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Kate spanks one of the eight

Reality show mom Kate Gosselin has come under fire for spanking one of her eight children. According to an In Touch story that hit shelves today, the child was blowing a whistle after having been told to stop, and so she was disciplined by her mother. The child does not appear to be abused and no legal action has been taken.

“Whether the paparazzi are there or not, I am a mother first. I love my children and when they misbehave, I discipline them as I deem appropriate for the situation,” a representative for Gosselin told Life&Style magazine earlier today.

The Gosselin family has been all over the headlines in recent months for rumors of infidelity, divorce, and exploiting their children through their TLC reality show, Jon and Kate Plus Eight. Even photos of the couple on separate vacations have made the cover of many gossip magazines. Despite the reports of marital problems, the show has started its fifth season and is in heavy rotation on the TLC summer schedule.

2009 Yearbook scandals - profanity and nudity

The cover of this year’s yearbook from Shaker Heights High School in Ohio was drawn by a student, and included a hidden message. The book must be upside down, and even then its difficult to read, but it didn’t take long for the student body to discover the prank. Hidden in a crowd of students is the message, “F*** You All.”

The principal has issued an apology to parents, including this from the artist:

“I can’t begin to clarify the unhappy emotion I brought upon myself, when I give up the trust of you all. I express regret for offending anybody and everybody. It is unlucky that I did not identify the big duty and admiration given to me as asked to design the cover of the Shaker Heights yearbook. I present my truthful apologies.”

Plans have been made to re-release the yearbook, minus the offensive message. The student body didn’t seem to mind, giving the artist a long, loud round of applause during the graduation ceremony on Thursday.

This hasn’t been the only scandal surrounding yearbooks this year. A story broke last month about a 16-year old student at Sickles High School in Tampa Bay, Florida, who neglected to wear underwear to school on picture day because, “She didn’t want panty lines.” As a result, the pottery club photo got a lot more attention than expected. That yearbook was also recalled and will be reprinted, despite the school officals’ claims that what the photo shows is nothing but shadow.

AMC Liquidators capitalize on Stanford Financial

AMC Liquidators has acquired the furniture of the former Stanford Financial Group.

Allen Stanford was the C.E.O. of the bank until it was seized by United States authorities in 2009, for allegations of fraud. 

U.S. authorities uncovered that Stanford Financial Group was operating a “Ponzi Scheme”.  This type of fradulent investment operation involves paying returns to investors from their own money or monies from subsequent investors instead of dividends earned. 

Since the collapse of the bank, AMC liquidators have purchased a large amount of old assets, in the form of furniture. 

AMC does not usually publicize the sources of reclaimed assets but they chose to do so in this situation based on the high profile of their client.  AMC liquidators has acquired thousands of pieces of furniture at a fraction of the cost, and is enjoying the free publicity.  AMC will recondition the furniture and then resell it for as high of a profit margin is possible.    Michael Grimme, who runs AMC liquidators estimated the total value of the paintings and furniture to be around $2 million. 

Allen Stanford has yet to be charged with any criminal offense, but is facing a $100 million dollar tax lean placed by the Internal Revenue Service.

Palin not amused by Letterman’s joke about daughter

Animosity has sprung up between Alaskan Gov. Sara Palin and late night TV comedian David Letterman over some misunderstood jokes made on Monday night’s show.

“One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game,” Letterman said, “during the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez.”

His joke was intended to reference Bristol, the oldest of Palin’s daughters and mother to Palin’s first grandchild, but it was Willow, 14, who went to Yankee Stadium with her mother during a recent trip to New York. Because of this, Letterman has come under fire from women’s rights organizations and children’s advocacy groups for a joke which some say encouraged statutory rape.

Letterman has since apologized for his bad taste and tried to set the record straight, in his usual tongue-in-cheek way, even inviting Palin to appear on his show. He insists his joke was not aimed at the minor, and would never joke about such a serious topic.

A  through a message posted Thursday on the Republican mother of five’s Facebook page, Palin refused both the invitation and the apology.

“The Palins have no intention of providing a ratings boost for David Letterman by appearing on his show. Plus, it would be wise to keep Willow away from David Letterman,” the message said.

Green houses becoming more popular and accessible

As the credit crunch deepens and gloabl warming continues, many home buyers are considering homes built from cargo containers.  While not the traditional home, these homes offer several advantages.  Container homes can be constructed quicker because of their modular nature.  The containers are very strong, able to withstand a 153,000 lb vertical load.  They are built from containers already in existence which helps to preserve the planet by recycling.  These buildings are both hurricane and earthquake resistant.  The homes are also well insulated, but not by traditional means.  When built, all shipping containers are sprayed with a ceramic coating, which has a higher energy savings rating than standard insulation. 

