Condom Olympics Not Liked By All

Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch did not walk away with the Miss Universe crown last week in the Bahamas (she took fourth place), but her condom stunt has raised some criticism and awareness.
Finch took part in the 'Condom Olympics,' a Miss Universe event, approved by Donald Trump, that was held to raise AIDS and HIV awareness. The pageant teamed up with AIDS prevention group Population Services International (PSI) for the event.
In the "Condom Olympics" pageant contestants participated in games such as testing the condom limits by blowing them up until they burst, filling them with water and learning how to conduct condom demonstrations correctly. Finch inflated a condom with her breath until it burst and won the challenge. But some questioned whether the event raised any awareness, and questioned why abstinence was not highlighted.
"These 'Condom Olympics' seem quite counterproductive to raising awareness of the seriousness of HIV," said Alyssa Cardova, from the Claire Booth Luce Policy Institute, a conservative women’s organization, to CNSNews .
Cordova also took offense at the lack of an abstinence message. "Playing right into our culture’s obsession with political correctness, the Miss Universe organization downplays the only thing that prevents the spread and contraction of HIV that is 100 percent effective - abstinence - and perpetuates the lie that if you use a condom everything will be ok,"she told FOXnews.com .
Marshall Stowell, communications director at PSI, defended the games and said, "The point of all of those games is to teach the participants, whether they be youth or Miss Universe contestants, the proper technique for using a condom, because part of HIV prevention is correct and consistent condom use."
In July Finch made other news in Australia when a crocodile lunged at her while she was visiting an animal park. "As soon as I saw him move I got nervous," Finch told the Northern Territory News.
Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela, was crowned Miss Universe 2009 last week in Nassau, Bahamas. The broadcast featured a performance by reality star-turned-pop-wannabe Heidi Montag performing her first single "Body Language." Also see a slideshow of the swimsuit competition .
from Fox56 Wolf

'The View' Rating Keep Going Up With Rosie

Three months into the Reign of Rosie, "The View" has become must-see TV. But is it the type of viewing that series creator Barbara Walters was bargaining for?
Rosie O'Donnell's inclusion in the daytime chat show's cast has boosted ratings but seemingly brought along a controversy du jour, the latest being this week's verbal mud fight between O'Donnell and Donald Trump that started with his backing of Miss USA after reports of her underage drinking.
Since joining in September, O'Donnell has also made waves by accusing Kelly Ripa of homophobia, mocking spoken Chinese and later apologizing, saying actions by Oprah Winfrey and pal Gayle King were "very typical of gay relationships" and saying that "radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam."
She also has brought renewed attention, rare for any program in its 10th season. The show's typical audience of 3.3 million this season is up 13% over the same period in 2005, according to Nielsen Media Research.
In a statement this week, Walters said she regretted the friction between O'Donnell and Trump but added that she did not regret her decision to bring O'Donnell on board.
from The Los Angeles Times