In case you needed another reminder of just how sick and obese we all are, a new list has emerged. This one comes from a report presented by the Trust For America’s Health and is based on the rate of obesity in each state. The rankings were derived by combining three years of data (2008-2010) from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to “stabilize” data for comparison purposes. Flip through to see if your state is among the 10 with the lowest percentage of obese adults. And don’t worry: we’ll be putting the 10 fattest states on blast right here tomorrow.
Since releasing her video for “Man Down,” Rihanna has been at the center of a firestorm. Conservative groups are up in arms because of the visuals plot featuring rape and murder. Rihanna gets raped in the Anthony Mandler directed video and winds up killing her attacker. What’s crazy about all of this is most of these conservatives-whether they realize or not-are defending rapists. Nevertheless, Rihanna isn’t the first pop star to cause controversy with her music video. The Urban Daily is counting down the ten most controversial music videos by women. 10. Ashanti – The Way That I Love You For her comeback single, Ashanti made fellas think twice about cheating. In the clip, she realizes she’s not the only one and has visions of killing her beau. Many believed art was imitating life because rumors swirled about her real life boyfriend, Nelly , constantly stepping out on her. If those allegations are true, he got the hint and appeared in her next video as the loving and trust worthy partner. 9. Christina Aguilera ft. Redman – Dirrty Christina Aguilera debuted as the pop princess with a huge voice and wholesome image. Not happy with being the good girl, Christina threw on some as**less chaps and a bikini shocked the world with this video. The public’s main gripe was the message she was sending to young girls. They felt Aguilera was entirely too talented to reduce herself to booty popping and salacious lyrics. Christina responded by saying, “This is me. No glass and no pretense.” Whatever you say, Christina. 8. Britney Spears – Baby One More Time By 1998, pop music was at a standstill. Nothing interesting was happening until a fifteen year old Britney debuted her music video with her dressed as a Catholic school girl dressing and dancing provocatively. Many parents condemned the record company for selling sex with such a blatant disregard for the messages being sent to their young audience. The only issue was the young Spears came up with the concept herself, knowing it would get her the attention needed to become a world class pop star. She was right. So what does that say about us, the people who ate it up? 7. Ciara – Ride The clip from Ciara’s first single from her latest disc stirred up the drama for many reasons. First, the racy lyrics already caused some women to shy away from the song. However, men were drawn in by the overtly sexual depictions of Ciara. Riding a mechanical bull in a wet t-shirt and hot pants and wearing a itty bitty swimsuit and a fur coat had the guys drooling. My mom saw the video and responded, “All she’s missing is a pole!” BET deemed the video so explicit, it was banned from the network and became an internet sensation. 6. Fiona Apple – Criminal In 1997, Fiona Apple slithered onto our radar with her hit, “Criminal.” The then barely legal singer’s video featured the aftermath of a wild party. Apple is seen in various states of undress. The heroin chic look thought up by director, Mark Romanek , was criticized relentlessly. The heat became so much for Fiona, she denounced her own video in an acceptance speech at the MTV VMAs the following year. Criminal, indeed. 5. Lady Gaga and Beyonce – Telephone Illuminati conspiracy theories aside, “Telephone” was one of the most talked about videos in recent history because some didn’t understand it. Others thought it was too sexy for television. The rest of us just enjoyed watching Beyonce . Showcasing lesbian acts, murder, and nudity, Lady Gaga and Beyonce do their take on Thelma & Louise. While many were distraught over the themes, there was a poignant moment. The conversation about trust is absolutely true. 4. Madonna – Justify My Love If controversy was a man, Madonna would be its wife. Never has anyone conjured more scrutiny for images in music videos than The Material Girl. For this 1992 clip, Madonna bucked at conservatives with images of homosexuality, bondage, and voyuerism. Once MTV banned the video for its sexual nature, Madonna capitalized on the media storm by releasing it on VHS in conjunction with her book aptly titled, SEX. Lenny Kravitz , who wrote the song, is still making money off that. Madonna – Justify my Love from OfDreamAndDrama on Vimeo . 