C’mon son. If a black politician said “our fat white governor…” it would have been a problem. New Jersey governor Chris Christie is under fire again, this time for referring to New Jersey’s first black female leader of the state Assembly using her race and gender instead of her name! Via NYDailyNews reports : Republican Gov. Chris Christie has been asked to apologize for referring to the first black female leader of the state Assembly by race and gender, not by name, during a church-hosted meeting. Christie, who’s white, told an audience Tuesday that an “African-American female speaker of the Assembly” is blocking a vote on a school voucher bill that would let children in failing districts attend classes elsewhere. Democratic Speaker Sheila Oliver later said she was “appalled” that Christie injected race into the discussion on education. Oliver, who represents a district with some failing schools, has said she believes the state should make a larger investment in public education. On Thursday, the pastor whose church hosted the meeting asked Christie to apologize. He said the governor was disrespectful to the speaker and missed a chance to unite the community. “I was and am saddened by the governor’s blatant attack (on the speaker),” said Kenneth Clayton, pastor of St. Luke Baptist Church in Paterson. “The words that the governor chose to use in speaking of Oliver, while not even respecting her enough to call her by name, defy his earlier assertion that political leaders, himself included, need to learn to respect all views and work together.” A Christie spokesman said the governor’s comments were misinterpreted. The flap comes at an inopportune time for Christie, who has been courting the black and Latino vote for his re-election bid in November. It’s definitely disrespectful, but do you think the pastor made too big of a deal out of this? Or was Christie merely trying to point out that Oliver wasn’t protecting her own?
For real tho??? We still have no deal with the Fiscal Cliff and the Farm Bill… but let’s go ahead and give Congress a pay raise. According to The Huffington Post , this years session in Congress has been one of the most unproductive in more than 50 years: President Barack Obama gave a New Year’s gift to returning members of Congress, federal workers and Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday, signing an executive order calling for an end to a years-long pay freeze. As of March 27, 2013, federal employees will see a half-percent to one percent pay increase, marking the end of a pay freeze that has been in place since late 2010. Congress hasn’t seen a pay raise since 2009. According to the order, Biden’s pay will increase from $225,521 to $231,900 a year, before taxes. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) will see his salary increased to $224,500 and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will take home an annual pay of $194,400 after his raise. While Obama’s order made no mention of merit for such a raise, HuffPost’s Amanda Terkel reported on Friday that the 112th Congress is set to end the session as the most unproductive since the 1940s, with only 219 bills passed by the body becoming law. The raise won’t take place until the 113th Congress, meaning that outgoing members will see no effect from the order. Obama ordered the raise as he continues to negotiate unsuccessfully with congressional leaders to find a deal in order to avoid the fiscal cliff at the end of the year. If no agreement is met, over $500 billion in planned tax increases and spending cuts will be implemented. WOW! The more you know folks. Images via tumblr/facebook
For real tho??? We still have no deal with the Fiscal Cliff and the Farm Bill… but let’s go ahead and give Congress a pay raise. According to The Huffington Post , this years session in Congress has been one of the most unproductive in more than 50 years: President Barack Obama gave a New Year’s gift to returning members of Congress, federal workers and Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday, signing an executive order calling for an end to a years-long pay freeze. As of March 27, 2013, federal employees will see a half-percent to one percent pay increase, marking the end of a pay freeze that has been in place since late 2010. Congress hasn’t seen a pay raise since 2009. According to the order, Biden’s pay will increase from $225,521 to $231,900 a year, before taxes. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) will see his salary increased to $224,500 and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will take home an annual pay of $194,400 after his raise. While Obama’s order made no mention of merit for such a raise, HuffPost’s Amanda Terkel reported on Friday that the 112th Congress is set to end the session as the most unproductive since the 1940s, with only 219 bills passed by the body becoming law. The raise won’t take place until the 113th Congress, meaning that outgoing members will see no effect from the order. Obama ordered the raise as he continues to negotiate unsuccessfully with congressional leaders to find a deal in order to avoid the fiscal cliff at the end of the year. If no agreement is met, over $500 billion in planned tax increases and spending cuts will be implemented. WOW! The more you know folks. Images via tumblr/facebook
