Breaking News Around The World

Farrah Fawcett has died

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:10:00 +0000

I just heard on my local news on ABC, that Farrah Fawcett has died. I was in the process of writing the article below, when I learned of Farrah's death. Farrah may have died but her memory will live on, rest in peace Farrah Fawcett.

Barbara Walters devoted a portion of ABC's The View, to the 70's icon, Farrah Fawcett. It seems that Farrah is on her death bed, she has only a few hours to live.

Farrah Fawcett, 62, was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. Farrah's fight with cancer is almost over. She is in her final hours. A Priest has been called to give Farrah Fawcett her last rites. She is surrounded by her friends. Hearing this news just breaks my heart. I, like a lot of other's out there, grew up watching Farrah Fawcett, she became a part of the family. She will be missed.

Those who are at Farrah Fawcett's bedside include her love, Ryan O'Neal, Mela Murphy, close friend and hairdresser, and friend, Alana Stewart. Farrah and Ryan's 24 year old son, Redman O'Neal, is incarcerated in California for drug possession, so he is unable to be with Farrah in her final hours. Farrah Fawcett's son was released on Friday to visit her one last time, to say his goodbye's to his mother.

- examiner

Michael Jackson dies leaving legacy of award-winning music

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:54:00 +0000

Michael Jackson, who died today at age 50, ruled the music world throughout the 1980s, selling millions of records and concert tickets and dubbing himself the "King of Pop." And while Michael Jackson won multiple times at such popularity contests as the American Music Awards and the MTV Awards, he also earned the respect of his peers in the music industry with his 13 Grammy Awards.

Michael Jackson Grammy Awards Thriller Death News 1357986 After striking out on his own from the Jackson Five, Jackson won his first Grammy in 1980 for best R&B male vocal performance ("Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"). That track from his chart-topping "Off the Wall" album also contended for best disco recording.

"Thriller" – his second solo effort as an adult – was released in November 1982 and spent a record 37 weeks at No. 1, producing an unparalleled seven Top 10 singles. In March 1983, Jackson debuted his moonwalk dance to "Billie Jean" on the TV special "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever." Michael Jackson earned an Emmy nod for best performance in a variety or music program. He lost to opera diva Leontyne Price for her concert with the New York Philharmonic on "Live From Lincoln Center."

At the Grammys in February 1984, Jackson shared in seven of the eight awards won by the album (the exception was for best engineered recording). Michael Jackson shared the wins for album of the year and producer of the year (non-classical) with "Thriller" collaborator Quincy Jones, who also produced his Grammy-winning children's recording "E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial."

For the three chart-topping singles off the album, Jackson won Grammy Awards for male vocal performance in an unprecedented three genres – R&B ("Billie Jean"), rock ("Beat It") and pop ("Thriller"). He shared in the record of the year win for "Beat It" with the production team. And as the songwriter, he picked up a Grammy for penning the best R&B tune ("Billie Jean"). However, Sting's "Every Breath You Take" edged out two Jackson compositions – "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" – for song of the year.

Jackson's total of eight Grammy wins in one night broke the record set in 1965 by Roger Miller, who'd won six awards, most for the country hit "King of the Road." And the eight Grammys awarded to "Thriller" was another record haul as well. Both of these achievements were tied by Santana and the album "Supernatural" in 1999.

Michael Jackson won another Grammy the following year in the category of best video album for the film that documented the making of the landmark "Thriller" video. That $500,000, 14-minute video, directed by John Landis, told the story of a boy (Jackson) and girl enjoying a date until he turns into a singing, dancing werewolf.

In 1986, Jackson and Lionel Richie won the song of the year Grammy for the charity single "We Are the World," which also took home record of the year. As Jackson was one of the pioneers of the music video, it seems appropriate that the last two Grammys he won were for that medium. In 1989 he and his team won the short form video award for "Leave Me Alone" off his follow-up album "Bad." And in 1995 he and his sister Janet Jackson shared in the short form winning "Scream" from his double album "HIStory."

Who is Albert Tiny Manzo

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:31:00 +0000

Who is Albert Tiny Manzo, was he mafia, and what is Tiny’s relation to Tommy and Caroline on Real Housewives of New Jersey? Albert Tiny Manzo is brought up in tonight’s Real Housewives of New Jersey Reunion.

