In any case, Jessica Angelique who is on Twitter as @DefinitveVoices and as @Jesicaangelique is a person who shines a light on organizations and non-profits that help people better the world through better living conditions, better self-esteem, and through building people up, one person at a time.  She is a strong voice for cancer-livestrong organization, for children, clean water, self-esteem & empowerment, and for foster care.  She is an author and a speaker; and, she is not afraid to connect to people who are in the position to effectively make changes that open the doorway to a better life for thousands of people everyday.   She puts her money where her mouth is and donates money to help children in foster care.

        She needs your help to win this grant.  Pepsi is running a voting contest and you can go here to register and vote to help her to implement her vision in a large way; should she win the vote.  http://www.refresheverything.com/definitivevoices  Once you arrive there, at the bottom of the screen there will be a sign in spot.  Sign in by entering an email and create a password.   She is entered to win the $250,000 category to educate.  Please help.  Lives will be changed and improved and children will especially be blessed. 

        Jessica has connections with people from all over the globe who are like minded; it will be a powerful television show.  Again I say, why can’t television be used to build people up instead of tearing them down?  Be a vessel of empowerment…please register and vote daily until the 28th of February, 2010.  It is very important to do this; you won’t be sorry that you took the time to do so!

           When David announced details  on the show about the alledged blackmail attempt (which he reported to the authorities) David was applauded by some supporters as “being manly”; or, being proactive and taking the reins in the attempt to spin the public’s perception of the whole sordid situation.   I personally dont find it manly to sleep with co-workers casually and then make a joke out of it for public consumption on television.   

             There are some people who are “standing by their Letterman” no matter what.   When I hear them talking it makes me wonder what their personal values are…and I also wonder about the individuals that they are in a relationship are thinking.  Hmmm…if my significant other thinks it is ok for David Letterman to cheat in his relationship and sleep with his co-workers…then what is my significant other doing when I am not around…that is the kind of thoughts that would be running through my mind if my significant other was speaking out in support of David’s bad behavior. 

         Another thing, while David has spoken in jest about such matters…he has that smirk on his face (in my opinion)…which just doesn’t sit well with me.  It makes me think he is callous in his treatment of others or worse…that he is loving all of the chaos that this mess is causing and is giving him more attention and ratings than he could have hoped for.  Either way, I don’t like watching his cheesy grin while he devalues his relationship with Regina or those other woman by turning it into some kind of “hip” monologue to “entertain” people with.  

            There is some concern that all of the jokes that David (and others) are cracking in public is going to create a backlash for David and his image.  I say, are you serious?  Ok, so none of the women he had relationships with on his staff are complaining.   Still, some women’s organizations are complaining about his attitude toward women in the workplace.   Ok, so his wife has not made a public statement about her feelings on the situation.  Ok, some really big stars and supporters are saying …yeah well, David is the man, because he confronted the issue through his television show.  David has done plenty of bashing of other men, who were in similiar positions as him regarding inappropriate or immoral sexual behavior over the years. 

        I just want to say that I don’t find any of this a laughing matter…it really rather offends me that he is cracking jokes about such a serious situation; one that is causing hurt for so many people.  For those who are spiritually minded, this is a huge concern as it goes against most religious guidelines for proper or appropriate behavior; in fact, it is considered a sin by many. 

         Maybe David thinks this is the appropriate way to address the situation by laughing at it.  Hmmm…or maybe not.  Maybe he is attempting to put a spin on the damage or as they say, he is doing damage control.  Except…really, for a man who waited so many years to remarry…to have a young son…wouldn’t you think he would be concerned about how this is affecting those closest to him?  I have heard him apologize to his staff, and acknowledge that his actions have deeply hurt his wife Regina.  I heard him say that if one is responsible for causing that kind of hurt that they need to repair the damage.  It is easier said than done.

          Ok Dave…I am going to speak your language and give you some free advice.  Here are the top 10  ten reasons that you, David Letterman, need to stop laughing and making jokes about your actions in this situation.

Reason #10

People might think you would do it all over again-because you thanked your staff for standing by you when you got “yourself” into something stupid!   Hello…you got alot of people into something stupid.

Reason #9

You could lose your job over the situation.

