I get that impression, too, about Linda. Her DD had a post on FB last night about being at the shore, but wasn't sure if they were with Linda's mom or in their own place. I didn't lose power, but had a bit of a leak in the corner of the living room where there are 2 windows. Has a history of leaking there, but just did a big, almost yearlong fix on the roof because of many leaks previously all over, but clearly whatever they did, didn't fix this one. A tree down the street fell on 2 neighbors cars. My super and I were just joking that people keep going up to it and taking pics like it's a tourist attraction.

Thanks,for your kind words, Mari. My Aunt couldn't have children, we spent many a happy holiday with her and my Uncle. She was like a second Mum to me :-) Hope all is well for Linda? Thank goodness the Hurricane didn't hit as hard as they expected. Very sad about the 11 year old boy losing his life and others.

What a crazy week. Earthquakes, and then Irene, which luckily, was only a tropical storm by me. Lots of rain and heavy winds, but we did not lose electricity. I'm happy to hear all DD's are fine. And, sorry about your aunt, Sue.

Glad the storm abated before it hit NYC etc, but sad that it cost some lives. Apparently the tail end of the storm will hit Scotland by the weekend. No big deal, but the weather has been pretty awful of late, and it would have been nice to get some sun before Autumn arrives:-(

Text from LindaK: They are bone dry! ...only house in the neighborhood that didn't take in water in the basement. No phone service. Texts OK.Move going smoothly. (Note to Boss: I still don't have phone on all the time. Really, don't like cell phones ! But will be better at Newark next time:-)))))

(Dorine) A tree down the street fell on 2 neighbors cars. My super and I were just joking that people keep going up to it and taking pics like it's a tourist attraction. I know exactly what that looks like. During one of our violent storms last month, a big tree fell about a block away. There was a car parked right in front of it, so it landed right smack dab on it, then it took out four cars across the street. If there hadn't been a tree across the street, it would no doubt have damaged the homes. The tree wasn't removed for several days, but it attracted a lot of neighborhood attention and kids were climbing all over it and their parents taking pictures.

Very strange ... http://talesfromthelou.wordpress.com/tag/grangemouth/

Interesting article: http://news.yahoo.com/amanda-knox-three-countries-three-different-portrayals-104209170.html However, I did watch the Lifetime movie made a year or so about her and I didn't think it was flattering at all. In fact they portrayed her as uncaring and unsympathetic, leaving it wide open that she was certainly capable of committing the murder.

And everyone knows Lifetime movies are rooted in truth.;-) She was interrogated for 12 hours--and all that time was denied a lawyer or an interpreter. The victim's alleged DNA found on the knife was, upon the recent review, found to be . . . wait for it . . . a morsel of rye bread. Key material from the scene was left to sit in the apartment for 6 weeks, then handled hamfistedly, even stepped on--and allowed into evidence. This was on 20/20 last night. Beyond sloppy. Unforgiveable. So two kids have been sitting in jail for years, and I can't even imagine what Meredith's family have gone through while these clowns botched the whole thing, having to relive the pain through appeals, studies, media sensationalism. What a circus. I'm reminded of my comment the other week that Livia never criticizes the Italian judicial system. This part from your linked article is interesting; maybe she's afraid she'd be tossed in jail. Italy is a sunny place, but free speech is rather chilled. The nation was ranked 79th in press freedom in 2009. . . . journalists in Italy covering cases like the Kercher murder must rely on tips from individual lawyers. . . Adding to the selective information download, journalists in Italy approached the case with a casual attitude toward facts. If a lawyer said something - anything - it was broadcast or printed, subject to debate, but rarely if ever an official correction.

That story is very interesting. It just shows how information can be manipulated to arouse different opinions. I didn't see the lifetime show. I watched the 20/20 special last night and she was portrayed as a victim of the over zealous prosecutor trying to save face (he was recently convicted of "abuse of office" regarding a previous case). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6999196.ece There is a serious lack of forensic evidence and motive to convict her, at least by U.S. standards. I really feel terribly sorry for Meredith Kercher's family, too. They have suffered so much and it is still unresolved. I think I'll look into this book "The Monster of Florence" which is discussed in this blog. http://keithridgway.com/tag/giuliano-mignini/ Both authors were interviewed by Elizabeth Vargas for the 20/20 story.

