“ Who you finna try ? I bet it ain’t me, ooh b**** it ain’t me, CAPS, CAPS, CAPS, CAPS!” Via USAToday St. Louis County police and the Rams are at odds Monday night over whether a team official apologized for the “hands up-don’t shoot” gesture performed by five players before Sunday’s game. Neither law enforcement officials nor Kevin Demoff, the Rams’ executive vice president and chief operations officer, dispute that Demoff reached out to St. Louis area police officials on Monday, a day after five Rams players made the famous gesture during pregame introductions. The content of those conversations, and the semantics of Demoff’s words, are up for debate. Demoff told the St. Louis Post-Dispatchthat he did not apologize for the players’ actions, but that he “regretted any offense their officers may have taken.” “We do believe it is possible to both support our players’ First Amendment rights and support the efforts of local law enforcement as our community begins to heal,” Demoff told the paper late Monday. In an email to USA TODAY Sports on Monday night, St. Louis County police spokesman Brian Schellman said Chief Jon Belmar “believed it to be an apology.” “[Demoff] further stated ‘I regretted any offense the officer’s may have taken.’ Even though Mr. Demoff stated he never apologized, the Chief believed it to be an apology and the Chief sent the email to police staff to let them know about the call, after he told Mr. Demoff he would share his sentiments with his staff,” Schellman said. Indeed, Belmar followed up that call by writing a memo to his staff. In that memo, obtained by the Post-Dispatch, the chief told officers that Demoff “regretted that any members of the [Rams’] organization would act in a way that minimized the outstanding work that police officers and departments carry out each and every day.” Peep the slick isht the janky azz St. Louis Police posted to their Twitter page: GTFOHWTBS! Image via AP
We’ve already laughed at the Kelly Clarkson Christmas card . And danced along with the Christmas Jammies family while singing along with this holiday-themed remix of We Can’t Stop . But plenty of other celebrities are celebrating this December, releasing a variety of cards and photos via the Internet. There’s Diddy and his many children… Stephen Amell and his adorable newborn… Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart with a very famous friends… and a lot more! So click around below and get into the holiday spirit before it’s too late…
The Duck Dynasty cast released a statement in support of suspended star Phil Robertson, implying that they can’t go forward with the show without him. “We are in discussions with A&E to see what [this] means for the future of Duck Dynasty,” the family statement said of Phil Robertson’s suspension . “We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm.” Duck Dynasty Cast Issues Statement, Stands By Phil Robertson The family defended Robertson’s comments and stressed that they are a “family rooted in our faith in God and our belief that the Bible is His word.” “While some of Phil’s unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible,” the family said. “Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Phil would never incite or encourage hate.” The Robertson family said it has “spent much time in prayer” since learning A&E had suspended Phil over anti-gay comments he made in GQ . The family also criticized A&E for its actions , saying he was placed on hiatus “for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right.” Indeed, he sparked a national debate on religion and tolerance in an interview in which the reporter asked him what he considered to be sinful behavior. The 67-year-old Robertson, who fans of the show know is very religious, said: “Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.” The Duck Commander found then paraphrased Paul’s letter to the Corinthians: “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes. the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers …” “They won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.” Whatever you think of Robertson’s comments, they drew immediate condemnation from gay rights groups who pressured the network to take action. On Wednesday, A&E announced Phil was suspended indefinitely, saying: “We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty.” “His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community.” “The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.” A&E’s