WebProNews

Author: Val Powell

  • Chesley Sullenberger’s Heroics Helped Bring New Lives Into The World

    Capt. Chesley Sullenberger is celebrating the 5th anniversary of the ‘Hudson Miracle” on Wednesday. In 2009 he saved 155 people by bringing US Airways Flight 1549 to an astounding landing on the Hudson River. The crash was caused after a flock of geese crammed the engines of the plane.

    As a matter of fact, Capt. Chesley not only saved lives, but also created an opportunity for new lives to be born. He celebrates the 5th anniversary along with 10 babies born after the incident to passengers of the fateful flight.

    The retired pilot, who has formed strong bonds with the survivors of the crash, got the opportunity to meet five of those kids Tuesday in a gratifying reunion on Katie Couric’s show, “Katie”.

    “These are special, special kids…kids that maybe wouldn’t have been born otherwise. It makes it all very real,” Sullenberger said.

    Also noteworthy is that Sullenberg’s heroics not only saved lives but mended broken relationships as well. Karin Rooney who was on the plane with her boyfriend said the two were having problems but the shaking experience brought them closer together. The two married the following year and they now have an 8-month old baby who also appeared on the show.

    Sullenberger is now a best-selling author and has received praise from presidents Barack Obama and George Bush. The 62-year-old Hudson hero became an advocate for air safety and joined the Journal of Patient Safety to help in bringing attention to the estimated 200,000 deaths caused each year as a result of medical errors.

    The “Hudson Hero” confessed that he went through “the most harrowing three minutes” of his life which made him suffer horrific thoughts and insomnia. He retired in 2010.

    http://youtu.be/ixUbdeXCp0M

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘Born To Run’ Parody Spoofs New Jersey’s ‘Bridgegate’ Scandal

    New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is no stranger to being spoofed by the media. The latest  joke comes courtesy of Bruce Springsteen and Late Night host Jimmy Fallon who did an exceptionally funny remake of Springsteen’s “Born to Run”.  The song was intended to spoof the “Bridgegate” scandal regarding last September’s massive traffic jam on the George Washington Bridge caused by top members of Christie’s staff.

    The two men appeared on Late Night dressed in 1970’s Springsteen-styled matching outfits. They wore sleeveless vests and red bandanas to do the parody.

    “You got Wall Street masters stuck cheek to cheek with blue collar truckers and man I really gotta take a leak, but I can’t. I’m stuck in Governor Chris Christie’s Fort Lee New Jersey traffic jam,” Springsteen sang.

    This might seem odd because Christie is known to be one Springsteen’s biggest fans who says he attended more than 100 concerts of “The Boss”.

    The parody also mocks Christie’s long press conference to address the scandal. “It was longer than one of my own damn shows,” Springsteen continued.

    In the parody, Springsteen also said the governor was “killing the working man” as a result of the traffic jam.

    Last week, Christie fired his deputy Chief of Staff after documents revealed that she was involved in closing lanes on the George Washington Bridge  causing traffic jams that lasted for days in Fort Lee.

    Correspondence by the Chief of Staff implied that the jam was caused by Christie’s aides in retaliation to a democratic mayor who refused to endorse the Governor for re-election.

    “Ooohhh, baby this Bridgegate was just pay back.  It’s a bitch slap to the state Democrats, ” sung Springsteen.

    Jimmy Fallon never ceases to amaze. As the duo performed it was hard to tell who was actually Springsteen — singing wise at least. Fallon’s impersonation of Springsteen’s singing was funny and spot-on. It’s not the first time he and Springsteen teamed up on the show. A few years back Fallon did an impersonation of rocker Neil Young that was equally as amazing and Springsteen joined him on stage to make the performance even more special.

    http://youtu.be/9adAljIaKYc

    Image via YouTube

  • Horse Slaughterhouse Bill Up For Vote

    This week, a budget bill that will effectively ban horse slaughter by cutting funding for inspections will be up for a vote in Congress.

    The budget bill was released Monday night. Should the bill pass without changes, lawsuits that have constantly prevented the opening of New Mexico horse slaughterhouses could remain unsettled. Congress cut funding for horse slaughterhouses inspectors in 2006 but reinstated funding four years later in 2011.

    Animal rights advocates who oppose attempts to re-open domestic horse slaughterhouses applauded the bill saying Americans do not want to see tax money used on the “disreputable horse slaughter industry.”