(PeggY)over zealous prosecutor trying to save face (he was recently convicted of "abuse of office" regarding a previous case). Oh yes, I forgot about that. And he's still practicing. As for lack of motive, now the prosecutor is saying she kiled "for no reason" which apparently gets you the heaviest sentence over there. He admitted to Elizabeth Vargas that he no longer believes the stuff he threw against the wall earlier. I really feel terribly sorry for Meredith Kercher's family, too. They have suffered so much and it is still unresolved. IMO, the other guy convicted, Rudy Guede, is the man. But yes, my heart goes out to Meredith's family. To see your child abused and slaughtered like that. It's unspeakable. Poor people.

The whole Amanda Knox situation is a terrible fiasco. That idiot prosecutor sees sex cults in bushes. He's an arrogant a-hole and perpetual liar! His career, such as it is, is on the line so he will fight tooth and nail to uphold her unjust conviction while he appeals his own conviction for abuse of power. What a joke he is! Sadly this joke has innocent young people rotting in jail and a murdered girl without justice. Italy seems to have trial by public opinion which was fostered by sensationalism in the press before the trial. Meanwhile that chick in Florida gets off Scot free after not reporting her daughter missing for a month....among who knows what else she did! Where is the justice?

Although some of the evidence against her appears to be disputed, her behaviour in the immediate aftermath of the murder was rather bizarre. She's not the innocent little girl her family are portraying her as, I don't think.

(Janet) Although some of the evidence against her appears to be disputed, her behaviour in the immediate aftermath of the murder was rather bizarre. But behavior (odd, I would agree) shouldn't be the basis for a conviction. There should be solid and undisputed evidence.

A botched investigation it would seem, but why implicate another in the crime, why did she and her co-accused change their stories, and also switch off their mobiles around the same time? Also, a friend of Melanie gave evidence that Knox said Melanie had died of loss of blood before this had been mentioned by the police.

Sorry, Meredith.

(Janet) but why implicate another in the crime, why did she and her co-accused change their stories, and also switch off their mobiles around the same time? None of these things are avidence. There were witnesses and no physical evidence, not to mention lack of motive. In my country and yours, a person could not be convicted of murder without those things being established "beyond a shadow of a doubt." I can't speak for the Italian justice system because it is not based on the same precepts.

Ooops... Should read "there were NO witnesses..."

Isn't it beyond reasonable doubt? I still believe she knows more than she's saying, guilty or not.

Yes, that is the phrase. Still early here (woke up late). But doesn't change anything. (Janet) I still believe she knows more than she's saying, guilty or not. Regardless, she shouldn't be convicted of a crime if she didn't commit it or was a party to it (an accessory or in a conspiracy to do it). Also, it seems rather doubtful to me that she does know more. Presumably one would keep silent in order to protect someone. Who would she be protecting at this point other than herself?

Has her previous behaviour been covered in the US press? Not that it would make her guilty obviously, but her character does not appear to be that put forward by her parents. A former workmate says she laughed hysterically when she found out he was Jewish, screaming," My people killed your people!." Very disturbing behaviour:-( She has admitted she took drugs on the night of the murder, and has changed her story several times. Who knows what she was capable of?

They've both been cleared.

And now the media circus begins....

Another example of the American press not standing 100% behind Amanda is that Barbie journalist from Newsweek, who wrote the book, and was the one consulted by Winterbottom and Colin.

In all of this, who is thinking of the poor girl that died. That said, If the evidence is not conclusive, she had to be released. I heard that Donald Trump paid her legal fees?! Italians are 50/50 on her guilt/innocence.

(Moon)If the evidence is not conclusive, she had to be released. The jury had two options to aquit: determining there wasn't evough evidence to uphold the conviction, or finding that Amanda and Raffaele did not commit the crime. They chose the latter, clearing them completely. I heard that Donald Trump paid her legal fees?! If that were true, I think he would have paid for a charter flight to get her home asap, and that didn't happen; she flew commercial. Where's our star tweeter on this situation? http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/oct/04/amanda-knox-meredith-kercher-media The Italian media, cowed, lazy and compliant, allowed a bullying prosecutor to frame Knox and Sollecito for the Kercher murder

In the apt, the police found lots of sexual toys drugs, it seems that Amanda was VERY sexually active(W)! Lots of men had been in her house. ;-)

(Moon)In the apt, the police found lots of sexual toys drugs, it seems that Amanda was VERY sexually active(W)! Lots of men had been in her house. ;-) Winkie = sarcasm? A vibrator (which she claimed was a bon voyage gag gift) and more than a couple of boyfriends makes one a she witch? Oh, and I forgot the pot!

