Heather Mills on The Huffington Post

Heather Mills Explains Her New 'Kate Gosselin' Hair

2009-08-03T08:54:38Z

"I decided I had no more time to keep drying my hair with having to work late and get up early for the new VBites cafe and restaurant, factory, travelling, school drops, etcetera, so I chopped it off back to how I had it in my twenties," she explained.

Heather Mills: News Corp Set Up Sting Operation Against Me

2009-04-06T09:52:25Z

Heather Mills, ex-wife of Paul McCartney, says a reporter set up a fake charity to trick her into dishing dirt on her marriage to the ex-Beatles superstar and their infamous divorce. Mills' accusations are the latest battle in a long-running war between the wealthy ex-model and the British tabloid media, including News Corp., the media empire owned by billionaire Rupert Murdoch, where Mills believes the alleged sting originated.

Mills says that in January her agent was approached by a Dr. Erika Taylor, claiming to be with an American-based charity called Marital Understanding. 'Dr. Taylor' was inviting Mills to speak at their black-tie gala in Los Angeles for a fee of $60,000, which would have been donated to the charity Mines Advisory Group.

Vivian Norris de Montaigu: Obama's Trip to Europe

2009-04-01T17:15:10Z

There are a great many similarities between two US presidential trips to global meetings, overlapping with their first trips to Europe during their presidencies. In June of 2001, then President George W. Bush, arrived in the Swedish coastal city of Gothenburg, just prior to the EU meeting, and he somehow did not see the 500,000 protesters waiting for him. He did not see them as he was whisked away from the airport, not down the barricaded highway into the convention/hotel complex. Nor, for that matter, did any of the heads of state have to see the protesters, who were, for the most part, participating in a growing wave of anti-globalization events which had spread from Seattle, and ultimately to Genoa, where a young Italian man was killed by the police. These protests ended because of 9/11 and the crackdown and control of movement, organized demonstrations and general Big Brotherdom in the name of Homeland Security and the general feeling (for a time) that America had been attacked and thus was simply protecting its people.

That summer remains with me, as I was in Gothenburg during the EU meeting and attended après conference with then President Bush, when you could still actually sit a few rows away from him, and Colin Powell. But none of us could freely ask any questions at all. The very few questions had been hand-picked after being reviewed, several days in advance. The convention center and hotel structure were completely cut off from the areas where the protesters were, for the most part, organizing meetings, documentary screenings, information gathering and distributing events. A range of people from around the world had gathered, including: Christian youth groups, older people concerned about their retirement (I interviewed one elderly Swedish woman who told me that these months in 2001 reminded her of 1933, something similar was in the air...I heard the same thing repeated by both Swiss and Dutch older people who had lived through and participated in WWII), green groups, workers' rights groups, anti OGM leaders and, of course, those anarchists no one knew, who showed up one day to break some windows of banks and McDonalds. This was reminiscent of Seattle where I had lived, and where friends of mine also said no one knew who these anarchists were. Many said they had been infiltrated by the police and were causing damage to make the rest of the very civilized and concerned protesters look bad...And to allow for some serious control measures to be put in place.

Now, eight years later, Obama is arriving in Europe for the first time for the London G20 talks and the protesters are back, are also well-organized, including very reputable groups such as Oxfam and church groups . The police are ready with their riot gear, the CCTV cameras have been turned off (why would they do that except to make sure that the police are not caught on camera participating in abusive behavior). But this time a lot of angry citizens are going to join the protest groups and make their voices heard. The citizens have every right to be angry and they are hoping to hear not only some words of apology from the leaders, including Obama, but also some serious actions to be undertaken to stop this insanity of inequality and the mass of people paying to bail out the few.

Some say that this summer of 2008 will be one of rage. Perhaps we will see more and more protests, more citizens taking to the street, more homeless tent cities, more coming together of the liberal and patriot type movements, both of which are very concerned about freedom. One thing is for sure...this time the leaders need to listen. This time the financial powers that be will not be able to stop the snowball effect. I would not want to imagine what kind of tragedy it would take in order to quiet this building rage. Concrete steps and regulations need to be put in place. Peoples' jobs and their savings and homes need to be safe. We do not need tent cities growing up around the world (and perhaps it would help to remember that in many countries people have been living in this kind of poverty all their lives). We need to remember and act as a human race and not divided up into elites and the "masses" who will compete with one another for limited resources. We are either working all together for the future of this planet, for a new kind of financial structure which is more inclusive, or we are condemning much of the world to extreme suffering for even longer.

This is not 2001. But we are in a much more precarious situation than we were then. The Protesters ARE the People! The Leaders need not only to SEE them, they need to meet with and listen to them and ACT!

Heather Mills Gives $1 Million Of Vegan Food To Bronx Kids: VIDEO

2009-01-09T14:06:41Z

Former model and former wife of Sir Paul McCartney, Heather Mills doled out $1 million worth of vegan food to underprivileged children in the Bronx. Though it happened a few months ago, Mills made an appearance on the Today Show... today, talking about it briefly.

According to John Lauinger and Carrie Melago of The Daily News,

The former "Dancing With the Stars" contestant dismissed the notion that her efforts were an attempt to rebuild her image after the nasty divorce with the former Beatle. "I've been involved in helping men, women and children for 20 years," she said.

