Saturday, March 28, 2009
President Barack Obama on Tonight Show
NewsEntertainment News `Tonight' is friendly turf for President Obama (AP)UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - If TV talk shows have become a battleground where hosts and newsmakers duke it out, Jay Leno and President Barack Obama didn't get the message. "Mr. President, I must say this has been one of the best nights of my life," a beaming Leno announced at the end of Obama's visit Thursday to the "Tonight" show. Leno queried Obama about difficult issues — including AIG's executive bonuses and criticism of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner — but with minor exception allowed the president to answer without challenge. It was a sharp contrast to the recent high drama of CNBC host Jim Cramer's painful woodshed appearance on Jon Stewart's show or David Letterman's roasting of John McCain during the presidential campaign. Of course, a sitting U.S. president is a different animal, and Obama was the first to visit "Tonight." (He'd already appeared twice as a candidate.) "I'm excited, I'm honored to introduce my next guest, the 44th president of the United States,Barack Obama," Leno said as his studio band played "Hail to the Chief." Obama might have sensed from the outset it would not be a grueling exercise. Leno asked if it was fair to be "judged so quickly" after less than two months in office. "I welcome the challenge," Obama said. "In Washington, it's a little bit like `American Idol,' but everybody is Simon Cowell. Everybody's got an opinion." The tone turned serious when the economic crisis was the topic, but Leno wasn't going to make the president sweat. Obama had appeared "angry" and "stunned" about the AIG bonuses, Leno observed. "Stunned is the word," Obama replied, then launched into a lengthy, wonkish description of how the insurance giant foundered and why the company bonuses symbolize the larger issue of Wall Street's "attitude of entitlement." If Leno had a bone to pick, it was with federal efforts to tax the AIG bonuses out of existence. "If the government decides they don't like a guy, all of a sudden, `Hey, we're gonna taxyou,'" the talk show host said. He did tweak Obama at one point, after bringing up criticisms of Geithner. As Obama defended the treasury secretary for taking the right steps against a host of problems, Leno joked, "I love that it's all his problem." But the biggest dig was against Leno's own network. "A lot of people were surprised that the president came to NBC. You'd think by this time he'd be tired of big companies on the brink of disaster with a bunch of overpaid executives," Leno said during his monologue. It was a far different atmosphere when CNBC "Mad Money" host Cramer appeared on Stewart's "The Daily Show" earlier this month and the Comedy Central host railed at him for putting entertainment above journalism. Last year, Letterman gave McCain a tough time after the GOP presidential contender canceled a "Late Show" appearance. The White House scheduled the "Tonight" appearance as part of a broader outreach to promote Obama's agenda — one that's already had him on ESPN's "SportsCenter" this week and includes a "60 Minutes" interview airing Sunday, plus a prime-time news conference Tuesday. On "Tonight," Obama had enough running room on to display his comedic chops as Leno delved into what he called "some personal things" with the president. Leno pressed him on when daughters Malia and Sasha would get their pet dog. "This is Washington. That was a campaign promise," Obama replied to the pet question, drawing audience laughter. "No, no, no, no, no, I'm teasing. The dog will be there shortly." "How cool is it to fly in Air Force One?" a dazzled Leno asked at one point. The 35-minute presidential interview was the only one on the show, which ended with a performance by Garth Brooks — and with Leno warmly applauding Obama. It may be tough times in Washington for Obama, but not on Leno's "Tonight." =
Chris and Rihanna Take a Break
Source E!
Rihanna, Chris Brown taking time-out from their chaotic relationship London, Mar 19: Popstar Rihanna, who was allegedly attacked by Chris Brown, has decided to take time-out from her chaotic relationship with him. Although Rihanna and Brown are reported to have reconciled, they are said to be taking a break, as both are currently staying on the opposite sides of America. One of their pals told E! News that both of them are currently taking a break from their relationship. While Rihanna was seen putting a brave face as she made her 1st outing after the alleged attack, Brown is keeping a low profile and keeping himself busy by working. "He's just putting ideas down for some songs he wrote. He needs to feel like he's moving forward," the Sun quoted a source as saying. Meanwhile, Brown has been charged with two felony counts, and is out on bail until a hearing on April 6.
Rihanna, Chris Brown taking time-out from their chaotic relationship London, Mar 19: Popstar Rihanna, who was allegedly attacked by Chris Brown, has decided to take time-out from her chaotic relationship with him. Although Rihanna and Brown are reported to have reconciled, they are said to be taking a break, as both are currently staying on the opposite sides of America. One of their pals told E! News that both of them are currently taking a break from their relationship. While Rihanna was seen putting a brave face as she made her 1st outing after the alleged attack, Brown is keeping a low profile and keeping himself busy by working. "He's just putting ideas down for some songs he wrote. He needs to feel like he's moving forward," the Sun quoted a source as saying. Meanwhile, Brown has been charged with two felony counts, and is out on bail until a hearing on April 6.
Rihanna's New Ink
Source E!
Rihanna stepped out last night for sushi with a group of friends that included Brody Jenner!Rihanna hit Nobu in West Hollywood with some girlfriends, her stylist and Brody as well as his Bromance pals Frankie Delgado and Taylor Mosher."She looked happier than ever," says a source of her sushi dinner. And why wouldn't she be? We're told the chef comped her group's tab.But her night out with the boys didn't end after the meal...Although their groups left separately, they met up again later at Les Deux nightclub. This new posse must be a good match because Rihanna recently hung with the same group of guys at Coco de Ville--sans Chris Brown.And that's not the only change Ri-Ri's making. The songbird, who already has quite a few tattoos, just got some new ink: guns on both sides of her rib cage, courtesy of Bajan artist BangBang.So where is Chris in all of this? Still in his hometown of Montpelier, Va., with family and friends, according to our source.
Rihanna stepped out last night for sushi with a group of friends that included Brody Jenner!Rihanna hit Nobu in West Hollywood with some girlfriends, her stylist and Brody as well as his Bromance pals Frankie Delgado and Taylor Mosher."She looked happier than ever," says a source of her sushi dinner. And why wouldn't she be? We're told the chef comped her group's tab.But her night out with the boys didn't end after the meal...Although their groups left separately, they met up again later at Les Deux nightclub. This new posse must be a good match because Rihanna recently hung with the same group of guys at Coco de Ville--sans Chris Brown.And that's not the only change Ri-Ri's making. The songbird, who already has quite a few tattoos, just got some new ink: guns on both sides of her rib cage, courtesy of Bajan artist BangBang.So where is Chris in all of this? Still in his hometown of Montpelier, Va., with family and friends, according to our source.
Rihanna's Leak Photo Used as Art?
Source E!
Rihanna's beatdown by Chris Brown not only caused headlines, now it's inspiring art.L.A.-based pop artist Sham's new portrait of the "Disturbia" hitmaker is based on the now infamous police photo showing the singer bruised and bloodied.But Sham's intent is not to raise awareness about, let's say, domestic violence. Instead, his reasons for creating the Andy Warhol-like piece--which is featured in the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery's new group show, Name That 'Toon, opening tonight in Hollywood--are quite simple..."I thought the bruises in the police photo were interesting shapes to draw," he says. "And it was cool to color them pink and blue. Those are two of my favorite colors."Um, OK.The 24-inch by 36-inch piece was made by transferring custom colorized blow-ups of digital tracings of the police pic onto canvas."There is no message to any of my art," he says. "It's meant to look cool hanging on your wall and that's it! I'm not into deep meanings."Hey, at least he's honest.=
Rihanna's beatdown by Chris Brown not only caused headlines, now it's inspiring art.L.A.-based pop artist Sham's new portrait of the "Disturbia" hitmaker is based on the now infamous police photo showing the singer bruised and bloodied.But Sham's intent is not to raise awareness about, let's say, domestic violence. Instead, his reasons for creating the Andy Warhol-like piece--which is featured in the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery's new group show, Name That 'Toon, opening tonight in Hollywood--are quite simple..."I thought the bruises in the police photo were interesting shapes to draw," he says. "And it was cool to color them pink and blue. Those are two of my favorite colors."Um, OK.The 24-inch by 36-inch piece was made by transferring custom colorized blow-ups of digital tracings of the police pic onto canvas."There is no message to any of my art," he says. "It's meant to look cool hanging on your wall and that's it! I'm not into deep meanings."Hey, at least he's honest.=
Rihanna's Tattoo Revealed
Source E!
Rihanna's Tattoo Artist Reveals Bangin' New Ink
When Rihanna was gunning for a new tattoo, she knew exactly who to call. "I think it's very empowering, very protective," tattoo artist BangBang, of Eastside Ink in New York, tells E! News exclusively about the singer's latest marking, under her right armpit. "I think the gun is very strong and very powerful." BangBang says he suggested the design based on a piece of jewelry the singer was sporting. "She had a necklace that had the same little gun on it, and I loved it. I told her she should get it tattooed." Despite the violent connotations, BangBang insists the new ink is not a reflection of Rihanna's recent troubles with Chris Brown. "I think that if anything did happen with her that the tattoo has nothing to do with it," he says. "I wasn't there. I don't know what happened, but she's very much herself. She's very happy, and she loves getting tattoos. I don't think it has anything to do with it." Rihanna has adorned her body in the past with BangBang's craftsmanship, including such artwork as Roman numerals on her shoulder, Sanskrit script on her hip, a few stars and the Shhh... on her finger. As for Brown, BangBang tells us he knows him as well, and even did some work for his brother about a year ago. He was actually supposed to do a design for Brown, but ran out of time. "We thought about doing a portrait of someone," reveals BangBang. "He might be a little mad at me if I tell you who it is, but it was supposed to be someone's face." Though BangBang says he is close to Rihanna--she flew him out to L.A. last Thursday to get the tattoo--he does not know the status of her and Brown's relationship. "That's her personal life, and I am her friend," BangBang says. "She's perfect. She's doing great."
Rihanna's Tattoo Artist Reveals Bangin' New Ink
When Rihanna was gunning for a new tattoo, she knew exactly who to call. "I think it's very empowering, very protective," tattoo artist BangBang, of Eastside Ink in New York, tells E! News exclusively about the singer's latest marking, under her right armpit. "I think the gun is very strong and very powerful." BangBang says he suggested the design based on a piece of jewelry the singer was sporting. "She had a necklace that had the same little gun on it, and I loved it. I told her she should get it tattooed." Despite the violent connotations, BangBang insists the new ink is not a reflection of Rihanna's recent troubles with Chris Brown. "I think that if anything did happen with her that the tattoo has nothing to do with it," he says. "I wasn't there. I don't know what happened, but she's very much herself. She's very happy, and she loves getting tattoos. I don't think it has anything to do with it." Rihanna has adorned her body in the past with BangBang's craftsmanship, including such artwork as Roman numerals on her shoulder, Sanskrit script on her hip, a few stars and the Shhh... on her finger. As for Brown, BangBang tells us he knows him as well, and even did some work for his brother about a year ago. He was actually supposed to do a design for Brown, but ran out of time. "We thought about doing a portrait of someone," reveals BangBang. "He might be a little mad at me if I tell you who it is, but it was supposed to be someone's face." Though BangBang says he is close to Rihanna--she flew him out to L.A. last Thursday to get the tattoo--he does not know the status of her and Brown's relationship. "That's her personal life, and I am her friend," BangBang says. "She's perfect. She's doing great."
Private Chris Brown's Court Date Nix
Source E!
As Chris Brown gets ready to face the music, his legal team is apparently still getting its act together.A private court meeting had originally been called for Monday at Team Brown's request. On Friday, the in-chambers hearing was postponed, purportedly due to a scheduling conflict. Now, we have learned that the hearing has been canceled altogether."The next date [in Brown's felony case] is April 6 for the arraignment. The hearing is not being rescheduled," said a court clerk.E! News previously reported that the 19-year-old singer's attorney, Mark Geragos, has been trying to work out a plea deal, but Geragos has yet to comment on why the meeting was nixed.Brown's manager did, however, deny an earlier report alleging the meeting was called because Brown was looking to ditch Geragos along with the singer's management and PR team.The embattled entertainer faces two felony counts--assault likely to produce great bodily injury and making criminal threats--stemming from the alleged Feb. 8 altercation with Rihanna following a Grammys pre-party.Brown was not required to be in court for this week's hearing.In fact, his legal troubles appeared to be the furthest thing from his mind this past weekend. Brown was spotted back in his home state of Virginia riding a bike and later accompanying his cousin on a campus tour of Norfolk State University.
