The View February 3rd Recap: Paula Deen and Dev Patel
Today on The View, it was the four main hosts. Unfortunately I missed the first fifteen minutes. Those of you who saw it, please comment about what the topics were, so that other may discuss those issues as well.
They talked about the tape that came out that features Christian Bale cursing/yelling at cinematographer on the set of a movie. It is laced with profanity. Joy joked, “Wasn’t he in the movie American Psycho?” She said that once the guy said sorry it should have been enough. She suggested that he had anger from something else and took it out on that guy. Elisabeth said that maybe he needed a cookie.
Sherri said that when you are an actor and trying to get into a character and someone walks across it can be distracting. Whoopi said that when you shoot someone calls “Quiet” and several people have the job of making sure people don’t walk through. Whoopi said that if it happened more than once you would snap. She said that she has gone off on people because they know they are not supposed to interrupt like that. Joy said that he is not doing brain surgery, it is show business. Whoopi disagreed, saying it is his art. Joy said that she has left gigs in the past when the audience was not paying attention. Sherri and Whoopi both set that you cannot walk off the set of a movie. Joy said that she and Elisabeth argue, but they don’t call each other names. Elisabeth joked, “Only in my head.” Whoopi said acting is different because you are in a zone.
Whoopi talked about the planned spending for highways and infrastructure. She said that she wants to know where her Easy Pass money goes and threw a little fit about that.
Paula Deen appeared on the show. She said that she was told twice ahead of time that the sofa was hard and didn’t understand, wondering why the producer was talking about the hosts that way. Now, sitting on the sofa, she realized it was hard as her arteries. She has a lot of food and everyone tried some. Some of the recipes were from her magazine. It was comfort food and Joy said that Jenny Craig thinks she is a terrorist.
She met her husband of five years when her dogs ran away from her and started pooping in front of him. She was new to the neighborhood and he looked mean and she thought he was the pervert of the neighborhood. She has a grandson who won’t kiss and hug her. The other day he opened the door and told her to go.
Paula had a sleep-over with Kathy Griffin and Michael McDonald and afterward she was so sore (then she paused for effect) from laughing so hard.
Paula has her own line of nuts.
Speaking of Jenny Craig, I was surprised to see Phylicia Rashad is the new spokesperson for the company. The commercial came after the Deen segment, which was kind of funny given Joy’s crack about Deen’s food.
Dev Patel, star of Slumdog Millionaire, was on the show. (It sounded like Sherri called him “Dave” at the end of the Paula Deen segment when she teased the next segment.) The crowd gave him a big ovation and he joked, “Anyone want to adopt an 18-year-old?” He thinks it is the universal underdog story of the movie that appeals to everyone. He said that it is about a kid with no formal education going on the most popular game show in India. He said that the show really is that big of India. The host of the show is a big hero and there is even a statute of him. He joked it would be like Barack Obama hosting a game show.
Dev was raised in England and auditioned for the movie after he was discovered when he was in the show “Skins.” He was naked in the show, which he was embarrassed about because his mother saw him.
Elisabeth said that the love story in the movie is great. Two of the young children in the movie are actually from the slums. He said that they are now in the English language schools and there is a big pot of money for them if they finish school. Elisabeth said that there had been reports that they were not treated well. Dev said that was not the case and they are learning English well and one of the children came up to him at the premiere recently and asked him if she liked her dress, speaking in English.
Dev went to India once when he was seven, but only remembers the mosquitoes and getting the runs. He cannot dance in real life, but in the film there was a big Bollywood dance number. He showed Sherri how to do some moves. Joy said it looked like Saturday Night Fever. Dev said that the choreographer was the Indian version of Prince.
Edda Mellis, mother of Amanda Knox, also appeared on the show. Knox is the student charged with the murder of her roommate in Italy. She said that her daughter is amazing. There is always someone in Italy with Amanda. Her father is on his way there now. She can talk once per week for 10 minutes. She said that Amanda is a little naïve and thinks that if you are innocent you don’t get convicted, so she is optimistic.
Amanda told her that she was not there that night. She called the police when she thought there was a burglary when she returned home. They would not break down the roommate’s door because they did not think there was evidence to do that, so another roommate broke it down. Edda said that contrary to reports, there was not a knife found at the scene that had Amanda’s DNA on it. It was found at her boyfriend’s house and there was no blood on it and there is a very poor chance that DNA found on it belong to the victim. She said that the knife also does not match the wounds on the victim.
The only time that Amanda’s story changed was during an overnight interrogation with no attorney and an interpreter that spoke limited English. They threatened her with life in prison and told her to hypothesize what she would have done had she been there. Then they had her sign a statement, which was later thrown out.
Amanda got along well with her roommate. Her mom said that the portrayal of her as promiscuous and a party girl is not true. She got her “Foxy Knoxy” nickname when she was eight and on a soccer team. She was not a drinker, was into yoga, and a pacifist.
The toughest thing about proving her innocence will be all the misinformation that has been out in the last year. (Wouldn’t it have been an interesting segment to have the mom on with Nancy Grace at the same time?)
The View, Sherri Shepherd, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Joy Behar, Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Paula Deen, Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire, Edda Mellas, Amanda Knox, Christian Bale
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:38 am
I hate to hear rich people like Whoopi complain about taxes. My mother lives on a fixed income and had to retire due to health issues. My hubby and I help her out each month, but think about the people who don’t have someone to help them. The one medication she has to take is over one hundred dollars. Her co -payments just went up too.
Paula Deen invited Rosie to come spend some time with her too, I don’t know if she ever went.
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:43 am
Regarding Christian Bale aka A–hole.Whoopie is 1000% wrong. Joy is right about this idiot
It amazes me that these actors think they are above manners. It is not their job to correct or yell at the people on set, acting as if their job do to so.
We do not know if this Director of Photography was wrong or not. Christian Bale just may be wrong, and the other guy apologized to move things along.
I have never watched any boring Christian Bale movie, and don’t ever intend to do so. What an idiot.
His own mother and sister pressed charges on him when he was promoting Batman. Obviously he is why out of hand.
This is acting. It would be interesting to know if Whoopie acted like a maniac before the Oscar of after.
Unbelievable.
Sherri doesn’t have anything to say either.
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:44 am
Paula is so funny! I love her personality. How funny when she said the couch is as hard as her arteries! And then she said how Kathy Griffin slept over her house and after she left she was so sore. From laughing. LOL!
And then when Whoopi made a face as she was eating the pasta Paula was like ‘why are you making a face?’
And horray!
Notice Whoopi and especially Sherri did not stuff their faces and talk whith their mouths open? I am so happy to see Sherri acted civilized during a food segment! I wonder if it was addressed ? She was very different! She was enjoying the food without the orgasm faces and sounds, and stuffing too much food in her mouth as she speaks!
Elisabeth ate some of the whipped cream from the ice cream sundae, but told Paula she has celiac disease when she asked her if she could try the cake.
Oh, and how generous of Elisabeth to bring ONE PIECE of Proscuitto on a plate to Paulas husband after she asked her to bring him some. Well, at least she didn’t throw it!