This is what disturbs me-she brought various strange men back to the flat. Meredith didn't approve, not surprisingly. I know how my daughter would feel in that situation, and put drugs into the mix, anything could, and apparently did, happen:-(( I still feel she was involved in some way, although most probably not in the actual murder. I really feel for the Kercher family-the agony goes on.

The Madonna/whore complex, and the Italians seem to be big on it. You have to read this: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-burleigh-knox-20111004,0,2921659.story In person, in prison and in the media, the woman convicted by an Italian court of murder � and now exonerated � was subjected to all manner of outlandish, misogynistic behavior.

(Janet) I still feel she was involved in some way, although most probably not in the actual murder. Really? I don't think she had anything to do with it. The prosecutor needed a suspect and, voila!, he created "luciferina" — a she-devil — capable of a special, female duplicity Thanks Mari for the Nina Burleigh articles.

The prosecutor is an idiot, obviously, with his ranting comments He didn't help the prosecution case at all. I still believe she knows far more than she is letting on, but oui'll never know the full . -Would you let your daughter room with her?

*full story-my PC's playing up:-(

The prosecutor didn't need a suspect, they had Guede.

No, Amanda and Raffaele were arrested first. Guede wasn't arrested until further examination of the crime scene where they found his prints. The prosecutors and police then had to save face to avoid the embarrassment of a) admitting that they arrested the wrong people (Mignini was already under indictment) and b) previously and repeatedly failing to prosecute Guede in a series of break-ins with a knife. It's all here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/04/knox-acquittal-only-possible-verdict

PERUGIA, Italy � From the beginning, it was a case of contradictions, and the questions did not end with the verdict that freed Amanda Knox. The acquittal of the American and her ex-boyfriend in the murder of her British roommate left open the core mystery of whether anyone � other than the lone man still behind bars � took part in the brutal killing. But it also begged questions that stretch back to the early days of the investigation into the 2007 death of Meredith Kercher. Why did Knox initially tell prosecutors she was in the apartment that night and had to cover her ears to drown out her friend�s screams as she was brutally attacked by a man Knox falsely accused? There was also a purported burglary at the apartment that night � staged, prosecutors alleged, by the killers to derail the investigation. Who staged it and why? And then there was the alibi of Knox�s ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, whose conviction was also overturned Monday. He claimed he was at home working on his computer the night of Nov. 1, 2007, yet police testified there was no sign he had used it that evening. Monday�s verdict, reversing Knox and Sollecito�s 2009 murder convictions, didn�t answer any of those questions. And it�s unlikely the appeals court�s written explanation of its decision � due within 90 days � will shed much light, likely rendering the sensational case a mystery for years to come. On the core question of who killed Kercher, there may yet be further legal wrangling. A third defendant, Rudy Hermann Guede of the Ivory Coast, was convicted in a separate trial of sexually assaulting and stabbing Kercher, and his 16-year prison sentence � reduced on appeal from an initial 30 years � was upheld by Italy�s highest court in 2010. Guede, a small-time drug dealer who fled Italy after the killing and was extradited from Germany to face the charges, acknowledged he was in Kercher�s room the night she died but said he didn�t kill her. Guede said he believed Knox and Sollecito did, but offered no evidence to back up his claim. The high court ruling upholding his sentence said Guede didn�t act alone, though it didn�t name Knox or Sollecito as his accomplices. �The courts agree he wasn�t acting alone,� the victim�s brother, Lyle Kercher, told a news conference Tuesday. �If those two are not the guilty parties, then who are the guilty people?� Guede�s lawyer Valter Biscotti said he would seek to reopen the case for his client in light of the acquittals of Knox and Sollecito. He refused any further comment. AP http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/8040460-418/amanda-knox-verdict-leaves-list-of-questions.html

Her prison time was actually for defamation. She accused a guy who was innocent, he had witnesses. Horrible business, but people should not make her out to be a victim. The real victim is dead.

(Moon) Her prison time was actually for defamation Her time served was applied to the defamation charge after the fact.

They had the Amanda Lifetime movie on tonight caught a bit and I really believe she was involved somehow. I feel for the victim.

I would seem, from their,comments, that Meredith's family feel the same.

