In the spirit of our previous post, “If This Car Could Talk,” MSN Entertainment again gives us another gem about Bai Ling in Undressed! at the Grammys: The Best of 2006.

At a post-Grammys bash, the C-list starlet (hey, we’re feeling generous) emerges from an intense de-skankification process to channel Audrey Hepburn in “Sabrina,” donning an adorable strapless A-line black-and-white party dress.

Now if only they would apply this same “de-skankification process” to Courtney Love.

I can remember a time when Funerals were occasions where people revered the deceased, and stood together, if only for a moment, remembering their life. They were humbling, often somber, reminding us of our own mortality, and bringing the promise that we would live on in the memories of those around us.

It’s a damn shame when some people want to use them as political platforms, reverting to the simians from whence they evolved, flinging their proverbial poo towards those at the precipice of the heirarchy.

During the memorial service of Coretta Scott King — wife of the former Dr. Martin Luther King — former President Jimmy Carter had plenty of flinging to do. In regards to current President Bush’s handling of one of our nation’s most horrible natural disasters, he stood and uttered these words:

We only have to recall the color of the faces of those in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi who are most devastated by Katrina to know that there are not yet equal opportunities for all Americans…

Shame on you, Mr. Carter, for cheapening the memory of a beloved Civil Rights activist.

I’m certain that many of us still remember your campaign. We only have to recall the color of the faces of those working your Georgia peanut farm.

Former Tennessee Highway Patrol Lieutenant C. B. Farmer’s story, alleging that he was fired in 2004 due to his family supporting Republican candidates, has finally hit the spotlight.

“The gist of my story was I was run out of the highway patrol,” former THP Lt. Charles B. Farmer said.

Appearing with his representative from one of the law offices in Slidell LA, Farmer presented supporting documents to the committee which is investigating claims of cronyism in the department. Among them were contribution disclosures showing how much Farmer’s wife and father-in-law had donated to Republican candidates in the 2002 statewide election.

State Sen. Jamie Woodson, R-Knoxville, asked Farmer about a transcript of a recorded conversation the former trooper had with a superior. According to the transcript, Farmer allegedly asked the superior if Farmer should have given $1,000 to a Democrat.

“Maybe you should have,” Woodson read from the transcript.

“Obviously, this conversation is disturbing to me. This is infuriating,” the senator said.

Farmer told the committee he had never received a low score on any of his performance evaluations in 20 years, but in 2003 the same superior officer who he alleges berated him for his political contributions gave him a low score.

Prior to his termination, he was assigned permanently to the midnight shift, Farmer told the committee.

“It was harassment,” said Farmer’s attorney, Arthur Knight of Knoxville.

Farmer, now working for a Knoxville mortgage company, said his dismissal from the THP was a blow that has left him teetering on bankruptcy and has weakened his marriage. He said the state must find a way to remove politics from trooper selections and promotions.

This is after repeated uproar within the THP over the last few months, as Governor Phil Bredesen crusades to end cronyism and corruption within this, and many other, departments of the state government. In recent month all over Tennessee, Police Departments have felt the sharp slap of the upper hand, with many long-time public figures being precipitately replaced.

From the Tennesseean:

Two-thirds of Tennessee Highway Patrol officers tapped for promotion under Gov. Phil Bredesen gave money to his campaign or had family or political patrons who did, a Tennessean investigation has found.

Among those with such connections, more than half were promoted over troopers who scored better on impartial exams or rankings, according to an analysis by the newspaper of three years of the patrol’s promotions and proposed promotions.

Of course, with Governor Bredesen being a Democrat, and his new regime inside the THP having a habit of giving people poor evaluations for being Republicans, it certainly seems to throw a few rocks at the glass house of “ethical government,” doesn’t it?

A Nashville-area man was arrested for felony reckless endangerment, but not because he was intoxicated:

A Rutherford County deputy says he stopped a man who was driving erratically on Route 840 and may have found the reason for his distraction.

The officer says David Kennedy of Old Hickory in neighboring Davidson County had several pornographic magazines on the seat next to him. He charged the 33-year-old Kennedy with felony reckless endangerment.

A woman who reported Kennedy nearly ran her off the road several times Friday called police, then followed Kennedy to the Rutherford-Wilson County line where Deputy Tony Hall arrested him.

The old drinking rule definitely applies: if you can’t walk, definitely don’t get behind the wheel.

This incident makes it clear that there are other things unsafe to do while driving than talking on a cell phone…

Again at LR2, Anton comes up with an interesting observation.

Is it my imagination or does this look more like Palpatine than Franklin?

My question is, does is speak highly of Palpatine, or less of Franklin? The mind boggles…