Free Republic

Despite its best intentions as it flocked to the polls a year ago today, America did not exactly elect Barack Obama to serve as its forty-fourth President of the United States. It didn't call upon him to lead, necessarily, nor simply to represent the country's interests at home and abroad. Obama's victory over John McCain was not that of a man whose sheer sense of principal outweighed his opponent's politics or the Establishment's status quo, nor whose trademark invocations of hope and affirmation had influenced voters to truly, sincerely believe that "Yes we can." No, the American electorate did not...

Cop brutality figure Rodney King turns celeb boxer King in the ring By O’Ryan Johnson / Herald Exclusive Sunday, November 1, 2009 Rodney King, the famed police punching bag whose beating caught on tape put a bull’s eye on cops and eventually led to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, has turned celebrity boxer and says he’s aching for a rematch with one of the members of L.A.’s “finest” who viciously pummeled him in March 1991. “I was supposed to fight one of the police officers that beat me. I worked out to get ready for it. But then somebody started...

NEW YORK — U.S. first lady Michelle Obama is fashion's star, but that's not why she's one of Glamour's December cover models. Mrs. Obama's work in mentoring earned her the spot, which will be rotated with four other covers. She'll receive a special recognition in the annual Women of the Year issue that goes on newsstands Nov. 10. In an interview with new Glamour columnist and CBS anchor Katie Couric, Mrs. Obama said being a role model is one of the most potentially powerful things she can do at the White House. "I see how little bits of exposure and...

In 12 years, Antoine Walker(notes) made more than $110 million playing professional basketball moderately well. Take away taxes, throw in some adidas endorsement money and a "NBA Live 99" cover, and he's left with, what, $60-to-65 million? Whatever the details, it was a big chunk of change, which, amazingly, wasn't enough. "[Walker] liked to move in an outsized entourage; his mother estimates that, during his playing days, he was supporting 70 friends and family members in one way or another. And speaking of his mother, he built her a mansion in the Chicago suburbs, complete with an indoor pool, 10...

ESPN analyst Steve Phillips had a fling with a 22-year-old production assistant, who, after being dumped, taunted his wife with "Fatal Attraction"-like phone calls and a letter that bragged about her sexcapades with Phillips while taking pot shots at their "loveless marriage," The Post has learned.

Want to have Ben Affleck’s baby? While that appears to be the exclusive domain of Jennifer Garner, women can now at least give themselves a fighting chance of having a child who looks like a movie star, sports hero or world leader.

I was tempted to write some scathing remarks about those who support Roman Polanski because they believe he is a great artist. But then I realized two things. One was that Dr. Blanchard had beaten me to the punch. The other was that those of us who are moviegoers or moviestayers (I am a huge fan of Netflix), are guilty of the same kind of support. Consider the case of Nicole Kidman. In 2004, she starred in the movie Birth, where she plays a widow who believes that a ten-year-old boy is her husband reincarnate. The movie features a bathtub...

October 4, 2009 Glitterati Throw Their Ugly Halos Around Roman Polanski Minette Marrin If Vanessa George, nursery school paedophile convicted last week, were somehow to escape from justice here and stay safely in some other country for 30 or so years and turn during that time (snip) Would they insist that she is such an outstandingly gifted person and a delightful friend that no one should now hound her back to justice for what she did? Would they say that what she did, all things considered, was not so very bad? Would they protest with all the power of their...

An area TV station posted images of skeletons dressed to resemble dead celebrities, including pitchman Billy Mays, singer Michael Jackson, Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas and actress Farrah Fawcett. Football star Steve McNair is depicted as a skeleton on a couch wearing a Tennessee Titans jersey and a helmet with a hole in the top. Draped across the skeleton’s lap is a depiction of Sahel Kazemi, McNair’s 20-year-old mistress, who police said murdered the football star, shooting him twice in the body and twice in the head in July before committing suicide.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer flunked out on the "Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational" Thursday where he wound up $4600 in the hole. From the Politico with video included. He apparently didn't know as much as he thought he did.

