Amy Winehouse Found Dead In London Apartment

Very sad, but not unexpected, news for the music industry this afternoon.  Amy Winehouse, five time Grammy award winner, has been found dead in her London apartment.  An ambulance was called to respond to the report of a deceased woman being found.  According to London Police:

"On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene.  Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death.  At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained."

Winehouse last appeared onstage three days ago at the ITunes Music Festival in London.  While she didn't sing during her appearance, she appeared, for the most part, sober while she danced on stage.



Amy notoriously battled addiction for most of her adult life, cancelling much of her current European tour in order to undergo rehab treatment.  Video surfaced weeks ago showing a disheveled and slurring Winehouse performing in Serbia.



Though her legacy will likely revolve around her drug use, for her fans, she will be remembered as a unique voice in a sea of bubble gum pop music.  She brought a level of class and seductiveness to modern music that had been missing since the passing of Billy Holiday and Sarah Vaughn.  She will sorely be missed.



An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow to determine the cause of death.  What a loss.

It's About Fucking Time...

Earlier this afternoon, President Obama signed the certified repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.  Although the measure was signed into law with the best of intentions nearly 18 years ago, the repeal of this flawed set of regulations is long overdue.  Implementation of the repeal will start immediately after a 60 day waiting period.

The president released the following statement regarding the certification:

"Today, we have taken the final major step toward ending the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law that undermines our military readiness and violates American principles of fairness and equality.  In accordance with the legislation that I signed into law last December, I have certified and notified Congress that the requirements for repeal have been met.  ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will end, once and for all, in 60 days—on September 20, 2011. 

As Commander in Chief, I have always been confident that our dedicated men and women in uniform would transition to a new policy in an orderly manner that preserves unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness.  Today’s action follows extensive training of our military personnel and certification by Secretary Panetta and Admiral Mullen that our military is ready for repeal.  As of September 20th, service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country.  Our military will no longer be deprived of the talents and skills of patriotic Americans just because they happen to be gay or lesbian. 

I want to commend our civilian and military leadership for moving forward in the careful and deliberate manner that this change requires, especially with our nation at war.  I want to thank all our men and women in uniform, including those who are gay or lesbian, for their professionalism and patriotism during this transition.  Every American can be proud that our extraordinary troops and their families, like earlier generations that have adapted to other changes, will only grow stronger and remain the best fighting force in the world and a reflection of the values of justice and equality that the define us as Americans."

We've come a long way as a community in just the last few years.  I am so proud of this nation's more accepting views, and especially proud of the men and women that have been serving for their country in an atmosphere that was less than friendly.  They have been much braver than I could ever imagine.  Today is for you.  Below is a copy of the certification.

It's Going To Be A Slow Blogging Weekend

Hey everyone.

I just wanted to take a moment to welcome my new readers/followers.  I've noticed that in the last couple of weeks, I have added quite a few followers on my RSS feed.  Hi there.  Don't be afraid to comment.  Hope you enjoy the site.

In related news, it's probably going to be a slow weekend for The Twitch.  I am in excruciating back pain, and it's only going to get worse.  Since my surgery, I have (for obvious reasons) been avoiding a number of things around the apartment.  So, I'm probably going to be doing a lot of bending in order to get some stuff done.  Not smart, but necessary.

We're also house sitting for my in-laws this weekend, trying to celebrate my wife's birthday tomorrow night and I would like to try to get 'Captain America' in there somewhere.

I have so many things that I want to write about.  In the pipeline, I have a number of posts that are going to be a little wordy.  I'm not used to writing such large pieces, and they'll probably look a bit out of place, but I have a number of things that I need to get off of my chest.

That being said, I may have some days with only 3 or 4 posts, and some with 15.  Depends on what I'm working on.  I'm also in the process of starting two additional sites (Probably not the best use of my time, but I really want to start making a professional go at blogging.  I'm on Social Security Disability until at least May of 2015, so I need to do something with my free time.  Besides, my monthly Social Security checks account for about 55% of what I used to make at my last job.  Every little bit of revenue helps.

You may see some changes in the way of layout in the next couple of weeks.  There may also be a small increase in the amount of advertising space taken up on my site.  Again, gotta pay the bills.

As you have probably noticed, the site has recently changed from thedailytwitch.blogspot.com to thetwitchonline.com.  If you haven't already changed the address in your bookmarks, please do so.  Google will be temporarily redirecting any hits onto the old "The Daily Twitch" site to the new "Twitch Online" site, but I'm not sure how long they will continue to in the future.

Also, if you are reading this via a feed, please take a moment and reset your feed to the new site.  Thanks.

I'm looking forward to keeping you all entertained and informed as to what's going on around me.  If you ever feel like dropping me a line, you can reach me at twitch@thetwitchonline.com.

Michele Bachmann Likes Celery?

