Bush Says He Misses Seeing Service Members

BENTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Flying on Air Force One, eating meals prepared by the White House kitchen staff and drawing inspiration from his encounters with U.S. military personnel were among things former President George W. Bush missed since leaving office, he said Thursday.

The often-tearful meetings he had with relatives of fallen soldiers were "in some ways... very hard and in some ways, it was very uplifting," the Texas Republican said in a speech to The Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan at Lake Michigan College.

About eight people protested Bush's appearance outside the venue, carrying signs that called him a murderer and a traitor. The speech Thursday was one of the first made by the former president since leaving office in January.

Bush, the nation's 43rd president, spoke to 2,500 people about "the fog of war" that followed the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the economic downturn and his return to life as a regular citizen.

"It was a roller coaster of emotions, it really was," Bush said of the terror attacks. "I think about it now at times but I definitely thought about it every day as president."

He talked about the economy, blaming "a lack of responsible regulation" in the lending industry for the recession and said that the Federal National Mortgage Association, known as Fannie Mae, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., or Freddie Mac, shouldn't have engaged in certain financial practices.

"I don't want to sound like a self-serving guy, but we did try to rein them in," Bush said.

He also said he believes he was right to depose Iraq president Saddam Hussein and that it may lead to the spread of democracy throughout the Middle East.

The audience, which gave Bush a warm welcome at his arrival, cheered when he said he wanted to be remembered as a president who "showed up in office with a set of principles and he was unwilling to sacrifice his soul for the sake of popularity."

Miles McPherson on Marriage

PS2 Still Reigns Over PS3

PS3 Bested by Older Brother

by Mike Smith

According to official April figures released by the NPD Group, the Playstation 3 found itself beaten out for fifth place by an unusual competitor: its predecessor, the Playstation 2.

A 50% leap in Playstation 2 sales accounts for the surprising change, an increase likely prompted by the system's price cut on April 1, a move which apparently electrified interest in the nine-year old platform.

The PS2's success was probably the only nugget of April sales news to put smiles on the faces of Sony execs. Nintendo platforms continued their lockdown of the top spots, with the Wii coming second and the DS coming both first and third, courtesy of the just-launched DSi: the DS's two hardware variations accounted for an astonishing million sales during April.Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 was down slightly over last April, but still managed a solid fourth place and remains on course for a record-breaking year.

But both the Playstation 3 and PSP posted disappointing results, with the PS3 placing sixth with its worst performance in over 18 months, and the PSP limping in seventh with a total of 116,000 sales -- down over 30% on March's numbers.

The news has revitalized persistent rumors of price cuts for Sony's PS3. The system's base model is between $150 and $200 more expensive than its competitors, the Wii and Xbox 360. Industry news site Gamasutra predicts we'll see a $100 cut in the $400 Playstation 3 announced at the E3 video games trade show in Los Angeles in early June.

So if you're contemplating taking the Playstation plunge -- and with top exclusive superhero thriller Infamous just a week away, we're betting some of you are -- you might well want to hold off and wait to see what June has in store.

Miss CA Carrie Prejean Gets to Keep Her Crown

Miss California Carrie Prejean will keep her crown, Miss USA pageant owner Donald Trump announced at a press conference Tuesday at Trump Tower in New York City.Prejean, 21, failed to reveal before last month's Miss USA pageant that she had posed in her underwear as a teenager. But Trump said, "We are in the 21st century ... and Carrie is a model, she's a very successful model, we have determined and we have the absolute right under the contract we have determined that the pictures taken are fine."

(He also praised Prejean for being honest when she said she was against same sex marriage at last month's pageant. Trump said she gave a "very honest answer when asked a very tough question. Its the same answer that the President of the United States gave.")



Fighting back tears, Prejean, who attended the conference, thanked Trump for "believing" in her.

"Most importantly, I would like to thank God," she said.




Prejean first ignited controversy at the April 19 pageant when she told judge Perez Hilton that she believed marriage should be between only a man and a woman, igniting a cultural debate.

The runner-up said her answer cost her the crown.Prejean later announced that she'll be launching a campaign opposing gay marriage with the National Organization for Marriage.

A short time later, racy photos surfaced. Prejean said the pictures were leaked to humiliate her because of her anti-gay marriage views, calling it a "vicious and mean-spirited" attacks. (Even more photos hit the web before Trump's press conference Tuesday morning.)

On Monday, California pageant officials announced that Prejean violated her contract by lobbying on behalf of an anti-gay-marriage group and by failing to reveal that she had posed in her underwear as a teenager.

