Exploitation of Children Is Sick: Talking To You Kathie Lee Gifford!

Watch this video, then read my comments on said video.

Since I was a small child, I've always been taught that doing the right thing isn't something worth being praised for, the reward for it should come from knowing that you did the right thing.

Zach Hirsch was a popular high school senior. He's what you could consider your model All-American Boy. He's almost your stereotypical popular jock, has tons of friends, and by all accounts from this video seems like a great guy.

Then one day at school, Zach saw Graham, an autistic high school freshman sitting all alone at a table in the cafeteria, so he decided to go up to him and talk to him.

This leads to a wonderful friendship between the two and had a major impact in Graham's life, as he's now more social.

If the story ended there it would've been great. Zach did the right thing, good on him.

Then Zach's mother just HAD to write to Kathie Lee Gifford, who's segment "Everybody Has A Story" is a weekly segment on the Kathie Lee and Hoda show, which is really just a low-rent Today Show extension that tries (and fails) to compete with Kathie Lee's former show, Live With Regis and Kelly. (Kathie Lee and Hoda average a one share, while Regis averages a 2.8 share. Also ahead of Kathie Lee and Hoda: Oprah, Judge Judy, Jerry, Maury, Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray, Steve Wilkos, Entertainment Tonight, and reruns of Seinfeld, Family Guy, Two and a Half Men, The Office, and Criminal Minds.)

This segment appears to be popular because they do it every week, I'll break it down for you. The show brings out an extraordinary story, they talk to the principles involved (in this case, Zach, Graham, and their mothers) then Broadway actress and singer Kate Baldwin sings a song written by Kathie Lee about the subject, then Kathie Lee asks if they enjoyed the song she wrote for them.

Now listen to the song again and ask yourself this: if you were in the situation that Graham was in, would you want a song written by some middle-aged woman who knows nothing about your situation but feels the need to write a song about it to be sung on National Television?

I wouldn't because sans the Autisim, I knew what it was like to be in his position in middle school. It sucks, it stinks, and did I mention that it sucks? No one wants to be the outcast, especially at this boy's age.

But it just HAD to be exploited by Kathie Lee, who at 15 probably would've been the first person to not only ignore the poor kid, but maybe even make fun of him. (Don't you get the sense that 15-year-old Kathie Lee Gifford would've patronized him if she went to the same school and pretended to like him then after word got around school that the two were an "item" she'd tear the poor kid down and call him a loser in front of the whole class?)

The entire interview Kathie Lee straight out patronizes him, then listen to the interview after the song. You'll notice that Zach gets really uncomfortable, and Graham is crying. Of course in her pompousness, Kathie Lee thinks its because the song "moved him" but thankfully Graham is one smart kid and says it was because the song was "sad."

Was there an apology there? Did she follow that up with "well why was it sad to you?" even though the answer to that is painfully obvious to anyone with a brain? (Which of course is all of you my loyal readers, thank you for reading this again!)

No, just another patronizing, "Oh well maybe we'll jazz it up a bit" followed by laughter from everyone save for Graham (if you're wondering about Zach, even though he said he enjoyed the song, I think he was just being polite, I'm sure you could tell that he did not enjoy being there one bit.)

After all that I noticed that this is nothing more than a promotional video for Kathie Lee. She mainly talks about herself, its a way to get a song that she wrote performed on National Network Television by someone with a good voice (only good, not great), and the most disgusting thing about it is its EXPLOITIVE! Its almost as bad as using a sweatshop with under-aged workers to manufacture clothes with your name on it sold at Wal-Mart! (Anyone remember that controversy with Kathie Lee back in the 90's?)

Now ironically I found this video because of a rant against it by Howard Stern, who's practically Kathie Lee's mortal enemy and has been for more than 15 years apparently. His rant was probably better than mines but points out the same things I am.

Now if you actually enjoyed this segment, then God help you. It was manipulative trash and you know it.