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:46 am
Nice.. Joy was just explaining how even though her and Elisabeth have political fights it never gets personal and they don’t call each other names, so what does Elisabeth say? She says yes she does!She calls Joy a ‘bitch’ in her head and said it with her curly lip smirk. @@
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:48 am
I am already sick of Elisabeth desperatley bringing attention to the fact that she is pregnant. When they were having that discussion about wether how having more than 2 children is irresponsible, Joy was saying how it would be better for people to adopt and how she would love to adopt a baby and what does Elisabeth do? Stick herself out from the table and fondle her stomach and says ‘give me a few months’.
No Elisatwit Give US a few months. Go away and have your 48 kids off The View. Nobody is in awe of her ! I find it funny that everytime she pulls one of her ‘look at me ‘I’m pregnant’ routines, no one acknowledges her. LOL
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:49 am
I love Paula too! Did anyone catch Rosie on Paula’s show?
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:56 am
Christian Bale has made some great movies and I admire his work as an actor. He was way out of line on the tape. I think Whoopi made a great point about them getting into character. It may be difficult to get a vibe back once it it’s interrupted. Still Bale was way over the top dropping the f-bomb and calling the guy names was a bit much.
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:57 am
Sherri tried to get the rest of the hosts up to dance….. when she tried to get Elisabeth up she patted her belly…. I dont know, so please enlighten me ladies…… are you not allowed to dance when you are pregnant?
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 am
#8, no, you’re not allowed to dance when you have a stick up your butt.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:00 am
This lady is on the show correcting information that is being put out about her daughter.
imagine that….
She said she heard on The View some information about the case that isnt true….. Maybe with this segment, they will realize that incorrect information that is put out effects real life people.
How about it ladies….. how about getting your facts right before you put it out there?
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:02 am
Bern, well you can but you’ll get splinters.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:03 am
My sister is four months pregnant with her first and you’d think she was about 8 months. The way she gets up from the chair and rubs her stomach. My mom and other sisters teased her about it. Some women are overly dramatic. I took my dog for two mile walks up until my 9 month.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:03 am
#9 berndoubt–
#8, no, you’re not allowed to dance when you have a stick up your butt.
“this comment has been self censored in the name of good taste”
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:06 am
Rog,
you can do everything you normally do unless you have a high risk pregnancy. You just move a little slower while doing it. I’m talking task people, get your heads out of the gutter. : lol :
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:06 am
#13, well I wouldn’t want to be “vulgar”.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:08 am
Bern,
That’s not a stick it Sean’s hand.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:08 am
Rainlillie–
LMAO
Berndoubt–
my thought wasnt “vulgar” just in bad taste.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:14 am
The Octu-mom, Nadia Suleman, is a disgrace:
-she is on welfare (according to some reports)
-she is unemployed, although highly educated
-conceived all 14 of her children through in vitro fertilization
-she was paid to have the procedures
-she has twin 2-year-olds and an autistic son
-not married and has been obsessed with having children since she was a teenager
-cost: $800,000 to deliver, $2.24 MILLION for NICU care
-her parents purchased the two-bedroom apartment and then had to move in with her
-the babies that range from 1.8 pounds to 3.4 pounds
-the babies are all 9-weeks premature
-preemies are prone to every type of health problem and learning disability
-she herself was an only child and wanted siblings
-the father is David Solomon and is the sperm donor for all 14
-her mom, Angela, who supports her, filed for bankruptcy “Court records show Angela Suleman filed for bankruptcy last March, but after she failed to make required payments and appear at a creditors’ meeting, the case was dismissed. She reported liabilities of $981,371, mostly money owed on two houses she owns in Whittier.
What is really sad – is this woman would have had a hard time adopting – but has no problem producing 14 father-less children under the age of 8.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:17 am
“That’s not a stick it Sean’s hand.”
Are we sure it’s not another appendage.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:21 am
Paula Deen is the PERFECT grandma – she’s so lovely. Hard to believe she overcame crippling Agoraphobia.
What a great boy – Dev. Can’t wait to see his film (might buy the dvd).
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:22 am
Didnt they say on The View that all of these embryos “split” and that was how she got 8?
I remember reading at the beginning that they were expecting 7 babies but got 8….. that makes me wonder that maybe 1 of the embryos split and not all “4″ of them.
That is what is disappointing about The View….. you dont know if the information they give is accurate, exaggerated, or just plain wrong.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:26 am
“What is really sad – is this woman would have had a hard time adopting – but has no problem producing 14 father-less children under the age of 8.”
You have to jump through hoops, and in some states be heterosexual, to adopt but anyone with working reproductive organs (or enough money to help to help work) can produce kids.
Did the doctors know her story before she became pregnant with these 8?
And why hasn’t the View been talking about all the new information about this family? Are they afraid Elisabeth will feel like an underachiever for only carrying one (or perhaps 2)?
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:27 am
Yes, Whoopi, you’re an ARTISTE! Your CRAFT is so important that you should be able to belittle another human being for a mistake! Your assistant should never dare to pick you up in a crappy car, because you are WHOOPI!
Hey, Whoopi, why don’t you and Elisabeth go to Camp GetOverYourselfForAChange! In the meantime, both of you can STFU!
#14, If my head wasn’t in the gutter, I’d get dizzy! It’s used to being there. Don’t spoil my fun! LOL!
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:33 am
“#14, If my head wasn’t in the gutter, I’d get dizzy! It’s used to being there. Don’t spoil my fun! LOL!”
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:35 am
#18. Thanks, Kelly for the info.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:38 am
About #18- The thing I’m trying to figure out is who would PAY this woman to get pregnant? Was she paid as a surrogate mother? Then kept all the babies? I’m mad as #$%! that my CA taxes and insurance premiums are subsidizing this woman and her wacky breeding. My family is spending our savings to afford health insurance (hubby got laid off 2 months ago- thanks, GB, for the economy) and now this. Grr, makes me angrier than even EH and that says volumes.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:38 am
Rog:
“…according to a CNN article, embryos can split 4-5% of the time…”
Not likely she only had four - and all four split - unless this doctor is playing GOD.
It seems a few people in this drama are looking for fame and fortune - the American-way…at great risk to someone else.
The life of a Preemie is endless trips to the doctors/specialists/hospitals…blood test, allergy test, asthma treatments, speech therapy, physical therapy…endless.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:46 am
Diana says, “The thing I’m trying to figure out is who would PAY this woman to get pregnant?”
I THINK she was a guinea pig for this doctor…I pray he didn’t use grant (tax) money on top of it.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:50 am
#25 You’re welcome rain.
I got the scoop from the MiamiVision Tribune.
Vegas says, “Joy was saying how it would be better for people to adopt and how she would love to adopt a baby and what does Elisabeth do? Stick herself out from the table and fondle her stomach and says ‘give me a few months’.
No Elisatwit Give US a few months. Go away and have your 48 kids off The View. Nobody is in awe of her ! I find it funny that everytime she pulls one of her ‘look at me ‘I’m pregnant’ routines, no one acknowledges her…”
THANKS - I needed that…. LOL
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:55 am
“Sherri tried to get the rest of the hosts up to dance….. when she tried to get Elisabeth up she patted her belly…. I dont know, so please enlighten me ladies…… are you not allowed to dance when you are pregnant?”
