Obama Addresses Health Care Rumors

Obama Continues Health Care Platform

President Barack Obama

U.S. President Barack Obama, has been battling various rumors, regarding his health care plans for the nation, attempting to combat what the White House is referring to as misinformation, spread by fear-mongering Republicans, trying to torpedo his initiatives.

Obama made reference to alleged "death panels" Republican politician and former Alaska governor, Sarah Palin, stated is apart of the President's national health plans. It is an allegation the President strongly denies.

Obama to Take On Health-Care Critics

...Obama heads to Montana on Friday and Colorado on Saturday for town hall meetings even as his allies are stepping up their efforts to rebut what they describe as "myths" about health-care reform...

Facing questions about whether public support for the health overhaul initiative is sagging, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Thursday that the problem was rooted in misconceptions spread by political opponents.

"Have some of those misconceptions contributed to the poll numbers? I don't doubt that," Gibbs said. "But at the same time, I mean, there's a little cause and effect here, but we're not going to stop pushing back on the misconceptions, whether or not the polling shows one thing or another. The president, again, strongly believes that, and has for years, that it's better to address what people's concerns are and take them on head-on."

One of the most inflammatory charges has been that Obama and Democrats were seeking to implement "death panels," with bureaucrats making decisions about whether elderly or seriously ill patients live or die. The allegation stems in part from a provision in a bill passed by three House committees that would provide Medicare reimbursement to patients seeking end-of-life counseling. On Thursday, lawmakers working on the Senate version said that provision had been dropped from their proposal...

http://www.washingtonpost.com

Olympians In Accidents

Usain Bolt	Michael Phelps

Sprinter Usain Bolt and swimmer Michael Phelps, who both won gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, met in car accidents in separate incidents this year.

Bolt met in an accident a few months ago and Phelps got into a fender bender, three car smash, last night. Thankfully, both men escaped the accidents without serious injury. Here's hoping you will both continue to be safe.

Mariah Carey's Career Tanking Again

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon

Pop singer, Mariah Carey, is running for cover, as her career has started tanking again and in a massive way. Instead of celebrating her pending 40th birthday with dignity and grace, she has opted for an overly youthful, street album that does not suit her.

Eminem

Not to mention, she took verbal shots at acerbic rapper, Eminem, who let her have it with a counter-diss track titled "The Warning" which humiliated her all over the internet.

Miley Cyrus

Her current project has turned into an absolute fiasco, where everything that could go wrong has, much to her chagrin. Her big planned performance on the Today Show, has now been replaced by one featuring another MC, popular teen singer, Miley Cyrus (stay off that stripper pole, girl).

To be frank, Carey's new single stinks and her voice is even more depleted than the last go round. But she's not the only one in trouble.

Whitney Houston

Sony singer, the talented Whitney Houston, is in a bit of a pickle as well, as her producers have done a subpar job with her current record, wasting her talent and time. But leave it to the vile head of Sony, Howard Stringer, to let something like this happen.

Man-donna

Then, there's the only female singer in the bunch of imminent forthcoming releases who can't sing, Madonna, coming back with more stupid sounding trash that's sure to tank her greatest hits record.

It's official, mainstream music is toast.

Mariah Carey Calls Out, Miley Cyrus Fills In at TODAY Show

Originally planned for Friday, August 28 and anticipated by fans around the world for weeks, including those who entered to receive tickets from NBC, the gig was called off late Wednesday.

In an email sent to parties confirmed to attend and those on a waiting list, NBC producers did not provide a reason for Carey's cancellation but instead confirmed actress/entertainer Miley Cyrus as a fill in.

"The previously announced Mariah Carey performance on Friday, August 28th has been canceled. This date will now feature a performance by MILEY CYRUS," NBC confirmed...

http://www.singersroom.com

Dane Cook Booed Over Vanessa Hudgens Nude Joke

Vanessa Hudgens and Megan Fox

Crass comedian Dane Cook was booed at the Teen Choice Awards for joking that 20-year-old Disney star, Vanessa Hudgens, needs to keep her clothes on, after another series of nude photos she took of herself, leaked via an unlawful computer hack.

Megan Fox

Hudgens probably released a sigh of relief at the show, when man-eater, Megan Fox, who previously had a meal with her boyfriend, actor Zac Efron, while they are still dating, has set her sights on another actor, Robert Pattinson.

Robert Pattinson

Still, knowing promiscuous Fox, she shouldn't breathe too easy just yet, as she's been getting around. Penicillin for everyone in horny Hollywood.

