Alabama

During a few recent and very news worthy events, I was watching CNN to try to get some solid information on a few stories.  What I saw was a screen where the reporters kept quoting twitter and facebook entries and using these notes as news.  I was not impressed. I’m sorry, folks, but that to me is lazy reporting.

In the past week or so, there have been a few news stories which I’ve bookmarked because they simply made me shake my head and think, “This is why I do not live in the U.S.”  I’m not saying that Vietnam is better or perfect or whatever, just pointing out that there are many ridiculous things which happen in the U.S., too.  Land of the free?  Sure, so long as you don’t tweet.  And God forbid you offend anyone with a nude nymph.  Since when did Americans become so easily offended?  It’s a stupid wine label!!!

While it is always good to be on alert and be aware, the whole big bad world is not out to get you and there is no danger lurking around every corner. I hate travel stories like the one on the front page of MSN the other day.  That does nothing to boost travel & tourism.

Anywhoo… just have a look at these stories and tell me what you think.  I’m sure there are many more out there to make my head keep shaking, and I am quite certain you would find plenty of head-shaking material in Vietnam.  So we are even….

Woman sued over tweet about mold

An apartment management company is seeking $50,000 in damages in one of the first libel lawsuits involving the social-networking site Twitter.

Posted by Mai Ling at MSN Real Estate on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 11:35 AM

Be careful what you tweet about.

A Chicago woman is being sued by her apartment management company, accused of writing a Twitter post that “maliciously and wrongfully” criticized her apartment and the management company.  <read more>

Wine ban in Alabama could mean big bucks for vintner

The label with a nude nymph offends the state’s liquor control board.

Posted by Elizabeth Strott on Friday, July 31, 2009 8:09 AM

A ban can mean big business. At least, that’s what Bill Leigon, president of Hahn Family Wines in Soledad, Calif., is hoping.

The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board recently told stores and restaurants to stop serving Cycles Gladiator wine because of the label, which features a naked nymph, The Associated Press reported late Thursday. <read more>

The World’s Worst Travel Scams

There’s no shortage of thieves out there, both at home and abroad, cooking up ways to get their hands on your money. Here are some of their favorite travel scams. <read more>

On the Bright Side,

Shanna