August 31 - A Day To Remember

"He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children."  Psalm 113

Twelve years ago today, I received a call I had been waiting a long time to receive. "Congratulations," my social worker said, "You have a daughter."

Hurricane Irene

Praying for all who may be affected by Hurricane Irene.

Please do not ignore the severity of this hurricane. There are many lists available online to advise you as to how to prepare for a hurricane - please check them out.

Stay safe.

Hawkeye Says Goodbye

Navy SEAL U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jon T. Tumilson, 35, was among the 30 American troops killed August 6 when their Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.

Jon's beloved dog, Hawkeye, laid in front of Jon's casket throughout Jon's funeral (held in Rockford, Iowa). Jon's cousin, Lisa Pembleton, captured the heartbreaking image above.

Crying...

Singer/Songwriter Nick Ashford Dies at 70

Transported back -

A stifling Baltimore summer in the early evening, car windows down, the radio blasting in the hot air. Nick and Val are on the radio.

All the cliches...gas was cheap, sharing a cold six-pack with friends, and everyone in the car singing along to "Don't Cost You Nothing." No seatbelts required then, the radio in my used Ford Galaxy 500 stayed locked to V-103.

The music of Nick Asford and Valerie Simpson has always played in the background of my life - what I was, what I am, what I have yet to become. Nick Ashford's death is a sharp reminder that there is still so much I want to do.

Get ready, my beloved daughter. Tonight - another hot summer night - the house will be filled, loudly, with music from Mom's past.

Yes, you'll have to hear, again, about the six times I saw Ashford & Simpson in concert.

Yes, you'll have to hear, again, "Now, THIS is great music." I will thoughtfully refrain from following that remark up with, "Unlike the crap that's passed off as music today."

Yes, you'll have to hear, again, how Mom and Aunt Diane thought Nick Ashford was hot, hot, hot, and that Valerie was one lucky woman to get his looks, his talent, and a successful marriage blessed with two beautiful daughters all in one package.

Sure, I'll embarress you - indulge me. And, yes, Aunt Diane will call to talk about her memories, too, and you'll have to hear it all over again. I'll put on the speaker if you want to experience the full overload of reminiscing.

Be thankful you're in school this morning when I talk to Mom-Mom...your grandmother thought Nick was a handsome, talented cuss, as well.

Tonight, the sheer joy I usually feel whenever I hear Nick and Val sing will still be there - it will always be there. But tonight, there will be a sadness in my heart, as I close my eyes and remember.

Rest in peace, Nick. Thank you for the music. "It Seems to Hang On" - thankfully, forever.

Probation, Investigation, And An Anthony Smackdown

Finger-flipping Cheney Mason and Lisabeth Fryer filed an emergency petition, via email,  yesterday with an appeal court, asking that Judge Belvin Perry's recent order that requires Casey Anthony to return to Orlando to serve a year's probation be vacated. However, the Fifth District Court of Appeal has said that a case won't be opened until a paper copy is formally filed. WFTV is reporting that the paper filing could occur later today.

Gather the necessary hankies to stem the tears that will surely flow in sympathy for Casey. If Her Heinous has to return to Orlando, Mason and Fryer stated in their order, their sociopathic flower will be subject to supervision and "the anxiety associated with a probationary period."

Yeah, well, it's a safe bet that Amy Huizenga experienced a bit of anxiety herself when she returned from vacation and realized that her former friend, Casey, had pilfered her checkbook.  Casey certainly didn't experience any anxiety as she trolled the aisles of Target, snapping up bras and booze, then breezily forging Amy's name on the stolen checks.

After Casey pled guilty to the check fraud charges, Judge Stan Strickland ordered that Casey serve a year's probation, due to commence after Casey was released from jail. The Department of Corrections misinterpreted Strickland's sentence, and said that Casey had served her probation while still in jail.

Turns out the defense team knew full well that Casey's probation was to begin AFTER her release from jail, and neglected to inform the court of the DOC error. Perry addressed the defense teams's actions in his upholding of Strickland's ruling, stating, "the failure to abide by that order and the failure to notify the court of a known scrivener's error in the order may be a violation of an attorney's duty of candor."

"No attorney should conduct himself or herself in a way that impedes an order of the court. ... Our system of justice should never be in the position of rewarding someone who willfully hides the ball."