Every woman is different. That is between Elisabeth and her doctors on what activity levels she can safety partake in. Typically there would be no harm in dancing. But I’m not Elisabeth and I don’t know what her doctors have advised her. The way she gets all high pitched and yelling like she did yesterday, you’d think that would be more harmful for a baby and your stress levels.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:59 am
I get Whoopi’s point that it would be highly irritating to be in the zone when acting a part and then be interrupted…but that is absolutely no excuse for how Bale went off. He was out of control angry. What if you were in an office environment, you were an accountant and crunching numbers or doing taxes and someone interrupted, sure that would bring you out of your zone and tick you off, but you’d get fired if you went off on another human being like that in a professional environment. Actors should not be above those rules of conduct. Getting mad is one thing, but Bale sounded like a whack job.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:59 am
#30, “Oh yes. I have a very sick feeling her contract has already been renewed.”
You’d think!
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
#32, I meant to quote, “The way she gets all high pitched and yelling like she did yesterday, you’d think that would be more harmful for a baby and your stress levels.”
You’d think! Please ignore #32.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Do we have to go to ABC to get Paula’s recipes, from the show? I have a terrible time with that site. Will anyone be posting the recipes to this blog ?
The ladies had their best table manners today. I love Paula and would have been upset if anyone from the view up-staged her.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Yup, that’s her name, Nadya. I don’t know if the last name is Gutierrez or Suleman. I don’t know where the Gutierrez comes from, and I doubt that’s her married name. I suspect that this woman is not the biological daughter of Angela and Ed Suleman. Also, I think she might have a MySpace page. I entered some identifying data and got 3 results. One of them seems to match very closely. It’s just a speculation on my part, though. I found out her name befor the media did.
Well I entered Grandma’s name on a folk search site and voila, Nady was there. Now, she hired a spokesperson who talked to d.sawyer on gma. Claim oct mom is educated, and articulate. Oh, I’m impressed.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Kelly Says:
I THINK she was a guinea pig for this doctor…I pray he didn’t use grant (tax) money on top of it.
RESPONSE- I think the same thing. There had to be money involved, in my opinion.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
#26 Diana - I hope things turn around for you and your husband real soon. ITA
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:10 pm
marilyn,
Go to the food network and you’ll find all of Paula’s recipes.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:13 pm
#1 Rain I agree. It makes Whoops sound GREEDY and insensitive. To whine about a few dollars– when people are losing homes, jobs not enough food to eat. Hey stop the presses Whoops has to pay toll fees like the rest of us. I bet she was a terror on her movie sets she is lucky no one recorded her antics. There is no reason to behave that way because your in the “zone”.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Wow Elsie - interesting.
And you’re correct; her name is spelled Nadya (not Nadia - don’t know where I got that).
Thanks.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Ok, ITA w/responsible parenting, and being open to adoption. But, I don’t think it’s fair to say that NOONE should procreate, because there are so many kids in the world in need of adoption. You cannot pass a law saying that no one can give birth. Would there also be a law saying the childless couple Must adopt. I say people who are popping out babies and are unable to raise them, or are drug addicts, or worse, abandon them in dumpsters should also be held accountable. I don’t hear that enough. There are many babies in need of home because of many irresponsible parents. I don’t put people in committed relationships who have one or two children in the same category as these other parents. There are exceptions though. The Duggar Family and Nadya Suleman comes to mind. Sorry if I’m wrong.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
QUESTION : At the end of the Dev Patal segment, Sherri leaned over and said to Dev: ” I’m sorry” ( could not hear the rest )
What was that all about ??
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Oh, and speaking of the Duggars, that young man who just got married at 20! Does he not plan on going to college? Is he going to work w/dad? I saw the wedding on tlc. My goodness, and his poor sisters have a lot of resposibilities! Something was just not right w/the pic. I don’t put dwn religious people at all, but “submitting to your husband”. Oh,well.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:22 pm
rainlillie Says:
marilyn,
Go to the food network and you’ll find all of Paula’s recipes.
Thanks Rain - I guess I was looking for an easy way out.
Any suggestions on why I can not play ABC/the view ? I have downloaded their “player” and still I have a problem.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:24 pm
#42 marilyn..
I think it was because she held his hand back down when he was describing the choreographer of the dace he showed Sherri. After Joy said it was like Saturday Night Fever he said how the choreographer was like Prince, very tiny and effeminate but he raised his hand up like a the way ignorant people describe a gay man, with the limp hand? Anyway, Sherri pushed his hand down and then they cut to commercial, I think maybe Sherri said she was sorry to him because of the hand thing.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:28 pm
wiki:
The one-child policy is the population control policy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Chinese government refers to it under the official translation of family planning policy.[1] It officially restricts the number of children married urban couples can have to one, although it allows exemptions for several cases, including rural couples, ethnic minorities, and parents who are only children themselves.[2] A spokesperson of the Committee on the One-Child Policy has said that approximately 35.9% of China’s population is currently subject to the one-child restriction.[3] The policy does not apply to the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao.
The Chinese government introduced the policy in 1979 to alleviate social, economic, and environmental problems in China,[4] and authorities claim that the policy has prevented more than 250 million births from its implementation to 2000.[2] The policy is controversial both within and outside China because of the manner in which the policy has been implemented, and because of concerns about negative economic and social consequences. The policy has been implicated in an increase in of forced abortions and FEMALE INFANTICIDE, and has been suggested as a possible cause behind China’s significant GENDER IMBALANCE.[5] Nonetheless, a 2008 survey undertaken by the Pew Research Center showed that over 75% of the Chinese population supports the policy.[6]
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Kelly Says:
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:50 am
#25 You’re welcome rain.
I got the scoop from the MiamiVision Tribune.
LMAO
——————
what annoys me about Nadya is in Florida, gay people can foster children but cannot adopt children - Rosie actually went through all this in Florida and adopted elsehwere - so we have this “33 y/o educated and articulate” woman, whose own mother said she was paid to do this - living off the state.feds AND THAT WOULD BE US paying for said 14…but good loving gay folks are given a difficult time in several states still on adoption.
There are tons of Nadya’s around out there in the world, most being very ill-educated, or just trying to *work the system* - I know someone aged 24 who is doing the same but not with embryos-rather 6 kids with 2 men from 6 months to 11, living off the state, city, churches, et al - and it is quite nauseating….oh and they live in a 1-BR apartment and refuse to work (even prior the last 3 kids)! BARF! Oh, and DCF knows about this family too and allows it to continue….
what is wrong with this picture?
So many times I think of Judge Judy, knowing exactly what she would say. heh heh heh
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Kelly - this thing in China has been going on for 20-25 years that I personally know of, I couldn’t believe it when I first heard it…how they used to go around killing the little girl babies so that the boys could carry on the name - and yep as a result there is a terrible imbalance in gender over there.
I do not know if today, 2009, they are doing this with as much veracity as in the 80s-90s due to the imbalance.
To read that 75% approve of the policy though just now with your post - is also not good. But China and the Chinese, as I know it over there - the men rule and the women are still subservient in many areas.
I am always very thankful I was born in the USA.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Am I the only one who has ever lost their temper and said a few things I later regret? Or am I the only one? Yes, Christian Bale shouldn’t have behaved that way but come on people, it is not like he murdered someone. Aren’t there more serious things in the world right now to be upset over?
