Singer Sean Kingston was injured Sunday in an accident, his publicist confirms to EW. Further details were not provided in the brief statement made available by his rep, but a source told CNN that Kingston (real name Kisean Anderson) was injured in a Jet Ski accident and taken to a Florida trauma center Sunday evening. His current condition was not given.
The watercraft apparently crashed when it went under a small bridge about 6 p.m., injuring the singer and a female passenger. Officials were still investigating the cause.
“Sean Kingston was in a accident today. No further details are available at the moment. He and his family thank everyone for the well wishes,” his rep’s statement said.
INDIANAPOLIS - His first shot at winning the Indianapolis 500 gone with a last-lap miscue for the ages, Sausalito native JR Hildebrand sat at the podium and calmly explained how he threw away the biggest race of his young life.
There were no tears. No sullen, mumbled answers. No angry fists slamming the table.
Instead the 23-year-old rookie's words were even. His tone tinged with disappointment but not devastation. When asked how he could be so composed, Hildebrand just shrugged.
"I'm pretending pretty well, I guess," he said.
Hildebrand drove beyond his years for nearly three hours Sunday. He avoided the kind of trouble that befell his more experienced competitors and put himself in position to become the ninth rookie winner in the race's history by deftly stretching his gas mileage over the final 30-plus laps.
One nudge of the steering wheel, however, changed everything. Just a few hundred yards from the finish, Hildebrand's No. 4 Panther Racing Honda slammed into the wall after attempting to lap another rookie, Charlie Kimball, providing one of the most stunning finishes in a century of racing.
Rather than drinking milk in Victory Lane, Hildebrand stood in the garage examining his mangled car as winner Dan Wheldon donned the champion's wreath.
"I felt like I just made a mistake, and it (hurt) our boys," Hildebrand said. "I guess that's why rookies don't win the Indianapolis 500 a whole lot."
Wheldon, who won Indy in 2005 and finished second the past two years, said, "It's obviously unfortunate, but that's Indianapolis. That's why it's the 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing.' You never know what's going to happen."
This might have been the wackiest one ever.
In his first event of the year, Wheldon captured the ultimate IndyCar prize. But the 100th anniversary of the Indy 500 will be remembered for the guy who let it slip away.
Leading by almost four seconds and needing to make it around the 2 1/2-mile track just one more time, Hildebrand cruised through the first three turns with no problem.
The fourth one got him. Hildebrand went too high, lost control and slammed into the outside wall. Wheldon weaved past, while Hildebrand's battered machine skidded across the line 2.1 seconds behind, still hugging the concrete barrier.
The 200-lap race was dominated much of the day by Chip Ganassi's top two drivers, defending champ Dario Franchitti and 2008 winner Scott Dixon.
But after a series of late pit stops, things got interesting. Graham Rahal spent some time up front. Danica Patrick had the lead but had to stop for fuel with nine laps to go. Belgian driver Bertrand Baguette had already gotten past Patrick at that point, but he didn't have enough fuel, either.
It was another bitter disappointment for Patrick, who ended up 10th. "It's more and more depressing when I don't win the race," said Indy's leading lady, who might be heading to NASCAR next year.
Hildebrand promises he'll be back at the Indy 500. He's been a full-time IndyCar driver for all of two months, driving the same No. 4 that Wheldon left last year when his Panther contract expired.
"On the stats, it will show that I finished second in my rookie year and all this kind of stuff, but we had better than that today," Hildebrand said. "It's just tough."
This race showed Hildebrand has the chops. He's got the intelligence too.
This is the same guy, after all, who put off a chance to go to Massachusetts Institute of Technology after graduating from Redwood High School in Larkspur so he could give this racing thing a shot.
Don't expect him to enroll anytime soon.
Panther Racing co-owner John Barnes doesn't want his young driver going anywhere.
"I'm sure he's down," Barnes said. "He (doesn't) need to be down. He has nothing to be ashamed about or upset about. Stuff happens here. We're proud of him."
Buster Posey was carted through a tunnel at AT&T Park in San Francisco yesterday, a makeshift cast covering his left ankle and no emotion on his face.
A night after Florida’s Scott Cousins crashed into him at home plate, San Francisco’s star catcher was put on the disabled list because of a fractured bone in his lower left leg and three torn ligaments in his ankle, likely ending his season and putting a major dent in the Giants’ chances of repeating.
“You just don’t replace a guy like Buster Posey,’’ said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, a former catcher who was so stricken by the news he called on Major League Baseball to review rule changes for collisions at the plate.
An MRI confirmed Posey had a fractured left fibula and three torn ligaments in his left ankle, Giants trainer Dave Groeschner said. Posey will seek a specialist to perform surgery.
As word spread throughout the Giants clubhouse, players began to come to grips with what Posey’s injury meant.
The normally blaring speakers near bearded closer Brian Wilson’s locker were uncharacteristically silent. Televisions were turned off. No one was playing dominoes or card games.
Hard to imagine a more important position player than Posey to replace.
Posey has been San Francisco’s cleanup hitter, a team leader in the clubhouse, and key cog behind the plate for one of baseball’s best rotations. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year was batting .284 with four home runs and 21 RBIs, just finding his groove in the midst of a 13-game hitting streak to move the Giants into first place in the NL West.
Eli Whiteside will be Posey’s immediate replacement. The team also put infielder Mike Fontenot (left groin strain) and utilityman Darren Ford (left ankle sprain) on the 15-day DL. Slugger Brandon Belt and catcher Chris Stewart were recalled from Triple A Fresno, and infielder Brandon Crawford was called up from Single A San Jose.
The costly play started when the Marlins’ Emilio Bonifacio hit a shallow fly ball to right-center off Guillermo Mota for the second out in the 12th inning. Cousins tagged from third base on the sacrifice fly, beating the throw from Nate Schierholtz and lowering his shoulder to slam into Posey for a clean hit on the catcher. Cousins was safe as Posey never could quite corral the ball, giving Florida a 7-6 victory.
Mets sell share
The cash-strapped owners of the Mets agreed to sell a minority share of the team to hedge fund manager David Einhorn for $200 million. The influx of money would help pay debts and cover operating expenses while allowing Fred and Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz to retain control of the team, which has been damaged by the Bernard Madoff scandal.
It was not clear how much of the team Einhorn will own. He emphasized his stake was a minority one and that he wouldn’t oversee the team’s payroll or budget.
The deal is expected to be completed next month. Major League Baseball must give its approval.
Buckner debuts
Bill Buckner made his managerial debut for the Brockton Rox, who opened the Can-Am League season with a 3-1 win over the Worcester Tornadoes at Campanelli Stadium.
“We expect to win,’’ said Buckner, the former Red Sox first baseman, before the game. “I like what I’ve seen so far. We’ve got some guys that can play.’’
Rox catcher Chris Grossman hit a solo home run in the second inning and first baseman Melvin Falu went 3 for 4 with two RBIs.
