Michael Is Immortal

Two months after Michael's passing, my heart still refuses to accept he is gone. Every day a small, irrational part of me clings to hope that all the news reports somehow got it wrong. That Dr. Murray was somehow able to resucitate Michael, that he has simply been recuperating somewhere in the Middle East out of the public eye. My logical mind knows this is not true. That Michael is gone forever, has traveled into the afterlife.

I have, however, come to accept that Michael will live on forever in the hearts of his fans. He comes alive everytime someone puts on one of his songs, every time we watch his movies or video, everytime someone dons a single sequined glove or attempts the moonwalk or that incredible 45 degree lean. I predict half a millennium from now, Michael will be remembered as the prolific, unparalleled artist he is. (It is still difficult for me to use the past tense when speaking of him.) Michael is our Mozart, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Beethoven, and Bach. He is the indisputable King of Pop, the King of all entertainment.

No one is more surprised at the depth of my own grief than I am. With his passing, I realized I belonged to a very special club of those who love him no matter what and will love him forever. Michael has always been a part of my life. Every major milestone in my life is associated with one or another of his songs or videos. He changed the world for the better. I just wish the world had returned that kindness to him. I pray his spirit is at peace and celebrate his birthday today as if I am celebrating my own. Happy Birthday Michael!

"Music has been my outlet, my gift to all of the lovers in this world. Through it, my music, I know I will live forever." --Michael Joseph Jackson

Happy Birthday Michael!

Michael Jackson Birthday Megamix

11 Year Old Hero Saves Family From Fire Gets New Home

he can move to my neighborhood...
"I know when they call me a hero, I was just doing what I was taught to do."- a. bell

Michael Jackson Tribute Gold

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Thriller 25th Anniversary Tribute

Part 1 Thriller 25 Tribute

Part 2 Thriller 25 Tribute

Michael at the top of his game part 1

Michael Jackson - Thriller (Music Video)
by milaiya

Michael Jackson - New Music - More Music Videos

Billie Jean

Michael Jackson - New Music - More Music Videos

Michael at the top of his game part 2

Bad

The Way You Make Me Feel


You Rock My World
Chris Tucker finally got the chance to make a video with the man he had been imitating for years!


Blood On The Dance Floor


Wanna Be Startin’ Something


Smooth Criminal


Scream

Michael: the songs that made him a superstar

Don’t stop til you get enough

Rock with you

Off the wall

Shake your body down to the ground

Blame it on the boogie

Michael was a humanitarian and philanthropist

Man in the Mirror
This song really touched a lot of people in a personal way. If you really listen to the lyrics, they have a very deep message.

Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror (Official Music Video) - Watch the top videos of the week here

They Don’t Care About Us
Spike Lee directed this video. It was spectacular.


Black or White
This video had groundbreaking special effects.



We Are The World
I used to watch this video over and over. I couldn’t tell you who some of the “stars” are today, but I do recognize a lot of the big names.


Heal the World
Michael performed in front of the Clintons. I wish he had gotten the opportunity to perform for the Obamas and/or receive another presidential honor. He deserves it.


Earth Song

Michael Jackson - Earth Song (Official Music Video) - More free videos are here

Cry

Michael's Early Years

Michael's Early Years Part 2

Got to be there

I want you back

Jackson 5 Medley

Ben

Michael's last rehearsal at the O2 Arena

Michael looked so lively in this footage. It is so hard to believe he would be gone less than a day later.

good job, safari

Breaking News: was it a dime bag or a quarter?

L.A.P.D. investigators say they found two baggies of marijuana in a search of Michael Jackson's bedroom the day after his death. Sources from the department claim members of the Jackson family approached them after supposedly finding a bag of a sticky, brown substance they believed to be black tar heroin. Police obtained a warrant to search the bedroom based upon these claims, however departmental tests of the substance proved it not to be heroin. (Reports never indicated what it was.)

Police say they did find two baggies of marijuana along with insomnia meds, anti-anxiety pill bottles, prescription bleaching cream for persons with vitiligo and a glaucoma medication with an off-label use to stimulate hair growth. Michael suffered permanent hair loss after his third degree burns in his 1984 Pepsi commercial. Jackson settled with PepsiCo for $1 million over that incident; he donated all the money to a children's burn unit.

There are a number of problems with this LAPD report: It really requires suspension of disbelief that members of the Jackson family would go to the LAPD if they found street drugs in Michael's room and beg them to search the room. Couldn't the family members search the room? Allegedly several of them had already torn the room apart looking for money and valuables. Additionally, why would they want the public and the police to know Michael was on street drugs, if this were the case? That would tarnish his image and remove some fraction of culpability from his doctors and handlers. People are far less sympathetic towards abuse of street drugs than they are towards prescription drug addiction. According to CNN, the officer that conducted the search took five days to file his report on the search and took several weeks before he made sworn statements detailing the list of medications he supposedly found.

