Keepingitreal

Today's Papers: The Unending Abuse Trail

The Los Angeles Times leads with news that the administration will be releasing photographs of alleged abuses of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan next month. Late yesterday, administration lawyers informed a judge in New York that the government will release 44 photographs that the American Civil Liberties Union had demanded as part of a lawsuit, plus a "substantial number" of other images, by May 28. The Washington Post leads with a long look at the internal debate between White House officials that preceded the release of the four memos detailing CIA interrogation tactics. In deciding whether the memos should be released, President Obama faced "one of the sharpest policy divides of his young administration," reports the paper. The New York Times leads, and the Wall Street Journal goes high, with word that the government has ordered Chrysler to prepare for a bankruptcy filing as early as next week. Under the current negotiations, Chrysler would file for bankruptcy even if it manages to reach a deal with creditors, the United Workers Union, and Fiat. The WSJ leads its world-wide newsbox with, while the LAT and NYT front, U.S. officials and Pakistani politicians calling on Pakistan's military to unleash its full force against the Taliban militants who have taken over the Buner district, which is a mere 70 miles from the capital. The Taliban forces in Buner easily beat back a government militia that was deployed to the area to take back the government buildings. USA Today leads with a new poll that shows Obama has managed to maintain good approval ratings while also improving his image with the American people. The percentage of Americans who see Obama as a "strong and decisive leader" has increased 12 points since October, while the view that he is an effective manager has gone up by 11 points. Overall, 56 percent say he has done an "excellent" or "good" job since moving into the White House, while 20 percent give him a "poor" or "terrible" rating. As good as his numbers may be, his wife beat him hands down with 79 percent saying they approve of the way Michelle Obama is handling her job as first lady.

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Obama Pressures Credit Card Issuers on Rates

WASHINGTON — Seizing on the growing unpopularity of credit card companies, President Obama on Thursday threw his support behind legislation moving swiftly through Congress that would restrict the ability of banks to impose higher fees and interest rates on consumers. In a White House meeting with credit card industry executives, Mr. Obama sought to jawbone the companies into accepting changes — some voluntarily, some through legislation — that could cut heavily into profits at a financially difficult time. In recent days, the White House, which had been largely disengaged from the issue, has suddenly become more involved. Presidential aides this week submitted proposed changes to legislation that has been moving rapidly on Capitol Hill. The legislation, which will most likely be approved by the House as early as next week and then be debated in the Senate soon after, has faced significant opposition among Senate Republicans who are strong supporters of the credit card issuers. Democratic leaders said they were mindful of polls showing widespread disapproval of credit card companies, particularly as rates and penalties charged to consumers have been climbing steeply, even though the companies’ cost of borrowing is at a historic low. That has put pressure on Congress to move swiftly. Following up on pledges he made during the election campaign to curtail the high fees and rates, the president called the top executives from the nation’s largest credit card companies to the White House to pressure them to take steps that officials say would reduce abusive practices. Most of the banks have also received government assistance as part of the federal bailout, putting the government in an awkward position. As a shareholder, it profits from the banks’ improved earnings. At the same time, the administration is trying to take steps that, while helpful to consumers, could cut into the institutions’ profitability. Participants described the half-hour meeting in the Roosevelt Room as cordial and not confrontational. They said Mr. Obama told the executives that he recognized the importance of credit cards as a source of liquidity and convenience, but that he had concerns about certain card policies. He said some of those concerns had been addressed in new regulations that the Federal Reserve recently adopted and that will take effect next year, but that he thought the government needed to go further. “I know you feel that anything beyond what the Fed has done would be overkill,” the president was quoted by one participant as saying. “I just disagree.” He called on the companies to produce statements that are clearly written and do not have any confusing terms and conditions. He also proposed that every company issue a “plain-vanilla, easy-to-understand, simplest-terms possible credit card” to make it easier for the average consumer. CONTINUE READING..

