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Last month at Airline Business' alliances, joint ventures and partnerships conference in Rome, Estonian Air CEO Tero Taskila announced that the carrier will be the first in the world to launch a social loyalty programme fully-powered by social media. Prodded by RWG from the audience for details, Tero confirmed that the airline worked with airline […]
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Estonian Air's social loyalty programme, will it soar?
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Exclusive: Virgin America to offer more live news, sports
Virgin America is poised to make its super cool in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, Red, even cooler. The carrier has revealed to RWG that it will offer more live sports and news with the addition of three new network choices. It hopes to have the upgrade completed by the end of the month."We're going to be […]
VIDEO: They won a flight on Lufthansa's launch of A380 JFK service
Give credit where credit is due. Lufthansa is being all kinds of fun funky monkey with its social media experiments, taking the opportunity on its inaugural A380 flight from Frankfurt to New York to drive interest outside of traditional media (yeah, real people excited about a real nice product…hmmm clever in its simplicity). "Tweet about […]
New IFE News service on the block!
Some days I wish I could write blog posts that would aggregate all the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) news in one place for readers, but time is usually my enemy. Thankfully, I no longer need to feel guilty. There is now a Twitter account dedicated to seeking and tweeting the latest IFEC news. […]
VIDEO: Lufthansa features Runway Girl in Cloudstream
Always on the cutting edge of technology and social media Lufthansa has launched an innovative new service called CloudStream, which allows travelers to create a digital carry-on of web content in advance of their trip (or during their trip if in-flight Wi-Fi is available). Check out the video below, and then head on over to […]
VIDEO: Jon and Mary's final wrap from #NBAA10 – Yee haw!
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bmibaby chief Julian Carr is ready to take your questions #4Julian
Having launched operations in 2002, UK budget carrier bmibaby can still be considered somewhat of a youngster – one that has had its fair share of challenges. But the carrier, which is owned by the Lufthansa Group, is determined to stabilise and instigate cautious growth. Spearheading this strategy is bmibaby's new managing director Julian Carr. Don't […]
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Comment Re:Hormone therapy? (Score 1) 784
Placing the current victim "higher on the list" to the point where it detriments the care and rehabilitation of the offender ignores the plight of future victims. Obviously I agree that there should be care for the victims of crime, but if you actually want to solve the problem, the care of both parties is equally important.
There is strong sympathetic relationship between victims and criminals here, as criminals are also one of the groups most at risk from crime.
Comment Re:Hormone therapy? (Score 1) 784
Comment Re:Hormone therapy? (Score 1) 784
Comment Re:Hormone therapy? (Score 4, Insightful) 784
I find your view of prisoners rather disheartening, though it is not a surprise. We are all taught to view criminals with a them and us mentality; as if people that haven't been convicted of a crime are morally sound, and those that have are a cancer ruining the rest of society. However the line between them is far more blurred. Indeed, practically all of us would be criminals if the law were omnipresent, fact is that only a tiny percentage of crime is ever dealt with.
The vast majority of prisoners entering prison are not stab happy psychopaths that will murder everyone around them given the chance. Most of them are decent people that have responded in a predictable manner to the difficult situations they have been in, or possibly have made a extremely bad and uncharacteristic decision under extreme conditions.
Humans are social animals, and will conform to the surroundings in which they are placed. If you put them into a prison with a system of fear from the guards, a culture of crime from the other inmates, give them no responsibilities, they will behave as such. This is why the recidivism rates are so high. Change the system, change the culture, change the outcomes. Obviously this cannot be done overnight, it will take a long time to undo the damage done by the current system, but it could be done.
I refer you to an excellent TEDx talk done by Prof Lesley McAra, head of my universities' law school: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWEqLcPTv9U
Comment Re:Hormone therapy? (Score 5, Informative) 784
Only two US prisons were on it.
I think you need to work on your counting skills. I counted 4 current US prisons and one closed (Alcatraz) out of a total of 20.
25% is extremely bad given the US's self perceived high ground in all things moral. Remember this includes the entire world, most of which is comparatively very poor and lacks the resources to do much better.
That said, imgur is hardly a reputable source and the list has clearly been skewed by US prison's notoriety in the west. I'm sure there are far worse out there.
No prison thinks much of human dignity.
I refer you to Norway: http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1989083,00.html
Only fools support prisons that ignore the dignity of the prisoners. If you actually want to help society, you support and protect those that need it the most.
Comment Re:Who would have thought... (Score 4, Insightful) 252
Comment Re:Subsidized price (Score 1) 363
Comment Re:Have they actually found it? (Score 4, Insightful) 652
Comment Re:Have they actually found it? (Score 2) 652
Comment Re:Have they actually found it? (Score 4, Insightful) 652
Your information on this is, quite frankly, bullshit. I am familiar with the workings of the ATLAS experiment, and have been present at numerous private lectures given by them giving updates on their data and possible conclusions.
Indeed, far from being the last possibility on the list, the figure of 125.3GeV is basically exactly what the standard model predicted. In fact, the result is so predictable it is almost boring. You say that physicist would be deeply embarased if they didn't find it, but actually many were hoping to find a less expected result than this. So far, the results have not helped us at all with understanding dark energy (though, it is early days, still) as many had hoped. Supersymmetry is looking less likely.
It is OK to be sceptical, but you seem to be basing your comments on nothing more than an uneducated hunch.
Comment Re:It really does not matter... (Score 1) 272
Comment Re:Awesome! (Score 5, Insightful) 713
No one has the slightest idea what the icons are.
It would take quite the academic to not know what binoculars are. Seriously, almost everything in the world is a throwback/reference to something that nobody uses/knows what it is any more. Compared to the English language, these icons are stupidly up to date. Fact is, they become self referencing and everyone knows what they mean. I don't want a big long box that says Address book when I can click on an easily recognisable icon. Stop fucking about with a system that works perfectly because of some flawed ideology.
Comment Super slow-mo, eh? (Score 1) 197
What would you like to see slowed down to such a degree?
My maths lectures.

subset: commoncrawl


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(Jul 09, 2014) On June 30, 2014, China's State Administration of Taxation (SAT) issued a public notice regarding information about overseas investment and income that Chinese resident enterprises must report. When the Notice takes effect on September 1, 2014, the SAT's oversight of these enterprises' foreign investment and income will be strengthened. (Guanyu Jumin Qiye Baogao Jingwai Touzi he Suode Xinxi Youguan Wenti de Gonggao [Notice on Resident Enterprises' Reporting of Information on Overseas Investments], SAT Announcement [2014] No. 38 (June 30, 2014), SAT website.)
Under the Notice, resident enterprises must report to competent tax authorities their direct or indirect holdings of ten percent or more in foreign enterprises and any subsequent changes in those holdings, within 15 days of the end of each month or quarter when the enterprise income tax is prepaid. Specifically, a resident enterprise must report if:
- as of September 1, 2014, the resident enterprise holds ten percent or more shares of a foreign enterprise;
- after September 1, 2014, the resident enterprise's holding of the shares of a foreign enterprise reaches ten percent or more; or
- after September 1, 2014, the resident enterprise's holding of shares of a foreign enterprise decreases from ten percent or more to under ten percent. (Id. art. 1.)
Non-resident enterprises that have establishments (i.e. representative offices, factories, or business agents) in China and have income derived from outside of China that has an actual relationship with their Chinese establishments are also subject to the new reporting rules. (Id. art. 7.)
China's Enterprise Income Tax Law provides that resident enterprises are taxed on their worldwide income. Resident enterprises under Chinese tax law include not only enterprises incorporated in China under Chinese law, but also enterprises incorporated outside of China but with de facto management organs in China. (Qiye Suodeshui Fa [Enterprise Income Tax Law] (promulgated by the National People's Congress on Mar. 16, 2007, effective Jan. 1, 2008), arts. 2 & 3, 2007 FAGUI HUIBIAN 757-765; English translation available through Westlaw China by subscription.) Non-resident enterprises that have establishments in China are subject to Chinese enterprise income tax on their China-sourced income and on income derived from outside of China that has an actual relationship with their Chinese establishments. (Enterprises Income Tax Law, art. 3.) The Law applied a flat tax rate of 25% in general, starting in 2008. (Id. art. 4.)
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Last updated: 07/09/2014


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A 51-year-old man charged in a fatal crash from 2013 was arrested Wednesday in South Carolina and will be extradited to Indiana.
Scott A. Saunders was recently charged in Allen Superior Court with two counts of reckless homicide, two counts of involuntary manslaughter and six counts of criminal recklessness -- among other charges -- all of which stemmed from a Jan. 8, 2013 crash near New Haven that killed two people.
Suzanne K. Stephenson, 65, of Monroeville and 43-year-old Sandra Dealey of Convoy, Ohio, both died in the fiery, six-vehicle crash, which took place near the intersection of U.S. 30 and Doyle Road, east of Interstate 469. Seven other people were injured in the crash.
Saunders was arrested in Greenville, S.C., according to a news release from the U.S. Marshals service. He will await extradition to Indiana; Saunders was previously listed as being from Kenosha, Wis.


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Mar 17 2008
The Following Images May Disturb You
Okay, look. I realize the photos in this post will be potentially offensive to some. Probably, to many. But what happened happened, and I can't change the past. And I can't not share them with you because that wouldn't be honest, now would it? Don't you love it when people share inappropriate things in the spirit of "just being honest?" Yeah. I know. I love that, too.
I feel compelled to point out that Marlboro Man, despite his name, does not smoke. He has never smoked, has never even tried it. He also doesn't dip or chew, and if any of you are unfamiliar with those practices, thank your lucky stars and we'll just leave it at that. I, too, do not smoke, though I can't exactly claim tobacco virginity since I went through a slight Benson & Hedges Ultra Light 100's in a Hard Box phase in high school and college, but only because I thought it would make me look cool. And I can't be held responsible for what smoking I might do in the bathroom at my high school reunion if I happen to run into my old friends, but never mind, because that was last summer and no one can prove a thing. My point is, we are a non-smoking household. And obviously, we can't shield our children from everything, particularly in the country, where blood, manure, and talk of calf nuts abound—and yes, where smoking, among cowboys, does take place. But we've always used these opportunities to educate our children as to the dangers of even so much as holding a cigarette in their hands. We've explained to them the concept of addiction.
