ESPN's Jay Mariotti Suspended From AOL Fanhouse; ESPN Next?

In the wake of his arrest for domestic violence last Saturday, ESPN Personality and AOL Fanhouse Columnist Jay Mariotti was suspended indefinitely from AOL Fanhouse on Thursday.

Now, the question is what will ESPN - which has featured Jay as a star on its show Around The Horn - do with Mariotti?

As shared before here, ESPN's history suggests Mariotti may be done there. But for now, EPSN's not moved off its stance that its taking a wait-and-see view.

Meanwhile, Ben Maller says Tim Cowlishaw -  another unlucky ESPN Around The Horn Personality  this week, but for something far less terrible, guessing wrong the day New York Jets Cornerback Darrell Revis will sign with the team - could have it worse. Maller says Cowlishaw should be happy he's not Jay Mariotti.

Jersey Shore episode 5 season 2 Recap - by Nikky Raney

Jersey Shore episode 5 of season 2 aired last night, August 26, at 10 p.m. ET. This episode was definitely one of the best of this season with even more craziness than usual.

Personally watching Jersey Shore helps with truly being able to explain how crazy this episode was. Last week's episode was not blogged about, because it was not as interesting - but this post will make up for that greatly.

Courtesy of MTV

This episode revolved mostly around Sammi and Ronnie. JWOWW and Snooki typed up a note anonymously that revealed all the cheating and infidelity Ronnie has been engaging in while dating Sammi. This includes the infamous three-way-kiss from the first episode, as well as getting other girl's numbers.

When Sammi finds the note in her drawer she first asks Vinny about it, and he denies all the allegations on Ronnie's infidelity. She asks Vinny to promise not to tell Ronnie about it - but of course that's the first thing he does. In the commentary Ronnie speaks of hoping he can talk his way out of this one.

Sammi then asks Pauly D, but Pauly D claims he had no idea and is sure that it never happened - especially not the kiss. Then a clip plays of Pauly D pointing out to Vinny at the club while Ronnie partakes in the three-way-kiss.

There's a break between this big fiasco with The Situation's big scandal. He brings home two girls, but then two more girls show up. He decides to put two girls on one side of the house, and then put the other girls on another side - so that the girls will never know about one another. However, one of the girls is a "grenade" and The Situation meets with Pauly D and Vinny to figure out a way to "extract" the grenade.

Courtesy of MTV

The Situation decides that Vinny and Pauly D will go in the one room and pick between the two girls on who to hook up with, and he will go to the other room and try to extract the grenade. Luckily, when he goes into the room the grenade is sleepy, so he tucks her into bed and wishes her sweet dreams. He then goes into another room and the night vision comes on of all three guys enjoying the night with their ladies.

Snooki and JWOWW go to the Gay Pride Weekend and hung out with some of the gay guys.. When Snooki calls up her ex-boyfriend Emilio (who last episode told her he had cheated) he got angry about it, and then spoke about hanging out with lesbians. Snooki and Emilio ended it, which was sad for Snooki.

The Situation plans to cook Sunday dinner, and while he is out he asks Angelina to clean the sink. Angelina spends the entire day on the telephone with all her friends. She does nothing except talk on the phone.

Mike is angry when he gets back and says she is excluded. He says, "Why don't you go on the treadmill...actually use the elliptical it's better for you."

The two soon kiss and make up.

Courtesy of MTV

Sammi confronts Ronnie about the note, and it turns into a big fiasco. The fighting and Ronnie trying to talk his way out of it. Ronnie admits to getting the number, but tries to reason by saying, "I come home and sleep with you every night and wake up with your every morning."

While at work Snooki and JWOWW call the house in hopes Angelina will pick up the phone (since she is always on the phone anyway), and find out if Sammi has received the note. Ironically, Sammi answers the phone and asks JWOWW about the letter. JWOWW denies knowing anything whatsoever about the note and says that she has no idea about any of that.

Snooki makes her break-up official by burning photos of her and Emilio.

Ronnie says that he knows that JWOWW and Snooki had some involvement in that note.

