The Smiley Smile Message Board

From the blueboard
Discuss and don't be too harsh.

Congratulations !

I believe their other children were all from the same mother. Is Dash Tristan too?

The administrator doesn't know the difference between plural and possessive.

Congrats, Brian and Melinda! They've got a D name theme going on, it's cute.

A couple weeks ago when we were talking about Brian's children, another member and I mentioned how we'd heard about a fourth child...I still don't remember where I heard that, but this is a little strange, lol.

Does Brian even know he has four young children?

I notice there's a heavy emphasis on the involvement of the LA CCC this time round. Just sayin'...

I think that there is something really, really wrong with them being allowed to adopt another young baby at their age. What the hell was that judge thinking about??????? You don't adopt kids like you go clothing shopping or dog shopping for that matter. Don't they have 17 dogs or about that many????? Somebody better stop that woman........

Hm.

Yep, hm is the word I'm looking for.

I'm more intrigued by the "see you next year" line. :lol




As a child of an older father, I definitely agree. If my dad was still alive he'd be 77 (I'm 31 right now but was 23 when he passed) and it wasn't always easy.

Not knowing the background, who knows?  Maybe we should be charitable and see this as a kid getting a chance he didn't have.

I see no problem... that is, I don't think we are allowed to pass moral judgment here. Young dads may be bad 'rearers', with all their impulsivity, insecurity, what have you. If the Wilson household is stable and warm, and if good nannies step in when Brian's touring... and there seems to be some way to communicate live all over the world, sound and picture and all, I forget what it's called. Interpet, or something.

By the time the kid turns 18, Brian will be 85 and Melinda (I believe) in her late 70s. That's absurd.

I see nothing wrong with this at all. If the kids are given a stable home, great, and even when B&M are gone they'll likely want for nothing and I'm sure a support network will be in place then. My concern is for B&M's existing families -  hope they're getting their share of family too.

My first reaction was, "What????" because of the age thing. It's sort of sad to think that Brian and/or Melinda may not be around to see this kid become an adult. On the other hand, the judge knows more about the situation than we do, so who are we to judge? If Brian and Melinda are able to give these kids a warm and loving home environment, then that's probably the first consideration. I bet you Brian is a better father at 67 than he was at 26 or however old he was the first time around.

Brian's last tweet contained a link to a picture. Probably not the same mother.

You think?

(http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs257.snc1/10434_167637892240_34250497240_2628359_2360708_n.jpg)

I would have been a little more polite saying it than DonnaK, though I was thinking essentially the same thing she was, Amy too.  That makes for an awfully busy household, the dogs, 4 young kids, an aging parent.  Yeah, yeah I know, Tony Randall fathered a baby too in his 70s (the old-fashioned way, not an adoption)  - but he didn't live too long afterward.  That's a drag.  Now I know they have lots of help.  The older kids are old enough to help too. And I wish them all the best.  And I gather Brian is a better father to this brood than he was to his first, though I wouldn't venture to guess how consistent he is able to be about it.  See, I AM an older parent of sorts (not as old as the Wilsons, but don't ask), we only have one young'un, and she runs us ragged.  I can't imagine trying to corral 4 kids and a pack of dogs at their age, even with Supernanny in residence.  Maybe that's why the court looked at this adoption a little more closely.  But OK.  Hope it all works out.

While i have my reservations ..that pic shows alot of love..BW its thought can be manipulated sometimes ..BUT..There is no man on the planet i dont think that could be manipulated into adopting 4 children unles he wanted to..Also consider this Brian + Melinda must be in real good health..And its Brians money + legacy...Im sure BW knows what he is doin..

I too, am an older parent, and now a single one at that. I am going on 61 and my son just turned 17. I am just concerned that the courts just seem to not look closely enough at the welfare of the child. They are supposed to do what is BEST for the child's interest. I only wish them all the best, but sometimes people push the envelope, know what I mean???? I saw the brood at a concert in Pasadena a couple of years ago when they only had the 3 kids. There wer 2 nannies there for them then. At least there's work out there for nannies. Isn't it rumored that Brad Pitt is even putting the limit on their craziness???? I just hope they grow up with out issues.

I was at that pasadena show..Not one of BW best..It was just after he laid down on stage in northern california + Al was there..Said he felt faint...BW seemed to be rushing lyrics..Speed up the band..Never saw the brood but its interesting it took 2 nannies to take care of kids..Who takes care of all the dogs..?

