Michael Jackson -- What the doctor ordered?

There's a lot of speculation surrounding Michael Jackson's death, and I think it's going to be a while before we get some answers.

I for one can't wait to find out why a cardiologist--a cardiologist, for crying out loud!--did not have Michael Jackson on the floor receiving CPR. Chest compressions cannot and should not be administered on a bed. Dr. Conrad Robert Murray should've known better--right? And did he really live in the house?

I wonder how much Demerol was in the injection he reportedly received an hour before collapsing. I wonder what else he had taken that day or was taking daily. I wonder how long they (whoever "they" are) waited to call 911.

Tonight, the Los Angeles Times reported that a private pathologist hired by the family has completed a second, independent autopsy on Michael Jackson's body. No word yet on when the results will be announced...if at all.

After an interview with the LAPD, a lawyer for the doctor s aid he's "in no way a suspect." Well, that's what any lawyer would say. The issue, however, is what medications and at what doses he was prescribing for or giving Michael, and how he handled the emergency. If it turns out Michael was overmedicated, as alleged by several people who knew him well, then whoever facilitated those medications is going to be investigated.

Someone's tail must be so far up his/her ass right now, it might never again see the light of day, if you ask me.

It's a shame that medications that help people cope with a myriad of ailments get bad press at the drop of a hat because of incidents such as this one in which they are abused or improperly administered or combined. Where's the press about the millions of people who benefit from these drugs?

With Ana Nicole Smith and Heath Ledger dying suddenly and tragically within the last couple of years after evidently self-destructing with drugs, tougher regulations for these medications--already highly controlled--might be underway. But these could end up doing more damage than good for those who need them and take them responsibly.

I'm not condoning addiction, which is not the same as physical dependency. Opiates and benzos affect the body in such a way that some degree of physical dependency is all but certain as drug tolerance increases. Addiction, on the other hand, involves a psychological dependency, a compulsive need for the substance. So while I don't condone addiction of any kind, I'm sick and tired of hearing the likes of Deepak Chopra--who believes that anything and everything can be solved with a mind-over-matter approach-- demonizing meds, claiming there are "other ways to manage pain." Well, not always. Anyone who preaches there's always another way has never experienced true, debilitating, untreatable, intolerable pain.

When debating gun control, some of those defending the right to bear arms say "it's not the guns, it's the people." Well, then following that logic, it's not the meds, it's the people.

Michael had a problem with substance abuse, one for which he cancelled a tour to go to rehab in 1993. In 2007, a Beverly Hills pharmacist sued him for $100,000 in unpaid meds accumulated in about two years. That's a lot of meds... In addition, since his death two days ago, people relatively close to him are saying he was overmedicating with narcotics.

It all points in one direction, but we'll have to wait weeks, usually six to eight, for the toxicology results.

Meanwhile, I have a bone to pick (well, another one). Why, oh, why do reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton always end up in the middle of any issue involving any African American, speaking for them often as unauthorized spokesmen? I can't help but think that sometimes they show up only to use the events as springboards to advance their own agendas. If I'm way off, I apologize.

Anyway...

I think the 50-show "This Is It" European tour scheduled to start this summer was the straw that broke the camel's back. There was simply no way that someone as frail and ill as Michael would've had the stamina for such a tour. He probably knew it. And if his mind didn't know it or want to accept it, his body did.

While the mind can jump though hoops to rationalize just about anything and push the body to the brink, the body knows best. I think his body took over in the end.

Copyright © 2009, Primetime Oracle
All Rights Reserved

Sales of Michael Jackson memorabilia to soar

Album cover of Michael Jackson's 1982 Thriller-the best-selling album of all time.

All I'm going to say is that I wish I had the Thriller LP to list on eBay...for starters.

Crap!

Iran threatens to 'crush' U.S....are we scared yet?

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks to the annual judiciary summit in Tehran on Saturday. (Rauf Mohseni, AFP/Getty Images)

Iran President Ahmadinejad slammed President Obama on Saturday, saying officials in the Islamic republic are “astonished” over what they see as his interference in Iran’s disputed elections and promising a "crushing" response to continued American condemnation of Iran's crackdown on post-election protest, CNN and AP reported.

How about allowing himself to be "astonished" over what's going on in his country because of he being declared the winner?

"You should know that if you continue the response of the Iranian nation will be strong," Ahmadinejad said in a speech to members of Iran's judiciary, which is directly controlled by the ruling clerics. "The response of the Iranian nation will be crushing. The response will cause remorse."

Well, that does it for me...I'm officially shaking with fear now.

Ahmadinejad has no authority to direct major policy decisions on his own, a power that rests with the non-elected theocracy, but his comments often reflect the thinking of the ruling establishment, AP reported.