Secondly, is it possible Michael actually suffered from glaucoma? That would be a logical explanation for the glaucoma medication as well as the marijuana. One of the uses of medical marijuana is treatment of glaucoma. Release of the autopsy results might shed some light on this, although it is possible this condition would be extremely difficult to detect post-mortem and Michael's medical records are spread out among many practitioners in several states and countries.

Even if he did not have glaucoma, it is possible the marjijuana was not his and/or he was using it to gain weight. Stimulation of the appetite is one of the side effects of marijuana exploited to treat cancer patients and others who have difficulty gaining weight on their own. He must not have been using it though because he certainly would not have had any difficulty falling asleep if he were a toker. Personally, I am strangely warmed by the thought of Michael getting the midnight munchies after a 14-16 hour day of rehearsals for his upcoming tour. Purple Haze is certainly preferable to propofol in my book. The only question is, was it a dime bag or a quarter?

Beyonce's handlers are being sued

Contrary to some reports, Beyonce is not being sued by Project Runway 4th place winner, Chris March. "Chris March's lawsuit is not against Beyoncé, but rather against Thierry Mugler and Tancrede Prinz, who owe Chris money for having designed and fitted Beyoncé's costumes," March's lawyer, Leslie Ben-Zvi, told E! News.

March, says he was hired as head of costumes for Beyoncé's current tour by Thierry Mugler to create, pattern, fit and deliver finished costumes for the star. He says Mugler has yet to pay all the invoices he sent for the constumes even though Bey has been sweating them up around the world. Besides that, the booty pads have stretched them out so no one else can wear them and they have too much weave entangled in the sequins.

Rihanna's does couture and may be a Single Black Female

Rihanna covered the latest issue of Vogue Italia. I really like her pictures. Personally, I think she has more of a future in fashion than she does in music. Speaking of Rihanna's style, a singer by the name of Fefe Dobson is floating the idea that Rihanna is a swaggajacka. Fefe signed to the Def Jam label two years before Rihanna. She says over time, Rihanna's look and sound changed to mirror hers in a sort of Single Black Female convergent evolution right down to the tatoos she sported. (If you ask me, Teyana Taylor favors Fefe more than Rihanna.) Fefe eventually left Def Jam over creative differences, but says Rihanna is a fan of hers. I doubt that will be true after this Honey Mag interview makes the rounds.

Attorney gives Jena 6 teen counsel, chance at new life

Alan Howard an attorney, met Jesse Ray Beard, the youngest of the African-American teens who made up the Jena Six, in January 2008 when he began representing him in a lawsuit filed by beating victim Justin Barker. Beard, 18, now interns at a New York law firm as he prepares for his senior year next month at Canterbury School, a Connecticut prep academy where Beard is highly regarded among peers, teachers and coaches.

Howard said his first impression of Beard -- that he had "tremendous character, tremendous resilience and tremendous potential" -- was so strong he invited the teen to live with his family in New England. The Howards say Beard meshes seamlessly. Though he struggled with the curriculum at Canterbury, a Catholic school in New Milford boasting a six-to-one student-teacher ratio, he is seeing tutors and showing improvements.

Around the house, he's a big brother, said Howard, whose children welcomed Beard immediately."My kids were the ones who said, 'If it means getting out of Jena, let him stay here,' " Howard said. "My 14-year-old son said, 'He can share my room,' and he doesn't even let his 11-year-old brother in his room." "He's just another member of the family," Jessie said. "Now, when people ask me how many brothers I have, I say three, not two."

Beard said he could never be proud of his involvement with the Jena Six, but he believes God put him through tribulations to deliver him to a better place.

"I'm not glad it happened, but I'm glad I came to a good family," he said.

See? We're always on our grind. There is never a slow news day on Planet Jackson!

source

If She's Not Feeling Too Stressed....

LaToya Jackson will continue her "I Was Right Tour" appearing on 20/20 with Barbara Walters on Sept. 11 and guest co-hosting the View with Barbara Walters' behind again on Sept 16 and 18 while Elizabeth Hasselbeck is on maternity leave.... why she get the 17th off?

This Not That

Kansas Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins

Comedian Sunda Croonquist, Husband Mark Zafrin and Ruth Zafrin

Kansas U.S. Rep Lynn Jenkins peoples are backtracking faster today than Jaime Foxx did when he told Miley Cyrus to "make a sex tape" the week before 'The Soloist' came out, after she made the comment that the Republican Party is looking for a "great white hope" to help stop the political agenda of the Democratic party and President Barack Obama. Jenkins said Thursday that was not a reference to someone who could challenge President Barack Obama's political agenda and she was unaware of the negative connotation to the phrase "great white hope." riiite.

In the other picture, The brown skinnded woman is veteran comic Sunda Croonquist. The white lady is Ruth Zafrin of Brooklyn, Sunra's mother-in-law. The man in the middle is Sunda's husband Mark Zafrin.

Ruth objects to being the butt of Sunda's jokes and has sued to get the last laugh. She claims her son's wife, has spread defamatory and racist lies about her with the "Take my mother-in-law, please!" jokes that are a staple of her routine.