Actually, I've gone overboard when it comes to talking to the kids about addiction. During the summers I worked for my dad in his orthopedic office, I saw the ugly grip of addiction firsthand, as patients who had developed narcotic habits would go to great lengths to obtain their meds way before their regular prescription would have run out. It scared me to see these otherwise decent people plunge into a pit of dishonesty and denial, and I remember vowing to myself, at the age of twenty or so, that I would never take a pain pill in my life. Fifteen years and an emergency c-section later, that plan was blown to smithereens, but my built-in fear of falling under the grip of addiction caused me to force myself to stop when my first bottle of pills was gone. And I did—I would never refill the bottle. And sure, I moved onto wine instead but at least I didn't get addicted to prescription pain pills! I've always been very strong.
The smoking thing is rough, though. Though I never was a chain smoker, I smoked just enough to cement a permanent trigger in my brain—a trigger that fires whenever I'm in situations that resemble the times when I used to smoke. Usually, it's after a glass of wine, and the little trigger fires and says, "Ooooh, wouldn't a cigarette be, like, totally awesome right now!" It always amazes me that after smoking for such a relatively short period in my life, my body can still feel the tug of that substance. I can't even imagine what that "tug" is like for a lifelong smoker.
I arm myself with this perspective whenever I speak to my children—usually, my older girls—about the importance of avoiding dangerous substances through the course of their lives. Sure, Marlboro Man used to raise his eyebrows a bit when he walked by our daughter's crib and saw me leaning in and singing "Just..say…no…" to the tune of Barney's "I Love You," but I figured it's never too early to start.
Of course, after the second or third child, you sometimes get a little busy. And you sometimes forget to whom you've imparted your lessons of wisdom. And then this happens:
We were working cattle, and my baby was on the back of Cowboy Tim's feed truck. We generally have him stay up there because it's safer than being in the path of the calves. Little did we know the other dangers that lurked around the corner.
I was taking photos with my telephoto lens, because often my subjects don't really know they're being photographed and it makes for a more natural, unposed shot.
Then all of a sudden, to my horror, I saw the cigarette. He'd snagged it from the pack of Kools Cowboy Tim had left on the back of his truck. But rather than scream and wig out, I decided to watch and wait.
Then this happened.
And then this.
And let me tell you…
At this point, it was hard for me to sit still and keep on clicking. But the cigarette wasn't lit. So I just waited.
But this is the one that did me in. Look at how perfectly he mimicks the spread-out fingers…and the open-mouth exhale. If anyone out there doesn't believe habits start young, please study this post for eighteen hours. Thank you.
By this time, his aberrant behavior had already caught the eye—and laughter—of everyone in the pen.
Please believe me when I say this: I realize this isn't the least bit funny.
So why can I not stop laughing?
I'm sorry,
Pioneer Woman
700 Comments
AmyDinBigD On Tuesday, March 18 at 10:04 pm
in my best Chris Crocker impression…
"LEAVE PIONEER WOMAN ALONE"…seriously..Betty, Kerri, Kathy b…and all you other haters out there…did you even read the captions?? come on now…if you don't get her humor then go read Marmaduke or some other non funny (but hey, wholesome!) website…geesh..um, my grandpa died of lung cancer..and so will several of my other family members..but it's not like they were not educated of the dangers…Ree covered all of it in her entry..the addiction, how bad it is…and the pure surprise of how her little guy had learned just how to do it…it was unlit by the way…duh..Truely, I am just in awe of the freakiness of some of the people leaving mean comments on this blog!
Kerri On Tuesday, March 18 at 10:40 pm
Ree, I Meant no disrespect to you or anyone else about these pictures I have apparently offended AmyDinBigD. I was in no way suggesting that you should inflict that kind of punishment on youfchild for doing what he did. I was merely sharing a memory of my own. I have 3 kids of my own all boys and do not wish to cast judment on how anyone raises their children but from what I see on your blog I dearly envy your lifestyle for my own children. So that said apologies if what I wrote was misinterpretted by some but maybe some people need to get a life
melissa On Tuesday, March 18 at 10:49 pm
Unlike Betty, I do not question how much you love your children- punks is not an agreeable name for "me" but one that you choose for "your" blog. And I happen to enjoy reading your blog at least 3-4x a week.
The majority of readers that frequent this blog obviously "agree with how funny it is" BECAUSE:
You're a huge influence:
* because you do make awesome food
* take beautiful photos
* write great stories- with a lot of humor I might add (all good stuff)
* AND because you do use caution, which makes your blog even more attractive to me!
I do however believe that if Tim had cancer at the time you shot these photos you would not think this post was funny, nor would you have never posted these photos.
Thank heavens Tim does not have cancer and I pray he never will.
I find you to be a very responsible person, you have a large audience, and you have conducted yourself suitably- until this post of your son with a/Tim's cigarette.
My Dad died when he was 42 from cancer directly related to his smoking, so pictures of kids holding a cigarette it mocks how dangerous it is!
I hope that you think more deeply about what you have put out there for your readers and I hope that it makes you take this post down.
melissa On Tuesday, March 18 at 10:57 pm
To amy and all your other defenders:
Just to be clear, I read everything you wrote- IT IS STILL NOT FUNNY!
cowman On Tuesday, March 18 at 11:23 pm
Looks like he's been smoking for years.
As a rancher I enjoy you telling it as it is. I got my daughter hooked on your sight . A real ranch girl.
Punk is cute and it is scary what these kids pick up.
I do think Punk is a suitable abrevation for punkin'
Raeann On Tuesday, March 18 at 11:30 pm
I dugg you, this is fabulous and I wanted to share it with as many as possible.
Betty On Wednesday, March 19 at 12:26 am
Please don't try and quote me, Melissa, by saying I'm questioning Ree's love for her kids. I didn't say Ree didn't love her kids and it has been obvious that she loves her children through her blogs.
Now to those who are telling the oppsing here to lay off:
Ree realized how offensive the pictures would be by admitting & defending them in the first place. Herself said she was going to be HONEST. I give her kudos for her honesty, however it makes me question her thought process in crossing her own moral boundries for laughter sake. Since she shared that her reasonings were for "honesty", then I'm sure she'd like the same HONESTY back from her loyal readers. (it could help her for future posts) So, I shared my HONESTY by what I truly felt. It's my right as a reader and truly would be DIShonest if I were to comment with the main crowd of "laughter" comments. She also allows comments and has an option to have them monitored. (meaning junking the ones that don't go her way) So, it's a bit silly that some of you are hot & bothered by the "opposing side". Ree respects honesty, she's an adult and I'm sure can handle all opinions.
So again, lets share my opinion again…not because I'm a hater (b/c I'm not…lol), I'm just tired of people shouting out that we should lay off. Really, would you like me to shout out: lay off on your compliments!! I know, sounds funny, yes? Please, allow me my right to share my HONESTY. Really, I love to compliment -when in due. So here comes my opposing comment again in more detail. IF you can't handle it, please move on to reading the next comment. LOL
Posting the pictures are lame and I feel calling children punks is just as lame. Period. Am I saying she is unloving to her children? NO! Do I think she's a bad parent? No! Do I think she is funny: Sure, BUT at what cost? (yes, please ponder that!) Should she still blog: Absolutely -she has a lot of followers and I'm sure she's making a great income by it, so MORE KUDOS for her. But again, just for one last time–hoping that Ree & others will PONDER on it: at what cost to the name calling & these recent picture choices? Is it truly wise to call your children punks? How do they truly feel about being called it? Do they just laugh because Mom's (and/or others) laughing? When I was called names in my schooling years, it effected me a great deal. "just kidding" never made me feel better-did it you? Name calling (any kind) costs something. Lastly, pictures of children pretending to smoke…hmmm. I really liked what one person said: what if it was a gun (even imagine it UNLOADED). How funny is that…come one, how funny? It's just lame to take the pictures (while not getting up to run after him)then exploit them for laughter sake….it's that simple. I would have loved to see the first three pictures…then the next picture be a blurry one of her camera either dropping or showing the ground. Meaning, she got up and ran after her precious child….to help him realize how it's not good to do that. That she went with her orginal gut feeling. That type of post would have been just as funny. Rather now, the child has other adults laughing and posting about how great it all was. Worth it for a good laugh? -time will tell. Last time I knew, when my young child makes a poor choice and others around him laughs….he thinks it's funny (since he got that attention) and does it again, and again, and again….until Mom/Dad gently directs him to a better choice. Boy is it hard to redirect a child when everyone around him/her is laughing their heads off.
Just food for thought and shared with much respect for Ree. Heck, we are not perfect and I'll be the first to admit that.
Bush Babe On Wednesday, March 19 at 1:43 am
Boy, that lot of comments DID get serious! You are stirrin' the pot with this one Ree!
I would just like to point out that (as a photographer) those pics would have been taken over a VERY short period of time – probably just a couple of seconds.
And while I envisage "punks" as teenagers with spiked hair and nose-rings, its obvious that Ree's punks are much-loved kids who are referred to with great affection.
Lighten up y'all! (But don't light up!)
Live well, laugh often!
Joy T. On Wednesday, March 19 at 1:46 am
Oh great. I finally decide to de-lurk and have to come after page-and-a-half- commenter-betty. So I'll make this short. It doesn't seem to be funny to all the holier then thou people. But to someone who's probably going straight to hell like myself, it's pretty freaken funny!!!
Catlin On Wednesday, March 19 at 4:25 am
We all know smoking's bad, we're not stupid.
But this made me laugh too!
wenjammer On Wednesday, March 19 at 8:15 am
People having opposing opinions doesn't bother me. What bothers me is when people become mean-spirited in their opinions, like "hmmmmm" who called Ree a narcissist (or however you spell it) THAT is uncalled for and just mean. It's more than just an opposing opinion and crosses the line.
Catheryn On Wednesday, March 19 at 8:58 am
I am soooo laughing with you!!!!!