While Mills is getting battered in the press, she received a warm welcome at the Hunts Point Riverside Park. Most children gathered around barbecue pits filled with soy burgers and soy dogs didn't even know who she was. Tiana Cora, 13, knew only that the Beatles were singers and wasn't interested in Mills' personal drama. "She wants to help us," Tiana said. Tammy Tadua, 37, was thrilled that someone was introducing healthy food options into the area, among the poorest congressional districts in the country. "We need more people like her around here," Tadua said.

WATCH:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Heather Mills' Nanny: I Gave Naked Spray Tans, Blow Dried Her Hair

2008-12-28T10:12:59Z

Heather Mills is being taken to court by her nanny over allegations of sex discrimination and intimidation.

Sara Trumble claims Heather was ordered to go above and beyond her role as Beatrice's nanny.

She has complained she was made to work as late as midnight, blow-dry Heather's hair and even give the former model naked spray tans.

A constructive dismissal claim was lodged with an employment tribunal last week.

The two sides have 28 days to come to a negotiated settlement or face airing their dispute in open court.

Sara, 24, says she was only supposed to look after Beatrice, now aged five, Heather's daughter with ex-husband Sir Paul McCartney.

Jill Brooke: Celebrity Marriages in 2008 Lasted Longer Than National Average

2008-12-17T18:13:08Z

Who says that Hollywood marriages are always short? Not this year. After looking over the celebrity divorces that were either filed or finalized in 2008, I calculated the median length of marriage for the 40 break-ups we covered at the divorce site Firstwivesworld.com, and made a startling discovery. Divorcing celebrities stayed together longer than the national average.
It's easy to say that actors, sports stars, and musicians are vacuous, self-centered egotists who don't value commitment and family. But in fact, this year's divorces reveal that many didn't consider marriage as disposable as Bic pens and maybe it's time to rewrite this perception.

Statistically speaking, the median U.S. marriage ending in divorce lasted 7.8 years. The median length of marriage for the 40 celebrities FWW reported on this year was more than 9 years.

Sure, comedian Chris Kattan and Sunshine Tutt held this year's record for the shortest marriage, only 16 weeks and "Private Practice" star Kate Walsh and TV exec Andrew Young lasted 15 months.

But many of those who split were together for more than 20 years. Those couples include Morgan Freeman, 24 years, Hulk and Linda Hogan, 24 years, and Ronnie and Jo Wood, 23 years.

Couples who lasted longer than 10 years included Dylan McDermott and Shiva Rose - 13 years;
Marg Helgenberger and Alan Rosenberg -19 years; Tea Leoni and David Duchovny - 11 years; and Robin and Marsha Williams - 19 years.

Here is the list of the break-ups we covered as well as a collection of the most interesting, touching, annoying, inspiring stories about the splits, the fits, the emotional pits and the couples who called it quits.

Celebrity Break-Ups

• Chris Kattan and Sunshine Tutt - 4 months (divorced)
• Jodie Sweetin and Cody Herpin - 1.3 years (separated)
• Kate Walsh and Alex Young - 1.5 years (separated)
• Pink and Corey Hunt - 2 years (separated)
• Tate Donovan and Corinne Kingsbury - 2 years (divorced)
• Star Jones and Al Reynolds - .3.5 years (divorced)
• Anna Faris and Benjamin Indra - 4 years (divorced)
• Donnie Wahlberg and Kim Fey - 4 year (divorced)
• Heather Mills and Paul McCartney - 4 years (divorced)
• Swizz Beatz and Mashonda - 4 years (separated)
• Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler - 4 years (divorced)
• Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez - 5 years (divorced)
• Debbie Matenopoulos and Jay Faires - 5 years (separated)
• Liv Tyler and Royston Langdon - 5 years (separated)
• Anne Heche and Coley Lafoon - 6 years (divorced)
• Terence Stamp and Elizabeth O'Rourke - 6 years (divorced)
• Madonna and Guy Ritchie - 8 years (divorced)
• Emily and Charlie Robison - 9 years (divorced)
• Phil Collins and Orianne Cevey - 9 years (divorced)
• Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe - 9 years (divorced)
• Wayne Brady and Mandie Taketa - 9 years (divorced)
• Brendan and Afton Fraser - 10 years (divorced)
• Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook -- 10 years (divorced)
• Dwayne and Dany Johnson - 10 years (divorced)
• Kimora Lee and Russell Simmons - 10 years (separated)
• Bill and Jennifer Murray - 11 years (divorced)
• Téa Leoni and David Duchovny - 11 years (separated)
• Kiefer and Elizabeth Sutherland - 12 years (divorced)
• Dylan McDermott and Shiva Rose - 13 years (separated)
• Johnny Knoxville and Melanie Lynn Cates - 13 years (divorced)
• Shania Twain and Robert Lange - 15 years (separated)
• John Cleese and Alyce Faye Eichelberger - 15 years (divorced)
• Danny and Gretchen Bonaduce - 16 years (divorced)
• George Lazenby and Pam Shriver - 16 years (divorced)
• Robin and Masha Williams - 19 years (divorced)
• Marg Helgenberger and Alan Rosenberg - 19 years (separated)
• Tracy and Sabina Morgan - 22 years (divorced)
• Ronnie and Jo Wood - 23 years (separated)
• Hulk and Linda Hogan - 24 years (divorced)
• Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee - 24 years (separated)

And now Firstwivesworld.com's year-end round-up.

