Both candidates have caved to the pressure and resorted to digging up dirt and making mostly false accusations about each other. It's a bunch of hooey and it's just enough to make you vote for a third party, I tells ya! A third, vote-splitting party that ruins everything by making the vote sooo close that it requires The Supreme Court to intervene and decide the winner for us. And we all know what that leads to...eight long years of misery, spiralling debt, never-ending war, and complete disregard for our natural environment and civil liberties. If you've had enough of it, then so have I.

That's why I wanted to share today's great thing with you.

46. The Campaign to Elect General Zod

Talk about "The Straight-Talk Express". This guy has a plan. Plus, he's a General, so he's had military experience. Maybe he can come up with an exit strategy for Iraq. Sure, it probably involves a lot of heat-vision and the leveling of buildings but whatever gets the job done, right? It's probably not that much worse than what's going on over there anyway.

What about human rights, you might ask? I mean, as a lez, that's a factor that I always take into consideration when I choose my candidate. Well, Zod is the first candidate who promises to put us all on equal ground. We will ALL be without rights as his slaves. Finally, a prejudice-free society!

Here's a forward thinking website. It's been up and running since 2005. Please, click here. It's fantastic.

Zod2008

Brilliant. I wonder if it's one of The Onion writers who is behind this? I've looked and looked and looked some more but I haven't been able to identify who the author of the site is. That's a hero right there. Someone who is so committed to the idea, that he or she hasn't stepped forward to take credit for the genius. The illusion remains intact!

Or...it really is General Zod.

Whichever it is, here's another incentive to vote Zod this November:

Now that's a first lady.

At any rate, I'll be in bed before the debates are on here in Britain. I'm taping it to view later this week. But those two Earthlings have a hard road ahead of them. Unless they can come up with some sort of solid, factual, and consistent rhetoric, Zod is getting my vote. For a better planet Houston. Kneel before Zod!

Barack Obama is a "decidedly liberal" senator "who was finding his feet, and then got diverted by his presidential ambitions", according to a frank verdict delivered to Gordon Brown by the British ambassador to the United States

Sir Nigel Sheinwald, ambassador in Washington since last year, delivered his unvarnished assessment of the White House front runner in a seven-page letter to the Prime Minister, obtained by The Daily Telegraph, just before the Democratic nominee's visit to Downing Street just over two months ago.

The candid letter, marked as containing "sensitive judgements" and requesting officials to "protect the contents carefully" gives a remarkable insight into how the Foreign Office views the political phenomenon who stunned Mr Brown's inner circle by defeating their favourite, Hillary Clinton, in the Democratic primaries.

Although the picture Sir Nigel paints is a highly complimentary one - Mr Obama's speeches are "elegant" and "mesmerising", he is "highly intelligent" and has "star quality" - he also judges that his "policies are still evolving" and that if elected he will "have less of a track record than any recent president".

The letter's contents suggest that Mr Brown could initially find it difficult to deal with a President Obama because he remains a largely unknown quantity who "resists pigeon-holing" and the leak is likely to complicate relations.

Last month, the prime minister was forced to backtrack after an article written in his name broke with convention by showering praise on the Democratic candidate at the expense of his Republican rival, Senator John McCain of Arizona.

Sir Nigel traces the ambition of Mr Obama, 47, to reach the White House right back to his 20s or before. "He has talked at least since the 1980s about a shot at the Presidency."

He also identifies several political vulnerabilities that Sen McCain will seek to exploit in the last month of his campaign against the Illinois senator. The leaked letter will provide him with welcome ammunition.

Mr Obama "can seem to sit on the fence, assiduously balancing pros and cons", Sir Nigel wrote, and "does betray a highly educated and upper middle class mindset". Charges of elitism "are not entirely unfair" and he is "maybe aloof, insensitive" at times.

"He can talk too dispassionately for a national campaign about issues which touch people personally, eg his notorious San Francisco comments [in April] about small-town Pennsylvanians 'clinging' to guns and religion."

Mr Obama's Democratic primary victory over the former First Lady showed that "he is tough and competitive. This is of course the Chicago school.

You don't beat Clinton without being resilient" but "his energy levels do dip and he can be uninspiring e.g. in debates".

Curiously, there is no mention of his wife Michelle - a central figure in his rise and his closest adviser - and little examination of his time in Chicago, where he had radical associations, or his background in Hawaii, essential to understanding why "Obama is cool", as the letter puts it.

