Jacko in Trouble Again

Michael Jackson may be in trouble again. Tabloids are reporting that Santa Barbara County investigators believe that the pop singer is trafficking prescription drugs from the US to his new home in Bahrain. Allegedly, traces of cocaine have been found on Jackson's underwear. Reports have come in that Jackson has a 40-pill per day habit of drugs like Xanax, Vicodin, and Oxycontin and were allegedly obtained with fake prescriptions.

Jackson currently lives in Bahrain, an island in the Persian Gulf off the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. Bahrain does not have an extradition treaty with the US, so if Jacko is charged, there is no legal requirement for the Bahrain government officials to turn him over. Hmmm.... Maybe that is why Jacko moved to Bahrain.

George Michael to Wed

George Michael plans to wed long-term partner Kenny Goss soon after a law that gives new legal rights to same-sex couples comes into force on December 21. The former Wham! singer, 41, said he and his lover of almost a decade hope to hold a civil partnership ceremony in Britain next year.

TOP TEN most controversial news stories FOR 2005 ACCORDING TO ME!!!

10 Sony Anti-Piracy Software

Sony BMG's woes in the US over its much-criticized anti-piracy CD software have deepened. It is facing two separate lawsuits in Texas and California. The so-called XCP (Extended Copy Protection) software is installed on around 50 of Sony's CDs and up to two million copies have been sold in the US. It is intended to restrict copying of CDs but security experts have criticized it for using virus-like techniques. The Texan lawsuit accuses Sony of installing spyware and is seeking damages of up to $100,000 in damages for each violation. In California, digital rights group, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), is suing Sony for allegedly collecting personal data.

9 Bird Flu

Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.

Infected birds shed influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces.

During an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry, there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds. Symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical human influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of avian influenza may depend on which virus caused the infection. There currently is no commercially available vaccine to protect humans. So far this year, 67 humans have died as a result of this disease. Thousands of birds across the world have been eradicated to protect humans from contracting the disease.

The US has banned importation of chicken from Canada and many other affected regions. Earlier this month, President Bush announced a plan to prepare the U.S. for a flu pandemic. The plan emphasizes researching better ways of making vaccines, as well as stockpiling vaccines and antiviral medications.

8 Gay Marriage

In 2002 Massachusetts courts gave the go ahead for gay marriage in the state. Since then a heavy opposition has been rising. Backers of a proposed constitutional amendment that would outlaw gay marriage claim to have enough signatures to put the question to voters. There are constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriages now in 19 states and votes expected within the next year or two in several more. President Bush has come out strongly against gay marriage. He supports a Constitutional "definition" for marriage that would make it impossible for state and federal court judges to interpret the Constitution in a way that would allow gays to marry.

7 Gas Prices

Everyone knows gas prices soar to well above $3 per gallon this year. And everyone heard the reasons: hurricanes, supply and demand. But with oil companies posting record profits, it makes things seem a little unfair. Congress has recently promised to probe the record books of oil companies. Many people have been screaming "price gouging". States all across the country have set up price gouging hotlines so consumers can report stations with unreasonably high prices.

6 Michael Jackson Molestation Trial

Ten years after child sex-abuse allegations first surfaced against Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop" stands trial in California in a separate molestation case and is acquitted on all counts.

5 Meth Epidemic

The crystalline white drug quickly seduces those who snort, smoke or inject it with a euphoric rush of confidence, hyperalertness and sexiness that lasts for hours on end. Once derided as "poor man's cocaine," popular mainly in rural areas and on the West Coast, meth has seeped into the mainstream in its steady march across the United States. Relatively cheap compared with other hard drugs, the highly addictive stimulant is hooking more and more people across the country. More than 12 million Americans have tried methamphetamine, and 1.5 million are regular users, according to federal estimates. Meth-making operations have been uncovered in all 50 states. Cops nationwide rank methamphetamine the No. 1 drug they battle today. One measure of the drug's reach: Target, Wal-Mart, Rite-Aid and other retailers have moved nonprescription cold pills behind the pharmacy counter, where meth cooks have a harder time getting at them. The active ingredient in those pills is pseudoephedrine, a chemical derivative of amphetamine. The "pseudo" is extracted from the cold pills, and cooked with other chemicals like iodine and anhydrous ammonia—using recipes readily available on the Internet—over high heat. The resulting compound, when ingested, releases bursts of dopamine in the brain, producing a strong euphoric effect.