I'm writing this in regards to the increasing sexualization of royalty. Ever since Diana the young royals of Europe have been increasingly subjected to the standards usually held by celebrities. Royalty, like celebrity, is expected to be 'hot, young, sexy," and instead of dignified and doing their duty, they are supposed to have excellent PR. They are now supposed to socialize with celebrities, be on their good side, and prove their 'relevance' in the same manner as celebrities do.

America, are you ready for Rush Limbaugh in an electric car? The conservative talk show host has agreed to take Jay Leno's "Green Car Challenge." In the segment airing next Thursday on NBC's "Jay Leno Show," Limbaugh will race an electric Ford Focus around a custom-built track beside Leno's studio, the show's representative confirmed. The "Green Car Challenge" segment makes its debut on the primetime show tomorrow night. Celebrities who participate drive two times around the twisty track, which takes a little less than a minute to complete. By the time Rush gets behind the wheel of the zero-emission vehicle,...

The health care system is broken. Young people are the most uninsured population in the country. The status quo is no longer an option. We need bold, real reform and we need it now. Sign the pledge to act. You should mean it because we're going to ask you to get in the game by making a phone call or two, sending a letter to the editor, or emailing your Senator. It is important and we need your help!

Wikipedia claims, "A cult of personality arises when a country's leader uses mass media to create an idealized and heroic public image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise." As this typically occurs in a totalitarian nation, that country's ruler, with complete control of the media, is able to mandate what images of him or herself are being disseminated thereby furthering his cult-like status. As Barack Obama did not become president until January 20 of this year, it seems irrefutable that his cult of personality was bestowed upon him by so-called journalists who in order to help him get elected abdicated...

Curt Schilling, the former major league pitcher who won the allegiance of Bostonians by leading the Red Sox to the 2004 World Series, said Wednesday that he has "some interest" in running for the seat held for nearly 50 years by Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

While Lindsay Lohan and her sister Ali were out late Sunday night, three young burglars descended on her Hollywood home and absconded with items of "sentimental value," Lilo Twittered. LAPD released images of the trio walking around a courtyard of Lindsay's home. They appear to cover their faces in the humid summer night air, although one petite woman takes her bothersome scarf/hood down while standing under a porch hanging.

Annie Leibovitz is as famous as the people she photographs but now the genius behind the lens is close to financial ruin -- a victim, some say, of her own relentless artistic ambition. Among the qualities making Leibovitz, 59, the most sought after portrait photographer in the world are legendary perfectionism and the pouring of resources into lavish sets. Over the course of her long career, nothing has been too extreme in Leibovitz's pursuit of the perfect picture. She put former action icon and current California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on top of a mountain, submerged black actress Whoopi Goldberg in...

Here's the spread. Kimberly Conrad married Hef back in 1989. They had a prenup. Approximately 9 years later they split but never divorced. When they separated, they signed an amendment to the prenup which guaranteed Kimberly a ton of money. For 10 years, Kimberly has been living in the house next to the Playboy mansion with their two sons. Everything was going swimmingly, until Hef decided to sell the house this year. According to the lawsuit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Hef allegedly announced he was not going to honor the agreement anymore and she had 9 months to...

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have both denied reports that their marriage is on the rocks. In its most recent issue, US magazine In Touch claimed that the couple had fallen out on the set of Holmes's new movie, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. A picture of the pair looking upset was used on the magazine's front cover under the heading, 'The Fight To End All Fights'. However, Holmes's publicist told Gossip Cop that the couple “are not fighting”. A spokesperson for Cruise, who jetted out to Australia to spend time with wife during filming, said: “There are no...

Japanese Pop Idol Recast as Junkie Earthquakes, tsunami tidal waves, typhoons, floods and landslides kept Japanese news gatherers busy over the Obon week when Japanese traditionally return home to pay respects to departed relatives who return briefly from the spirit world. It wasn't, however, any act of God that shocked the nation but alleged drug use by singer Noriko Sakai. Manufactured pop idols cranked out by Japan's powerful production companies have dominated Japan's music charts for decades. Sakai, who debuted at 15 in 1987 with squeaky voice, clean-cut image and cute nickname, Nori-P, was one of the most successful winning...