So, basically, he's just a puppet...

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Obama said the “violence perpetrated against” demonstrators disputing the June 12 election results “is outrageous."

"We are surprised at Mr. Obama," Ahmadinejad said. “Didn’t he say that he was after change?” Ahmadinejad said. “Why did he interfere? Why did he utter remarks irrespective of norms and decorum?”

I can't think of any other president being more diplomatic on the matter, even at his own expense. What was he supposed to say? "Congratulations on the bloodshed"? "I'm delighted with the peaceful election process in Iran"?

Apparently, to him--or to them--there's no difference between expressing an opinion and interfering.

The cleric-led regime--not surprisingly--appears to have quashed a protest movement that brought hundreds of thousands to the streets of Tehran and other cities in the greatest challenge to its authority in 30 years. Mousavi said Friday that he would seek official permission for any future rallies, effectively ending his role in street protests, AP reported.

I think bullies often win because their insecurity is so severe they don't give a crap about the consequences of their actions and the bad karma they bring down upon themselves.

Days of relatively restrained talk from both Washington and Tehran appear to be returning to a familiar pattern of condemnation and recrimination despite Obama's stated desire to move away from mutual hostility.

Will that ever change?

Obama acknowledged Friday that Iran's violent suppression of unrest would hinder progress, saying "There is no doubt that any direct dialogue or diplomacy with Iran is going to be affected by the events of the last several weeks."

I wonder how.

"They keep saying that they want to hold talks with Iran. Alright, we have expressed our readiness as well. But is this the correct way?" Ahmadinejad said. "They showed their hand to the people of Iran, before all people of the world. Their mask has been removed."

Ugh!

He still appeared to leave some opening for dialogue, saying Iranians officials "have expressed our readiness" and still want the U.S. to "join the righteous servants of humanity as well."

"Righteous servants of humanity? Are you freakin kidding me?Given this point of view, what are the chances of sensible--forget diplomatic...there's too much lying in diplomacy--talks between Iran and anyone in the West?

Chances are we'll see what we always see: endless lying and bullying and tossing around of concepts and words that in the end have a heck of a lot to do with useless chatter and nothing to do with proactive, problem-solving rational actions.

Sources: CNN, The Associated Press

Stars will shine in wake of Michael Jackson's death

Michael Jackson performed his hit song "Billie Jean" during the Motown's 25th Anniversary Special, leaving the audience and and millions of viewers awestruck.

Fit for a king

Celebrities are America's royalty.

There is no king or queen in the White House. Our kings and queens, princesses and even Prince are entertainers--singers, actors, dancers, directors, producers.

Pennsylvania Avenue may be on the radars of our foreign friends and foes, but Hollywood Boulevard is welcomed in nearly every American's home.

As a result, this Oracle predicts (and it doesn't take psychic abilities or a degree) that Michael Jackson's memorial service will be the place to be for living member of U.S. royalty, not to mention those imported from the UK such as George Michael and Sir Elton John.

I wonder if Madonna will show.

Beyonce, Mariah and Whitney Houston will be pulling each other manes to say a few words...maybe even sign a song (dream on...)...the honor will most likely fall on Motowners such asStevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, and/or Diana Ross. Dame Elizabeth (Taylor) will be on the front row.

An invitation to be among the chosen ones to "go inside" for the service will be the hottest ticket in town. Images of Lady Diane's funeral come to mind.

Yet, it remains to be seen if his family will go for this.

Race for ratings

Expect to see a plethora of one- and two-hour documentaries in all or most of the networks and music channels on the life of the enigmatic artist, with titles such as Man In The Mirror, MJ's Human Nature, The Good and the Bad, Unmasked...maybe even Off The Wall--as well as two-hour musical tributes featuring not only Motown acts but singers such as Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Billy Joel and many artists of the current generation who were raised on Michael's music--Usher, Sean Combs, Justin Timberlake...the list is endless.

I imagine MTV, VH1 and possibly FOX are on hyper drive preparing such tributes. Who knows, maybe one of the original three--ABC, CBS, NBC--might beat them to it. I don't know, but there will be at least one huge show.

I expect to see legendary record producers like Quincy Jones and Berry Gordy in the first row. Members of the African-American community will be well represented, too...with Oprah--maybe--somewhere in there...

I, for one, will be watching and hoping to see again the performance that propelled Michael Jackson from super stardom, to icon and King of Pop--"Billie Jean" at Motown's 25th Anniversary Special in 1983...when he wore the hat, the socks and the glove, and moonwalked in shimmering clothes fit for royalty.

