Cultured Views

Paul Newman - there’s a new star in heaven tonight.

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Our favourite blue-eyed boy, Paul Newman, has died at the age of 83 after a long battle against cancer. He had starred in more than 50 movies and in his later years became a successful director.

He had battled the disease quietly and with the dignity he was known for. Paul Newman was many things besides and actor; he was a racing car driver and active philanpthropist - he supported many charities and put his money where his mouth was by donating widely to good causes.

Newman’s Own Foundation had it’s beginnings in his own basement when he put together a few ingredients for his own sauce with the intention of donating the proceeds to charity. He didn’t think anyone would be interested in his own ketchup - but he was wrong. It became an entire industry and allowed for the setting up of hundreds of holiday camps called Hole in the Wall Camps where thousands of children with life threatening illnesses could have a holiday.

He was best known, though, for his devotion to his wife Joanne Woodward and their marriage which lasted over 50 years - a record for a Hollywood couple.

This is all so sad; my favourite Newman films…?

Somebody up there likes me: I saw this as a young child and loved it.

The Verdict: His portrayal of the washed-up, alcoholic lawyer in this 1980 film was simply stunning. I think this role was his best.

Oh yes, and of course Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - one of the best film teamings of all time with Robert Redford. A few months ago I gave Paul my Kiss for Life Award  because he has always been such a great all-round guy.

We will miss you Paul.

Popularity: 14% [?]

George W Bush - ” Our economy is in great danger…”

That’s what this clown said today. Granted - he is the most powerful ‘clown’ in the world (and that’s the worrying thing here…) - so he should know when his country is 400 billion dollars in the red…

So why is he telling us !

“If we do not act, every corner of our country will be impacted. We cannot allow this to happen.” No Mr Bush - you cannot. So, as a housewife who has had a fair bit of experience in ‘cutting back on expenditure’ here is my suggestion…

How about tightening your own belt for a start and stop spending America’s money trying to prove your manhood in the Middle East…?

Stop asking American taxpayers to fund the deaths of their young men and women - as well as the deaths of Afghan and Iraqi citizens as well.

Stop churning out this relentless ” let’s get ‘em ” attitude which is doing no-one, anywhere, any favours. The United States is currently funding one of the most unpopular public exercises of all time - even including the Vietnam War. 

Stop spending your nation’s money on this pointless military venture and address the issue which is staring you in your unpopular face right now.

War has become too expensive to fund today; not just in human currency but monetary as well. Better get your own backyard in order, Mr Bush, otherwise you will find yourself declaring bankrupcty - in the financial sense of course…you were morally bankrupt all along.

Let’s face it Georgie-boy; this thing in the Middle East has become a personal vendetta for you. Your Daddy failed back in The Gulf War in 1990 and you have similarly failed today in 2008. Drop it - the rest of the world cannot afford it any longer.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Who can afford a personal loan these days?

You don’t have to be to see just where the global economy is heading these days. What really irritates me is seeing the likes of Donald Trump on TV assuring people that things will be alright in the end; we just need to tighten our belts and ride out the storm.

It’s okay for Mr Trump to talk eh?

As the credit crunch affects more and more people finance companies are having to come up with new ways to attract customers to apply for Personal Loans often throwing in sweeteners to reel them in.

Another thing is the rising price of fuel; people are trading in their large gas-guzzlers and opting for smaller vehicles and even using low interest Car Loans as they have not enough ready cash to trade down even!

It seems that having a poor credit rating is no longer something to be ashamed of; so many people are feeling the pinch and more often than not you see ads such as Auto Loans for Bad Credit everywhere. We are all in the same basket so don’t feel too bad.

Popularity: 17% [?]