NinevehDinha's Blog

Anyone seen the cover of Newsweek? It's got Gov. Sarah Palin, up close and personal. So close up that "some", we'll call them the critics, say it went too far. Newsweek won't comment, but the experts in the field of retouching say she wasn't touched up. She was exposed, flaws and all. Her facial hair, wrinkles, moles. Critics say Barack Obama has been on the cover plenty of times, making him look "Presidential", with touch ups to make him look "soft." What do you think? Everyone is welcome to comment, but what do you (the females) think about the cover? Many of you may say: embrace our flaws! I agree. We're not perfect! Nobody is flawless. But I think the point critics were trying to make is that Newsweek set out to make Palin look flawed, on purpose. All I know is this, take a shot of ANYONE that close up without a little airbrushing and it won't be "pretty."

Hence the article's title. That's another issue for some pundits. The title on the cover: "She's one of the folks (and that's the problem)."

Here's a link to the cover...

http://www.theimproper.com/Images/Art/sarah%20palin %20newsweek%20cover.jpg

K, what do you think now? Regardless (politics aside), I think we can all agree that Mrs. Palin is GORGEOUS!

Have a good weekend! Thank you my friends, as always for sharing your OPINIONS...

I watched with great interest last night. Senators John McCain and Barack Obama going head to head in a townhall style debate (said to be one of McCain's strengths). I won't share my thoughts on the debate, but I want to know what you think.

Watching the pundits talk last night about the debate, they said it was more of the same. Did you feel like you got more of the same?  Or did the candidates answer your questions?

This debate was supposed to be a home run for Sen. McCain. He's known for doing well in townhall style debates. But pundits are saying, he didn't live up to that expectation. Who do you think won the debate? National Polls (right now) say Obama came out on top. We've also got a poll on our website. With 700 votes so far, Obama has the lead. You should let us know who you think did a better job. The point is, this was round 2. The third and final debate is next week in New York. I guess when you think about it, that's not a lot of time to get to know your presidential candidates. Any thoughts?

What are you expecting from next week's debate; and are any of you still undecided on who to vote for?

Thanks!

Who would have thought that a colorful cosmetic could have so much impact on a campaign? This is a topic that I've hesitated to blog about, only because I disagree with all the attention the media has given it. But I have to remind myself of my news philosophy.

“A news sense is really a sense of what is important, what is vital, what has color and life - what people are interested in. That's journalism.”

SO...if THIS is what is important to people, then let's talk about it. Are we making an issue out of non-issue? Here's something I wrote on my personal blog about Barack Obama's LIPSTICK ON A PIG comment.

"We all heard Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin say the only difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull is lipstick. Enter Barack Obama. The Senator and Presidential hopeful told a crowd  "You can put lipstick on a pig" (insert giggles and clapping here)..."It's still a pig. You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called change. It's still going to stink after eight years." Insert outrage and backlash here. You guessed it. The McCain camp came out swinging. McCain's campaign says it was "offensive and disgraceful." Say your sorry he says. Obama's response? He wasn't referring to Palin when he made the comment about LIPSTICK ON A PIG."

Listen. The truth is "lipstick on a pig" is one of the oldest political phrases out there. John McCain used it when talking about Hillary Clinton's healthcare plan. No one called him a sexist, but people are calling Barack Obama a sexist. Obama didn't mention Palin's name once during the 25 minutes of his speech prior to making that comment. BUT critics say he KNEW what he was saying, that it WAS directed toward Gov. Palin. You be the judge. Some women, many Hillary supporters are retracting their support and throwing it to Mrs. Palin. How do you feel about the comment? Was it offensive? Was it sexist? Or is this a topic that just got too much media attention?

Maybe Obama shouldn't be on the offensive. Maybe he should just apologize, smooth it over and move on. Even if he didn't intend to offend anybody (only he really knows what he meant when he said it), perhaps he should have said "Listen the timing was bad. I apologize if I offended anybody etc etc etc." Now we're left with a mess...the media is obsessed with talking about LIPSTICK ON A PIG. Should it be addressed to the degree it has been? The national news media has latched itself on to this subject like a leech, and I have a feeling it won't stop until its been sucked dry. There aren't many things I share my opinion about in public because I have to remember to respect my boundaries as a journalist, but I think I have a right to say something about my industry. I am disappointed. Let's focus on the real issues my fellow journalists. Sure. Let's talk about it, but let's not dedicate endless hours of coverage to the topic. There are other things on people's minds besides lipstick on a pig. Every candidate in this race should be treated equally, every candidate should be faced with tough questions. The media has a tremendous impact on public opinion. It's a responsibility we have to remind ourselves of. This is an election year. America's future is in all our hands and the public depends on us when it comes to getting information about the candidates running for President. That's why I say, let's move on and FOCUS ON THE REAL ISSUES.

Here's what I want to know. If you had to vote today, who would you elect to be the next President? And then ask yourself and answer this. Before the conventions, if you had to vote then, who would you have elected? Has your opinion changed about which candidate you favor? OR do you feel we are forced to pick between the lesser of two evils?