The Let's-Just-Be-Friends Award
(Most Amicable Divorce)
Robin Williams and Marsha Garces Williams
Talk about civil unions. No sooner had the couple announced their split after 19 years of marriage than they signed an official agreement stating "we commit ourselves to the collaborative divorce process and agree to seek a positive way to resolve our differences justly and equitably" -- all for the sake of their two children. For those of you playing along at home, this is the way to go.

Runner Up: Dixie Chick Emily Robison and singer Chris Robison. How do we know they were both "ready to make nice"? Their divorce took a mere six months, and the filing was a scant two and a half pages.

The Stirred-Not-Shaken Award
(Best Blended Family)
Demi Moore and Bruce Willis
Is it possible to have it all? Our answer: Look at Demi Moore. Gorgeous, talented, wealthy, hot husband, supportive ex, and great kids! With everyone loving and accepting each other, it's like we're somewhere over the rainbow and just left of center. Wherever we landed (Kansas, OZ, or Hollywood), bravo to Demi and Bruce for consistently blending Thanksgiving, Christmas, film openings, birthdays, etc.

Forced to Divorce: Sad State of the Union
Geneva Sharpe
Emily and Rudy Friece

It seems beyond comprehension that couples would be forced to divorce in order to afford emergency healthcare - and this in the United States. Two couples we know of: Geneva Sharpe and her husband, and Emily and Rudy Friece, divorced so the women could afford Medicaid for costly surgeries and treatments. It is a sad state of affairs when during a time you need your partner most, they must be ripped away. We can all only hope for a change to the system.

The 'Til-Death-Do-Us-Part Award
(Most Devoted Husband)
Mohammed Bello Abubakar
When Nigerian cleric Abubakar, 84, was told he had to divorce all but four of his 86 wives, he refused - even though doing so might lead to the death penalty. He is currently behind bars, fighting for his love. And you thought "Titanic" was the greatest love story ever told.

The Golden Goose Award
(Biggest Settlement)
Madonna & Guy Ritchie
The Material Girl now has another record to add to her collection: The largest "manimony" settlement ever. Her reported $76 million payout to Guy Ritchie has led us to coin a new term: "Madonnamony."

King Solomon Award
(Most Literal Split of Marital Assets)
Meuon Rima splits house in two
Who says divorce has to be so litigious? If you think there can't be an equitable division of property, just look to Meuon Rima of Cambodia and his now ex-wife, Nhang. In an effort to dodge the expensive and corrupt court system, they agreed to split the marital home the old-fashioned way: with a saw. Meuon was last seen hauling half of his stilt house away towards a new future.

The Preemptive Strike Award
Tatsuhiko Kawata
Perhaps sensing that his marriage would go up in flames, 39-year old Kawata devised a sure-fire way to avoid divorce: He set fire to the hotel in which he was set to get married hours before the ceremony. Talk about a hot-headed solution to cold feet.

Least Alarming Divorce Study
Divorce ruins the environment
Run for the hills Divorcees! Now you've done it. A study was released this year that shows how divorce = multiple homes = more energy use = environmental degradation (duh). Other social factors to blame for the decline in sustainable households: "more couples deciding not to have children, more people not getting married and baby boomers living longer." Um, perhaps the article should be renamed..."Everybody is ruining the environment"?

Least Sympathetic Divorced Woman
Heather Mills
No, it wasn't throwing a glass of water at McCartney's divorce attorney Fiona Shackleton. It's not even that she reportedly blew through a third of her $48 million settlement within six months of receiving it. What really led Mills to top our list was her former publicist's claim that Mills fabricated abuse allegations against Sir Paul. Not only is this totally irresponsible, it's disrespectful to the countless women who have actually experienced domestic abuse.

Least Sympathetic Divorced Man
Peter Cook
After cheating on wife Christie Brinkley with his 18-year-old assistant and racking up a $3,000 a month online porn addiction, Cook pretty much cooked himself in our books. But then he did an interview with Barbra Walters, despite signing a confidentiality agreement that he'd never discuss his divorce (leading him right back to court). And what did he reveal in the interview? That he cheated for "attention." Puh-lease...

The Oldest Accused Cheater of the Year
91-year-old Italian Stallion
In a divorce action, a 60 year old woman in Naples, Italy, accused her husband of cheating on her. Here's the puzzler: Her husband is 91. Of course cheating is bad... but 91 and still humping? Impressive.

Youngest Divorcée of the Year
8-year-old Nojoud Muhammed Nasser
Apparently believing there were too many unmarried pre-teens running around, the government of Yemen acted in 1998 to repeal its ban of marriage under the age of 15. One tragic victim of this deregulation is Nojoud Muhammed Nasser, an 8-year-old girl whose father forced her to marry a man 22 years her senior. Thankfully, the Yemeni courts ruled in the girl's favor, and a divorce was granted (though her father was ordered to pay her ex $250).

Sadly, this is a category that has runners up, including 10-year-old Nujood Ali. She took a taxi to a courthouse by herself to demand a divorce from her 30-year-old husband, who frequently raped and beat her.

