OJ Violates Terms Of Bail - Will He Finally Go To Jail?

I was tired of hearing about OJ long before his latest bout of legal troubles. Now he has violated the terms of his bail, and has been taken into custody again. This time for trying to talk a co-defendant out of cooperating in a Las Vegas armed robbery case. Seems like OJ just can’t stay out of trouble.

The court does not take kindly with trying to tamper with co-defendants testimony, and I suspect that without Johnnie Cochran to play another “race card” this time OJ will be toast.

Do I feel sorry for him? Sort of. He was a guy that really had a good thing before he “allegedly” killed his wife and her friend. What makes people do those “alleged” things is a mystery to me. The only thing I can figure is that he was so full of his own fame that he felt immune to the laws that govern the little folks like us. Sort of like our President and VP, writing signing statements and making up the law as they go.

Televangelists Hinn & Hilliard Jump Ship At ORU

So the televangelists are jumping ship at Oral Roberts University. Benny Hinn and I.V. Hilliard are the latest to leave the board of regents of the school. Previously Jesse Duplantis and Creflo Dollar bailed after Richard Roberts, Oral Roberts’ son, stepped down. The school has been the center of controversy involving Richard Roberts faced allegations he misspent school funds to bankroll a lavish lifestyle.

Benny Hinn as you may or may not remember made a series of prophecies in the Mid 1990’s the most controversial of which was God will destroy America's homosexual community in 1995. Well Benny, some folks may have forgotten that but I didn’t and let me say, we’re queer, we’re here, still!

And for those of you who might want a little taste of Mr. Hinn's style, I found this on YouTube!

Teen Gay-Bashes Straight Couple! Say What?

Not only are some homophobic people intolerant, but they are blind as bats! An Irish teenager is under arrest in a weird twist on a gay bashing. He assaulted a straight man and his date, a woman with short cropped hair, because he thought they were both guys.

The 16 year old bigot, shouted at the couple, calling them "fucking gay bastards" and knocked them to the ground kicking them in the street. Dublin police arrested the teen, and the couple are making a full recovery. I guess this reinforces the phrase "blind hatred".

Bush Staff Tries To Spin His Flat-Line Ratings

As Bush makes a lame trip to the Holy Lands, he seems intent on salvaging his legacy. I personally feel that train left the station years ago, however his aides are trying to spin it with a positive edge. They predict he will leave office with higher approval ratings.

Again on a personal note, maybe they are speaking about people approving that he is leaving office?

Kucinich Request Recount In New Hampshire - Suspects Electronic Voting Machine Problems

Dennis Kucinich, an outspoken advocate for election integrity, paper-ballot elections, and campaign finance reform, has sent a letter to the New Hampshire Secretary of State asking for a recount of Tuesday’s election. Kucinich believes there are "unexplained disparities between hand-counted ballots and machine-counted ballots." He does not think the recount will improve his standing in the primary, but stated, "this is not about my candidacy or any other individual candidacy. It is about the integrity of the election process."

BradBlog.com notes that 80% of New Hampshire's ballots have been "counted" only by a hackable, prone-to-error, Diebold optical-scan machine. This is the same machine shown being hacked in the Emmy-nominated HBO documentary Hacking Democracy. In that film results of a live mock election were flipped via the gaming of the machine's memory card.

Kucinich probably has no chance of winning the nomination, but he does have a chance to help assure that our votes count. For that I applaud him, and sincerely hope he will continue to campaign. His voice has kept some serious issues before the public.

Iranian Boat Threat May Not Have Been Iranians - Pentagon Backtracks

Funny how on the day of the New Hampshire primary the news broke that Iranian boats had threatened a US Naval Ship in international waters. Lots of hoopla about the intercepted radio transmission that stated, "I am coming to you…You will explode after a few minutes." The pentagon confirmed it and the Navy said they had video! On my God! Sure hope someone who is tough on terrorists is elected in the primary!

