Celestial Reasoning

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2009-11-02T12:46:00.005-05:00

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John Cusack Gives the Bush-McCain Challenge

2008-09-22T13:05:00.000-04:00

Saturday Night Live - Sarah Palin & Hillary Clinton

2008-09-22T12:54:00.000-04:00

Can We Trust John McCain

2008-09-22T12:43:00.001-04:00

IMPEACH CHENEY

2008-01-03T08:10:00.000-05:00

Shh-Speak up: We Rave - Senior's Guide to Computers

2007-04-06T22:40:00.000-04:00

Shh-Speak up: We Rave - Senior's Guide to Computers

Why Americans are Fat Slobs...

2007-04-03T20:55:00.000-04:00

THE AMERICAN TREADMILL

Vote for the Worst - Sanjaya Will Be The Next American Idol

2007-03-31T08:29:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the web site, Vote For The Worst, Sanjaya Malakar will be the next American Idol.

He can't hit the right notes, doesn't know when to quit, doesn't care what people think of him, lives in Washington, DC, and doesn't care about the needs of his audience.

Votefortheworst.com will definitely put this loser in power.

After all, it worked previously in 2000 and 2004.

Senior's Guide to Computers

2007-02-08T08:35:00.000-05:00

Bits? Bytes? MP3s? RAM? Internet? Email? Windows? CPU?

Do any of the above terms seem confusing?
Does looking at them give you a dull pain between your ears?
Does sending an email seem like a major accomplishment?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions then a new web site called "Senior's Guide to Computers" is for you. For those of you who are entering the information super highway late in life and have children or grandchildren who know more about computers than Perdue knows about chicken, then check out "Senior's Guide to Computers". It's also perfect for computer beginners of all ages!

A project designed and written by Web Developer, Jeff Mayer, "Senior's Guide to Computers" is designed to teach senior citizens, kids, moms and dads all about computers. Learn the ins and outs of personal computers using examples, pictures, videos and descriptions actually written in easy-to-understand English.

Numerous articles cover every area necessary to turn your computer from a $1,000 paperweight to a valuable tool for productivity, communication, business, entertainment and much more.

Topics covered:

The Basics:
An overview of the main parts of a personal computer (PC) as it relates to your own physical office.

Accessibility:
How to set up a computer for individuals with vision and other disabilities.

* Accessibility Wizard * Color Vision Deficiency * Keyboard setup * Magnifier * Monitor setup * Mouse setup * Narrator * On-Screen Keyboard * Utility Manager * Voice Recognition Software

Backing up your data:
Probably the single most important task you'll perform.

* Benefits of offline storage * External hard drives * Making copies of your personal data to CDs and DVDs * Making images of an entire drive * Reviews of different backup software

Email:

* Email programs * Email attachments * How to handle spam * Phishing schemes * Safe email practices * Web-based email

Hardware:

* CD/DVD burners * Hard Drive storage * Keyboards * Memory * Mice * Monitors

Internet:

* Web Browsers: * Connection types: * Safe surfing * Search engines * Settings

Security:

* Anti-spyware software * Anti-virus software * Hardware Firewalls * Online banking * Online shopping * Software Firewalls * Windows Service Pack 2 * Windows Update * Windows user accounts

Software:

* Financial * Free alternatives * Office Suites * Photo Management

Plus there is an invaluable Senior's Guide to Computers Resource Center" featuring basic self-help computer guides, books, and software and hardware reviews. In addition, you will find links to other web sites with more detailed information. New and updated information is added to the Guide on an ongoing basis.

www.seniorsguidetocomputers.com

WANT TO HELP KILL OUR TROOPS OR DESTROY OUR ENVIRONMENT? - THEN BUY A DELL COMPUTER

2006-12-05T20:29:00.000-05:00

If you want to financially support the politicians who are determined to prolong this immoral and illegal war in Iraq, destroy the environment, and defile our Constitution then buy a brand new Dell computer.

Michael Dell contributes large sums of your money to George Bush and many other republican hoodlums. Purchasing a computer from Michael Dell will help put more U.S. troops in harms way thereby causing more deaths.