And if you watched it live and enjoyed it, you should've been watching Maury instead. But because you didn't, you probably missed this:

Now this I don't mind exploiting. I'm sorry but if you feel the need to go on National Television to find out who the father of your child is, then you're really seeking attention.

Some Thoughts on the Tragic Shooting of Az Rep. Gabrielle Giffords And How Those Scumbags In Washington and In The Media are Politicizing It.

The news from Tuscon was tragic.

As if we needed more reminders of how crazy this world really is, on Saturday Afternoon we got a big reminder when 22-year old psychopath Jared Lee Loughner attempted to assasinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords at a public meeting she held with her constituents at a strip mall in Tuscon.

Not only was Giffords shot in the head (and is still in critical condition as of this post) but he also was able to kill US District Court in Arizona's Chief Justice John Roll; Gabriel Zimmerman, who was a staffer of Giffords; three elderly victims (including Dorwan Stoddard, a 76-year-old man who was shot in the head while covering his wife during the shooting) and a nine-year old girl. Fourteen others were wounded.

Loughner was a disturbed young man, which is why I went out of my way to call him a "22-year-old psychopath" instead of just saying he was 22-years old. There's no other way around it, he was mentally disturbed. I'm sorry but anyone who's willing to just shoot into a group of people and has had a history of mental issues prior to that (and serious ones at that, he was even kicked out of Pima Community College due to his disruptive behavior) is someone who's mentally disturbed. No need to sugar coat it, it is what it is.

But of course, we can't just say that someone is completely fucked in the head and leave it at that, we have to say that something "triggered" his behavior. Thank God for the media, namely the New York Times. For if it wasn't for them, we'd just think he's nuts, but apparently, he's nuts because he's a Republican!

Sure, let's ignore the facts, like for one his favorite book is The Communist Manifesto. Yes, because nothing says right-winger like Communist Manifesto.

(And yes, I know not all Commies are loons, but remember I'm Cuban, so by law I'm required to think that Communists and Socialists are the scum of the earth.)

Instead, let's blame Sarah Palin for this. Look, I can't stand her either. I have a lot of not so nice things to say about the "Maverick" however I even know that the "crosshairs" over the districts that she put up were figurative. This guy, someone who claims to be upset that people are not literate, apparently didn't realize that. Nor did the press, who seems to be making it out to seem like this is the Republicans fault.

Can't we just say that this guy is a loon? It really just begins and ends there. It sells newspapers (they still exist in case you forgot) and brings up the ratings on the cable news channels, but by attaching this with politics when it was simply the case of a nutjob going apeshit, it only divides this great nation further away.

Jared Lee Loughner (figures his middle name is Lee by the way) should just be found insane and locked away, no need to ask what "triggered" his attack, because somewhere down the line, something would've.

R.I.P. to all of the victims of this heinous attack, and may Rep. Giffords fight through this and have a safe and speedy recovery.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do...(A Look At How A Thomas Galicia Article Gets Written.)

This post might make me look even more concieted than I already am while at the same time probably upsetting someone here or there. Whatever, I'm still posting it.

I figured this would be a fun time to let all of you in on how I wrote my latest article "Miami Dolphins: The Current and Honest Feeling of a Life Long Miami Dolphins Fan," while at the same time promoting my not yet published book.

First off, I decided to make this a break-up article, I'm sure you saw that right off the bat.

Why? Well my beautiful and super-intelligent sister Loren once described her love of the Miami Heat (the only professional team she cares about in the only sport she cares about) like this: "Its like a relationship, and if its going bad and I'm being mistreated and they're not doing their job, than I'm out of there."

Of course, the Miami Heat are the opposite of that but that was what she had said during their tumultuous start earlier this season.

As for the Dolphins, not the same. I'm glad she a. doesn't like football and b. isn't a Miami Dolphins fan, because she would've kicked them to the curb years ago.

Of course, I'm not "breaking up" with the Dolphins because of the losing, but because of the many things both on and off the field that they continue to fail at.

