THE FRIENDLY FEMINIST: Haven for sex offenders

If you ever find yourself being a transient sex offender, worry no more.
There is a place for you.

Randy Young is the landlord for Brevard, Florida's "Habitat for sex offenders" -- a place built for people just like him (or you, but I'm hoping you're not a sex offender. If you are, please leave this site, and get some counseling).

Because it is hard to find housing for them nowadays. In Florida, you have to stay 1,000 feet away from churches, day-care centers, libraries, and schools. Where's a sex offender to go?

Even the flea bag motels with dimming vacancy signs, live and kicking roaches won't take them anymore. It's as if people convicted with such crimes aren't welcome...

Which is true. I would hope my neighbor wasn't a sex offender. So it makes sense to just throw them all in one place, right?

Maybe.

So what happens when you throw a bunch of sex offenders in one neighborhood? I don't know. I suppose they'll be better supervised, and people will know where NOT to trick or treat. But they'll probably go on their business, as long as it doesn't conflict with a few rules:

No kids (even for visitation rights)
No smoking
and a shirt is required for leaving the house.

I hope they remember to keep their pants on too.

CARINA 360°: Laura Ling & Euna Lee, Now Free.

Finally after 5 grueling months of waiting, the two Current TV journalists have been pardoned and will be in Los Angeles to meet their families.

Former President Bill Clinton met with leader Kim Jong II. In the meeting, Clinton had "sincere words of apology" for the "hostile acts" committed by the two.

To recap: Back in March, the women were arrested reporting on the border of North Korea. Then in June, they were sentenced to 12 years in prison for crossing illegally to conduct a smear campaign.

The treatment Lee and Ling received wasn't as bad as one may have perceived. They supposedly stayed in a guesthouse and were fed properly. But no doubt they are happy to be free and together with their loved ones.

However, in all happy endings their is always a Grinch! Some critics argue that sending someone as high-rank as former President Clinton to help is making North Korea look like the big bad boss in charge. Conservative and former Bush administration U.N. ambassador, John Bolton said, "It comes perilously close to negotiating with terrorists."

But it doesn't matter much now, the point is they're home. A little girl will get her mommy back and a husband will once again have a wife. In a statement made by the two families; "We especially want to thank President Bill Clinton for taking on such an arduous mission and Vice President Al Gore for his tireless efforts to bring Laura and Euna home."

Laura Ling's father, Doug Ling, said upon hearing the news, "One of the best days in my life ... I figured, sooner or later, they'd be back."

-carina360.blogspot.com

Thumbs-Up Michy: All Time Low - Nothing Personal

All Time Low's new sound really is 'Nothing Personal.' Their style has changed, but not drastically, since 'So Wrong, It's Right.' No longer do they have that poppy happy feel, their sound has become more mature and the album contains deeper feelings and emotions. It's as if their hidden talent had been kept away but was finally unleashed and let out. 'Nothing Personal' conveys more of the band's developing style, and isn't always as upbeat and happy as 'Poppin' Champagne' and 'Dear Maria, Count Me In' were from the previous album. I'm not saying the album is more cutting edge and depressing. It still has that pop-rock feel throughout. It was definetly a change for the better, because I personally would get sick of their same sound, just as anyone else would. It's as if they started out with that pop-rock Boys Like Girls style, and developed into a more punk-hard rock Madina Lake sound.

Their hit singles 'Weightless' and 'Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)' have that familiar feel as the last album. Weightless seems like a song that wasn't good enough for So Wrong, It's Right and so it ended up as the single for this album. 'Damned If I Do Ya' however, at first listen I could tell All Time Low was different. The catchy drum beats with Alex Gaskarth's almost perfect voice makes the song addicting throughout.

I absolutely loved 'Break Your Little Heart.' As you can tell by the title, the song isn't very lovey-dovey. Gaskarth sings about heartbreak, instead this time, he's the one breaking them. He mocks how the girl is a drama queen and how he won't fall for any of her remorse. I found the lyrics to be rather humorous, because it made the term "heartbroken" more light and funny. At first, when he sang, "I'm gonna break your little heart/Watch you take the fall/Laughing all the way to the hospital/Cuz there's nothing surgery can do when I break your little heart in two," I thought the song was pretty cruel. Despite the fact that Gaskarth seemed heartless at first, this song was amazing and caught my attention with its' stunning guitar riffs and melodious beat. It simply made me think the message he was sending was 'nothing personal.'

'Lost in Stereo' revealed more of that Madina Lake style. This was another of my favorites. With the chorus repeating the faint echo of the words 'lost in stereo' along with Gaskarth's distinctive voice makes this song infectious. 'Keep the Change, You Filthy Animal' opens up with a familiar beat from their first album 'Put Up Or Shut Up' which was more punk than pop. This was another track that I've come to love.

