Chile, Taiwan, Haiti, and Japan all have had 6-plus earthquakes in the last week, with Haiti experiencing a major aftershock after the 7.0 Haiti Earthquake. Whatever is going on, it's now clear to many that the World is experiencing large earthquakes at a greater rate.
The Taiwan Earthquake was 6.4 on the Richer Scale and hit today.
The Taiwan Earthquake was centered in Kaohsiung and 3.1 miles below the ground. The quake disrupted train service and sent pedestrians running into the streets.
As of this writing, there's no claim that the Taiwan Earthquake is related to the giant 8.8 Chile Earthquake or for that matter the quakes in Haiti and Japan. But one element of evidence is obvious and that's the sheer timing of all of these great quakes.
Something is going on.
Stay tuned.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Student protests nationwide brings Internet traffic to a crawl
If you're in the Internet business and rely on traffic for revenue, today's a slow day. If you're wondering what the cause is, it's the millions of students, teachers, and people protesting college tuition increases and budget cuts nationwide. The only way this blogger could make such a determination is via the use of data from GetClicky, which measures traffic for the blog pages at SFGate.com. (And soon to switch from Google Analytics to Get Clicky for Zennie62.com.)
There's no universally known place to get up-to-the-minute Internet usage and visitor information as of this writing. (In other words, something that measures visitors to every website in the World and reports it at once. If someone knows of such a source, please send an email.)
The blog posts written today have appeared in Google Trends and recent posts, like the one on Chealsea King, are indexed on the first page of a search for, in this case, "Chelsea King": it's 8th down in a Google Search as of this writing.
So placement performance is normal. But what's happened is that traffic is down a dramatic 77 percent today, Thursday, over Wednesday. As of this writing there are 6,587 visitors, and 177 are online now. That number of visitors online is an upward trend from the 50 and 60 and in some cases just 40 earlier today, which means Internet usage is slowly returning to normal.
The students and teachers were out in force today. Indeed, with all of the preparation for this weekend, I managed to get out and make video interviews with the protesters in Oakland. They were of all shapes, sizes, and colors, and not all students: teachers and office workers too. Everyone's angry, and they should be. I was told a massive rally was to form at San Francisco's Civic Center, later tonight.
The University of California and really the colleges around the country should be ashamed of the society they've allowed to grow up around them. We spend more on prisons than on education and allowed a quasi-police state to form around us. I hope the students and teachers get out in force online and have any elected official who's voted against education gain a wave of negative blog posts and comments, fund their challengers, and get them booted out of office.
Stay tuned.
There's no universally known place to get up-to-the-minute Internet usage and visitor information as of this writing. (In other words, something that measures visitors to every website in the World and reports it at once. If someone knows of such a source, please send an email.)
The blog posts written today have appeared in Google Trends and recent posts, like the one on Chealsea King, are indexed on the first page of a search for, in this case, "Chelsea King": it's 8th down in a Google Search as of this writing.
So placement performance is normal. But what's happened is that traffic is down a dramatic 77 percent today, Thursday, over Wednesday. As of this writing there are 6,587 visitors, and 177 are online now. That number of visitors online is an upward trend from the 50 and 60 and in some cases just 40 earlier today, which means Internet usage is slowly returning to normal.
The students and teachers were out in force today. Indeed, with all of the preparation for this weekend, I managed to get out and make video interviews with the protesters in Oakland. They were of all shapes, sizes, and colors, and not all students: teachers and office workers too. Everyone's angry, and they should be. I was told a massive rally was to form at San Francisco's Civic Center, later tonight.
The University of California and really the colleges around the country should be ashamed of the society they've allowed to grow up around them. We spend more on prisons than on education and allowed a quasi-police state to form around us. I hope the students and teachers get out in force online and have any elected official who's voted against education gain a wave of negative blog posts and comments, fund their challengers, and get them booted out of office.
Stay tuned.
Videos show cruise ship hit by wave Wednesday
Related searches: tsunami, tidal wave, earthquakes and oceans, genoa, ship travel, ocean liner, cruise industry news
Two dramatic videos below show a huge wave slamming into a cruise ship called the Louis Majesty. The Louis Majesty was headed for Genoa at the time of the wave hit Wednesday evening in the Mediterranean Sea.
The wave hit occurred off the coast of the North Eastern Calolonia region of Spain. Five people were reported injured and two dead. The Louis Majesty was carrying 1,350 passengers and 580 crew members.
Raw video:
AP video:
The wave was said to have been as high as a three story building.
This blogger also found the video below of a cruise ship being tossed about by large waves. As of this writing it's not known if this is the Louis Majesty.
Stay tuned.
Two dramatic videos below show a huge wave slamming into a cruise ship called the Louis Majesty. The Louis Majesty was headed for Genoa at the time of the wave hit Wednesday evening in the Mediterranean Sea.
The wave hit occurred off the coast of the North Eastern Calolonia region of Spain. Five people were reported injured and two dead. The Louis Majesty was carrying 1,350 passengers and 580 crew members.
Raw video:
AP video:
The wave was said to have been as high as a three story building.
This blogger also found the video below of a cruise ship being tossed about by large waves. As of this writing it's not known if this is the Louis Majesty.
Stay tuned.
Oscar nominees Jeff Bridges, Sandra Bullock, to present at Academy Awards
Related searches - crazy heart, the blind side, an education, invictus, inglourious basterds, oscar news
Oscar nominees Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock join fellow nominees Matt Damon, Anna Kendrick, Carey Mulligan and Quentin Tarantinoto as presenter at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards this Sunday.
Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman made the announcement today via The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Carey Mulligan, Sandra Bullock, and Anna Kendrick are first time Oscar nominees. Bullock and Mulligan are competing for the Best Actress Award for their performances in The Blind Side and An Education respectively. Jeff Bridges has earned his fifth nomination, this time for his amazing performance in Crazy Heart. Matt Damon's up for Best Supporting Actor for Invictus - his third time as an Oscar nominee. And the mighty Quentin Tarantinoto is up for Oscars for directing and writing Inglourious Basterds.
This blogger will leave for LA Friday to cover the Oscars from the Night of 100 Stars Party on Sunday, and on Friday and Saturday attend various Oscar-related events, thanks to AMPAS.
Oscar nominees Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock join fellow nominees Matt Damon, Anna Kendrick, Carey Mulligan and Quentin Tarantinoto as presenter at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards this Sunday.
Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman made the announcement today via The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Carey Mulligan, Sandra Bullock, and Anna Kendrick are first time Oscar nominees. Bullock and Mulligan are competing for the Best Actress Award for their performances in The Blind Side and An Education respectively. Jeff Bridges has earned his fifth nomination, this time for his amazing performance in Crazy Heart. Matt Damon's up for Best Supporting Actor for Invictus - his third time as an Oscar nominee. And the mighty Quentin Tarantinoto is up for Oscars for directing and writing Inglourious Basterds.
This blogger will leave for LA Friday to cover the Oscars from the Night of 100 Stars Party on Sunday, and on Friday and Saturday attend various Oscar-related events, thanks to AMPAS.
Sander Levin replaces Pete Stark and Charles Rangel during ethics investigation
Related searches: ethics investigation, democratic politics, rangel ethics, sander levin chairman, nancy pelosi, bush irag war, new york politics
California Democratic representative Pete Stark had an executive career that must rank as one of the shortest in history. After just one day as Chairman of The House Ways and Means Committee, Pete Stark, who took over for ethics-clouded Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), was replaced by Sander Levin (D-Michigan) according to The Associated Press.
According to Roll Call, Democrats took issue with Stark's appointment by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)because of his unpredictable outbursts. What Roll Call's Tory Newmyer and Steven T. Dennis wrote in explaining the reasons behind Stark's ouster was both hilarious and sad:
Stark also called Blue-Dog Democrats "brain dead" and in 2007 said that President George W. Bush sent troops to Iraq to get their “heads blown off for his amusement” according to The Hill.
Pete Stark's obviously saved his best lines for conservatives.
The whole affair has to give Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) fits. She's being attacked by some in the media for making "missteps" but it reads more like she's herding cats. Someone should have stepped in and advised her not to make the moves she's made, rather than watching her do it, then complaining about it. But if Speaker Pelosi acted on her own without seeking counsel and getting contrary advice, then the attacks are deserved.
Stay tuned.
California Democratic representative Pete Stark had an executive career that must rank as one of the shortest in history. After just one day as Chairman of The House Ways and Means Committee, Pete Stark, who took over for ethics-clouded Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), was replaced by Sander Levin (D-Michigan) according to The Associated Press.
According to Roll Call, Democrats took issue with Stark's appointment by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)because of his unpredictable outbursts. What Roll Call's Tory Newmyer and Steven T. Dennis wrote in explaining the reasons behind Stark's ouster was both hilarious and sad:
But the 78-year-old Stark has a reputation among his colleagues as a loose cannon with a history of off-color remarks including calling then-Rep. Scott McInnis (R-Colo.) a “little wimp” and a “fruit cake” and accused then-Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-Conn.) of being a “whore” for the insurance industry. But that’s not all. Stark also has ethics troubles of his own and, recently, health problems, which sidelined him from 22 percent of House votes last year — the fifth-worst participation record in the chamber.