Dane Cook's Vanessa Hudgens joke was edited out of Teen Choice!

There was a funny joke that got edited out of Sunday's Teen Choice Awards. But it was funny ouch for Vanessa Hudgens.

Dane Cook called out the former "High School Musical" star's name, then said, "Girl, you got to keep your clothes! Phones are for phone calls, girl."

The camera zoomed in on VHud's not-thrilled reaction. And it was not in the show that was pre-taped for broadcast Sunday night, according to Us Weekly...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com

Britney Spears Sons Cussing Like Sailors

Britney Spears' ungraceful weave

Pop music person, Britney Spears, let her toddlers run wild during a recent public outing and the duo were heard using profanity, much to the shock of onlookers.

I don't know why people are surprised. Considering Britney bit one of her children and held them hostage last years, why is anyone stunned.

Britney Spears' Sons Swearing In Public

August 12, 2009 - Britney Spears' sons shocked onlookers by swearing in public. The "Radar" singer took three-year-old Sean Preston and Jayden James, two, to a 'swag suite' - where invited guests are invited to select a variety of goods for free - for the Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles last weekend when the boys repeatedly shouted "oh s**t!" ...

Although their bad language attracted the attention of those around them, Britney didn't appear to notice her sons were using offensive words.

The onlooker added: "She was too busy picking out freebies to chastise the boys for misbehaving."...

http://www.exposay.com

President Barack Obama Launches Email Campaign

President Barack Obama has launched an email campaign in support of his healthcare initiatives, which are at the center of a publicity firestorm, due to fierce opposition to his ideas, by certain segments of the population.

At the end of the day, every American has a say in healthcare and are entitled to opinions on choices being provided. The questions is, can citizens of the nation, the White House and the U.S. Congress, reach middle ground on these proposals.

Britain has a successful, socialized medical system that is well funded, but it has been in existence for a very long time. Getting such an endeavor off the ground in America, a nation of 300,000,000 people, will be significantly more difficult and extremely costly at current domestic rates.

Practically put, if the government had to spend $1 for every American on healthcare, that's already $300,000,000 and we all know it is going to cost much more than that.

Once again, Obama means well, but these initiatives have the potential to create a lot of financial misery, if not properly undertaken.

Obama launches e-mail campaign on health care

Aug 13, 2009 - The White House is now hoping that a viral chain letter will help revive prospects for a health care overhaul.

Officials are forwarding an e-mail authored by top Obama adviser David Axelrod and urging recipients to pass it along. The missive includes a handy list of "8 ways (health care) reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage, 8 common myths about reform and 8 reasons we need health insurance reform now."

The e-mail also provides a link to the White House website "Health Insurance Reform Reality Check." That is the site's nifty logo above.

"Across the country we are seeing vigorous debate about health insurance reform," Axelrod writes. "Unfortunately, some of the old tactics we know so well are back -- even the viral emails that fly unchecked and under the radar, spreading all sorts of lies and distortions."

He adds: "Right now, someone you know probably has a question about reform that could be answered by what's below. So what are you waiting for? Forward this email."...

http://content.usatoday.com

Dick Cheney v. George W. Bush

President Obama to VP Biden at the White House: Is that Dick Cheney trying to hop the fence again?

According to reports, former U.S. Vice President, Dick Cheney, is not happy with former President, George W. Bush, regarding his bitterness at the end result of the advice the once second in command gave during his tenure.

The Bush name is now in tatters, with many all over the nation and the world calling for his head, due to terrible choices made with the war in Iraq and economic matters, that plunged the world into a recession-turned-depression.

Dick Cheney

Due to the statute of limitations and the current President, Barack Obama, taking office and distancing himself from the former administration's misconduct, releasing documents previously hidden, so as not to tarnish his own name and legacy, in being wrongfully blamed for Bush and co.'s past missteps and crimes, Cheney's secrets are slipping out into the public domain, much to his anger.

Cheney is writing his memoirs, which gives him an opportunity to unleash his displeasure with current developments unmasking him.

Cheney Uncloaks His Frustration With Bush

'Statute of Limitations Has Expired' on Many Secrets, Former Vice President Says

Thursday, August 13, 2009 - In his first few months after stepping down, former vice president Richard B. Cheney threw himself into public combat against the "far left" agenda of the new commander in chief. More private reflections, as his memoir takes shape in slashing longhand on legal pads, have opened a second front against Cheney's White House partner of eight years, George W. Bush.