(Moon) They had the Amanda Lifetime movie on tonight caught a bit and I really believe she was involved somehow. I feel for the victim. Didn't I tell you? So much for the complaints that all American media made her out to be innocent.

To be fair, most seem to believe her to be innocent, although one article I read, I think in a Chicago newspaper, was more impartial, and some of the comments on the article were really vicious in their condemnation of the author.

I suggest reading The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston. It's based on aerial murders that took place over a 20+ year span in Perugia. He finished it just as Amanda Knox was arrested. He, himself, was fleeing Florence and Magnini. If you want some hard core insight on just how diabolical the prosecutor Magnini is-read that book. No surprise that he's been indicted for his evidence and witness tampering in the serial murder case---yet was allowed to prosecute the Knox case. The book is a good read, and Preston goes on to explain about how everyone makes money...most especially the newspapers. He also predicted that she would be found guilty and then set free on the appeal, because that's the way of Italian justice-or lack of. My brother left the book behind and I happened upon it. Fascinating to see the similarities played out in the book regarding one case, while the first Knox trial was underway.

that should be serial murders.

The Monster of Florence killed in Florence, not Perugia. Usually couples.

At this point, I'd say enough of my tax dollars have been wasted on this murderer. http://news.yahoo.com/court-turns-down-philly-da-cop-killing-case-141921477.html?bouchon=504,pa

(Moon) The Monster of Florence killed in Florence, not Perugia. Usually couples. Yes, the serial murders were in Florence and the Knox case in Perugia, but Magnini was the prosecutor in both. And his actions in both were similar -despicable-leading to his own indictment. Just when you think it's over, MAJ case rears it's ugly head, yet, again;-(

Berlusconi won the confidence vote again. Livia is in Milan and some guy called her a communist because she was quite vocal in her disgust. Lol.

In Rome, the left never keeps a protest peaceful, shame on them: Police fire tear gas as protesters riot in Rome ROME (AP) � Italian police fired tear gas and water cannons Saturday in Rome as violent protesters turned a demonstration against corporate greed into a riot, smashing shop and bank windows, torching cars and hurling bottles. The protest in the Italian capital, which left dozens injured, was part of the "Occupy Wall Street" demonstrations against capitalism and austerity measures that went global Saturday. Tens of thousands nicknamed "the indignant" marched in major cities across Europe, as protests that began in New York linked up with long-running demonstrations against government cost-cutting and failed financial policies in Europe. Heavy smoke billowed into the air in downtown Rome as a small group broke away from the main demonstration and wreaked havoc in streets close to the Colosseum. Clad in black with their faces covered, protesters threw rocks, bottles and incendiary devices at banks and Rome police in riot gear. Some protesters had clubs, others had hammers. They destroyed bank ATMs, set trash bins on fire and assaulted at least two news crews from Sky Italia. TV footage showed police in riot gear charging the protesters and firing water cannons at them. Several police forces and protesters were injured, including one man trying to stop the protesters from throwing bottles. TV footage showed a young woman with blood covering her face, while the ANSA news agency said one man had lost two fingers when a firecracker exploded. In the city's St. John in Lateran square, police vans came under attack, with protesters hurling rocks and cobblestones and smashing the vehicles. One police van was set ablaze, but the two people inside were able to abandon the vehicle. Peaceful demonstrators who could not leave the square climbed up the staircase outside the Basilica, one of the oldest in Rome. Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno blamed the violence on "a few thousand thugs from all over Italy, and possibly from all over Europe." He said some Rome museums were forced to close down because of the violence. Some protesters also trashed offices of the Defense Ministry and set them on fire, causing the roof to collapse, reports said. Police were out in force as up to 100,000 protesters had been expected a day after Premier Silvio Berlusconi barely survived a confidence vote in Parliament. Italy, which has a national debt ratio second only to Greece in the 17-nation eurozone, is rapidly becoming a focus of concern in Europe's debt crisis. "People of Europe: Rise Up!" read one banner in Rome. Some peaceful demonstrators turned against the violent group and tried to stop them, hurling bottles, Sky Italia and ANSA said. Others fled, scared by the raw violence. ANSA said four people from an anarchist group were arrested early Saturday morning, with police seizing helmets, anti-gas masks, clubs and hundreds of bottles from their car. Elsewhere, bright autumn sunshine and a social media campaign brought out thousands across Europe. In Frankfurt, continental Europe's financial hub, some 5,000 people protested at the European Central Bank, and some were setting up a tent camp aiming at permanently occupying the green space in front of the ECB building. Wikileaks founder Julian Assange spoke to about 500 demonstrators outside St. Paul's cathedral in London, calling the international banking system a "recipient of corrupt money." U.K. police contained most London demonstrators in the streets around the cathedral, near the city's financial district. Protesters erected tents and asked supporters to bring them blankets, food and water as they settled down for the evening. Several hundreds more marched in the German cities of Berlin, Cologne and Munich and the Austrian capital of Vienna, while protesters in Zurich, Switzerland's financial hub, carried banners reading "We won't bail you out yet again" and "We are the 99 percent." In Brussels, thousands of marched through the downtown area chanting "Criminal bankers caused this crisis!" They pelted the stock exchange building with old shoes then marched on to the European Union sector. Protesters also accused NATO, which has its headquarters in Brussels, of wasting taxpayer money on the wars in Libya and Afghanistan, saying that one European soldier deployed to Afghanistan costs the equivalent of 11 high school teachers. In Helsinki, around 300 activists held a peaceful, creative rally with homemade signs and stalls full of art and food. In Spain, the Indignant Movement established the first around-the-clock "occupation" protest camps in cities and towns across the country beginning in May and lasting for weeks. Six marches were converging Saturday on Madrid's Puerta del Sol plaza just before dusk. Portuguese angry at their government's handling of the economic crisis were protesting in downtown Lisbon later. Portugal is one of three European nations � the others being Greece and Ireland � that have already needed an international bailout. Across the Atlantic, hundreds gathered in Toronto's financial district, converging close to the Toronto Stock Exchange and the headquarters major Canadian banks to decry what they called government-abetted corporate greed. Protests were also being held in Montreal and Vancouver. In New York, protesters marched on a Chase bank to protest the role banks played in the financial crisis, and demonstrations were culminating in an "Occupation Party" in Times Square. Support for the anti-capitalist protest movement was light in Asia, where the global economy is booming. In Sydney, around 300 people turned out, while another 200 people in Tokyo chanted anti-nuclear slogans outside the Tokyo Electric Power Co., which operates the tsunami-hit Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. In the Philippines, some 100 people marched on the U.S. Embassy in Manila to support the Occupy Wall Street protests. http://news.yahoo.com/police-fire-tear-gas-protesters-riot-rome-153335569.html

