Please accept my apologies for this month’s edition being two days late. I have a legitimate reason: I am the only person who does the uploading and editing and I have been seriously ill. In fact, I just uploaded an essay I wrote about being sick...and how much I loathe it. I considered talking about it here but, didn’t think you’d appreciate being subjected to my whining and bad sense of humor...besides, I think there are so many more “newsworthy” items to defuse over... please do not see this as negative, I usually don’t let things of the world infiltrate my space here, but I am a journalist and sometimes, I just need to let ‘er rip (the list below is a parody)!

Let’s play “Is it truly [national] newsworthy?” Let us do a run down just for fun:

1) The oil spill from the failed platform in the Gulf of Mexico?

YES--It affects many people and their livelihoods, not to mention the health of our shores. Thank you British Petroleum for stepping up and taking care of your disaster!

2) TIME naming Lady GaGa one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2010.

NO—at least not in my lifetime. Don’t get me wrong she’s brilliant, but not someone I would call influential to me and my peers. (I was so happy to see a mom turn one of her videos off at my mechanic last week, despite the complaints of her 4 year-old. Yes, age 4 folks...that’s just wrong.)

3) Gov. Charlie Crist going renegade.

NO—and I live in Florida! Go ahead and run as an Independent, Charlie; my independent voter status doesn’t guarantee you my vote for Senate, sorry!

4) The possible unearthing of Noah’s Arc in Turkey.

YES—it is historically relevant and would just be more proof to add to stockpile for those of us who are PRO God! This is right up there with the Shroud of Turin on my list.

5) TIME naming Reem Al Numery to its 100 Most influential list.

YES—She was brave in the face of adversity and she is the face of many children who are forced into a life of bride/groom slavery by their own families. This is something that no human should ever have to endure. (Reem’s name is linked back to the piece, please read it, as it’s a true instance of a human’s ability to survive horrible injustices.)

6) Miley Cyrus quitting twitter! Other’s consider following suit... more at 11:00. Conan O’Brian believes Twitter saved his career...

NO— Really....Nothing on or about Twitter needs to make the national news unless it’s hacked and people are hurt from it.

7) Times Square “bomb” scare.

JURY IS STILL OUT. I am sorry for those living in NYC I pray you will be able to live a peaceful, fearless life someday very soon!  God bless you!  Bomb scares in cities not named New York don’t (always) make the national news and they occur all the time. This nation needs to stop being fed a daily dose of fear!

8) Arizona Senate Bill 1070.

Read it (see the link ↑) and decide for yourself . To me it reads as a system of loopholes created to detain those entering illegally and returning them back to where they came from. I don’t see anywhere in the Bill which states they will be treated humanely. That is my only concern.

9) Replacing Grant’s image with Regan’s on the $50 bill.

NO—it’s all a monopoly money at this point so who cares who’s on it.

10) ANYTHING having to do with Jennifer Aniston... NO.

There you have it, my own top 10 items to ponder or not to ponder. Honestly, this was really just my attempt to fill space as my brain capacity is at an all time low, all things considered.  We have some really intelligent, awesome articles for you to share with the world. We are saying our good-bye's to Katherine Van Henley...it’s been great having you, lady. All the best to you and keep on writing! Anyone want to come and "Exhale" for us? Drop me an email.

May love and peace infiltrate your hearts and homes...try to be less concerned by the distractions of the world, instead finding fulfillment and defining success by what is truly important: Freedom in your lives...Being true to who you are...and finding meaning all around you.

Warmly!

Stacey Louiso

Founding Editor/Executive + Creative Dir.