    President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States argued that since “We don’t have dog and cat slaughter plants,” Americans shouldn’t have horse slaughterhouses either. Other animal rights groups have joined the Obama administration in lobbying for the ban on horse slaughter in the U.S. as well.

    In December of last year, New Mexico prosecutor Gary King, filed a lawsuit seeking to block a new slaughter plant from being opened. King’s application for a temporary injunction against the opening of Valley Meat Co. will be decided on Friday.

    Supporters of slaughter plants, however, say that domestic slaughter is a more humane way to deal with abandoned and abused horses. Currently, such horses are shipped to Canada and Mexico and are slaughtered there anyway.

    Native American tribes are among the strong proponents who contend that the exploding number of undomesticated horses is destroying their fields. Blair Dunn, a Valley Meat Co. attorney says, “It is certainly disappointing that Congress is returning to a failed policy at the urging of special interest groups while failing to provide for an alternative.” According to Dunn, the ban will lead to a denial in access to employment opportunities created by the export market and there will be more waste and devastation of the rangelands.

    Hear both sides of the story

    Image via YouTube

  • Border Tunnels: A Sophisticated Way To Smuggle Drugs

    Border Tunnels: A Sophisticated Way To Smuggle Drugs

    Drug cartels have resorted to underground tunnels to avoid detection since security has become more stringent along the border.

    Since 1990, about 170 tunnels have been discovered, the majority of them have been along California and Arizona’s border with Mexico. As a result, the U.S. border patrol will soon unveil an underground wireless robot equipped with camera to search underground networks.

    The tunnels vary in terms of size and complexity, depending on who’s using them. While some can be extremely simple such as those dug by hand, others can be extremely sophisticated, including ventilation, lights, and supports for ceiling.

    Those employed to construct rudimentary tunnels are miners who use hoes, shovels, jackhammers and picks to excavate soil which is transported out of the tunnel’s opening in Mexico. They normally old-fashioned tools like a compass to do their work.

    However, cartels who want to construct sophisticated tunnels normally hire engineers as well as miners to build the tunnels. Those tunnels found near San Diego, Arizona, are good examples of sophisticated tunnels.

    U.S. border officials have estimated the cost of more sophisticated tunnels to be between $2 million and $3 million.

    Once a tunnel has been built, the smugglers use it to move guns and drugs as well as people who want to sneak into the U.S. Officials say that some traffickers are selective about what can move through their tunnels but most sophisticated tunnels are mainly used for moving drugs and guns across the U.S Border.

    Marijuana is among the drugs that are mostly moved through the tunnels because it is bulky and riskier to move above the ground. In 2011, authorities seized about 32 tons of marijuana that was being moved across a 600-yard tunnel in the southern California. The tunnel was equipped with lighting, railcars and ventilation while the floor was lined with wooden planks.

    Image via Wikipedia

  • Underwear Bomber Appeal Denied; Court Says Claims Have No Merit

    On Monday a federal appeals court upheld the life sentence of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (aka “underwear bomber”) for trying to blow up a plane headed for Detroit with a bomb hidden in his underwear on Christmas Day, 2009. He had filed an appeal asking for review of the sentence.

    Just one day after his trial began, in October 2011 Abdulmutallab pleaded guilty to eight counts. Abdulmutallab, who is Nigerian, seemingly took great pride in his suicide mission, calling it a “religious duty” aimed at avenging American attacks against his faith. Yet, he argued in his appeal application that the life sentence was cruel and unusual punishment. He challenged a number of decisions by U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds such as failing to order for medical examinations and allowing him to defend himself despite doubts about his competence.

    The appeals court rejected all the defendant’s arguments and challenges against the sentence, saying “none of these claims have merit.” The court said, contrary to Abdulmutallab’s claims, the trial judge had warned him of the consequences of not being represented by an attorney but the now 27-year-old terrorist insisted on representing himself at the time.

    Abdulmutallab, whom the court described as an “educated and adept individual” was trained in Yemen by a radical cleric called Anwar al-Awlaki. Abdulmutallab hid a bomb in his underwear aboard a plane headed to Detroit from Amsterdam. The plane had 281 passengers and a crew of 11 aboard.

    The court ruled that the life sentence was adequate considering the gravity of the crime and the fact that Abdulmutallab deliberately knew what he was doing.

    “These actions show the deliberate, conscious, and complicated path Abdulmutallab chose to pursue in the name of martyrdom.”  The three-judge bench argued that these actions clearly indicated the exact opposite of “incompetence.”