The Situation finds out, but JWOWW and Snooki don't tell him that they wrote it. The Situation finds it hilarious, because it is all true. All the housemates agree that Sammi would be an idiot to go back to Ronnie.

The two fight and Sammi tells Ronnie that she ends it for good, and then Ronnie immediately goes to the phone and calls up a girl who talks about making him dinner. When Sammi comes over and asks who he is on the phone with he says it is his friend T.J.

Courtesy of MTV

Sammi gets sick of all the lies and claims that it is over between her and Ronnie for good. Ronnie tries to flip the situation and make it sound like he is the victim and make him in control of the situation. Sammi cries and realizes that she shouldn't be with him anymore.

This episode was definitely one that will go down in Jersey Shore history. Will Sammi stay away from Ronnie and finally let him go? After all the cheating, lying and deceit she would be a fool to stick around.

The episode ends and the previews for the next episode show a physical altercation between Sammi and JWOWW.

Tune in next Thursday at 10 p.m. to find out what happens.

Erica Blasberg: LPGA's Stars Death And Doctor Thomas Hess Confusing

Erica Blasberg

Erica Blasberg, the LPGA star who's May death was called a suicide this week, is really still the focus of much confusion. How did her friend Doctor Thomas Hess come to enter the house to find her reportedly drugged and dead? What did the suicide note that he claimed to have removed read?

On Tuesday, Hess was charged with obstruction of justice, a misdemeanor with a $1,000 fine and a six-month maximum jail sentence, if he's found guilty. Hess posted bail and was released that day. But what was never explained was just what the note said? Does a note exist?

Golf On The Down Side

It's possible Erica was plainly not happy with her golf life. At the time of her passing, Erica Blasberg was 25 and had logged six years on the LPGA Tour. Blasberg's best season was in 2008 when she gained $113,000 in earnings and had her only top 10 finish in an LPGA event. Blasberg played her last LPGA tournament in April of this year, but her 44th place finish was of some concern.

Why her game was suffering is not entirely known. Also not known is the extent of her relationship with Hess.

Stay tuned.

Levi Johnston, Sarah Palin, Tiger Woods, Apocalypse Now

Sarah Palin

A morning round-up featuring Levi Johnston, Sarah Palin, Tiger Woods, and Apocalypse Now, for which the movie trailer announcing its new re-releasse on Blue Ray is above. You can get it October 19th. Now, on to Levi Johnston.

On CBS' The Early Show, Levi Johnston,  said he wished he'd never apologized to his ex-mother-in-law Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for saying he lied, because he now claims he didn't lie.

Johnston said,

"I don’t really regret anything. But the only thing I wish I wouldn't have done is put out that apology ’cause it kind of makes me sound like a liar. And I’ve never lied about anything. So that’s probably the only thing. The rest of the stuff I can live with."

One thing, Levi Johnston is very much like Palin in that both enjoy using the spotlight to punish their enemies. In a weird way, Sarah Palin created the media monster that Levi Johnston has become. Here's Levi on The Early Show:



If you consider the way Palin was horribly treated by the GOP during and after the 2008 election, that was transferred to Levi Johnston from Palin over that time. Johnston figured he was the one person who was Palin's perfect foil, the one who could tell the truth about Sarah, and he's milked every second of his spotlight in that role.

Sarah Palin can't escape Levi Johnston; as she grows, he grows.

Speaking of growing, how about the way Tiger Woods' golf game has picked up? Our own Suzannah Troy speculates the reason may be that Tiger's able to be a sexual creature again after his divorce, which I think was really traumatic for him.

Tiger Woods first day of the rest of his life was Thursday.

Apocalypse Now A Classic

Finally, Apocalypse Now is a modern classic that's being re-released on Blue Ray October 19th. Made in 1979 by Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather) and John Milus, the film about the darkness that was The Vietnam War is famous for its on-set issues like Martin Sheen's heart attack and for its sayings that have become part of American Culture, like "I love the smell of napalm in the morning."

Check it out.