Copyright © 2009, Primetime Oracle
All Rights Reserved

Michael Jackson's cause of death 'deferred'

Michael Jackson's electrifying performance made the 1993 Super Bowl halftime show one of the best and most memorable ever. (Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Some media sources are saying the initial autopsy exam shows Michael Jackson died of a heart attack. However, as previously reported, the Los Angeles Coroner's Office is not making an official announcement as to the cause of death.

Instead...

Michael Jackson's cause of death "has been deferred," which means a medical examiner has ordered additional studies--toxicology, neuropathology, pulmonary tests--that will take four to six weeks to complete, Craig Harvey, operations chief and spokesman of the Los Angeles Coroner's Office told reporters during a press conference.

"Once the studies are completed, we anticipate to be able to close the case and issue a final cause of death," he said.

"There's no indication of external trauma or foul play, and the LAPD has requested that a security hold be placed on the investigation [into his death], so there's only limited information we can share at this time," he added.

The autopsy was finished at 1 p.m. today, but the press conference was delayed for hours.

His body will be released to his family and the mortuary tonight.

So we'll have to wait.

I expect the media now will focus on obtaining information about the funeral arrangements and burial, which is likely to be watched worldwide.

The media also will follow the LAPD investigation into Michael's death closely, hoping something dramatic will turn up. One of the questions that needs to be answered is, why was there a doctor living with Michael? What was his role there?

Source: CNN, BNO

Michael Jackson photo essays

• Photos on global reaction to his death, from Reuters
• The many faces of Michael, from AP.
• It's hard to believe he did this to himself, and even harder to believe that he insisted "puberty" did this and not plastic surgery.
• Interesting short article about someone's experience with him, from AC360
  
• His most memorable performances, from People magazine.

Sources: The Associated Press, Reuters, People

FLASH NEWS: Iran election, Michael's death, SC Gov.

- Iran is to set up a special commission, including representatives of defeated candidates, to draft a report on the presidential poll, AFP reported. And who will be in that committe, the same dudes insisting there were no irregularities, calling for protesters to be severely punished, and making them confess "the West made me do it" on national TV?

- A hardline Iranian cleric during Friday prayers today demanded the punishment of opposition leaders, blaming the U.S. for their actions, CNN reported. He also said that the demonstrators themselves killed Neda to attract international sympathy. Ugh.

- Michael Jackson received a daily injection of Demerol at 11:30 a.m. yesterday, TMZ reported. Family members are saying the dosage was "too much" and that's what caused his death. Police is interviewing a doctor, Dr. Conrad Robert Murray, who lived at Michael's home. His car reportedly was impounded because it might have "medications pertinent to the investigation," LAPD said. That was quick.

- As expected, more people are coming forward to reveal (not much of a revelation) that Michael had a 20-plus-year addiction to prescription drugs. He was hooked on Oxycontin and received daily injections of Demerol (a drug that like morphine is a highly addictive opioid), LAPD said. The coroner is about to give press conference about the autopsy; however, BNO reported no findings would be announced . The toxicology results will be interesting, to say the least; unfortunately, we'll have to wait six to eight weeks for those results.

- Debbie Rowe, the biological mother of Michael's children, would be the one to get custody of the children because though she tried to terminate her parental rights in 2005, the judge did not grant that because a parental fitness investigation was never conducted. Issues regarding Michael's estate and his kids are likely to be extremely complicated. I don't envy the lawyers.

- People throughout the world are both mourning the death and celebrating the life of the King of Pop. Crowds gather in cities in many countries. U.S. House of Representatives held a moment of silence in honor of Michael Jackson.

- Actress Elizabeth Taylor physically collapsed when hearing that longtime friend Michael had died. "My heart...my mind...are broken. I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him," she said on Twitter.

- Pop icon Madonna (up there with MJ) says, "I can't stop crying."

- Calls for South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford to resign gain momentum. Nah...really?

Sources: BNO, TMZ, CBS

Michael Jackson dies after cardiac arrest

1958-2009

The King of Pop is dead

First Farrah, now him...what a sad day in this country.

Michael Jackson died today after going into cardiac arrest, celebrity gossip website TMZ, followed by everyone else, reported.

Earlier, TMZ reported the 50-year-old global superstar had been taken by ambulance to the UCLA Medical Center in cardiac arrest with paramedics administering CPR on the way to the hospital.

He was not breathing when paramedics arrived at his Holmby Hills home in Los Angeles, and attempts at getting a pulse failed--meaning he was dead or in a coma by the time help arrived.

At a press conference later in the afternoon, his brother Jermaine said Michael arrived at the hospital at around 1:14 p.m. with no pulse and not breathing. The medical team tried to revive him for over an hour but they were unable to bring him back, Jermaine said.

Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack but total cardiac failure from which is extremely difficult to recover, with more than 95% of the people dying before reaching the hospital.

