CNN iReport at Comic Con 2010 - meet LiLa King and crew

For Comic Con 2010 San Diego, CNN elected to make establish a major presence to capture the 18 to 30 year old demographic for its online content. And to do that, CNN dispatched its iReport Initiative Team, headed by LiLa King.

Lila asked this blogger to join the iReport Team for some kind of confab at 1:30 in San Diego's Gaslamp District on the last day of Comic Con. The visit was more than worth it, as Lila presented the gift of a cool Fiip Mino HD Video Camcorder specially designed in CNN iReport colors, including the Dick Tracy-like profile icon, and a CNN hat!



In the video, Lila referred to this video blogger as "The original iReport OG," which means "Original gangster." Normally, I'd disown such a designation, but coming from LiLa is it was just fine.

This blogger has been a contributor to the CNN iReport since 2007 and really ramped up contributions in 2008 and at the behest of Jessica Ellis of CNN Special Project Unit. The result was a self-created wedding of iReport, YouTube, Zennie62 blog (then called Zennie's Zeitgeist) content, and Twitter into one multi-platform stew.

Because of that and my iReport videos, LiLa King and Henry Hanks invited me to visit their offices at the CNN Headquarters in Atlanta. Since I spend about half my time there helping my Mother, a visit was easy. I even took her with me.



If you've not used CNN's iReport to post your video blogs, give it a shot; visit with a click here. You just may wind up on CNN.

Carrie Preston at True Blood's Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer wedding

According to The Stir, HBO's True Blood's Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer got married in Malibu, and without the fake blood that covered their bodies in the photo on the cover of the September Rolling Stone Magazine.

True Blood co-star Carrie Preston was at the event, as well as Elijah Wood, and both saw the groom jump into the pool, as presented at TMZ.com.

The romance between Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer started while they were on the set of True Blood, then blossomed into his proposal a year ago. The Stir asks if on screen romances, like the one between Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer's characters, that become off-screen romances (real or fake) make you watch movies.

Carrie Preston

There's no real proof that formula consistently works. (If someone knows of a study on that, inform this blogger.) A movie or TV show ultimately survives on how good its viewers perceive it to be.

The romance creates buzz that a good publicist can use to fan the flames of interest, but if viewers don 't like what they see beyond the attention increase, they will go away.

That's also true even for the all the buzz around the True Blood Rolling Stone photo with Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, and Alexander Skarsgard on the cover.

While it's got the blogsphere talking, if people watch and don't like True Blood, the party's over.

Chicago Bears Offense Protection Problems Due To Martz Design

Mike Martz offensive design got 49ers Alex Smith injured
Is Bears  Jay Cutler next?

The Chicago Bears lost to the Oakland Raiders 32 to 17 and while it was a preseason game, its still important from the perspective of evaluating players and schemes. The Chicago Bears Offense under Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz can move the ball, but it comes with the protection problems that have always plagued Martz offenses.

According to ProFootballTalk.com, Bears Quarterback Jay Cutler claimed the team "had a few protection issues." Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith said that Left Tackle Chris Williams performance was "Not good enough," and added, "It's as simple as that. Whenever you give up a couple of sacks as an offensive lineman, that is not good. Chris is a better player than that."

Exactly.

But it's hard to be a good offensive tackle when your offensive coordinator has you retreat-blocking, rather than fight-blocking. The signature problem with the Mike Martz Offense is the offensive line pass pocket retreats faster than is necessary to run the patterns Mike installs.

Mike, for some weird reason, has never corrected that problem.

It's the same issue that caused San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Alex Smith to be sacked into near oblivion in 2008, then get injured.

And it is the same problem that had Detroit Lions Quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan taste Ford Field turf over 50 times in 2007. But guess what? When Martz came over from the Lions, where he lasted for two years, and to the 49ers, he brought J.T. with him and the same offensive line blocking problem.

Martz lasted one year in San Francisco.

If Mike Martz wants to last longer than the 2010 Season with the Chicago Bears, he needs to correct his design problem. And the NFL must stop giving Martz a pass by continuously hiring him and calling him a genius. Martz will be a genius in this space after he fixes the O-line blocking problem.

