What a Difference a Week Makes !

• Since the last Newswatch posting, the oil disaster has worsened with each passing day.  BP may be working overtime but tell that to the folks who live in Louisiana and who make their livings by water-related industries.  And tell it to the people who are trying to save and rescue fish, fowl, turtles and wetlands.  The "chain of command" is more like "Who's on first" ! 

• The NBA has moved closer to the finals and it appears that the run-ups in both East and West have been much tighter than expected.  That must mean that teams have become far more proficient and more competitive than usual. Or that the teams who thought they would easily blow away the competition have had a big surprise.

• Dennis Hopper has taken his last "easy ride." Hopper had been ill for the past year or so during which he and his present wife filed for divorce.  He had a bit of a checkered personal life but his film career was amazing.   Most of us remember him as the young idealistic son of the Benedicts--Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson--in "Giant."   "Easy Rider" with Peter Fonda  was another of Hopper's films.

• Gary Coleman has died of a brain hemmorage after a series of health problems during his short life of 42 years.

• And while it is really not news, Lindsay Lohan has acquired a new piece of jewelry : an ankle bracelet.  This young woman is in deep trouble but doesn't seem to realize it.  I hope she survives.

• If you are planning to go to Greece, be sure to call ahead.  The country seems to be having a financial meltdown as well as some of the surrounding countries. 

• Wonder what Sarah Palin thinks now of her "Drill, Baby, drill."