As Chris Brown gets ready to face the music, his legal team is apparently still getting its act together.A private court meeting had originally been called for Monday at Team Brown's request. On Friday, the in-chambers hearing was postponed, purportedly due to a scheduling conflict. Now, we have learned that the hearing has been canceled altogether."The next date [in Brown's felony case] is April 6 for the arraignment. The hearing is not being rescheduled," said a court clerk.E! News previously reported that the 19-year-old singer's attorney, Mark Geragos, has been trying to work out a plea deal, but Geragos has yet to comment on why the meeting was nixed.Brown's manager did, however, deny an earlier report alleging the meeting was called because Brown was looking to ditch Geragos along with the singer's management and PR team.The embattled entertainer faces two felony counts--assault likely to produce great bodily injury and making criminal threats--stemming from the alleged Feb. 8 altercation with Rihanna following a Grammys pre-party.Brown was not required to be in court for this week's hearing.In fact, his legal troubles appeared to be the furthest thing from his mind this past weekend. Brown was spotted back in his home state of Virginia riding a bike and later accompanying his cousin on a campus tour of Norfolk State University.
Tyrese Gibson says Case is taking toll on Chris Brown
Source People
Chris Brown may not be the most popular guy right now, but friend Tyrese Gibson says everyone needs to take a step back and give him and Rihanna breathing room while they sort through a trying time. "Although he appears to be really strong through all of this, it's really taking a toll on his spirit," Gibson said at Sunday's 2009 Ball Up Street Ball Tour. "People like me and Puff, we're just trying to show him love and keep his spirits up while he's going through all of the heat, and there are a lot people doing the same for Rihanna." In February, Brown, 19, allegedly assaulted the Barbadian singer and his name has since appeared in countless negative articles and discussions of domestic abuse. Rihanna, too, has faced fallout, including criticism for taking Brown back. (According to one source, they have since decided to take a break.) "It's really hard for him to focus right now on his music, even though he really wants to," said Gibson. "At the end of the day, I'm not trying to justify it because wrong is wrong, but unfortunately, us as entertainers, we have to grow up on stage with a lot of people looking at us. And a lot of people forget that he's 19, she's only 21."
Chris Brown may not be the most popular guy right now, but friend Tyrese Gibson says everyone needs to take a step back and give him and Rihanna breathing room while they sort through a trying time. "Although he appears to be really strong through all of this, it's really taking a toll on his spirit," Gibson said at Sunday's 2009 Ball Up Street Ball Tour. "People like me and Puff, we're just trying to show him love and keep his spirits up while he's going through all of the heat, and there are a lot people doing the same for Rihanna." In February, Brown, 19, allegedly assaulted the Barbadian singer and his name has since appeared in countless negative articles and discussions of domestic abuse. Rihanna, too, has faced fallout, including criticism for taking Brown back. (According to one source, they have since decided to take a break.) "It's really hard for him to focus right now on his music, even though he really wants to," said Gibson. "At the end of the day, I'm not trying to justify it because wrong is wrong, but unfortunately, us as entertainers, we have to grow up on stage with a lot of people looking at us. And a lot of people forget that he's 19, she's only 21."
Rihanna's Mentor Speaks
Source music: the boombox
Rihanna's Mentor Discusses Pop Star's Condition, Debunks Duet Rumors Tracey Ford Posted mar 19th 2009 2:30pm by tracey fordfiled under: r'n'b news Music producer Evan Rogers is coming to the defense of his protege, Rihanna. Rogers, who is credited for discovering the Barbadian beauty on a trip to the country, wants the world to understand that Rihanna is still young and makes mistakes just like everyone else. "I think that everyone has good intentions and means well, but it turns up the heat in terms of it seeming like the whole world is telling her what to do," Rogers said in a recent interview when questioned about Rihanna's reaction to words of wisdom from the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Tyra Banks. "At the end of the day, people forget that at 21, your perspective is very different. These kinds of things can happen to anyone, whether you're a celebrity or not."Rihanna's Mentor Discusses Pop Star's Condition, Debunks Duet Rumors line that she walks between being human and caring when you hear these kinds of things, and separating your personal life from your professional life. She's doing the best she can and this is a very difficult time that she's going through right now and she's going to learn a lot from it." The 21-year-old singer is currently in New York, and was spotted over the weekend celebrating her birthday with Jay-Z, Beyonce and Brandy. Although Rihanna still remains mum, for the past few weeks she has been snapped partying from coast to coast, seemingly getting back into the swing of things. "I think that most people still see her as the victim in this situation," Rogers said of Rihanna's fan's reaction to the incident. "You'll always have a lot of haters who talk negatively about artists all day long on the Internet. But I think that when the dust settles, she's going to be fine." Rogers went on to say that Rihanna now has the opportunity to focus on her next album and cleared ... Rogers also noted that like the public, Rihanna watches television and reads articles regarding the alleged altercation between her and boyfriend Chris Brown. "Just like anyone else, she watches TV, she goes online. I think that it matters to her, but there's a ... up rumors of a duet between the star and Brown. "There's no duet that's been recorded other than the one [called "Bad Girl"] that was a bootleg track from months before. Those were just rumors." According to reports, Rihanna's lawyer Donald Etera and Brown's lawyer Marc Geragos both feel that she should not testify in the case against her boyfriend. Both lawyers believe that due to the popularity of the high profile case, Rihanna's rights as a victim have been compromised as pictures and details surrounding the altercation have been leaked to the media. Geragos is set to meet with both the judge and the prosecution on March 23. Brown is due back in court April 6 to be arraigned on both felony assault and making criminal threats charges.
Rihanna's Mentor Discusses Pop Star's Condition, Debunks Duet Rumors Tracey Ford Posted mar 19th 2009 2:30pm by tracey fordfiled under: r'n'b news Music producer Evan Rogers is coming to the defense of his protege, Rihanna. Rogers, who is credited for discovering the Barbadian beauty on a trip to the country, wants the world to understand that Rihanna is still young and makes mistakes just like everyone else. "I think that everyone has good intentions and means well, but it turns up the heat in terms of it seeming like the whole world is telling her what to do," Rogers said in a recent interview when questioned about Rihanna's reaction to words of wisdom from the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Tyra Banks. "At the end of the day, people forget that at 21, your perspective is very different. These kinds of things can happen to anyone, whether you're a celebrity or not."Rihanna's Mentor Discusses Pop Star's Condition, Debunks Duet Rumors line that she walks between being human and caring when you hear these kinds of things, and separating your personal life from your professional life. She's doing the best she can and this is a very difficult time that she's going through right now and she's going to learn a lot from it." The 21-year-old singer is currently in New York, and was spotted over the weekend celebrating her birthday with Jay-Z, Beyonce and Brandy. Although Rihanna still remains mum, for the past few weeks she has been snapped partying from coast to coast, seemingly getting back into the swing of things. "I think that most people still see her as the victim in this situation," Rogers said of Rihanna's fan's reaction to the incident. "You'll always have a lot of haters who talk negatively about artists all day long on the Internet. But I think that when the dust settles, she's going to be fine." Rogers went on to say that Rihanna now has the opportunity to focus on her next album and cleared ... Rogers also noted that like the public, Rihanna watches television and reads articles regarding the alleged altercation between her and boyfriend Chris Brown. "Just like anyone else, she watches TV, she goes online. I think that it matters to her, but there's a ... up rumors of a duet between the star and Brown. "There's no duet that's been recorded other than the one [called "Bad Girl"] that was a bootleg track from months before. Those were just rumors." According to reports, Rihanna's lawyer Donald Etera and Brown's lawyer Marc Geragos both feel that she should not testify in the case against her boyfriend. Both lawyers believe that due to the popularity of the high profile case, Rihanna's rights as a victim have been compromised as pictures and details surrounding the altercation have been leaked to the media. Geragos is set to meet with both the judge and the prosecution on March 23. Brown is due back in court April 6 to be arraigned on both felony assault and making criminal threats charges.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Can Chris Brown's Career Survive?
Source CNN
As details about an alleged assault of Rihanna by her boyfriend, Chris Brown, emerged, fans and the entertainment industry grappled with what it could mean for the future of the young star's career.Authorities charged Brown, 19, on Thursday with felony counts of assault and making criminal threats, the Los Angeles County, California, District Attorney's Office said. If convicted, the sentence could range from probation to four years and eight months in prison, officials said.Brown appeared before a judge on Thursday, but the arraignment was delayed for a month at the request of his attorney.Twenty-one-year-old Rihanna was allegedly attacked by Brown on a Los Angeles street before their scheduled performances at the Grammy Awards on February 8.Message boards across the Internet were abuzz with reaction after the sworn statement by Los Angeles Police Detective DeShon Andrews surfaced. The statement painted a brutal picture of what allegedly happened in the early morning hours of February 8."Robyn F. [Rihanna's real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty] turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand," the affidavit stated. "He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand. The assault caused Robyn F.'s mouth to fill with blood and blood to splatter all over her clothing and the interior of the vehicle."Emil Wilbekin, editor-in-chief of GIANT Magazine, said some readers were expressing outrage at Brown's alleged actions on postings at the GIANT Web site, writing that they hope Brown gets jail time and that justice is served."In Chris Brown's case, there are two things going on," Wilbekin said. "The first is that Chris is such a clean-cut young man and so this is a very shocking turn of events, because it's completely against what we know of his entertainment persona."The second part is that both [Rihanna and Brown] have very young female fans."Brown, a native of small-town Tappahannock, Virginia, made the music scene with his 2005 debut album and the single, "Run It!", which quickly topped the Billboard music chart.His good looks and athletic dance moves quickly rocketed him to teen idol status and he solidified that reputation with a successful follow-up album, movie and TV appearances and a Grammy nominated duet with "American Idol" winner Jordan Sparks.Stories of troubled singers are nothing new to the entertainment industry. Many artists, including Whitney Houston and Britney Spears, have been able to survive the negative press and emerge with many fans still intact.But industry insiders like Wilbekin point out that there is a marked difference between self-destructive behavior and allegedly causing harm to another person. iReport: Share your reaction to the Chris Brown allegationsEven though Brown issued a brief apology for the incident, Wilbekin said he believes the entertainer has been hurt by the silence emanating from his camp."He still has not made [an extensive] statement to the public, and particularly because a lot of his fans are young women, that's not going to go over well," Wilbekin said. "I think the fact that he's not come clean about it, which I understand for legal reasons, is an issue. Not saying anything at all is not helpful, especially not for his career."Joann Killeen, president of Killeen Furtney Group, knows a bit about crisis communications -- her marketing and public relations firm initially represented California octuplet mom Nadya Suleman before later dropping her as a client -- and agrees that silence is not always golden.Killeen said Brown's representatives may have erred by waiting a week before issuing a statement."By then everybody had an idea and a vision as to what happened," she said. "Unfortunately if you don't speak and frame the issue, state what happened, state the facts that you know, someone else is going to do it for you and you lose your position of being proactive and owning the story."While she points out that America loves a comeback story -- like actor Robert Downey Jr., who was nominated for an Academy Award this year after multiple drug-related arrests in the past -- Killeen said the public can be much more forgiving about drug abuse than domestic violence."I think it's going to take a concerted effort on [Brown's] part to be very vocal about asking not only Rihanna for forgiveness, but he has to convince America that he's really going to work on resolving his anger issues and putting his life back together," Killeen said.Despite the charges, some fans are vowing to take a wait-and-see approach."I'm sure there are people out there that feel betrayed," said twentysomething Brown fan Kadija White of Capital Heights, Maryland. "But there are probably some people like me who still are going to like his music."However, Devi Dev, who does the entertainment segment on urban radio station 93.5 KDAY in Los Angeles, said listeners have been extremely vocal in their support for Rihanna and their sadness at the incident."A lot of the ladies are just like 'I feel so bad for her. Leave him girl, leave him' and the guys are being very defensive, saying women hit men, too," said Dev.If Brown has any hope of surviving this, he is going to have to completely reinvent himself as an artist who appeals to older fans, Dev said."His fan base is teenage girls and the fact that he allegedly hit a young woman, his fan base is completely gone," she said. "No parent is going to want to support their child listening to his music or buying his music."
