BarbaWire, March 24

Remembering Taylor
By now I am sure you’ve heard about the death of Elizabeth Taylor. I can’t say I am overly versed in her work. Truthfully, the only movie I can vividly remember her in was "The Flintstones" (she played Wilma’s mom!). Of course there is also her White Diamonds commercial. (These have always brought me luck)
Anyway, over the weekend I came across this feature on the Huffington Post about her trip to Iran in 1976 and was enthralled by how gorgeous she was but also by the beauty of these photos. There is something about the way her dark features and violet eyes meshed with all the colorful tapestries. The photos are on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art until June. More.

Bonds' Friends and Foes
Steve Hoskins, Barry Bonds’ former buddy, testified on Wednesday that the home run king* asked him to research the effects of steroids in the late 1990s. Bonds is currently on trial for obstruction of justice and perjury in a 2003 grand jury investigation on steroid distribution. He has said that he never knowingly took steroids.
During his testimony, Hoskins also said that he taped conversations between him and Greg Anderson, Bonds’ personal trainer and alleged steroid administer, about the juice. Hoskins said that he wanted to prove to Bonds’ dad that his son was lie-telling about being organic. While Hoskins is spilling all the details, Anderson continues to be silent. He went to prison for 17 months because of his silence during the grand jury investigation and he returned to the pokey for refusing to testify on Wednesday. More.

Japan Update
Good news: Power has been restored to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Iffy news: There are still considerable challenges ahead with lots of danger for the workers. Also, all the salt water that was used to cool the reactors is leaving massive salt deposits that could cause lots of problems. Bad news: There are warnings that infants as far away as Tokyo shouldn’t drink tap water. More.

Mental in Missouri
Jared Loughner, the alleged gunman that went on a rampage in Arizona in January, has been sent to undergo a psych evaluation in Missouri. The attack left six dead and injured several others, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head. I am not sure why we need to look beyond this nutjob’s mug shot for proof that he is cray-cray. More.

Boehner Has a Point
House speaker John A. Boehner is pressing President Obama to clarify our role in Libya. Like a lot of us, Boehner just sort of feels left out of the process. Also, while President Obama has called for Moammar Gadhafi to step down, the United Nations resolution only calls for a no-fly zone and does not specify a change of power. So, what gives, O? More.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Wednesday that the U.S. could take its planned hands-off role in the operation as soon as Saturday. We shall see, right? More.

Gross or Ghost?
Teenagers thought they heard a ghost in their house; really it was just some intruder rattling his chain. (Torturing his soul? Or insert your own innuendo here!) More. Speaking of ghosts, I have a great story. I have an aunt that is easily spooked. Circa 1996 I masterminded a plan to scare the bejeesus out her. I took my mom's dress form and put a light-colored, long, and flowing dress that my mom had in the spare bedroom closet on the form. We then put a fan behind the dress and let hilarity (and lots and lots of screams) ensue. Ahhh, the 90s. They were so much fun!