Swift Ain't So Swift

You know all of Taylor Swift's hit songs? Yeah, You Belong With Me, I Knew You Were Trouble, Fifteen, and all the other ones? Newsflash, they're all written about her past boyfriends. I'm not saying that her songs aren't good, I just don't agree with her inspiration for it.

John Mayer and Taylor Swift

It seems like every month there is news about Taylor having a new boyfriend, or breaking up with one. Is she able to keep a relationship for, I don't  know, 6 months? I think not! Her past relationships have lasted on average 3 months. The number of boyfriends she has had corresponds to the number of hit songs she has. Imagine how much money she has made just by semi-committing herself in a relationship.

She is exploiting her ex-boyfriends.

The problem with Taylor Swift is that she is a big role model to girls everywhere. She is stereotypically pretty, she can sing, she can act. Every little girl wants to be like her! You see, those kids are too young to realize the content and message behind the song and where it originated from. They don't see that it's from her ex-boyfriends.

Taylor is making so much money off of exploiting her past relationships. Whether directly or indirectly referring to past flings, she somehow manages to direct it towards someone. There's even a joke that goes around whenever she breaks up with a guy - "I wonder what song she's going to make now."

One other thing I will add as well, but I wont go in depth about is her relevancy to Miley Cyrus. Before the VMAs I would have said that Taylor is by far worse than Miley but now it's even. They both have different reasons to be embarrassed. Taylor Swift is stereotyped as the "innocent girl from down the road" when really she is kind of a sl*t. I feel bad for saying that, but her history is evidence to support my statement.

Anyway, Taylor Swift is such a role model for younger girls yet her track record for boyfriends is degrading, therefore, from Fame To Shame, Taylor has ruined her title to older audience members because they understand the background to the lyrics. Even though she uses her ex-boyfriends to make money, I don't know if she is better or worse than Miley Cyrus.

Picture 1: http://nowmagazine.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/11140/000020511/9cd5_orh400w514/Taylor-Swift-and-John-Mayer.jpg
Picture 2: http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/popcrush.com/files/2013/01/swift-10.jpg
http://taylorswift.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Taylor_Swift's_ex-boyfriends
http://www.songfacts.com/artist-taylor_swift.php

Bye Bye Bynes!

Big Fat Liar, What a Girl Wants, Love Wrecked, She's the Man, Hairspray, Sydney White, Living Proof, Easy A. What do all these movies have in common? Amanda Bynes. This girl has had so many starring roles, and she was a role model for so many girls, but that has all changed now. For the past year Amanda has had her fair share of problems with the law, such as possession of marijuana, hit and runs, DUI charges, and rumours of mental instability. What has happened to the sweet Amanda Bynes?

I remember watching she's the man and thinking, "Wow! I wish I could be like her," but now that she's having so many problems, I'm glad I'm not like her. In the past she won the Kid's Choice Awards from 2000 t 2004. That is a huge accomplishment. With all the other celebrities having their problems, I thought that Amanda was going to be one of the lucky ones who didn't get involved in that stuff. I guess I was wrong. 

She was so pretty, and I thought that she was someone who didn't conform to Hollywood in the sense of being on a deathly diet of one stalk of celery a day, because she had hips and curves - in a good way. She looked healthy. In the recent pictures of her she looks ghostly; she's very pale and looks like she's tired. In general, not healthy.  

She has a list of legal problems: DUI charge, hit and runs (notice how it's pluralized), alleged mental instability, alleged marijuana possession, reckless endangerment, and allegedly setting a fire in a driveway. There's so much that this girl has done. I can't believe that she went from pristine, squeaky-clean to a pot-smoking criminal.

Regardless, she needs to get back on track. From Fame To Shame, Amanda Bynes has lost her sparkle in the public eye. She went from an idol to teenage girls to being a danger to herself and society. She has gone down a very slippery slope. Who knows when she'll climb back up. 

Amanda THEN

Amanda NOW

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Picture: http://www.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/2013424/rs_634x1024-130524101504-634.bynes09.ls.52413.jpg

Picture: http://www.xojane.com/files/amandabynestwitter.jpg

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004789/

http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/what-happened-to-amanda-bynes-21764.gallery

Drew Barrymore

Remember E.T? If you don't that's crazy, so look it up, but for those of you who do know E.T. do you remember the cute little Gertie? Gertie is played by Drew Barrymore who is my focus for this blog. She isn't just known for her acting, but also for her troubled childhood. 