    The 281 passengers on Northwest Airlines flight 253 were lucky. They are alive today because Abdulmutallab’s bomb failed to explode.

    Image via Wikipedia

  • Christine McVie: The Rumors Are True, She’s Back With Fleetwood Mac

    The rumors are true after all. Keyboardist and vocalist Christine McVie is back with Fleetwood Mac, after being in retirement for 16 years.

    A statement released by the band’s publicist via its website says, “McVie has indeed re-joined Fleetwood Mac and we are hoping to make an announcement about a possible tour for the full tilt Macsters some time in 2014.”

    The 70-year-old artist is an English rock singer, a songwriter and keyboardist who garnered fame as a member of the band Fleetwood Mac.  McVie can be heard on seven songs on Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hits album. Some of those songs include “Everywhere”, “Little Lies”, “Don’t Stop” and “You Make Loving Fun”.

    McVie also has three solo albums to her name, each of which were a commercial success. In 1998 she received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music only to retire the same year to lead a quiet life.

    The musical comeback rumors started when McVie joined Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, former husband John McVie and Lindsey Buckingham onstage last September at two of the band’s shows in London to sing “Don’t Stop.”

    http://youtu.be/3bmHQ_7x_tg

    On Saturday, Mick Fleetwood reportedly told an audience at Uncle Willie K’s BBQ Blues Fest in Maui that “Christine McVie will be rejoining Fleetwood Mac.” McVie had already began rehearsing with the band late last year to perform in two shows on its European tour. Band-mate Stevie Nicks dismissed rumors of a full-length tour with McVie, but McVie reportedly told the Guardian that she would like to be in the band and said she misses them all.

    “If they were to ask me [to return] I would probably be very delighted…but it hasn’t happened so we’ll have to wait and see.” She had said.

    Stevie Nicks reportedly told Billboard that if Christine “wants to come back to the band” it is all depends on her. “I said to her, ‘It’s your band. I don’t really think you have to ask.”

    http://youtu.be/jTsg16zj34U

    Image via YouTube

  • Kelly Thomas: Cops Acquitted Of Beating To Death Homeless Man

    A jury acquitted two former Fullerton police officers Monday in the death of Kelly Thomas. Charges against a third officer, Joseph Wolfe, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter, were also dropped.

    Kelly Thomas was a homeless, schizophrenic man who died after a violent confrontation with law enforcement officers in Fullerton, California in 2011. Manuel Ramos and Jay Cicinelli had been charged with excessive use of force and involuntary manslaughter.

    Family, friends and supporters of Thomas have reacted angrily to the verdict and are now hoping that federal authorities will step in. Kelly Thomas’ father Ron Thomas who is a former sheriff’s deputy said he hoped that the U.S. Justice Department would charge the officers as he was dumbfounded that they were able to get away with such a crime.

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    The FBI has said the agency has been investigating the case since 2011. Now that the state trial has ended they will examine the evidence to determine whether further charges can be brought against the trio at the federal level. A total of 25 witnesses testified during the hearing and a 33-minute surveillance video, synced with audio recording was also presented to the court.

    Disturbing footage of Kelly Thomas’ beating

    http://youtu.be/e6yaeD-E_MY

    Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas prosecuted the case himself and has defended the outcome of the trial saying it was a fair trial. He said if given another chance, he “would do the same thing again.”

    Outrage and protests have been reported in Fullerton where Kelly Thomas was beaten to death by the police.  Curtis Gamble, a homeless friend of Thomas, said there are many other friends who witnessed the beating but they did not get the chance to testify during the trial. More than 100 people gathered at the site (known as Kelly’s corner) with some leaving candles and flowers. Thomas’ mother stood among the crowd, visibly heartbroken.

    Watch Kelly Thomas Trial Verdict

    Image via copblock.org

  • Nigeria’s Anti-Gay Bill Becomes Law Thanks To President Goodluck Jonathan

    On Monday it was announced that Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan signed into law a bill that criminalizes “amorous relationships” between same-sex couples, setting the stage for civil rights movement protests.

    “Persons who enter into a same-sex marriage contract or civil union commit an offence and are each liable on conviction to a term of up to 14 years in prison,” the law says.

    The Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, bans membership of gay rights groups, clubs and societies, and was passed by parliament last May but the president delayed signing it into law until Jan. 7 of this year.