Croonquist from Paterson, NJ has made the remarks in shows on Comedy Central, and has posted bits on her Web site and blog, according to papers filed in Monmouth, NJ, federal court.
Furious at being Croonquist's perpetual punch lines, she seeks unspecified damages and wants the court to make the comedian remove offensive statements from her Web site, routines and recordings. For example, Croonquist tells a story about when she met her mother-in-law for the first time and found out she was from Paterson, she could be overheard whispering to someone to hide her pocketbook.

Croonquist -- who is being represented by a staff of three from her husband's New York law firm -- has said she will drop offensive language, but won't pay a settlement. She also claims that her in-law and family jokes are not mean-spirited, but, rather, natural laugh-getters -- particularly because she comes from a diverse background. Croonquist is half-Swedish and half-black, has a Hindu first name and grew up Roman Catholic. She converted to Judaism when she married real-estate lawyer Mark Zafrin, and keeps a kosher house. They have two daughters.

Now which incident would you consider racist?

Should Idris ask Mrs. Jigga for Help?

Idris who appears on the cover of August's Essence Magazine, is also working on a CD that he hopes to release this year. The former club deejay (weren't we all) has a burgeoning music career in addition to his acting. Yet despite all those months they spent together on the set of “Obsessed,” Elba insists he never once asked Beyoncé for any feedback on his music.

“I’m too proud, basically,” he says, laughing. “I’ve been deejaying long enough to know the difference between a good record and a bad one, so I just figured I’m going to do it myself.

“But that said, Beyoncé is the kind of person that would say, ‘Yo ’Dris, let me hear what you got, let me see what you’re doing,’ and maybe steer me in the right direction — if I had asked,” says Elba, laughing again.

“But I didn’t.” Because let's face it. She can't sing and I don't have enough money to buy up all my own albums and concert tickets like they say she does.

NYC's Standard Hotel vows to try closing curtains on guests' peep show

A swanky Manhattan hotel - which urges its guests to flaunt their freaky side for all to see - is causing a flurry of controversy in the Meatpacking District. The Standard Hotel, which rises above High Line park, features 18 stories of floor-to-ceiling windows and guests have the option of keeping their curtains open so onlookers on the streets of New York can get a glimpse of the action going on inside.

The hotel, which is located on Washington and 13th Streets, opened seven months ago and in recent nights, some guests have reportedly been spotted having sex, coming out of the shower and even masturbating.

The peep show is also attracting unwanted attention in area that's known to be kid-friendly. Beside the hotel sits the newly opened High Line Park which was built on an old elevated train line. Many families take their pets for a stroll in a dog park that's located just yards away from the scandalous hotel.

The hotel, which according to sources uses the slogan of "we'll put up with your banging if you put up with ours," released a statement that "The hotel will make a concerted effort to remind guests of the transparency of the guest room windows." That should do it. (I'm booking my ticket to NYC as we speak!)

Only in Florida: Grandmother Attacks TV Crew With Hoe

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Cocoa police still haven't shut down a strip club where they say two underage girls were allowed to perform. Police say, on Saturday morning, they found a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old with barely any clothes on at Playmates Strip Club, but the club says it was duped.

The 15-year-old's mother alerted the police that her daughter worked at the club and indicates that DCF (Dept. of Children & Families) has questioned her but has no plans to take her minor child away. The video is what happened when a news crew visited grandma's house. Warning: Grandma gets crunk!

The Dream Dreams up a Job Promotion Via Twitter

The Dream announced his new position as Executive Vice President of Island Deaf Jam Records Wednesday through his Twitter page. The 27-year old singer, songwriter, and producer sent out a series of Tweets late that evening saying: “I wanna Thank everyone at Island Records/DefJam for their faith in me and making me Executive Vice President of Island Records. Thank you to my team..etc, my mama, my manager-what's his name, that cuban girl, the little short ugly gnome that hung with Janet Jackson who quit, LA Reid, Pebbles, etc... "

The Dream takes over for RadioKilla who takes over for Chris Hicks who took over for Shakir Stewart who committed suicide in Atlanta last year. The Dream's third album "Love King" which he says will be his last (because three albums of shit that sounds identical is enough) , is due for release later this year.

Neyo Gots Miss Piggy's Back....

during Glamorama in the Chi.-Miss Piggy was displaying her best "porker face" while imitating Lady Gaga introducing her new Jimmy Dean Fragrance for Macys...

What's Wrong With This Cover?

FX Orders Drama Pilot Starring Don Cheadle

FX has picked up a drama pilot from executive producer Don Cheadle that follows the glory and the seedy side of college basketball.

"March to Madness" will revolve around a corrupt college basketball program that cheats its way to the "March Madness" NCAA basketball tournament, reports Variety.

The story will unfold through the eyes of the college coach, whose idealistic approach to the job has slowly been eroded by the compromises he's forced to make.

The project will be written by Joel Silverman, who spent several years as a sports journalist, covering beats including ACC basketball for outlets such as the Washington Post. Also, attached as a producer is former college basketball coach Dave Miller, whose career includes serving as an assistant basketball coach at USC, Arizona State and Texas.