And you have proven to be the type of friend I would love to hang around. Someone who is smart and sharp enough to know when to laugh and not take life too dang serious!!!!
Terri in Iowa On Wednesday, March 19 at 10:46 am
Wow. He's got the whole thing down pat. You sure that cig isn't lit?
Nancy from MO/OK On Wednesday, March 19 at 11:44 am
I agree with "Joy T.". We seem to have an inordinate amount of "holier than thou's" posting on this one. So many things now are taken WAY too seriously when kids do them. HE WAS PLAYING – KIDS DO THAT! By the time he gets old enough to smoke – cigarettes may be outlawed – if all the hypocrites around have their way about it. Let him be a kid – and get off Ree's back about the cute pictures.
Some of the posters remind me of someone who would turn a mother in who spanks her kid at Walmart for acting terrible. The do-gooders sometimes carry things too far.
Dude On Wednesday, March 19 at 1:28 pm
too funny
Christy On Wednesday, March 19 at 1:38 pm
Yes, a three year old with a gun could not possibly do any more harm to himself or others than he could with an unlit cigarette. Excellent reasoning.
Ree, is Cowboy Tim the same as Pesky Tim? Just wondering.
Also, baby punk is STINKING cute. What an imp!
Cowboy Tim and Pesky Tim are not the same person. Cowboy Tim smokes; Pesky Tim does not.
Imp! Perfect word. When I first met Marlboro Man I thought to myself that he had an impish grin. And I didn't even know what that meant, but it sounded right.
Christy On Wednesday, March 19 at 1:38 pm
Whoops, never mind. Found the answers above.
Coolville On Wednesday, March 19 at 1:54 pm
Nancy from MO/OK…My husband and I were in a local grocery store one night when we saw a man pushing his kids around in the store in front of everyone. We felt really bad for the kids. We thought about reporting him, but didn't want to interfere. After all, they were his kids and who are we to tell him how to raise them? Just hope they don't end up dead like so many abused children do.
Nancy from MO/OK On Wednesday, March 19 at 2:13 pm
Don't want to get into that discussion, Coolville, but there are times, even in public, when kids need to be disciplined -and there are situations when parents need to be stopped. And, we need to be REALLY careful about knowing the difference between them.
Nae On Wednesday, March 19 at 2:37 pm
That's frickin' hilarious! The little gleam in his eye!!! I used to smoke and my hubby chews (yeah, we're a litle red on the neck all round) and we're scared our sons will create a habit. Wyatt is 17 mos. and copying everything!
Maryann On Wednesday, March 19 at 11:31 pm
I've never smoked a cigarette in my life…I detest them…this is funny. I'm sure you gave him an appropriate talking to after you stopped laughing;-)
dama On Thursday, March 20 at 12:37 am
Gotta admit, took me a bit to get used to hearin' em called 'punks', but when the love is so obvious….
Actually nicknames are a great way to have fun and show love, and I have read that studies have shown that folks that had nicknames in school are better adjusted.
My nickname in school was Doris Dumbkoff Dinkleberry Dumbklutz Nitschcompoop. I had the best one in class and was very proud!! Remember the cat food commercial? "Morrriiissss, time for din-din!" well I got invited to 'dinner' a lot too, lol.
Do you remember how the little boy in "My Friend Flicka" talked to the horse? He knew it wasn't so much what was said as the attitude and tone of voice when speaking to the horse that was important.
dama On Thursday, March 20 at 1:17 am
I personally absolutely despise cigarette smoke and when I smell it my personality completely changes and not for the better. . . lol. . . defies description so I won't try.
So when I read the sweet comment of the lady who lost a lung to 2nd hand smoke, I thought, she is amazing!!
I know from personal experience, that an overreaction to a thing like this can drive the child to it. With MM for a daddy, I don't fear for the child. And PW was wise to keep taking pics. It was a great teaching moment for us adults to realize how perfectly the children mimic us. I so appreciate all the folks who went cold turkey when they saw their own DNA mirror them.
Finally, this was not a moment for punishment unless it's for C. Tim (not that it'd do any good), but for training, or discipline (which is not punishment!!). The lil punk is sharp as a whip, but it's obvious Ma and Pa are up for the j o b.
None the less, I've learned a lot from this post and the comments. Thank you, PW for bein' real in the best way!!
RedHeels On Thursday, March 20 at 5:42 am
Ok, i'm sorry, this is sort of hilarious! I'm lol'ing.
Sweeti On Thursday, March 20 at 12:26 pm
Can you imagine if it were Copenhagen instead? Kids do some funny stuff though, and yes, habits are formed at a young age, So hopefully who ever he's imitating will stop and he'll imitate that too.
It's amazing how we look through our kids actions huh? Those little mirrors. You gotta love em.
Talon On Thursday, March 20 at 1:52 pm
Okay, seriously people…this flaming of Ree who is keepin' it real has to STOP.
Ya'll who are, "It's not funny my family died of lung cancer from smoking it's not funny," oh PLEASE. My grandmother smoked herself and my grandfather to death in 1997, the same year my baby boy was born with a heart defect that was incompatible with life.
YOu know what?
This post is STILL FUNNY AS HELL!!!
I used to imitate my grandmother's smoking, as did both my brothers. Amazingly enough none of US are smokers in the slightest. We also don't use drugs or kick puppies. My eight year old autistic punk is even savvy enough to see the humor in the pictures even though she will give a warning about smoking cigarettes.
*shakes head* It's HILARIOUS, and I don't care how many cases of tragic cancer you naysayers throw at it. It's pissing me off, frankly. I've had cancer I did nothing to get, my mother had breast cancer in recent years, so did my late mother in law, as well as my grandparents who were smoked to death. Tiny punk pretending to smoke a Kool? IT IS STILL FUNNY!!!
Now, if you don't mind, I'm about to let my homeschooled brat chibi navigate the internet in the hopes that she'll come across something to be truly offended and pissy about. Oop…there it is. Her father HATES Diego. And she's watching Diego on nick jr.com. Tragic. Truly.
L. On Thursday, March 20 at 2:31 pm
Four days later and this post is still making me laugh.
Betty On Thursday, March 20 at 3:35 pm
Your recent post made me laugh….very intense feelings. Truly, you don't have to take opposing thoughts so personally. I think I understand, though. Your post says a lot about you.
Your angry words will not change my opinion. And I don't desire to change yours….just giggling over it. It's funny how those like to throw out "anger" to intimidate others. Not intimidated here -thanks for trying, though! We all have our opinions and we all can happily share them as well. I've always been respectful, but you can't say the same. It's unfortunate for you. Sounds like you need a hug.
mama's got moxie On Thursday, March 20 at 6:13 pm
i think it's cool until he learns how to flick a lighter. then you might have a little problem on your hands!! hahaha…
skwrt On Thursday, March 20 at 6:21 pm
DianeR On Thursday, March 20 at 7:40 pm
You know what I find incredibly ironic? That several of you who have been so critical have blogs with pictures, and either you or your children are almost morbidly obese. As you attempt to lecture this woman for what was capturing an innocent moment that he no doubt forgot 5 minutes after it occurred, as a child development professional, let me remind you of two things:
1 – the "attention" he received (LOL at you calling it 'reinforcement' was no doubt, forgotten within minutes.
2- it is incredibly ignorant and histrionic to even suggest such a thing – get a little education on child development.
I'm sorry that so many of you have struggled with cancer, but to even bring it up as an excuse for being horribly rude in the name of "honesty" is transparent.
With all due respect? Most of you need to lose about 50 lbs and get some exercise before you start lecturing on health.
Sarah On Thursday, March 20 at 7:45 pm
Oh my gosh – you people who are freaking out about this and actually calling this woman a narcissist really need to get a life. Your poor children. People like you make the internet a horrible place. Please stay in your neurotic, hateful little corners and leave the rest of us sane, reasonable people who can see this for what it is alone.
Talon On Thursday, March 20 at 9:02 pm
Betty, don't hug me, I bite.
My angry words aren't an attempt to intimidate. I wouldn't bother. What they are, are angry, incredulous and amazed that people seem to lack the very basic standards of manners and courtesy that one should use on someone ELSE's webspace.
My "angry" words, are, yes angry, but they are also EMPHATIC. As in made with EMPHASIS. People making a HUGE assed deal about a snot nosed punk pretending to smoke a fag and whining about cancer and what is appropriate and being generally RUDE annoys me.
You think it's not funny? That's fine. But don't make a bigger deal out of it than what it is. A moment captured for a lifetime of blackmail. An unlit ciggerate in the mouth of babes. I don't know about your kids, but when mine was three she put alot more offensive stuff in her mouth than a clean, fresh from the package Kool.
Anger? Hell yes. I get pissed when people think they have the right to give those I like a hard time. Change your opinion? I don't really care. But it's pretty pathetic to keep throwing out the big "C" like it's the almighty word of Bob.
Anonymous On Thursday, March 20 at 9:40 pm
Thank you so much for speaking up so well and so wisely for many of us.
It's breathtaking to read some of these posts which spew so much vitriol and anger just because some of us (duh) are still saying there is nothing funny about a small child pretending to smoke, but you are right. Isn't it funny how those who so loudly espouse "freedom" and "live and let live" completely change their spots when you disagree with them?
Everybody is entitled to free speech….until something is said that conflicts with their worldview!
Your point of view is one that most reasonable people share. Unfortunately, the majority of people that will post on this issue are not the "reasonable" type.
Betty On Thursday, March 20 at 10:44 pm
Absolutely agree with you "anonymous".
Talon, I wasn't offering you a hug…I just hope you get one….lol. Think peaceful thoughts.
By the way: who said I was 50 lbs overweight? Too funny & so not true…ha ha! Also, I didn't even talk about cancer…cancer isn't apart of my family. So funny at all the hipe over us opposing. Reminds me of high school long, long ago: when one didn't agree to go with the flow…then they were breathed with fire to be destroyed by words. Some just never grow up, I suppose.
