#13 Senate Backs Proposal to Let Military Chaplains Decline Performing Same-Sex Marriages

No more than two weeks ago, an amendment proposed by Senator Roger Wicker was passed. This specific amendment stated that military chaplains are allowed to decline when asked if they would perform a marriage between two people of the same gender. "Protections for military chaplains should be guaranteed in any policy changes being implemented," Wicker said in a statement. Another senator however, by the name of Tim Huelskamp, is trying to pass a motion that states that military chaplains are not allowed to perform same gender marriages, whether they want to or not. But as of now, only the first bill has been passed, so for now military chaplains can reject the idea of performing a same gender marriage "as a matter of conscience or moral principle."

I think that Senator Roger Wicker was right in pushing for this amendment to be passed. Chaplains, whether in America or overseas, should not be forced to perform a marriage between two people of the same gender. This takes away from the chaplain America's idea of free speech and choice. As for the other senator's plan, I somewhat agree with it, but it will take a miracle for it to pass both chambers.

Article Link

#12 Ex-Candidate Herman Cain Admits that He Quoted Pokémon

As the majority of America knows by now, Herman Cain is the former presidential candidate who dropped out of the campaign due to a continuous sex scandal. During his announcement, however, he confirmed something that Pokémon and anime fans had been suspecting for quite a while: Cain has been quoting Pokémon is a few of his campaign speeches. "I believe these words came from the Pokémon movie. I'm not sure who the original author is, so don't go write an article about the poet, but it says a lot about where I am--- where I am with my wife and my family, and where we are as a nation," Cain said. "Life can be a challenge. Life can seem impossible. It's never easy when there's so much on the line. But you and I can make a difference. There's a mission just for you and me." Watch the video below and see for yourself.

In my opinion, Herman Cain making Pokémon references during his speeches shows immaturity and a bit of idiocy and almost no creativity. Any man or woman who is running for president that quotes something from a children's game or movie seems a bit ridiculous. Thankfully, Cain is no longer in the running, so he can no longer wreak foolishness all over the presidential campaign.

Video Link

Article Link

#11 Conan Delivers Chinese Food in NYC

A few weeks ago, Conan O'Brien returned to New York City to host a few episodes of his show 'Conan'. In this particular episode, Conan decided to explore what it is like to be a Chinese food delivery man. He visited a very busy Chinese restaurant, and the manager immediately put him to work on fulfilling order. Multiple mishaps occur on his first trip out, resulting in the customer not even accepting her food. So Conan tries again. On this next trip, the red-haired comedian meets a pretty woman, is almost run over by a taxi, and gives away most of the food. But in the end, this trip is more successful than the first.

I think that it is exciting when a famous person goes out into the "real world" and works a middle class job. Even though Conan did this as a spoof, something for people to enjoy and laugh at, it still showed how strenuous it can be to deliver Chinese food on foot at the very heart of New York City. As I stated in one of my earlier posts, Conan is one of my favorite comedians. He will go out into the "real world" and experience it in the most hysterical way, capture it all on camera, then bring it back for the world to enjoy.

Article Link
Video Link

#10 Conan: President Obama 'doing fine without his teleprompter'

Former Late Night host Conan O'Brien appeared on his new show on TBS a few weeks ago, and the main topic of the night was about a robbery. This wasn't just any ordinary thievery, such as snatching a purse off an old woman or a bag of money from a bank. This specific heist involved President Barack Obama himself. "Thieves in Virginia," stated Conan, "this is true, stole a truck containing President Obama's teleprompter." The fact of the matter is that the comedian was telling the truth. A truck containing Obama's teleprompter, podium, and other audio equipment was held up and robbed earlier that week. The robbery did not pass unnoticed beneath the noses of Republicans, or the red-headed comedian, for that matter. While a few Republicans made some sly remarks about Obama's continuous use of a teleprompter (Herman Cain joked last week that he threw the teleprompter off his campaign bus to “get rid of some dead weight.”), Conan mocked the president outright. "I think he's doing just fine without his teleprompter," the comedian ad-libbed. Then he gestured to the audience and presented a clip he created that completely derided and ridiculed the president. But he made it funny, just like he always does. Just watch and see for yourself.