Michael's health had been very poor in recent years. He was extremely skinny, possibly anorexic, and taking a number of medications for various conditions.

Fighting back tears, Jackson family attorney Brian Oxman told HLN's Nancy Grace that Michael had "many enablers" around him whom Oxman had urged to stop obtaining medication for Michael.

Oxman said he warned them that if one day Michael turned up dead like Anna Nicole Smith, who died of a fatal combination painkillers and other psychotropic drugs, he would "speak out loud and clear" about what went on behind the scenes, which he thought one day would kill the frail pop star.

"I think you and I will be talking about this a long time, Nancy," he said. "I know there will be repercussions."

Indeed, an autopsy has been scheduled for Friday, Lieutenant Fred Corral of the Coroner's Investigation Division in Los Angeles told Grace.

Given Michael's history with substance abuse, for which he went to rehab in the early 90s, a toxicology exam is expected to shed more light on what could've caused the cardiac arrest.

Michael was picked up at his Holmby Hills home (a $100,000 a month rental) after a 911 call that came in at 12:21 p.m. Initially he was described as being in "really bad shape" by his mother, who was en route to see him, and as "not doing well" by his father.

After news of Michael's collapse, a crowd started gathering around the hospital, with people flocking to the area either trying to find out the latest on his condition or in grief upon hearing he had died.

Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince "Blanket" Michael Jackson II.

Michael was one of the best and most popular entertainers of all time--a legend, an icon.

His popularity blanketed the world--and this was way before the Internet erased geographical borders.

The seventh child of the Jackson family from Indiana began performing at 5-yeas-old and debuted on the music scene at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5.

From the very beginning, he shocked the music industry and audiences with his astonishing talent as a singer, performer, dancer. He was described as a genius.

He began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. He had 13 No. 1 hits, and five of his solo albums rank among the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), BadDangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995).

In just over a year, Thriller became—and still is—the best-selling album of all time. Some 47 million to 109 million copies were sold worldwide at a million copies per week during its peak. Seven of the album's nine songs were released as singles, and all reached the top 10 on the "Billboard Hot 100." The album won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards in 1984. However, despite numerous five-star reviews, Thriller was not universally praised.

In the early 1980s, Michael's electrifying performances earned him the title of King of Pop.

He was the first African-American entertainer to attract a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos such as "Beat It," "Billy Jean," and "Thriller," which was directed by film director John Landis (An American Werewolf in London) and credited for transforming the music video into an art form, helped make bring the new channel into fame.

The artist--who was extremely shy except on the stage--was also big on humanitarian causes. He co-wrote (with Lionel Richie) the iconic 1985 song "We Are The World"--which made music history as it brought together 45 A-list music artists for a marathon overnight recording session. Produced and conducted by multiple Grammy-winner Quincy Jones, it was the theme song for the "USA for Africa" project, with part of the proceeds going to help Africans. Another MJ song that put the spotlight on humanitarian causes was "Man In The Mirror"--one of his best and probably my favorite MJ song along with "Human Nature."

Michael fought multiple legal battles, which no doubt drained him. The latest one involved an auction house set to sell items from his Neverland ranch, which he sold a couple of years ago due to serious financial difficulties.

In 1993, Michael reportedly began taking painkillers and benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax and Ativan to deal with the stress of sexual molestation allegations involving a 13-year-old boy. He became addicted to the drugs, and his health deteriorated so much he canceled the remainder of the "Dangerous World Tour" and went into drug rehab for a few months. The stress also caused him to stop eating and lose significant weight.

Ten years later, in 2003, he was charged with seven counts of child sexual abuse and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent with intent to commit a felony in a case involving a 14-year-old boy after a documentary about his life showed them holding hands and having sleep overs at his Neverland mansion. He was cleared of the charges in 2005.

I think this case was the straw that finally broke the camel's back. The frail figure I saw on TV during the trial led me to think that he could never, ever recover--physically, mentally, emotionally--from the cumulative effects of the stress he had endured throughout his life.

And he never did.

Today, people are speculating about why he went into cardiac arrest at 50. The autopsy might give us some answers.

If you ask me, Michael was a troubled soul, and souls in turmoil tend to weaken the bodies they inhabit.

Perhaps now he can rest in peace.

~*~

Copyright © 2009, Primetime Oracle
All Rights Reserved

Iran doctor tells of Neda's death: BBC

Below is a BBC report (untouched by me) about the doctor seen in the video of Neda's death trying to stop the bleeding from a bullet wound on her chest.

Iran doctor tells of Neda's death: BBC

Dr Arash Hejazi, who is studying at a university in the south of England, said he ran to Neda Agha-Soltan's aid after seeing she had been shot in the chest.

Despite his attempts to stop the bleeding she died in less than a minute, he said.