iphone entertainment blog buzz 04.23.09

Screen Gems has set Jan. 8, 2010, as the release date for "The Takers," which stars Chris Brown in his first role since being charged with felony assault for the alleged Feb. 8 beating of Rihanna. Students at Washington D.C.'s SEED School were excited to get a visit from President Barack Obama, former president Bill Clinton, Sen. Ted Kennedy and others to promote the signing of a new $5.7 billion national service act. Beyonce's father/manager Mathew Knowles wasted little time Wednesday firing back at TMZ.com over posting a supposed "board mix audio" of the singer's performance at "The Today Show" in which she appeared completely tone deaf.Prince is being sued by a literary agency over his coffee table book "21 Nights," a multimedia photo essay collection documenting his 21-night residency at London's O2 Arena.Tyler Perry's new 34th Street Films has purchased its first property - an as-yet-untitled feature pitch from the writing team of Jennifer Heath and Michele J. Wolff ("Ella Enchanted").Kermit the Frog isn't the only one thinking "it's not easy being green." According to a recent Earth Day-inspired poll, Mariah Carey is singing the eco blues after being voted the "least green celebrity" out of a group of five.A man hired to tend bar at a 2007 event hosted by Jamie Foxx is now suing the actor over injuries suffered during his employment. Eminem used his Twitter feed Tuesday to reveal the cover art to his upcoming album "Relapse."While promoting her new reality series "The Cougar," about a 40-something woman courted by much younger men, Vivica A. Fox was asked if she has adopted the cougar philosophy in her own life. Mary J. Blige will join Clay Aiken, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow and Adam Levine of Maroon 5 in the May 14 season finale of NBC's "30 Rock," the network announced.The parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann will tape an interview with the "Oprah Winfrey Show" tomorrow for an episode scheduled to air on May 4.NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has set a few guidelines for Michael Vick to meet before the jailed quarterback is allowed back into the league. Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman William "The Refrigerator" Perry was in serious condition at a South Carolina hospital Tuesday after experiencing complications from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, two Chicago newspapers reported. A judge has refused a request by rapper Lil Wayne to block the release of QD3 Entertainment's documentary about his career, titled "The Carter."Cicely Tyson, Yolanda Adams and Dorinda Clarke Cole will participate in the unveiling of a Sojourner Truth memorial bust in the U.S. Capitol building, the culmination of a ten-year journey by the National Congress of Black Women. Bob Marley's "One Love" sits atop a list of Jamaica's 100 best songs over 50 years that was unveiled Tuesday by a panel of musicians and cultural officials associated with the University of the West Indies.Singer Seal is well into a career that will cement him as one of the most critically acclaimed singers of his generation. His most recent album, 'Soul,' is a David Foster-produced opus that covers classic R&B standards. The British-born crooner also ... Read more Mike Tyson's documentary comes out Friday, which is absolutely amazing and I encourage everyone to see it over that Jungle Fever meets Fatal Attraction movie that they aren't doing press screenings for until the day it comes out. Anyway, a few weeks ago I was in the screening for Tyson and they showed a clip of Mike having a conniption at a press conference. He was grabbing his d*ck and shouting. LeToya Luckett could’ve used some better luck during the release of her first album in 2006. Soon after her  self-titled debut hit the stores, her label, Capitol-EMI, announced it would merge with Virgin Records to form the Capitol Music Group. In the midst of the restructuring, the group’s executive vice president of urban music, Ronnie Johnson, died of a heart attack.“When you get caught up in a merger and then lose someone who was so involved in your project, there’s nothing you can do,” Luckett tells the Hollywood Reporter. “You don’t have control; you can’t release another album. So you learn to be patient.” (Continue Reading…) ♫ Ciara - Like A Surgeon (full) - listen Here’s a new track from Ciara’s new album, Fantasy Ride. With all the material that leaked, it seems they’ve been able to get keep some under wraps before it’s release date on May 5th. “Like A Surgeon” was a track written by none other [...] Your favorite two-fingered mandude Diplo made a ridiculously ill sneak peek mixtape at the new Major Lazer record he and Switch have been cooking up in their alien Caribbean kitchen—it's basically snippets in the mix of the entire album, which is awesome and features everyone from Vybz Kartel to Santigold to Ricky Blaze to Nina Sky, plus that ridiculous Black Flag sample, and the T-Pain autotune baby. Basically when we are kneeling by our bed praying to Jah, this album is what we are asking for. Can we die now? Cool except we don't want to cause then we couldn't listen to this record every single day. That sounded corny but we are not shy about our love... tell the world!Former national security adviser and secretary of state Condoleezza Rice "verbally approved" the "earliest known request" by the Central Intelligence Agency to torture and waterboard detainees, reports the Associated Press, which contradicts her own testimony. As national security adviser to...The House Judiciary Committee passes H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act by a vote of 15-12. The bill is sometimes called the Matthew Shepard Act. Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), chair of the judiciary panel, introduced the...CONTINUE READING...
Day26 don't want to be the next Danity Kane: "We are going to be together forever," Que said. The "Making the Band" season finale airs Thursday at 9 p.m. ET. king his inspiration from the French term Classique - an author, artist or work of art, of the highest excellence - Will Downing returns with his 14th collection of sensual grooves and true love primers. Classique is his second album for Peak Records (in stores June 16 via the Concord Music Group) and a triumphant encore presentation following the challenges he faced creating his Peak debut, After Tonight (recorded while battling the muscle disorder Polymyositis). ONE HOT MESS, ONE BLESSED EVENT: While The Real Housewives of Orange County's Gretchen Rossi appears all kinds of compromised in photos on the dirty.com, Jacqueline Laurita from the newest Real Housewives of New Jersey is expecting her third child!WOLVERINE IS THE MAN: Hugh Jackman opened up to Parade Magazine and the Wolverine star had a refreshing response to rumors about his sexuality: and ldquo;I and rsquo;d be happy to go and deny it, because I and rsquo;m not. But by denying it, I and rsquo;m saying there is something shameful about it, and there isn and rsquo;t anything shameful." Read more...HOLLYWOOD ON THE HUDSON: Robert Deniro's Tribeca Film Festival opens in New York City today with a line-up of films including An Englishman in New York, based on the later life of gay icon Quentin Crisp, Luc and iacute;a Puenzo's, Fish Child and the new documentary Making the Boys which goes behind the scenes of the 1970 gay classic The Boys In The Band.