Sir Nigel detects a potential clash between Downing Street and an Obama administration over Iran.

"If Obama wins, we will need to consider with him the articulation between (a) his desire for 'unconditional' dialogue with Iran and (b) our and the [United Nations Security Council]'s requirement of prior suspension of enrichment before the nuclear negotiations proper can begin."

But Sir Nigel - who described the Iraq war as "the Iraq expedition" and "Bush's Iraq adventure" - briefed that Mr Obama's Iraq policy gelled with Britain's.

"Whatever the detail, our own proposed transition in south-east Iraq would be consistent with Obama's likely approach. Obama's ideas on a more expansive regional framework for Iraq would also fit well with our thinking."

He wrote approvingly of Mr Obama's "mainstream team of youthful economic advisers, with strong credentials [who] approach policy with refreshingly few prescriptions", his "progressive position on climate change" and his 'pragmatic realism" and "balanced approach to the big security issues".

Sir Nigel concludes that searching for a deal between Israel and the Palestinians is "unlikely to be a top priority for Obama" and he expresses concern about his protectionist trade policy, while noting that he has "repositioned himself somewhat towards free trade".

British officials said that since it became clear that Mr Obama would overcome Mrs Clinton, Sir Nigel had worked hard to dampen down what he viewed as "Obamamania" within Downing Street that had become so strong that he feared it might alienate the McCain campaign.

Sir Nigel's letter, though initially drafted by his political staff, is an intensely personal assessment of Mr Obama and is based largely on the ambassador's owns observations from the campaign trail.

He has travelled to rallies as far afield as New Hampshire and South Carolina - where he had a personal meeting with Mr McCain - and to the party conventions in Denver and St Paul, Minnesota.

Although he has the lowest public profile of any recent British ambassador in Washington, Sir Nigel has won respect for his range of contacts within the Bush administration and the campaigns.

The letter quotes Tom Daschle, a former Senate Majority Leader and Obama confidant who is hotly tipped to become White House chief of staff should Mr Obama be elected, from a private meeting with Sir Nigel.

There is a strong indication Sir Nigel also consulted Senator Richard Lugar, a Republican who has worked with Mr Obama on legislation and travelled abroad with him.

"Obama's politics and policies are still evolving," Sir Nigel wrote.

"His Illinois and US Senate careers give us only a few clues as to his likely priorities in office.

"In the Senate he took a low profile in 2005-6, but was a diligent member of the Foreign Relations Committee, respectful and friendly to the veteran Republican Senator Lugar, with whom he travelled to London in 2005.

"His voting record was decidedly liberal. But the main impression is of someone who was finding his feet, and then got diverted by his presidential ambitions."

Sir Nigel later reiterates the point: "Although he has been a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for four years, and a regular attender of meetings in his first two, there is little Obama track record to refer back to."

He highlights luck as a key factor in Mr Obama's rise. "He was certainly lucky in having Democratic and Republican opponents for the US Senate in 2004 who were tarnished. He was lucky that Hillary Clinton had such a bad organisation in the primary campaign, and took so long to respond to Obama's threat."

A spokesman for the British Embassy in Washington declined to comment.

Mani Bhavan, the undefeated winner of the Spinaway S. (G1) and Adirondack S. (G2) at Saratoga, stands out over an unaccomplished field in the 1 1/16-mile Alcibiades. The Steve Klesaris pupil has worked well over the synthetic track at Fair Hill in preparation for her two-turn and synthetic track debut in the Alcibiades, but as the 7-5 morning line favorite, she will not offer much value.

Going forward, I believe Mani Bhavan will be a major player in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Santa Anita three weeks hence.

I have been in love with Dreaming of Anna ever since she began racing, and she is, without doubt, my top selection in the First Lady. This outstanding filly has exceptional speed and class, and she should put those qualities on display once again this afternoon.

My spot play on the opening-day card is Spring Honour, a $10,000 claimer in the 5TH race. The Michael Pino trainee brings good form into this event, and should offer attractive odds after drawing the far outside post in the 1 1/16-mile event. I plan on keying him in both the early Pick 4 and over all others in the Trifecta.

Tomorrow, I will offer my thoughts on the Champagne S. (G1) and Frizette S. (G1) at Belmont Park and the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland.

