House Republican leaders agreed Thursday to accept a temporary extension of the existing payroll tax cut, bowing to political pressure after a lengthy standoff. Under a deal reached between House and Senate leaders, the House will now approve as early as Friday the two-month extension of a payroll tax holiday. The extension, which also includes unemployment benefits, was approved by the Senate Saturday. A committee will work on legislation to extend both through 2012. House Republicans – who rejected an almost identical deal on Tuesday – collapsed under the political rubble that has accumulated, much of it from their own party. With the bill set to keep the payroll tax at 4.2% instead of rising to 6.2%, the GOP, who abhors tax hikes, was dead set on killing the bill because … who knows honestly. Worried that the blockade would do serious damage to their appeal to voters, House Speaker John Boehner was determined to put the issue behind Republicans. After his conversation with lawmakers, the speaker conceded it might not have been “politically the smartest thing in the world” for House Republicans. The reason? Putting themselves between a tax cut and the 160 million American workers who would benefit from it, and to allowing President Obama to seize momentum. Makes sense. Might as well actually govern.
The X Factor crowned its first-ever U.S. champion last night… but it took two hours to do so. Indeed, Melanie Amaro did not hear the great news until many acts had taken the stage, foremost among them a certain blonde-haired 17-year old. Justin Bieber sang in the holiday via a pair of classics. First, he teamed with iconic artist Stevie Wonder on “Chestnuts Roasting.” Then, he made the dreams of Drew Ryniewicz come true by asking her to close out “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” along his side on stage. Watch below to see both covers, including Justin getting his major dance on for the second… Justin Bieber and Stevie Wonder – Chestnuts Roasting Justin Bieber and Drew Ryniewicz – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
There’s a new trailer online for Bel Ami , starring Robert Pattinson as handsome but corrupt journalist Georges Duroy . Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Gossip Cop Discovery Date : 22/12/2011 11:24 Number of articles : 2
3…2…1…Squeeeee! Justin Bieber has picked you out something nice for the holidays,, and it’s cuter than eight puppies pulling a kitten Santa Claus in a tiny sleigh through a daycare center. A daycare center that cares only for babies that laugh too much. And then maybe there’s a baby duckling in there for good measure. Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : TheFABlife Discovery Date : 22/12/2011 13:04 Number of articles : 2
Heidi Klum. Santa Claus. No pants. Enough said. Check out the photo: The 38-year-old supermodel and Project Runway host, whose Halloween costumes never cease to amaze, arouse or strike fear in us (these Heidi Klum pictures should give you an idea of what we’re talking about), is certainly in a festive mood this week. Klum, in a quintessential red, belted Santa Claus coat and furry heels, but sans pants, tweeted a picture of herself in a super sexy Mrs. Claus costume. “Mrs. Claus going to work,” she playfully wrote. Please, take us to your workshop Mrs. C.
Heidi Klum. Santa Claus. No pants. Enough said. Check out the photo: The 38-year-old supermodel and Project Runway host, whose Halloween costumes never cease to amaze, arouse or strike fear in us (these Heidi Klum pictures should give you an idea of what we’re talking about), is certainly in a festive mood this week. Klum, in a quintessential red, belted Santa Claus coat and furry heels, but sans pants, tweeted a picture of herself in a super sexy Mrs. Claus costume. “Mrs. Claus going to work,” she playfully wrote. Please, take us to your workshop Mrs. C.
Heidi Klum. Santa Claus. No pants. Enough said. Check out the photo: The 38-year-old supermodel and Project Runway host, whose Halloween costumes never cease to amaze, arouse or strike fear in us (these Heidi Klum pictures should give you an idea of what we’re talking about), is certainly in a festive mood this week. Klum, in a quintessential red, belted Santa Claus coat and furry heels, but sans pants, tweeted a picture of herself in a super sexy Mrs. Claus costume. “Mrs. Claus going to work,” she playfully wrote. Please, take us to your workshop Mrs. C.