An organization that informs people of the Cash for Clunkers program has recently announced that several celebrities have showed their support in giving consumers the simple and easy summary of the program, that started just a few days ago.Though Americans have already shown great interest in program, which is officially known as CARS - Car Allowance Rebate System, the support Dancing With The Stars' Cristian de la Fuente and Ugly Betty star Angelica Vale does not hurt at all. "This government subsidy will make it easy for people to get a new car that is a lot less expensive to...

Private investigators claim the former lover of "Grease" star Olivia Newton-John, who has been presumed dead since 2005, is alive and well, the Daily Mail reports. Patrick McDermott, a bankrupt cameraman, dated Newton-John for nine years before disappearing on a fishing excursion off the coast of California, leaving behind his boat, wallet and keys. Police had suspected he fell overboard, despite evidence of mounting debts and back child support owed to a former wife. Newton-John, 60, was reportedly heartbroken after McDermott's supposed death and took years to recover before marrying herb tycoon John Easterling in 2008. New evidence suggests that,...

If Hawaii officials ever concede to skeptics' demands to release President Barack Obama's birth certificate to the public in order to confirm he was born in Hawaii, there's no reason they should stop there. Some other prominent people claim to have been born in the islands — also without Lou Dobbs' vetting — while other celebrities you think would have a Hawaiian hometown mysteriously don't claim one. (Perhaps they, too, were all part of a vast conspiracy, concocted by America Online, IMDB.com and MSNBC, among other sources consulted here.) But if privacy rules prevent us from seeing the official paperwork,...

Michael Jackson fatigue has set in among Americans inundated with titillating media coverage of the pop star's celebrated life and unexpected death almost three weeks ago.

What’s the difference between a prehistoric dinosaur and a journalist dinosaur? A prehistoric dinosaur didn’t know it was a dinosaur. The “bullpen” at the New York Times in September 1942, my birth month. For the benefit of our young readers, the instrument in the foreground is a “rotary” telephone, and those things spread across the desks are printed newspapers.The old notion of a resourceful “ink-stained wretch” digging for facts out of the public eye, plucking the truth from complex human events, and writing about it all has been pushed aside on the fast track of media celebrity. Journalism’s tent of...

First on TVNewser: Yesterday afternoon, ABC News correspondent Chris Connelly sat down with Michael Jackson's father Joe Jackson -- Jackson's first one-on-one interview since his son's death. A small portion was used on "Nightline" last night, more of it today on "Good Morning America" and insiders tell us the interview may be used in an hour-long "Family Secrets" special Tuesday night. But it didn't come free. TVNewser has learned ABC News paid upwards of $200,000 for rights to video featuring Joe and Katherine Jackson - and with it, the interview with Joe Jackson. A source close to the situation tells...

Some have labeled the summer of 2009, the Summer of the Celebrity Death Watch, and one could successfully argue the point. Ed McMahon, Karl Malden, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, David Carradine, Koko Taylor, Fred Travalena and, most notably, Michael Jackson – to name but a few off the top of my head – have all passed away over the course of June and July. While the mortality of a generation is always catalyst for priority re-evaluation and reflection, it is the caliber of “the catalyst” – those we have elevated to iconic status – that exposes just how superficial our...

NEW YORK - A New York congressman says in a YouTube video that Michael Jackson was a “pervert.” Rep. Peter King said society is “glorifying” a “low-life” while ignoring the efforts of teachers, police officers, firefighters, veterans and volunteers. Jackson was acquitted of molesting a boy. In the video, the congressman says the “day in and day out” coverage of Jackson’s death is “too politically correct.”

Last week, in the midst of President Obama's efforts to push unprecedented expansions of federal regulatory authority through Congress, North Korea's bellicose threats of nuclear annihilation, and the Iranian regime's brutal campaign to suppress political dissent, the American public's attention was focused elsewhere. On June 25th, 2009, the nation plunged into mourning upon learning of the tragic deaths of Michael Jackson—inimitable King of Pop—and Hollywood's original "angel" Farah Fawcett. In the time it took for a commercial break, the coverage of the Iranian protests, the debates about cap and trade and healthcare reform, and the diplomatic efforts to recover two...