Glass houses Newt … According to The Huffington Post , Newt put his foot in his mouth…again: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich suggested on Wednesday that the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre was tied to godlessness in contemporary American society. Speaking to Brian Thomas of radio station 55KRC, Gingrich reflected on Friday’s shooting in Newtown, Conn., which claimed the lives of 20 first-graders and six adults. “When you have an anti-religious, secular bureaucracy and secular judiciary, seeking to drive God out of public life, something fills the vacuum,” Gingrich said. “I don’t know that going from communion to playing war games, in which you practice killing people is necessarily an improvement.” Gingrich urged the national dialogue in the aftermath of the shooting to focus on the problems with America’s youth, who “don’t see their fellow Americans as human beings, but as objects.” He also went after “Natural Born Killers,” Oliver Stone’s 1994 movie about two mass murderers, saying it had no redeeming social value. “How can you possibly justify dehumanizing people to that degree and what do you think it does to young people who watch it over and over again?” he asked. Gingrich is not the first high-profile Republican to invoke godlessness as a possible root cause in the wake of the tragic shooting. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee (R) caught heat for saying the crime was no surprise because America has “systematically removed God” from public schools. Huckabee later sought to clarify his remarks, saying he did not believe increased prayer in school would have stopped the shooting from occurring. “I’m not suggesting by any stretch that if we had prayer in schools regularly as we once did that this wouldn’t have happened, because you can’t have that kind of cause and effect,” he said. “But we’ve created an atmosphere in this country where the only time you want to invoke God’s name is after the tragedy.” Sorry…how many mistresses and divorces has this man had again?? Images via tumblr
My name is Dominique and I honestly still can’t believe this happened. I never thought I’d be able to go to the show in my city, let alone go on stage with the kid I look up to and have supported for the past 3 years. Tickets went on sale, and I tried so hard to get them but they sold out way too fast and I was devastated. Two weeks before the show, one of my good friends, Hailey (ontariosidol) and I were trying to win tickets from our radio station on our way to school and believe or not, she won! We got to the arena like 5 hours before the show, around 2:30 p.m. The tickets we won came with meet & greets for Carly Rae Jepsen, so first we went to that. She was so cute and nice. Carly told me that she loved my jacket. While we were in the box office area, we saw Fredo! He kinda got like attacked so we didn’t get to talk to him, but he was perfect . The show finally started and we were sitting in section 112, row 1, seats 8-9. Carly did great and then the countdown started. When it got down to one minute, we were on the floor freaking out. Justin finally came out and he was just flawless. Kenny walked by us and said hi. We saw Nick Demoura too! Allison was walking around the whole time and we said hi to her as well! During ‘Never Say Never’ these two girls who worked either for the arena or for Justin’s crew, were going to every section and just looking at everyone. I didn’t think anything of it because Allison picks the OLLG and I was too busy dancing and screaming. I never thought I’d get picked! They walked away, but they came back during BAAB. She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the crowd and was like, “Come with me!” I knew what was happening, and I really couldn’t even think. I was so shocked and I’m nearly in tears writing this right now. We went backstage and she asked me for my name and told me I was pretty. She asked me if I saw her looking at me earlier and I told her yeah, but I didn’t think anything of it because I thought Alison picked the OLLG. She told me she does, but when she gets attacked, she picks it! We walked up the stairs backstage and I was so nervous and shocked. Dan was on the platform of the stage and he waved down at me and was like “Hey!” I told him to tell Justin to sing the ‘Dan Kanter Song’ but we couldn’t hear each other at all. The girl told me to stand behind the curtain and that Justin’s dancer would be coming to get me. Justin’s dancer took me by the hand and lead me over to Justin. I looked out into the crowd and almost throw up . I have stage fright to the extreme, but I looked over at Justin and he was just smiling and singing to me. I couldn’t believe he was standing right in front me. He took my hand and sat me on the speaker chair thing and he was