Drew Barrymore as a child

Drew isn't trying to hide her past; she is very open about it. She had her first alcoholic drink at 9, smoking marijuana at 10, and at 12 started doing cocaine. By age 13 she had been in rehab twice! Now, it seems like her family is prone to substance abuse because: a) her grandfather, John Barrymore drank himself to death, b) her aunt, Diana Barrymore has a hunger for alcohol and drugs, and c) her father, John Drew Barrymore has a history of alcoholism and drug-related arrests. It kinda makes sense that Drew would follow this pattern, but who would have guessed it would start at age 9.

In an interview she did in 1989 she described her struggles. Drew had been to ASAP Family Treatment Center numerous times by the time she did the interview, which at that time she was 14. When she was 8 1/2 she was already skipping school and going to night clubs, being allowed in because of her status. From there on she started smoking and then the substances got progressively worse. Sure, it started with cigarettes but then it turned to alcohol, then weed, then eventually cocaine. She was not on a good path. But all this lead up to her being sent to the hospital. At 13 she stole her mom's credit card while in NYC and somehow managed to buy a plane ticket for her and her friend to go to LA (where she lived) and from there they drove her mom's car around town while doing cocaine. Keep in mind that she was 13 when doing this! 

Drew had troubles with her emotions and family ties. She didn't know how to express how she felt, but from encouragement and support from the groups in the hospital she found the courage to contact her father, after her grandfather died. In general she has had a very difficult childhood. I guess this shows what can happen to child stars. 

Regardless, Drew Barrymore is a very talented actress. She uses her past to educate other people and it is a reminder to her from what she has gone through. From Fame to Shame, Drew Barrymore, cute Gertie from E.T. was a child drug addict. Hopefully people will take her story and understand the risks and consequences of addiction.

Drew Barrymore now

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20119356,00.html

Picture: http://dlnqnt.com/storage/drew-barrymore-1982-ET-706kb081110.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1347401943492

Picture: http://www.flare.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/cf459f0c4af1b25da87fccbfdcdb.jpg

Sulkin' Because Of Culkin

Macaulay Culkin. You may know him as the cute little kid from Home Alone who conquers the robbers. I have to say, that is still one of my favourite movies, and I may have had a crush on him when I was younger. But gosh! Looking at him now, how can someone that famous go to this?

He used to be this cute little kid but then he turned into this "crazy-skinny" and unhealthy-looking-sickly man. Looking at recent pictures of him, he has gained more weight and looks healthier. I mean, it was his 1989 role in the film Uncle Buck that made him Hollywood's favourite child actor, and then Home Alone added to the hype. He still continues to act; he has been in 7 episodes of Robot Chicken. So this proves that he hasn't completely gone haywire, but he still isn't getting the starring roles that brings the popularity.

Despite his recent movie being in 2007, the news of his health concerns are what takes the vote. In 2004 Macaulay was arrested in Oklahoma for possession of marijuana (17.3 grams) and two other controlled substances. Not much came out of that though - no actual jail time. He was given a one-year deferred sentence for each charge and assessed $540 in court costs, but that's it. Just a side note: why do famous people get out of their charges? Because if I were to do the same thing I would be in jail for a long time. Just saying. But back to Culkin. I remember last year when people were saying that he was close to death. He was allegedly struggling with various addictions, such as heroin. He has managed to clean himself up but it is reported that he has replaced drugs with smoking up to 60 cigarettes a day, which is equally unhealthy if not worse.

Regardless, he looks healthy now and hopefully he can get his nicotine problems under control. Now, this blog isn't like my other ones because this has a happy-ish ending. There's no need to quote me on what I said because I'm not entirely convinced by the tabloids that all they said about the addictions was true, but his life isn't mine so he can do whatever he wants.

To sum it up, From Fame to Shame, Macaulay Culkin went from Hollywood's favourite child actor to a sick-looking, possibly drug-addicted man...but he is now looking better than ever! This one ends on a high note (no pun intended). Honestly, I will still watch his movies and I'm rooting for him to stay healthy, and keep in mind that not all the facts are known about him.