Stark also called Blue-Dog Democrats "brain dead" and in 2007 said that President George W. Bush sent troops to Iraq to get their “heads blown off for his amusement” according to The Hill.
Pete Stark's obviously saved his best lines for conservatives.
The whole affair has to give Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) fits. She's being attacked by some in the media for making "missteps" but it reads more like she's herding cats. Someone should have stepped in and advised her not to make the moves she's made, rather than watching her do it, then complaining about it. But if Speaker Pelosi acted on her own without seeking counsel and getting contrary advice, then the attacks are deserved.
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Obama health care: President Obama turns to grassroots help
Related searches: President Obama, health care reform, washington politics, grassroots politics, the daily beast, the huffington post, gop health care, republicans, democrats
Just after President Obama gave a speech that The Huffington Post called "Obama's Last Stand" this blogger got an email from the Obama campaign that was a reach back to the days when then-Senator Barack Obama was running for President. In The Daily Beast video below, President Obama calls for an "up or down" vote on Health Care, in effect, laying down the gauntlet and saying "I do not know how this plays politically, but I know it's right...Let's get it done."
Then, this email appeared from the Obama campaign called "A final vote on health reform". It was edited to remove links and words that only report on link direction so that the post can be cross-placed; only the text appears:
It's clear President Obama's pulling out all the stops to win the Health Reform battle. And why not? There are more people without health care than ever before and the situation's only getting worse, not better. The time to make changes in the health care system started decades go and only now is American catching up to the problem in the form of any policy action. It just happens to be at a time when it's needed the most.
President Obama should do it with 51 votes and get this over with. Even if "Reconciliation" (as it's called when a bill that mandates tax and spending actions is passed with 51 votes) upsets Republicans, so what? Republicans have shown no remorse in upsetting President Obama. Obama's not going to "nice-them" to fall in line; it's not working. Sometimes, when all else fails, a good, legal Presidential punch in the mouth is a good thing.
That time has come.
Just after President Obama gave a speech that The Huffington Post called "Obama's Last Stand" this blogger got an email from the Obama campaign that was a reach back to the days when then-Senator Barack Obama was running for President. In The Daily Beast video below, President Obama calls for an "up or down" vote on Health Care, in effect, laying down the gauntlet and saying "I do not know how this plays politically, but I know it's right...Let's get it done."
Then, this email appeared from the Obama campaign called "A final vote on health reform". It was edited to remove links and words that only report on link direction so that the post can be cross-placed; only the text appears:
Zenophon --
Last Thursday's first-of-its-kind summit capped off a debate that has lasted nearly a year. Every idea has now been put on the table. Every argument has been made. Both parties agree that the status quo is unacceptable and gets more dire each day. Today, I want to state as clearly and forcefully as I know how: Now is the time to make a decision about the future of health care in America.
The final proposal I've put forward draws on the best ideas from all sides, including several put forward by Republicans at last week's summit. It will put Americans in charge of their own health care, ensuring that neither government nor insurance company bureaucrats can ration, deny, or put out of financial reach the care our families need and deserve.
I strongly believe that Congress now owes the American people a final vote on health care reform. Reform has already passed the House with bipartisan support and the Senate with a super-majority of sixty votes. Now it deserves the same kind of up-or-down vote that has been routinely used and has passed such landmark measures as welfare reform and both Bush tax cuts.
Earlier today, I asked leaders in both houses of Congress to finish their work and schedule a vote in the next few weeks. From now until then, I will do everything in my power to make the case for reform. And now, I'm asking you, the members of the Organizing for America community, to raise your voice and do the same.
The final march for reform has begun, and your participation is crucial. Please commit to join with me to take reform across the finish line.
Essentially, my proposal would change three things about the current health care system:
First, it would protect all Americans from the worst practices of insurance companies. Never again will the mother with breast cancer have her coverage revoked, see her premiums arbitrarily raised, or be forced to live in fear that a pre-existing condition will bar her from future coverage.
Second, my proposal would give individuals and small businesses the same choice of private health insurance that members of Congress get for themselves. And my proposal says that if you still can't afford the insurance in this new marketplace, we will offer you tax credits based on your income -- tax credits that add up to the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history.
Finally, my proposal would bring down the cost of health care for everyone -- families, businesses, and the federal government -- and bring down our deficit by as much as $1 trillion over the next two decades. These savings mean businesses small and large will finally be freed up to create jobs and increase wages. With costs currently skyrocketing, reform is vital to remaining economically strong in the years and decades to come.
In the few crucial weeks ahead, you can help make sure this proposal becomes law.
When I talked about change on the campaign, this is what I was talking about: coming together to solve a huge problem that has been troubling America for 100 years and standing up to the special interests to deliver a brighter, smarter future for generations to come.
I look forward to signing this historic reform into law. And when I do, it will be because your organizing played an essential role in making change possible.
Thank you,
President Barack Obama
It's clear President Obama's pulling out all the stops to win the Health Reform battle. And why not? There are more people without health care than ever before and the situation's only getting worse, not better. The time to make changes in the health care system started decades go and only now is American catching up to the problem in the form of any policy action. It just happens to be at a time when it's needed the most.
President Obama should do it with 51 votes and get this over with. Even if "Reconciliation" (as it's called when a bill that mandates tax and spending actions is passed with 51 votes) upsets Republicans, so what? Republicans have shown no remorse in upsetting President Obama. Obama's not going to "nice-them" to fall in line; it's not working. Sometimes, when all else fails, a good, legal Presidential punch in the mouth is a good thing.
That time has come.
Daily Cal asks where will you be on Student Action Day March 4th?
Related searches: u.c. berkeley, california berkeley, uc action day, california education, student protests berkeley, berkeley, california, uc system protests
Tomorrow is March 4th, Student Action Day in Berkeley and around the University of California's statewide campus system.
Student Action Day is held to protest the dramatic tuition increases and budget cuts that have plagued U.C. system students. In the video below, The Daily Cal asks "Where will you be on March 4?" Many of the students presented said they would be in class or studying for a midterm.
But as one looks around the Internet, Student Action Day is a Worldwide happening, just on different days. For example, The University of Toronto had a student action day November 5th, 2008 and there was one November 5th at the University of Ottawa.
In fact, the Student Action Day was nationwide in Canada and all over the same issues that the U.C. Student Action Day is about: tuition and budget cuts. One day, some brilliant genius will start one Worldwide Student Action Day.
Where will you be on March 4th? Stay tuned.
Tomorrow is March 4th, Student Action Day in Berkeley and around the University of California's statewide campus system.
Student Action Day is held to protest the dramatic tuition increases and budget cuts that have plagued U.C. system students. In the video below, The Daily Cal asks "Where will you be on March 4?" Many of the students presented said they would be in class or studying for a midterm.
But as one looks around the Internet, Student Action Day is a Worldwide happening, just on different days. For example, The University of Toronto had a student action day November 5th, 2008 and there was one November 5th at the University of Ottawa.
In fact, the Student Action Day was nationwide in Canada and all over the same issues that the U.C. Student Action Day is about: tuition and budget cuts. One day, some brilliant genius will start one Worldwide Student Action Day.
Where will you be on March 4th? Stay tuned.
Nissan recall, Toyota recall, Ford beating GM in sales
If you're older than 35, you can remember a time when Ford cars and General Motors cars always seemed to be the subject of auto recall news. You can remember when Nissan and Toyota were symbols of quality and the term "recall" was never associated with them. You can remember GM selling a lot of cars, too.
Well, that's in the past. Today, the news leads with a massive Nissan recall, a Toyota recall that's crippled the brand, and Ford beating GM in sales. Why the 180 degree turn in auto industry brand expectations and performance? Before this blogger focuses on that question, a recap of recent events.
On wednesday, Nissan announced a recall of 539,864 vehicles for brake pin and fuel gauge problems. The recall effects six Nissan brands (Titan, Armada, Frontier, Pathfinder, Quest, and Xterra), the luxury Infinity model the OX56. While Nissan, like other car companies, has had recalls of individual model brands from time to time, this is the largest recall in their history. The Nissan press release with the full information is here: NISSAN RECALL INFO.
Just a month before it was Toyota with a massive recall effort that's now damaged the brand's reputation for quality and safety. The culprit? A gas pedal accelerator problem that results in sudden car acceleration. The Toyota problem impacts millions of their cars around the World, and is now exacerbated by the perception that Toyota's management is moving too slowly to fix the problem.
Toyota and Nissan are starting to look very much like the Ford and GM of the past. And in the 21st Century, it's Ford that's emerged as the quality, top selling car brand. Ford is the one U.S. auto organization that did not accept a large American government bailout (even though Ford Worldwide has pressured the German government to extend that nation's version of the "Cash-for-Clunkers" program), making key concessions with its unions to lower costs and avoid additional layoffs in 2010. Now, Ford is hiring: an additional 1,200 workers at its new Explorer plant in Chicago.
Ford has also beat GM is sales and leads for the first time since 1998, to some small extent because of "bailout backlash" but the real reason is Ford has really worked the rental car and business market and Toyota has the problems mentioned above. Part of the reason is Ford finally has some interesting cars at lower prices and hot cars like the Mustang never seem to wane (but there's Lincoln brand, which this blogger maintains is not what it used to be and has been badly mismanaged).
