Alesha Thomas Dies after Resisting Arrest

After numerous efforts to restrain Alesia Thomas, a South Los Angeles woman under arrest on suspicion of Child Endangerment, police managed to get her into their vehicle where she almost immediately stopped breathing. The officers called the Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics who transported Thomas to a hospital where she died soon after.

LAPD's Force Investigation Detectives are investigating the incident. The attempts to restrain Thomas to take her into custody involved various forceful tactics including a leg sweep. According to a news release regarding the incident, in-car cameras revealed questionable physical methods of restraint along with possible verbal abuse on the part of the officers.

Thomas was accused of abandoning two children, a 3-year-old and a 12-year-old, at the police station at 2 p.m. The officers then headed to their home where they found 35-year-old Thomas who immediately resisted arrest. According to the policies of the police department, "an officer's use of force actions must be objectively reasonable." The police department is thoroughly investigating the facts surrounding Thomas's death. Chief Beck stated:

“I take all in-custody death investigations very seriously and directed that the
officers involved be removed from field duties until further details are known, including what
part intoxicants and physical conditions contributed. I’m confident we will get to the truth, no
matter where that leads us.”

George W. Bush: Hilarious and Charming

No, you did not read that wrong. The 43^rd president of the United States, generally characterized as fumbling over his words (nuc-u-ler? Nuc-le-ar?) and lacking charisma, is witty and personable. Or, at least was during his 2000 campaign.

In her behind-the-scenes, lighthearted documentary Journeys with George, Alexandra Pelosi (daughter of Nancy Pelosi) shows viewers a George Bush the nation didn’t get to know. The film, captured on her personal camcorder, portrayed George as a very real man who loved Cheetos and balogna sandwhiches and cracking jokes.

Pelosi makes the campaign trail and media circus look exhausting but entertaining. Her encounters with journalists representing all the major news outlets and George Bush's campain team members such as Karl Rove are enlightening. When some of the other reporters mistreated Pelosi, Bush took her aside and reassured and comforted her. Why didn't America get to see this side of Bush?

Parts of her tale, like her complaints of how all they ever ate were turkey sandwiches, were perhaps attempts to deter aspiring media professionals. But when a British journalist pointed out why he loves elections (they are everything anyone would want to cover- they contain human drama, entertainment, policy and are serious events all in one), it made me ready to jump onto the next campaign bus, no matter whose it is. 

Spin

Last week, a desert of boredom thanks to lack of activity at the Hammer Museum, proved void of any blog-worthy events. In fact, I can't recall what I wrote about as my daily activities were limited to work and homework or watching the news. Surely I concocted something to entertain my readers.

Fortunately, the Hammer Museum's calendar filled up again this week with its continuing series of documentaries focusing on past presidential elections. There was one screening last week, but of course it fell exactly during the time I have class, so I had to miss out. Last night's film focused on the media's portrayal of the race between Clinton and then-President Bush. Not exclusively, however; it was more of a critique on what goes on in media coverage that we do not see. The film's creator spent time listening to satellite feeds of news coverage, focusing specifically on what is said when reporters, TV show hosts and their subjects (in this case, mainly the presidential candidates) think no one can hear them (for example, their conversations during commercial breaks). The film, Spin, earned its title from the "spin" that the media puts on stories.

The content was certainly interesting, if not a bit eerie, perhaps thanks to the futuristic, outer-space-esque sound effects not foreign to '90s films. Larry King, whose behind-the-scenes comments made up a good deal of the documentary and completely deterred me from the talk show host, was a main focus of the film. The things he said when he thought no one was listening were borderline terrifying. It is during those times that people show their true colors.

The film also touched on how the media covers what it wants, and only that. For example, there was a man running for Democratic nominee against Clinton who I had never even heard of because the media banned him from participating in debates. Ironically, they reasoned that it was because he lacked substantial media coverage. There's a Catch 22 if I ever heard of one.

Tonight's film is about George W. Bush. Not sure specifically what about him, but given this is Los Angeles, I don't imagine it will be anything positive. Stay tuned! 

