Bin Laden Letters Bring Up Questions About Leadership

One year after the death of Osama Bin Laden, alarming letters that the terrorist wrote have been translated and released. These letters outline Bin Laden's intended goal in his plight of terror against the United States of America.

Specifically, Bin Laden had aspirations of killing the president, Barack Obama, and General David Petraeus. He had ordered for his followers to "prepare two groups--one in Pakistan and the other in the Bagram area of Afghanistan--with the mission of anticipating and spotting the visits of Obama or Petraeus to Afghanistan or Pakistan to target the aircraft of either one of them."

This sentiment is especially alarming, as President Obama made a surprise visit to Afghanistan this week to talk about foreign policy, coincidentally (or not) on the first anniversary of the Bin Laden's death. Thankfully, these assassinations plans that Bin Laden had crafted have been scrapped or were unable to be put into practice.

There could be several reasons why this plan was not fulfilled. It could be that due to Bin Laden's death, al-Qaida are not able to be as organized or powerful. Without their effective leader, getting these accomplished may be a harder task, as seemingly no one has risen to take his place as leader of the terrorist group. This could mean the group is getting weaker, which would be a good sign for the future.

However, the fact that an assassination attempt was not made could be for other reasons. It could simply be because these letters are now in the possession of the United States, al-Qaida expected that these plans would be anticipated and protected against, making it more difficult to carry out the plans. The element of surprise would have been lost, making it unwise to try an attack. Another explanation could simply be that these plans were never received by the proper people, as the United States now has these letters. If they were never sent, these plans may never had an opportunity to be put into effect.

The optimist in me, however, would like to hope that maybe al-Qaida are becoming more disorganized, which would make it easier to try to quell their terrorist tendencies. Regardless of the reasoning behind it, all Americans, whether for or against him, should be thankful and pleased that Bin Laden's plans have been thwarted and Obama has had a safe trip overseas. I know I am.

As if the letters weren't alarming enough by outlining the intention to murder two important American political and military figures, Bin Laden did not stop with this order. The letters further instruct that Joe Biden was to be spared and an attempt should not be made on his life.

While one would think this would be a little comforting or at least not as alarming as the rest of his letter, it is the reasoning behind sparing Biden that is most bothersome.

The letters asserted that "the reason for concentrating on them is that Obama is the head of infidelity and killing him automatically will make Biden take over the presidency for the remainder of the term, as it is the norm over there. Biden is totally unprepared for that post, which will lead the US into a crisis."

This sentiment is alarming because of the potential truth in this statement. Would Biden be able to effectively take over the nation if he ever, Heaven forbid, needed to? Would Americans be able to put their trust in him to protect America? Would other nations be able to trust America with him at the helm? Would Biden help or hurt America economically, domestically, and overseas?

I don't have any of these answers, and I'm not sure that anyone does. Love him or hate him, people trust and respect Obama and the job that he has done in Washington. Would Biden be able to do better, or would he cause the nation to suffer even more than it already has? One thing is certain, Joe Biden is certainly no Barack Obama.

Hopefully, we will never have to know what kind of president Biden would be. Playing the "what-if" game can be tiresome, as in the end one doesn't get anywhere. Only time can tell us the answers we are looking for, and the rest is just "what-if", nothing more.

However, these letters certainly bring up important questions that America should be asking herself. With election season upon us, and the 2012 presidential election just a few months away, this is definitely food for thought.

For more information on Bin Laden's letters, click here: Bin Laden Letters

Whitney Houston Revisited

It has been weeks since the music idol Whitney Houston passed away. Just when people are starting to get over the shock of losing such a talented voice, she is the news yet again.

The cause of death has just been announced. Unfortunately, it does not come as a surprise that the singer's death was caused by cocaine use, mixed with heart disease. The singer was ruled to have died by accidental drowning the bathtub, due to the mixture of the warm water, heart disease, cocaine, and other drugs found in her system. To learn more about the official cause of death, look here: Houston Cause of Death

It has been widely publicized that the singer had a penchant for drug use. She openly admitted in a 2007 interview with Barbara Walters that she used cocaine and other drugs regularly. However, despite knowing that the pop star had a problem with drug addiction, it does not make this story any less sad.

Houston had been clean, or attempting to get clean, in the last couple of years before her death. Clearly, she had a relapse or had given up on sobriety, as cocaine, marijuana, and prescription drugs were found in her system. This is also not surprising, as Houston was an addict, and it is extremely difficult to find any kind of addiction, especially drug addiction.