Well, funny story. That transmission apparently was intercepted in on an international "bridge to bridge" channel, but the voices sounded Arab not Iranian. Now the Navy says they cannot make any direct connection to Iran. Yet Tuesday there were lots of bold statements against Iran and veiled threats. In fact the Navy now says, We’re saying that we cannot make a direct connection to the boats there. It could have come from the shore, from another ship passing by…"

How convenient that there was a big kurfuffel on the day of the primaries that now turns out to have been less of a threat than first publicized. Am I the only one who sees this as another Bush administration hoax to try to influence Americans? Remember the "yellow cake uranium"?

Richardson Drops Out Of Presidential Race

Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico, is throwing in the towel for the Democratic nomination. After very disappointing showings in both Iowa and New Hampshire. He never gained more than 5% of the vote and ran a distant 4th in both states. Richardson will have to step down as Governor in 2010 because of term limits and many think his presidential bid was strictly a reputation builder for a later run at a future date.

Bill O'Reilly Restrained By Secret Service After Altercation With Oabama

Watch it as Keith Olbermann gives the details of O'Reilly's wacko tactics. Also as a bonus, we get to see Sean Hanity chased by Ron Paul supporters through the streets!

Clinton & Obama Draw Independent Voters In New Hampshire

Hillary pulled out a victory even she thought she couldn’t win as she squeaked by Barack Obama in New Hampshire. This keeps her in the race for the long run and that is indeed news, however for me the big news was the voter turnout and the way people who consider themselves "independents" voted. Early exit polls showed more than 6 out of 10 voted in the Democratic primary. Encouraging for the Obama camp was that 41% of independents voted for Obama.

Clinton’s biggest push apparently came from women voters who made, as many of them revealed, a last minute choice to vote for Hillary. The pundits who claimed Hillary’s "cracking voice" (she did not cry as some reported) would doom her are finding out that it was that moment that made the difference for many woman voters.

From New Hampshire the battle moves on to Nevada and South Carolina where the voters are much different than those in New Hampshire. Should be interesting to see.

Happy Birthday Elvis!

He would have been 73 years old today!

Obama Surges In Latest Poll - Again!

Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby New Hampshire Primary (January 5-7)

Democrats
Obama 42
Clinton 29
Edwards 17
Richardson 5

Republicans
McCain 36
Romney 27
Huckabee 10
Giuliani 10
Paul 10

Record Turnout In New Hampshire For Democrats - Running Out Of Ballots

They are scrambling to find ballots for the Democratic Primary in New Hampshire. The number of voters at the polls has overwhelmed the precincts. Clerks say that the election officials are authorized to make copies of the ballots should they run too low.

According to eyewitnesses there are traffic jams at the polls. Additionally, many polling places are equally inundated with campaign workers making last minute pitches outside the polling places.

Giuliani Now Thinks It's OK For Americans To Speak Spanish

Need more proof Giuliani is a jerk? How about this? He campaigns relentlessly against undocumented immigration and insists that American Citizens should speak English. Today his campaign released their first TV ad in Spanish!

So now we get to hear him repeat over and over again “nueve once” as he tries to be “Alcalde de América”. Note to Rudy: Go back to doing drag, at least doing that you were funny.

UA and Now Weinsteins Making Deals with Striking Writers

Not only has United Artists made a separate deal with the striking Writers Guild of America, but no the independent Weinstein Company has apparently struck a deal.

The film studio run by Harvey Weinstein and his brother Bob, held talks with the guild around Christmas. Now they are considering a proposal that would allow writers to resume work, according to a story in the New York Post.

I have to wonder why no deal has been struck with the producers of the Daily Show and The Colbert Report. On air last night, Jon Stewart stated that his parent company would be interested in getting back to the negotiating table. Until then both of those shows are going ad-lib without writers.

Circuit City - A Painfully Slow Death of a Company

Talk about a slow motion death…Circuit City is dripping toward extinction like cold molasses. Today they reported that same store sales for December dropped 11.4% and according to the company CEO it was "in line with expectations."