3. Erykah Badu – Window Seat Erykah Badu has always been the artist to push boundaries in the R&B genre. Her videos are thought provoking pieces of art. This is especially true for “Window Seat.” A video depicting Badu strolling the same path in downtown Dallas as JFK rode the day he was killed, while stripping her clothes off. The reactions in the clip are real. Erykah was fined for her body baring stunt. In case you didn’t know, the concept is Erykah is taking off the layers of learned behavior until she is free enough to think critically on her own. When she is finally able to do so, she’s killed because society doesn’t want us to think differently than the majority. That backside wasn’t bad to look at either. Erykah Badu “Window Seat” from triggerhappy on Vimeo . 2. Madonna – Like A Prayer Burning crosses, making love to saints, and a Black man playing said saint. Oh my! The Pepsi generation wasn’t ready for Madonna’s ideas. She lost her Pepsi endorsement after the video aired. Back in the 1980s, it was still very taboo for interracial couples to be shown on television. Blacks were never portrayed as biblical icons in that time. As forward thinking as this video is, I’m throwing some shade for the burning crosses. Every time I see a burning cross, I think the KKK is about to do me like Emmett Till. What were you trying to say to the Black community, Madge? Inquiring minds still want to know. 1. M.I.A. – Born Free M.I.A. has been pushing buttons with her artistry since bursting on the scene in the early 2000s. In the clip for “Born Free,” she holds a mirror up to America to show them how stupid we look as we randomly attack people for being Muslims. Only in her video, soldiers were attacking all redheads. Soldiers were seen kicking in random apartment doors just to see if the residents were redheads. If they weren’t they just left. If they were, they would be put in in prison and tortured. It’s a no brainer why American music fans hated this video. Who wants to be shown how much of a jackass they’ve been?
On Sunday’s Meet The Press with David Gregory, Tim Pawlenty suggested being gay is a choice, and falsely claimed that “the science in that regard is in dispute.” Related posts: “Values” vs. Science: America’s Right-Wing’s Ridiculous Anti-Marriage Equality Arguments Gay? Straight? Sexual Orientation Not A Choice, But Set At Birth Bachmann, Pawlenty, Gingrich “Glittered” By Activists Protesting Anti-Gay… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : The New Civil Rights Movement Discovery Date : 10/07/2011 18:39 Number of articles : 2
Plaxico Burress is fresh out of jail and ready to get back to work. In an interview with NFL Network’s NFL Total Access, the disgraced wide receiver talked about getting his life back on track and his surprise at his tough sentence. Check out some quotes below: On Being Hit With The Book: “Yes, I was (shocked at sentence). To be honest, I thought — at the most — I would probably do maybe four to six months based on a reckless endangerment charge or whatever it may be. But they just kinda pulled out all the whips and, you know, stacked everything on me. It was tough to fathom. It was like, ‘Why is this happening?’ At that time, it was just so many different emotions going through your mind, and it was unbelievable.” “I woke up that morning and had a nice breakfast in the hotel. And I went to court, and I was in jail like two hours later. And, like, everything that you had was just taken away from you just that quick. It was unexplainable.” Welcome to being Black in America Plaxico. You should’ve been prepared for the worst. Plax says visits and support from his wife, former NFL coach Tony Dungy, and former Giants teammates Brandon Jacobs, David Tyree, Osi Umenyiora, Gibril Wilson, Michael Strahan and Amani Toomer helped him through the “the lowest point in my life.” He’s already working to clean up his image by joining forces with the National Urban League and the Brady campaign educating people about the dangers of firearms. “If I can just stop one child from not taking a firearm out of the house or never put his hand on a gun, you know, I’ve served my purpose,” he said. Hmmm so we guess this means he won’t be walking around strapped any more. Too bad he had to literally shoot himself (and his career) in the leg to figure that out. Surprisingly enough, despite Plax’s two season hiatus, he also says he never thought his career was in jeopardy… We guess we can see why. The NFL deals with all kinds of problem children — as long as you don’t hurt dogs nobody is gonna get all crazy right? Speaking of which, Plax says he’s drawn a lot of inspiration from Michael Vick: “When I was going through everything legally, I did get a chance to talk to him a few times,” said Burress. “He was just telling me to stay strong, and everything will work itself out. And to just see him go out on a football field and do so many things that he’s been able to do to take his game to the next level as a quarterback, and pretty much going through a situation similar to mine with being away from the football game for two years — it gave me hope, joy. … I’ve been a big fan of him ever since high school.” Aw doesn’t that just warm your heart? For his family’s sake, Plax better hope he can have a Vick type comeback. Keep reading for Plax’s top picks for where he’d like to get his second chance as an NFL player…