One California company “SG Blocks” is banking on the hope that the credit crunch and global warming will entice potential new home builders to chose their product instead.  The company boasts a 15% savings over traditional wooden homes.  The company offers various floor plans and options to help negate the “cookie cutter” appearance of the homes.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are staying together… for now

Maybe the tabloids just wanted some free puplicity or maybe this Hollywood couple is breaking up like most others - by initially denying the fact to the public while they attempt to make amends.

The couple has a cumulative six children, and recenlty vacationed together in France. 

As part of the story, the tabloids have reported that Jolie had arrived home early one evening to find Pitt talking to his ex-wife, Jennifer Aniston on the phone.  Jolie reportedly told brad that she was “disgusted”.  Angelina appears to have gotten over disgust, at least for the time being.

Nick Montana considers Washington State

Nick Montana, the son of former NFL great, Joe Montana is headed to Washington state to speak with the Huskies footbal coach.  He is expected to become the Huskies new quarterback, despite their dismal last year performance of 12 losses and 0 wins. 

Nick currently plays football for Oaks Christian High School.  He is rated among the top quarterbacks from the 2010 class.  His high school coach, Bill Redell claims that the Huskies will be getting a great player in Montana.

Montana was offered scholarships from Ohio State, LSU, Alabama, Georgia and his dad’s alma mater, Notre Dame, and others.  His father,  Joe Montana is an alumni of Notre Dame.

Huskies fans will have their opportunity to see Montana in action on Sept. 18 when Oaks Christian High School plays Skyline in Seattle.

Man gives birth to second child

The man who made headlines around the world last year for giving birth has done it again. Thomas Beatie, 35, and his wife Nancy now have two babies and lots of press coverage.

Of course there’s more to this story than a catchy headline. Although legally a man since his sex change procedure in 1998, he was born Tracy Beatie and lived as a woman until his 20’s. He even competed in the Miss Hawaii competition. What makes this story possible is that he still has female reproductive organs.

“Growing up I really didn’t have a perception of myself [as a girl],” Beatie said.

Nancy and Thomas were married in 2003, after which the couple decided they wanted children, but Nancy was unable to conceive. Thomas stopped taking testosterone, and through artificial insemination, Thomas conceived and carried daughter Susan Juliette, born last June.

Now the Oregon family has grown again, adding a newborn son via the same process. The boy has yet to be named.

Jon Voight Gets Political

Jon Voight is not your average “conservative”, considering the Oscar he won by working with Jane Fonda, the role he played as Franklin Delanor Roosevelt, and the fathering of Angelina Jolie.  Even so, Jon has been flexing his celebrity status and conservative views in Washington, D.C. 

Voight hosted a GOP fundraising dinner last night in Washington, but failed to meet their monetary goal.  Even so,Voight has created buzz from the statements he made rebuking the Obama administration.  Some of the bold statements he made included “freeing us from Obama oppression” and declaring Obama weak and a “false prophet”.  Although these comments drew little applause from the audience, they were condemning enough to create controversy, which ultimately leads to the free advertising he wanted.   Voight’s statements overshadowed the fact that the GOP dinner raised only $14.5 million, which is a low figure from years’ past.

Voight continues to move further to right with his political beliefs, even as estranged daughter Angelina Jolie finds herself in the middle of the “Hollywood Left” with the likes of Tom Cruise.

Federer wins Open, 14th title

Despite bad weather and a crazed fan running onto the Roland Garros court during the match earlier today, Roger Federer won the French Open 2009, beating opponent Robin Soderling 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4.

Soderling had defeated Spanish champ Rafael Nadal earlier in the day, 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (2), keeping Nadal from winning his 32nd straight match at the famed Paris court. It came as a surprise to many that Nadal didn’t advance further, but Federer may have been relieved.

“Maybe you’ll miss him, but not me,” Federer said to reporters. “I’ve played him 20 times. It’s nice to play someone else, too. I know that I’ll be playing him plenty more times in the future.”

His victory earned him not only his 14th major title, but also a spot among other tennis greats Don Budge, Fred Perry, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Andre Agassi as the only men to have won all the Grand Slam titles in their careers.

“It’s maybe my greatest victory, or certainly the one that removes the most pressure off my shoulders,” Federer said. “I think that now and until the end of my career, I can really play with my mind at peace, and no longer hear that I’ve never won Roland Garros.”