Anyone with a brain could tell you that Circuit City was in trouble. Back in March when the ruthlessly axed 3400 employees (many commissioned salespeople) and replaced them with minimum wagers. For this dumb move the company rewarded it’s executives with $1 million retention bonuses an amount equal to 35 years pay of the fired employees.

At this rate expect to see more store closings and more bonuses for the top executives as they try to bleed the company dry before jumping ship. Am I the only one who can see this or is Wall Street blind? I would think the shareholders of Circuit City would be at the gates with pitchforks and torches.

Dr. Phil Cancels Britney Spears Exploitation Show

Dr. Phil has cancelled his Brit-sploitation TV special after Britney’s parents pulled the plug. Previously they had agreed to go on the show and talk about their meal ticket’s declining mental state, but now have taken the posture that they are furious with Dr. Phil for blabbing about his visit to the starlet in the hospital.

Of course Britney’s parents may have pulled the plug on the show, but they haven’t done anything to pull the plug on Britney’s escapades. After she checked herself out of the hospital, she has popped up in Palm Springs with a 35-year-old paparazzo. Personally, I would think a media pimp would be the last person Britney needs to be hanging around with. If her family is serious about helping her, they would get her committed to a real rehab clinic and wean her off the glitz, the coke and booze.

As far as Dr. Shill? Well he would be well advised to go back to doing his talk show and stay out of Britney’s life for now.

UPDATE: Seems her new boyfriend, a paparazzo named Adnan Ghalib, is peddling racy pictures of Britney to news outlets. Great! Another blood sucker finds a prey.

Obama Widens Lead In New Hampshire

As the primary starts in New Hampshire, polls show Obama pulling away from Hillary Clinton with a 13 point lead. As the day progresses, I personally expect that lead to widen even more.

According to a Reuter's story, "Obama led Clinton in all categories of voters except women and voters over the age of 65, and was pulling away from the New York senator among base Democratic voters."

"A" Daily Show Returns - Jon Stewart Explains The Writer's Strike

Last night the Daily Show returned, or as Jon Stewart said, “without the writers it is simply ‘A’ Daily Show”. Clearly unhappy to be back on the air, Stewart ad-libbed his way through the program and made numerous references to the writer’s and his obvious solidarity with the strike.

Finally, he did a segment where he explained the demands and why the Producers were unwilling to budge. It is both funny and absolutely accurate.

Obama Speaks to Overflow Crowds In Lebanon, New Hampshire

Barack Obama continues to bring out overflow crowds in New Hampshire. Here is a video take outside the hall where he was speaking in Lebanon, NH. The crowd outside was unable to get in due to fire marshal limits. The energy of his campaign and the people drawn to him is an inspiring sight.

Golden Globes Cancelled! Award Show Falls To Writer's Strike

The Writer’s Guild Strike has it’s first casualty. The Golden Globe Awards Show on NBC was cancelled and the entire event was scrapped. Instead of the overblown show, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association will hand out awards in a news styled announcement and have interviews with winners.

No writers, no show! As the writers score a big hit on network revenues there has been movement on negotiations with United Artists, an MGM subsidiary that has resumed talks with the striking writers. Here’s hoping all the producers return to the bargaining table or the Academy Awards may also be in jeopardy.

McCain Says America Would Be OK With Troops Staying in Iraq for 100 Years

John McCain, formerly the Straight Talk Express, has become the double talk express in recent months. The latest example of his “I back the Bush administration” posture is seen in this clip of a New Hampshire town hall meeting. When asked if he is OK with the US staying in Iraq for “50 years” as Bush has stated, McCain ups the ante and figures that no one would be upset if we stayed there 100 years. Then he tries to compare it with South Korea or Japan.

The difference is that there is no war currently going on in those countries and we reached a truce with North Korea and a surrender with Japan. In Iraq we are in the middle of a civil war, big difference! McCain either thinks the American people are so naive that we can’t tell the difference between the two or he is delusional. Once again a good reason to send John off to retirement rather than give him the reigns of the White House.