Brian is four years older than Melinda, so she'll be 81.

I recall when their age difference was much greater ...

Heh.

Children can often consume your life.  Teens will consume your life for sure.    You would have to have the heart of mother teresa to adopt that many kids at that age.  Or some alterior motive.

I wish them all the best.

Maybe Brian's trying to compete with Mike. Between both marriages, Brian now has six kids. Mike has eight (nine if you include Shawn), but he had them all the natural way!

Brian looks a damn site happier on that photo than on many associated with his day job!

He doesn't look bad, that's true.

wow, did not see that coming. I don't think it's really needed, they got three young kids as it is.

But I wish them all the best, and he is beautiful.

I only wish them the best, truly, but all the money and nannies in the world does not bring normalcy.

I'm thinking of Harpo Marx, who adopted four children rather late in life. I think he was in his 50s when he adopted the last one, and he lived into his 70s. (His wife may have been 10 years younger.) Maybe when you think of extensions of life expectancy, it's somewhat comparable, and apparently they were quite a happy family.

 Bravo to Brian and Melinda for adopting this little boy
who may not have had the privilege of having a loving family
and a decent education.

Point of order: Harpo Marx is not Brian Wilson.

... and who stands a very good chance of being 'orphaned' in his late teens.

No one is guaranteed they will have one or both their parents past tomorrow..

When this boy is 15, Brian will be 81 (if he's till with us), Melinda 77. I'd say that puts the odds somewhat higher than normal.

True. Well, I'm just as judgmental as anyone else. I'm even a little annoyed when I hear about people who have kids for the first time when they're in their early 50s. And Brian and Melinda are a lot older, and Brian has a lot of issues. But I just keep telling myself that I know nothing about other people and other families. Sounds like there are good and not-so-good things about this situation. One good thing is that these kids might grow up to be more empathetic than a lot of others, having a dad who has struggled so much.

Honestly, I find discussing Brian's family life to be a little creepy.  I'm surprised they would publicly announce such a thing.  The guy's private life should remain private IMO, at least when children are involved.

Now to completely contradict myself, I enjoyed seeing that picture.  It's always nice to see Brian looking that happy.

Yes it does .. but do you know the backstory of this child ?
I think whatever time he has his new parents will be beneficial to him..It's obvious you have a problem with Brian and Melinda..

Pray, tell me what it might be.

I say good for them!

If these kids can find 20 years, 20 months or 20 days even of happiness after probably some crappy beginnings then they are lucky.

Take the time to look at some of the agencies associated with adoption in California.

 Kids are not farmed out then dumped without ongoing checks. The judges 'see you next year' quote tells me this latest adoption will be reviewed then.

The Wilsons have the money and ability to provide an alternative if and should the need arise. The judge would have required it.

If these kids have come from a environment where they were not wanted and are now in a 2 parent family who do, whats the problem?

"Point of order: Harpo Marx is not Brian Wilson."

Why does that strike me as an extremely silly statement?

Reading this I wonder whether some of us are getting a touch of the Bloo, as it's quite clear that a few of us actually know what's best for Brian -  far better than he does -  and really he ought to be consulting us before doing anything as irresponsible as adopting another child, which might make him happy.

We all know he'd be much better off recording what we tell he ought to be recording.

Get back to work Wilson, and stop being a happy family man.

Oh, and stop issuing photographs of your happy family in an attempt to spread some happiness among your fans.

We're all too busy being anal about the percussion on Surf's Up -  was it egg shells or dried angels' testicles? - or how Tommy Tredesco would pick his nose in time to Carol Kaye's bass line on Cabinesence, to latch on to any happiness you might assume to have without our permission.


Few feck's sake, wish the guy, and allow the guy, a little happiness.

Well said TheOtherAnonymous, by the way -  you posted as I was ranting.

No problem.

Great photo BTW. I had no idea they had adopted Macaulay Culkin till now.

The whole thread should be removed and this message should be left, sums it up.


HAHA . He's a good lookin kid right, touch of Denny in him, even though I know that's not possible  ;D

I can see both sides of the argument, but with this kind of news, which is meant to be uplifting and happy, I think it's best to look at all the positives that come from it, and not the negatives. We've been saying that we want Brian to do what makes him happy, and I bet he's feeling overjoyed at the arrival of a new family member now. Family is everything; the more, the merrier.