They appointed Tami Farrell, her runner-up, as "Beauty of California Ambassador" to fulfill any duties that Prejean might not be able to carry out. As for whether Prejean should be stripped of her crown, they said only Trump can make the decision.

Christian Fights For His Right... to Parrrrrrtay!

Tyler Frost, right and his prom date Rebecca Smooty, left are interviewed by several local media outlets prior to attending Findlay High Schools prom Saturday night, May 9, 2009. Frost says he expects to be suspended from a Christian school for attending a public school prom with his girlfriend.(AP Photo/KENT TARBOX/The Courier)

Suspended for Dancing
by Mike Krumboltz
May 12, 2009 09:50:46 AM

Tyler Frost, the high school senior who was suspended for attending his girlfriend's prom, has become a sensation in Search. And yet, despite all the news surrounding his fight for the right to get jiggy with it, folks had yet to hear from Frost himself. That wait is over. This morning, the teen went on "The Early Show" to tell his side of the story.

During an interview with Harry Smith, Frost explained that his private Christian school does have a contract stipulating "no dancing." However, he didn't believe it should include dancing outside of school. So, despite a stiff warning from his principal, he went to his girlfriend's prom at another school. He has since been suspended and won't be allowed to take his final exams on time or graduate with the rest of his class.

Despite this, Frost has no regrets, saying that attending his special lady's prom was both "worth the risk" and "the right decision." Frost's stepfather was also there for the interview. He didn't say much before leaving in the middle of the discussion, but he did mention that a lawsuit against the school is in the works. You can watch the entire CBS interview here.


A May 7, 2009, photo of Tyler Frost, 17, a senior at Heritage Christian School in Findlay, Ohio. Frost will be suspended if he takes his girlfriend to a prom dance at her public high school featuring rock music and dancing. The fundamentalist Baptist school in northwest Ohio forbids dancing, rock music, hand holding and kissing.(AP Photo/ Randy Roberts-The Courier)

Tyler Frost gets a goodbye kiss from his girlfriend Rebecca Smoody Monday, May 11, 2009, in Findlay, Ohio, in a parking lot across from Heritage Christian School. Frost was suspended from the school for attending the prom at Findlay High School with Smoody this past Saturday. The fundamentalist Baptist school in northwest Ohio forbids dancing, rock music and hand holding.(AP Photo/The Courier, Randy Roberts)

TWO blogs for the price of one.

Miss California:

Racy Pics Trying to "Undermine My Reputation"

Racy photos of Miss California Carrie Prejean have popped up on the Internet -- and she says it's an attempt to humiliate her because of her anti-gay marriage views.

"On April 19, I chose to answer a question during the 2009 Miss USA pageant in an honest and personal manner that expressed my views of the long-established definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman," Prejean, 21, said in a statement Tuesday. "Yet my comments defending traditional marriage have led to intimidation tactics that seek to undermine my reputation and somehow silence me and my beliefs, as if opinion is only a one-way street."

One leaked shot shows Prejean wearing nothing but undies and covering her breast. Prejean insisted the pics are just modeling shots.
"I am a Christian, and I am a model," she said. "Models pose for pictures, including lingerie and swimwear photos."

She added that the shots, taken of her as a teenager, were "released surreptitiously to a tabloid Web site that openly mocks me for my Christian faith."

"I am not perfect, and I will never claim to be," she went on. "But these attacks on me and others who speak in defense of traditional marriage are intolerant and offensive. While we may not agree on every issue, we should show respect for others' opinions and not try to silence them through vicious and mean-spirited attacks."

Despite the controversy, she said she "will continue to support and defend marriage as the honorable institution it is. I will continue to stand with the overwhelming majority of the American people and the voters of my home state of California."

"If this whole experience has taught me anything," she concluded, "it is our precious right to speak freely, and how we as Americans can never allow anyone or any group to intimidate or threaten us to keep silent."

It remains to be seen whether the shots could affect her status as a spokeswoman for conservative causes or her future involvement with the Miss California pageant.

THRILL says:

I totally saw this coming. Miss CA is living the Matthew 10:22 verse to the extreme right now. Of course they're trying to "undermine her reputation". Society hates everything America stands for! During the 2009 Miss USA pageant, she was asked for her own view on marriage. She gave it. Now, those who did not like her answer are good-old-fashioned-hating on her because of her stance on the meaning of marriage.

I love how the associated press chooses it's wording to describe the photos of Carrie Prejean "wearing nothing but undies and covering her breasts". Give me a freakin' break. They ARE modeling pictures. I've seen raunchier images in the Pennysaver.

If you'd like to see the, what I call boring, pictures, message me and I'll send you a copy.

