Well, as is a habit with my life, I'm stuck in The United Airlines Terminal at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
Getting to San Francisco on United Airlines is always a challenge, but it's more so during the holidays.
Fortunately, I'm in a great city, my hometown, so if I wind up spending New Year's Eve here, it will be OK.
Even though my plans were thrown off.
That happens.
All that aside, Happy New Year to everyone and have a great 2010! Oh, I see where the Stanford Cardinal's tied with Oklahoma at 24-all in the 3rd quarter.
Interesting.
Stay tuned. There's a lot to look back on, which we'll do next week.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Is YouTube / Google Employment as fun as this Google Slide?
On November 11th 2009, I was invited to be one of several YouTube Partners at the YouTube Community Roundtable. The idea was for YouTube Partners who make original video content and are compensated by Google for the traffic those videos generate to meet the staff that helps us. It was a fantastic idea because much of our contact with YouTube is via email and messages on the site itself. We don't get to see the faces behind the names.
Well, until that meeting.
The event was one part meetup and another part tech support and the third part new product roll-out. We saw YouTube's 3D and High Definition initiatives as the new product end of the meeting. But what was cool was just access to the team. Finding out how others are using their channels and ideas they have to revenue generation and content development.
As I understood it this was the "West Coast" Roundtable Meeting; there was a meeting in New York as well. Our meeting turned into a "sharefest" where I quickly learned that many YouTubers were faced with the same problem: comment spammers and flamers.
"It's part of the territory", was the eventual conclusion all of us came to and that perhaps it was a badge of honor to sustain such attacks and keep on churning out content on a regular basis. We also learned how to make full use of all of YouTube's "channel branding" features and got to chime in on what changes we wanted to see in YouTube.
One of the changes we asked for was implemented almost immediately. The "Insight" features that gives traffic updates is now more detailed with respect to time frame. I still want to see more a real time traffic measurement system, but what they have is a great start.
Finally, we were made aware of some of YouTube's vital stats in a kind of "annual report" presentation. For example, YouTube has over 1 million uploads each day, but there are only about 2,500 people who are YouTube Partners who are paid for their efforts via traffic generation. Of the YouTube Partners, some make over six-figures per year and have as many as 40 million views per month.
Amazing.
And on the way out, I took my Flip Video Camera for a ride down the Google Slide. Check out the video above to ride with me!
I encourage you to start vlogging and work to become a YouTube Parnter. If you have questions, don't hesitate to contact me.
Texas Tech's Mike Leach Fired; Cal's Jeff Tedford on hot seat
In the wake of Texas Tech's firing of Head Coach Mike Leach today, we have now-week-old Internet chatter about Cal's Jeff Tedford heating up again.
Cal's uphill battle can do without Leach
Mike Leach was fired for his treatment of Redshirt Sophomore Wide Receiver Adam James, the son of ESPN's College Football Analyst Craig James. Coach Leach twice confined the younger James to a dark, closed room he called a closet and Leach called a room in the wake of James' mild concussion.
Cal's Jeff Tedford had his star player, Running Back Jahvid best sidelined with a concussion toward the end of the season. To Tedford's credit, even with the pressure of several big games, including the Poinsettia Bowl, Cal's Head Coach never pressured his best running back to play for even a single down. In Cal's last game, Best remained in street clothes on the sidelines.
While online publications like Bleacher Report fan the idea that Coach Tedford's on "the hot seat", the reality is he's not, nor should he be. Cal's problems are schematic; Tedford defends his players and to my knowledge he has not, nor would he treat a player like Mike Leach is said, (and agrees) to have done.
Moreover, Texas Tech's real problem with Coach Leach is that he acted like he was bigger than the program. The letter released by Texas Tech President Gus Bailey on Leach's behavior tells much:
Dear Coach Leach,
As you know, we have been conducting an inquiry into allegations by a student athlete that your treatment of him, subsequent to his being diagnosed with a mild concussion, may have been injurious to his health and served no medical and/or educational purposes. Texas Tech takes these allegations very seriously. In addition to being unacceptable, if proven, these allegations constitute a breach of your employment contract.
So that we can carry out an inquiry that takes into account the safety of our student athletes and in addition, that is fair to the students, yourself, and the university, we have determined that you must abide by the following guidelines from this day forward:
1. All practices and other team meetings will be monitored by the athletic director or his representative. (Crossed out with the initials GB beside it.)
2. Any player claiming an injury will be examined by a physician and cleared in writing prior to practicing or playing. Decisions regarding whether an injury warrants suspension from practice and/or play will be determined by a physician without pressure from you or your staff.
3. You must recognize that the players you are working with are student athletes and that you have an obligation to treat them with respect and further to conduct yourself in a manner consistent with your position as an instructor of students.
4. You must at all times assure the fair and responsible treatment of student athletes in relation to their health, welfare, and discipline, and if you are not doing so, you must immediately cease any actions not in compliance with this provision of your contract.
5. There will be no retaliation against any student who has suffered an injury.
Again, these allegations are serious, and should they be substantiated will result in disciplinary action ranging from public or private reprimand, monetary fines or adjustments in compensation, adjustments in the term of this contract, up to termination.
Sincerely,
Guy Bailey
President
Given this letter, and the report that Leach didn't sign it, I can't see Mike Leach being seriously considered for even an assistant's job at Cal Berkeley. Not to say it wouldn't happen, but I can't see it, nor can I see a logical reason for it. The Airraid Passing Concept is not complicated and Cal's problems lean more to passing philosophy rather than just scheme.
Still, all of this will not stop some bloggers from trying to throw Jeff Tedford under the bus, forgetting that he did build this program to where it is today: annually in bowl contention. I still believe Cal can be a National Champion in NCAA Football, but we don't have to sell our soul to get one.
GO BEARS!
Bohemian Grove wins timber battle; Vanity Fair's Shoumatoff looses
Remember this video on Vanity Fair's Alex Shoumatoff and The Bohemian Club?
Well, it's all over folks! The Bohemian Club won.
Today, The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection approved the Bohemian Club's application for what is called a "Non-Industrial Timber Management Plan".
Here's what I wrote about the story in my blog on April 6, 2009:
Alex Shoumatoff
Thankfully, that drama is behind everyone, even Shoumatoff , I would think. The objective of the Club has been to guard against overgrowth of trees which could cause forest fires and protects the old-growth Redwoods. “For the past several years we have worked with a variety of environmental agencies, professional foresters and Cal-Fire to craft a plan that protects the majestic old growth trees on our property, preserves important wildlife habitat and allows us to lower the very real risk of a catastrophic fire,” said Emmett MacCorkle, President of the Bohemian Club.
"We appreciate the decision made by Cal-Fire to approve this plan,"MacCorkle continued. "For more than a century, the Bohemian Club has been working to restore this forest and protect it for future generations. This plan will allow us to continue that effort."
The Club reports that the new plan will result in the elimination of more than 254,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over its life time. You can visit its website ProtectbohemianGrove.org for more information.
Well, it's all over folks! The Bohemian Club won.
Today, The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection approved the Bohemian Club's application for what is called a "Non-Industrial Timber Management Plan".
Here's what I wrote about the story in my blog on April 6, 2009:
If you remember, Alex Shoumatoff set out last year to help his Harvard roommate Jock Hooper do a smear job on the Bohemian Club, which is a kind of resort home for many San Francisco luminaries, and not all of them male. Hooper was someone described as a "disgruntled former member" of the exclusive gentlemen's club that is favored by the business elite, former presidents, international leaders, and men who enjoy music, wine and song, and ok, I know at least two women who've recently been there (with their boyfriends). The club's lightened up a lot over the years.
Anyway, Hooper quit the club when it wouldn't approve his forest management plan (read: major ego) and then became the leading critic of the club's plans to preserve and protect old growth redwood trees on its property. He then got Alex and Vanity Fair to do some dirty work for him, or try to.
This story started last year when Shoumatoff managed to sneak in to the Bohemian Grove during the annual event the club holds in July. But his wandering, covered in detail in his story, only lasted 40 minutes before he was arrested by security guards and a part-time service employee at the famed Grove who quickly spotted that the kind of sloppy, preppy Topsider-wearing editor was not one of their own.
In VF, Alex writes that he was trying to fit in with that style of dress, but folks I talked to say he wasn't hard to miss: he was dressed like a caddy wearing a Pebble Beach pullover and apparently asked off-beat questions that proved to be his downfall. Most of which he mentions in his article.
He was quickly captured cowering behind a bush. Shoumatoff was then arrested by the Sonoma County Sherriff's Department, spent the night in county jail, and forced to pay a fine for trespassing.
Thankfully, that drama is behind everyone, even Shoumatoff , I would think. The objective of the Club has been to guard against overgrowth of trees which could cause forest fires and protects the old-growth Redwoods. “For the past several years we have worked with a variety of environmental agencies, professional foresters and Cal-Fire to craft a plan that protects the majestic old growth trees on our property, preserves important wildlife habitat and allows us to lower the very real risk of a catastrophic fire,” said Emmett MacCorkle, President of the Bohemian Club.
"We appreciate the decision made by Cal-Fire to approve this plan,"MacCorkle continued. "For more than a century, the Bohemian Club has been working to restore this forest and protect it for future generations. This plan will allow us to continue that effort."
The Club reports that the new plan will result in the elimination of more than 254,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over its life time. You can visit its website ProtectbohemianGrove.org for more information.
Mike Leach fired by Texas Tech - update, details, and poll
Suspended Texas Tech Head Coach Mike Leach was fired by Texas Tech today after Redshirt Sophomore Wide Receiver Adam James, the son of ESPN College Football Analyst Craig James, said that Leach twice ordered him to remain in a dark place that James described as a closet and Coach Leach called a room. But Mike Leach didn't see what was wrong with what he did. Meanwhile, scores of Mike Leach supporters have come out in support of the legendary football mind.
Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com has published a number of emails in support of Coach Leach and attacking Adam James. Here's one example from Inside Receivers Coach Lincoln Riley:
"He [James] complained to me that we were not doing our jobs as coaches and that his effort was just fine ... It's just another example of Adam thinking that he knows more about coaching than people who have been coaching their entire lives. I have no doubt that anger from this led to where we are today ... and is his way of trying to "get back" at us coaches."
Mike Leach's actions against Adam James led to a suspension on Monday, meaning he would not be able to coach The Red Raiders in The Alamo Bowl, January 2nd. To get around the order, Coach Leach filed a Temporary Restraining Order, that, if upheld by a judge in a Lubbock, Texas courtroom. According to ESPN, Texas Tech's general counsel Pat Campbell gave Leach's lawyer Ted Liggett the letter of firing just minutes before the two were to appear in the Lubbock courtroom. Leach's reaction?
Liggett said, "Well, he's not thrilled." Liggett said he planned to file a lawsuit on Leach's behalf against the school "soon."
Reportedly, Leach contract of $12.7 million is such that he would have been able to collect on a buyout of $1.6 million had he been fired on Thursday and not Wednesday. The nest step is an arbitration hearing for Leach to get his promised $800,000 bonus. Mike Leach is to receive a $400,000 annual severance over the next four years.
The feelings on this run both for Coach Leach and against, as some of his players have expressed support for Adam James in the wake of the firing. But the problem extends beyond Adam James and Craig James, and to the recruits that were considering Texas Tech and even more important, Texas Tech Alumni.
From reading the live chat at RedRaiders.com the number of people for Leach is almost 60 percent. But those upset are people who follow the team and are concerned with maintaining its performance in the wake of Leach's ouster. For example:
Comment From sab]
if there is more to this i can't wait to hear it. this is nothing more than myers getting even for having his pants pulled down in front of everyone last year during contract negotiations. the biggest thing is that tech finally made it to the status of being a big time program and didn't know how to handle the problems that can arise from that. i still contend that if it was some kid whose father didn't work for espn this would have been a non-story. but i have a feeling james threatened to say something if he didn't get his way. he says he never hovered around the football program BULL. he all but said that he did during broadcast of the games.
The commenter is referring to last February's bruising contract negotiations between Texas Tech and Mike Leach. At that time, Texas Tech offered Leach a $12.7 million contract that he at first rejected, then signed later in 2009. But it appeared that Mike Leach had become bigger than Texas Tech, and at that point, a once family-like relationship begin to get icy. It didn't help that Coach Leach referred to some of the players as having "Fat little girlfriends" after their loss to Texas A&M in October:
What's clear is that this ice that's now fully formed will only melt under the hot light of a large lawsuit. Just how far the lawsuit will extend is anyone's guess. Mike Leach could and reportedly feels that his coaching methods have been painted in a way as to smear him. Indeed, reports are that a video showing the actual place where Adam James was told to remain will be shown and that the venue was a media workroom. Whatever the specifics, this is going to get uglier before it gets better.
What do you think? Take my poll:
Health for the holidays: Hangover cures - a 7-step medical review
Hangovers are ugly beasts - if you don't believe me, re-watch that insta-Hollywood-classic, The Hangover for a brutal refresher course (keeping mind that chemical results, like so many things in Hollywood, were artificially augmented). Bertie Wooster, in The Mating Season, described the more vintage experience: "I am told by those who know that there are six varieties of hangover - the Broken Compass, the Sewing Machine, the Comet, the Atomic, the Cement Mixer and the Gremlin Boogie, and his manner suggested that he had got them all."
Ooh, my aching head...
New Year's Eve festivities loom, with New Year's DAY inevitably to follow. Which means you may be asking yourself - can you actually cure or prevent a hangover? Medically, that is? Other than with that vilest (but proven most effective) of interventions (gasp) teetotaling?
Here are some proposed hangover treatments, the science behind whether they work or not, and some tips on keeping yourself safe this New Year's Eve.
1) Does it matter which alcohol you drink? The data is, well, murky, on this question. While there are many beliefs and anecdotes about which drinks are more likely to cause a hangover (the cloudier a drink is, the more it causes a hangover, is one theory), the science just hasn't kept up. Research DOES show that, in general, the darker the drink (as in red wine, port, etc.), the more likely it is to cause migraines in those people susceptible to them. But, keep in mind, for many migraineurs, any alcohol at all can induce a splitting headache (which may be mistaken for a hangover). Finally, many people avoid certain drink combinations, purely for fear of what the drink might taste like on its way back up (shudder).
2) Does it help to "pre-treat" a hangover? By "pre-treat," we're talking about taking a medicine before you start drinking (such as an aspirin) in the hopes that it will fend off hangover symptoms before they begin. In general, the answer, again, is no, although there is a tiny bit more science to support that claim. You should be aware that, in particular, taking acetaminophen (the active ingredient in, for example, Tylenol) before OR after a drinking bout can actually be very tough on your liver. In fact, several case reports have documented people who accidentally died while taking relatively low doses of acetaminophen in the setting of large amounts of alcohol (especially chronic alcohol ingestion). So if you want to treat that pounding headache on New Year's Day, clearly the safest thing (if you can't turn back time and refuse your third martini) is a cold compress and a dark room. Personally, if you need to take a medicine, I'd recommend taking good old aspirin instead of acetaminophen (as long as aspirin is not contraindicated for you). Sure, aspirin can irritate your stomach, but in its most brutal terms (which is how we doctors tend to think), it's a heck of a lot easier to treat a GI bleed, than it is to get a new liver.
3) How many drinks does it take to cause a hangover? Keeping in mind the uncertainties about which drinks cause more hangover symptoms (see #1, above), there are some general numbers thrown around by researchers, based on gender. Physiologic gender differences exist when it comes to alcohol metabolism. These metabolic differences exaggerate existing differences due to larger/smaller body mass. When it comes to alcohol, drinking is an area where the girls actually should never try to keep up with the boys. Additionally, women are also much more likely (many times over) to get migraines, which can be precipitated by alcohol of all types, complicating the incidence of reported hangover symptoms. Further, a binge drinker is defined differently for men and women. For women, a binge drinker is anyone drinking 4 or more drinks on one occasion, and 5-6 or more for a man. However, at least one study shows that these numbers, while useful, are (as you might expect) variable for individuals - the larger the number picked, the greater the likelihood of long-term alcohol problems. For health benefits, recommendations are that women drink no more than 0-2 drinks a day (no more than 7 total per week), and men no more than 2 a day, but even staying within those numbers, some people will, over the long-term, develop drinking problems. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you may be wondering why your buddy never seems to get a hangover, no matter how much he/she drinks. It's annoying, isn't it? But is it real? Studies have shown that approximately 20-30% of the population is resistant to hangover. And paradoxically, the people resistant to hangover may actually also be more resistant to developing drinking problems. Hangover symptoms may be a form of short-term alcohol withdrawal (even in people who don't drink consistently). Withdrawal symptoms typically induce cravings, which lead to addictions (you get the idea...see "hair of the dog," below). So experiencing hangovers (for ANY small or large number of drinks) can be a warning sign to take seriously.
4) Can you do anything while drinking to reduce future hangover symptoms? A rigorous look at hangover treatments of all kinds in the British Medical Journal in 2005 found that, of many proposed hangover-prevention treatments, including "propranolol, tropisetron, tolfenamic acid, fructose or glucose, and the dietary supplements Borago officinalis (borage),Cynara scolymus (artichoke), Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear), and a yeast based preparation." The results? Nada. Nothing worked, with the authors concluding that "The most effective way to avoid the symptoms of
alcohol induced hangover is to practise abstinence or moderation." All that being said, more recent research shows two area of promise. One study shows that asparagus may ameliorate hangover symptoms - especially the younger shoots and leaves (but you do get, however, asparagus pee as a normal side-effect). Second (and more promising) are physiologic studies of the effects of alcohol which indicate a massive disruption of many your body's mediators, including your ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) function. In other words, when you drink alcohol, your hydration hormone gets screwed. Kind of like a Greek myth, you're drinking and drinking but your body is getting thirstier and thirstier. That's probably the reason why re-hydrating a person with fluids has been a mainstay of improving hangover symptoms (just check out New Year's Day ERs and count the number of IV poles). Dehydration also makes nausea much worse - but if you're hangover puking, how can you rehydrate? One suggested approach is to, the night before, drink a large glass of something non-alcoholic for every alcoholic beverage you drink. While the rigorous data is not yet in, this approach definitely at least slows down the rate of alcohol consumption, and some swear by its effectiveness at preventing hangover symptoms the next day, even for the same number of alcoholic drinks ingested. Finally, some researchers indicate taking B6 may help prevent hangover symptoms, but rigorous studies are lacking.
5)What about taking a little "hair of the dog"? Drinking alcohol the next morning to alleviate hangover symptoms ("the hair of the dog that bit you"), is more and more recognized as a marker of alcohol problems, rather than an effective "cure" for hangover symptoms. Studies also show that, while gross tests of psychomotor function are within normal limits during a hangover, judgment can be impaired (and this study also). The "hair of the dog" is definitely going to impair those judgments more, as well as possibly prolonging future alcohol withdrawal symptoms into the next day.