As details about an alleged assault of Rihanna by her boyfriend, Chris Brown, emerged, fans and the entertainment industry grappled with what it could mean for the future of the young star's career.Authorities charged Brown, 19, on Thursday with felony counts of assault and making criminal threats, the Los Angeles County, California, District Attorney's Office said. If convicted, the sentence could range from probation to four years and eight months in prison, officials said.Brown appeared before a judge on Thursday, but the arraignment was delayed for a month at the request of his attorney.Twenty-one-year-old Rihanna was allegedly attacked by Brown on a Los Angeles street before their scheduled performances at the Grammy Awards on February 8.Message boards across the Internet were abuzz with reaction after the sworn statement by Los Angeles Police Detective DeShon Andrews surfaced. The statement painted a brutal picture of what allegedly happened in the early morning hours of February 8."Robyn F. [Rihanna's real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty] turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand," the affidavit stated. "He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand. The assault caused Robyn F.'s mouth to fill with blood and blood to splatter all over her clothing and the interior of the vehicle."Emil Wilbekin, editor-in-chief of GIANT Magazine, said some readers were expressing outrage at Brown's alleged actions on postings at the GIANT Web site, writing that they hope Brown gets jail time and that justice is served."In Chris Brown's case, there are two things going on," Wilbekin said. "The first is that Chris is such a clean-cut young man and so this is a very shocking turn of events, because it's completely against what we know of his entertainment persona."The second part is that both [Rihanna and Brown] have very young female fans."Brown, a native of small-town Tappahannock, Virginia, made the music scene with his 2005 debut album and the single, "Run It!", which quickly topped the Billboard music chart.His good looks and athletic dance moves quickly rocketed him to teen idol status and he solidified that reputation with a successful follow-up album, movie and TV appearances and a Grammy nominated duet with "American Idol" winner Jordan Sparks.Stories of troubled singers are nothing new to the entertainment industry. Many artists, including Whitney Houston and Britney Spears, have been able to survive the negative press and emerge with many fans still intact.But industry insiders like Wilbekin point out that there is a marked difference between self-destructive behavior and allegedly causing harm to another person. iReport: Share your reaction to the Chris Brown allegationsEven though Brown issued a brief apology for the incident, Wilbekin said he believes the entertainer has been hurt by the silence emanating from his camp."He still has not made [an extensive] statement to the public, and particularly because a lot of his fans are young women, that's not going to go over well," Wilbekin said. "I think the fact that he's not come clean about it, which I understand for legal reasons, is an issue. Not saying anything at all is not helpful, especially not for his career."Joann Killeen, president of Killeen Furtney Group, knows a bit about crisis communications -- her marketing and public relations firm initially represented California octuplet mom Nadya Suleman before later dropping her as a client -- and agrees that silence is not always golden.Killeen said Brown's representatives may have erred by waiting a week before issuing a statement."By then everybody had an idea and a vision as to what happened," she said. "Unfortunately if you don't speak and frame the issue, state what happened, state the facts that you know, someone else is going to do it for you and you lose your position of being proactive and owning the story."While she points out that America loves a comeback story -- like actor Robert Downey Jr., who was nominated for an Academy Award this year after multiple drug-related arrests in the past -- Killeen said the public can be much more forgiving about drug abuse than domestic violence."I think it's going to take a concerted effort on [Brown's] part to be very vocal about asking not only Rihanna for forgiveness, but he has to convince America that he's really going to work on resolving his anger issues and putting his life back together," Killeen said.Despite the charges, some fans are vowing to take a wait-and-see approach."I'm sure there are people out there that feel betrayed," said twentysomething Brown fan Kadija White of Capital Heights, Maryland. "But there are probably some people like me who still are going to like his music."However, Devi Dev, who does the entertainment segment on urban radio station 93.5 KDAY in Los Angeles, said listeners have been extremely vocal in their support for Rihanna and their sadness at the incident."A lot of the ladies are just like 'I feel so bad for her. Leave him girl, leave him' and the guys are being very defensive, saying women hit men, too," said Dev.If Brown has any hope of surviving this, he is going to have to completely reinvent himself as an artist who appeals to older fans, Dev said."His fan base is teenage girls and the fact that he allegedly hit a young woman, his fan base is completely gone," she said. "No parent is going to want to support their child listening to his music or buying his music."
Chris Brown allowed to have contact with Rihanna
Source CNN
Singer Rihanna, through her lawyer, asked a judge Thursday not to prohibit her boyfriend, singer Chris Brown, from having contact with her while he faces felony charges of assaulting her.The judge granted Rihanna's request.Brown, 19, allegedly attacked Rihanna, 21, during an argument in February that began when she found a text message from another woman on his cell phone, according to a sworn police statement.Brown appeared before a judge Thursday on the two felony counts, but his arraignment was delayed until next month at the request of his lawyer.Authorities charged Brown on Thursday with felony counts of assault and making criminal threats, the Los Angeles County, California, District Attorney's Office said. If he is convicted, the sentence could range from probation to four years and eight months in prison, the office said.While Los Angeles County Judge Kristi Lousteau warned Brown "not to annoy, harass, molest, threaten or use force or violence against anyone," Lousteau did not issue a "no contact" order that would have kept Brown away from the woman he is accused of beating.Rihanna's lawyer, Donald Etra, stood near Brown and his lawyer, Mark Geragos, during the brief hearing. Rihanna was not in the courtroom.Referring to the "no contact" order that could have been imposed, Etra told reporters after the hearing, "Rihanna requested that no such order be issued."Etra said the less stringent protective order against harassment and threats signed by Lousteau was "more than sufficient in this case." Etra did not respond when reporters asked if the singer was cooperating with prosecutors in the case against Brown.Brown, dressed in a suit and tie, said little during the hearing, except to answer "yes" when the judge asked him if he wished to waive his right to a speedy trial in exchange for a delay in arraignment. He then signed a waiver, which also allows Geragos to appear without him in court for hearings on routine issues.Lousteau ordered Brown to return to court on April 6 for formal arraignment.Court documents released Thursday revealed details about the case against Brown, including a police statement that the incident began when Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, found a text message on Brown's cell phone from "a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with."A search warrant used by police to obtain cell phone records related to the case included the sworn statement by Los Angeles Police Detective DeShon Andrews in which he detailed what allegedly happened in the early morning hours of February 8. Read the affidavit"Brown was driving a vehicle with Robyn F. as the front passenger on an unknown street in Los Angeles. Robyn F. picked up Brown's cellular phone and observed a three-page text message from a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with."A verbal argument ensued and Brown pulled the vehicle over on an unknown street, reached over Robyn F. with his right hand, opened the car door and attempted to force her out. Brown was unable to force Robyn F. out of the vehicle because she was wearing a seat belt. When he could not force her to exit, he took his right hand and shoved her head against he passenger window of the vehicle, causing an approximate one-inch raised circular contusion."Robyn F. turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand. He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand. The assault caused Robyn F.'s mouth to fill with blood and blood to splatter all over her clothing and the interior of the vehicle."Brown looked at Robyn F. and stated, 'I'm going to beat the s--t out of you when we get home! You wait and see!' "The detective said "Robyn F." then used her cell phone to call her personal assistant Jennifer Rosales, who did not answer."Robyn F. pretended to talk to her and stated, 'I'm on my way home. Make sure the police are there when I get there.'"After Robyn F. faked the call, Brown looked at her and stated, 'You just did the stupidest thing ever! Now I'm really going to kill you!'"Brown resumed punching Robyn F. and she interlocked her fingers behind her head and brought her elbows forward to protect her face. She then bent over at the waist, placing her elbows and face near her lap in [an] attempt to protect her face and head from the barrage of punches being levied upon her by Brown."Brown continued to punch Robyn F. on her left arm and hand, causing her to suffer a contusion on her left triceps (sic) that was approximately two inches in diameter and numerous contusions on her left hand."Robyn F. then attempted to send a text message to her other personal assistant, Melissa Ford. Brown snatched the cellular telephone out of her hand and threw it out of the window onto an unknown street."Brown continued driving and Robyn F. observed his cellular telephone sitting in his lap. She picked up the cellular telephone with her left hand and before she could make a call he placed her in a head lock with his right hand and continued to drive the vehicle with his left hand."Brown pulled Robyn F. close to him and bit her on her left ear. She was able to feel the vehicle swerving from right to left as Brown sped away. He stopped the vehicle in front of 333 North June Street and Robyn F. turned off the car, removed the key from the ignition and sat on it."Brown did not know what she did with the key and began punching her in the face and arms. He then placed her in a head lock positioning the front of her throat between his bicep and forearm. Brown began applying pressure to Robyn F.'s left and right carotid arteries, causing her to be unable to breathe and she began to lose consciousness."She reached up with her left hand and began attempting to gouge his eyes in an attempt to free herself. Brown bit her left ring and middle fingers and then released her. While Brown continued to punch her, she turned around and placed her back against the passenger door. She brought her knees to her chest, placed her feet against Brown's body and began pushing him away. Brown continued to punch her on the legs and feet, causing several contusions."Robyn F. began screaming for help and Brown exited the vehicle and walked away. A resident in the neighborhood heard Robyn F.'s plea for help and called 911, causing a police response. An investigation was conducted and Robyn F. was issued a Domestic Violence Emergency Protective Order."At the end of his statement, Andrews said Brown sent a text message nine days later apologizing."In the text message, Brown apologized for what he had done to Robyn F. and advised [Rihanna's assistant] Ford that he was going to get help."Brown issued a public apology for the incident last month."Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired," he said in a statement released by his spokesman. "I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person."
Singer Rihanna, through her lawyer, asked a judge Thursday not to prohibit her boyfriend, singer Chris Brown, from having contact with her while he faces felony charges of assaulting her.The judge granted Rihanna's request.Brown, 19, allegedly attacked Rihanna, 21, during an argument in February that began when she found a text message from another woman on his cell phone, according to a sworn police statement.Brown appeared before a judge Thursday on the two felony counts, but his arraignment was delayed until next month at the request of his lawyer.Authorities charged Brown on Thursday with felony counts of assault and making criminal threats, the Los Angeles County, California, District Attorney's Office said. If he is convicted, the sentence could range from probation to four years and eight months in prison, the office said.While Los Angeles County Judge Kristi Lousteau warned Brown "not to annoy, harass, molest, threaten or use force or violence against anyone," Lousteau did not issue a "no contact" order that would have kept Brown away from the woman he is accused of beating.Rihanna's lawyer, Donald Etra, stood near Brown and his lawyer, Mark Geragos, during the brief hearing. Rihanna was not in the courtroom.Referring to the "no contact" order that could have been imposed, Etra told reporters after the hearing, "Rihanna requested that no such order be issued."Etra said the less stringent protective order against harassment and threats signed by Lousteau was "more than sufficient in this case." Etra did not respond when reporters asked if the singer was cooperating with prosecutors in the case against Brown.Brown, dressed in a suit and tie, said little during the hearing, except to answer "yes" when the judge asked him if he wished to waive his right to a speedy trial in exchange for a delay in arraignment. He then signed a waiver, which also allows Geragos to appear without him in court for hearings on routine issues.Lousteau ordered Brown to return to court on April 6 for formal arraignment.Court documents released Thursday revealed details about the case against Brown, including a police statement that the incident began when Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, found a text message on Brown's cell phone from "a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with."A search warrant used by police to obtain cell phone records related to the case included the sworn statement by Los Angeles Police Detective DeShon Andrews in which he detailed what allegedly happened in the early morning hours of February 8. Read the affidavit"Brown was driving a vehicle with Robyn F. as the front passenger on an unknown street in Los Angeles. Robyn F. picked up Brown's cellular phone and observed a three-page text message from a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with."A verbal argument ensued and Brown pulled the vehicle over on an unknown street, reached over Robyn F. with his right hand, opened the car door and attempted to force her out. Brown was unable to force Robyn F. out of the vehicle because she was wearing a seat belt. When he could not force her to exit, he took his right hand and shoved her head against he passenger window of the vehicle, causing an approximate one-inch raised circular contusion."Robyn F. turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand. He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand. The assault caused Robyn F.'s mouth to fill with blood and blood to splatter all over her clothing and the interior of the vehicle."Brown looked at Robyn F. and stated, 'I'm going to beat the s--t out of you when we get home! You wait and see!' "The detective said "Robyn F." then used her cell phone to call her personal assistant Jennifer Rosales, who did not answer."Robyn F. pretended to talk to her and stated, 'I'm on my way home. Make sure the police are there when I get there.'"After Robyn F. faked the call, Brown looked at her and stated, 'You just did the stupidest thing ever! Now I'm really going to kill you!'"Brown resumed punching Robyn F. and she interlocked her fingers behind her head and brought her elbows forward to protect her face. She then bent over at the waist, placing her elbows and face near her lap in [an] attempt to protect her face and head from the barrage of punches being levied upon her by Brown."Brown continued to punch Robyn F. on her left arm and hand, causing her to suffer a contusion on her left triceps (sic) that was approximately two inches in diameter and numerous contusions on her left hand."Robyn F. then attempted to send a text message to her other personal assistant, Melissa Ford. Brown snatched the cellular telephone out of her hand and threw it out of the window onto an unknown street."Brown continued driving and Robyn F. observed his cellular telephone sitting in his lap. She picked up the cellular telephone with her left hand and before she could make a call he placed her in a head lock with his right hand and continued to drive the vehicle with his left hand."Brown pulled Robyn F. close to him and bit her on her left ear. She was able to feel the vehicle swerving from right to left as Brown sped away. He stopped the vehicle in front of 333 North June Street and Robyn F. turned off the car, removed the key from the ignition and sat on it."Brown did not know what she did with the key and began punching her in the face and arms. He then placed her in a head lock positioning the front of her throat between his bicep and forearm. Brown began applying pressure to Robyn F.'s left and right carotid arteries, causing her to be unable to breathe and she began to lose consciousness."She reached up with her left hand and began attempting to gouge his eyes in an attempt to free herself. Brown bit her left ring and middle fingers and then released her. While Brown continued to punch her, she turned around and placed her back against the passenger door. She brought her knees to her chest, placed her feet against Brown's body and began pushing him away. Brown continued to punch her on the legs and feet, causing several contusions."Robyn F. began screaming for help and Brown exited the vehicle and walked away. A resident in the neighborhood heard Robyn F.'s plea for help and called 911, causing a police response. An investigation was conducted and Robyn F. was issued a Domestic Violence Emergency Protective Order."At the end of his statement, Andrews said Brown sent a text message nine days later apologizing."In the text message, Brown apologized for what he had done to Robyn F. and advised [Rihanna's assistant] Ford that he was going to get help."Brown issued a public apology for the incident last month."Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired," he said in a statement released by his spokesman. "I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person."