looking right into my eyes. His eyes are BEAUTIFUL and his smile is just perfect. Then he played with my hair. He sat next to me and I just had to hug him AND I TOUCHED HIS ABS . Okay, they felt like HEEAVENNNNN. He looked down at me and hugged me back. He got up to sing to the crowd. I was on the verge of tears, but I’m actually surprised I didn’t cry. I put my hands over my mouth, I just couldn’t believe it all. He caressed my face and put the flower crown on top of my head. He sat on the other side of me and I hugged him again. He wrapped his arms around me AGAIN, and was singing so close to my face. He went back to the crowd, then he back to me and grabbed my hands and rubbed my arm. The song ended and he helped me up and put his hand on my lower back and we went backstage. He didn’t say anything, he just went and got changed. The girls led me back to my seat and my friends hugged the life out of me. He came back out and started singing ALAYLM (shirtless, may I add) and I was just in a daze until my friend started shaking me and we started freaking out and enjoyed the rest of the concert. I honestly can’t believe this happened at all. It still doesn’t even seem real to me, but on November 4th 2012 at the Wells Fargo Center, my dreams finally came true all thanks to you Justin! -Dominique (@pabiebs) Click here to watch me as OLLG! Follow this link: My name is Dominique and I honestly still can’t believe…
There are some sore azz losers over in Congress and John Boehner’s trying to get his party to agree to work with one another in order to become a united front; but will it be against POTUS?? According to The New York Times : On a conference call with House Republicans a day after the party’s electoral battering last week, Speaker John A. Boehner dished out some bitter medicine, and for the first time in the 112th Congress, most members took their dose. Their party lost, badly, Mr. Boehner said, and while Republicans would still control the House and would continue to staunchly oppose tax rate increases as Congress grapples with the impending fiscal battle, they had to avoid the nasty showdowns that marked so much of the last two years. Members on the call, subdued and dark, murmured words of support — even a few who had been a thorn in the speaker’s side for much of this Congress It was a striking contrast to a similar call last year, when Mr. Boehner tried to persuade members to compromise with Democrats on a deal to extend a temporary cut in payroll taxes, only to have them loudly revolt. With President Obama re-elected and Democrats cementing control of the Senate, Mr. Boehner will need to capitalize on the chastened faction of the House G.O.P. that wants to cut a deal to avert sudden tax increases and across-the-board spending cuts in January that could send the economy back into recession. After spending two years marooned between the will of his loud and fractious members and the Democratic Senate majority, the speaker is trying to assert control, and many members seem to be offering support. “To have a voice at the bargaining table, John Boehner has to be strong,” said Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma, one of the speaker’s lieutenants. “Most members were just taught a lesson that you’re not going to get everything that you want. It was that kind of election.” “I just believe John will have more leeway than in the past Congress,” said Representative Peter T. King, Republican of New York. “The election will matter.” The divide between Mr. Obama and Mr. Boehner appears wide. In their Saturday addresses, the president demanded immediate House passage of a bill approved by the Senate that would extend the expiring Bush-era tax cuts for households earning under $250,000, while the speaker said raising tax rates on anyone would be unacceptable. But beneath the posturing, both men were keeping open avenues of negotiation. Mr. Obama was careful to call for more revenue, not higher tax rates, a demand that could be fulfilled by ending or limiting tax deductions and credits, a path Mr. Boehner has accepted. The question over what to do about the expiring tax cuts would be swept aside if the parties could reach an agreement before then to overhaul the tax code completely — and render obsolete the current structure of six income tax rates, all of which would rise on Jan. 1. Even so, some Republicans have issued a stern warning to Mr. Boehner that he cannot expect their votes if he makes a deal with Democrats before seeking their consent. “What we’ve seen in the past is the speaker goes, negotiates with the president, and just before we vote, he tells us what the deal is and attempts to persuade us to vote for it,” said Representative John Fleming, Republican of Louisiana. “We’re just not very happy with deals being baked, then we’re asked to stay with the team and support the speaker.” Given those conflicting demands, Mr. Boehner must decide whether he wants to seal his role as an essential player in a grand plan to restructure the nation’s fiscal condition, or continue the status quo of the very