6) Doesn't a hangover teach you a lesson? Um, sorry, but the data are kind of scary in this regard. People who drink heavily, including college students, are the MOST likely to underestimate both the number of drinks it takes to impair their judgment AND to significantly underestimate the actual bad outcomes they have personally experienced while impaired. These bad outcomes run the gamut of everything from severe hangovers to unintended higher-risk sexual encounters. The more you drink, the less likely you are to comprehend, much less learn from, the impact of your drinking. As an explicit example, one case report noted an unusual cause of a patient's reported hangover headache - a "retained knife blade" found lodged inside the brain tissue.
7) Dodging death - how do I tip the odds in my favor? First, studies show that binge drinking is a significant predictor of future alcohol problems. But many people may not know that it's also a predictor of death. When you think about it, that's not a surprise - when you're drunk, you're more likely to stumble into traffic, get behind a wheel, or wander down the wrong alley. More and more studies also show the effect of impaired judgment on unsafe behaviors, like regretted sexual choices. When you head out to party, get your personal dodging death packet ready. Pack some condoms, a Plan B pack of pills (yes guys, even you - studies show men are more likely to report condom breakage and reduce unwanted pregnancies if they have a set of Plan B pills on hand). Also make sure you've got your travel plans safely arranged. Taxi numbers, transit cards, spare cash - make sure you're ready to avoid getting behind a wheel (or piling in a car with an impaired driver behind a wheel). Finally be especially careful to NOT mix and match your ingestions. Make a vow to yourself before the evening begins - no mixing substances. Even the most experienced user can die from an unholy cocktail, taken while your judgment is impaired. Finally, never forget that a person can die from an alcohol overdose. Read these Doc Gurley tips on managing a friend who's overdone it. It's also extremely important to remember that "hangover" can be a mistaken diagnosis - a sign of severe medical problems, including liver damage and infections. If anything about your symptoms seems abnormal or severe, seek medical help.
New Year's is a time to celebrate new beginnings. Be safe out there, folks.
What do you think? ARE there any secret hangover "cures"? Share in the comments section and keep up on the latest health issues in the news, and healthcare reform insanity/hilarity by signing up for a Doc Gurley RSS feed with the tiny orange button at the top. Look for future weekly Dodging Death articles here at Doc Gurley - discover the weird, the wacky and the everyday symptoms you want to know about, as well as practical expert tips on staying well. Do you want to be on the inside, fast track of news and tips? Get on the Twitter bandwagon and follow Doc Gurley! Also check out Doc Gurley's joyhabit and iwellth twitter feeds - and get topic-specific fun, effective, affordable tips on how to nurture your joy and grow your wellth this coming year.
Got a thingie on your doohickey? Or are you pondering how to tell your doctor he's a jerk? Send your burning healthcare questions to Doc Gurley by emailing docgurleyatgmaildotcom. Doc Gurley cannot answer every question, and she cannot practice medicine through a keyboard (not even with her stethoscope pressed firmly against the monitor) but be assured - your questions will be kept strictly confidential and identifying traits are changed.
Texas Tech fires Mike Leach; Twitter explodes with responses
Twitter explodes with responses after Texas Tech fires Mike Leach.
Texas Tech fired Head Coach Mike Leach after a stunning turn of events that started with Redshirt Sophomore Wide Receiver Adam James complaint of Coach Leach' treatment in the wake of James mild concussion. ESPN reports that Texas Tech representatives handed Leach's lawyer Ted Liggett a letter of termination "with cause effective immediately".
This happened as Coach Leach and Ted Liggett were to appear in court today in a court in Lubbock, Texas to determine if Coach Leach application for a Temporary Restraining Order would be granted such that he could coach his team in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, January 2nd.
Adam James contends that Coach Leach twice ordered him confined to "small, dark places" during practice after James was diagnosed with a concussion. James's father is ESPN College Football Analyst and NCAA Football Star Craig James.
ESPN's Mark Schlereth tweeted the same thoughts I had:
(I think I'll retweet that one.)
Already, Mike Leach is the fourth highest Trending Topic on Twitter as of this writing. The tweets are worth noting:
And 316 more tweets were issued in the minute-or-so that I installed the above tweets.
As for me, I don't know what to think because it happened so fast. First, Mike Leach is an innovator of the football passing game, who's Airraid system built the Texas Tech program. He's a legend. But mistreating players is a no-no and fortunately greater concern for the condition of the athlete is shown in 2009 than even in 1999. There's more to this story, but Coach Leach at least should not have punished Adam James in the way he did.
Stay tuned.
Texas Tech fires Mike Leach
Texas Tech fired Head Coach Mike Leach after a stunning turn of events that started with Redshirt Sophomore Wide Receiver Adam James complaint of Coach Leach' treatment in the wake of James mild concussion. ESPN reports that Texas Tech representatives handed Leach's lawyer Ted Liggett a letter of termination "with cause effective immediately".
This happened as Coach Leach and Ted Liggett were to appear in court today in a court in Lubbock, Texas to determine if Coach Leach application for a Temporary Restraining Order would be granted such that he could coach his team in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, January 2nd.
Adam James contends that Coach Leach twice ordered him confined to "small, dark places" during practice after James was diagnosed with a concussion. James's father is ESPN College Football Analyst and NCAA Football Star Craig James.
ESPN's Mark Schlereth tweeted the same thoughts I had:
Mike Leach fired at TT! Wow that was quick.
27 minutes ago from UberTwitter
(I think I'll retweet that one.)
Already, Mike Leach is the fourth highest Trending Topic on Twitter as of this writing. The tweets are worth noting:
NWAAlex Mike leach's firing makes three coaches who were rumored to replace houston nutt at arkansas.
half a minute ago from txt
DesNewsEborn With Leach getting canned today, college FB coaches everywhere are taking inventory of their disciplinary methods
half a minute ago from web
Frinklin RT @VeryFakeAlDavis: I hope Leach, Billy Beane, and Shane Battier chip in for a van and a talking dog and start solving mysteries
half a minute ago from web
MarissaCisneros F*CK TEXAS TECH!!! Leach deserves better!
half a minute ago from txt
topgun530 ha! RT@KellisRobinett: Never thought I'd see the day that Texas Tech made Mike Leach walk the plank. #surprisingnews
El_Williams @JaySkillz A WR had a concussion and Leach put him in a dark closet 2 out of 3 days. Leach says a room, player says a closet.
half a minute ago from web
And 316 more tweets were issued in the minute-or-so that I installed the above tweets.
As for me, I don't know what to think because it happened so fast. First, Mike Leach is an innovator of the football passing game, who's Airraid system built the Texas Tech program. He's a legend. But mistreating players is a no-no and fortunately greater concern for the condition of the athlete is shown in 2009 than even in 1999. There's more to this story, but Coach Leach at least should not have punished Adam James in the way he did.
Stay tuned.
Oakland Parking Enforcement Reform Initiative - a follow-up
It's good that Oaklanders are responding to the Oakland Parking Enforcement Reform Initiative, but it's not in any way my idea. There are aspects of the proposal I do not agree with, but that's not my role as I elected to participate in the process.
My desire is to see a policy-formation process started that leads to some meaningful change in our parking law and enforcement system. That process is starting. It's easy to argue. Anyone can do it and it takes little thought. It takes less energy to destroy than to create. But it take a lot of thought and patience to work to bring disparate ideas of different people together.
There are more people out there who want change than those who don't. And I have to laugh at the one's who say "I follow the laws.." because that's not the point. They really tend to be selfish and refuse to try and think beyond themselves.
This just in: it's not about you.
It's about protecting Oaklanders who have little of means against a system, the City of Oakland, that's just trying to raise money to make payroll. The Oakland Parking Problem is such that we have people who have four-figure and five-figure salaries who are forced via the fines process to pay to save the six-figure-salary jobs in the City of Oakland.
That's what this is really all about. Otherwise, why not have a 15-percent across the board salary cut? That would really make a difference, and everyone knows it. Cut the City of Oakland salaries to reflect decreased property tax revenue. Then, when property tax revenue goes up, we can increase the City of Oakland salaries back to where they were.
We're in a very bad economy with what I predict will be a double-dip recession mid-year. We're not producing enough jobs for the people who need them. Oakland has a 17 percent unemployment rate. To suddenly turn-up the pressure on car driving Oaklanders in the middle of this just to make payroll is abusing the government against the very people it's supposed to serve.
Enough is enough.
So there's a large group of good people - and getting larger - that want change. I will not for a second tolerate massively sick people contacting me and being nasty because they have nothing better to do. Yeah, it does come with the territory, but I find in the 21st Century, one has to reestablish their territorial bounds. That's what I'm doing.
(See, in the old media days, people were more respectful and less angry. The letters-to-the-editor that were published were logical and to the point. Crackpot letters were tossed into the trash can. Now, I love New Media, but this idea of free-expression tends to allow nutcase behavior.)
Here's my bottom-line; we put the idea of many out there to change it. If a person's got a problem with the idea, then share it, but don't attribute it to me. Get involved in changing this. Those few who see me in public and don't say anything to me (and I don't know what they look like), then try to bug me in a really sicko fashion online, are really not good people and have certain moral problems. Don't be that person.
A good person can disagree and maintain composure in person, not via text message; by contrast, the people I'm referring to are really sick and express themselves only online and for all I know just want to do harm to me for being a black guy who has a platform.
Please.
I'm happy to help people get out the word about an issue, and talk about it. The bottom line is Oakland needs to change in this area, and it will. Sooner, not later.
Happy New Year!
My desire is to see a policy-formation process started that leads to some meaningful change in our parking law and enforcement system. That process is starting. It's easy to argue. Anyone can do it and it takes little thought. It takes less energy to destroy than to create. But it take a lot of thought and patience to work to bring disparate ideas of different people together.
There are more people out there who want change than those who don't. And I have to laugh at the one's who say "I follow the laws.." because that's not the point. They really tend to be selfish and refuse to try and think beyond themselves.
This just in: it's not about you.
