Ricky Martin Comes Out

Mar 302010

Puerto Rican pop singer Ricky Martin came out of the closet today on his Web site. But the story of real import may be this: What are the economic consequences of a male pop star coming out?

On his site, Martin writes that associates warned him about opening up his personal life because of the risk to his career and image. He wrote on his Web site: “Many people told me: ‘Ricky it’s not important’, ‘it’s not worth it’, ‘all the years you’ve worked and everything you’ve built will collapse’, ‘many people in the world are not ready to accept your truth, your reality, your nature.’”

Speakeasy decided to take a look at a few male pop and rock stars who have announced that they are gay to see how their careers fared before and after their public revelations:

Elton John

Before: A Grammy-winning pop star who sold millions of records world-wide.

After: A Grammy-winning pop star who still sells millions of records world-wide and also writes music for hit musicals like “The Lion King,” “Aida,” and “Billy Elliot,” and the movie version of “The Lion King.” And he’s Sir Elton now.

George Michael

Before: One of the biggest pop stars in the world, first as half of the pop duo Wham!, and then as a solo artist.

After: Post-coming out albums such as “Patience” (2004) haven’t sold as well as the releases of Michael’s heyday, such as “Faith” (1987), but he’s had success in Europe and elsewhere around the world.

Clay Aiken

Before: The vocalist finished second to Ruben Studdard on “American Idol,” but he far outsold the champ and his 2003 debut album “Measure of a Man” started out at number one on the charts, powered in part by legions of female fans who called themselves “Claymates.”

After: Some Claymates went public with their disappointment with the singer coming out. Aiken’s last album “On My Way Here” debuted at number four on the charts and didn’t generate anything approaching the interest of his debut.

Adam Lambert

Before: The theatrical rocker finished second to winner Kris Allen on “American Idol” in 2009 though many critics had predicted he would win.

After: Lambert sparked controversy after simulating oral sex and kissing a male band member during a performance on the American Music Awards. Despite the media furor, his first album debuted at number three on the charts, and his release has outsold Allen’s album by a wide margin. Lambert’s music has been featured in movies such as “2012″ and he’s a staple on the morning, afternoon and late-time talk shows.

Badu Naked Window Video: for the price of one! Ricky Martin exsposes himself. Today we have stories on Erykah Badu and Ricky Martin.

Erykah Badu released her Naked Window music video, which sees her slowly stripping down to reveal her in all her naked glory. Sounds like this song’s going to blow up big because of the video.

Then we have Ricky Martin who came out today to say he’s gay. That’s not really a big story at all I don’t think. But, he is lighting up the internet searches today after he revealed that.

An Open Letter to Sean Penn

Misc No Responses »

Mar 292010

Editor’s Note: The following is an open letter from actress Maria Conchita Alonso, who penned this response to actor Sean Penn’s recent remarks on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” in which the left-wing actor defended Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez.

Dear Sean, WHY?

Even though I have great respect for your artistic talent, I was appalled by a recent television interview where you vigorously showed support for the regime of Hugo Chavez. Therefore, I’ve decided to set the record straight for you regarding the Chavez regime, supporting my case based not only on my political ideologies, but on proven facts you choose to ignore. Otherwise, I believe your position would be different.

Being born in Cuba, a country where freedom of speech is non-existent, it’s startling to observe how Venezuela, where I was happily raised, is fast becoming Cuba’s mirror image: Dismantling of fundamental democratic rights deserved by its people and citizens of the world.

For example, you said that all Chavez-winning elections in Venezuela were “transparent.”

Then WHY didn’t the government allow a manual recount of the votes and computer information when doubt set in? After all, how do you explain how these votes that were strongly favoring the opposition mysteriously reflected the opposite results the morning after, thus permitting Chavez to continue on? On what are you basing your conclusions? I strongly recommend that you read a report by the U.S. State Department written in 2009 entitled “The Fraudulent Elections in Venezuela”.

We live in a Republic comprised of three autonomous branches of government: Supreme Court, Congress and Executive, thus, a true democracy.

Then WHY do you accept violations by part of the government of Venezuela to ignore its Constitution whereby one man, military-educated Chavez, controls all branches of government? His military background is revealed by his philosophy: “I order, you obey and if you disagree you’re a traitor to the country.” And your voice is silenced along with the ability of freethinking. Did you know solely the government controls 92% of media communications?

You’ve strongly criticized your own governments’ overspending and corruption, whereby the budget for We the people never ends up in the hands of those who need it most.