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
#49, My problem is not with Christian Bale losing his temper. My problem is with Whoopi defending him because he is an artist and his very important craft of making a movie was interrupted. I’d give a pass to a highway construction worker who loses his temper after someone whips past him at 75 miles per hour, but defending an actor for belittling someone who makes a mistake on the set seems ridiculous.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
#50, amend the first sentence to say, “My problem is not JUST with Christian Bale losing his temper.”
I need to proofread today and to stop hanging out with Michael Phelps!
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
#41 - Elsie: I agree.
I’m a huge fan of adoption, and I plan on adopting in the near future, but I have many, many problems with people telling other people they should adopt:
1. Adopting is not a casual thing a person does. It takes a great deal of time, patience, and money (some people can afford to raise several children but could not afford to adopt AND raise several children).
2. Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of raising a child they have no biological link to, and if you’re not comfortable with it you could do more harm than good if you proceed anyway. I have a relative who didn’t feel comfortable with adoption, and she let other people talk her into anyway and it’s sad to see how that child is being raised. They aren’t mean to her, but they treat her like she’s not really their child, as if she’s just the neighbors child who is visiting for the day.
3. There are a lot of restrictions on adoption (age, health, marital status, income level, etc) - and there are, IMO, a lot of people who would make great parents who are nevertheless not eligible to adopt.
4. Everyone has a right to form a family the way they feel is right for them (provided of course they have the ability and means to raise those children) and no one has a right to but into that. I wonder how the people who are telling others to “adopt instead” would feel if other people were telling them what way they were required to form a family.
Okay, sorry for the list, but it just bugs me so much to hear people talk about adoption as if it’s the easiest thing in the world, and as if it’s appropriate for everyone’s lives.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Well Said, Sarah and I completely agree.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:20 pm
“I need to proofread today and to stop hanging out with Michael Phelps!”
Oh OK I see how you are now. After all those brownies I made for you you’re hitting the bong with someone else. And you didn’t invite me.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Taking a deep breath…
I usually genuinely like her, but today Paula Deen seemed “aPaula–ing”! For example:
–Mentioning dog detritus after offering food plates to the Viewer gals (notice Whoopi’s wrinkled nose)
–Trying to compete with professionals Joy, Sherri, and Whoopi as a comedienne (low success rate however)
–Bawdy jokes about her new nuts products, but no samples for the 4 Viewers to taste
–Pointing out her husband in the audience as “my friend and his husband”. (Buh?)
A nervous and unprepared Paula, except for all that food. Elizabeth actually snapped her back to reality finally by asking about the grandson. I’ve read Paula’s autobiog, and wondered if her longterm problem with agoraphobia was haunting her again?
Note to Paula: Channel your Southern lady persona more next time.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
“Any suggestions on why I can not play ABC/the view ? I have downloaded their “player” and still I have a problem.”
I’m not sure. there is a “help” button on the player. I just noticed they have the Hot Topics categorized on the sidebar.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Their table manners were better today but Sherri still has a long way to go. She started opening her big mouth before the fork with the pasta or whatever was still dangling from the fork. Whoopi was looking at her and THEN made that awful face! I thought she was disgusted with Sherri rather than something in the pasta.
Then, Sherri proceeded to be the first one to dig into the cake. She claims to be diabetic but certainly does NOT seem to watch her diet! Again, Sherri Shepherd shows in her actions that she is either dumb or defiant and sets a rotten example for the many diabetics would are watching.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
“Okay, sorry for the list, but it just bugs me so much to hear people talk about adoption as if it’s the easiest thing in the world, and as if it’s appropriate for everyone’s lives.”
A lot of people are excluded from adopting for very IMO questionable reasons. It seems adoption agencies want cookie-cutter homes for these kids and that isn’t always an option. I’m not saying just anyone should be allowed to adopt but maybe marital status, race and sexual identity shouldn’t be reasons for not being able to adopt.
Having viable eggs and sperm doesn’t make you qualified to be parents.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Anyone who is healthy and mentally and financially stable without a criminal background should be allowed to adopt. Of course age should also be factor IMO.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Elisabeth Hasselbeck is absolutely revolting and I hope she leaves this show immediately. Yesterday, she wore a plunging neckline to show off her boobs and today, she couldn’t wait to prance into the audience to give the man a sample all the while showing off her huge stomach in that red jacket.
I’m thinking she is the biggest liar or wondering if, God forbid, she could be having twins. I do not think anyone two or three months along would look as big as she does, even though she has had those other two kids.
As someone else stated somewhere, most women wait until they’re at least three mos. or so along before they make an announcement in case they miscarry.
Elisabeth is such an attention whore, I’m surprised she didn’t announce it the minute she found out.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
“Having viable eggs and sperm doesn’t make you qualified to be parents.”
Agree. I’m going to have to jump through hoops to adopt simply because I have health problems (which are all so minor that no one even knows I have them until I tell them), and yet people toss around the words “Oh just adopt” as if I’m going to be able to walk into an adoption agency and say, “Could I have a baby please” and have them just hand me one.
Okay eveyone, I promise that’s the end of my adoption ranting for today.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
#50 Teresa–
Aren’t there more serious things in the world right now to be upset over?
Why are you upset about this?
What is going on in the world right now that has you upset?
I saw that video…. it was a rant…. the language was bad but not unusual. it was just another one of those “important” celebrity melt down moments….. I dont understand why those types of moments is “entertainment” for the masses.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:33 pm
“Any suggestions on why I can not play ABC/the view ? I have downloaded their “player” and still I have a problem.”
I have MSN and I can’t use their player with that browser. I use Internet explorer instead and you have to make sure your pop up blocker is disabled first before going to the site. If you have an anti-virus program that blocks pop ups, close it down first too.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
“Anyone who is healthy and mentally and financially stable without a criminal background should be allowed to adopt.”
Depends on the crime committed, and when.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:36 pm
“Having viable eggs and sperm doesn’t make you qualified to be parents.” No way does it mean that! There is much more to that than being a qualified parent. Maturity, stability, resposibility, among other things are needed. Having said that, I don’t think it’s fair when people say that people who have children are selfish. Again, I’m all for responsible parenting. Would it be fair to say that people who have no children are selfish, and living it up? NO. When people make the argument that conceiving one’s children is selfish, because of all those kids out there that are waiting to be adopted, where do the biological parents of these children stand?
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Warning, I am going to say something completely anti-American here and I realize it might offend you…I don’t enjoy Paula Deen. She’s too needy for attention and I’m all for comfort food, but who can eat like that on a regular basis and be proud of it? “my arteries are hard” Not really something to be proud of.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Lopez,
You’re such a nitpicker.. LOL! I’m talking murder, rape. Not shoplifting or something like that.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Sarah–
My ex-wife was adopted… she had 2 adopted siblings and 2 natural siblings….. there was a difference in how the natural children and the adopted children were treated…. even when they became adults.
There was one thing in the list that you gave that is annoying to me… there are, IMO, a lot of people who would make great parents who are nevertheless not eligible to adopt.
This is what I have a problem with…. they find ways to discredit people that want to adopt…. that is what I consider the shameful side of adoption.