Caroline and Dina say they are unhappy that press are suggesting that Albert Tiny Manzo was murdered in a “mob-style hit” in 1983. Caroline says “it makes me feel horrible that it was even brought up.” Caroline reveals tonight how her father in law’s body was discovered on her birthday and that her husband bought he a ring to help make he forget the tragedy.

“And I looked at him dead in the eye and I said I love you, and I love your father, and I am proud to be his daughter-in-law.”

Danielle reportedly adds:

“Was it my father-in-law that was killed and shoved into a trunk? I’m dangerous? I knew about this through the whole show. I didn’t bring it up once. I’m classy.”

How has the press portrayed Tiny Manzo? Before the series premiered the New York Daily News called Tiny a “mobster” claiming the following:

Sisters Dina and Caroline Manzo …. Their father-in-law, Albert (Tiny) Manzo, was executed mob-style in August 1983, after he and Gambino family soldier Peter A. Campisi were suspected of skimming from a mob casino on Staten Island.

“A couple of weeks later, they found Tiny Manzo in the trunk of his car,” recalled Robert Buccino, a New Jersey organized crime expert.

The 350-pound mobster took four slugs to his torso. His naked body - the arms and legs bound in plastic - was discovered in the trunk of his parked Lincoln-Continental outside a supermarket in Hillside, N.J.

The killing was never solved.

The report went on to explain that Tiny owned the Brownstone Restaurant, featured in the show, now operated by his sons Albert and Tommy, married to Dina and Caroline.

Another report says a case that went to the state Supreme Court ruled his window could not collect on a life insurance policy since Tiny at 350 lbs had lied on his application about not having diabetes.

- lalate

Jodi Arias Travis Alexander!

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:21:00 +0000

PHOTO! Here is a picture plus video of Jody Arias featured on 48 Hours tonight. The Travis Alexander Jodi Arias case is reexamined tonight, Alexander found dead June 9, 2008 in his home, five days after one single shot to the face and multiple stabs to the body.

Arias quickly denied involvement but admitting to being in the home on June 4. She is now faces first degree murder charges in a case that won’t start until 2010.

But tonight, Arias remains in a Phoenix jail maintaining her innocence. She tells 48 Hours’ Maureen Maher in a broadcast this evening she believes she will prove her innocence:

“I’ve been sitting a lot in my cell thinking what a waste. You know, I did have my whole future ahead of me, a career a marriage and a family. I had everything to lose and nothing to gain if I killed Travis.

“I go from one end of the spectrum to being very afraid and feeling very hopeless to another end to where a deep sense of peace comes over me and realize that no matter what happens, everything is gonna work out. And it’s gonna be OK.”

Demi Moore Bush Pic?

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:03:00 +0000

Oh boy. Actress Demi Moore may be regretting a photo she took back in the 1980s that revealed a little too much of the star after people started frantically searching for the picture.

The latest search term buzz on the internet is cleverly titled 'Demi Moore Bush pic', thanks to Daniel Tosh of Comedy Central's Tosh.0 internet-based show.

So what is the 'Demi Moore Bush pic'? Does is somehow have to do with the actress and the former president of the United States, George Bush? You'd think so - but this search has a far more crude meaning.

The search is for a picture of Demi Moore with full-frontal exposure. We have provided a link to the NSFW photo of Demi's 'Hairy Bush' photo. Use at your own discretion!

Jennifer Miller Jewelry Stores

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:52:00 +0000

Jennifer Miller appeared on the Today Show this morning to talk about her jewelry, and it has really begun to capture a lot of interest.

Jennifer Miller has three jewelry stores, one in New York, Palm Beach, and the Hamptons. At her stores, you can find a range of items, from expensive to more affordable. She appeared on NBC’s the Today Show to discuss her jewelry, and since then interest in her business has soared.

At Jennifer Miller’s stores, she seems to deal mostly in feux jewelry, which she claims is ideal for those who travel, and don’t want to risk the loss or damage to their important belongings.

But she does deal in pieces that can be described as “fine jewelry,” with rose cut diamonds and pearls. According to Jennifer Miller’s website, there is something for everyone. Unlike other designers, Jennifer Miller can’t be pinned down to a single style, but has a diverse flavor of items available for purchase.