What's happened is the end of the fall of the American car company. After decades of market share reduction, cross-tech sharing with foreign car makers and Worldwide auto market focus, the Ford, GM, and Chrysler brands have become the Japan of the 21st Century. Ford, in particular, has made cost cutting concessions and taken on innovative marketing approaches in the case of the Ford Fiesta that seem far different than what the firm was historically known for.
It's a new day. While it's too early to call it "the new normal" in this industry that seems to be in a constant state of flux, the result is the slow resurgence of the American car and at just the right time.
Well, that's in the past. Today, the news leads with a massive Nissan recall, a Toyota recall that's crippled the brand, and Ford beating GM in sales. Why the 180 degree turn in auto industry brand expectations and performance? Before this blogger focuses on that question, a recap of recent events.
On wednesday, Nissan announced a recall of 539,864 vehicles for brake pin and fuel gauge problems. The recall effects six Nissan brands (Titan, Armada, Frontier, Pathfinder, Quest, and Xterra), the luxury Infinity model the OX56. While Nissan, like other car companies, has had recalls of individual model brands from time to time, this is the largest recall in their history. The Nissan press release with the full information is here: NISSAN RECALL INFO.
Just a month before it was Toyota with a massive recall effort that's now damaged the brand's reputation for quality and safety. The culprit? A gas pedal accelerator problem that results in sudden car acceleration. The Toyota problem impacts millions of their cars around the World, and is now exacerbated by the perception that Toyota's management is moving too slowly to fix the problem.
Toyota and Nissan are starting to look very much like the Ford and GM of the past. And in the 21st Century, it's Ford that's emerged as the quality, top selling car brand. Ford is the one U.S. auto organization that did not accept a large American government bailout (even though Ford Worldwide has pressured the German government to extend that nation's version of the "Cash-for-Clunkers" program), making key concessions with its unions to lower costs and avoid additional layoffs in 2010. Now, Ford is hiring: an additional 1,200 workers at its new Explorer plant in Chicago.
Ford has also beat GM is sales and leads for the first time since 1998, to some small extent because of "bailout backlash" but the real reason is Ford has really worked the rental car and business market and Toyota has the problems mentioned above. Part of the reason is Ford finally has some interesting cars at lower prices and hot cars like the Mustang never seem to wane (but there's Lincoln brand, which this blogger maintains is not what it used to be and has been badly mismanaged).
What's happened is the end of the fall of the American car company. After decades of market share reduction, cross-tech sharing with foreign car makers and Worldwide auto market focus, the Ford, GM, and Chrysler brands have become the Japan of the 21st Century. Ford, in particular, has made cost cutting concessions and taken on innovative marketing approaches in the case of the Ford Fiesta that seem far different than what the firm was historically known for.
It's a new day. While it's too early to call it "the new normal" in this industry that seems to be in a constant state of flux, the result is the slow resurgence of the American car and at just the right time.
San Francisco has Oakland-style robbery on The Embarcadero
Related searches: city of oakland, city and county of san francisco, california crime news, takeover robbery in san francisco, oakland eatery, restaurant news
If anyone needs a sign that the economy is not what it used to be, they got one today. According to SFGate.com, a San Francisco restaurant experienced an Oakland-style robbery.
Chaya Brasserie on 132 The Embarcadero was robbed by seven people, all men (no description), and all with knifes. They tied up the two people who were there at 12:15 in the morning today, Wednesday, and took money out of the cash register.
This is a robbery that, in the past, as little as three years ago, would have happened in Oakland. In fact it did. In April of 2006 Grand Avenue between Lake Park (where the Grand Lake Theater is) and Mandana Avenue was haunted by a robber who first hit Smity's bar, then Bangkok Palace Restaurant.
In the case of Bangkok Palace, one of the employees, 29-year-old Sonethavy Phomsouvandara, was shot inside by the robber, late, while he was working. Merchants wondered and feared which establishment would be hit next. The "takeover" robbers terrorized Oakland for the next two year, and there's no record of anyone being apprehended.
Correction: three people were arrested in 2008, who police believed were the takeover robbers.
Did they go over to San Francisco? Does this mean it's a new day in Oakland with all of the new eateries and no reported crime so far? Or does this mean the robbers know that Oaklanders have been so used to such activities that Oaklanders aren't afraid to knock the crap out of them? Or pack a gun to protect their business? Just wondering?
Stay tuned.
If anyone needs a sign that the economy is not what it used to be, they got one today. According to SFGate.com, a San Francisco restaurant experienced an Oakland-style robbery.
Chaya Brasserie on 132 The Embarcadero was robbed by seven people, all men (no description), and all with knifes. They tied up the two people who were there at 12:15 in the morning today, Wednesday, and took money out of the cash register.
This is a robbery that, in the past, as little as three years ago, would have happened in Oakland. In fact it did. In April of 2006 Grand Avenue between Lake Park (where the Grand Lake Theater is) and Mandana Avenue was haunted by a robber who first hit Smity's bar, then Bangkok Palace Restaurant.
In the case of Bangkok Palace, one of the employees, 29-year-old Sonethavy Phomsouvandara, was shot inside by the robber, late, while he was working. Merchants wondered and feared which establishment would be hit next. The "takeover" robbers terrorized Oakland for the next two year, and there's no record of anyone being apprehended.
Correction: three people were arrested in 2008, who police believed were the takeover robbers.
Did they go over to San Francisco? Does this mean it's a new day in Oakland with all of the new eateries and no reported crime so far? Or does this mean the robbers know that Oaklanders have been so used to such activities that Oaklanders aren't afraid to knock the crap out of them? Or pack a gun to protect their business? Just wondering?
Stay tuned.
Naomi Campbell: New York Police want supermodel after assault claim
Related searches: NYPD naomi campbell, new york fashion model, New York City News, Cadillac Escalade, Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren, New York Daily News, RadarOnline
Super-hot Naomi Campbell is sought by the New York Police for questioning, but not arrest and want the supermodel to appear after an assault claim. According to the New York Daily News, 27 year old Miodrag Mejdina claims the apparently super-strong Naomi Campbell beat him up while he drove her in her Cadillac Escalade.
After the Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren golf club window smashing episode of last Thanskgiving night 2009, it seems the Cadillac Escalade is now the car of choice for celebrity conflicts.
Miodrag Mejdina did not press charges against Naomi Campbell. NYPD issued something called a "harassment report" which does not carry a penalty. What we don't know is why she flipped out, but Campbell allegedly whacked him pretty good. Miodrag Mejdina got treatment for "bruising and a swollen eye after Campbell's attack" according to RadarOnline.com
Naomi Campbell reportedly slammed his head into the steering wheel.
Buy something is fishy here. This blogger thinks Miodrag Mejdina may not be telling the truth. This is a case of "he said" because there's no evidence Naomi Campbell hit Miodrag Mejdina.
Miodrag Mejdina could have abruptly stopped the car and hit his head, and knowing Campbell's history, told this story to get insurance help. Gotta let this play out.
Stay tuned.
After the Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren golf club window smashing episode of last Thanskgiving night 2009, it seems the Cadillac Escalade is now the car of choice for celebrity conflicts.
Miodrag Mejdina did not press charges against Naomi Campbell. NYPD issued something called a "harassment report" which does not carry a penalty. What we don't know is why she flipped out, but Campbell allegedly whacked him pretty good. Miodrag Mejdina got treatment for "bruising and a swollen eye after Campbell's attack" according to RadarOnline.com
Naomi Campbell reportedly slammed his head into the steering wheel.
Buy something is fishy here. This blogger thinks Miodrag Mejdina may not be telling the truth. This is a case of "he said" because there's no evidence Naomi Campbell hit Miodrag Mejdina.
Miodrag Mejdina could have abruptly stopped the car and hit his head, and knowing Campbell's history, told this story to get insurance help. Gotta let this play out.
Stay tuned.
The Hurt Locker team distances itself from Chartier, faces lawsuit
Related searches: ebert oscar pics, oprah winfrey, roger ebert talks, ebert voice synthesizer, anti-Avatar emails, ampas, oscar best picture
This update in the amazing PR implosion of the Roger Ebert-favorite The Hurt Locker, has The Daily Beast's Nicole LaPorte reporting that the war movie's top producers are distancing themselves from the actions (and it seems the very person) of fellow producer Nicolas Chartier, the President of Voltage Pictures in Los Angeles. And The Hurt Locker's producers are facing a large lawsuit on the part of the real soldier around which the movie's story was built.