Cheadle's other producing credits include "Crash," which he co-exec produces, and the feature "Traitor." He would also make a perfect Don Corneilus.

I just can't with them today!

Neffie's outfit is actually a little cute if a little wrinkled. I'm not into LV so...What is Neffie's man on? He looks like he just got through smoking kush, sipping syrup, and rolling on E all at once. Where Frankie hairline at? S/He seems to have more than his share, why can't he lend her some hair? What is that on Frankie's upper arm? A crack patch? I just can't with them today.

Photo credit

Did Jay Just Call Bey a Ho?

I’m just a runway show, but I wear this on my plane these my runway clothes,
Cashmere sweats - they come out next year, but these [are] my last year sweats,
And my ho’s so sick, your new chick can’t fcuk with my old b*tch

I wonder how she feels about being called out of her name like that? Sad thing is she is just his bottom b*tch. Everyone knows he has other hoes.

Microsoft is guilty of race changing

Microsoft Corporation has admitted it is guilty of changing the race of a man in one of its ads. An ad on the company's U.S. website depicts a white woman seated at a table in a conference room along with an Asian man and a Black man. The website for their Polish division shows the same photo with the Black man's head swapped for a white man's head. He has the same brown hands (poor photoshop job!).

Lou Gellos, a spokesperson for Microsoft Corporation said, "We are looking into the details of this situation. We apologize and are in the process of pulling down the image."

Ahhh, but not before we preserve it for posterity. Y'all know better than that.

Blind Item: High Octane Star

This high octane action star was spotted at a house party this past weekend making out with a guy in full view of other guests. This former A-lister has long eschewed the hair club for men in favor of the Mr. Clean look. It's fine to whisper amongst yourselves that it doesn't matter if you're black or white, but don't you dare ask him!

My Lawsuit Detector Just Went Off

An employee of rapper 50 Cent has been accused of getting into a fight after a sex-related dispute at the hip-hop star's mansion and is facing assault charges.

Dwayne McKenzie (mug above) works for the rapper's company G-Unit and lives on the sprawling property, which used to be owned by boxer Mike Tyson. Court documents obtained by the Hartford Courant newspaper allege McKenzie requested oral sex from a woman during an Aug. 16 gathering at the 50,000-square-foot mansion in the Hartford metropolitan area suburb Farmington after he just finished cleaning the pool. A friend of the woman took offense, and a fight ensued, police said.

Police Lt. William M. Tyler said 50 Cent wasn't at the home, which has 19 bedrooms and 37 bathrooms and boasts a gym, billiards rooms, racquetball courts and a disco with stripper poles and states they showed up to the mansion in about 15 seconds and checked every room.

When the woman and her friend decided to leave the mansion, witnesses said, another woman, Michelle Krzykowski, ran after them and grabbed the friend, and McKenzie told her she was attacking the wrong person, according to a warrant for McKenzie's arrest. Krzykowski hit the woman with a hard object, leaving a large gash in her head, police said. Witnesses told police McKenzie pinned the woman to the ground while Krzykowski hit her.

McKenzie claims the accusation that he urged Krzykowski to attack the woman "is totally false," said his lawyer, Gerald Klein, who has represented him before."He's not a celebrity, but he works for one," Klein said. "So I guess he can be targeted by people looking to make hay."

McKenzie and Krzykowski now both face assault charges and are expected back in court Sept. 1.

Make hay? You know Kryzykowski wasn't a sissta (but she sho acted like one).

I think we can safely call bullshit on this one

This video has been making the rounds this week. It purportedly shows a man resembling Michael Jackson getting out of the back of an L.A. Coroner's van. The poster insists this is definitive proof Michael faked his death. Now no one wishes he were alive more than I, but this right here is bullshit. You can't even see the guy's face! The way he hopped out of that van I would peg him at more like 20-something than 50. We all know Michael had problems with his back and joints. Nice try.

Coco gives it up for her man Ice-T

Aging rapper Ice-T graced the stages at Vegas' "We Rock Hip Hop" party at Planet Hollywood. Ice-T performed "99 Problems" and "Colors" while Coco entertained the crowd by doing shout outs and showing her ass.

Doesn't he look like he's about to give her a digital exam? Who says an old pimp ain't still in the game?

Only in Florida: Grandma kills rattlesnake with bare hands

I don't even like snakeskin shoes so all the pictures of rattlesnakes I found really creeped me out. Please enjoy this photo of fine ass Dwayne Johnson instead.

Esther Orring, 87, killed a pygmy rattlesnake with her bare hands after the reptile slithered up to her front porch and bit her on the hand. The Tampa woman grabbed the snake and did what any larger snake might do, she squeezed it to death like a boa constrictor. Orring's family eventually sought help for her venomous wound at an area hospital where she began to tell her incredible tale. Her daughter plans to have the snake framed for her viewing pleasure. Moral of the story: don't sleep on the gray-haired. They are tougher than you think.

Nick Cannon's Next Job.....

I thought America's Got Talent? Apparently not.