Also, my sister adopted a little girl…. she fits right in…. she was like 6 I think when she was adopted…… but what really bugged me, is that they went to Russia to adopt her, instead of adopting a child in America.
I asked her about it and she said that it was easier to adopt from a foreign country than it is to adopt an American child.
It seems to me that reform is needed. ok… my rant is over now too
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
ShannonP,
That’s not anti-American. My sister isn’t a Paula fan either.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
ShannonP, I have to agree with you about Paula Deen’s cooking. My husband has to be on a low-fat diet for health reasons and her recipes could literally kill him. I wonder if her cookbook lists the nutritional info for her recipes.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Roger: I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who gets all worked up about this subject.
I agree with you, reform is needed. I think one of the big reasons why people go overseas, is because with international adoption there’s a much smaller chance that the adoption won’t go through. As far as I know, with international adoptions the time period when the biological parents are able to change their mind comes before the child is given to the adoptive parents - whereas here the baby/child is given to the adoptive parents and they have to spend those months waiting/hoping/fearing the outcome. So I think a lot of people feel safer with the idea of adopting a child from another country. There are definitely some kinks in the system that need to be worked out.
Okay, this time I really mean it, LOL. No more adoption rants from me for the rest of the day.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Nia vardalos had a huffpo blog last week about adopting, I think, a 4 year old girl. She said she first went to the state directly. The state wanted her to take a group of siblings that would probably be free to adopt in a few years. She asked aren’t there any that are eligible for adoption now? i.e. the state was interested in having their most pressing problem taken care of, not what would be a good fit. She then went to foster family agencies.
Not having been a birth mother, I don’t feel a pull for a newborn [so much work!]; I’d rather see some personality develop first.
A friend did adopt a usa newborn. She said the birth mother wasn’t a teenage girl; she was a mom who felt she couldn’t afford another mouth to feed.
Mao offered Henry Kissinger 10 million chinese women in 1973. There was a recent report of a woman convicted of hiring someone to kill her child so she could have a child with her new husband.
I read an article about bits in celebrity baby blog. The one thing that annoys her about NYC life is its tuff to get her double-wide jogging stroller through the crowds. Umm, we crowds get annoyed at you clogging up the sidewalk for your exercise/”quality” time with the kids. I’m sure bits isn’t giving up exercise.
Paula Poundstone has been reunited with her adopted kids, but can no longer foster.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Well,highway tolls seem to be more upsetting than CB to Whoopi. LOL
Seems to me the rant went on for about 4 minutes which is a bit excessive. Plus, should have been the Director’s responsibility to talk to the poor schmuck, not CB’s after perhaps 30 seconds of frustration. 36 Fuck Yous is a bit much as well.
What caught my attention though was WG saying as usual - “Well we just don’t KNOW, what time it was, how many hours they had worked….” But then CB is an artist, so it doesn’t matter to WG - he is entitled.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:50 pm
What about Amanda Knox Do you think her mom is just in denial?
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
“ShannonP, I have to agree with you about Paula Deen’s cooking. My husband has to be on a low-fat diet for health reasons and her recipes could literally kill him. I wonder if her cookbook lists the nutritional info for her recipes.”
I remember when my Dad had a heart attack and the doctors thought he was going to die and he was laying on the hospital bed and he looked dead, the color drained out of him. Looking at him that way just put a fear into me like I hadn’t known before. I’ve been vegetarian for almost 10 years, but that amped it up even more for me. So when I hear people laughing and proud of eating that way and making jokes about hard arteries, I just can’t understand that. Especially ones that have faced a health scare. I know it’s hard to make changes, but dying and leaving loved ones behind isn’t a picnic in the park either.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
“The one thing that annoys her about NYC life is its tuff to get her double-wide jogging stroller through the crowds.”
I guess she’s not aware of the fact that they make tandem strollers that take up much less space, they even make jogging ones now.
It drives me up the way to see parents like EH who think that once they’ve had a kid the whole world should just alter to accomodate them. I feel like saying to those people, “You had that baby, the whole world didn’t.”
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
“I read an article about bits in celebrity baby blog. The one thing that annoys her about NYC life is its tuff to get her double-wide jogging stroller through the crowds. Umm, we crowds get annoyed at you clogging up the sidewalk for your exercise/”quality” time with the kids. I’m sure bits isn’t giving up exercise.”
I’m not surprised Elisabeth is that self-involved to not realize that her stroller is the problem and not the crowds.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Oops, I meant so say “up the wall” not “up the way” - I guess I should proof-read my comments before posting them next time.
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Umm, we get annoyed at you crowding our sidewalks when we are trying to exercise/bond. But, then don’t the sidewalks belong to all of us? How about those pesky tourist in NYC? Bless them. They bring in the $$!
February 3rd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
oh, and a florida judge ruled last november that banning gays from adopting was unconstitutional. The Florida bar just voted to oppose the appeal of this ruling.
Speaking of role models, I was disgusted when Snoop Dog appeared on The View and they all fawned over him. I don’t care if he lights up, I think he’s disgusting b/c he did some girls gone wild videos.
Also Disney itself has twice made the movie The Parent Trap. Oh gee, we’re splitting up, let’s split up the twins and not tell them the sibling exists.
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
” I know it’s hard to make changes, but dying and leaving loved ones behind isn’t a picnic in the park either.”
Not making smart choices with food catches up to everyone eventually. Sherri and Whoopi both make light of their issues with food but it is going to cost them. Sherri should also be setting an example for her son. Kids with poor diets grow up to be adults with health issues.
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:19 pm
“Lopez,
You’re such a nitpicker.. LOL! I’m talking murder, rape. Not shoplifting or something like that.”
As the good book says, “Idle hands are the Devil’s playthings.”
When I’m bored my fingers get the crazies.
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Rainlillie and Shannon P
Thanks for the help !
I am in business !!! Some of us Grannies take longer to fiqure out these dang computers !!!
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:27 pm
#82, “When I’m bored my fingers get the crazies.”
Funny!
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
“I don’t care if he lights up, I think he’s disgusting b/c he did some girls gone wild videos.”
Snoop also makes porn. Thought I’d add to your “Snoop Disgusts Me” list.
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Roger, I never said I was upset about his rant. I could care less. I just don’t get why people are upset about it. With people losing their jobs and homes I don’t understand why anyone would care if an actor yelled at someone.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Being adopted, and a firm believer in zero population growth, I agree with Joy - wouldn’t it be great to adopt? I know that I was much more fortunate (yes, I know my biological parents). Lizzie AND that woman in Whittier are embarrassments, for different reasons and to different degrees. Still embarrassing.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Re: CB
I have always found the ‘Artistic Licence’(I am an artist therefore I am entitled to be temperamental and difficult)thingy a huge bore. Behaving poorly and disrespecting others is just what it is; it doesn’t matter whether you are a world renowned opera singer or a plumber; rude is rude. Most peeps who have longevity in any walk of life have manners and respect for others right up there on their list.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:10 pm
#65 - Elsie
I agree with most of what you said, but need to disagree on one point. I believe not having is not selfish - it allows for others, whether they’re good parents or not, to do what they want to without even more kids here.