-rightcelebrity

WEC 41: Manny Gamburyan Wins on Undercard

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:10:00 +0000

WEC 41: Manny Gamburyan Wins on Undercard of Faber vs. Brown 2

WEC 41 is underway in Sacramento, and everyone is talking about the main event, the Urijah Faber vs. Mike Brown rematch. But Manny Gamburyan, the former UFC fighter making his World Extreme Cagefighting debut, won what he hopes will be the first fight on his path to taking on the Faber-Brown winner down the road.

Gamburyan, fighting at 145 pounds after fighting at 155 pounds in all five of his UFC fights, beat John Franchi by unanimous decision (30-27 on all three judges' cards) in a fight that established him as a featherweight to watch -- but that also elicited boos from the crowd for a lack of action.

"This is my new home, guys," Gamburyan said afterward, via Ariel Helwani at Versus. "I'm only going to get better. That's all I can say. I'm only going to get better. The last time I cut to 145 was exactly 10 years ago, so this wasn't easy for me, trust me ... 20 pounds for me was very hard."

Gamburyan, who also said after the fight that he may have suffered a broken hand in the first round, told me before the fight that he expects to fight the Faber vs. Brown 2 winner some day.

"That's what I'm here for," Gamburyan told me. "It's all about getting that belt around my waist. I think if I follow the right path, I can do it."

He still needs to win a few more times before he'll get that chance, but Gamburyan took the first step Sunday night in Sacramento.

- fanhouse

Idle Hands announce the release of full-length album

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:01:00 +0000

The Idle Hands are proud to announce the release of their debut full-length album The Hearts We Broke On The Way To The Show, due out September 8th on Pretty Kids Collective records.

The Minneapolis band made up of Irish ex-pats and Midwest natives have written an impressive record filled with songs about lust and longing, sordid affairs, brutal regrets, and the after parties that fuel them. Without even so much as trying their engaging first single "Loaded" managed to find itself on local radio, touted as "Song Of The Day" and entered into heavy rotation on the Twin Cities indie/alt leaning NPR station The Current.

The forthcoming release features tracks from the Loaded EP - recorded in L.A. with producer Mark Needham (The Killers, Bloc Party) - and new tracks mixed and produced by Tony Lash (the Dandy Warhols, Elliott Smith) and engineered by the likes of Erik Applewick (Tapes 'n Tapes) and Chad Weiss (Mason Jennings). The Hearts We Broke On The Way To The Show is akin to a familiar friend that keeps you on your toes, spanning glam, neo-New Wave, and disco with nods to everyone from Berlin-era Bowie to pre-Dig! Dandy's.

So who are The Idle Hands and how did they come to be? As the story goes, Front-man Ciaran and his brother Criostoir (bass) left the Emerald Isle and found themselves in a land of snow, holed up in a studio making music with their friends. The boy/girl/boy/girl/boy line-up is rounded out by Eileen (keys), her traveling companion Emma (guitar), and rhythm setter Nick on the drums. This summer and throughout the rest of 2009 the band is excited to get on the road in support of the forthcoming September 8th release.

- altsounds

Jerry Herman Says Songwriting Days Are Over

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:46:00 +0000

Composer-lyricist Jerry Herman, winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, said in the Tony press room that he has hung up his songwriting shoes for good.

"I think my style of musical has come and was very, very good to me, but is gone now. I think it's better to know when to leave than to end up with two or three shows that didn't make it. I left at my height."

Jerry Herman
photo by Aubrey Reuben

Herman said, however, that he would still like to see talked-about revivals of Hello, Dolly! and Mame, but added, "The big problem with my shows is that they require a major star…we don't train people to do shows like that anymore."

- playbill

Young rancher is winner of huge Powerball prize

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:24:00 +0000

A 23-year-old Todd County rancher whose family has fallen behind in their taxes and had a mobile home repossessed last year has claimed a $232.1 million Powerball jackpot.

Neal Wanless, who lives on his family's 320-acre ranch near Mission, bought the winning ticket in Winner late last month during a trip to buy livestock feed. He will take home $88.5 million in a lump sum payment after taxes are deducted.