MP3: Keelay & Zaire - "We Made It" feat. Mario Dones

The Song: Keelay & Zaire, production masterminds, have brought us another '90s throwback banger off of their current album, Ridin High. "We Made It," featuring flow from Mario Dones, is a celebratory song about hard work paying off and dreams coming to fruition. Kee & Zee blend smooth jazz keyboards, record scratches, fanfare filled synths, and drums to make you feel as if you're crossing the finish line after a marathon, complete with the crowd cheering in your favor. Whether you're a musician trying to break it into the industry or a recent grad landing your first job, crank up "We Made It" for a dose of encouragement and let Mario Dones' words, "Sky's the limit, see my vision breaking," help you endeavor forward. Keelay & Zaire are a bi-coastal team that operates with only one concrete rule; creating music with unlimited range. Complementing each other's styles with precision, Kee & Zee work as a sole production machine that spawns gritty classic hip-hop, soulful R&B, and any other medium that requires an exclusive sound from the team. With Keelay out west in San Francisco, and Zaire in the east, holding it down in Virginia, the two have almost unlimited resources from which to draw talent and inspiration. In their debut LP Ridin High, the pair's versatility takes center stage, backed up by a talented cast of emcees and singers including Phonte of Little Brother, Supastition, Blu, Cali Agents, Darien Brockington, Tash of Tha Liks, Saafir, Fortilive, The Park, Emilio Rojas, Surreal ,Slo-Mo, Mario Dones, The A.V.E., J.Fish, Jony Fraze, Whooligan, and Tiffany Paige. Keelay & Zaire's Ridin High is available everywhere nowvia MYX Music Label.

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=307214742&s=143441
The Prelude to Drive EP is now available to download for FREE at the freshly launched MyxMusicLabel.com.

The Outfest Legacy Project Screening Series

April 24, 7:30pm
WORD IS OUT at the UCLA Festival of Preservation

Dir. Mariposa Film Group (Peter Adair, Nancy Adair, Veronica Selver, Andrew Brown, Robert Epstein, and Lucy Massie Phenix), 1978, USA, 35mm, 135 min
Quite possibly as relevant today as it was on its debut over 30 years ago, Word Is Out: Stories Of Some Of Our Lives is widely considered the first feature-length documentary on gay and lesbian identity. Offering a vastly different perspective on gay and lesbian identity in America than the common views of the time, the film presents 26 diverse gay and lesbian individuals, who with profundity, honesty and humor, describe their struggle to live a decent life in America, despite prejudice, discriminatory laws and society's unwillingness to treat them with respect and equality.
Preservation funded by The David Bohnett Foundation with additional support provided by The Andrew J. Kuehn Jr. Foundation and the members of Outfest

IN PERSON: Director Nancy Adair., Lucy Massie Phenix
Location: Billy Wilder Theater
Tickets/Information: www.cinema.ucla.edu

 May 11, 8:30pm
WATERMELON WOMAN at REDCAT,
co-presented by the Outfest Legacy Project

Los Angeles theatrical revival
Dir. Cheryl Dunye, 1996, 85 min., screened in Beta SP

Cheryl Dunye's "saucy, daring, insidiously smart debut" (The Boston Phoenix) stands as the first-ever theatrical feature directed by an African American lesbian. The Watermelon Woman tells the story of Cheryl, played engagingly by Dunye herself, who develops a fascination with 1930s actress Fae Richards--a fictional character confined to playing "Mammy" roles in movies by a Dorothy Azner-type director. As part of the production, New York photographer Zoe Leonard shot cleverly constructed still images of Fae Richards and in the process (re)invented a history running counter to the invisibility of black women in early Hollywood and black lesbians in general. The winner of the Teddy (the Berlinale) and Outstanding Narrative Feature (Outfest) awards, The Watermelon Woman also managed to raise the hackles of unreconstructed reactionary Jesse Helms, who called the work "flotsam floating down a sewer." Funded in part with generous support from Wendy Keys and Donald Pels. In person: Cheryl Dunye
Location: ROY AND EDNA DISNEY/CALARTS THEATER, 631 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tickets/Information: http://www.redcat.org/season/0809/fv/dunye.php

May 17, 7:00pm
A Tribute to Tom Graeff (TEENAGERS FROM OUTER SPACE, TOAST TO OUR BROTHERS, ISLAND SUNRISE)
Legacy Project Screening Series at UCLA
This evening's program celebrates the life and career of Los Angeles filmmaker Tom Graeff. Low-budget auteur, eccentric rabble-rouser, religious fanatic sent to save the world--Graeff was all of these. Unknown in his own lifetime, his fascinating, earnest and campy work is ripe for re-discovery.

TEENAGERS FROM OUTER SPACE
Dir. Tom Graeff, 1959, USA,16mm, 86 min. In 1956, Graeff made his second independent feature film, Killers from Outer Space. Three years and several title changes later, Warner Brothers released it as Teenagers from Outer Space and a cult B-movie science fiction classic was born. Starring Graeff's boyfriend Chuck Roberts (as David Love), Teenagers was written, produced, directed, shot, and edited by Graeff, who also acted in it, supervised the music and created the notorious special effects.