Lowe off the hook
DUI and reckless driving charges were dismissed against Braves pitcher Derek Lowe for lack of evidence. One of Lowe’s attorneys, Cory Yager, said police video following the April 28 arrest showed Lowe “did remarkably well’’ in his field sobriety tests after declining a breath test. Lowe did not contest a traffic violation for making an improper lane change . . . In a move retroactive to May 20, the Angels placed infielder Howie Kendrick on the 15-day DL with right hamstring tightness. The Angels also signed 35-year-old slugger Russell Branyan . . . Authorities in Denver said a 27-year-old man, identified as Robert Seamans of Pueblo, Colo., died after he fell while sliding down a stair railing at Coors Field during a game Tuesday. Police said Seamans fell about 20 feet onto concrete, striking his head.
The Miami Heat beat the Chicago Bulls 83-80 at the United Center on Thursday night to win the Eastern Conference finals 4-1. That sets up a Heat-Mavericks NBA Finals, which tips off Tuesday in Miami. All games are on ABC. (All times listed ET; * -- if necessary)
Series schedule
Game 1: Tuesday, May 31: Dallas at Miami, 9 p.m.
Game 2: Thursday, June 2: Dallas at Miami, 9 p.m.
Game 3: Sunday, June 5: Miami at Dallas, 8 p.m.
Game 4: Tuesday, June 7: Miami at Dallas, 9 p.m.
Game 5: Thursday, June 9: Miami at Dallas, 9 p.m. *
Game 6: Sunday, June 12: Dallas at Miami, 8 p.m. *
Game 7: Tuesday, June 14: Dallas at Miami, 9 p.m. *
Lee DeWyze is in a bit of hot water with "American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe. Apparently the Season 9 winner refused to present the top prize to Scotty McCreery at the live finale Wednesday night.
"I was so upset Lee DeWyze wouldn't present the winners trophy to Scotty," Lythgoe tweeted. "Especially as he'd been on the show this Season. I guess he was shy."
The perceived snub may have created a little feud between the two, as DeWyze was noticeably left out of the finale episode, despite being in the audience. DeWyze, who was seated in the fifth row, got no love from Ryan Seacrest, and it was only on a commercial break that the show announcer pointed him out to the crowd, reports Zap2it.
Just a few days ago, DeWyze tweeted to curious fans, "Hey guys, no I'm not performing at the Finale. I wasn't asked to . A lot of questions so I thought I'd fill you in. Talk to you soon :)" Is that how it all started? Or is DeWyze just shy?
Veteran singers Tom Jones and Tony Bennett perform for "Idol" finale
Janelle Vreeland
For Tom Jones and Tony Bennett, performing in front of a live audience is now old hat.
As the Washington Post details, the two performed on the season finale of “American Idol” along with other big name performers TLC, Tim McGraw, Lil Jon and Jack Black.
Although Jones and Bennett are elder statesmen in the music world, they didn’t let the kids on stage outshine or outperform them. Jones performed his hit “It’s Not Unusual” while Bennett teamed up with “Idol” contestant Haley Reinhart for a performance of “Steppin’ Out With My Baby.”
Scott McCreery was declared this season’s American Idol during the finale as well.
If you missed the performance last night, here’s a video of Reinhart and Bennett together.
The American Idol season 10 contestants each had their turn in the spotlight on last night’s finale while performing a medley of Tom Jones songs. And for the final number, Tom himself joined them on stage!
OK! NEWS: AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANTS CHAT BEFORE SCOTTY’S BIG WIN!
Stefano Langone kicked off the medley on American Idol, leading the guys in Tom’s “Kiss.” Next up was Paul McDonald with “She’s a Lady,” followed by James Durbin singing “What’s New, Pussycat?”
American Idol winner Scotty McCreery sang “Green, Green Grass of Home” and then Jacob Lusk picked it back up with “Love Me Tonight.”
Casey Abrams then tackled “Delilah” before introducing Tom, who sang “It’s Not Unusual.”
Jill Cataldo saves hundreds on groceries by making the most of the common coupon. You can, too. Here's how.
JILL CATALDO
've received thousands of emails from readers since the TLC TV series "Extreme Couponing" began airing, many like the following:
"You should write a column about how to do extreme couponing. I want as much free groceries as possible."
And this:
"My store limits shoppers to ten like coupons per transaction. How do these people get away with buying 150 bottles of pain relief pills? My store doesn't even have room for more than 20 or so on the shelf!"
And this:
"I shop at a major supermarket that was shown in one of the episodes. I know they have a rule that they will only double the first two coupons that are for the same items. The rest of the coupons ring up at the dollar amount on them. But on the show, the cashier made it so every coupon doubled. That doesn't seem fair."
One of the easiest ways to get a product free with coupons is to match a $1 coupon to a $1 sale, making the product free. If you have one $1 coupon, you'll take one home free. If you have 100, in theory, you'd take 100 home free.
That's the premise behind much of the "Extreme Couponing" show: if one coupon is good, more is better. However, the reality isn't necessarily what's on TV. Any time you see someone purchasing 150 of the same item, the grocer has likely special-ordered the item just to accommodate that shopping trip. Other shoppers have written saying they shop in some of the same chains shown on the show, but the stores' policies and rules seemed to take a backseat to the show's filming. The average shopper would not be allowed to use as many coupons as the TV shoppers did. Here's another disparity between "Reality TV" and reality:
As seen on TV: It's because of double coupons that people get so much free.
Reality: The store may have relaxed its coupon policy for the show's filming, allowing people to take home dramatic amounts for free.
When stores double coupons, a 50-cent coupon rings up as a $1 discount at the register. As someone who lives in an area where most stores do not double coupons it is always amazing to see how much more I could save if my stores doubled. But, as some readers have pointed out, stores that double coupons typically have rules in place for the doubling .
If I drive out of my area to stores that double coupons, I'm limited to two chains, both of which have fairly strict rules for doubling. The first has the same policy the reader noted above: the store will double two like coupons per transaction, but the rest of the coupons ring up at face value. The second will double five coupons per transaction with a $25 minimum purchase. Neither would be good candidates for an "Extreme Couponing" shopping trip. The trips shown on the show are designed to wow and impress. Regular shoppers must abide by store rules, so they cannot easily duplicate "Extreme Couponing" savings drama.
Another issue that "Extreme Couponing" shoppers rarely have to contend with is finding empty shelves or product out-of-stock. Coupon shoppers know the frustration of chasing a popular deal, only to find it sold out for most of the week at our favorite store. This doesn't happen on TV. Many of the shoppers featured on the show later acknowledged that they special-ordered product at the stores well before their trips in order to ensure a camera-ready moment. They needed large quantities of certain products on hand - like 150 bottles of pain relievers - in order to create a dramatic moment at the register. Again, it may make for interesting television, but it's not a normal shopping trip.
Next week, I'll discuss a darker side to extreme couponing. It's something you definitely shouldn't attempt to duplicate.
Iceland's most active volcano, Grimsvotn, has started erupting, scientists say.
The volcano, which lies under the Vatnajokull glacier in south-east Iceland, last erupted in 2004.
In 2010, plumes of ash from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano caused weeks of air travel chaos across Europe.
Officials say the latest eruption is unlikely to cause similar problems, although a flight ban has been imposed around the area.
Volcanic eruptions are common in Iceland, which lies along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that divides the Eurasian and North American continental plates.
Icelandic Meteorological Office geologist Hjorleifur Sveinbjornsson told Reuters that Grimsvotn had thrown a plume of white smoke about 15km (nine miles) into the air.