Safe to say someone doesn’t need help getting into the holiday spirit. In this video posted online, a lovable mutt expresses his love for all things Santa Claus and Christmas, jumping up and down repeatedly in a display of yuletide joy. That or it’s just a big fan of the film Elf starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel. Hard to blame the animal there if so. If you haven’t seen New Girl , check it out. For now, get yourself PUMPED for the holidays with this clip … Dog REALLY Loves Christmas
Safe to say someone doesn’t need help getting into the holiday spirit. In this video posted online, a lovable mutt expresses his love for all things Santa Claus and Christmas, jumping up and down repeatedly in a display of yuletide joy. That or it’s just a big fan of the film Elf starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel. Hard to blame the animal there if so. If you haven’t seen New Girl , check it out. For now, get yourself PUMPED for the holidays with this clip … Dog REALLY Loves Christmas
But Rachel Crow and Drew don’t fare as well on Simon Cowell’s girls team. By Adam Graham Melanie Amaro on “X Factor” Wednesday Photo: Fox The top seven “X Factor” contestants tackled the catalog of Michael Jackson on Wednesday (November 30), paying tribute to the late King of Pop while members of Jackson’s family — including his brothers, mother and children — looked on from the audience. Melanie Amaro earned the evening’s best marks for her show-closing rendition of “Earth Song,” dubbed “amazing” by L.A. Reid, who told the singer he felt he was not in the midst of a competition, but at an Amaro concert. Nicole Scherzinger called it one of the best performances of the season, and Amaro’s mentor, Simon Cowell, told the 19-year-old, “I couldn’t think of a better way to pay tribute to one of the greatest artists in the world.” Not all of Cowell’s contestants fared as well. Rachel Crow received her harshest critiques yet from the judges, after the bubbly 13-year-old’s take on the Jacksons’ “Can You Feel It” — a rather obscure selection from one of the most celebrated bodies of work in the history of pop music — fell flat with the panel. “This is probably the only time I’ve watched you and didn’t believe you were having a great time,” Reid commented, a sentiment echoed by Scherzinger and Paula Abdul. Cowell backed his singer, saying the critiques were a result of it being “anti-Simon night,” though he seemed less than over-the-moon when he told her, “You always put on a show, you look like a pop star, and you’re having the time of your life.” Cowell’s remark that it was “anti-Simon night” came from Scherzinger and Abdul criticizing 14-year-old Drew for doing a slowed-down, piano-driven “Billie Jean” while sitting in a chair, saying she wasn’t being pushed enough as a performer. Cowell called Scherzinger’s comment “absolute nonsense” and told Abdul, “Too much dancing, that’s why your acts are out of the competition,” while praising Drew for sticking to her strengths. Meanwhile, Reid, who week after week has been Drew’s sharpest critic, begrudgingly complimented the singer. “It pains me to say this,” he told her, “but I liked it.” Of all the evening’s contestants, Marcus Canty gave the most physical performance, doing a sweaty rendition of “PYT” that included a mid-song backflip. Both Scherzinger and Abdul used the same words, calling Canty “the whole package,” while Reid said he hoped the flip would flip him some votes. Cowell was more critical, saying Canty’s vocals were compromised as a result of all the dancing. Teen rapper Astro put a rejuvenated spin on “Black or White” and was praised for the youthful energy he brought to the song. Chris Rene, who also funnels his material through a hip-hop prism, did a stepped-up “I’ll Be There,” which Scherzinger said was the best he’s ever sang. But splitting the hip-hop vote with Astro could prove costly, and Cowell predicted he’d need a lot of support to survive the week. Meanwhile, 30-year-old burrito maker Josh Krajcik — Scherzinger’s sole remaining contestant in the competition, and one of the show’s favorites to win — opened the night with a rearranged, nearly unrecognizable version of “Dirty Diana” that Cowell called his “weakest performance so far,” even as the other judges applauded his efforts. Two singers will be sent packing on Thursday’s results episode, which is also set to feature a performance from Tinie Tempah. What did you think of the “X Factor” Michael Jackson tribute? Let us know in the comments!