Reason #8

You could lose viewers in the long run (even though the immediate numbers are up).

Reason #7

You could lose sponsors for the show-which in turn could cause you to lose your job.

Reason #6

You could have damaged marriages & family relationships for the people on your staff.

Reason #5

You have given your child plenty of counseling material for years to come-plus ammunition for school bullies to taunt your young son Harry…he may not always respect you, like you appear to have respected your father.

Reason #4

You have given your wife reason to doubt and mistrust your actions with present & future staff-this may have destroyed the trustibility in your marriage-costing you companionship, love, support, and half of your financial legacy.

Reason #3

You have damaged your relationship with your wife & mother of your only child-yes you were not married but you were in a relationship with her during the time of this alledged behavior.

Reason #2

You look like an insensitive jerk by laughing at a situation that affects thousands & thousands of your viewer’s marriages and relationships each and every day.

Reason #1

The other half of the story isn’t out yet…and there will be more information to come out.  The more you laugh now the more there could be to explain later…to the public, to those you have personal relationships with and to the authorities in a court room.  Your name will not just be known for your comedic skills and talents…it will be forever associated with sex, scandal, back room relationships…and negative publicity.  Your so called friends and supporters will distance themselves from you quicker than quick if the publicity takes a negative turn.   Oh and by the way, it just isn’t funny David Letterman!

        Patricia has played the character of Carlotta Vega on that show for over a decade.  I remember early on her appearances on that show, that she played a housekeeper, of sorts, for one of the main characters, Dorian Lord.  She played a strong role in voicing what should have been Dorian’s conscious when that character got herself into questionable situations by manipulating others.  Eventually, Patricia’s character Carlotta bought a restaurant and continued the role of adviser to many of the shows characters as they experienced problems in their “lives”.  Always her religious wisdoms and values showed through.

        I have quit watching soap operas and many other shows because of my personal beliefs.  I get tired of being “forced”, simply because there doesn’t appear to be many other choices, to watch entertainment shows that continue to erode and chip away at traditional family values or Christian values.   Our family recently gave up television because of many of these issues when the digital conversion took place.

          The problem that Patricia is now voicing is that she was allegedly  given a script or a direction in which she, as her character, was expected to be supportive of a gay storyline  which Patricia says is not authentic to who Patricia is as a Christian; nor would the Christian character Carlotta  realistically support a situation like that.   Patricia has said it is not the gay storyline that she objects to; but rather, the way that her character’s storyline was written.   Christian’s, for the most part, do not condone same sex relationships, as it goes against scripture in the Bible.  The Bible calls homosexuality, or the physical expression of romantic love between two people of the same sex, an abomination. 

           Is it right, fair, or legal for an employer to demand an employee to go against their personal religious beliefs in a job environment?   And, if it IS legal, who should a person obey…their employer or God?

         After hearing that Patricia is alleging that she has been let go of her character and replaced with another actress I started wondering about making a stand in a person’s workplace, when expected in the workplace to violate one’s personal beliefs.  I don’t know about the legality of such issues…but, I do know that it would be especially difficult or impossible to make myself  do or perform any work related job when I felt that it went against my beliefs as a Christian.   In my heart, and here on the blog, I support Patricia and her efforts to put her convictions out there as a testimony to her faith. 

          I wonder, have any of my readers had an experience at work  where they felt conflicted about something the boss expected them to do in their work environment, based on their religious beliefs?  How did you handle that situation? 

         Out of those deaths that were mention in the previous paragraph…one stands out for excess information coming forward.  Michael Jackson’s death had almost an immediate response of speculation about the reason for his death; immediately, close personal friends and not so close friends and family were speaking out about their concerns about his alleged drug addictions….his private financial difficulties , personal relationships, and other issues.

          We’ve all seen it before…this won’t be the last of it.   It seems that the larger the celebrity the more that people cant wait to tell their secrets.  Soon there will be a sad and shocking selling of memorabilia.   There will be more disclosures as time goes on…some of it will be shocking I am sure.  What do you think makes these confidantes speak out with information, that otherwise the public would not be privy to?