I can only offset so much carbon, pay for so many schools…..bringing another one here isn’t helping the situation. To think of the entire group is actually selfless.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Re: Having children/adoption
I think it’s all about balance…everyone should have the right to have biological children. However, that said it seems ridiculous to ask a world that’s struggling to support the existing children to accept people who decide it’s okay to have a herd. Our global infrastructure is not able to handle this…also I resent paying school taxes, medical expenses, social service (etc etc) costs for people who are making this choice. I don’t mind paying taxes but hello???: not when others are making choices that are this extreme and I believe are this selfish.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Today’s show was boring..I kept going over to Hoda/Kathy Lee (never thought I’d do that since Kathy lee gives me Hives).
EH has extra confidence now that she’s preggers. What’s with that? Guess she gets more attention from guests and fellow hosts. Here’s my question…If she felt “nauseous” during election night that was at the beginning of November so that would mean she got that way in October or before. Maybe that’s why she’s fatter than a couple months along. Bottom line she’s still as hateful as ever!
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:36 pm
#75 Michele Lee–
What about Amanda Knox Do you think her mom is just in denial?
Im not really sure Michele….. Mrs Knox sure did seem sure of herself…. I dont know what facts that we have heard is true and which arent….. After that Duke rape case, I have a difficult time believing all the stuff that is reported as fact.
The mother is pretty close to the case, and she did seem to have answers to all the questions.
I would hate to think that this girl has been in jail for over a year and be innocent as well. I guess time will tell….. but to answer your question…. no, I dont think she is in denial.
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
#92 Roger
What he said…
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I am not saying that not having children is selfish. On the contrary, if you feel you dont wnt 2 b a parnt , dont. wht im saying is the word selfish gets thrwn arnd whnever a person has a biological child, even if this person is fit. I asked what if a childless person is called selfish? WRONG on both cases. But, there is a line to be drawn as we see w/nady and the duggars.
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Whoopi, when you can afford a bus to travel across the country, you can afford a damn toll.
Elisabeth, “I have a friend who is a train.” “Tom Daschle”
What a couple of idiots!
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Quote from Elisabeth:
“I’ve got celiac’s disease.”
Um. It’s celiac disease and you can’t find it on the internet as celiac’s disease. I would think that after having the disease and writing an entire book about it, she might know what it’s called.
What an idiot.
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:21 pm
What is weird about the Amanda Knox case is that the parents are probably bigtime in debt by having one parent in Italy at all times, even though they get to see her once a week. You don’t need to helicopter, she’s keeping occupied learning Mandarin, guitar and appearing in a prison film.
An ex-boyfriend talked with me about the decision to have a second child given the world’s overcrowding. I actually used the same argument bits did [oops, just had to vomit a little there], your child will be educated and environmentally aware and will most likely contribute to society. Even if she decides she wants to be a hairdresser.
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:47 pm
#91, May: I agree. I think it’s because she figures that while she’s pregnant anyone who picks on her will be labeled as the “big mean liberal who is picking on the poor pregnant Elisabeth.” Not that it much matters, because even when she’s not pregnant she gets to run her mouth, interrupt like a five year old, and say vile hateful things - and yet there is always a huge group of conservatives ready to enable all of her bad behavior and claim that the liberals are picking on poor outnumbered Elisabeth. Which is such a load of crap to begin with since Elisabeth is not on a show with nothing but liberals. Whoopie doesn’t seem liberal to me, and neither do BW or Sherri. The only one on the show who seems liberal is Joy.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
You know, with all EH’s knowledge about Tom Daschle & his supposedly not paying back taxes & now resigning, wouldn’t it be just priceless if she & Timbo were audited and………found to owe back taxes, talk about poetic justice!!!!
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
MiamiVision and Others: I lived in China for more than ten years. You are wrong in your perceptions about the one-child policy. It is not a case of “males rule”.
The policy applies mainly to rural persons in very poor communities. The persons affected are generally farmers. By “farmer” I mean a one-person operation, working in highly unproductive fields or tending a few animals to eek out a living for their families.
Having one child is the difference between survival and death or severe illness due to poverty. A male child is preferred, historically, because the male child can help out and then take over the “farm”. Equally important, in China, multi-generations of families live together. A male child will stay and look after the family whereas a female child will get married and leave to live with her husband’s family. This is tradition and traditions are strongest in the poor, rural areas of China.
Is this model “right” from a human rights standpoint: yes and no. Restricting families to one child avoids persons having multiple children living in total poverty. To the extent female babies are aborted or killed due to the policy (which is something that has declined in recent years) is disturbing but in many ways cultural (as it is in India).
We need to be careful in making judgements and against an entire group of people and totally different culture. On the flip side, Westerners could learn a lot from the Chinese (and many other Asian cultures) in terms of how they value the family unit and how they respect and take care of their elders. There is virtually no such thing as an “old folks home” in China and families taht do not take in their parents and take care of them up until their death are shamed in society.
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:16 pm
#98
she figures that while she’s pregnant anyone who picks on her will be labeled as the “big mean liberal who is picking on the poor pregnant Elisabeth.” Not that it much matters, because even when she’s not pregnant she gets to run her mouth, interrupt like a five year old, and say vile hateful things - and yet there is always a huge group of conservatives ready to enable all of her bad’
Remember Rosie when that hold thing went down and rosie was people going to say since Elisabeth was pregnant that big fat rosie was picking on her that was Rosie words.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:21 pm
#100 Sunny
Thank you so very much for taking the time to share your perspective, and making the effort to help us understand that there is a reason, and a history, behind all things that happen in all cultures, and that we shouldn’t jump to conclusions without first having the proper information and the intent.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:23 pm
“What about Amanda Knox Do you think her mom is just in denial?”
Michele, I honestly have no idea. I haven’t followed that story at all to even know the details that are out there or how the media is spinning it. The Mom definitely sounds convinced though. But what parent wouldn’t be if the kid they loved, trusted and believed in was accused of a crime and saying they didn’t commit it?
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:35 pm
#100 Sunny
Wow… ten years in China…have you written about your experience there? I’m an avid fan of Lin Yutang (which means not) and I am fascinated with the Three Gorges Dam project and the issue of reclamation and the loss of artifacts.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Coming in late in the day….
Sunny:#100 - Beautiful and profound post. Thank you for your experience.
NanC #99 - “wouldn’t it be just priceless if she & Timbo were audited and………found to owe back taxes, talk about poetic justice!!!!”
Oh My Goodness: what a delicious justice.
Berndoubt#95 - “Whoopi, when you can afford a bus to travel across the country, you can afford a damn toll.”
You cut right to the damn truth. Perfect.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:43 pm
The octuplet mom has hired 2 publicists. As Kelly said upthread, this woman is disgusting. She’s looking for 2 million dollars for her 1st interview. I thought it was a parents job to support their children not use their children to support them.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:53 pm
#104
Sorry Sunny, I meant to say that me being an avid fan of Lin Yutang had little to do with my interest in your time in China. My friend informed me that my expression`which means not` may have been interpreted differently.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:06 pm
#100 Sunny
Thanks so much for your post. I toured parts of China in 1991 and the 1 child concept was fascinating. I was amazed how much China has changed since then after all the shows on China last summer. The thing that struck me back then was how loved and well behaved the children were. It is important to study other cultures and take away the good aspects.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Today I realized something, my problem with TLB is not just her stance on issues like torture and her childish way of expressing herself. It’s her hypocrisy.