Since it common knowledge that Houston had a problem with drugs, where were the people that cared about her in this time? Why weren't people monitoring her and trying to help her? Who allowed her to go into a hot tub while high on drugs? While these people would not be responsible for the death, it is troubling why no one did more to stop this from happening.

This death is tragic, but completely unnecessary. There is no reason why she had to die. She wasn't sick and it wasn't a freak accident, like a car or airplane crash. This was totally preventable, which makes this death all the more tragic. Someone, somewhere could have stepped in, including Houston herself, to keep this from happening.

This case is just sad. Yet another talented star falls victim to addiction and loses their life for it. Why does this continue to happen? When will stars, and people in general, learn that drugs, while they may make you feel good, are dangerous and deadly? How many people will have to lose their lives to drugs before people finally wake up and learn?

Hopefully, Houston does not die in vain. Young artists should take heed of Houston's case and use it as a cautionary tale. Houston had an incredible voice, but her voice, career, and life were destroyed by the effects of drugs and alcohol. While this lifestyle surrounds the music industry and the image of sex, drugs, and rock n' roll, it doesn't have to be this way. If young artists simply say no, this stigma and atmosphere would, while not disappear, diminish, making it easier for musicians to keep their act clean.

It is disheartening that Houston had to die this way. Hopefully, a lesson will be learned from this and bring hope for future musical idols. While Houston paved the way for so many artists, maybe she can do so again with her death, by demonstrating the importance of sobriety.

Spring Break

Spring Break is hours away, and with that comes a week of freedom.There are countless ways to spend spring break, but most will probably end up engulfed in television and bed, becoming a week long couch potato. Others may be heading someplace exotic and warm, where they will relax and party like a traditional spring break portrayed in the movies.

While these options are very well and good, they tend to make going back to school much more difficult a week and a half later. If spring break is spent in full summer/vacation mode, many students find it difficult to jump right back into classes after that brief, cruel taste of freedom.

To avoid these sluggish and slothish behaviors, there are alternatives to having a successful spring break. Spring break could be rewarding, fulfilling, satisfying, and productive as well as fun. All one needs to do is put in a little effort, get out of the house, and live a little.

1. Go on a Mission Trip

While it is too late to get on one of the Mission Trips for this Spring Break, think about it for next year if you are not already going. Iona's Campus Ministry department has a sub-division entitled Iona In Mission, which is an organization which sends students on mission trips throughout the United States and abroad. This Spring Break, two teams will be going out to help make a difference, making their Spring Break productive and rewarding. The two teams this year are going to New Orleans and Bolivia.

The New Orleans team is helping with restoration projects. Even though Hurricane Katrina occurred several years ago now, there is still devastation and work that needs to be done. It seems that the country has forgotten about these people and believe that everything is completely fixed now. While things are a lot better than they were and the city has come a long way, there is still work that needs to be done and people that need to be helped. A dozen or so students are choosing to spend their spring break helping others in need and doing something that really matters. They will come back with a new perspective on life and the knowledge that they truly made a difference in their free time.

The Bolivia team is going all the way to South America to work the with people of Bolivia in an orphanage. There, the students will learn about the culture and help children in need. This is a great opportunity for cultural immersion, learning about other ways of life, and making human connections. All of us want to be loved, and this love transcends language and culture. These students will have a once in a lifetime opportunity, going half way across the world, to spread hope and a promise for a better tomorrow.

Both of these trips are rewarding, both to those being helped and the mission trip teams themselves. Doesn't that sound like a great, rewarding way to spend one's time? After hearing that students are taking their free time and putting it to good use, doesn't that make your spring break plans of watching 30 hours of DVRed television sound really lame?

For more information, visit Iona In Mission on the website: Iona in Mission

2. Take a Class

While Iona does not offer classes here over spring break, I am sure a lot of schools do offer intensive, one week courses for students who want to get ahead. This option would help students stay in school mode, making coming back a little easier. Look into local schools and community colleges in your area and see what they may be offereing.

Another option that Iona does have is the week-long Study Abroad program to Poland. Students spend a week exploring Poland and earn 3 credits for Religion at the same time. The trip is eye-opening, as they learn about concentration camps and get to tour Auschwitz. Just like the mission trips, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. One can see another part of the world, learn about the history of this country, and earn 3 credits. Sounds like a great idea, don't you think?