To recap, the Los Angeles Times' blogger Peter Hammond reported on February 23rd that Nicolas Chartier was "making pleas to friends and friends of friends to get out the vote for "Hurt Locker" like it was some sort of political grass-roots campaign". Hammond also posted a copy of the email:
The initial reaction to the anti-Avatar email news was mixed. While Hammond wrote in a tone of shock as Chartier's action is a violation of Academy rules prohibiting one nominee from criticizing the film of another nominee (an Olympics bid rule, by the way) , legendary entertainment business blogger Nikke Finke wrote on Deadline this after Chertier reported that he did send the email:
And that was after Finke's initial take, which was both revealing of what's going on in Oscar competition, and classically, well, Nikke, outing the actions of AMPAS' Ryan Dekorte:
And that leads to the unawered question of how much of this is the LA Times and the media fanning an email that may not have been "widely distributed" as has been reported. Moreover, what I find interesting is that both Nikke Finke and more angrily Scott Feinberg of And The Winner Is blog have inferred that others connected with Oscar nominated movies have launched email smear campaigns of their own. This is what Scott Feinberg tweeted:
And over at Awards Daily's Twitter account, Sasha Stone agrees with Feinstein:
Well, not here.
While the media has been busy feeding on this story, this space included, The Hurt Locker team was busy throwing their rogue colleague under the bus. The Daily Beast's Nicole LaPorte's article is a blistering character assassination of Chartier that's boarderline criminal:
LaPorte also reports that Chartier raised (she used the term "put-up") $15 million to get the film made. There's no word on who leaked the email to Peter Hammond.
And with all this, we have the new and unfolding charge by Sgt. Jeffrey Sarver that the whole story that is The Hurt Locker is actually based on this 2005 Playboy article with him by the same Mark Boal who was embedded as a journalist in Iraq with Sarver. There's a press conference to announce a lawsuit that claims the story is Sarver's and is not original.
And all of this with just five days to Oscar. Stay tuned.
 |
| The Hurt Locker under fire |
To recap, the Los Angeles Times' blogger Peter Hammond reported on February 23rd that Nicolas Chartier was "making pleas to friends and friends of friends to get out the vote for "Hurt Locker" like it was some sort of political grass-roots campaign". Hammond also posted a copy of the email:
From: "Nicolas Chartier" Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010
I hope all is well with you. I just wanted to write you and say I hope you liked Hurt Locker and if you did and want us to win, please tell (name deleted) and your friends who vote for the Oscars, tell actors, directors, crew members, art directors, special effects people, if everyone tells one or two of their friends, we will win and not a $500M film, we need independent movies to win like the movies you and I do, so if you believe The Hurt Locker is the best movie of 2010, help us!
I'm sure you know plenty of people you've worked with who are academy members whethere a publicist, a writer, a sound engineer, please take 5 minutes and contact them. Please call one or two persons, everything will help!
best regards,
Nicolas Chartier
Voltage Pictures
The initial reaction to the anti-Avatar email news was mixed. While Hammond wrote in a tone of shock as Chartier's action is a violation of Academy rules prohibiting one nominee from criticizing the film of another nominee (an Olympics bid rule, by the way) , legendary entertainment business blogger Nikke Finke wrote on Deadline this after Chertier reported that he did send the email:
Oy, now there's even more about Oscar badmouthing, and this is even more unimportant. I've learned that Hurt Locker financier and producer Nicolas Chartier today admitted to Summit Entertainment he sent more emails about Avatar. But these weren't mass mailings to Oscar voters; rather, they were simply individual messages sent to personal acquaintances, including one that specifically said Avatar should be placed No. 10 on the Best Pictures list.
And that was after Finke's initial take, which was both revealing of what's going on in Oscar competition, and classically, well, Nikke, outing the actions of AMPAS' Ryan Dekorte:
So what if on Feb 19th Chartier sent out that e-mail message asking for Hurt Locker votes and not that "$500M film". When it appeared in my email, I laughed. Not only because the Voltage Pictures partner didn’t have the guts to even mention Avatar by name. But for months now I have been sent so many emails from so many studios and filmmakers and flacks and insiders badmouthing every rival nominee this Oscar season and talking up their own. How the hell am I to tell them apart? Or tattle on them all? This is the down and dirty system which AMPAS hath wrought and doth condone. And no one is surprised by it, least of all the Academy. In fact, this morning AMPAS' Ryan Dekorte, the executive offices awards assistant, forwarded today's New York Times' "Carpetbagger" blog account of the Chartier email to every Hollywood flack and Oscar campaigner. So now the Academy was badmouthing The Hurt Locker for badmouthing Avatar! A minute later, Dekorte sent out this apology, "Sorry y’all…hit the wrong button. Feel free to toss." But, as those prosecutors on Law & Order always tell the judge, "You can't unring the bell."
And that leads to the unawered question of how much of this is the LA Times and the media fanning an email that may not have been "widely distributed" as has been reported. Moreover, what I find interesting is that both Nikke Finke and more angrily Scott Feinberg of And The Winner Is blog have inferred that others connected with Oscar nominated movies have launched email smear campaigns of their own. This is what Scott Feinberg tweeted:
ScottFeinberg The banning of THE HURT LOCKER producer from the Oscars is bullshit. If you're gonna ban him, you should ban 20 others too. RT if you agree.
about 7 hours ago via TweetDeck
The magnanimous thing to do -- which would go a long way to helping his own rep -- would be for Cameron to ask AMPAS to pardon Chartier.
about 6 hours ago via TweetDeck
If AMPAS says yes *or* no, he'd look generous/above it all... and really, does keeping Chartier away help anyone? Everyone does what he did.
about 6 hours ago via TweetDeck
And over at Awards Daily's Twitter account, Sasha Stone agrees with Feinstein:
@ScottFeinberg I am glad to see you too are outraged. Most everyone else it's like Prozac nation.
about 6 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to ScottFeinberg
Well, not here.
While the media has been busy feeding on this story, this space included, The Hurt Locker team was busy throwing their rogue colleague under the bus. The Daily Beast's Nicole LaPorte's article is a blistering character assassination of Chartier that's boarderline criminal:
Described as a "reactive" personality prone to fits of anger, and who, at one point or another, tried to fire (The Hurt Locker Screenwriter Mark) Boal, the film's accountant, line producer, and even the travel agent, Chartier was banned from The Hurt Locker set.
LaPorte also reports that Chartier raised (she used the term "put-up") $15 million to get the film made. There's no word on who leaked the email to Peter Hammond.
And with all this, we have the new and unfolding charge by Sgt. Jeffrey Sarver that the whole story that is The Hurt Locker is actually based on this 2005 Playboy article with him by the same Mark Boal who was embedded as a journalist in Iraq with Sarver. There's a press conference to announce a lawsuit that claims the story is Sarver's and is not original.
And all of this with just five days to Oscar. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Chelsea King body found in San Diego County
Related searches: missing teen jogger, san diego teen missing, chelsea king murdered, John Albert Gardner
Really sad news that Chelsea King's body was believed to have been found Tuesday in what's described as a "shallow grave". The missing teen Chelsea King was just 17 years old and reportedly went for a jog in the park and vanished.
The Washington Post reports "Police said evidence has linked 30-year-old John Albert Gardner III to both cases (this one and one in Colorado) but further details have not been released."
Nancy Grace on HLN reports that the charges were filed before the body was found. The San Diego County Sheriff's office explains that evidence was found linking John Albert Gardner to Chelsea King. Nancy Grace on HLN has a lively discussion on this where he's described as a "30-year-old scumbag".
Yikes!
This is shockingly like the case of Chandra Levy, who, like Chelsea King, went for a jog by herself in May 2001 in Washington DC and disappeared. The bottom line is that no one, male or female, should run alone in a secluded park. But in this case, it's too late for that. This is sad, really sad, and awful.
Stay tuned.
Really sad news that Chelsea King's body was believed to have been found Tuesday in what's described as a "shallow grave". The missing teen Chelsea King was just 17 years old and reportedly went for a jog in the park and vanished.
The Washington Post reports "Police said evidence has linked 30-year-old John Albert Gardner III to both cases (this one and one in Colorado) but further details have not been released."
Nancy Grace on HLN reports that the charges were filed before the body was found. The San Diego County Sheriff's office explains that evidence was found linking John Albert Gardner to Chelsea King. Nancy Grace on HLN has a lively discussion on this where he's described as a "30-year-old scumbag".
Yikes!
This is shockingly like the case of Chandra Levy, who, like Chelsea King, went for a jog by herself in May 2001 in Washington DC and disappeared. The bottom line is that no one, male or female, should run alone in a secluded park. But in this case, it's too late for that. This is sad, really sad, and awful.
Stay tuned.
Twitter update newsletter by Biz Stone reports 1,500 percent growth
Related searches: biz stone newsletter, microblogging on twitter, twitter growth, twitter employees, new media news, media industry news, twitter founder
A Twitter update was sent by Biz Stone to this blogger (and undoubtedly other Twitter account holders) today, Tuesday. Rather than paraphrase what the Twitter founder wrote, the newsletter is presented here, below.
The Twitter newsletter highlights are that Twitter accounts have grown 1,500 percent in number and the Twitter staff has grown 500 percent. Twitter now has as many employees as the tweet character limit (140).
Here's the newsletter from Biz Stone:
 |
| Biz Stone |
The Twitter newsletter highlights are that Twitter accounts have grown 1,500 percent in number and the Twitter staff has grown 500 percent. Twitter now has as many employees as the tweet character limit (140).
Here's the newsletter from Biz Stone:
Hi there,
In the early days of Twitter, I used to send out short updates just to keep everyone in the loop since so much was happening. It's been a while, but you signed up for short, monthly updates from Twitter so we thought it was time to start sharing more information. We've had quite a year. If you haven't visited in a while, we'd like to invite you to come have a look at http://twitter.com -- we've been busy!