Lets all agree to DISAGREE, yes? LOL
(this shall be my last post, since this is getting old….now is your chance to have the last word…lol)
Valerie S. On Friday, March 21 at 3:39 am
Okay, I'm curious, with all due respect: Can someone please explain to me exactly what is so offensive about PW's use of the term "punks" for her children? When I was growing up, punks were, well, punks, as in punk rockers. I went through a punk phase and even though I may have been somewhat of a social outcast, it was never a word I associated with negativity. Sometimes we called the jokers, class clown-types "punks," but that was never was a bad thing, either. Is there some kind of other meaning to it that I don't know about? Maybe it's because I'm a child of the late '80s and early '90s, I don't know. I just don't see what's so wrong with using that particular term.
Jillian On Friday, March 21 at 7:49 am
heavens to murgatroyd, I am floored at some of these comments. I have no doubts in my mind that Ree is a wonderful mama. No one here should be calling into question her actions, or those of her children. Those pictures are cute! His imitating a smoking cowboy is not the end of the world or his innocence. It is in no way the same as him pointing a gun at someone, and by the way if he did take a swig of beer the look on his face would probaly be pretty damn hilarious.
P Dub is just keeping it real.
Show some love people she realy puts herself out here to all of us. That takes some guts. She isn't doing this so she can be judged by the masses
I love ya P Dub, and your little actor!
Jillian On Friday, March 21 at 8:09 am
Oh and by the way ya'll that are being mean you can go "piss up a rope"! Just go away. I don't think that sharing your oh so negative junk about Ree's post is just not needed. No it will not help her with future posts, she may decide that she does not feel safe being so honest. Shame on all of you! I won't name any names but we all know who you are. Why don't we just start picking on evey little thing about Ree? Give me a friggin break, I am so ticked I could spit nails.
I love Ree her honesty, and her punks. By the way I call my 3 year old horrible fat baby, and I mean it in the most loving way possible, anybody want to challenge my honesty?
Raven On Friday, March 21 at 10:08 am
My daughter told me you've seen a lot of flack from this set of adorable photos. I am sorry that others feel the need to put their own issues on you. I have heard some the things you were told. If you are a narsasist (spell), then why are these people reading your life's story. it is after all, your life story… right?
Well, sweet girl, please don't take anyone's ignorance to heart. You are allowing other people to see into your life and the wonder of it all. I am so sorry you have been harmed by those who think way after they speak. You are wonderful and we appreciate your willingness to share.
It's all good…
BTW that girl above my post, Jillian. That's my kid. She once took my cigs from the television and turned around with one in her mouth and a lighter in her hand. She was three and I quit smoking that day. You have no control over your cowboy and I am sure you are well in touch with your children.
skwrt On Friday, March 21 at 10:31 am
i'd just like to point out to Betty and her ananymous lap dog that things didn't start getting ugly till people started getting down on Ree. You are well entitled to your opinion, as are we, but to say Ree's a bad parent is totaly uncalled for! Kids will mimic EVERYTHING they see – good or bad. So he's imitating someone he admires? So what?! We all know it's bad for you. But it is still a part of everyday life! You can't sheild kids from every single thing that YOU percieve as wrong. Then they'd be little wierdos!
And for the woman who said about her state outlawing smoking in all public places and WONDER WHY? I'll tell you why– It's because of all the WHINNY ASS NON SMOKERS WHO THINK THEY ARE BETTER THAN THE REST. YES THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO BREATH CLEAN AIR- JUST AS SMOKERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO SMOKE. IT'S LEGAL. IF YOU CAN'T BREATH , MOVE AWAY! WHY SHOULD THE SMOKER? WHAT MAKES A NONSMOKER ANY BETTER THAN A SMOKER?I KNOW!! SMOKERS ARE EVIL!!! THAT MUST BE IT!
Ridiculous. I know.
And NO I'm not a smoker. I just believe everyone has right to be themselves.If you can't take it, then it's you that should go.
Talon On Friday, March 21 at 1:22 pm
Skrwt, that is it exactly. And I also love how Betty thinks I refer to her words and only her words when I post.
I just happen to be one of those people who tend to roll a bit too much when the loud mouths are pointed in my direction, but I will bristle like a hedgehog when someone points ugly words in the direction of someone I respect or care about or both.
And the pictures are STILL hilarious. People think they're not funny? I get that. I really do. It's the running down of Ree that pissed me off, and STILL pisses me off. The blatant lack of courtesy and respect on her turf. That also pisses me off. If I disagree with something, I'll do it politely and respectfully, cause this is THEIR little corner of the internets, and I do actually take personal responsibility seriously. And if I have something really negative to say, then I know how to find and USE an email address.
And I'll go on the record here that I LOVE that she calls her kids "punks". I wish I'd thought of that!! I call mine chibi, (it's japanese, meaning short person or child) brat, bratling, chibi brat, Bug, Rip,(her name is Ripley), "If you don't knock that off and get over here this instant I am going to leave you in this store, and you'll have to live here forever and eat cat food to survive and sleep on the Charmin", chibling, and all sorts of variants on that theme. I think I might add "chibi punk" to that list. She's eight…she's growing up way too fast and there's just not enough time to work in all the little love names that I'd like.
My parents called us brats and rug rats and we had personal love names as well, but punks? That is SO adorable. Specially since I have friends who are real actual "punks" and parents too!!! They are her bond-family. She was there for their little punk's birth (she was 5) and I was their doula. Ahhh…memories.
And besides…anyone can PLAINLY see from the pictures that Ree's kids are PUNKS.
End of story.
And of my lengthy comment.
Oh, and I agree to the live and let live skrwt. Many of my friends are smokers, and I married one. But he smokes out in his shed, or on the porch when the weather is nice.
Kristin On Saturday, March 22 at 12:04 am
Goodness, what a fire storm. Personally, I hope Ree does not take the advice of some and delete this series of photos from her blog. If for no other reason, it is a teaching tool – but for another, it is a moment in the life of her child.
My father smoked – I don't actually remember one second of him smoking. I was about 10 when he quit. My parents both drank, too. My parents thought it was fun to set out wine glasses and put cherry juice in the glasses and us kids would "drink" just like our parents. I haven't had a drink in about 5 years, but then again, I never really drank.
My dad drove too fast sometimes, I pretended to drive real fast on my tricycle. I opened umbrella's in the house, I have actually dropped food on the floor and gave it the 5 second rule and ate it! The horrors.
No one is perfect. No one can perfectly parent. No one who is sheltered from everything can grow and be. Kids play cops and robbers, they turn sticks into swords, and goodness, they find a cigarette and pretend to smoke. I'm just so glad PW was far enough away to take the photos without her child noticing.
Oh, I ate/smoked candy cigarettes as a kid. I loved them.
Ree – Great Job. You are so blessed.
RichGirlRed On Saturday, March 22 at 12:46 am
Late to the party, as usual! I wasn't going to comment but after reading every single post, the firstborn in me couldn't keep my mouth shut! It's a little long but I'm kinda fired up! (Vanilla latte with an extra shot at Starbuck's earlier, sorry Ree!)
First of all, I need you to know that I admire the HELL out of you! Lots of people would have totally caved and pulled the pictures and the comments when it got ugly. I am SO glad you didn't. I'm sure you hear this often (and as a middle child you probably never get tired of it!) but you are amazing, inspiring, and honest. You make me proud to be a woman! You "put it out there" and take it as it comes. I, and I'm sure many others, respect that attitude.
Secondly, it pains me to see people use the excuse that they are "just being honest" and that it "would be dishonest not to share their opinion"—excuse me? One of the unfortunate things about the internet is that it provides an opportunity for people to insult you relatively anonymously without expecting any redress. They can hide behind mysterious screen names and non-existent email addresses. It's been my experience (I'm 44) that people who are brutally honest get more satisfaction out of the brutality than out of the honesty. They feel a moral superiority in their "minority" opinion.
And finally, just so you have an idea of "where I'm coming from" (child of the 70s, what can I say?)
1. Homeschooling mother of 3—daughter 20, son 18, daughter 10.
2. Daughter of two HEAVY smokers—one with COPD and on continuous oxygen and the other who coughs up at least a quarter of a lung daily. Growing up my job was cleaning out the ashtrays. If what you say matters less than what you do, I should be a smoker. The example set was obvious—it's okay to smoke. I'm not a smoker. My brother was a heavy smoker and he was the most "verbal" about begging our parents to quit.
3. Parents are not omnipotent. If a parent is suffering under the delusion that he/she can control what their kids do—forever—then they seriously need a reality check. I think all parents try to do the best they can, when they can, with what they know. You try to teach your children the consequences of choices—good and bad, natural and logical—and hope above hope that they make the right ones. Most of the time.
4. Cancer—It is so unfair to play that card! Cancer is no respecter of persons, lifestyles, or circumstances. Lots of people get it for lots of different reasons—or no reason at all. I had it, beat it, and hope I don't get it again. But I could.
I truly hope that nothing posted sways you in your mission to "keep it real." I love that about your blog—the unvarnished, it-may-not-be-pretty (or PC)-but-here-it-is reality of your life.
P.S. I wasn't going to say anything, really I wasn't. I tried to ignore the tiny, angry Miss Manners inside (what, y'all don't have one?) but I can't. I'm having a hard time with the poster who was so proud of her daughter for being rude to a bride on her wedding day—egads! My hiney didn't just cringe, it shot up into my spine and is still quivering with shock and dismay! I can't imagine taking pride in such poor behavior. But then my mother taught us that "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." (Of course my favorite aunt liked to quote Alice Roosevelt: "If you can't say anything nice about someone, come sit next to me!")
P.S.S. I ain't skeered. My email address is [email protected]. Bring it.
wenjammer On Saturday, March 22 at 8:17 am
"if you can't say anything nice about someone, come sit next to me"… LOVE IT!
My mom was one of those people. I never heard her say a bad word about anyone, whether she agreed with them or not. She had such dignity and grace. This world has changed so much. People have no respect anymore for anyone. Agree to disagree, but please don't disrespect each other.
Kelly On Saturday, March 22 at 1:24 pm
Oh no….. I'm sure this will have the drama-mama's saying "I TOLD YOU SO!)Check out what a bad influence that little pioneer punk is. :)~
Jennifer On Saturday, March 22 at 10:39 pm
I didn't think it was even remotely funny. I thought it was pretty horrid, actually. If it had been my kid, I'd have put the camera down and gone to teach my child right from wrong.