Television networks planning Jackson coverage NEW YORK (AP) -- NBC executives changed their minds Sunday and decided to join other networks that will televise Michael Jackson's memorial service live this week. NBC joins ABC, CNN, MSNBC and E! Entertainment in offering the ceremony live. It's set for 10 a.m. PDT at Los Angeles' Staples Center. NBC had initially planned only a one-hour prime-time special on Tuesday night, but said Sunday it would also cover the event live. It was not immediately clear who would anchor. Charles Gibson will anchor coverage for ABC, which is setting aside its typical daytime programming....

Comic Fred Travalena died last week.

With the deaths of a number of celebrities over the past couple of weeks — most notably Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson — there’s been a media feeding frenzy that hasn’t been seen since the untimely death of Princess Diana in 1997. Wes Pruden aptly calls it America’s Princess Di moment. Fawcett’s death at the age of 60 was sad but expected, as she was fighting a particularly nasty form of cancer. Jackson’s death at age 50 caught everyone by surprise because, despite his frail appearance over the past few years, he was gearing up for a new tour, set...

'A Funeral To Die For" declared the front page of The New York Post, as Aaliyah departed this mortal coil in a traffic-snarling horse-drawn cortege with silver casket and ceremonial release of 22 doves, one for each year of her brief life. Like almost everybody else, I'd never heard of the bestselling r'n'b'n'movie star until her Cessna crashed just after takeoff a week ago. But that's okay. Nobody's that popular any more: Popular culture is more accurately characterized these days as a lot of mutually hostile unpopular cultures.

YOU'D have thought by the media lovefest that the pope had died a tragic death after a lifetime of caring for lepers. But, no, it was the death of Michael Jackson, a drug-addled, creepy-beyond-words, accused pedophile who literally bought his children with the help of two brood mares and, apparently, his dermatologist -- a group of amoral savages who had no problem giving their kids to a man who looked like the Phantom of the Opera and who behaved like a depraved worm. You can call it "adoption," but I call it child-trafficking. OK, I said it -- and it's...

So Michael Jackson's body was going to be returned to his ranch at Neverland, where it would lie in state in a glass coffin for his helplessly grieving fans to say their goodbyes. It would be borne there in a white 'fairyland' horse-drawn coach as sobbing crowds line the route. Then would come the bad-taste funeral to end all bad-taste funerals, an orgy of saccharine camp with yet more artificially whipped-up sentiment.

Movie star Alec Baldwin has been given the opportunity to launch his political career in Ohio by a local law firm keen to back a bid to make him the state's next Governor. The Cooler star has often spoken about his political aspirations and now he has gone public with his plans to retire from acting in 2012, a group of leading Ohio businessmen want him to consider running for office there. He tells Playboy magazine, "A law firm in a liberal Democratic bastion in Ohio state politics sent me a binder with a cover letter that read: "Mr. Baldwin,...

The entertainment world lost a few giants last week, and like the rest of the world, my wife, Gena, and I offer their families, friends and fans our most heartfelt condolences. America's most infamous late-night sidekick, Ed McMahon, favorite "angel," Farrah Fawcett, and the "King of Pop," Michael Jackson, made their final exits, and even in death, they were as big as they were in life. The magnitude of their presence, power in their presentation and the caliber of their giftedness placed them among the most elite of stars. You might not agree with all that Michael, Farrah and Ed...

The second stage of this mourning exercise begins with the arrival of the major-league scam artists. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, have landed and even now are erecting competing circus tents. Rev. Al, always on the scout for the racial slight, says, "Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of color way before Tiger Woods, way before Oprah, way before Barack Obama." Mr. Jesse hints at what's coming next. "The family has questions ... There is concern about what happened the last 12 hours of Michael's life ... the doctor did not confer with the family ... he was missing...

Michael Jackson in 1999. (CNS/Reuters) The Catholic News Service blog spotted this article Michael Jackson wrote for Beliefnet about his upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness and his spiritual beliefs as an adult. In the article, entitled “My Childhood, My Sabbath, My Freedom,” Jackson wrote: When people see the television appearances I made when I was a little boy—8 or 9 years old and just starting off my lifelong music career—they see a little boy with a big smile. They assume that this little boy is smiling because he is joyous, that he is singing his heart out because he is...

