Animal Portraiture via Berkley Illustration

I discovered Berkley Illustrations at the Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle. I am quite taken by these formal, somber portraits of these creatures from the animal kingdom. Between Mr. Cheetah's eye-patch, Sir Skunk, Mr. Polar Bear, and the dashing Meerkat pilot, I want to frame them all. Catch Berkley Illustrations at his etsy shop.

sharon stone dress

Attention deprived actress Sharon Stone set tongues wagging at the Oscars Sunday night with a dress that was more than a little bit revealing.

The Oscars was a night for celebrities to show their stuff, especially actress Sharon Stone. Did anyone get a good look at her dress? Unlike Beyonce's wardrobe malfunction you didn't need an extreme close-up to get a good look at the Sharon Stone's nipples in her sheer Oscar dress.Stone’s Oscars dress was sheer black and lace, and Stone wasn’t wearing a bra.

It's like there's a pair of owl's eyes staring right at me. Did Sharon Stone realize her Oscar dress was this sheer? With all the people helping her prepare for Oscar night, how could she not know? Unless they hate her. I sniff a publicity stunt. Sharon Stone has a new movie coming out in April. Is this her lame attempt to hype herself to get some press? After all, no publicity is bad publicity.

How do we know she wasn’t wearing a bra? well every picture taken of her at an after party clearly shows her surgically enhanced breasts right down to the nipple.

Another typical unwed mother for the Republicans to complain about…….oops, my bad.

What happened to the wedding of the year? Does Alaska sell contraceptives made out of moose skin? Does her mother still only support abstinence only education? What is really going on?

Michael Steele, when they said you had your work cut out for you they weren’t lying.

Bobby Jindal needs a personality transplant. He seems like a nice enough guy but so is the guy that delivers my mail. His response to Presidents Obama’s speech put me to sleep. He sounded like he was reading a bedtime story. Typical Republican responses... pull yourself up by your boot straps, bad Government, etc etc. It’s hard to pull yourself up when you aren’t wearing boots. What I don’t like about the Republicans is that they are in denial. I always said that they have an image problem. They don’t know how to connect to certain groups in our society. There are groups that they don’t even try to connect to. Gov. Jindal shouldn’t be all that proud to use the response to Hurrican Katrina as an example of how Government can fail you. Citizens were left for dead by a slow Government response. The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency was unqualified and out of his league. People still haven’t been able to rebuild their homes. Not to mention that the city had crime and educational issues before the water came. Gov. Jindal is the same guy that wants to turn down unemployment benefits. And this is because they are in the stimulus package. I know he has political aspirations but come on dude??? People are out of work and losing their jobs. The Republican response to all issues: Tax Cuts For The Wealthy….

I didn’t want my blog to be a cheering section for Obama. Sure I voted for him. But I also changed from Democrat to Independent because of the 2008 campaign. I want to hold all politicians accountable. On some issues I am liberal….moderate…..and conservative. I just can’t see myself as a Republican. The black Republicans that they have seem so removed from the daily lives of most black folks. Because we are all black doesn’t mean we should always agree. But there has to be some common ground…….somewhere!!! Pandering to the far right does not impress me. It actually turns me off. The Republicans need to stop bragging about being the party of Lincoln. They also need to stop bragging about how far the country has come with the election of the first black president. After running all those race baiting ads during the 2008 campaign. They don’t have the right to be proud of this moment. The American people are hurting right now and they need help. They can’t pull themselves up by the bootstraps to get out of this one. Yes American citizens will need to make sacrifices. But ultimately the Government will come up with the plan to get us out of this mess.

The Sleeping Bear Bag

Loving this artist's adaption of kigurumi meets sleeping bag. Looks quite comfy and ferosh.

Found while perusing Swiss Miss: Sleeping Bear Sleeping Bag by artist Eiko Ishizawa.

angelina jolie reaction to jennifer aniston

Jennifer Aniston and Jack Black presented the awards for best animated feature and animated short film at the Oscars last night, but it was who was in the front row that grabbed some attention.

Despite having nothing to do with the category, the camera focused in on Angelina Jolie.

“After four years of near misses, Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie were finally in the same room together–just a few feet apart.

Aniston took the stage with Jack Black and joked her way through their script for Best Animated Feature.

The cameraman quickly moved over to a shot of Jolie, who smiled on like she didn’t have a care in the world. Aniston on the other hand seemed a little tense and nervous on stage.

Everyone was hoping for a dramatic run in, but it was pretty civil…on camera at least! “

Angelina Jolie’s reaction to the former Mrs Brad Pitt: all class, well at least all smiles anyway. The tabloid fantasy of a showdown didn’t eventuate, and the coverage quickly returned to the stage.

Here’s the Angelina Jolie reaction to Jennifer Aniston video. Jolie comes on camera at the 45 second mark

When did Kunta Kinte have time to play the slot machines?

I was bumrushed at the barbershop yesterday by Jehovah's Witnesses. They rolled up on me like gangbangers. Car real slow…..you know the rest. I was trying to get inside so I wouldn’t be there all day. But they got me!!! So now I’m walking into the barbershop with Watchtower magazines. Magazine(s)……that is plural. The driver told me that she was going to give me one magazine but it was like they multiplied in my hands. It’s 7:15am and I’m carrying around magazines. All I wanted was a haircut!!! Anyway, I just needed to vent, this is my real post (below).

Joe Jackson must have really messed up his kids. How in the world could someone co-sign for this? Marlon Jackson, formerly of the Jackson 5, is involved in an investment deal for a Vacation Resort. Sounds nice huh? This resort would have a Casino and a Golf Course with a Shopping Center and some Condominiums. Drum roll please……..to top it off there will be a Slavery Museum involving a replica of a Slave Ship. I bet Disney's Animal Kingdom never thought of this concept. You can visit a slave ship and play golf all in the same day. Or you could shop before you visit a slave ship. Better yet, you can play blackjack and then go visit a slave ship. There are so many slave ship variations so why limit yourself. The problem isn’t the slave ship and museum. It’s when you mix it with the fun in the sun. It downplays the importance of the slave ship and what it represents. I not mad at the guy for having an entrepreneurial spirit but not like this. Using a slavery theme to attract tourists is as classless as you can get. Add in the fact that this is going to be built in Nigeria. Built on the same location where slaves left for parts known and unknown.

Alan Keyes throwing salt in the game….Again!!

“I would still be picking cotton if the country’s moral principles had not been shaped by the Declaration of Independence,” "Obama has broken and rejected those principles — he has taken the slaveholder’s position.”

