For shame, shame on Steven Sodeberg!  The very creative director of such blockbusters like Erin Brockovich and the Ocean’s Eleven series, has launched an idea to create a new play and have it featured on broadway in Sydney Australia! Sounds great, right?

Why shameful? Because the play that Mr. Sodeberg has now written is one that is no less than extremely controversial here in states, that’s why! He has written a play with the subject matter being none other than Casey Anthony and her now deceased child Caylee Anthony! It first boarders on the yuck factor and then it lands on the really? factor! Why would a guy of his stature choose this subject matter? This is a matter that is not resolved yet either!  The trial has not begun, and while I have not even read one word of this possible Broadway stint, I feel that at this time it may very well be a terrible idea.

This case has catapulted all of America and now the world to come in contact with a little girl whose untimely death has sparked our core heartstrings and often brought the general caller to shows and messages to tears, will soon reach the crescendo in a trial that may well be filled with the hype and grandeur of the OJ case!  While many of the case documents have been shown to the public and TV and news/talk shows have had extensive coverage and debate still all the facts are not known. The actual trial and all of its spin will prove to be very interesting as well as awful in the discovery of all the facts as it relates to the loss of this a tiny defenseless little girl. Caylee Anthony will always be remembered. She has been memorialized in the most public of ways.

Her short life will be a never-ending one. And the trial of the mother who should’ve have loved and protected her will start soon, but that affair will be long, and drawn out and will be also a never-ending one! The coverage will be extensive and even macabre. We may even get sick of turning on the TV and will wish for it to all go away! Then suddenly a play will open on Broadway written by Mr. Sodeberg and I’ll shake my head and say I knew this was going to happen. I’ll be secretly hoping that it will bomb and ticket sales will be so low that opening show and closing show will be the same night.

Upon further review, the Casey Anthony defense team may even file a motion to suppress the release of the play depending on the content; that’s Baez way after all. Mr. Sodeberg perhaps you should wait until the trial is over before you open that play down under. Who knows the original thoughts that are in your head may even have you sitting in the court room amongst the new celebrity you will have helped to elevate; Casey Anthony! Perhaps the profit you make from the play could go to the tax payers of the State of Florida or the United States to off-set the super ugly costs involved!  Now that would be an original idea wouldn’t it be?

Just my thoughts, just my opinions,and always in a conversationaltone.

Mary Caliendo

What in the world is going on? Too many little children of late are turning up missing and then discovered dead or perhaps never found again! Just today, the awful discovery and confirmed identification of the little girl in Florida is just so painful. It is so painful to hear, that yet another goes; fallen to an adult kidnapper!  It is unreal.

Why does it seem that there is no reverence for the lives of people? What has happened to the innocence of life? Where are those days when people in general sat around and talked to each other? It would be a spectacular thing to return to those times. All is not lost, right?

Perhaps if we could get more people into churches or really paying it forward to next guy. How about even just the passing smile given to the person next to you on public transportation, or holding the door for the little old lady. How about fighting for those teens in the inner city of Chicago? 

Today I heard Diena Thompson the mother of the little seven year old girl who was kidnapped, and now murdered take a stance. It was hard and painful to listen to the utter anguish of her pleas to bring her daughter home in the days prior to today. Now that the positive identification has been made, this mother has said they will find you and get you. She also told the person that they had better watch out! Watch out we’re coming we’re going to get you! I am glad that she is now angry-she has more than a right to be angry. Gosh I’m angry too! 

Diena Thompson also stated that once the police do catch this sick predator, she hopes that the person or persons would be strung up!  I agree.

What in the world is going on? What is also taking place in Florida? Are predator laws too lax there?   But more full-circle comes the struggle for young adults and teens . They already have angst. They already may be feeling like rebelling. Whatever the reasoning behind this struggle, parents need to continue to be parents no matter what the age.  We need to have eyes in back of our heads, we cannot leave tiny babes for one minute, and we need to get to know our teens and their friends. We as parents need to keep vigil no matter what!

Just my thoughts, just my opinions, and always in a conversationaltone.

Mary Caliendo

I’ve just gotten my computer repaired tonight,so I will return this week on Tuesday.