Here’s some really dope footage of Drake, SBTRKT and Sampha performing ‘Wildfire’ live for the first time in Toronto. LDN, stand up. Quite an incredible moment – SBTRKT & Sampha are still relatively underground/niche artists, even on these shores – someone like Drake can (and probably already has) offer serious exposure. And fact that Drizzy’s Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : PinBoard Discovery Date : 09/07/2011 14:05 Number of articles : 2
By Findalis of Monkey in the Middle You can do your part by signing the petition to force President Barack Hussein Obama to use our veto to stop this insanity. Eli E. Hertz wrote: A Crazy State A Palestinian state has good chances of becoming a rogue state – the kind of polity the United States is currently grappling with in Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Iran and elsewhere. In 1971 Hebrew University social… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Wake Up America Discovery Date : 09/07/2011 16:24 Number of articles : 2
It’s been less than 48 hours since the Big Brother 13 premiere , and Evel Dick Donato is already out. Details are scarce, but apparently it’s for good. Dick, whose surprise return to the show he won five seasons ago shocked the new house guests, had to leave the CBS show for “personal reasons.” The network wouldn’t specify the exact reason, but CBS says “His departure will be addressed on the episode to be broadcast Wednesday, July 13.” Along with his estranged daughter Daniele, Dick was invited back to compete on BB13 this summer as one of three “dynamic duos” from past seasons. Daniele will continue to participate in the show, and thanks to Evel Dick’s departure (which really throws off the new format), was given a “golden key.” This guarantees that Daniele can not be eliminated in the next four weeks, in keeping with the somewhat confusing rules laid out in the premiere. The fallout from Dick’s exit – observed by some astute fans who noted his absence from the show’s online feeds – will surely be felt in the game. Whatever the reason, we’re sad he’s gone and wish him well. [Photo: WENN.com]
U-S-A! U-S-A! Following a string of appearances in Canada , the stylish and downright adorable royals, Prince William and Kate Middleton, have arrived in L.A. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge landed at LAX around 4 p.m. local time Friday, greeting Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Gov. Jerry Brown. Prince William took the lead and his stunning wife, who is making her first trip to the U.S., followed. She looked amazing. Big surprise there: The Duke and Duchess touch down in America . Kate pulled off a wardrobe change on the plane, having departed Canada in a scarlet Marianne coat-dress by Catherine Walker, only to arrive in a lavender Peridot dress designed by Roksanda Illinic and LK Bennett nude heels. After landing at LAX, the Royals were whisked off for official business. William and Catherine swung by The Beverly Hilton hotel for Variety ‘s Venture Capital and New Media Summit, discussing the U.K.’s technology innovations and new media, and meeting with representatives of different companies. Once that was over, they attended an outdoor reception held at the British Consulate-General residence, where he Duke and Duchess worked the crowd. All throughout the day, fans have been crowding the streets of Hancock Park near the house where Prince William and Kate Middleston will reside. Security is ridiculously tight. “Our primary concern is to protect the rights and privacy of the residents as well as the safety of the royal couple,” LAPD spokeswoman Mitzi Fierro said. Tomorrow’s itinerary includes a charity polo match at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club and then a glamorous evening at the BAFTA Awards. Welcome, William and Kate! [Photos: Fame Pictures]
British phenom Liam Keegan remixes Keo Nozari’s “Acceptable 2 U”. Katy Perry’s official DJ on her Calfornia Dreams Tour, DJ Skeet Skeet, also remixed “Acceptable 2 U”. Continue reading → Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Band Weblogs Discovery Date : 07/07/2011 21:05 Number of articles : 2
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn is locked in a surprisingly close race in the special election for California’s 36th District. The special election is Tuesday, as in 5 days from now. Back in the early part of this decade, America, and especially California, was living high on a speculative real estate bubble. Local and state Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Big Government Discovery Date : 07/07/2011 22:43 Number of articles : 2