~Alan Keyes


Alan Keyes is back committing verbal black on black crime again. I don’t know why he won’t leave President Obama alone. Is this about jealousy? Maybe he has a crush on Obama and this is the only way he knows how to express his emotions? Either way this has to stop. Black folks have been raining on Mr. Obama’s parade all week long. Ron Christie can’t tell the difference between satire and racism. And Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele is trying to make the “Hood” stand up. Can’t someone send Keyes back to…….I don’t know? The guy moved from Maryland to Illinois to run against Mr. Obama. I guess he would be considered a carpet bagger? Keyes has been running for public office since 1988 and in 2008 he ran for the office of President. That’s 20 years of not winning any political office. What keeps this guy coming back again and again? Is he for real or does he just like the limelight? And why does he look like a black raccoon? There are so many other ways for blacks to become famous. Hasn’t he heard of VH-1?????

The Photo of the Week: Girl, I got jokes!!

President Barack Obama and Governor General Michaëlle Jean, Canada's first black governor general, meeting at the airport.

What does apeish behavior have to do with the stimulus package?

What the Post and Delonas have done is actually openly pimp slapped Black America and say, "No matter what your accomplishments, you are still n****s and nothing is going to change."

~Gregory Moore, Columnist for the San Antonio Informer

Before I’m placed into the “black bogeyman to white America” category along with Rev. Al. Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson. I have to be honest with you for a moment. Sometimes “some” black folks blame all their dilemmas on racism. You can’t blame “The Man” for your woman catching you cheating. “If the White Man didn’t mess up the economy I would still have my job which means I would have been at work instead of home having sex with Keisha.” It just doesn’t work like that. But there are times when things are done and said that reek of Racism.
The NY Post apparently has a beef with Obama. I’m shocked and surprised because Rupert Murdoch is the owner of the NY Post and Fox News (sike!!). We all know how Fair and Balanced Fox News is. Apparently cartoonist Sean Delonas thought that his editorial cartoon featuring a dead monkey was going to be a big hit. It involved two policemen, one with a smoking gun, looking at a dead monkey. One policeman says to the other, “They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.” I guess it was one of those “you had to be in the room when he was drawing it” kind of joke. The cartoon took reference to that humongous chimpanzee that was shot in Connecticut.

By the way – why would you own a 200 pound monkey??? I’m pushing around 195 and I need to lose weight. Whatever happened to people having a fish tank? Oh that’s right; they have Sharks in those fish tanks now.

Anyway….I’ve been seeing a lot of editorial cartoons with President Obama lately.

His ears are big (okay they are).

His lips are big and purple (hold on one minute) big and purple?

Did the cartoon Obama just get through smoking a black and mild? Is this a case of black folks overreacting or are the excessive features of black men being drawn for laughs? Now we throw a monkey in the mix and it starts to stink. The image of a monkey has always been associated with black folks (particularly black boys and men) by racists. Coincidence!! Really, because I’m trying to find out what King Kong has to do with the stimulus package?

Apparently Sean Delonas has a history of having his cartoons criticized. He portrayed WNBC-TV anchor Sue Simmons as a drunk. I don’t know if she is a drunk or not but she has a mouth on her (listen here).

The NY Post Editor-in Chief, Col Allan, has said that the cartoon was a parody of a current news event. Saying, “It broadly mocks Washington’s efforts to revive the economy.” This is the part where someone usually says WTF?? But this is a family friendly Blog (wink wink – hi mom!!). The reasoning behind this cartoon and the lack of a credible defense proves that this was made in bad judgment.

I know that racism is alive and well. The concept or notion of a post racial America is as far-fetched as a horse with wings. Everyone was not going to be happy with the new president. President Obama only had 41% of white men and 46% of white women that voted for him. Post racial would have given him over 90% at least.

This is the time that people of all races need to be vigilante. We need to call out organizations and institutions that promote and endorse racist behavior. We might not be a post racial society but actions like these are ugly and have no place in our modern society. This type of tabloid journalism is beneath a so called "true” news organization.

Hope Dworaczyk And Seth Rogen posed for playboy??

Is Seth Rogen so sexy he’s posing for Playboy? Not Playgirl. Playboy.

He is doing the cover alongside Hope Dworaczyk ( Jason Kidd’s baby mama) . Radaronline.com reports that despite the exciting news, Rogen's reps won't confirm.

Well, rumor has it that the Canadian star, Seth Rogen will be featured on the cover of Playboy magazine for the incoming issue. The New York Post's Page Six breaks the report, claiming the actor-comedian would likely grace the cover of the men's magazine's March issue.

Rogen's camp has not yet commented on the report, but an unnamed insider has told Page Six that Rogen will pose with Hope Dworaczyk, the mother of NBA star Jason Kidd's baby. Representatives for Playboy declined to comment on the report though.

Despite sketchy details on that matter, Rogen will surely become the ninth man who graces the cover of Playboy should Page Six's report is proven true. He will join the ranks of legendary actor, Peter Sellers, comics Steve Martin and Jerry Seinfeld as well as '70s box office icon, Burt Reynolds, all of whom have been featured on Playboy's covers.

The actor, who has shown some skin in past films like Knocked Up, has been getting in shape for upcoming role in The Green Hornet. Who knew all those work outs would land him in the same league as Burt Reynolds, Jerry Seinfeld, Steve Martin and Peter Sellers. The only men to grace the cover of Playboy to date.

Of course the 26-year-old star does have a movie coming out this spring as well. He stars in the comedy Observe and Report about a mall cop who gets a little too territorial when the police try to take over his investigation of a parking lot flasher.

danny gokey wife

Sophia Gokey is the wife of Danny Gokey that was made famous and controversial in American Idol Season 8 for auditioning 4 weeks after his wife’s death.Danny Gokey is competing in American Idol season 8. His wife Sophie Gorkey died a month before his audition. Let us get to know more about Sophia Gokey and why she is much loved. Well, Sophia Gokey is the great inspiration behind Danny Gokey and Sophia’s Heart Foundation.

Daniel Gorkey is from Milwaukee where he is a music teacher and choir leader for Faith Builders International Ministries. His wife, Sophie, had encouraged him to audition for American Idol. How did Danny Gokey’s wife die? Tragically, at age 27 Sophie Gokey died duriing surgery in July 2008. She had a congenital heart condition.

Both his musical talent and his moving life story have made Danny Gokey an American Idol favorite. He delivered an emotionally powerful rendition of Mariah Carey’s signature hit “Hero” in the February 17, 2009 semi-finalists telecast.