The Get-a-Life Award
Woman divorces man for cheating in online fantasy game
Husband and wife David Pollard and Amy Taylor had avatars in the online video game "Second Life" called Dave Barmy and Laura Skye. Follow this soap opera if you can: The real-life husband accused his wife of spending so much time in World of Warcraft (online game) and neglecting him (offline) that his avatar had to seek out the virtual attentions of a sympathetic nightclub hostess (online). During a break from casting spells (online), Amy caught David canoodling with the hostess, resulting in a dual dissolution (online and offline).

Worst Grounds for Divorce
Couple split over ceiling fan
Can you imagine a couple mutually deciding to divorce because one wanted the bedroom fan on at night while the other didn't? Yes, we said a fan. Well, it happened this year in India. While the incident may have been the straw that broke the camel's back, we suspect it was an anemic camel in the first place.

Runners up:
-Insecure wife is certain bibliophile husband is cheating on her with his books.
-Husband certain of future infidelities of hot wife seeks divorce to save himself possible heartache.

Most Convenient Way to Legally Divorce Your Spouse
Divorce via text message
Women's rights groups were outraged this year when the Malaysian national court voted to uphold a law that, in essence, allows men to divorce their wives by text message. We don't know whether to LOL or feel very :( about it. But, frankly, if your husband is the kind of guy who'd break up with you via IM, you're better off without him.

Worst Actress in a Supporting Role
Tricia Walsh-Smith, AKA the YouTube Divorcée
Broadcasting your relationship woes on YouTube might seem like an innovative way to bring attention to your plight. But while revealing your husband's lack of desire to perform in bed or pay for your $600 shoe habit may make some viewers cheer, it tends to draw the ire of judges.

Crass But Showed Some Class Award
Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood
He couldn't get no satisfaction from his wife of 23 years, Jo, so he ran off with a 20-year-old Russian cocktail waitress. Sleazy? You bet. But Ronnie, recognizing how supportive Jo had been of his career, acknowledged that she deserved "pretty much anything she wants."

Biggest Trends in Divorce for 2008
Manimony
Madonna isn't the only woman supporting her ex; thanks to women's increased earning potential, experts identify manimony as a growing trend. Ah, Celebrities - they're just like us. Or almost.

Realistically, this year's break-ups consisted of many long term marriages which is why celebrity splits may have lasted longer than the national average. Who knows if that will be the case for next year. However, one other trend is clear. More and more people realize the benefits of amicable divorces because a generation of research has shown us that that while you are breaking up, you are simultaneously rebuilding a new family format. And it is possible to create new family formats that not only survive, but thrive. You're a real star if you work at making that happen.

Emily Douglas: Ready or Not: Obama Transition Team Publishes Reproductive Health Community's Agenda

2008-12-12T12:30:14Z

Originally published on RHRealityCheck.org - Information, commentary and community for reproductive health and justice.

A recent directive from John Podesta, chair of President-elect Obama's transition team, informs transition team staffers of a sweeping transparency policy that will make public all policy documents and recommendations from meetings staffers conduct with outside organizations. Apparently, they mean it: dozens of transition documents drafted for the transition team by advocacy groups ranging from the American Association of Airport Executives to the Women Business Owner's Platform for Growth are now up on the change.gov website. Papers on reproductive health are well-represented: visitors will find among the documents a transition memo crafted by over 50 groups in the reproductive health community. Advocates hadn't intended the document to go public, but now that it has, it's apparent that the public has an appetite for reproductive health policy minutia.

Advocates involved in crafting the document -- "Advancing Reproductive Health and Rights in a New Administration" -- say it represented a wholly collaborative effort by the reproductive health community to articulate a concrete plan for progressive reproductive health policy during the Obama administration, including many fixes for harmful Bush administration policy. None of the "asks" include anything not previously seen by any regular RH Reality Check reader: These range from restoring funding to UNFPA to urging Congress to pass the Prevention First Act. The document is clear and comprehensive on the gaps in access to women's health care and how to repair them. It acknowledges lesser-noticed restrictions of women's reproductive autonomy alongside those that are well-reported: for instance, it considers an end to the practice of shackling women prisoners while they are giving birth a crucial component of "supporting healthy pregnancies." It also calls for increased spending on substance abuse treatment programs for pregnant and parenting women.

What advocates were less eager to share with the public is the detailed roadmap included in the document for the changes in policy needed to improve reproductive health for women both here and abroad. Several advocates cited concerns that the administration would be criticized as doing the bidding of reproductive health community if it made use of the specific legal reasoning outlined in the document.

Nonetheless, it's clear that the public likes being privvy to policy documents like this one, apart from or in addition to getting information about the women's health agenda for the next administration. There are now over 100 comments on the document on change.gov, debating sexuality education policy and reimbursements for Certified Nurse Midwives, calling for free, over-the-counter access to emergency contraception, and funding for self-esteem and empowerment programs for teens, among many other threads. Scattered comments decry the use of abortion as "birth control," and others put the issue of abortion in religious terms, but the comments overwhelmingly favor prevention and securing women's access to abortion. As any reader of pro-sexual and reproductive health online content can attest, even the best-reasoned pieces of writing can be met with outcry from anti-choice commenters. Impressively, in this instance, those who attempt to frame the issues of reproductive health in religious or moral terms are respectfully refuted, and commenters reframe the issue around women's health and rights.