Bus Conversations

I struggle to find a manner to portray my feelings pertaining to the Los Angeles bus system in a way that does my sentiments justice. The Los Angeles metro system is hypocritical, slow and infuriating and tries my patience as nothing ever has before. The system which boasts punctuality and ease of use rivals  driving in Los Angeles traffic. I can't decide which is worse- standing around waiting 45 minutes for a bus that, based on its posted schedule, comes every 10-15, or sitting in bumper-to-bumper gridlock. At least in the gridlock I feel like I can be productive by listening to NPR. In that case, I can also have a minor breakdown in my car and no one else is around to witness my psychotic moment except possibly the driver beside me.

The bus is not all bad either, I suppose- I have overheard entertaining conversations (entertaining being a broad understatement). Yesterday I almost had a meltdown in public, much akin to my crying bout at the DMV about a month ago. After walking about 15 minutes to the bus stop, I then had to wait 45 minutes for the bus to show up. During times like these, my smart phone and LA Times app come in handy. Or it would have, if I had not already read every article in the paper at work.

When I finally got on the bus, there were no seats so I planted myself in the most comfortable standing position I could get myself into, and proceeded to listen to one of the most obnoxious conversations of my life. Basically, it was two late 20-somethings volleying a list of places they wanted to travel to. It started out where one would say "I really want to go to Rome!" and the other would say "yeah, good food there!" and then they would discuss Rome a little bit, and then move on to the next desired travel spot. But at one point it went something like this:

Guy: I wanna go to Amsterdam. Lots of pot.
Girl: Totally. I want to go to Jamaica.
Guy: Oh man, Jamaica. I want to go to Brazil.
Girl: OMG, Brazil! Totally.
Guy: I want to go to Venice.
Girl: I heard it smells but yeah. I want to go to Korea!
Guy: I want to go to Japan.
Girl: I want to go to Denver!
Guy: All that's there are like hicks in log cabins and mosquitos.

Wow. clearly he has never been to Denver before.
And on it went until, about 45 minutes later, I got back to my apartment. Even in gridlock, I would have made it back in 30 total by car. Really makes me mad. 

How Did This Happen?

I have morphed into a strange being. The kind that are the focus of fantasy novel plots. Something able to strike fear into the hearts of young children attempting to fall asleep in their dark rooms. I have become a creature more terrifying than a werewolf- something which makes the boogeyman seem like a harmless bunny. I am officially a morning person! (Insert ominous musical accompaniment here)

I can't fathom how this happened to me. Mere years ago you couldn't wake me before 10 a.m. with a hot poker. Unless of course it was during the school year in which case I would barely manage to roll out the side of my bed after hitting "snooze" countless times, only due to necessity. Yet now, I voluntarily rise between 6:30 and 7 in the morning daily. I consider sleeping until 8 lazy and almost impossible, even when I have zero tasks to complete in a given day.

I retire to read in my room for the evening around 9:30 or 10. I am prematurely old. I spend my mornings going for long runs followed by leisurely reading the paper while sipping my coffee and eating cereal. At least I read the newspaper on my iPad. That places me closer to my age group, I think.

I just can't figure out how this happened. I used to revel in the night. Staying up late was routine. Now the morning seems more enticing to me than ever. I adore running in the crisp air of a fresh day beneath the newly risen sun and a clear blue sky. Everyone seems a bit more cheerful in the morning before the stress of the day has negatively impacted their moods. When I pass by strangers, they are more likely to greet me with a wave, a smile or even a "hello" or "good morning."

This change in me, though strange, is a welcome one. I am happy to deem myself a morning person. 

Prince Harry Naked in Vegas

Las Vegas, you are such a drama queen. Of course, this has always been the case to some extent. But the city has been brandishing its attention-hogging side and flexing its "look at me, look at me!" muscle to a greater degree this past week.

telegraph.co.uk

What happens in Vegas does not actually stay in Vegas, at least if you are Prince Harry. He and his nude antics popped up on media outlets. Blurred photos of the royal and a gaggle of gorgeous women became hot search items on the Web. They were hardly even blurred on their original locale of publication, the entertaiment gossip site TMZ. His actions, routine behavior (or should I say behaviour? [Spelled the British way]) for him were hardly a shock for Grandma dearest, the epitome of proper.