KPIX Channel Five San Francisco Departures Listed By Rich Lieberman

According to an email from Richard Lieberman, KPIX Channel Five in San Francisco has suffered a rash of departures due to the terrible economy.

Richard's become the recorder of change in San Francisco Bay Area Media via his blog Rich Lieberman Report.

In fact, Rich's so good some of the local newspapers and news websites quote his scoops without crediting him. Not here.

Anna Duckworth 

Here's Richard's info:

Jeffrey Schaub sent me a list of the prime talent that have left or were removed from KPIX these past two years--

Manny Ramos
Tony Russomanno
Bill Schechner
John Lobertini
Rick Quan
Barbara Rodgers
Jeffrey Schaub
Hank Plante
Anna Werner
Lisa Chan
Sue Quan
Anna Duckworth
John Kessler
Sydnie Kohara?
Wendy Tokuda as anchor

Wow, I wasn't aware so many people left, especially Anna Duckworth and John Kessler? But that's what I get for being on planes back and forth to Atlanta and New York City so much. Also sad to read of the passing of KPIX' legend Dave McElhatton too.

Just to add some more info, some of the names on the list landed at other Bay Area Media outlets. For example, Anna Duckworth's a reporter at KCBS Radio.

Check out Rich Lieberman's blog at http://richliebermanreport.blogspot.com

Tiger Woods, old tiger back sexually too? by Suzannah B. Troy

Golf news outlets and fans are joyfully alerting us "the old Tiger is back?  All of Tiger's supporters must be celebrating I am sure.  

One bit of news I have never heard reported is what of his good friends slash enablers.  Where are they today?  Are they still in place and still considered his best friends but no more dirty work needed because there is no wife in play to deceive.   So will his best buddies be helping him to play hard off the field as much as he does on the field?

Tiger Woods is a brand.  As much as I am sympathetic to Elin Nordegren and even more so the children she was wearing Nike from head to toe as if to say I am considering staying in the marriage and I understand how many mega bucks Nike makes for my husband aka Tiger Woods brand.

Have you noticed Elin has stopped being a walking Nike billboard?  I have.

Elin is no weak victim here.  She has suffered.  I have never been married but I had a series of traumatic events (not a lover) so disturbing I too lost weight, lost hair and could not sleep and believe many other women identify with being victimized and having to find someone way to heal so I will be tuning in for that reason but Elin is unusal.


Elin Nordegren walks away with way more than the top pay-out for a Tiger mistress.  All of Tiger Woods pay-outs came with a provision that the women shut up except for one....his wife.
Tiger Woods gave pay-outs to mistresses not because he cared but only to shut them up.  The mistresses that were not paid to be quiet all made it clear he played with them like barbie dolls and threw them away when done without an apology or a nod.

Elin Nordegren's interview in People will possible break People Magazine records because the global audience wants to hear what she has to say.   As I mentioned in my previous post, it is hard to believe she was clueless but either way Nordegren is a compelling young woman and she comes out landing on her feet and appearing quite strong.

Golf news outlets tout the old Tiger is back.   My question is sexually speaking is the old Tiger back?  If so he many guys will envy him and he should consider becoming a porn mogul in his spare time but if the old Tiger is back it won't be good for Tiger Woods the brand.

Oakland Mayor's Race: Videos Of Candidate Interviews To Date

In an effort to keep you as consistently informed about the Oakland Mayor's Race as possible, this blogger assembled the first playlist of interviews of Oaklanders running for Mayor.

Don MacLeay 

This playlist, however, is not complete and but it will be, and soon. As of this writing, it contains 8 videos of seven of the 10 candidates, totaling approximately 140 minutes, and 6,051 views (and counting).

So far, Terrance Candell, Greg Harland, Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, Don MacLeay, Councilmember Jean Quan, and Joe Tuman (with an asterisk), have been interviewed. Kaplan represents two videos with one more to be added. Tuman and Harland both have one more video each coming to the set, and in Tuman's case a full 30 minute conversation.

And I have to talk to Marcie Hodge, Arnie Fields, and Larry Lionel Young.