One signature noticably missing from the emergency petition is that of Casey's lead attorney, Jose Baez, who is, once again, being investigated by the Florida Bar. The latest investigation stems from Casey's current probation snafu, though it is unknown at this time if the Bar initiated the investigation, or if it's a result of a complaint being filed.

Bozo has been investigated by the Bar several times since taking on Casey as a client. In September 2009, the Bar cleared Baez of an ethical complaint which accused him of receiving inappropriate payment while defending Casey.

Also, in 2009, the Bar cleared Baez of ethics allegations made by private investigator Dominic Casey, who claimed Baez never paid him. Furthermore, Dominic said Baez had advised him to walk away from Caylee's remains, if they were found, and to contact Baez immediately. Both of the claims were dismissed because of insufficient evidence.

Judge Stan Strickland wrote the Bar about the Dominic Casey incident as well, but no formal action was taken.

The Bar did initiate its own investigation into Baez after the State Attorney's Office faxed news releases that seemed to be generated on his behalf by his former spokesman. The news releases were critical of State Attorney Lawson Lamar, yet the Bar found no disciplinary proceedings against Baez were appropriate.

Another complaint was filed with the Bar against Baez in February of this year, although the details about that complaint are unknown.
 
Baez, who normally basks in the glow of the limelight, has yet to respond to requests for a comment. No matter. The Team Baez talking heads will no doubt commence wailing on-air about this latest wrong levied against the viper they've taken to their bosoms. Geraldo? Jean? Jane? Linda? Time to rally round your fat favorite.

Not everyone is willing to swallow the Anthony Adoration Kool-Aid. Yesterday, a strong voice of dissent emerged. Drew Kesse, whose daughter, Jennifer, disappeared in 2006 (and has, sadly, never been found), blasted Dr. Phil and George and Cindy Anthony. Kesse stated that the Anthonys are “a disgrace and an insult to every missing person and their families.”

Kesse wrote: “Let’s make this very clear, Caylee was murdered. She was never missing and should not ever be considered missing at any time during the entire ordeal. Caylee has never been the center of anything since she was killed. Everyone else in her family has, but the true victim — not.”

”Let’s get one thing straight right now, Dr. Phil, you are a pimp for this garbage,” Kesse continued. ”The Anthonys and this new foundation are the biggest insults to every missing person in America today. Dr. Phil, after the show airs and you make a donation to their new scam, have on real families of the missing.”

Kesse’s succinct message to the Anthonys: “Go away, far away, please.”

Thank you, Drew Kesse.

Dr. Phil To Interview George And Cindy Anthony

Dr. Phil issued a press release yesterday, announcing that his 10th season on air will open with an exclusive interview with George and Cindy Anthony.

The official release states -

“Cindy and George have suffered a horrific loss with the untimely death of their granddaughter Caylee, and they have since endured an unprecedented public attack on their family,” says Dr. Phil. “Have these attacks been warranted, or not? I looked them straight in the eye and asked some very tough questions. Despite living under a ‘media microscope’ for years, THEIR story has never really been told and there’s so much more to it than we’ve heard in the media. Throughout this extensive interview, we explore every detail of their ordeal, and they answer every question I know will be on our viewers' minds. Nothing is off limits during this interview."

What Dr. Phil is REALLY saying - 

"Hey, I'm like anyone else trying to hang on in this business. My benefactress, Oprah, is off the air. My ass is in the hot seat. They've given me her time slot, and if I don't make this thing work, I'm in deep shit. That's the real reason I'm interviewing George and Cindy Anthony. Will they tell the truth? Hell, NO - do they ever? Well, George might, but we all know Cindy's not going to let him get a word in edgewise. Can't wait to hear how she'll spin that lying on the stand to protect Casey. Sure, they'd have been a better fit for Jerry Springer, but I got them first and my ratings ought to go through the roof with this coup!"

George and Cindy Anthony's statement about the upcoming Dr. Phil interview -

Cindy states, “We knew that we’d want to speak at some point, and we figured there was no better place than with Dr. Phil. We are hoping that by doing this interview, we will be able to help other people who may be experiencing struggles of their own. We certainly don’t want anyone to experience what we have these last three years.” George Anthony continues, “We appreciate the way in which Dr. Phil has helped others, and we trust him enough to completely open our hearts in telling our story. He is a professional that understands the uniqueness of our family situation. There’s no one better to do this interview than Dr. Phil. We knew he would ask the difficult questions, and we were right.”