I see nothing wrong with protests in a democracy, however, extreme minorities will often hijack the proceedings. Shame on them!

I am thrilled to have people out there peacefully protesting. It's about time. Those troublemakers should be locked up. I hope they catch them.

A quote from the president of the NYSE, "let them eat cake." ;-)

So, Gaddafi is dead- apparently, unless is was one of his lookalikes. Can't agree with the way it was done however, parading him around the streets before shooting him. Better for him to be put on trial, as would happen in a civilised society.

I agree with you Janet. I celebrate the capture of a tyrant, but cannot indulge in cheering the death of anyone. This is reminiscent of the initial televised bombing in the Gulf war. The studio presenters were whooping and yelling. Only Tony Benn pointed out that people were dying. Whilst I wholeheartedly applaud the return to democracy, I cannot support the triumphal gloat that the media [and members of the U.K. government] are encouraging. A civilised society encourages fairness and compassion, and that means trial not state murder. His murderers have, for fanatics, turned Gaddafi into the martyr he once promised to be. [As I was writing this, the father of a girl killed in the Locherbie [sp?] bombing was making exactly this point on breakfast TV. He felt the outcome had not served the cause of justice for him or his daughter.]

I agree completely Lesley. The photos on the front pages of virtually all the newspapers are disgusting-why expose our children to this? There's a watershed on TV, and the news bulletins warn of any upsetting images, but this is in our face, whether we, or our children, want to see it or not. It's just not civilised:-( We should not stoop to his level.

The ironic thing with this tyrant was that the west vacillated between trying to persecute him on one hand and befriend him on the other hand depending on what suited their needs of the day and whether or not he took his meds. There are lots of pictures of Berlesconi, Rice, Blair and others happily meeting with this clown every time he had a change of heart and then bombing him when the country became unstable due to rebellion. Politics is a truly disturbing and dirty business. The man should not have been assassinated as seemingly happened after capture but rather tried and executed becuase a lot of vital information might have been lost.He was crazy for sure, perhaps crazy like a fox, but still brutal.