The playlists do not include forum videos or Oaklanders impressions of the candidates, or the race itself. That will be in a separate playlist.

As to how the videos came to be, the vast majority were initiated by me.  One, the Kaplan-in car interview, was totally spontaneous and there will be more like that one.  What can I say?  Video-blogging's a knee-jerk habit.

There are two types of video playlist systems: the smaller 416 pixel wide version is for the Zennie62 / Oakland Focus Blog. The larger 746 wide pixel version is for SFGate.com.

Eventually, this will be a one-stop place for a complete set of videos of all of the candidates that you can click back and forth through to make up your own mind on who will be the best person to run Oakland's government.

Stay tuned.

Aaron Rodgers Terry Bradshaw-like Delivery Key to Passing Success

Aaron Rodgers

One reason for Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers passing success in the NFL 2010 Preseason and in 2009, has been his short, efficient release.

Unlike Denver Broncos Rookie Tim Tebow, who's still working to improve his delivery, Rodgers has had six years to work on his. The result is a form that's not unlike Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Terry Bradshaw.

Here's Bradshaw below. Watch his throwing motion. The arm comes up to his shoulders, as the forearm is cocked back to just behind his head. Then his elbow comes forward before his forearm; then his forearm launches forward to release the ball.



Now, watch Aaron Rodgers against The Seattle Seahawks this preseason, and take note of his passing style:



It favorably compares to that of Bradshaw's in form. There's little wasted motion in getting the ball to its receiving target.

The Packers still have a long way to go defensively. They can get into shootouts, but this space questions their ability to come out of them on the winning end.

The preseason matters little.

Packers Aaron Rodgers Efficient; Peyton Manning Robbed By Officials

Aaron Rodgers

Preseason games are generally meaningless affairs, unless it's The Green Bay Packers vs. The Indianapolis Colts on ESPN Thursday (Monday) Night Football.

Then, the small value of the contest is overshadowed by Colts QB Manning's feud with NFL Officials and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers continued passing efficiency.

The Packers won 59 to 24, but the game was over when the head NFL Official decided to use his power to rob Indy Quarterback Peyton Manning of a game.

Aaron Rodgers finished the game with 21 of 29 for 195 yards and three touchdowns for a passer rating of 124.9. Over three preseason games, Rodgers has had 41 completions in 53 attempts for 470 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions. The former California Quarterback's passer rating is a blistering 141.23.

Colts Manning Robbed

While Rogers was enjoying the continuation of a blistering performance that may be a set-up for a regular season fall, Manning was involved in what became a personal battle with the NFL officiating crew.

The new NFL rules governing where the umpire stands - now behind the quarterback rather than near the football on the side of the defense - have effectively blunted any attempt at a hurry-up offense.

As expertly pointed out by the ESPN crew of Mike Terrico, John Gruden, and Ron Jaworski, Manning set out to test the new rule because it harmed the Colts' up-tempo offensive approach.

Constantly using check-with-me play calls at the line-of-scrimmage, Manning gave the officiating crew fits by forcing them to hurry up, get their act together, and have the ball in place and ready before he was ready.

More often than not, the Umpire and crew looked like a bunch of weekend warriors trying to keep-up with the pace of play. After a time, it was too much for them, and flags for "illegal snap" started to fly. The last one of two illegal snaps came just before an obviously flustered Peyton Manning fumbled the football away to the Packers, who returned it for a touchdown.

Game Score Not Reflecting Game Reality

That game-long feud between Manning and the NFL Officials negatively impacted Colts momentum and the team slowly gave up the game. After a time, a once competitive contest became a route, and Manning had proved his point.

NFL Needs To Give Umpires Pads

Rather than move the Umpire, the NFL should have the person wear football gear to reduce the chance of injury. In that way, Umpire could go back to the old and more efficient position on the defensive side yet worry less about play-related injury.

The Colts lost the game because of the officials and in a way seldom seen. The NFL needs to correct this problem in some way before the 2010 season starts. Otherwise, the issue will come up again and again and taint the quality of the game.