Here's just a few of the criminals Dell gives your money to:

Congressman Dennis Hastert (R) IL - Recommended that New Orleans be bulldozed. Made a $2 million profit on the sale of land several miles away from a highway project called the Prairie Parkway for which he secured $207 million in federal funds. In 2004, Rep. Hastert established a trust through which he and his business partners purchased 69 acres of land for $340,000, which provided road access to his farm that had been landlocked. In 2005, Rep. Hastert transferred this land from his farm to the trust. Then, during House and Senate negotiations over the highway authorization bill, Rep. Hastert added $152 million to help build a highway project and $55 million for an interchange several miles from his property. Four months after the legislation was signed, the trust sold Rep. Hastert’s parcels for nearly $5 million to a real estate development firm. By earmarking money to improve the value of his land, Rep. Hastert violated House rules prohibiting taking official action for the prospect of personal gain.

Senator Orrin Hatch (R) UT - who suggested that people who download copyrighted materials from the Internet should have their computers automatically destroyed.

Congressman Tom Delay (R) TX - Indicted by a Texas grand jury on charges of criminally conspiring with two political associates to inject illegal corporate contributions into 2002 state elections that helped the Republican Party reorder the congressional map in Texas and cement its control of the House in Washington.

Senator Rick Santorum (R) PA - During his freshman term, he started holding hands with the Abramoff lobbying group. Over the years, money has been funneled to Santorum's campaign war chest through various Abramoff back channels.

Representative Pete Sessions (R) TX - In 2001-2002, Rep. Sessions co-signed letters to administration officials to benefit casino clients of Jack Abramoff. In return, within 18 months of sending the letters, Rep. Sessions received a total of $20,500 from Native American tribes associated with Abramoff. In January 2002, Rep. Sessions traveled to Malaysia with two of Mr. Abramoff’s former co-workers. The trip allegedly was sponsored by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies and a Malaysian think tank. Various reports suggest that a Malaysian client secretly paid Mr. Abramoff and Michael Scanlon, an associate of Mr. Abramoff, through a sham think tank that Mr. Scanlon created, the American International Center. The trip violates House rules which prohibit Members from accepting campaign contributions and travel expenses from foreign agents and lobbyists.

Senator George Allen (R) VA - One of George Allen’s old college football teammates said that Allen used to call black people “niggers”.

Representative Lamar Smith (R) TX - voted against cracking down on the oil and gas industries price gouging, who voted for the GOP energy bill that gave billions to oil, gas and nuclear industries. Big oil and gas industries have given Rep. Smith $290,622.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) TX - the first U.S. senator from Texas to come under criminal indictment.

Congressman Joe Barton (R) TX - responsible for 2005's Gasoline for America's Security Act that doled out money by the billions to his patrons in the oil business.

Congressman Michael McCaul (R) TX - voted for the Military Commissions Act of 2006 (a.k.a. The Torture Bill).

Congressman Henry Bonilla (R) TX - voted against cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants. The U.S. Justice Department investigated Bonilla, who employed an illegal immigrant as a live-in nanny for seven years and failed to pay taxes or Social Security on his employee's wages.

Representative James Sensenbrenner (R) WI - Over 500,000 people filled the streets of downtown Los Angeles to march against HR 4437, a bill authored by Republican Rep. James Sensenbrenner (heir to the Kotex fortune) which would turn 11 million undocumented immigrants into felons, punish anyone guilty of providing them assistance, and construct an iron wall between the US and Mexico.

Representative Michael Oxley (R) OH - The primary beneficiary of more than 75 fundraisers held by Freddie Mac lobbyist Mitch Delk that netted more than $3 million according to a document that was divulged during the investigation of Freddie Mac’s campaign finance activities. The Federal Election Commission eventually fined Freddie Mac $3.8 million. 90 percent of the events were hosted by Mitch Delk to benefit Representative Oxley.

Senator Richard Burr (R) NC - supports raising taxes on 3.6 million Americans by blocking Democratic efforts to extend the college tuition tax deduction.

Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R) NM -
Voted YES on banning Family Planning funding.
Voted YES on making the PATRIOT Act permanent.
Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Voted YES on prohibiting needle exchange & medical marijuana.
Voted NO on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges.
Voted YES on allowing school prayer.
Voted YES on implementing Bush-Cheney national energy policy.
Voted NO on raising CAFE standards and incentives for alternative fuels.
Voted NO on prohibiting oil drilling and development in Alaskan National Wildlife Reserve.
Voted YES on approving forest thinning.
Voted YES on reducing liability for hazardous waste cleanup.
Voted NO on campaign finance reform banning soft-money contributions.
Voted YES on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1.
Voted YES on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients.
Voted YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight.
Voted YES on continuing military recruitment on college campuses.
Voted YES on reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends.
Voted YES on making the Bush tax cuts permanent.
Voted YES on increasing fines for indecent broadcasting.
Voted YES on approving removal of Saddam.
Voted YES on authorizing military force in Iraq.