I am an avid Conan O'Brien fan, and have begun to watch episodes of his shows at every chance I get. One of the greatest and most uproarious things he does on his show is make fun of celebrities, politicians, and yes, inanimate objects. Although some viewers perceive his behavior to be a bit crude and eccentric, and maybe a bit deriding, he is in fact an ingenious man. While President Obama may not have "deserved" this ridiculing, it was funny all the same.

Article link

Video link

#9 Batman Visits The Big Apple

On October 31st, tourists and and other pedestrians were shocked to see famed actor Christian Bale emerge from Trump Tower and enter a waiting police car. What was even stranger was that on the police car were inscribed the letter GPD. GPD? Most of the anxious crowd wondered. What did it mean? GPD stands for Gotham Police Department, meaning that Batman has arrived in New York. For the next few days at least, Fifth Avenue from East 56th Street to East 57th Street will become part of Gotham City for the filming of Christopher Nolan's new and final Batman movie, 'The Dark Knight Rises.' On Trump Tower, the golden letters spelling out 'Wayne Enterprises' hang, glaring in the sunlight. Extras and faux reporters stand outside, pushed back by police officers, waiting for playboy Bruce Wayne to emerge. Nearby sits a Gotham City News truck and Bruce Wayne's new, silver car. A Lamborghini, perhaps? Passerby and tourists flocked to see Christian Bale, production assistants pushing them back and away from the set, sometimes to no avail. Little to no information has been given about the film. When asked what they were doing, those in the production either ignored the question or answered that they were filming 'Magnus Rex,' an obvious code name for the new Batman movie. Filming for this part of the movie starts on Thursday.

'The Dark Knight Rising' is the sequel to 'Batman Begins' and 'The Dark Knight,' respectively. The film is directed by Christopher Nolan and stars Christian Bale as Batman and his alter-ego Bruce Wayne, Tom Hardy as Bane (the villain who broke Batman's back in the comics), Gary Oldman as Police Commisioner James Gordon, and Joseph-Gordon Levitt as up-and-coming police officer John Blake. 'The Dark Knight Rises' arrives in theatre July 20, 2012.

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne

Personally, I am very excited for this movie when it arrives in theaters. Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy is considered one of the best, and I have to agree. This movie, however, will be Christopher Nolan's last Batman film. At least that's what he says. As to the filming going on in Newark, I think it is very exciting. If I lived nearby, I myself would be rushing to see the filming. This seems like an exciting opportunity for the people of New York, and the fact that Nolan and his crew chose it as Bruce Wayne's home and work is simply amazing in itself.

Tom Hardy as Bane

Article Link
The Dark Knight Rises Trailer Link
The Dark Knight Rises Info Link

#8 Bill Clinton's 'hilarious' Funny or Die Video

President Bill Clinton celebrated both his 65th birthday and the 10th anniversary of the Clinton Foundation with multiple star-studded acts, but his appearance in a cleverly made Funny or Die skit was by far the best. Funny or Die is a site where people can post hilarious skits they've written and acted in themselves. Dozens of actors, including Steve Carell and Zach Galifianakis, have uploaded their own videos onto the site as well. This specific clip, titled Clinton Foundation Celebrity Brainstorm, is extremely funny. Actors Ben Stiller, Matt Damon, Kevin Spacey, Sean Penn, Kristen Wiig, Jack Black, Ted Danson, and Mary Steenburgen make up the "celebrity division" of the Clinton Foundation, and they need to come up with ideas that will help strengthen it. Stupid ideas fly, confusion ensues, all in all producing a very clever script. Ben Stiller is the head of the celebrity division, the only man in the room who seems to have all his marbles. The others are completely insane. Matt Damon suggests that they create a foundation softball team to build spirit. Sean Penn orders that they figure out who is continuously stealing his lunch. Kristen Wiig is the one is always over-excited and very naive, suggesting that they attempt nearly impossible things. Then we have Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, the two (disgusting) star-crossed lovers. He plays a complete idiot; she agrees with everything he says. Finally, there's Jack Black, who thinks that the Clinton Foundation needs a theme song, and ends up banging it out on his guitar, singing at the same time.