"It can be a big eruption, but it is unlikely to be like last year," he added.
Iceland's Isavia airport authority said a flight ban of 120 nautical miles had been imposed around the area.
Ash monitored
"We close the area until we know better how the ash is going to work," she spokeswoman Hjordis Gudmundsdottir.
Domestic airline Icelandair said no traffic had been affected.
"We do not expect the Grimsvotn eruption to affect air traffic to and from the country in any way," said communications director Gudjon Arngrimsson.
Last year's outpouring of ash from Eyjafjallajokull led to the largest closure of European airspace since World War II.
About 10 million travellers were affected and some questioned whether the shutdown was an over-reaction.
However, a scientific study published last month said the safety concerns had been well founded.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the University of Iceland said ash particles from the early part of the Eyjafjallajokull eruption were especially abrasive, posing a possible threat to aircraft.
MONTREAL — During their promotion for this fight last month, Bernard Hopkins took Jean Pascal's WBC and Ring Magazine light heavyweight belts, and wouldn't give them back.
Well, the 46-year-old Hopkins can keep them for real now after becoming the oldest champion in boxing history Saturday night, winning a unanimous decision against Jean Pascal in Pascal's hometown before 17,560 raucous fans at the Bell Centre, a new Canadian indoor record for a boxing event.
Hopkins, who turned 46 in January, eclipsed the record set in 1994 by George Foreman, who knocked out Michael Moorer in the 10th round to win the heavyweight title at the age of 45 and 10 months.
The fighters started out slow, but their dislike for each other showed through as the fight wore on. Hopkins taunted Pascal repeatedly, sticking his tongue out at champion several times. He even came out before the seventh round and did about four or five pushups to prove he was not as tired as a 46-year-old man should be.
The tongue-wagging by Hopkins seemed to touch a nerve in Pascal, 28, who responded by charging like a bull at Hopkins, who was able to avoid most of the punches and appeared to enjoy doing it, as if he was teaching the kid a few lessons leanred in his 23-year career.
UNDERCARD: Chad Dawson wins unanimous decision
Judge Guido Cavaleri scored the fight 115-113, Danseco Reynante 116-112 and Anek Hongstongkam 115-114, all for Hopkins, who used his guile and years of experience to avoid some of Pascal's wild swings, and to tie up Pascal whenever he needed a breather. It was textbook Hopkins
And the stats proved it. Hopkins landed 131 of 409 punches (32%), while Pascal connected on just 70 of 377 (19%).
"First I want to thank God for the victory," said Hopkins. "It all started with Smoky Wilson (his mentor in prison). I didn't feel like I was 46 tonight. I felt more like 36."
As for becoming boxing's oldest champion of all time, Hopkins said, "It feels great. I set out to do exactly what I wanted to do, and that was break this record.
"I knew it was going to be a tough fight, but I wasn't going to be denied. You don't get a chance to do this too often. You're supposed to win titles in your 20s, not your 40s."
Hopkins called it one of the top two moments of his long career, "right there alongside beating Felix Trinidad. I showed him a little bit of (Thomas) Hearns, (Joe) Walcott and Ray Robinson. But mostly I showed him me."
Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KOs) did not protest the loss. Instead he praised his older opponent.
"Hopkins fought a great fight, he's a great champion," Pascal said. "He has a really good defense and a lot of good tricks.
"I'm a young fighter and I'm green. I was a young champion. These two fights will lead me to the next level. I learned a lot from Bernard and his style."
Foreman, watching the fight at home said, "I was on the edge of my seat every round. It was such an exciting fight. Bernard was the better athlete, the smarter fighter and in the better condition. Now that 46 has done it, next a 47, 48, 49 and 50 will do it. And if somebody does it at 60 then I'll have to get back in there.
"This was the best I've seen the way Bernard took charge of the fight with a young strong champion like Pascal. Long live the king."
Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who promotes the ageless Philadelphian known as The Executioner, said, "He blew me away. I think he blew everyone away, not only that he won but the way he won."
Hopkins said he would love to fight undefeated Canadian super middleweight Lucien Bute. But he is contractually obligated by the WBC to fight Dawson next, and Hopkins said that will probably happen sometime in the fall.
The new champion acknowledged that many think of him as a boring fighter, but said, "I can say I'm a great fighter. It was exciting. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I saved the best for last.
"I want to box as well as I can and I think there are still great fights out of me to come before I finish this game. I give you breathtaking "
Hopkins said he will keep fighting like he does "until I leave this game, and trust me when I leave I will not be punch-drunk, beat up or broke."
Macho Man Randy Savage tragically died today in a single-vehicle accident in Florida, reportedly after suffering a heart attack. Savage, who was 58, followed his wrestling career with a successful role as Slim Jim's insanely energetic pitchman in the '90s. For a guy who didn't speak so much as grunt, this was somewhat surprising. ConAgra Foods, which makes Slim Jims, released a statement today that read: "We're saddened by the loss. Randy was a beloved ambassador for the Slim Jim brand for many years and will be greatly missed." See a few of his spots below.
Doomsday predictor Harold Camping is less than rapturous over the focus on him as a result of his prediction that the world will end Saturday.
Harold Camping is seen taping what he promised would be his final “Open Forum” show. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)
By Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times
Reporting from Oakland -- Harold Camping's promised final show Thursday night was much like his others. For an hour and a half, before a backdrop of wood paneling and fake plants in an Oakland studio, the self-styled scriptural scholar fielded calls from the devout, the derisive and the curious. He is 89 and bone-thin, making the leather-bound Bible on his lap seem enormous, and his voice was slow and unflappable.
Near the show's end, Camping cut short a caller to announce that this would be his last appearance on the "Open Forum" TV and radio show he's hosted for decades. After all, he explained with a warm smile, the world would be ending Saturday night.
Then he shook hands with a couple of crewmen. "I probably won't see you again," he announced. "I won't be here again."
Photos: May 21 predicted to be Rapture, Judgment Day
The former engineer has long predicted the apocalypse, most famously in 1994, but his new date — May 21, 2011 — has received unprecedented publicity. That is thanks to a worldwide $100-million campaign of caravans and billboards, financed by the sale and swap of TV and radio stations.
It is impossible to say how many people take Camping seriously, though his message reaches millions of listeners and viewers on 66 stations across the country, and on many more worldwide. His prophecies have been mocked on late-night television and debated with derision on CNN. This weekend, atheist groups and other skeptics are planning doomsday parties across the country.
As for believers, many will be gathered quietly with their families, waiting for Jesus' return. Among them is Tom Evans, 55, who has served as Camping's public relations aide in the lead-up to this weekend. He has been counting down in his 2011 "At-A-Glance" calendar: Day 100, Day 99, Day 98….
In the book, Evans has noted his appointments over his expected last weeks on Earth, and a reminder of his daughter's 3rd birthday. On May 21, he has written the words, "Have mercy Lord!" The rest of the book is blank.
The apocalypse will strike, Camping teaches, on May 21, wherever it happens to be 6 p.m. That means it will be Friday night in America when what Camping calls "super terrible" earthquakes will hit the New Zealand region.
The earthquakes will then roll on, time zone by time zone. The saved, perhaps 2% to 3% of the world population, will be whisked to God, while the rest will be obliterated in what he calls "a super horror story."