Cheney's disappointment with the former president surfaced recently in one of the informal conversations he is holding to discuss the book with authors, diplomats, policy experts and past colleagues. By habit, he listens more than he talks, but Cheney broke form when asked about his regrets.

"In the second term, he felt Bush was moving away from him," said a participant in the recent gathering, describing Cheney's reply. "He said Bush was shackled by the public reaction and the criticism he took. Bush was more malleable to that. The implication was that Bush had gone soft on him, or rather Bush had hardened against Cheney's advice. He'd showed an independence that Cheney didn't see coming. It was clear that Cheney's doctrine was cast-iron strength at all times -- never apologize, never explain -- and Bush moved toward the conciliatory."...

http://www.washingtonpost.com

U.S. Foreclosure Rates Skyrocket Again

President Obama

Once again, due to uncooperativeness from banks, the national U.S. foreclosure rate has skyrocketed, deteriorating to record levels not previously seen in America.

Some were encouraged by a slight rise in national home sales, but it is being fuelled by homes being sold at rock bottom prices ($10,000 to $50,000) drastically dropping neighborhood property values.

It would have been better had banks kept homeowners in their homes, which contained higher property values on state tax rolls, than rush them out via foreclosure, to sell the property at less than 50-90 percent of its value.

U.S. Foreclosure Filings Set Third Record-High in Five Months

Aug. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Foreclosure filings in the U.S. climbed to a record for the third time in five months in July as falling home prices and the recession left more homeowners unable to keep up payments or refinance.

A total of 360,149 properties received a default or auction notice or were seized last month, according to data seller RealtyTrac Inc. One in 355 households got a filing, the highest monthly rate in RealtyTrac records dating to January 2005, the Irvine, California-based company said in a statement.

“We’re in a deep hole,” Diane Swonk, chief economist at Chicago-based Mesirow Financial Inc., said in an interview. “There is a whole new wave of foreclosures tied to the cyclical dynamics of the economy.”

Foreclosures increased as the U.S. recorded another 247,000 job losses in July and home prices fell, leaving an increasing number of mortgage holders owing more than their properties were worth. The median price of an existing single-family house dropped 15.6 percent to $174,100 in the second quarter, the most in records dating to 1979, the National Association of Realtors said yesterday. Almost one-quarter of U.S. mortgage holders are underwater, property data firm Zillow.com said Aug. 11...

Loan Modifications

About 235,000 troubled borrowers have begun modifying their property loans under the government’s Making Home Affordable Program, compared with a target population of 4 million, according to an Aug. 4 Treasury Department report. About 15 percent of eligible borrowers were offered loan modifications and 9 percent entered trial agreements.

Bank of America Corp. modified about 4 percent of its qualifying loans and Wells Fargo & Co. changed 6 percent, making them the two worst performers in the program among the biggest U.S. banks, Treasury said. Citigroup Inc. modified 15 percent of its eligible loans and JPMorgan Chase & Co. changed 20 percent.

“It has been more profitable to put a home in foreclosure than restructure the loan,” Swonk said. “The only thing that helps is forgiveness of principal, and there is little willingness to do that.”

http://www.bloomberg.com

Jermaine Jackson's Explosive Book Proposal

Joe Jackson and son Michael Jackson

According to disgraced, former Fox News gossip columnist, Roger Friedman, who now works for the Hollywood Reporter, Jermaine Jackson, was set to publish an explosive book on his brother, Michael Jackson, before the pop star passed away.

Jermaine Jackson

In the manuscript, he allegedly accused his dad Joe of molesting two of his sisters, Rebbie and Latoya. The manuscript also contained items regarding Michael drinking, taking drugs and attracting gay men.

Jackson Sisters

New York literary agent Laurie Liss, is alleged to have sent the book around to publishers, on Jermaine Jackson's behalf. Jermaine also had a diss track about Michael titled, "Word To The Bad."

Jermaine Jackson Told All in Shocking 2003 Book Proposal

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - Books, Music / By Roger Friedman

Whatever happened to Jermaine Jackson’s book proposal? Three years ago I wrote in my old column about a stunning document that Jermaine had put together with Stacy Brown, a family friend and co-author of an amazing memoir with Michael Jackson’s late, longtime PR man, Bob Jones.

Jermaine often protested that such a proposal existed, but he talked about it with Larry King on TV. New York literary agent Laurie Liss sent the proposal around to three publishers, but no one bit. Maybe they’ll be more interested now that Michael is gone.

I was so interested in Jermaine’s 2003 proposal that I called around to find the actual document. Sure enough, there still were copies to be found.