Oops, "because"...typo! I just hope whoever succeeds him isn't as bad.

The devil you know. I'm not sure democracy is possible in the Middle East. That said, G was a terrorist responsible for the Pam Am disaster, and I'm glad he's dead. The way in which the media is handling it is horrible. IMO, it will incite other barbarians to more attacks on the West.

Somewhat on a par with how Mussolini was disposed.

I remember my father telling us as children that he had seen Mussolini and his girlfriend strung up(he was an Allied Soldier).

My DH did mention that about Mussolini. Horrible.

The end of an era? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/8873137/Italian-Prime-Minister-Silvio-Berlusconi-in-negotiations-to-hold-together-governing-coalition.html

I'll miss the olde boy. He provided lots of color in an otherwise dull group of pols. And Italy's huge social -state debt is not his entire fault.

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Will he ever go away??: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/20/silvio-berlusconi-tax-letter

Apparently not. Saw this and had to look up this "George Clooney of the Vatican"! Oldies like me might refer to him as the real Father Ralph deBricasssart. ;-) Leading Catholic Blogger Sees More Evidence That The Pope Is Gay Adam Taylor | Feb. 27, 2013, 2:31 PM | 8,730 | 62 Pope Benedict XVI will officially retire at 8 p.m. tomorrow, but his retirement package is raising a few eyebrows � and resurrecting rumors about his sexuality. Rather than decamp to some monastery in Germany as many expected, Benedict will instead stay living in the Vatican. CNN reports he will be living in the Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church) building, which formerly housed a cloistered convent in the Vatican gardens. He will be referred to as the "emeritus pope" and keep wearing the white � though he will lose his trademark red shoes, perhaps wearing a pair of "handcrafted brown loafers" instead, the WSJ reports. One detail that has caused particular scrutiny is that the Pope will continue to live with his trusted secretary Archbishop Georg Ganswein, who will also be head of the new Pope's household � from the sounds of it, working two jobs. The Vatican denies that Ganswein working for both the old Pope and the new Pope will cause any conflict of interest. But there's a more scandalous question as well, as put forward by Andrew Sullivan, perhaps the best-known Catholic blogger in America, today: So Benedict�s handsome male companion will continue to live with him, while working for the other Pope during the day. Are we supposed to think that�s, well, a normal arrangement? Sulivan, a gay man himself, has raised the question of the Pope's sexuality before (he doesn't suggest that the Pope has acted upon his sexual urges, we should note). In 2010 he wrote that "it seems pretty obvious to me ... that the current Pope is a gay man," and went on to describe his reasoning: When you look at the Pope's mental architecture (I've read a great deal of his writing over the last two decades) you do see that strong internal repression does make sense of his life and beliefs. At times, it seems to me, his gayness is almost wince-inducing. The prissy fastidiousness, the effeminate voice, the fixation on liturgy and ritual, and the over-the-top clothing accessories are one thing. But what resonates with me the most is a theology that seems crafted from solitary introspection into a perfect, abstract unity of belief. It is so perfect it reflects a life of withdrawal from the world of human relationship, rather than an interaction with it. Of course, this kind of work is not inherently homosexual; but I have known so many repressed gay men who can only live without severe pain in the world if they create a perfect abstraction of what it is, and what their role is in it. Sullivan isn't exactly alone in his suspicions. He points towards a book by Angelo Quattrocchi (playfully titled "The Pope is Not Gay") that he felt reached similar conclusions. In addition, former Benedictine monk-priest and author Richard Sipe claims to have spoken to a number of Roman clerics and members of the Roman press corps who were "convinced" that Benedict XVI was gay. Of course, it doesn't help the rumors that Ganswein has become something of a star in his own right. He's been dubbed the "The George Clooney of the Vatican,� and appeared on the cover of the Italian Vanity Fair under the headline �It�s no sin to be good looking.� Donatella Versace has even dedicated a menswear collection to him. Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/benedict-xvi-to-live-with-georg-ganswein-2013-2#ixzz2M8vzqmJC

That guy is no Father Ralph deBricasssart. Not nearly attractive enough. He's just ok. I did read Sullivan's piece earlier today, but the picture they had of him was a side view and I couldn't get a good sense of his looks. The whole mess with the Pope resigning is just too bizarre.