Dr Hejazi says he posted the video of Ms Soltan's death on the internet and images of her have become a rallying point for Iranian opposition supporters around the world.

He also told how passers-by then seized an armed Basij militia volunteer who appeared to admit shooting Ms Soltan.

Dr Hejazi said he had not slept for three nights following the incident, but he wanted to speak out so that her death was not in vain.

He doubted that he would be able to return to Iran after talking openly about Ms Soltan's killing.

Neda Agha-Soltan

"I was there with some friends because we had heard that there were some protests and we decided to go and take a look," he said.

"Anti-riot police were coming by motorcycles towards the crowd."

Dr Hejazi said he saw Ms Soltan, who he did not know, with an older man who he thought was her father but later on learned was her music teacher.

"Suddenly everything turned crazy. The police threw teargas and the motorcycles started rushing towards the crowd. We ran to an intersection and people were just standing. They didn't know what to do.

"We heard a gunshot. Neda was standing one metre away from me. I turned back and I saw blood gushing out of Neda's chest.

"She was in a shocked situation, just looking at her chest. The she lost her control.

"We ran to her and lay her on the ground. I saw the bullet wound just below the neck with blood gushing out.

"I have never seen such a thing because the bullet, it seemed to have blasted inside her chest, and later on, blood exiting from her mouth and nose.

Neda has become a rallying point for protesters around the world

"I had the impression that it had hit the lung as well. Her blood was draining out of her body and I was just putting pressure on the wound to try to stop the bleeding, which wasn't successful unfortunately, and she died in less than one minute."

Dr Hejazi said he first thought the gunshot had come from a rooftop.

But later he saw protesters grab an armed man on a motorcycle.

"People shouted 'we got him, we got him'. They disarmed him and took out his identity card which showed he was a Basij member. People were furious and he was shouting, 'I didn't want to kill her'.

"People didn't know what do to do with him so they let him go. But they took his identity card. There are people there who know who he is. Some people were also taking photos of him."

Dr Hejazi said he knew he was putting himself in jeopardy by talking about what happened.

"It was a tough decision to make to come out and talk about it but she died for a cause. She was fighting for basic rights... I don't want her blood to have been shed in vain."

He added: "She died on the streets to say something."

Dr Hejazi said he did not believe he could now return to Iran.

"They are going to denounce what I am saying. They are going to put so many things on me. I have never been in politics. I am jeopardising my situation because of the innocent look in her (Neda's) eyes."

Source: BBC

Stew of News -- Government

Court rules school strip search unconstitutional

The Supreme Court ruled today that school officials' strip search of a then-13-year-old Arizona teen suspected of possessing a painkiller violated the girl's constitutional rights, despite the school district's zero-tolerance policy for drugs.

All drugs? Who gets high on Advil?

The court said, however, that school officials are protected from personal liability in the case, ABC News reported.

They were the ones who searched her, then who's liable? The walls?

The ruling is a partial victory for Savana Redding, who had been summoned from her middle school classroom and was asked to strip down to her underwear as school officials searched for prescription strength ibuprofen.

Left: Savana Redding (Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

"They asked me to take off my clothes, and I did while they stood there," Savana said. "When I was finally in my underwear, I thought, 'OK, they are going to let me put my clothes back on.'"

"They just looked at me and said, 'well, now you have to pull out your bra and shake it and your underwear as well," she said, her eyes filling with tears. "I really wanted to cry."

I'm sorry, my friends, but I was outraged when this story first came out months ago. I think it's absurd that kids can't carry Tylenol or Claritin in their book bags these days but have to give it to a nurse who then gives is to them when they need it. WTF?

I understand there are pill abusers out there, and that school officials are trying to curtail drug use in their jurisdictions because of potential legal liability and because parents have a tendency to blame the schools for what their children choose to do and for the parents' own shortcomings. But I'm tired of seeing the innocent paying for the guilty.

The decision could redefine student privacy rights and outline important guidelines for school officials as they seek out dangerous contraband such as drugs, weapons or alcohol.

An 8-1 majority of the Court found that the search was unconstitutional. Justice David Souter, writing for the majority said, "Savana's subjective expectation of privacy against such a search is inherent in her account of it as embarrassing, frightening, and humiliating....Here, the content of the suspicion failed to match the degree of intrusion."

"The strip search of Savana Redding was unreasonable and a violation of the Fourth Amendment," the court ruled.

The Court emphasized that the intrusiveness of the search was not justified because Savana was not suspected of carrying dangerous drugs, ABC reported. "The Fourth Amendment places limits on the official, even with the high degree of deference that courts must pay to the educator's professional judgment."

Justice Clarence Thomas filed a dissent, arguing the search did not violate the Fourth Amendment.

