PM EDT
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Indiana Jones Returns

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, starring Harrison Ford, world premiers on Sunday, May 18 at the Cannes Film Festival in France. Indiana Jones, who has not been seen in a screen adventure since 1989, is inspiring Jones-fever all over the world. The fourth generation Indiana Jones movie has been said to have started many years ago, starting on Oscar night in 1994, when Ford presented Steven Spielberg a statuette for Schindler’s List, he then, as they were walking to the press room, surprised him by telling him he wanted to revisit the character of Jones. It took until two years ago to sort it out and moving the story back 20 years in order to get the film finished and fans are thrilled. Check it out for yourself, in theaters May 22, 2008!


Posted by lycos50 at 2:37 PM EDT
Friday, 9 May 2008
Woman Pregnant with 18th Child!

Michelle Duggar, 41, is due to give birth to her 18th child on New Year’s Day 2009. All the Duggar children’s name start with the letter J, the oldest child, Josh is 20 and the youngest, Jennifer is just 9 months. This fast growing family lives in Tontitown Arkansas in a 7,000-square-foot home where all the children are home schooled. Michelle Duggar has been pregnant for more than 11 years of her life and is now six weeks along with her latest bundle of joy. She and her husband Jim Bob Duggar says they will keep having children as long as God wills it.

 

The large family is currently in the process of filming another series for Discovery Health. The new show looks at life inside the Duggar home, where chores are assigned to each child. One episode of the new show involves a "jurisdiction swap," where the boys do chores traditionally assigned to the girls, and vice versa, Duggar said.The other Duggar children, in between Joshua and Jennifer, are Jana, 18; John-David, 18; Jill, 16; Jessa, 15; Jinger, 14; Joseph, 13; Josiah, 11; Joy-Anna, 10; Jeremiah, 9; Jedidiah, 9; Jason, 7; James, 6; Justin, 5; Jackson, 3; and Johannah, 2. There are seven sisters, 10 brothers and two sets of twins.

 

Pictured Below: Duggar Family in front of thier 7,000 Sq Ft Home


Posted by lycos50 at 4:22 PM EDT
Thursday, 1 May 2008
David Blaine Sets New World Record!

Magician David Blaine appeared live on The Oprah Winfrey Show April 30 to set a new world record, holding his breath for 17 minutes and 4 seconds! Before Blaine entered the water-filled sphere, he inhaled pure oxygen through a mask to saturate his blood with oxygen and flush out carbon dioxide. The Guinness Book of World Records states 30 minutes of ‘oxygen hyperventilation’ are allowed under the guidelines. During the suspense Oprah was very nervous as she fidgeted in her chair, “I'll be glad when it's over. I don't like suspense,” Oprah told the audience during a commercial break. The previous record for holding one’s breath was 16 minutes and 32 seconds, set on Feb. 10 by Peter Colat in Switzerland. Blaine appeared relaxed after the feat and said the record was “a life long dream.”

 

 

 


Posted by lycos50 at 3:54 PM EDT
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Austrian Women Held Hostage By Her Father for 24 Years!

According to reports an Austrian woman by the name of Elisabeth F. was imprisoned and raped for 24 years by her own father, Josef F. The woman gave birth to seven children by her father. Three of the children, now aged 5, 18 and 19, lived in the dungeon with Elisabeth and had never seen the light of day until the eldest was recently taken to the hospital because of a severe illness.  

According to Elisabeth, Josef had lured her into the basement of the family home in Amstetten, Austria, on August 24th, 1984, and supposedly drugged and handcuffed her before locking her up in the dungeon. A police spokesman said she was “psychologically extremely disturbed,” but her version of events was “completely believable” Elisabeth's disappearance in 1984 was treated as a teenage runaway case.


Posted by lycos50 at 5:15 PM EDT
Monday, 28 April 2008
Peter Fernandez with Speed Racer

We recently got the chance to talk to the voice of the original “Speed Racer” (and lyricist for the original “Speed Racer” theme song) Peter Fernandez about his history with the “Speed Racer” franchise and some of the most memorable moments of his career.  Fernandez is playing Spritle in “Speed Racer: The Next Generation,” a new animated half hour TV series that will air on the Nicktoons Network.  He also makes an appearance in the live action film that hits theatres on May 9 (which is extremely cool-looking, we might add).


So, you were just at ComicCon.  What is it like interacting with “Speed Racer” fans? Well its always hectic at ComicCon.  I signed some new manga books that just came out.  All of the fans are great – a few years ago in California, I met a man who said that he was inspired by “Speed Racer.”  I asked him what he was doing and he was a design engineer for the Ford Motor Company.  I’ve had a couple of helicopter pilots who have said the same thing.  I had a man whose adult son who cried the whole time he talked to me! 

Tell us about “Speed Racer: the Next Generation.”   It takes place 35 years or so after the original series.  I play the part of Spritle, Speed’s son.  He doesn’t know where his father is.  He was the little kid in the original series, and now he’s the 40 year old headmaster of a driving school.   

Did they keep your theme song? They do a new one that’s sort of similar, but not as catchy. (laughs)   

How did you feel about being approached by Warner Bros. for the live action movie?   I was thrilled to be asked.  They kept pretty close to the original characters.  John Goodman, my goodness, he looks just like Pops.  The Wachowski brothers [the writers and directors of “Speed Racer”] said that when they were kids, they were big fans and would run home from school to catch “Speed Racer,” so they tried to keep close to the original.  

“Speed Racer” was probably the first successful anime franchise in the US.  What do you think was appealing to US audiences? One aspect is that all kids play with cars.  And here’s a show that’s all about cars.  It was the first series, one of the few ever, that had family values in it.  It was centered around a family that was involved in every part of the story.   

Do you prefer working in television, film, or radio? Radio.  First of all, you can do anything in radio.  The set [of the story] is in everyone’s mind.  It’s a different set for everyone listening.  You can do anything with your voice.  There were marvelous scripts [for radio] that were adapted into films and plays and other such things. 

Do you prefer acting or writing? I used to prefer writing, but now I’m kind of torn.  Writing is harder than acting.  They are both challenging in different ways.  Being a writer, you also get to direct. 
 

What were some of the biggest challenges or most memorable moments of your career? One of the biggest challenges to any actor is keeping working.  You go on many auditions, you’re lucky to get a job.  I’ve had some marvelous experiences in the business.  I was in a play when I was 14 years old for President Roosevelt’s birthday.  Afterwards, we had dinner at the White House.  He wanted us to sit at his table.  I was lucky enough to sit across from President Roosevelt!   


Posted by lycos50 at 2:57 PM EDT
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Biggest Baby in the World?
The Singh Family of Meerut, India may have the biggest baby in the world. At just 10 months old their son, Karan is 3 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 49 lbs. and eating 20 times a day. His parents, both doctors, are not surprised Karan is so large; his mother, Svetlana, is one of the tallest women in Asia, measuring 7 feet 2 inches tall and his father, Sanjay, measures nearly 6 feet 6 inches. “People who don't know us stare, but Karan always wins them around with his smile,” says Svetlana Singh. 

Posted by lycos50 at 5:29 PM EDT

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