Alyssa from Minnesota On Sunday, March 23 at 4:39 pm
He's adorable!! I remember pretending to smoke cigarette's when I was little, but they weren't real, as the only person who smoked in my family was my uncle (now ex-uncle), so usually I used a stick or something.
Heidi On Sunday, March 23 at 6:59 pm
My dad is dying of lung cancer.
And guess what, I think these pictures are hilarious, and so would he. Some of you are missing the point of the photos, I think. I think the whole photo essay is meant to show us the total innocence of our children and how they can mimic us with such accuracy.
As for Ree calling her kids "punk," isn't that kind of a regional term? I think I've heard the term "cow punk" before. I thought "punk" was kind of a western, ranch-hand kind of thing, that has taken on a different meaning because it has been "citified." "Punk" is a completely harmless thing to call her kids in the setting in which they are living.
And yes, those of you who don't agree with Ree have the right to get on here and bash her. But just because you have the right to do something, doesn't mean it's the right thing to do…..
Lorna On Thursday, April 3 at 10:28 am
It's really, really hard not think, wow that kid has a talent!
I really hope he doesn't use this one in real life.
I love the way you capture childhood. Magical!
Kayleigh On Monday, April 7 at 9:09 am
I didn't think it was just funny, I thought it was hilarious. Thanks for sharing
Sanjay On Tuesday, April 8 at 7:53 am
These are all nice children picture this child is very very cool and very smart boy.
Nabeela On Tuesday, April 8 at 3:34 pm
I'm sorry this post brought out the dirty fights. I hope you don't listen to them and stop posting "real" stuff…we love hearing about your life, cigs, punks and all
caroline On Tuesday, April 8 at 4:52 pm
This is disgusting. Oh ha-ha, look, a little boy playing with a cig, how cute. What the HELL is wrong with you people? Hey Ree, maybe when this kid grows up, you'll take pics of him smoking pot too, and then we can laugh about that. Oh haha, look at the little stoner boy, HOW CUTE.
Eleanor On Tuesday, April 8 at 6:28 pm
Wenjammer post # 644. I agree with you , I think the whole concept of dignity and grace are sadly missing too often these days. They seem to have gone the way of courtesy and common sense.
Ree I love your site and all the links, including this one. I thank you for sharing your life with us.
TheCottonWife On Tuesday, April 8 at 7:11 pm
Not only have you kept the post up, kept the comments open but you've linked to this post on the front page. You're one brave woman!
It's one thing to disagree but quite another to be rude and sarcastic. I'm sorry you've had to deal with that. I'm surprised MM hasn't popped his head in here to "defend" you!
Judging from the comments, I guess it's not ok that my girls hunt with guns? Hmmm… gives me an idea for my next blog post!
Laura On Wednesday, April 9 at 8:47 am
OMG…I've just gotten the most entertainment out of reading these comments!!
First of all, I totally *get* the pictures and laughed hysterically. I don't think he's about to become a poster child for smoking children. Get a sense of humor people. This is what kids do. This is REAL life.
OMG, when I was a kid my Grandpa would let me sip his beer and my parents would protest, of course.But they didn't get all freaky and preachy. I'm not an alcoholic by any means because of it, and I've found my 3 year old tipping up an unattended glass of wine and had to laugh. Actually the shudder she gives after drinking it is priceless. I know some of you would prefer that I freak out and make her go to AA, but I think she'll be ok.
Love this site REE!! I can honestly say it came at the perfect time in my life and has made me realize so many things I do are just fine in the REAL world!! xxoo
Laura H.
Laura On Wednesday, April 9 at 8:54 am
By the way….I meant to mention that I love the nickname *punks*. Anyone who finds that offensive must be really spending too much time reading the dictionary for archaic definitions. My Grandpa called me a monster while I sipped his beer. I call my daughter a monster too and so far none of us has needed therapy.
MSM On Wednesday, April 9 at 9:26 am
Adorable pictures! Yes, it's scary how closely kids watch us, and how impressionable they are, BUT,
When I was a kid we could buy CANDY cigarettes. I still remember the chalky taste of them and how much I loved having them. Can you imagine!?
I did not grow up to be a smoker; tried it once in high school to be cool, couldn't get the hang of it (I TRULY did NOT inhale), couldn't stand the mess of it, etc. Never tried again.
So enjoy the fantastic pics of one insanely cute kid!! I'm sure you'll be watching him like a hawk from now on and he'll barely get the chance to pick up any bad habits!!
Anonymous On Wednesday, April 9 at 1:25 pm
Not funny at all. Horrible if you ask me.
Mary Ellen in Canada On Wednesday, April 9 at 2:54 pm
Too bad I had a major glitz with the ol' computer.It's taken a while to post to this one. But, now that I am here,let me tell you, I thought the pictures were funny as hell. Kids will be kids. Too bad all the nasties jumped down your back. People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. God knows what is going on in their house(and they probably don't know).If one of your punks sits in your Suburban with your keys does that mean he is going to turn into a car thief? If oue of your boys plays with pooping Tanner and Barbie does that mean he will be having gender-altering surgery when he is older? I think not.Lighten up folks, he's just a littlee kid.Jeez Louise!Keep the pictures coming You brighten up my day.
chiloe On Wednesday, April 9 at 4:56 pm
You can't stop laughing because too many americans are up tight
PatW On Wednesday, April 9 at 10:14 pm
Both my parents smoked. And I always expected to take it up eventually. I reacall doing something like your kid one time. However, the act of taking that burning thing in m y mouth, and drawing smoke into my lungs was so totally repellent that I never could. I still shudder at the idea. My son– 19– is of the same mind.
Zoey65 On Wednesday, April 9 at 10:54 pm
Good gravy—some of you need a good laxative.
I think it's freakin' funny as heck. Thanks for keepin' it real, Ree.
Elizabeth On Thursday, April 10 at 2:08 pm
Lord, what a bunch of nonsense over some silly photos. I'm a nanny and the boy I take care of mimicked smoking in a boy scout skit, and not a skit to poo-poo smoking either. It was silly boy nonsense, it happens and sometimes when your kids do this stuff you've just got to laugh. Life is too short for all of this mess.
Michelle On Thursday, April 10 at 6:42 pm
Oh you got to love the wonderful world of the internet, where so many people feel compelled to sit behind a computer screen and cast their judgment on people they have never met and don't really know.
If the worst thing my child did in life was to lite up a cigarette pretend of not , this momma would be very very happy…..And if my child smokes a doobie once in their life, I'll take a picture, just to show it to them when their child is driving them mad!
I guess I don't understand how talking to friends about something totally inappropriate that your child did and having a laugh is such a big deal….I mean it's not like she handed him the cigarette and told him to pose!
People who think that they can shelter their children from everything in life are in my humble opinion seriously misguided and in for a huge surprise…..
If you Lighten up….doesn't mean your kids are going to light up!
Gosh I'm wordy, but I'll never understand why Mom's are so dang judgmental of other mom's……..
Parenting is the hardest job in the world….we are all going to screw something up….so Keep keeping it real Ree…..I'd love to have you for a Mom! (though I in no way mean to imply you are old enough to be my mother! :))
Scrappin Not Nappin On Friday, April 11 at 10:59 am
Excellent photos of why we need to worry about what we do in front of children!
Robyn On Friday, April 11 at 4:00 pm
Oh God! That's just cute and funny! I know, I know it's wrong but I'm sorry that's just funny!
Melanie On Friday, April 11 at 6:57 pm
Ree, I've been following you for a long time and it's hilarious how all these people are quick to judge and hassle you for posting such pictures and not disciplining your punks. I also don't mind that you call them punks!!
Some people need to get a life! Walk away from the computer and do something.
Julie On Saturday, April 12 at 2:11 am
you can't stop laughin for the same reason I can't…It is tooo dang cute!! And sometimes cute = funny!! I love it!!
Christine On Saturday, April 12 at 5:22 am
That lil' punkster! As a little kid growing up in the Singapore, one of our favourite ways to spend our pocket money was down in the neighbourhood shop where they sold chocolate "cigarettes". We'd prance around "smoking" them then nibble our way down the butt. Tsk, tsk…I don't think they sell chocolate cigarettes anymore…
Marsha On Saturday, April 12 at 5:54 am
PW–new to your blog and love it. Yeah, the images are sort of disturbing, but he's a kid! Who didn't do that with those fake candy cigarettes from back in the day? My dad was a smoker, and when I was maybe 8 years old, I used to wait for him to be done with a ciggie, and snag the still-smoldering butt and try to puff on it like he did. On one occasion, there was enough stuff left for me to take an actual drag and man, that was the last of that! I still don't smoke to this day. No worries.
wonderwoman On Saturday, April 12 at 4:13 pm
That boy will be trouble!! you can tell by the look in his eyses in the first picture. VERY CUTE laughed and laughed.
Krista On Saturday, April 12 at 5:55 pm
This may sound like a Clintonesque statement but I tried smoking and I really couldn't inhale. Can you believe that? yes, it is really true. I was the joke in high school. So I've never smoked and my mother would spank my butt when I was little if I so much as looked at the pack of candy cigarettes!
It is amazing what kids pick up from us. You never know they are even watching or listening and then they repeat something that you said. It has gotten me into trouble many times….
Ter in Lower Alabama On Sunday, April 13 at 3:37 pm
I love your sense of humor! Girl, we would get along just great! Yeah, that is stinking hilarious! My husband and I catch ourselves having to hide our laughter behind our napkins all the time! Our five year old son is constantly cracking us up with his one-liners and views of the world!
Mendy On Monday, April 14 at 9:09 am
When I was about 8 or 9, I went on a field trip and for some unknown reason bought a corn cob pipe as a souvenier (how girly of me.) For the next several days I walked around with it constantly in my mouth. My father got tired of it, so he offered to light it for me. I loved the smell of his pipe, so I said sure! The following ten seconds cured me of EVER wanting to smoke.
KarenB On Monday, April 14 at 3:19 pm
I think it is absolutely hilarious how you caught him "in the act" but not really smoking. He's a doll and I have a feeling there are many more interesting photo ops for you along the way!!!!!