3. Learn a Skill

This option is similar to the one before. Many places offer one-week, spring break opportunities to learn a new skill. An example of this is bartending. There are many schools around that teach the art of bartending and mixology, and offer one week courses. This is a great skill to have, as successful bartenders can make a lot of money. One would be able to make some extra money during the school year, get a jump on summer jobs, and have a skill to fall back on after graduation if one cannot find a job in their field right away. This is just an example of a plethora of skills that could be learned over the break. One could take up cooking, knitting, mechanic work, cycling, running, an instrument, and countless others. Some of these you wouldn't even have to pay for lessons if someone you know already possess the skills. Think about how impressed friends would be when after only one week, a new skill was mastered.

4. Volunteer

While it is too late to go on a mission trip to help others, it is never to late to get involved in one's own community. Go down to the soup kitchen, get on a Habitat for Humanity build, spend some time in a nursing home, or do something else to help give back to the community and make a difference during your time off.

5. Job Hunt

Summer is only a few weeks away after the break. With a competitive job market and not a lot of openings, get a head start and look now, rather then when you get home for the summer. Working over the summer will give you something else to put on your resume, give you more experience, and help you after you graduate, not to mention put some money in your pocket

These are just a few of the many ways that you could spend your spring break in a rewarding, safe way that gives you a jump start on the future. While lying on the beach is nice, wouldn't you rather do something meaningful? If you do something rewarding now, you will feel just as good, if not better, than you would lounging on the beach. Think about it and may you have a great spring break, whatever you do with it!

Ads Going Too Far

According to social etiquette, one should refrain from talking about politics and religion. Unfortunately, this blog post will be breaking that rule.

We are in the midst of election season for the 2012 presidential elections. In just a few short months, the United States will again decide who our next president is going to be. With this election fast approaching, candidates are doing everything they can to get noticed.

It is standard practice that politicians fight dirty. Each politician uses every misstep and skeleton of their fellow candidates against them in advertisements and debates to try to persuade the public to vote him or her.

I am sure that you are familiar with this type of slander, name-calling, and childish behavior that occurs every election season. Everyone is aware of (and begrudges) those annoying advertisements where one politician climbs on their soapbox and chastises their competition. They talk about how so and so voted against this and that, which proves they would be a lesser candidate. They are also concluded with "I approve this message" spoken by the candidate.

However, despite how annoying they may be, politicians stand by this tried and true method of campaigning.

This type of campaigning, while negative and unproductive, is expected. It has become tolerated and accepted in our current political arena, despite how foolish it makes every politician who participates in this type of campaigning.

Personally, I feel that calling out the faults of others makes the candidate look weaker. Why can't politicians focus on their strengths, and show us in a positive, constructive way why they are better than their opponents? Why do they need to sink to bullying, name-calling, and negativity? But, I digress.

Negativity and name-calling seem to be accepted in politics, despite how immature and weak it makes all those who partake in it look. At times, Washington looks more like a playground run amuck with children throwing temper-tantrums rather than the hub of political activity for the United States of America.

Some childish behavior and attacks of candidates is to be expected. However, in this current election season, this type of behavior has been taken a step too far.

In the DC Metro station, there is an ad that criticizes Obama's healthcare system. The advertisement is for a documentary entitled "Sick and Sicker: When the Government Becomes Your Doctor." While there is nothing wrong with advertising, it is the way in which the message is displayed that has many people in an uproar. The entire advertisement looks like this:

Regardless of your political or religious views, telling anyone to "go to hell", especially in such a public way, is uncalled for and hitting way below the belt. This type of language, sentiment, and allusion is really crossing a line, even for the less than unprofessional nature of political debates and elections.

Why did someone feel the need to go this route? Certainly they are getting attention, but not the type of attention they should be receiving. Instead of starting a discussion on the pros and cons of Obama's healthcare, making a clear point about the opinion of this healthcare, or generating excitement about the documentary, people are now focused on the crude, uncalled for remark made to Obama.

Even if you do not like Obama and are not planning on voting for him in the next election, there is no reason to tell him to "go to hell". This ad is entirely disrespectful of this nation's president. That is who he is, whether you agree with his policies or not, and to direct this message to our leader is anti-American. Besides, one would think that they could come up with a better argument with more eloquent language to get their point across without resorting to this type of insult.

It is one thing to point out the faults of candidates, such as their voting record or personal scandals. It is another thing entirely to attack someone for no real reason at all.