Preceded by.
ISLAND SUNRISE
Dir. Tom Graeff, 1954, USA, Beta-SP, (rev. 2008), 4 min.
This short was originally created to introduce Graeff's boyfriend Chuck Roberts to Hollywood and was recently contextualized and updated by filmmaker and Graeff biographer, Jim Tushinski.

TOAST TO OUR BROTHER
Dir. Tom Graeff, 1951, USA, Beta-SP, 23 min.
Shot mainly on the UCLA campus, Graeff's delightful student film depicts campus life and the rewarding aspects of fraternity brotherhood.

Location: Billy Wilder Theater
Tickets/Information: www.cinema.ucla.edu
OUTFEST members receive $1 off admission at the box office.

Tanya Morgan Tour: Brooklynati Invades Canada!

(April 23, 2009 - Brooklyn, NY) In preparation for the release of their latest project Brooklynati, available May 12th, hip-hop trio Tanya Morgan is crossing into Canadian soil for a short 10-venue tour in cities all across the country. Kicking off April 20th in the western-most province of British Columbia, the group will play in Vancouver, than head east to Edmonton and Calgary, hit the great lakes area for stops in Toronto and Ottawa, and finish up on the east coast in Montreal and Nova Scotia on May 3rd. Donwill had this to say of the dates in Canada: "Canada always shows love so we are really happy to be doing a string of dates up here. You know, it's kind of cool to see that your message is spreading. We always enjoy doing Canadian spot dates but this is the first time we have done an actual tour in Canada, so we feel like it's a special occasion." Joining Tanya Morgan on the tour is Singapore-born and Toronto-bred rapper Masia One, who recently saw the release of her double LP Pulau: Montreal In The Fall/The Islands in September, 2008. Brooklynati is more than just an album, it is a fully realized experience complete with a Chamber of Commerce website in which visitors can explore the many attractions within the virtual city, including viewing the dining hotspots, recreational facilities, and even registering for an official Brooklynati driver's license. The Canadian tour is the official beginning of this ambitious project, as the official release of the album is now just a few week away. With these tour dates Tanya Morgan will take Canadian fans on an unexpected vacation to Brooklynati.Listen to the first single, "So Damn Down" - http://media.audibletreats.com/Tanya_Morgan-So_Damn_Down-DJ_Mix.mp3

South Africans Vote, Expecting Few Big Changes

DIEPSLOOT, South Africa — On Wednesday, voters began lining up shortly after midnight in this sprawling settlement north of Johannesburg. By 4:30 a.m., there were lines a thousand people long at some polling stations. Thomas Baloyi, 49, arrived at 5:45 a.m. and only cast his ballot five hours later. He said he voted for the African National Congress, the party that led the liberation from apartheid and has governed the country during the 15 years it has been a democracy. “I am an A.N.C. man until the day I die,” said Mr. Baloyi, an unemployed laborer. “I don’t care who the candidate is, as long as he is A.N.C.” Disappointment runs deep among South Africans. In one recent poll, fewer than half of them thought they were better off now than they were under apartheid, according to the research group Afrobarometer . Yet if the polls are correct, the A.N.C. is about to win the nation’s fourth democratic election in yet another landslide, and its leader, the self-educated populist Jacob Zuma, will become president. The question is whether the party can equal the 70 percent share it tallied in 2004 or will get something closer to the 63 percent it won under Nelson Mandela in 1994. Results will start trickling in late Wednesday and the bulk of the ballots will be counted on Thursday and Friday. The A.N.C.’s seemingly certain victory underscores the way South Africa, after being unshackled from apartheid, has been a virtual one-party state, so much so that many here worry about the political future of the nation regarded as the democratic anchor of the continent. In Diepsloot, however, democracy seemed to be on prideful display. Standing in the morning chill, voters could have been giving a lecture on citizenship in a civics class. One after another, they spoke about making a difference and having their voice heard. “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain,” said Lubabalo Nobadula, a 20-year-old student casting a ballot for the first time. “I voted A.N.C. because I owe the party. They liberated the country and I am repaying the debt.”The nation’s democracy is young enough that many voters spoke of casting their ballot as a way of honoring those who sacrificed in the struggle for freedom. CONTINUE READING...

Will Obama Ride Reagan’s Ratings Roller Coaster?