"what happens in vegas, stays in vegas" unless you're Prince Harry
— Brandon Harrop (@BrandonHarrop56) August 23, 2012

Someone with a parody Twitter account for Harry, who apparently needs a spelling lesson, showed his nonchalant attitude in a recent Tweet regarding the incident.

In my defence, I think I misunderstood the 'Vegas Strip.'
— Prince Harry (@Prince___Harry) August 23, 2012

Perhaps the photos will even aid him in a career change, as he was allegedly offered a substantial sum to star in an adult film. Somehow, I wouldn't be floored if he took up that offer. At least Harry's bare bum won't be oggled by many Brits as most publications except the Sun refrained from publishing the photos. Not for any legal reasons, just out of good taste.

Newyorker.com

Lance Armstrong Gives Up Fight Against USADA: Likely to Lose 7 Tour de France Titles

I am speechless. Figuratively, because I am about to unleash a firestorm of my thoughts on the USADA calling to ban Lance Armstrong from competing for life and to have his seven Tour de France titles stripped.

A detailed NBC article focused on Armstrong's sentiments that he is just plain worn out from constantly fighting the anti-doping agency. Understandably so- he pointed out that he passed hundreds of drug tests between 1999 and 2005, the years in which he earned his titles.

Key word: EARNED his titles. "Enraged" hardly gives my feelings towards the USADA justice. I don't even want to give them the pleasure of having their name in my sacred blog space. From now on, they shall be referred to as Agency A. A mental image crops up in my mind of conspiring, hunched-over mutant-people cackling around a bubbling cauldron as they announce the punishments imposed on Armstrong. Who feels good about stripping an inspiring cancer survivor of his hard-earned titles? The evil individuals at Agency A.

As stated by the NBC article, Armstrong's story was the "ultimate comeback tale."

When diagnosed with cancer, doctors had given him less than a 50% chance of survival before surgery and brutal cycles of chemotherapy saved his life.Armstrong's riveting victories, his work for cancer awareness and his gossip-page romances with rocker Sheryl Crow, fashion designer Tory Burch and actress Kate Hudson made him a figure who transcended sports.
His dominance of the Tour de France elevated the sport's popularity in America to unprecedented levels. His story and success helped sell millions of the "Livestrong" plastic yellow wrist bracelets, and enabled him to enlist lawmakers and global policymakers to promote cancer awareness and research. His Lance Armstrong Foundation has raised nearly $500 million since its founding in 1997.

I'm not the only one standing behind Lance during these crap allegations:

Memo to media: @lancearmstrong did NOT concede he cheated. He conceded he could not beat USADA (@usantidoping) in game it rigged against him
— Bill Hobbs (@billhobbs) August 24, 2012

Lance Armstrong with 500+ clean tests but banned on hearsay. If baseball adopted this policy, they'd have six players left.
— Mick Shaffer (@mickshaffer) August 24, 2012

Lance Armstrong's foundation has raised nearly $500 million for cancer - real hero in the endbit.ly/Ozm7Y0
— michael rapino (@rapino99) August 24, 2012

Mick Shaffer makes a great point with his Tweet referring to the number of unclean athletes in baseball. What's with the witch hunt against Lance? Many pro-athletes are cheating but they are going after biking more than any other sport and attacking the previous heroes of cycling. Other sports, for example baseball, look the other way- they want to keep their heroes no matter what. Big sports have the backing of big money keeping the drug allegations at bay. The morons at Agency A have lost their minds- they are on some crazy powertrip/vendetta. Lance beat cancer and devotes his life to efforts to end cancer. A good man working for an honorable cause does not deserve this treatment.

I'm with Dane Cook 100%.

If the US Anti-Doping Agency strips Lance Armstrong of his 7 titles I'll strongly continue to not watch or support the Tour de France ever.
— Dane Cook (@danecook) August 24, 2012

Agency A can do whatever they want and allege and accuse Lance until the end of time. I still contest that he is an amazing individual and continue to support him and his cause.