Personnellement, à part l'affaire du Pepsi (alors qu'elle raconte que Max Bernier se plaignait constamment que son chef, Stephen Harper, mangeait mal, et buvait beaucoup de Pepsi), je n'ai rien appris de plus que ce que je savais déjà, d'abord, et ensuite, rien appris qui me pousse à acheter le bouquin de cette fraudeuse, qui a donné son corps à au moins deux personnes, dont un ministre, afin de décrocher une vente.  Je ne suis pas un adepte du Lundi, ni de Photo-Police, et de tout ce qu'il peut exister, comme feuille de chou, entre les deux.  C'est donc dire que 320 pages de ragots, non merci, pas pour moi.  Même que je vais annuler mon abonnement au JdeM, dans les prochains jours; comme je peux obtenir la même information sur le web, et à la quantité de papier dont je dois ensuite disposer, j'ai l'impression que je paie directement le bûcheron!  Je vois déjà Richard Desjardins, face à ma décision, pris dans un dilemme; sauver les arbres de sa forêt boréale, ou les jobs des bûcherons de l'Abitibi?

Une chose est sûre, par contre; j'espère que le livre de Julie Couillard sera imprimé sur du papier recyclé, et recyclable.  Ce serait triste de gaspiller des arbres pour imprimer des livres qui ne se vendront que dans les premiers jours suivant sa parution, et qui se retrouveront rapidement dans les ventes de garage, dès le printemps de 2009.  (Mais qu'est-ce que je dis là, moi?  Sauver les arbres?  Virginie Roy, sors de mon corps!)

De tous temps, des vedettes instantanées, ou encore des personnalités de passage, ont tenté de régler leurs comptes avec un bouquin, une entrevue télévisée aux heures de grande écoute, ou d'autres trucs du même genre.  Et dans la très grande majorité des cas, ledit règlement de comptes se retournait rapidement contre la personne elle-même.  C'est ce qui risque très probablement d'arriver à Julie Couillard.  Selon moi, elle devrait faire comme Nathalie Simard, et aller en République Dominicaine.  Ou comme Claude F. Archambault, et disparaître dans la nature, pour quelques temps.

Bref, si elle veut se refaire une vie, madame Couillard devrait plutôt se faire oublier.

Un truc qui me fait rire; elle déclare, au JdeM, "Depuis cinq mois, ma vie est arrêtée.  Cela a été un tsunami arrivée de nowhere.  Un matin, je me suis réveillée.  Je suis passée de la femme qui représentait son pays fièrement, qui était assez digne pour accompagner le ministre des Affaires étrangères, pour converser avec le président américain et la first lady, et du jour au lendemain, je suis devenue une traînée, une pute, une tenancière de bordel, une croqueuse de diamants et une Mata Hari.  Ma vie est détruite."  Pourtant, n'était-ce pas elle qui a décidé de quitter Max Bernier, le printemps dernier?  Je crois qu'elle voulait tout avoir, mais ne rien payer.  Or, dans la vie, quand on prend le remède miracle, dans le but d'en tirer des avantages, il faut aussi apprendre à vivre avec les effets secondaires.  Elle a voulu d'un ministre, elle a voulu le flusher, et elle a fait des déclarations qui lui a coûté son poste, alors elle doit vivre avec les répercussions de tout cela.  Elle devra apprendre, un jour, que si la parole est d'argent, le silence est d'or.

The Wall Street Journal expressed interest in an interview about the card last week but nothing solid as of yet but I am hoping to get at least $500 dollars from this auction. I am without a car, my job has not made payroll (again) so if you have friends who are into Americana, U.S history, and/or collecting famous dead people's hair---please let them know.

eBay Item - 250302591135

I just got back from a whirlwind weekend in Washington, D.C., in the company of 70 authors, illustrators and poets at the National Book Festival.

Below is a videotape -- a webcast -- of my address in front of 250 people gathered in a pavilion on the National Mall last weekend (Sept. 27). I followed Eleanor Clift, a famous reporter with Newsweek, discussing her moving book, Two Weeks of Life, about hospice care. And following me were Pauline and Arthur Frommer, the famous father-daughter travel writing team (who gave a great talk and were wonderful to meet).

But the weekend for authors invited to participate in the eighth annual event started night before, at a gala event at the Library of Congress' Jefferson Building.

Dinner was in the newly renovated Great Hall, whose sweeping marble steps we climbed to the second floor, with its painted domed ceilings, to get to our assigned tables. Joining us were President and Mrs. Bush and their daughter Jenna.

