Ellen DeGeneres

"DeGeneres is the bravest and most honest female comedian I have ever seen work because she publicly announced she's gay. That revelation could have ended her career, as she had to be aware, but she also knew she had to be honest"
-Bob Newhart, in his column in Time Magazine on Ellen DeGeneres

On the May 16, 2008 airing of The Ellen Show, star Ellen DeGeneres announced that she and her girlfriend Portia de Rossi. The audience stood up and cheered, their joy matched by those watching at home. Such a response to Ellen's homosexuality was not always so great. In 1998 her first television show "Ellen" was canceled, only several episodes after Ellen's "coming out" episode. It had been a long road to this point in her life; she had an amazing girlfriend who she loved, a hugely successful talk show, and she was one of the world's most well-known lesbian Americans.

Born in January 1958 to Elliot DeGeneres and Elizabeth Pfeffer. As a chi.ld she dreamed of becoming a Veterinarian but did not pursue it because she was "not book-smart." As a young teenager Ellen's parents separated and divorced, which led Ellen and her mother moving to Atlanta, Texas with her new stepfather, Roy Gruessendorf. She graduated from Atlanta High School in 1976. Following graduation DeGeneres moved back to Louisiana to pursue a degree in communications at the University of Louisiana. After a brief time there, Ellen decided to leave school to join the workforce where she held a number of jobs including being a waitress, a legal secretary, a house-painter and a bartender. She soon discovered that she did not want to "answer to a boss". She found herself a budding career as a stand up comedian in 1981 after using humor to get through a public speaking event.

Ellen DeGeneres is also well-known for her mid-1990s sitcom Ellen. The show ran from 1994 to 1998 and was a huge hit, even being compared to the legendary "Seinfeld". Ellen disagreed with the comparison saying: "On his show, Jerry is the more or less normal one and there are all these colorful characters around him. On my show, I'm the one who always trips." In 1997 Ellen was met with both praise and critcism when Ellen's character came out as a lesbian to her therapist. Ellen, herself, had previously come out both on the Oprah Winfrey Show and on the cover of Time magazine where she proudly declared "Yep, I'm Gay."

Ellen's declaration was a bold one. The gay community welcomed her with open arms, as did many American households. But not everyone was impressed with Degeneres' coming out; Birmingham, Alabama refused to air the groundbreaking episode and sponsors of the television show, such as Daimler Chrysler withdrew advertisements, fearing criticism. Ellen was cancelled shortly after the episode premiered, despite being nominated for an Emmy award.

After the cancellation Ellen appeared in EdTV starring Matthew McConaughey as well the a television production of "If These Walls Could Talk 2" where she shared a love scene with Sharon Stone. But in 2003 Ellen got her big comeback roles playing the voice of Dory in the hit "Finding Nemo as well as starring on her own talk show. She has since hosted the Daytime Emmys twice and and the Academy Awards.

Ellen has had well publicized romances with several women. After the "coming out" episode of Ellen DeGeneres announced she was dating actress Anne Heche. The couple split in 2000. Ellen was quoted by Advocate Magazine saying "I felt like I would never live again. But you do." Heche went on to marry cameraman Coley Laffoon. In 2001 Ellen dated Alexandra Hedison. Their relationship ended in late 2004. Shortly after, Ellen began dating Portia de Rossi, with whom she is currently engaged.

Ellen DeGeneres has become a hugely sucessful comedian and actress as well as a spokesperson for the gay community. She has had ups and downs in her career but has persevered and continues to be one of the best known lesbians in television history. Despite some criticism from naysayers there is no doubt that her career is far from over.

Sources:
Biography
Wikipedia
About.com

Derek & Jim Redmond

We've all seen the Visa commercials where Morgan Freeman summarizes incredible feats at the Olympics. One that really stands out is the one with Derek Redmond, a British runner whose hamstring gave out during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. In honor of the beginning of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, I bring you the story of Derek Redmond and his father, Jim.

"Derek's father Jim had accompanied him to Barcelona, just as he did for all world competitions. They were as close as a father and son could be. Inseparable, really. The best of friends. When Derek ran, it was as if his father were running right next to him."
-Rick Weinberg, ESPN.com report on the 1992 Barcelona Olympics

Derek Redmond did not win a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. In fact, he holds the record for the slowest 400 meter in Olympic history. Yet Derek is more well known for that fateful day than the gold medalist.