Then WHY do you support a government with over $100 million in oil revenue that has 71% poverty? Or don’t you know that corruption is so rampant that the rightfully deserving poor never sees a “red cent”? In addition, the fact is that Chavez gives away millions of dollars; belonging to the Venezuelan people, to other countries in order to build a false sense of philanthropy of a man whose self-proclaiming ego is blinded by power behind a communist Cuban-style revolution, expanding such regime.

We live in the U.S.A., the land of opportunity to do and say what we desire, respecting dissenting points of view, of course and without reprisals.

Then WHY do you defend a government whose stronghold upon its people is so oppressive that a big price is paid for exercising freedom of speech: Persecutions, closing of radio and television stations, jail…and even death?

You are fortunate enough to live in a country where you can buy property and claim it as your own to do whatever you want with it.

Then WHY do you promote the interests of a government that violates the Constitution by hindering the possibility of development: Land, industries, commerce, communications companies, foreign investment opportunities, financial institutions and private property? This is an everyday scenario in Venezuela.

Then WHY haven’t you informed yourself on these facts by reading Venezuelan and international newspapers exposing thousands of cases?

Given your sense of community and respect for all people, I think you would defend the security of the citizens in your country.

Then WHY do you validate a government that has converted Venezuela into the second most dangerous country in the world, where impunity is above 90% and its people live in a constant state of stress and fear of getting killed? Many wonder if this situation isn’t but a diabolic strategy by the part of the government, something to think about. Do you know that the weekend of March 13th there were 67 counted homicides only in Caracas? Furthermore, in the first 50 days of this year, there have been 140 express kidnappings for fast money (a 50% increase in 2009 versus previous years). After 11 years of the Chavez government, more than 16,000 people has been murdered by armed gangs and we’re not even at war like in the Middle East.

In the U.S.A. the arm of the law comes down hard on government or private sector where cases of fraud and corruption are discovered.

Then WHY do you defend a politician who promised to sweep corruption, but has ended up sponsoring illicit enrichment by part of his closest allies and civil servants, placing Venezuela as the most corrupt country in the Americas and in its political history? Corruption has increased 68% and inflation 31% in 2009. What a coincidence, Sean that the majority of those “corruptors” are members of the government you have chosen to embrace.

You’ve demonstrated admirable assistance to those in need, due to natural disasters or poverty, those with desperate pleas to get their misfortune exposed for the whole world to see.

Then WHY do you applaud the efforts of a government that has notoriously increased poverty (65% to 71%), produced scarcity of staple products and created an energy and water shortage crisis never seen in Venezuela? Not to mention the numbers of children begging in the streets. You may have missed it because the government tends to take the scenic routes for its guests. I invite you see the real Venezuela, stay for a couple of weeks without the logistics the government of said country organizes for you and you’ll be amazed with the results in your unaided observations.

Sean, you live in a country where your parents had the freedom to teach you principles and respect for entities and human beings, where education hasn’t been manipulated by political agendas of those in power.

Then WHY are you in favor of a country where day after day education isn’t plural by obligating a single-minded agenda and lack of respect for family structure? Did you know Sean that in Venezuela there is political indoctrination at a very early age, better known as “brainwashing”? And let me tell you that if parents don’t agree, they will lose custody of their children, just like in Cuba, a country you’ve placed on a pedestal.

You are a product of a Jewish father.

Then WHY is your fascination with a government that has overtly stated its hatred against the Jewish community worldwide, to the extent that the State of Israel condemned anti-Semitic attacks in Venezuela? Do you think it’s fair that many Jewish-Venezuelan families have emigrated because the Chavez government robbed their personal files when their temples and offices were under attacked in 2008?

I don’t think so, Sean, that you would support violence as a means to impose your agenda.

Then WHY do you support a government with close relationships with FARC, ETA, Cuban G-2, Government of Iran, Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah, among others, which are the most feared terrorist movements in the world?

You have said that you applaud the actions that Chavez has instituted for his “pueblo”.

Then WHY do you back him up when he himself has recently publicly recognized his failure for effective social programs (missions) in the areas of education, social service and hospitals; where each day the number of the uncared rises for lack of appropriate facilities and respective upkeep, and a country where the mothers give birth in the streets? This you can see on YouTube in investigative programs run on German, Swedish, Italian and Spanish television stations.

Sean, have you considered researching the existence of the growing list of political prisoners, including journalists, on your own? For your information Chile, Peru and Costa Rica has that data. Furthermore, many of these prisoners are tortured and their families persecuted and threatened, just like the Cuba you stand up for.

Is that what you support when you publicly declare that all those that say that Chavez is a dictator should go to jail?

Sean, you have the right to say what you want, but as far as I know, your statements are contradictory to “Freedom of Speech”, the same one you enjoy in this country; by coincidence, “The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.”

