The things people resort to because of the shrinking dollar

Like buying a fraction of a condo in Paris. But I guess its kind of like a timeshare.

Iranian-American in the White House

So I’ve recently left my local small-town news producing job for something bigger and better.

And what a better way to start this new chapter of my “news life” than with a little trip to our nation’s capital for a political event. I was at the State Department in Washington D.C. Monday for the swearing in of the highest ranking Iranian-American in U.S. Government.

Goli Ameri was sworn in as the Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs on May 12, 2008 and she had plenty of people with her to celebrate. In her introduction of Ameri, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joked about the 100 plus crowd by saying “Goli I see you’ve brought a few friends with you.”

Condie herself was surprisingly warm and funny unlike the cold serious face I’ve seen on TV before. She talked about how as a descendant of former slaves it was an honor to have an Iranian-American woman as part of her team.

Ameri’s first official swearing in was on March 19, 2008 and she started her State Department job soon after. Monday’s event on the 8th floor of the State Department building was also an official swearing in but even more so a celebration. At a dinner reception Ameri hosted Monday night she was gracious to all her guests and seemed sincere when she thanked each of individually for being there with her. She did not seem so pleased however when I asked her for an interview.

My aunt who did fundraising for Ameri, had promised a couple of Persian language media outlets that she would get them an interview, but when we asked Ameri she referred us to her press secretary. He in turn told us to e-mail him.

My aunt said that e-mail would not do and while she would usually be the one going after what she wants (that is why she is so good at fundraising) she was handicapped by a knee injury and forced to sit on the sidelines. It was up to me to do the job.

Ameri would have none of it. She explained that she could not just give an interview “on the fly” and had to run it by her press secretary. I figured she was just being coy and pressed on. Finally she blew me off by saying maybe later. For now, Ameri said, she had to get back to being a good hostess. So I took my journalist hat off and put my dancing shoes on -figuratively- that is.

How is that this juicy Spitzer story disappeared?

So a woman has plead guilty in connection with the Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal, what about Eliot? Maybe I just don’t care enough to look into it. The “Johns” often seem to get away though don’t they…

Busted printing fake money in L.A.

These guys made so much money printing fake cash using a scanner, computer and laser printers. Then they got caught.   Just reminds us that the US dollar is really nothing more than a piece of paper.

A chance for China to show its kinder side?

The LA Times’ article Amid Tragedy Lies Opportunity

High Tech and High Anxiety in Iraq.

An LA Times article that gives a glimpse into daily life in Iraq

and a comment on the complexities of “progress.”

They say Crystal Meth is popular in the gay male community

Apparently California drug officials have launched an anti-meth campaign aimed at gay men. This LA Times article explains it all. Now I understand the cultural forces at work behind my gay male hairdresser in LA saying “I once had meth in my life.” This web-site called Me Not Meth is pretty interesting. People post their personal stories… ok maybe its more interesting in theory than in practice.

A Little bita Barack Obama’s story

Where there is great risk, there is also great opportunity for transformation. Part of me thinks that Barak could be an amazing change for America. Part of me thinks that he doesn’t even know what he’d be getting into and if elected he’d fold like a cheap suit to the realities of politics in Washington. Either way Barack Obama makes for an interesting story. He is only the third African-American to be elected to the Senate since Reconstitution. When was Reconstitution you might ask? I dont know, but sounds like it was a long time ago…

Sick… yes. Twisted… yes. but it doesn’t surprise me one bit

ThisLA area auto insurance scam is out of this world.

Why is this former NFL player crying?

Its actually kind of touching.