2010 Midterm Elections: Most Important Elections Of This Century

The current state of the US economy makes the 2010 Midterm Elections the most important election of this century. Every election has important issues, but this November will determine whether we return to the failed policies of the GOP or continue to dig America out of the mess created by the last Republican administration.

Voter turn out is generally higher in Presidential elections, yet with 80% of eligible adults registered in America, less than half are expected to cast a ballot this November.

In the US House of Representatives, the overall national vote by itself does not directly determine the election outcome since that vote is spread out over 435 districts. Many districts are highly competitive while others currently are not. Given the Democrats' majority status (257 seats), it is unlikely that Republicans in the next election will win the number of seats necessary for them to become the majority party.

Losing control of the Senate is not totally out of the question. To be sure, the White House plans to continue to shape the mood of voters by touting its accomplishments, blaming Republicans for unprecedented filibustering, and railing against the Bush failed policies. The question is, will that be enough to sway angry American voters in November.

Yesterday Ed Schultz, Progressive Radio talk show host and star of the Ed Show on MSNBC, urged Democrats to differentiate themselves and their platform in clear terms. “What I want to know is, if the base comes out and keeps you in the majority in the House and Senate, or maybe even gain some seats and goes against the experts...what are you going to do? Is it going to be the same? I think the base wants fire and brimstone.” Schultz went on to give a list of what he feels the Democratic base wants to hear from the left to encourage voter turnout:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

In San Diego, there are 5 congressional districts with four incumbents seeking reelection. The most crucial votes will likely be the hotly contested Senate race pitting incumbent Barbara Boxer (D) against Republican challenger Carly Fiorina and the Governor's race between Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman. High unemployment and a nearly $20 billion budget gap continue to plague California this election cycle.

With millions of unemployed Americans hurting across the nation, the most vocal voter base may be the 99ers. (Those who have exhausted all UI benefits months ago and are hanging on by a thread) Millions of angry 99ers continue to lobby Washington for their Tier 5 benefits, which may or may not be addressed by Congress before the November elections.

Either way you look at it, the 2010 Midterm Elections are shaping up to be the most important election of this century.

Suzannah B. Troy calls the S.E.C to ask date Steve Rattner ruling

I called the S.E.C and was transferred to consumer affairs and advocacy -- my IPhone 4 kept cutting out but the woman answering the phone was kind and SANE so I had no problem finally leaving my name and number.  I left a detailed message and I wait for a call back.  Stay tuned....

I explained I am a blogger and activist and I cover a lot of issues re: Mike Bloomberg and corruption and  I read Steve Rattner pleaded the 5th over and over but the newspapers never give a date as to when the S.E.C. is going to actually rule on whether Steve Rattner is going to be banned three years or not.

If so this is highly unusual and sends a very powerful message.  For people who don't understand what is the S.E.C.  think of them as the police, the NYPD of  all kinds of trading on exchange -- stocks, bonds, etc.

Rattner is king Mike Bloomberg's money manager and he urged Mike Bloomberg to run for a third term because both Steve Rattner and Mike Bloomberg do not respect limits of any kinds and perhaps they and the Bloomberg gang had investments and real estate deals, etc. that would greatly benefit if king Mike was in office.

The issue for me also is that it was a conflict of interest for Steve Rattner to be involved in pension fund investments and in the Vanity Fair issue with Lady Gaga on the cover the article on  Ratter says that Cuomo regretted giving Rattner immunity from going to jail -- he got a 12 million dollar fine instead ---Cuomo regretted giving Rattner immunity because he found Rattner less than forth coming and the deal was no jail if he would speak up.  The S.E.C. found Rattner even less talkative pleading the 5th more times than Mike Bloomberg has run for mayor.

Right now people are not paying attention to this or the fact that Mike Bloomberg's appointed representes on the Charter Commission have give city council members a third term with out the people of New York voting on term limits again!