Camping reads neither Hebrew nor Greek, the two main languages of the Bible, but insists his arithmetic is ironclad. He calculates that God gave humanity 7,000 years to prepare for its destiny, just as Noah had seven days to prepare for the flood, and that May 21 is the terminus of human history if one counts time by the Jewish calendar. There are other signs of the end, he teaches. Gay rights. The rebirth of Israel, and the Jewish state's rejection of Jesus.
As it happens, at least two of Camping's studio staff are Jewish – including his cameraman – and are among the many non-believers in his employ. The most outspoken in-house critic happens to be his longtime producer, Matt Tuter, 53, who believes Jesus will return some day but that it is a sin to presume to pinpoint a date.
"He leaves out numbers he doesn't like," Tuter said of Camping's numerological analysis of the Bible. Tuter said he can no longer keep track of all the times Camping has predicted the end of the world.
Tuter thinks $100 million is a conservative figure for the money Camping has spent publicizing May 21. On Friday, employees at Family Radio headquarters in Oakland were given a paid day off, though some of them chuckled at the irony that the money would not appear in the paychecks until June.
Across the country, nonbelievers are throwing parties.
Among many other gatherings, the group American Atheists is hosting rapture parties in Wichita, Kan., and Houston and at a tiki bar in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. But its biggest event will be not far from Camping's church — a two-day conference at the Oakland Masonic Center.
"We're going to poke fun at these people, but in the end we need to keep in mind that there are people being hurt here," said David Silverman, president of the New Jersey-based group. "We're hoping people look at this and learn to use their brains … so we don't have an occurrence of this in 2012" — when some believe the Mayas predicted the Earth's demise.
On Facebook someone has created a page publicizing a "Pre-Rapture Orgy." The location: "Streets of America, Baby." As of mid-ay Friday, more than 6,300 people had messaged that they were "attending."
Camping has announced that he will spend Saturday with his family in Oakland.
Self-made prophet with $117 million radio network spreads worldwide message that the Apocalypse will begin at 6 p.m. ET Saturday
By Bill Whitaker
(CBS News) LOS ANGELES - Some Americans have extreme plans this weekend. A religious leader named Harold Camping has convinced them the end of the world starts at 6 p.m. ET Saturday.
Most of the world's faithful do not believe the date is Judgment Day. But as CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports, it seems just about everyone's seen the signs about the end of the world.
"May 21st, 2011 is the day of judgment," a Family Radio ad says. It's a prophecy aggressively peddled by 89-year-old Harold Camping, a civil engineer and self-taught Biblical sage.
"You and I are living at the time of the end of the world," Camping says.
End of World prediction disputed
He claims to have discerned the date from numerological calculations revealed by his reading of the Bible. He spread his prophecy around the world through broadcasts on his Family Radio network in 84 languages, on RV caravans and on 1,200 billboards around the country.
So how much would Doomsday cost?
According to Camping, starting Saturday, "There's going to be a huge earthquake that's going to make the big earthquake in Japan seem like a Sunday school picnic."
"We want people to know that there are a few hours left to cry out to him for mercy," says Ken Ronning.
Trumpeting the apocalypse doesn't come cheap. Family Radio spent as much as $1 million on the billboard campaign. It can afford to. Camping's radio network was worth about $22 million in 2002 -- by 2008 it was valued at more than $117 million.
"It's a combination of a very new and rather peculiar way of reading the Bible coupled with brilliant 20th century American marketing," says Rev. Michael Seiler of St. Matthew's Episcopal Chruch.
It's become a cultural touchstone for late night comics. David Letterman recently joked, "The No. 1 way to make the apocalypse for fun? More fun? What's more fun than the apocalypse for God's sake?"
The end of the world has been predicted more than 100 times in the last 100 years. In fact, Harold Camping predicted the end once before - in 1994. This time he says he's certain.
MARY HART, famous for reporting on the famous, was sitting on the “American Idol” set last month, preparing for an interview with Jennifer Lopez. The questions were poofier than her blond blowout (“Do you still feel like you’re Jenny from the block?”), but no matter. Ms. Hart did not become a tabloid television queen by pushing celebrities too far out of their comfort zones.
Ms. Lopez was already won over. “You’ve brought so much into all our lives,” she told Ms. Hart, an “Entertainment Tonight” host whose final show is on Friday. “There is only one Mary Hart.”
Ms. Hart arriving at "The Late Show With David Letterman."
Twenty-nine years ago Ms. Hart first peppily perched herself behind the anchor desk of “Entertainment Tonight,” a new kind of syndicated show that ushered in the celebrity television age. Although diminished in the ratings, the series still attracts an average of 5.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen — more people watch Ms. Hart each night than watch Katie Couric. The success of “E.T.,” as viewers call it, has inspired imitators like “Access Hollywood,” “Inside Edition” and the entire E! Channel, and helped transform once-remote movie stars into accessible celebrities.
Now 60, Ms. Hart, with her deep contact list and blindingly bright personality, has been the genre’s No. 1 ambassador. When she leaves on Friday — of her own accord: she was not pushed — she will be another sign that celebrity-oriented television is undergoing a generational changing of the guard, with Oprah Winfrey and Regis Philbin leaving the stage, and Barbara Walters giving up her Oscar special in February. The gentle world of celebrity journalism is fading, replaced by the Hollywood Babylon of Perez Hilton and TMZ.
Ms. Hart acknowledged as much in an interview at her bungalow on the CBS lot in Studio City, Calif. “The tone of television has changed,” she said. “A lot of people like to watch ambush TV now.” She added: “I’m proud that we don’t do that. I’m proud that we have a credibility and trust that comes both from the audience and the stars.”
But the question remains: Now that everyone is a celebrity insider, reading Lady Gaga’s Twitter feed and watching Lindsay Lohan’s every move on YouTube, is there anything for Ms. Hart and her imitators left to report?
“I still love what I’m doing,” Ms. Hart said emphatically.
She grew up mostly in South Dakota and eventually competed in the 1970 Miss America pageant as that state’s entrant. Mr. Philbin gave Ms. Hart her start, hiring her in 1981 to be his co-host on “The Regis Philbin Show.” When it was canceled in a matter of weeks, a show that had just gone on the air, “Entertainment Tonight,” interviewed her about the humiliation. The next day the show hired her.
It sounds quaint today, but the series, which has paired Ms. Hart with a string of male co-anchors over the years, most recently Mark Steines, startled just with its concept. A gushy, glossy half-hour of Hollywood news every night? It had never been done. Station owners were so leery of “Entertainment Tonight” that Ms. Hart had to hit the road, traveling station to station on weekends to help sell it.
In time, the show took off. Her girl-next-door charm delighted viewers, and her warmth disarmed celebrities. She became a star in her own right, with the ability to command attention, in Hollywood and in living rooms, like nobody else in this corner of show business.
She has been sawed in half by Siegfried and Roy; she walked a tightrope on “Circus of the Stars.” In 1991, when The New England Journal of Medicine reported that her voice caused seizures in an epileptic woman, inspiring a “Seinfeld” episode, Ms. Hart took it in stride. “That was certainly one of the crazier moments of this wild ride,” she said in her signature sweet way.