I bought a calendar of very handsome priests (Calendario Romano) when I was in Rome a few years ago. The Vatican has no problem with it(surprisingly) but the Head Teacher at the Roman Catholic school where I worked asked me to remove it from the staffroom:-))

Ok, the calendar is kind of....odd.

Catholicism still has such an archaic attitude about sex and sexual orientation. They, and some other religions, need to pull their heads out of the 10th century. I don't care about priestly orientation but I do care about their integrity and honesty and this is spoken by one who is FAR from being religious.

Speaking as someone who has no religious beliefs, so I have no axe to grind so to speak, I do think it unfair to single out Catholicism regarding such attitudes. However, this is a very difficult period for the Catholic Church, and it's not over yet. The most senior Catholic in the UK, Cardinal O'Brien (no relation!) has resigned with allegations of impropriety still to be addressed. Rumour is that a major investigation into blackmail and other issues at the Vatican precipitated the Pope's decision to stand down. This will run and run. I do feel for those, such as my DH, who are devout believers.

And my aunt, the nun. She told me the other day that the Holy Spirit will help guide them and sort it out. I asked her where the Holy Spirit disappeared to to let them get in this mess to begin with.

How appalling, including amazon's insufficient response! Critics Demand Amazon Donation for Selling T-Shirts that Promote Abuse By Elise Sol�, Shine Staff Retail giant Amazon was asked to make a "substantial donation" to a woman's refuge on Saturday night after its UK website offered T-shirts for sale promoting rape and violence against women. The T-shirts, which were also manufactured and sold in the U.S., included slogans were spun off the phrase, "Keep Calm and Carry On", a famous British propaganda slogan and included shirts that read: "Keep Calm and Hit Her", "Keep Calm and Rape a Lot" and "Keep Calm and Rape Them" for $23�$26. By mid-morning Saturday, Amazon had received hundreds of angry complaints and removed the pages, but Harriet Harman, the shadow Culture Secretary who called on Amazon to make the donation, told The Independent that the decision to sell the merchandise was "absolutely outrageous" and that "Domestic violence and sex offenses are not something people should make money out of. [Amazon's] supposed to be a public company. My suggestion is they give all profits they made from it to a women's refuge." She also added that Amazon could make a "substantial donation" to End Violence Against Women and Women's Aid. More on Yahoo! Shine: Urban Outfitters' Curse-word Filled Holiday Catalog Sparks Outrage On Saturday, Michael Fowler, the founder of Solid Gold Bomb, the Melbourne, Australia based company that produces the T-shirts in both the United States and Oxford, issued an apology on his company's website that in part read: "No words can express how I feel about what has occurred and in no way do I condone or promote this serious issue. I will offer a more in depth explanation of cause to explain what and how this occurred. Both myself and our company and it's associated Solid Gold Bomb brand have never had any intention of the spread of violent slogans or even poor taste humor t-shirts. This was a computer error of my creation and I accept my responsibility in the matter." Fowler further explained that the shirts were merely a result of a computer glitch, saying they were created by an �automated process� that �relied on both computer based dictionaries and online educational resources ie. verb lists� to generate a parody of �Keep Calm.� Amazon UK�These were subsequently scripted to position themselves on t-shirts and the associated product data was derived simply from the product name and the 16 word combinations like �On� and �Off� and �Him� or �Her� and so forth,� wrote Fowler. �Near all of these combinations either work or don�t work and are certainly non-offensive such as �Dream On� and �Dance Off� and so forth.� He also said "These items sat online and on non-indexed servers for the last year and myself and our company had no idea of the issue" and that �As a father, husband, brother and son, I would never promote such product in our company and it was clear to see this when looking across the millions of t-shirts that we offer or can produce on demand. Had these items ever sold, we would have immediately pulled the series and are doing so on our own and Amazon channels worldwide.� The company may have also had "no idea" that they sold other T-shirts that read: "Keep Calm and Knife Her," "Keep Calm and Choke Her," and "Keep Calm and Grope On." Amazon.com did not return Shine's calls for comment but an Amazon UK spokesperson said that the "Keep Calm and Hit Her" T-shirts were "not available for sale." In addition, none of the other shirts in question were available by Sunday afternoon. Solid Gold Bomb had also removed its Facebook and Twitter accounts but on Sunday a new page on Facebook called "Solid Gold Bomb Sucks" with an Amazon logo serving as its profile picture surfaced with 33 likes so far and calls for the public to boycott the brand. Other critics are taking to Amazon's website and Twitter account posting messages such as "Advocating violence against women is unacceptable. This product perpetuates sexism and is absolutely despicable." The former labor deputy leader John Prescott tweeted: "First Amazon avoids paying UK tax. Now they're making money from domestic violence." And Sophie Bennett, the campaigns and policy officer for human rights organization Object said: "These T-shirts are not harmless fun. The are dangerous and intimidating. In promoting rape and normalizing abuse, they create a context in which violence against women is acceptable." Whether Amazon will make things (somewhat) right with a donation remains to be seen. http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/critics-demand-donation-from-amazon-for-selling-t-shirts-that-promote-abuse-171433415.html