decision to pull Robertson from the hit show drew strong support from the gay and lesbian rights groups, but criticism from many others. Duck Dynasty drew 11.8 million viewers in August for its Season 4 premiere, making it the highest rated cable series EVER … and fans aren’t happy. Not just because they like the show, either. They’ve made him a cause celebre. Phil Robertson Suspension, Anti-Gay Backlash Duck Dynasty: Phil Robertson Under Attack Over Anti-Gay Comments Many public figures, including Glenn Beck , accuse the network of discrimination, violating Phil’s religious beliefs and violating his First Amendment rights. A&E is private company, of course, and can fire whomever its wants … the question is whether the network will forgive, forget and deal with the backlash. If they bring Phil back, the cast will likely resume filming, and many fans will be pleased, yet certain factions of the population will likely be upset. If they don’t, others will be upset. Clearly, A&E is up against it right here. YOU TELL US: Should Phil Robertson have been suspended? Yes, obviously. He was way over the line. Maybe. I can see why A&E decided to. No way. He’s just stating his opinions, people! View Poll » Should A&E pull the plug on Duck Dynasty? Yes. There’s no going back from this low point … No! Bring back Phil and quack on! View Poll »
A Penn State sorority is under scrutiny – and investigation – after a racist photo from a recent party created a stir online. The Mexican-themed image appears below: The picture, taken around Halloween, shows the women dressed in sombreros and mustaches. Some held signs that read “Will mow lawn for weed + beer” and “I don’t cut grass I smoke it.” Get it??! The photo was posted on Tumblr and Facebook, after which a Penn State blog ID’d the women as members of the Chi Omega sorority on campus. Reaction from the embattled university – still reeling from the Jerry Sandusky scandal – and from the sorority itself came quickly after the image went viral. Jessica Riccardi, president of the Nu Gamma chapter of Chi Omega, confirmed to the school’s Daily Collegian that the sorority is under investigation. Riccardi also issued an apology for the photo, writing, “Our chapter of Chi Omega sincerely apologizes for portraying inappropriate and untrue stereotypes.” “The picture does not support Chi Omega’s values or reflect what the organization aspires to be.” The Penn State Panhellenic Council said, “We are addressing the situation immediately with the members of the chapter in conjunction with their national headquarters.” Lisa Powers, director of public information at Penn State, also said in a statement that “This photo has been brought to our attention, and we have looked into the issue.” “The students are within their First Amendment rights [here], although we are certainly appalled that they would display this level of insensitivity and lack of judgment.” “These costumes and this group do not represent fraternity and sorority life at Penn State University, nor the 95,000 students who attend our university.” “The Chi Omega sorority sisters have expressed deep remorse over this incident.” What do you think? Much ado about nothing? Harmless fun being taken too seriously? Completely racist with no regard for basic human decency? Share your comments and vote in the survey below: Chi Omega sorority photo : So racist and offensive Hilarious! Lighten up people! View Poll »
Kirdy Stevens , pioneer of the adult film industry and director of best selling XXX shocker Taboo (1980), has died of pneumonia at age 92. Kirdy first got into adult movies in 1957, when he and two partners built a film-developing lab to process black-and-white adult movies they had shot themselves. His longtime wife and scriptwriter Helene Terrie tells AVN , “He absolutely had no fear of getting arrested or going to jail for what he believed in. He just was a true believer in the First Amendment and the right to artistic expression.” Kirdy only made 14 hardcore films in his 25 year career, but left quite a mark on the industry with Taboo (1980), a hardcore flick that rated #21 on AVN’s ” Top 101 All Time Greatest Movies ” and went on to spawn an impressive 22 sequels. Mammoth-mammed MILF Kay Parker dazzled as the lead, acting out forbidden fantasies in a series of sexual encounters, including a suburban orgy. See pics after the jump!