Just my opinions, just my thoughts, and always in a conversationaltone

Mary Caliendo

I was just wondering Drew Peterson, how it feels to be defeated at every turn?  It must feel pretty bad, right? On Friday Judge Stephen White heard the motions put forth by one of Peterson’s attorneys Andrew Abood, and denied them both!

The former Sgt. in the Bolingbrook Police Force has been charged with first-degree murder and is awaiting the start of a trial in the Joliet prison system. Judge Stephen White did uphold the fact that it is constitutional for Stacy Peterson’s words to family, friends, and to a pastor to be admitted into the trial.  Stacy Peterson is Drew Peterson’s fourth wife and is currently missing. The judge further went on to deny the motion that was also brought to say the Drew Peterson could not get a fair and impartial trial in the city of Joliet and the county of Will. The judge felt that there was no reason why he could not get a fair trial in the county/and city. In fact some time ago the judge took approx. 240  potential jurors and put forth official court orders for these people to not view or listen to any reports that involved Drew Peterson or the Drew Peterson case.

Mr. Joel Brodsky, Peterson’s other attorney feels a bit disappointed as he says a lawyer cannot defend against the hearsay rule. He further explained that a lwayer cannot refute, or rebut the words nor can he cross-examine the words for motive or bias.

I am pretty sure that in this case, the hearsay rules will help to solidify all of the evidence. Remember that Mr. Peterson is in jail for murder on former wife Kathleen Savio in 2004. There is considerable evidence that points to Mr. Peterson being the perpetrator in that death.  And further that he has much to do with the disappearance of fourth wife Stacy. A sort of “pre-trial” will take place to prove there is enough evidence to prove the hearsay is reliable and that he is the only suspect in these two crimes.

It’s only a matter of time now.

Just my thoughts, just my opinions, and always in a conversationaltone.

Mary Caliendo

It was revealed by David Letterman on his show last night, that he was effectively being blackmailed! Letterman is the center of a scandal of sorts that was perpetrated or being perpetrated by an employee of the show 48 Hours!

This employee found out/and or taped the comedic talk-show host having had or having sex with employees that were under his employ. Mr. Letterman came out on his show a defended himself in order to protect his family and his employees. Letterman stoic, but in a light-hearted way, told his fans and all of America that he went to the authorities and they did find enough evidence for a grand jury, which then brought charges. The employee, Joe Halderman, a 20+ year employee, approached Letterman saying that he would be a subject to a screenplay if he did not want to give him 2 million dollars. He was taken into custody when Halderman took a phony 2 million dollar check! While this 48 Hours employee sought to extort only the sum of 2 million dollars from Mr. Letterman, he is worth a great deal of money as well as his enterprises that include a production company.

Mr. Letterman has taken a route that embraced honesty with his family, friends, and employees. He admitted to having sexual affairs with employees that worked for him. This is a serious issue and while Letterman did poke fun at the subject, his audience was somewhat appeared somewhat confused at times. But the show went on.

I imagine that just because you are David Letterman does not mean that he would not  have had frequent trips to the water cooler, or that he may not have  had to make a ditto copy in which he may have met a pretty office intern that he  clicked with! I imagine that since this happens in offices everyday, just about everywhere, I’m sure it happened there too! Being David Letterman though may have “sealed” the deal! We should not be surprised in the least.

Mr. Letterman married the mother of his son and his long -time girlfriend(since 2001) Regina Lasko in March of 2009. She too was a production manager with the show.

It’s too bad there are so many losers out there in the world. 48 Hours is a show that many hold a light to. The audience is usually well-educated individuals, seeking a news type format with the intrigue of a mystery or a deep investigative story-line. But this particular person thought they had something quite hot and instead of selling the story to a tabloid, the person tried to extort Mr. Letterman. Good luck mystery extorter we will be reading about you in the future as you are hauled off to do time in a prison!

Perhaps we’ll see your story in a tabloid, or even on Mr. Letterman’s show itself!  Most likely you will have generated $$ money. But not for you, for David Letterman!  It’s funny how things work out isn’t it?

Just my thoughts, just my opinions, and always in a conversationaltone!