    Existing Nigerian federal laws already bans sodomy but the new law presents a much broader crackdown on lesbian and gay activities. Even before passing of the law, same-sex relationships were mainly underground because of the prevalence of anti-gay sentiment and persecution of homosexuals in much of sub-Saharan Africa.

    Many see President Jonathan’s move as largely political. The law is considered popular in Nigeria given the cultural and religious inclinations of its citizens.  The enactment of the law is also likely to help President Jonathan win re-election in 2015. Some Nigerians have criticized the president and questioned his priorities.

    Some analysts view this as an anti-West move as some European and North American countries are largely tolerant of same-sex relationships. Recently, France offered same-sex couples the same rights enjoyed by heterosexuals and President Barrack Obama has in the recent past traversed the African continent urging for gay tolerance.

    Now, Britain and other western countries threatened to cut foreign aid to countries such as Uganda and Malawi that have passed similar legislation. However, they will have little impact over Nigeria because the country’s budget is mostly funded by its oil.

    Local and international groups that fight AIDS and Tuberculosis have warned that the move will jeopardize the fight against AIDS because access to HIV services for gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual people will be severely affected.

    United States, Canada and Britain have condemned the new law and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says it “dangerously restricts freedom of all Nigerians.”

    Image via Wikipedia

  • Ultimate Warrior Will Become WWE Hall Of Famer In 2014

    The Ultimate Warrior stepped away from the wrestling ring more than 18 years ago due in large part to a strained relationship with WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. Despite this, fans were happy to learn on Monday night that The Ultimate Warrior will be inducted into the WWE’s 2014 Hall of Fame.

    Vince McMahon praised The Ultimate Warrior in an email just before the official announcement was made.

    “The Ultimate Warrior was the most intense, colorful, competitive and outspoken superstar in sports entertainment history, and his contributions to WWE were extraordinary, we are thrilled to induct The Ultimate Warrior into the WWE Hall of Fame.”

    The Ultimate Warrior (James Brian Hellwig) appeared in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) between 1987 and 1996. During that time, he won the WWF Championship after thrashing Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI on April 1, 1990 at the SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario.

    http://youtu.be/vTKSFfnEpr8

    By 1991, Warrior was fired after McMahon claimed he refused to go to the ring unless McMahon paid him a certain amount in prize money. Warrior returned to the ring in 1992 but was again fired with McMahon claiming he violated the company’s drug policy, a claim Warrior later denied during a 2012 radio interview.

    After being on hiatus for a few years The Ultimate Warrior made yet another return in 1996 but was once again fired, this time for good. McMahon said Warrior refused to show up in various WWE events in which he had been advertised.

    In 2005, McMahon approved the release of a DVD titled “The Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior.” Warrior sued the WWE  claiming that the video violated a March 2000 settlement agreement that prohibited them from disparaging each other. The case was thrown out by the judge because Warrior had already breached the contract by making disparaging statements about McMahon and the WWE before the video even came out.

    Today the two men have reconciled their differences and finally the now 54-year-old Warrior will get to officially leave the sport with the farewell he deserves. The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place at the New Orleans Arena on April 5.

     

     

    The Ultimate Warrior 2014 WWE Hall Of Fame Inductee

    Image via YouTube

  • Wilt Chamberlain: Extra Footage Of 100-Point Game May Exist

    University of Memphis head of basketball Josh Pastner has surprisingly revealed that there may be a video of one of the most famous NBA basketball games ever played.

    Basketball fans have long savored the meager video footage of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point-game on March 2, 1962. That night, the Philadelphia Warriors beat the New York Knickerbockers 169-147. If you weren’t one of the lucky fans in attendance that night there was no chance you would ever see one of the most incredible feats in all of sports…until now…maybe. There may finally be a full film of the game after all.

    Pastner told the Delaware County Daily Times that his father, who was a ball boy for Philadelphia Warriors in 1962, taped the game reel-to-reel that night when he realized that the game might be a special one. Apparently, the tape might be misplaced somewhere or lost.

    “They started when he had like 30-something; they thought it was going to be a special night. They gave it to Wilt — the 100-point game — and Wilt gave it back to my dad and my dad’s dad. He gave it back to them, they boxed it up, and he’s still trying to find it. He’s got all kinds of boxes, and he doesn’t know if he lost it.” Pastner said.

    Pastner also revealed that Chamberlain believed someone was trying to poison him and that is why he had to make his father (Pastner’s) taste the drinks before he drank any of them.