           Farrah Fawcett first came on the scene as a model/actress.  She did many commercials and bit parts on television shows.  She married Lee Majors, of The Six Million Dollar Man fame,  in 1973 ; they later seperated in 1979 and divorced in 1982.   In 1982, Farrah began a long term romance with Ryan O’Neal, an actor, that continued until she passed away today.   Ryan O’Neal is an actor who is famous for many roles including the movie, Love Story.  It is powerfully ironic that the storyline of that movie was about a couple who struggled against the female love interest Ali McGraw’s fatal illness.   In an interview with Barbara Walters, Ryan vowed to marry Farrah.  It does not appear that it was able to happen in the last weeks of her life.    In 1985 , Farrah gave birth to her one and only child, Redmond O’Neal. 

          But before all of the roles she played as Redmond’s mother and Ryan O’Neal’s long term girlfriend…Farrah became an American icon by taking on the television role of Jill Monroe on Charlies Angels.  She became a role model for many women in the world of beauty by posing for her famous poster of her in a red, one -piece swimsuit and she spawned a whole new hairdo with her famous blonde hair “feathered” on the sides of the face. 

            Of course, as time went on Farrah went on to do more heavy hitting acting roles during her career.  She amazed many with her acting skills as it was perceived for a time that she was somewhat flighty and ill suited to stronger roles.  Farrah worked hard to put those myths to rest.  She came across as a southern bell but she developed a strong inner personal grit that served her well when she was diagnosed with cancer and when she had a re-occurance.

            Farrah was a spiritual woman, who believed in God and who fought her battle with cancer in a variety of ways including using alternative methods in Germany.  She believed there was a reason that she became ill with cancer and she tried to make good come from it.   Farrah was a woman who inspired loyalty in her relationships.  She had many relationships that spanned 20 or 30 years outside of her family.  Alana Stewart was a long term friend who helped Farrah film her documentary on her battle with cancer.  She remained friends with her co-stars from Charlies Angels Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith through the years.   Farrah lived long enough to see that documentary air just last month.  It was her hope that her journey with cancer could help someone else with their struggle.   

          Farrah, we will miss you and your spirit.  I hope that your son Redmond can overcome his battle with drugs.  It is unfortunate that Redmond could not be there in person to say goodbye to Farrah as he is at present incarcerated for drug possession.  I am sure that Ryan and Redmond could benefit from grieving together.  From all news reports Redmond is torn apart that he could not be with his mother during these last weeks.  In early May i believe it was he was allowed a supervised visit with his mother before he was sent back to jail.  He was not told how badly Farrah was doing…Farrah was not told that Redmond was in handcuffs during the visit.  If anything good can come out of this terrible loss for this family, let’s hope that somehow Redmond can turn his life around now knowing and understanding how much his mother loved him and wanted him to be free of his addictions.    If Redmond can find the strength to battle his addictions by the inspiration of his mother’s love he will do her legacy justice; let’s hope he can love himself enough to honor her love for him.

          And so, it is with sadness that America says goodbye to the beautiful blonde haired Angel named Farrah.  Please keep all of her loved ones in prayer.  No matter who you are, rich or poor, famous or not…losing someone you love is hard and it is painful.

         I have listened to news reports that have made a mockery out of the trauma that they are going through by covering each and every mundane thing that they do together and seperately with the children.   It is unfortunate, but this happens to millions of families around the world every day; it isn’t meant for public consumption.   Lately,the media reports was all about suspected infidelity and book tours.  Now in the last week or two, “the announcement” of a life changing decision was used to build up suspense for the weekly show.  For real, people…doesn’t it feel a little like being a spectator for a disaster?  Waiting and wondering how things are going to unfold, who will come out a survivor, and then, what paths each individual will take on their journey if, this all ends badly? 

         What started out as a show of entertainment and a way to support their family has consummed them.  The publicity has to have turned into a kind of sword that now is only causing more pain.   I can’t help it, i wouldnt watch the show….not because they are not interesting, not because i have taken sides with one or the other of the couple…but, merely because I do not consider this to be entertainment…i happen to think that by watch the show we are actually becoming part of the problem and hurting them as a family.  Please, let them heal in their own way…out of the eyes of the viewers.