Barb On Monday, April 14 at 5:31 pm
I'm very anti-smoking and I think it's very funny! I love how he seems so pleased with himself (unconsciously perhaps).
Kia from Sweden On Tuesday, April 15 at 4:56 am
OMG what is this…I like this blog, it's a part of list "things-I-have -to-do" everyday….no, I don't like this blog. Iäm addicted. But seriously guys/girls/boys/women/men/punks/whatever: this is Ree's place in internet space. I mean: the woman is keeping it REAL. These things happen! Everywhere, everyday and – I'm so sorry to tell you – maybe even in your house, but you don't know about it…that's kind of worse…cuz if you don't know about it…you can't talk about it…and your PUNK goes on thinking it's SOOO cool. And one day he/she'll lit the terrible thing. And you still don't know…until later.
Now, please, don't try to tell me you know what your kids..sorry…punks…are up to every minute of the day. I thought I did. But with a teenage daughter in the house, I realized – not that she would be a bad person, oh no – that I don't control her and life is out there tempting these boys and girls all the time. My daughter is a thinking human being, I thank God for that. I'm also thankful for her learning from her mistakes. (No she's not pregnant, no she's not smoking, yes, she got drunk, threw up and got really sick. No fun at all. No I did NOT provide her with the alcohol. Yes, I was naive.)
We've got five PUNKS in our house (including teenage girl and boy). And when I read Ree's blog I realize I'm not entierly lost in space and things that happen in her family actually happens here too – well, some of it or similar -(including pretending to smoke – the difference is that I don't have a blog and I'm terrible with the camera, but I saw my three year old…and I wished I had the camera around…yes, I laughed) and it makes me feel kind of good…she's keeping it real. That's the way I like life. Real. No pretending.
By the way…I can't tell you what we call our punks here at home, because I'm Swedish and it's not even a good idea to translate it. But let's say we – too – call them punks. "Hey punk, come here." "Mummy's little darling punk." We use the word with LOVE. So it doesn't disturb me that someone else does that too. It makes me happy, and again….I'm feeling normal.
Keep it up, Ree and keep it real. Thank you.
Ann On Tuesday, April 15 at 1:02 pm
Light en up people (get it?).
If anything, this is a great cautionary photo essay on just how much our little walking sponges don't miss a thing!
I think it's a great photo essay to show new moms. It'll make them think twice about nasty gossiping on the phone, drinking milk out of the carton, yelling at other drivers, smoking, drinking, being hungover, etc. and all the while, thinking that their "little" ones are clueless and not paying attention.
Don't you see? Ree was showing us how shocking it is that her precious bundle watches every little move those cowboys make – both good and bad. It's a powerful point.
Kids don't miss a thing – right down to the slightest motions involved.
Nice one. Hilarious too because it's just so shocking!
Thanks Ree. It would be great for a new parents class.
Richard On Wednesday, April 16 at 6:57 am
Comment #500… would you please stop breathing? Sharing my air with you annoys me.
Richard On Wednesday, April 16 at 6:58 am
I have never smoked a cigarette.
But as a little Mennonite kid growing up in the MO Ozarks, I did smoke my share of grapevines.
I kid you not.
Jody On Wednesday, April 16 at 12:31 pm
I so know what you mean about the tug! I smoked for about six months my first year in college. I quit because I'm a singer and I could tell after just that amount of smoking that it was affecting my voice.
Fast-forward about 15 years. I'm driving to work and waiting at a stoplight. Light turns green, I start to pull forward, and WHAM! I'm hit by a kid in his parents' Buick station wagon running the red light. I'm not hurt, but my car isn't driveable. So as I'm standing on the street waiting for the tow truck, I find myself thinking "Man I wish I had a cigarette!"
BeckyO On Wednesday, April 16 at 1:08 pm
That's great! Horribly disturbing ;), but very very funny. Thanks for sharing!
byw – I'm having a GREAT time reading you love story. I'm sure you've gotten this alot, but I'll tell you anyway – you should consider having it published. I've got a bookclub full of woman who would devour it.
LeAnn On Wednesday, April 16 at 9:41 pm
My son at three saw his Aunt Jill lighting one up and proceeded to ask if ahe was trying to catch her lips on fire. I laughed so hard I almost peed myself
Stephanie On Thursday, April 17 at 6:15 am
Sorry, just went back and looked at these pictures again–they're still funny!
Ann On Friday, April 18 at 5:07 pm
It's been bothering me that some here don't understand the "hilarious" in this photo essay and think that those of us who find it "funny" are not seeing the horrific visual of a child pretending to smoke. (Oh My God, can you imagine how upset these people will be when the kids start imitating the horses mating?).
It finally dawned on me that Ree uses a lot of cosmic irony in her writing and most of the readers here understand that. It's basically seeing happen exactly opposite of what your ideal is. She sprinkles ironic asides all through her writing and reflects her (online), general outlook. For those of you who think we have a screw loose for seeing the irony and therefore hilarity in this photo essay – please read the following so you can understand us. If, after reading it, you still don't understand us, you can say with all the conviction in the world, the following: I don't like ironic humor.
Nancy M On Saturday, April 19 at 12:29 pm
He is so adorable!!! Totally made me smile. Glad you didn't run in and just kept snapping the photos.
Awsome sequence. I don't smoke either but my son likes the fake candy cigs. I did too as a kid.
Can't Believe We Ate... On Saturday, April 19 at 4:02 pm
Oh Lord, Ree…GREAT shots Lady! And what self-control!! Way to go! I don't know that I could have let the story unfold without interfering… I doubt you have anything to worry about, seriously anyway. Punks know what they've been taught, and if they sample wild oats, it doesn't mean they'll plant them. Well, not a whole field's worth anyway!
Ashley On Tuesday, April 22 at 11:06 pm
At least he didn't eat it. That's where I thought this was heading…
Barb On Friday, April 25 at 9:06 am
I just stumbled across these pics today. OH MY! I could see my son(age 7) doing the same thing if he ever got his hands on a cigarette-WHY? Because he's a kid, that's why! Isn't it said that Imitation is the highest form of flattery-he must adore Tim! I wonder if you (and Tim as owner of the cigarette) had a little talk with your punk later about this not so good habit…after you stopped laughing and put on your MOM face?! I live in a midwest suburb and would love to have my son have friends like your kids any day!!!
Gina On Monday, June 23 at 11:51 pm
Oooo man I just stumbled across these pics, I am late to the party with my comments, but I so wanna wrestle the little punk for this cigarette right now. I am smoke free for 7 days, after smoking 30 years, has it been that long?? really, rubbish, I'm a spring chicken I say!
It is very hard to quit, but these pictures are really just adorable. I can imagine you being horrified when you snapped them with your lens, and good for you to just let it unfold right there.
I am quitting with no patches or pills or whatever, just saying no to my body, and meditation. So far this seems to be helping the best, haven't murdered my still smoking Mother-in-law who lives with us………………."yet"
Just kidding, I started smoking by myself, and quit by myself, actually I really do not want to be coughing like her when I get to be her age, so time to give it up.
You hear that punk, drop the cigarette and no one gets hurt.
Gina On Tuesday, June 24 at 1:36 am
I am going to add this after reading all the other comments.
I admire you for leaving the pictures and blog up. I think I would have too. To me it is more sad of how the world has changed, since I grew up. Both my parents smoked, I snuck one of my Mom's cigarettes when I was like 12, she must have had ESP or that amazing Mom radar, cuz I got busted big time. I got such a whooping from my Dad when he got home, after my Mom told him. Yeah those were the times, you were threatened with your Dad's homecoming it was hours away so you got to stew it over in your mind, it was already horrible, by the time he finally got home, all you wanted was to get your whooping, so you could get to sleep, because nothing is as torturous as your own mind.
Good times…..
People saying how would you react if this was an unloaded gun really kind of angered me….well it was not. It was an unlit cigarette.
Things like this have gotten so…political almost , it is ridiculous.
They are cute funny pictures and you know what, he might have actor in him, being this observant at such a young age. I also found the Deweze sticker highly funny. But maybe that is because I am German.
Looking at these pictures makes me think of my German/Russian Grandma, her German was a very funny sounding, but she always used to say, "if this is the most dirt you'll ever eat, count yourself lucky"
And for some reason I thought he might be eating the cigarette too, this popped in my head. Thank you for this Ree, my Grandma died 30 years ago, and this was one of her sayings, but I could actually hear her voice as if she was standing right next to me.
Bhagawani On Tuesday, June 24 at 11:35 am
This reminds me of when my nephew you and I at the respective ages 7 and 8 (I was younger!) we lit matches under the diesel tank on my parents farm!! My mom gave us each a spanking we didn't forget –
Ree – you get the prize for holding great restraint from NOTstopping your little one and to continue clicking for our zaney enjoyment
It is funny though –
I am sure Cowboy Tim saw someone smoke in his youth too.
Thanks for being brave and sharing!
Whitestone On Tuesday, June 24 at 2:07 pm
I quit twenty years ago and can attest to the destructive addiction of nicotine. Now my brother is dealing with the results of his 45 year habit – claudication (clogging) of the leg arteries. Arterial transplant (scars the length of his leg). One gangrenous toe removed. Big hole in his foot to heal. Guess who has been changing dressings on leg and foot for the past TWO MONTHS! Everyone recognizes that smoking clogs the arteries but most people think "heart arteries". Nope. They can do in the arteries in the legs, too. My brother was fortunate to lose only one toe and not the entire foot. He still faces surgery on the OTHER leg. Ugh! This is the "Summer of My Brother" for me. And,yes, he has finally quit smoking!
P.S. just found your blog last week and have been cruising around your site. Fun!!
elle On Saturday, June 28 at 2:06 pm
not funny at all… because my tears are rolling down my cheeks as I am gasping for air while attempting stifle my laughter and that little punk is just so dang cute!
Deirdre On Sunday, June 29 at 8:46 am
l'dol (laughed out loud)
Thanks for keepin' it real. my punk is just 18 mos old so i'm sure i have many of these moments to come in my future. i mean embarassing no-i-didn't-teach-him-that! moments not, hey-my-son-is-smoking-just-like-cowboy-tim moments.