4 Terry Schiavo

Terri Schiavo, the 41-year-old brain-damaged woman who became the centerpiece of a national right-to-die battle, died nearly two weeks after doctors removed the feeding tube that had sustained her for more than a decade. The Schindlers lost what their lawyer described as their "last meaningful legal appeal" in their desperate battle to have their brain-damaged daughter's feeding tube reinserted. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an emergency appeal from the Schindlers. Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, was her legal guardian and wanted the tube removed.

3 Natalee Hollowell

Natalee Holloway, 18, disappeared in Aruba on May 30, 2005, during her vacation. Joran van der Sloot, 17, was last seen with Holloway.

Many politicians including the Governor of Alabama have asked Americans to boycott Aruba as a tourist destination.

2 Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina was the eleventh named tropical storm, fourth hurricane, third major hurricane, and first Category 5 hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. It was the third most powerful storm of the season, behind Hurricane Wilma and Hurricane Rita, and the sixth-strongest storm ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. The official death toll now stands at 1,322 and the damage from $70 to $130 billion, topping Hurricane Andrew as the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history. Over a million people were displaced creating a humanitarian crisis on a scale unseen in the U.S. since the Great Depression.

There were widespread reports of murders, rapes, beatings, robberies, and general mayhem in the Superdome, the center were the refugees evacuated to. These reports are unfounded and are viewed by some as merely urban legend.

Now there are health concerns from the mold that has developed throughout New Orleans. Also the hurricane has left Louisiana in a state of financial ruin as officials struggle to pay for all the damage left behind. President Bush has also been widely criticized for his administration's handling of the disaster response.

1 Iraq

This year we saw the US troop death toll rise to 2,000. The Iraqis held elections and formed a Constitution. Bush's approval rating stands at a reported 28 percent, the lowest rating for a president in a decade. Many American's are angry with the Iraq war. Some are calling for immediate withdrawal. Cindy Sheehan, mother of a killed US soldier, has been protesting strongly against the war. She stood outside the President's ranch in Crawford, Tex. and then made her way to D.C.. Republicans and Democrats alike have demanded the President to explain the war. Recently, Iraqi leaders have expressed a desire for withdrawal of US presence as well.

There is a current plan for a significant reduction in US troops in 2007, but many Americans want it earlier.

Since the war, free elections have been held. Women are allowed to persue an education. The ethnic cleansing of tribes has been stopped. No weapons of mass destruction have ever been found. Terrorist activity and recruiting have not decreased. Many soldiers have seen their tour of duty extended as many as three times.

It's Official: Nick and Jessica Call It Quits

US Magazine is reporting that Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson have jointly announced their official separation. In a statement releases to Us the couple said: "After three years of marriage, and careful thought and consideration, we have decided to part ways. This is the mutual decision of two people with an enormous amount of respect and admiration for each other. We hope that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."

There have been reports of Nick and a porn star hooking up at the AMA's. Lachey's attorney denies any improprieties.

Photocopier Repairs Increase During Holiday Season

Photocopier supplier Canon is warning customers to take better care of their office equipment during the Christmas period, claiming that the festive season traditionally leads to a 25 percent hike in service calls due to incidents such as the classic backside copying prank. Such a stunt often results in cracked glass on the copier, with 32 percent of Canon technicians claiming to have been called out to fix glass plates during the Christmas period after attempts to copy body parts went wrong.

Canon claims a shocking 46 percent of service calls are in response to non-work-related breakages.

Happy Thanksgiving

Mardis Gras on in NOLA

On Wednesday, NOLA mayor Ray Nagin announced that Mardis Gras will be held in the city in February. There are several critics who are urging that the city cancel the celebration because the city is having massive financial problems.