I started watching Funny or Die videos about a month before this specific clip appeared online (Warning: a small portion of the videos on this site include vulgar language). I love to explore the certain aspects of this hilarious site, and The Clinton Foundation video is on of the funniest I've ever seen. All in all, this is definitely a clip worth checking out. You're sure to be laughing very hard by the end!

Clinton Foundation Celebrity Brainstorm link
Original Article Page link
Funny or Die link

#7 50/50: The Story Behind the Movie

Screenwriter Will Reiser was only 24 years old when he was diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer. He, along with friend and actor Seth Rogen, thought up 'cancer comedies', a metaphorical bucket list that helped him cope. It has been six years since the diagnosis and Reiser is finally cancer-free... and has decided to write a script loosely based on his experience. The movie is called '50/50', named after the odds Reiser had in surviving. Veteran actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays the movie equivalent of Reiser, a man named Adam. Seth Rogen costars as - obviously - himself. Joseph Gordon-Levitt says that he was drawn to the script because it didn't have any cliched plot points or stereotypes. "I was laughing. I was concerned. I didn't know what was going to happen next," Gordon-Levitt says. "These are all what makes me want to get involved with a project." Some of the clever plot points include Rogen suggesting to his buddy that he uses the sympathy he gets in order to get girls (it didn't work) or when the main character's mother comes to stay with him after she finds out that he has cancer, adding to the tension and annoyance he feels. '50/50' arrived in theaters on September 30. Be sure to check it out!

I for one am attracted to a script that follows along this type of plot line. Not that I search specifically for a story about a man with cancer, but it is the comedy and the heart that draws me to it. (That and the fact that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a main part in it.) I think that it is incredible how someone like Will Reiser managed to get through such a hard time in his life. The best part of it was that he always had his best friend Seth Rogen at his side, keeping him well mentally throughout the entire journey. I have yet to see the film itself, but I believe that it will be spectacular, and it will touch many people.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Will Reiser Tackle '50/50' Odds
50/50 Trailer

#5 Chances Run Out for (Now) Ex-Quarterback

Five chances. Twenty-three year old Stephen Garcia's coach gave him five chances to straighten out the life he was leading. And Garcia dismissed the warnings as just that, and nothing more. After failing an alcohol test, the South Carolina Gamecocks' coach cut Garcia from the team. The man's father had to drive up from Florida in the middle of the football season and ferry his son back to their home. Coach Steve Spurrier expressed that he was sympathetic towards Garcia, but since the football star had signed a zero-tolerance agreement, he had to let him go.“I don’t like it, I don’t like it,” Spurrier said of Garcia’s dismissal. “I wished he’d stayed and wished he could have finished his career as a Gamecock, one way or another.” Gary Garcia, Stephen's father, was understanding about his son's dismissal, but also a bit miffed. “It was heartbreaking for him to drive away from that stadium after seeing his teammates,” Gary Garcia said. “He got a lot of chances, but he didn’t get a lot of chances because the things he did were small, it was because the people there that know him love him.”


I for one completely agree with the coach's decision to cut Stephen Garcia from the South Carolina team. Signing a no-tolerance agreement and then breaking it multiple times is not the sign of a great man, or even a great quarterback. Most will agree that there are multiple football players in the NFL that, no matter how great they are, still struggle legally. I doesn't matter if Plaxico Buress had an amazing, game-saving catch during the super bowl, or Michael Vick has been a star player every season. Buress was in possession of an unlicensed firearm and Vick was coordinating dog fights. Both of them were wrong, and both of them faced the consequences, which I believe is right.

Chances Run Out for (Now) Ex-Quarterback

#4 Yanks Sent Home By Tigers Shocking Win

Last night, the Yankees played their fifth and final game against the Tigers. They were tied 2 - 2 in the playoff series, and the Yankees needed a win to continue in the playoffs. But every NewYork Yankees' world series dreams were crushed as the Tigers barely scraped by with a win of three to two. This was shocking for most people, as the Yankees had crushed the Tigers' in there previous game by at least six runs.

I, being an avid Yankees fan, was incredibly disappointed when I found out that the Yankees lost. They came into the season with the hope that they would once again bring home a World Series title, but their dreams were stolen from them by a team who got lucky. Knowing the Yankees, though, they will come back next year more powerful than ever!