Connie On Sunday, June 29 at 10:01 am
I'm not sure what's funnier…the punk with the cigarette or the fact that a cowboy actually smokes Kools. LOL!!
Rebecca On Wednesday, July 2 at 10:46 am
I realize this post is really old -but I'm getting around to catching up – and while I'm with you that it's horrific – it's also very funny, scary, and true all at the same time. We don't realize how much the little punks really take in, and how much they really want to be like us.
Love your site!
coloradolady On Thursday, July 3 at 4:58 pm
Be still my heart!! He is adorable, and I can see the twinkle in his little eyes……. Love it!!
I must say, at this age, the smoking thing is cute, kinda like candy cigarettes I remember as a kid, however…..my own son took up smoking as an adult…..and somehow, that is not cute! But this did make my heart smile.
Thanks for sharing.
He is just too cute for words. That is why you are still laughing. Not a good time to lecture as everyone was laughing, maybe later when he knows you are serious.
He was pretending to be Cowboy Tim.


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I dropped my daughter off at elementary school the other morning and had to do a double-take on a mother who was just coming out of the school. What made me look twice was her outfit.
She wore a very fitted designer t-shirt (huge logo on the front.) That wasn't so bad…except that the length of her shirt exposed her entire mid-section. Combined with her low-rise jeans, she was exposing quite a bit of skin…to drop her children off at school.
I wondered immediately, what message is she trying to send? Is it about designer fashion? Fitness or weight? Wanting to be desired or praised by others?
I thought about her children, and I wondered if she thought of them when she got dressed.
I bet she doesn't want them to get their confidence from wearing certain labels or from having a specific appearance, I thought. As a mother, I have to believe she wants more for them. I have to believe she wants them to be authentic and to be liked and valued for who they are; not what they look like or wear.
But weren't her actions speaking louder? And weren't they sending a conflicting message? How will her children understand what's truly important?
Does this ever happen to you? Are your behaviors in alignment with your values?
Whether we are leaders in our homes or leaders in an organizational setting, we have to model behavior that is consistent with our values.
People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do. ~Lewis Cass
Actions do, in fact, speak louder than words. People see what you do, and if it doesn't align with what you've said, then you've immediately lost their trust, their admiration, and their willingness to follow. And worst yet, your words have lost their meaning and value.
What effect would that have on your company? Your team? Your family?
As we lead, we must consider our priorities, beliefs and values. They cannot be swept under the rug. They must be lived.
What values does your company profess? Putting clients first? Treating fellow employees with respect? Being thrifty with spending?
What values do you uphold as a family? Kindness to others? Integrity? Always doing what's right?
Take a few moments and think about your actions over the last week. Are you living out what you claim to hold important? It's a tough question we should all challenge ourselves with. We are, after all, human. We can, so often, get distracted or derailed. What's important, though, is that we recognize it, and then we commit to making the necessary changes to bring us back to the best of who we are.
Support what you say. Model your values. Let your actions do the speaking, because they're what people hear anyway.
Erin Schreyer is President of Sagestone Partners and is a Certified Coach, Trainer and Speaker. Erin is passionate about building into people and bringing out their leadership qualities to help them excel in all areas of life.


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Sophomore Alexa Newfield - who led the team with a school-record 40 points - was named both Offensive and Overall MVP.
Jan. 24, 2012
ATHENS, Ga. --- The University of Georgia soccer team celebrated the accomplishments of the 2011 season on Sun., Jan. 22 when it held its annual awards banquet. Highlighting the afternoon's festivities was a motivational speech by special guest Suzanne Yoculan – who led the Georgia gymnastics team to a record 10 NCAA championships prior to her retirement in 2009.
On the afternoon, head coach Steve Holeman and his staff handed out several awards voted on by players and coaches, which included the following:
Team MVP: Alexa Newfield
Offensive MVP: Alexa Newfield
Defensive MVP: Bailey Powell
Rookie of the Year: Jenna Owens
Heart & Soul: Jamie Pollock
Most Improved: Carli Shultis
Sportsmanship: Jenna Buckley
Coaches' Award: Jamie Pollock
Academic Achievement: Ashley Baker
Booster of the Year: Tim Pollock
Additionally, Holeman recognized the team's many accomplishments from throughout the year, including a 13-win season, an NCAA Tournament at-large bid and a trip to the second round, a slew of individual performance awards including a program record four All-South Region selections, and a ninth consecutive National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) team academic award.
The three departing seniors – Pollock, Powell, and Ashley Miller – were also thanked for their contributions to the program. The 2011 senior class won 50 games in its four years and reached three national tournaments and four SEC tournaments.
The Georgia soccer team is set to begin spring play in February.


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CD Sales
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Gold Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 1,318
Re: CD Sales
I really don't see the point in record labels anymore. My band presses our own cds for a less than a dollar a piece and sell them for $10. We still sell plenty of cds and sell about 3 times as many digital downloads. CD baby keeps $4 per cd we sell through itunes. Shirts cost us between 3-5$ a shirt and we sell those for $10 too, there is plenty of profit to be made, and it's really not something you need a record label to do for you.
The main band I am in now, we are planning to do that. We have enough original material to hit the studio the first half of this year and record at some of the better indie recording houses in our area. At every show, we play our originals mixed in with covers and after we play an original, we always get great reviews and audience resonse. And it is now fairly cheap to record a CD using pro-level gear. The best deals are coming from these indie places who are hungry and want to get their studio name out there.
After that, we plan to use Rhapsody, CD Baby, etc. to reach a mass audience and we have been burning our own demo CDs to pass out to booking agents and venues, so we have that process down pretty good now. As soon as we get our originals recorded, we'll sell those at gigs. As far as merchandise, that is in the plans are well.
Will we get rich? Probably not, but at least we'll make some money doing all this ourselves and keeping control over our material and our own destiny. We don't need this money to eat or live on, so that's in our favor.
I don't aim to be the best, just the best looking.
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August 5, 2015
The Obama administration says it will no longer defend the constitutionality of a federal law that bans recognition of same-sex marriage.
In a statement Wednesday, Attorney General Eric Holder says President Barack Obama has concluded that the administration can no longer defend the federal law that defines marriage as only between a man and a woman.
The Justice Department had defended the Defense of Marriage Act in court until now.
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Makeshift metal jacket
Thursday, January 13, 2005
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait -- When the 50th Main Support Battalion of the New Jersey National Guard rolls onto Iraq's often treacherous roads for the first time, all its vehicles will carry protective armor. But the quality of the ballistic steel covering the heavy trucks and Humvees used by the Teaneck-based logistical support unit will vary widely.
Less than 10 percent of the roughly 250 vehicles entering Iraq in the coming days will be outfitted with some of the Army's finest -- factory-produced armor the soldiers themselves have installed in Kuwait. The Pentagon calls it Level II armor.
The rest will be protected by what the Pentagon describes as Level III armor. The troops have other names for it, like "hillbilly" or "Mad Max" armor. This kind of shielding comes from steel that soldiers have pulled from Army salvage yards and cut into specific shapes, then welded or bolted it into place.
"We scrounge around for what we need and 'Frankenstein' it together," said Sgt. Gus Paez, 34, of Kearny, who has been working late into the night, welding pieces of the salvaged metal onto the vehicles in his unit. "But it's better than nothing. Hopefully we're going to save somebody's life."
Although some of the soldiers in the battalion have grumbled about Level III armor, the ones who are installing it are convinced it will do the job.
"It's hillbilly armor and it's rough, but I think it's going to work," said Spc. Brian Rinehart, a 21-year-old from Rochester, Minn., who is a metalworker in civilian life. "It's good metal and it's going to stop bullets."
The Defense Department's limited ability to provide fully armored vehicles for troops in Iraq gained widespread attention last month after an Iraq-bound soldier questioned Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld about it while Rumsfeld was visiting Kuwait.
In response, the top military commanders in Iraq vowed no military vehicle would enter Iraq through Kuwait without added protection against bullets and the shrapnel from roadside bombs.
For people in and around the military, the complaint about armor came as no surprise. The General Accounting Office in December documented severe shortages in the armor needed to protect troops in Iraq -- particularly the soldiers who drive trucks -- from roadside bombs and small-arms fire.
Those shortages weighed heavily on the minds of the senior leaders of the 50th Main Support Battalion, a 900-member unit that includes truck drivers, mechanics and medics. Soldiers from the unit operate some of the Army's largest transport trucks. For the deployment to Iraq, about 400 soldiers from a dozen states and the active-duty Army are bolstering the unit's ranks.
The bulk of the battalion came to Kuwait last week after seven months of training at Fort Dix, but more than 100 soldiers from the unit had arrived here in October and November with a near-singular mission: Find and install some kind of armor on all the vehicles.
"Nobody was going north without armor," said Maj. Mike Lyons, a 40-year-old former Wall Street equities trader from Princeton who led the first arrivals.
So began a nearly round-the-clock operation at three military installations in Kuwait.
At Camp Arifjan in southern Kuwait, a team that included Staff Sgt. Juan Berrones, a 36-year-old draftsman from Mankato, Minn., worked seven days a week to outfit some of the battalion's largest trucks and several Humvees with the factory-made armor.
"We had some long days, but we knew that the armor we were putting in is saving lives," Berrones said.
At Camp Doha, near Kuwait City, soldiers turned Humvees into "gun trucks" by welding reinforced steel around the pickup-truck-like bed of the vehicle. From the back of the Humvee, soldiers will mount machine guns on platforms fashioned out of metal cylinders. Similar work was done on larger trucks to give them more firepower.
Lt. Col. Roch Switlik, the battalion commander, said the soldiers looked at the designs used by previous units and improved upon them. They were able to do that, he said, because National Guardsmen bring wide-ranging skills from their civilian jobs.
"It pays to have guys with creativity and technical skills -- they're making something out of nothing," said Switlik, 43, who lives in Lahaska, Pa., and works as a distribution director for Merck & Co.
The soldiers were their most creative at Camp Buehring, a crude encampment in the northern Kuwait desert.