Growing Up
In the course of a year, registered Twitter accounts have grown more than 1,500% and our team has grown 500%. Recently, we hired our 140th employee! His name is Aaron and he's an engineer focused on building internal tools to help promote productivity, communication, and support within our company. We celebrated with a little dance party.
Features of Note
Some features of note that we released over the course of a year include the ability to create lists, quickly spread information with a retweet button, and an easier way to activate your mobile phone to work with Twitter over SMS. We also built a new mobile web site that looks and works much better on smart phones.
Feeling Inspired
By working together during critical times when others needed help, sharing important information that otherwise might not make the news, and inventing new and interesting ways to use Twitter, you've shown us that Twitter is more than a triumph of technology -- it is a triumph of humanity. Projects like Fledgling and Hope140 were inspired by you.
Chirp!
While there may only be 140 full-time employees working at the Twitter offices, there are thousands of dedicated platform developers who have now created more than 70,000 registered Twitter applications creating variety and utility for all of us. We'll be gathering this spring at Chirp, our first ever official Twitter developer conference.
Thanks,
Biz Stone, Co-founder (@Biz)
Twitter, Inc.
Chevron Ecuador issue: video showing Judge talking bribe authentic
Related searches: oil industry news, american oil market, chevron news, ecuador oil production, bob mccarty blog, petroleum industry news, latin american oil, central american news
Ecuador Ministry of Justice Engineer Hugo Rekalde issued a statement today, Tuesday, that the video taken of an Ecuadorian Judge named Juan Evangelista Nunez involved in a conversation over an alleged bribe that the Judge would get part of if he were to rule against Chevron in their case against Ecuador (and note, not the indigenous people, because Ecuador's a party to the lawsuit).
This video interview conducted last year (August 2009) and with Chevron Spokesperson Sean Comey explains how the video came to Chevron's attention.
Anti-American Oil (Or is it just Chevron or are they just being paid by lawyers against Chevron?) antagonists have said the video was doctored and altered, and based a lot of their attacks on that idea. Ecuador's own legal arm has said they're wrong. The report reads:
Blogger Bob McCarty has posted a copy of the Ecuadorian legal report here: ECUADOR JUDGE VIDEO.
Ecuador Ministry of Justice Engineer Hugo Rekalde issued a statement today, Tuesday, that the video taken of an Ecuadorian Judge named Juan Evangelista Nunez involved in a conversation over an alleged bribe that the Judge would get part of if he were to rule against Chevron in their case against Ecuador (and note, not the indigenous people, because Ecuador's a party to the lawsuit).
This video interview conducted last year (August 2009) and with Chevron Spokesperson Sean Comey explains how the video came to Chevron's attention.
Anti-American Oil (Or is it just Chevron or are they just being paid by lawyers against Chevron?) antagonists have said the video was doctored and altered, and based a lot of their attacks on that idea. Ecuador's own legal arm has said they're wrong. The report reads:
-After the voices in the recordings were identified, studied, and compared and their audible sound frequency ranges were compared in the Audiogram (device used to compare audible frequencies), they were determined to be the actual voices of the following individuals:
Carlos Patricio Garda O. Ruben Darlo Miranda M. Diego Fernando Borja S. Juan Evangelista Nunez S. Aulo Servio Avila C. Pablo Almeida. Wayne Hansen, and Juan Pablo Novoa V.
Blogger Bob McCarty has posted a copy of the Ecuadorian legal report here: ECUADOR JUDGE VIDEO.
2010 NFL Combine results: Tim Tebow, Taylor Mays, A.J. Jefferson impress
Related searches: NFL Draft, usc nfl draft prospect, tim tebow nfl combine, fresno state nfl draft, taylor mays and nfl draft, a.j jefferson fresno state
The 2010 NFL Combine is history and some interesting results emerge: Florida, Quarterback Tim Tebow, USC Free Safety Taylor Mays, and Fresno State Cornerback A.J. Jefferson were impressive. That view of this blogger comes from a direct look at the performance numbers from the NFL Combine.
What one looks for is which player stands out as a performer in more than one drill. From that really cold numerical perspective, Tim Tebow was the best quarterback in four out of seven drill categories: the Vertical Jump, 3-Cone Drill, 20-Yard Shuttle, 60-Yard Shuttle. Tebow didn't throw and did not participate in the Bench Press, but then 15 other QBs didn't either. In the 40-Yard Dash, Tebow clocked in a 4.72 second time; West Virginia's Jarrett Brown had the best performance here, a 4.54 time.
Taylor Mays was the fastest defensive back with a blistering 4.43 time in the 40-Yard Dash, plus he pushed out 24-reps in The Bench Press for fourth best, and a Vertical Jump of 41 inches. A.J. Jefferson appeared at the top of near the top of almost every drill category, far more than Taylor Mays.
So if one's scoring for "best athlete available by position" at the NFL Combine at, they are at the quarterback and defensive back positions: Tim Tebow, Taylor Mays, and A.J. Jefferson.
For a more detailed look at quarterbacks at the NFL Combine, this blogger turns to Dr. Bill Chackhes, The Draftnik. Bill holds court at Zennie62.com and NFL Business Blog. His take is that none of the top QBs entering the NFL Draft are impressive, and offers his list of the ones who are:
Jonathan Crompton-Tennessee
Tyler Sheehan-Bowling Green
Tim Hiller- Western Michigan
Eric Ward- Richmond
Armanti Edwards-Appalachian St.
Pat Grace-N.Iowa
Stay tuned for more as we close in on the NFL Draft.
The 2010 NFL Combine is history and some interesting results emerge: Florida, Quarterback Tim Tebow, USC Free Safety Taylor Mays, and Fresno State Cornerback A.J. Jefferson were impressive. That view of this blogger comes from a direct look at the performance numbers from the NFL Combine.
What one looks for is which player stands out as a performer in more than one drill. From that really cold numerical perspective, Tim Tebow was the best quarterback in four out of seven drill categories: the Vertical Jump, 3-Cone Drill, 20-Yard Shuttle, 60-Yard Shuttle. Tebow didn't throw and did not participate in the Bench Press, but then 15 other QBs didn't either. In the 40-Yard Dash, Tebow clocked in a 4.72 second time; West Virginia's Jarrett Brown had the best performance here, a 4.54 time.
Taylor Mays was the fastest defensive back with a blistering 4.43 time in the 40-Yard Dash, plus he pushed out 24-reps in The Bench Press for fourth best, and a Vertical Jump of 41 inches. A.J. Jefferson appeared at the top of near the top of almost every drill category, far more than Taylor Mays.
So if one's scoring for "best athlete available by position" at the NFL Combine at, they are at the quarterback and defensive back positions: Tim Tebow, Taylor Mays, and A.J. Jefferson.
For a more detailed look at quarterbacks at the NFL Combine, this blogger turns to Dr. Bill Chackhes, The Draftnik. Bill holds court at Zennie62.com and NFL Business Blog. His take is that none of the top QBs entering the NFL Draft are impressive, and offers his list of the ones who are:
Jonathan Crompton-Tennessee
Tyler Sheehan-Bowling Green
Tim Hiller- Western Michigan
Eric Ward- Richmond
Armanti Edwards-Appalachian St.
Pat Grace-N.Iowa
Stay tuned for more as we close in on the NFL Draft.
NFL Draft and Combine - Send in the QB's, Where are the QB's?
Send in the QB's, Where are the QB's?
By Dr. Bill Chachkes-Managing Partner/Executive Editor-Football Reporters Online/Gridiron Draft Guide
(Photo: Fordham QB John Skelton swings an out pass to his brother, tight end Stephen Skelton in the 2009 opener against Columbia-Shot By A.F. Chachkes for Football Reporters Online)
I'm looking at various lists put out by the "big guys" regarding how they rate the Quarterbacks for the 2010 Draft. For the life of me i can't figure out what some of these guys are on. The Site with the "Acronyms" in it's name that has two supposed "Top Talent Evaluators" on it's staff and on it's airwaves claim that Sam Bradford of Oklahoma is the best QB in this Draft. Must be something in the Hair Gel fumes.
Bradford is talented, yes, but he has yet to impress many "real" Draft Scouts, unless some miracle lighting bolt hits Lucas Oil stadium this weekend. Bradford if you remember, spent the majority of the 2009 season injured. Unless he throws the football across the river and into the indy zoo, his status won't change by next week in my eyes. Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen isn't horrible either, but he's at least three full NFL seasons away from being close to a starter in my eyes. He suffers from "Tony Romo-itis" of his feet, amongst other issues with his game.
The Best "Big School" QB's in this draft are Texas' Colt McCoy, Central Michigan's
Dan LeFevour, and Cincinnati's Tony Pike. After those three, the next three best QB's in this class are at the FCS level. Number four is Jacksonville State's Ryan Perrilloux (the LSU transfer), then Fordham University's John Skelton rounds out the top 5. Skelton clearly has the best Arm of any QB in this class. Number six is Troy State's Levi Brown, followed by Holy Cross' Dominic Randolph at seven.
