Tidbits 7/25

The news is definitely slow these days, but somehow I managed to find a few tidbits to write about.

SOMALIA/KENYA MENTIONS:

• Koin News (Koin.com) - In an article about his trip to Somalia, they say:

  The UNICEF Ambassador spent time with Somali children, and got to see first-hand programs to improve child health, safe water, sanitation and hygiene, primary education, child protection and girls' empowerment.

• News4jax - Same as above mention. Both Koin and News4jax got their news stories from ET Online.
  
  
• JustJared.com - Another great Clay mention at JustJared:

  UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken recently visited the East African countries of Somalia and Kenya, where UNICEF provides children with health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation.
  
  The 29-year-old American Idol alum has written a series of blogs about his experience in the field....Read all of Clay Aiken’s blog entries at UNICEFUSA.org. (Hint: Click on the “Permalinks” to view the full entries.)

• People.com - A great mention about Clay's UNICEF trip here:

  Aiken, 29, recently visited Somalia and Kenya, and has been blogging about the trip on the UNICEF Web site.
  
  In his final posting, Aiken writes how violence during the country's election earlier this year left thousands of children homeless. And even though the unrest has decreased, many of the kids have not returned to their schools.
  
  "Getting children back to school is vital for their protection, and helps build a sense of normalcy in their lives," Aiken writes. "The re-establishment of schools in the most difficult circumstances is a testament to the commitment of UNICEF and to Kenyans."
  
  Aiken continues, "Every child has the right to an education. Education transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty that so many children are caught in. And an educated child will make sure his or her own children receive an education too."

The "Who does he think he is, Clay Aiken?" quote about Barack Obama's traveling entourage is making the rounds:

• Patriot Post US - The "quote" is mentioned on this site as follows:

  Obama traveled with dozens of his “national security advisors” selected from his staff of more than 300 (yes, that’s THREE HUNDRED) foreign policy advisors. There were dozens more—strategists, campaign gofers, makeup artists and court jesters—enough to create an entourage that looked genuinely imposing in transit. As John McCain’s campaign spokesman Brian Rogers quipped, “Who does he think he is, Clay Aiken?”

• KDBC News (El Paso) - This post was seen on Yahoo's news page. Its worked its way to El Paso, TX now:

  Democrat Barack Obama doesn't travel light.
  
  Halfway around the world, the Obama campaign machine appears as sprawling and seamless as it is on its home turf. As the presumptive Democratic nominee tours five countries in five days, he brings an entourage that would make a pop star envious.... "Who does he think he is?" Rogers asked of Obama. "Clay Aiken?"

Other Tidbits:

• Pollstar.com - A small Clay mention:

  Lunchtime on the Fresno Coast and we have new dates for Willie Nelson, Bill Cosby, Kris Kristofferson and Boyz II Men, plus links to items about Ry Cooder, Clay Aiken.....Clay Aiken stands up for Kenyan children - People

  If you click on Clay's name in the quote above, it will take you where you can sign up to be notified when Clay goes on tour.