John McCain inches ahead of Barack Obama in the latest opinion poll. What does it mean? Some say the bounce was expected. After all, the RNC just wrapped up Thursday evening. The momentum is there. But could the increase be attributed to Sarah Palin?

Your thoughts?

Also, Gov. Palin's first interview with the media is with Charles Gibson. No clue on when it airs, but I'll definitely be watching. So far we've seen her speeches at the RNC, and she was certainly impressive. If you were interviewing her, what would you ask? Also, anyone looking forward to the debates?

Did anybody watch the Olympic opening ceremony? Did you happen to catch the little girl in the red dress "singing". She had an angelic voice and was cute as a button. That was the point. The Chinese now admit to decieving the public. The little 9 year-old girl you saw singing wasn't singing at all. Turns out the real singer is a 7 year-old girl that won a competition to perform the anthem but was denied at the last minute. A member of the Chinese government said she shouldn't be seen because of her BUCK TEETH. That's right, a LITTLE girl wasn't allowed to sing because of her LOOKS! A little girl! An innocent adorable little girl who the audience would have been just as smitten by.

Thoughts anyone?

The Election is closer than we think, which got me thinking...a lot...about the two choices Americans are faced with.

John McCain or Barack Obama? Although one is Republican, the other a Democrat...this year's election may have less to do with party affiliation. While I believe most Republicans will vote for McCain and most Democrats or Liberals will vote for Obama...some may be swayed to a side they didn't anticipate. Example: I was talking to someone who is a Democrat but also a businessman/CEO of a company...someone who's views are quite liberal. But I asked who he/she will be voting for....the answer? McCain. So I'm wondering how many of you are shifting your views during this election?

Another topic: Anyone noticed how MANY times Obama has graced the covers of Rolling Stone, US Magazine and Newsweek (just to name a few). Anyone get the sense that Obama is getting "favorable" media coverage on a national level? Do you believe that media can sway public opinion during an election?

I did a research paper on this topic (media's impact on public opinion during wars and elections) the year I graduated. I still have saved in a file on my computer, and look back at it from time to time. I'll keep my hypothesis out of this blog, but I invite you to share yours!

The political world is buzzing! If  you haven't heard, former press secreatary Scott McClellan is set to release his new book blasting the Bush Administration.

The title of the more than 300 page book, "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception."

In short, McClellan goes after the President on Hurricane Katrina, the CIA Leak Case and the War in Iraq. He talks about propganda.

Critics say he's just cashing in (by the way, the book has already been rated number one on Amazon.com even though it hasn't even hit store shelves.) Did he stab his former boss in the back? I'm curious to know what do you think about a book like this? Will you read it?

Good Morning...time to blog me your thoughts about an issue people are very passionate about. Animal cruelty. This dicussion stems from a story about a couple's dog (Sadie) that was brutally attacked with a butcher knife. Sadie's nose was sliced from top to bottom by 28 year-old Joshua Macfarlane. She is expected to make a full recovery, but now the dog's owners say they support Henry's law, which would make animal cruelty a felony in Utah. It's currently a misdemeanor. Henry's Law failed in the Senate last year.

That's where SB 117, sponsored by Sen. Allen Christensen (R-Ogden) comes in. The Human Society along with the Animal Advocay Alliance of Utah will be holding a presser  at noon on Capitol Hill today. They claim SB 117 is a watered down version of an animal cruelty bill. Cruelty to livestock along with circus and rodeo animals are excluded from the bill. There are other definitions in the bill that also concern the animal rights activists. Another concern for them: SB 117 would only prosecute a person with a felony offense if he/she committed two animal cruelty acts within a 5 year period.

I will be talking to the Senator who drafted the bill, if he's available for comment this afternoon.

In the meantime though, the stipulations of this Senate Bill are not sitting well with the Humane Society. Is it sitting well with you? Let me know what you think...and if you blog me in time, I can use your thoughts live on the air!

Who will be Salt Lake City's next Mayor? You decide. Good Day Utah will have Dave Buhler, Keith Christensen, Ralph Becker and Jenny Wilson in studio this week. I know what questions I want to ask them, but what do YOU want to know? That's important to me too.

Share your thoughts and questions. I can't promise you that I'll get to all of them, but I'll definitely consider them!

Happy Labor Day!

P.S. Good Day Utah will have Dave Buhler and Keith Christensen live in studio tomorrow.

Idaho Senator Larry Craig has been a politician for 27 years, but his career is fading fast. Here's a statement posted on his official website that I pasted below.

"First, please let me apologize to my family, friends, staff, and fellow Idahoans for the cloud placed over Idaho. I did nothing wrong at the Minneapolis airport. I regret my decision to plead guilty and the sadness that decision has brought to my wife, family, friends, staff, and fellow Idahoans. For that I apologize."

I'm sure you're aware the charges in regards to the bathroom incident and now the audio of the actual "sting operation" has been released.

My questions to you: Do you think his apology is sincere? Do you think his alleged actions will ultimately end his political career? And if it does, is that fair? Or do you think it was entrapment?