It's about protecting Oaklanders who have little of means against a system, the City of Oakland, that's just trying to raise money to make payroll. The Oakland Parking Problem is such that we have people who have four-figure and five-figure salaries who are forced via the fines process to pay to save the six-figure-salary jobs in the City of Oakland.
That's what this is really all about. Otherwise, why not have a 15-percent across the board salary cut? That would really make a difference, and everyone knows it. Cut the City of Oakland salaries to reflect decreased property tax revenue. Then, when property tax revenue goes up, we can increase the City of Oakland salaries back to where they were.
We're in a very bad economy with what I predict will be a double-dip recession mid-year. We're not producing enough jobs for the people who need them. Oakland has a 17 percent unemployment rate. To suddenly turn-up the pressure on car driving Oaklanders in the middle of this just to make payroll is abusing the government against the very people it's supposed to serve.
Enough is enough.
So there's a large group of good people - and getting larger - that want change. I will not for a second tolerate massively sick people contacting me and being nasty because they have nothing better to do. Yeah, it does come with the territory, but I find in the 21st Century, one has to reestablish their territorial bounds. That's what I'm doing.
(See, in the old media days, people were more respectful and less angry. The letters-to-the-editor that were published were logical and to the point. Crackpot letters were tossed into the trash can. Now, I love New Media, but this idea of free-expression tends to allow nutcase behavior.)
Here's my bottom-line; we put the idea of many out there to change it. If a person's got a problem with the idea, then share it, but don't attribute it to me. Get involved in changing this. Those few who see me in public and don't say anything to me (and I don't know what they look like), then try to bug me in a really sicko fashion online, are really not good people and have certain moral problems. Don't be that person.
A good person can disagree and maintain composure in person, not via text message; by contrast, the people I'm referring to are really sick and express themselves only online and for all I know just want to do harm to me for being a black guy who has a platform.
Please.
I'm happy to help people get out the word about an issue, and talk about it. The bottom line is Oakland needs to change in this area, and it will. Sooner, not later.
Happy New Year!
Charlie Sheen update - Brooke Mueller Sheen wants Charlie back
The latest Charlie Sheen update has Brooke Mueller Sheen working to save her marriage to the Two and A Half Men star, and getting a lawyer to protect against the possible charge of making a false police report.
To recap, last Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller Sheen had a Christmas morning argument, reportedly over his singing a song to his daughter that he had by another woman. Allegedly, according to RadarOnline and TMZ.com, Brooke Mueller Sheen expressed discomfort with that, which led to an argument. Charlie Sheen was arrested by Aspen, Colorado Police on two felony counts of domestic violence, one misdemeanor count, and a misdemeanor count of "criminal mischief".
In the days after, Brooke Mueller Sheen gave two different stories of what happened, one on the 911 call, and the other to police when they arrived. But the basics are that Aspen Police are said to have found marks on her neck indicating that she was grabbed, which is consistent with her statement that Charlie Sheen was chocking her.
Brooke Mueller Sheen also said Charlie Sheen pulled a knife on her. Aspen Police found a knife in a bag owned by Charlie Sheen that was in the "open" position that Christmas morning. After the discovery of the knife, police arrested Charlie Sheen.
When Aspen Police returned to talk to Brooke Mueller Sheen on Saturday, she refused them. Now, according to TMZ, she has hired O.J.Simpsom's long-time lawyer Yale Galanter to represent her. Yale Galanter will file papers in Aspen court to gain permission for Brooke Mueller Sheen to have contact with Charlie Sheen to save their marriage.
Reportedly, Brooke Muller Sheen didn't want Charlie Sheen to be arrested. At the time of the arrest, both had alcohol in their system, with Brooke Mueller said to have been legally drunk.
Stay tuned.
To recap, last Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller Sheen had a Christmas morning argument, reportedly over his singing a song to his daughter that he had by another woman. Allegedly, according to RadarOnline and TMZ.com, Brooke Mueller Sheen expressed discomfort with that, which led to an argument. Charlie Sheen was arrested by Aspen, Colorado Police on two felony counts of domestic violence, one misdemeanor count, and a misdemeanor count of "criminal mischief".
In the days after, Brooke Mueller Sheen gave two different stories of what happened, one on the 911 call, and the other to police when they arrived. But the basics are that Aspen Police are said to have found marks on her neck indicating that she was grabbed, which is consistent with her statement that Charlie Sheen was chocking her.
Brooke Mueller Sheen also said Charlie Sheen pulled a knife on her. Aspen Police found a knife in a bag owned by Charlie Sheen that was in the "open" position that Christmas morning. After the discovery of the knife, police arrested Charlie Sheen.
When Aspen Police returned to talk to Brooke Mueller Sheen on Saturday, she refused them. Now, according to TMZ, she has hired O.J.Simpsom's long-time lawyer Yale Galanter to represent her. Yale Galanter will file papers in Aspen court to gain permission for Brooke Mueller Sheen to have contact with Charlie Sheen to save their marriage.
Reportedly, Brooke Muller Sheen didn't want Charlie Sheen to be arrested. At the time of the arrest, both had alcohol in their system, with Brooke Mueller said to have been legally drunk.
Stay tuned.
Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbry, Mel Brooks, De Niro, and Springsteen at Kennedy Center
Wow, what a show! Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbry, Mel Brooks, Robert De Niro, and Bruce Springsteen were recipients of the Kennedy Center Honor for their contributions to American Culture. But what is really cool about having a President Obama, who gets mainstream American Culture, is that all of these great people and more have been honored while they're still alive.
Now, I'm referring to the Presidential Medal of Honor Award recipients in 2009 at the White House. It was awesome to see Stevie Wonder and Sidney Poitier honored in such a way, just as it was amazing to see Dave Brubeck get the stage he so rightfully deserves.
In an event hosted by Caroline Kennedy, Brubeck was celebrated by Herbie Hancock, who said Dave Brubeck was his musical inspiration. Robert De Niro was feted by 2007 Kennedy Center Award Winner Martin Scorsese. And Frank Langella and Martin Short sang to Mel Brooks, while tributes were given by Matthew Morrison, Harry Connick, Jr, Jack Black, Richard Kind, Jane Krakowski, Shuler Hensley, , and Matthew Broderick.
That's what you get when you have a President who know who Lady Gaga is.
The YouTube, TotLoL story is a cautionary tale for news sites
As a YouTube Partner, I was interested in today's TechCrunch article about how the company TOTLOL's entire business model was harmed by a change in YouTube's "Terms of Service" rules, such that it had to shut down operations. I'm going to simplify the lingo for consumption, and you can read the more lingo-based version of the story at TechCrunch.
TOTLOL's is a community website that allows you to see videos for kids. It uses a YouTube website building system called a YouTube API, or "Application Programming Interface". The cool aspect of TOTLOL was that one could pick out videos from YouTube to watch that were kid-friendly, which is at times hard to do on YouTube.
The problem as I get it from reading Erick Schonfeld's work at TechCrunch, is that YouTube and Google realized that TOTLOL was making ad money from using its own advertisers and not those with YouTube and Google. So TOTLOL claims that YouTube and Google changed their "Terms of Service" rules to prevent that, thus throwing TOTLOL out of business.
As a YouTube Partner, I know YouTube likes the development of original video content and rewards that. I can say their program is awesome, taking nothing away from anyone else's and just sharing my experience with the YouTube Partner Program.
But this story is different because we're talking about TOTLOL making money off the videos created by others like, say, Cullens ABCs, who specialize in making kids videos and like me is a YouTube Partner. (We know each other). I think YouTube is trying to protect content partners like us in this case.
But in doing so, YouTube and Google may have hit a conflict that would harm use of their API by news sites. Let's say SFGate.com or the NY Times created a website like TOTLOL and sold its own ads. Both would run against the "Terms of Service" set up by YouTube and Google. Now to be clear, we're not talking about a video player, ok?
So if you don't technically get the difference, a video player is not what TOTLOL is. It's like taking YouTube and remaking it for specialized use. TOTLOL is not a video player slapped on a blog site. Plus TOTLOL is not making its own videos, which is the issue.
OK? More complicated.
Back to my point. As a YouTube Partner, I think as long as any site like TOTLOL or SFGate.com or the NY Times is causing existing videos to gain views and is using a YouTube API in a creative way, they should be able to use their own ads. YouTube and Google should encourage some kind of ad mixing system, rather than the "it's my sandbox" take they seem to be using.
Doing so would help news website offer more compelling pages with videos. What is interesting to me is that it was TOTLOL that created this problem and not a big news site.
Stay tuned.
TOTLOL
TOTLOL's is a community website that allows you to see videos for kids. It uses a YouTube website building system called a YouTube API, or "Application Programming Interface". The cool aspect of TOTLOL was that one could pick out videos from YouTube to watch that were kid-friendly, which is at times hard to do on YouTube.
The problem as I get it from reading Erick Schonfeld's work at TechCrunch, is that YouTube and Google realized that TOTLOL was making ad money from using its own advertisers and not those with YouTube and Google. So TOTLOL claims that YouTube and Google changed their "Terms of Service" rules to prevent that, thus throwing TOTLOL out of business.
As a YouTube Partner, I know YouTube likes the development of original video content and rewards that. I can say their program is awesome, taking nothing away from anyone else's and just sharing my experience with the YouTube Partner Program.
But this story is different because we're talking about TOTLOL making money off the videos created by others like, say, Cullens ABCs, who specialize in making kids videos and like me is a YouTube Partner. (We know each other). I think YouTube is trying to protect content partners like us in this case.
But in doing so, YouTube and Google may have hit a conflict that would harm use of their API by news sites. Let's say SFGate.com or the NY Times created a website like TOTLOL and sold its own ads. Both would run against the "Terms of Service" set up by YouTube and Google. Now to be clear, we're not talking about a video player, ok?