See the Miami Heat and Miami Dolphins are like The Hilton and Motel 6.

But that's another article for another day, sorry to get all off topic.

Since this was a "break-up" article, I actually used inspiration from my book (coming to a bookstore near you at some point in time), where the main female character, Annette, breaks up with the main male character, Tommy.

Well to call Annette a MAIN female character is a stretch, she doesn't have much dialogue in the book, in fact most of the book is about Tommy getting over Annette, sorry I'm talking in tangents again.

Anyways, some of the dialogue in the article is lifted straight of Annette's dialogue in the book, therefore some of it was a simple copy+paste job.

The rest was stuff I added (the relationship in the book and reason for its demise was different from this one) was stuff that was important to why I decided to "break up" with the Miami Dolphins.

Then I added videos from the good times of Dan Marino, and the bad times of Ted Ginn and his family, rehashed bad memories from 2002 when the Dolphins were the most talented team in the AFC but were led by a complete dunce, rehashed the good times as well, and just simply explained that, Miami, it was over!

Of course at the end I admit that it wasn't, I don't know if that takes some of the bite out of the article or if it proves to the readers that that's just my feelings at the time, but either way, this was an article I've been thinking of while the entire Sparano/Harbaugh soap opera that again embarrassed the Miami Dolphins played out.

So now that you've read the article (you did read the article first, right? If you didn't, now would be a good time to do it!) and you've seen how I wrote it, I hope you enjoyed it.

And Let's Go Heat! (and Dolphins.)

Dear El Paso, We're Sorry The Sun Bowl Will Suck

Good day El Paso, I'm sure you're well aware that one of the most heated rivalries in College Football history will renew itself for the first time in 20 years at High Noon (El Paso Time) this afternoon.

Of Course, I'm talking about Miami vs. Notre Dame.

So why apologize when just about every civic leader in El Paso and every member of the Sun Bowl committee seems giddy about this game?

Because what you're getting is not this:

Instead you're getting two rebuilding teams trying to return to national prominence, two teams that combined to go 14-10 this season.

One team has a first year coach, the other has an interim coach.

Quite frankly, you're not going to get an important game, what you are getting is an exercise in everything that's wrong with college football and why they should junk the bowl system for an actual playoff, which none of these two teams would even sniff this year.

I don't mean to sound insulting or condescending but, you really think El Paso was their first choice at the beginning of the season, which at least the Hurricanes expected to be a return to National Prominence?

No, not at all, the canes wanted to stay home in Miami and play in the Orange Bowl. And that was their WORST case scenario. Best case scenario was to get ready to play in Glendale, Arizona ten days from now for the National Championship.

Again, its not a slight or an insult, its just a fact. There's a reason the Sun Bowl is played at 2pm Eastern Time on December 31st and not on New Year's Day in prime time like the big boy bowls (Rose, Sugar, Orange, Fiesta.)

I've seen the other match-ups that have played in the Sun Bowl. No wonder you were so excited to see two teams past their prime competing for nothing. Yes, Miami and Notre Dame has a combined 16 National Championships and a combined nine Heisman Trophy winners, but the last Hurricanes National Championship came in 2001-02 (when I was a Senior in High School) and their last Heisman Trophy winner came in 1992 (Gino Torretta, I was in third grade, and as big a Canes fan as I am, even at that age when you're a massive homer, I even thought Marshall Faulk should've won it.)

Notre Dame's is worse. Their last National Championship came when I was five (1988) and their last Heisman came the year before (Tim Brown.)

You're getting history, El Paso, but not the kind that's going to be made on the field of the Sun Bowl this afternoon, but rather the kind that was made 20 to 30 years ago on the field of the Orange Bowl (RIP) and the field of Notre Dame Stadium in the shadow of Touchdown Jesus.

However, I'm still a Canes fan, so I'm going to watch, as this will hopefully be Jacory Harris' final game, and in all honesty, I still HATE Notre Dame. So with that being said...