For the second day in a row-The City of Big Shoulders-The very Windy City, sheds tears and they are not tears of joy. We are crying out for the life of a young boy who is now dead! This Chicago Public High School boy joins a very sad statistical list. This one no one wants to be on-but now Derrion is on it!

Why? Why did Derrion have to loose his life? Two opposing groups within the Fenger HighSchool decided to fight. Derrion was not part of these groups-he was an innocent bystander- when he was severely and fatally attacked, and kicked and then finally hit continuously with  a wooden rail-road tie! Where in the world are these boys’ hearts!  Don’t they realize that they could kill a person by hitting them and kicking him and hitting him with a rail road tie? Has our society desensitized them? What can we do to change this? 

Many have marched, protested, and had memorials and vigils-what else can we do? These boys that have been arrested know that they have been identified by the taping of the fight. They know that they are facing life or perhaps the electric chair (even though the State of IL has suspended them, I think the crime would fit the punishment). Parents where are you?  Please try to keep tabs even on your high schooler-it is important for you to know their friends, to know where they are going, and to give them rules to live by.  Take them to church. Talk to your teenager, value them, and tell them you actually love them. Stake your claim to your child; take back your child! Let them know that the family is so much more important than any gang ever period!

Derrion Albert was only 16 years old!  He was only just beginning to live-he was an honor roll student who cared about life,God, his parents and family. A decent, loving, caring human being was being raised and all the right moves were being made. Now that CNN has brought the story to the world, witnesses are now coming forward to coobberate the video. At this point an 18 year old,a 17 year old, and a 16 year is being charged as an adult. And there may be as many as 7 young teens charged in all.

Chicago and now the world, says a silent prayer in their hearts for Derrion Albert-a young boy gone way too soon amid violence,mayhem and madness!

Stop the violence and hang on tightly to the ones you love.

Just my thoughts, just my opinions, and always in a conversationaltone.

Mary Caliendo

Thank you CNN for bringing the story to the world, but let’s cut the video now-we don’t need to see it any more!

In an attempt to follow-up on the other Halle Berry Bad Dress Day written months ago, and in answer to what the people are looking for: here’s a small, short post about the appearance of Halle Berry on Jay Leno’s new  Tonight Show.

Halle was one of Jay’s guests the other night and while they showed a montage of movies that Halle Berry was in, she talked about being a new mom again.And with this dress Halle disspelled the myth that she is prego.!  She isn’t!  This time Halle had a cute black party dress on.  To Show off her non-prego body, it was short and feminine with a small “tutu” fly-away skirt.  She had it paired with some black thigh-high boots. This only showed a tiny bit of leg but was far more sexy than the other “get-up” she had on, on the other show. Thankfully she hired someone to help her dress!  Halle’s hair was quite short, but little curls rose up here and there with a bit of gel. Her make-up looked great and natural. While Jay Leno gushed over Halle, an obvious show of affection, (similar to that of Conan and David Letterman)it seems that Jay Leno has his favorites and they reappear more often than some and Halle is on Jay’s good list!

Well Halle Berry had a great dress day this time!  Let’s hope on her next appearance she can take it down a notch and show up in some nice jeans or something! (unless of course you’re going out partying afterward) Sometimes less is so much more!

Just my thoughts, just my opinions, and always in a conversationalTone.

Mary Caliendo

Everytime I think that I have seen the last of the best of the feel good stories-here comes Oprah again! I hope you all caught the recent two-day interview of Whitney Houston on the Oprah show.

This interview was not only dramatic, it was sad and then finally glorious.  Now Whitney has not survived a fatal illness, or overcame a tragic accident that has left her maimed, no Whitney is surviving her life!  Now that’s big right? Well, yes it is when you are Whitney Houston and Bobbie Brown.   At one time Whitney was on top of the world with anything and everything she could want. Is part of Whitney and Bobbie Brown’s problem having too much too fast? Most likely that was a contributing factor in all of this!

Ms Houston went deep into her soul and revealed a lot of what took place within the marriage of the two. The excesses, the loves, and finally the realization that all of it was definitely not working! Whitney’s account shows what the taking and abusing the drugs and alcohol that the two were engaged in ravaged not only their marriages, their careers, and finally their lives. Ms Houston let us in on some awful insights of the garbage that was taking place in their home. Her conversation with Oprah was stunning. 