US to End "Catch and Release"

The US is trying to close a legal loophole which has allowed tens of thousands of illegal immigrants to slip into the country and to remain unchecked. Under long-standing procedure along the U.S. border with Mexico, illegal crossers of nationalities other than Mexican (OTMs) have been entitled to a hearing before an immigration judge before they could be deported. Because of a severe shortage of space to hold them until the hearing, they were released after being fingerprinted and given a "notice to appear," a document stating they had agreed to show up at court at a certain date.

The notice serves as a travel document allowing its holder past Border Patrol checkpoints on the roads leading from the border to the interior. Most OTMs do not show up for their hearing and meld into the population.

Train Crashes Into Traffic

A commuter train struck several vehicles during the holiday rush in suburban Chicago Wednesday, injuring 13 people. The train hit five vehicles at a busy diagonal intersection, setting off a chain reaction that ultimately damaged about a dozen vehicles. At least one vehicle burst into flames.

Crazy Cat Lady

56 cats were rescued from a Wash. D.C. home today. Authorities responded to a complaint and found about 56 cats living in a home with a woman and her son. There were only a few litter boxes for the cats and those were so full that the cats would not use them; they were going all over the furniture and floor.

Cats were found in cabinets, under the dishwasher, behind the refrigerator, and in closets. Two of the cats were found dead, others were in various conditions. Authorities reported that some of the cats will have to be euthanized.

CNN X's Cheney

On Monday VP Cheney spoke at the American Enterprise Institute in Wash. During CNN's airing at large, black X repeatedly flashed over the VP's face. The X appeared each time only for less than a second.

CNN has failed to comment.

LOCAL - GM to Cut 30,000 Jobs

General Motors Corp. said Monday it would cut 30,000 hourly jobs and close or scale back operations at about a dozen U.S. and Canadian locations in a bid to save $7 billion a year and halt huge losses in its core North American auto operations. An assembly plant in Lasning and other facilities in Flint and Ypsilanti will be closing.

Most Dangerous US Cities

The Kansas based company called Morgan Quitno Press publishes City Crime Rankings, an annual reference book.

These are the most dangerous US cities:

10. Birmingham, Ala.
9. Gary, Ind.
8. New Orleans, Lous.
7. Atlanta, Ga.
6. Baltimore, Md.
5. Richmond, Va.
4. Flint, Mich.
3. St. Louis, Mo.
2. Detroit, Mich.
1. Camden, NJ

At the other end of the scale, the company lists the safest US cities. They are:

1. Newton, Mass.
2. Clarkstown, NY
3. Amherst, NY
4. Mission Viejo, Calif.
5. Brick Township, NJ
6. Troy, Mich.
7. Thousand Oaks, Calif.
8. Round Rock, Tex.
9. Lake Forest, Calif.
10. Cary, NC

Thor's Helmet

NGC 2359 is striking emmission nebula with an impressive popular name - Thor's Helmet. Sure, its suggestive winged appearance might lead some to refer to it as the "duck nebula", but if you were a nebula which name would you choose? By any name it is a bubble-like nebula some 30 light-years across, blown by energetic winds from an extremely hot star seen near the center and classified as a Wolf-Rayet star. These stars are rare massive blue giants which develop stellar winds with speeds of millions of kilometers per hour. Interactions with a nearby large molecular cloud are thought to have contributed to this nebula's more complex shape and curved bow-shock structures. NGC 2359 is about 15,000 light-years away toward the constellation Canis Major.

BREAKING NEWS - Hostage Negotiations at Wash. Mall

Police were negotiating with a man holed up in a mall near downtown Tacoma, Washington, on Sunday after a shooting that left six people wounded, one critically. The shootings began at around 3:15 PM EST. Three hours later, police reported that negotiations were underway to get the man to stand down. Police also reported that the mall had been evacuated as of the time of the negotiations.

Moments ago, CNN.com reported that the police now have the man in custody.

6.5 Earthquake Strikes Indonesia

A strong earthquake measuring 6.5 in magnitude struck Saturday off the coast of western Indonesia.