Wanless says his family has been helped by their community and that he "intends to repay that help many times over." He says he plans to continue ranching, albeit on a larger ranch.

Wanless, wearing a black cowboy hat, had a huge grin on his face during the brief presentation ceremony in Pierre.

Lottery officials say he will get his money June 16th. He was given a $100 bill for a lesser prize he won on the same Powerball ticket.

-kxmb

Woman pulled in front of train by dog

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:12:00 +0000

A woman who died after the dog she was walking pulled her into the path of an Amtrak train was identified today as 32-year-old Vida Silver of Hayward.

Silver was walking a pit bull terrier on Blossom Way about a mile north of the Hayward station around 2:15 p.m. Thursday. The dog's owner, an 18-year-old man, rode a bicycle around the crossing arms as the train approached, said Alameda County sheriff's Sgt. J.D. Nelson.

Watch the news video

Video

The dog apparently began following its owner and pulled the woman into the train's path, Nelson said. Silver had the leash wrapped around her hand in order to control the dog and was unable to let go, authorities said.

Both Silver and the dog died when they were hit by a Capitol Corridor train headed from Sacramento to San Jose, said Amtrak spokeswoman Vernaé Graham. Silver was identified today by the county coroner.

Her death came hours after a man jumped in front of a train near Grayson Street in Berkeley at 10:50 a.m., Graham said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was not released pending notification of his family.

-sfgate

Royal Pains Premiere

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:41:00 +0000

Stepping into the untapped TV role of a recently unemployed hospital surgeon who becomes a reluctant concierge doctor for the rich and famous in the Hamptons, Feuerstein is an immediate good fit for the USA schedule, bringing a charming and comedic presence to the summer airwaves in a series that taps into two rarely seen worlds for its success - the freelance life of a concierge doctor and the elite New York region of the Hamptons.

Prior to the premiere of Royal Pains, we briefly caught up with the new USA contract doc on a recent conference call to find out more about Mark Feuerstein, life in the Hamptons, the balance of drama and comedy within Royal Pains, and how Dr. Hank becomes a Robin Hood figure by the third episode.

Here is the premiere of USA medical drama “Royal Pains”, which is about A down and out surgeon who has a chance to redeem himself as a small town physician in the wealthy beach community of East Hampton, NY.

EP 1.1 Pilot

When a Hospital trustee dies on Dr. Hank Lawson’s watch, he is shunned by the medical community. Months later, at a party in the Hamptons, he saves the life of a guest and stumbles upon a new career as an on call doctor for high society.

-thedeadbolt

Octomom Rips Kate’s Bikini Body

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:53:00 +0000

Nadya Suleman goes on a video tirade about Kate Gosselin’s vacation bikini pictures.

Suleman, who is trying to trademark the term “Octomom,” appeared in another video on RadarOnline.com.

This time, Suleman goes on rant about Gosselin using tummy-tuck to get in beach shape.

Suleman then rips up a set on Gosselin bikini pictures, throws them in a trash can and laughs.

On the surface, the latest mom antics seem juvenile. But Suleman has signed a TV deal with a European production company, and will be coming to cable TV in the near future.

The Gosselins empire is rumored to be worth as much as $10 million.

Suleman also said in the video that she shows "more intellectual and educational, not so superficial."

On Wednesday, Kate Gosselin was seen in public for the third day in a row in a bikini. There is no word on when she and her children will return from North Carolina.

- myfoxphilly

Kate Gosselin on Bikini

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:48:00 +0000

Kate Gosselin hits the beach again in a new bikini, while husband Jon is nowhere to be seen.

Gosselin, 34, was in the black designer bikini at a North Carolina resort on Tuesday where she, hed kids and bodyguard Steve Neild have been since Memorial Day.

Jon Gosselin was spotted Monday on at ATV at the couple’s house near Reading, Pa.

But on Tuesday, US Weekly reported that Jon had been with his alleged girlfriend on March 28 in Utah, when Kate had her birthday party back East.

New episodes of “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” aired on Monday show the couple clearly apart one month before tabloid reports of affairs with other people.

The shows had Jon Gosselin in Park City, Utah when Kate Gosselin was home, while Jon stayed with the kids when Kate went on a book tour to San Diego.