I’m glad to hear when a star or a singer wants to be clean, sober, and happy just like the rest of us. I hope that after the dramatization of Whitney’s life via the “Oprah Effect” is still going strong many years to come from now. I am hoping that she was not only sincere, but serious because Oprah put herself out there as Whitney’s friend. It was a wonderful thing that after finding out how terrible Whitney’s drug use was and the fact that she was so low- that simply a desire to raise her child and show her child that she could have much to be proud of in her mother.  Whitney claimed that Bobbie Brown had no knowledge of that interview and most likely she’d be hearing something as Bobbie Brown did not look so great!  In fact, he looked just like a typical abuser! The very fact that he spat into the face of Whitney is simply deplorable!  And it is something that is the lowest  thing that one can do to another. Sad. I hope that it was his drug/alcohol abuse that caused that!

Let’s hope the two of them will get on with their lives and Whitney will continue in the upward spiral back to the top of reining diva!!  It would be great to turn on the radio or see a movie and hear Whitney again!  She has given us some of the greats! Her new stuff is a different Whitney. She is older and wiser, and she exudes more throaty soul as she sings! Let her voice crack a bit, after all she’ll show character and the wrinkles of the past! To me, her short singing appearance on Oprah was great! She was vibrant, but appeared nervous for the first few seconds and then Whitney stepped back into the shoes she once wore! Whitney resurrected!

Just my thoughts, just my opinions, and always in a conversationalTone.

Mary Caliendo

Well I have waited some days now to see if the Kanye West steam roller engine would exhaust itself and simply die down, but the locomotive has only picked up speed and is blowing out more steam than ever!

So I guess I would be remiss if I too did not vent my all too familiar writer feelings out in a small snippet of finely crafted paragraphs, and letting my readers chime in on their thoughts about my thoughts!  So I’ll just start here, and borrow a line from the leader of our free world- “Kayne is a Jackass”!  True enough I think that at this point Kayne knows for real, that Kayne is a true Jackass too!

Thank you Mr. President Obama for giving me yet another reason to love you again!  You are real and we all identify!

I’m just wondering what a sloppy, drunken rapper did to get past say security, back stage people and who ever else is backstage at an awards show, to actually get on to stage, and grab the microphone from any recipient! It was released widely that CNN got a hold of  words used by Kayne West himself that went, I had a bit too much sippy, sippy and got a little tipsy, tipsy—whoa!  Sounds like a new song?  Or was it already a song??  Anyway, a stroke of luck brought the scheduled performer to the Jay Leno stage, where Leno asked a couple of great questions -such as -what would your mother have thought of this behavior?  Any mother would not be proud of that display period!  I’m glad Kayne West felt sorry, ashamed, and embarrassed -he should have! It was unclassy, child-like behavior that little children are put into corners for.  Thank you Beyonce’ you are a class act in my opinion!  In my eyes there is not one thing you can do wrong, ya know that Jay-Z thing!   OH girl, yes I did!

Just my thoughts, just my opinions, and always in a conversationaltone!

Mary Caliendo

No matter what you do today, remember 9/11. Why? To keep this date on our minds and in our hearts. We can see a million ceremonies on TV today, but it will not touch you more than your personal family erecting a large American Flag in front of your house, or taking part in a small observance of silence, or perhaps bringing a plate of cookies,cupcakes, or brownies to your local firehouse.

Teaching our next generation about the mindset of hate and changing that. Teaching children that things like this do exist in other nations, but deflecting it and having the children experience honor and respect for others is paramount. And finally let the world know that we care for the next guy, that this country can/and has pulled together as a unit to encourage time for reflection and honor.

So like the old song says “Teach your children well”; show them the importance of remembering and end that cycle of hate and hopefully our vigilance will cause change to happen-even if it has to go far into the mountain caves of Afghanistan or just the streets of hometown USA!

Remembering September 11th! Just my thoughts, just my opinions, and always in a conversationaltone.

Mary Caliendo