Thomas wrote, "By deciding that it is better equipped to decide what behavior should be permitted in schools, the Court has undercut student safety and undermined the authority of school administrators and local officials."

Even as he was accused of sexually harassing women, which is muuuch worse than carrying ibuprofen in school, he wasn't humiliated with a strip search. Maybe someone should give him a demonstration...

The Court ruled 7-2 that the school officials were protected from having to pay Savana monetary damages, saying that though the search was unconstitutional, school officials "are nevertheless protected from liability through qualified immunity."(How is that immunity qualified?)

Justices Stevens and Ginsburg, in partial dissent, would have found the officials personally liable for monetary damages.

Justice Ginsburg, the sole female on the court, caused a stir in a recent interview when she questioned whether her male colleagues could fully embrace a young girl's reaction to such a search and wrote that the school officials treatment of Redding was "abusive."

I'm with ya, sista.

Senators find way to lower health care reform price tag

A group of key Senate negotiators found a way to reduce the price tag on the health care reform bill, bringing it in line with a $1 trillion target and moving the Senate Finance Committee closer to a deal. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., announced Thursday the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office confirmed the $1 trillion cost over 10 years.

Right: Max Baucus (Reuters)

The cost has become the top concern of Finance Committee senators after they received an estimate last week from the Congressional Budget Office claiming that an early version of the bill would top $1.6 trillion, or $600 billion more than expected, Politico reported.

The senators said they found $400 billion in savings earlier this week, largely by reducing the amount of subsidies for low-income individuals to buy insurance, Politico reported.

It is unclear where the $200 billion in additional cuts were drawn, although Baucus said the discussed ways of empowering a federal board known as to wring savings out of the system. Despite the progress, Baucus said he is not yet ready to schedule a markup of the bill.

Trillions, billions...who can keep up?

Not so rosy news on the economy...

The U.S. economy shrank at an annual pace of 5.5% in the first quarter, the government said Thursday, a slower pace of decline than the 5.7% previously reported but still the second largest quarterly drop in 27 years.

The Commerce Department reported in April that gross domestic product--the broadest measure of the nation's economic activity--fell at an annual rate of 6.1% in the first quarter. In its first revision, the agency said that GDP declined at an annual pace of 5.7%, according to news reports.

The government revises the GDP twice each quarter, and Thursday's report marked the final revision.

The first quarter of 2009 marked the third quarter in a row that the economy contracted. It was the second worst drop in the measure since the early 1980s, behind only the fourth quarter of 2008, when GDP plunged at an annual pace of 6.3%, CNNMoney reported.

The news comes as the number of workers filing new claims for unemployment benefit rose unexpectedly this week by 15,000 to 627,000, reflecting continuing strain on the US economy. The overall U.S. unemployment rate has also now risen from 8.9% to 9.4%, the highest level since August 1983. (Photo by EPA)

The new estimate reflected a slightly better reading on consumer spending and lower imports, partly offset by declines in inventories and construction.

Reflecting the weak pace of global economic activity, exports plunged at a 30.6% rate in the first quarter instead of the 28.7% estimated a month ago. That was the steepest drop in foreign sales in 40 years. Imports dropped at a 36.4% rate, the steepest since the summer of 1947.

Sooner or later, it will get better...if you ask me.

Source: ABC News, The Associated Press, CNN, BNO
Copyright © 2009

Farrah Fawcett dies of cancer at 62

1947-2009

I had a feeling last night it would happen today...

At around 2 a.m. today, we learned Farrah was moved to an intensive care unit (see story). Given her medical condition and the fact that there was nothing else medicine could do for her, the end had to be near.

Farrah was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. She was determined to beat this disease and fought it with astonishing determination. The documentary Farrah's Story about her three-year battle with cancer, aired last month, was extremely moving. It opened my eyes to her strength and courage, as well as the spiritual journey she's been on since cancer took over her life.

May you rest in peace, Farrah.

LIFE magazine: Remembering Farrah

Source: CNN, Me
Copyright © 2009

Stew of News: Thornton, O'Donnell, Lopez

Billy Bob's daughter indicted on murder charges

Amanda Brumfield, the estranged daughter of Oscar-winning actor Billy Bob Thornton, was indicted Wednesday in Florida on murder charges for the 2008 death of a 1-year-old girl she was babysitting.

The 29-year-old daughter of Thornton and ex-wife Melissa Gatlin is facing counts of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter, E! reported based on an Orlando Sentinel report.

Above: Amanda Brumfield and Billy Bob Thornton (Ocoee Police Department, Alan Davidson/Getty Images)

A tearful Brumfield appeared in court accompanied by her lawyer. A judge rejected her request for bail and ordered her held in jail.