Despite a long, hard-fought election campaign, the public rallies to a new chief executive who has come to office riding a tide of national discontent and strong disapproval of his predecessor. His approval ratings remain high even as he proposes a dramatic new approach to the role of government that has many doubters. Surveys find that Americans think the president’s plan to rescue the nation’s troubled economy will work, yet many are fearful of key provisions. Indeed, the polls find the president more personally popular than his programs. Further, a wide partisan gap exists in attitudes toward the nation’s new leader. The new president described above is, of course, Barack Obama — but, to a startling degree, it is also Ronald Reagan. A close look at Gallup’s polling of reactions to Reagan’s first few months in office provides striking parallels with what Pew Research Center polls now find about opinions of Mr. Obama. And a consideration of the Reagan experience may well give some clues as to what lies ahead for the 44th president. The public’s bottom lines on Presidents Reagan and Obama early in their presidencies have so far been quite comparable: 60 percent and 59 percent of the public approved of the new presidents in mid-March, respectively. (Going into April, the lines diverge as a sympathetic public response to the March 31 attempt on Reagan’s life boosted his numbers, at least for short period.) The parallels in the two presidents’ ratings go beyond overall results. Both were extremely popular among members of their own party, but each set off alarm bells among the opposition. Some 87 percent of Republicans approved of Reagan, while 88 percent of Democrats approve of Barack Obama. But both presidents evoked less positive opinion from the opposition than had their predecessor. Only 41 percent of Democrats approved of Reagan whereas 56 percent of Republicans had approved of Jimmy Carter in March 1977. President Obama scores only a 27 percent rating among Republicans, significantly lower than George W. Bush’s 36 percent approval score among Democrats in March 2001. No small part of the polarized reaction to both new presidents is that each made proposals that went to the core precepts about government held by the two political parties. Reagan’s expressed desire to shrink government was as much an anathema to Democrats as Mr. Obama’s proposals to increase the size and influence of government are to Republicans. In May 1981, half of Democrats believed that Reagan’s budget cuts were too large, compared with just 15 percent of Republicans. These reactions are very similar to those evoked by any number of Obama administration proposals. For example, in March 81 percent of Democrats favored the stimulus package, while 67 percent of Republicans opposed it. And while an overwhelming majority of Republicans — 70 percent — said that Mr. Obama had proposed too much spending to address the economic situation, just 17 percent of Democrats agreed. CONTINUE READING...

Today's Papers: Didn't Know Much About Torture History

The New York Times leads with a detailed look at how the Central Intelligence Agency implemented the harsh interrogation techniques for terrorist suspects without knowing much about their history or inquiring too deeply about their effectiveness. The interrogation methods were approved without dissent, or even much debate, in a number of "high-level meetings in 2002" after a concerted push by the top two CIA officials. The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and the Wall Street Journal's world-wide newsbox lead with President Obama leaving open the possibility of prosecuting Bush administration officials who approved the harsh interrogation techniques that were used on terror suspects. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Obama also said that if Congress is determined to investigate the interrogation practices, he would not stand in the way. While emphasizing that he was "not suggesting" the idea, Obama said that an investigation by a bipartisan commission that would look much like the one that investigated the Sept. 11 attacks would be preferable to a congressional panel that could easily devolve into partisan sniping. USA Today leads with an in-house analysis that found 16 of the 62 lawmaker who left Congress last year are now working for organizations that seek to influence the government in some way. Although ethics rules mandate a "cooling off period" before former lawmakers can directly lobby their former colleagues, they can still work as advisers as well as lobby administration officials or state policymakers. "They can't call or visit a congressional office for a lobbying purpose but can do all the work on a lobbying campaign," Craig Holman of the watchdog group Public Citizen said.

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Bailey slaying defendant testifies against Bey

(04-21) 12:47 PDT OAKLAND -- The man accused of fatally shooting Oakland journalist Chauncey Bailey testified before a grand jury today that he was ordered to commit the killing by the leader of Your Black Muslim Bakery, his attorney said. Devaughndre Broussard, 21, a former handyman at the now-defunct black self-empowerment group, has struck a plea agreement with Alameda County prosecutors under which he agreed to testify against bakery leader Yusuf Bey IV and another bakery figure, Antoine Mackey. In exchange, Broussard has agreed to plead guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter, for the 2007 killings of Bailey and Odell Roberson, and be sentenced to 25 years in state prison. Broussard began his testimony at 10:40 a.m. in the Wiley Manuel Courthouse in downtown Oakland, about 12 blocks from where Bailey, 57, was shot to death by a masked gunman Aug. 2, 2007, as he walked to work. Broussard, the only person charged with Bailey's murder, told an Alameda County prosecutor last month that he committed the killing on Bey's orders. Broussard said he had pulled the trigger on a high-powered rifle, firing enough shots to make sure "it ain't no coming back," and that Mackey had driven the getaway van. Bey was angry about reporting that Bailey was doing for the Oakland Post on the bakery's internal and financial problems, Broussard said. Bey also held a grudge against Bailey for reporting the journalist supposedly did that "killed" Bey's father, who founded the bakery in 1968 and died of cancer in 2003, Broussard said. Bey also kept a list of "people that he wanted to get rid of," Broussard told the prosecutor. The grand jury is considering whether to indict Bey and Mackey on murder charges. Broussard gave his testimony in secret, and under grand jury rules, there is no cross-examination from attorneys for the targets of the proceedings. Bey's attorney, Anne Beles, has said her client had nothing to do with Bailey's death. Bey, 23, is in jail awaiting trial on unrelated charges of kidnapping two women and torturing one of them. Broussard's attorney, LeRue Grim, said of his client, " I would describe him as living in a hell. He's really suffering from all this. He feels this is the right thing to do." Grim said Broussard was "deeply remorseful" for the killings of Bailey and Roberson, the uncle of a man who had been convicted of killing Bey's brother Antar Bey. "He knows it all," Grim said. "Everything he says is corroborated by the surrounding circumstances and other witnesses. He has been involved in some things that are not noble. But what he is saying is a very noble thing, and these are people who are being called to account for egregious crimes." Also at the courthouse was Broussard's mother, who asked that her name not be used. She said she was there to support her son. When Broussard joined the bakery in 2006 after being released from state prison for a robbery conviction, "I thought it was a good thing," she said. Broussard told Bailey prosecutor Chris Lamiero last month that at first he had done odd jobs and errands for the bakery, and had later been used on "security details." When she heard her son had confessed to Bailey's slaying, she said, "I figured, if you did it, you've got to suffer the consequences." Later, when her son recanted and said Bey had pressured him to admit to the killing, she said she was mystified. Broussard is expected to testify the rest of the afternoon and possibly Wednesday as well. SOURCE:SFGATE.COM