D.A. seeks the death penalty in the Vernon Forrest case

A grand jury has indicted three men in the murder of professional boxer Vernon Forrest and the Fulton County D.A. Paul Howard is seeking the death penalty against all three of them. “When you kill somebody in Fulton County in such a senseless and brutal way, the system ... is going to hold you accountable,” he said. “I mean, this guy was shot seven or eight times in the back. Three times, we believe, he was laying on the ground.”

Forrest, 38, died July 25 after he was robbed at gunpoint at a gas station in Southwest Atlanta. Authorities assert Forrest pursued the robber, believed to be Demario Ware, and then was shot seven times in the back by Charmon Sinkfield, according to the press release. Crews is believed to have driven the getaway car, Howard said. Forrest's championship ring and diamond Rolex wristwatch were stolen during the robbery.

Jesse Jackson Visits Ivory Coast Comes Back A King

They wasn't covered up in National Geographic or Penthouse.

This actually happened a couple of weeks ago, but the Rev. Jesse Jackson returned to Chicago with a golden scepter, a crown and a royal title. During a ceremony featuring bare-chested women, fresh goat’s blood and a tribal king, Jackson was bestowed with the ceremonial title of royal “dignitary” while visiting the village of Krindjabo near Zamunda in the Ivory Coast this week.

“It’s a joyous occasion and a great honor,” Jackson said during a telephone interview. “We are committed to working with the people in the village.” But it hasn’t all been joyous for Jackson, who was visiting the West African nation promoting a fair and transparent national election, set for later this year.

Shortly after giving a speech Thursday from a makeshift stage inside a packed soccer stadium in Abidjan, the country’s largest city, the stage collapsed. Jackson’s wife, Jacqueline Jackson, suffered a broken tibia. She was sent back to the states, but that didn't stop the civil rights icon from receiving the royal treatment. While traveling about the country in a 20-car motorcade Jackson's public appearances have drawn thousands of spectators.

The Rev. Dignitary Jackson's final words to the people of the Ivory Coast after the stage collapsed were prophetic: "We fall down, we get up. We fall down, we get up. Because the ground is no place for a champion. You are all champions," Jackson said through a translator.

Tyra is still tweeting about her real hair

You would think her scalp sprouted solid gold filaments with the amount of talking she's doing about her hair. Why on Earth is she producing so much hype about something we all have? Here is her tweet:

“Here’s me rockin my REAL hair, had 2 blur it so its still a surprise on Sept 8!” I’ve totally missed her promos but apparently she will be going weave free for the season premiere of the Tyra Banks Show “Guess What! I’m rockin’ my REAL hair on my talk show September 8th. No fake hair at all! Will be the hair coming out of my scalp! 4 all 2 C! no ponytails, no ballet bun head. hair will be out and free!”

"Soul Train" Coming to the Big Screen

Warner Bros. has hired Malcolm Spellman to write a feature based on the classic TV show"Soul Train". Daryl Porter and Aaron Geller of Porter/Geller Prods. will produce with Don Cornelius, the host and producer of the famed show, which ran from 1971-2006.

Spellman said that he's writing a film set in the 1980s."All of the hip-hop street dances you see today were born during that time period and were first seen on that show, and I remember doing all of them when I was a kid," said Spellman, whose credits include "Dead Presidents". Shockingly, Spellman told Variety that the story will be about a kid who dances his way out of a hard life. Who you think they gonna get to play Don or Rosie Perez or Don's wife?

Elder Statesman and Patriarch of the Kennedy Family Ted Kennedy Has Passed Away

Elder statesman and patriarch of the Kennedy family, United States Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy, passed away last night from complications due to brain cancer. Kennedy was 77.

Kennedy's life of service was marred by repeated tragedy. He mourned the untimely death of three brothers and was the only one of the Kennedy sons to die of natural causes. Eldest brother Joe Kennedy, the family favorite for a future presidency was killed in a WWII plane crash. President John F. Kennedy was assasinated in 1963 in Love Field. Senator Robert F. "Bobby" Kennedy was assasinated during his campaign for the presidency in 1968. His beloved nephew, John F. Kennedy, Jr. died in a plane crash in 1999. Kennedy's sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, passed away earlier this month. In July of 1969, Kennedy was involved in a fatal accident in which he drove his car off a bridge in Martha's Vineyard. A young woman--not his wife--died in that accident; he failed to report the crash for 9 hours and was eventually found to be negligent in the crash.




Kennedy went on to challenge President Jimmy Carter for president in 1980, but removed himself from further consideration for the presidency in 1984 choosing instead to dedicate himself to service of the American people. He served 47 years in the senate alongside 10 presidents, including his brother, president John F. Kennedy, and was the third-longest serving senator in U.S. history. He authored or co-authored over 3000 pieces of legislation in the Senate including the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act, Meals on Wheels for the Elderly and Terminally Ill, healthcare for children of working poor parents, abortion clinic access, the Medicare prescription drug benefit, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and OSHA. He was a vocal critic of the war in Iraq and advocated for peace in Ireland, his family's ancestral home.