So if you don't technically get the difference, a video player is not what TOTLOL is. It's like taking YouTube and remaking it for specialized use. TOTLOL is not a video player slapped on a blog site. Plus TOTLOL is not making its own videos, which is the issue.
OK? More complicated.
Back to my point. As a YouTube Partner, I think as long as any site like TOTLOL or SFGate.com or the NY Times is causing existing videos to gain views and is using a YouTube API in a creative way, they should be able to use their own ads. YouTube and Google should encourage some kind of ad mixing system, rather than the "it's my sandbox" take they seem to be using.
Doing so would help news website offer more compelling pages with videos. What is interesting to me is that it was TOTLOL that created this problem and not a big news site.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Mike Leach was wrong regarding Adam James
Some brief thought late night on Texas Tech Head Coach Mike Leach
I did not want to jump into this via this blog because I did not have all of the facts. But when I heard that Mike Leach and his coaches displined Adam James for poor practice work, he lost me, Leach I mean.
See if a player is not doing well on the practice field then you do not play him. Right?
Right.
You do not punish him.
But that is reportedly what Leach did.
I would love to know what Michael Crabtree thinks. He played for Leach at Texas Tech.
Stay tuned.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Berkeley Marina's Adventure Playground in budget trouble
Berkeley's Adventure Playground needs money to remain open.
As we watch the Golden State of California crumble under the collective weight of job loss, poor municipal credit, and high taxation and user fees, events like this one will become more commonplace.
This story comes from the blog Berkeleyside - I should say "new blog" because it takes over where InBerkeley left off. At any rate, the problem is the playground has been closed since December 21st and will be through New Year's Day. While it's supposed to reopen after the 1st of January, in this crazy economy that's not a sure thing.
Now, I've never been to Adventure Playground, but the observation that the 30-year-old venue is a park for kids is enough for me to want to save it. The trouble is, I don't know who to contact to make this happen; Tracey Taylor who blogged about this, didn't suggest a course of action.
Well, there's Tracey Taylor's next blog post!
As we watch the Golden State of California crumble under the collective weight of job loss, poor municipal credit, and high taxation and user fees, events like this one will become more commonplace.
This story comes from the blog Berkeleyside - I should say "new blog" because it takes over where InBerkeley left off. At any rate, the problem is the playground has been closed since December 21st and will be through New Year's Day. While it's supposed to reopen after the 1st of January, in this crazy economy that's not a sure thing.
Now, I've never been to Adventure Playground, but the observation that the 30-year-old venue is a park for kids is enough for me to want to save it. The trouble is, I don't know who to contact to make this happen; Tracey Taylor who blogged about this, didn't suggest a course of action.
Well, there's Tracey Taylor's next blog post!
Brittany Murphy death certificate; cause of death deferred
The death certificate of Actress Brittany Murphy was released this morning. A copy of it, obtained by TMZ.com, reportedly reveals Brittany Murphy's cause of death as "deferred." The manner of death is "pending investigation." Moreover, TMZ points out that while Brittany's father was interviewed, the death certificate lists a father as "unknown".
E! Online interviewed 83-year old Angelo Bertolotti, who's Brittany Murphy's father. The media outlet reported that he did not attend his daughter's funeral.
Mr. Bertolotti said "I was very shocked by it. I can't believe it really. It happened so fast; I'm just trying to figure it all out right now. I'm very upset by it..."If I wanted to go, I would go, but I don't want to see her that way," he says. "She was flawless to me. She was a little bright child. I have only good memories about her. She's a memory to me now. To me she's off making a movie somewhere."
The LA County Coroner's Office is awaiting toxicology reports as of this writing.
TMZ.com also offers that the "informant" who has vital information is listed as "Tayebe Pajooh" who has a North Carolina mailing address. OK Magazine reports that the person's listed as "cousin."
In the leaked Coroner's Report, TMZ discovered that a number of prescription drugs were found in Murphy's bathroom and allegedly used by Brittany Murphy:
The Coroner's Office was furious over the leak, and to this date it's not known how that information was allowed to see the view of the media.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
Brittany Murphy
E! Online interviewed 83-year old Angelo Bertolotti, who's Brittany Murphy's father. The media outlet reported that he did not attend his daughter's funeral.
Mr. Bertolotti said "I was very shocked by it. I can't believe it really. It happened so fast; I'm just trying to figure it all out right now. I'm very upset by it..."If I wanted to go, I would go, but I don't want to see her that way," he says. "She was flawless to me. She was a little bright child. I have only good memories about her. She's a memory to me now. To me she's off making a movie somewhere."
The LA County Coroner's Office is awaiting toxicology reports as of this writing.
TMZ.com also offers that the "informant" who has vital information is listed as "Tayebe Pajooh" who has a North Carolina mailing address. OK Magazine reports that the person's listed as "cousin."
In the leaked Coroner's Report, TMZ discovered that a number of prescription drugs were found in Murphy's bathroom and allegedly used by Brittany Murphy:
Topamax (anti-seizure meds also to prevent migraines), Methylprednisolone (anti-inflammatory), Fluoxetine (depression med), Klonopin (anxiety med), Carbamazepine (treats Diabetic symptoms and is also a bipolar med), Ativan (anxiety med), Vicoprofen (pain reliever), Propranolol (hypertension, used to prevent heart attacks), Biaxin (antibiotic), Hydrocodone (pain med) and miscellaneous vitamins.
The Coroner's Office was furious over the leak, and to this date it's not known how that information was allowed to see the view of the media.
Stay tuned.
Stay tuned.
Former Oakland Raiders lineman Gerald Perry shot by robber
Gerald Perry, who played offensive tackle for both the Oakland Raiders, LA Rams, and the Denver Broncos during his NFL career, was shot by a would-be-robber in Lithonia, DeKalb County, Georgia. The Atlanta Journal Constiution reports that Perry was sitting in his SUV when he was hurt. WSBT.TV Atlanta interviews revealed that the shooter asked Perry for money.
Carla Tillis, a witness and Perry's girlfriend, told WSBT.tv, "The only thing that really saved him was that he put his hand up and the bullet is still in his hand. When he turned, the bullet hit him in the back and went straight out."
Reportedly, a woman approached Perry and asked for money; when he refused, she went to her boyfriend, who came back with his gun and opened fire on Perry.
The gunman and his girlfriend are still at large as of this writing.
Perry is recovering; the bullet is reportedly lodged in his hand.
Carla Tillis, a witness and Perry's girlfriend, told WSBT.tv, "The only thing that really saved him was that he put his hand up and the bullet is still in his hand. When he turned, the bullet hit him in the back and went straight out."
Reportedly, a woman approached Perry and asked for money; when he refused, she went to her boyfriend, who came back with his gun and opened fire on Perry.
The gunman and his girlfriend are still at large as of this writing.
Perry is recovering; the bullet is reportedly lodged in his hand.
Megan Fox and Taylor Swift 2009's Internet stars of the Year
Ok, this is my award. Megan Fox and Taylor Swift are Zennie62's 2009's Internet stars of the Year. The reason is simple. Whenever I need some spark in traffic and talk, I can count on Megan Fox and Taylor Swift. It doesn't matter of it's a search for Megan Fox' sexy photos or Taylor Swift's long lyrics, they come through in a pinch.
Megan Fox
But more than that, Megan Fox and Taylor Swift are just plain interesting. I love Megan Fox for her outspoken personality, and 21st Century feminist-hotty charm. Taylor Swift's the picture of the simple, girl-next-door made good. Even when she doesn't some really questionable things - ok, just one really questionable thing with that Swastika - Taylor Swift does it with the aplomb of of a queen.
But this is not to damn Taylor Swift for that, it's to genuinely praise her. Taylor Swift certainly has a massively great publicist and a production team that's out of this World, but look at the material they have to work with: her. For some odd-duck reason, people want to root for Taylor Swift. And no, it's not blonde-ambition or anything of the kind. It comes through as her soul. My only fear is that she will lose it.
Megan Fox got my attention, first, when she told the truth about the Transformers movie series being a special-effects vehicle and not an acting flick. I liked the way she stood her ground in the wake of Producer Michael Bay's counter-attacks. And finally, her Rolling Stones Magazine interview was the icing on the cake.
Plus, yes. Megan Fox is a lovely, sexy, woman. Tough as nails and great ones too!
Carrie Prejean beaten by Joe Francis for Gawkers' Douche of the Decade
Carrie Prejean, who missed joining Rachel Ray in the Top 100 Sexiest Women of 2009 for political reasons, now has a less honorable award (yes, less honorable award) she just missed: Gawker's Douche of the Decade'.
For this...
Now folks, I think to call anyone 'Douche of the Decade' or 'Douche of the Year' is wrongheaded. Moreover, it's terrible. In fact, it can get one sued, which is what Joe Francis is threatening to do. I also would not think of Carrie Prejean in that way.
First Joe Francis.
Dylan Stableford at The Wrap, reports that after the “Girls Gone Wild” founder Joe Francis learned he was named as Gawker's “Douche of the Decade" he hit the ceiling and called his lawyers, firing off this email:
Okay. Joe.
Anyway. According to The Wrap, Nick Denton's response was classic:
Man, Gawker Founder Nick Denton takes chances that are...er, ill-advised. He's already got two active lawsuits against him from Eric Dane regarding the McSteamy sex tape (which he's winning), and former ESPN announcer and NFL player Sean Salisbury's suit regarding posted emails.
Now let's turn to Carrie Prejean, who The Wrap says just missed being in the final vote and that's confirmed by Gawker.
