Book Review: Kardashian Konfidential

I take advantage of the library. I thank the library so much for having this book: "Kardashian Konfidential," because that is the only way that I would ever have read it. It is not because I dislike the Kardashians--I do not know them personally, but their portrayal on television is, in my opinion, deplorable. Nothing appears to be off limits.

I cannot understand how one exploits himself in order to achieve fame and fortune. I think of Emerson's saying, "My life is for itself and not for a spectacle." Granted, we are not seeing who they really are on television, but why would one not display their best image in the media? They look good--superficially, and maybe that is the public obsession with the family but I found the most redeeming quality in the Kardashians to be their unseen values and morals that were taught to them by their father Rob Kardashian, who is deceased. 


The late Rob Kardashian is mostly known for being O.J. Simpson's defense attorney, but I wish that he would have written a book on parenting and through the book: "Kardashian Konfidential," the reader has insight into what a good father he was to the very business savvy Kardashian women.

Rob Kardashian taught the girls the importance of being philanthropic and having a strong work ethic. Being that he was a lawyer, he would write up contracts for them to sign if they were to borrow money and drive responsibly. He had them earn their belongings and gave them the ultimatum of either continuing their education or working.

I think it is worth a read simply for that reason: Rob Kardashian. The remainder of the book reads like an endless advertisement. They name drop to the point where it is obvious that they are receiving money in exchange for publicity. However, the best thing about an autobiography is that it cannot be wrong. The book is written as they speak and regardless of what anyone says or thinks about them, they have won at the game of capitalism. Kim is capitalizing off her wedding tomorrow and that adds to the fairy tale lives they told of in their book.      

Perry's 'Black Cloud'

What a racist statement! Perry was obviously speaking about Obama with that metaphor but I am more interested in hearing how he plans to change the weather. He is a prophet, after all. I want to his sunny days ahead plan because it is far too easy to mudsling and much harder to offer solutions. I think the entire Tea Party is strange for thinking it is a good idea to place themselves in the 18th century. If they want to travel back in time and regress so badly, they should focus on building a time machine to take them back to the time when slaves had both parents, women were submissive to men and Puritans would preach 16 hours a day. Bon voyage!

That being said, racism is very trendy. I would argue that Abercrombie and Fitch's statement adds credibility to them being racist. It is blatant discrimination against the cast. I do not agree with some of what they do on television and it is disturbing how misogynistic some of their viewpoints are but capitalism allows them to purchase that brand and America allows them the freedom to wear it on television. The Jersey Shore cast has the right to be tan and wear Abercrombie. Insert bad humor in that former statement but I seriously do think that the brand is racist and I think that the models in the ads are the only ones who should wear their clothing. In all honesty, the overpriced brands are manufactured in China and therefore, one is better off wearing the generic brand made in the same factory.

Speaking of labor, what ever happened to the movement to end child labor? Have the corporations strengthened to the extent that we no longer question if our shoes and other imports are fair trade? There are so many ways that we can help each other. I hope that we all give everything our best. Profit ssometimes costs lives. We must question everything. I have been reading "Happy at Last: The Thinking Person's Guide to Finding Joy," by Richard O'Connor and he mentions that Buddhism doesn't have a word for sin, but it has a word for ignorance. I don't try to proselytize but that statement is very powerful to what is being exploited by the Tea Party. 

Negative Publicity

Welcome to the culture of negativity. If you do not believe me, I can make reference to reality television and so-called "celebrities" such as any "star" famous for sexual acts on tape and those who are rewarded for televised debauchery.

Congratualtions to Abercrombie and Fitch for their latest marketing scheme. It is probably complex for some to understand, but their public relations team has been working overtime in order to drop their name in the media, associate their brand with the most popular reality show on t.v.: The Jersey Shore and disguise that they are, in my theory, paying Mike "The Situation" and the other cast members to wear their clothes. I am speculating that they are trying to create negative press in order to garner attention to the brand.