“It looks like it's all about me,” Kate said at the start of the show, but she said that underneath, it “is all about the kids.”

But then Kate complained that Jon wasn't home for her birthday because he decided to stay on the snowboarding slopes at Park City.

Jon justified his decision by saying he went there to help handicapped children, while Kate said she was sad.

However, it turned out that TLC arranged for a trip for Kate and her children to Baltimore to see the cake bakers from “Ace Of Cakes,” another reality series.

The show seemed to set up a format with each parent spending time with their eight children, but apart from each other.

The first footage was apparently shot in late March, at least one month before US Weekly reported Jon's alleged affair with Reading school teacher Deanna Hummel.

Kate Gosselin then went to California on a book tour in April, without Jon.

Many scenes featured the couple on a couch, with one child propped between the couple.

But clearly, the adult Gosselins were leading separate lives before tabloids made their lives "hell," as Kate Gosselin said.

-myfoxphilly

David Carradine Suicide in Bangkok

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:24:00 +0000

David Carradine was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room at the age of 72. Media reports indicate that the veteran actor, best known for his roles in "Kung Fu" and the "Kill Bill" movies -- committed suicide.

In a 2004 interview dug up by the Telegraph Newspaper, the 72-year-old actor revealed that he once considered shooting himself, saying: "Look, there was a period in my life when I had a single action Colt 45, loaded, in my desk drawer.

David Carradine and wife Annie Bierman arrive at a 2005 movie premiere in Hollywood. Carradine married five times and had three children, including a son with former girlfriend Barbara Hershey. He also is survived by several stepchildren.

Luis Martinez-AP

And every night I'd take it out and think about blowing my head off, and then decide not to and go on with my life. Put it back in the drawer and open up the laptop and continue writing my autobiography or whatever. But it was just to see."

But there's more -- Carradine, who was also a musician, released a song on his website called Big Mack Truck, about a man who considers ending his life by walking into traffic. Here are some of the lyrics:

Does anyone know where I'm going ... does anyone here really care?

If I walk myself on a highway ... would that big mac truck be there?

Big mack truck .. big mack truck ... bearin' down on me.

Big mack truck on a highway .. oh say can you see ... can you see ... can you see?

World of Warcraft Patch 3.1.3 coming tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:22:00 +0000

WoW patch 3.1.3 is going to be released soon and now it’s really close, being scheduled for tomorrow, according to MMO-Champion. The game will not get any major changes, probably, and it won’t happen until patch 3.2.0.

Please note that the initial patch notes will not show up in the PTR, but we will let you know what the changes will be a bit later.

- softsailor

Ford auto sales best in ten months

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:14:00 +0000

GM: General Motors (GMGMQ) announced the sale of its Hummer truck brand one day after it filed for bankruptcy protection, bringing an end to an era for the automaker.

The bankruptcy is seen as necessary by lawmakers who say the industry requires a broad overhaul. GM's bankruptcy will result in 20,000 job losses and the closure of 12 plants.

GM is now trading under the symbol GMGMQ, as of Tuesday. It will be removed from the S&P 500 at the close of trading Tuesday and is also being kicked out of the Dow. Cisco Systems (CSCO, Fortune 500) takes its place starting Monday.

In other auto sector news, Ford Motor (F, Fortune 500) said Tuesday that May auto sales fell 24%, versus forecasts for a drop of 28.5%. The results nonetheless marked the best monthly performance for the company since last July.

Other automakers are also releasing monthly sales results throughout the day.

Meanwhile Ford Motor Co.'s U.S. auto sales fell less than expected in May marking its best performance since July 2008, the automaker reported on Tuesday.

Ford (F, Fortune 500) said total domestic vehicle sales fell 24.3% compared to a year earlier. That was a narrower decline than the Edmunds.com analysts' forecast of a 28.5% drop and better than the 32% retreat in April.

Though Ford's car models fell by 25.5%, sales of its mid-sized Fusion model were actually up 9.4% last month, the only model that rose from last year.

Crossover SUV sales dropped 9%, and traditional SUV sales tanked 37.4%. Overall, Ford truck sales fell 23.4%.

