| Radio Host Apologises for Heath Ledger Remarks
Gibson's remarks are vulgar and disgusting," said Rashad Robinson, GLAAD's Senior Director of Media Programs. “It's sickening that Gibson would exploit Heath Ledger's tragic death to promote such hurtful intolerance. And to do so at a time when family and friends are grieving shows a level of insensitivity that is beyond the pale."
On MSNBC's Morning Joe, co-hosts Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist characterized Gibson's comments as "unbelievable," "grossly inappropriate," and "hateful." The hosts called Gibson "sick," callous," and "totally out of line." Brzezinski said, "I don't know how you stay on the air after doing something like that, quite frankly."
Beyond his mockery of Ledger's role in Brokeback Mountain, Gibson called the actor a "weirdo" with "a serious drug problem," and callously speculated on the reasons Ledger might have committed suicide.
Today's Letters: Closings have hurt many
These children are foster children who would have no other holiday if not for the kindness of strangers. There last hope for happiness was almost taken away by the owner of Remington's. The tree with about 20 names were left in the dust. Luckily the employees of Bayada Nurses next door noticed the tree and began to track down the organization who had placed the paper angels on the tree. After many phone calls, these employees were successful and were able to get the tree removed to their office, with the children's angels and wishes. With only six days left this small office has committed to ensure these children receive the holiday wishes they hope for. In a time of financial woes and worries, business closings, rising unemployment and hardships brought unexpectedly to the employees of the closed restaurant, at least these special children will get a chance to know there are people who do care.
Famed St. Olaf's choir, local members to perform
Conductor Anton Armstrong has been leading the group since 1990 and said that each year, the young singers amaze him with their commitment to being one of the best. "On the books, we meet five days a week for 90 minutes a day," he said. That doesn't include the time it takes the students to learn their parts, which have been known to cover as many as seven languages. The joy of singers such as Sarah Zielinski, a West Salem High School graduate and St. Olaf senior, overshadows any difficulty in the performance, however. "It's been amazing, and I'm totally going to miss it," she said. "I need to cherish every performance." Another thing that is not on the minds of the singers is the other big event of the day: Super Bowl XLII. "I'm not the biggest pro football fan, so I'm not really concerned," Zielinski said.
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