A recent article by Peter Daou captures the burgeoning, and vocal, "online commentariat" ready and willing to respond to policy proposals at a level of sophistication largely unimagined by traditional communications strategies.

Daou writes,

For the first time, we are thinking aloud unfettered and unfiltered by mass media gatekeepers. Events, information, words and deeds that a decade ago were discussed and contextualized statically in print or through the controlled funnel of television and radio, are now subjected to instantaneous interpretation and free-association by millions of citizens unencumbered by the media's constraints...Every piece of news and information is instantly processed by the combined brain power of millions, events are interpreted in new and unpredictable ways, observations transformed into beliefs, thoughts into reality. Ideas and opinions flow from the ground up, insights and inferences, speculation and extrapolation are put forth, then looped and re-looped on a previously unimaginable scale, conventional wisdom created in hours and minutes.

And Daou highlights the role of the online commentariat in providing "validation and legitimation" of agenda-setting work done by advocates.

Now that the transition document has gone public, a question arises: How can reproductive health advocates more effectively enlist the power and support of the public in making these issues a central concern for the next administration and ensuring that the voices of the pro-choice majority of Americans are represented? Jessica Arons, Director of the Women's Health and Rights Program at the Center for American Progress and one of the advocates involved in drafting the document, says that the groups who contributed to the document haven't yet reconvened to consider any collective communications or movement-building strategy around the document. "Our goal was to come together to present a united front and outline what we hope the new administration will do," says Arons. "Whether we will develop a collective communications or movement-building strategy around the document remains to be seen. In the meantime, some organizations have put forth their own agendas publicly, and have made efforts to mobilize people around items on those agendas."

In the mean time, perhaps interested members of the reproductive health community should head to change.gov to make sure their voices are reflected among the growing chorus of commenters weighing in on reproductive health priorities for the next administration!

Paul McCartney Attacks Heather Mills On New Album

2008-10-03T08:36:53Z

PAUL McCARTNEY has launched a fuming tirade in a new song that will leave his ex HEATHER MILLS needing a lie down.

The opening song on his upcoming album with side project THE FIREMAN is a ferocious rant with the normally mild-mannered Sir Paul finally letting rip.

Nothing Too Much, Just Out Of Sight doesn't hold back as The Beatles legend screams his way through the opener on aptly-titled album Electric Arguments...

Key lyrics include: "The last thing you do was to try and betray me/ In new morning light/ I'll never forget it/ And that's just outta sight."

Elsewhere in the song, Macca rants: "I remember you well/ Oh woman betrayed you/ I couldn't resist you/ When I made you."

But the best is saved for the very last line. Macca signs off: "And you have money/ And no manners."....

The Fireman is Macca's collaborative project with YOUTH -- a top record producer and founding member of punk rockers KILLING JOKE.

The duo released two ambient electronic albums in the Nineties but the new release, out on November 17, is a big departure.

Read whole article

-or-

Hear a clip

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See photos of McCartney on Thursday at daughter Stella's show in Paris. He was there with son James and new girlfriend Nancy Shevell:

David Horton: Geology. Palinology.

2008-10-02T03:27:12Z

Sarah Palin continues to behave like one of those old computer programs which simulated the appearance of being intelligent by partly repeating the question and randomly selecting additional material to apparently "respond" to any question the computer user asked. Wouldn't pass the Turing test, our Sarah, the pre-programming is too transparent for anyone to be misled into thinking there was intelligent life on the other side of the screen.

One notable example is her belief that creationism should be taught in schools:
"Teach both. You know, don't be afraid of information. "Healthy debate is so important and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both." "My dad did talk a lot about his theories of evolution," she said. "He would show us fossils and say, 'How old do you think these are?' "Asked for her personal views on evolution, Palin said, "I believe we have a creator." In her response of course Palin has simply been programmed by her various pastors, but is also following the Republican Party of Alaska platform which says, in its section on education: "We support giving Creation Science equal representation with other theories of the origin of life. If evolution is taught, it should be presented as only a theory."

Now there has been much outraged reaction to this, but all of it I have seen has been along the lines of the breech of the separation of church and state. I found an odd Palin supporter today, Debi Smith, who in an otherwise refreshing attack on Palin (for example on how she reconciles her religious beliefs with the invasion of Iraq) says "maybe there is such a thing as intelligent design AND evolution. And I might agree (though I haven't given it a ton of deliberation) that both evolution and creation could be taught. Why not? Why can't we show all sides, anyway? What exactly are we afraid of? A r-evolution of learning and ideas? Do we really need to compartmentalize learning, and our youth, by denying them the ability to debate the issue fully and openly (without undo influence or coercion from either camp)? And who knows, maybe by opening it all up, we'd evolve more quickly towards comprehending the grand theory of everything scientists are searching for (and which just might prove the existence of intelligent design and evolution)."

So this is an apparently more thoughtful version of Palin, and an appeal to reason and logic and fairness that has been the modus operandi of those evangelicals wanting to the creationism under the guise of "intelligent design". Who could argue eh? Let the two "theories" contend and let children make up their own minds ("without undo influence or coercion from either camp").

