GetYourGoodNews/LeoKelly

NO FARRAH!?!?!?!?
Bosses at the Oscars have defended their decision to leave Farrah Fawcett
out of the memorial montage, insisting it's impossible to pay tribute to every
star who passed away in the last year.

The Charlie's Angels actress, who died in June, was absent from the
Academy Awards' tribute section on Sunday night, which marked such
notable deaths including:
Brittany Murphy
Patrick Swayze
sound designer Wayne Bolgnia
Abe Vigoda
key grip Kent Shamuro
stylist Peggy Gurdty
voice-over specialist Moe Compton
stunt woman Cindy Keppers
set-designer Gravy Everett
best-boy Terry Bronkle
animal-trainer Vince Holut
mega-agent Maury Powers
and perenial caterer to the stars Flo Zsapadia.

The snub sparked speculation she was left out because of her predominant
television career, with some online critics slamming the ceremony heads for
not adding her to the clip.

But Oscar bosses have defended their decision. Bruce Davis, the executive
director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, says, "It is
the single most troubling element of the Oscar show every year. Because
more people die each year than can possibly be included in that segment.
You are dropping people who the public knows. We simply can't include
everyone...and I think if we left off Peggy Gurdty or Vince Holut the public
would never forgive us."

PREVIOUS: Here's a late obituary for the Q-Cs Michael Jackson

The Quad Cities is a weird place, I always seem to find odd parallels to the
"national scene". Consider the recent passing of Martha Davis. Who you
say? Well, if you've lived in the Iowa side of the QC long enough, you
probably saw her driving slowly across Locust Street or run into her at a
drug store... the "pancake lady" an african american woman who wore a
coat of white make-up on her face.

Who does this parralel? Well, of course Michael Jackson.

Now I'm a little Irish guy, so I can't speak for the "black experience" in
America. We all have different trials and tribulations. After reading Martha's
obit in the QC Times online, I was stunned by all the comments demanding
an explanation...I was left scratching my head...maybe I need to read the
obituarys more...do folks often post asking for explanations? Lord help me
when I pass..."why was he so short?", "why did he wear that afro?", "how
did he keep his teeth so white?!?!?!"

Was Michael "guilty" of all the charges brought against him through the
years? I don't know. Money and fame have muddied up our judicial system.
I know he was guilty of being a little weird. But when you hear his body of
work-- you realize he was a freak---as in freakishly talented. Reading the
comments in Martha's obit I was struck by many that mentioned her
kindness and gentle nature. Were we wrong to be dumbstruck when
encountered by her appearance, so wildly different than our own? I suppose
not, we're only human. I can't help but think when I read the positive posts
that Martha was only really guilty of not having a publicist!

copyright 2009 Leo Kelly / for getyourgoodnews.com

PREVIOUS COLUMN:
Does Obama's Insurance Plan Cover Jenny Craig?

We had a potluck at work yesterday (surprise! Surprise!). Everyone brings in some pretty
good stuff mini-reubens, chili, home-made coleslaw, pasta, cookies, cakes.
One gal in particular will relentlessly query everyone on her dish, "Did you like my
cookies?", "you HAVE to try my cookies!"...and she will have a sad puppy look if she has
leftovers.

I've seen it enough to know what's coming. As the afternoon passes...and her leftovers
sit rejected like a fat-kid at a school-dance, she will go about the office asking everyone,
"so, did YOU have any?", "don't you like my cookies?", "I can't believe everyone ate Carol's
plain 'ol brownies, but not my snicker-doodle-mint-morsel-truffle-cup cookies".

It's sad.

So, yesterday, when there was break in the action....and no one looking....I dumped her
dish in a trash can. VOILA!!! At the end of party, no left-overs!!! Success!!!

On another note: I am all in favor of this Health Care reform as long as it covers my Jenny
Craig expenses. If you can't be sexy and skinny, who cares about "healthy"...what is
healthy? Who is the government to tell me what "healthy" is....we all know what sexy is!

NEWS BRIEF:
Actor Charlie Sheen is demanding a meeting with President Obama to discuss his belief
that the September 11 terror attacks were perpetrated by the federal government.
In an interview with PrisonPlanet.com, The "Two and a Half Men" star unveils a fictional
20-minute exchange he imagines having with Obama - whom he supported in the
November election - during which he implores the president to get on "the right side of
history."

RELATED STORIES: Martin Sheen Talks About Son Charlie Sheen's Drug Use

Sheen, 44, argues that "the official 9/11 story is a fraud" and claims the attacks served as
"the pretext for the systematic dismantling of our Constitution and Bill of Rights." Moreover,
he charges that the Bush/Cheney "regime" was behind the attacks as a prelude to justify
an invasion of Iraq. Sheen also insinuates that Usama bin Laden is working for the U.S.
government.

RELATED STORIES: Charlie Sheen's hypothesis on stripper etiquette

Sheen, who has been an adamant "9/11 Truther" for years, demands in his imagined
meeting with Obama that the president answer what he calls a "bottomless warren of
unanswered questions surrounding that day and its aftermath."

RELATED STORIES: Charlie Sheen Opens Up About Denise Richard's Cellulite

Sheen is the former husband of actress Denise Richards, who alleged that he was
addicted to gambling, prescription drugs and prostitutes. While Sheen has openly
discussed his previous struggles with drugs, he has denied Richards' allegations against
him. Still, Richards used his beliefs about 9/11 as proof for a judge that he was
"delusional." She later sought and received a restraining order against him.

Sheen is now married to Brooke Mueller, with whom he has two sons.

copyright 2009 Leo Kelly / For GetYourGoodNews.Com