What Cindy is really saying -

"Yippee! I scored a big interview before Casey did! After all that lying I did for her and she still wouldn't talk to me after the trial, well, who's going to be on TV now? Remember, honey, you learned from the best, and don't you ever forget it. Quit eating and consider that Hustler offer. I don't see YOU appearing on TV anytime soon."

What George is really saying -

"I'll say whatever Cindy allows me to say."

The Anthonys supposedly sought no compensation for their interview, but asked that a donation be made to a charitable organization they have formed to honor their granddaughter. The couple claims they will derive no income from “Caylee’s Fund,” which will be a federally sanctioned 501 (c) (3) which intends to focus on promoting processes to educate the public about - and advocation for - grandparents’ rights, as well as missing and abused children.

The "tough questions" Dr. Phil SHOULD ask -

"You know y'all are one effed up bunch, right? I don't think there's a professional on the planet that could get the truth out of any one of you, but we've got an hour to fill, so let's work together, shall we?"

"People, what is your problem? If Casey were my daughter, I'd have kicked that lying slut's ass from hell to breakfast until she told me where Caylee was. Why didn't you? You never once went out to search for Caylee. Why?"

"What's the real story with this foundation you've created? Hey, I wanted you on the show, so I'll filter the money to you however you want. But is this new foundation actually going to DO anything?"

But, the "tough questions" will never be asked. Dr. Phil is going for ratings. The Anthonys are a family incapable of telling the truth. Theirs is not a story with a message of regrets, lessons learned, and hope for a better day in the face of the staggering loss of Caylee. The Anthonys are simply being granted air time to do what they've always done - lie and deny.

Casey Anthony Ordered To Serve Probation

Hellooo, Hizzoner!

Teflon-Girl, Casey Anthony, and her coterie of legal clowns got a long-overdue legal smackdown yesterday when Judge Belvin Perry ruled that Casey Anthony must return to Orlando by August 26 to serve a year's probation.

Justice/Karma/Paybacks/Observations/Commentary -

Jose Baez's must've misplaced his Perma-Smirk in the wake of Perry's ruling. How else to explain yesterday's absence from the glare of the media? Bozo salivates like one of Pavlov's dogs at the sight of a camera. Perhaps he was busy packing to hop the red-eye to New York, where his good buddy, Geraldo Rivera, is waiting to console him.

Cheney Mason neglected to get a manicure, or he surely would have been flashing his trademark middle finger at any unfortunate that happened to cross his path.

Jane Velez Mitchell pitched an impressive on-air tantrum over Perry's ruling. She tossed whatever shred of journalistic integrity she possessed to the wind with her wailing about the unfairness of Perry's ruling. How could Belvin expect someone as notorious as Casey Anthony to serve probation? Casey has to be kept safe!

Casey Anthony will have to get a job (insert rude laughter here). Under the terms of her probation, Casey will have to seek gainful employment. Her Heinous no longer has the option of stealing from her parents and friends to fund her trips to Target. Given her dexterity with tape, Casey should have no problem picking up something at a packing company.

Jose Baez is not a good pimp. In the aftermath of Casey's "Not Guilty" verdict, it was clear that Baez thought he and Casey were on the fast track to raking in the big bucks. While prattling on-air about the public needing to "respect the verdict of the jury", Bozo was busy behind the scenes, trying to cash in on Casey's notoriety. What he never considered was the vociferous court of public opinion. Jose's dreams of he and Casey laughing all the way to the bank evaporated, as an outraged public bombarded ABC, NBC, and CBS, as well as their sponsors, threatening boycotts if Casey were paid for an interview. People don't like child killers. People don't like child killers getting rich.

Looking ahead -

If Casey's defense team is concerned about Casey's safety, once she returns to Orlando, they should hire Lee-Grace Dougherty as her bodyguard. The pistol-packing former stripper, while not the sharpest knife in the drawer, is a crack shot, and has shown herself capable of delivering impressive whump-ass when cornered. Lee-Grace is a little under the weather at the moment, having just gotten shot in the leg, but she'll be back in fighting form soon. Yes, yes, Lee-Grace is facing a lengthy prison sentence. But all Bozo needs to do is take on Lee-Grace as a client and get himself 12 jurors from Pinellas County. Lee-Grace will then be quickly aquitted, and can serve her probation guarding Casey.

Best Case Scenario -

Lee-Grace gets mad at Casey, a huge catfight ensures (Lee-Grace will no doubt win), both gals are held in violation of their probation, and are sent back to jail.

Anything can happen...