Well, I suppose she could have been stopping herself from saying dog, as that would be totally rude to say about a gift that was clearly intended for the baby: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/kate-middleton/9913485/Kates-slip-of-the-tongue-may-have-given-away-babys-sex.html

Whether or not it was a slip of the tongue, I am of the old school, and would never want to know the sex before birth. I have heard parents-to-be referring to their expected child by name in the early months of the pregnancy. I just don't like it! I have yet to be a grandmother, but really hope my children don't want to know-it would be near impossible to keep it from close family. My niece didn't tell me directly about her last child, but from her comments, it was patently obvious she was having a boy.

The 'darling'? I didn't know with the first child until a few hours before he was born but found out the second was a girl with the 4 month ultrasound. I did not bother me.

With my last child, I found out accidentally at 20 weeks when I had a detailed scan. I glanced over at the wrong time, and saw irrefutable evidence of a boy. It was so difficult to keep it to myself for the next 4+ months, since my DH, like me, preferred not to know in advance.

Grillo is a breath of fresh air: http://world.time.com/2013/03/07/italys-beppe-grillo-meet-the-rogue-comedian-turned-kingmaker/

He looks kind of crazed in that picture. Like a mug shot of those celebrities who went on a drug or alcohol binge and got unruly in public.

As you can imagine, the press hates him. He wants to take away their comfy subsidy. And why should the Italian Gov give them money? Did you know we have almost 1000 congressmen/senators? Plus senators for life. In a country with 60 million, ridiculous! There's another big bulk of government money. Let's start cutting there.

And actually, someone like him is exactly what we need here. More than one of him actually. I suppose we had that with Ralph Nader and Ross Perot, but our 3rd party candidates did nothing more than siphon off some votes (especially Ralph Nader) from a more viable candidate. I'd love to see our entrenched 2-party system upended (hopefully for the better), but not sure if that would happen in my lifetime. I think at least initially, someone like NY Mayor Bloomberg (who even IMO has overstayed his welcome - I did vote for him twice, but not the 3rd time), who could self-finance a campaign and not be beholden to special interests as he did for mayor, would be the one to break through.

(Moon) Did you know we have almost 1000 congressmen/senators? Cuttig down the number of aldermen (and their paid staffs/expenses) surfaced recently as a way of reducing the cost of local govt. From a Better Government Association Article (Dec 10, 2010) "Should Chicago Cut the Size if its City Council? BGA Analysis does the Math" Chicago has 50 Aldermen and 2,851,268 people as a population, while New York has 51 Aldermen and 8,391,881 people as a population. Each Alderman in Chicago represents an average of 57,000 citizens and earns a salary of $110,000 with an additional $176,800 for staff. From the date, you can see that idea went nowhere. Patronage, all the other hangers-on and their corrupt friends ensure the status quo, but also reducing the city council membership is viewed as concentrating more power with the mayor.

Shocking:-((

Ain't that the truth. Leonora knew whereof she spoke. The trillions hidden by the wealthy of every nation could pay off all country's national debts if they paid even a minimal % tax rate. They fuss over the rates they pay on the wee bit that they don't hide but what they do hide is astronomical. Warren Buffet admits he pays a lower % than his secretary and that is only on what he declares minus the loopholes. Hoarded money only helps the hoarder. Meanwhile the poor get poorer.

It really makes me sick. It's such an obvious solution, a start anyway. Dorine, I also blame Nader for giving us Bush. I don't think the US would be in such a mess with Gore.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio Sounds Italian to me. ;-)

His parents are Italian immigrants.

Yes, I am aware of that.