As a biography, Sophia Linnette Gokey was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 16, 1980 and lived in there throughout her life. Her birth name was Sophia Linnette Martinez and she was the daughter of Juan and Ana Martinez. Her surviving siblings are Lissette (Cory) Quantance, Damaris Martinez and Margarita (Ivan) Santiago.Sophia L. Gokey died on July 9, 2008 in surgery. Her husband, Danny Gokey has set up a foundation in her memory; Sophia’s Heart Foundation (SHF) The foundation’s mission is to make a positive impact on students’ lives through a Music and Arts Program, which will donate musical instruments to children and youth who are unable to afford them and the Sophia L. Gokey Scholarship Fund which will donate $1,000 scholarships to high school students who face challenges in pursuing their dreams. The foundation has a Web site: sophiasheart.org
Sophia Gokey was a happy person and always on the go despite her health condition. Regardless of Sophia Gokey’s heart problem, she always remained an optimist. Sophia was 27 years old when she passed away but her footprints remains as his husband, Danny Gokey of American Idol Season 8, establishes a foundation after his wife’s life. Sophia Gokey remains alive in the hearts of many as Danny Gokey raised the Sophia’s Heart Foundation. Danny Gokey founded this in his wife’s love for children which they never realized.

Sophia Gokey was a loving wife and a person with a good heart. During her life, Sophia constantly find ways to bestow her love for children touched by poverty and illness. Thanks to Sophia Gokey’s kind heart, the foundation’ vision can now reach a larger population of oppressed children.

How the Economy ruined my marriage and almost got me killed

Based on a true Chinese Love Store

I should have called this: How does a man have time for 5 mistresses? I know I know… I’m still trying to figure this out!!!!!!!!

A Chinese businessman decided to hold a contest. Not just any kind of contest but a very unusual contest. This was a contest to see which mistress he would get rid of. Even the Chinese have felt the brunt of this bad economy. This businessman was struggling financially and he could not afford to keep all his women.

(FYI) Remember he still has a wife to take care of.

The businessman brought in a judge to weed out the competition. One of the talents that the mistresses had to show was how much they could drink. I don’t blame a guy for originality. Do we really need another contest where people are singing? So before they could get started, one of his mistresses was cut before the first round. Apparently she was deemed ugly by the judge. The businessman didn’t know she was ugly? Well they do say Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well as you guessed the axed mistress didn’t take rejection well. She decided to get revenge on her lover and the other mistresses.

(FYI) I forgot to mention that all the mistresses knew about each other. Wow!! Amazing, Right?

So how does she get revenge? She tricks the mistresses and her lover into going for a drive. What happens next doesn’t seem logical but it’s true. She drives them off a cliff and she is the only one that gets killed!!!

Kids: This is why it is important to always wear a seatbelt.

In the end the man lost all his women (no surprise). I guess the ride off the cliff took the shine off the romance. His wife also ended up leaving him (no surprise). The businessman shut down his company (surprise) and gave the parents of the dead mistress financial compensation.

This love story was based on an actual event. The names were not given to protect the innocent.

Foto gambar ponari pemilik jimat batu petir sakti

Directly to the police investigation on cases of violence override the father Ponari, Kamsin. Yesterday, police set, Nd as a suspect on the case which caused the Kamsin to enter the hospital.

Examination of these cases conducted since yesterday morning to the five witnesses who know the exact occurrence of that. The five witnesses in the Senen champion, one of the people around; Lamudji, relatives Kamsin; Mukharomah, mother Ponari; Salam, owner of the house where the practice, and the suspect Nd. Ponari own investigation also are presented in the Mapolsek Megaluh it.
Tapi selama ini belum ada kesaksian pasien sembuh di tv?

alex mccord nude

Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen are, and this is saying a lot, the most talked about couple on the New York social circuit.

At least the circuit that forms the nucleus of The Real Housewives of New York City, a delicious little reality show that takes viewers insides the lives and limos, the mansions and, um, the minds of the pretty people who populate the elite echelons of Gotham.

Alex McCord is one of the six "housewives" on the show, though like the others she really isn't a housewife, at least not in the traditional sense, because she works outside the home.

Nor is she quite yet a bona fide Manhattan socialite - having neither married nor inherited such vaunted status - and thus is working hard on acceptance into the club.

In fact, while the show focuses on McCord (visual merchandising) and five other posh women - Jill Zarin (home furnishings), Luanne de Lesseps (a countess), Ramona Singer (fashion entrepreneur), Bethenny Frankel (chef) and newcomer Kelly Killoren Bensimon (model/editor) - it's McCord who usually finds herself the odd-girl out.

The reason for that? McCord's erudite hubby Simon van Kempen, a charming fellow who manages a Manhattan hotel and who is inseparable from his wife.

Their symbiotic relationship sets them apart - they are the youngest couple, he's 44 and she's 35, and have the youngest children- and their joined-at-the-hip attachment means he crashes the girls-only parties and shows up where he's not always welcome.

It's just one source of irritation, and tension, on the show, which premieres its second season tonight on Bravo.

A spinoff of its popular older sister, The Real Housewives of Orange County, season two was filmed last year between June and November, and follows the frenemies - oh, they like each other, but don't let that fool you - as they deal with their careers and families, fretting over fashion and frown lines, and flitting from dinner parties on the Hudson to summers in The Hamptons.

It's 12 new episodes of much drama and not a little bitchiness, and you can be sure some of the latter will be directed at McCord and van Kempen.

One bone of contention among the housewives is what they consider the pair's unorthodox parenting skills.

The couple is raising two sons - Francois, now five and Johan, three - in their Brooklyn townhouse and not only brag that their boys are brilliant (especially Francois) but seem to substitute discipline and rules of etiquette for being "present" in their boys' life.

The couple, on the phone from New York last week and getting ready for the premiere party, say they were naive when filming the first season.

Alex, who has acting experience, says: "We were primarily concerned with doing good TV. We weren't prepared for how literally viewers took everything."

Adds van Kempen: "Of the five-and-a-half thousand minutes they filmed us, we had about 60 minutes of screen time. We didn't come off season one looking particularly good. Most of the footage of Francois wasn't particularly good."

But, he says, they certainly aren't embarrassed by any of it and, in fact, have been inundated with emails from viewers wanting parenting advice.

"We were amazed by the tidal wave of emails coming in from people asking us specific questions about the kids - how do you work full-time and raise kids in the city, how do you manage to handle more than one language, what do you do when you travel, what's the different between an au pair and a nanny?"

So when they were on vacation last summer, "we just started writing," says McCord.

The result is a book, to be published later this fall and tentatively titled The Urban Parent: Adventures from a Real House in New York City.

