Plane Crash on Interstate Highway

A plane crashed today in New Jersey killing 5 people aboard: Greenhill and Co. managing directors Jeffrey F. Buckalew and Rakesh Chawla, and Buckalew's wife and 2 children.  No one was injured on the ground as the plane crashed into Interstate 287.  Buckalew, an NYC banker, was the owner of the plane and it was headed to Georgia before it crashed. It is unclear why the plane crashed but some think it may be due to a collection of ice that built up.  The plane had only been in the air 14 minutes coming from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey.  Greenhill and Co. is an investment firm.  Chairman Robert F. Greenhill said today that, "the firm is in deep mourning over the tragic and untimely death of two of its esteemed colleagues and members of Jeff's family. Jeff was one of the first employees of Greenhill. He and Rakesh were extraordinary professionals who were highly respected by colleagues and clients alike. They will be sorely missed and our sympathies go out to their families and friends."  
-tt 12/20/11


Other sites with this story:                                                  Blogs with this story:
Salon                                                                                                               Dealbreaker
The Star Ledger                                                                                             Yes But However
Metro.us                                                                                                        Sight Trends
Broadcast Newsroom                                                                                   The Trend Blog
Press of Atlantic City                                                                                   Baltimore News
Wall Street Journal                                                                                        Bluhost.Koolserve
Newsday                                                                                                         Apacuy
KVUE                                                                                                             100 Planet

The War in Iraq Declared Over

Today it has been announced that the War in Iraq is officially over.  Violence and unrest remain apparent in the country but as far as the US interference and presence there, the war is considered over as troops were pulled out and sent back home today.  The war has been going on for a decade now starting on September 11th, 2001 at the attack on the Twin Towers.  It initially began as a US invasion to overthrow Saddam Hussein and then a constant policing to make sure the country stayed peaceful and in order.  Over the course of the decade 4,487 US soldiers were killed, and many more wounded.  The future will now tell whether Iraq can stay in a peaceful state on its own.  Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said at the ceremony in Iraq today, " “the cost was high — in blood and treasure of the United States, and also for the Iraqi people. But those lives have not been lost in vain — they gave birth to an independent, free and sovereign Iraq.”

Loading...

I think many Americans will be happy that this war has finally come to an end.  What began as strong reaction to September 11th seems to have been drawn out into an almost pointless and endless effort to change and control a country on the the other side of the world.  With the economy in as bad shape as it is the extremely high cost of military funding seems to be not in the country's best interest, and the loss of lives only makes the scenario worse.  Although September 11th was a tragic day perhaps the military response to it is not as relevant as it was ten years ago, and so moving the troupes out of Iraq probably seems like the right idea to many americans.   

-tt 12/15/11

Other sites with this story:

Business Insider

9and10 News

Nytimes

Robyn Puts on Great Show on SNL

The Swedish performer Robyn put on a mesmerizing performance on SNL last night, singing her two songs Call Your Girlfriend, and Dreaming On My Own. .  Dressed in a glittery-brown outfit, the singer not only put on a great vocal performance but danced and tumbled around the stage at the same time.  And by tumble, I literally mean she would role and crawl around the stage while somehow maintaining a great voice at the same time.  Many performers try to put on the illusion of enthusiasm an charisma just to put on a show but Robyn seemed to really be giving it her all last night.  Her music is basically pop.  She plays with a full band but the show is really focused on her.  And although it is pop, it has a great sound to it, and for someone who wasn't so familiar with her music, I was enticed to perhaps listen to more. The show itself was hosted by another female pop-star, Katy Perry, and was interesting to see her not singing herself, but actually introducing another musician instead.  Here is some footage of Robyn:
-tt 12/11/11
Other sites with this story:
Spinner
Zap 2 It
Ace Showbiz

Loading...

Loading...

Occupy LA, arrests were made

It looks like Occupy Wall Steet continues in full force.  Today and last night, protestors in Los Angeles who have been occupying the area around city hall, have ordered a court ruling agains the city of Los Angeles after being told to evacuate.  The protestors say that the city is violating their civil rights.  Last night 1,000 protestors blocked an intersection downtown, and 4 arrests were made.  Portestors chanted "na na na na na na na, hey hey hey, occupy," when confronted by the police to move out of the intersection. Many "Occupy LA" supporters have been living in tents and on the street in Downtown LA, and the city is very close to having them evicted.  The "Occupy" movement has struck all over America, and other parts of the world.  In cities like New York, Portland Oregon, and Los Angeles, more and more stories are coming out about the protests.  Los Angeles is now said to have the largest amount of protestors in the nation.  The protests are still for the most part peaceful, but police force is needed to have them move out of areas.
-tt 11/28/11  


other sites with this story:
La times
USA today
Le Monde Deplomatic

Loading...

Pepper spray used on UC students

It turns out the motion from Occupy Wall Street continues to increase, and the stories are getting more drastic. Today, Saturday, protests at UC Davis led police to use pepper spray on students to control the crowd. A video of the police apparently staying students at close range has been circulating in the Internet and is subject for investigation. This kind of violence seems far too extreme for the procedure to deal with protestors who are just practicing their first amendment. As long as the protestors don't increase any violent behavior on their end, police will be crossing a line.
-tt 11/19/11

Other sites with this story:
Guardian
SMH
Forbes

Loading...

Andy Rooney, the TV icon, dies at 92

Andy Rooney was a long time reporter, writer and producer for CBS's 60 minutes. He passed away Friday night in a hospital he was staying in for the last month. He was 92. Rooney had an amazing career in the news, and many see him as an american icon.
He will be missed by many.
-tt 11/05/11

Jenna Lyon's Mid Life Crisis

Crisis, or Epiphany?
-tt
10/26/11

A divorce, a change in sexuality, making cultural statements at her son's expense? All of this seemingly strange behavior makes us wonder whether 42-year old fashionista Jenna Lyon is having a mid life crisis.

One could say that each of these events are unrelated, but the behavior is all so rash.

Lyon divorced her husband for a lesbian relationship with an undisclosed J-Crew model.  Recently, she has released a photo of herself, painting her son's nails pink.  She says, "lucky for me I ended up with a boy who's favorite color is pink."  Lyon is making a not-so-subtle statement that gender roles are becoming increasingly unimportant, a very appropriate stance for a highly successful woman who has changed her sexual orientation.

But does all this erratic behavior show for a person who is mentally stable?  I agree, there is nothing wrong being gay, or helping to change our views of gender roles, but at her son's expense?  And followed so recently by a divorce?  When looked at with a clear head, it seems that Lyon's unstable personally is much highlighted than any noble point about sexuality in our culture.