Obama has had his first physical as president

Doctors tell Barack Obama to quit smoking

The American president has been trying to kick the habit for some time, apart from the smoking he is in excellent health
Barack Obama's medical: how does he compare to the rest of us?

Barack Obama has had his first medical examination since becoming president.

Barack Obama is still struggling to kick smoking, according to his first medical examination since becoming president.

Obama is sensitive about his cigarette habit and tetchy with reporters who raise it. But after his 90-minute medical at the Navy hospital outside Washington yesterday morning, his doctors confirmed he had not yet managed to conquer the habit and suggested he "continue smoking cessation efforts".

The doctors said the president used medication to try to ease the pangs, they described it as "nicotine replacement therapy, self-use".

Obama promised Michelle when he embarked on his campaign to become president he would quit; at the time he said he was smoking about eight a day.

He told reporters last year he had quit but still had an occasional cigarette, without specifying how many.

His health was described as excellent and he does not have to return for another medical until 2012. Obama, who is 48, has 20-20 vision, weighs 179 llbs in his shoes and clothes, and requires little medication. Apart from the nicotine replacement, he uses a non-steroid anti-inflammatory medication associated with physical activity: he regularly plays basketball at the White House.

The doctors also recommended "moderation of alcohol intake".

...But it is so hard when the man-made-god drinks water, it keeps turning into wine....

Brantigny

Is it me or is his butt on backwards?

Is it me or is his butt on backwards?

Brantigny

Canadian curling fans leave Danish player in tears

By Chris Chase

A Danish curler was brought to tears after a boisterous Canadian crowd intentionally distracted her during crucial shots in her team's match against the home nation. With the crowd stomping and making deafening noise, Denmark skip Madeleine Dupont missed two potentially game-winning shots and tearfully blamed the fans for it afterward. Canada won the match 5-4 in an extra end.

Such boorish fan behavior is normally considered unacceptable in the genteel world of curling.

After the match, Dupont told reporters:

"I could not control the weight on the last shot in the 10th. It should have been way slower, but when there are 6,000 people yelling, it's pretty hard to find out how hard you kick off. It's just so hard to focus. You're trying, but it's just not the same as if it was silent.

"If they were yelling this much when Cheryl was throwing, that would be more fair. You can't hear anything. You can't hear what your skip is saying. You can't hear what your sweepers are saying. You just have to do your best under the circumstances – and we did, but it was hard in the 10th."

There's nothing wrong with cheering loudly before and after points, but fans need to respect the etiquette of whichever sport they're watching and act accordingly. A luger knows he's going to hear cowbells ringing while negotiating turns at 90 mph, yet it wouldn't be fair if a spectator rang one during Evan Lysacek's free skate. If a curler is used to silence, a curler deserves silence.

Even the Canadian curling team agrees. Skip Cheryl Bernard said of the boisterous fans at the rink:

"I'm guessing 75 percent in there don't know the game that well and they're just there to cheer. You have to give them something for that, but I think we need to have it a little bit quieter for the opposition because it's uncomfortable for them."

That's more an indictment of the knowledge of fans rather than poor sportsmanship. Canadian fans will have a shot at redemption this week as their team plays in the medal rounds. Hopefully they'll cheer on their hometown teams with passion, just not during the other team's shots.

Evidently the Danes never watch Hockey Night in Canada. By the way "There is no crying in curling!"

Brantigny

Elton John Calls Jesus an 'Intelligent Gay Man'

KTLA News
February 19, 2010

LOS ANGELES -- Elton John is known to speak his mind, and he did just that recently when he referred to Jesus Christ as a homosexual.

The remark is found in this week's Parade Magazine.

"I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems. On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him. Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving. I don't know what makes people so cruel. Try being a gay woman in the Middle East -- you're as good as dead."

John has said in the past that he is not a big fan of religion.

The singer also talks candidly about relationships, fame and drug use.

On drug use, Sir Elton says it's all or nothing.

"For some people a gram of cocaine can last a month. Not me. I have to do the lot, and then I want more. At the end of the day, all it led to was heartache."

John says he wants to "make amends" for the years he was a drug addict. He has recently said he's helping other celebrities in their fight against drug abuse, including rapper Eminem.

The outspoken performer married his longtime partner, David Furnish, on December 21, 2005 -- the first day civil partnerships could be performed in England.

Um...

You are wrong John.

Brantigny

Faces of Methamphetamine

If any one ever tells you that we should legalize drugs because we are spending too much money to prosecute drug users, and it would be tax revenue. Look at these pictures, here...

Meth destroys.

Brantigny

Joseph Stack, Ramblings of a mad-man

On the 17th of February, Joseph Stack flew his single engined airplane into the IRS building in Asutin, Texas, after burning his own house. In his act of terror, he killed at least one. As usual the act was blamed on "the Right", even though the manifesto reeks of leftest propaganda. ...of course there is this short "know nothing" attack on the Catholic Church....

My introduction to the real American nightmare starts back in the early ‘80s. Unfortunately after more than 16 years of school, somewhere along the line I picked up the absurd, pompous notion that I could read and understand plain English. Some friends introduced me to a group of people who were having ‘tax code’ readings and discussions. In particular, zeroed in on a section relating to the wonderful “exemptions” that make institutions like the vulgar, corrupt Catholic Church so incredibly wealthy. We carefully studied the law (with the help of some of the “best”, high-paid, experienced tax lawyers in the business), and then began to do exactly what the “big boys” were doing (except that we weren’t steeling from our congregation or lying to the government about our massive profits in the name of God). We took a great deal of care to make it all visible, following all of the rules, exactly the way the law said it was to be done. more...

Brantigny

Stupider than Biden?

British TV host Kay Burley Wednesday mistook Vice President Joe Biden's Ash Wednesday ashes for a bruise on his forehead.

"What's happened to his head?" Burley asked on Sky News. "I'm sure that's what everyone's asking at home...it looks like he's walked into a door!"

Her co-host speculated that he may have fallen on the ice at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Shortly thereafter, Burley apologized and said she realized it was Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent and the day when Catholics receive ashes on their foreheads.

"I know that I am a very bad Catholic," Burley said. "I know now that it is Ash Wednesday and I know that those are ashes on his forehead. I hang my head in shame. I'll be back in just a moment."



Where do they get these people?

Brantigny