It's not a how-to book, they caution, but more about what they've discovered raising their boys - who take swimming, art and French classes - in one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

Their advice includes leading by example, being consistent, having dinner and conversation together with the kids every night, and ensuring you are "emotionally present" in your child's life.

Which isn't to say season two is all about the kids.

McCord, in fact, promises things will be "pretty juicy" among the housewives, especially when she and Jill, the oil to her water, pick up where they left off.

Why Does Alex McCord Keep Being Naked?

Alex McCord, one of the stars of Bravo's strange and upsetting reality series Real Housewives of New York City, continues to be nude. In a recent interview with In Touch magazine (a publication as prestigious as Parade magazine if someone pooped on Parade magazine), the square-headed fame grubber spoke out about the photos, saying "it was a celebration that a new mom can be in great shape." Um, OK. Fair enough. But riddle me this, Ms. McCord: Why did the photographer you mention, James Demaria, recently email us and describe these photos as a Playboy audition? (A slightly NSFW image follows) Was being in Playboy part of the new mommy celebration? And what about those other, decidedly more raunchy naked pictures you took with photographer Bob Coulter? You know, the ones that can be found here, here, here, here, and here. Were those post-pregnancy celebrations as well? Just fess up! Naked pictures can make you famous! And you and your homosexual husband really, really want to be famous, don't you? Ugh. This woman continues to reduce her life to a hideous, squirmy, sad embarrassment.

New York Post Doesn't Want The Prez To Get His Romance On

What’s wrong with President Obama taking his wife out for dinner? If he had of ordered pizza from Domino's, they would have called him cheap.

The Devils in the Details: A Call for Action on the Latest Unemployment Rates.

"600,000 jobs lost in January would be equal to every job in Maine."
~White House spokesman Robert Gibbs

The US economy formally began to enter a decline, or a recessing period, in mid-2008. However, the housing index, which many use as a gauge of the US economy, peaked and began to decline in mid-2005. Since that time, US corporations have reported lowered earnings quarterly and they've reported lower earnings guidance for future quarters. Resulting from these gloomy announcements, investors have lost confidence in US corporations' ability to produce large profits, so they've pulled out their investment dollars. In the banking industry alone, the crisis was even gloomier because individuals and businesses began defaulting on their loans, which led to their eventual demise and greatly contributed to some of Wall Street's largest firms closing their doors. This massive withdrawal of money from investors around the globe that had been pumped INTO the US economy, gave US corporations access to less money to use to run and expand their businesses. These global investment decisions translated directly into a loss of employment. In our current economic crisis, we have seen a tidal wave of unemployment. Reliable jobs and Stalwart companies have fallen by the wayside.

The most recent data on employment reported the most dismal numbers.
--- Almost 600,000 jobs were lost within the last 30 days here in the US. Apparently, that's equivalent to the working population of the state of Maine. Unfortunately, the demographic realities of that numerical equivalency do not compare, as we now see the impact of unemployment and underemployment has most disproportionately afflicted African Americans.
--- There was a 12% increase in unemployment amongst Blacks from Dec. '08 to Jan. '09.
--- Out of the 11.6 million unemployed Americans as of Jan. '08, there are presently 2.2million unemployed African-Americans; herein, 18% of unemployed Americans are Black, even though we comprise only 11.5% of the working population.
--- As of Jan. '09, 12.6% of Blacks are unemployed - a higher unemployment rate per race than that which is found in any other racial group in America - while only 7% of whites are unemployed in the US. Herein, Blacks are almost 2 times more likely to be negatively impacted by unemployment in this current recessionary period.
--- Most astonishingly, since Jan. '08 (1 year ago), unemployment amongst African-Americans has risen 38%!

One group that has not gotten the same acknowledgment as the unemployed is the underemployed. I am talking about workers that are working jobs where they are overqualified. College graduates from a year ago, working minimum wage jobs. Recently laid-off workers re-employed at lower paying jobs. Former full-time employees that are currently working part-time jobs. The mainstream media glosses over the fact that more American's are working part-time jobs. This is not just to knock out a credit card bill or for extra spending money. These part-time incomes are supplements to what a worker was already bringing home. With private sector businesses cutting jobs at historical levels, many career workers are now starting over... at the bottom. We have a wave of high level educated workers that now have to compete for jobs with low wages. Carowinds Amusement park located in Fort Mill, SC recently started hiring for seasonal jobs. They have had one of their largest applicant pools in recent years. They had workers with MBA's and workers with 10 plus years experience. Last week you were an associate vice president and now you are working for Nick Toons Café.

Now add this dilemma with Middle Level Workers losing their jobs as well. You have managers (such as someone's boss), the Analyst down the hall or the human resources person. These workers were making just above entry level pay but were not making executive level pay. Right there in the middle and now they have to start over again as well. It's an eye opener when you go from company provided medical benefits to using an emergency room as a clinic. The middle class was already getting pinched by rises in the cost of living. Now if the people making six figures are struggling, then the guy making fifty thousand a year is in deep trouble.

Although this is an American problem, as we have noted African Americans have been disproportionately affected by this economic crisis. What if 12% of white people lost their jobs? Yet, even in the midst of these worsening realities, we see very few organized actions being done to address this disproportionate racially-defined crisis. Even though there are more than published 1500 articles on the web that reveal these disparities, what actions must be taken to directly impact these disparities in a positive direction?

Now more than ever is the time when we need to support initiatives that will improve the economy. We must invest in Green Businesses, Infrastructure Projects, Small Family and Minority Owned Businesses. Everyone must purchase their products and services daily. NOW, is the time that we (as Americans, regardless of color) must decisively choose to rally together in order to improve the economy. Only then can we raise the standard of living for everyone, by starting at the bottom and pushing up.

Co-Written and Researched by DougMG and Citizen Ojo

How not to make friends in Washington D.C. (a.k.a) when Bipartisanship just won’t work out.

Dear President Barack Obama.