It wasn't known in advance that the President would be there -- and, frankly, it was quite a surprise, especially since lawmakers were working through the weekend on Capitol Hill. On my way to the dinner that night -- after having stepped off the Metro train -- I saw the brightly lit building — you couldn’t miss it — and knew that they were all inside, working on a bailout plan (which later didn't pass). Whatever your politics and whatever you think of Bush, it was nice to see him support reading and the book festival.

Before the First Lady's speech, a military band began playing "Hail to the Chief," then an announcer said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States and Mrs. Billington." On the President's arm, on the theater stage inside the Jefferson Building, was Librarian of Congress Dr. James Billington's wife, whom Bush led to her front-row seat. Then Mrs. Bush spoke and, after four authors also addressed the audience, Dr. Billington presented her with the Living Legend award for her efforts throughout her stay as First Lady to promote public libraries and fight illiteracy.

After breakfast the next day, in the State Dining Room inside the East Wing of the White House, I met Laura Bush. My good friend and former editor, Charlene (or Charlie) Fern, asked me to be sure and say "hello" to Mrs. Bush for her. Charlene was Mrs. Bush's speech writer for many years. I didn't have the chance; while Mrs. Bush shook my hand, she shook others' as well as she moved from one author to the next. I didn't want to keep her, so I simply said "hello."

Earlier, at 6:30 a.m. (I arrived early for breakfast, walking from Pennsylvania Avenue, where the taxi driver dropped me, to the southeast gate of the White House, where I was allowed through a security guard shack (as employees call the gates) to the entrance of the East Wing. Another guard announced my presence and a Navy officer escorted me to the First Lady's official receiving room. It overlooked the White House lawn. I sat in an antique armchair and thumbed through a copy of Pawprints of Katrina and chose the passages I would read at my presentation on the Mall. I was there about 20 minutes when poet Michael Lind joined me, whom I'd never met before. We had a pleasant conversation as we waited to be called. A few minutes later, another officer opened the door to the receiving room and escorted us to the State Dining Room. We passed Jacqueline Kennedy's garden. The uniformed people -- from the black-and-white uniformed Secret Service people, to the Naval personell in white and the white house employees in red, were friendly as they greeted us.

I can't even describe the feeling of being in the White House. Simply put, I had a deep sense of those who had walked through those hallways in the very same rooms I stood in. A grand piano, where a military pianist played as we walked by, was emblazened with golden eagles.

In the State Dining Room, where I sat with Library of Congress employees, I couldn't help but notice the green marble mantel, restored during the Kennedy renovation.

My mother, author Eileen Rose Busby, went to the White House in 1977 for the inaugeration of CIA Director Admiral Stansfield Turner, my late-mother's brother-in-law. I would have loved for her to be with me last weekend. She would have enjoyed every minute.

To view the webcast of my talk, go here, then click onto "webcast."

Link to story of how John McCain betrayed his family

Not the extremely fabulous woman...at least not quite yet. 

No, what I see is a woman who has a private school background, who is genuine, personable, smart, funny, giving, a tough cookie, loving, an Ivy League school alumnae, and a hopeful woman who understands the privileges she has been afforded and how important it is to somehow honor that privilege by using it to help others. Most importantly, I see a three dimensional woman who is human, who has her ups and downs, who gets angry and gets happy, who is extremely giving and is also suspectible to be wary of this world, who loves her family and who also takes time for herself -- I see a woman who looks like me who is truly three-dimensional. Being able to see a woman, especially an African-American woman, who showcases her depth as a human being is ever so refreshing...it truly is. 

And being able to see myself in Michelle Obama shows me that there are women like myself who have come before me who are able to connect with people and inspire others - I can only pray that I will be able to do the same.

It is so beautiful to see her and recognize myself and my loved ones in her. It shows me that we do exist and we can in fact be loved right back for all the loving we give out to the world. That we can be three-dimensional and remain ourselves without compromising parts of who ourselves in order to have success in this life. Michelle Obama is proof that not only do we exist but we can also thrive. Yes we can.  :-D

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1845156-1,00.html

Ok, that last one wasn't supposed to be cynical -- it just comes across that way when you juxtapose it against Palin's eager spewing of discombobulated talking points someone told her to say, or McCain's campaign declaring its candidate the victor several hours before the debate began.  Will Palin "wilt like a delicate flower" if McCain allows her unscripted time in front of microphones and reporters?  Can the McCain campaign truly see into the future to prevent this from happening?  More importantly, can they prevent my next sneeze attack?  Are the Obamas truly in love, or are they just insanely talented evil genius actors conspiring in a devious plot to rule Whitey with an iron fist?