Obama Overturns Bush policy on Stem cells
Source CNN
President Obama signed an executive order Monday repealing a Bush-era policy that limited federal tax dollars for embryonic stem cell research.Obama's move overturns an order signed by President Bush in 2001 that barred the National Institutes of Health from funding research on embryonic stem cells beyond using 60 cell lines that existed at that time.Obama also signed a presidential memorandum establishing greater independence for federal science policies and programs."In recent years, when it comes to stem cell research, rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values," Obama said at the White House."In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research -- and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly."While conceding that "the full promise of stem cell research remains unknown" and "should not be overstated," Obama nevertheless expressed hope that the order will help spur faster progress in the search for cures to afflictions such as Parkinson's disease, cancer and spinal cord injuries.At the same time, Obama's memorandum is expected to create a clear change of tone from the Bush administration on a broad range of scientific issues.Bush's critics argued the former president allowed political factors improperly to influence funding decisions for science initiatives as well as to skew official government findings on issues such as global warming.
Obama's memorandum directs the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy "to develop a strategy for restoring scientific integrity to government decision-making."In a thinly veiled criticism of his predecessor, Obama reiterated a promise to base "public policies on the soundest science" as well as to "appoint scientific advisers based on their credentials and experience, not their politics or ideology."Obama's action is part of a broader effort to separate science and politics and "restore scientific integrity in governmental decision-making," White House domestic policy adviser Melody Barnes said Sunday.In a conference call with reporters, Barnes said funding research is also part of the administration's plan to boost the plunging U.S. economy."Advances with regard to science and technology help advance our overall national goals around economic growth and job creation," she said, adding, "I think anytime you make an effort to try and separate these pieces of the puzzle, you're missing the entire picture."But one prominent GOP critic on Sunday accused the administration of using the issue as a distraction from the country's economic slump."Why are we going and distracting ourselves from the economy? This is job No. 1. Let's focus on what needs to be done," Rep.. Eric Cantor, R-Virginia, told CNN's "State of the Union."Cantor, the Republican whip in the House of Representatives, has been among the leaders of GOP opposition to Obama's economic policies.Because stem cells have the potential to turn into any organ or tissue cell in the body, research advocates say they could yield cures to debilitating conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease and spinal injuries. But because work on embryonic stem cells involves the destruction of human embryos, many conservatives supported the limits Bush imposed by executive order in 2001.Bush twice vetoed legislation -- in July 2006 and June 2007 -- that would have expanded federally funded embryonic stem cell research.At the time, Bush argued that scientific advances allowed researchers to conduct groundbreaking research without destroying human embryos. Bush's actions led to Democratic criticism that he had put politics over science.Dr. Harold Varmus, president of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and co-chairman of Obama's science advisory council, said Sunday that Obama will "endorse the notion that public policy must be guided by sound, scientific advice."Obama's order will direct the National Institutes of Health to develop revised guidelines on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research within 120 days, said Varmus, who joined Barnes in the conference call with reporters."The president is, in effect, allowing federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research to the extent that it's permitted by law -- that is, work with stem cells themselves, not the derivation of stem cells," he said.Supporters of the ban said researchers could still obtain private funding or explore alternatives such as adult stem cells. Opponents said the research could be carried out using embryos left over in fertility clinics, which otherwise would be discarded.Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, has said the Bush policy imposed ethical limits on science."My basic tenet here is I don't think we should create life to enhance life and to do research and so forth," Shelby said. "I know that people argue there are other ways. I think we should continue our biomedical research everywhere we can, but we should have some ethics about it."
President Obama signed an executive order Monday repealing a Bush-era policy that limited federal tax dollars for embryonic stem cell research.Obama's move overturns an order signed by President Bush in 2001 that barred the National Institutes of Health from funding research on embryonic stem cells beyond using 60 cell lines that existed at that time.Obama also signed a presidential memorandum establishing greater independence for federal science policies and programs."In recent years, when it comes to stem cell research, rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values," Obama said at the White House."In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research -- and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly."While conceding that "the full promise of stem cell research remains unknown" and "should not be overstated," Obama nevertheless expressed hope that the order will help spur faster progress in the search for cures to afflictions such as Parkinson's disease, cancer and spinal cord injuries.At the same time, Obama's memorandum is expected to create a clear change of tone from the Bush administration on a broad range of scientific issues.Bush's critics argued the former president allowed political factors improperly to influence funding decisions for science initiatives as well as to skew official government findings on issues such as global warming.
Obama's memorandum directs the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy "to develop a strategy for restoring scientific integrity to government decision-making."In a thinly veiled criticism of his predecessor, Obama reiterated a promise to base "public policies on the soundest science" as well as to "appoint scientific advisers based on their credentials and experience, not their politics or ideology."Obama's action is part of a broader effort to separate science and politics and "restore scientific integrity in governmental decision-making," White House domestic policy adviser Melody Barnes said Sunday.In a conference call with reporters, Barnes said funding research is also part of the administration's plan to boost the plunging U.S. economy."Advances with regard to science and technology help advance our overall national goals around economic growth and job creation," she said, adding, "I think anytime you make an effort to try and separate these pieces of the puzzle, you're missing the entire picture."But one prominent GOP critic on Sunday accused the administration of using the issue as a distraction from the country's economic slump."Why are we going and distracting ourselves from the economy? This is job No. 1. Let's focus on what needs to be done," Rep.. Eric Cantor, R-Virginia, told CNN's "State of the Union."Cantor, the Republican whip in the House of Representatives, has been among the leaders of GOP opposition to Obama's economic policies.Because stem cells have the potential to turn into any organ or tissue cell in the body, research advocates say they could yield cures to debilitating conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease and spinal injuries. But because work on embryonic stem cells involves the destruction of human embryos, many conservatives supported the limits Bush imposed by executive order in 2001.Bush twice vetoed legislation -- in July 2006 and June 2007 -- that would have expanded federally funded embryonic stem cell research.At the time, Bush argued that scientific advances allowed researchers to conduct groundbreaking research without destroying human embryos. Bush's actions led to Democratic criticism that he had put politics over science.Dr. Harold Varmus, president of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and co-chairman of Obama's science advisory council, said Sunday that Obama will "endorse the notion that public policy must be guided by sound, scientific advice."Obama's order will direct the National Institutes of Health to develop revised guidelines on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research within 120 days, said Varmus, who joined Barnes in the conference call with reporters."The president is, in effect, allowing federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research to the extent that it's permitted by law -- that is, work with stem cells themselves, not the derivation of stem cells," he said.Supporters of the ban said researchers could still obtain private funding or explore alternatives such as adult stem cells. Opponents said the research could be carried out using embryos left over in fertility clinics, which otherwise would be discarded.Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, has said the Bush policy imposed ethical limits on science."My basic tenet here is I don't think we should create life to enhance life and to do research and so forth," Shelby said. "I know that people argue there are other ways. I think we should continue our biomedical research everywhere we can, but we should have some ethics about it."
CNN: Reports 1-50 American Children Homeless
Source: CNN
One in 50 children is homeless in the United States every year, according to a report released Tuesday.The report, by the National Center on Family Homelessness, analyzed data from 2005-06 and found that more than 1.5 million children were without a home."These numbers will grow as home foreclosures continue to rise," Ellen Bassuk, president of the center, said in a statement.The study ranked states on their performance in four areas: the extent of child homelessness, the risk for it, child well-being and the state's policy and planning efforts.The states that fared the poorest were Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, New Mexico and Louisiana.Connecticut, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Rhode Island and North Dakota performed the best.Homeless children have poor health, emotional problems and low graduation rates, the study found."The consequences to our society will play out for decades," Bassuk said. "As we bail out the rest of our nation, it is also time to come to their aid."The report offers recommendations such as improved support to ensure that children's schooling is not interrupted when they lose their homes, and services to address the trauma of homelessness.Other highlights in the report, "America's Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness:"-- 42 percent of homeless children are younger than 6.-- African-American and Native American children are disproportionately represented.-- More than 1 in 7 homeless children have moderate to severe health conditions, such as asthma.-- Approximately 1.16 million of homeless children today will not graduate from high school.
One in 50 children is homeless in the United States every year, according to a report released Tuesday.The report, by the National Center on Family Homelessness, analyzed data from 2005-06 and found that more than 1.5 million children were without a home."These numbers will grow as home foreclosures continue to rise," Ellen Bassuk, president of the center, said in a statement.The study ranked states on their performance in four areas: the extent of child homelessness, the risk for it, child well-being and the state's policy and planning efforts.The states that fared the poorest were Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, New Mexico and Louisiana.Connecticut, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Rhode Island and North Dakota performed the best.Homeless children have poor health, emotional problems and low graduation rates, the study found."The consequences to our society will play out for decades," Bassuk said. "As we bail out the rest of our nation, it is also time to come to their aid."The report offers recommendations such as improved support to ensure that children's schooling is not interrupted when they lose their homes, and services to address the trauma of homelessness.Other highlights in the report, "America's Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness:"-- 42 percent of homeless children are younger than 6.-- African-American and Native American children are disproportionately represented.-- More than 1 in 7 homeless children have moderate to severe health conditions, such as asthma.-- Approximately 1.16 million of homeless children today will not graduate from high school.