Otherwise, Jay Cutler may become another Alex Smith of 2008.

Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers has 153.9 Preseason Passer Rating

It's obvious that California Golden Bear and Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been lighting up the NFL Preseason with his passing.

In two games, the replacement for Brett Favre has thrown 24 passes, completing 20, for 275 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Normally, this blogger discounts preseason as not a good indicator of the regular season. But this is different. Aaron Rodgers is now ready to put the Pack on his back. He's got a 153.9 passer rating in two games.

To say Aaron's accurate is an understatement. He once hit a net with a football from 50 yards away, twice.

Don't believe it?



I'm not going to pick the Pack for The Super Bowl because The Vikings, Bears, and Lions all look much improved over 2009.

But Rodgers will be a force in 2010. That much is certain.

ESPN's Jay Mariotti Destroyed On Twitter After Domestic Violence Arrest

UPDATE: Mariotti may be done at ESPN.

This video blogger met ESPN's Jay Mariotti at The Clevelander, a famous Miami hotel and bar in 2007 and during the week before Super Bowl XLI pitting the Indianapolis Colts against the Chicago Bears.

For a guy who spends a lot of air time blasting athletes, he's was a nice person.  That's how it goes: people assume the person is really like their on-air persona.   Nope.

Jay was just hanging out when I walked up and introduced myself. He was very nice to me, and not at all like his reputation.

But considering his celebrity, you'd expect him to have an entourage. No. Mariotti was alone at the time and it was a bright, sunny Friday with a lot of people around before the weekend of the game. By contrast, I was with friends.

The thought that went through my mind was that absent the ESPN fame and the Sun Times relationship at the time, Jay Mariotti was just a normal guy living in Chicago. No girls around him.  Moreover, no one seemed to notice him.  In fact, he'd just parted ways with the Sun Times and was just with ESPN.

Now, he's in Los Angeles and for some reason is accused of domestic violence against his girlfriend.  Sad for both parties. While it's the hope that's not the case, the observation is that journalists who become media stars don't seem to hold up well in the self-esteem department. One would think it would be the reverse, but this blogger's experience - based on Super Bowls and parties - is that's not the case at all.

And that's all I'll say about that.

One thing is Jay's getting his arse handed to him on Twitter.  It's the byproduct of the idea that what goes around, comes around: if you spend TV time tearing down people, people will tear you down the moment something goes wrong.  And that's the case with Jay now.

Barnes_C - Marrioti hasn't been the same since he got canned by the Suntimes RT @espn: Sports commentator Jay Mariotti (cont) http://tl.gd/3920ko

Perhaps that's the case. But whatever, it's clear that Chad Ochocinco's well aware of Jay's problem:

@terrellowens Holy jail time Batman,another ESPN analyst has been arrested, Jay Mariotti, lets see if they crucify their own like they do us
about 18 hours ago via web in reply to terrellowens

The lesson for Jay is when you're famous, you have to be on your best behavior. The whole World has an view about you, and if it's already negative, they will feed on you in a moment when you do something wrong.

Oakland Mayor's Race: Lawyers Forum Sept 10th; EBYD Website Fix Needed

EBYD.  Greg Harrland's running...

Yep. Another forum is coming up for the Oakland Mayor's Race. It's the Alameda County Democratic Lawyers Club Forum on September 10th. Held at Everett and Jones Restaurant in Jack London Square at 12 Noon that day, every mayoral candidate has been invited to what's both a forum and an endorsement meeting.

East Bay Young Democrats (EBYD) Behind Current Events

On its website on the Oakland Mayor's Race, the East Bay Young Democrats explain that "there are three main contenders for the cities top position, and goes on to mention Oakland Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, Former Senator Don Perata, and Councilmember Jean Quan, and that's it. The web page was created before the June 10th mayoral forum at First Unitarian Church and never updated.

Here's an assist.

There are 10 candidates for Mayor of Oakland: Terrance Candell, Arnold Fields, Greg Harland, Marcie Hodge, Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, Don Macleay, Don Macleay, Councilmember Jean Quan, Joe Tuman, and Larry Lionel Young Jr.