Democracy has been flushed down the toilet here in NYC by Mike Bloomberg again....last year denying us a referendum and now again preventing us from voting on term limits with an immediate impact of either yes or no but mystically the term limits vote won't be in the hands of New Yorkers again for quite awhile thanks to Mike Bloomberg and his friends and more and more people are saying Bloomberg and gang including 3rd term city council continues to throw democracy away for big hefty wheeling and dealings.   When Mike Bloomberg talks about the mosque by the WTC site and democracy it is hard to take him seriously because he has yet again pushed through 3rd terms for city council with out allowing New Yorkers a say and people are asking how great are his business dealings in Dubai and talk is he is expanding....

Mike Bloomberg and Steve Rattner are slick talkers -- Steve isn't lately pleading the 5th over and over to the S.E.C. but for most New Yorkers the word on the street is Mike Bloomberg and smoke and mirrors.

The question is will the S.E.C. clear away some smoke and forth some truth and accountability that will hurt Mike Bloomberg as much as Steve Rattner because Rattner manages billions of Mike Bloomberg's private empire and if he is busted by the S.E.C Mike will have to shift that money yet again.  Rattner shifted it out of Quadrangle because he thought Quadrangle would take the fall and not him. Steve Rattner was wrong.  If Rattner is wrong again the money will once again half to be shifted but Steve Rattner can't touch the money and handle it for 3 years if the S.E.C. bans him and the book he had ghost written bragging how he supposedly saved the auto industry might not make The New York Times best seller list or be plugged by The New York Daily News even though I have read and heard Steve Rattner is also good friends with owner of these papers and managed their money as well.

USC AD Pat Haden Acts Like Wimp In Treatment of Reggie Bush

USC traded a warrior athletic director for a wimp. While some alums (ok, a lot of USC alums) didn't like Former USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett's bedside manner, there was no question where he stood: with USC.

By contrast, where new USC Athletic Director Pat Haden stands is not exactly with USC and all the players who made it what is it is, but with making USC and himself look good at the expense of the USC player when it suits him, in this case USC and New Orleans Saints Running Back Reggie Bush.

 That kind of behavior reveals that Haden is, in the opinion of this space, two-faced and spineless.

High school football players should take Haden's opportunistic behavior as a clue and avoid attending or playing for USC. You could be the one USC uses to gain millions in revenue, only to disown you when the weather of public opinion goes bad. Is that what you want?

As a Cal Alum it's fun to watch USC go through its problems, but we all know its meaningless if USC continues to beat the crap out of Cal on the gridiron. Reggie Bush was part of those at times lopsided wins against Cal that helped sell USC season tickets, hats, jerseys, and those silly "We are number one" finger hands. USC made millions of dollars from Reggie Bush, yet fails to stand behind him in his and its  darkest hour.

IF Bush Is To Return Heisman, USC Should Return Its Revenue

For Pat Haden to get on The Dan Patrick Show and trash Reggie Bush, basically asking him to give back the Heisman Trophy he so rightfully won, was shameful, horrible, and funny.  Shameful because of how USC's athletic business benefitted from Bush' performance. Horrible, because Former USC Head Coach and Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll gets off scot free, and is allowed to enjoy the fruits of his USC success with none of the headache that came with the Bush scandal. Funny, because both Hayden and Carroll are allowed to get away with this murder of Reggie Bush by the media.

Constant readers of this space who have a nervous twinge about race are certainly waiting for a mention of it. To appease them, of course it looks like Reggie Bush as the modern black slave who toiled for a university, apparently did what was asked of him (which is the rub) and is now being told by that same institution he can't even step on campus.

USC says its filing an appeal to the NCAA sanctions. Under Mike Garrett, that looked like a serious effort; under Pat Haden it looks like a joke.  For Haden, that appeal should be reflected in an expressed willingness to fight for all that is USC. Instead Pat Haden wants to look good for the public and throw Bush under the bus, which is like saying "We're not going to appeal to the NCAA and we were wrong. See how I'm treating Reggie? I'm trying to make up, NCAA!"

That's awful.

If Pat Haden had any spine at all, he left it on the playing field a long time ago.