What nonsense, and based on a complete misunderstanding of how science works. Are Debi and Sarah proposing that we teach the geocentric theory of the solar system (or the universe) alongside the heliocentric one ("without undo influence or coercion from either camp")? Do medical students get taught about the humours as well as bacteria and viruses? Is witchcraft back on the agenda (um, well, yes, apparently)? Does spontaneous generation hold its own? Phlogiston? How about teaching psychology students about demonic possession (oh, hang on, Sarah would certainly want that one too)? Do genetic students learn about the role of blood in transmitting inheritance as well as DNA? Is there a place for crystal spheres. the homunculus in the sperm, the constant manufacture of blood by the liver, the inheritance of acquired characteristics, the music of the spheres, unicorns? Does alchemy reappear in the chemistry class? Do Earth, Air, Fire and Water get equal time with the periodic table of elements? Do stones fall at different rates depending on their weight?

And the answer of course, is an emphatic NO. All of these topics (as well as creationism aka "intelligent design") are important in understanding the history of science. And that is all. They are dealt with early in a science course, as a means of understanding how we got from there to here, but the proposition that all of these once held, but now long discarded, beliefs would remain in any scheme of teaching ("without undo influence or coercion from either camp") is laughable. "Intelligent Design" isn't an equally tenable modern theory with evolution, it is the theory that was discarded as the reality of evolution was demonstrated. It is no different to any of the other discarded theories in the other sciences. Old theories don't run in some parallel universe where they remain equally valid, they are replaced, superceded, left behind.

And furthermore, while university students can happily deal with the idea that over the last few hundred years science has developed its understanding, we don't ask school children ("without undo influence or coercion from either camp") to decide for themselves whether alchemy is a valid approach to chemistry, or whether the Earth goes around the sun or vice versa, we simply teach them the facts. And if this is "coercion" from one side then so be it. Reality does have a coercive bias.

So next time you hear this innocent sounding, ever so reasonable, "teach both sides" proposition, whether from the intelligent Debi, or the not so much Sarah (did she really think her father had his own theories of evolution?), ask yourself where you would draw the line. Where would they draw the line? Either kids learn the results of the scientific understanding of the world, or we turn all schools into "madrassas", differing only in the brand of religion with which the students are being indoctrinated. And we head back to medieval times, the monks running the schools, needing a whole new scientific revolution to repeat history, and get us back to where we were before this religious insanity re-emerged in the late twentieth century.

Is the Watermelon Blog evolving or acquiring characteristics? A bit of both I think.

Heather Mills' Ex Publicist Rants: "She's A B**ch"

2008-09-08T08:28:38Z

Heather Mills's former publicist has accused her of conducting a campaign of dirty tricks against Sir Paul McCartney during their bitter divorce.

Hollywood PR Michele Elyzabeth has launched a scathing attack on Miss Mills, saying the former model duped her into lying for her in their public battle and leaked false stories to blacken Sir Paul's name.

During her explosive rant she refers to Miss Mills as a pathological liar, a witch, a bitch and a gold-digger who married the former Beatle for his money.
Heather Mills

She declared: 'That witch tricked me into spreading lies about Paul. She's a bitch.'

She claimed the self-styled charity campaigner had bugged Sir Paul's private conversations in an attempt to rake up any dirt on the 66-year-old performer.

Paul McCartney's Supposed Love Song For Heather Mills

2008-08-05T08:47:39Z

Throughout a bitter two-year divorce from Heather Mills, Paul McCartney showed great magnanimity in maintaining a dignified silence.

But surely none could have predicted the former Beatle's first words about Miss Mills since the split would be so affectionate.

Sir Paul has made an extraordinary step towards peace by penning his former wife a love song. He has recorded the acoustic ballad My Soul in collaboration with Asian-influenced electronic music guru Nitin Sawhney.

The track is to be released on Sawhney's new album London Undersound in October.

Its warmth towards Heather will surprise those who watched the increasingly acrimonious divorce between the couple come to a messy conclusion on the steps of the High Court earlier this year.

Heather Mills' Publicist Quits, Calls Her "Impossible"

2008-07-25T07:32:35Z

"Extra" has learned that Heather Mills' publicist, Michele Elyzabeth, has decided to quit after representing the former Mrs. Paul McCartney for the past four years. In a statement obtained by "Extra," Elyzabeth declares:

After working for Heather Mills for the past four years, I have decided to cease representing her. Since her divorce has become final, in my opinion, Heather has become an impossible person. Yesterday, we engaged in a heated argument during which she called me "stupid". I reminded her that she was not "God" and she answered, "I will never ever talk to you again". I have been very patient in my dealings with Heather, however, I cannot take any more. I have given her substantial unpaid time and attention. I am owed money. I refuse to be subjected to her outbursts. On reflection and given the way I have been treated, I now have sympathy with much of what the British Press has reported about her.

Heather Mills Buys $5 Million New York Home

2008-06-14T11:27:21Z

Heather Mills is about to become a jaded New Yorker.

The hotheaded, newly rich ex-wife of Sir Paul McCartney who says she's weary of the London press has just gone to contract to buy a $5 million West Village condo in the glass- enclosed Richard Meier towers at 173 Perry St.

The seller is Joe Castaldo, head of the Style Council.

Included in the full-floor pad, with sweeping views of the Hudson, are two bedrooms, two baths, a 40-foot living room/dining area, an open kitchen, two balconies and a private elevator landing.