She seems to despise all things Liberal and Democrat. She is so unwilling to admit that a republican has made a mistake, to the point where she defended a man like Rush . Yes Tom Daschle was wrong for not paying his taxes. I’m glad he stepped aside. But what about the McCain’s failing to pay taxes on one of their many houses?
She didn’t even mention this. I can’t believe the other women didn’t bring it to her attention. It’s as if she doesn’t see faults in anything a republican does.
I really don’t understand that way of thinking. She really is one of the most narrow minded people I’ve ever seen. How can she go through life with blinders on.
It’s okay to support your party, but you have to call them out when they are wrong and it’s troubling that she never does this. Was it really that funny Sherri, when TLB mentioned Tom Daschle? That was just another way for her to slam a democrat. My grandma believes the more kind you are the easier it will be during labor when your pregnant.
Perhaps TLB will think of those labor pains, when she’s getting ready to open her mouth and say something mean… LOL!
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Elisabeth just made THE TOP FIVE for The Insider’s Major Blow-ups…Christian Bale was #1. They said Christian’s blow-up was right before the run-in with his mom and sister.
Cojo said Elisabeth is always just so perfect (sarcastically) – and Lara said EH seems to fight with everyone on the panel and called her ‘combative.’ He hee
I read Sunny post and found it VERY interesting and I’m glad she shared.
This one-child rule – is it an attempt to control population or eradicate poverty…or both?
Why aren’t the wealthy asked to limit their children?
How many children are the wealthy allowed to have?
Is there a middle class in China?
Does the minority of the population hold the majority of the wealth?
Can you imagine being told you can’t have more children because you’re poor, while the wealthy aren’t subjected to such rules? Wouldn’t the poor need more children to help run the farm…if they wanted to get out of poverty? How many poverty-born individuals rose to greatness in this country alone?
I know America is not China – and I have never been to China – I’m just trying to imagine how the poor feel, and how the poor women must feel.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:42 pm
#109 Rain
I loved your post…
So little has to do with past mistakes but more to do with current or recent attitudes.
The world is watching and we all know our own deficits…can’t EH just bite the bullet and show some concern for how the US is viewed and how the US will repay it’s debts, and compensate “the world” for the loss of economic and cultural stability that the Bush administration has created?
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:55 pm
#110 - Kelly - If I’m not mistaken I believe, in order to have more than one child, they have to pay some sort of fine. So I don’t think it’s actually a rule that rich people aren’t held to and poor people are - but just that poor people can’t afford to fine.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:55 pm
um - I think I’m in lurve with dev patel.
that’s all.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Please watch Nova on PBS!!!! I’m watching it now…what most of you have been saying all along!
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Thanks Sarah for your response.
But when I think about what you posted…the rich can afford the ‘fee’ or ‘tax’ but the poor can’t - it’s seems (to me) like another way to separate the haves from the haves-nots.
Can anyone imagine if only the Rich Republicans were allowed to reproduce in this country? There would be no President Barack Obama and there would be more Hasselbecks than you could shake a stick at.
What I don’t know about China is a lot - and I’m not trying to challenge Sunny’s post… I do know China is the emerging World Leader - and will surpass the USA if we can’t get back on track. We are indebted to China at least $2Trillion - maybe more.
Gonnavent — LOL
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:14 pm
PBS - is it on China? I can’t get PBS…
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Kelly: I agree with you. I think it’s very unfair.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Thanks for the re-education, Sunny - appreciate that - didn’t mean to spread disinformation, not my style. BTW, my PCP is Chinese and have been into the Chinese way of alternative medicine for 30 years, I so respect them, but I did have it wrong on this. Again, sorry.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Kelly,
I can’t answer all of your very good questions but I’ll try to answer what I know and what I’ve witnessed first hand:
This one-child rule – is it an attempt to control population or eradicate poverty…or both?: It is a ’social policy’, primarily to address poverty through over-population. You also have to remember this policy goes back to around 1980 and China has evolved significantly since then and during a time when there has been tremendous migration to cities and the evolution of many ‘towns’ to full-fledged cities (did you know there are today moer than 30 cities in China with a population over 1 million, compare this to the US where there is, I believe, only 10 cities with population greater than 1 millino). The greatest risk China faces now from the perspective of its government is not poverty/starvation it is social unrest. And the biggest issue that may lead to social unrest and up-rising is the economic divide rich and poor.
Why aren’t the wealthy asked to limit their children? They were (initially policy applied in urban areas as well with issue being over-crowding). But middle-upper class can afford to pay ‘fine’ (think about it as a tax) to have additional children.
How many children are the wealthy allowed to have? There is no published ‘limit’ as far as I know. And you will find larger families on farms in rural areas. The applciation and enforcement of the ‘one child’ policy is determined at the ‘township’ level. In the urban centres, reality of family income, housing, etc. tends to keep a check on birth rates as it does in the West (with some exceptions, of course - like the octuplet lady!).
Is there a middle class in China? Most definitely there is a middle class. Having a car was one proxy for ‘middle class’ over the last few years. If you went to Beijing even 5 years ago you would have been overwhelmed by the number of people on bicycles and main roads have special lanes for bicycles. Today the number of bikes is down to at least 1/10 if not less than just 5 years ago. As you travel outside of any major city Beijing, Shanghai, etc. the ratio of bikes:cars slowly increases until you eventually hit a town with more bikes than cars. Unlike other developing countries in Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.), China in many ways seems to have ’skipped’ the motorcycle phase and moved directly to cars, perhaps in part due to the fact that many parts of China have a true winter season. I think the proxy for middle class is now moving to home ownership.
Does the minority of the population hold the majority of the wealth?: Yes. But this is the case in almost every country, isn’t it? China will be more concentrated but getting less so as the country develops and middle class grow. I believe China has the second highest number of billionaires in the world, behind the US and ranks 4th or 5th I in terms of millionaires. But as a % of total population the number is small. With the growth of the middle class the total concentration of wealth will be reduced but still highly concentrated.
Can you imagine being told you can’t have more children because you’re poor, while the wealthy aren’t subjected to such rules? Wouldn’t the poor need more children to help run the farm…if they wanted to get out of poverty?: As mentioned, it is not black-white. The townships determine how to enforce the one-child policy. If population is needed and larger families justified you do see larger families in rural areas as well as urban areas.
How many poverty-born individuals rose to greatness in this country alone?: I believe there are some rags-to-riches stories. Most of the billionaire and millionaires from China did indeed make their money in the country (or in exports). Chinese companies are only now starting to expand outside of China and expect to see Chinese brands like Haier (appliances) and others gaining prevalence in Western markets. It should also be noted that a great deal of corruption still exists in China, and indeed I’d argue it may even be growing. Many of the wealthiest persons in China have made their money through ‘deals’ with local and regional governments who wield an incredible amount of power in China.
I know America is not China – and I have never been to China – I’m just trying to imagine how the poor feel, and how the poor women must feel.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Sorry Kelly
No, not on China, but about your stance on Bush’s administration and its corruption…and the fact that they knew about 9/11 before it happened. The program is called Spy Factory
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:57 pm
The following is a delicate balance in my mind that I struggle with. A poor couple / single woman who can’t afford children, and is receiving government assistance should be encouraged to abort or get their tubes tide (both at the taxpayers expense).