Here is the short story: Abercrombie and Fitch stated that they would pay Mike and the other cast members of The Jersey Shore not-- and not is the operative word here-- to wear their brand. If I were Mike or the other cast members, I would sue Abercrombie for slander and tell them not to mention my name and try to ride on my coattail for attention and fame. Sorry about the idiomatic expression, I truly hate them but abuse them in my poor writing.

Basically, I think it is good PR on Abercrombie's part and that Mike and the cast are endorsing the brand. The luxury brand of champagne was interviewed and said it did not appreciate that rappers were including its name in their songs and they did not feel privileged to have any mention from people such as Jay Z, P. Diddy--or one of his other fifty names, et. cetera. Rappers have since boycotted the brand and have began having their own alcoholic brands or endorsing those who include them in commercials. Some of these artists are paid to mention the brand and the famous brand names are dropped in the song.

I would have never noticed that Mike or anyone else was wearing Abercrombie but they can pay me to not wear it, too. Actually I have never worn the brand and plan on never wearing it in the furture. Abercrombie has been cited as being racist: having the people of color work in the stockroom and other parts of the store where they aren't visible to customers. I am a consumer with a conscience and I find that more offensive than having a guy who resembles the models in one of their ads (the abs mostly) purchasing and wearing their clothing.

Two tragic stories that I would like to share. I saw these on GMA and Today, I believe. A girl wanted donations instead of presents for her birthday in order to help those in Africa without water. She received donations and her charity extended to her next birthday. She was killed in a car accident but the donations continued to come in after people heard her story and she has now contributed over a million to her charitable cause. The angel is gone too soon but left a beautiful legacy. If I ever have a kid, I hope that she will be like that young girl.

The last story is about a San Diego police officer that was fatally shot but minutes before had paid for a child's lunch and his last act of charity was recorded on the fast food restaurant's camera. May they both rest in peace. They remind me of how life should be.  

Tea "Party"

Certain times I feel extremely smart: when I was in attendance at my school--a small feat considering that I was the only person in the class that was not a pot head and took my studies seriously, and anytime that I turn on the television and see or hear something that the Tea "Party" advocates.

Seriously, America, we cannot allow anyone with such a simplistic ideology to run the country. George W. Bush was somewhat charismatic--or at least he was easy to tease, but these people are downright scary. A prophet? Really. Sounds worse than tin foil hat people to me. 72-hour hold would be more apropos than a run for the presidency.

I was watching the news--as usual--and a heckler approached President Obama. I didn't hear what she said, but she appeared very angry and I could tell that she was yelling. I know--without hearing a word--that she was weak-minded. People that yell--in my opinion--are not saying anything important, they are simply reiterating what has already been said in a higher volume. Those who yell are too immature to notice that yelling is ineffective.

In an election, make suggestions. Do not yell at the President or the candidates, offer what you believe will solve the problem. It is easy to yell and it is far harder to resolve the domestic and international issues involving the country.  

Save the Middle Class

I can only speculate upon issues that plague us: humanity, domestically and internationally. I have come across others who seem indifferent and are apathetic to such salient issues that are being debated by the candidates who will possibly hold the title of President of the U.S. in 2012. One thing remains certain to me and that is war is inhumane and diplomacy is what leaders of every country must strive for.

My condolences to anyone who has lost someone in such calamities. The news reports from Afghanistan are disheartening. I have a friend serving in that country and his communication sounds very dismal. Even those who are pro-peace must take into consideration that the military members have to do their job and a lot disagree with what is being done but cannot speak out against it. They will be reprimanded if they speak out against what they are doing. This culture of silence is a possible reason for mental illness and other issues that troops are facing during deployment and on their return home. It is a sad situation for everyone and I do not voice that opinion to downplay the civilians' struggles and casualties. I would help everyone if I had the means to do so.  

