I really love giving gifts. There’s something so gratifying when you find the perfect present and watch someone’s face bloom into a smile as she or he receives it. Still, I think the best gifts are those that can’t be wrapped and tied with a bow. Immaterial gifts usually require extra thought and foresight, and in my own life, seem to hold the most meaning. Ladies, do tell: What’s the best gift you’ve been given?
Mugabe Sworn in After Discredited Zimbabwe Election
President Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a sixth term, just hours after electoral officials said he won a discredited runoff. As dignitaries watched under a red-carpeted tent on Sunday, Mugabe swore to uphold his nation's laws and then sat amid cheering to sign documents. African and other world leaders had condemned Friday's presidential runoff, in which Mugabe was the only candidate. 3 Comments
I started a personal blog about a year ago as a way to keep track of my life post-college. In the beginning, it was more of a casual thing, but over time, and as I gained a few readers it became more serious. Friends and family knew about it, but I never really made it accessible for them. In fact, many of the people in the posts involve my closest friends and family members — though I've always given them pseudonyms.
One friend in particular has had some bad months lately, and I often found myself blogging about her and her messy life. She's made a lot of poor decisions, and I think posting it on my blog was a way for me to talk through it without actually talking about it with anyone who might know her. Long story short, she recently discovered my site — I have no idea how — but she was enraged and deeply hurt.
She feels that her trust has been violated, and that I've completely stabbed her in the back. And of course, she's upset by the opinions I have of her. She's cut me out of her life, and informed mutual friends about my blog, who have now also turned on me. I understand why she feels the way she does, but I never meant for anyone to find out. My personal life is a wreck now! It's like my diary has been exposed. I've pulled down my blog, and I want to make things right, but can I ever be forgiven?
Congress will withhold $5.8 billion in New Orleans flood-defense funding because Louisiana has not offered the $1.8 billion match necessary to trigger federal funds. The Army Corps of Engineers will not go through with levee and other construction projects necessary to prevent another Hurricane Katrina.
Louisiana, one of the poorest states in the nation, wants the feds to give the state 30 years to pay their share. Right now Congress wants the money by 2010. Louisiana officials want President Bush to extend the spending limits putting pressure on Congress. The state's US Senator Mary Landrieu says the restrictions "flies in the face" of Bush's promise to rebuild New Orleans. Others say that the state's $600 million budget surplus means Louisiana could pay its way if it needed to.
Should a squabble over money delay crucial projects like the planned $695 million storm surge barrier? Up until now, all Americans have been helping pay for New Orleans' flood preparation. Is it time for the local government to chip in?
I've never been a fan of clothing with writing on it. Don't get me wrong — I like to read, but I don't want your life's philosophy shoved in my face when I'm in the nachos line at the movies. It's bad enough that people's clothes are shouting at you, do we really need this? What's tackier?
With a name like Moore-Bacon, how could your union not flourish and prosper for eternity? (Well, at least until the triple bypass.) Check out GiggleSugar's best pictures of the week, including more hyphenated names, some not so auspicious. . .
Too much emphasis is placed in our culture on looking young and being able to attract the opposite sex. (Especially for women.) A much overlooked but more important attribute? Being able to kick some ass. That's what these women of a certain age understand. Forget Botox, Restylane injections and face-lifts — how about board-smashing, choke-holding and all around ass-whooping? That, my friend, is the key to eternal youth.
I really love giving gifts. There’s something so gratifying when you find the perfect present and watch someone’s face bloom into a smile as she or he receives it. Still, I think the best gifts are those that can’t be wrapped and tied with a bow. Immaterial gifts usually require extra thought and foresight, and in my own life, seem to hold the most meaning. Ladies, do tell: What’s the best gift you’ve been given? 
Ben Sherman
Paul & Joe
APC