If you ask about her best moments on “E.T.” over the years, the immediate answer, surprisingly, has little to do with stars or with the time her manager insured her legs for $1 million each, mostly as a publicity stunt. (The show installed a glass anchor desk to show them off.) Instead, she lists the serious coverage the show did in the wake of 9/11 and the 1994 Northridge earthquake in Los Angeles.
“I’ve always taken umbrage at critics who say it’s fluff,” she said. “We cover news.”
How has she managed to remain fascinated, at least on camera, by celebrities she has interviewed dozens of times over?
It's definitely a good time to remember Randy Savage in his prime.
Immediately upon news of his death today, WWE put together a reel of Macho Man highlights, from some of the crushing blows he inflicted in (and alongside) the ring to Savage preening like a peacock in a series of flamboyant costumes—each one shinier than the last.
MORE: Hulk Hogan, fellow WWE stars "devastated at the loss of Macho Man
"Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends," the WWE said in a statement. "We wish a speedy recovery to his wife, Lynn. Poffo will be greatly missed by WWE and his fans."
Born Randall Poffo, Savage was with his wife when he suffered a heart attack behind the wheel and lost control of the vehicle. He later died of his injuries at the hospital.
Fellow star wrestlers like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, John Cena and former Savage tag team partner Hulk Hogan expressed their condolences earlier today, and the list of mourners continues to lengthen.
"Randy Savage was a true influence and inspiration to me and taught me some very important lessons, in and out of the ring. Rest in peace Mach," Chris Jericho tweeted. "As classic as Savage-Steamboat WM3 is, I think Warrior at WM7 is the best example of how incredible Randy was. Best Warrior match ever."
"The Macho Man Randy Savage was one of my heroes when I was childhood and one of the best of all time. Rest in peace," added Naofumi Yamamoto, aka WWE wrestler Yoshi Tatsu.
"I'm bowing out of twitter 2day 2 reflect on how lucky I am 2 still have all my brothers and my Parents and MY Family. Much Respect Macho!," wrote longtime WWE ref Scott Armstrong.
Three-time WWE Women's champ Beth Phoenix tweeted, "No words for this very sad day. Condolences to Randy Savage's family, friends and millions of fans."
"I am profoundly saddened by the passing of one of the all-time greats, Macho Man Randy Savage. My condolences go out to the Poffo family," wrote WWE Hall of Famer and ring announcer Howard Finkel.
He is her real-life Captain Kirk.
And as Mark Kelly and the rest of the Endeavour crew uttered the words 'Beam me up Scotty' for the final time, they were blasted into outer space, with Gabriel Giffords watching proudly from a private viewing area.
As the six-man crew went boldly where many men have gone before, all eyes were on the shot Congresswoman's husband, who clutched a note addressed to her 'sweetie pie'.
And before the men were launched into orbit, they made time for a little humour - by posing as the crew from the Science Fiction franchise Star Trek.
Creating custom mission posters based on popular movies has long been a tradition for NASA shuttle and space station crews.
And the six-man STS-134 crew of Endeavour were sure to choose something a bit more space-age than usual: the 2009 reboot of Star Trek: The Future Begins, directed by J.J. Abrams.
Saying their last goodbye as the crew made their final voyage into space, Mrs Giffords asked for her husband's wedding ring to wear on a chain around her neck, on a break from their usual pre-launch ritual.
As the shuttle's main engines cut, marking a safe arrival in space, Mark Kelly's identical twin brother presented Rep Giffords with a vase of red tulips, pre-ordered by her husband as she sat on the roof of the space centre's Launch Control Centre, while his daughters from his first marriage, Claudia, 15, and Claire, 13, each got a single red rose.
Mrs Giffords was surrounded by her mother, a nurse and other crew spouses as they watched the launch of Endeavour's final mission.
Mrs Gifford's chief of staff Pia Carusone said her first words to staff following the launch were 'Good stuff, good stuff.'
She said: 'I think relief was her biggest feeling. She was very proud, and is always very proud, of Mark and what he does.
'There were hugs all around, absolutely. It was very celebratory. Her mom was with her watching the whole time,' Mrs Carusone revealed.
Earlier, the congresswoman had an emotional reunion with her spokesman Mark Kimble, who was standing just a few feet from Mrs Giffords when she was shot in January and had not seen her since.
He said: 'It was certainly a very emotional moment to see the congresswoman for the first time in about four months but it was also extremely inspirational.
'It was extremely encouraging. We have heard such good reports about her recovery, to actually see her and talk with her it was a very moving experience.'
As well as his wife's wedding ring, Cdr Kelly has taken with him a photograph of himself with his wife. It is hoped that Rep Giffords will be able to see and speak with her husband during the traditional video conference held for families of the crew part-way through the mission.
Speaking to CBS News, Mrs Carusone said earlier: 'Usually he [Mark] takes her wedding ring to space.
'So he took it from her a couple of days ago. But she wanted his.
'So, yesterday ... he gave her his ring.
'But his hands are a bit bigger than hers. So it didn't fit on her finger. So, he gave it to me to find a chain to give to her.
'So, I did last night. It's in my pocket and it will be around her neck as soon as I see her.'
She added that brave Mrs Giffords will be watching her husband from a private viewing area.
She said: 'She'll be watching with the other spouses.
'And with her will be her mom, and a nurse, which is just with her in case something happens. We don't expect anything would. But, that's it. Very small group.
Miss Giffords earlier travelled on a NASA jet with the family of pilot Gregory Johnson, another astronaut on the shuttle crew, to watch Endeavour from the private viewing area.
Doctors are amazed at the speed of Mrs Giffords recovery only months after the brutal shooting in January.
According to therapists she can form basic sentences such as 'I love you' and 'thank you', but more complex speech is extremely difficult.
NASA officials previously said the wiring problems that grounded the Endeavour last month have been overcome and conditions are expected to be good, with only a 30 per cent chance of a weather delay, largely due to crosswinds.
Kelly and his five crew mates waved, gave a thumbs-up and shook their fists in the air as they headed to the launch pad in the pre-dawn hours.
'Good to be aboard,' Kelly told launch controllers.
Miss Giffords arrived shortly after the protective structure that surrounds Endeavour was moved out of the way, a milestone in launch preparations that allowed fuelling to begin.
NASA said it is expecting 500,000 people turning up to watch the launch, down from 750,000 at the scrubbed first attempt.
Miss Giffords, 40, was critically wounded as she held a public meeting with constituents outside a grocery store in Tucson, Arizona.
Six people died in the mass shooting.
She has been recuperating at a hospital in Houston and her recovery has been described as remarkable.
The Arizona politican came for the April attempt, flew back to Houston to resume her rehabilitation work and even had dinner out with her husband.
Before her arrival at the Space Centre today, NASA put a large screen up to shield her from photographers.
The Endeavor, which will have a six-man crew, was built in the early 1990s to replace the space shuttle Challenger, which broke apart about a minute after take off in January 1986, killing all seven crew members.
The astronauts never made it to the launch pad last time. They posed at the base for a group picture Monday, before taking the elevator up and climbing into Endeavour.
'Took my last shower for a few weeks,' reported astronaut Mike Fincke in a tweet. 'The flight docs gave a good look-over. My only issue: too much boyish enthusiasm. (no known cure).'