I'll have more on this story never.

Mary Todd Lincoln was the wife of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, and was First Lady of the United States from 1861 to 1865. After her marriage she was always known as Mary Lincoln, never Mary Todd Lincoln.

Mary Todd Lincoln's father married Elizabeth "Betsy" Humphreys Todd in 1826. Mary Todd Lincoln had a difficult relationship with her stepmother. Beginning in 1832, Mary Todd Lincoln's home was what is now known as the Mary Todd Lincoln House, a 14-room upper-class residence in Lexington. From her father's marriages to her mother and stepmother, Mary Todd Lincoln had 15 siblings.

At the age of 20, in 1839, Mary Todd Lincoln left the family home and moved to Springfield, Illinois, where her sister Elizabeth was already living. Although the flirtatious and intelligent Mary Todd Lincoln was courted by the rising young lawyer and politician Stephen A. Douglas, Mary Todd Lincoln was unexpectedly attracted by Stephen A. Douglas's lower-status rival and fellow lawyer, Abraham Lincoln.

Elizabeth facilitated their courtship and introduced Mary Todd Lincoln to Abraham on 16 December. It is reported that, on learning her surname was spelled with 2 "d"s, he retorted "Why? One was enough for God". After a troubled engagement that was marked by at least one breakup, Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln were married on 4November, 1842. Almost exactly 9 months later, on 1 August, 1843, their 1st son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was born.

Abraham Lincoln pursued his increasingly successful career as a Springfield lawyer, and Mary Todd Lincoln supervised their growing household. Their home together from 1844 until 1861 survives in Springfield, and is now the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.

Their children, all born in Springfield, were:

Robert Todd Lincoln : (1843 – 1926)
Edward (Eddie) Baker Lincoln : (1846 – 1850)
William (Willie) Wallace Lincoln : (1850 – 1862)
Thomas (Tad) Lincoln : (1853 – 1871).

Of these 4 sons, only Robert and Tad survived into adulthood, and only Robert outlived his mother.

Mary Todd Lincoln was deeply in love with her husband, and sometimes resented his absence from their home as he practiced law and campaigned for political office. During the 1850s, however, Mrs. Lincoln staunchly supported her husband as he faced the growing crisis caused by American slavery. This concluded in Lincoln's election, in November 1860, as President of the United States.

Abraham Lincoln's election caused 11 Southern states to secede from the Union. Anti-Union sentiment was very strong in Mrs. Lincoln's home state of Kentucky, 1 of the 4 slave states that did not secede. Many upper-class Kentuckians, members of the social stratum into which Mrs. Lincoln had been born, supported the Southern cause.

Mary Todd Lincoln was well educated and interested in public affairs, and shared her husband's fierce ambition. However, her Southern heritage created obstacles for her that became apparent almost immediately after she took on her new duties as First Lady in March 1861. Some facets of Mrs. Lincoln's character did not help her in facing these challenges. Mary Todd Lincoln was temperamentally high-strung and touchy, and sometimes acted irrationally.(Mary Todd Lincoln may have suffered from bipolar disorder.)Mary Todd Lincoln was almost instantly unpopular upon her arrival in the capital.

Mr. Lincoln's predecessor, James Buchanan, who had remained unmarried throughout his life, had been unable to fully use the White House for public gatherings under the social rules of the time. As a result, by 1861 the residence was badly worn and shabby. Mary Todd Lincoln initiated repairs to the White House, but the appropriations of public money required came at the same time as public spending was increasing substantially to fight the American Civil War and her actions resulted in severe criticism. Newspapers controlled by the Democratic Party subjected her and the Lincoln administration to scathing criticism, which was fueled by Mrs. Lincoln's lavish shopping expeditions to New York City and other retail centers.

As the Civil War continued, persistent rumors began to circulate against Mary Todd Lincoln's personal loyalty and integrity. One rumor claimed that Mrs. Lincoln was a Confederate sympathizer, and even a Confederate spy (many of her relatives served in the Confederate forces, and 2 of her stepbrothers and a brother-in-law died fighting for the South). In reality, Mary Todd Lincoln was a fervent and tireless supporter of the Union cause. Mary Todd Lincoln's visits with Union soldiers in the numerous hospitals in and around Washington went largely unnoticed by her enemies and contemporaries.