    “Wilt always felt someone was trying to get him by poisoning his drinks and he always drank 7-Up or Sprite. So he made my dad taste (his drink) before he would take it and make sure my dad didn’t conk out.” Pastner said.

    Wilt Chamberlain is the most dominant basketball player in the NBA. Ever.

    Watch the video.

    http://youtu.be/U7HsrqY3DP4

    Image via YouTube

  • Jennifer Capriati Off The Hook For Battery And Stalking

    On Monday it was announced that Jennifer Capriati is off the hook for battery and stalking charges that were brought against her. The former tennis star was reportedly charged in 2013 after a confrontation with an ex-boyfriend.

    According to Mike Edmondson, a spokesman for the Palm Beach County State attorney’s office, the misdemeanor charges were dropped after Capriati completed 30 hours of community service and underwent four hours of anger management counseling sessions.

    Court documents reveal Capriati completed her community service at Pepin Heart Institute in Tampa, FL and attended anger management sessions last week.

    “Those are standard conditions for a deferred prosecution,” Edmondson said.

    On Feb. 14th, 2013 (Valentine’s Day), the 37-year-old Capriati is alleged to have repeatedly punched her ex-boyfriend Ivan Brannan at a gym and stalked him for months prior to that incident. A witness, who is also one of Brannan’s co-workers, told authorities that Capriati tried to enter a locked room at their place of business and sometimes called as much as 50 times a day.

    Capriati is an international tennis legend who began playing professional tennis at age 13. In the 1992 Barcelona Olympic, she won a gold medal. She also won the women’s Australian and the French Open. Capriati is one of the most accomplished professional women’s tennis players in the world, having won 14 singles tournaments in her tennis career.

    This was not the first time the International Tennis Hall of Famer found herself on the wrong side of the law. Her sporting career was briefly interrupted in the mid-1990s when she was arrested for shoplifting and marijuana charges.

    Efforts to trace her for comments were not successful.

    Here’s what led to the charges against Capriati

    http://youtu.be/rJEVrCUsrw0

    Image via YouTube

  • Nadya “Octomom” Suleman Charged With Welfare Fraud By L.A. County Prosecutors

    Nadya Suleman, who became known as “Octomom” after she gave birth to eight kids, was charged Monday with 3 counts of welfare fraud after failing to report nearly $30,000 in earnings she collected from public assistance, authorities said.

    According to CBS Los Angeles, Suleman was charged on Jan. 6 with two counts of perjury by false application and one count of aid by misrepresentation. She allegedly failed to disclose that she earned income from “videos” she made when applying for public aid. She also failed to report the extra income she earned for public appearances between January and July of last year.

    The L.A. County district attorney’s office said Suleman was ordered to appear in court on Friday. The 38-year-old mother of 14 children was not immediately taken into custody but if convicted, Suleman could spend up to five years and eight months in jail.

    Suleman was not immediately available to comment on the matter.

    On Jan. 26, 2009, Suleman gave birth to octuplets after already being a mother of 6 at the time. All of her 14 children were conceived through vitro fertility treatments. Many wonder why someone would choose to have so many children but the decision was not entirely hers. Dr. Michael Kamrava, Suleman’s physician at the time, was revealed to have implanted 12 embryos in her womb; the mistake led him to lose his medical license. Fortunately, all her octuplets are alive; making them the world’s longest surviving set.

    The single mother has faced financial troubles in the past, including foreclosure and bankruptcy. She has also had to resort to online date auctions, endorsing birth control for pets, making porn videos and asking for donations to raise money for her extensive family.

    Prosecutors are expected to ask for bail to be set at $25,000 when she is arraigned in court on Friday.

    Image via YouTube

  • Puerto Rico Earthquake Of 6.4 Magnitude Jolts Nation

    A strong earthquake  struck Northern Puerto Rico early Monday about 34 miles north of Hatillo municipality and caused minor damages including some power outages and floor cracks.  No injuries have been reported so far. The earthquake is one of the largest quakes to hit the U.S. territory in recent years.

    The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was out at sea and estimated its magnitude to be about 6.4. The survey also revealed the quake went approximately 17 miles deep.

    A geologist with Puerto Rico’s Seismic Network, Gisela Baez Sanchez, said at least 70 aftershocks of 3.5 or more magnitude have since been reported.

    People living along the coast reported cracked walls and floors, broken windows and  busted water lines. Authorities confirmed that power outages mostly occurred in the northern city of Bayamon which is next to Puerto’s capital of San Juan. Some people, however, reported buildings swaying in San Juan, about 61 miles (98 kilometers) from the epicenter of the quake.

