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Cindy McCain's $300,000 outfit for the RNC!
It caught Vanity Fair's attention when First Lady Laura Bush and would-be First Lady Cindy McCain took the stage Tuesday night wearing some rather fancy designer clothes. So they asked their fashion department to price out the outfits.
here's the breakdown:
Laura Bush
Oscar de la Renta suit: $2,500
Stuart Weitzman heels: $325
Pearl stud earrings: $600–$1,500
Total: Between $3,425 and $4,325
Cindy McCain
Oscar de la Renta dress: $3,000
Chanel J12 White Ceramic Watch: $4,500
Three-carat diamond earrings: $280,000
Four-strand pearl necklace: $11,000–$25,000
Shoes, designer unknown: $600
Total: Between $299,100 and $313,100
Wow! No wonder McCain has so many houses: his wife has the price of a Scottsdale split-level hanging from her ears.
(All prices except Laura’s shoes and Cindy’s watch are estimates, and the jewelry prices are based on the assumption that the pieces are real.) It caught Vanity Fair's attention when First Lady Laura Bush and would-be First Lady Cindy McCain took the stage Tuesday night we... more -
Breaking through addiction denial can take drastic measures
Parents must accept addiction, deal with it and get on with helping the child, expert says
Telling your drug-addicted child he isn't welcome at home unless he gets treatment or abides by the house rules is painful for any parent.
"But it may be the critical move that eventually saves a child's life," said addictions expert Dr. Ted Kardera. "It's the kind of statement that may precipitate someone getting into recovery and getting over denial."
Addiction is a progressive, fatal disease, Kardera said. "With drugs you don't have the luxury of 20 years. You're looking at five to 10," he said.
A parent who wrestles with whether to tell a child to leave home fears their child might not survive on the street or might die of an overdose. "But by continuing to support the child, a parent may be enabling him or her," said Kardera, a specialist in addiction medicine for 20 years.
Kardera explains that telling a child he might have to leave home is never a first step; it is a desperate measure that comes "towards the end of the process."
First comes denial. "Parents say there is nothing really wrong, their son or daughter is just going through a bad patch." More and more evidence piles up. Marks fall at school, behavioural problems abound, confrontations increase. In an effort to set things right, parents remove privileges, impose curfews, seek advice from doctors and counsellors, maybe put kids in treatment.
Family schisms develop. One parent says yes, another says no, and kids play both sides against the middle.
The bottom line is: Accept it, deal with it, get on with helping the child.
When it works, it's because the denial breaks down. "Denial is the hallmark of addiction," he said.
The addict says: I've got it under control, it's not a problem, and continues the abusive behaviour, whether it's drugs, sex, work, gambling, alcohol -- in spite of negative consequences.
Often the family is in denial, too. One parent sees the problem, the other doesn't. One refuses to give the child money, the other sneaks it to them. They say, "My son can't be an addict" because that reflects on them.
Suddenly, too late, parents realize their child is addicted and living a dangerous lifestyle.
So where should they draw the line? "That's the $64,000 question and there is no right answer," Kardera said. Parents must accept addiction, deal with it and get on with helping the child, expert says ... more -
Drug addiction relapses may be stopped by erasing memories of drug use
Erasing' drug-associated memories may prevent recovering drug abusers from relapsing, researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered.
The team, led by Professor Barry Everitt, was able to reduce drug-seeking behaviours in rats by blocking a brain chemical receptor important to learning and memory during the recall of drug-associated memories. Their research, which was funded by the Medical Research Council, was reported in the 13 August issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.
The Cambridge scientists found that by disrupting or erasing memories associated with drug use during recall, they could prevent the memories from triggering relapses and drug taking.
Memories exist in different states depending on whether they are being recalled or not. When memories are recalled, they become 'unstable' or malleable and can be altered or erased during the process called reconsolidation. Because relapse by drug abusers is often prompted when they recall drug-associated memories, the scientists found that by blocking these memories they could prevent relapse. Erasing' drug-associated memories may prevent recovering drug abusers from relapsing, researchers at the University of Cambridge ... more -
Tripping The Habit
Ibogaine is a hallucinogenic drug originating in Africa, and widely used there amongst the Bwiti tribe (Gabon/Cameroon) in initiation ceremonies.
It is now also used informally by practitioners across the world, including quite a few in the UK, as an anti-addiction treatment. People addicted to cocaine or heroin take Ibogaine, go into a hallucinatory trance-state for up to 24 hours and find that their cravings have subsided - it's not officially recognized as a treatment, but is known to be unusually successful. This film would follow someone's journey through the Ibogaine treatment - including the trance state in which the patient is often pretty physically active - exploring issues of addiction in today's society, alternative medicine and rehabilitation. Ibogaine is a hallucinogenic drug originating in Africa, and widely used there amongst the Bwiti tribe (Gabon/Cameroon) in initiation ... more -
Four-year-old boy treated for cigar addiction
Kids nowadays.
