Guinness Book of Records Slammed Shut on Boy Bullfighter’s Calf-Killing ‘Feat’

I received this press release a few days ago. “Thank God for that” sprung to mind straight away…

London – If you aspire to be counted amongst the elite listed by Guinness World Records Ltd, don’t even think about it if your feat involves harming animals. Just ask 11-year-old Michel Lagravere Peniche, who was hoping to be recognised by Guinness after he stabbed six calves to death in a Mexican bull ring. In a special statement posted on its Web site, Guinness made its policy on animal abuse abundantly clear: “Guinness World Records was not aware that this event was taking place, and will not recognise the result. We do not accept records based on the killing or harming of animals”. PETA Europe, has sent a letter of appreciation to Guinness editor in chief Craig Glenday.

Reportedly encouraged by his parents, the boy bullfighter has killed more than 160 1- to 2-year-old calves. These animals are practically babies and are not naturally aggressive. Video footage shows the boy as he drives lances into a calf’s back and neck muscles, twisting the lances to ensure significant blood loss. After the calf is completely exhausted, the boy stabs him with a sword. In bullfights, if the matador misses and succeeds only in further mutilating the animal, the bull is stabbed in the spine. Sometimes the executioner misses, leaving the bull conscious but paralysed as his ears are cut off and he is dragged from the arena chained by the horns.

PETA points out that in an era when violence is on the rise, it is vital that children should be taught to be kind to others – not rewarded for causing animal suffering in the name of entertainment or “tradition”.

“Making a hero out of a boy who routinely torments and kills gentle calves sends a dangerous message to children everywhere”, says PETA Europe Director, Robbie LeBlanc. “We hope other organisations follow Guinness World Records’ example and enact policies condemning cruelty to animals.”

PETA’s letter to Guinness World Records Ltd is available upon request. For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk.

13 Year Old Father (Alfie Patten) May Not Be Dad After All

Despite his short stature — he’s barely four feet tall — and his child’s voice, 13-year-old Alfie Patten bravely stood up to fatherhood when his 15-year-old girlfriend Chantelle gave birth to their daughter, Maisie. “When my mum found out, I thought I was going to get in trouble. We wanted to have the baby but were worried how people would react,” Alfie told The Sun last week.

But Alfie may not be the father after all.

On Sunday, 16-year-old Richard Goodsell came forward to say that he thought there was a very good chance Maisie was his. “I know I could be the father. Everyone thinks I am. My friends all tell me that baby has my eyes — even my mum thinks so,” he told News of the World.

He’s not the only one. Since Alfie and Chantelle shared their story in The Sun, yet another teen, Tyler Barker, 14, has come forward to say Maisie could be his. Several other boys have said they, too, have had sex with Chantelle.

A DNA test will be done “as soon as possible” to determine paternity, said a spokesman for Alfie’s parents. “It would be prudent to have a DNA test.”

Alfie isn’t taking the news well. “Other stupid boys are lying, saying bad things, like they have slept with Chantelle too. But I am the only boyfriend she has had and we’ve been together for two years, so I must be the dad. When she found out she was having a baby, I asked her ‘Am I the dad?’ and she went ‘Yeah’ so I believe her.”

Chantelle agrees that Alfie is her first and only boyfriend.

It’s the stuff of soap operas or at least a bad movie of the week — one tiny baby and eight dads, lined up to claim her or to breathe a sigh of relief that they’ve dodged this particular bullet. One thing’s certain: The story is lucrative.

It’s hard not to lift an accusing eyebrow at Alfie and Chantelle’s parents, but while they’re certainly responsible for these two particular teens, Alfie and Chantelle aren’t the first two kids to have a baby before they were ready. Just last fall, the country couldn’t stop arguing about whether Sarah Palin’s teenage daughter Bristol was a clear sign of Sarah’s lax parenting or a national hero. And Juno so romanticized teen pregnancy and adoption that a teen girl behind me in the theater said, “I wish I could have a baby.” I almost choked on my popcorn.

About half of all teens have sex by the time they’re 19 years old. Fifty percent. One out of two. A teen who is actively having sex has less than a 10 percent chance of avoiding pregnancy over the course of a year if she doesn’t use contraception.

While I don’t think we should expect that our kids will be sexually active before they reach the age of majority, the statistics don’t lie and neither does that baby Alfie cradles so tenderly. We need to have an open and ongoing discussion with our kids about sex and responsibility, honest talk that gives them the tools and the knowledge to make smart choices for themselves as they ease themselves into adulthood.

Chimp Attack in the USA – Who’s to Blame?

