Monkeyin' Around

First saw this comic on my cousin-in-law's Facebook page. I believe she got it from www.CartoonStock.com. I could not help but laugh out loud! We've seen and heard all about that politician sibling of theirs. Actually, that primate is so talented he was able to make clones of himself. They're like all over.

On the Wrong Side of History

A short quote from Barack Obama's January 20 Inaugural Speech:

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

No wonder he wouldn't take her calls then. Does this mean we won't be seeing much pictures of the U.S. 44th President and our country's 14th President together? Well the palace can always use photoshop.

For full text on Obama's Inaugural Address, go to www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/obama.politics/index.html

Kids Elope For Africa Wedding

Received an e-mail this morning from a friend. I couldn't believe it. I was just staring at my monitor (mouth open) while reading it. And I still couldn't believe it. I googleized it, and it actually happened. Pasted this article from Http://news.sky.com and photo from www.guardian.co.uk:

Three German children have been caught trying to run away to Africa for a wedding in the sun.

The children wanted to get married in Africa - but only made it to the railway station

Young romantic Mika, six, and his seven-year-old girlfriend Anna Bell were so enamoured with each other they planned an escape to tie the knot in warmer climes.

Dragging along Mika's sister Anna-Lena, aged five, the kids packed three suitcases "filled with food, swimming costumes, a lilo and even sunglasses," said police spokesman Holger Jureczko.

The idea for the romantic trip began when Mika told the two girls about his recent holiday in Italy. They decided to head for Africa while their families slept on New Year's Day.

"From this, the children began to make plans for the future," said Mr Jureczko.

In the early hours of 2009, the children left their house in the suburbs of Hanover, and took a tram for the central station.

As they waited for the train to the airport wearing their holiday gear, they caught the attention of a guard who contacted police.

We wanted to take the train to the airport, and then catch a plane, then we would unpack, and get married once we arrived.

Mika Sievert, on his plan to marry in Africa.

Two officers managed to convince the young lovers that they would struggle to get to Africa without money or a plane ticket.

"What drew our attention was not so much that they were small children but that they had a lot of swim gear with them.

"And when we asked them where they were going they said straight away 'to Africa!', said Mr Jureczko.

"The policeman questioning them found that incredible! Who would think of going to Africa at that age?"

The children were given away by all their summer luggage

When asked why they were going, groom-to-be Mika explained his seemingly simple plan.

"We wanted to take the train to the airport, and then catch a plane, then we would unpack, and get married once we arrived. Then we wanted to go for a little holiday," he said.

Fiancee Anna-Bell said: "We wanted to get married there and enjoy ourselves."

Mika's mother, Annabell Sievert, said she could not believe they had tried to elope overseas.

She said:"I was shocked. I thought I must be watching a film. We tried to find them, but couldn't. There are a lot of places they could have wandered to."

To make up for their disappointment at not reaching Africa, the children were given a special tour of the police headquarters at Hanover station and shown around the detention cell.

Anna-Bell, Anna-Lena and Mika at the police post at the main railway station in Hanover, central Germany, after being caught heading for the airport so Anna-Bell and Mika could 'get married in Africa'. Photograph: /AFP/Getty Images

Why Africa? Maybe because they were thinking of Gloria and Moto-moto, Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa? I find it a little amusing...but very disturbing.

Family Feud

They are on our broadsheets' front page today. It's just so sad for their family to face this kind of adversity. But the saddest thing about it is the effect of this controversy on the relationship of the family members. I feel for the other Brodetts who were dragged into this drug scandal. But it's really about the Brodett on trial, not them "exactly." They could have just squabbled and talked amongst themselves and demanded for the family involved to clear the Brodett name instead of going public like that. Well, it might be the right thing to do. But somehow it just doesn't feel "that" right. You don't protect, but you shouldn't push down either. My two cents.

It kinda reminds me of Michael Corleone's words to Fredo when he took Moe Green's side on the casino business buyout : "Fredo, you're my older brother, and I love you. But don't ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever. " Yeah, I know it's a Mafia movie and Michael was one cruel person; he had most of the characters killed --even his own brother, but the movie speaks of how far one can go to protect the Family.

I have no idea what the Brodett family relationship with each other's like. I only heard about them from the papers. One can only speculate. I'm soooo against illegal drugs. And I'm all for "death for drug traffickers." But I don't think I could do that to my sibling or nephew, if it were to happen to my family (I'm praying it won't). I'd have them straightened out... get support from all family members, send them to rehab, help them clean up their lives. I'd intervene and do something about it way before it would become a public spectacle. As in the case of the Brodetts, the "involved" Brodetts should face the music and pay the price, if they're really guilty; but for the other Brodetts... a public statement that "we are clean, we do not use and/or sell drugs" would have been enough. They also have neighbors, colleagues and friends who can attest to that. It would be so wrong if they will try to help the family involved get away with what they supposedly did. Let them take the rap... but no need to push them further down. Cause no matter how bad things get, your brother will forever be the son of your mother and father.