This is nothing but a cheap attack on Miss CA for obviously her being a Christian. It is amazing how Christians, and all things Godly, is attacked, dispised, made fun of, degraded, and dismissed. It's offensive to offend anyone else, but let's all silently, or violently remove and slander the Christian Nation this IS.

Yes... this is a Christian Nation. America is a Nation Under God. If you don't like that, get the hell out of here. If you wish to visit, or temporarily reside here, you may... but keep your ass in line by not being disrespectful to God fearing Americans.

Miss CA is absolutely right. She will represent the MAJORITY, who WON the Yes On 8!, and define marriage as being between a man and a woman.

I PRAY that Miss CA will continue to represent Christ and not give in to making the wicked hearts of mankind happy. Carrie, please don't give in... like when Eharmony lost it's balls because it didn't want to start any controversy... typical of weak Christians.

I colored Miss CA's words in blue so yall can read it better. She defends herself well. Miss California Carrie Prejean is a true Christian and Patriot to the United States of America.

God Bless Her.

P.S.- I don't care if she got boob implants or not. Who am I to unrighteously judge her. Hell, I'd get a penis enlargement if I had the money and safe technology.

Moving On...

Pageant PR rep accuses Miss California of lying

By LISA LEFF, Associated Press Writer

SAN FRANCISCO – A spokesman for the Miss California pageant on Monday denied that contest officials told the reigning beauty queen to publicly apologize for her statement opposing same-sex marriage during the Miss USA pageant.

Carrie Prejean, 21, claimed during Sunday services at her San Diego church that producers of the state pageant told her to apologize to the gay community and to avoid mentioning religion when she appeared last week on the "Today" show and other national programs.

But San Diego public relations representative Roger Neal, who said he was one of the people advising her, called those claims lies. Contest officials urged Prejean only to reiterate that she didn't mean to offend anyone and to use the national spotlight "to heal some wounds," he said.

"She chose to stand up in church and in front of the media and say something that was a lie," Neal said. "No one ever said, 'You must apologize to the gay community,' and no one ever said, 'Don't talk about your faith or your religion.' Those two things never came out of anybody's mouth."

Prejean didn't immediately return a call from The Associated Press on Monday.

During her appearances at the Rock Church in San Diego, she said she turned to her pastor there for comfort and counsel after she was criticized for saying during the Miss USA pageant that she thought marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

Keith Lewis, a Los Angeles talent agent and gay activist who runs the Miss California pageant, also issued a statement expressing dismay with Prejean and concern about her ability to carry out her duties during the remainder of her rein.

"Given the fact that Carrie Prejean's first act upon returning to California was to headline five services at a church that promotes homosexuality as both unnatural and abnormal, we stand by our concern for her individual image and look forward to a time in the near future when she can put down her personal agenda" and resume her responsibilities as Miss California.

THRILL Responds:
This article makes me want to vomit! Of course contest officials told Miss CA to apologize for the answer she gave at the pageant. This ought to anger anyone who believes in equality or righteousness. One of those advisers, Roger Neal, is just trying to cover his ass because Miss CA went public*. He did say contest officials wanted Miss CA to "reiterate that she didn't mean to offend anyone." WHY DOES SHE HAVE TO REITERATE ANYTHING?!?!?!?

CAN ANYONE GIVE ME A REASON WHY SHE NEEDS TO? Even when she gave her answer at the pageant, she added the words, "no offense" to her statement. If anyone out there expects her to restate that, those same people MUST admit that they are retarded, or don't speak English.

Roger Neal, you're a coward. Quit trying to save your ass. You probably live in some huge house with Diva switches, with a smoking hot wife that's spending your money and banging a guy like me... quit trying to bring honest and righteous people like Miss CA down to your pathetic level! You ought to be ashamed of yourself!

All you "adults" that put men like Roger Neal in supervisory positions like that... what the hell is a matter with you. I'm ashamed to consider myself an adult. In fact, I never will consider myself an adult because ~you adults are doing a real fine damn job of running this world: I say as I role my eyes.