Rachel Ray: Great Food Doesn't Have to Cost A Fortune
Source CNN Larry King Live
On Monday's night edition of "Larry King Live," guest host Ali Velshi talked with TV cooking host Rachael Ray.CNN's chief business correspondent asked Ray how you can make your meal-time dollars stretch in these tough economic times without sacrificing nutrition or taste.The following transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity:Ali Velshi: How do we keep from packing on the recession pounds? Tonight, help is on the way. Joining me in New York is Rachael Ray, host of "The Rachael Ray Show." ... We're all kind of stressed right now. We're trying to sort of do more with less and certainly eating in a hurry. You've got some great advice on that..Ray: We need to go back to the way our grandparents prepared food. Instead of buying pieces of chicken, buy a whole chicken. You make that on Sunday, take the leftovers, roll that into fajitas, soups, stews, make your own stock. You've got to start thinking in bigger increments. ...Stock up on lean meats and proteins, on veggies that you know your family likes and turn yourself into your own frozen food factory.Every time that chicken breast goes on sale, stock up. Go home, put it in individual storage bags, pound it out nice and thin. It's a quick defrost.Velshi: All right. So you freeze; I like that. You make yourself into your own frozen food factory.Ray: Even with vegetables. .... You know, if broccoli is on a great price this week, buy a ton of it, go home, blanch it a little bit of salted water, cold shock it, put it in a plastic food storage bag, done.Velshi: What's the better deal: Buying your vegetables canned, buying them fresh?Ray: Buying them at a local food market. You know, whether you're in a big city or a small town, farmers markets are your best bargain. You can buy direct from the small producer. And, you know, it's a great way to not only get organic, but get a great price on it.Velshi: Let's talk about takeout food.. Parents are trying to save time and money. In many cases, that leads us to fast food, because it's cheap and fast. ...Ray: The food that we can get most readily and at the best bargain isn't good for us. It's processed. I mean all things in moderation. Everybody can have a burger once in a while.Velshi: What do you recommend to our viewers [for fast food]?Ray: Hey, I love a veggie sub at Subway. You know, I think that there is affordable fast food. If you're on the go, fine. Everybody needs to pick up a salad or a burger once in a while. There are healthy choices there. ....If the kids really love fries, tell them they can have a few as long as they eat the veggies, too. And, there are a lot of great strategies you can take with kids in getting them to eat healthier -- little things like switching to whole wheat macaroni, whole wheat pastas.Velshi: It sounds like it's a lot like dealing with the rest of your financial life -- if there's a little bit of planning ahead of time, you can actually save a lot of money.Ray: Absolutely. I think you've got to go into the store armed with a good attitude ... and with coupons. And another really simple thing: When you go grocery shopping, do not look at the price on the product. Look at the unit price. Right there on the shelf, it will tell you the price per ounce or unit of measurement. And that's how you find your truest bargains.Velshi: Let's talk about planning for shopping. When people are trying to trim their bills, what are the biggest mistakes they make?Ray: They go shopping hungry. They make a lot of impulse buys. They shop too many times during the week. ... Try and make that one master list, really think it out and try and plan one day of the week where you can do a big cook.Velshi: Are you a big leftover fan?Ray: Absolutely. But I don't think they should taste like the first time. You know, I'm all for cooking a big chicken and then making chicken chili, chicken pasta.Velshi: Not having roast chicken for four days?Ray: Exactly.Velshi: How do you make that switch if your kids are addicted to processed and fast food?Ray: Children love good food, and they love being involved. They love feeling like they're helping. If you give children ownership of the meal, if you involve them in the process, they feel like they're problem-solving and it becomes a great self-esteem builder.And for the transition, it can be as simple as taking things that they like, such as macaroni and cheese, and using a whole wheat pasta instead of a plain pasta.Velshi: Do you tell them that you're doing it?Ray: No. I don't think so. Just let them enjoy it.Velshi: What I haven't graduated to is coupons. I get them in the newspaper every week.. Is this something we should be looking at now?Ray: This is the perfect time to be using coupons. Whether you're somebody that has [money] or somebody who lives on a very limited budget, it's always fun to get more for your money.Velshi: One of the things in your magazine that I really enjoy is the Supermarket 101 column, just sort of factoids about supermarkets.Ray: Yes. And it gives people neat tips on how to save money when they go shopping.Velshi: Yes. And one of them was about buying in bulk, particularly with nuts. Is that the case for everything?Ray: Everything. When you buy in bulk or you buy a generic name, you have to read the label and make sure that the quality is the same. But, yes, I think it's truly a bargain.
On Monday's night edition of "Larry King Live," guest host Ali Velshi talked with TV cooking host Rachael Ray.CNN's chief business correspondent asked Ray how you can make your meal-time dollars stretch in these tough economic times without sacrificing nutrition or taste.The following transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity:Ali Velshi: How do we keep from packing on the recession pounds? Tonight, help is on the way. Joining me in New York is Rachael Ray, host of "The Rachael Ray Show." ... We're all kind of stressed right now. We're trying to sort of do more with less and certainly eating in a hurry. You've got some great advice on that..Ray: We need to go back to the way our grandparents prepared food. Instead of buying pieces of chicken, buy a whole chicken. You make that on Sunday, take the leftovers, roll that into fajitas, soups, stews, make your own stock. You've got to start thinking in bigger increments. ...Stock up on lean meats and proteins, on veggies that you know your family likes and turn yourself into your own frozen food factory.Every time that chicken breast goes on sale, stock up. Go home, put it in individual storage bags, pound it out nice and thin. It's a quick defrost.Velshi: All right. So you freeze; I like that. You make yourself into your own frozen food factory.Ray: Even with vegetables. .... You know, if broccoli is on a great price this week, buy a ton of it, go home, blanch it a little bit of salted water, cold shock it, put it in a plastic food storage bag, done.Velshi: What's the better deal: Buying your vegetables canned, buying them fresh?Ray: Buying them at a local food market. You know, whether you're in a big city or a small town, farmers markets are your best bargain. You can buy direct from the small producer. And, you know, it's a great way to not only get organic, but get a great price on it.Velshi: Let's talk about takeout food.. Parents are trying to save time and money. In many cases, that leads us to fast food, because it's cheap and fast. ...Ray: The food that we can get most readily and at the best bargain isn't good for us. It's processed. I mean all things in moderation. Everybody can have a burger once in a while.Velshi: What do you recommend to our viewers [for fast food]?Ray: Hey, I love a veggie sub at Subway. You know, I think that there is affordable fast food. If you're on the go, fine. Everybody needs to pick up a salad or a burger once in a while. There are healthy choices there. ....If the kids really love fries, tell them they can have a few as long as they eat the veggies, too. And, there are a lot of great strategies you can take with kids in getting them to eat healthier -- little things like switching to whole wheat macaroni, whole wheat pastas.Velshi: It sounds like it's a lot like dealing with the rest of your financial life -- if there's a little bit of planning ahead of time, you can actually save a lot of money.Ray: Absolutely. I think you've got to go into the store armed with a good attitude ... and with coupons. And another really simple thing: When you go grocery shopping, do not look at the price on the product. Look at the unit price. Right there on the shelf, it will tell you the price per ounce or unit of measurement. And that's how you find your truest bargains.Velshi: Let's talk about planning for shopping. When people are trying to trim their bills, what are the biggest mistakes they make?Ray: They go shopping hungry. They make a lot of impulse buys. They shop too many times during the week. ... Try and make that one master list, really think it out and try and plan one day of the week where you can do a big cook.Velshi: Are you a big leftover fan?Ray: Absolutely. But I don't think they should taste like the first time. You know, I'm all for cooking a big chicken and then making chicken chili, chicken pasta.Velshi: Not having roast chicken for four days?Ray: Exactly.Velshi: How do you make that switch if your kids are addicted to processed and fast food?Ray: Children love good food, and they love being involved. They love feeling like they're helping. If you give children ownership of the meal, if you involve them in the process, they feel like they're problem-solving and it becomes a great self-esteem builder.And for the transition, it can be as simple as taking things that they like, such as macaroni and cheese, and using a whole wheat pasta instead of a plain pasta.Velshi: Do you tell them that you're doing it?Ray: No. I don't think so. Just let them enjoy it.Velshi: What I haven't graduated to is coupons. I get them in the newspaper every week.. Is this something we should be looking at now?Ray: This is the perfect time to be using coupons. Whether you're somebody that has [money] or somebody who lives on a very limited budget, it's always fun to get more for your money.Velshi: One of the things in your magazine that I really enjoy is the Supermarket 101 column, just sort of factoids about supermarkets.Ray: Yes. And it gives people neat tips on how to save money when they go shopping.Velshi: Yes. And one of them was about buying in bulk, particularly with nuts. Is that the case for everything?Ray: Everything. When you buy in bulk or you buy a generic name, you have to read the label and make sure that the quality is the same. But, yes, I think it's truly a bargain.
Oprah to air inspired Domestic Violence Show
Source Limelight
Oprah to Air Rihanna-Inspired Domestic Violence ShowNext ImageDedicates show to Rihannas of the world.On her show last Friday, Oprah (and friends) weighed in on the domestic violence incident between Rihanna and Chris Brown. Oprah and BFF Gayle King expressed concern that Rihanna was apparently willing to take Brown back so soon after the alleged (and reportedly very violent) assault. Oprah was so saddened by the situation she's decided to air a show dedicated to dating violence this week.Oprah did offer Rihanna some advice on her show on Friday, "Heal yourself first and also, love doesn't hurt." True dat, Opi, true dat.But the talk show queen, who has long spoken out on her show about the dangers of domestic violence, wants to go one step further. Thursday's episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show will air live from Chicago and will focus on the troubling topic.Winfrey said the show is "dedicated to all the Rihannas of the world," and will feature Tyra Banks (perhaps because of Tyra's previous experience interviewing Chris Brown about the topic of domestic violence).Hopefully, Oprah's show will remind viewers that violence is never OK and help other women stand up for themselves. Maybe someone will tape it for Rihanna.And hopefully between now and Thursday someone will have reminded Oprah how to pronounce Rihanna's name.>Gina L Gilbert
Oprah to Air Rihanna-Inspired Domestic Violence ShowNext ImageDedicates show to Rihannas of the world.On her show last Friday, Oprah (and friends) weighed in on the domestic violence incident between Rihanna and Chris Brown. Oprah and BFF Gayle King expressed concern that Rihanna was apparently willing to take Brown back so soon after the alleged (and reportedly very violent) assault. Oprah was so saddened by the situation she's decided to air a show dedicated to dating violence this week.Oprah did offer Rihanna some advice on her show on Friday, "Heal yourself first and also, love doesn't hurt." True dat, Opi, true dat.But the talk show queen, who has long spoken out on her show about the dangers of domestic violence, wants to go one step further. Thursday's episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show will air live from Chicago and will focus on the troubling topic.Winfrey said the show is "dedicated to all the Rihannas of the world," and will feature Tyra Banks (perhaps because of Tyra's previous experience interviewing Chris Brown about the topic of domestic violence).Hopefully, Oprah's show will remind viewers that violence is never OK and help other women stand up for themselves. Maybe someone will tape it for Rihanna.And hopefully between now and Thursday someone will have reminded Oprah how to pronounce Rihanna's name.>Gina L Gilbert
N.C. officals 2,116 of state sex offenders found on My Space
Source CNN
More than 2,100 registered North Carolina sex offenders were found on the social networking site MySpace, the state attorney general's office said Tuesday.In response to a subpoena from state Attorney General Roy Cooper, "MySpace turned over the names, IP and e-mail addresses of 2,116 convicted North Carolina sex offenders found on its social networking Web site," Cooper's office said in a written statement.Cooper has requested similar information from Facebook, another popular social networking site, the statement said.MySpace has told North Carolina authorities that the sex offenders it identified have been removed from the site..North Carolina's State Bureau of Investigation is sharing the sex offenders' information with all 100 sheriffs in the state, Cooper's office said."It's no secret that child predators are on these Web sites," Cooper said in the statement. "Turning over information about these predators to law enforcement helps, but MySpace, Facebook and other social networks need to do much more to protect kids online."North Carolina passed a law last year banning sex offenders within the state from social networking sites where children are members, making it a felony offense.Sex offenders on social networking sites is not a new issue. Last month, Newsweek magazine reported that Facebook said it had removed 5,585 convicted sex offenders from its site between May 2008 and January 2009. MySpace also announced it had removed 90,000 sex offenders in a two-year period, the magazine said.Last June, the Texas attorney general's office said it had arrested seven convicted sex offenders who violated their parole conditions by creating MySpace profiles, according to an article on the TechNewsWorld Web site.Cooper and Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut's attorney general, for more than three years have led a group of attorneys general in working to make social networking safer, Cooper's office said. The group is pushing social networks to use technology such as age and identity verification to better protect users who may be children.After discussions with the group, MySpace became the first social networking site to develop technology aimed at finding and removing sex offenders, the North Carolina statement said. Cooper is pushing Facebook to take similar steps.But, Cooper's office said, "the information provided by MySpace does not include sex offenders who have not been convicted, are not registered or may be using aliases on the site. Cooper remains concerned about other sex offenders on the site who may be lying about who they are, and is continuing to ask MySpace to do more to protect children on the site."