This points to a still nasty, but really fun-to-fight tendency of at least two East Bay Political Reporters to favor just the three candidates and express a desire to ignore the rest. How this blogger know this will not be revealed. But let's just say a lot of people share a lot of things.

Oakland Mayor's Race candidates be warned: the mainstream media doesn't want to make the playing field a level one. That means you're going to have to approach the media, and not wait for them to call you. Chances are you'll be waiting until hell freezes over.

Las Vegas Seeks Oakland Athletics; Will Build 45,000-Seat Stadium

Mayor Goodman

Just when it seemed San Jose was the only city that wants the Oakland Athletics to leave Oakland and move to a planned new stadium there, enter Las Vegas.

According to Ballpark Digest, Oscar Goodman, the Mayor of Las Vegas, said his city has entered talks about building a 45,000 seat domed ballpark for an American League team and representatives of that team are involved.

While Mayor Goodman did not mention the Oakland A's by name, it's widely known in the media that Las Vegas has been a favored option for A's managing owner Lew Wolff, and as recently as last year.

Also, according to the Sports Business Daily, MLB Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig reportedly met with Mayor Goodman and "A's Execs" as recently as last year, a rumor that neither MLB or the Oakland A's would confirm.

Las Vegas Mayor Goodman said that the talks were in "the early stages" and that they may not go anywhere, saying "I’m not going to tell you that it’s imminent." Regarding the A's, Mayor Goodman said "I have been advised we are designated an American League city."

Given Major League Baseball's involvement in this movement overtures on the part of The Oakland A's away from Oakland, the view here is The City of Oakland should go directly for a lawsuit against Major League Baseball, rather than just San Jose or Las Vegas.

Vegas Ballpark Would Be Part of Large Development

In order to pay for a new ballpark, more than likely it would have to be part of a larger development in Las Vegas. It would more than likely be a new sport-oriented casino resort with 2,000 hotel rooms or more and a large shopping complex. The main question is the difference between retail absorption capability in Las Vegas and any new spending that would be drawn from outside Las Vegas by this new development.

If you want to run the business of a baseball team in Oakland, and see the impacts of relocation, run the Oakland Baseball Simworld conceived, developed, and programmed by this blogger.

Stay tuned.

True Blood - When the season ends? by Suzannah B. Troy

The True Blood Rolling Stone cover was a hot topic of discussion and than I heard these words we all have thought to ourselves...."What am I going to do when the season ends?"  I haven't looked at The Rolling Stones cover and magazine.   I know that is sacrilege.


I just can't wait until tomorrow which i predict will frustrate me as much as entertains me.


I feel about Alan Ball's HBO True Blood the way I feel about a really good mystery book I want to finish the book but don't want the book to end -- like the vampires lives, I want True Blood to go and on....

The conversation I joined was by two people that had no problem with all the blood.  I do.  They just love it.  Eat it up.  I don't.  I am grossed out but still the show is bloody good!    We all discussed who we would want to sleep with on the show and for right now I picked the actor who plays the male nurse.   I just think he is hot.   Of course that is subject to change and I love that really big werewolf.  

HBO says real "Truebies" sign up for the newsletter...

If only season 4 would start immediately after season 3 ends...  Here is a short coming attraction for tomorrow night with Eric as always being riveting.....      I am feeling anemic right now as all True Blood fans are waiting for Sunday Night.....!!!!!




Here is the episode guide for Season 3 and it looks like the last installment is Sept. 12th.

Julian Assange rape charges dropped, Wikileaks founder cleared

Julian Assange - Image via Wikipedia

In what has to have been a nightmare experience for him, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been cleared of charges of rape and molestation in Sweden, false charges issued by two women, one in her 20s and the other in her 30s. As reported at Zennie62.com, the charges looked like the anatomy of a smear campaign.

According to Aljazeera, Eva Finne, Sweden's chief prosecutor, Julian Assange was "no longer wanted."

On Friday, it was reported that the two women, who knew each other, came forward to Swedish Police.  But the problem was they did not want to file an official report because of their so-called fears of his power.