Mr. Lincoln staunchly supported his wife against the vicious attacks disseminated by their enemies. One uncorroborated legend states that President Lincoln, upon hearing the rumors, personally vouched for her loyalty to the United States in a surprise appearance before the Committee on the Conduct of the War. Another story is that Mrs. Lincoln was the 1st First Lady to visit a combat zone when she was present with her husband at the Siege of Fort Stevens on 11 July, 1864.

During the Civil War, loyal Americans of Southern heritage, such as Mary Todd Lincoln, faced the dilemma of how to reconcile their cradle education in white supremacy with the new role of African-Americans as a key element of Union strength. Mrs. Lincoln responded to this challenge by accepting the ex-slave dressmaker, Elizabeth Keckly, as her closest White House friend and confidante. Elizabeth Keckly's reminiscences would become an essential element for understanding and interpreting the psychological challenges faced by Mrs Lincoln in the White House.

Mrs. Lincoln's personal trials continued and worsened in February 1862 with the death of their 11-year-old son Willie. When the boy died of typhoid fever within the walls of the White House, the psychologically battered First Lady almost gave way entirely to her grief. Mrs Lincoln paid mediums and spiritualists to try to contact the dead boy, only to lose another small fortune the Lincolns could not afford.

Some Lincoln aides and Cabinet members privately considered Mrs. Lincoln to be a liability to the administration. Mrs Lincoln was ruthlessly criticised, especially behind her back, as a free-spending, overemotional First Lady who tried to climb out of the constraints that were viewed as essential elements of the roles of women in public life. For example, John Hay, an aide to President Lincoln, privately referred to her as "the hellcat."

In April 1865, as the Civil War came to an end, Mrs. Lincoln hoped to renew her happiness as the First Lady of a nation at peace. However, on 14 April, 1865, as Mary Todd Lincoln sat with her husband to watch the comic play Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre, President Lincoln was mortally wounded by an assassin. Mrs. Lincoln accompanied her husband across the street to the Petersen House, where the President died on the following day, 15 April 1865. Mary Todd Lincoln would never fully recover from the traumatic experience.

As a widow, Mrs. Lincoln returned to Illinois. In 1868, Mrs. Lincoln's former confidante, Elizabeth Keckly, published Behind the Scenes, or, 30 years a slave, and 4 years in the White House. Although this book has, over time, proved to be an extremely valuable resource in the understanding and appreciation of Mary Todd Lincoln, the former First Lady regarded it as a breach of what she had considered to be a close friendship. Mrs. Lincoln was further isolated.

In an act approved 14 July, 1870, the United States Congress granted Mrs. Lincoln a life pension for being the widow of President Lincoln, in the amount of $3,000 a year.

For Mary Todd Lincoln, the death of her son Thomas (Tad), in July 1871, led to an overpowering sense of grief and the gradual onset of depression. Mrs. Lincoln's sole surviving son, Robert T. Lincoln, a rising young Chicago lawyer, was alarmed by his mother's free spending of money in ways that did not give her any lasting happiness. Due to what he considered to be her increasingly eccentric behavior, Robert exercised his rights as Mrs. Lincoln's closest male relative and had the widow deprived of custody of her own person and affairs. Mary Todd Lincoln was misprescribed laudanum for sleep problems which caused her to suffer anxiety and hallucinations. Upon increase of these hallucinations, more laudanum and chloral hydrate was administered, which increased the problem and led to her eventual commitment to an asylum. In 1875, Mary Todd Lincoln was committed by an Illinois court to Bellevue Place, an insane asylum in Batavia, Illinois. There Mrs. Lincoln was not closely confined; she was free to walk about the building and its immediate grounds, and was released 3 months later. However, Mary Todd Lincoln never forgave her eldest son for what she regarded as his betrayal.

Mrs. Lincoln spent the next 4 years abroad taking up residence in Pau, France. Mrs Lincoln spent much of this time travelling in Europe. However, the former First Lady's final years were marked by declining health. Mrs Lincoln suffered from severe cataracts that affected her eyesight. This may have contributed to her increasing susceptibility to falls. In 1879, she suffered spinal cord injuries in a fall from a step ladder.

During the early 1880s, Mary Todd Lincoln lived, housebound, in the Springfield, Illinois residence of her sister Elizabeth Edwards.