Despite how disrespectful the advertisement is, it does not look like it will be going anywhere anytime soon. The language is permitted within the accepted limits of American law and thus protected by the First Amendment.

The Metro authority had this to say about the issue: "WMATA advertising has been ruled by the courts as a public forum protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution, and we may not decline ads based on their political content."

General Manager of the Metro, Richard Sarles, does not like the advertisement but due to the laws protecting it, cannot do anything to remove it. He stated that, “Like many of you, I am deeply offended by this ad and find it disrespectful to President Obama, and the nation." However, his hands are tied on the matter.

While the people that created this advertisement had every right legally to write what they did, I feel that they made an error in judgment. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean that you should, and I think this sentiment is highlighted in the uproar over this controversial advertisement.

Heartbreak Hotel

"I Will Always Love You" is the mournful cry of Whitney Houston fans as the music world still reels from the superstars sudden demise.

On Saturday, February 11, the world lost a music legend with the unexpected death of Whitney Houston. Whitney Houston was only 48 years old, and died in her hotel room after a rehearsal for the Grammys.

Whitney Houston was a marvelous talent, with a flawless voice. She inspired countless other singing talents that came after her. She was so amazing and paved the way for others in the industry. Her incredible singing prowess was displayed throughout her career, but can be clearly displayed in her 1991 Superbowl rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.

Houston was not only a singer, but also an actress, producer and model. One of her most famous roles was in the 1994 movie The Body Guard where her infamous song "I Will Always Love You" was featured.

Unfortunately, her career was plagued with controversy. Although her voice was amazing, her personal life had many ups and downs. After she married Bobby Brown, her frequent drug use was publicized. The hard partying, alcohol, and drugs, took their toll on the singer, as her voice was not quite the same in her later years.

While the cause of death has still not been discovered and reported, many fear that drugs and/or alcohol played a role. This is not an illogical assumption, as Houston had a famous past of drug and alcohol abuse. However, she had been trying to get clean in recent years.

I would not want to speculate on her cause of death, but if it were due to drugs and alcohol, maybe Houston could be an example or an inspiration one more time.

Countless artists have used drugs and alcohol, shortening their lives and ruining their talent. This is not the first time this tragic fate has been bestowed on a legend, but maybe it could be the last. Talented artists of today and the future hopefully will use this tragedy as a reason to stay clean, preserve their talent, and make positive, constructive life decisions.

When I first heard the news, I was totally shocked. I am a pretty big fan of her music, and own her greatest hits album. I discovered Houston when I was a child, and I was mesmerized by her beautiful voice. It is incredibly sad that this huge talent will no longer be able to sing another note.

Even in death, Houston is not quite allowed to be at peace. There has been a firestorm over photos that were published from her funeral service. The National Enquirer printed photos of Houston in an open casket, displaying her lifeless body to the masses.

This seems to be an invasion of privacy and all kinds of morbid. This is not the first time that photos like this have been taken and shared, as similar photos of Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson (two other music icons who met tragic ends) were also circulated. However, despite the precedent, family, friends, fans, and the funeral home are outraged at this invasion of privacy.

The National Enquirer stands by their decision, stating that the photos were artistic and beautiful.

Personally, I don't think the world needed to see these photos. It seems distasteful and taking advantage of someone's pain and grief. Let the woman rest in peace.

As generally happens in life, the good memories greatly outweigh the bad over time. Hopefully, all of the negative aspects of Houston will fade, and she will be remembered for her incredible talent and the good she did for music and society.

However, I also hope that her struggles are remembered, so that people know that fame and fortune aren't everything. Everyone has their issues and no one is immune. Fame has its price, and people need to be extra careful not to fall in with a bad crowd, as sadly Houston did.

After I heard the news, I started playing all of the Houston songs I owned. I was not alone, as I could hear many Houston songs being played throughout my residence hall.

To honor her, I will end this blog post with another classic Houston song. May Whitney Houston finally  be at peace and join the angels in Heaven with her angelic voice.

What's Love Got To Do With It?

Today is Valentine's Day, a holiday all about love. At least, that's what commercials, department stores, Hallmark, and restaurants proclaim in the weeks leading up to this major holiday. It is a day where those in a loving relationship feel obligated to do something nice, while single folks either lament their single status or frantically search for a date. Whether you love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is upon us once again.