Tropical Storm Gamma Kills Six

The season's 24th named storm hit the coast of Central America on Saturday, killing at least six. Forecasters show Gamma following a similar course that Hurricane Wilma took earlier this year.

House Cuts Food Stamps, Votes a Pay Raise

On Friday the House of Representatives voted to cut $700 million for the US food stamps program. Projections estimate that 235,000 people will loose benefits. Later that day they voted themselves a $3,100 annual pay raise. The Congress is entitled to one inflation controlled, cost of living increase each year unless voted against. This cost of living increase will increase the annual salary pay for the rank and file at an estimated $165,200.

Businesses Can't Open on Thanksgiving Day in Mass

Massachusetts has a centuries old "blue law" that allows only gas stations and convenience stores to be open on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Paris Hilton Has Illegal Pet

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife sent Paris Hilton a letter informing her that California has "restricted species" and the kinkajou that Paris recently brought from Las Vegas was classified as such.

DMX Goes to Jail

Rapper DMX was sentenced, in New York, to 70 days in jail for violating his release conditions following a 2004 arrest after he pretended to be a federal agent an attempted to steal a car. DMX was supposed to serve only 60 days as part of a plea deal, but the judge added ten days to the sentence because DMX showed up three hours late to the hearing the day prior.

After the sentencing, DMX was taken directly to Riker's Island to start his prison time.

Network Television DVR Study Released

Eight percent of US households, or 11.4 million viewers, have a digital video recorder, such as TiVo, in their homes. These homes tune into television 5.7 hours daily, 12 percent less than non-DVR households.

The study also shows that DVR will not mean the end to television commercials. Of those surveyed, some 58 percent of DVR users pay attention to commercials while fast forwarding them and that some even stop and replay commercials.

According to the studies, the 10 most played-back shows on DVR:

10. "Grey's Anatomy"
9. "The O.C."
8. "ER"
7. "24"
6. "The Apprentice"
5. "American Idol"
4. "Lost"
3. "CSI"
2. "Survivor"
1. "Desperate Housewives"

UPDATE House Reject Spending Bill

In a 224-209 vote, the US House of Representatives voted against the $142.5 billion spending bill. The bill would have made major cuts to Medicare, limited the eligibility to food stamps, curbed student loan subsidies. Perhaps the most controversial component of the bill involved the requirement to force Medicaid beneficiaries to pay for a fraction of their health care.

If passed, this bill would have been the first education funding cut in 10 years. The cuts would have included cuts to Federal Pell Grants.

People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive Is Not On My List

Every year People magazine publishes a an issue with their sexiest man alive on the cover. 2005's was Matthew McConaughey! Matt did not make my list of the 10 sexiest men for 2005 and perhaps this was an oversight. There has been outrage from many of my readers denouncing 50 Cent. They don't want him on my list! Well, I guess the question remains, "Is Matt McConaughey sexier than 50 Cent?" I think not. 50 has that thug appeal and he is younger. 50 has a better body and I bet Matt can't say that he has been shot nine times! There nothing sexier than a bullet ridden back!!

TOP TEN HOTTEST CELEB'S FOR 2005 ACCORDING TO ME!!!

10 Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson

Get Rich or Die Tryin recently opened nationwide. There has been nothing but buzz over the movie. 50 Cent's performance is phenomenal. From drug dealer to murderer to rap star, 50's one bad dude.

9 Matthew Fox

Lost's Matthew Fox makes my list at number nine. I love Lost, so you should have known that I would have to include him. This year's season is so great that millions of people who never watched last year, started (like me). And I love his character, Dr. Jack Shepherd. I can't think of any one else I would want to be stranded on a remote island with!

8 Chad Michael Murray

Chad Michael Murray stars in the WB's teen drama One Tree Hill. Until recently he was romantically involved with costar Sophia Bush.

7 Mekhi Phifer

Mekhi made a great addition to the cast of er. I love his clean, sculpted look. He's great.

