What were they thinking?

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The Oprah Winfrey-fueled free chicken give-away that caused pandemonium this week at Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants has been canceled due to what the fast-food chain called an "overwhelming response."

Roger Eaton, president of KFC in the United States said restaurants would no longer accept the free coupons for its new grilled chicken meal after Oprah's chat show promotion caused long lines around the nation.

"The lines of customers wanting to redeem their coupons have been out the door and around the block, so we're unable to redeem customer coupons at this time." Eaton said in a statement issued late Thursday.

KFC said millions of Americans had downloaded free coupons after the offer was featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and Web site on Tuesday, driving traffic to levels unseen in the brand's 50-year history.

Eaton apologized to customers for the cancellation of the scheme and said those who already had a coupon could get a rain check form to enable them to use it at a later date.

Did they think that, what, maybe a thousand people watch Oprah?

This is just a test?

Yesterday a jumbo jet flew circles over New York City. This was the president's back up Air Force One jet and it was accompanied by an F-16 fighter plane. Apparently they were doing a "photo op" getting pictures with the Statue of Liberty, apparently nobody knows how to use Photoshop in Washington.

People in the city obviously were freaking out thinking here go again. Several tall buildings were evacuated as a precaution.

Then when the story came out what had happened people were irate. Mayor Bloomberg was hot and President Obama apologized and said it shouldn't have taken place. Word is he had a heated exchange with the person who approved the operation. I didn't feel like looking up his name.

Here's the thing, was this possibly a disguised drill to test the people? We always did fire and tornado drills in school, why not a terrorist drill?

The NYC police department was notified by the military that this would take place and instructed to not tell anyone, including the mayor. In my opinion drills don't work when you know they're coming.

Judging how people reacted and people leaving buildings, I'd say the drill was a success. Sure it was cruel to scare people but I'm sure those people on 9/11 would have liked a drill.

Bad trends have a starting point

It's been a couple weeks since I've posted here as I've been writing my sports blog. A couple things have arisen that need mentioning.

First, Rod Blagojevich is asking a judge today if can go to Costa Rica to do a television reality series. Here is a person who has been charged with serious federal crimes and is out on bond awaiting his trial, which may start next year sometime.

He governed the state of Illinois into the ground financially, made it a laughing stock and broke the trust of the people. Yet he continues to make a mockery of the whole situation by requesting to go on a game show. He needs the money.

If the judge, U.S. District Court Judge James Zagel, allows this idiot to participate in the show he too is making a mockery of the justice system and should be fired. What's next, mass murders playing on The Price is Right before hitting the gas chamber? Embezzlers as The Bachelor? Busted madams as the rose winners? The judge must deny this motion.


Secondly, over the weeked Miss California in the Miss Something Or Other pageant voiced her "opinion" that she was against gay marriage. For some reason the shit hit the fan and so many people are like, "How could she?"

Are people not allowed to have an opinion of their own? The greatness of this country is free speech. However, of late any controversial topic (i.e. gay marriage) that arisesunless you agree with it you're chastised. This young lady voiced her opinion and now she's the devil. What is wrong with people?

I'll tell you, they lack respect and that's the problem.

Update from Chicago Tribune:

A federal judge today denied permission to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to travel to Costa Rica to participate in a reality TV show.

U.S. District Court Judge James Zagel called modifying the terms of Blagojevich's bail on political corruption charges "a bad idea."

Even if Blagojevich had a personal monitor, that person wouldn't have the authority to arrest him, Zagel noted. He also said Blagojevich needs to stick around to read the government's evidence, because only then will he be able to understand the jeopardy he is in.

Zagel added that he was sympathetic to Blagojevich's financial condition, but said there were others ways for him to earn money.

Outside court, after the hearing, Blagojevich told swarming reporters: "This is another day in the big city. I know what the truth is when it concerns me, and I know that I've done absolutely nothing wrong. ...I'm actually looking forward to this day in court. ...I want to prove my innocence, I want to vindicate myself."

When Blagojevich arrived at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in downtown Chicago this morning for the hearing, he said participating in the reality show would be "a way to earn a living and support my children.

"It's not my first choice, but it's a living," he said.

Asked later if his client was really broke, attorney Sheldon Sorosky said: "It shows he is an honest man."

Blagojevich's lawyers had asked permission for their client to travel to Costa Rica in June to be a contestant on NBC's "I'm a Celebrity ... Get me Out of Here!"

In a short-lived 2003 version of the show, contestants, among other things, had to put insects, worms and rats in their pants, sit in a tank of leeches and wade through a swamp populated by snakes and eels.

Blagojevich also is seeking the court's okay to use more than $2 million in his campaign fund to pay for his legal expenses. Zagel encouraged his attorneys to file a motion to that effect but said he believed Blagojevich should be allowed to do so. A hearing on that issue was set for May 1.

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Blago loves poetry

From the Chicago Tribune:

The U.S. attorney's office in Chicago says that later today it is announcing developments in a significant investigation. Sources familiar with the situation said the announcement is expected to be the indictment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and others on corruption charges.

Blagojevich, 52, was arrested Dec. 9 and charged with engaging in pay-to-play politics in a sweeping federal complaint that accused him of trading state jobs, contracts and regulatory favors for campaign contributions.

The criminal complaint charged Blagojevich with attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama and dangling the prospect of state help for the sale of Wrigley Field in return for the firing of Tribune editorial writers. The ballpark and newspaper are owned by Tribune Co.

The allegations included that he tried to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald said investigators moved quickly to stop a crime spree.

But in doing so, prosecutors had to charge Blagojevich in a criminal complaint, not an indictment. An indictment is necessary because defendants cannot be tried on criminal complaints, which are used only to initiate criminal cases.

Blagojevich has denied any wrongdoing.

There is some kind of irony or poetic justice that this man will be indicted as he frolics with Mickey Mouse at Disney World in Florida today.