    The island’s government was criticized in the social media for not issuing a tsunami alert immediately after the quake. However, authorities have defended themselves saying they would have done so had there been risk of injuries.

    According to Puerto Rico’s emergency management agency spokesman, Carlos Acevedo, many people called the emergency services but no injuries have been reported. As a result, the agency has not issued a tsunami alert yet since the damages have been minor.

    “No one has required our services.” Carlos Acevedo said in a phone interview.

    The last time Puerto Rico experienced an earthquake of a similar magnitude was in 1918 when a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the island and killed 116 people. In 2011, there was also a 5.4 magnitude quake that shook the island followed by another, occurring in Dec 2010.

    Earthquakes 101

    Image via YouTube

  • Madeleine McCann Disappearance: Police On The Verge Of Making Arrests

    Madeleine McCann Disappearance: Police On The Verge Of Making Arrests

    Scotland Yard (London police) may travel to Portugal this week to make arrests in the in the case involving the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Madeleine was a little girl who vanished 7 years ago while on a Portuguese vacation with her parents. She was 3 when she disappeared from the hotel room where she was sleeping.

    The authorities have indicated they intend to interview three suspected burglars who had been actively committing burglaries in the neighborhood during or about the time of Madeleine’s disappearance. The authorities say the rate of burglary had significantly increased in the resort where the McCanns had been staying, peaking in 2007. Two burglaries even took place in the apartment block where the McCanns were staying as recently as April of last year. In both cases, entry was through the window.

    The family has refused to comment on the case. A spokesman for the McCann family told ABC News that the matter should be left to the investigators instead of speculating.

    “I’m afraid we are saying nothing about any aspect of Operation Grange whilst the police work continues, least of all about any tabloid speculation surrounding it,” said the spokesman.

    The spokesman further said that the latest development could be significant because it will eventually either rule in or out the involvement of the three men. He also said the family is keeping its expectations low in regard to this development.

    Police reviewed records of hundreds of mobile phone numbers from calls made during the time Madeleine disappeared and discovered that a high number of calls were made between the three suspects. The calls apparently raised a red flag.

    Had Madeleine not vanished from her bed that night, she would have celebrated her fourth birthday just a few days later. Her parents, Gerry McCann and Kate McCann, who were dining at a nearby restaurant at the time their daughter went missing, have been engaged in a campaign to find her ever since.

    Image via Wikipedia

  • Amy Adams Is Happy She Moved To Hollywood; Now She Has A Golden Globe

    Amy Adams won the award for Best Actress at the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony. Adams took home the award Sunday night for her performance in “American Hustle” and believes her win last night validated her move to Hollywood 15 years ago.

    She particularly thanked Stacy O’Neil, her manager, who sent her on her first audition.

    “And, you know, my amazing team. I have to say, today is my 15, well not today exactly, but close, my 15-year anniversary of moving out to L.A.,” she said. “I walked into this woman’s office, Stacy O’Neil, who’s here tonight, and she sent me on my first audition. She’s still my manager…I just want to thank her so much for that feeling and so many more feelings.”

    Adams beat the likes of Julie Delpy for “Before Midnight,” Julia-Dreyfus for “Enough Said,” Greta Gerwig for “Frances Ha” and Meryl Streep for “August: Osage County” to claim the award.

    “American Hustle” is directed by David Russell, whom she described as an amazing writer who writes amazing roles for women. Although she has previously been nominated for “Enchanted,” “The Master,” and “Doubt,” this is Adams’ first Golden Globe win.

    Also notable is the Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture award that went to Jennifer Lawrence for her role in “American Hustle.” Laurence beat out  Sally Hawkins in “Blue Jasmine,” Lupita Nyong’o in “12 Years A Slave,” Julia Roberts in “August: Osage County” and June Squibb in “Nebraska.” This is Laurence’s second award at the Globes. Last year she won Best Actress for  “Silver Linings Playbook”.

    Amy Adams’ Acceptance Speech

    http://youtu.be/7aan2ggwK34

    Image via YouTube

  • Sosie Bacon, Daughter Of Kevin Bacon, Was This Year’s Miss Golden Globe

    This year’s Miss Golden Globe was Sosie Bacon. Miss Bacon is the daughter of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick and is an aspiring actress.  Her job as Miss Golden Globe was to help hand out awards during the annual ceremony — a job she executed quite well on Sunday night.