That chimp attack in Connecticut? Startling, upsetting story, to say the least.

A 200-pound pet chimpanzee in Stamford, Connecticut has severely mauled a woman. From listening to the owner’s 911 call, it seems the chimp ‘ripped her face off’. Thinking her friend was dead, the owner stabbed the chimp and hit him with a spade, but failed to stop the attack. A policeman finally shot him dead.

The media was quick to report the chimp’s ‘celebrity’ status – he’d been in several TV adverts (Gap and Old Navy) , had been raised like a child, watched TV, used the Internet, bathed himself and even used crockery.

There really is no need to sensationalise this story – it’s not pleasant at all.

But who’s to blame for the death? Depsite its human-like attributes, this was a wild animal, led around with a metal chain for a lead.

Many are calling for the owner to be prosecuted. That would happen if we were talking about a child, wouldn’t it?

13 Year Old Father – Alfie Patten – Is It Legal?

The British media is full of stories concerning Alfie Patten, the 13 year old boy whose girlfriend Chantelle Steadman (15) gave birth to their baby 4 days ago.

Alfie may be 13, but his voice has yet to break and at just 4 feet tall, he looks more like 8.

In an interview with the Sun newspaper, he says, “When my mum found out, I thought I was going to get in trouble.

“We wanted to have the baby but were worried how people would react.”

This boy’s life is ruined – how will he ever be able to concentrate on homework? Is anyone actually expecting him to be a responsible father?

Where does the law stand on this? Should the parents, who allowed the kids to sleep together, be taken to court?

More on this story at The Sun.

Podcast: Israelis are looking for their own Obama

From CNN’s Sarah Parker and Drew Anderson

 

CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from The Best Political Team.

(CNN) — As his stimulus package faced a major Senate test, President Obama traveled to the heartland to sell the plan to ordinary Americans. In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, White House Correspondent Dan Lothian has the story from Elkhart, Indiana.

Who stands to benefit most from the stimulus if it passes? Wolf Blitzer talks with Lawrence Summers, Director of the White House Economic Council, about the potential impact of the president’s plan.

Plus: President Bush may be gone, but a key congressional Democrat hasn’t forgotten: the committee chairman is calling for an investigation of the Bush Justice Department. CNN’s Elaine Quijano has the latest.

Also: Israelis are looking for their own Obama. Just a day before Israel heads to the polls to pick their next prime minister, CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider gauges the nation’s pre-election mood.

Finally: A big Capitol Hill win for President Obama just before his first White House press conference. CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash reports.

Click here to subscribe to CNN=Politics Daily.

The Virgins – Teen Lovers. Great Video.

The Virgins – Teen Lovers from inyourfaceTV on Vimeo.

Jeremy Clarkson calls Gordon Brown names

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has said he is sorry for calling Gordon Brown a “one-eyed Scottish idiot”.

He said: “In the heat of the moment I made a remark about the Prime Minister’s personal appearance for which, upon reflection, I apologise.” The broadcaster made the comments to journalists in Sydney when he was speaking about the economic crisis.

The BBC said it noted Clarkson’s apology for the comments and would be taking no further action. Public figures have reacted angrily to the presenter’s remarks, with Labour MP Gordon Banks saying what Clarkson said was “unforgivable”.

Number 10 would only say that Clarkson “is entitled to his own interpretation of the economic circumstances”. The spokesperson declined to comment on the specific insult about Mr Brown, who lost the sight in one eye after an accident as a teenager.

‘Unacceptable’

But the Royal National Institute for Blind People called the comment was offensive.

“Any suggestion that equates disability with incompetence is totally unacceptable” said chief executive Lesley-Anne Alexander Scottish

Labour leader Iain Gray joined in the criticism. “Such a comment is really a reflection on Jeremy Clarkson and speaks for itself,” he said. “Most people here are proud that the prime minister is a Scot and believe him to be the right person to get the UK through this global economic crisis.”

Clarkson is in Australia to host Top Gear Live, a stage version of the hit BBC show.

The controversial presenter compared Mr Brown to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, shortly after Mr Rudd had addressed the country on the severity of the global financial crisis. Clarkson said: “He [Rudd] genuinely looked terrified. The poor man, he’s actually seen the books. “[In the UK] we’ve got this one-eyed Scottish idiot. “He keeps telling us everything’s fine and he’s saved the world and we know he’s lying, but he’s smooth at telling us.”