Added pilot Gregory Johnson in his own Twitter update: 'I am really excited and charged up for this mission! Slept great.'
Endeavour is bound for the International Space Station one last time before heading to retirement at a Los Angeles museum.
Having clocked up 116.4 million miles in 24 flights, the Endeavour will have one last flight before it is retired and donated to a museum in Los Angeles.
One of its roles on this 16-day mission is to haul a $2 billion astronomy and physics experiment to the International Space Station.
The mission will include 4 spacewalks.
At a briefing at the Kennedy Space Centre on Sunday, shuttle launch managers were upbeat about the preparations.
Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach said: 'The countdown is going extremely well and the team is ready to go.
'Tanking of the External Tank begins just prior to midnight. We are not working any issue at this time.'
Whether sitting in front of a television or at a computer screen, the public could hear the last words from the Columbia shuttle crew, followed by ominous static, live on the space agency's own media outlet, NASA TV.
As the shuttle began its descent, NASA TV -- available through satellite services and some cable systems as the NASA channel and streamed over the Internet -- showed the scene in the mission control room in Houston, not images of the shuttle in the sky.
Officials at NASA TV could not be reached for comment about Saturday morning's coverage. A spokesman for the agency said it could not provide a full transcript of the audio during the descent.
Throughout the Columbia's mission, NASA TV transmitted images from within the shuttle and images sent from the craft. But once a shuttle closes the doors on the antenna inside its cargo bay and begins a descent, only audio is available.
In the final exchange, the person on the ground said, ''We see your tire pressure messages, and we did not copy your last . . .,'' referring to data that was not coming in. The reply was, ''Roger, uh----.''
Wade Sisler, executive TV producer of the Goddard Space Flight Center, where the operation is broadcast, said that NASA TV had its roots in decades of NASA television operations. More than 20 years ago, he said, NASA was sending information from experiments in space by satellite to laboratories. ''A number of universities downlink it,'' he said, ''and put it on their own cable channels.
The channel broadcasts 24 hours a day during missions. Programs include daily news conferences and interviews with astronauts in orbit. When there is not a shuttle mission the channel carries daily briefings on space-related scientific and engineering developments.
In addition to being available at www.nasa.gov, NASA TV is picked up by online news organizations.
The Hip-Hop community is completely shocked and saddened at the senseless killing of Cali Swag District member M-Bone, who was gunned down last night in his Inglewood, CA neighborhood. M-Bone was shot two times in the head by an assailant while sitting in his vehicle. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Over the course of the day fans around the globe shared their sentiments about the dancer who brought his unique style to the group, propelling them as one of rap's most promising collectives with their playful, feel-good tunes courtesy of their hit song "Teach Me How To Dougie." From Los Angeles, to Dallas, to New York, Cali Swag had everyone doing the "Dougie."
A fellow rap peer who had the pleasure of working with M-Bone on the group's remix for "Dougie," Jermaine Dupri, reflected on the fallen star's position within the group.
“I believe that he was the one that they all looked to to learn how to do the Dougie" said the platinum producer. "Everyone was about it, but he was the one who went hard with it.”
According to Dupri, M-Bone was one of the members from Cali Swag who brought the Dougie back to the group and the West Coast region.
“That’s my most significant memory about him…he was one of the main dudes who brought the dance back to them. The dance originated in Dallas and was brought to Cali. The members of the group are not from where the dance is from. He was the one who was really killing the Dougie."
JD noted that although M-Bone didn't lend his vocals on records, the dancer was considered an integral part of the Cali Swag movement.
"He was instrumental at showing people the dances. He was the main inspiration behind the creative dances that ultimately defined the group. He was the fourth member, who didn’t rap, but played his position by taking the lead on creating unique dances."
Ulf Andersen/Getty Images
Five years after coming under fire for fabricating details in "A Million Little Pieces," he'll appear again to promote "The Final Testament of the Holy Bible."
James Frey is returning to the Oprah Winfrey Show -- five years after he was famously eviscerated by the talk show host for fabricating details of his bestselling memoir, A Million Little Pieces.
Frey will promote his new book The Final Testament of the Holy Bible, which hits stores tomorrow. The episode will "air sometime in May," a rep for Harpo tells The Hollywood Reporter. Winfrey's last episode of her talk show airs May 25.
Winfrey catapulted Frey to the New York Times' and Amazon bestseller lists after she picked his memoir, which detailed his drug addiction and the supposed suicide of an ex girlfriend, to her book club. After the Smoking Gun detailed how the book was false, she angrily confronted him on her show. She apologized later. RELATED: The five biggest book scandals of all time, including Three Cups of Tea.
"Oprah apologized to James a couple of years ago, and he appreciated it. So he agreed to go back on her show and talk about everything that's happened over the last five years," an insider tells the New York Post, which first reported the story.
Frey's new book will be published in limited edition of 10,000 slipcased leatherette copies by Gagosian Gallery, and sold as an e-book by Frey and WME.
Frey said in 2008 that his book is his "idea of what the Messiah would be like if he were walking the streets of New York today."
His Jesus, aka Ben Jones, is a heavy drinker who gets a prostitute pregnant, smokes marijuana and fools around with men.
TULSA – Josh Turner is a country singer known for his soulful voice and constant success as he continues his rise in popularity. On July 8, the Grammy-nominated performer will play The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
Tickets start at $45 and go on sale May 26.
Since 2003, Turner has been a country mainstay, earning four No. 1 singles and charting all four albums in the Top 5 of the Billboard country music charts. In 2007, he was nominated for Grammy awards for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Album.
Turner’s chart-topping hit singles include “Your Man,” “Would You Go with Me,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance” and “All Over Me.” Other songs to get heavy play are “Firecracker” and his duet with Owasso resident Trisha Yearwood, “Another Try.”
Turner’s biggest honor to date came in 2007, while honoring Tulsan Roy Clark for his 20th year in the Grand Ole Opry. During the ceremony, Turner was invited to join the elite group of country stars. Less than a month later on Oct. 27, 2007, Turner was inducted into the organization by Oklahoma native Vince Gill, making him the second youngest artist to receive the honor, behind Carrie Underwood.
The 30-year-old is currently touring in support of his 2010 release “Haywire,” which has peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard country charts.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa is located off of Interstate 44 at exit 240A. Ticket prices and information on upcoming shows are available online in The Joint section of www.hardrockcasinotulsa.comor by calling (918) 384-ROCK. The Joint box office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. All guests must be 21 years of age or older.
By DERRIK J. LANG AP Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES May 15, 2011 (AP
It took four attempts, but "Boston" Rob Mariano finally won "Survivor."
The trash-talking 35-year-old veteran of the CBS reality series overcame wacky 52-year-old former federal agent Phillip Sheppard and 19-year-old dancer Natalie Tenerelli to take home the $1 million grand prize on Sunday's finale of "Survivor: Redemption Island." Mariano said he earned eight votes from the nine-person jury of dismissed contestants.
"You don't know for sure until the votes are read, but I had a pretty good feeling," Mariano said during a phone interview following the finale. "I played my heart out. I love this game, but you've got to get lucky along the way, too. I know what it takes. It's really, really difficult. I'm really, really happy things happened the way they did this time."