Kennedy famously endorsed now President Barack Obama for president last year likening him to his late brother JFK. That endorsement was a key factor in swinging crucial support behind Obama leading to his decisive victory in the 2008 election. The Obamas had planned to visit Kennedy during his family's vacation on Martha's Vineyard, but it is thought they did not make it there on time. President Obama is said to be "heartbroken" over the loss of his friend and colleague and had this to say:

"I valued his wise counsel in the senate where, regardless of the swirl of events he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the presidency.



The Kennedy clan issued a statement:

"We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," the statement said. "We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all."

Chris Brown Sentenced

A Los Angeles judge says Chris Brown must serve five years of probation and perform six months of community labor for beating Rihanna.

The 20-year-old appeared in court Tuesday afternoon to be formally sentenced for the February attack on his then-girlfriend.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg said in the sentencing she wants to see Brown do "actual physical labor, as opposed to some type of community service." This means Brown has to do tasks such as graffiti removal, washing cars, cleaning and maintaining grounds and garbage pickup. The chief of police in Richmond, Virginia, wrote a letter to the judge stating that he would make sure Brown is keeping up with his community labor. Brown must also complete domestic violence counseling. He should call Naomi Campbell to get some tips on that community service.

A probation report was also obtained for Brown that says he and Rihanna were involved in at least two other domestic violence incidents before the February attack for which Brown was sentenced.

Brown's sentence will be served in his home state of Virginia. He will have to return to Los Angeles frequently to update a judge on his progress.

source

TLC Reunites, well just T&C for Justin Timberlake Benefit

TLC, one of the biggest girl groups of all time, will play their first show in America in seven years, for a good cause - and for Justin Timberlake.

The surviving members of the group will perform at the "Justin Timberlake and Friends" concert at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Events Center on October 17th. at a benefit for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

In their '90s heyday, TLC sold tens of millions of albums, went bankrupt and won four Grammys.The long sidelined group will reunite Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins with Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas. Third member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez died in a car accident back in 2002.

Besides TLC and Timberlake, the Las Vegas concert will also feature country teen star Taylor Swift, plus singers Alicia Keys and Ciara. Tickets go on sale Saturday.

Rememba! Rememba! Rememba! Rememba! Fame!

Almost 30 years before



there was



For those of y'all that don't know, everybody LOVED skinny little Coco/Irene Cara's teacup titties and stringy "Indian" hair. Leroy/Gene Anthony Ray was the business and every female and not a few males wanted to give him the business. Leroy was straight in the movie, but there was widespread speculation about his preference in real life. Regardless, there was a legion of women who wanted to find out how strong that "preference" was. Everybody loved to hate Hilary, the rich little ballerina bitch. Peep a super young Dr. Romano from E.R. with an orange afro (Montgomery MacNeil/Paul McCrane). A legion of kids grew up thinking high school was going to be like "Hot Lunch" in the cafeteria and the scene where all the kids pour out of the school and dance on the cars. News flash: high school was nowhere near as fun as this movie!

Only in Florida: Jesus Himself Couldn't Get His Clunker Traded

A woman in the picture above came into the Coggin Pontiac dealership in Jacksonville, Fla a few weeks back looking to buy a car. How she tried to pay for the car is what caught the salesman's attention.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says Emma Harrison, 25, wrote the dealership a check for $67,768 for the purchase of a car, with the names Jesus Christ and Emma Christ on the account. The check was handed over to the financial manager for verification.

But when the funds didn't check out, he called police.

Reports show that Harrison would sign the checks as Emma Christ, or even sometimes sign both Jesus Christ and Emma Christ.

Emma told police Harrison was her maiden name, and she was married to Jesus Christ, and Jesus was coming in next week to sign the paperwork for the car. Somebody told me that once when I did they taxes, this Jesus was in jail at the time.

She also said the dealership called the wrong company to verify the funds. Police looked into Harrison's accounts, and found that she had no money in any of her accounts, so she could not purchase the car. (I wonder what kind of Pontiac she was buying? You know Jesus loves him some Pontiacs.)

When asked about work, Harrison told police she does not work, but she has a traveling website that people deposit money into.

She had three active credit cards in the name of Emma Christ.

Harrison was arrested on three fraud-related counts, meanwhile, we're all still waiting on Jesus to show up.

Attorney Urges Record Companies to Enforce Codes of Conduct

Lauren Raysor (pic above) held a press conference Monday afternoon (August 24), where the lawyer called for record labels to help regulate artists’ off-wax behavior. Raysor is the attorney who helped put Bronx rapper Remy Ma behind bars for shooting her client Makeda Barnes-Joseph. The conference, which commemorated the two-year anniversary of the shooting, put the burden on record companies to provide guidance to artists.

“We have to tell the shareholders of these major corporations that they have to not take money and profit from kids that are killing themselves,” Raysor said. “They have a responsibility to tell these record labels that you at least have to do a little bit more for these young people, show them what the business is like.”