More than 2,100 registered North Carolina sex offenders were found on the social networking site MySpace, the state attorney general's office said Tuesday.In response to a subpoena from state Attorney General Roy Cooper, "MySpace turned over the names, IP and e-mail addresses of 2,116 convicted North Carolina sex offenders found on its social networking Web site," Cooper's office said in a written statement.Cooper has requested similar information from Facebook, another popular social networking site, the statement said.MySpace has told North Carolina authorities that the sex offenders it identified have been removed from the site..North Carolina's State Bureau of Investigation is sharing the sex offenders' information with all 100 sheriffs in the state, Cooper's office said."It's no secret that child predators are on these Web sites," Cooper said in the statement. "Turning over information about these predators to law enforcement helps, but MySpace, Facebook and other social networks need to do much more to protect kids online."North Carolina passed a law last year banning sex offenders within the state from social networking sites where children are members, making it a felony offense.Sex offenders on social networking sites is not a new issue. Last month, Newsweek magazine reported that Facebook said it had removed 5,585 convicted sex offenders from its site between May 2008 and January 2009. MySpace also announced it had removed 90,000 sex offenders in a two-year period, the magazine said.Last June, the Texas attorney general's office said it had arrested seven convicted sex offenders who violated their parole conditions by creating MySpace profiles, according to an article on the TechNewsWorld Web site.Cooper and Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut's attorney general, for more than three years have led a group of attorneys general in working to make social networking safer, Cooper's office said. The group is pushing social networks to use technology such as age and identity verification to better protect users who may be children.After discussions with the group, MySpace became the first social networking site to develop technology aimed at finding and removing sex offenders, the North Carolina statement said. Cooper is pushing Facebook to take similar steps.But, Cooper's office said, "the information provided by MySpace does not include sex offenders who have not been convicted, are not registered or may be using aliases on the site. Cooper remains concerned about other sex offenders on the site who may be lying about who they are, and is continuing to ask MySpace to do more to protect children on the site."
Chris Brown Charge with Two Felonies
Source CNN
The argument that led to singer Chris Brown's arrest on felony assault charges began when his girlfriend found a text message on his cell phone from "a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with," according to a sworn police statement.Authorities charged Brown on Thursday with felony counts of assault and making criminal threats, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.The charges are in connection with an alleged attack last month on "his girlfriend," the office said.It identified the woman only as Robyn F., but sources close to the couple have told CNN the alleged victim was singer Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.Brown was scheduled to appear in court later Thursday.Rihanna, 21, was allegedly attacked by Brown on February 8 on a Los Angeles street before the two were to perform at the Grammys.Brown apologized for the incident last month."Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired," the 19-year-old said in a statement released by his spokesman. "I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person."A search warrant used by police to obtain cell phone records related to the case included the sworn statement by Los Angeles Police Detective DeShon Andrews in which he detailed what allegedly happened in the early morning hours of February 8.According to the statement:"Brown was driving a vehicle with Robyn F. as the front passenger on an unknown street in Los Angeles. Robyn F. picked up Brown's cellular phone and observed a three-page text message from a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with."A verbal argument ensued and Brown pulled the vehicle over on an unknown street, reached over Robyn F. with his right hand, opened the car door and attempted to force her out. Brown was unable to force Robyn F. out of the vehicle because she was wearing a seat belt. When he could not force her to exit, he took his right hand and shoved her head against he passenger window of the vehicle, causing an approximate one-inch raised circular contusion."Robyn F. turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand. He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand. The assault caused Robyn F.'s mouth to fill with blood and blood to splatter all over her clothing and the interior of the vehicle."Brown looked at Robyn F. and stated, 'I'm going to beat the s--t out of you when we get home! You wait and see!'"The detective said she then used her cell phone to call her personal assistant, Jennifer Rosales, who did not answer."Robyn F. pretended to talk to her and stated, 'I'm on my way home. Make sure the police are there when I get there.'"After Robyn F. faked the call, Brown looked at her and stated, 'You just did the stupidest thing ever! Now I'm really going to kill you!'"Brown resumed punching Robyn F. and she interlocked her fingers behind her head and brought her elbows forward to protect her face. She then bent over at the waist, placing her elbows and face near her lap in [an] attempt to protect her face and head from the barrage of punches being levied upon her by Brown."Brown continued to punch Robyn F. on her left arm and hand, causing her to suffer a contusion on her left triceps that was approximately two inches in diameter and numerous contusions on her left hand."Robyn F. then attempted to send a text message to her other personal assistant, Melissa Ford. Brown snatched the cellular telephone out of her hand and threw it out of the window onto an unknown street."Brown continued driving and Robyn F. observed his cellular telephone sitting in his lap. She picked up the cellular telephone with her left hand and before she could make a call he placed her in a head lock with his right hand and continued to drive the vehicle with his left hand."Brown pulled Robyn F. close to him and bit her on her left ear. She was able to feel the vehicle swerving from right to left as Brown sped away. He stopped the vehicle in front of 333 North June Street and Robyn F. turned off the car, removed the key from the ignition and sat on it.."Brown did not know what she did with the key and began punching her in the face and arms. He then placed her in a head lock positioning the front of her throat between his bicep and forearm. Brown began applying pressure to Robyn F.'s left and right carotid arteries, causing her to be unable to breathe and she began to lose consciousness."She reached up with her left hand and began attempting to gouge his eyes in an attempt to free herself. Brown bit her left ring and middle fingers and then released her. While Brown continued to punch her, she turned around and placed her back against the passenger door. She brought her knees to her chest, placed her feet against Brown's body and began pushing him away. Brown continued to punch her on the legs and feet, causing several contusions."Robyn F. began screaming for help and Brown exited the vehicle and walked away. A resident in the neighborhood heard Robyn F.'s plea for help and called 911, causing a police response. An investigation was conducted and Robyn F. was issued a Domestic Violence Emergency Protective Order."
The argument that led to singer Chris Brown's arrest on felony assault charges began when his girlfriend found a text message on his cell phone from "a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with," according to a sworn police statement.Authorities charged Brown on Thursday with felony counts of assault and making criminal threats, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.The charges are in connection with an alleged attack last month on "his girlfriend," the office said.It identified the woman only as Robyn F., but sources close to the couple have told CNN the alleged victim was singer Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.Brown was scheduled to appear in court later Thursday.Rihanna, 21, was allegedly attacked by Brown on February 8 on a Los Angeles street before the two were to perform at the Grammys.Brown apologized for the incident last month."Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired," the 19-year-old said in a statement released by his spokesman. "I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person."A search warrant used by police to obtain cell phone records related to the case included the sworn statement by Los Angeles Police Detective DeShon Andrews in which he detailed what allegedly happened in the early morning hours of February 8.According to the statement:"Brown was driving a vehicle with Robyn F. as the front passenger on an unknown street in Los Angeles. Robyn F. picked up Brown's cellular phone and observed a three-page text message from a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with."A verbal argument ensued and Brown pulled the vehicle over on an unknown street, reached over Robyn F. with his right hand, opened the car door and attempted to force her out. Brown was unable to force Robyn F. out of the vehicle because she was wearing a seat belt. When he could not force her to exit, he took his right hand and shoved her head against he passenger window of the vehicle, causing an approximate one-inch raised circular contusion."Robyn F. turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand. He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand. The assault caused Robyn F.'s mouth to fill with blood and blood to splatter all over her clothing and the interior of the vehicle."Brown looked at Robyn F. and stated, 'I'm going to beat the s--t out of you when we get home! You wait and see!'"The detective said she then used her cell phone to call her personal assistant, Jennifer Rosales, who did not answer."Robyn F. pretended to talk to her and stated, 'I'm on my way home. Make sure the police are there when I get there.'"After Robyn F. faked the call, Brown looked at her and stated, 'You just did the stupidest thing ever! Now I'm really going to kill you!'"Brown resumed punching Robyn F. and she interlocked her fingers behind her head and brought her elbows forward to protect her face. She then bent over at the waist, placing her elbows and face near her lap in [an] attempt to protect her face and head from the barrage of punches being levied upon her by Brown."Brown continued to punch Robyn F. on her left arm and hand, causing her to suffer a contusion on her left triceps that was approximately two inches in diameter and numerous contusions on her left hand."Robyn F. then attempted to send a text message to her other personal assistant, Melissa Ford. Brown snatched the cellular telephone out of her hand and threw it out of the window onto an unknown street."Brown continued driving and Robyn F. observed his cellular telephone sitting in his lap. She picked up the cellular telephone with her left hand and before she could make a call he placed her in a head lock with his right hand and continued to drive the vehicle with his left hand."Brown pulled Robyn F. close to him and bit her on her left ear. She was able to feel the vehicle swerving from right to left as Brown sped away. He stopped the vehicle in front of 333 North June Street and Robyn F. turned off the car, removed the key from the ignition and sat on it.."Brown did not know what she did with the key and began punching her in the face and arms. He then placed her in a head lock positioning the front of her throat between his bicep and forearm. Brown began applying pressure to Robyn F.'s left and right carotid arteries, causing her to be unable to breathe and she began to lose consciousness."She reached up with her left hand and began attempting to gouge his eyes in an attempt to free herself. Brown bit her left ring and middle fingers and then released her. While Brown continued to punch her, she turned around and placed her back against the passenger door. She brought her knees to her chest, placed her feet against Brown's body and began pushing him away. Brown continued to punch her on the legs and feet, causing several contusions."Robyn F. began screaming for help and Brown exited the vehicle and walked away. A resident in the neighborhood heard Robyn F.'s plea for help and called 911, causing a police response. An investigation was conducted and Robyn F. was issued a Domestic Violence Emergency Protective Order."
Commentary Brown-Rihanna Case's Dangerous Message
Source CNN Jane Velez-Mitchell
Pop star Chris Brown has been charged with two felonies -- including assault -- in the Rihanna beating case. If convicted, Brown could face more than four years behind bars.The charges stem from the early morning of February 8, when he and his girlfriend Rihanna reportedly got into a heated argument in his car hours before they were scheduled to appear at the Grammy's. What police say happened next shook the entertainment world.A Los Angeles County affidavit says Brown gave Rihanna a vicious and continuous beating. He allegedly started by shoving Rihanna's head against the passenger window, then punched her in the face numerous times while still driving. The beating reportedly splattered blood on Rihanna's clothing and the car interior.The report goes on to say that in between barrages of punches, Brown placed Rihanna in a headlock and bit her ear -- still driving, mind you. After stopping the car, Rihanna says Brown again put her in a headlock. She said she began losing consciousness and as she fought back, he bit her finger.Days later, a gruesome police photo of Rihanna leaked to the media and it showed her with a bruised, scratched face and a split lip. It was clear evidence of a continuous pummeling, not some impassioned slap in the heat of the moment.Perhaps even more shocking than these grisly details are reports that this may not have been Brown's first time abusing Rihanna. According to TMZ, Rihanna told the LAPD that Brown had attacked her several times in the past, and the assaults were gradually becoming more violent.Yet less than a month after this ordeal, Rihanna has apparently forgiven him. Amazingly, according to an unidentified source quoted by People magazine, Brown called Rihanna on her 21st birthday and the two then reunited for some time together at Sean "Diddy" Combs' Miami, Florida, mansion.Through her lawyer, Rihanna asked a judge Thursday not to prohibit Brown from having contact with her while he faces the felony charges of assaulting her.Before the reported reconciliation, Brown attended anger management classes, according to the New York Daily News, even though legally he didn't have to. Sure, it's a positive step, but come on, Rihanna! Nobody can change that quickly.Rihanna and Brown's punch drunk love is sending a dangerous message to their young fans. And don't tell me children aren't paying attention, because they are both up for Kid's Choice Awards on March 28.Rihanna's apparent quick forgiveness for the alleged pummeling sends the worst possible signal -- namely, that this sort of behavior is just par for the course when it comes to male-female relationships.When you look at the numbers, it is certainly more prevalent than we'd like to admit. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control, 5.3 million women are abused annually in the United States. An American Bar Association survey found that about one out of four American women are raped or physically assaulted by a current or former partner at some point in their lifetime.But there is some progress. The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics found that intimate partner abuse rates in America have steadily declined since 1993.Yet the Rihanna beating shows just how much ground we still must cover. As much as I sympathize with her, I think Rihanna herself may have to go to classes. Her reported reunion with Brown enables his allegedly abusive behavior and is, in my opinion, a classic case of battered woman's syndrome.If she is going back to Chris Brown so soon, Rihanna is putting herself at risk and seems to be falling into the brutal cycle of powerlessness, fear and low self esteem that often accompanies abusive relationships. And it sends a message to Brown that he doesn't have to change. iReport.com: Chris Brown fans: Share your reactionIf the reconciliation is real, Rihanna is also setting a dangerous example for other abused women. Unfortunately, despite her incredible looks and talent, I think she is now the poster child for battered woman's syndrome.Our society must stop this cycle of helplessness that traps abused women. We must give them the help they need to escape the abusive spiral. But women must begin holding their loved ones to a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to violence.The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jane Velez-Mitchell.