I love that new picture! Lovely little family  :-D

Put simply, I think that adopting a baby at that age is wrong and pretty selfish. I`m not having a go at Brian here because I think we all know that this wouldn`t have been his idea but that child has some tough times ahead. Obviously I hope that Brian (and Melinda for that matter) will be healthy for a long time to come but the truth is that even if he lives until that baby becomes an adult, the chances are that he will gradually slow down. I know from personal experience how tough it can be to, as a child, watch one of your parents get sicker and sicker and more and more tired.

The natural order of things is that a child`s parents should die when that child has achieved independence and while due to accidents and illnesses that can`t always be the case, there should be a decent chance of it coming to pass. The odds are clearly stacked against it here and that is a terrible way for this child`s life to begin. Contingency measures may have been put in place but no matter what they are, they will be no replacement for the kids` new parents.

The child`s wellbeing is a hell of a lot more important that Brian`s (or Melinda`s) happiness.

I'm not really one to judge older people for adopting children and giving them a happy and nurturing home.  A lot of kids are raised by their grandparents.  However, I have to say that there are aspects of Melinda's personality (The collecting of dogs and children and other things) that are a bit unsettling.

I think it's a sign of her insecurity.

Anytime I think of Melinda, I am reminded of the newsreel footage of John and Yoko being arreigned for their pot bust. The reporter is describing the scene and all of a sudden you hear this shrill fan girl screaming "CYNTHIA'S BETTER THAN HER!!!!"

I don't think there would be a parent on this board that couldn't be criticized for some reason or another. Perhaps not 17 dogs but 17 versions of 'Pet Sounds' anyone? Attending countless BW/ BB concerts during the same tour seem normal? Take a look at how long your total time logged on this site is (top left of screen). Tell me some would not think that's a bit strange. Insecure even?

Of course we have all got good reasons for our 'different behaviour' unlike others and their interests which of course are just bizarre aren't they?

Who's idea was it to adopt another child? Give me one reason from that bloo story to say it wasn't Brian. Total conjecture to say it was Melinda. Try this! The other 3 look old enough to say to the Wilson's 'we like it here'. They may have suggested adopting another. Do you think they don't know they are adopted looking at each other?

Wasn't the first adopted about 10 years ago? If any have been dangled over a hotel balcony, offered drugs, beaten, kept from school, starved or worse, I have yet to read it. 

I think Brian really likes little kids. Really, really likes them. He's talked about it, and it's pretty clear that he loves the innocent little ones. Nothing creepy about it at all, that's just the way he is. And I'm sure he's thrilled to have another baby in the house.

But everything else -- as I've said: Hm.

I think there should be an age limit for adopting kids, no matter if they'd stay till they're 18 at an institution.

California's representatives disagree, so be it.

But natural is ok right?

Paul MacCartney, solo dad, drug conviction, no problem or do you put his kid in a institution as well?

I think it's bizarre, unhealthy, that a woman would have children and hand them off to someone else. 

It's not 'ok', but the state can't and shouldn't prevent it from happen, for n reasons.

When it's an adoption, the state can and does check the folks who want to adopt, whoever they are.

See, that's the thing...THIS is my only objection to this adoption. It is extremely diffcult being the child of an older parent. I'm not knocking my own father, but there were issues caused by him being so much older than me (46 when I was born), and you can  imagine when the father is in his late   60.Just by the natural order of things, Brian probably has another 20 years left. You know just how much of Dash and Dylan's lives Brian is  going to miss out? It really sucks, knowing that my dad didn't live long enough to see me become a father. Yeah, my dad's passing was due to illness, but how would it feel knowing that it is a near guarantee knowing your dad wouldn't live to see you become a parent, or get married, or graduate college?

Off topic, but my dad was cooler than merda, though. Put it like this: when I was a teen, I was the one who mainly listened to oldies, but my father was the one who listened to (then)current music! I still remember bringing a girlfriend home, when upon hearing Toad the Wet Sprocket blaring, she naturally assumed I left the radio on. Nope, just Dad chillin' in his room.

Oddly enough, he didn't care for the Beach Boys...too "lightweight" for him. Of course, he wasn't familiar with their work other than the real early stuff and "Kokomo".

If we all thought that way none of us would ever have kids, in case something happened to us. My Dad's 30 years older than me, I'm 44 years older than my daughter. My Dad's mum lived 'til 98, and was fully independent until she was about 95. But she was probably irresponsible giving birth to my Dad at around 28 years old, right?  She could have raised me and my siblings...

Blimey, this board is suddenly becoming more like the Daily Mail!