Macaulay Culkin 2013

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2455568/Macaulay-Culkin-looks-healthy-battling-drug-addiction.html
http://www.biography.com/people/macaulay-culkin-222292
Picture 1: https://www.thewatershed.com/blog/is-macaulay-culkin-addicted-to-heroin/
Picture 2: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/10/12/article-2455568-18B087B700000578-583_634x762.jpg

Gas Companies Fuel The Inflation Of Prices

Owning a car has many advantages but also has some disadvantages. Where I am, you have to be 16 to write your driver's test to get your G1. And once your have your G2 you are a free person. Having a licence and a car is liberating! You can go wherever, whenever. Isn't that so awesome? It is until you pull up at a gas station to fill up your car, then reality hits and the joy of having the wind blow in your hair has been killed by the price of gas.

I can remember a time where gas was 0.90/L and then slowly it went to 1.00/L. I vividly remember when I thought that 1.14/L was a high price, because that's what it was a few years ago. Now it varies from 1.18 - 1.30 generally. If you have a motorcycle, then that isn't a ridiculous price, but for those who have gas guzzlers like trucks and Hummers. These prices wouldn't be so bad if they were the true cost of the gas, but this isn't so.

March 20, 2012 three major gasoline companies pleaded guilty under the Competition Act of price-fixing. Pioneer Energy LP, Canadian Tire Corporation, and Mr. Gas have pleaded guilty to fixing the price of retail gasoline from May to November in Kingston and Brockville, Ontario.

Until now, I had only heard of one of those gas companies, and my family buys gas from that company often. But regardless of the popularity of the companies they all participated in something illegal and immoral. Each company had to pay a fine. Pioneer Energy LP was fined $985,000. Canadian Tire Corporation was fined $900,000 and Mr. Gas was fined $150,000. All together they were fined a total of $2 million!

I have always been sceptical of gas prices, thinking that the companies are ripping off drivers. I had thought that there was gas price fixing, but until now there was no proof. The companies involved in this have pleaded guilty of price fixing in the areas of Kingston and Brockville, so there is no proof as to it happening where I live.

Personally, I think that the gas prices are criminal! I am certain that the prices consumers pay for their gasoline is not what it actually costs. But, the companies can get away with the prices because it goes with the concept of "supply and demand." So unfortunately people are stuck paying those prices.

Nonetheless, these three gasoline companies have pleaded guilty to price fixing in the areas of Kingston and Brockville in Ontario and they have received their fines. From Fame to Shame, these companies have been been price fixing the gas to get even more money out of your bank! Does this mean that we shouldn't buy gas from those companies? Is it that big of a deal? I don't have those answers; it's up to you to decide.

http://wpmedia.business.financialpost.com/2012/03/gasprice_4np.jpg?w=620
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/03447.html

Bieber Gone Bananas

Justin Bieber, we all know him. We know his sad back story and how, despite his past, he is now a successful pop artist. Dude, cool story and props on being rich now, but do you really have to act like that?

I truly can't even remember the first global controversy over his actions, but that's only because he's done so many inappropriate things since being famous. Some sources who know of him from Stratford have said that he was a troubled kid, but in the beginning of his career it seemed like those rumors were all lies. Now that Justin's comfortable in his position he is letting his status slide from being pristine to now WOW! Where did that come from?

Like I said before about people questioning his past/childhood I do believe those rumors to be true, mostly, but I'm not here to talk about what was going on before people in France knew his name. I'm talking about since his first YouTube video. In my opinion, Justin has gone downhill! He has supposedly spit on his fans, but even though the "spitting on fans" was denied by his rep he has still had problems with public decency. Ummm hello? Spitting, peeing in public, mooning the paparazzi, groping a girl in public, traffic violations? Not to mention the drug scandal, with the pictures leaked! Justin Bieber is kinda ruining his title.

Just a side note of my own extreme opinion, I am not a fan of his style. You know what I'm talking about. How he wears his pants all the way under his butt. I understand how that may be attractive to some people,  but to me it's off-putting, and that kind of "stripping" should be left in the clubs or the bedroom. Just saying.