I don't think she fits into the category of being publicly mauled in this way. Yes, she took a political stance that was at best retrograde. Sure, she didn't behave well on CNN's Larry King Show. But to be listed as a possible candidate for 'Douche of the Decade' is downright hurtful. I really cry for her.
I'm serious. I do so because I think there's a level of respect that a woman should be accorded even in the 21st Century. Carrie Prejean is not the kind of person projected by Gawker as being what they say Joe Francis is.
I'm not going to go there. I don't know Joe Francis, and I don't know anyone who does. Nick Denton's out there on his own with this one. Good luck, Bro.
For this...
Now folks, I think to call anyone 'Douche of the Decade' or 'Douche of the Year' is wrongheaded. Moreover, it's terrible. In fact, it can get one sued, which is what Joe Francis is threatening to do. I also would not think of Carrie Prejean in that way.
First Joe Francis.
Dylan Stableford at The Wrap, reports that after the “Girls Gone Wild” founder Joe Francis learned he was named as Gawker's “Douche of the Decade" he hit the ceiling and called his lawyers, firing off this email:
From: Joe Francis
To: Nick Denton
Subject: Hey Nick, Your Fucked
Date: December 27, 2009 7:22:14 PM EST
Hey Nick,
I am suing you tomorrow personally. You messed with the wrong guy. No one make up lies about me and gets away with it. I lost a 10 million dollar deal as a direct result of you calling me “a rapist”. You will be paying me every dime of that back and more! Are you mentally retarded? Do your research first. I am coming after you harder then I have ever went after anyone. I am going to wipe you off the grid!!!! YOU ARE DONE! I will take everything you have. You, Nick Denton, are truly the “Douche of the Decade” Merry Xmas IDIOT!!! Joe Francis P.S. I sent you an updated picture of how I actually look now so you can masturbate to it because you seem to be quite sexually obsessed with me.
Okay. Joe.
Tila Tequila and Joe Francis
Anyway. According to The Wrap, Nick Denton's response was classic:
Okay, fine. After some consideration, we're sorry for calling you a "rapist" since you are more accurately "an alleged rapist." After all, we've never seen you doing the raping, only read about it.
Man, Gawker Founder Nick Denton takes chances that are...er, ill-advised. He's already got two active lawsuits against him from Eric Dane regarding the McSteamy sex tape (which he's winning), and former ESPN announcer and NFL player Sean Salisbury's suit regarding posted emails.
Now let's turn to Carrie Prejean, who The Wrap says just missed being in the final vote and that's confirmed by Gawker.
I don't think she fits into the category of being publicly mauled in this way. Yes, she took a political stance that was at best retrograde. Sure, she didn't behave well on CNN's Larry King Show. But to be listed as a possible candidate for 'Douche of the Decade' is downright hurtful. I really cry for her.
I'm serious. I do so because I think there's a level of respect that a woman should be accorded even in the 21st Century. Carrie Prejean is not the kind of person projected by Gawker as being what they say Joe Francis is.
I'm not going to go there. I don't know Joe Francis, and I don't know anyone who does. Nick Denton's out there on his own with this one. Good luck, Bro.
Terrorist incident sparks racial profiling talk, Right Wing Racism again
There are millions of people who travel of all shapes, creeds, and colors. But because a really stupid young man who happens to have the name Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab is found to be Muslim, Right Wingnuts like Republican Congressman Peter King call for racial profiling of Muslims.
Fear should never be used to restart any action that smacks of the internment of Japanese citizens during World War II. Yet, that's what Congressman King is trying to do. He says we're at war "with them" and so some action must be taken against "Muslim extremists."
What bothers me about situations like this is it's always some older white guy on Fox News who starts yammering this stuff, like Peter King. It may be cathartic for him to talk that way, but it's not helpful at all. His hate speech can cause good people who happen to be Muslim to be harmed. Is that what he wants?
We have to rise to a level of thought that eliminates the desire to place people in large racial groups all of the time. Plus, focusing on people that the Congressman Kings' of the World think are Muslim only opens the door for someone who doesn't fit the profile to walk into it.
We have to stop this before it starts and call for a more intelligent approach. Oh, and if's it's "politically correct", so what? Big deal. It's the right approach and an American one at that.
Stay tuned...I know you will.
Fear should never be used to restart any action that smacks of the internment of Japanese citizens during World War II. Yet, that's what Congressman King is trying to do. He says we're at war "with them" and so some action must be taken against "Muslim extremists."
What bothers me about situations like this is it's always some older white guy on Fox News who starts yammering this stuff, like Peter King. It may be cathartic for him to talk that way, but it's not helpful at all. His hate speech can cause good people who happen to be Muslim to be harmed. Is that what he wants?
We have to rise to a level of thought that eliminates the desire to place people in large racial groups all of the time. Plus, focusing on people that the Congressman Kings' of the World think are Muslim only opens the door for someone who doesn't fit the profile to walk into it.
We have to stop this before it starts and call for a more intelligent approach. Oh, and if's it's "politically correct", so what? Big deal. It's the right approach and an American one at that.
Stay tuned...I know you will.
Bianna Golodryga sparks online search after engagement news
Bianna Golodryga, the ABC News financial reporter who's getting married to Obama administration budget director Peter Orszag, has sparked an online search for her image that's taken on massive proportions. As of this writing at 11:19 AM PST - 2:19 PM EST, she's the number one Google Trend and ranked "Volcanic"!
And while hubby-to-be Orszag is the 14th-ranked Google Trend, he's merely "On Fire". Undoubtedly because of Bianna Golodryga. The only time Peter would see this level of search interest is after a Congressional grilling on the budget (which is to come) or the task of reducing the deficit, which is the focus of a Wall Street Journal online article today.
Meanwhile, why the search for Bianna Golodryga? Well, she's hot, that's why. And because her engagement annoucement was on TV: Good Morning America this morning. People watch television, see a nice-looking person, then search for them online. Happens every day.
But looks aside, Bianna's an accomplished reporter on the economy and finance. She's able to speak clearly and concisely for a wide audience, which is why she's a star at ABC News.
Here's Bianna Golodryga talking about the "recession obsession" at 1:49 in this video:
But all of that aside, serious congratulations to a very deserving couple on their engagement. From what I remember during the Obama campaign - I've not yet met Orszag - he's a great guy and a nice person. Plus, she's already in the media business so Peter doesn't have to worry about all the buzz going to her head!
That happens.
And while hubby-to-be Orszag is the 14th-ranked Google Trend, he's merely "On Fire". Undoubtedly because of Bianna Golodryga. The only time Peter would see this level of search interest is after a Congressional grilling on the budget (which is to come) or the task of reducing the deficit, which is the focus of a Wall Street Journal online article today.
Bianna Golodryga
Meanwhile, why the search for Bianna Golodryga? Well, she's hot, that's why. And because her engagement annoucement was on TV: Good Morning America this morning. People watch television, see a nice-looking person, then search for them online. Happens every day.
But looks aside, Bianna's an accomplished reporter on the economy and finance. She's able to speak clearly and concisely for a wide audience, which is why she's a star at ABC News.
Here's Bianna Golodryga talking about the "recession obsession" at 1:49 in this video:
But all of that aside, serious congratulations to a very deserving couple on their engagement. From what I remember during the Obama campaign - I've not yet met Orszag - he's a great guy and a nice person. Plus, she's already in the media business so Peter doesn't have to worry about all the buzz going to her head!
That happens.
Avatar heads record-setting weekend movie box-office
The amazing technical achievement that is James Cameron's Avatar heads a list of must-see movies that made up a record-setting 278 million dollars in weekend box office gross revenue.
Avatar, which stars Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver, gained 75.6 million last weekend, and really lost no steam from its 77.4 million dollar opening weekend.
Here's the trailer for Avatar:
I've got to admit, I didn't think Avatar would outlast the economy in this way. It proves that even in a recession people will spend to see a good movie. Here's the overall weekend tally of the top five films for December 25-27, 2009, courtesy of BoxOfficeMojo, which Avatar certainly has:
Avatar, which stars Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver, gained 75.6 million last weekend, and really lost no steam from its 77.4 million dollar opening weekend.
Here's the trailer for Avatar:
I've got to admit, I didn't think Avatar would outlast the economy in this way. It proves that even in a recession people will spend to see a good movie. Here's the overall weekend tally of the top five films for December 25-27, 2009, courtesy of BoxOfficeMojo, which Avatar certainly has:
Avatar $75,617,183
Sherlock Holmes $62,390,000
Alvin and the Chipmunks $48,875,415
It's Complicated $22,100,820
The Blind Side $11,470,000
Oakland Parking Enforcement Reform Initiative - a 2010 proposal
The Oakland Parking Enforcement Reform Initiative is gaining steam. I've been asked to now make public our efforts, so this blog post is to get things rolling.
Which is a weird consideration because they've been rolling along already!
A group of concerned Oakland citizens have been meeting and communicating to fashion a comprehensive Oakland Parking Enforcement Reform Initiative for presentation to Oakland voters in 2010.
The diverse team consists of both Oakland business owners and residents and I'm really, frankly, surprised at how smooth and easy our meetings and communications have been. Oaklanders are used to disparate groups not being able to see eye-to-eye on even the smallest issues; not so here. Yes, there are disagreements, but they tend to come to a rapid end. It's really cool to be a part of.
Everyone involved has been energized to act - if even to just be kept 'in the loop' and provide informal feedback – because in some way large or small they've been harmed by the City of Oakland's aggressive parking enforcement process and outrageously high parking fees.
There are stories of cars booted and towed that were owned by working women with kids, while those persons were present. But even more troubling is the rate of ticketing; many Oaklanders are being ticketed even between 2 AM and 5 AM! If a person's car is just one-half-inch into the red zone at 4 AM, it gains a ticket.