Keith Lewis: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! She IS fully acting out her responsibilities as Miss CA! Being the Miss California here, IS her personal agenda! To say that she is not carrying out her duties as Miss CA is ludacris.

```
On a personal note, I'm sure that there are Christians that don't like Carrie Prejean. I think yall are dumb. I've been fighting for God for over a decade. I've lost family members, fiancees, careers, money, dreams, and physical health all for trying to represent God. I've probably failed at that task. One day, God might face me and say I've done nothing for Him.

"over a decade"

Yet, in one evening broadcast on national television, 2009 Miss California Carrie Prejean does her duties as a representative of Christ and honor of what a real American Woman is.

So based on all this, when I compare myself to Miss CA, she's got a better chance of entering the gates of Heaven than I do.

Matthew 10: 32+33 documents Jesus saying, " Therefore, whoever confesses me before Men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. "




In this April 26, 2009 file photo, Miss California, Carrie Prejean, waves as she comes on stage at the Rock Church during services in San Diego. PreJean said she'll be working with the National Organization for Marriage to 'protect traditional marriages. In recent weeks, Vermont and Iowa have legalized same-sex marriage while New York, Maine and New Hampshire have taken steps in that direction.

Miss California Carrie Prejean, left, takes part in the finale at the Dove awards in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, April 23, 2009. The Dove awards honor Christian and gospel music.

Miss California Carrie Prejean listens to a question at the Rock Church during services in San Diego Sunday, April, 26, 2009.

Dom DeLuise, Actor, Comedian and Chef, Dies at 75

LOS ANGELES - Dom DeLuise, the portly actor-comedian whose affable nature made him a popular character actor for decades with movie and TV audiences as well as directors and fellow actors, has died. He was 75.

DeLuise died Monday night, Michael DeLuise told radio station KNX on Tuesday. The comedian died in his sleep after a long illness. Calls to Dom Deluise's agent and his son were not immediately returned Tuesday. The actor, who loved to cook and eat almost as much as he enjoyed acting, also carved out a formidable second career later in life as a chef of fine cuisine. He authored two cookbooks and would appear often on morning TV shows to whip up his favorite recipes. As an actor, he was incredibly prolific, appearing in scores of movies and TV shows, in Broadway plays and voicing characters for numerous cartoon shows.

Writer-director-actor Mel Brooks particularly admired DeLuise's talent for offbeat comedy and cast him in several of his films, including "The Twelve Chairs," "Blazing Saddles," "Silent Movie," "History of the World Part I" and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." DeLuise was also the voice of Pizza the Hutt in Brooks' "Star Wars" parody, "Spaceballs."

The actor also appeared frequently in films opposite his friend Burt Reynolds. Among them, "The End," "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "Smokey and the Bandit II," "The Cannonball Run" and "Cannonball Run II."

Reynolds fondly recalled DeLuise in a statement issued by his publicist.
"I was thinking about this the other day," Reynolds said. "As you get older and start to lose people you love, you think about it more and I was dreading this moment. Dom always made you feel better when he was around and there will never be another like him. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. I will miss him very much."

Another actor-friend, Dean Martin, admired his comic abilities so much that he cast DeLuise as a regular on his 1960s comedy-variety show. In 1973, he starred in a situation comedy, "Lotsa Luck," but it proved to be short-lived.

"To know Dom was to love him and I knew him very well. Not only was he talented and extremely funny, but he was a very special human being," said actress Carol Burnett, who starred with DeLuise on TV show "The Entertainers" in the '60s. DeLuise also appeared on "The Carol Burnett Show" in the '70s.

Other TV credits included appearances on such shows as "The Munsters," "The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.," "Burke's Law," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Diagnosis Murder."

On Broadway, DeLuise appeared in Neil Simon's "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" and other plays.
Because of his passion for food, the actor battled obesity throughout much of his life, his weight reaching as much as 325 pounds at one point. For years he resisted the efforts of family members and doctors who tried to put him on various diets. He finally agreed in 1993 when he needed hip replacement surgery and his doctor refused to perform it until he lost 100 pounds.
He and his family enrolled at the Duke University Diet and Fitness Center in Durham, N.C., and DeLuise lost enough weight for the surgery, although he gained some of it back afterward.

On the positive side, his love of food resulted in two successful cookbooks, 1988's "Eat This: It Will Make You Feel Better!" and 1997's "Eat This Too! It'll Also Make You Feel Good."
At his Pacific Palisades home, DeLuise often prepared feasts for family and friends. One lunch began with turkey soup and ended with strawberry shortcake. In between were platters of beef filet, chicken breast and sausage, a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs and a saucer of lettuce.
He strongly resembled the famed chef Paul Prudhomme and joked in a 1987 Associated Press interview that he had posed as Prudhomme while visiting his New Orleans restaurant, K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen.

DeLuise was appearing on Broadway in "Here's Love" in the early 1960s when Garry Moore saw him and hired him to play the magician "Dominick the Great" on "The Garry Moore Show." His appearances on the hit comedy-variety program brought offers from Hollywood, and DeLuise first came to the attention of movie goers in "Fail Safe," a drama starring Henry Fonda. He followed with a comedy, "The Glass Bottom Boat," starring Doris Day, and from then on he alternated between films and television.