While thinking of a topic for this blog post, I asked myself this question: Where exactly did the idea of Valentine's Day come from? I did a little research about this infamous holiday, and found out some interesting things about its origin. 

Valentine's Day, also known as St. Valentine's Day, is the saint day appointed to St. Valentine by the Roman Catholic Church. However, there is surprisingly few concrete details about the man that this super holiday is named for. According to History.com, it is known that Valentine was a martyr, but how and why are unclear. 

One theory is that Valentine was a priest and he performed marriages for young couples secretly after Emperor Cllaudius II outlawed the practice for young men so that these men could become soldiers. In this tale, Valentine died protecting and fostering love and marriage, thus the connection between Valentine and modern Valentine's Day is clear.

Another idea about Valentine is that he was killed for trying to "help Christians escape from harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured." It is said, in this tale, that Valentine actually sent the very first "Valentine" card to his girlfriend while he was in prison. It is said that he signed this note to his love "'from your Valentine', an expression that is still in use today."

While it is unclear which of these stories about Saint Valentine is true, there are some commonalities between all of the accounts of him. All of these tales "emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and--most importantly--romantic figure." Now knowing a little bit about Saint Valentine, it does seem fitting that a holiday all about love coincides with the feast day of Saint Valentine. 

The date of Valentine's Day also has historical origins. Some believe that Valentine's Day was strategically placed in the middle of February to coincide with the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Lupercalia was a fertility festival that took place on February 15. By placing Valentine's Day at the same time, the Christians could try to take over and influence this pagan holiday, making it a great time for this celebration to take place.

The romantic element of the holiday did not emerge until the Middle Ages, when someone realized that the birds mating season coincided with the time frame of Valentine's Day. This revelation spawned the idea that romance and love should be an integral part of the holiday, and, as they say, the rest is history.

Fast-forward to today, and we have a very different image of Valentine's Day than the holiday of long ago. What started out as a nice, small holiday where loved ones shared small affectionate cards and tokens has become commercialized and almost fake. People feel obligated to send gifts, cards, and flowers to their loved ones, whether they actually want to or not. Does that sound like a romantic or loving gesture? Not to me.

The sentiment behind Valentine's Day is nice, but has somehow been eroded into something less sweet. Showing love and appreciation for loved ones is a great idea, and it is nice to take time out to celebrate these relationships. One should take time to tell the one's that they love just how much they mean to them. However, this gesture should not be confined to one day a year. If one shows their affection, gratitude, and love to the important people in their lives every day, Valentine's Day becomes unnecessary. People should not need to be reminded or forced to say "I love you" or treat their sweetheart on February 14; they should be doing it all of the time.

This does not mean big romantic gestures or lavish gifts. A simple "I love you", a hand-written note, a homemade meal, small gestures can go a long way to conveying this message of love and appreciation.

Unfortunately, this idea of love is not all that prominent in the commercial holiday. What exactly does candy, flowers, cookie-cutter cards, teddy bears, etc. have to do with love? Why can't people just express how they feel, or show their love every day, not just Valentine's Day?

It also takes the spontaneity and personal aspect of doing something nice for someone. On Valentine's Day, it is expected that couples will go out and celebrate, making the gesture hollow and inorganic.

Don't get me wrong, I actually really enjoy Valentine's Day. I always have, ever since I was little. I love the cards, the flowers, the candy, the whole nine yards. Even though I am not in a relationship, I still enjoy the holiday and taking this day to celebrate love and all the wonderful people in my life. I just wish that it wasn't so commercialized, and could go back to being small and personal, like the sentiment of love.

Regardless of what side of the candy heart fence you land, going out to eat is a Valentine's Day staple. Usually it is someplace romantic and very nice. However, some people in this difficult economy are changing things up. The Waffle House is one of the up and coming Valentine's Day restaurants. Don't believe me? Check out this link: 

Waffle House for Valentine's Day

I for one love the Waffle House. They serve the best omelet I have ever tasted (and their waffles aren't bad either). If someone wanted to take me to the Waffle House for dinner on Valentine's Day (or any night really) I would be over the moon and racing to the restaurant. However, most people prefer the nice, romantic dinner. While the Waffle House is classing up the experience, it is still the Waffle House. If this is all you can afford, go for it, but I would let the date know where you are going first. While I think the commercialization has gotten out of hand for this holiday, that won't change overnight, so it might be best to bite the bullet and pay for a fancy dinner.