Senator Michael Crapo (R) ID -
Voted YES on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.
Voted YES on loosening restrictions on wiretapping.
Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation.
Voted YES to broaden use of death penalty and on making federal death penalty appeals harder.
Voted YES on School Prayer Amendment.
Voted NO on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas.
Voted NO on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%).
Voted NO on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Voted YES on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior.
Voted YES on allowing lobbyist gifts to Congress.
Voted NO on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity (an oxymoron?).
Voted NO on background checks at gun shows.
Voted NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare.
Voted NO on raising the minimum wage.
Voted YES on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends.
Voted NO on increasing tax deductions for college tuition.
Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007.
Voted NO on investigating contract awards in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Voted YES on authorizing use of military force against Iraq.

Senator Norm Coleman (R) MN - Claim to fame is 81 year old father who was busted for having sex in public.

PLUS: Republican National Committee - donated over $250,000

The new selection of Gateway computers is just as good as Dell and will allow you to sleep at night. Or build your own computer -- it's a lot of fun!

APOLOGY TO AMERICA

2006-11-09T08:31:00.000-05:00

As the events of the last six years unfolded, I felt that the majority of the American people had little hope of realizing the truth and overcoming ignorance. It seemed that folks were comfortable with:

1. A lying, corrupt, cowardly president.
2. Torturing prisoners, illegal wiretapping, eliminating civil rights and basically disregarding the Constitution.
3. Banning stem cell research.
4. Ignoring the human rights of gay individuals.
5. Supporting an illegal and immoral war in order to increase personal wealth (as in Haliburton).
6. Raping health care and prescription coverage for financial gain.
7. Ensuring that the religious right-wing wackos are allowed to exert undue influence on government.
8. Maintaining the pitiful state of our educational system.
9. The deliberate destruction of New Orleans because the people were not part of the president's "base".
10. Destroying the environment in order to line the pockets of the president's corporate cronies.

On November 8, 2006 the American people (at least 40% of the eligible voters -- a 1% increase over 2004) -- wrested control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Is it possible that the wheels of change are finally starting to turn? To answer that question, consider the following:

1. Missouri listened to Michael J. Fox and voted to support stem cell research and newly-elected Senator Claire McCaskill.
2. Arizona rejected a ban on same-sex marriages.
3. 28 of our 50 governors are now Democrats.
4. South Dakota rejected the abortion ban.
5. Highest turnout of voters aged 18-30 in twenty years.
6. First woman Speaker of the House - Nancy Pelosi (I thought my wife had the job first?)
7. RUMSFELD FORCED TO RESIGN!
8. RUMSFELD FORCED TO RESIGN!
9. RUMSFELD FORCED TO RESIGN!

Just when I thought I had to move to Canada with Alec Baldwin, the American people came through and delivered a technical knockout to President Chimpy McFlightsuit. Let's not stop now -- let's hit them while they're down. We need hearings, investigations, indictments and dare I say it? IMPEACHMENT!

If the repuglicans thought they were justified in impeaching President Clinton just because he had his knob polished then Dubya is definitely owed an impeachment.

If that fails, I bet for a gram of crystal meth that we could get Rev. Ted Haggard to obtain some presidential DNA on his blue dress for us. What's good for the goose.......

So America...I apologize.
On to 2008...
GORE/OBAMA

Limbaugh on Michael J. Fox ad for MO Dem: "Either he didn't take his medication or he's acting"

2006-10-25T08:47:00.000-04:00

Rush Limbaugh accused actor Michael J. Fox, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, of "exaggerating the effects of the disease" in a recent campaign advertisement for Missouri Democratic Senate candidate Claire McCaskill. Limbaugh added that "this is really shameless of Michael J. Fox. Either he didn't take his medication or he's acting, one of the two."

Rush should know. He's the expert on taking medication.