Too many independent scouts have underrated the players from the "lower" conferences for far too long. The Next "FBS" QB ranks at number eight, and he is Mississippi's Jevan Snead. Number nine is Northwestern's MIke Kafka, and rounding out the "Top Ten" is Oregon State's Sean Canfield. Below you will find (not in order) some other QB's we are tracking. You will notice that a certain QB from Florida isn't on my list. Again, unless he's hit by lighting, don't expect to hear his name called until late on day two if not day three of the draft.
Some more QB's that Impress:
Jonathan Crompton-Tennessee
Tyler Sheehan-Bowling Green
Tim Hiller- Western Michigan
Eric Ward- Richmond
Armanti Edwards-Appalachian St.
Pat Grace-N.Iowa
Our full ratings for every position will be published in the Gridiron Draft Guide (a combined work of Consensus Draft Services and Football Reporters Online, with assistance from the Black Athlete Sports Network) and can be purchased for Ten dollars U.S. at www.gridirondraftguide.com and will be e-mailed on April 4th and 5th.
Football Experts join forces to produce an NFL Draft Guide like no other
“Football Experts Join Forces to produce a Draft Guide like no other”
Football Reporters Online and Consensus Draft Services, with assistance from the Black Athlete Sports Network, have combined forces (while retaining their distinct identities) to produce what we feel with be the best value and most informative NFL draft publication: The GRIDIRON GUIDE TO THE NFL DRAFT.
“Taking this major step to produce the 2010 edition of the GRIDIRON DRAFT GUIDE with our co-operators will get consumers of football media to realize that they don’t need to spend the cost of a game ticket to get accurate and informative coverage of the draft” commented Dr. Bill Chachkes, Football Reporters Online’s Managing Partner and the Gridiron Guide’s Executive Editor. “You should be able to pay an affordable price for an electronic book as opposed to an exorbitant price for the right to waste paper” Chachkes continued. Consensus Draft Services founder Stephen Martin and his staff wanted to reach out to another organization to expand their scouting network, and to obtain additional perspective on potential draftees. "This draft report combines the insiders perspectives and article-based formats of BASN and FRO with the scouting pedantry that characterizes CDS, and gives you a draft guide that is not only complete and accurate but also that is rich with varied content, and at a price that is a fraction of what others charge."
For the Black Athlete Sports Network (BASN) It was a different approach entirely that caught their attention. FRO’s Michael-Louis Ingram was already a contributor to BASN as well. The combined efforts just made sense. "Working together with Dr. Football (Chachkes) and his staff at last year's NFL Draft not only helped give us a broader football audience, but for all sports as well," said Tony McClean, Black Athlete’s Editor in Chief. All three groups produce Internet radio shows. The links for each can be found below:
The CDS Shows Air Saturday Mornings on Talkshoe or can be accessed at:
http://cdsdraft.com/radio.php
On Blog Talk Radio BASN can be found at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/la-batchelor
Football Reporters Online also On Blog Talk Radio at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/football-reporters
Football Reporters Online and Consensus Draft Services, with assistance from the Black Athlete Sports Network, have combined forces (while retaining their distinct identities) to produce what we feel with be the best value and most informative NFL draft publication: The GRIDIRON GUIDE TO THE NFL DRAFT.
“Taking this major step to produce the 2010 edition of the GRIDIRON DRAFT GUIDE with our co-operators will get consumers of football media to realize that they don’t need to spend the cost of a game ticket to get accurate and informative coverage of the draft” commented Dr. Bill Chachkes, Football Reporters Online’s Managing Partner and the Gridiron Guide’s Executive Editor. “You should be able to pay an affordable price for an electronic book as opposed to an exorbitant price for the right to waste paper” Chachkes continued. Consensus Draft Services founder Stephen Martin and his staff wanted to reach out to another organization to expand their scouting network, and to obtain additional perspective on potential draftees. "This draft report combines the insiders perspectives and article-based formats of BASN and FRO with the scouting pedantry that characterizes CDS, and gives you a draft guide that is not only complete and accurate but also that is rich with varied content, and at a price that is a fraction of what others charge."
For the Black Athlete Sports Network (BASN) It was a different approach entirely that caught their attention. FRO’s Michael-Louis Ingram was already a contributor to BASN as well. The combined efforts just made sense. "Working together with Dr. Football (Chachkes) and his staff at last year's NFL Draft not only helped give us a broader football audience, but for all sports as well," said Tony McClean, Black Athlete’s Editor in Chief. All three groups produce Internet radio shows. The links for each can be found below:
The CDS Shows Air Saturday Mornings on Talkshoe or can be accessed at:
http://cdsdraft.com/radio.php
On Blog Talk Radio BASN can be found at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/la-batchelor
Football Reporters Online also On Blog Talk Radio at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/football-reporters
Roger Ebert picks The Hurt Locker for Oscar Best Picture amid email issue
Related searches: ebert oscar pics, oprah winfrey, roger ebert talks, ebert voice synthesizer, anti-Avatar emails, ampas, oscar best picture
The news that The Hurt Locker's Oscar Best Picture chances may be harmed by producer Nicolas Chartier's alleged "anti-Avatar" email campaign may be overstated. Observers say the Academy's action against Chartier in banning him from the Oscars has had no impact on The Hurt Locker's chances for "Best Picture" at The Oscars.
Roger Ebert, introducing his new, synthesized voice on Oprah today, Tuesday, picked The Hurt Locker, the Katheryn Bigelow-directed war movie for Hollywood's coveted prize.
The discovery of anti-Avatar emails sent by one of the The Hurt Locker's producers Nicolas Chartier (who was banned from attending the Oscars by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) is having no apparent impact on the film's chances to win Oscar Best Picture. Roger Ebert (who did not discuss the email controversy), picked the movie as well as Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock for Best Actor and Best Actress respectively.
Here's Roger Ebert using his new voice system with his wife, Chaz:
On Twitter, the news does not damper the enthusiasm for The Hurt Locker as Best Picture at The Oscars, but the other issue is one of timing. Final Oscar voting ballots were due today, Tuesday, so the whole email flap may have come just too late to harm The Hurt Locker.
Meanwhile, it's great to see Roger Ebert talking again.
The news that The Hurt Locker's Oscar Best Picture chances may be harmed by producer Nicolas Chartier's alleged "anti-Avatar" email campaign may be overstated. Observers say the Academy's action against Chartier in banning him from the Oscars has had no impact on The Hurt Locker's chances for "Best Picture" at The Oscars.
Roger Ebert, introducing his new, synthesized voice on Oprah today, Tuesday, picked The Hurt Locker, the Katheryn Bigelow-directed war movie for Hollywood's coveted prize.
The discovery of anti-Avatar emails sent by one of the The Hurt Locker's producers Nicolas Chartier (who was banned from attending the Oscars by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) is having no apparent impact on the film's chances to win Oscar Best Picture. Roger Ebert (who did not discuss the email controversy), picked the movie as well as Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock for Best Actor and Best Actress respectively.
Here's Roger Ebert using his new voice system with his wife, Chaz:
On Twitter, the news does not damper the enthusiasm for The Hurt Locker as Best Picture at The Oscars, but the other issue is one of timing. Final Oscar voting ballots were due today, Tuesday, so the whole email flap may have come just too late to harm The Hurt Locker.
Meanwhile, it's great to see Roger Ebert talking again.
Academy boots The Hurt Locker's Nicolas Chartier from Sunday's Oscars
Related searches: LA Times Peter Hammond Hurt Locker, anti-Avatar email, Avatar and Hurt Locker, Oscar buzz hurt locker, Nicolas Chartier email, Nicolas Chartier hurt locker
In the end game to an email Nicolas Chartier (pictured with Stephanie Swedlove of Brightlight Pictures) wish he'd not written, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) just announced that they are denying him from attending the Oscars on Sunday. Here's the AMPAS press release:
More on reactions from around the web soon.
Academy Penalizes Aggressive Campaigner
Beverly Hills, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that, should “The Hurt Locker” be announced as the recipient of the Best Picture award at Sunday’s ceremonies, only three of the picture’s producers will be present for the celebration. The fourth of the film’s credited producers, Nicolas Chartier, has been denied attendance at the 82nd Academy Awards® as a penalty for violating Academy campaigning standards.
Chartier had recently disseminated an email to certain Academy voters and other film industry figures in which he solicited votes for his own picture and disparaged one of the other contending films. Academy rules prohibit “casting a negative or derogatory light on a competing film.” The executive committee of the Academy’s Producers Branch, at a special session late Monday, ruled that the ethical lapse merited the revocation of Chartier’s invitation to the Awards.
The group stopped short of recommending that the Academy governors rescind Chartier’s nomination. If “The Hurt Locker” were to be selected as Best Picture, Chartier would receive his Oscar® statuette at some point subsequent to the March 7 ceremonies.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
More on reactions from around the web soon.
Admiral Ackbar "backlash" a joke: evidence of anti-Ackbar effort scant
Related searches: Star Wars, George Lucas, Lucasfilm Admiral Ackbar, The Return of The Jedi, science fiction, ole miss mascot
On February 24th, this space reported that Admiral Ackbar, The Supreme Commander of the Rebel Alliance and designer of the B-Wing Star Fighter in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi was the front-runner in the race for a new mascot for the Ole Miss Rebels.