Photographer's Conviction Against Heather Mills Overturned

2008-05-20T12:38:37Z

LEWES, England — A photographer convicted of assaulting Heather Mills won an appeal Tuesday because Mills didn't attend a court hearing.

Jay Kaycappa had been sentenced to 140 hours of community service for allegedly grabbing Mills by her shoulder and taking her photograph in 2006.

Paul McCartney And Heather Mills Divorce Decree Issued

2008-05-12T11:20:25Z

LONDON — Sometimes love isn't all you need. A judge in London granted a preliminary divorce Monday to former Beatle Paul McCartney and Heather Mills. If no one objects, the divorce will be final in six weeks.

Mills, 40, will emerge from the rancorous divorce with a settlement of $47.5 million but a reputation damaged by her televised outbursts against McCartney.

Heather's Schemed To Marry Paul, Says Ex-Hooker Pal Of Mills

2008-04-22T08:18:06Z

Heather Mills gave Paul McCartney an ultimatum to marry her or she would leave him, according to a friend and ex-prostitute.

Denise Hewitt, who worked as an escort with Heather in the Eighties, said the former model spoke openly in the early stages of their relationship of plans to push Sir Paul to propose.

Miss Hewitt, who revealed her friend had been determined to marry the former Beatle, also lifted the lid on claims about the months the pair allegedly spent working as £10,000-a-night prostitutes.

In an interview to be aired tonight on Channel 4, Miss Hewitt claimed: "She said, 'I'll give him an ultimatum and if he doesn't marry me within say eight months, ten months, I'm going to leave him'."

She said Heather had made disparaging remarks about her future husband's age, saying: "Well look at me, I'm marrying an old man with bigger tits than me."

Miss Hewitt, 44, said: "We went into high class prostitution behind closed doors and nobody knew about it...[Adnan] Kashoggi, Kerry Packer and one of the Royal princes of Saudi, they were the big fish and there were a couple of others that were classed as Heather's sugar daddies.

'We used to get a lot of jewellery as gifts - rings, watches, Bulgari bracelets, cars. The world was our oyster. We enjoyed it.

'No one knew what we did and we didn't expect it to come out. I don't look on it as sleazy. It was experiencing something we couldn't have experienced if we hadn't done this.

Heather Mills' New Tirade: Wishes Paul's Three Girlfriends Luck

2008-04-11T07:34:59Z

Heather Mills, with new red hair, went on Britain's GMTV Friday for her first appearance since her $50 million divorce settlement last month. According to stories in the Mirror and Daily Mail, Mills taunted ex Paul McCartney:

"I think he's got three different girlfriends so I wish all the girls the best of luck. Better them than me," she claimed.

McCartney was pictured in Antigua with Nancy Shevell in recent weeks, and UK papers have also linked him in recent months to actress Rosanna Arquette and horsewoman Tanya Larrigan.

Heather also bragged about dumping a glass of water on Fiona Shackleton, Paul's attorney, in court.

"I cleansed and baptized her. I thought she looked fantastic - I thought it did her the world of good and now I'm getting lots of offers to restyle the hair of women of her age," she said via satellite from Las Vegas, where she's judging the Miss USA pageant.

She also went off about the need for more of the transcripts to be released:

She said she was still fighting with McCartney over their divorce, and petitioned the judge "every day" because she feels the extracts of the judgment published were "one-sided".

In a rare moment of self-awareness, Ms Mills admitted: "People love me or hate me."

However, she blamed the negative press attention on the fact that she "upset the apple cart" with her campaigns for "truthful journalism and the landmine treaty and the dog and cat fur campaign".

Heather Mills Employed: Signs On As Beauty Pageant Judge

2008-03-31T07:04:47Z

LOS ANGELES — Heather Mills soon will be back in front of the cameras. The former Mrs. Paul McCartney, who recently wrapped up a very public divorce from the ex-Beatle, is among the celebrity judges just announced for the upcoming Miss USA Pageant.

Other judges for the April 11 competition include actor/comedian Rob Schneider, actor/musician Joey Fatone, actress Kristian Alfonso, Olympic-champion swimmer Amanda Beard, actress Kelly Carlson and San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman.

Paul McCartney On Caribbean Vacation With Nancy Shevell, Reports Say

2008-03-29T10:14:23Z

Multiple reports place Paul McCartney in the Caribbean with New Yorker Nancy Shevell. The pair was first photographed kissing during a November 2007 weekend together in East Hampton, where they both have homes. Nancy and her ex Bruce were friends with Paul and late wife Linda. Earlier this month McCartney finally settled his divorce from Heather Mills.
The Mirror reports:

Sir Paul, 65, secretly jetted out to the private Caribbean island resort of Jumby Bay to be with American Nancy, 47.

A source said: "They hired bikes and rode all around the island. They were laughing and looked like they were having a great time. But it is very early days..."

Yesterday another friend said Sir Paul had taken his current holiday with Nancy because he needed peace and quiet in the wake of the acrimonious divorce settlement. The friend added: "He is very close to Nancy, they have known each other a long time.

"Sir Paul's general feeling is that he was vindicated after the court case. A lot of what was said about him was discounted by the judge. Now all he wants is peace and quiet."

The Sun echoes:

"It's great. They are really happy together and are very close.

"It's a blossoming friendship and Nancy really cheers him up.