I think it is nice of you to keep your campaign promise about reaching across the aisle. It shows that you are serious about making America work again. But it’s time to get real!!! Relationships don’t always work out the way we want them to. People fall out over money issues, commitment issues, and sometimes stimulus packages. Mr. President, you have bent over backwards like a stripper at a bachelor party. But you have got to face it! The Republicans just don’t like you. Rush Limbaugh said he hopes you fail. Fox News thinks that your wife is the second coming of Angela Davis. And conservative bloggers think that you are a Marxist. It’s just not working Mr. President. Now your pick for Commerce Secretary left you hanging like grandma’s laundry. U.S. Senator Judd Gregg knew your policies before he accepted the job. Now all of a sudden he has “irresolvable conflicts” over the stimulus package. Where has this guy been for the past month? You have been talking about passing a stimulus since last December. He waited until the 13th hour to get brand new on you Mr. President. That is some shady behavior to me. You could be passing a kidney stone and the Republicans would block that. The dream of everyone working together is not going to happen. RNC Chairman Michael Steele is a brother and he is even giving you hell. You are going to have to learn to let it go. You are definitely not going to get any help from Nancy Pelosi. She is what many Republicans hate most………….a San Francisco Democrat. It’s obvious that she is going to make the Republicans pay for the last 8 years. It’s pointless to keep going in this direction. Cut your losses and move on. Mr. President, they are just not that into you.

joaquin phoenix in Letterman

Joaquin Phoenix's Bizarre Letterman Appearance

Over the past several weeks, Joaquin Phoenix has been insisting that his rap career is for real. He has grown a shaggy beard, constantly wears sunglasses and gets defensive at any question asked, especially regarding his music career. But that was nothing compared to his appearance on Letterman last night.

The 34-year-old two-time Oscar nominee stuttered and stammered his way through the interview, looking lost and irritated a great deal of the time. Letterman, well known for his humor, made cracks at Phoenix's beard and the fact that he was chewing gum, all in an attempt to coax the actor to speak.

Joaquin Phoenix made a bizarre appearance on Wednesday night's Letterman to promote his film "Two Lovers," during what may be his last visit as an actor. Phoenix has insisted he is retiring from film to focus on his hip-hop career.

If you saw Joaquin Phoenix's on last night's Late Show With David Letterman and worried that the ''retired'' actor and aspiring rapper is losing his grip, take heart: People were wondering the same thing nine years and two Oscar nominations ago. Trawling through the EW archives we hit upon this item that seems like it could have been written this morning (with the words "The Yards" simply changed to "Two Lovers"), but is actually from Nov. 3, 2000. An excerpt:

"And the No. 1 bizarre talk show guest is...The Yards star [Joaquin] Phoenix! On a Late Show With David Letterman appearance, the actor came off as hilariously dazed and confused, claiming he couldn't remember his birthday or, at one point, where he got his tattoo. This follows a May spot on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno in which Phoenix was so distracted Leno requested that he ''be here in person'' next time. Phoenix's camp had no comment, but Late Show exec producer Maria Pope replies: ''He's been on three times now. The first couple of times we thought there was a gas leak in the greenroom. Now we've determined, no, that's just Joaquin.''

Phoenix was unresponsive for part of the interview, while giving one word answers for other questions.

He has an uncomfortable exchange with Paul Shaffer, gets annoyed at the audience and won't even set up the clip from his movie "Two Lovers." That's before he takes the gum out of his mouth and sticks it to Letterman's desk.

Letterman ends the interview with, "Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight."

It must be seen to be appreciated.

Felicia Barton Replaces Joanna Pacitti on American Idol

Burning question: Why was Felicia Barton picked when Joanna Pacitti was axed?

A bit of a mystery has emerged on the first night of "American Idol's" season proper.

Just as the Green Mile episode was put to bed today, a contestant has gone missing: Joanna Pacitti, who has been considered one of the favorites because of her previous singing experience.

Felicia Barton, 26, will be replacing Joanna Pacitti in American Idol’s Top 36, after Pacitti was booted from the competition. Pacitti was disqualified after being told on Wednesday night she would be returning for the next round.

“It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition,” FOX said in a statement released Wednesday night. “American Idol contestant Felicia Barton has replaced Ms. Pacitti as part of the Top 36.”

Pacitti’s eligibility has been called into question since it was learned she had previous record deals, including the release of an album with Geffen Records, and the single “Let It Slide” with A&M Records, as well as close relationships with two executives of 19 Management, the production company behind Idol.

Pacitti lived in the same apartment building as 19’s Michelle Young and Roger Widynowski, even referring to the former exec as her “best friend.”

Both Barton and Pacitti audtioned in Louisville, KY. Barton lives in Virginia Beach with her husband and son.

The official Fox news release announcing the top 36 contestants lists female singers Alexis Grace, Allison Iraheta, Anne Marie Boskovich, Arianna Asfar, Casey Carlson, Felicia Barton, Jackie Tohn, Jasmine Murray, Jeanine Vailes, Jesse Langseth, Kendall Beard, Lil Rounds, Megan Corkrey, Mishavonna Henson, Stevie Wright, Tatiana Del Toro, Kristen McNamara and Taylor Vaifanua.

And below the long list of names was this:

"[EDITOR'S NOTE: It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition. AMERICAN IDOL contestant Felicia Barton has replaced Ms. Pacitti as part of the Top 36.]"

That's right, no Joanna Pacitti, whom we saw make it through the Green Mile tonight. And the list includes Felicia Barton, who was seen being sent packing on the Green Mile episode.

A source close to the show now tells us that Pacitti was disqualified to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

In the last week, tabloids had been reporting on a private relationship between Pacitti and executives of 19 Management, one of the companies overseeing "Idol."

View Joanna Pacitti’s “Let It Slide” video below.

Classism: One of the Oldest Dirtiest games ever played.

Unemployed and Homeless Henrietta Hughes, told Obama her plight at a town hall meeting yesterday in Florida. She was living in a car with her unemployed son. He had lost his job and they eventually lost their home (.....you know how the New American story goes). Conservative Pundit Michelle Malkin suggested that President Obama set the encounter up. The first thing that Malkin needs to do is call Keith Olbermann. The picture of her that he uses needs to be replaced. In the picture she looks like a rat. She is one of the few Republican minority attack dogs. Not dog in the sense that she looks like a dog because she doesn’t but you know what I mean. But in that picture on Olbermann’s show she looks like a rat or maybe a ferret. She really needs to get that picture changed. I don’t know what she has against Henrietta Hughes. Maybe Hughes is homeless and maybe she isn’t. What we do know for sure is that Joe isn’t a plumber. The Republicans have been milking him like a cow at the country fair. This guy reminds me of hemorrhoids. Like super hemorrhoids that won’t come off with ointments. The Republicans spent the whole 2008 election talking about how they wanted to help the “common folk”. Now they are spending 2009 dissing them. Oh what a difference a year makes.