Shameless, Rush? What's really shameless is selling expensive subscriptions for your online radio show to our troops in Iraq. You say you support the troops. Since they're sending money to you, I'd say the troops are supporting you.

You're the most dangerous kind of right-wing republican shill... one that many people take seriously. At least Ann Coulter is funny.

Link to Michael J. Fox video

Grace Slick dedicates Virgin America jet

2006-10-12T20:48:00.000-04:00

Rock icon Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane was on hand Wednesday to dedicate Virgin America Inc.'s new corporate headquarters and an aircraft named after the legendary 1960's band.

The "Jefferson Airplane" is the first of Virgin America's new fleet to be named. The company has invited the public to submit entries to name its other planes.

Check out her photo - I hate when great rockers grow old.

digg story

Howard Stern is the Father of Anna Nicole Smith's Baby?

2006-09-27T10:50:00.000-04:00

An attorney representing former Playboy Playmate and reality television star Anna Nicole Smith said he is the father of her daughter, born earlier this month in the Bahamas.

Howard K. Stern added that he plans to marry Smith.

Howard K. Smith? Figures the stupid woman would marry the wrong Howard Stern.

Stern said he and Smith are confident he is the father.

I wonder which one of them is not sure?

Entertainment reporter and photographer Larry Birkhead also claims to be the father of the girl, named Danilynne Hope. In a statement, Birkhead said Smith told him he is the child's father, and that he has proof.

It better be a video -- they have a college education to pay for.

Stern said he and Smith plan to marry "at some point. Right now we have to somehow get through what we're going through."

The baby, he said, "is the one ray of hope. It's the one thing that's really keeping her going."

The Biggest Terrorist of All Time

2006-09-13T09:29:00.000-04:00

I know that the current administration has long since given up on finding Osama Bin Laden. But what are we doing to bring the world's biggest terrorist to justice?

I'm surprised that the news media has not made more noise about this man's reign of terror. As of 9/13/06, he has murdered a minimum of 44,532 people. Some sources estimate the total to be as high as 49,209.

That's 17 times more deaths than Osama Bin Laden is responsible for.

Let's look at the facts:
Deaths	Wounded	Where
2,792 (civilian)	2,261	World Trade Center
2,672 (military) 41,860 (civilian)	19,910	Iraq

We don't know where Bin Laden is but we know where this scumbag is at all times. And it won't cost lives or money to find him. Let's send him to Iraq for trial today.

Iraq Coalition Casualty Count

Paris Hilton Bitten by Kinky Jew

2006-08-13T09:28:00.000-04:00

Paris Hilton got no love this week from her pet Kinky Jew Baby Luv - in fact, the racoon-like animal bit her. The heiress was not badly hurt but did visit a hospital emergency room to receive a tetanus shot, her publicist, Elliot Mintz, told The Associated Press on Friday.

Hilton was frolicking with her exotic pet early Tuesday morning "the way some people play with their cats and dogs" when the animal became excited, Mintz said. It is a known fact that Kinky Jews are easily excited.

"Baby Luv bit her. It's a superficial bite on her left arm," he said.

Hilton, concerned that she was bleeding, called Mintz at 3 a.m., and he took her to the hospital.

"She was seen by a doctor, who treated the wound, gave her a tetanus shot, cleaned the wound and applied something to it," Mintz said. Mintz said Hilton's arm did not appear to be swollen the next day.

The Kinky Jew, Baby Luv was checked out by a veterinarian Wednesday.

"I don't view Kinky Jews as aggressive animals. The same kind of thing could have occurred with her German Shepherd," Mintz said.

Upon hearing Mr. Mintz's statement, the Kinky Jew screamed "never again!". The German Shepherd's response was "I vas only following orders".

James Dobson lends support to Mel Gibson

2006-08-11T23:20:00.000-04:00

Focus on the Family ministry founder James Dobson spoke in support Thursday of Mel Gibson and his film, The Passion of the Christ, saying Gibson's drunken tirade during a traffic stop had nothing to do with "one of the finest films of this era." Mr. Dobson applauds this violent film because it supports his own anti-Jewish preachings. He also enjoyed Halloween until he found out that Michael Myers wasn't Jewish.

Gibson, 50, who was arrested for drunken driving Aug. 1 in Malibu, California, launched an anti-Semitic rant toward the arresting deputy. Gibson said, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," and asked him, "Are you a Jew?" He also called the female deputy "Sugar tits".

