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desertvixenhttp://news.yahoo.com/s/eo/20060214/en_celeb_eo/18351
Cabinet Secretary Bashes Britney
By Joal Ryan 20 minutes ago
Britney Spears, you've just been called "irresponsible" by a White House cabinet secretary, where are you going to go now?
To Mardi Gras.
In a bit of bad timing Monday, Spears announced she intends to help New Orleans revive its renown Fat Tuesday "traditions," while at a photo op in Philadelphia, U.S. Transportation Secretary
Norman Mineta was taking the pop star to task for photos that showed her driving with her infant son on her lap.
Mineta called the pictures "troubling."
"No matter who you are, there's absolutely no excuse for this display--not instinct, not fear, not even reckless paparazzi," Mineta said, according to the text of his speech found on the Transportation Department's Website. "It's irresponsible to compromise the safety of a child for the sake of the moment."
The Feb. 6 incident in Malibu prompted an inquiry from Los Angeles County child welfare workers, who asked the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to obtain Spears' "contact information." The sheriff's department itself is not investigating the matter.
Spears originally blamed the "reckless paparazzi," as Mineta might say, for her driving away from a Starbucks with son Sean Preston out of his baby seat, and in her arms. She said she acted "instinctively" when confronted with pushy photographers.
Upon further review, she conceded to Access Hollywood last week that she "made a mistake."
The apology, which included the tag, "It is what it is, I guess," did not suffice for Mineta, who kicked off National Child Passenger Safety Week with a little kick to Spears.
"Her actions still send the wrong message to millions of her fans," Mineta said.
Mineta's Spears remarks were limited to four sentences in an address that focused on calling for more states to pass legislation requiring child booster seats.
California, where Spears resides, already has such a law. It calls on all car passengers younger than 6 or weighing fewer than 60 pounds to be placed in either booster or safety seats.
According to the Transportation Department, half of the children aged 14 and under who were killed in car crashes in 2004 were not buckled, boostered or otherwise restrained at the time of the incidents.
"So, I'm asking everyone today to put the safety of all of our children first," Mineta said. "Put your children in booster seats, buckle them up, buckle yourself up and obey driving laws."
Okay, I'll admit. I had my own fun with the original story. It makes you wonder if this would be a news story, without the Britney-factor. But what do you think are the odds the actual message will get lost amidst the Britney-bashing?
DV (who's willing to bet, pretty high)
Cabinet Secretary Bashes Britney
By Joal Ryan 20 minutes ago
Britney Spears, you've just been called "irresponsible" by a White House cabinet secretary, where are you going to go now?
To Mardi Gras.
In a bit of bad timing Monday, Spears announced she intends to help New Orleans revive its renown Fat Tuesday "traditions," while at a photo op in Philadelphia, U.S. Transportation Secretary
Norman Mineta was taking the pop star to task for photos that showed her driving with her infant son on her lap.
Mineta called the pictures "troubling."
"No matter who you are, there's absolutely no excuse for this display--not instinct, not fear, not even reckless paparazzi," Mineta said, according to the text of his speech found on the Transportation Department's Website. "It's irresponsible to compromise the safety of a child for the sake of the moment."
The Feb. 6 incident in Malibu prompted an inquiry from Los Angeles County child welfare workers, who asked the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to obtain Spears' "contact information." The sheriff's department itself is not investigating the matter.
Spears originally blamed the "reckless paparazzi," as Mineta might say, for her driving away from a Starbucks with son Sean Preston out of his baby seat, and in her arms. She said she acted "instinctively" when confronted with pushy photographers.
Upon further review, she conceded to Access Hollywood last week that she "made a mistake."
The apology, which included the tag, "It is what it is, I guess," did not suffice for Mineta, who kicked off National Child Passenger Safety Week with a little kick to Spears.
"Her actions still send the wrong message to millions of her fans," Mineta said.
Mineta's Spears remarks were limited to four sentences in an address that focused on calling for more states to pass legislation requiring child booster seats.
California, where Spears resides, already has such a law. It calls on all car passengers younger than 6 or weighing fewer than 60 pounds to be placed in either booster or safety seats.
According to the Transportation Department, half of the children aged 14 and under who were killed in car crashes in 2004 were not buckled, boostered or otherwise restrained at the time of the incidents.
"So, I'm asking everyone today to put the safety of all of our children first," Mineta said. "Put your children in booster seats, buckle them up, buckle yourself up and obey driving laws."
Okay, I'll admit. I had my own fun with the original story. It makes you wonder if this would be a news story, without the Britney-factor. But what do you think are the odds the actual message will get lost amidst the Britney-bashing?
DV (who's willing to bet, pretty high)