The reason for the desire for a new mascot is simple: Colonel Reb reminds many of the Old South. The Empire. Slavery. And many other unpleasant things.
The idea of Admiral Ackbar as mascot is more than just a nod to popular culture, it's a subversive attempt to actually place a real rebel symbol as representing the university.
Admiral Ackbar by his very face and name is unconventional and his election as mascot for Ole Miss would speak volumes for how far "The South" has really come. Indeed, Admiral Ackbar's possible rise to mascot power has upset some, even those in the media it seems. A story's flying around the there's a "backlash" against the Admiral Ackbar mascot campaign.
The source is supposed to be the Atlanta Journal Constitution. But as of this writing, the AJC article points to TMZ for its information; the TMZ blog reads the heads of the Admiral Ackbar campaign reported angry calls but provide no quote or name of anyone connected with the effort . And both TMZ and AJC report no other credible information to prove the claim that a "backlash" exists. They just say it does.
But the reality is a real, credible "backlash" has bite and followers and that's not here. There's no Internet footprint of any size that's challenging the Admiral Ackbar Mascot Movement.
And this blogger hopes it succeeds right smack in the face of Ole Miss alumns who need to be shaken out of their cultural comfort zone. It's said all too often that some people in The South are still "living the Civil War"; Admiral Ackbar - and only Admiral Ackbar - can bring them into the 21st Century.
Stay tuned.
The reason for the desire for a new mascot is simple: Colonel Reb reminds many of the Old South. The Empire. Slavery. And many other unpleasant things.
The idea of Admiral Ackbar as mascot is more than just a nod to popular culture, it's a subversive attempt to actually place a real rebel symbol as representing the university.
Admiral Ackbar by his very face and name is unconventional and his election as mascot for Ole Miss would speak volumes for how far "The South" has really come. Indeed, Admiral Ackbar's possible rise to mascot power has upset some, even those in the media it seems. A story's flying around the there's a "backlash" against the Admiral Ackbar mascot campaign.
The source is supposed to be the Atlanta Journal Constitution. But as of this writing, the AJC article points to TMZ for its information; the TMZ blog reads the heads of the Admiral Ackbar campaign reported angry calls but provide no quote or name of anyone connected with the effort . And both TMZ and AJC report no other credible information to prove the claim that a "backlash" exists. They just say it does.
But the reality is a real, credible "backlash" has bite and followers and that's not here. There's no Internet footprint of any size that's challenging the Admiral Ackbar Mascot Movement.
And this blogger hopes it succeeds right smack in the face of Ole Miss alumns who need to be shaken out of their cultural comfort zone. It's said all too often that some people in The South are still "living the Civil War"; Admiral Ackbar - and only Admiral Ackbar - can bring them into the 21st Century.
Stay tuned.
John Mayer back in the Twitter media swing after N-word issue
As you may recall, John Mayer knocked back scotch during a Playboy Interview and let loose with a blast that included use of the N-word as well as how John Meyer wasn't attracted to black women, and in graphic terms how he felt about sex with Jessica Simpson.
The resulting negative public reaction was so hard for John Mayer to take he issued an apology on Twitter, then stopped tweeting. He sent exactly two tweets in eight days between February 14th and February 21st. But by February 27th, John Mayer started tweeting many times a day again. Here are some of his most recent tweets:
Grand Rapids, MI and Throbbing Springs, PA are the two cities in the US that sound the most like water parks.
about 21 hours ago via Twittelator
Two Krispy Kreme doughnuts, good. Three Krispy Kreme doughnuts, bad.
about 21 hours ago via Twittelator
If you want to look real smart on a plane, take out the day's crossword puzzle and fill it in as fast as you can with gibberish...
about 22 hours ago via Twittelator
How can you watch Jersey Shore for 9 hours and then act like you only listen to Beethoven's fifth? Okay. Point made. Night.
9:52 PM Feb 27th via Twittelator
Stop telling your friends you detest the ke$ha song and then dancing to it at home. How about some accountability, people?
8:56 PM Feb 27th via Twittelator
Though I must add I tried brushing with a bottle of Jack and I chipped a tooth on the glass. Where might I remit an invoice?
8:48 PM Feb 27th via Twittelator
Dear Ke$ha, you have won me over with your tricks and charms and I must tell you I really like your song.
8:46 PM Feb 27th via Twittelator
Who's Ke$ha? Ke$ha's a newcoming female singer - not African American, alas - behind the hit album Animal, that's apparently got the attention of John Mayer and perhaps his animal side. He tried brushing his teeth with "a bottle of Jack" - one wonders what he said after that episode?
Yep. John Mayer's back. This after he said he was going to basically stay out of the media just weeks ago. Remember that? Remember how sorry Mayer was and how he didn't mean to hurt anyone? I believe him, but man, that whole bottle of Jack thing makes me wonder.
Maybe he was kidding or just referring to a line in one of her songs. Or maybe he wasn't kidding, and referring to a line in one of Ke$ha's songs?
Stay tuned.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Oscar Buzz - 20th Annual Night of 100 Stars Gala Oscar Party
If you've wondered where the rest of Hollywood goes to watch the Oscars it's Norby Walters' annual formal viewing party called at The Night of 100 Stars Gala. It's held Sunday, March 7th at 4 PM at the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel Crystal Ballroom. And yes, this blogger will be in attendance providing coverage. You can follow along at Zennie62.com and at SFGate.com as photo video, and blog updates will be posted.
Here's a video from the 2009 party:
The Night of 100 Stars Gala Oscar Party started 20 years ago as an out growth of Norby Walters's private poker parties and grew from there. Now, Sunday's big event attracts celebrities and media like ABC's Good Morning America and The Jimmy Kimmel Show, which has taped segments there. Kimmel called it "...a wild party with mostly celebrities and they are everywhere you look".
This is one of David Carradine's last interviews:
Oh, and who's Norby Walters?
 |
| Norby Waters with Lanie Kazan and Dennis Haysbert |
The Night of 100 Stars Gala has a huge list of celebrities who are set to attend. The press release reports the following confirmed list:
Sean Astin, Krista Allen, Ed Asner, Jason Alexander, Powers Boothe, Daniel Baldwin, Timothy Busfield, Joe Bologna, Susan Blakely, John Corbet, Tia Carrere, Keith Carradine, James Cromwell, Stephen Collins, Michael Chiklis, David Carradine, Joanna Cassidy, Richard Dreyfuss, Kevin Dillon, Lolita Davidovich, Robert Davi, Bruce Davison, Lou & Carla Ferrigno, Frances Fisher, Dave Foley, Peter Fonda, Jon Favreau, Joley Fisher, Robert Forster, Jeff Garlin, James Darren, Carla Cugino, Dominick Dunne, Lou Gossett Jr., Dennis Haysbert, Dennis Hopper, Dule Hill, Cheryl Hines, Monty Hall, Harry Hamlin, Marilu Henner, Ken Howard, Jack Klugman, Richard Karn, Martin Landau, Ron Livingston, Hal Linden, Richard Lewis, Sharon Lawrence, Michael Lerner, Matthew Modine, Chris McDonald, Camryn Manheim, Dylan McDermott, Jesse Metcalf, Ming Na, Judd Nelson, Kevin Nealon, Danielle Panabaker, Kevin Pollak, Stephanie Powers, Michelle Phillips, Lou Diamond Phillips, Freddie Rodriguez, Jason Ritter, Brande Roderick, Adam Rodriguez, Pat Richardson, George Segal, Fred Savage, John Schneider, Tony Shaloub, Kevin Sorbo, Rob Schneider, Amber Tamblyn, Jennifer Tilly, the GEICO Caveman, Bo Derek and over 100 more reportedly expected...
And in the past, many Academy Award Winners and Nominees have attended:
Jamie Foxx, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Danny Aiello, Jennifer Tilly, Linda Blair, Michael Lerner, Sally Kirkland, Gary Busey, Bruce Davison, , Richard Dreyfuss, Cathy Moriarty, Kathleen Quinlan, Eric Roberts, Lynn Redgrave, Robert Forster, Diane Ladd, Caroll Baker, Rip Torn, Charles Durning, Dean Stockwell, Robert Stack, Theodore Bikel, Don Murray, Cliff Robertson, William H. Macy, Samantha Eggar, Kevin McCarthy, Glynis Johns, Terry Moore, Burt Young, Karen Black, Eddie Albert, George Chakiris, James Cromwell, Red Buttons, Ernest Borgnine, Anthony Franciosa, Shirley Jones, Elliott Gould, Tony Curtis, Martin Landau, David Paymer, Robert Loggia, Renee Taylor, Joe Bologna, Rod Steiger, Brenda Vaccaro, Shirley Knight, James Whitmore, Shelley Winters, Pat Morita, Patricia Neal, Stuart Whitman, Carrie Snodgrass, Seymour Cassel, Lesley Ann Warren, Russ Tamblyn, Maximillian Schell, Sally Kellerman and Mickey Rooney.
The bottom line is, it's going to be a fun time, wild Oscar party, and a great event.
Stay tuned.