Here are excerpts from it, in Jermaine’s own voice, circa early 2003:

“My brother is a superstar, yes. My brother is wealthy. He owns shares in Sony music. He drinks, he does drugs, he lies, he cheats, he changed his skin color and mostly, he’s human. He attracts gay men and wards off women like the plague.”

“He married a woman because she was pregnant and he was doing business with Muslims (which I am a Muslim) and Muslims won’t do business with someone who is engaged in having children without being married.

“He paid this woman, who nobody would ever look twice at, several million dollars. My brother purchased children. It is like a sanctioned black market. He is very powerful; he picked the sperm donor by using information provided by a sperm bank. Now, who can do that? Michael Jackson, that’s who, my brother.

“I have maintained my residence by my mother’s side at the family’s Hayvenhurst estate in Encino, California because I know how much I am needed there. Michael counts on me to be there as does the rest of my family.”

[Columnist note: this would verify the long-held belief that Katherine and Joseph Jackson, who have filed for divorce in the past, do not live together. Joseph’s fathering of an illegitimate child, reported and documented in several places, could have contributed to this.]...

“Joseph did some disgusting things to LaToya and Rebbie, especially. If it weren’t for Mother’s loyalty to him, he’d probably be in prison for what he did to our sisters.” ...

http://www.showbiz411.com

Megan Fox Disdainful Of Lesbian Idea

Megan Fox

Actress Megan Fox, claims she is bisexual and prefers women, yet according to one of her co-star, Amanda Seyfried, she rolled her eyes at a bisexual kiss in her forthcoming mess of a film "Jennifer's Body."

It adds credence to the claims online that she is not really bisexual, but stating so for attention in pro-gay Hollywood and to be like her role model, actress Angelina Jolie, who dabbled in lesbianism, but now claims she is straight.

Angelina Jolie having a piece of chocolate cake on the set of her infringing Sony film Salt - but looking like she's about to throw it all up

It's really sad that actresses set this terrible example for young women, in a bid to make Hollywood's abusive, vindictive gay mafia happy. That's not being true to one's self.

Megan Fox Rolled Her Eyes At Thought Of Kissing Another Girl

Thu, 13 August 2009 at 3:56 pm - Megan Fox looks all prettied up as she tends to some business at a hotel on Thursday afternoon (August 13) in Santa Monica, Calif.

The 23-year-old actress next stars in the boy-eating movie Jennifer’s Body, where there is at least one girl-on-girl make-out scene with costar Amanda Seyfried.

“We knew that it was going to play a really big role in publicizing the movie,” Amanda tells EW. “We kind of rolled our eyes at the idea of having to make out.”

“Being a lead [like Megan], you have that weird pressure of feeling like you have to look attractive,” adds Amanda. “In this movie, I didn’t worry about any of that s—. I don’t want to play the one that everybody is supposed to want to have sex with.”

http://justjared.buzznet.com

Man Gets Jail Time For Yawning In Court

Clifton Williams

Judge, Daniel Rozak, abused his position by sentencing a courtroom spectator, Clifton Williams, to jail for 6 months, over a, "Loud and boisterous" yawn.

Rozak has also sent individuals to jail over their cell phones ringing in court. Such conduct is very petty, adding to overcrowding in jails and does not reflect well on the justice system.

Shut Yer Mouth: Man Gets 6 Months for Yawning

Strict judge issues 6 months jail time for "loud and boisterous" yawn

Updated 1:31 PM EDT, Tue, Aug 11, 2009 - Make sure you get plenty of sleep before going to court. Clifton Williams didn't and he's been sentenced to six months in jail for yawning.

"I was flabbergasted because I didn't realize a judge could do that," Williams' father, Clifton Williams Sr., told the Chicago Tribune. "It seems to me like a yawn is an involuntary action."

Williams, 33, attended his cousin's July hearing at Will County Courthouse in Joliet. His cousin, Jason Mayfield, pled guilty to a felony drug charge. As the judge sentenced Mayfield to two years probation, Williams let out a yawn, an involuntary faux pas in such a formal setting.

Circuit Judge Daniel Rozak thought the yawn was criminal and sentenced Williams to six months in jail, the maximum penalty for contempt of court without a jury trial. Rozak's order said that Williams "raised his hands while at the same time making a loud yawning sound," causing a disrespectful interruption in court.

So in a strange turn of events Mayfield, the felon, will be able to walk freely, while Williams, the yawner, will have to spend at least three weeks behind bars for his offending yawn. But it's not out of character for Rozak...

http://www.nbcnewyork.com