- CNN

Who Have The World's Greatest Smiles

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:03:00 +0000

If you have what it takes to handle 67 days of smiles in the sun at Orlando's theme parks and other attractions then this is for you.

The search begins today for a couple that can also handle a video camera and is blogging and twitter savvy.

The local tourism bureau kicks off its Orlando Makes Me Smile marketing campaign.

The winning couple will get 67 days of lodging in a downtown condo, $25,000 in cash, a rental car and admission to everything from Gatorland to the Orlando Museum of Art.

Tourism officials have calculated it will take 67 eight hour days to experience all of the area's attractions.

The 67 days will begin in late Aug. 26 and end Nov. 2.

The deadline to apply is June 30.

Experience every attraction in Orlando over 67 days, the amount of time it would take to experience the more than 100 attractions offered in Orlando, sharing your smiles along the way with the entire world.

Details here

Peter G. Peterson Foundation

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:43:00 +0000

President Obama will be hosting a summit on “fiscal responsibility” this week. The exact purpose of such a summit at a time when the world economy is collapsing from a decade of financial irresponsibility is not clear. However, one name on the guest list does stand out: Peter G. Peterson.

Those who follow debates on budget issues closely have probably heard of Peter G. Peterson. Mr. Peterson has been a prominent figure weighing in on budget debates for close to two decades.

Mr. Peterson was the Commerce Secretary in the Nixon administration. He then went on to make billions of dollars as one of the top executives at the Blackstone Group, a private equity fund. Mr. Peterson is known as one of the top beneficiaries of the fund managers’ tax break, through which he personally pocketed tens of millions of dollars.

Mr. Peterson has never been shy about using his Wall Street wealth to try to cut Social Security and Medicare, and he recently stepped up his efforts. Last year he spent $1 billion to endow the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which seems to have destroying these programs at the top of its agenda. (Mr. Peterson also has a think tank named after him, the Peter G. Peterson Institute for International Economics.)

Peterson’s main story is that these programs are bankrupting the government and will impose an unbearable burden on future generations. Of course, the reality is that we have a broken health care system. The projections of scary budget deficits that Peterson’s crew constantly cites is based almost entirely on projections of exploding health care costs. If the United States can get its health care system in order, as every other country has done, then we would be projecting enormous budget surpluses as far as the eye can see.

It is remarkable that the Peterson crew can continue to whine about generation inequality even after we just saw the most enormous redistribution from older generations to younger generations in the history of the world. The $8 trillion in wealth lost in the collapse of the housing bubble was mostly held by older workers and retirees. The $7 trillion lost in the stock market collapse was also primarily held by older workers and retirees.

The beneficiaries of these huge price declines will be younger workers, and those yet to enter the labor force, who will be able to buy homes and stock at prices far lower than they would have paid just two years ago. This huge generational redistribution would cause serious economists to change their view of inter-generational fairness. After all, how much money do they think the baby boom cohort should be forced to surrender?

However, this massive redistribution from older generations to younger ones has just caused the Peterson crew to redouble their efforts. After all, the Peterson crew somehow couldn’t see an $8 trillion housing bubble as it was growing. Why should they pay any attention to it now, just because its collapse has thrown the world economy into the worst downturn since the Great Depression?

Unfortunately, instead of being subject to the ridicule they so richly deserve, the Peterson crew is treated reverentially by the media. Ostensibly serious news outlets suspend normal journalistic practices in discussing the Peterson gang.

This deference is best evidenced by the way the Peterson Foundation is described in news stories. Instead of describing the Peterson Foundation by its political leanings, in a recent article the Washington Post characterized the Foundation as an organization that “advocates for federal fiscal responsibility.” The New York Times described the Foundation as having been “formed to raise awareness about the nation’s economic challenges.”

Every organization has boilerplate wording that describe its mission. (The Center for Economic and Policy Research “was established in 1999 to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people’s lives.”) News outlets never use these descriptions in their coverage – except in the case of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation.

The public would be right to be outraged that a Wall Street billionaire is trying to take away the core social insurance programs that they will be dependent on in their old age. It was the Wall Street crew that wrecked the economy, costing millions of people their jobs and tens of millions their life savings. Now Peterson wants to use much of his Wall Street winnings to take away the only source of support that tens of millions of retirees have left.