Th result is a lot of Oaklanders that have more than five tickets, making them "tow" candidates. The City of Oakland has spawned a level of political anger I've never seen before.
The general concern is the City of Oakland's balancing its budget on the backs of Oakland's poor in the middle of a bad economy with over 17 percent unemployed in Oakland. The group, to a person, has been determined to eliminate Oakland's ability to harm its poorest people in this way.
This is the structure of the initiative as it has been discussed to date. I stress that this is not singularly any one person's idea, and anyone who makes claims to the contrary is not informed of the truth. Moreover, the initiative is a work-in-progress, although we're rapidly approaching consensus. The objective has been to keep it simple.
Here it is as of this writing:
The next meeting of the Oakland Parking Initiative Group will be in January at a date to be determined. If you want to get involved drop me an email or Facebook or Twitter message (as this is also on Facebook and Twitter) and I'll put you on our mailing list.
Which is a weird consideration because they've been rolling along already!
A group of concerned Oakland citizens have been meeting and communicating to fashion a comprehensive Oakland Parking Enforcement Reform Initiative for presentation to Oakland voters in 2010.
The diverse team consists of both Oakland business owners and residents and I'm really, frankly, surprised at how smooth and easy our meetings and communications have been. Oaklanders are used to disparate groups not being able to see eye-to-eye on even the smallest issues; not so here. Yes, there are disagreements, but they tend to come to a rapid end. It's really cool to be a part of.
Everyone involved has been energized to act - if even to just be kept 'in the loop' and provide informal feedback – because in some way large or small they've been harmed by the City of Oakland's aggressive parking enforcement process and outrageously high parking fees.
There are stories of cars booted and towed that were owned by working women with kids, while those persons were present. But even more troubling is the rate of ticketing; many Oaklanders are being ticketed even between 2 AM and 5 AM! If a person's car is just one-half-inch into the red zone at 4 AM, it gains a ticket.
Th result is a lot of Oaklanders that have more than five tickets, making them "tow" candidates. The City of Oakland has spawned a level of political anger I've never seen before.
The general concern is the City of Oakland's balancing its budget on the backs of Oakland's poor in the middle of a bad economy with over 17 percent unemployed in Oakland. The group, to a person, has been determined to eliminate Oakland's ability to harm its poorest people in this way.
This is the structure of the initiative as it has been discussed to date. I stress that this is not singularly any one person's idea, and anyone who makes claims to the contrary is not informed of the truth. Moreover, the initiative is a work-in-progress, although we're rapidly approaching consensus. The objective has been to keep it simple.
Here it is as of this writing:
1.All parking meters will be taken out of service; time limits will be enforced by chalking tires.
2.Tickets for time violations will be capped at $20 and all late fees and penalties at $50.
3.The city will not tow vehicles for city parking enforcement rules other than in case of an emergency or blocking of access for emergency vehicles, or vehicle abandonment.
4.No vehicle will be ticketed or towed for blocking a driveway without the consent of the owner of the driveway.
5.Cars towed for DMV holds must have a city employee present to authorize the impoundments, and a good faith effort is required to have the owner of the vehicle present to get their personal property; personal property can't be removed by anyone other than the car's owner.
6.Towing and impoundment fees are capped at $300 per vehicle.
7.Proceeds from impounded vehicles that are sold at auction pay the DMV and City of Oakland fees first, the impound fees second, and remaining funds are kept by the owner of the vehicle.
8.After a vehicle has been impounded forfeited and sold, the original owner of the car has no more parking fine obligations to the City of Oakland.
9.The original owner of the car must be given the first option to buy back their car at the accepted minimum public auction price before the auction is held.
10.If any single provision of this initiative is found by the courts to be invalid for any reason, all other provisions are to remain in effect.
The next meeting of the Oakland Parking Initiative Group will be in January at a date to be determined. If you want to get involved drop me an email or Facebook or Twitter message (as this is also on Facebook and Twitter) and I'll put you on our mailing list.
JibJab on Tiger Woods, Jon and Kate, Obama - Never a Year Like '09
Venice, California based JibJab has carved-out a reputation for funny, catchy, memorable political animation videos on YouTube and their pace continues as we approach the end of 2009. In Never a Year Like '09, JibJab covers every subject and personality from David Letterman to Tiger Woods, Jon and Kate, President Bush, President Obama, Governor Mark Sanford, Carrie Prejean, and even Bill Clinton "getting chicks".
And more. Wow. Here's the video from JibJab:
JibJab has been going strong in producing memorable digital entertainment since 2004. Evan and Gregg Spiridellis are the founders of this 35-person organization that also produces e-cards.
The firm started in 2000, always with the idea of using the computer to produce entertainment. But JibJab didn't hit its stride until 2004 when it made the now-famous "This Land" video featuring the Presidential Election between George Bush and John Kerry. That started a long string of politically-oriented humor videos that continues today.
It's fair to say that this has been the decade of JibJab. Check out the website at JibJab.com Rock on!
And more. Wow. Here's the video from JibJab:
The JibJab Decade
JibJab has been going strong in producing memorable digital entertainment since 2004. Evan and Gregg Spiridellis are the founders of this 35-person organization that also produces e-cards.
The firm started in 2000, always with the idea of using the computer to produce entertainment. But JibJab didn't hit its stride until 2004 when it made the now-famous "This Land" video featuring the Presidential Election between George Bush and John Kerry. That started a long string of politically-oriented humor videos that continues today.
It's fair to say that this has been the decade of JibJab. Check out the website at JibJab.com Rock on!
Monday, December 28, 2009
2009 Oscar Nomination Ballots mailed to 5,777 academy voters
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) reports that 5,777 Academy voting members received their 2009 Oscar Nomination Ballots. Academy voters have until Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 5 PM to return their completed ballots.
According to AMPAS, the ballots will be tabulated by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which also collects the ballots as they're returned. The ballots are numbered with respect to Academy voter. The accounting firm will check to ensure that there are no duplicate ballots and that the count is fair and accurate.
Academy members like Iron Man 2 Director Jon Farveau have already started watching movies to determine who they're going to vote for. Jon Favreau tweeted:
Meanwhile, the legendary Nikke Finke at Deadline.com/Hollywood reports her voicemail and email inbox's filling with negative Oscar campaign messages and that the race is turning "nasty, nasty, nasty."
Then what Finke writes is down right funny. Like the report that at a party thrown for Brothers' star Tobey Maguire by Leonardo DiCaprio, some female member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association asked Shirley MacLaine if her legs "were still in good shape", to which MacLaine reportedly pulled down her pants for her to see! Best to visit Nikke's site for the rest; it's a doozy!
Stay tuned!
According to AMPAS, the ballots will be tabulated by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which also collects the ballots as they're returned. The ballots are numbered with respect to Academy voter. The accounting firm will check to ensure that there are no duplicate ballots and that the count is fair and accurate.
Jon Farveau is watching Academy screeners, are you?
Academy members like Iron Man 2 Director Jon Farveau have already started watching movies to determine who they're going to vote for. Jon Favreau tweeted:
Spending Xmas with family watching Academy screeners. Where the heck is Moon? Is Sony nuts? I want to see Rockwell vs Rockwell.
2:15 PM Dec 25th from Echofon
Meanwhile, the legendary Nikke Finke at Deadline.com/Hollywood reports her voicemail and email inbox's filling with negative Oscar campaign messages and that the race is turning "nasty, nasty, nasty."
Then what Finke writes is down right funny. Like the report that at a party thrown for Brothers' star Tobey Maguire by Leonardo DiCaprio, some female member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association asked Shirley MacLaine if her legs "were still in good shape", to which MacLaine reportedly pulled down her pants for her to see! Best to visit Nikke's site for the rest; it's a doozy!
Stay tuned!
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren: from Rachel Uchitel and IMG to now
I guess my second Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren video was right, after all..
UPDATE: Someone who could not resist being immature and calling names, said that I got it wrong and blogger Geoff Shackelford said it was a hoax. So I checked Geoff's blog, and discovered that Geoff did not write that at all!! I put this out for evaluation and wrote that I believed it, not that it was the actual truth. And here's the first version of the email, posted by Furman Bisher at his blog.
When the subject is an athletic star like The World's Greatest Golfer, Tiger Woods, who's just gone through the most amazing public display of personal problems, it's hard to keep any news from reaching the public eye.
Today, I received a copy of an email about what really happened between Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren and Rachel Uchitel that was sent to me via a friend, who in turn got It from another friend.
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren trying to work it out
When I received it - which was about an hour ago, plus from now - at first I thought less of it, then I read it. There's a lot here that really appears to make sense. I decided to run with it but essentially made it readable, and added "breaks" to give you a "who's who" explanation where necessary.
I saw that the Atlanta Journal Constitution and AOL FanHouse ran versions of this before me. But I did not see a real study of its contents in either case. Here's the email, cleaned up somewhat by me, with paragraph breaks so that it's readable. The bold words and sentences are my additional notes as are the photos.
Also, I have no idea who "Franklyn Dickson" is, but I found someone in the entertainment industry listed at Linkedin and have contacted that person. I was not asked to hide Mr. Dickson's identity, so I elected not to do so, thus establishing a public back trail to that possible source.
From: Franklyn Dickson
Subject: inside story on Tiger
I actually believe this:
I have a Member who lives 10 houses down from Tiger in Isleworth. As we know Tiger's agent is Mark Steinberg. My Member plays golf and is real good friends with another IMG Agent, who is very good friends with Steinberg and they share the same office.
This information came from the other IMG Agent to my Member, and then to me today, and according to them is up to date as yesterday when my Member left Orlando.