'The Brody File', a talk show on the Christian Broadcasting Network, showed an interview with Michele Bachmann today, in which she professed her love for her favorite stalky green vegetable.  Sure.  With all of the bullshit that her and her husband appear to be involved in, why wouldn't America want to know what her favorite food is?  That's what you call "hitting the issues that matter most to the American voter" as far as CBN is concerned.  Here is verbatim what she said:

“I will tell you my favorite food of all time is celery. Honest to God my favorite food is celery. Straight up celery. I will personally consume the entire stalk of celery. At the Thanksgiving table I have the plate of celery in front of me. I know it’s strange. It’s my favorite food.”

Hey Bachmann.  You're not doing that well of a job trying to prove to the world that you're not batshit crazy.  Just sayin'. 

Video: Exclusive Clip From 'Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes'

The following clip was released yesterday, showing "Bright Eyes" entering a dance contest.  OK, not really...but this is funny as hell.



'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' comes out August 5th.  For fans of the storyline, it looks like it won't disappoint.

The Graceful End To The Shuttle Program

At 5:57 EST this morning, Atlantis touched down at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for the last time.  It was a sad, yet glorious moment in the nation's history, as the Space Shuttle program is officially over.  After 30 years in service, and coincidentally on the 42nd anniversary of the moon landing, the ship came home after a journey of 5,284,862 miles.


As she landed, Shuttle commander Capt. Christopher J. Ferguson said, "Mission complete, Houston.  After serving the world for over 30 years, the space shuttle has earned it's place in history, and it’s come to a final stop."  He then thanked Columbia, Challenger and the other Shuttles in the fleet for their contributions to space exploration.  I would be lying if I said I didn't get a bit choked up.




The video, though a bit long, is amazing to watch.  For the first time that I've seen, it includes the landing from the perspective of inside Atlantis.  This isn't like landing a 747.  When it entered our atmosphere, Atlantis was traveling at nearly 4,000 miles per hour.  She has no engines and is pointing down at an angle seven times steeper than that of a commercial airliner.  The Shuttle has been described as a "flying brick".  There are no second chances at landing it.  It's not as if they're able to loop it back around Kennedy for another attempt.  For as "simple" as it is, it's an engineering and technological marvel.

The Shuttle captured our imaginations and made the search for the unknown a priority in our country again.  If not for the Shuttle, the Hubble telescope would not have been possible.  Neither would countless imaging and communications satellites.  The Shuttle program is directly responsible for our new found understanding of the galaxy and universe around us.

I remember the moment Challenger broke apart, while I was watching it with my fifth grade classmates.  I remember the Saturday morning of February 1, 2003, when I was awoken by a phone call, telling me that Columbia had disintegrated in the skies over Texas.  It has been a tumultuous 30 years, to say the least.  As someone that wanted to be an astronaut as a little boy, I couldn't help but get a little emotional hearing the twin sonic booms for the last time during Atlantis' reentry.  It makes me so unimaginably proud to be an American.

Happy Birthday To My Beautiful Wife

I love you so much.

Quote Of The Day

 “My ability to function effectively will not affect my ability to serve as commander in chief.”

- Michele Bachmann, in response to the latest revelations of her "incapacitating migraines".

Wait.  What?!  That sentence doesn't even make sense.  Well, if Dubya could serve as commander in chief for eight years and not function effectively even once, I guess it can be done.  

My Friends Are Having A Sale On "Toys" Saturday

Hey everyone.  Thought I would just drop a quick line, and let my readers know of an online sale going on Saturday.  If you have been in the market for a couple of bedroom items to use with your partner, but don't like going to your local adult store (who can blame you), listen up.

My friends Molly and Matie own an adult sex toy retail store and sex education center in Albuquerque.  The shop goes by the name of Self Serve.  They've had the same location for, wow, four years now.  It is really a unique shopping experience.

Self Serve is not your typical sex toy store.  You won't find any creepy guys working there.  There aren't shelves of porn with hundreds of exploitative pictures on them.  They're both female and LGBT owned and operated.  Their purpose in the industry is to make sure their customers have a healthy sex life.  They only stock products that are body safe.  It sounds weird saying "body safe" when talking about a sex toy, but you would be surprised how many products on the market have chemicals and additives in them that are dangerous with extended use.  The only items in store are ones that are safe to use, and work the way that they're advertised to.

Just look at the inside of their store.  Does this look like your typical adult oriented business?

They are a huge resource to the community.  They offer sexuality workshops to their customers.  They provide meeting space for community groups.  And, they're dedicated to supporting women's health, sexual wellness and LGBT rights.  I can't say enough positive things about Molly and Matie and what they have accomplished.  Meeting them truly affected my life for the better.

Show your support for a locally owned business that is making a difference in their community.  This Saturday, July 23, 2011, Self Serve is having a one day sale from Noon till 10PM.  They are offering 20% off everything in the entire store!

Go to their website, www.selfservetoys.com, and enter the code: 20today at checkout.  All orders over $100 receive free shipping.  You can't beat that.  It's a good thing I got paid today.  :)

"Viva La Vibrator!"