gridlock voters appear to detest. “I don’t want to box myself in, and I don’t want to box anyone else in,” Mr. Boehner told reporters on Friday. Republican lawmakers and Congressional aides say the situation is not as dire as the conflicts of the past two years, which nearly led to a government default on its debt and included a series of impasses that plunged Congress’s approval rating to its lowest recorded level. Any deal with the president would probably lose 60 to 80 Republican votes, but the president would bring along enough Democrats to get it passed. “When the president and I have been able to come to an agreement, there has been no problem getting it passed here in the House,” Mr. Boehner assured reporters, alluding to the deal struck with Mr. Obama to extend payroll tax cuts, which took Democratic support. That’s right John. As long as The President of The United States agrees with you , we can get things passed. SMH…they don’t have any dayum respect for Barack do they?? Images via WENN
There’s really no wrong answer when comparing Kate Upton photos or videos . Each is wonderful in its own way … unless you’re one of the people hating on the SI Swimsuit Issue cover girl for her size or sexuality. In which case, really!? In any case, Kate does sexy to a T (have you seen her Cat Daddy dance video?) but it’s her glamorous, sensual side that Vogue Italia spotlights in its new issue: Kate Upton in Vogue Italia Kate Upton “Cat Daddy” Dance In a behind-the-scenes video, the model – often criticized for her perceived inability to do high fashion – dons a number of chic looks. While writhing around, of course. Seductive! It’s nice to see a different side of her … or any side of her, really. Front, back … Where were we? Right. Which side of Kate Upton do you like better? Sexy (Cat Daddy) Seductive (Vogue) View Poll »
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills are back but who’s “Down and Left Out in Beverly HIlls” and who finds themselves booted off the invite list? The lines are drawn and we recap it all in our THG +/- review. The Vanderpumps have moved…about a block away but I must say, the new home is gorgeous. Plus 15 because they have no neighbors. That will keep things tranquil. Lisa’s new bff Brandi Granville stops by with a housewarming gift. Always the traditional girl, Brandi gives them rubber sheets and a tequila gun and calls it just another Tuesday night at the Vanderpump’s, emphasis on the pump . Plus 13 . If you can say anything about Brandi, it’s that she has a sense of humor. Who knew Lisa had such a dirty mind? We certainly see a sassier version of Lisa when she hangs out with Brandi. Plus 10. These two are my new favorite odd couple. On a side note, Lisa needs to get over the height difference and stop wearing those six inch heels. Minus 8 . She’s going to break an ankle, or her neck. Across town, Kyle gets a surprise. Mauricio buys her a Maserati convertible. Plus 22. My husband can buy me one of those any time. Kyle’s planning Portia’s fourth birthday party and the girl is completely adorable as she calls people to invite them to her party. A phone call to Lisa’s has Kyle unexpectedly inviting Brandi who ends up on the speaker phone call. Plus 11 to Kyle for rolling with it and extending the invite. The one person they can’t reach is KIm. Kim finished her substance abuse treatment a month ago but even sober her voicemail box is still filled. Minus 9 . But when Kyle finally extends the invitation, Kim says she may not make it because she’s spending time with her kids. Um…why can’t she bring her kids to a family party? Portia is their cousin. Minus 12 . For whatever reason, it looks like Kim’s blowing her off and Kyle’s not happy. Of course driving home in her new Maserati should ease the pain. Taylor’s finally gained ten whole pounds and thank goodness. Plus 10. It looks good on her. She invites Adrienne to go shopping for a dress for the Villa Blanca anniversary party only to find out that Lisa didn’t invite Adrienne. Uh-oh. Why the snub? Lisa’s still ticked the Ms. Maloof accused her of selling stories to the tabloids and since no apology has been issued, Lisa’s not getting past this any time soon. Adrienne thinks the whole thing is petty but then why not apologize. Well, Adrienne has a different idea. She sends flowers? It’s just odd. The arrangement is huge and weird and the card is pretty generic. Minus 12 . Taylor’s right. It’s hard to figure out what Adrienne was thinking. Is it a form of apology or a dig for not being invited? Who knows? Finally we get to the newest Housewife. Yolanda’s a former model and ex-wife to Lisa’s good friend Mohammad. Everyone gets to know her at Lisa’s party but leave it to Brandi to put her stiletto clad foot in her mouth. In trying to say Beverly Hills is a small world, Brandi tells Yolanda, “You know everyone. You’ve slept with everyone.” Minus 13 . Awkward! Yolanda’s not sure if it’s a joke, if she misspoke, or if that’s just Brandi. I’ll give her a hint. That’s just Brandi. And the season has begun. Episode total = +27! Season total = +27!