The stance is controversial for sure. I don’t believe woman should be forced into either situation. However, allocating funds to pay for such services is a good idea, IMO.
When a couple / woman can afford ten zillion babies, fine. When I have to pay taxes for children who’ve been born to parents who can’t afford them, I’m troubled.
Let me add that I’m troubled by parents who could afford children and then illness or a job loss required them to go on government assistance. But if they had children while on government assistance, yeah I have a problem with that.
Of course, the Democrat in me believes welfare is a necessary evil. I don’t want children go to bed hungry.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:16 pm
WOW Sunny – thank you for your MOST excellent EXCELLENT post – your first-hand, well-written input is so valuable – and I know your post will be read by most everyone if not all on Winnie’s site.
Thank you – now, I have to re-read it 2 or 3 more times because I don’t want to forget it. (Really Sunny, thank you for taking the time to explain it so thoroughly –to all of us)
Lopez – I agree with your post – but I wonder if China has a welfare system (not that I know if you were speaking in terms of China or just the USA).
Joey – are you serious. PBS ran a story on Bush corruption? WHAT? Really?
Winnie - I love your site….
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Thanks, Kelly. I am happy to share my experiences. I’ve been lucky enough to live and work in many parts of the world(originally from Canada, lived in US, UK, Europe, then various parts of Asia including China, now living in Australia!).
Anyway, as you read up on China take some points with a grain of salt. Many Western analysts are critical of China without fully understanding the way things work and how the Chinese people perceive their situation. At the same time, be aware that the Chinese government is not alway “upfront” with data and how it presents situations in China. There is a great deal of censorship and misinformation. Reminds me some times of the “USSR” and the Politburo in the 1970s adn 80s.
You should really take a trip to China to see it for yourself. It is a fascinating place. And don’t just go to the cities. By all means go to Beijing (government centre) and Shanghai (the “New York” of China)…but make sure you get out to the smaller cities. And make sure you go south and north, east and west as each area is very different in terms of culture and “temperment”. Things are changing so fast, you should go soon if you can!! Spring and Fall are best times to go. Much too hot, humid and dusty in the summer to enjoy yourself.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Just the USA. I don’t know enough about China to have an opinion.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:06 pm
#121 Lopez
“Of course, the Democrat in me believes welfare is a necessary evil. I don’t want children go to bed hungry.”
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Why anybody would watch the View is beyond me.
They are rude,one sided know it alls, that have no interest in anybodies view unless it is the same view as theirs,otherwise they will just talk over you and never let you finish a sentence, for fear another opinion besides there own would be heard. Why is it always 4 against 1.
And if you are a Republican and didn’t vote for Obama, they consider you stupid.
They should just name the show, OUR VIEW ,TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.
I prefer to leave it.
February 4th, 2009 at 1:01 am
I’m feeling the need to defend whoopie on the christian bale thing… I know, not like me…
I work in the theatre doing lighting and have been around actors for 30 years. NOTHING excuses that kind of behavior, of course, but there are explanations that help one to understand it. I think she could relate and was trying to say that circumstances can exacerbate situations. ie, first of all in film you are working 12-14 hour days, 6 days a week, often out of town, away from your loved ones and animals (ie all the things you find comforting and stabilizing), in a different time zone so you have to cram in calls at awkward moments, or you forget things and it makes you feel so isolated, you may not be eating the foods you normally eat, you have very little control of your surroundings, you’re staying in a hotel or a rental where things require constant adjustment to get comfortable, etc. (I do most of my theatre work out of the country). Maybe you are shooting a scene in the pouring rain, or it’s freezing or blindingly hot, etc., etc. ie. it challenges you constantly and to your core.
And sometimes you ask someone not to do something nicely the first time, then you snap a little the second time and then you blow up on the third. I think that’s what she meant about you don’t know the circumstances, not that she was saying it was ok, but that it would make it more understandable.
As a performer, you’re the one out there, you’re vulnerable, exposed, and raw. maybe the scene isn’t going right, maybe you are doubting yourself, and something just becomes the thing that triggers the release. I know that I have changed lighting during a performance and singers have stopped entire orchestra dress rehearsals. I changed a lighting cue before an opening night and the director didn’t tell the singer and they were so thrown they forgot the lyrics! yikes. Lighting is how we perceive everything we see and you simply do not fool around with levels when the camera is rolling. I guess the DP saw something and wanted to tweak it a bit, but it can be disorienting and take you right out of the scene and destroy the moment. I’ve done some film work, and in any intimate or difficult scene they clear the room of anyone but the key people. Some people behind the scenes like to improvise just as the actors do - ie change the camera blocking and go in a different direction if the scene does and I’ve worked on those kinds of productions too and everyone knows and rolls with it. That’s why Steven Soderbergh operates his own camera and Sean Penn did on Into the Wild. But clearly… from the recording I heard… he had said something about it already. Then it becomes a matter of respect and when someone keeps doing something that you have asked them not to do it is disrespectful. That is very different from an actor being a diva.
But Sherri saying she never goes off like that was LOL. She does moronic sitcoms with 10 second shots. Christian Bale does very intense movies where he pushes himself to the edge which tests your humanity on every level.
Anyway, I’m just sayin’…
February 4th, 2009 at 6:24 am
PLEASE everyone do this survey about TLB being the most annoying TV celebrity!!!!
Click on my name.
February 4th, 2009 at 6:27 am
LOL! Thanks, Nanc, TLB is winning!
Joey, thanks for the heads up on the program. I posted it on my blog.
February 4th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Heather – yesterday on The Insider, Lily Tomlin’s rant ranked 2nd or 3rd on their TOP Blow-Ups Countdown.
Click my name to see another example of ACTORS GONE WILD….lol
Thanks for sharing Heather – sounds like you’ve had an adventure-packed life. I’m jealous.
February 4th, 2009 at 6:45 am
rain - thank you for posting it - can’t wait to watch…
February 4th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Kelly & Rain, I thought Joey meant the “Nova” series that I watched last night. It was about the National Security Agency and the extremely scary amount of wiretapping and email invading they did for years. What an eyeopener!
Thanks, Rain for the posting of Frontline on your blog. Will watch it for sure.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:46 am
p.s. Rain, our station’s broadcast for Frontline last night was about Parkinson’s disease. Could not figure out how I missed the program on your site. Thanks,again.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:07 am
You can usually find any Frontline episode on the PBS website. They also have extra material, full interviews, etc. on the website. I love PBS!
February 4th, 2009 at 8:27 am
#127 Linda–
Why is it always 4 against 1.
Obviously you dont watch The View objectively. When Elisabeth interrupts, starts yelling over someone that has a different view than hers, you say They are rude,one sided know it alls,
It would be nice to get an answer from you, but I dont expect one….. how are “they” rude when they dont stop talking after Elisabeth interrupts? The first time Elisabeth interrupted, was when their guest couldnt answer a question about his own documentary….. so Elisabeth interrupted him and started yelling.
Elisabeth uses that Faux News tactic, the one that is the loudest is the most right…… in the real world that doesnt work.
I hope this answers your question Linda