Death -  it's part of life.

See it this way: for driving a car, you need a license. But for creating and rearing a family, you don't. That means that people who are pretty inept at everything in life, drink and drug a lot, and can't discuss in any normal way and like to push around, slap, and bully, and are often totally 'absent' in whatever way, I repeat: these people are allowed to procreate and guide kids through life. With predictable (awful) results.

If I had the chance to be born again, under the condition that I either choose the above environment, or the Wilson/Ledbetter family, my choice would be so easy that I don't even have to name it.

As I stated clearly in my post, of course nobody knows what is around the corner. But if a child`s parents are already old then there is a significantly greater chance that they will fall ill or die while those children are not yet adults. That`s all.

Be my baby......















I think I just contributed the best post in this thread

As long as you yourself are of the above opinion, it is all right, sir.

26 days, but what's your point? There's a difference between spending time on a message board and orphaning children.

BW has 20 yrs left..?..Acording to U.S. stats..Women live to be an average of 78..Men 74..Yes i know there is plenty of exceptions..But the math says otherwise..Anyway i still think BW is AWARE of everything + it has his blessing..Its his + Melinda"s life..The kids will be taken care of by the extended family..Heck.. Billy Hinsche is part of the family..Lets talk music.

Both his parents will be dead by the time he is twenty.

Support network? A big bag of cash and a secretary is no substitute for an actual family.

Yes, I think the suggestion that Brian is not aware that he has four adopted children is a bit absurd. I don't know him, but I think a lot of people underestimate his state of consciousness.

I'm sure Brian and Melinda have a will, and in that will, I'm sure they have stated who would be the children's guardian if something were to happen to them. That's not to defend their decision to adopt so late in life, but just to say that the children would not be left high and dry. And I can't believe I'm typing this. I guess we'll learn how the kids feel about their childhoods in 20-30 years, when they write their books.   ::)

You do not adopt children with the attitude that if you're not around someone else will take care of them. That's like a drug addict having children. Let someone else take care of the kids. This whole idea of people at their age adopting children is just crazy. The best interest of the child is what's at stake, not passing them down to someone else. I'm sure there are so many other younger, well qualified couples out there seeking a child to adopt that would have been a much better and wiser choice here. I don't even think I'd want to live in that household.

The very worst thing that can possibly happen to you when you're a child is that you lose your parents before you're old enough to make it on your own. And this kid has a pretty good chance that's gonna happen to him. So I think this is just wrong.

Which is why I said, "This is not to defend their decision to adopt..." I was just trying to address the idea that there were no provisions made "just in case." I agree with you that it's not wise or fair to adopt a baby so late. IMO, they should have stuck with the two girls. They were still young enough then. But then, I'm trying not to judge.

 ;D

The point was made after criticism of the Wilsons having 17 dogs. We all have our oddities. I don't have a issue with you spending almost a month logged on discussing a 60s surf band (tongue in cheek BTW). Some would call it nuts. Maybe Melinda thinks she is the US Bridget Bardot with the dogs?

Confession time. Family members have recently adopted 3 kids from a drug addict mother who has since died. I imagine the new parents, as any parent here, would give more time and concern to the 'now' rather than 10-20 years down the track. As would a judge. Bringing up good kids IMO is not just the basics of food and shelter but what the extended environment has to offer ie education, health care, friends and family. So Brians family we know. What of his friends and their families. Melindas family? Didn't the mother move in? Could others be involved?

We don't know the half of it and shouldn't need to.

I don't know anything about institutions in California but going by the finances of the state they could be underfunded. Are there more kids up for adoption than young parents wanting them? As I mentioned in a earlier post even if the Wilsons only have a limited time with the kids, it could be better than the alternative.

One more thing, I thought Brian looked happier in that family picture than most shots of him onstage for the last 10 years.

I don`t think that means too much though. Anyone can look happy in a staged photo after all.

I think it's nice that everyone is voicing their concerns for this child, but what power do we have over any of it? No amount of discussion and criticism is going to change the fact that he adopted the little boy. I know, it IS a message board so we're all free to discuss what we'd like, except for bootlegs, but it makes things tense around here. And it really is a petty thing to get into an argument about. I don't see why we (meaning the ones that disagree with the decision) can't at least try to be happy for the family and see it their way.

Its the BBs fault I think. We need a good lawsuit to get our teeth into instead! ;D

I agree, everyone should just be happy for whatever Brian and his family want, hell if could of been Brian's idea, stranger things have happend.