What's fishy about that story is if the women actually knew who Julian was, thus "fearing his power," which is a joke of a claim, and knew what his controversial Wikileaks issue was about, why would they seek to file a false report of rape, especially since he up against the U.S Government?

If they were supporters of his cause, they would not have done that.  Period.

Under the circumstances,  because they're not named and did not file an official report, its fair to ask if the women were connected to the CIA?

Many news organizations will go back to the story that Wikileaks has over 70,000 documents on its website that are classified and concern the War in Afghanistan. But the dropping of charges does not begin to explain exactly and in detail why they were issued. And who were the two women who brought the story forward?

Charging someone with rape is a serious issue.  What's more troubling is that it was done at a time when Wikileaks and Julian Assange are the focus of the U.S Governments anger. Anyone who abuses the legal process to make a false claim should be punished.

Stay tuned for more on this fish story.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange rape charge reads of smear

Image via Wikipedia

Is Julian Assange being smeared?

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who's website has over 70,000 classified documents related to the War in Afghanistan, has been charged with alleged rape in Sweden. But a new item of information strongly indicates the report may be nothing more than a false claim.

As reported earlier at Zennie62.com, a translation from the Swedish tabloid Expressen claims that two women, one in her 20s and the other in her 30s, came forward to police. But read of the initial report in the tabloid Expressen indicates that the charges amount to heresay evidence without a real claim as there's no official report.

Here's the direct accounts from the translated version:

One woman he should have met last week between Saturday and Sunday in an apartment in Stockholm.
Other woman will he have met in Enköping on Tuesday morning, according to Expressen.
A source with insider tells how he met the women: - He met the victims through their assignments.


The prosecutor would at this stage only confirm the suspicion of rape, but would not provide more details: Women must be received by the City police in Stockholm yesterday to ask about their experiences with Julian Assange. They reportedly did not notify. Women are terrified and dare not participate. The police believe that in this case, the offender's position of power that women are afraid of. This raises for police and prosecutor, says a source.
A person close to the women says: The girls know each other and they both know that they have experienced the same thing. According to police, the prosecutor did not know the suspect Wikileaksgrundaren are visiting.

In other words, two women got together to point the finger at Julian Assange, but neither wants to file an official report. That means their claims are heresay evidence at best, if the Expressen is to be believed.

Stay tuned.

Muslim Miss USA: Move the Mosque! by Suzannah B. Troy

Photo: Reuters

The New York Post reports Miss USA, Rima Fikih who hopes to be the next Miss Universe says move the mosque.   She is more eloquent than that of course..  Rima Fikih told entertainment "I totally agree with President Obama with the statement on constitutional rights of freedom of religion," the beauty queen said in an interview with "Inside Edition" that aired yesterday.

"I totally agree with President Obama with the statement on constitutional rights of freedom of religion," the beauty queen said in an interview with "Inside Edition" that aired yesterday.

I also agree that it shouldn't be so close to the World Trade Center. We should be more concerned with the tragedy than religion."



My thoughts...

Americans overwhelmingly agree in religious freedom but this is about an open massive wound -- literally the WTC site were even recently body parts were found recently and loved ones are not near closure and still hoping for DNA, something more...

The other issue who funding and any terrorist groups linked to this mosque or any mosque here in the USA clearly are not welcome

If you want to build bridges, educate and heal why would you inflict so much pain which is clearly what that people behind the mosque intend hiding behind anti-Muslim which is not true.  The Mosques all over the downtown area including the East Village have not been victims of hate related to 9-11 that I am aware of .

Why would any religious group want to build where they know they are causing immense pain to loved ones that have overwhelmingly made it clear this is not the place...at least not now.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to surrender to police over rape charge

Julian Assange - Image via Wikipedia

It's reported from the Google translated web version of the Swedish tabloid Expressen, that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is to surrender to Swedish police over an alleged rape charge reported earlier.

Wikileaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson said that Julian Assange will remain in Sweden. Reportedly, police want to confront him with what is called "the data."

According to Expressen's Anna Skarin, two women, one in her 20s and the other in her 30s, came forward with the claim.

Wikileaks currently holds about 70,000 pages of classified documents related to the War in Afghanistan.