On Thanksgiving Day, after he and Elin and the family had Turkey Dinner, he spent the rest of the afternoon on the couch watching football and texting Rachel (Uchitel, who's alleged to have been Woods' mistress).
Rachel Uchitel
After each received and sent text message he would clear his message box to rid himself of the evidence. Sometime in between there, one of his Orlando buds called him to see if he wanted to get together at the Clubhouse to play poker with the guys, to which Tiger said yes. Tiger left the house around 7:30 to go play poker, and left behind his cell phone... and one message he had forgot to delete from Rachel.
When Tiger returned home around 11:30 - 12 that night, Elin confronted him about the text message in the phone, and the started a heated discussion to its regards. According to what I was told, there was more "incriminating evidence" than just the text message (i.e. photos).
Tiger tried to play it off to Elin by telling her she was reading too much in to it, and did not know the story, etc. Tiger went upstairs to chance into his gym shorts and t-shirt, came back down, and Elin confronted him again; to which Tiger gave the same story.
Tiger sat down in a chair in the living room, and Elin sat acorss from him urging Tiger to just come clean. Tiger stuck to his guns and denied everything. At one point Tiger turned away to look at the TV, and as he turned back, Elin hit him on the right side of the face with the head of a 9 - iron.
When she struck Tiger, she put a huge gash in the right side of his face next to his nose (causing his nose to bruise some), and virtually knocking two of his upper teeth out, and breaking the bone on the upper right side. Tiger ran scared as hell out of the house (which is why he had on no shoes) with Elin swinging the golf club throughout the hallway to the garage (i.e causing the severe damage which has been reported).
Tiger hopped in the Escalade and tried to leave; and as we know Elin knocked out the windows in the Escalade. When Tiger crashed, Elin panicked and was not sure what to tell the police (which is why there are two conflicting stories from her).
When this happened. Elin immediately called Mark Steinberg to tell him what happened, and Mark told Elin to tell him what hospital they were going to, and he would meet them there.
Tiger Woods and IMG's Mark Steinberg
Tiger is transported to the hospital with Elin in the ambulance, and as they arrive Mark is there waiting for them. The people from the hospital and the doctors take Tiger in for X-Rays etc to check out the damage caused. The doctors tell Mark there is not much they can do to repair the teeth and the gash, but the doctor knows a cosmetic dentist and plastic surgeon in Phoenix who will make Tiger look as if nothing happened.
Tiger tells Mark to get the jet ready and "lets head to Phoenix to get this
done." Friday after Tiger is released from the hospital, he does not return home. He and Mark board the plane for Phoenix. If you remember, FHP (Florida Highway Patrol) kept showing up at Isleworth to talk to TIger, and was told by another FL attorney (who Tiger hired for PR reasons) Tiger was not ready to talk. (That person is Orlando Lawyer Mark LeJane)
Well now we know why... he was in Phoenix, and did not arrive back in Orlando until either late last Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. The surgeries were more intense than what they had originally planned, which meant Tiger was in PHX longer than he should have been.
Upon arriving back in Orlando, Tiger and Elin have been in intense marriage counseling sessions (up to 6 to 7 hours a day) every day! Both Tiger and Elin have told the counselors they love each other, and want to make the marriage work.
The reports you are reading on TMZ and RadarOnline are about 30 percent accurate at best according to Mark.
In regards to Tiger's boat being in Palm Beach this week, along with Rachel; that part is true. However, Tiger is not on the boat, and is not in Palm Beach; and Rachel is not on the boat. Her parents live 6 blocks from where the boat is, but that is it.
Tiger has not returned to his house at Isleworth since the day of the accident except for the therapy sessions. IMG has enlisted the assistance of one of its most recognized sports figures, and Tiger has taken up residence in his neighborhood; Bay Hill.
IMG contacted Arnold Palmer because of the high regard in which Tiger holds Arnold. Arnold has agreed, and IMG has said if anyone can get through to Tiger, Arnold may be the only person who can, based on his public persona when he was at the height of his game as well.
The moving trucks being shown on TMZ and RadarOnline are moving out pictures and furniture which was damaged during their Thanksgiving Day argument; not of her moving out. Yes, Elin has retained a divorce attorney (Sorrell Troupe), but has not filed any papers, and as of yesterday had no intention on doing so.
Tiger has not made any public appearances or statements due to the surgery and plastic surgery he had in PHX. It will be about another month if not more before he gets in front of a camera. Yes, Tiger is hitting golf balls late at night at Bay Hill out of their teaching center (which is equipped with lights).
That is as up to date as I have........
My reason for posting this, separate from the idea that it makes sense (if we were to see Tiger Woods before his facial injuries lessened it could put Elin in legal trouble) and has a number of players - people involved - in the right place, is my anger with how some in media, particularly HLN's Nancy Grace, have played "fast and loose" with information regarding Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren. Yes, Grace herself has taken care to use terms like "alleged" and "reportedly" as have I, but she never corrects her guests and then slips and says that Elin's in Sweden without even making a qualifying statement.
Stay tuned.
TMZ.com should explain JFK photo hoax - more to story
Now that The JFK Photo Scandal is history - and a fast, one - TMZ.com really has to explain how and why it got caught up in this photo-fish-finding expedition.
I write that because TMZ enlisted so-called experts who said the photo was real. But were those experts paid for their work? If so, checkbook journalism may have failed the one organization alleged to have made an industry out of it.
TMZ has made a living on being first with information the mainstream media was not even aware of how to get. And it's been accurate far more often than not. But this case reveals a "chink" in the armor of the suit of TMZ's success.
They got so caught up with the idea that the photo was real, they never stopped to consider that it may not be real.
I also wonder how old the TMZer who led this effort were? Old timers who know about the Playboys of the period were quick to question the photo.
I can't wait to hear and read TMZ's explanation. I'm not happy they were wrong, nor am I sad. Just fascinated.
Stay tuned.
The real photo.
I write that because TMZ enlisted so-called experts who said the photo was real. But were those experts paid for their work? If so, checkbook journalism may have failed the one organization alleged to have made an industry out of it.
TMZ has made a living on being first with information the mainstream media was not even aware of how to get. And it's been accurate far more often than not. But this case reveals a "chink" in the armor of the suit of TMZ's success.
They got so caught up with the idea that the photo was real, they never stopped to consider that it may not be real.
The fake photo.
I also wonder how old the TMZer who led this effort were? Old timers who know about the Playboys of the period were quick to question the photo.
I can't wait to hear and read TMZ's explanation. I'm not happy they were wrong, nor am I sad. Just fascinated.
Stay tuned.
JFK photo a fake - real Playboy 1967 no-JFK photo here
Ok, the matter of the TZM.com JFK Naked sexy women on a yacht photo issue - now called "the JFK photo scandal" is closed.
Someone over at Democratic Underground got the photo from an archived copy of the 1967 Playboy issue my source said contained the actual photo. That magazine is Playboy, Vol. 14, No. 11, November 1967, P. 137. (Article name "Playboy's Charter Yacht Party".)
Here's the photo:
Now, as of this writing, I've beat TMZ.com to the punch.
Someone over at Democratic Underground got the photo from an archived copy of the 1967 Playboy issue my source said contained the actual photo. That magazine is Playboy, Vol. 14, No. 11, November 1967, P. 137. (Article name "Playboy's Charter Yacht Party".)
Here's the photo:
Now, as of this writing, I've beat TMZ.com to the punch.
Naked sexy women on boat with JFK and Ted Kennedy? NO!
My source, a person who wishes to be known as "Peter B in Wisconsin" has found his copy of the Playboy he says contains the actual photo the TMZ.com picture is based on.
If you recall, TMZ.com claims to have found and verified a photo that they say shows then-Senator John F. Kennedy sunning on the deck of a yacht that's populated with naked sexy women. (It's possible they could be naked and not sexy, you know.)
The Playboy edition Peter B says the photo is in, is this:
Playboy, Vol. 14, No. 11, November 1967, P. 137. (Article name
"Playboy's Charter Yacht Party".)
If anyone has a copy of the mag, please go and get it.
UPDATE: confirmed as in question by TMZ.com
But I think we can call the TMZ.com photo issue at the least still very questionable until we see the Playboy Mag.
I just hope TMZ.com doesn't say it was just testing bloggers! Well, we passed it, anyway!
Is this photo a fake?
If you recall, TMZ.com claims to have found and verified a photo that they say shows then-Senator John F. Kennedy sunning on the deck of a yacht that's populated with naked sexy women. (It's possible they could be naked and not sexy, you know.)
The Playboy edition Peter B says the photo is in, is this:
Playboy, Vol. 14, No. 11, November 1967, P. 137. (Article name
"Playboy's Charter Yacht Party".)
If anyone has a copy of the mag, please go and get it.
UPDATE: confirmed as in question by TMZ.com
But I think we can call the TMZ.com photo issue at the least still very questionable until we see the Playboy Mag.
I just hope TMZ.com doesn't say it was just testing bloggers! Well, we passed it, anyway!
Naked women on boating trip with JFK and Ted Kennedy? Fake?
I just received a rather cryptic email that the TMZ.com photo of Naked women on a boating trip allegedly with JFK and Ted Kennedy, may be a very good fake after all.
The person who wrote me claims that the original photo appeared in Playboy in the mid-60s.
Stay tuned.
The person who wrote me claims that the original photo appeared in Playboy in the mid-60s.
Stay tuned.
The Dallas Aesthetic - Barrett Brown
In this video, Raw Story's Barrett Brown makes his second video after discovering video-blogging. Here, we get a tour of his mother's husband's house. (I guess his stepfather, eh?)
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama give address
Before he left for Hawaii and family for Christmas, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama gave this rare joint address. They took time to honor those who serve overseas for America.
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