But no one expects ethical behavior from Wall Street tycoons. The public does expect a little more from the media. The people who report on budget issues should be able to step back and assess the issues themselves rather than just parrot the lines that the Peterson Foundation has fed them. And they should be able to sufficiently contain their enthusiasm for Peterson’s quest that they describe his Foundation in the same sort of language they use to describe the other actors involved in this debate.

- pakistannews

Obama hits Five Guys burger joint for lunch

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:51:00 +0000

Another Obama burger run, this time to a Five Guys in Southeast Washington.

President Obama ordered cheeseburgers for himself and members of his staff, and paid at least $80 in cash. The entourage included a NBC News crew that has been trailing the president for a "day-in-the-life" documentary to air next week.

Check this video

NOTE: Obama visited Ray's Hell Burger in Arlington, Va., a few weeks ago. And First Lady Michelle Obama took her staff to another Five Guys in Washington earlier this year.

- suntimes

Heidi and Spencer Try to Quit I'm a Celebrity

noreply@blogger.com (Administrator) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:35:00 +0000

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag may or may not believe they are celebrities, but they definitely want out.

The duo tried to quit NBC's I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! the very first day they arrived in Costa Rica to shoot the "C-listers in distress" reality show, which premieres Monday.

"They wanted to be treated like stars," a high-level source on the series tells E! News' Ryan Seacrest. "[Spencer] literally thought he and Heidi were staying in a Four Seasons, working out and getting a tan."

The two refused to eat the same food as the rest of the cast, and complained about being teamed with low-wattage stars, among them former model/reality-show queen Janice Dickinson, actors Stephen Baldwin and Lou Diamond Phillips, former NBA star John Salley and American Idol castoff Sanjaya Malakar. An NBC exec had to coax the newlyweds to remain on board.

"I wish they got some real celebrities like K-Fed," groused Montag, per the network insider.

We can just imagine the producers are thinking the same thing.

- e!

Borat Lands On Eminem`s Face, Butt First

noreply@blogger.com (administrator) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Poor Eminem got the bad end of this poor maneuvering/publicity stunt/some rope guy sleeping on his job at tonight’s MTV Movie Awards. You can tell by the look on Marshall’s face that he was not feeling it. Sitting from home, the joke seemed just as unfunny. Fail.

The ‘We Made You’ rapper was seen mouthing “are you f***ing serious” when Sacha’s alter-ego Bruno, a gay Austrian fashion reporter, descended from the roof of the Gibson Amphitheatre - in Universal City, California - wearing wings, knee high boots and a jockstrap.

Bruno then wrapped his legs around Eminem’s head, with his buttocks fully exposed and asked: “Is the real Slim Shady about to stand up?” The ‘Stan’ hitmaker appeared to be visibly upset by the encounter and after members of his entourage pulled Bruno off him, he left his seat and exited the building.

Before the incident, Eminem had wowed the audience by performing tracks ‘We Made You’ and ‘Crack A Bottle’ from his new album ‘Relapse’. The big winner of the night was teen vampire movie ‘Twilight’, which picked up five awards including Best Movie.

- javno

Lance Stephenson Arrested for Sexual Abuse

noreply@blogger.com (administrator) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:53:00 +0000

Lincoln High School up and coming basketball star Lance Stephenson can't keep his hands to himself, according to one female victim of his sexual abuse.

Lance Stephenson, who appeared in Brooklyn Criminal Court last Wednesday, is facing charges of criminal sexual abuse after groping and threatening a female student at the high school.

Stephenson, his basketball teammate Darwin Ellis and another male, an unnamed minor, are facing charges for allegedly groping, humping and threatening a 17-year-old female classmate.

More specifically, Stephenson has been charged with sexual abuse in the third degree, forcible touching, menacing and harassment after groping the girl's breast and telling her he would "slap the hell" out of her the next time she attempts to defend herself by hitting him.

Stephenson is due back in court on June 29th.

- postchronicle

Two Americans were on board Air France flight 447

noreply@blogger.com (administrator) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:49:00 +0000

Air France has confirmed the nationalities of the passengers aboard Air France flight 447, which disappeared over the Atlantic last night.