"Paul deserves some happiness after everything he's been through."

The ex-Beatle and businesswoman Nancy, a breast cancer survivor, have been spotted laughing, joking and riding bikes.

His rep had no comment for any of the papers.

Heather Mills Hypocrite: Books First Class, Puts Daughter In Coach

2008-03-21T08:00:34Z

Heather Mills was exposed as a hypocrite last night -- for failing to buy first-class flights for daughter Beatrice.

Mucca slammed ex Sir Paul McCartney on Monday for forcing the four-year-old to travel �B Class� after their bitter divorce -- while he flew �A Class�.

She haughtily vowed to pay for Beatrice's first-class travel herself.

But details obtained by The Sun show the one-legged gold-digger has ALREADY failed to live up to her pledge.

Heather, dubbed Pornocchio after her divorce judge branded her a scheming liar, jets to New York this weekend to rest after her court war with ex-Beatle Paul, 65.

But she is sending Bea home early with a minder and nanny in the 409 pound seats at the back of a Virgin jet.

Keep reading

-or-

Read how Mills twisted the truth about donating her "Dancing with the Stars" fee to charity

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Read about how, and see pictures of, Paul McCartney's lawyer got soaked with water by Mills Monday in court

Poll: Which Style Most Suits Fiona Shackleton?

2008-03-20T15:42:03Z

During Wednesday's divorce proceedings, Heather Mills reportedly dumped a glass of water over the head of Paul McCartney's lawyer, Fiona Shackleton.

To read about Wednesday's courtroom debacle, click here.

Heather Mills' Charitable Deceit: She Kept Half Her "Dancing" Money

2008-03-20T10:18:09Z

Heather Mills likes to portray herself as the Queen of all charity giving. But according to Justice Bennett's decision in her divorce case, Mills has not been truthful about her largesse.

A year ago, when Mills appeared on "Dancing With the Stars," she made it very clear she was donating her entire fee to animal rights groups.

But according to Bennett, Mills received about $220,000 and gave a little less than half to VIVA USA. Bennett notes in his decision in paragraph 195 that he's seen the "Dancing" contract and that she donated L50,000 -- or $100,000 -- British sterling pounds to the group.

At the time, Mills said on the VIVA Web site: "The last few months have not been good for me as my life has been on hold. But I love dancing and want to support Viva! in this important campaign to expose the appalling cruelty to which millions of pigs are subjected on British farms. Taking part in this show satisfies both desires. The show itself might also provide a bit of fun and a few laughs -- things I've been missing for far too long."

She told countless interviewers -- in clips all over the Internet -- that she was donating her "Dancing" fee, leaving the impression that it was all of it, not just some of it.

Heather Mills Reportedly Throws Water On McCartney's Lawyer, Judge Calls Her Claims 'Exorbitant'

2008-03-18T08:12:20Z

LONDON — Heather Mills was a less than candid court witness whose $250 million divorce claim was exorbitant, a judge said in his ruling on her divorce from Paul McCartney.

The judgment by Hugh Bennett was released Tuesday, after a court rejected Mills' attempt to block publication.

Ka-Pow! "Verdict" With Dan Abrams Starts Tonight, Straight From The Hall Of Justice

2008-03-17T18:10:39Z

Tonight marks the debut of "Verdict," the "new" 9 p.m. show hosted by Dan Abrams that will be very much like the old 9 p.m. show hosted by Dan Abrams, albeit with some new bells and whistles and a lot more superhero graphics. Regular viewers will no doubt recognize Abrams' animated, opinioinated style as he bandies about the news of the day with his (often feisty) guests and weighs in on matters, a la the scales of justice — as befits a card-carrying lawyer.

Here's how Abrams described it here on HuffPo:

For the past six months, we have been assessing exactly what this show should be. Political? Legal? What about pop culture? Verdict will examine all of the most controversial stories of the day through the eyes of a critical lawyer. What will make the show unique is not as much which stories we cover, but how we cover them. I will be sure to let you know where I stand, back it up with facts and then make judgments on a wide range of stories... I will try to use my legal background to assess right from wrong and ultimately announce the day's winners and losers.

MSNBC viewers got a sneak peek on one of them today as Abrams was called in to weigh in on an actual verdict — the $48.6 million settlement between Paul McCartney and Heather Mills. Abams discussed the case with MSNBC's Contessa Brewer below, and also laid out his vision for his show (and his affection for the superhero graphics). The clip is below for your viewing pleasure; come back tomorrow for our take on the show and a more in-depth at the unusual path that led Abrams from legal-show host to network boss back in front of the camera to, well, legal-show host — a new-and-improved version in a hot timeslot in a hot cable television season on a hot ratings streak. From the halls of power to the halls of justice — in the meantime, try to muster some sympathy for poor $48-million Healther Mills. She don't care too much for money, money can't buy her love.

MSNBC debuted "Verdict" as part of a revamped programming schedule including the brand-new "Race For The White House" hosted by David Gregory, which replaces the show formerly hosted by Tucker Carlson.

Related:

Dan Abrams: Introducing...Verdict [HuffPo]

Heather Mills' Impromptu Press Conference

2008-03-17T14:25:46Z

Moments after being awarded nearly $49M in her divorce from Paul McCartney, Heather Mills took to the court steps and talked to the waiting press.