A Hurricane Warning has been set for El Paso, Tx at Noon (MST.) Those expected to be effected are those who are wearing Golden Helmets and Kelly Green jerseys. OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO-C-A-N-E-S CANES!

Thomas Galicia is a Miami Dolphins featured columnist for Bleacher Report who also writes about the Hurricanes, Heat, Chicago Cubs, and pro wrestling.

One Stop Shopping For Everything About Me...

Forgive me for being such a shameless self-promoter, but with the book finished and now looking to be sold to any willing publisher, I might as well start promoting myself now, by making it easier for you to check out my twitter, facebook and Bleacher Report profiles.

There's a site for that, and here's the link:

Talkin' Music Part 2 Mashup Edition

As you can probably tell by now, music is a passion of mines that rivals sports, well, almost.

Except I'm not too big a fan of today's music, which I'm trying to figure out, is it a reflection of me, or the state of music right now?

I consider myself musically open-minded, so I'm blaming the music. I've heard a few good songs this year, but have only purchased one album released this year (Eminem.)

I consider Justin Bieber to be pretty good. Don't judge me, but the kid has talent. And he's a Miami Dolphins fan.

Bruno Mars has his moments, can't say I'm a huge fan but the guy has talent. Same goes with BoB.

And if I hear that Taio Cruz song one more time, I think I'll strap some dynamite to someone.

But what I do listen to, other than older music, and what has become my new thing, mashups.

The first real mashup I had heard of was DangerMouse's "The Grey Album" which was a mashup of Jay-Z's "Black Album" and The Beatles "White Album." I expected the worst, but it sounded pretty good.

Since then I've loved listening to these crazy mashups, so I thought I'd share them with you, consider it a soundtrack to my latest NFL picks article and to my Randy Moss article.

Outkast vs. The Clash: Rock The Roses

Come on, isn't the beat to "Rock The Casbah" just screaming to be sampled to an awesome song? I still can't believe it hasn't. This wouldn't have happened if Diddy was still Puff Daddy.

Dr. Dre f/Snoop Dogg vs. Grease: You're the One That I Want In The Next Episode

Almost a perfect mix, they synch up well, even from the verses until the hook. This is a crowd pleaser because everyone knows at least one of these songs, I happen to know and like both.

Jay-Z vs. Nena: 99 Problems But A Balloon Aint One

Jay-Z is the most mashed-up artist of all time. But that's because his flows are that smooth that they can synch up to anything, especially on this song, which numerically comes together very well.

Devo vs. Soulja Boy Tell'em: Crank Dat Whip It

I can't stand Soulja Boy, he represents everything wrong with music today. I mean, other than twelve year old boys who want to be dancers, who the hell listens to this shit? Yeah, Crank Dat was cute when it came out but by now, seriously, its time to go. But this song does make him sound decent.

Scary Musical Transition Cue:

Did that freak you out?

Michael Jackson vs. Nelly Furtado f/ Timbaland: Be Promiscuous With You

This makes the song sound classier...and they sound so seamless together. If they play this at a club or party, who's sitting down?

Jay-Z vs. Justin Timberlake: Song Cry Me A River

See what I mean about Jay-Z? And to think, both songs talk about the same thing. This won't be the last time you'll see Justin either.

Huey Lewis And The News vs. 50 Cent: The Power In Da Club

If in thirty years they remake Back To The Future and set the 50's scenes in 2000, then you know for sure that the new Marty McFly would probably perform "In Da Club" at the dance where his parents are supposed to fall in love.

Rick Astley vs. DMX: Where The Hood At? (Never Gonna Give You Up remix)

Very surprising how well these go together.

Justin Timberlake vs. Eminem: Cry Me A River, Superman

This one is a better treatment of Mr. Timberlake and Mr. Mathers. Goes very well together.

Notorious B.I.G. vs. Miley Cyrus: Juicy In The USA

If you know me then you'd know that I die a little bit inside as I listen to it. But its actually a good mix. Now would Biggie work with Miley if he were alive? Believe it or not, yes. Remember, he's signed with Bad Boy, Diddy would've made him do it!