    For those who do not understand what being Miss Golden Globe is all about, the honorary title is bestowed upon a hand-picked Hollywood heir who has aspirations in the acting business. Bacon, 21, has appeared in a number of TV shows including her mom’s TV show “The Closer” (2009) and her Dad’s movie “Loverboy” (2005), among other projects.

    Sosie Bacon said her parents were really excited that she is this year’s honoree. She said they have been very supportive of her budding acting career.

    “I’m starting to act myself … they’re excited for me to come out as my own person,” she told Today.

    Each year, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association interviews contenders about their goals and aspirations. The interviews give the young actors a chance to meet the industry insiders and gain critical exposure.

    The tradition of Miss or Mister Golden Globe dates back to 1963, when actress Eva Six became the first Miss Golden Globe. Since then, many of the honorees have gone on to have successful Hollywood careers of their own. Some of them include Melanie Griffith-1975, Laura Dern-1982 and Freddie Prinze-1996.

    Image via YouTube

  • Ariel Sharon: Israel Says Final Goodbye

    Ariel Sharon: Israel Says Final Goodbye

    Israel’s 11th Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon was eulogized Monday as “real leader”, a fighter and a “pragmatic politician.”

    Speaking during the 90-minute memorial in front of the Knesset parliament building, U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden said the former Israeli leader always acted in confidence even though some of his actions were controversial. Biden said “he seemed never in doubt” and called him a “complex man.”

    The 85-year-old Sharon passed away Saturday after eight years of being in a coma from a stroke, which cut short his premiership. Many analysts say that he was close to ending the Israeli-Palestine conflict while some criticize him for aggressively using the military to occupy Palestinian territory.

    Sharon was also remembered as a brave and bold leader at the service attended by family, friends, world leaders and members of parliament. Britain’s former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden were among the attendees.

    Israeli President, Shimon Peres paid tribute to Sharon saying he remembered Mr. Sharon in the early 1950s when Sharon was a young man with big ideas about the state’s defense. He described him as the “the shoulder on whom Israel’s security rested.”  Peres said Sharon defended and protected Israel as a lion.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also echoed similar sentiments, saying Sharon always understood that when it came to issues of state security, Israel must stand firm.

    Mr. Netanyahu used the opportunity to mention Israel’s stand against Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions. He said that any agreement made between the two nations must include the best interest of Israel’s security.

    “The state of Israel will continue to steer toward peace, while protecting our security.” said Mr. Netanyahu.

    Ariel Sharon was buried next to Lily Sharon, his second wife, who died of cancer in 2000.

    Image via YouTube

  • Meryl Streep Calls Walt Disney A “Gender Bigot”

    Meryl Streep Calls Walt Disney A “Gender Bigot”

    On Tuesday, when Meryl Streep got on stage at the National Board of Review Awards Gala, the audience was probably expecting a thoughtful, short, congratulatory speech. She was presenting actress Emma Thompson an award for her role in the movie “Saving Mr. Banks”. Streep read a beautiful poem to honor her friend, but she also took a few minutes to blast American business magnate and animator, Walt Disney, calling him an “anti-Semite” and a “gender bigot”.

    Some in the audience were a bit taken aback when she described the man as having “racist proclivities”. According to the LA Times, Streep described Disney as a man born in his time, and was also part of an anti-Semitic, anti-communist group that consisted of big names such as Ronald Reagan, John Wayne, Clark Gable and others. The group was officially known as the “Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals”.

    In her rebuke of Disney, Streep also quoted late Disney animator Ward Kimball by saying “Disney didn’t trust women or cats.”

    Disney biographer Neal Gabler concluded that “He (Walt Disney) willingly allied himself with people who were anti-Semitic, and that reputation stuck. He was never really able to expunge it throughout his life.”

    On Thursday, Today.com highlighted a tweet by the Walt Disney Museum, an organization dedicated to the animator. The tweet fires back at Streep by linking to an insightful blog post by former Disney animator turned blogger, Floyd Norman.

    Norman entitles his blog “Sophie’s Poor Choice”, referencing a film for which Streep won a Best Actress Oscar in 1982. In his blog post, Norman acknowledges that women in the 30’s and the 40’s weren’t provided with equal employment opportunities as men but that by the 50’s that inequality had diminished greatly. However, he also pointed out that talented women were employed at Disney and that some of the women who worked there told him “they’d never had a better job”. He also mentions that there were Jewish and African-American workers too, and that Disney recognized that talent had no color or ethnicity.