Make Me a Super Model: Spirit of the 60's

For the Love of Ray J: Cocktail wins

• VH1 TV Shows

Recording artists with The Write Stuff get support from www.hiphopgive sback.org

Another organization that has been created to showcase the positive side of Hip Hop is www.hiphopgivesback.org. Created by Mike D and Konata J, HipHopGivesBack.org has set itself as the premiere catalyst committed to cultivating the awareness of the positive efforts, endeavors,and accomplishments of Hip Hop Culture and its communities. Through its website it hopes to remove negative reinforcements that have been placed upon Hip Hop Culture and its communities by bringing you stories of programs, events and priceless moments that are the result of positivity within. It is now supporting The Write Stuff Reality Show and the artists that are a part of it. "The world is not going to fix itself," says Mike D. "I think it is necessary for those of us who have been blessed in certain positions, to get the ball rolling. This collaboration is the start of a movement that will assist the future(children) in forming the future." Konata J adds this: "The collaboration between www.HipHopgivesBack.org & The Write Stuff is an example of the forward thinking that will bring about progress and change in essential areas, including literacy with urban youth and the promotion of programs. This will contribute to the overall improvement of literacy excellence in our communities." Hip Hop Gives Back will be cross-promoting the artists from The Write Stuff through its site as well. Dj Down South, a recording artist from Mississippi is also pleased to see the marriage of music and reading. "I'm glad to be a part of projects that can show more than one side of the music that Hip hop produces. The Write Stuff is going to break alot of records, and I think that will include those that have to do with Hip Hop as well." Other organizations that have partnered with Shadow Play Entertainment and The Write Stuff in their effort to show the positive side of music include For The People Productions, Crunk Magazine, Hype Magazine, Industry Standard Magazine, The Common Ground Foundation and The Hip Hop Chronicle.  To find out more about those who are working to make a difference along with The Write Stuff or to see how you can get involved, visit http://www.thewritestufftv.com

Today's Papers: Frequently Using Water-Boarding

The New York Times leads with word that CIA interrogators used water-boarding 266 times on two al-Qaida detainees. The CIA used the simulated drowning technique, which senior Obama officials have described as torture, 83 times on Abu Zubaydah in 2002 and 183 times on Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in 2003. USA Today leads with a look at how the federal government has so far committed only $60 billion for projects from the $787 billion stimulus package. Of the $499 billion allotted to new spending, the bulk of the money has so far gone out as financial aid to states and to help carry out highway repairs, among other public works. Some are raising concerns that the money isn't being spent quickly enough to help the ailing economy. The Washington Post leads with a look at how the Taliban takeover of Pakistan's Swat Valley has emboldened Islamist militant leaders to publicly urge the implementation of sharia, or Islamic law, in the whole country. While government officials hoped that they could slow the spread of extremism in Pakistan by appeasing the Taliban, it seems militants are more motivated than ever to take their fight to the rest of the country. "The government made a big mistake to give these guys legal cover for their agenda. Now they are going to be battle-ready to struggle for the soul of Pakistan," one expert tells the paper. The Wall Street Journal leads with the positive responses that President Obama elicited from Latin American leaders during the fifth Summit of the Americas. Cuba's Raul Castro and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez both made it clear they were willing to work with the new president to improve relations, but it's unclear whether the "overtures ... would augur improved relations with the U.S. or just a smooth patch in a long and often unfriendly road," notes the paper. The Los Angeles Times leads locally with a look at how California lawmakers will be asking voters to take away $2 billion from popular state programs designed to help young children and the mentally ill. The programs were approved by voters, but now lawmakers want to use that money to help balance the budget.