6 George Clooney

Clooney has several films in the works for 2005 and 2006. He is a favorite amongst most and is definitely one hot old guy!

5 Brad Pitt

Everyone should have known that Brad would make the list!

4 Justin Timberlake

Justin recently finished filming Alpha Dog, a story based on the life of LA drug dealer Jesse James Hollywood who became one of the youngest men ever to be on the FBI's ten most wanted list. Justin in the works to make several other films, including Shrek 3 set to be released in 2007.

3 Kenny Chesney

Country singer Kenny Chesney makes the list as number three. This country bumpkin has got a killer body and a gorgeous face. He recently made headlines with an annulment of his marriage to actress Renee Zelwegger. Since the separation, Kenny has faced several rumors about his sexuality, all unfounded.

2 Wilmer Valderrama

Valderrama played Fes on That 70's Show and has currently rapped up filming for El Muerto, the movie version of the popular Mexican comic, El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie. Wilmer made headlines this year for being Lindsay Lohan's on-again-off-again boyfriend. He just couldn't decide whether he wanted to be with her or with me!

1 Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal is the hottest male celebrity for 2005! Why? Because he's got it all; that boyish charm, a body that just don't quit, and he can play both ways... That's right! In Jarhead, Jake was totally a top, but in next month's Brokeback Mountain (or as I call it, Bareback Mountain) Jake will be seen in several steamy love scenes with none other than Heath Ledger.

Tornadoes Ravish Midwest

Tornadoes swept across central Iowa on Saturday, damaging homes in several towns, ripping up farms and chasing college football fans from an open stadium and into a nearby basketball arena for shelter. No injuries were immediately reported. An entire town of 800 residents called Stratford, had to be evacuated.

The National Weather Service reported that at least three tornadoes touched down.

Iraqi President Eyes 2006 Troop Withdrawal

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said that it may be possible to reach an agreement by the end of 2006 on the withdrawal of foreign troops from his country.

Mega Millions Jackpot at $310 M

The multistate Mega Millions lottery has grown to $310 million for its Tuesday drawing.

Exploding HS Science Experiment Injures Students

A Spartanburg County, South Carolina high school science teacher wanted to demonstrate to his students the creation of sodium hydroxide when the sodium and the water exploded in the dish. There were reports of hysterical screaming children of which several needed medical attention. The district superintendent said his office is investigating the incident and whether proper safety precautions were followed before and after the explosion.

Home Depot Toilet Seat Man Passes Polygraph

The Colorado man who claims he was stuck to a restroom toilet seat has passed a lie detector test. He answered twenty questions, including four about him allegedly making a similar claim in Nederland, Colo. Nederland's former operations director said Dougherty claimed last year that he was glued to a toilet seat in the town's visitor center. But Dougherty denied that claim.

His lawsuit claims he suffered pain, humilitation, and financial losses to the tune of three million dollars.

This is the picture taken from city police after medical personnel pried him from the toilet seat.

Chesney Responds to Rumors About Sexuality

Kenny Chesney wants you to know that he's not gay. Chesney told People magazine that since his breakup with Renee Zellweger, the media has "done nothing short of calling me gay". Chesney claims that he is not a homosexual and "pretty firm [about his] love for women."

Chesney and Zellweger's marriage was annulled after only four months. Since then there have been several rumors that Chesney is gay and Zellweger had found out. They both denied it and according to one tabloid Zellweger left Chesney under the advice of Nicole Kidman.

Station Sold Gas Mixed with Water

A Rising Sun Gas Station in Crescentville, Penn just outside Phila. sold regular gas for $2.23 per gallon; the station across the street sold regular for $2.49 per gallon. Shortly after several dozen motorists pulled out of the station and down the road their cars stalled out. When the gas the station sold was tested, the results yielded that the gas was mixed with water.

The station manager claimed that he had bought the gas from one distributor that had sold it to him at a price of only two cents per gallon above cost. Police and inspectors are investigating.

Meanwhile the affected motorists are stuck with tow truck bills are have gotten no success with having either the gas station manager or the distributor pay for the costs.

