Panda Bears

National Zoo in Washington, Monday, Sept. 19, 2005 where he received his sixth health exam. The cub, born on July 9, now weighs 9.57 pounds and is 22.51 inches long. (AP Photo/Jessie Cohen, National Zoo)



Dr. Carlos Sanchez (L), a veterinarian at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, checks the paws of the zoo's giant panda cub while Lisa Stevens, assistant curator, holds the cub during a health exam at the Washington Zoo September 19, 2005. The cub, born on July 9, now weighs 9.57 pounds (4.3 kg) and is 22.51 inches long. The cub and his parents live at the zoo's Giant Panda Habitat. EDITORIAL USE ONLY REUTERS/Jessie Cohen/Smithsonian's National Zoo/Handout



The San Diego Zoo's seven-week-old giant panda cub gets her first peek at her keepers and veterinarians in San Diego September 21, 2005. The female cub's left eye is almost completely open, while her right eye slit is just beginning to enlarge. Veterinarians say the cub's vision is not acute yet but will continue to improve daily. The cub weighed 5.4 pounds, a gain of one pound since last week's exam, and measured 1.5 feet from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY REUTERS/Ken Bohn/The San Diego Zoo/Handout



The San Diego Zoo's five-week-old panda cub is measured for length and weight by Geoff Pye, a senior veterinarian, September 7, 2005. Pye said the cub is gaining the round belly of a giant panda and that the cub increased her weight by more than one pound (0.4kg) in one week. The female cub weighs 3.29 pounds (1.5kg) and measures 1.3 feet (0.4 metres) from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail. EDITORIAL USE ONLY REUTERS/Handout




Chuang Chuang, a giant panda on loan to Thailand from China, sticks out its tongue at the Chiang Mai Zoo in Chiang Mai province, north of Bangkok September 3, 2005. A Northern Lanna-style wedding ceremony will be held in November for Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui, the giant pandas on loan from China. Photo taken on September 3, 2005. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom



Chuang Chuang (L) and Lin Hui, giant pandas on loan to Thailand from China, play with each other at the Chiang Mai Zoo in Chiang Mai province, north of Bangkok, Thailand September 3, 2005. A Northern Lanna-style wedding ceremony will be held in November for the two pandas. Picture taken September 3, 2005. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom Email Photo Print Photo



Four giant pandas drink water at a pool at the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Centre in Wolong, southwest China's Sichuan province, August 26, 2005. Taiwan experts will arrive in Wolong Friday night to take part in the selection of two giant pandas as gifts of the Chinese mainland to Taiwan, local media reported. CHINA OUT REUTERS/China Newsphoto

The Emmys

AP - Sun Sep 18, 6:30 PM ET Actress Tess Smith arrives for the 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Actress Halle Berry, nominated as outstanding actress in a miniseries or movie for her role in 'Their Eyes Were Watching God,' poses as she arrives at the 57th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles September 18, 2005. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

Paula Abdul attends the 57th annual Prime Time Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California September 18, 2005. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Donald Trump (L) and Megan Mullally perform at the 57th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles September 18, 2005. (Robert Galbraith/Reuters)

Jon Stewart holds his Emmys for outstanding variety, music or comedy series and for outstanding writing in a variety, music or comedy program for 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' at the 57th annual Prime Time Emmy Awards in Los Angeles September 18, 2005. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

Totally Sweet! Wish I Was There!

Girls in traditional Bavarian clothes toast with one-litre beer mugs during the opening day of the Oktoberfest in Munich September 17, 2005. Millions of beer drinkers from around the world will come to the Bavarian capital Munich for the world's biggest and most famous beer festival, the Oktoberfest. The 172st Oktoberfest lasts from September 17 until October 3. Some six million people are expected to visit 14 enormous tents, each capable of holding up to 10,000 people at a time, drinking some 5.5 million litres (1.453 million U.S. gallons) of beer in the process. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle

Visitors wave their beer glasses in Munich, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2005 at the opening of the world renown Oktoberfest beer festival. Millions of visitors from all over the world are expected at the festival, that lasts until Oct. 3, 2005. (AP Photo/Diether Endlicher)

An unidentified woman shouts out as she drinks beer during the opening day of Munich's famous Oktoberfest, September 17, 2005. Millions of beer drinkers from around the world will come to the Bavarian capital Munich for the world's biggest and most famous beer festival, the Oktoberfest. The 172nd Oktoberfest lasts from September 17 until October 3. Some six million people are expected to visit 14 enormous tents, each capable of holding up to 10,000 people at a time, drinking some 5.5 million litres (1.453 million U.S. gallons) of beer in the process. REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler

A woman wearing a traditional Bavarian Dirndl drinks a one-litre mug of beer during the opening day of the Oktoberfest in Munich September 17, 2005. Millions of beer drinkers from around the world will come to the Bavarian capital Munich for the world's biggest and most famous beer festival, the Oktoberfest. The 172st Oktoberfest lasts from September 17 until October 3. Some six million people are expected to visit 14 enormous tents, each capable of holding up to 10,000 people at a time, drinking some 5.5 million litres (1.453 million U.S. gallons) of beer in the process. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle

Mallika Sherawat

Actor Mallika Sherawat arrives at the gala premiere for the movie The Myth during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Thursday Sept. 15, 2005.(AP Photo/Aaron Harris, CP)



Indian actress Mallika Sherawat arrives for 'The Myth' World Premiere gala at the 30th Toronto International Film Festival September 15, 2005. REUTERS/Mike Cassese




Indian actress Mallika Sherawat arrives for 'The Myth' World Premiere gala at the 30th Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto September 15, 2005. REUTERS/Mike Cassese

Director Stanley Tong, left to right, Mallika Sherawat, Jackie Chan, and Kim Hee-Seon arrives at the gala premiere for the movie The Myth during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Thursday Sept. 15, 2005.(AP Photo/Aaron Harris, CP)

They Call It "Fashion"; I Call It CRAP!

A model wears a creation by Marc Jacobs during his show at Fashion Week in New York on September 12, 2005. Fashion Week continues through Friday. REUTERS/Seth Wenig

A model wears a creation by Marc Jacobs during his show at Fashion Week in New York on September 12, 2005. Fashion Week continues through Friday. REUTERS/Seth Wenig



A model wears a creation by Marc Jacobs during his show at Fashion Week in New York on September 12, 2005. Fashion Week continues through Friday. REUTERS/Seth Wenig




Kirsten Dunst arrives at the Marc Jacobs show during Fashion Week in New York on September 12, 2005. Fashion Week continues through Friday. REUTERS/Seth Wenig





A model wears a creation by Marc Jacobs during his show at Fashion Week in New York on September 12, 2005. Fashion Week continues through Friday. REUTERS/Seth Wenig

Condi Rice Got Some New Ferragamo Shoes

So nothing else matters right? As long as Condi's got some Ferragamo's on her feet!

Shoes, 1948-50
Salvatore Ferragamo (Italian, 1898-1960)
Purple suede and gold metallic leather
Gift of Salvatore Ferragamo, 1973 (1973.282.6)
Source of Photo

Condi Rice Spends Salary on Shoes

According to Drudge, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has recently enjoyed a little Broadway entertainment.

And Page Six reports that she’s also working on her backhand with Monica Seles.

So the Gulf Coast has gone all Mad Max, women are being raped in the Superdome, and Rice is enjoying a brief vacation in New York. We wish we were surprised.

What does surprise us: Just moments ago at the Ferragamo on 5th Avenue, Condoleeza Rice was seen spending several thousands of dollars on some nice, new shoes (we’ve confirmed this, so her new heels will surely get coverage from the WaPo’s Robin Givhan).

A fellow shopper, unable to fathom the absurdity of Rice’s timing, went up to the Secretary and reportedly shouted, "How dare you shop for shoes while thousands are dying and homeless!"

Never one to have her fashion choices questioned, Rice had security PHYSICALLY REMOVE the woman.

Angry Lady, whoever you are, we love you. You are a true American, and we’ll go shoe shopping with you anytime.

Link To Article

Condie Gets Shoes

From Styledrops.com

Hurricane Katrina Aftermath

Homes surrounded by floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina near I-10 are shown in this aerial view in New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans floodwaters contain unsafe levels of E. coli and coliform bacteria, as well as lead, and contact with the water should be avoided, US Environmental Protection Agency chief Stephen Johnson urged.(AFP/Pool/David J. Phillip)

Two dogs sit atop an SUV in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana September 6, eight days after Hurricane Katrina struck the region. Several private boats manned with New Orleans police, military police and medical personnel scoured the flooded streets in search of stranded residents. The White House is preparing a new emergency budget request for funding recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina likely to be $40 billion to $50 billion, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said on Tuesday. REUTERS/Lee Celano

Stranded victims of Hurricane Katrina are taken ashore by Air Force National Guard soldiers in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 5. Hurricane Katrina is confronting US leaders with tough questions over who should be in charge the next time the US faces a major catastrophe.(AFP/Getty Images/Mario Tama)