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Actor Marcus Patrick and Out Gay Baskeball Player and Logo (MTV Networks) Reality Star Mike Survillion, Headline Blatino Oasis in Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs CA -  Set to take place May 8-11, Blatino Oasis 2009 has after only three years become one of the “Place To Be” destinations for gay and bisexual men of color. Erotica is the central theme of the event and features the 3rd Annual Blatino Erotica Awards (BEA) which recognizes the achievements of men of color in the adult erotic Industry.  This year's host resort is Wyndham Palm Springs, however, the awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 9, at the Canyon Club Hotel and will be hosted by Mike Survillion, America's only out gay professional basketball player and star and narrator of the Logo (MTV Networks) reality series “Shirts & Skins,” . As the youngest player on the Rockdogs (23), Mike was robbed of the chance to play college ball because of his sexual orientation. After graduating from Michigan State -- and with the encouragement of his teammates -- Mike made the move out to San Francisco and with astonishing quickness, scoring and leaping ability, and heart, Mike quickly established himself as the Rockdogs starting point guard. Mike now plays semi-pro ball with the American Baskeball Association's (ABA) team the San Francisco Rumble. The Blatino Erotica Award for "Sexiest Hollywood Actor" honor for 2009 goes to actor and soap star Marcus Patrick, who after joining the cast of Days of our Lives, was dismissed after a controversial explicit photo shoot in the September 2007 edition of Playgirl Magazine. Although this Playgirl photoshoot ended Parick’s stint as a soap star, it elevated his image to international sex symbol status. Born in Bath England to Jamaican and Irish parents, Marcus has often been referred to as one of the most beautiful men in the world and has performed on the sitcom “My Wife & Kids” with Damon Wayans and Tisha Campbell, CSI Miami and on Dancing With The Stars. Aside from acting, Marcus Patrick has had a singing career, firstly with the boyband Worlds Apart as well as a solo career. He has also practiced Tae Kwon Do, winning championships at the junior and men's heavyweight level. In addtion to Marcus Patrick, honorees for 2009 include, porn legend “Bobby Blake” (Lifetime Achievement), porn star Eddie Diaz (Best Porn Star), new comer and Grabby Award nominee, Ian Rock (America’s Top Top) who will also have a live dildo casting party , Aarin Driver (America’s Top Bottom), Latin Inches (Best Erotic Magazine), Papi Chulo (Best Erotic Blog), Lee Hayes (Best Erotic Author), and Atlanta's "N'Tyce" (Best Erotic Stripper). Also on hand will be international model and actor Kairon John and other celebrity guest. This year's sponsors include Andrew Christian, BiLatinMen.com, Manhunt.net, JustUsBoys.com, I.D. Lube and Keeping It Real Online TV. In addition to encouraging men of color to step out of their travel comfort zones, event producer Joe Hawkins said that "Blatino Oasis is an attempt to de-stigmatize homosexuality and bisexuality in the gay men of color community and to provide each of us with an opportunity to become more exposed to different gay friendly destinations through travel in order to release, relax, and rejuvenate."

Taking The Stage: Talking Love Lives

Taking The Stage - MTV Shows

American Violet

NBA Playoffs:Lakers 113, Utah 100

Utah rallies to make a game of it in the second half before Kobe Bryant helps seal the victory.What looked like a walk in the Western Conference playoff park for the Lakers, what looked like an easy time in Game 1 this afternoon at Staples Center, instead turned into a contest.The Lakers cruised to a 22-point halftime lead, walking all over the Jazz. But Utah came out with more energy, with more of an effort in the third quarter, closing to within nine points at various times in the second half, including the fourth quarter. Sensing that they were now in a game, the Lakers collected themselves for a 113-100 victory over the Jazz to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 2 will be Tuesday night at Staples Center. Kobe Bryant scored 24 points and handed out eight assists. Bryant (3,710 points) passed Magic Johnson for third on the franchise's all-time playoff scoring list and ninth on the NBA'. CONTINUE READING...

Rose, in His Playoff Debut, Outduels Rondo and the Celtics Bulls 105, Celtics 103

BOSTON — It resembled the kind of clear-out play seen more often in pickup games than in the N.B.A. playoffs. Isolated at the top of the key with 37 seconds left and his team trailing by 1, the Chicago Bulls rookie Derrick Rose was matched against the Boston Celtics’ Rajon Rondo. After a crossover move, Rose made a beeline to the rim. Paul Pierce arrived to help a step too late — an eternity in Rose’s accelerated time frame. Pierce helplessly knocked the ball off the rim, guilty of goaltending. That was about all the Celtics could do to slow Rose short of slickening the floor. Through much of Saturday’s game, Rose and Rondo exchanged blows like boxers. The Bulls won on points — mostly delivered by Rose and the 6 that Tyrus Thomas added in overtime for a 105-103 victory over the defending champion Celtics in Game 1 of their best-of-seven first-round playoff series. “He has a quiet confidence about him and he’s only going to get better,” Bulls Coach Vinny Del Negro said of Rose, adding, “If people aren’t familiar with Derrick, then they’re not basketball fans.” The Bulls now have the home-court advantage, a crucial component to the Celtics’ title run a season ago, when they did not lose at home in the first two rounds. An injured Kevin Garnett watched the first half from the sideline, then disappeared into the inner sanctum of TD Banknorth Garden. The Celtics’ hopes for a repeat might have left with him. A healthy Garnett is capable of plugging the kind of holes that Rose breezed through for a video-game-like box score. He scored a career-high 36 points, tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most by a rookie in his playoff debut. He also had 11 assists.Rose was 12 for 12 from the free-throw line, including two attempts that gave the Bulls a 97-96 lead with 22.1 seconds remaining in regulation. CONTINUE READING...