2pac vs. Big L vs. Jay-Z vs. Miley Cyrus: Freestyling In The USA

This however I know would never HAPPEN! And DJ that made this, how could you not put on "And The Jay-Z song was on" after Jay-Z's verse?

LL Cool J vs. Dexy's Midnight Runners: Knock Out Eileen

And this one is the best one by far.

Now listen to these songs and tell me you don't feel like dancing! Thanks for reading and have fun jamming out. Leave me some of your favorite mashups in the comments!

Talkin' Music

There's no "Bleacher Report" for music, so this will have to suffice.

Ah yes, the break-up song, or even the FU song inspired by the breakup. Its as old as music itself. It was around in the 70's:

The 80's, which was chalk full of break up songs, not so much with FU songs though:

Then the 90's, where some of the FU edge came back:

The 00's gave us this classic, more FU, less breakup, however a clear indication that the guy isn't totally over the girl

Hell even Miley Cyrus *kinda* got into the swing of things:

(is this a breakup song? Is it dedicated to a Jonas Brother? If one of them thinks it is about them, I have another song that could probably describe them better that's way before their time, I also dedicate this to anyone who might get the wrong idea about this post)

Now why write about break-up songs? Good question. To show how far music has gone in the last few years.

According to some reports, Disney starlet Demi Lovato left a tour she was on with the Jonas Brothers for to enter treatment-not rehab, no, no, no, but treatment in order to deal with "physical and emotional issues."

Now taking that at face value I was thinking "great, another Disney starlet on drugs, say hello to the Lindsay Lohan of the 2010's." However, upon further review, it really is treatment for physical and emotional issues.

How sad is it that the first thing you think of when a star enters treatment is automatically drugs or alcohol? Can't people just be going through some shit and need time off? Its a greater reflection of how cynical we've become as a society than anything.

So anyways, I took an interest in this to see what's up, and apparently Demi Lovato used to date Joe Jonas, who's now dating some other girl. Whom he happened to take on tour with them!

You stay classy Joe Jonas. Just wondering but, is it possible that maybe the whole virgin gimmick they have is just a gimmick, no more true than Mark Callaway being "The Undertaker" or Matt Bourne being "Doink The Clown?" Because it seems like these guys, specifically Joe, are actually John Mayer type playboys. And speaking of John Mayer, how come he hasn't written a song yet called "I tapped that?"

Now being that Demi Lovato is still a baby pretty much, I could imagine that this would cause some type of internal strife on her. On top of that, Disney does run their stars through sweatshop type schedules. Don't believe me? Turn on your TV and flip the channels, you can't go 30 seconds without seeing Selena Gomez somewhere.

Now of course, had she been in her 20's, odds are Demi continues the tour, and while on tour seeing Joe and his new beau suck face she crafts a biting breakup FU song to him. And if she's really vicious she'll do what Gwen Stefani did and make him play a guitar solo. (Listen to don't speak again, that guitar solo is actually played by the guy that the song is about!)

But in the world of Disney I guess you can't write nasty FU breakup songs. In fact I'm almost certain that its against Disney rules to go into FU mode, which is sad because FU mode also gave us Fleetwood Mac's Rumors, one of the greatest albums of all time. (Google Fleetwood Mac if you don't know the story behind that album, its crazy.)

So instead, she gets treatment. Hopefully she pulls through and does well, and for her sake hopefully Ms. Lovato writes a kicking breakup FU song while in there. History will tell her that its the best thing she can do commercially. All of the songs I posted were Top-10 hits with massive radio airplay, and Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors" is the fourth best selling album of all time.

And just to cap it off, while not a break up nor an FU song, here's a favorite song of mines that does have an interesting and rather macabre story behind it

Thanks to billboard.com for the references, and thanks to youtube for having the songs.

Thomas Galicia writes for Bleacherreport.com. You can find his archive here. He is currently working on a book which for right now is untitled.