"Mel has also indicated his willingness to seek help to overcome his alcoholism, and has asked the Jewish community for forgiveness," Dobson said. "What more can he do?" Well, Mel can show his support for the Jews by getting a circumcision and placing his nazi father in a Jewish nursing home.

James Dobson is one of the worse hate-mongering bigots of our age. He is a co-founder of the "Focus on the Family" cult which uses its tax-exemption status to further its anti-woman, anti-gay, religious right agenda. His anti-semitic viewpoints go hand-in-hand with his defense of the Jew-hating Mel Gibson and his anti-semitic film.

Gibson has had a troubled relationship with Jewish organizations since his violent 2004 blockbuster about the crucifixion, which was criticized for portraying Jews as responsible for Jesus' death. Supporters, including Dobson, say the movie followed the Gospel story.

Mr. Dobson was also puzzled that Mr. Gibson knew Mrs. Dobson's pet name.

Guilty By Reason of Insanity

2006-07-27T08:18:00.000-04:00

Jurors in Andrea Yates’ murder retrial returned a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Earlier Wednesday jurors asked to see a family photo and candid pictures of her five smiling youngsters taken before she drowned them in the family bathtub.

Soon after arriving at the courthouse, the jury of six men and six women also reviewed the state’s definition of insanity: that someone, because of a severe mental illness, does not know a crime he is committing is wrong.

Why is the verdict "not guilty by reason of insanity"? Shouldn't it be "guilty by reason of insanity"? We should be able to find someone guilty and still confine them to a mental facility for the rest of their life. The fact that Andrea Yates could conceivably be set free someday is unacceptable to me. Perhaps if she drowned one child, I could be persuaded to buy the temporary insanity defense. But Andrea Yates took her time and methodically drowned all FIVE of her children.

This current prosecution only charged Anndrea Yates with the murders of three of her children. Since there is no statute of limitations on murder, we can only hope that the prosecution is saving the remaining two murder, charges in case Ms. Yates is ever releaased.

Soldiers Words May Test PBS Language Rules

2006-07-22T08:04:00.000-04:00

The PBS documentarian Ken Burns has been working for six years on "The War" a soldier's-eye view of World War II, and those who have seen parts of the 14-plus hours say they are replete with salty language appropriate to discussions of the horrors of war. What viewers will see and hear when it is broadcast in Sept. 2007 is an open question.

A new Public Broadcasting Service policy that went into effect immediately when it was issued on May 31 requires producers whose shows are broadcast before 10 p.m. to adhere to tough editing requirements when it comes to coarse language, to comply with tightened rulings on broadcast indecency by the Federal Communications Commission.

Most notably, PBS’s deputy counsel, Paul Greco, wrote in a memo to stations, it is no longer enough simply to bleep out offensive words audibly when the camera shows a full view of the speaker’s mouth. From now on, the on-camera speaker’s mouth must also be obscured by a digital masking process, a solution that PBS producers have called cartoonish and clumsy.

What is this country reverting into? I guess it's ok for the chimp-in-chief to say "Syria and Lebanon gotta stop this shit" on network television and get away with it. Why isn't this moron fined?

"The War" is a 14 hour record of real life heroes filmed by one of the best documentarians of our time. These men risked their lives for this country. They didn't have their daddies get them into the reserves in order to avoid combat only to go AWOL anyway. I, for one, want to hear what they have to say in their own words without fuzzy pixelation covering their mouths. Although I wouldn't mind using these devices whenever president chimpo opens his lying mouth. Anything dubya has to say is what's really obscene.

What the President Did Today

2006-07-20T08:26:00.000-04:00

This is an email I received from Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

This is no longer a Republican or Democratic issue. This is about one man putting his own corrupt political agenda over the health and happiness of millions of people.

"Dear JEFFREY,

Today George Bush chose political posturing over human life, denying hope to millions of Americans, their families and loved ones who are affected by debilitating diseases.

He used his first-ever veto to stop the discovery of new cures for diseases like juvenile diabetes, leukemia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and many others. More than 70% of Americans from every walk of life -- whether in the faith community, the science lab, the hospital or at the bedside of a sick relative -- and majorities in both chambers of Congress disagree, but that didn't stop him.