Raysor propositioned that labels put a “morality clause” in their artists’ contracts, providing monetary incentive for artists to not engage in violent or criminal acts. She compared the music industry to the NBA and NFL, both leagues that enforce codes of conduct.

“It is your outside behavior we are talking about,” she said. “We’re not talking about what you write.” The next step is to meet with label execs in an effort put the morals clause into effect. What do you think?

Juelz Santana got arrested

Police responded to Juelz Santana's Teaneck, New Jersey residence to investigate a report Santana threatened her. When the police arrived, the woman declined medical assistance, but claimed Santana threatened to harm her in front of a child. (It is unclear what relationship the woman has with Santana and whose child was present. Some sources say it was his wifey, some say babymama, and others say it was a female neighbor.) Santana was booked and released on $300 bail. According to his rep, "He has problems with the people in his complex, they hate on him because he is a rapper with big cars."

While that may be true, if he has so much money, why not buy a house on some land where people won't be all in his business? Why bring trouble into his home in the form of people he has static with? The police must believe this is a B.S. complaint because he only got $300 bail. They may as well have not bothered to arrest him if they thought the charges were so minor. If he did in fact threaten to kill her, as some are reporting, then he needs anger management STAT before he ends up cooling his heels in prison like O.J. (who incidentally is really doing time for his wife's murder, not that robbery charge.) It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

NBA Commissioner David Stern Gets A Hood Pass

With columnist William C. Rhoden at a barbershop in Harlem....
(no clippers got anywhere near the commissioner's head during the inteview)

Y'all can exhale. Paula got a job.

American Idol's favorite space cadet, Paula Abdul, has finally landed a gig after failed deals with Dancing With The Stars and Ugly Betty. Paula tweeted Monday night, "Hi guys! im really excited 2 announce ill b hosting this year's "Vh1 Divas"! The show will be live on Sept 17th @ 9 pm EST." This year's show will honor Adele, Leona Lewis, Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, and Miley Cyrus.

In my opinion, none of them are divas and only two of them can really sing. I'll leave it up to your imagination which two I like. You can't blame Paula, though. She thought those Idol checks would keep rolling in and that Simon would never get tired of "smelling her perfume." Her little tantrum backfired and it IS a recession, so...on with the snoozefest.

Meet Kenneth Summers

Only In Fla.: Authorities say a Largo,Florida man was arrested after being accused of leaving two small children in his vehicle while he was in a Clearwater strip club.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office reports that 33-year-old Kenneth J. Summers left a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old in a car late Sunday night. The sheriff's office also says Summers was in the club, drinking at the bar, for 30 to 60 minutes.

The nature of the relationship between Summers and the children was not released, perhaps he was trying to get a new mommy for the children.

He was arrested on two felony counts of child neglect and is being held at the Pinellas County Jail on $10,000 bail.

Next, Cash Fo' Yo' Raggedy Fridge

A $300 million cash-for-clunkers-type federal program to boost sales of energy-efficient home appliances provides a glimmer of hope for beleaguered makers of washing machines and dishwashers, but it's probably not enough to lift companies such as Whirlpool, Electrolux and Kenmore (Sears) out of the worst down cycle in the sector's history.

Beginning late this fall, the program authorizes rebates of $50 to $200 for purchases of high-efficiency household appliances. The money is part of the broader economic stimulus bill passed earlier this year. Program details will vary by state, and the Energy Dept. has set a deadline of Oct. 15 for states to file formal applications. The Energy Dept. expects the bulk of the $300 million to be awarded by the end of November. (Unlike the clunkers auto program, consumers won't have to trade in their old appliances cause they already know you just gonna put in in your garage.) Get one for your wife as a Christmas present. (maybe not)

KFC's New Sammich....

this would go with a big bag of Lays with some hot sauce sprankled on it (the chips and sammich) and a 2 liter of Tahitian Treat.... this on the Jenny Craig diet?

FunSlide Carpet Skates

Those parents need to keep the emergency room on speed dial. As soon as I saw these I ordered my nieces in Atlanta TWO PAIR EACH, I know my sister will appreciate it!

Aaliyah passed away 8 years ago today

This is my favorite Aaliyah song.

Scott Storch finally lost his mansion for good

Scott Storch, producer to such stars as Mariah Carey, 50 Cent, and Britney Spears, and rumored Lil Kim sugar daddy has lost his Palm Island Miami megamansion Villa Ferrari. Storch defaulted on payments for the 18,000 square foot home in July 2008 prompting the bank to initiate foreclosure procedures. Storch filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to stall the foreclosure, but his bid was rejected by the courts. SunTrust Bank bought the home at auction on Friday for $5.5 million--significantly less than the home's $10.5 million value (in 2008 dollars). Storch had an estimated net worth of $70 million in 2007. It's a recession. And cocaine is a heluva drug.

What ever happened to Ambien or Tylenol PM?

Michael Jackson's doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, is seriously facing manslaughter charges and the L.A. coroner has officially ruled Michael's death a homicide. It is important to note this designation of homicide means a death occurred at the hands of another, thus it includes manslaughter and criminal negligence.