A track I didn't like so much was 'Too Much.' This song was more mellow and calm than the rest, but it had 'too much' synthesis and seemed over-produced. It didn't seem like All Time Low, and I think I would've preferred it to be plain acoustic than have all of this unneeded synth. Lastly, 'Therapy' is another slow and soothing track, except it was executed way better than 'Too Much.' At first, I didn't like the song, but it really grew on me and now it is my absolute favorite off the album. I simply love the acoustic feel and it reminds me of their acoustic track 'Remembering Sunday' from 'So Wrong, It's Right.' This song really touches my heart, I love Gaskarth's voice in the chorus when he says 'give me therapy/I'm a walking travesty/but I'm smiling at everything.' It gives me chills. The beat reminds me a little of Green Day, but surely isn't a replica of any of their songs.

Overall, their album made a dramatic change, but a change for the better. I enjoyed the CD and it is my favorite from All Time Low. Like almost every band, their sound matured. We can't all be the same forever. But hey, it's 'nothing personal.'

CARINA 360°: Journalist's Erin Andrews privacy invaded

Erin Andrews, sports journalist for ESPN, was unknowingly being videotaped naked in her hotel room by some pervert.

The video was posted on various websites. Luckily it was taken down because of legal threats. But the damage is already done.

Even as I researched more about her; most searches said "Erin Andrews hot," or “Erin Andrews body.” Things having nothing to do with her profession at ESPN.

Being that women and sports are a male fantasy; Throughout most of her career, it would seem there would be more pressure on her to do well.

In an interview she said, "I think people that pay attention know how hard I work. At this point, I got to stop worrying about proving myself to people. It's all about continuing to get better for myself." I would call her a good role model for aspiring female journalists.'

Not that I watch ESPN all the time or anything, but she's good at her job. And it's disgraceful that someone would go and invade her privacy like that. No doubt she was sexually assaulted.

Click link to read more on the story.
"Assault on Erin Andrews' privacy scary for all female journalists."

Published Online....Well sort of!

..... Ahem ahem, Ladies and Gentlemen! Jeremy is back for these short minutes that you're on this post. I just wanted to say that I just got published online on a Web site. Yes that's right, a real live Web site haha!
..... Sure, it may not be such a mainstream site, but still. It's not everyday one can look online for your very own writing. So I encourage all of my fellow reporters and even readers to peruse the Internet for places where even you can write and get posted!
..... Well I found this awesome Web site run by other teenagers considering a vocation to the priesthood and they have this section where they let people write about their own vocations. So I took the plunge and went for it!! I wrote a little something something. Read it and see if you like it:

Jeremy's something something

I believe the site is operated in the U.K. which increases the Wow-factor since anything European is cool right? haha Well bye folks!

- Jeremy Dela Cruz, that annoying religious guy!

CARINA 360°: 'His Music Will Live Forever'

It was yesterday that for almost 3 hours, the world, or at least everyone with a TV or Internet access, was not to be bothered. Music history was taking place.

Michael Jackson's memorial service was emotional to watch. Those with the "golden ticket" filled the Staples Center. Performances’ by Mariah Carey, Usher, John Mayor, Jennifer Hudson, and his own brother Jermaine...it seemed like a concert for a quick second.

However, all those performances weren’t notable enough when his daughter, Paris, called him the best dad in the world...then burst into tears into the arms of Janet Jackson.

The whole world was watching. And some people think it was too much for one man. According to the Los Angeles Times and HCD Research, 63% of Americans think he is getting to much coverage. But of those 63 percent, 80% are drawn to the media frenzy.

I don't find it surprising. People want to know. They can’t resist the drama and tragedy of this story.

Undoubtedly, a huge portion of his fans never knew him, but most people felt his death was like a huge loss in there own family. One fan being quoted as saying June 25, 2009 was the worst day of her life.

I wasn't his biggest fan, but I was a little sad. I remember when I was younger, watching the video “Thriller” with my brother. Both of us trying to dance like MJ. (Needless to say we did not succeed.)


In the end, the rumors and questions don‘t matter anymore. Michael Jackson was an entertainer. One of the best ones ever. Selling more than 750 million albums, becoming a music video icon with his original dance moves; he's been lending his voice to our ears since he was a teeny tiny boy.

August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

-This one of my favorite songs. The beautiful song of Jackson's pet rat, Ben.

Thumbs-Up Michy: RIP Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

It's a regular morning so far. I pour myself a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats and turn on the computer. Everything loads, and suddenly I get an instant message on AIM. "Michy, Michael Jackson's dead!!" I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it, but it was true. The King of Pop was gone. My family basically grew up with listening to Michael, his music is timeless. My 60 year old grandma loves his songs, and my 5 year old sister is always dancing whenever "Beat It" is on.

Michael Jackson is considered the King of Pop for a reason. His dance moves and singing were unique. It was evident that there could be no other person that could duplicate Michael's style. He basically opened the doors for other artists to make music. Michael started it all. Since he has passed away, it seems like the end of an era. The future of music is bright however, and many musicians should strive to follow in his footsteps. Even though Michael had to overcome many obstacles, he still came out strong. People will remember him for his classical tunes and effortlessly gifted talent.

Rest in peace.

-More at thumbsupmichy.blogspot.com