At age 26, Derek Redmond had already broken two British 400m records and was preparing himself for the 1992 Summer Olympics, which would be taking place in Barcelona, Spain. A year prior, Derek had been a part of the British team that beat the favored American team in the 4x400m relay at the World Championships. In 1988, he withdrew from the Olympic races in Seoul, Korea only ninety seconds before his first heat was about to begin due to hamstring problems. This time, he wanted to walk away with a medal, he wanted to show the world what he was capable of.

On the day of the 400m, Derek's father Jim found his way to his seat in the stadium among 65,000 other fans. He prays that today will go flawlessly; no more injuries, no
more set backs.

The race begins and Derek Redmond quickly lurches ahead of the other competitors. He knows he can make it to the finals. He had won his first two heats, all he needed to do was make it through the semi-finals. With only 175 meters left, he hears a pops. Derek's right hamstring had torn. In a later interview Derek recalls thinking that he had been shot. He slows himself down and kneels for a few brief seconds.

Up in the stands, Jim Redmond freezes in fear. Instinctively, he understands what has happened and begins to push his way down to the track.

Medical personnel arrive to help Derek off of the track with a stretcher. Redmond pushes them away and decides to finish his 400 meter race. Slowly, he rises and hops his way toward the finish line, where the rest of the runners have already finished. Later in an interview Derek tells the reporter: "Everything I had worked for was finished. I hated everybody. I hated the world. I hated hamstrings. I hated it all. I felt so bitter that I was injured again. I told myself I had to finish. I kept hopping round. Then, with 100 meter to go, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was my old man."

Jim had pushed his way from the back of the stadium to help his son off the field. Security tried to stop Jim, but he brushed them off, running to Derek's aid. Derek told his father that he was going to finish, no matter what. Without arguing Jim supported his son, both mentally and physically, as the two finished the last 100 meters. Jim let Derek cross the finish line himself, but afterward rejoined him in a tearful embrace.

65,000 fans cheered and cried with them that day, along with countless others watching from home. That race will forever be in the memories of thousands, not for who won or who lost, but for the amazing courage and spirits of Derek and Jim Redmond.

You can view the YouTube video of Derek's race here.

Sources
ESPN
The New York Times
The Guardian

Jeanne Assam

“I have friends who are Army Rangers calling me, saying what she did is not easy to do, even for trained people. I just know that she’s a hero."
-Matt Swenson, first cousin to Jeanne Assam

In December 2007 gunshots rang out from the New Life Church Parking lot in Colorado Springs. Over one-hundred members of the church were enjoying their Sunday service when Matthew Murray entered the church with a mission. Murray entered from the parking lot where he had just executed two teenage girls. He had a vendetta against the church after being kicked out of a Youth With A Mission program and had previously shot and killed two people in Arvada, Colorado who were involved with the program.

Jeanne Assam was working as a security guard at the church that fateful day. She had been trained to use a handgun and owned a permit to carry a concealed weapon. She noticed the crowd of people who were congregating in the hallway had suddenly disappeared. When she entered the hallway she saw Murray, who was prepared to do a lot a damage to the church and it's members. Jeanne immediately held her ground and when Murray began shooting she halted his attacks. Shortly after being hit several times Murray took his own life.

Jeanne was one of the seven children of Fred and Kay Assam. Jeanne did not grow up in a religious household, but after her mother became active in the Christian community later in her life, Jeanne took to the religion. She grew more passionate toward the religion and the community in Colorado Springs, where she chose to make her home. She applied for a job at the New Life church where she worked in the call center selling CDs, videos and books. She soon volunteered as a security guard.

Ten years before the New Life shooting, Jeanne had worked for the Minneapolis police force but was fired for cursing at a bus driver and lying about it. No hard feelings from her former co-workers; Sergeant Jesse Garchttp://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/14817480/detail.htmlia remembered her fondly. "She has all the skill; she has the desire to serve people and protect. She's trying to figure out if the right way for her to serve is working with the ministry or if the best way is by being a police officer."

Jeanne believes that God helped keep her safe that day and protected her from Murray's violent behavior. She has become a local hero and has also been recognized on a national level.

Sources:
The Denver Post
The Denver Channel

Timothy Treadwell (1957-2003)

"In a filmed scene of Timothy singing to a mother bear, flat on her back, with two cubs nursing on top of her, you imagined for a moment that she too enjoyed the song of gentleness. And you had no doubt that you were hearing a 'bear whisperer.'"
-Louisa Wilcox, close friend of Timothy Treadwell

Timothy Treadwell is best-known as a man who lived among bears. "Grizzly Man" as the documentary of his life claims. Many assumed him mentally insane, others saw him simply as strange. A controversial character, Timothy is rarely remembered for what he lived for, for what he died for; the safety and education of brown bears in Alaska.