It was here that the work of finding, cutting and then welding the Level III armor took place.
Sgt. 1st Class Richard Shanahan, 41, of Saddle Brook oversaw the operation. He and his soldiers began by rounding up metal from equipment that had been returned from Iraq after becoming disabled.
The soldiers cut the raw metal into various shapes, turning them into such items as doors for Humvees and blast shields to protect the cabs of trucks.
Shanahan, a full-time soldier who works for the National Guard, specializes in metal fabrication, and so do most of his troops in their regular jobs.
"A lot of my guys have been in metal fabrication for 20 years -- that's the beautiful thing about the Guard," Shanahan said.
The cutting and the shaping of the metal continues late into the evening every day here in the support battalion's motor pool.
Switlik, the battalion commander, is convinced Level III armor is adequate -- so convinced that he will be in a Humvee with Level III armor as part of the unit's first convoy into Iraq. The trip will be about 380 miles to Tikrit through the heart of the Sunni Triangle, along roads that have been targeted repeatedly by insurgents.
Switlik even sees advantages to the Level III armor. For one, it affords a large area for soldiers inside the vehicles to point their weapons.
"It's easier for my guys to return fire in Level III vehicles," he said.
Another advantage is that it is significantly lighter than the factory-made shielding, allowing vehicles to travel faster. An individual Level III armor door for a Humvee weighs less than 70 pounds, compared with nearly 500 pounds for a Level II door and surrounding components.
Even so, most of the Level III armor will be used by the battalion only once, for the long journey to the new base camp. Once there, the battalion will have access to dozens of Humvees and trucks with factory-installed armor, being left behind by the unit it is replacing. Some of the Humvees will be the Army's best, Level I, which leave the factory fully armored.
In most cases, all three levels of armor are strong enough to protect soldiers from shrapnel or crude explosive devices but offer little protection from some of the larger roadside bombs. Last Thursday, seven National Guardsmen from Louisiana were killed by a roadside bomb while they were riding in a heavily armored Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
One of the soldiers who will be heading to Tikrit on a vehicle with Level III armor says he'll just have to trust it.
"It's not the greatest, but I've heard that even that kind of armor has saved guys' lives," said Staff Sgt. Geroad Cameron, 47, of Paterson. "A little prayer and we'll be fine."
Staff writer Wayne Woolley and staff photographer Jon Naso are embedded with the 50th Main Support Battalion of the New Jersey National Guard.
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November Horoscopes For You and Your Favorite Wetpaint Celebs (PHOTOS)
Since astrology is always the rage, we've been consulting the stars — and the stars of your favorite shows — to chart the romantic and social fates for each zodiac sign this month.
For example, if you're a Scorpio like Gossip Girl's Penn Badgley (born November 1, 1986), you might feel like you're inarticulate or awkward, but you still charm the pants off everyone you meet — figuratively speaking. Now might be a good time to start making a move on your new crush. Just like Ivy (Kaylee DeFer) put the moves on Rufus (Matthew Settle)... But wait, that was gross...
Click through for the rest of the zodiac!
Fall in Like with us! For the latest from Wetpaint Entertainment, Like us on our Facebook page at Facebook.com/Wetpaint, or follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/WetpaintTV. ;


text:
Betrayal at Krondor
| |
Release Date: January 1, 1993
Betrayal at Krondor Cheats & Codes
Check out our 1 cheat for Betrayal at Krondor.
1 CheatsSubmit a Cheat.
Submitted by:IGN_Cheats
Cheat Mode
At the overhead map screen, press and hold Alt-Right Shift-~ (tilde) for a few seconds. It will then ask you for one of the cheat codes which I've listed below.
chapter 1: 6478
chapter 2: 9216
chapter 3: 7702
chapter 4: 2132
chapter 5: 5052
chapter 6: 0680
chapter 7: 0194
chapter 8: 4743
chapter 9: 9995
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Game Details
Published by: Sierra
Developed by: Dynamix
Genre: RPG
Release Date:
United States: January 1, 1993
Japan: Unreleased
UK: Released
E for Everyone : Animated Violence
Also Available On:
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Reacting to Sen. Olympia Snowe's, R-Maine, decision not to seek reelection, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said his colleague "will be missed" in the Senate. But Snowe's retirement also means Hatch will be missing one of the arguments he's been making on the campaign trail for his own reelection bid. The Salt Lake Tribune:
Hatch and his supporters have repeatedly warned Utah conservatives that if he loses his seat, Snowe, a moderate, would be the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees taxes, Social Security and Medicare.
Hatch will continue to try to use his seniority on the Finance Committee to his advantage. If Republicans regain the majority in the Senate, he would become the committee's chair.
But the argument may lose whatever resonance it once had without the threat of Snowe taking over. None of the other Republicans on the committee can be painted with the same moderate brush.
For his part, Hatch's main challenger from the right, state Sen. Dan Liljenquist is already using the Snowe news to his advantage.
"I think Olympia Snowe recognizes we need a new generation of leaders in this country," Liljenquist said. "The United States Senate is and always has been larger than one person."
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The day's action in one quick read."
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text:
August 4, 2015
Saturday, April 6th
Josh Turner (headliner)
Corey Smith
Kevin Fowler
Mark Chesnutt
Aaron Watson
Friday, April 5th (Friday night entertainment is for Chilifest teams only)
Brian Keane
The Cadillac Black
Gary P. Nunn
Cody Johnson
Jason Boland & The Stragglers
This year Chilifest Incorporated will be celebrating over 20 years of Texas country. Chilifest Inc. has donated over $2 million since its inception to many local organizations and charities. The purpose of Chilifest Inc. is to offer assistance to thousands of ill, neglected, and less fortunate individuals; as well as provide funding for many organizations who put forth the effort to resolve the life-threatening problems that endanger the lives of so many.
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'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' First Look: Shredder Is One Silver Samurai
Fan reaction to the new 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' movie has been mixed, to say the very least, and our first look at the re-imagined supervillain Shredder isn't going to change that. The arch-nemesis of the Turtles' ninja master was once one of the wor
Mark Ruffalo Says Marvel is Starting to Consider a Solo 'Hulk' Movie
After 2003's infamous 'Hulk' and 2008's forgettable 'The Incredible Hulk,' audiences simply weren't displaying any kind of affinity for Dr. Bruce Banner and his smash-happy alter ego. But actor Mark Ruffalo and writer/director Joss Whedon finally got it right in 'The Avengers' and now, according to Ruffalo, Marvel is finally considering giving the big guy a third shot at a solo act.
'Star Wars: Episode 7′ Ankle Watch: Harrison Ford Sidelined for Two Months
Last week, the internet couldn't stop talking about Harrison Ford's 'Star Wars: Episode 7' injury. Oh, the jokes! Oh, the memes! There's a certain amount of comedy to be found in an elderly Han Solo injuring his ankle thanks to the door of the Millennium Falcon. But now is the time to quit with the laughter: Ford's injury, while certainly not life-threatening, is bad enough that he won't be able to return to the set for eight weeks.
Angry Birds Transformers Announced: It's "Birds Disguised as Robots in Disguise"
Over the years, Angry Birds has gone from being a must-have game to a cultural institution, even generating its own upcoming feature film. In continuing this legacy, game developer Rovio announced the next big installment to tackle another big franchise -- Angry Birds Transformers.
Angry Birds Transformers Announced: It's "Birds Disguised as Robots in Disguise"
Over the years, Angry Birds has gone from being a must-have game to a cultural institution, even generating its own upcoming feature film. In continuing this legacy, game developer Rovio announced the next big installment to tackle another big franchise -- Angry Birds Transformers.
Weekend Box Office Report: '22 Jump Street' Takes 'How to Train Your Dragon 2′ to School
Everyone expected '22 Jump Street' and 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' to open well, but you won't find many people who expected the raunchy R-rated comedy to open bigger than the family friendly animated adventure. But here we are! Both films opened well, but '22 Jump Street,' like the first film, is has taken a hammer to all expectations.
'Home' Trailer: Jim Parsons Is Rihanna's Alien Best Pal
The trailer for DreamWorks Animation's 'Home' is an odd one, showcasing a genuinely interesting science-fiction premise but filling the margins with screaming, fart jokes and lame pop-culture references. The 'How to Train Your Dragon' films have bought a lot of goodwill for the studio, but between this new effort and 'The Penguins of Madagascar,' they're pushing it.
'Sin City 2′ Trailer Makes Crazy Sound Pretty Good Right Now
Director Robert Rodriguez released a new 'Sin City 2' trailer unto the Reddit community following an AMA, and it is exactly what you'd expect -- hardboiled narration, stylized black-and-white cinematography, tough guys, sexy women, and an absurdly good cast that includes the likes of Josh Brolin, Eva Green, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke and Lady Gaga.
'The Penguins of Madagascar' Trailer: Yup, That's Benedict Cumberbatch Voicing a Wolf
The first 'Penguins of Madagascar' trailer doesn't even begin to hint at what an odd project this film really is. First of all, it's a spinoff of the 'Madagascar' movies that follows those four scene-stealing penguins as they encounter secret-agent animals voiced by the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch. However, it's a completely different thing from the Nickelodeon series of the same name. Are we looking at DreamWorks Animation's first movie set in an alternate universe?
New Batman Exhibit Explores the History of The Dark Knight
Practically everyone loves Batman, thanks in part to Christopher Nolan's recent 'Dark Knight' take, so it's difficult to imagine any major disinterest in Warner Bros.' new Batman Exhibit, which will be on display as part of the studio's VIP tour. For $54 a pop, you can journey through the cinematic history of the Caped Crusader, examining props, ogling costumes and remembering the good times ('The Dark Knight') and the very bad times ('Batman and Robin').
'Transformers 4′ TV Spot: Dinobots Mean "The Rules Have Changed"
If the new 'Transformers 4' TV spot is any indication, this is going to be one crazy-ass movie. We state that knowing just how bizarre and brain-shattering (in a good or bad way) the previous film got. Look at it this way: 'Transformers 4' will be the only 2014 release to feature Mark Wahlberg giving a giant, transforming, Dinobot-riding robot a pep talk.