Of the Lincoln children, only Robert lived to marry and produce children.

Keep visiting: www.lifechums.com more celebrities featuring shortly ................

That's the one word I'd use to describe this baseball card, if you can call it that. I mean, while I never really understood why Jackie Kennedy Onassis was an "icon" and always thought she looked a bit "homely", a photo somewhere on the front of this card would have been a little more appropriate than an eagle. I mean sure, I should be somewhat content but I guess the whole "printing error" made me lose interest in this card.

To Upper Deck's credit, this card came in less than two weeks after I redeemed it. Considering I redeemed an autograph from 2007 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects 10 months ago and it still hasn't shown up, Upper Deck did one hell of a job. They even had their customer service department email me to remind me this item was ready for pick up at Fed Ex.

I have to admit, seeing one of these in person is kind of strange. The scan does not do the card justice in any way. These are definitely cards you need to see & touch in person. Unfortunately, I don't think it will sell for much, especially not without a cut signature.

This card will be on eBay by the end of the week. Wish me luck, as I need some extra cash for a down payment on a new vehicle. I finally ditched the American-made Mustang that has given me so much trouble over the last six months.

You often hear people say, “Behind every great man there is a great woman.” In Barack Obama’s case, this is true. His wife, Michelle Obama is not only the potential First Lady, but a mother, wife, and lawyer. Educated at Princeton and Harvard Law School, Michelle has proven herself to be both intellectual and hard-working. (To put this in perspective, Cindy McCain went to University of Southern California, where she was a cheerleader).

What do you think of Michelle Obama? Even if you disagree with her husband's politics, do you think she is an inspirational woman? I'd love to hear all your comments, but be warned: personal attacks on Michelle Obama will not be tolerated.

Photo Credits Found Here.

The black tie event, which attracts over 300 guests including senior business leaders, politicans and diplomats, will fund the education of disadvantaged children of widows in India by setting up businesses for them through the Loomba Entrepreneur Programmes. Past honorees include First Lady Laura Bush and Yoko Ono.

If you would like to attend or donate, click here for reservation details or email Ann Nicol at anicol@theloombafoundation.org.

The sculpture is done by artist Daniel Edwards. Here's a bit about who Daniel Edwards is.

Daniel Edwards is an American sculptor, born in La Porte, Indiana in 1965. His pieces address celebrity and popular culture in ways that have often stirred controversy. The release of the pieces is generally accompanied by press releases.

Michelle Obama has been cast in bronze! This sculpture called “Michelle Obama’s Makeover for America” is the latest work in Daniel Edwards’s “Inspire America” series which has also included sculptures of Hillary Clinton, Oprah, and Prince Harry. The unveiling of this sexy bust of the would-be First Lady is October 1st. Read more about the sculpture, see photos, and a video below.

Michelle Obama Sexy Mannequin Bust

Where do I start? Gone are the pearls around the neck, eliminating any comparisons to Jackie Kennedy. In its place is the artists’ idea of a “signature look” for Michelle Obama to take to Washington.

In place of the traditional pearl necklace worn by many of our First Ladies, is a pearl-studded Afro pick that’s shaped like an eagle, supposedly representing a fashion mix of Black African heritage and White House aspirations. The goal of artist Daniel Edwards was to highlight Michelle’s ethnicity, creating a new fashion template for the 21st Century First Lady.

“A tight, spiral-textured mane compliments Michelle Obama’s likeness, with the pearl Afro pick placed modishly askew in a Nefertiti-esque hairstyle. Included are big hoop earrings shaped like O’s that seem to suggest, according to a gallery spokesman, “Look out Oprah, a new ‘Lady O’s’ in charge.”

And then there are the breasts. The bust of Michelle Obama is adorned with temporary tattoos — note one is of a rather large American flag, to compensate for Barack’s pin-free lapels I assume. Additional breast tattoo designs for Michelle’s bust, by Chicago tattoo artist Alex Higgins, will also be on display at the Leo Kesting Gallery in New York City. Seriously.

“Michelle Obama inspires a fashion template change that many First Ladies of the 21st Century may follow, as we witness minorities in this country becoming the majority,” added the spokesman.

Other artwork by sculptor Daniel Edwards includes the following: “Oprah’s Death Mask,” “Suri Cruise Baby Poop,” and “Britney Spears Giving Birth.”

Remember, this is art and i think this art for Suri Cruise is really one of a kind. Don't you think so?

thank you!