Wednesday's intriguing people
Actor Mickey Rooney was granted court protection after alleging that his stepson abused him.
March 2nd, 2011
11:09 AM ET

Wednesday's intriguing people

Mickey Rooney

The 90-year-old actor will appear Wednesday on Capitol Hill, testifying on elder abuse before the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Rooney recently was granted court protection - and saw his finances placed with an independent conservator - after alleging that his stepson was physically and emotionally abusing him, the Los Angeles paper reported.

Rooney, who began in vaudeville, is perhaps best known for starring in the "Andy Hardy" films as well as musicals with Judy Garland, who died in 1969.

Amber Branson

The coach of a Texas girls basketball team gave birth to a girl Friday night after a tournament game - and was coaching on the court the next day, according to CNN affiliate KTXA-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Branson coached her Lipan High School basketball team to a victory Friday night, then gave birth to baby Leslie at 10 p.m., the station said. She was back on the court at 2 p.m. Saturday to lead the Lipan team to a victory that qualified them for the state finals.

“I just wanted to be with the girls,” Lipan told KTXA. “During the game I was fine as long as I was standing. I think emotion and adrenaline and everything else kept me going."

Wadah Khanfar

The 43-year-old director general of Al-Jazeera gave a passionate speech Tuesday at the annual TED conference in Long Beach, California. He described the new generation of young Arabs behind the Mideast uprisings as well-educated, well-connected and sharing the "universal values" needed to overthrow the "politically elite, authoritarian dictatorships" that have controlled the Arab world for decades, according to the Creativity Online site.

Saying Al-Jazeera is "not a tool of the revolution," Khanfar said protesters are relying on the network to cover their stories and protect them from violent backlash, the Creativity report said.

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soundoff (11 Responses)
  1. Jim Brieske

    Mickey Rooney was sleeping with Ava Gardner. He knows God exists.
    jim

    March 2, 2011 at 11:28 am | Report abuse |
  2. Sinatra's brain

    Ah yes, Ava. The only broad that ever brought me to my knees. I dumped my wife for her. Was it worth it? It led me to sing some of my best songs ever. But in the end she was just a dame.

    March 2, 2011 at 11:36 am | Report abuse |
  3. Joseph McCarthy

    Elderly people should never be abused but they are,unfortunately. As long as life in America is life in America,that's bound to happen. Most young people care only for themseves as we're now living with the "me" generation.

    March 2, 2011 at 3:44 pm | Report abuse |
    • Jim Brieske

      You got that right,Joe. To be old in America is to be alone! Nobody wants to have anything to do with you once you're old and grey,especially here in America where you're quickly forgotten by the younger generation!!!

      March 2, 2011 at 8:21 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Howard Spruce

    And quite the dame she was..It seems like only yesterday..that I gave her a roman helmet while flying over Long Beach harbor... .

    March 2, 2011 at 3:47 pm | Report abuse |
    • Jim Brieske

      Howard had her place bugged. He was listening to Ava and Mickey doing the Two Step Boogie.
      jim

      March 2, 2011 at 4:49 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Ray

    I hope the new generation of young Arabs can help mold a better life for the people in that part of the world.

    March 2, 2011 at 4:51 pm | Report abuse |
  6. ed bailey

    Mrs Branson you are a true grit type.I hope you took Sunday off to do the dish's and vacuum the floor.moving the chair with the husband in it was not called for. Good luck mom!

    March 2, 2011 at 7:27 pm | Report abuse |
  7. raven

    I work in health care but i wont work in facilities anymore .its too depressing . People use them to warehouse the elderly and infirm. I couldnt stand to watch them linger with a thousand yard stare. I felt guilty. When I get old i hope i stay lucid enough to off myself if someone wants to put me in one .

    March 3, 2011 at 2:09 am | Report abuse |
    • RUFFNUTT

      I feel the same way,raven. I just don't ever want to get that old or if I do,just to stay healthy.

      March 3, 2011 at 2:56 pm | Report abuse |
  8. RUFFNUTT

    I find that people who try to make a joke out this subject to be quite appalling. There is nothing funny about getting old nor the abuse of the elderly. Have these people no shame?

    March 3, 2011 at 2:59 pm | Report abuse |
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