         Kate’s own brother and sister in law are begging people to stop watching the show out of concern for each of the family  members.  I am sorry, but Jon and Kate Plus Eight is no longer entertainment…it is a family tragedy!  There are people who love and care about what happens to each of them and this is painful to watch.    Are we going to be forced to hear in the media of divisions of their property, custody issues over the children, visitation difficulties and blending of families sometime into the future of this family when and if they decide to move on with other relationships?  Really, can’t we all just stop paying attention in this obsessive way and respect them enough to let them work out family issues in private to minimize damage to one another, the children and the friends and extended family members?    Should people watch or stop watching this show; what is your opinion?

         Another thing, when getting a tattoo…it is always wise to check out the sanitary practices of the artist and the facilities and tools that they use.  It would be horrible to have a health issue or a medical issue because of a decision to get a tattoo, without understanding all of the risks.  Parents often forbid tattoos based on the issue of health risks.

      In America, the comedian Whoopi Goldberg challenged the young woman’s claim of sleeping through the procedure on the television show, The View.  Whoopi said that she herself has a tattoo and that there is no way that someone could sleep through the painful procedure unless they were high or drunk.   I laughed when I heard Whoopi say that…because, I can’t imagine the pain of those needles while trying to sleep.    She has now admitted that she lied…although, I don’t think that too many people believed her in the first place.

       She is about 18 years old i think news reports said.  I thought as I looked at the photos of the tattoo artist’s work…it looked alot like some of the young children I have seen who have gone to a carnival/fair and have had their face painted with face paint and a stencil.   It was cute…but, i wouldn’t want to live with it for life.   I bet that the young lady wishes that the tattoos were as easy to remove as the face paint is!  Live and learn, I guess.

         News reports say that 95 % of American homes are ready for this transition…the concern of course is for those who either cant afford to upgrade…those who are on a fixed income such as the elderly, the disabled or those who are new to living on their own.  I personally know many who are not ready for this transition.  It is somewhat of a safety concern because many people get their only local and national information from their television.

          The transition will take place today at 10 am Eastern time.  My home will be somewhat of a science experiment; one that my children dread.  We have not prepared for the upgrade.  We ordered the coupons when they were first available.  At that time, many reports were complaining of the quality of the boxes.  We decided not to get them…because of where we live.  We would have needed a huge outdoor antennae as well.  It was not financially feasible nor would it have been easy to install.  That left the option of purchasing a new television.  That has also not happened…there are always too many other, more important needs. 

         After all, let’s keep it all in perspective…television is not a necessary thing.  It is a want, not a need.  I can get my news from the internet, the radio and such.  That is not the case for everyone, however.    So, am I and my family the only ones who will be viewing a black television screen?  I think not.

          Truly, it will be different.  We as Americans are used to automatically turning on the television set.  It is a habit.  For the most part, we have only a couple of channels to view where I live.  So, our viewing choices are limited anyway…is it going to be any great loss?  Probably not.  Television really is not as entertaining as it used to be.  More often than not, there is little programming that is family friendly when you dont have cable.  So, how will this experiment go?  Not too sure…one thing is for sure….my kids will not be thrilled to try this out.   On the other hand, I wonder how much more free time we will have as a family?  Are you with the digital programming?

         David “joked” about Sarah going to Bloomingdales to pick up makeup to update her “slutty flight attendant” look.  First off, that is disrespect not only to Sarah but also, to flight attendants who have struggled over the years to fight for respect for the job that they do.  I can’t imagine that this statement has made him very popular with the aviation industry.  I know from the news stories flying back and forth…he isn’t very popular with the Palin family.  That previous statement about the flight attendant wasn’t the worst of his “jokes” I am afraid to say.

          The most offensive “joke” that he made had to do with Sarah and Todd Palin’s daughter.  David said, An awkward moment at the Yankee’s game, during the 7th inning, her daughter was “knocked up” by Alex Rodriquez.  Whoa!  Say what?  How not funny is that?  That implies that her daughter was having sex or was forced to have sex by Alex Rodriquez.  Now, number 1, Sarah’s daughter is 14 years old.  She should not have been made the subject of a sexual joke…in any way!  #2 i doubt that Alex Rodriquez was thrilled to be included in such an insensitive remark.  #3 I am sure that the management and ownership of the Yankee’s was definately not happy about that particular “joke”.  After all, baseball is associated with a family imagine…all American, mom and apple pie….not sex on the field with a minor and one of their ball players. 