With Valentine's Day, it is really all about the attitude. If you lament because you are lonely, or put too much pressure on your date, the day is going to be a major let-down. But if you take it in stride, accept it for what it really is, and reach out to your loved ones, it can be a really great day.

Simple gestures can go a long way. Just ask Snoopy and Woodstock.

And, if you are one of the Valentine's Day haters, cheer up good friends. There is a positive out of this powder keg holiday. February 15th is the day for you. Enjoy 1/2 priced candy day at department stores everywhere!

What's In A Name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose/By any other name would smell as sweet" is a quote from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet that seems appropriate to start this post. Why? Because this post is all about names!


According to Juliet in this quote, it really doesn't matter what the name of an object is, as the name does not change the essence of the item. Therefore, if a rose was called something else, it would still be a red flower with a nice fragrance. A television with a different moniker would still broadcast television shows. A lamp with a different identifier would still provide light in the dark. Basically, Juliet is saying that the name of something is trivial compared to what it is. This is likened to the notion of not judging a book by its cover, and in theory is a great notion.

There is some truth to this statement, even in terms of names of people. Whether a child is named Robert or John or Sampson, it is still a little human with arms, legs, eyes, nose, hair, and a personality just waiting to be discovered.

However, if this were true that names do not mean anything, why do parents-to-be stress so much over naming their children? The answer is simple: because, in reality, names do matter.

Think about it. Names can help to form and shape who the individual becomes, and could even effect their self-esteem. Someone who is named Cornelius or Birdie is probably going to have a harder time fitting in than someone named James or Elizabeth.

Even though human beings should be treated as equals and it should not matter what their name is, unfortunately in our society they do. People are made fun of or judged based on their name, even before meeting and getting to know a person. This is why picking out the "perfect" name is such an obsession.

It isn't helped by celebrities. For some reason, celebrities seem to really subscribe to Juliet's suggestion, as they name their children after inanimate objects and other things that are not traditionally names. For example: Apple, Sailor, Free, Egypt, and Knox. These are all actual names of celebrity children, even though none of these sound like names of people.

Maybe the fact that their parents are rich and famous will keep these kids from getting teased or beat-up on the playground? I sure hope so, for the sake of these poor children.

The trend of celebrities giving off-the-wall names to their children continued in January when superstars Beyonce and Jay Z named their daughter Blue Ivy

The couple has not explicitly explained why they chose this name for their new bundle of joy, but there are several theories. The number 4 seems to have a lot of significance for the couple, as their birthdays and anniversaries are on the 4th of various months. This could explain Ivy, which is a play on the Roman numeral IV. Jay Z has many songs with the word "Blue" in them, and it is his favorite color, which could be the justification for the first name.

If my parents had named me this, my name would be something like 5 Blue 15. The only thing missing from that name is a "Hike" and you've got yourself a football play. If these truly are the reasons behind the name, all I can do is shake my head and thank God my parents were not famous.

For me, the name "Blue" conjures up several images, none of which I would want to be associated with my child. Blue describes the mood of someone who is sad, lonely, and down on life. It has this gloomy connotation that just doesn't jive with the joy and excitement of the life of a newborn.

The name "Blue" has also been given to two cartoon characters, neither of which I would really want to name my children after. One is from Cartoon Network's Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and the other is the title character in Nickelodeon's Blues Clues. Their images are below, and I think, in this case, a picture is worth a thousand words as to why I wouldn't want my kid associated with them.

The couple also made headlines for the way little Blue Ivy was brought into the world. Check out these photos of their alleged hospital room. Never before did I think I would be envious that my house did not look like a hospital room, but these photos certainly change that!

Hospital Room Pictures

As if this wasn't enough, the power couple is in the news again with this child's name. Now, the proud parents are attempting to trademark the name Blue Ivy for a future company. Although it seems unlikely that anyone else would want this name, apparently others have already tried to trademark this moniker.

According to an article from the LA Times, the couple want to use their daughter's name for a future line of baby items. They also want to ensure that this name is not only owned by their daughter, but legally owned as well.

LA Times Article

To me, this whole circus Jay Z and Beyonce have created with this child is unnecessary. They act as if they are the first people in the world to create and deliver a child. News flash! Women give birth every day. While it is wonderful and beautiful, certainly not original.

Personally, I would like this couple to get in the news for what has made them famous: their music! To end this post, I think I will leave you with an example of how talented baby Blue Ivy's parents are, and how they should be making headlines.