iPhone Friday Blog Buzz 04.17.09

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Former NFL running back Travis Henry pleaded guilty Thursday to trafficking cocaine in a federal drug case that could land him in prison for 10 years or more.WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) — Kevin Garnett isn't ready to start the playoffs, and Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Thursday that there's a strong possibility that he will miss the entire postseason. NEW YORK (AP) — John Madden's last game as a football announcer was a thrilling Super Bowl decided in the final seconds.The perfect ending to a run as one of sports' most popular broadcasters, now that Madden called it a career Thursday. Yet it didn't fit Madden's style to think about his retirement that way. "American Idol" history was made Wednesday. More on that in a moment. It's hard to believe that one hour is the same amount of time on Tuesdays as it is on Wednesdays. The performance show always runs long and this week the judges were cut in half to try to keep the show running on time. Yet, on Wednesday night's there's nothing but fluff. After striking a deal with prosecutors, Devaughndre Broussard described in detail how he carried out orders from the leader of Your Black Muslim Bakery to kill Oakland journalist Chauncey Bailey, including specific instructions to fire enough rounds to make sure "it ain't no coming back."A hospital worker shot and killed two employees and then killed himself at a medical center Thursday, sending panicked people fleeing, police and witnesses said.Modesto authorities say that the parolee accused of fatally shooting four Oakland police officers last month before being killed in a gunfight with police is a suspect in a home-invasion robbery. Police spokesman Sgt. Brian Findlen said Thursday that investigators believe Lovelle Shawn Mixon was one of two men to commit the robbery in February. Police arrested the second suspect, Cedric Larue Daniels, 22, of Modesto, on Wednesday. A man who claimed he and Tyra Banks "had a thing together" goes on trial Friday on charges of stalking and harassing the model and television talk show host. Brady Green, of Dublin. Ga., is accused of harassing and following Banks from coast to coast since January of last year. He was arrested March 18, 2008, at the Manhattan building where "The Tyra Banks Show" is taped after he tried to see her. Reality shows built around singer Monica and "Everybody Hates Chris" daddy Terry Crews will be officially announced next week during BET's upfront presentation to advertisers in New York. In his upcoming film "American Violet" he plays the ex-boyfriend/baby daddy of a woman who is wrongfully caught in a drug sweep and forced to fight for her children and her freedom. EUR got a chance to speak to Xzibit about his role in "American Violet," his acting career, and the music.The saddest thing is knowing that men abandon their children ... regularly. But, what's even sadder is the essay that you are going to read from Al. B. Sure's son, Quincy, to us and his father. The absence has weighed so heavily on him that he has lashed out in a letter so profoundly illustrating his pain that your heart truly goes out to him. The saddest thing is knowing that men abandon their children ... regularly.  But, what’s even sadder is the essay that you are going to read from Al. B. Sure’s son Quincy to us and his father. The absence has weighed so heavily on him that he has lashed out in a letter so profoundly illustrating his pain that your heart truly goes out to him. He makes note of the fact that P. Diddy was the only father he ever knew.  It’s evident that he has been a major influence in his life because while the letter is moving, he also uses the opportunity, while he has your rapt attention, to promote his newest single that plays while you read.  Leave it to Puff Daddy to turn misery into profit. (Link to the letter HERE.) Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds is launching his new Sodapop Music record label in a partnership with Island Def Jam, which is run by his former LaFace Records partner Antonio L.A. Reid.The first artist to be released on Sodapop is Kristinia DeBarge (pronounced kris-ti-NEE-a) of the famed DeBarge singing family. The 19-year-old entertainer is the daughter of DeBarge keyboardist and founding member James DeBarge. As if working on new albums for Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton and Sean "Diddy" Combs isn't enough, super-producer Rodney Jerkins has added another gig to his plate - a prominent position on Diddy's upcoming MTV reality series, "Starmaker."  'One Tree Hill' star Antwon Tanner was arrested Thursday as part of an investigation into a fake Social Security card use. Karrine Steffans has been called a lot of things – though she's particular about what she answers to and that infamous nickname "Superhead" doesn't work.For all of those who rant we need to support black films -- I hope you go out to see American Violet, which opens today in select cities. The movie is worth your money. Rudy from “The Cosby Show” has grown up, and she’s about to show off her life on cable TV. Oxygen said Wednesday that it’s developing a reality show about actress Keshia Knight Pulliam and her live-in boyfriend, Atlanta area entrepreneur Kaseem Penn. It will explore what it’s like being young, rich, single and co-habitating. No air date is set for the show, titled “Keshia and Kaseem.” Is it true that women reach their sexual peak somewhere in their 30’s? I think that’s a fair question to ask being as though many of my female counterparts compare themselves to teenage boys once they enter their third decade of life. CONTINUE READING..  Fantasia Barrino was introduced to the world via a very popular reality competition (American Idol) and it has been recently confirmed that she will now join the long list of celebrities who have their own reality shows. Her challenges from fame and her unwillingness to fail have combined to create a larger-than-life talent who appeals to music lovers around the world. So many people wanted to work with her on this, but Fantasia is now part of the VH1 family, and we’re so happy to have her.Singer and former Moesha star Brandy has jumped on board ABC’s forthcoming series “This Little Piggy.” The show is centered around a family man who’s forced to take in his younger brother and sister when times get tough, “This Little Piggy” will feature Brandy as the “high maintenance wife” of the younger brother played by Jeff Davis. Will Smith channels his inner Bow Wow. The latest on the internets is that the "happily married" and "absolutely not gay" A-list actor is going gaga over bisexual electro-pop diva Lady Gaga. Oh and Perez Hilton, too.