Yanks Sent Home By Tigers Shocking Win

#3 Footloose Remake Something For This Generation

Footloose is the story of a big-city teen named Ren McCormack who moves to a small town that has banned dancing. Being a rebel, Ren strives to abolish the dancing law, all the while romancing the reverend's daughter, whose father is the one who pushed for the no dancing law in the first place. The original film was made in 1984, but after almost 30 years, director Craig Brewer decided that he was going to produce a remake of the old classic. There's a few differences though, between the new and old versions. "I want Footloose to do to this generation what it did to my generation," says the director. He explains that the newer Footloose will be more dangerous, with more sexy and tense moments. While they will be changing a few things in their movie, Brewer also says that they will definitely be keeping many of the original parts in. "[But] we only want to do it when people who are true fans can lean down to their kids and say, 'See that's from the original.'" There may be new dance sequences, but the old love that Ren (Kevin Bacon) and the reverend's daughter (Lori Singer) had in the older version will not be changed at all, of that the director is sure.

I believe that it will exciting for these upcoming actors and actresses to be able to be involved in such a famous dance movie. Although the older version of Footloose is definitely a classic, and will probably not be replaced by the newer film, I think that it will be interesting to see how it will be depicted by this generation. The Footloose trailer proves that there will be a lot more dancing, tension, and passion than the original. I am a Footloose fan, and it will be enjoyable for me and other fans to see how the new version will turn out.

Theatrical Trailer
Article Link

#2 Rivera Saves Number 600 in Yankees Seattle Win

Just last night, in front of a full stadium of Yankees fans, Mariano Rivera did what he does best: pitching. Rivera was plugged into the game against Seattle at the beginning of the ninth inning, the score 3 to 2, Yankees in the lead. Two of the first three batters he easily struck out, firing little white missiles into the strike zone at speeds of around 95 miles per hour. Then Dustin Ackley stepped up to the plate. One ball later and the man on first, Suzuki, made a break for second base. The Yankees catcher fired the ball through the air, the small, white sphere finding its place in Derek Jeter's glove. Jeter tagged Suzuki out, immediately winning the game. The first thing Jeter did was run up to Rivera and give him a huge hug, handing him the baseball. Mariano Rivera had just done something that few pitchers had ever hoped to accomplish. He had saved six hundred games. A save is when a relief pitcher is plugged into the game when his team is ahead by three runs or less. Saving the game was a big accomplishment for Rivera, but he merely stated that passing a previous pitcher's amount of saves at 601 would truly be the biggest.

Being a Yankees fan, this achievement had me excited and feeling very happy for Mariano Rivera. After pitching very well in 1,037 games, he definitely earned this victory. With his exceptional amount of saves, Rivera is headed for the Hall of Fame, an esteemed accomplishment for a baseball player. The Yankees post-game celebration of a champagne shower and a pie to the face was not in the least over the top, Rivera's miraculous 600th save completely compensating for the Yankees' rowdiness on the field. All I have to say is, Congratulations Mariano River!

#2 Rivera Saves Number 600 in Yankees Seattle Win

#1 Top Ten Favorite Things

I love:

1. The feeling of standing under a tree in the rain, the raindrops sliding down the leaves, occasionally falling on my head.
2. When my friend's older brother gives me advice and acts as though he's my older brother as well, teasing me when I need to laugh, comforting me when I'm feeling down or confused.
3. The feeling of accomplishing something I've been working on for months; it makes me feel like I'm on top of the world.
4. Running with my six year old dog Jake on the grass, racing after each other until we both collapse.
5. Being the movie buff I am and watching a film that actually surpassed my expectations.
6. Snuggling with my four year old brother Philip while watching a cartoon Disney movie, such as Aladdin or Finding Nemo.
7. The feeling of exhilaration playing football with my dad and my eleven year old brother Daniel, watching the ball sail through the air as my brother and I attempt to reach it at the same time.
8. The cold water rushing up at me when I leap into my friend's pool, suddenly becoming refreshed and feeling full of life.
9. Staying with my cousin in Maine and sneaking out of his room and into another so that we can eat blueberries and play video games until six in the morning.
10. Talking about boys with my mother, and hearing her helpful - and at times somewhat flawed - opinions.