Mariano, who previously competed on the "Marquesas," ''All-Stars" and "Heroes vs. Villains" seasons, dominated the Nicaragua-set 22nd edition of "Survivor," securing his place in the final trio by winning four individual immunity challenges and calculating the demise of most of the season's newbie castaways, including several of his own allies.
"I knew from the very beginning that if I was able to get my foot in the door, and if I could get these people to at least play with me, that I would have a shot," said Mariano, who returned to the game with "Samoa" bad boy Russell Hantz. "They didn't realize how nervous that I was the first day out there. They held all the power, but they didn't know that."
Mariano joined the 39-day survival contest with Hantz, his 36-year-old "Heroes vs. Villains" adversary. The pair were sent to opposing tribes of new contestants, but Hantz was swiftly dispatched by his Zapatera tribemates, while Mariano became the undisputed leader of his Ometepe tribe, forming an impenetrable six-person alliance that never wavered.
This season's twist, which sent ousted players to Redemption Island, where they competed to return to the game, was mostly moot because 21-year-old college student Andrea Boehlke and 22-year-old college student Matt Elrod, arguably Mariano's biggest threat, were immediately voted back out of the game each time they overcame Redemption Island.
"He did everything, and most importantly, he managed to blindside Matt," said David Murphy, the 31-year-old Zapatera tribe member who became the first member of the jury. "In the process of doing that, he sent a message to his tribe that if any of you show any signs of not being loyal, you're gonna go home. He controlled all of you. He controlled your minds."
The following questions routinely come up when the idea of a family cruise is bandied about. Is a cruise is right for your family? Will you AND the kids enjoy it? And, will you get cabin fever and that claustrophobic feeling that I, for one, was very concerned about being afflicted with all of these.
But with the Disney Cruise Line the answers were… yes, yes, and no – in that order.
My husband, our five-year-old daughter and I were lucky enough to sail away on the Disney Wonder, which is totally aptly named. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t board the ship all glassy eyed and eager. I was – to be honest – a bit terrified. But any doubts, fears or concerns were totally squashed as soon as we got on board.
One of the reasons I felt nervous? I hadn’t done my due diligence and researched exactly what would be happening on the cruise. Had I known these twenty things about the cruise I would have left without a care in the world.
It has been many weeks now and the ride has been a wild one. With weekly updates giving hope that the service may return in the near future, PSN continues to be down; however, the service is becoming livelier on the developer end of things. As we report yesterday, PSN is up and running for some developers as the PlayStation developer network has been functioning over the last couple days.
Today, the service once again came to life and with expanded PSN online features. The internal PlayStation developer network was functioning today for some developers, though not for all, and that indicates that Sony is conducting testing to some degree with the service. While the developers that have access to the network haven’t been revealed, some of the features of PSN that are up and running are known. It is being reported that the online play and account part of the network is back online. According to a mod on NeoGAF, one with impeccable credibility, she shared the following information today.
It’s almost a months since Sony shut down both their PlayStation Network (PSN) and Online Entertainment gaming network (SOE). What happened though exactly? We all know that the PlayStation Network got breached, and than we heard that before that happened Sony Online Entertainment had been hacked. But what exactly caused one of the biggest electronic conglomerates to shut down?
It all began in January, with a lawsuit against George Hotz, a 21 year-old software super mind. Hotz posted software that allowed PlayStation 3 (PS3) gamers to reconfigure the PlayStation 3 console. PlayStation Network posted on their blog regarding the case:
In the action, SCEA accused Hotz of violating federal law by posting online information about the security system in the PlayStation 3 videogame console and software that SCEA claimed could be used to circumvent the security system in the console and allow the playing of pirated videogames. Hotz denies any wrongdoing on his part. Hotz’s motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction was still pending before the federal court in San Francisco but a preliminary injunction was issued requiring Hotz to take down the postings challenged by SCEA.
“We want our consumers to be able to enjoy our devices and products in a safe and fun environment and we want to protect the hard work of the talented engineers, artists, musicians and game designers who make PlayStation games and support the PlayStation Network,” added Russell. “We appreciate Mr. Hotz’s willingness to address the legal issues involved in this case and work with us to quickly bring this matter to an early resolution.” (Playstation Blog)
The lawsuit against Hotz that was settled on March 31, 2011 included but was not limited to, Hotz being banned for life from the PlayStation Network. On April 3, 2011 a group known as “Anonymous” struck out and made a threat against Sony after the case against Hotz was settled. Soon Operation Sony (OpSony) became known throughout the group. The problem with “Anonymous” is that it is “anonymous”.
Financial Times, quote one Anonymous member said of the Sony hack: “So it’s Anon’s work. But you can’t blame the whole collective for what one or two guys do. We’re a gathering of Anonymous activists, not some scary organized hacking group. It was uncalled for this early in the fight.”
“Anonymous” has denied the claims that they are the ones who caused the shutdown on the PlayStation Network. Other companies who have been hacked by “Anonymous” include HBGary Security, The Colbert Report and even a live broadcast of the West Boro Baptist Church. Senior Sony executives have been pointing fingers at “Anonymous” for the PlayStation Network Breach, claiming someone “familiar” with the thinking of “Anonymous” believed a person or people affiliated with the group are responsible for the data theft.
The PlayStation Network realized something was up when servers were rebooting themselves when they were not scheduled to do so, on April 19th. Looking into the logs Sony tried to figure out what was causing the problem, once they saw “unusual and unplanned activity” going on, they shut them down. Here is where the PlayStation Network being shut down comes in. After it was discovered that data of some kind had been transferred off of the PlayStation Network, Sony’s team opted for the entire PlayStation Network to be shut down.
It took until April 25, to confirm the amount of data that was supposedly taken off the PlayStation Network using aggressive and sophisticated techniques. Once the FBI and Homeland Security got involved it was a different ball game. Soon the security breach was all over the media and users of Sony’s Online Entertainment gaming and PlayStation Networks were out of the loop.
No one really knows what is going on, people have ideas, news sites have hunches, when it comes down to it though, Sony is just trying to connect the dots on the hackers, in the same sense that we are trying to figure out Sony. Until Sony can gain control of the security and what exactly the intruders used to get into the system, they cannot turn on the PlayStation Network for safety and security reasons.
Sir Howard Stringer, Chief Executive of Sony apologized for the security breach and the inconvenience it caused during a briefing Thursday. Stringer vowed to give customers identity protection services and insurance coverage worth up to $1 million dollars.
Sony also has websites to go to for both the PlayStation Network and Sony Online Entertainment where customers and gamers can go for more information on compensation for the inconvenience.
Who knows it could have just been Hotz who was hiding under the name of Anonymous to avoid trouble. It may be someone who is not affiliated with “Anonymous” or the case against George Hotz. The main problem is that for now it is just ideas really, fingers being pointed in all directions
The new issue of the Atlantic is out -- yes, subscribe, it's very strong -- and among many great pieces is the cover story is by Jeffrey Goldberg, on what Arab countries might expect after the tyrants are gone.