Yet it is interesting to talk about it, and voice opinions.

But all this talk about death is very morbid  :-\

I don't see why FOR ONCE Brian (& Melinda) can't keep his private life.... private.

I'm all for that, but it might be a little strange if someone spotted the family out one day and all of a sudden, Brian's got a little Asian baby with him. People would certainly have questions :-D It's just something that goes along with being a celebrity, I think. A lot of your private life becomes everybody's business.

Brian could just say he's been sleeping with the maid  ;D

They did, with Dylan: announced they'd got him (week of the 2004 BWPS premier then, for some four years... nothing. Not a peep, not a picture.

And you know what happened ? People started asking if everything was alright, wondering if maybe he had some kind of problem. No-win situation.

As I've mentioned earlier, I think, I put a child up for adotption back in 1970 and it was because I loved the child that I did what was best for him. This being said, nowadays, there are alot of open adoptions going on. I'll tell you what...if I were the birth mother in this case, I really would rather my child NOT go to the Wilson's. Because of their age and their fame. Those are two facts going against the child. The age doesn't need to be explained. They are definitely over the age that most states consider for adoptive parents. How they pulled this off will remain in your own minds, and I think we can all figure that one out. The fame part doesn't seem to help any child. Just read the newspapers. I have no respect for Missy and I think Brian is led by his nose. End of my story.

Not to be overly mean, but isn't their some kind of law against somebody with a long history of mental issues adopting a child?

I thought there was too...then again, he was likely evaluated thoroughly before any of the adoptions.

The speculation here is beginning to look like some tawdry gossip magazine.

And another thing... What if something would happen to Melinda... Can you imagine Brian Wilson raising four young children on his own?

I think it's a good and decent discussion about a moral issue. Nothing wrong with that.

Good point.

He has enough family and employees so that he wouldn't have to raise them on his own.

No matter how much family and how many employees he has, the idea of Brian Wilson, nearing 70, without Melinda, with his history of mental illnesses, being the sole legal guardian of four young children doesn't sound right. And no kid should be raised by "employees" anyway.

So basically this child has one stable parent and she'll be in her 80s by the time he's old enough to live on his own. Seems pretty risky to me.

A mentally ill man approaching 70 who needs help from his family and employees to raise a child makes a good father. Leaving the child in the care of the employees is good for the child.

Edit: shelter already said what I just said. DAMN EHT.

Wouldn't have to - the nannies would do it.

It's weird, I'm kinda jealous of the kid  :lol

Opinions?

1) The Wilsons
2)The Pitts
3)Madonna

No matter what age Brian adopted at, I'm sure he'd still be getting sh*t for it. As of right now, he's "too old." Twenty five years ago, he'd be an alright age, but Landy was around. Thirty five years ago...yeah, and the kid(s) would be in the same boat as Carnie and Wendy were. Fourty five + years ago, too young and inexperienced to raise a child. Another no win situation like AGD was talking about.

I think I'm missing the main problem that people are having with this. Is it Brian's age, his past, and how he was able to adopt a child, or is it the welfare of the child you're concerned about? I'm inclined to think it can't be both ways. If the welfare of the child is the main issue, I think you're worrying over nothing. He's going to be getting lots of love and there is plenty of money and means to get him what he needs to make sure he is taken care of properly. Brian's age can't be helped, and I think it has very little to do with how good of care the child will receive. It'll be like being raised by grandparents, which plenty of kids are.

Yes, it's his age that people have a problem with. I can see it both ways, but I don't think courts in California take age as the first consideration when deciding whether to award custody. Look at Michael Jackson's kids. I believe the court gave custody to Jackson's mother, who is 79.

In terms of his mental state, maybe if someone can demonstrate the ability to work and earn an income, that's a big consideration. And Brian can. He has also (as far as we know) been a successful father to his other adopted children.

A child ideally needs both his father and mother involved as he grows up to adulthood.  Circumstances can change, a parent may die, a divorce interveens, but to have an older mother and a father that's only partially involved, is the wrong way to start out.  I say that as a man who is 46 years older than his daughter.