Bernard Madoff is at home chillin after pulling off the greatest ponzi scheme in the history of America. If I steal a candy bar, I will probably get 20 years. As complicated as a ponzi scheme is, Madoff would like for us to believe he was running the scam by himself. Yesterday we learned that Mrs. Madoff cashed 15 million dollars out of her husband’s brokerage firm before he was arrested. If you see Citizen Wifey pulling out all our money from the bank, you call me because either we a leaving town or she is leaving me. But Mrs. Madoff didn’t leave her husband. So what does that mean? I smell a family hustle going on. I wonder if the money is in the family flour jar. I am still trying to figure out why he isn’t in jail. It’s not because the judge overseeing Madoff’s investment firms liquidation was arrested. Apparently the guy beat his wife because she came home late. He apparently has some absence issues. So here we are waiting for the beginning of his criminal fraud case to begin. The man is an economic threat and he still runs free. This is another case of the wealthy and well connected getting over again.

My job just announced that they would not be giving bonuses this year. But don’t think for a moment that the CEO is taking a cut in pay. The low man on the totem pole always gets screwed. That’s the way our society is. This is why some people are so afraid of the government getting rid of capitalism. Under capitalism anything goes. The rich can continue their gluttony and lust. Meanwhile the rest of us “common folk” have to fork out money to failing banks. We have to keep working for companies that don’t give us bonuses. And watch wealthy pundits argue on t.v. that we don’t need a stimulus package. We always had classism in America but this is a whole new level.

Forget about Black Folks being slighted…who was the dummy that asked Obama about A-Rod?

We are in a financial crisis of biblical proportion and a reporter wants to know what President Obama thinks about A-Rod? Black folks, is that the best question we can ask? Are you kidding me!!! We complain about not getting the opportunity to ask the big questions. And the first time we do……………………………....A-Fraud? This whole black press corps thing is getting out of control. Why can’t someone get President Obama and the National Association of Black Journalists in a room together so they can hug it out? The next time a black reporter asks President Obama a question, I hope it’s not “what do you think about the Wu-Tang Reunion?”

blink 182 back together

Musical groups coming back after a breakup and/or long hiatus has been quite common in recent years. Pixies, My Bloody Valen­tine, The Spice Girls, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Blondie… and the list goes on.

After four long years the punk world is abuzz as rockers Blink 182 confirmed rumors of a reunion tour at the 2009 Grammy Award Show. Blink, was originally composed of Tom DeLonge (vocals, guitar), Mark Hoppus (vocals, bass) and Scott Raynor (drums). In 1998, midway through a U.S. tour, drummer Travis Barker replaced Raynor. DeLonge left the group in early 2005, initiating an indefinite hiatus. DeLonge went on to form Angels & Airwaves, while Hoppus and Barker continued playing music with +44. On February 8, 2009, Blink-182 announced that they had reunited and they’re back to play music again.

It’s understandable that devoted fans are undoubtedly over­joyed when they get word that “the band’s getting back together.” One Ubyssey editor actually cried tears of happiness upon learn­ing of Blink’s reunion. But perhaps we should be wary of getting our hopes up.

In many cases, bands fail when they try to return. Van Halen’s reunion in 2003 was marred by Eddie’s alcohol issues, and viewed by some as largely a money grab. Guns N’Roses ten years in production Chinese Democracy was a commercial flop, being outsold by Taylor Swift’s Fearless.

On the other hand, the return of The Spice Girls reunion tour was quite successful; the majority of their shows completely sold out. However, concertgoers at their Vancouver show reported that the majority of the audience was only interested in hearing their old songs, taking bathroom breaks when newer material was performed. In many cases, “comeback” bands operate primarily on the strength of nostalgia.

No band lasts forever. The life of touring takes a toll, what with all the sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Members get old and burnt out. Interpersonal conflicts and in-fighting break up groups. And when bands try to get back together while still harbouring unresolved issues, the result can be disastrous. Comeback tours are often disappointing failures instead of the triumphant returns they are supposed to be.

That said, some of us are still hoping that Blink 182, at least, will “stay together for the kids,” and that fans will be earnestly chanting for their shows to last “forever, and ever/let’s make this last forever.”

BLINK 182 Grammy 2009

This was the Blink 182 Grammys video

Mia Pregnant

Wow, we have seen a lot of shocking outfits come out of Hollywood but rapper M.I.A., who is pregnant and due to give birth any day now, one-upped everyone at the Grammys last night.

While MIA is carrying her baby, who is due to meet his mother any day now, she wants everyone to know her son is going to be a hip-hop star.

It was an interesting night at the Grammys when a very pregnant M.I.A. decided to waddle her way over to the cameras, admitting she has no idea when she'll be giving birth - and still performed with Kanye West.

She said Sunday night that her baby boy will be a hip hop star: "He's getting ready for Jay-Z and Lil Wayne. So far, so good."

"I just don't know what labor is. It's my first baby. So I'm not walking around going, 'Maybe this is it.' The baby is just moving around, getting his swagga on."

MIA wore a transparent dress by Henry Holland, a British designer. Holland’s design used circles of white and black polka dots to hide the strategic locations. MIA sang with T.I., Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne. Please click on the link to see MIA’s transparent dress.

Wow. Her performance video is below.

did chris brown go to jail???

Grammy night began and ended with an unfortunate news story: After being sought by police in connection with an alleged domestic assault, Chris Brown has been charged with one count of making felony criminal threats and released from custody on $50,000 bail. The 19-year-old singer was accused of being involved in an altercation with a female victim around 12:30 a.m.
So why, you ask, was Chris Brown booked for making criminal threats rather than domestic abuse, given the victim -- we're told Rihanna -- had "visible injuries"?

Sunday morning. Police were summoned to an area near Los Angeles’ Hancock Park neighborhood following reports of a violent domestic dispute that escalated when the two parties involved exited their vehicle. While authorities have refused to identify the victim — who reportedly suffered visible wounds — sources tell Rolling Stone that as suspected, she is Brown’s girlfriend Rihanna. Both stars pulled out of tonight’s Grammy ceremony early Sunday afternoon.

Law enforcement sources tell us they typically book a suspect for the most serious crime they can be charged with -- it's then up to the D.A. to file any additional charges.

Given there were allegedly visible injuries, the crime of making criminal threats is punishable by up to nine years in prison. Domestic abuse is four years.

Chris Brown was arrested Sunday night on suspicion of alleged domestic violence, then released after posting $50,000 bail. The fact that the singer missed attending and performing at the Grammys, and lost both awards he was nominated for was clearly the least of his worries.

The LAPD are investigating the events of early Sunday when they received a 911 call from an unidentified woman who accused Chris Brown of hurting her. Police said the women had visible injuries and Chris left the scene before the authorities arrived.

TMZ is reporting that long-time girlfriend Rihanna is the alleged victim and that she was assaulted with a deadly weapon.