A hand-painted sign outside a New Orleans business warns away looters in the wake of Hurricane Katrina Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005. Ethicists and social psychologists said in interviews that rules of human behavior _ including respect for others' property and for social order itself _ dissolve quickly in desperate circumstances like the storm's aftermath. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

A sign is scrawled beneath a statue of Jesus Christ as a warning to looters in New Orleans. The destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina was the product not just of Nature's fury, but the result of a long catalogue of mismanagement, neglect and ineptitude -- much of it foreseeable and preventable, critics said.(AFP/Hector Mata)

A gas station in Stockbridge, Ga., posts prices for gasoline from $5.87 to $6.07 per gallon Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005. (AP Photo/Gene Blythe)

A Break From Katrina

I don't know about the rest of you, but I have been overwhelmed by Katrina. I pray for everyone along the Gulf Coast going through this disaster.

But today I wanted to take a break from the seriousness of Katrina which is being covered by the media 24/7.

So for now, back to our regularly scheduled programing...sort of...

These images came from FetishCentral.Net

I don't know I ended up there one day but it was a random internet surfing trip. I must have taken that ol' left turn at Albuquerque. These are just a few of their items for sale that made me think: "Do people really buy and wear this stuff"?

Katrina New Orleans Photos

Thousands wait to be evacuated from the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, September 2, 2005. An emergency military convoy of aid supplies arrived in flooded New Orleans on Thursday to help in the relief of tens of thousands of refugees made desperate in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. REUTERS//David J. Phillip/Pool

Thousands wait to be evacuated from the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, September 2, 2005. Hurricane Katrina's devastation of New Orleans -- and the delay helping stranded people get out or even get water and food -- is raising doubts that U.S. cities may be ill-prepared to cope with a potentially worse disaster: a major attack. (/David J. Phillip/Pool/Reuters)

Hurricane Katrina refugees wait to be evacuated from the New Orleans Superdome. Thousands of National Guard troops moved into New Orleans to restore order to the hurricane-battered city where terrified survivors dodged looters, roaming gangs and gunmen.(AFP/Pool/David J. Phillip)

Kanye West Rips Bush at Hurricane Aid Show

By FRAZIER MOORE, AP Television Writer

NEW YORK - A celebrity telethon for Hurricane Katrina survivors took an unexpected turn when outspoken rapper Kanye West went off script during the live broadcast, declaring America is set up "to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off as slow as possible."

"A Concert for Hurricane Relief," which aired on NBC and other networks Friday night, began, fittingly enough, with jazz from New Orleans natives Harry Connick Jr. and Wynton Marsalis.

The host was NBC News' Matt Lauer, who invited viewers to contribute to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by phone or on the Web. Some 18 presenters performed musical numbers or gave information on the tragedy's huge scope.

Since the hurricane, people have displayed a massive outpouring of charity. Total donations passed the $200 million mark by Friday, four days after the storm slammed into the Gulf Coast. The bulk of those funds were collected by the Red Cross, which said it has raised $196.9 million from individuals and corporations.

Appearing two-thirds through the program, West took the government to task, claiming " George Bush doesn't care about black people."

Comedian Mike Myers was paired with West for a 90-second segment that began with Myers speaking of Katrina's devastation. Then, to Myers' evident surprise, West began a rant by saying, "I hate the way they portray us in the media. If you see a black family, it says they're looting. See a white family, it says they're looking for food."

While allowing that "the Red Cross is doing everything they can," West — who delivered an emotional outburst at the American Music Awards after he was snubbed for an award — declared that government authorities are intentionally dragging their feet on aid to the Gulf Coast. Without getting specific, he added, "They've given them permission to go down and shoot us."

After he stated, "George Bush doesn't care about black people," the camera cut away to comedian Chris Tucker.

Concluding the hour a few minutes later, Lauer noted that "emotions in this country right now are running very high. Sometimes that emotion is translated into inspiration, sometimes into criticism. We've heard some of that tonight. But it's still part of the American way of life."

In a statement, NBC said, "Kanye West departed from the scripted comments that were prepared for him, and his opinions in no way represent the views of the networks.

"It would be most unfortunate," the statement continued, "if the efforts of the artists who participated tonight and the generosity of millions of Americans who are helping those in need are overshadowed by one person's opinion."

The show, simulcast from New York on NBC, MSNBC, CNBC and Pax, was aired live to the East Coast, enabling the Grammy-winning rapper's outburst to go out uncensored. West's comment about the president was cut from NBC's West Coast airing, which showed three hours later on tape.

There was a several-second tape delay, but the person in charge "was instructed to listen for a curse word, and didn't realize (West) had gone off-script," NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks added.

On the Net:
http://www.redcross.org

Continue Reading Article

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