I haven't checked out this board in a long time. Wow, that's just weird.  Good luck to the tyke. I've read interviews with Brian where he's said that adopting the kids was all Melinda's idea, and that having kids underfoot makes him nervous.  He sometimes says how much he loves the kids and how much he enjoys them, but other times he sounds completely unenthusiastic about it.  He already had two daughters. I think Melinda is competing with Wendy and Carnie because they have all those grandkids.  She never has much nice to say about his first family.  She is also a hoarder of animals.  Having a bunch of kids goes along with that.  Though I guess she's not in Octomom territory yet, or Angelina Jolie.  What is it about the attraction to achieving fame and the narcissism that goes with it that (and I'm talking about Melinda here, who never would have married a man in Brian's condition in a million years, or even someone with his personality,  if he weren't famous and rich)  makes for such screwy values in peoples' personal lives?

Forget Marie -- I think you assume a lot about Melinda that you cannot possibly know. Folks who are in Brian's "condition," whatever that is, don't live in huts somewhere if they're not famous. They live in communities like yours and mine, and yes, they often get married and have families. It's not like having a mental illness makes you radioactive or something. For that matter, there are surely many people who, regardless of how much money Brian may have, would have never contemplated a relationship with him. Melinda did not choose an easy life when she married Brian. But neither did my partner, or any number of people here who might be in relationships with folks who are depressed, anxious or chronically ill in some way. But they do it anyway. And it is seldom to exploit.

I admit I'm being perhaps too cynical.  I just know it's probably not a great idea for people pushing 70 to adopt kids, for all the reasons others here have outlined.  It makes me suspect her motives in other areas.  And I really doubt it was Brian's idea to adopt a fourth kid. 

Does the "see you next year" comment by the judge mean he thinks another is on the way, or do they have to undergo court monitoring on a regular basis?  That is kind of odd.

That struck me as perhaps a tad cynical on the part of the California Judiciary.....

Right. Brian is an intelligent, creative, interesting person who can be quite funny and charming. Is it so hard to believe that Melinda just loves him for who he is? And after all, Melinda is obviously the type of person who likes to have others depending on her care (otherwise she wouldn't have four adopted children and about 20 dogs), so in that sense, Brian is the perfect man for her.

Yes that hits the nail on the head. There's every reason to think that having these kids around will actually extend their active retirement, if she is that kind of person.

Why do they adopt? I thought Melinda was only in her 30s, surely she can still create babies in her belly?

Right, because her being a couple of years younger than Brian would make her in her 30s. :rolleyes

63  yrs old i believe..is that right..?

Joke character - confirmed -

Agreed.

Oh hey, thanks thought police.

You're welcome, spammer.

Are you sure he wasn't talking about the dogs?

Nah - the dogs, he treads on...

That's a doggone shame.


:lol

Who cares?

Many, it seems.

As an adopted person of (what I always felt was too much) older parents - in their middle 40s when I was an infant - this simply strikes me as being very weird... I thought it was weird the first two times and it's getting...well...weirder.

My first (and most lasting) impression was that this almost seems to be an attempt to devalue the significance and importance of Brian's biological kids, at least from perhaps a psychological stand point.  Anyway it seems that there is some kind of odd angle working here, and personally if your kid's kids are younger than your kids then, Houston, we have a problem.

Brian and Melinda as foster parents I might have been able to see - adoptive parents, not so much.  That said, it is nice that Brian smiles these days - something he never did from, oh I don't know... 1970 to about 1995.... something like that.  If the kids have anything to do with that then I am luke-warm to the idea... but I would have preferred seeing him improve his relationship with his adult daughters.  Maybe it's just me.

I was making a pun...dog....gone...doggone. Weak, I know.

Ah, the prevailing apathy of youth.  "Who cares ?"... "whatever"...  "dunno".... [shrug].

Interesting point, if you turn this back on them (as I did with a friend's daughter), it really ticks them off... which is hugely amusing and an excellent reason for so doing in the first place.  ;D

 :) Sir, that is a very wise observation!

There is a difference between apathy and accepting that other people will make decisions that we can't change or affect.

This is true.

"Withdrawal in disgust is not the same as apathy".

Wow, an esoteric REM quote. I thought I was the only one who hadn't sold my Monster CD.

I love Monster. "Strange Currencies" is a far better song than "Everybody Hurts" I think. (And Automatic is one of my desert island discs)

When What's The Frequency Kenneth came out, I thought it was the greatest thing ever.

OK, back to the topic: Something tells me that THIS was the "big announcment", and not the Gershwin thing. It just makes sense, going back the last few days before the announcment. "The papers are being signed as we speak"...."there is no going back", etc.

Maybe the baby is the reincarnation of George Gershwin and he's secretly collaborating with Brian on the new album.