Mickey-taking

It had also been reported that Clarkson had called Australians ‘apes’. However the BBC press office has strongly denied that this was the case. They said that the presenter was in referring to some of the UK audience members, in keeping with the style of the programme. “Top Gear is known for its tone – the presenters take the mickey out of each other, and the Top Gear studio audience aren’t immune from that either.”

In November, more than 1,800 people complained to the BBC after Clarkson made a joke on Top Gear about lorry drivers killing sex workers. The joke followed the conviction of forklift truck driver Steve Wright for the murders of five prostitutes in Ipswich. Some 340 people also complained to regulator Ofcom, but it later ruled the joke did not breach the broadcasting code.

Source: BBC

Well, given the state of the economy, aren’t we all calling Gordon the Brown names?

Oops, I just did it.

***

Thinking of relocating out of London?

Business relocation – Somerset UK.

BBC Breakfast swear word – 6th February 2009 (F-word)

Another disaster for the BBC, the BBC Breakfast team played an un-edited clip of Christian Bale’s F-Word rant at 06.55 this morning.

The channel received hundreds of complaints and at 09.15, at the end of the show, the presenters issued an apology in that childish split-dialogue they do where both chip in.

More about the latest BBC swear word here.

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Now, is the London Tube being out of action not just a pain in the arse!?

Are you thinking of relocating out of London?

Business relocation – Somerset UK.

Michael Richards (Seinfeld): Is it Racist to be Proud?

Michael Richards is better known as Kramer from the American TV series, Seinfeld.

This was his defence speech in court after making racial comments in his comedy act. He makes some very interesting points.

He said: “I’m proud To Be White
Someone finally said it.
How many are actually paying attention to this ?
There are African Americans, Mexican Americans,
Asian Americans, Arab Americans, etc.
And then there are just Americans.
You pass me on the street and sneer in my direction.
You Call me ‘White boy,’ ‘Cracker,’ ‘Honkey,’
‘Whitey,’ ‘Caveman’ … and that’s OK.

“But when I call you, Nigger, Kike, Towel head,
Sand-nigger, Camel Jockey, Beaner , Gook, or Chink 
You call me a racist.

“You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you, so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?
You have the United Negro College Fund.
You have Martin Luther King Day.
You have Black History Month.
You have Cesar Chavez Day.
You have Yom Hashoah.
You have Ma’uled Al-Nabi.
You have the NAACP.
You have BET.
If we had WET (White Entertainment Television) we’d be racists.
If we had a White Pride Day, you would call us racists.
If we had White History Month , we’d be racists.
If we had any organization for only whites to ‘advance’ OUR lives we’d be racists.
We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce. Wonder who pays for that ?

“A white woman could not be in the Miss Black American pageant, but any color can be in the Miss America pageant. If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships you know we’d be racists. There are over 60 openly proclaimed Black Colleges in the US. Yet if there were ‘White colleges’ THAT would be a racist college.

“In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights, you would call us racists. You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you’re not afraid to announce it.
But when we announce our white pride, you call us racists.

“You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us.
But, when a white police officer shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug-dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society, you call him a racist.

“I am proud.
But you call me a racist.
Why is it that only whites can be racists?”

Who has Obama’s email address?

 

Who has Obama’s email address? Security at the highest level

 

From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney     

     

Obama is staying mum on who has his e-mail address.

(CNN) — He’s the first commander-in-chief to carry a BlackBerry-like device — but that doesn’t mean he’s reachable. President Obama is staying mum on the identity of the privileged few who’ve been given his new e-mail address.

In an interview with NBC Sunday, the president said only a “handful” of people are able to contact him through the super-secure device.

Earlier: Obama’s ’spy-proof smartphone’

“Look, there are security issues involved,” Obama said. “And so we’ve gotta make sure that I’m not — creating a situation where — you know, potential people can compromise our [security].

Obama also suggested the list does not include any world leaders.

“Typically, world leaders are going to be contacting me through the Oval Office. They know how to reach me there,” he said.

The exclusive list of those who have the president’s e-mail address reportedly includes a small group of senior aides and cabinet officials. According to a report in the New York Times, security precautions make it impossible to forward an e-mail from the president, or to send the president attachments.

Watch: The secret side of Obama’s BlackBerry

It’s also likely Obama’s e-mail address will change frequently to ensure it remains secure.

Speaking Saturday in front of the Alfalfa Club Dinner — an annual event attended by the country’s political elite — Obama joked about the ultra-limited access to president’s inbox.

“It’s a very exclusive list. How exclusive? Everyone look at the person sitting on your left. Now look at the person sitting on your right. None of you have my e-mail address.”

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