Tuesday on Today 8/28

Going It Alone: Single Mothers Today. This was mostly about moms who choose to be single mothers as well as moms and dads raising children together but remaining unmarried. I guess the main emphasis was on moms choosing to remain single with or without the dad being involved. There really wasn't much news here. Sally Tusa from Baby Talk Magazine said that half of single moms are involved with the fathers of their children. Michele Borba, parenting expert, says that 80% of moms think children need two parents. The bottom line is happy parents make happy kids. And there are four things every kid needs: to feel safe, to be accepted, to be loved and clear expectations. I think she forgot some like food, clothing and shelter. Anyway, dads do matter. All kids need a positive male influence even if dad doesn't live with them.

Miss Teen South Carolina, Lauren Caitlin Upton, showed why beauty contests are an insult to all females. This girl makes the entire human race look bad. I'm sure you've all seen the video by now of Miss Teen South Carolina babbling incoherently about the "US Americans," as if there are any other kind, "the Iraq" and South Africa when asked why 1/5 of Americans can't locate America on a map. The answer to that is they probably have IQ levels around the same as this dummy trying to answer the question. The Today show didn't even have the guts to show the video again. Too bad because it was much more entertaining than listening to her trying to defend herself. She said she was shocked by the question. Yeah, that's a real tough one. They gave her a chance to answer the question after she'd been coached and memorized her answer. Who cares about that? You look stupid on TV you shouldn't get a chance to answer the question after you've already bungled it. Who does she think she is? George W. Bush?

Today's Style featured Must-Haves For Fall. Galina Espinoza from People Magazine told everyone what they need to buy such as Fuscia shoes or bags and Luxe Jewels. You need one bold statement to go with your more subtle pieces. She also showed some Oxfords for women, full blouses and belted dresses. You can see those and the rest in the fall issue of Style Watch.

Next up was another installation in a continuing segment called Vacations From Hell with Today's travel editor, Peter Greenberg. Today's story was about a whole family who got sick on the way to Mexico and instead of turning around and going home, they spent the entire vacation in their hotel room sick. If you're going to be sick, wouldn't it be better to be at home? Not to mention they all got on the plane and barfed into their bags, spreading germs to fellow passengers. I wonder how many other families' vacations were ruined because of their selfishness. Peter Greenberg had some suggestions for a worry-free vacation such as learn the refund policy. That's a pretty important one. Consider extra insurance, especially abroad and bring emergency medications (like Pepto-Bismol?).

Lucky and Flo are DVD Dogs who find illegally pirated DVDs. To Catch A Thief (original title) was the name of this brief show of these trained dogs' talents. According to Dan Glickman, President and CEO of the MPAA, pirating costs the industry around 18 billion. These adorable black labs proved there's nothing dogs can't sniff out once they know what they're looking for. Or should I say sniffing for? Dogs are always trying to please humans. We should be grateful for their love and help. Michael Vick and anyone involved with dog fighting should be forced into a fight to the death with Mike Tyson for being so cruel and heartless toward man's best friend. Yes, I am a dog lover, as if you didn't know already. You can see pictures of my bulldog and Boston terrier at http://cafepress.com/karmicbulldog.

And that's a wrap. Till tomorrow.