Pop star Chris Brown has been charged with two felonies -- including assault -- in the Rihanna beating case. If convicted, Brown could face more than four years behind bars.The charges stem from the early morning of February 8, when he and his girlfriend Rihanna reportedly got into a heated argument in his car hours before they were scheduled to appear at the Grammy's. What police say happened next shook the entertainment world.A Los Angeles County affidavit says Brown gave Rihanna a vicious and continuous beating. He allegedly started by shoving Rihanna's head against the passenger window, then punched her in the face numerous times while still driving. The beating reportedly splattered blood on Rihanna's clothing and the car interior.The report goes on to say that in between barrages of punches, Brown placed Rihanna in a headlock and bit her ear -- still driving, mind you. After stopping the car, Rihanna says Brown again put her in a headlock. She said she began losing consciousness and as she fought back, he bit her finger.Days later, a gruesome police photo of Rihanna leaked to the media and it showed her with a bruised, scratched face and a split lip. It was clear evidence of a continuous pummeling, not some impassioned slap in the heat of the moment.Perhaps even more shocking than these grisly details are reports that this may not have been Brown's first time abusing Rihanna. According to TMZ, Rihanna told the LAPD that Brown had attacked her several times in the past, and the assaults were gradually becoming more violent.Yet less than a month after this ordeal, Rihanna has apparently forgiven him. Amazingly, according to an unidentified source quoted by People magazine, Brown called Rihanna on her 21st birthday and the two then reunited for some time together at Sean "Diddy" Combs' Miami, Florida, mansion.Through her lawyer, Rihanna asked a judge Thursday not to prohibit Brown from having contact with her while he faces the felony charges of assaulting her.Before the reported reconciliation, Brown attended anger management classes, according to the New York Daily News, even though legally he didn't have to. Sure, it's a positive step, but come on, Rihanna! Nobody can change that quickly.Rihanna and Brown's punch drunk love is sending a dangerous message to their young fans. And don't tell me children aren't paying attention, because they are both up for Kid's Choice Awards on March 28.Rihanna's apparent quick forgiveness for the alleged pummeling sends the worst possible signal -- namely, that this sort of behavior is just par for the course when it comes to male-female relationships.When you look at the numbers, it is certainly more prevalent than we'd like to admit. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control, 5.3 million women are abused annually in the United States. An American Bar Association survey found that about one out of four American women are raped or physically assaulted by a current or former partner at some point in their lifetime.But there is some progress. The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics found that intimate partner abuse rates in America have steadily declined since 1993.Yet the Rihanna beating shows just how much ground we still must cover. As much as I sympathize with her, I think Rihanna herself may have to go to classes. Her reported reunion with Brown enables his allegedly abusive behavior and is, in my opinion, a classic case of battered woman's syndrome.If she is going back to Chris Brown so soon, Rihanna is putting herself at risk and seems to be falling into the brutal cycle of powerlessness, fear and low self esteem that often accompanies abusive relationships. And it sends a message to Brown that he doesn't have to change. iReport.com: Chris Brown fans: Share your reactionIf the reconciliation is real, Rihanna is also setting a dangerous example for other abused women. Unfortunately, despite her incredible looks and talent, I think she is now the poster child for battered woman's syndrome.Our society must stop this cycle of helplessness that traps abused women. We must give them the help they need to escape the abusive spiral. But women must begin holding their loved ones to a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to violence.The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jane Velez-Mitchell.
I Did Chris & Rihanna a Favor by Opening up My House
Source People
Diddy is speaking out about opening up his Miami home to Chris Brown and Rihanna several weeks after Brown was accused of assaulting his girlfriend. "It was a dark time for them and I was there as more of a support," the music mogul said during an interview on the Ellen DeGeneres Show that aired Tuesday. "I'm not immersed in [their situation]. I'm not going to pass judgment on it. I'm going to be there as a friend." Clearly uncomfortable by the line of questioning - the talk show host raised the issue by asking Diddy to "clear something up" - the music mogul was initially defensive about his reasons for inviting the two to his Star Island home. (Brown was photographed jet skiing near the house, prompting criticism on the Web of his seemingly carefree behavior in light of the serious legal issues pending.) "It's my house, and I'm allowed to give my house to whoever I want to give my house to," Diddy said on the show. "I don't cast a stone - cast judgment on anybody. So, if friends ask me for a favor, then I'm going to be there for a favor as long as I know the energy of the favor is positive." Plus, Diddy added that he believes it's positive for "two people to sit down and talk about a situation they're in." He also cautions to be wary of jumping to conclusions, saying, "We don't know exactly what's going on. There are two young individuals [involved]. We need to pray for them." But, he told DeGeneres, "I don't think it's right for anybody to hit anybody."
Diddy is speaking out about opening up his Miami home to Chris Brown and Rihanna several weeks after Brown was accused of assaulting his girlfriend. "It was a dark time for them and I was there as more of a support," the music mogul said during an interview on the Ellen DeGeneres Show that aired Tuesday. "I'm not immersed in [their situation]. I'm not going to pass judgment on it. I'm going to be there as a friend." Clearly uncomfortable by the line of questioning - the talk show host raised the issue by asking Diddy to "clear something up" - the music mogul was initially defensive about his reasons for inviting the two to his Star Island home. (Brown was photographed jet skiing near the house, prompting criticism on the Web of his seemingly carefree behavior in light of the serious legal issues pending.) "It's my house, and I'm allowed to give my house to whoever I want to give my house to," Diddy said on the show. "I don't cast a stone - cast judgment on anybody. So, if friends ask me for a favor, then I'm going to be there for a favor as long as I know the energy of the favor is positive." Plus, Diddy added that he believes it's positive for "two people to sit down and talk about a situation they're in." He also cautions to be wary of jumping to conclusions, saying, "We don't know exactly what's going on. There are two young individuals [involved]. We need to pray for them." But, he told DeGeneres, "I don't think it's right for anybody to hit anybody."
Chris Brown Plans on not attending KCA
Source People
Could Chris Brown win a Kids' Choice Award on March 28? That remains a real possibility now that a rep for Nickelodeon has said the network has no plans to remove Brown, 19, from the running for the favorite male singer award and favorite song for "Kiss Kiss." "Like all our KCA nominees Chris Brown was nominated by kids several months ago based on his body of work as a performer, and the kids who vote will ultimately decide who wins in the category," a Nickelodeon spokesperson tells PEOPLE. As to whether Brown will actually attend the award ceremony in Los Angeles, a source close to the situation says Brown never intended to go and, contrary to reports, has not attempted to gather votes. "Chris has been hanging out with Rihanna, working on his music and spending time with and speaking with his mother and pastor," the source says. A spokesman for Nickelodeon confirms that Brown is not scheduled to attend. Online ProtestThe nominations come in the wake of Brown's alleged beating of his girlfriend Rihanna, 21, last month. On March 5 the L.A. District Attorney's office charged Brown with two felonies, assault and making criminal threats. Even though the couple seem to have reconciled, the case is proceeding. An online petition asking Nickelodeon to remove Brown and Rihanna as nominees had 5,284 signatures Tuesday. A rep for Rihanna had no comment. Tell us if you think Brown's name should be removed from the list of nominations.
Could Chris Brown win a Kids' Choice Award on March 28? That remains a real possibility now that a rep for Nickelodeon has said the network has no plans to remove Brown, 19, from the running for the favorite male singer award and favorite song for "Kiss Kiss." "Like all our KCA nominees Chris Brown was nominated by kids several months ago based on his body of work as a performer, and the kids who vote will ultimately decide who wins in the category," a Nickelodeon spokesperson tells PEOPLE. As to whether Brown will actually attend the award ceremony in Los Angeles, a source close to the situation says Brown never intended to go and, contrary to reports, has not attempted to gather votes. "Chris has been hanging out with Rihanna, working on his music and spending time with and speaking with his mother and pastor," the source says. A spokesman for Nickelodeon confirms that Brown is not scheduled to attend. Online ProtestThe nominations come in the wake of Brown's alleged beating of his girlfriend Rihanna, 21, last month. On March 5 the L.A. District Attorney's office charged Brown with two felonies, assault and making criminal threats. Even though the couple seem to have reconciled, the case is proceeding. An online petition asking Nickelodeon to remove Brown and Rihanna as nominees had 5,284 signatures Tuesday. A rep for Rihanna had no comment. Tell us if you think Brown's name should be removed from the list of nominations.
Democrats to Obama : Hurry up and fix the Economy
Source CNN
Some Democrats are increasingly concerned about President Obama's $787 billion financial fix for the ailing economy, and are demanding greater transparency on further spending.With the White House seemingly comparing the nation's economy to a house on fire, some congressional Democrats are asking, where's the fire truck?One New Hampshire congresswoman said as much to Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner on Capitol Hill recently."I said, hurry, please hurry, because people are waiting and they are hurting, and they need the help now," Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-New Hampshire, said.She's one of a growing number of nervous Democrats on edge or at odds with some of the Obama's administration's plans on the economy. Some are taking aim at the president's budget proposals that would curb popular tax deductions for wealthier Americans."I don't think ultimately the criticism is surprising. That certainly happens and is all part of the process," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.As a nod to moderate concerns, Obama took steps to make his budget more transparent. He included items former President George W. Bush passed separately in recent years to obscure the true operating cost of the government, such as the money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, an annual multibillion-dollar fix of the fees Medicare pays physicians and Alternative Minimum Tax relief for the middle class.Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Indiana, who along with Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson and Connecticut Independent Joe Lieberman is one of the so-called Gang of 15 -- a coalition of moderate Democratic senators -- says it's all about the messaging."Like getting health care costs under control is important to the economy and getting the deficit down," he said. "Sustainable sources of energy at reasonable prices is also important to the economy. Dealing with the financial crisis is obviously important to the economy."Bayh added: "So what needs to be done is, Obama's got to move on all these fronts but also integrate them back to the same theme of always strengthening the economy, getting people to work, growing businesses, improving our standard of living."Rep. John Tanner, D-Tennessee, is a member of the "Blue Dog" group of 47 fiscally conservative Democrats in the House -- six of whom voted against Obama's stimulus plan. He said Obama at least is being honest about the dire condition of the economy."At least the budget that the Obama administration presented, even though it's huge and it's a huge deficit -- and that enables the other team to beat up on it -- the truth is that it's honest and truthful," he said.Democratic media consultant Steve Murphy, who represents several moderate Democrats, said that Blue Dogs are all "deficit hawks," so they're "nervous about spending.""They're against giving more money to the banks without any accountability, they want to zero in on wasteful spending and they strongly believe the shrinking deficit and eventual balanced budget was the underpinning of our economic success in the '90's," he said.Murphy added that these Democrats do, however, realize that more money is going to be needed."So I expect them to be about greater accountability and fairness for the taxpayer. They won't join [GOP House Minority Whip Eric] Cantor's 'Hell No' chorus."And that is something resonating with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who said top economists told her a second stimulus package may be necessary."You have to keep the door open to see how this goes," she said.House Democrats, CNN has learned, heard that message in a meeting with top economists, who predicted the president's stimulus plan will fall short of saving or creating three to four million jobs, as he promised."Over the first two years about 2 1/2 million jobs saved and created," said economist Allen Sinai. "A little less than the administration and perhaps Speaker Pelosi has said ... the jobs created may be a little disappointing."Sinai said that over time, the economy may produce the jobs president Obama promised, but that people should try to be patient.But budget hawks in the party don't like the sound of that."I mean, if we were to take a vote this afternoon, the stimulus package would probably fail," said Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-North Dakota. "If they want substantial, more public funds committed, they're going to have to go out there and explain precisely how this is going to work."Shea-Porter said she's simply on the message she's getting at town meetings back home, a message that's also aimed at some in the media."It's terrifying people. Before, people were very optimistic and the leaders were optimistic. Then we hit a spell here where we're hearing a lot of media ... people who are frightening without necessarily giving both sides," she added.For now, the White House says it has no plans for another stimulus, arguing its plan needs time to work.In other words, the fire is not out yet.