    Image via YouTube

  • Macy’s Cuts Jobs Despite Successful Christmas Sales

    Bad news for Macy’s employees. The retailer announced on Thursday that it will be laying off about 2500 of its employees despite having successful earnings over the Christmas season. Macy’s announced that it intends to close a total of 5 stores in Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, New York and Utah by this spring. In addition to giving some employees the boot, the remaining staff will take on additional duties or be transferred, Macy’s said. The decision is expected to save the company $100 million — adding a big boost to its bottom line.

    The news will likely be disheartening for its employees, especially given the stagnant U.S. job market.

    On Wednesday Macy’s CEO Terry J. Lundgren said that consumers gave it a “vote of confidence” during the holidays, “even in a questionable macroeconomic environment with challenging weather in multiple states.” Macy’s saw an increase in sales of 3.6 percent from the months of November through December for stores that were open for more than a year. The increase was 4.3 percent when third party licensee departments were included.

    It did, however, adjust its predictions for this year’s second half saying that “same-store” (stores open for more than a year) sales increased 2.8 to 2.9 percent instead of 2.5 to 4 percent. Nonetheless, that translates to 2.3 to 2.5 percent growth in the fourth quarter, said the company. This year should see earnings of $4.40 to $4.50 per share.

    This earnings projections seem brilliant for Macy’s and its investors but not quite as glowing for the folks who are soon to find themselves without a job. However, one bright spot could be found when Macy’s said it will continue to hire employees in its online operations, direct-to-consumer fulfillment outfit, and new stores.

    Image via Wikipedia

  • Chris Brown And His Bodyguard Will Not Take Plea Deal

    Singer Chris Brown on Wednesday declined a plea deal which would have reduced the charges facing him and his bodyguard to just one simple charge.

    The singer appeared before a Washington judge alongside his bodyguard Christopher Hollosy to face assault charges following an incident that took place outside the W Hotel on Oct. 2013. The 24-year-old star is accused of breaking the nose of a man who tried to take photos of him.

    Since no video surveillance from the incident has been entered into the evidence bank, Brown and Hollosy’s lawyers feel they stand a better chance with the case, at least for the time being.

    Both sides have agreed to meet again on Feb. 20 after their legal teams have reviewed the evidence. The time leading up to their next meeting will also give the legal teams ample time to negotiate a deal.

    Brown’s attorney Danny Onorato has requested a waiver of appearance for the singer for the Feb. 20 date because Brown is currently under anger management rehabilitation after he attacked his girlfriend, Rihanna. Appearing in court will force the singer to miss 3 days of treatment, hence delaying his completion of the program.

    The judge will decide whether Brown’s current charges will influence his jail term if found guilty. If convicted, Brown could face up to 180 days behind bars and a fine of not more than $1,000.

    Image via Wikipedia

  • Atomic Wedgie Murder: Ex-Marine Kills Stepfather With Underwear

    Oklahoma police say a man killed his stepfather when he performed an “atomic wedgie” on him.

    So what is an atomic wedgie?

    Definition: (noun) A prank in which a person’s underpants are pulled up sharply from behind up to the shoulders or higher, in order to wedge the clothing uncomfortably between the person’s buttocks.

    Atomic wedgie illustrated below.

    (image)

    Brad Davis, 33, was arrested and charged with first degree murder when Denver Lee St. Clair’s body was found in his home with the waistband of his underwear pulled over his head and tied around his neck.

    The former U.S. Marine claimed that he carried out the murder after his stepfather used  derogatory language against his mother after a night of drinking.  He also told the police that his stepfather tried to attack him and he administered the wedgie in self-defense.

    St. Clair, 58, died from an impact to the head and suffocation, authorities said.

    Investigators have said that they believe the scene of crime was altered by the accused to make it look like there was a fight before he made an emergency call on December 21.

    “We continued our investigation and uncovered evidence that led us to believe that this was more than just a fight,” said Sheriff Booth.

    St. Clair was under a permanent protective order filed by Tressia St. Clair, his wife. Mrs. St. Clair said she filed the order because Mr. St. Clair had physically abused her in the past. In 2004 and 2010, she wife filed for a divorce but her attempts were dismissed. Tressia St. Clair again filed for the divorce last year.

    Main image via YouTube and wedgie image via Wikipedia