Earlier that evening Chris and Rihanna were hanging out at Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party. Both singers cancelled their scheduled performances at the Grammys and did not attend the glitzy bash.

related story:rihanna gave chris brown herpes
related story:chris brown court postponed

The plight of the Black Actress: Outsourced by Hoochies

Last night my wife wanted to watch For The Love of Ray J to see what it was about. I didn’t have anything else to do so I watched it with her. These are the times that I wish I could see into the future. Why Lord, did I watch this show? How do these women have the time to chase Ray J around? I didn’t even know he was a celebrity? The last song I heard him on was with Lil Kim. That was the “black looking” Lil Kim and not the current one that looks like a Chinese woman. Ever since The Cosby Show and A Different World left the air, black folks have been throwing things against the wall to see what sticks. Besides Everybody Hates Chris, I can’t think of any other shows that are worth watching. On the flip side…..Earlier we watched Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. Two black female actresses Aunjanue Ellis and Kimberly Elise were in the television program. Ellis played the wife of Ben Carson and Elise played his mother. It was an excellent program with very good performances by talented actresses. Now juxtapose that with women doing splits for Ray J. I hardly ever get to see Aunjanue Ellis in movies or television. She is a good actress that doesn’t get quality roles. Maybe black actresses should go on Flavor of Love. It seems like that’s the only way they will be seen.

Kristy Swanson and Lloyd Eisler Married!

Actress Kristy Swanson and Canadian skating champion Lloyd Eisler, got married on Saturday at a hotel in San Luis Obispo.

"It was awesome and I feel amazing,[The ceremony] was perfect even though Lloyd's cell phone went off at the end. He forgot to put it on vibrate!" Swanson tells PEOPLE.

The couple, who first met three years ago when they were doing the FOX reality show “Skating with Celebrities,” tied the knot in front of 100 family members and friends.

"We wanted to celebrate Lloyd and I coming together as a family," says Swanson, referring to 2-year-old son Magnus, and Eisler's children from a previous marriage, Ethan Harley, 4, and Seth Keenan, 3.

Swanson, 39, wore a strapless ivory wedding gown by Amy Michelson and the groom, who is 45, wore a tuxedo by Nicole Miller walked down the aisle to Van Morrison's "Crazy Love."

Swanson, who is best known for her role in the 1992 movie “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” told her guests, “We wanted to celebrate Lloyd and I coming together as a family.”
The couple, who were the winners of the skating reality show, has one child together and he has two from a previous relationship.

During the ceremony, the couple and their combined children placed individual flowers in a vase, symbolizing a family bouquet.

"It's about perfect happiness and unity," says Swanson, who lost 45 lbs. in time for her wedding with the help of The Medifast Diet and regular exercise, including martial arts, skipping rope and treadmill work.

The newlyweds danced their first dance to Edwin McCain's "I'll Be," a song they performed to on their reality show. At the reception, guests, including actors Paul Reubens and Maeve Quinlan, dined on filet mignon and a four-tier wedding cake.

"We're excited about the future," says Eisler. "Kristy is getting back into acting and I'm building my coaching career. Hopefully everything will work out."

Swanson is best known for her role in the 1992 movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Eisler is a former Olympic figure skater.

Jessica Simpson Had a 'Rough Week'

After more than a week of battling body bullies and fashion critics, Jessica Simpson showed off her figure in a tiny pair of Daisy Duke-style short-shorts onstage in Grand RapidsThursday night.


But Simpson – who seemed nervous and tentative at times – told the crowd of 15,000 that it had been "a rough week."

At one point in the show she said, "You definitely have to confront everything you go through."

Though the singer thanked fans last week for their support, the stress of the recent scrutiny may have also taken a physical toll on Simpson, who frequently sipped from a mug during the 40-minute set.

Simpson, who was the opening act for the country trio Rascal Flatts, stopped singing during one of her songs and asked to start it over.

Supports from fanatic fans

The audience didn't seem to mind. Shouts of "We love you, Jessica," followed her as she finished her performance and exited the stage.

"She looked very nervous,She just seemed very shy, but I think she picked a good selection of songs. I loved her CD. It's fun and girly" said fan Tanja Barunovic, 22.

Another fan, Ellen Simons, 16, of Grand Rapids, said, "She looked very healthy. I think she is more of a healthy skinny now, rather than skinny-skinny. Celebrities, if they gain five pounds, they are under the worst pressure. It's just not fair to them."

Claire Danes & Hugh Dancy Are Engaged!

Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy will be getting married!

Danes, 29, and Dancy, 33, met while filming Evening in Newport, R.I., and had been dating for about two years.

They met while filming the 2007 movie "Evening."

Danes recently finished shooting the film "Me and Orson Welles," co-starring Zac Efron .

Dancy stars alongside Isla Fisher in the upcoming comedy "Confessions of a Shopaholic."

Pictured below include Claire and Hugh at the Directors Guild of America Awards at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on January 31 in Los Angeles and at the premiere of Confessions of a Shopaholic held at the Ziegfield Theater on February 5 in New York City.

Congrats to the happy couple!!

So much for a Year End Bonus.

One of Mexico’s top antidrug officials was murdered less than 24 hours of accepting the position. Nothing else can be said after that.......I'm speechless.

Benjamin Jealous, why don't you drink a tall glass of Shut Up!

NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous has been running around telling anyone who will listen. That regardless of President Obama’s status as the first black president he intends to hold him accountable for his promises about civil rights.

Whatever!! This handpicked Julian Bond protégé hasn’t even been in office a year yet. I guess he is trying to make a name for himself. His first job should be making the NAACP relevant again. You have the Atlanta NAACP supporting Michael Vick and the Philadelphia NAACP President criticizing Donovan McNabb. When did the NAACP become ESPN?
Every time they send something to my house I throw it away. What is their agenda for the new millennium? I can tell you shilling for Hillary Clinton ain’t going to cut it.

So what does your resume look like?

After a 99 day stay in prison, embattled former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is back on the streets. But it wasn’t a long homecoming because he was on his way to Texas. Apparently his family has left Michigan and they are starting over in Texas. The location however is undisclosed. What? Is it Austin, San Antonio, Lubbock, Houston….what is the big secret!!! I lived in Abilene for a minute so I know a little something about Texas. It’s a huge state so the Kilpatrick’s could be anywhere. Don’t worry though because we can find them by process of elimination. We know that they lived in Detroit (a plethora of black folks) so they probably didn’t stray too far from home. It would be hard for them to leave Detroit and then live in West Texas. I am guessing they are living near Dallas or Houston.