The four-year-old isn't alone, his nine-year-old brother is apparently quite partial to a little toke now and again as well.
The boys' father has unsurprisingly come under criticism, not just for letting it happen in the first place, but because after he checked his kids into rehab, he only attended two of their sessions. Kids nowadays. ... more -
Ducky Doolittle
Ducky Doolittle is my hero. Despite her difficult childhood of neglect and abuse, she is one the most outspoken political sex empowerment instructors.
Watch how Ducky travels the US to educate those on sexual empowerment. Ducky Doolittle is my hero. Despite her difficult childhood of neglect and abuse, she is one the most outspoken political sex empower... more -
Back to bald: Emaciated Amy leaves the beehive behind to reveal her thinning locks
This is sad. Whoever thought that celebrity drug abuse glamourises narcotics obviously has not seen this sort of photo spread. Aspirational my eye. This is sad. Whoever thought that celebrity drug abuse glamourises narcotics obviously has not seen this sort of photo spread. Aspirat... more
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Mario's Hope
An incredible depiction of this young recovering alcoholic sharing his experience, strength, and hope in HD.
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UN slams celebrity druggies
Celebs who take drugs are "getting off too lightly" and that's sending a dangerous message to young people, according to the United Nations. The report lambastes prosecutors worldwide for chasing after the "easy pickings" at the bottom of the drug trade pyramid while letting the high profile users and dealers off too easily.
"Young people are quick to pick up on, and react to, perceived leniency... It also makes people become cynical about drug enforcement," said Hamid Ghodse, the author of the report. He warned that governments should take tougher measures to stem drug trade from the top as well as the bottom.
Do you think celebs get special treatment when it comes to drugs? Do you think the government needs to crackdown on them? What about the media? Celebs who take drugs are "getting off too lightly" and that's sending a dangerous message to young people, according t... more -
She's Finally Gonna Go To Rehab. She Says Ya Ya Ya.
Good for Amy. She's been nominated for 6 Grammies. And now she's finally getting the medical help she needs. She's had enough of the paparazzi harassment. She's hit the bottom and she's ready to get better. Hopefully she'll be able to keep from wandering around in the middle of the night in her bra. Good for Amy. She's been nominated for 6 Grammies. And now she's finally getting the medical help she needs. She's had ... more
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Government Adviser: Club Drug Ecstasy Should Be Downgraded
A year-long panel discussion has called for club drug ecstasy and LSD to be downgraded from Class A to Class B.
Professor David Nutt (how appropriate, I think), "said grouping the drugs with others in Class A, like heroin, was an "anomaly". " A year-long panel discussion has called for club drug ecstasy and LSD to be downgraded from Class A to Class B. ... more -
Un-edited statement by jailed American Indian rights activist Leonard Peltier
National Day of Mourning Statement from Leonard Peltier:
November 22, 2007
Greetings my Relations, As I sit here in my cell, thinking about you, and gathering my thoughts, I can't help but appreciate you remembering me.
I was told just the other day that people in Oklahoma protested Oklahoma's 100 year celebration of its statehood.
They protested or demonstrated and also celebrated their 100 years of survival of an adversed government that has violated all treaties and has gained control of most of their land.
I support those Indian people.
It also brings to mind those who - like Columbus came and did the same, take our lands, and also what has happened to all people all over the world- the Jews, the Palestians, as well as other indigenous countries and peoples.
Yet I have to say that America shares most of the responsibility to do the right thing.
What happened to the teachings or commandments of: Thou shall not lie Thou shall not kill Thou shall not steal
I can't remember all the commandments but what I do know is They have lied They have killed They have stolen.
They have mistreated our Mother- our Mother Earth, our rivers, our land, the air we breathe and the water we drink.
I consider global warming the wrong that has been done to our people.
Even the Mexican people state in their own way, "We did not cross the border, the border crossed us". The Mexican people are Indian people.
I have no doubt the Indian people of South America, North America, Central American will join in unison to make all the America's better.
A circle of Life is what dictates that the earth shall renew itself every spring.
We have said this for generations.
Go back and read our Elders sayings as we have been trying to tell Europeans that came here- to honor our traditional ways and to honor our Mother Earth and keep the Circle of Life.
Chief Seattle said: "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." Chief Seattle, 1855
This is just one of the many quotations from our ancestors.