         The thing about comedians is that sometimes a joke “works” and sometimes it does not; however, there should be some guidelines that a comedian doesn’t cross; no matter how “big” you are in the industry.  I personally think it is reprehensible that David Letterman would say such a thing.  It wasn’t long ago when a comment was made by another celebrity that included sexual references about Miley Cyrus….that too was not appropriate or funny.   There was a big backlash of public opinion about those comments as well.   Come on entertainers….let’s have some sensitivity training about what is and what is not appropriate to say about young girls and women in general.   Every day on the news we have stories partaining to the fact that some “adult” somewhere has “victimized” a child in a sexual way…these kinds of comments and jokes do not help people to understand what is appropriate behavior between adults and children.  The line is becoming blurred and that is not acceptable. 

         There has to be a call to action for our culture to demand that those in the public eye hold themselves to a high standard of values when it comes to these issues.  It should be a matter of common sense…but, as the bar gets lowered and things happen…the next incident desensitizes the public to tolerate even more degrading things to be said and done all in the guise of entertainment; because…really; we know the intent behind them…it was all in fun…right?  Wrong!   It is a matter of accountability.

        It is no wonder that some females of this generation are struggling with self-esteem issues and body consciousness.   It is no wonder that some males of this generation are confused about what is appropriate conduct at work, at school, at home and on the streets.   Truly, have we NOT gotten past the idea that it is ok to belittle women and girls by defining them in a sexualized manner?  We all have daughters, mothers, sisters, or female friends or co-workers that we care about…try to imagine them in these situations and conduct ourselves accordingly.

         The Palins have made known their extreme displeasure and frustration over the matter regarding their daughter Willow.  David made a half hearted attempt to gloss the issue over by inviting them to his show to work it out.  The Palins have appropriately refused to do so.  Today, in an attempt to apologize, David said that he wasn’t referring to Willow the Palin’s 14 year old minor…he was referring to Bristol their 18 daughter. 

           Does that make his “joke” ok, because she is an adult who did in fact become an unwed mother?  No, I think not.  Not only that…but, from what i have been able to glean out of the news reports…Sarah was with her daughter Willow at that game…not Bristol; not that it should matter!   Making comments about sexual activity involving the Palin’s daughters (or anyone’s sons or daughters) is a bit over the top, in my opinion.   Dave admits that he was guilty of poor taste…but, he doesn’t come across as truly feeling sorry for these comments that he made.

          I myself , have a problem with comedy when it chooses to go in the mean-spirited direction, or in a way that puts someone else down to get a laugh.  Life is funny enough…we dont have to look for ways to humiliate anyone to be funny.  Self deprecating humor is usually the way to go if you are going to try to underscore someone looking like a fool or to show them with egg on their face to get a laugh.  Cruelty in the guise of humor doesn’t work for me personally, just my opinion.

          Hello Dave, here is a clue….the joke wasn’t funny!  It was not only rude, insensitive, and demeaning to women; but also to the baseball industry, professional ball players, flight attendants and to parents because it goes against everything that parents try to instill in their (sons) & daughters in this world.   Our society has become highly over-focussed on sexualizing our daughters from the time they come out of the womb.  You are definately old enough to know better…and, I would hope that you would truly and sincerely be ashamed of your words and your actions for trying to justify the situation.   After all, you have a child…would use want someone to use him in such a way, publically or privately?  I know you pride yourself on playing things close to the vest on a personal level…but for real, let your human side show on this subject. 

            How do you feel about these types of “jokes”?  Does Dave have carte blanche to say such things?  If he chooses to say them…will it influence whether you watch his show or not?   Do you think that his sponsors or powerful people in New York should express their displeasure?   Do you think that it hurts him professionally to go to this level when performing on stage?  I know that the late night entertainment shows have been going through some changes recently with Conan O’Brien, and Jay Leno changing things up…but, will Dave’s viewership be affected by incidents such as this?  What is your opinion?