Brumfield told investigators the infant, Olivia Garcia, died on Oct. 3 after tumbling head-first out of her playpen. But the medical examiner ruled the fall could not have caused the child's fractured skull and authorities say Brumfield waited more than two hours before calling paramedics.

In the wake of her arrest last month, the 53-year-old Thornton released a statement through his publicist indicating that he had been estranged from Amanda and had "no contact with her for quite some time." He also offered condolences to the Garcia family.

She's toast, if you ask me.

Rosie O'Donnell to Host New Radio Show

After stints as a daytime talk show host and as a controversial co-host on The View, Rosie O'Donnell is heading back to a morning show--this time, however, it's on the radio.

The former stand-up comedian is launching her own daily, two-hour show for Sirius XM Radio this fall, US magazine reported.

"This is an exciting new adventure--two hours of talk show entertainment, without having to wear makeup. Perfection," O'Donnell said in a statement. "I can't wait to jumpstart each day with millions of Sirius XM listeners across the country."

Right: Rosie O'Donnell attends a news conference to unveil the Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2009 on May 6, 2009 in Washington, DC. (TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Image)

The call-in show, called Rosie Radio, will tackle topics including pop culture, politics and stay-at-home moms.

"Rosie O’Donnell is a powerful, dynamic and entertaining voice and now you can only get her on Sirius XM,” the company's president, Scott Greenstein, said.

"Rosie's millions of fans will hear her as they never have before and have the chance to call in and talk to her and her intriguing guests. Rosie Radio will entertain, inform, surprise and delight."

The show, which will air Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. EST, will also include a wide range of guests including celebrities and everyday Americans.

I would love to hear her show, but I don't have Sirius...I siriusly need to fix that.

O'Donnell's show will join Sirius' lineup of famous hosts such as Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart and Barbara Walters, whom she feuded with on The View before her contentious departure in 2007.

Jennifer Lopez Shuts Down Clothing Line

Jennifer Lopez is shutting down her Sweetface line, Women's Wear Daily reported according to US magazine.

Production for the contemporary sportswear brand she launched in 2003 will halt with the spring 2009 collection, which is currently in stores. Nevertheless, the actress-turned-singer-turned-clothing designer--who still has her flagship line, JLO by Jennifer Lopez--plans to resurrect the brand at some point in the future.

Above: Jennifer Lopez attends the special event promoting Japanese bag maker Samantha Thavasa's new bag collection on March 29, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. (Jun Sato/WireImage.com)

"In light of new company strategies, we have decided to put the Sweetface line on hiatus while we prepare to reintroduce the brand in the near future with new messaging points and an entirely new fashion point of view," Lopez' company said in a statement.

Lopez isn't the only star who has had to pull the plug on her fashion line. actress Mandy Moore and The Hills star Lauren Conrad also recently announced they were putting their collections on hiatus.

Personally, I never liked JLo's designs.

Source: E! Online, US magazine
Copyright © 2009

Ahmadinejad tells Obama to butt out

Iran President Ahmadinejad makes the Peace sign in this undated photo of unknown source. Maybe he's ordering two Tacos...

Iranian president Ahmadinejad is telling President Obama not to interfere in Iran, claiming Obama is repeating what "Bush used to say" about Iran and calling on Obama to "express regret" about U.S. Interference, Reuters reported early Thursday quoting the Fars News Agency.

Are you freakin' kidding me?

This was to be expected, though, and it's exactly what Obama was trying to avoid (among other things), which critics didn't quite get, if you ask me.

I think Ahmadinejad is being a dick. Sorry, my friends, but you should know by know that I have little, if any, tolerance for liars and bullies, not to mention deluded narcissistic pricks.

That sick fuck is asking Obama to express regret for something Obama hasn't done (at least not as far as we know), while he himself expresses NO regret about his people being killed and their blood spilled in his backyard after almost two weeks of ongoing violence and unrest ("traffic violations" according to him) in protest of the June 12 presidential elections that he allegedly won. WTF?

I'm telling ya'...Ahmadinejad won't show his face on the streets of Iran anytime soon, as many no doubt would love to take a shot at--or an ax to--him.

Sources: BNO, Reuters, Me
Copyright © 2009

Farrah Fawcett moved to intensive care unit

Farrah Fawcett has been moved to an intensive care unit after being hospitalized, Extra reported in the early hours of Thursday. Family and friends have gathered to say their "final farewells," according to the report.

She was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006, which later spread to her liver.

Farrah Fawcett became an icon of American pop culture in the 70s with her role in the very successful TV series Charlie's Angels, produced by Aaron Spelling, who was on his way to be one of the most prolific and successful producers of dramatic series and made-for-television films in American TV.