Now today we have global warming.
We take no pride of solace in saying " We told you so."
But we do hope that the people of Europe and all around the world will start looking at the Native way of life.
Our Elders teach us that when we take from this earth, we must give back.
There is no greater resource on the face of this earth than our children.
America is leading in the wrongful influence of our youth.
Wrong medicine is being offered to our youth, commonly called alcohol and drugs.
It is up to each one of us, to get involved and make a difference in a positive way.
It is time to give back to our children.
I encourage each of you to take it upon yourself to stand up and find someway to help our youth.
The youth of the world are in jeopardy; let us not rob future generations of their future.
The greatest symbol of the Creator is the circle.
I encourage each of you to make the circle complete- the sacred cycle of the family, the cycle of the seasons, your personal cycle of life make them as strong as possible spiritually, mentally and physically.
Stay strong and never, never give up.
I can not say it enough or express my appreciation to each of you how much I appreciate those of you who came here today to remember me and to listen to what this prisoner has to say.
Again I simply say,
Thank you In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, Leonard Peltier
#89637-132
USP Lewisburg PA
PO BOX 1000
Lewisburg ,PA 17837
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Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
Toni Zeidan-Co-director LPDC
Website:
http://www.leonardpeltier.net
email:
info@leonardpeltier.net National Day of Mourning Statement from Leonard Peltier: November 22, 2007 ... more -
Toddlers addicted to heroin
"While I was baby, my mother gave me opium," says Aka Murat, 40.
That's seems to be the norm if you grew up in northern Afghanistan.
By the time Murat was two years old, he says eating opium had become a habit. "Now if I don't take opium twice a day, I feel pain in my body and become like a crazy man," he continues.
Nazira, a 28-year old carpet weaver admitted giving her child opium as a sedative so as not to "disturb us during our work."
Nazira believes if child care facilities were available for her and mothers in similar position, their dependency on opium would fall.
"If we had a kindergarten, we wouldn't need to give our children opium and spend our money on buying opium," she says. "And I know after 10 years nobody would use opium in here."
Despite the efforts of the UK and US governments, this years opium production in Afghanistan reached 8,200 tonnes - a 34% increase over last year's figures.
Afghanistan now account for 93% for the world's opium production.
Link: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/11/16/opium-study.ht... "While I was baby, my mother gave me opium," says Aka Murat, 40. ... more -
Hooked: Why your brain is primed for addiction
David had been a normal, happy child, growing up in an English seaside town. But by the time he was 18 he was miserable, withdrawn and rebellious. He skipped school, got angry when confronted, and stole from family and friends. He had a habit to fuel, and it took up all of his time. He lost sleep, had anxiety attacks, and sometimes got violent when he couldn't get what he needed. David had been a normal, happy child, growing up in an English seaside town. But by the time he was 18 he was miserable, withdrawn and... more
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Brand: My Life as a Junkie
Russell Brand tried every drug in the book, from cannabis to crack cocaine. But heroin was the one that took over his life. In our second extract from the comedian's autobiography, he reveals what he was willing to endure for the sake of that 'great big smack cuddle' Russell Brand tried every drug in the book, from cannabis to crack cocaine. But heroin was the one that took over his life. In our sec... more
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Pack Your Old Pills in Poop?
Wondering how to dispose of your unused old prescription drugs? Well, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration suggests wrapping them up in poo to deter any old cringer to rifle through your trash and find a quick fix for his nasty habit. EEEEEWWWW. Wondering how to dispose of your unused old prescription drugs? Well, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration su... more
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Doherty: I feel only shame
PETE DOHERTY has apologised to his fans and doctors after admitting to injecting heroin when he was claiming to be drug free.
Yesterday The Sun showed shocking footage of Pete taking the killer drug at his home last Friday, after arriving back from the MTV Awards. PETE DOHERTY has apologised to his fans and doctors after admitting to injecting heroin when he was claiming to be drug free. ... more -
stop using chapstick, WOMAN!!
i can't function without my chapstick! if i don't use my chapstick i start to feel my lips dry up like a crack addicted slamhound that looks like he just ate a glazed donut! this addiction blows!! do you have the same addiction? i can't function without my chapstick! if i don't use my chapstick i start to feel my lips dry up like a crack addicted sla... more
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San Francisco considers injection room
"City health officials took steps Thursday toward opening the nation's first legal safe-injection room, where addicts could shoot up heroin, cocaine and other drugs under the supervision of nurses."
No surprise San Francisco being the place for this to take place, but it is an interesting idea. "City health officials took steps Thursday toward opening the nation's first legal safe-injection room, where addicts could ... more
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Drug Addiction