Unline Mitt Romney, who believes that unemployment benefits should be privatized. I was watching Democracy Now this morning (they do an excellent job of updating their website www.democracynow.org with videos and transcripts) and Mitt Romney suggested that genius idea. I nearly chocked on my coffee. It is so easy to stigmatized those less fortunate in this economy and his suggestion was not job creation, rather privatization of unemployment benefits. America, we need a President that will create jobs. If the Middle Class continues diminishing, we will have the total collapse of the so-called "American Dream".

"Save the Middle Class" is one of my slogans for the 2012 Presidential Election. We cannot allow any candidate to bypass the issues without offering a solution by diverting our attention to the problems. The problems must be solved starting at the root.

Has America chosen retrogression over progression?

Michele Bachman is proof of American ignorance. I cannot explain how idiotic her viewpoints are and she continues to gain popularity. Her views about homosexuals is truly disheartening, her ignorance about slavery is embarrassing, and her most recent comment about being submissive to her husband in order to be a good Christian is irrational.

Homosexuals are equals. I have said it before and I will reiterate it: we all know someone who is gay but some have not come out yet. It is sad that someone cannot live in a society where they can reveal their true self. I cannot fathom the mental struggles that closeted homosexuals have and I don't understand why Bachman or any other politician can debate such a complex issue that they are obviously completely ignorant of. The homosexual movement cannot be reduced solely to one's sexual orientation. Homosexuals have faced institutionalized and systematic discrimination. I am a heterosexual and I am waiting for the first homosexual president. A homosexual candidate is the only person who would have the authority to speak on the issue.

Slavery--according to Michele Bachman--was great for families because it maintained the two parent household. Her ignorance overlooked the fact that the child was born into slavery, the parents did not have the rights to marry and that slaves did not even have the right to their own name. Slavery is inhumane and for Bachman to insinuate that there was anything positive about living as a piece of property merits a mental evaluation and a history lesson. African-Americans were legally second-class citizens until the passing of the 15th Amendment in 1965. Slavery was race based in the U.S. Racism is systematic and institutionalized. She is clearly someone who has benefited from racism--having the privilege to perpetuate such ignorance and have the mindless follow her blindly.

African-Americans would chose to live in 2011 versus 1860 and women prefer our equal status. I don't understand why the so-called pious Christian women believe that submission will bring them closer to God. If a Wahabi Muslim woman is submissive, it is considered oppression. If an Asian woman is submissive, it is considered oppressive, too. I, too, would rationalize that her husband would be running the presidency if she had to kowtow every time there was a conflict of opinions. Who are these Americans supporting her? Bachman as president will place us in the same year as The Crusades and I used to think Sarah Palin was a bad candidate.

Is Flying Worth it?

As a military brat and a third culture kid, I have had a passport and flown since the age of five. However, I now feel as though I have to sublimate my convictions and abdicate my rights in order to fly. First of all, TSA has the right to see my private parts with their high tech x-ray machine; secondly, one cannot express anger in an airport or on an airplane and finally, if one tries to file a formal complaint, it is impossible to reach a human on the phone. Airfare rates continue to rise, but it is no longer worth the price. Flying, which I was once so familiar with, is now truly a luxury.

TSA could possibly be the envy of teenage boys everywhere. They use the most invasive technology in order to x-ray our bodies in the most anatomically correct way possible. It seems like a pervert machine. Our only escape: opt for the pat down. The pat down is simply a lesser evil because some TSA employees seem to touch and not pat. It is degrading and disgusting.

Anger should be expressed. The retention of anger is dangerous but one has no right to be angry in the airport and airport and airline employees take full advantage of this. I recently was ignored by an airport employee and when I got her attention, she rudely ripped the luggage tag from my bag and retained it in order to know my name. I have a rare name and she had no right to touch and seize my personal property. It is my fourth amendment right to maintain my privacy and this woman's name was listed on her employee badge.

I tried to file a formal complaint with the airline, but I was unable to reach a human! The stress and frustration of flying is not worth it, in my opinion. My only suggestion is boat or drive.