Piracy Warnings

Is it just me, or are the piracy warnings at the beginning of DVDs starting to get a tad ridiculous?  From 'The IT Crowd':

Religious Epiphany Of The Day

Sen. Al Franken Blasts 'Focus On The Family' VP

MN Sen. Franken ripped a whole in the testimony of 'Focus On The Family' Senior VP Thomas Minnery, at today's DOMA hearings.  Minnery, Senior Vice President for Public Policy for the fringe conservative group, attested as a witness in the hearing that a 2010 study from the Department of Health and Human Services ruled that children were in a better overall position with married, opposite-sexed parents.

Fortunately in the interest of the truth, Senator Franken also read that study, and it said nothing of the sort:



Al Franken is my hero.  Not only is he one of the few politicians on Capitol Hill that regularly does his research when it comes to the issues at hand, he has the balls to confront people that try to distort the truth.

Franken For President In 2016

Video: Sony Finally Releases Trailer To 'The Amazing Spider-Man'

A day after a grainy cell phone copy of the trailer was leaked onto Youtube, Sony Pictures decided to officially release the trailer themselves.  I had absolutely no interest in seeing this movie until just now.  Looks like a good reboot of the franchise.

New Watchtower Tells Witnesses 'Stop Asking Us Questions'

The October 15, 2011, Watchtower appears to be telling Jehovah's Witnesses to keep following along blindly.  In the issue's 'Questions From Readers', an article that appears only in the "study copy" (or Witness only), the question is:

"What should I do when I have a question about something I read in the Bible or when I need advice about a personal problem?"

The article starts off, interestingly enough, quoting Proverbs chapter 2, where it says to "keep searching for" understanding and "hidden treasures".  It then makes it decidedly clear as to what resources should be used when doing your "searching".  The article amounts to, "Stick to our publications only, and don't expect any more answers from us if you write us.  That's not our job."

The Watchtower admits that "there some topics and scriptures that our publications have not specifically addressed."  There are some topics where the publications have been, should we say, vague on.  On some issues, especially when it comes to blood transfusions, the company line seems to change every couple of years.  In such an event, "we should avoid speculating about things that simply cannot be answered, lest we get involved in debating “questions for research rather than a dispensing of anything by God in connection with faith.”", according to the article.


So can the headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses help out in a situation like this?  Nope.  You're on your own.

"Neither the branch office nor world headquarters is in a position to analyze and answer all such questions that have not been considered in our literature. We can be satisfied that the Bible provides sufficient information to guide us through life but also omits enough details so as to require us to have strong faith in its divine Author."

I'm sorry.  What?!  The Bible "also omits enough details so as to require us to have strong faith in its divine Author."  Isn't that like Toyota saying that the owner's manual for the 2011 Tacoma gives you enough information to drive the car, but it leaves out the "details" on what the that little red light on your dashboard is for?  You'll just have to trust the guy at the dealership that sold it to you.  That is exactly what they are saying.

What if you've done all of the research you can, and still can't find the "direction you need"? (Their words, not mine.)  Talk to an elder.  And if you still don't have the answer you're looking for?  Use the old standby...pray for an answer.  Because that works.

So, why are the big wigs at the top of the organization refusing to answer questions from readers?  In my opinion, this is simply a legal move.  The Witnesses have been brought into court numerous times in recent years on many of their more controversial policies.  The organization is tied up in a number of wrongful death claims as we speak.  When the word to their followers is, "If you accept a blood transfusion, regardless of circumstance, you will be kicked out of the church", people die.  Thousands of Witness men, women and children have effectively become martyrs in the last 50 years.  Childhood friends of mine have died in the hospital, either from loyalty to an archaic belief, or being bullied by church elders and family members to remain faithful.  The organization knows it has blood on it's hands, and it's eliminating future evidence from being admissible in court by saying, "Go to an elder", rather than having physical proof of Witness policy in a future "plaintiff's" hands.


The entire article reeks of suspicion.  Of course, it will likely go without notice to the faithful lemmings sheep within the rank and file.  Here is a copy of the pdf for those who are interested in seeing it:

Today In "Things You Can't Unsee" News

Rebecca Black released a new single this week.  The follow up to 'Friday', which many critics called "the worst song ever written", is called 'My Moment'.  It's bland, but much better than 'Friday'.  It certainly has a Kelly Clarkson/'A Moment Like This' feel to it.  But there is a HUGE difference between Rebecca Black and 'American Idol's' first winner.  Black didn't win a contest.  She hasn't paid any "dues" to have a "music career" (if you want to call it that).  Her mom and dad, who make cameos in the video, paid someone $4,000 to let her sing and make a CD.  And it shows...



Doesn't she realize that the world has been making fun of her?  She's the William Hung of this decade.  As of this moment (pun intended), the video has over 2.8 million views, and nearly 200,000 "dislikes" on Youtube.