Also famous was her heavily layered hairstyle--which was copied by millions of women just as Jennifer Aniston's "Rachel hair" spread from head to head in the 90s--and a picture of her in a red bathing suit taken by photographer Bruce McBroom in 1976 before she was famous actress but around the time she was featured in ads for Wella Balsam shampoo.

While women couldn't get enough of her hair, men couldn't get enough of that picture. A record 12 million copies of the Swimsuit Poster were sold and affixed to walls and gym or school lockers, captivating the fantasies of 70s men not unlike Betty Garble's pin up poster stole the hearts of men during World War II.

We send good wishes your way, Farrah--may your last moments be as pain free and peaceful as possible, and may your loved ones, especially partner Ryan O'Neill and son Redmond, be comforted during this trying time.

Sources: BNO headlines, Me
Copyright © 2009

Unimaginable horror In Tehran today

The Iran government said Wednesday that the presence of sufficient security forces in Tehran today prevented the violence seen in previous days, according to a CNN reported.

The following story was published by ThreatsWatch.org today, and I've decided to pass it on exactly as it was submitted--no rewriting, no editing (except some spelling and style corrections), no additional reporting from other sources, no commentary from me.

By Steve Schippert on June 24, 2009 at 3:30 PM

Iran has executed its Tiananmen Square. Baharestan Square has become synonymous with barbarity, cruelty, massacre and inhumanity.

An Iranian blogger (whose URL I will not publish) live blogging from Baharestan Square in central Tehran today captures but brief glimpses of the unimaginable horror that took place today. Bus loads of protesters were stopped and unloaded from their buses by "black-clad police" and literally herded. When the massing was sufficient, as the barely controlably distraught Tehran caller to CNN described first hand, hundreds of the regime's Basij thugs poured out of an adjoining mosque and commenced a massacre with axes, clubs, guns and gas.

From the live blogger's eyewitness account:

> More than 10,000 Bassij militias got in position in central Tehran, including Baharestan Square.
> Army helicopters flying over Baharestan and Vali Asr Square.
> The streets, squares and around Baharestan (south-east of Tehran) are swarming with military forces, civilian forces, security motorists.
> The crowd have moved to the south of Baharestan, the situation is bad; the shooting has started.
> In Baharestan Square [there's] police shooting; a girl is shot, and the police is not allowing [others] to help.
> In Baharestan we saw militia with axe chopping people like meat--blood everywhere--like butcher.

This is the Iranian regime, wading into its own unarmed people and axing them to death, bludgeoning women (seen as the greatest threat to the regime) and throwing them to their deaths from pedestrian bridges. The same Iranian regime whose embassy officials are invited to American embassies around the world to celebrate on July 4th, of all things, a successful revolution.

This frantic phone call from a Tehran woman will break your heart as you consider our standard response has been "that there are sets of international norms and principles about violence" and that "the international community is watching." Part of yesterday's response by President Obama in a press conference included "that there is a peaceful path that will lead to stability and legitimacy (of the Iranian regime) and prosperity for the Iranian people. We hope they take it." The Iranian theocratic regime clearly is not interested.

There should not be--nor should have ever been--invitations to the ruthless Iranian regime's international ambassadors to celebrate anything with us, anywhere, unless it is an invitation to a tribunal on charges of crimes against humanity.

To my intelligent friends who have been arguing the logic of our President's near silence on the issue of Iran--and not without merit on certain points--you can disengage from me now. I will entertain none of it any longer.

This is an axe wound, just one, doled out by the regime's thug Basiji animals on Saturday, June 20.

This was a brutal murder of an assuredly unarmed protester of the up-close-and-personal variety. An act, and one not isolated, which requires the presence of inhumane malice and aggression and the absence of humanity. The traits required for massacres upon the unarmed. There is no nuance, no logical approach, no deft explanation that covers near silence and inadequate, tepid condemnation of the meekest sort. To decline any mention of possible repercussions on the regime for these acts "because we don't know how this is going to turn out" is moral cowardice of the highest order. Look at the picture above and listen to the frantic woman calling in to CNN again. They seem to "know how this is going to turn out."

There is a way to condemn a regime axing its citizens in the streets of Tehran and other cities across Iran without "making this about the U.S." You, and our President, are intelligent men and women and lacking no gifts of speech and prose. Find what's missing. Each of you frustrate and sadden me. Argue your eloquent points elsewhere. My ears are deaf as of now.

Source: ThreatsWatch.org
ThreatsWatch.Org was established in 2005 as the means to disseminate information on national security threats in an accessible, interactive and contextually aware form. In 2007 ThreatsWatch.Org became the web-based publication of the Center for Threat Awareness (CTA), a 501(c)3 tax-exempt corporation whose mission is to increase public awareness of threats to national security and liberty.