Former Presidential candidate Rick Santorum claims that the Obama administration is forcing Catholics to sin, primarily with its health care law. At a campaign event for Mitt Romney, Santorum said that the President “is directly assaulting the First Amendment and freedom of religion.” “He is going to tell you what to do in the practice of your faith. He is forcing business people right now to do things that are against their conscience.” “If you’re a Catholic – you’ll have to go to confession … to confess that you are complying with a government program that is a sin in the Catholic church.” He was referring to Obamacare (a.k.a. the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) requiring most employers to offer insurance that covers contraception. Claiming that President Obama forces Catholics to violate their faith , a common talking point among some Republicans, is a tough sell for several reasons: Studies indicate that many – some say as many as 98 percent – of sexually active Catholic women have used an artificial method of contraception. Churches are exempt from Obama’s contraception rule entirely and faith-based organizations that morally oppose it are offered a work-around. The Supreme Court upheld Obamacare ‘s constitutionality this year, which likely wouldn’t have happened if it violated the First Amendment. Romney enforced a similar contraception mandate as Massachusetts Governor. Those are just facts. If you want to debate Santorum’s logic on a philosophical level, other pillars of the GOP platform might also be affronts to his faith. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops lambasted Paul Ryan’s budget – which cuts assistance for the poor in order to offset tax cuts for the wealthy – this year. This summer, a network of nuns protested the budget, saying that “Catholic teaching is based on solidarity” and the proposed cuts “doesn’t pass the moral test.” Speaking of cut, have you seen Paul Ryan shirtless ? Obamacare :
Forget about healthcare : The Supreme Court may yet face the defining constitutional issue of our day if one producer has his way. “You claim on behalf of your client, Will Ryder Productions, that the low-budget, clearly pornographic, film your client intends to sell by infringing upon The Three Stooges® Brand is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as ‘parody,'” writes Robert Benjamin, the co-producer of the PG-rated Three Stooges currently in theaters, to the lawyer representing the geniuses behind Not the Three Stooges XXX . “Such a claim of parody has no merit.” And there’s related Stooges case history (PDF file)! Clear the docket! [ TMZ ]
I hesitate to even pass along word of the luxury fashion purveyor’s ongoing litigiousness lest this site land in its hungry crosshairs, but: Have you heard about the lengths to which Louis Vuitton is going to keep its brand safe from the grubby likes of The Hangover Part II ? Or how another, recently resolved court victory has possibly shored up its case against the film’s studio Warner Bros.? Memo to Hollywood: Either get your clearances up front or do not even think of messing with these guys. This has been going on for a while , but THR Esq. now offers up the bone-chilling latest: On March 22, a judge granted a summary judgment victory to Louis Vuitton over a Super Bowl TV commercial produced by Hyundai that featured for approximately one second a basketball that bore resemblance to a flower-like symbol on chestnut-brown background design that was trademarked by Louis Vuitton. The French brand says that the judge’s decision two weeks ago shows why it should be able to go forward with its claims against Warner Bros. for infringing and diluting its trademark by showing for one brief moment in [ The Hangover Part II ] Zach Galifianakis telling someone who pushes his bag, “Be careful, that is … that is a Lewis Vuitton.” In mid-March, Warner Bros. responded to the lawsuit by telling a New York judge that it had a First Amendment right to feature trademarks and incorporate real-life references to brands without getting the consent of owners. The studio added there wasn’t any confusion, and if there was, it was de minimis and/or the responsibility of the company that had actually produced the knock-off handbag. Meanwhile, the designer isn’t backing down, arguing in a court filing (with its victory versus Hyundai in mind) that “Louis Vuitton’s ‘aggressive’ enforcement of its trademark rights and prompt action against those who misuse its trademarks are necessary concomitants of its exclusive rights in the brand.” Fine, but to what end? Is “the brand” — and apparently its business — so fragile that millions of dollars in legal expenses are themselves necessary concomitants of relevancy in 2012? Or is this just the more socially permissible way of shoring up the market share that all those knock-off merchants in Lower Manhattan have eroded in recent years? Either way, to all you screenwriters and studio legal departments alike: Maybe stick to Samsonite? [ THR Esq .] Follow S.T. VanAirsdale on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
A month after debuting her latest single on America’s Got Talent , Susan Boyle has released the official music video for “You Have To Be There.” It’s classic Boyle in every way, too, as this 50-year old shows off her ridiculous vocal range in a classically-filmed black and white shoot. Look for Boyle’s new album to hit stories and iTunes next month. For now, though, just sit back and enjoy a lovely video from a talented artist. View it below. Susan Boyle – You Have To Be There (Official Video)
