June 28, 2011 | 10:39 pm

Why Kate Middleton is More Important Than You’d Think

Posted by Misha Henckel

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Princess Catherine doing the wave at Wimbledon's Centre Court

For most Americans, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is irrelevant - just a pretty face, a new member of the British monarchy, which itself is seen as no more than a relic of days long gone. But that may simply be a knee-jerk reaction. Truth is Kate Middleton is HUGE! She is the unprecedented middle-class addition to a long-standing, “aristocratic” institution which by joining, she has just revitalized and made incredibly relevant. Because of her, the British royal family is guaranteed to last for at least another century, maybe much longer. And if that is the case, Kate is more important than ever.

She is married to the second in line to the British throne, which means someday her husband will be head of state of what is still perhaps the most influential, western European country. True, he will be a figure-head, but one significantly more well known, and well-liked than any elected British prime minister will ever be.  Likewise, the Duchess, already one of the most recognizable faces in Britain, will someday be queen. Unlike say a Hillary Clinton or Michelle Obama, both highly accomplished, supremely remarkable women, Kate’s role does not have a term limit. She is here to stay.

Kate’s already proven herself to be intelligent, calm, practical, patient, engaging and a woman of the people, not at all like so many of our political leaders (or those in Britain for that matter).She’s going to be around for another 50/60 years at the very least, and given her prominence can probably have more impact on world politics than any other woman this century. Sure for now, she’s setting fashion trends, causing dresses to sell out, and getting her husband to do the wave at Wimbledon, but my hunch is that she’s not going to stop there. Like her remarkable mother-in-law, the late, great Princess Diana, Kate Middleton can very well become a huge force for good.

The world is smaller than ever and heading further in that direction, yet divisiveness is rampant and conflicts continue to rage. What we need are global figures who can bring peoples together. We need individuals who can inspire us to reach across boundaries and find our commonalities. The British monarchy may indeed be a relic of the past, but if they’re going to stick around, and if enough people really like them - as it seems people do - then maybe Prince William and his exceptional wife, Catherine, can be a part of helping create real change in a world that desperately needs it.

June 20, 2011 | 11:58 pm

Dear Amy Winehouse, So Sorry but It’s Back to Rehab for You

Posted by Misha Henckel

Life is just no fun at all for Amy Winehouse. The Grammy winning singer can’t seem to get a grip on her addictions. And this weekend, in Belgrade, her problems spilled out onto the stage for the world to see. Not that we hadn’t already seen it all. But I am sure we hoped that she had been getting the help she needed. Clearly that was not the case. According to reports, she was an hour late, forgot her lyrics, mumbled, stumbled, and was generally a complete mess. You can check it out, it’s all over YouTube. But you won’t laugh. This is too desperately pathetic to be even remotely funny.

Look here Amy. Whatever is troubling you, it’s time to really address it. You’ve been to rehab now, many times, but you’ve got to really want to change for the treatments to work. Others have made it back from the most depraved of addictions. Think: Russell Brand or Tatum O’Neal. You need to reckon with yourself, with life, and yes, with death. You need to want to live. You need to care enough. You need to give up the career for now, and to stay in rehab for as long as it takes.

They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, “No, no, no”
Yes, I’ve been black but when I come back you’ll know, know, know
I ain’t got the time and if my daddy thinks I’m fine
He’s tried to make me go to rehab, I won’t go, go, go…

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June 12, 2011 | 11:58 pm

Dallas Defeats Miami, Lebron James Fails Again

Posted by Misha Henckel

It was sweet watching the Dallas Mavericks drub the Miami Heat. On paper, of course, Miami should have won. Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh? That was a major talent haul designed to do nothing less than bring the title back to South Beach. Instead it was the heart, determination, and true teamwork of Dallas that prevailed. Led by the genius of Dirk Nowitski, the Mavericks took the NBA title for the first time in franchise history. And it was a well deserved victory. Miami, on the other hand, were unable to perform at their true level. Somehow their team spirit was not strong. There was not the purity of effort, the trust, nor the humility required for them to become champions. And, Lebron James simply did not deliver!  His ego continues to get in the way of his ability. And nothing is going to change for him, unless and until, he realizes that he is the source of his own failure. He’s just not that great of a player and he needs get over himself. Then and only then, will he have the chance to be a champion.

It’s easy and kind of fun to laugh at Lebron, but we should also learn from his mistakes. After all most of us are in need of a good dose of humility if we are to succeed in our own endeavors.

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