Swin Flu in dem da HILLS

The Hills Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt practice safety first, sporting protective masks for a trip to the beach while on a "pre-honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on Tuesday.

Obama says he doesn't have 'rubber-stamp Senate'

President Obama said Wednesday that he's under no illusions that he'll have a "rubber-stamp Senate" now that Sen. Arlen Specter has switched parties to join the Democrats.

The president said he thinks the administration has taken steps to restore confidence in the American people, noting that "simply opposing our approach on every front is probably not a good political strategy."

In his first 100 days, he's been "sobered by the fact that change in Washington comes slow," said Obama. 

Obama's news conference came just hours after both chambers of Congress passed his $3.4 trillion budget resolution for fiscal year 2010.

The measure approves most of Obama's key spending priorities and sets the federal government in a new direction with major increases for energy, education and health care programs.

Obama said his budget begins to lay a "new foundation" that will strengthen the U.S. economy.

"But even as we clear away the wreckage of this recession, I've also said that we can't go back to an economy that is built on a pile of sand -- on inflated home prices and maxed-out credit cards; on overleveraged banks and outdated regulations that allowed the recklessness of a few to threaten the prosperity of all," he said.

The United States "will see a better day," but there's still a lot of work to do, he said.

"I want to thank the American people for their support and their patience during these trying times, and I look forward to working with you in the next hundred days, in the hundred days after that, all of the hundreds of days to follow, to make sure that this country is what it can be."  

Oh for the days when we are not worrying about our jobs, foreclosures, 401K's, MTA fair hikes, The Big 3 Automakers going bankrupt, and Swine Flu.   What say you?

Sean Penn Files for Legal Separation

Although they tried to work things out, another A-list Hollywood couple is calling it quits. Sean Penn has filed for legal separation from his wife of 13 years, Robin Wright Penn, court papers filed last week in Marin County, Calif., show. 

The actor is seeking joint physical and legal custody of their children, daughter Dylan, 18 and son Hopper, 15. He is also requesting that the court not award any spousal support to Wright Penn. The papers show the couple separated on April 23. 

Photo by: Lionel Hahn / Abaca

The couple began dating in the early '90s, following his divorce from Madonna in 1989, and married in 1996. They have also starred together in several films, including 1998's Hurlyburly and 1997's She's So Lovely. 

What do you think about Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn separating?

Suze Orman's recession rescue plan

Do you know what your family would do if you lost your job -- or worse, your home? Financial expert Suze Orman is ready to help you devise a recession rescue plan to survive -- and possibly thrive -- during this deepening financial crisis.

How much longer should we expect times to be tough? "Things will get better, get worse. ... [In] the next two or three years, it will start to turn around," Orman says. "But I'm so sorry to say it will be, in my opinion, 2015 until every single person feels hopeful again."

Which is why Orman says it's so important to look at what you have and be grateful, instead of looking at what you've lost and feel angry. "If you continuously look in the rearview mirror while you're going forward, you're going to get in an accident. And the victim of that accident is going to be you," she says. "Don't compare. You'll feel stronger, you'll have more energy and you'll be able to turn this around."

Be grateful for the savings account you do have or the family that has helped you through. Although she knows it isn't easy, Orman urges everyone to see what they've been through as a kind of blessing. "When you are grateful -- when you can see what you have -- you unlock blessings to flow in your life."

For the full articles please follow the links below; 

http://www.oprah.com/article/money/personalfinance/pkgyourmoney/20090108_sas_actionplans?cnn=yes

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/04/29/o.suze.orman.recession.rescue/index.html

Chrysler to file for bankruptcy

Some lenders refuse offer to reduce debt, leading to likely bankruptcy filing. But Chrysler expected to remain in business and complete deal with Fiat.

Chrysler will file for bankruptcy, an Obama administration official confirmed to CNN today. The filing will follow failed efforts to reduce the amount of money the troubled automaker owed. Bankruptcy won't mean the end of Chrysler, CNNMoney reports. The administration plans to use the process to merge Chrysler with Italian automaker Fiat.  So what are your thoughts?  Will the same happen to GM and if so what are the benefits to such happening?

Ed Westwick takes Grazia's guy fashion quiz

Chuck Bass Should Know FashionGossip Girl's resident bad boy Chuck Bass (played by Ed Westwick) tests his fashion knowledge.
xoxo - Gossip Pal