According to reports, the night before Michael passed, Murray tried to put him to sleep by administering the benzodiazepines lorazepam and midazolam. Then around 1:30 a.m. on June 25, he gave him a 10 mg tab of Valium. He then injected 2 mg of lorazepam around 2 a.m., 2 mg of midazolam around 3 a.m., and repeats of each at 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., respectively.

Dr. Murray told detectives they did not work and around 10:40 a.m. he gave in to Jackson's "repeated demands/requests" for propofol, which Michael had nicknamed his "milk." Dr. Murray administered 25 mg of propofol which finally put Michael to sleep...forever.

Dr. Murray says he stayed Michael for 10 minutes before he went to the bathroom. According to him, when he returned 2 minutes later Michael had stopped breathing.

According to police analysis of phone records, Dr. Murray was on the phone with three separate callers for 47 minutes between the time he said Michael stopped breathing and paramedics were called. I think it goes without saying it is doubtful he was administering CPR while simultaneously holding these conversations. In addition, according to investigators, Dr. Murray withheld that he gave Michael Propofol from paramedics and hospital personnel when Michael was rushed to UCLA medical center in cardiac arrest. Dr. Murray also denied purchasing any of the drug though pharmacy records contradict his account. I have to say, if all this happened before 11am why did it take so long for him to come downstairs and tell someone to call 911? Why did he go get a 12 year-old in the emergency? Why call Joe Jackson in another state before calling 911? If he couldn't find a phone to call 911 how could he have been on his cell phone for 47 minutes before calling anyone?

Texting While Driving PSA-Britain

well maybe if y'all drove on the right side of the road.....

The Suge Knight Light

Suge Knight saved me! I always thought he looked like the boogeyman.

Maybe They Shop Together Too

Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall surprised thousands of partygoers, and hung out with a bevy of attractive females Thursday night at JET NIGHTCLUB at the Mirage. DJ Que behind the turntables saw Hall and Murphy in the corner of his eye and quickly changed the beat to Murphy’s 1980’s hit single “Party All The Time.” The girls hanging at the VIP booth got up immediately and started dancing on the tables, “which made Murphy smile,” said one partygoer.

Dirk Nowitzki's ex Gets Five Years...

A former girlfriend of Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki was sentenced Monday to five years in prison for violating probation in St. Charles,Mo.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Cristal Taylor admitted in court on Monday that she failed to check in with her probation officer in a 12-year-old forgery and theft case. She also acknowledged being arrested twice in Texas in 2000 for misdemeanors.

The 38-year-old St. Louis-area native has said she planned to marry Nowitzki and was pregnant with his child. A Texas judge last month ordered Taylor to undergo a paternity test to determine the father, and Nowitzki is seeking sole custody of the child.

Taylor was arrested on May 6 at Nowitzki's home in Dallas on a 2006 theft of services charge in Jefferson County involving dental work.

She pleaded guilty in 1999 in Missouri to two counts of forgery and two counts of felony stealing and was placed on probation.

St. Charles County Circuit Judge Nancy Schneider on Monday ordered her to serve a concurrent five-year prison sentence for three felonies and a misdemeanor, the clerk's office said.

Taylor was given credit for one year of probation, which means she will serve four years. Her attorney told the Post-Dispatch that she also will receive credit for more than 100 days she spent in jail waiting for trial in her current case.

Taylor's attorney, Matthew Fry, declined to comment about the case to The Associated Press.

NYC's Mobile Strip Clubs

she only takes quarters with crazy glue.....can you imagine writing the police report-when she falls off?

El DeBarge Arrested for Domestic Violence

Pop singer El DeBarge was arrested for domestic violence last Wednesday morning at a Lancaster, Calif. home, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs confirm.

Details were not immediately available, but Sgt. John Coffeen tells PEOPLE that DeBarge was "cooperative" and that "an arrest like this usually involves abuse of a spouse or significant other during the rhythms of the night, some people don't prefer making arrests this way, but I like it. I don't know whose house it was, maybe Donna's, but he knows I arrested his funky ass in a special way."

El DeBarge, 46, real name Eldra DeBarge, is currently housed at the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, where he is wearin' it well for the inmate population. Debarge is being held on several outstanding warrants ranging from vandalism to drugs to driving with a suspended license that says "Who's Johnny" on it. On these particular warrants, bail is not an option,which means El Debarge will stay behind bars, how long only time will reveal when he sees the judge, then perhaps he can slide and make bail.

He is best known as the lead singer of the family group, DeBarge, which was founded in the late 1970s and which had their biggest hit, "Rhythm of the Night," in the mid-1980s before he launched a solo career. His publicist was not immediately available for comment-probably because he hasn't had one since 1987.

Fan Gives Snoop Giant Weed Plant Onstage in Amsterdam

The video left out the part where he whispered "gimme dat tree!

Lionel and His Other Daughter...

Sofia Richie at a Disney event. She is Lionel’s daughter from his second marriage to Diane Alexander, with whom he had daughter Sofia and son Myles.