But seriously, he has had so many problems recently. Check out this site for a list of weird things he's done this year so far: http://okmagazine.com/get-scoop/a-list-of-the-13-unfortunate-things-justin-bieber-has-done-in-2013/

Going with the same idea of my last post about being a positive role model for the fans (who are children - teens), Justin has definitely not been a good role model for anyone. I believe that people in showbiz think they can get away with doing anything they want because they have the money and the status, so they think they are invincible. Newsflash! Life isn't like that! Take a look at Amanda Bynes, or Lindsay Lohan.

Anyways, Justin has gone from hunk to drunk and smoking skunk! From Fame to Shame, Justin Bieber has been this amazing role model and inspired people like Cody Simpson to try and start a singing career using YouTube to now being someone that you want to avoid at all costs. Good Luck Justin! You're gonna need it.

Justin Bieber yelling and threatening paparazzi

Picture: http://hollywoodhighlights.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/bieber-tantrum-08mar13-01.jpg
Spitting in public: http://perezhilton.com/2013-07-30-justin-bieber-didnt-spit-on-fans

Jamie With A Baby

Wow, how time flies! I remember when Zoey 101 was on air and it was as popular back then as Glee is now. It starred a young teenager and her friends that are going through everyday high school problems. Unfortunately a real-life high school problem that was not as prevalent as it is now was brought to reality, teen pregnancy, but not directly from the show.

Jamie Lynn Spears was a popular actress with a promising career with an even more famous sister, Britney Spears. Now, Britney has had her fair share of problems that have been emphasized in the public eye but some people may not remember when Jamie got pregnant at 16. Jamie Lynn had gotten pregnant at a very young age and due to this her career died.

There was definitely many opinions about her pregnancy, most being negative. I completely understand the comments that were criticizing Jamie because it seemed like she was condoning teen pregnancy, which is not what a role model for young children should be portrayed as. Although I am more negative about that situation I do understand and respect her own opinion. She was trying to live her life and make the choices she wants and just be a kid. She acknowledges that she made a mistake, yet this was something that couldn't be undone.

Jamie Lynn Spears became a mother in 2007 at the age of 16. Many people said that she was glamorizing teen pregnancy/teen moms. I truly believe that being pregnant at 16 and having a negative effect on kids was not on her "to do list." She does care for her daughter very much and is trying to be the best mom ever, like other mothers out there. They all try to provide the best life for their child/ren and love them to pieces, so the only thing that makes a difference in this situation is the age.

I do agree with most people that it was not the most conscientious idea in the world, but what's done is done and all that matters is that little Maddie is having a good upbringing. A not-so-critical article this time, but nonetheless from Fame to Shame Jamie Lynn Spears has gone from teen star to teen mom.

Jamie Lynn Spears during Zoey 101

http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/Jamie-Lynn-Spears-opens-up-about-being-16-and-pregnant/8529564
http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/9400000/zoey-zoey-101-9461695-1024-768.jpg

This Chocolate Ain't So Sweet

Who doesn't like chocolate? That's right, no one. Chocolate is amazing (so I say). It's great for a quick pick-me-up, or a burst of energy, or to release some of that make-me-feel-good energy stuff. Right? So when you're searching the grocery store or corner store, or anywhere you look to buy chocolate bars you aim to find the best price. Turns out, all the prices for the major chocolate brands have been tweaked a bit by the companies so that there is no difference in the prices.

Nestle and Mars have been accused of price fixing their chocolate. What does that mean? It means that there was an agreement between companies (Nestle and Mars) to sell a product at a fixed price to maintain the market conditions. If the companies are convicted they can be facing millions of dollars in fines and possibly jail time to the individuals. These companies and the individuals in charge of the companies are being accused of conspiracy under the Competition Act.

The bureau states that they found out about the alleged scheme through their immunity program, which states that the first party to disclose the offence or to provide evidence can have immunity, if they fully co-operate. In this case it was Hershey Canada who was the rat. Hershey later said in a statement that they regret its involvement in the incident and that it was not 'keeping with The Hershey Company's principles, global business practices and high ethical standards.'

OK, so they apologized. But the fact is they still participated in it! The only reason they aren't being prosecuted or having charges against them is because they ratted out the other companies involved. Just because they told the bureau about this doesn't mean that they didn't do anything wrong. What I question is why they don't have any consequences at all, because they participated in the exact same activities as Nestle and Mars.