The funeral of pop star Michael Jackson, who died unexpectedly on Thursday at the age of 50, could be larger than those of Elvis Presley and Princess Diana with as many as a million people expected to travel to Los Angeles to remember the "king of pop". The singer died of a heart attack on Thursday afternoon. However there are still questions about the cause of the heart attack and which drugs (if any) the singer was taking that may have contributed to his death.

The man can only be considered a tragic figure in history. An ego a mile wide, yet insecure at the same time. His parents were both pathetic losers. He grew up seeking the adulation of others, feeding off the constant attention. Surrounding himself with people of questionable morals and values, who took advantage of him, riding his coattails as he climbed the ladder of success through superficiality. He abused drugs, as many celebrities did. He engaged in questionable acts, as those seeking fame and fortune often do. Yet people continued to enable him, telling him what he wanted to hear....

A shameful reflection on what's considered important in today's world.

Yet after selling more than 61 million albums in the U.S. and having a decade-long attraction open at Disney theme parks, the "King of Pop" died Thursday at age 50 reportedly awash in about $400 million in debt, on the cusp of a final comeback after well over a decade of scandal.

TEHRAN (Reuters) – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused Barack Obama on Thursday of behaving like his predecessor toward Iran and said there was not much point in talking to Washington unless the U.S. president apologized. Obama said on Tuesday he was "appalled and outraged" by a post-election crackdown and Washington withdrew invitations to Iranian diplomats to attend Independence Day celebrations on July 4 -- stalling efforts to improve ties with Tehran. "Mr Obama made a mistake to say those things ... our question is why he fell into this trap and said things that previously (former president George W.) Bush used...

Again last week, Obama had shown that he just can't stay away from the cameras and instant gratification of a live audience or forum. Of course his work in the White House of dictating his destructive policies to his czars and having them carry out his agenda, leaves him plenty of time on his hands for seeking out the praise of his misguided worshipers and supporters. Did you ever wonder how the man in the most powerful job in the world has so much time on his hands for traveling around to townhall forums and giving speeches for the cameras?...

TORONTO – Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton says he got a black eye from the manager of the Black Eyed Peas. Hilton says he got into argument with Fergie and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas at a Toronto nightclub early Monday morning and was punched outside the club by Polo Molina, the band's manager. Toronto Police Constable Tony Vella says Molina turned himself in and has been charged with assault

Beer-sodden fans and rain combined for an ugly finish to a long day of golf yesterday, with Tiger Woods and other golfers subjected to drunken heckling as the action at Bethpage Black came to a close. At 6:42 p.m., dozens of drunken spectators at Hole 10 taunted Woods as he prepared to start his third round in the rain. "We're on Long Island, baby, where men are men!" one fan yelled. "Put that umbrella down!" The taunts were mixed with cheers from the majority of the crowd. Woods did not respond to the people who were heckling him but tried...

There is little disputing that right now Barack Obama is the world’s biggest celebrity. Movie stars want to meet him. Foreign leaders want his autograph. Americans just want to shake his hand. But lately it seems the popular president has become a one-man stimulus plan for the television industry. Obama did a recent promo for “The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien” during the host's first week on the job. He participated in a skit via video on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.” NBC was taking pre-orders for its “Inside the Obama White House” DVD ($19.99) the day after the two-part...

America's leader President Barack Obama has beaten out Brad Pitt and David Beckham to top a new poll to find the world's Most Stylish Man. The movie star came in second and soccer stud Beckham was third on the list, which was compiled by top shirtmakers Thomas Pink. The company asked 3,000 men visiting their stores around Europe and America for their style guru opinions - and the majority opted for Obama. The top 10 style icons on the list are: 1. Barack Obama 2. Brad Pitt 3. David Beckham 4. Daniel Craig 5. Al Pacino 6. George Clooney 7....

PARIS: The US first family took a long ramble through Paris' iconic Pompidou modern art museum Sunday as President Barack Obama stole a few hours for private time at the end of a breakneck diplomatic visit. The president and his family received a hero's welcome during their brief weekend stop in Paris, touring some of the city's top attractions. "They visited the museum from top to bottom, they saw it all," said a spokeswoman for the landmark glass-and-steel art space wrapped in colored pipes. "It was very relaxed, very unofficial and very very family," she added, quoting the head of...