The Brazilian Authorities have shared this list:

2 American
1 Argentinian
1 Austrian
1 Belgian
58 Brazilian
5 British
1 Canadian
9 Chinese
1 Croatian
1 Danish
1 Dutch
1 Estonian
1 Filipino
61 French
1 Gambian
26 German
4 Hungarian
3 Irish
1 Icelandic
9 Italian
5 Lebanese
2 Moroccan
3 Norwegians
2 Polish
1 Romanian
1 Russian
3 Slovakian
1 South African
2 Spanish
1 Swedish
6 Swiss
1 Turkish

Air France has provided counseling at the airports of Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Rio de Janeiro.

The following phone numbers can be used to determine whether a relative or friend was on board the flight:

+ 33 1 57 02 10 55

These numbers will also work:

0800 800 812 in France,
0800 881 20 20 in Brazil

Airbus A330 disappears over Atlantic

noreply@blogger.com (administrator) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:40:00 +0000

An Air France jet carrying 228 people from Rio de Janeiro to Paris has disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean, according to news reports.

The plane is said to have run into a thunderstorm and chief Air France spokesman Francois Brousse said that "it is possible" that lightning struck the plane, according to an Associated Press report out of Sao Paulo.

Officials are assuming the worst.

Air France-KLM CEO Pierre-Henri Gourgeon has said that "We are without doubt facing an air catastrophe . . . At this time, the plane's fuel reserves would not permit it to still be in flight."

Fast Facts:

Flight number: Air France flight 447
Plane type: Airbus A330-200
Engines: General Electric CF6-80E
Capacity: 253 passengers
On board: 216 passengers (126 men, 82 women, 7 children and one infant), 12 crew (3 pilots and 9 flight attendants)
Departure: Rio, 7 p.m. local time (2200 GMT)
Scheduled arrival: 0915 GMT (2:15 a.m. Seattle time)

Aircraft flight hours: 18,870
Entered service: April 18, 2005
Last maintenance check: April 16, 2009, in the hangar

Pilot records:
Captain: 11,000 flight hours, including 1,700 hours on Airbus A330/A340s
First officer: 3,000 flight hours (800 of which on the Airbus A330/A340)
First officer: 6,600 flight hours (2,600 on the Airbus A330/A340)

(Sources: AP, Air France, Airbus)

The A330 has a good safety record.

"Since the A330 was built, there have been four whole losses, and that's where the plane is totaled, so to speak," said Emily McGee, spokeswoman for the Flight Safety Foundation.

One of the losses was during flight test in June 1994, and seven people were killed, according to data compiled by the Aviation Safety Network.

Two others were because of an attack by Tamil Tiger rebels at Colombo-Bandaranayake International Airport. Two SriLankan Airlines' Airbus A330 planes were destroyed.

In 2000, a Malaysia Airlines flight had just arrived from Beijing when 80 canisters of oxalyl chloride leaked, damaging the A330 aircraft beyond repair.

It is possible to lose contact with an aircraft and have the passengers be O.K., but that is probably not the case with the missing Air France plane, McGee said.

"You've got transponders that should be reflecting the location of the airplane to the controllers," she said. "There are also dead areas just with the curvature of the Earth, but everyone knows where those are. . . . Everyone's just making a lot of assumptions right now. I think it's safe to say we've all assumed the plane has crashed."

More details are available from this Associated Press report:

About four hours (after takeoff), the plane sent an automatic signal indicating electrical problems while going through strong turbulence, Air France said.

The plane "crossed through a thunderous zone with strong turbulence" at 0200 GMT Monday (10 p.m. EDT Sunday). An automatic message was received 14 minutes later "signaling electrical circuit malfunction."

Brazil's Air Force said the last contact it had with the Air France jet was at 0136 GMT (9:30 p.m. EDT Sunday), but did not say where the plane was then.

Brazil's air force was searching near the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, about 300 kilometers (180 miles) northeast of the coastal city of Natal, a spokesman said, speaking on condition of anonymity in keeping with department policy.

...

If all 228 people were killed, it would be the deadliest commercial airline disaster since Nov. 12, 2001, when an American Airlines jetliner crashed in the New York City borough of Queens during a flight to the Dominican Republic, killing 265 people.

- seattlepi