The Competition Act's conspiracy could mean a fine of $25 million as well as possibly imprisonment of up to 14 years. That's a big fine! Why didn't the companies realize that they were going to get caught at some point?

The bureau is investigating more and new laws have been put in place including tougher sentences. So this topic is not being taken lightly. Good.

Canadian chocolate lovers have definitely overpaid for their comfort food. What do you think is an adequate punishment for the companies for cheating their customers? From Fame to Shame Hershey, Nestle and Mars have made their chocolate bitter because of their allegations. They have gone from a company that seeing a sale price makes you think you are getting a deal, but really you're still being scammed.

http://tanyaraz.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/broken-chocolate-heart.jpg
http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/nestle-mars-accused-of-fixing-canadian-chocolate-prices-1.1313984

Lance The Liar

Do you remember Lance Armstrong? He won many titles and competitions for cycling. Then when he conquered cancer he was even more if a hero when he won the Tour de France multiple times after the devastation of his illness. There were then suspicions that he was using performance enhancing drugs.

Now, young people today probably have no idea who "this Lance dude is" but older people and cycling fanatics will know exactly who he is. Just some quick history of Lance: he was a seven time Tour de France winner. The Tour de France is a long, excruciating cycling race (obviously through France). He also won a bronze medal during the 2000 Olympics, but he was stripped of it after he confessed to doping during his career.

After being declared cancer-free in December 1996 he planned and started his own foundation in 1997. The Lance Armstrong Foundation was created to benefit cancer research and patients. He became an idol for people whether they had cancer or not.

In 2012 a new investigation into new doping charges against Lance. After the allegations of him using performance enhancing drugs he resigned from his position in the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and later the committee changed the name of the foundation to LIVESTRONG. From all the allegations Lance's life went downhill.

 On January 17 2013 Lance had an interview with Oprah Winfrey where he admitted to using banned performance enhancing drugs during his career. He has been in hot water for years, but that may have finally stopped September 12 2013 when he tweeted that he returned his Olympic bronze medal from Sydney 2000. From Fame to Shame, Lance Armstrong went from being a hero to now being a zero. He has ruined his reputation of his professional and personal life. What I wonder is how he was able to keep his doping from showing up in tests?

Lance Armstrong

http://www.kitchenerpost.ca/news/armstrong-scandal-shouldnt-effect-charity-record-says-fundraiser/
http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/02/lance-armstrong-returns-olympic-medal-ioc-international-olympic-committee/
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/17/us/lance-armstrong-fast-facts/index.html

Is Pamela Conservative With Her Spending?

Another scandal in the Canadian Government was with Conservative Senator Pamela Wallin. She wrongly claimed funds under business expenses meaning that the citizen's tax dollars went towards paying for her extravagant luxuries.

Pamela has had a very public lifestyle, meaning that she has been working with television and broadcasting for most of her life until she chose to become a Senate. Her journalism career started with a CBC news division, and from there she became more popular. She also worked with the Toronto Star for a bit and then she moved to being a co host on Canada AM. She then started her own production company where she was very successful in her television series. She also was the host of Canada's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and wrote a few books. The main reason for including those details was to show that she has a plethora of experience in the public view.


The expenses that she said was for business included over $20,000 associated with speeches, dinners and business meetings with unidentified individuals. How can someone have a bill of $20,978 from speeches, dinners and meetings? That's a heck of a lot of extravagances.

There are many figures associated with the amount that she has to pay back but overall, she was asked to repay $138,969 including the $38,369 that she has already paid. These expenses mostly came for upgrading of what is normally provided.

She will not admit that she purposely did anything wrong, but she has stated, "When I submitted expense claims, I did so in good faith, honestly believing that the reimbursement was appropriate."
In my opinion she has been in the eye of the public for decades now and with her position in Parliament she should know what is appropriate and what is not. From Fame to Shame, Pamela Wallin has destroyed her reputation. Do you think she is responsible for repaying the lavish expenses?

Pamela Wallin

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/09/13/senate_expenses_scandal_pamela_wallin_repays_100600.html
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/08/21/sen_pamela_wallin_asked_to_repay_additional_17621_in_travel_expenses.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamela_Wallin
Photo from Google