Mayor…..uh….that dude Kwame already has an interview lined up. He never really needed my help. He still has his supporters in Detroit who stand by him. When he was being released people were shouting “We love you, Kwame. Detroit loves you baby!” What idiots would say something like that? Mayor….er….that guy Kwame wasn’t in jail for Freedom Fighting. This guy had his law license revoked and he still has to pay $1 million dollars in restitution to Detroit. Some black folks will never get it. When a black politician keeps money in his freezer….(they say: he’s just keeping it safe from bank foreclosures). When a black politician is caught with a stripper…(they say: he’s just helping her get home). Ah whatever!!!!!!!!!!!!

I do feel the need to give him one piece of important advice. Dude, get rid of that beard. Didn’t Eddie Murphy look clean coming out of jail in 48 Hours? Take a hint guy!!!!

On the flip side: Kwame Kilpatrick’s former top aide, Christine Beatty, must pay $100,000 to Detroit plus jail time. At last reported Beatty had "$6 and some change in her bank account, per her attorney.

Supermodel Angie Everhart Pregnant!

Model/actress Angie Everhart is set to become a first-time mom, and hopes to turn her pregnancy into a reality TV series.

Angie Everhart is carrying child and using her pregnancy to pitch a reality show called Angie Baby about a single mom trying to keep her show biz career afloat in Hollywood.

Everhart -- who split from former fiance Joe Pesci last April -- is 14 weeks pregnant, but refuses to reveal the identity of the baby's father.

While Angie isn't divulging the name of the father, pals tell RadarOnline.com that "it's definitely not former boyfriend Joe Pesci."

She tells E! Online, "The dad is very nice and he's very excited about it, but we are not a couple. It's nobody you know."

She also has announced that she would like to have the pregnancy documented on a reality show called Angie Baby. She is currently shopping around for a home for it.

“I decided to do a show about me being a single, strong, healthy and good-spirited woman who is having a baby on her own,” she says. “I want to show the positive aspects of women who do it on their own.”

And the star is shopping around her single-mum status to broadcasters in a bid to land her very own fly-on-the-wall show.

She adds, "I decided to do a show about me being a single, strong, healthy and good-spirited woman who is having a baby on her own. I want to show the positive aspects of women who do it on their own."

This will be the first child for the 39-year-old model-turned-actress who starred opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1993 film Last Action Hero.

"Angie's hoping a reality show documenting her life as a single celebrity mom will inspire other single mothers struggling to juggle careers with motherhood," added the source.

"She very excited about being a mom and the prospect of a new show!"

I think it would be great for those single moms out there to see someone succeeding, I know when I was a single mom I would have liked to see something like that and empower me.

Congratulations goes out to Angie.

Beyonce Slammed By Etta James

There's something scrappy in Hollywood's water -- mere days after the very unexpected Faye Dunaway/Hilary Duff feud was ignited, another old guard/new guard battle is blazing. This time around Etta James is kicking it old school -- and threatening to kick Beyonce's teeth in.

Now, I was under the impression that these ladies got on like gangbusters -- not only did Beyonce play Etta in 2008's "Cadillac Records," but Etta acted as a mentor to B and attended the December premiere. Well, that's all in the past because Etta is furious that Beyonce dared to sing her iconic "At Last" during the presidential inauguration.

While Beyonce has been going on for months about how Etta James is one of her idols, it appears the object of her affection has been wanting to kick her butt!

The 71-year-old singer seemingly had her feathers ruffled when she heard that Beyonce sang her eternal hit, At Last, at Barack Obama’s Inauguration Ball.

Said Etta at a concert in Seattle last week, “Your President, the one with the big ears … he had that woman singing my song. She gone get her ass whipped.” She added: “The great Beyonce … I can’t stand Beyonce.”

"I can't stand Beyonce! She's going to get her ass whooped," Etta screamed (via) at an event celebrating her career. The chanteuse went on to slam Barack Obama for selecting Ms. Knowles to do the honors. "You know your president, the one with the big ears -- he ain't my president -- he had that woman singing for him at his Inauguration. How dare Beyonce sing my song that I been singing forever!"

I can't decide why this bothers Etta so much now -- Beyonce had previously sang the song at Fashion Rocks, for AOL Live Sessions and in "Cadillac Records." Guess this was just one time too many.
Beyonce and her camp took the high road by not responding was reached for comment.

This, of course, begs the question: Team Etta or Team Beyonce?

Katrina 'Bikini Girl' Darrell Heats Up 'American Idol'

In American Idol Season 8 first round to Hollywood all eyes are on Katrina Bikini Girl Darrell. Is Kara DioGuardi insecure to Katrina Darrell? I dont think so. But the news is Katrina Bikini Girl Darrell made it to American Idol Season 8 first round to Hollywood.

Well, American Idol got off to a rockin’ start last night. Now, as I sat around and watched this with my wife and three daughters, I was thinking to myself, you know what this show is missing? More sex, specifically girls in bikini’s. Well, not to fear because Katrina Darrel soon made her appearance and cured that deficiency. You can watch the video below.

So, judge for yourself, can Ms. Darrell sing? She got the vote of both Cowell and Jackson (but one wonders how objective they were) but the new judge this season, DioGuardi was not too impressed. In fact, Darrell fired back at her and the two got into it with each other. Now, that is something Idol could use more of, half-naked girl cat fights, talk about a ratings winner. Personally, I don’t care much about the signing, I hope we see more of the young Ms. Darrell, or less of her if you know what I mean.

Katrina "Bikini Girl" Darrell — the 20-year-old model who auditioned for "American Idol" in her bikini and made it to Hollywood Week — is stirring controversy.

After Darrell made it through the first round of Hollywood Week last night, which in the past, was no easy feat and separated the mediocre from the great, an "Idol" expert from the smash entertainment program MTV said he’s questioning the producers’ judgment on season 8.

"As an ‘Idol’ fan, I was more angry about those two fools [Darrell and comedian Nick "Norman Gentle" Mitchel] hogging more screen time, when contestants I actually cared about were cut," said resident MTV News "Idol" expert Jim Cantiello. "Hollywood Week is supposed to be ‘Idol’ fans’ gift, after a month of shticky auditions. We watch the audition episodes for the comedy. We watch Hollywood Week for the nail-biting, hair-pulling drama. It’s disappointing that producers got it wrong this year."

Darrell, who we first met in January when she sang Mariah Carey "Vision of Love" in a itsy-bitsy bikini and high heels, is also causing debate among the judges. During the Hollywood round, the new judge Kara DioGuardi said she hated Darrell’s rendition of Faith Hill’s "Breathe" in the end. Cowell made a cat claw motion (with animal sounds) and DioGuardi fired back: "Bring your pole tomorrow." Katrina advanced to the next round.