For thirteen summers, Tim traveled to Katmai National Park in Alaska where he lived among the grizzlies. He called this place the "Grizzly Maze". He studied the bears intensely, often getting dangerously close to them. He gave each bear he met a unique name and often personified them. During these summer months, he would film himself with the bears, and has captured some of the best footage of grizzlies ever filmed. Timothy Treadwell never carried a firearm on him, never wanting to harm a bear even in the worst situation.

It is a common misconception that Timothy did not understand the danger he put himself in while living among the bears. He was not friends with all bears. He became wary of a bear he called "Demon", and was quoted saying "someone could die out here". He was very aware of his situation and despite not having a formal degree, Timothy had a vast knowledge of grizzlies. He understood that bears rarely attack, but they do, in fact attack, and when they do it is most often fatal. But his bond with the bears, he felt, was worth the risk.

A troubled young man, Timothy found peace and sobriety through nature and bears. He replaced his love of alcohol and drugs with a love of grizzlies and conserving their land. Timothy protected his bears and became territorial of them. In one scene in the movie "Grizzly Man", a documentary of Treadwell's life, Tim filmed visitors of the park throwing rocks at the bears. This angers Timothy bringing him close to tears. Although this may seem odd to many, his passion for protecting his beloved bears is admirable. He was able to recover from his drug problems simply by knowing that he could not be with the bears in an intoxicated state.

Timothy was so passionate about his work with the bears that he left his old life behind and dedicated himself to educating others. He often gave lectures to children in local schools, free of charge. His close friends describe him as one of the most poverty-ridden men they knew. He gave up his life, in more than one sense, for these grizzly bears.

"I will die for these animals. I will die for these animals. I will die for these animals."

Unfortunately, on October 5-6, 2003 Timothy and his girlfriend Amie were mauled to death on their last night in the Grizzly Maze. The only footage of the attack is an audio tape from Tim's camera; the lens cap left on. Due to the video being only audio, there are only speculations as to exactly what had happened that unfortunate night. Many guess that the vicious attack was brought on by a ravaged bear, desperate for food. Jewel Palovak, Timothy's best friend and a former girlfriend, owns most of Timothy's possessions, including the audio tape of his death. She has not made the tape public nor has she listened to it herself. No plans have been made to ever release the tape.

Although his body has left, his legacy and spirit live on in his foundation, Grizzly People, which is dedicated to protecting the bears and the land they claim.

Sources:
Katmai National Park
Grizzly People Tribute to Timothy Treadwell
Grizzly Man, 2005

American Soldiers (Past & Present)

"The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."
-Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), during his famous Gettysburg Address at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 13, 1863


On March 19, 2003 President George Bush officially announced the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since then hundreds of thousands of Americans have volunteered themselves to travel overseas to fight for the freedom of the Iraqi people from the tyranny they face. So far, there have been nearly 5,000 coalition deaths and over 30,000 soldiers wounded. Whether you agree with President Bush's choice to go to go war or not you can not argue that these people deserve respect. They are putting their lives on the line to fight for the freedom of ourselves as Americans and the freedom of others.

Although our soldiers are currently fighting in Iraq, men and women have been fighting for our freedom from centuries. the American Revolution, the Civil War, World Wars One and Two, Vietnam, Korea, the Cold War. These are just a few of the the wars we've been involved in over the past 300 years. On July 4, 1776, exactly 332 years ago, we began a free nation. We earned that freedom and we have continued to fight for it ever since. The hundreds of thousands of men and women over seas have risked their lives to uphold the principles started all those years ago by 56 men, two of which later became President of the United States.

The soldiers at Gettysburg in 1863 endured 51,000 casualties and fought to turn the civil war to favor the Union.

Paul Revere made his famous Midnight Ride in 1775 and warned the rebels that the British were headed toward Lexington and Concord.

In Trenton, New Jersey in 1776 George Washington led his troops into battle on December 25 in a surprise attack on the British. The victory was not only physical but also a moral victory as his soldiers were poorly equipped.

Although these are just a few notable battles and people, but all who have fought for our freedom deserve recognition. To all those who have fought to protect us, we salute you.

For a list of all of the men and women who have sacrificed their lives during the past five years, please go here.

Top 5 Sources:
Antiwar.com
Multied.com
USHistory.com
WhiteHouse.gov
History Place