Some Democrats are increasingly concerned about President Obama's $787 billion financial fix for the ailing economy, and are demanding greater transparency on further spending.With the White House seemingly comparing the nation's economy to a house on fire, some congressional Democrats are asking, where's the fire truck?One New Hampshire congresswoman said as much to Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner on Capitol Hill recently."I said, hurry, please hurry, because people are waiting and they are hurting, and they need the help now," Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-New Hampshire, said.She's one of a growing number of nervous Democrats on edge or at odds with some of the Obama's administration's plans on the economy. Some are taking aim at the president's budget proposals that would curb popular tax deductions for wealthier Americans."I don't think ultimately the criticism is surprising. That certainly happens and is all part of the process," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.As a nod to moderate concerns, Obama took steps to make his budget more transparent. He included items former President George W. Bush passed separately in recent years to obscure the true operating cost of the government, such as the money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, an annual multibillion-dollar fix of the fees Medicare pays physicians and Alternative Minimum Tax relief for the middle class.Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Indiana, who along with Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson and Connecticut Independent Joe Lieberman is one of the so-called Gang of 15 -- a coalition of moderate Democratic senators -- says it's all about the messaging."Like getting health care costs under control is important to the economy and getting the deficit down," he said. "Sustainable sources of energy at reasonable prices is also important to the economy. Dealing with the financial crisis is obviously important to the economy."Bayh added: "So what needs to be done is, Obama's got to move on all these fronts but also integrate them back to the same theme of always strengthening the economy, getting people to work, growing businesses, improving our standard of living."Rep. John Tanner, D-Tennessee, is a member of the "Blue Dog" group of 47 fiscally conservative Democrats in the House -- six of whom voted against Obama's stimulus plan. He said Obama at least is being honest about the dire condition of the economy."At least the budget that the Obama administration presented, even though it's huge and it's a huge deficit -- and that enables the other team to beat up on it -- the truth is that it's honest and truthful," he said.Democratic media consultant Steve Murphy, who represents several moderate Democrats, said that Blue Dogs are all "deficit hawks," so they're "nervous about spending.""They're against giving more money to the banks without any accountability, they want to zero in on wasteful spending and they strongly believe the shrinking deficit and eventual balanced budget was the underpinning of our economic success in the '90's," he said.Murphy added that these Democrats do, however, realize that more money is going to be needed."So I expect them to be about greater accountability and fairness for the taxpayer. They won't join [GOP House Minority Whip Eric] Cantor's 'Hell No' chorus."And that is something resonating with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who said top economists told her a second stimulus package may be necessary."You have to keep the door open to see how this goes," she said.House Democrats, CNN has learned, heard that message in a meeting with top economists, who predicted the president's stimulus plan will fall short of saving or creating three to four million jobs, as he promised."Over the first two years about 2 1/2 million jobs saved and created," said economist Allen Sinai. "A little less than the administration and perhaps Speaker Pelosi has said ... the jobs created may be a little disappointing."Sinai said that over time, the economy may produce the jobs president Obama promised, but that people should try to be patient.But budget hawks in the party don't like the sound of that."I mean, if we were to take a vote this afternoon, the stimulus package would probably fail," said Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-North Dakota. "If they want substantial, more public funds committed, they're going to have to go out there and explain precisely how this is going to work."Shea-Porter said she's simply on the message she's getting at town meetings back home, a message that's also aimed at some in the media."It's terrifying people. Before, people were very optimistic and the leaders were optimistic. Then we hit a spell here where we're hearing a lot of media ... people who are frightening without necessarily giving both sides," she added.For now, the White House says it has no plans for another stimulus, arguing its plan needs time to work.In other words, the fire is not out yet.
Chris Brown Nominated for KCA?
Source CNN/Campbell brown
On the same day singer Chris Brown was arraigned for allegedly beating his pop star girlfriend Rihanna, he made an appeal to fans on his Myspace page: Vote for me for the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. That's right. No apology, no concern for his battered girlfriend. He's worried about the next awards show.Since his arrest, he did lose an endorsement deal with Doublemint gum. But for some reason the folks at kids' channel Nickelodeon still think it's appropriate to nominate him for Favorite Male Singer.In a statement they say: "Chris brown was nominated by kids several months ago based on his body of work as a performer." But the executives at Nickelodeon ought to take a good look at this photo obtained by TMZ because this may be Brown's real body of work, allegedly taking a beautiful young cover girl and turning her face into this.Nickelodeon should wake up. I think, the only place Chris Brown belongs is in jail. It boggles the mind that a children's TV network, trusted by parents for decades, could turn a blind eye when faced with such violence. Imagine the message it sends to a generation of boys and girls? iReport.com: Chris Brown fans: Share your reactionThe awards take place the end of the month. In other words, there is still time for Nickelodeon to come to its senses, even if Chris Brown never comes to his.The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Campbell Brown.
On the same day singer Chris Brown was arraigned for allegedly beating his pop star girlfriend Rihanna, he made an appeal to fans on his Myspace page: Vote for me for the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. That's right. No apology, no concern for his battered girlfriend. He's worried about the next awards show.Since his arrest, he did lose an endorsement deal with Doublemint gum. But for some reason the folks at kids' channel Nickelodeon still think it's appropriate to nominate him for Favorite Male Singer.In a statement they say: "Chris brown was nominated by kids several months ago based on his body of work as a performer." But the executives at Nickelodeon ought to take a good look at this photo obtained by TMZ because this may be Brown's real body of work, allegedly taking a beautiful young cover girl and turning her face into this.Nickelodeon should wake up. I think, the only place Chris Brown belongs is in jail. It boggles the mind that a children's TV network, trusted by parents for decades, could turn a blind eye when faced with such violence. Imagine the message it sends to a generation of boys and girls? iReport.com: Chris Brown fans: Share your reactionThe awards take place the end of the month. In other words, there is still time for Nickelodeon to come to its senses, even if Chris Brown never comes to his.The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Campbell Brown.
Chris Brown Withdraws From KCA
Source CNN
Singer Chris Brown has recorded a song with his girlfriend, Rihanna, just days after charges were filed against him for allegedly assaulting her, a source close to the record's producer, Polow Da Don, said Thursday.The source, who did not wish to be named because she was not authorized to speak on the matter, did not have any further details"My heart goes out to both Chris and Rihanna for what has happened in the past," Da Don said in a statement. "They are both great artists to work with, and I wish them well."The Los Angeles, California, district attorney filed two felony counts against Brown, 19, last week relating to a February 8 incident in which police said he assaulted Rihanna, 21.A police statement said the incident began when Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, found a text message on Brown's cell phone from "a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with," according to court documents released last week.Brown issued a public apology to his fans last month."Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired," he said in a statement released by his spokesman. "I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones, and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person."When Brown made his first appearance in court last Thursday, Rihanna's lawyer asked the judge not to prohibit him from having contact with her while he faces the charges.Media reports have said the couple has reunited since the alleged incident; spokespersons for both have neither confirmed nor denied it.Brown is due back in court on April 6 for his formal arraignment. If he is convicted, he could face as much as four years and eight months in prison, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.The case has been moved to L.A. County Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg who signed the search warrant in the case.Brown's attorney, Mark Geragos, requested a prearraignment hearing which is scheduled for March 23 in Schnegg's chambers. Brown is not required to be at the hearing.On Wednesday he withdrew his nominations for two Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, a spokesman said. Brown, 19, had been nominated for "Favorite Song" and "Favorite Male Singer.""Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding the incident last month has shifted the focus from the music to whether he should be allowed to be among those nominated," the spokesman said in a written statement. "While Chris would like to speak to his fans directly about this and other issues, pending legal proceedings preclude his doing so at this time. Once the matter before him has been resolved, he intends to do so."
Friday, March 20, 2009
Lil Wanye Does (BTM) Behind the Music
Source: music: the boombox
VH1 Covers Lil Wayne For 'Behind The Music'
VH1's popular music documentary 'Behind the Music' is coming back in a major way. The network just announced that Lil Wayne will be one of the musicians chronicled on the series which has not been in production since 2008.Once a popular staple on the network, BTM was a hit from 1997-2002. Since then, there have been only a few select documentaries that have aired, the last of which covered New Kids On The Block last year. "The time is right. There's all sorts of new artists on the scene who have emerged and have these great stories," said Jeff Olde executive vice president of VH1. "There [are] other artists that we always wanted to do the first time around."Although exact details have not been released, the life and times of the New Orleans born rapper make for a hefty amount of topics to cover. Wayne's climb to the top of the heap of Hip-Hop artists includes a drug addiction, legal problems and estrangement from his birth father and namesake. In a recent interview with CBS new anchor Katie Couric Wayne expressed that he has no desire to have a relationship with his father. "I'm a junior and my father is living ... he's never been in my life, so I don't want to be Dwayne. I'd rather be Wayne," he said of dropping the "D" from his name.Despite his career highs, Wayne is currently in legal hot water due to a copyright infringement lawsuit. Yesterday he was ordered to turn over the financial records for his triple platinum album 'Tha Carter III' to Urban & Lazar Music Publishing. The company filed the suit claiming that Wayne unlawfully sampled the song "Once" from a South African folksinger, for his track "I Feel Like Dying." The song was featured on a mixtape and has been downloaded on several websites.Shantell Payton, Wayne's lawyer, noted that the track did not help with the promotion and success of 'Tha Carter III' album. "Quite simply, 'I Feel Like Dying' did nothing for Mr. Carter's career," Wayne's lawyers wrote in court papers. Earlier this year Wayne settled another lawsuit with the Rolling Stones over his song "Playing With Fire." According to the ruling, the song was a "clear derivative" of the rock band's music, and was removed from the album.The 26-year-old father of two is currently readying the May release of his first rock album 'Rebirth.
VH1 Covers Lil Wayne For 'Behind The Music'
VH1's popular music documentary 'Behind the Music' is coming back in a major way. The network just announced that Lil Wayne will be one of the musicians chronicled on the series which has not been in production since 2008.Once a popular staple on the network, BTM was a hit from 1997-2002. Since then, there have been only a few select documentaries that have aired, the last of which covered New Kids On The Block last year. "The time is right. There's all sorts of new artists on the scene who have emerged and have these great stories," said Jeff Olde executive vice president of VH1. "There [are] other artists that we always wanted to do the first time around."Although exact details have not been released, the life and times of the New Orleans born rapper make for a hefty amount of topics to cover. Wayne's climb to the top of the heap of Hip-Hop artists includes a drug addiction, legal problems and estrangement from his birth father and namesake. In a recent interview with CBS new anchor Katie Couric Wayne expressed that he has no desire to have a relationship with his father. "I'm a junior and my father is living ... he's never been in my life, so I don't want to be Dwayne. I'd rather be Wayne," he said of dropping the "D" from his name.Despite his career highs, Wayne is currently in legal hot water due to a copyright infringement lawsuit. Yesterday he was ordered to turn over the financial records for his triple platinum album 'Tha Carter III' to Urban & Lazar Music Publishing. The company filed the suit claiming that Wayne unlawfully sampled the song "Once" from a South African folksinger, for his track "I Feel Like Dying." The song was featured on a mixtape and has been downloaded on several websites.Shantell Payton, Wayne's lawyer, noted that the track did not help with the promotion and success of 'Tha Carter III' album. "Quite simply, 'I Feel Like Dying' did nothing for Mr. Carter's career," Wayne's lawyers wrote in court papers. Earlier this year Wayne settled another lawsuit with the Rolling Stones over his song "Playing With Fire." According to the ruling, the song was a "clear derivative" of the rock band's music, and was removed from the album.The 26-year-old father of two is currently readying the May release of his first rock album 'Rebirth.
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