Penn Voters Boot "Intelligent Design" School Board

Dover, Penn voters decided eight of the nine school board officials up for reelection would not serve another term on Tuesday. Democrats fought against the eight because in 2004 these members enacted a policy that required ninth grade biology teachers to read a statement about "Intelligent Design" to students before teaching evolution. Eight families sued the school board on grounds that it was a violation to the Constitution's guarantee of separation of church and state.

Intelligent design holds that the universe is so complex that it must have been created by some kind of higher force. The statement read to students says Charles Darwin's theory is "not a fact" and has inexplicable "gaps."

LOCAL - Atty General Admits Affair

MI Attorney General Mike Cox admitting to having an extramarital affair a number of years ago. This is all over a recent threat to disclose the affair to the public by an alleged Fieger associate. Democrat Geoffrey Fieger pledges to run against Cox in the '06 election and denies knowing the man who threatened Cox.

The Fieger and Cox rumble has been going on for some time now, ever since Cox began an investigation of Fieger. Since March, Cox's office has been investigating a $450,000 television ad campaign that urged viewers to "vote no" against Justice Stephen Markman in last year's Supreme Court race. Markman easily won re-election. But it was not until June -- seven months after the election -- that Fieger, a multimillionaire, filed papers in Oakland County acknowledging he paid for the anti-Markman ads.

LOCAL UPDATE - Kilpatrick Reelected as Mayor

Just minutes after WDIV Channel 4 posted the Hendrix had won the election, the station had to retract this statement. They later named Kilpatrick as mayor of America's eleventh largest city. Kilpatrick promised to be a "great mayor" and admitting to be only a "pretty good" one over the last four years. He said that he will continue to restructure the police department and work to cut taxes over the next three years.

Discover Card Survey says Americans Want Gift Cards

A recent Discover card survey of 1,000 Americans says that 8 out of 10 would be "thrilled" or "pleased" to receieve gift cards. By a 7 to 3 margin, Americans prefer universal gift cards they can use anywhere. The survey also says that nearly half of Americans would never return a gift and fifty percent would be "horrified" by the idea of giving a gift they had previoulsy received from someone else, also known as regifting.

LOCAL BREAKING NEWS

WDIV Channel 4 is projecting Freeman Hendrix as the new mayor of Detroit based on exit polling.

DISCUSSION THREAD - Kansas Public Schools to Adopt "Intelligent Design" Curriculum

The Kansas Board of Education approved new public education standards today to require public schools to teach Intelligent Design along side evolution. Intelligent Design teaches that the universe is so complex that it must have been created by a higher power. Critics of the new curriculum charge that it is an attempt to inject God and creationism into public schools and is a violation of the separation of church and state.

DISCUSSION THREAD:

Do you believe that public schools should be able to teach Intelligent Design or Creationism along side evolution? And if so, how do you rebut opponents who charge that it is a violation of the separation of church and state?

To leave your comment just click on the date and time line below.

US Military Developing New Non Lethal Weaponry

The US government has unveiled a new non-lethal laser rifle designed to dazzle the enemy without causing permanent harm. The Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response (PHSR) rifle delivers a low level laser beam to blind the eyes of anyone that it is fired at. In the past the problem with laser rifles of this type has been that they often caused permanent damage. The new weapon uses a lower level laser and initial tests have shown that those the weapon has been fired at were not left permanently blind.

UPDATE - Man Claimed Before To Be Glued to Toilet Seat

The man suing Home Depot over a toilet seat allegedly covered with glue is being identified as the same man who mad a similar allegation more than a year ago. The 57 year old man is suing for $3 million dollars. His lawyer denies the man ever made the previous allegation.

Sounds to me like the man set up Home Depot and put the glue on the seat himself. I just hope that he doesn't get any money. Frivolous law suits lead to higher consumer prices as well as increased costs for insurance for all of us.

Variety Review of "Brokeback Mountain"

http://www.variety.com/VE1117928059.html

Please click the link for Variety's online review of Brokeback Mountain. The movie is sure to be a hit. Many critics are calling it "Oscar worthy"!!!