The bill he vetoed wasn't a sweeping change -- it was a small, practical measure that would have made a big difference for medical research based on sound science. But the consequences are sweeping: the proposed law would have allowed research on excess embryos generated during processes like fertility treatments -- embryos that would otherwise simply be discarded.

Now is the time to speak out. Send a message to your representatives letting them know that you support cure discovery now:

http://www.democrats.org/curediscovery

If George Bush truly believed his rhetoric about stem cells, he would do something about the processes that create the excess embryos in the first place. But he won't. They will continue to go unused (his spokesman limply calls it a "tragedy"), and cures will continue to be beyond our reach.

Bush may not be willing to choose cure discovery over his right-wing base, but the vast majority of Americans support cure research.

Even after his veto, Democrats in Congress will continue to keep the pressure on to get more votes. If Republicans refuse to join the cause and override Bush's veto, it will have to be decided at the ballot box in November. Democrats will continue to fight to keep this hope for the discovery of new cures alive.

The Congress and the rest of the country are paying attention right now, and we have to seize this moment to build the coalition of support for cure discovery. Please add your name to the list of supporters and we'll send your message to your representatives:

http://www.democrats.org/curediscovery

As a medical doctor, I'm offended at the political meddling in potentially life-saving research. All of our families could be touched by hope found through stem cell research: from juvenile diabetes to Alzheimer's, it offers the opportunity for new cures. Yet this important research has been dwindling because of restrictions put in place by Bush five years ago.

That's half a decade we have lost. How much longer will those suffering and their families have to wait?

People can disagree in good faith on this issue, but Bush's extraordinary action doesn't meet that threshold -- it smacks of political calculation. The opportunity to save lives of people with debilitating diseases, and to reduce suffering for them and their families, requires that a president respect the will of the people and the Congress.

Join the cause supporting cure discovery:

http://www.democrats.org/curediscovery

History will judge this veto as a sad political calculation.

Just a few votes stand in the way. With your support we'll get them -- either now, or in the new Democratic Congress you elect in November.

When we do, we will restore hope through life-saving research and cure discovery.

Thank you.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D."

Barry Manilow sends park hooligans fleeing, angers nearby residents

2006-07-19T08:40:00.000-04:00

To rid a park of hooligans in a Sydney suburb, the town council began playing Barry Manilow and Doris Day music at high volume from 9-midnight every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening. The tactic worked, but now the people who live near the park can't sleep at night and are unhappy about it.

They should be grateful. The council could have gone for the jugular by using Michael Bolton.

Shine On You Crazy Diamond

2006-07-12T08:30:00.000-04:00

Pink Floyd has lost its "crazy diamond."

Syd Barrett, the brilliant, erratic catalyst for Floyd's early success, "died peacefully at home". He was 60 years old. The musician had been in ill health for years, battling diabetes, as well as stomach ulcers.

A singer and guitarist, and originally the band's principal songwriter, Barrett masterminded Pink Floyd's breakthrough album, Pipers at the Gates of Dawn, before being sidelined in the late 1960s by behavioral problems.

Barrett teamed with bassist Roger Waters, drummer Nick Mason and keyboardist Richard Wright to launch Floyd in 1965, deriving the name from two bluesmen, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council.

Barrett fronted the band during its initial rise to fame, culminating with the 1967 classic The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, which mixed jazz, rock and R&B with psychedelia--a template for the prog-rock sound the band refined in its 1970s heyday--and propelled Floyd to stardom.

But Barrett couldn't enjoy the band's triumphs. He began to suffer from increasingly severe mental problems brought on by his heavy use of LSD and mood-altering drugs, frequently faltering during concerts.

In January 1968, his Floyd mates invited friend and fellow guitarist-vocalist David Gilmour to take over playing Barrett's parts during live shows, but with the understanding that Barrett would continue writing and recording songs.

Ultimately though, as Barrett grew increasingly unpredictable and his musical output dwindled, he was booted from the band. Only one track he wrote, "Jugband Blues," made it onto Floyd's second album, 1968's A Saucerful of Secrets.

There has been much speculation concerning the psychological well-being of Syd Barrett. Many believe he suffered from schizophrenia, though he didn't totally fit the typical profile for that condition. Additionally, some have suggested that Barrett had traits associated with Asperger Syndrome, a condition similar to autism.