Jeff's reporting for the piece included a long interview with Hillary Clinton, and today he releases a slightly condensed transcript of his discussion with her. Lots to read there, but let me highlight one part touches my own beat: her apparent "dustbin of history" reference to China. As Jeff Goldberg says in his item today, with emphasis added:
>>It was during this part of the conversation, when the subject of China, and its frightened reaction to the Arab Spring, came up, that she took an almost-Reaganesque turn, calling into question not just Beijing's dismal human rights record, but the future of the Chinese regime itself. The Obama Administration has been ratcheting-up the rhetoric on China's human rights record lately, especially since the arrest of the dissident Ai Weiwei, but Secretary Clinton, in our interview, went much further, questioning the long-term viability of the one-party system. After she referred to China's human rights record as "deplorable" (itself a ratcheting-up of the rhetoric), I noted that the Chinese government seemed scared of the Arab rising. To which she responded: "Well, they are. They're worried, and they are trying to stop history, which is a fool's errand. They cannot do it. But they're going to hold it off as long as possible."
Cliinton's assertion that the repressive Chinese system will eventually collapse brought to mind nothing so much as Reagan's statement, made to Richard V. Allen in 1977, about America's goal in the Cold War: "My idea of American policy toward the Soviet Union is simple, and some would say simplistic," Reagan said. "It is this: We win and they lose."<<
Whoa! At the moment I have time simply to highlight this passage and note how unusual it is, and how the Chinese are very likely to be asking for "clarification" of these remarks today, in their high-level "Strategic and Economic" talks chaired by Secs. Clinton and Geithner. Reasons it's unusual:
- If you want to see how U.S. officials usually discuss our disagreements with China, check out Jon Huntsman's farewell address, as Ambassador to China, last month, which was seen as "blunt" and "tough" by Chinese and Americans alike. The bluntness usually comes through not in saying that China's overall record is "deplorable" but in objecting to specific arrests, detentions, and crackdowns -- like those Huntsman itemizes during the very severe Chinese government reaction to what it saw as the "Arab spring" threat. Here's a representative part of Huntsman's speech:
>>Long after I depart Beijing, future Ambassadors will continue to visit American citizens like Dr. Feng Xue, who was wrongfully convicted of stealing state secrets and is now serving an eight-year sentence in prison far from his family in the United States. They will continue to speak up in defense of social activists, like Liu Xiaobo, Chen Guangcheng and now Ai Weiwei, who challenge the Chinese government to serve the public in all cases and at all times.
The United States will never stop supporting human rights because we believe in the fundamental struggle for human dignity and justice wherever it may occur. We do so not because we oppose China but, on the contrary, because we value our relationship. President Hu and Premier Wen have both acknowledged the universality of human rights. By speaking out candidly, we hope eventually to narrow and bridge this critical gap and move our relationship forward.<<
That's all in line with the way U.S. presidents and diplomats have talked about human rights problems inside China.
- And if you want to note how unusual it is for senior U.S. officials to say that "history is working against the Chinese system" or anything of the sort, you need only consult virtually every utterance by President Obama, Secretary Geithner, and (if I'm remembering correctly), Secretary Clinton too during Hu Jintao's recent visit to America, or in the run-up to this week's high-level talks. Plus Geithner's comments in a Charlie Rose appearance last night with his Chinese counterpart Wang Qishan.
I don't have time to gather the cites now, but I promise you they all of them start with the assurance that the United States is not trying to contain, bottle up, thwart, or derail China's steady rise in the world. Au contraire! In fact it welcomes China's growth (etc etc, betterment of mankind, etc etc historic reduction of poverty etc etc expansion of human choice etc ). But -- the official line goes -- while welcoming this growth, the U.S. wants to ensure that values the United States cares about are defended too. These range from the expansion of human liberties to the health of the world trading system to the protection of the environment.
The U.S. always says, as it should, that it's pushing for a steady increase in liberties within China. But that is different from, "time is running out for you, as it ran out for the corrupt Soviets." If it doesn't sound so different to you, trust me that it does to the Chinese leadership. (Yes, I recognize the potential distinction between the long-term success of China as a whole and the long-term survival of its current government. More on that another time.) The usual U.S. tone -- we are your friends, but good enough friends to be frank about where we disagree -- has been chosen by presidents from Jimmy Carter through Barack Obama precisely because Chinese governments are so very, very suspicious that forces are plotting against them, internal and (especially!) external. The great paradox of the Chinese leadership, as everyone who has observed the place knows, it that it is simultaneously strong, successful, and insecure.
So when they hear a sitting U.S. Secretary of State make an offhanded remark that sounds like, "we know you're going to collapse, sooner or later," it's like confirmation of their worst paranoid fears. Ah, at last the truth comes out! It's like the old Dave Chappelle jokes about what the whites are saying when no blacks are around, or the Woody Allen nightmare-fantasy of attending an Easter dinner in Annie Hall (and growing a Hasidic beard while at the table), or any other suspicion of what someone else "really" thinks.
That's why it would be interesting to hear Sec. Clinton's discussions with the heads of the Chinese delegation, Dai Bingguo and Wang Qishan, today. And even more interesting to hear the follow-on discussions among the Chinese about what the Americans "really" mean.
FOX should fire the executive who thought it was a good idea to put "comedienne" Sarah Silverman in the broadcast booth with Tim McCarver and Joe Buck for a half inning during tonight's Red Sox-Yankees game at Yankee Stadium.
I mean it's bad enough I have to listen to McCarver and Buck. Silverman's musings are about as pleasurable as having your gall bladder disintegrate.
During her shtick, Silverman brought up the late Dock Ellis, the late Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher who once threw a no-hitter while under the influence of LSD. She said she thought it would be a great idea to disseminate LSD to big league pitchers. To Buck's credit, he wasn't having any of it and moved the proceedings forward. Thankfully, Silverman's act came to a merciful end when Yankee outfielder Brett Gardner grounded out to Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to conclude the inning.
However, to be fair to Silverman, I did think it was a bit silly for FOX to bleep her use of the word "Masshole." For those of you who are unfamiliar with this vernacular, "Masshole" is a term of affection residents of New Hampshire (Silverman was born there) use mostly to describe Massachusetts liberals who have moved to the Granite State so they do not have to pay state income tax.
Still, it doesn't change the fact that Sarah Silverman isn't funny.
Mike Huckabee's expected departure from the Republican race for president opens the door for Sarah Palin again.
Palin has gone quiet after the media sizzle around her died and transferred to Donald Trump.
But with Trump fading faster than a losing 'Apprentice' competitor and Huckabee now looking like he will drop out, Palin is suddenly back in this race if she wants.
Huckabee, with his strong evangelical roots, was a natural to win Iowa and Palin enjoys a comparable level of support among those voters.
Contrast that with Mitt Romney who is held in deep suspicion in the first caucus state, not only because of his moderate politics but also his Mormon religion.
That only leaves Palin as the evangelical choice as none of the other contenders have seriosu traction with those voters.
A win in Iowa could galvanize the Palin campaign heading into New Hampshire in January.
That would be a turn up for the books,but with the Republican race so volatile anything can happen.
Mitt Romney will not be the clear front runner if and when Huckabee announces he is stepping down, but I have believed for some time that he has a very soft core of support.
As usual 'savior' canddiates such as Mitch Daniels are being spoken about as well as Jeb Bush but I feel the winner will come form the present field.
Which is why I think Palin is so intriguing once again.
She has differentiation and a hard core base of support something no other candidate really has with Huckabee out.