The View's Sherri Shepherd with Jess Cagle on Oscar Red Carpet
According to AMPAS, it's Sherri Shepherd's first time as a Red Carpet hostess, while Jeff Cagle, the managing editor of Entertainment Weekly will turn in his second consecutive year as a Red Carpet host. Cagle's interviewed some of Hollywood's biggest stars.
Meanwhile Kathy Ireland is indeed, legendary. The model-turned-businesswoman has built kathy ireland Worldwide, based on a line of clothing Kmart gave her. Now, the home and fashion design firm has annual sales of $1.4 billion.
The Oscar Red Carpet program will start at 8 PM EST, 5 PM PST.
Tyler Perry a presenter at Oscars; needs to use Twitter!
So we were waiting for Tyler Perry to tweet the news to his over 98,000 followers. And waiting. And waiting. And still waiting. Tyler Perry hasn't used Twitter to tweet anything since February 11th.
And on that day, he tweeted this:
This Sunday night, I’m going to be on Extreme Makeover Home Edition on ABC! This is a two-hour special episode! Check it out!
11:11 AM Feb 11th via web
So Tyler Perry can tell the World he's on Extreme Makeover Home Edition on ABC, but not on the 82nd Annual Academy Awards...on ABC?
With all of the awards and praise Precious, a movie Tyler Perry executive produced, has received, you'd think he would work Twitter to tell the World? Nope. AMPAS gives him the biggest stage in the entertainment world, so we get a tweet. None. But we get Extreme Makeover Home Edition on ABC.
Horrible. Tyler Perry, we want to know how you feel about AMPAS selecting you as a presenter at Sunday's Academy Awards! Just tweet it!
A Nightmare on Elm Street remake movie trailer 2010 - the next Megan Fox?
Related searches: robert englund, rooney mara, horror movies, Nightmare on Elm Street, michael bay, megan fox, transformers, Nightmare on Elm Street review, Jackie Earle Haley Human Target
A Nightmare on Elm Street has been remade by Michael Bay. The remake of this horror classic and one of this blogger's college favorites is to be released not far after IRS Tax Day April 15th, specifically April 30th 2010.
This A Nightmare on Elm Street remake movie trailer gives a look at the new movie. The reported idea is this is a "reboot" much as J.J. Abrams 2009 Star Trek was a successful reboot of the classic television show and movie franchise.
But two questions. First, does this new Freddy Krueger out do the original, played by Robert Englund. And is Rooney Mara the next Megan Fox?
First, many agree that Robert Englund gave Freddy Krueger a timelessly hateful character that was also very funny. Englund played Freddy Krueger with such maniacal energy that no one could see another actor playing the steel-handed dream-state psychotic. Enter Jackie Earle Haley from Fox's TV series Human Target.
Jackie Earle Haley has Englund's blessing: "I'm real happy with Jackie", said Englund in a recent interview at FearNet. "I'm a fan". But are you happy with Jackie Earle Haley? Is he scary enough? Look at the trailer and then take the poll below this blog post.
Second, is Rooney Mara, who plays the role of Nancy Thompson in the new A Nightmare on Elm Street, the next Megan Fox? It was Michael Bay who gave Megan Fox the platform that made her a star when he cast her for the Transformers series. Does Rooney Mara have the same star quality?
It's hard to tell how much of Rooney Mara we will see in A Nightmare on Elm Street, so it's best to hold off a final verdict here. (Moreover, as Rooney Mara overseas the nonprofit Faces of Kibera, an organization that provides resources for orphans in Kibera, a slum in Nairobi, Kenya, any comparison with Megan Fox, who has no such organization as of this writing, would stop there.)
But we do see a lot of Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger. Let us know what you think; first impressions are everything. Does Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger live up to Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger? This poll will run through the year and beyond!
Vote!
More celebrity quizzes on pollsb.com
Recent large earthquakes in first two months of 2010 indicate trend
Related searches: Chile earthquake, Haiti earthquake, Argentina earthquake, Venezuela earthquake, Japan earthquake, Bay Area earthquake.
Recent large earthquakes in the first two months of 2010 and in Haiti, Argentina, Venezuela, Eureka, California, north of Chicago, Japan, and Chile, would seem to indicate a trend, and not a good one.
First, the rate comes to about one major earthquake every two weeks. Second, the US Geological Survey reports that earthquakes of over 7 on the Richter Scale are still constant in number, not increasing or decreasing.
The USGS also claims that we should expect to learn of 17 major quakes in one year and one great earthquake in any one year.
Chile was the great earthquake at 8.8 on the Richter Scale,
But while the USGS claims the earthquake frequency is not off the norm compared with years 2000 through 2009, no one has made a comparison of time frames.
In other words, was there a moment in World history where we had so many large earthquakes within such a short period of time? As of this writing, there's no documentation of such a frequency of quakes as the one the World has seen this year, with so many large quakes in a two month period.
Stay tuned for more updates on this topic.
Recent large earthquakes in the first two months of 2010 and in Haiti, Argentina, Venezuela, Eureka, California, north of Chicago, Japan, and Chile, would seem to indicate a trend, and not a good one.
First, the rate comes to about one major earthquake every two weeks. Second, the US Geological Survey reports that earthquakes of over 7 on the Richter Scale are still constant in number, not increasing or decreasing.
The USGS also claims that we should expect to learn of 17 major quakes in one year and one great earthquake in any one year.
Chile was the great earthquake at 8.8 on the Richter Scale,
But while the USGS claims the earthquake frequency is not off the norm compared with years 2000 through 2009, no one has made a comparison of time frames.
In other words, was there a moment in World history where we had so many large earthquakes within such a short period of time? As of this writing, there's no documentation of such a frequency of quakes as the one the World has seen this year, with so many large quakes in a two month period.
Stay tuned for more updates on this topic.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Hockey Overtime Rules aside, USA v. Canada a classic hockey game
Related searches: olympic hockey overtime rules, hockey icing explained, hockey offsides, hockey overtime, hockey penalties, winter olympics, canada hockey, team usa
For some reason undoubtedly connected to (our) America's loss to Canada "Hockey Overtime Rules" are being searched for often this Sunday evening. But aside from that and whatever rules questions their may be, USA v. Canada was a classic hockey game.
USA v. Canada ended tragically; Canada won 3 to 2 in overtime and with Sidney Crosby, or "Sid the Kid" as he's called, delivering the puck shot heard 'round the sports World. He somehow got a shot pass Team USA goalie Ryan Miller and into the USA goal for a win that stunned Team USA as much as it sent the Canadian home crowd into a frenzy. This meant a lot to Canada.
Rebecca Bollwitt, who's done a great job covering the Winter Olympics and its impact on Vancouver's culture at her blog Miss604.com, wrote
This was arguably the biggest game in our nation’s history. It wasn’t the Summit Series, but it was the Olympic gold medal game on our home turf, against our continental brothers. The USA played hard, Miller stood on his head to stop us, and they even made us sweat… a lot. You couldn’t have imagined this match up and you couldn’t have fathomed that this game would go into overtime with Crosby scoring the winning goal.
Indeed, it was hard to fathom as for the first half it looked as if Canada was going to run away with the Gold Medal contest with at one point a 2-0 lead. But then Canada lost the lead as Team USA tied the game with 24.4 seconds remaining, according to ESPN.
What happened in overtime is still a nightmare for anyone rooting for the USA. Why Ryan Miller pushed the puck to the right, rather than fired it as far away from the goal as he could is a question still fresh in the mind of this blogger. Because of that, Canada played a good portion of the overtime in USA territory before the score that ended the game.
It would have been nice to see Canada lose to America. Someone has to say it. Cue up Blame Canada and all their "hockey hullabaloo". They were so wanting this Winter Olympics win because, by God, they invented Hockey!
The Hockey Overtime Rules where each team loses a player would not be an issue if Team USA beat Canada. The bottom line is America had its chance and almost pulled out a Herculean win.
It was not to be.
Well, Canada, you've got it. But only for four years.
Congratulations.
President Barack Obama offers his condolences to Chile
From the AP -
President Barack Obama offered his condolences to Chile and says the U.S. stands ready to assist. He also urges residents in California and Hawaii to heed all tsunami warnings. (Feb. 27)
Mariah Carey thanks Oakland on Twitter
I had so much fun last night! Thank you again Oakland! In Vegas now Baby! Come see me @ Haze @ Aria later..its
about 13 hours ago via web
The Oakland Tribune called the concert "flawless" and "diva-licious". That's a new one: Diva-licious.
A YouTuber at the concert captured this video of Mariah Carey performing H.A.T.E.U and Hero:
Stay tuned.
USA vs Canada gold medal game time 12 noon PST, 3 PM EST
If the USA can beat the Canadians twice it will be a severe blow to Canadian national pride. This blogger predicts a massive flow of Canadians relocating to the United States in the weeks after this contest, should Canada lose.
According to VegasSports and other sites, Canada's favored to win this second game. Canada has seven Olympic gold medals in the sport; the USA two. America's trying to become the second team to sweep the Olympics hockey tournament. The 1988 Soviet Union squad was the other team to do it.
If Canada wins, Americans will just carry on with the typical Sunday habits of going to church and watching 60 minutes.
Stay tuned. GO USA!
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