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills are back but who’s “Down and Left Out in Beverly HIlls” and who finds themselves booted off the invite list? The lines are drawn and we recap it all in our THG +/- review. The Vanderpumps have moved…about a block away but I must say, the new home is gorgeous. Plus 15 because they have no neighbors. That will keep things tranquil. Lisa’s new bff Brandi Granville stops by with a housewarming gift. Always the traditional girl, Brandi gives them rubber sheets and a tequila gun and calls it just another Tuesday night at the Vanderpump’s, emphasis on the pump . Plus 13 . If you can say anything about Brandi, it’s that she has a sense of humor. Who knew Lisa had such a dirty mind? We certainly see a sassier version of Lisa when she hangs out with Brandi. Plus 10. These two are my new favorite odd couple. On a side note, Lisa needs to get over the height difference and stop wearing those six inch heels. Minus 8 . She’s going to break an ankle, or her neck. Across town, Kyle gets a surprise. Mauricio buys her a Maserati convertible. Plus 22. My husband can buy me one of those any time. Kyle’s planning Portia’s fourth birthday party and the girl is completely adorable as she calls people to invite them to her party. A phone call to Lisa’s has Kyle unexpectedly inviting Brandi who ends up on the speaker phone call. Plus 11 to Kyle for rolling with it and extending the invite. The one person they can’t reach is KIm. Kim finished her substance abuse treatment a month ago but even sober her voicemail box is still filled. Minus 9 . But when Kyle finally extends the invitation, Kim says she may not make it because she’s spending time with her kids. Um…why can’t she bring her kids to a family party? Portia is their cousin. Minus 12 . For whatever reason, it looks like Kim’s blowing her off and Kyle’s not happy. Of course driving home in her new Maserati should ease the pain. Taylor’s finally gained ten whole pounds and thank goodness. Plus 10. It looks good on her. She invites Adrienne to go shopping for a dress for the Villa Blanca anniversary party only to find out that Lisa didn’t invite Adrienne. Uh-oh. Why the snub? Lisa’s still ticked the Ms. Maloof accused her of selling stories to the tabloids and since no apology has been issued, Lisa’s not getting past this any time soon. Adrienne thinks the whole thing is petty but then why not apologize. Well, Adrienne has a different idea. She sends flowers? It’s just odd. The arrangement is huge and weird and the card is pretty generic. Minus 12 . Taylor’s right. It’s hard to figure out what Adrienne was thinking. Is it a form of apology or a dig for not being invited? Who knows? Finally we get to the newest Housewife. Yolanda’s a former model and ex-wife to Lisa’s good friend Mohammad. Everyone gets to know her at Lisa’s party but leave it to Brandi to put her stiletto clad foot in her mouth. In trying to say Beverly Hills is a small world, Brandi tells Yolanda, “You know everyone. You’ve slept with everyone.” Minus 13 . Awkward! Yolanda’s not sure if it’s a joke, if she misspoke, or if that’s just Brandi. I’ll give her a hint. That’s just Brandi. And the season has begun. Episode total = +27! Season total = +27!
I’m Maddy and I can’t believe I am finally typing my Bieber experience. I had been trying so hard to meet Justin all year. From emailing Ellen, entering contests, Radio Disney, Jay Leno, TCA’s etc., I was DETERMINED to finally get my individual moment with him. It all started when I knew Justin would be doing tour rehearsals and I had to find a way to meet him there since that would be my last chance before he started the Believe tour. I had no way of getting M&G’s so I decided to try my hardest to find the rehearsal location. After a few girls met him there and wouldn’t give me a clue where it was, I found it with my own hard work. On August 14 2012, I went to his studio and met up with my friends Marina and Hannah who I invited to go since they deserved to meet him. We waited around 3 hours and Justin’s van came out and left without stopping. Everyone began to lose hope but I told myself I WOULD meet him and I didn’t waste my last day of summer for nothing. We waited another 30 minutes and the van came back. By then I was completely nervous and my stomach was doing flips. Another hour went by and we saw Moshe get into the van. All my friends pushed me to the front because they wanted me to go first and meet him since I never have. The van came and I thought it wouldn’t stop, but it did. Moshe came out and gestured me to come to the side by the door. By then I was freaking out inside. Moshe opened the door a tiny bit and I could see a figure walking around inside in a tank top which I turned to my friend and said “He is in the tank top!” The door opened and there was my idol standing there. Justin said “Hi guys!” and I stood there staring in shock and my friend nudged me a little. I began walking up to him. “Here is my letter, it’s the fourth one I have written and tried to get to you so you HAVE to read it” I told Justin. “Yes of course I will” he replied and he flashed his beautiful smile at me. I handed it to him and said “Pinky promise?” and we briefly pinky promised each other. He asked if I wanted to take a picture and I got my phone ready and my hands were shaking a bit and I told him “Sorry I’m nervous”. He put his arm around my waist and I held my camera and took my most favorite picture. “Thank you so much Justin!” I told him and he said “Of course, you’re welcome” and smiled again. I walked away and immediately went to my dad in shock telling him that I finally met him and proved him wrong that I would meet him. I felt so happy that the rest of the day was just a blur and I had the biggest smile on my face. That was my bieber experience. -Maddy (@cabiebs) Read more: I’m Maddy and I can’t believe I am finally typing my…