Barrett's use of LSD during the 1960s is well-documented. Some believe that Barrett's drug use helped trigger or contribute to his mental illness. In an article published in 2006, Gilmour was quoted as saying: "In my opinion, his breakdown would have happened anyway."

With Waters assuming band leadership, Floyd cemented its legendary status with a string of masterpieces, including 1973's Dark Side of the Moon, the 1975 tribute to Barrett, Wish You Were Here, which featured the epic track "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," and 1979's The Wall.

The post-Barrett Pink Floyd sold over 200 million albums and became one of the most mesmerizing live acts in music history. The band, Barrett included, was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

He was born Roger Keith Barrett, on Jan. 6, 1946 in Cambridge, England, the youngest of five children of a pathologist and his wife. Barrett studied music when he was a boy at the behest of his parents and acquired the nicknam, "Syd" as a nod to a local Cambridge musician named Sid Barrett.

After leaving Pink Floyd, Barrett recorded two solo albums, The Madcap Laughs and Barrett, both of which failed commercially. He subsequently exited the music industry altogether and became a recluse, spending the rest of his life living with his mother.

Barrett shocked his former band mates by paying them a surprise visit during recording sessions for Wish You Were Here.

According to Nick Mason it was a sad reunion--Barrett had become virtually unrecognizable to the band, having gained weight and shaved his head and eyebrows. Barrett had also taken to randomly brushing his teeth and jumping up and down in place. The sight so upset Waters that he nearly broke down.

"Roger was in tears, I think I was; we were both in tears," Wright once told VH1. "It was very shocking...seven years of no contact and then to walk in while we're actually doing that particular track "Shine on You Crazy Diamond". I don't know--coincidence, karma, fate, who knows? But it was very, very, very powerful."

Many artists have acknowledged Barrett's influence on their work: Paul McCartney, Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page, David Bowie, Brian Eno, The Damned, Soft Machine, R.E.M., Soundgarden, Placebo, Lost and Profound, The Smashing Pumpkins, Phish, Marc Bolan, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Cure, Dirty Pretty Things, Robyn Hitchcock, The Flaming Lips, Pearl Jam, Transatlantic, Dream Theater, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Johnny Depp has shown an interest in a biographical film based on Barrett's life.

Syd - wish you were here.

Suri Cruise Birth Certificate

2006-07-11T23:31:00.000-04:00

TMZ has obtained a copy of the official birth certificate of the elusive Suri Cruise, daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

The document, filed with the Los Angeles County Register-Recorder/County Clerk, was filed May 8, 2006.

This will dispel the rumors thaat the pregnancy and the baby were not real.

It does not disprove the theory that, in fact, it is the parents who are not real.

Woman Accused of Witchcraft in 1706 Cleared

2006-07-11T23:27:00.000-04:00

It took 300 years, but Virginia's only convicted witch has finally been pardoned.

State Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was asked to exonerate Annabelle Coulter, who was tried by water and accused of using her powers to cause a woman to miscarry. On Monday, the 300th anniversary of the "ducking" trial, Kaine obliged.

"I am pleased to officially restore her good name," Kaine said in a letter that was read aloud by Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf before a local re-enactment of the ducking.

"With 300 years of hindsight, we all certainly can agree that trial by water is an injustice," Kaine wrote.

On July 10, 1706, her thumbs were tied to her toes and she was dropped into a river. She floated, proof that she was guilty because the pure water cast out her evil spirit, according to the belief system of the time.

Written descriptions of the witch have yielded this artist's impression of what she looked like:

Keep Ringo Out of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame

2006-07-09T16:11:00.000-04:00

Seth Swirsky is a self-proclaimed songwriter, author, recording artist and memorabilia collector. (Can anybody say "Jack of all trades"?). Seth is making a plea to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame (an oxymoron?) to induct Ringo Starr, the only Beatle not previously bestowed with this dubious honor.

I say to Ringo: "DON'T DO IT!"

Let's take a look at some of the musicians not deemed worthy enough to be inducted:

YES
Moody Blues
Blood, Sweat and Tears
ELP
Johnny Winter
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Procol Harum
Jethro Tull
Doobie Brothers
Renaissance
Genesis
King Crimson
Gordon Lightfooot
Peter, Paul and Mary
Kate Bush
Rickie Lee Jones
Country Joe and the Fish
Richie Havens
Funk Brothers

Ringo - do you want to be associated with those named aboved or with Dick Clark and Michael Jackson?