Crowds In New Hampshire For Obama - Video

If you want any more proof that Obama can energize people, I found this video on YouTube of thousands of people standing in the snow waiting to see him in New Hampshire. Look at their faces. Many of them look like this might be their first experience in politics and that spells hope for our country!

Obama Surges Ahead In New Hampshire Polls

The Obama train is rumbling over contenders in New Hampshire as he gains a 10 point lead in a Zogby poll just a day prior to the primary. Things in New Hampshire look like a replay of Iowa. Clinton and Edwards are again fighting it out for second place.

Though I have criticized Obama for a few missteps in the past I still find him an inspiring and hopeful voice for America’s future. That is exactly what we need after 8 years of a CEO president like Bush, who plays the congress and country like a bunch of addled stockholders. Lies and deceit may work on Wall Street, but it is not a way to run a country.

As for Obama, the worst criticism I hear is that he doesn’t have enough experience. To that I respond with a resounding "bunk"! His experiences in Illinois and his experience as a Senator have given him a taste of Washington without tainting him with the baggage of the other candidates. American’s really want change, and electing another dynasty like Clinton is not the way to do it. American’s want a President they can look up to and be inspired by, after years of having to hang our heads in shame over the lying and bumbling of Bush.

Since I heard him at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, I knew Obama was a figure to be reckoned with. His statesmanship and vision are contagious and that will propel him into the White House.
He energizes a new generation of voters and in a time when many older voters have become cynical that any change is possible, that energy is what our country needs.

Watching his victory speech in Iowa, I knew I was watching a historic moment. Not just because he won the caucus, but because he spoke to the hearts and souls of America. Now I sincerely hope New Hampshire and the other states feel that greatness and continue to join the wave of hope Obama is spreading across the country.

Dr. Phil Hops On The Britney Bandwagon

Just when you thought it was safe to pick up a newspaper without seeing Britney Spears on the cover, she has an emotional meltdown and is strapped to a gurney and hauled to the psych ward. If that publicity wouldn’t make it tough enough for the troubled young starlet to get the help she needs, now Dr. Phil is hitching his star to her out-of-control wagon.

Seems the good doctor visited Spears as she was checking out of the hospital. So what did he council her to do? Get away from the press? Get into serious rehab? Nope, he wants her to appear on another media event where he will show the world her downward spiral and air her troubles before the public for a buck!

Yea, that’s what Britney needs, more publicity as she crashes and burns. Dr. Phil sees it as an intervention, but anyone else would see it as a ratings ploy, and with the writer’s strike hobbling the networks, it’s just what they want! Box office boffo, and to hell with Britney and her well being!

Hollywood spawns some strange personalities, and Spears is one of the strangest. A pretty girl with a litle talent and lots of publicity who has absolutely no one around her who will tell her "no". Sounds like the plot of a made for Lifetime movie, and with Dr. Phil’s help it just might end up that way.

My advice? "Leave Britneyalone!" And to Dr. Phil..."have you no shame?"

New Years TV Shows - Dallas Vs. New York

Now that the hangovers are all healed and the confetti swept up it’s time to really look at New Year’s Eve celebrations on TV and ask the important questions.

First, when will Dick Clark retire. I have great sympathy for the man, but he looks terrible and speaks worse than my mother after her second stroke. I found the act of watching him painful in the extreme. Call me politically incorrect, but I would rather remember Dick Clark as he looked on American Bandstand! I think it’s great that he has recovered from whatever medical condition he has but if I were a sponsor, I would pull my ads in a minute.

Second, the televised coverage from Victory Plaza in Dallas was glitzy and fun and would make a logical successor to the East Coast Times Square blowout, however it would be better if the hosts were given something to say. The adlibs were beyond lame and most of the time Dale Hansen and his pals just seemed confused and dazed. Well after all it was New Year’s Eve, maybe they had a little too much “cheer”? Aside from that the high tech screens and impressive fireworks finale made the Dallas New Year’s Eve show on WFAA much more entertaining than Dick Clark in New York. Now if they could just get a better band and a writer for the Dallas show they’d have a hit!