My intention isn’t to convince you, but to let you know what is truly happening in this beautiful country of noble people, Venezuela. I would encourage you to investigate in depth the “inside story” and realize for yourself the dark side behind the person you choose to idolize.

Agreed, Chavez did win his first elections, but like Hitler, he betrayed what the country gave him: The vote of confidence.

Passover Story

Movie No Responses »

Mar 292010

In the long-standing practice of adding to the Exodus tale, the Internet is changing the way some families will be relating the story of Jews’ escape from slavery at Seder celebrations Monday.

Thousands of years after Moses led his people out of Egypt, the Passover story is going digital.

At Monday’s Seder meal, dozens of families will be reading the traditional tableside ceremony from a Haggadah, a text guiding the Seder, that they have personalized by uploading family photos to replace stock illustrations of Pharaoh and the slaves.

Behrman House, a Jewish educational publisher in Springfield, N.J., has sold more than 100 sets of the cyber-assisted version of its Family Haggadah.

The personalized Haggadah — the Hebrew word means “telling” or “narrative” — recounts the biblical Exodus story and instructs families to relate it to their children as though they were along on the journey.

“We see it as a way for people to make the experience their own, that they and their families are the Jewish people who went through this,” said Behrman House project coordinator Jessica Gurtman.

Gurtman has designed a version for President Obama and the first lady, with pictures of the first family and readings that tell the story of freedom from slavery to the American civil rights movement. The book’s cover is a photograph of the Obamas hosting a White House Seder last year, and Gurtman sent 30 copies to the president in the hope that he will use it at a celebration this year.

For ordinary customers, there is a YouTube video instructing how to customize the Haggadah. The publisher has also devised a Facebook game called “Find the Afikomen,” an online version of the tradition in which a piece of matzo is hidden and must be found before the service can continue. There is even an iPhone application called iMah Nishtanah to help children recite the four questions, an integral part of the evening’s ritual.

“They can practice it word by word, use it as flashcards or play it out loud to hear it, even at the Seder,” Gurtman said.

Such digital innovations are the latest in the long-standing practice of adding to the Passover story so that Jews of every era can understand the suffering of the oppressed and the value of freedom.

This year, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has produced a Haggadah with photos and texts from its 95-year history of aiding Jews in need around the world.

“By showcasing the relief and rescue efforts of the [committee] in our lifetime, we show how the lessons of the Passover story have been practiced in the modern era,” said Linda Levi, the agency’s director of global archives. Her team spent two years combing through 100,000 photos, letters and documents for the soft-cover book.

The American Jewish Legacy organization has compiled a Haggadah showcasing the 350-year history of Jews in the United States, many of whom held onto their traditions whether settling the Midwest prairies, joining the California Gold Rush or serving on Iwo Jima during World War II.

Scholars say there are more versions of the Haggadah than any other Jewish text — at least 7,000 major print editions. American Jews have become used to editions with references to the Holocaust and Soviet Jewry, even Darfur and Iran. There are feminist versions and rock ‘n’ roll renditions.

“As long as you tell the story in a way that is not irreverent or sacrilegious, anything that keeps the family focused is a good thing,” said Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz, supervising rabbi at the Manischewitz kosher food company and founder of American Jewish Legacy, which documents the history of traditional Jewish practice in the United States.

The website of the international Jewish Agency for Israel lists 22 links to Haggadot that can be downloaded in their entirety. Other links offer excerpts and partial texts. And there are sites where users can create an entire Haggadah by picking and choosing what to download, including beautiful pictures and funny songs.

Meanwhile, religious Jews have turned to the Web to help secular families with the Seder, which for many in America is the only Jewish ritual they observe. Shlomo Perelman, owner of Judaism.com, recorded Pittsburgh’s Rabbi Chaim Davidson chanting such Passover tunes as “Dayenu” and “Chad Gadya,” which can be downloaded to an MP3 player.

“It’s to assist people with limited Hebrew skills or who aren’t familiar with the Passover melodies,” Perelman said.

For Horowitz, a key concept of his American history Haggadah was that it be available free online, disseminating images and anecdotes that appeal to religious and secular Jews.

The text describes a kosher table set for Jews at Pennsylvania’s celebration of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. There are letters by Civil War soldiers about Seders in the Confederate and Union states.

It shows an 1864 ad from an Anaheim Wine Growers’ Assn. manager who “respectfully informs his co-religionists” that he had superior kosher wines, brandies and white wine vinegar for the holiday that he would sell wholesale and retail. And there is a 1984 San Francisco newspaper clipping with the headline “Revolt Against Matzoth prices,” reporting that frustrated Jews founded “The People’s Matzoth Association of San Francisco” to combat unfair pricing.

The Passover message of redemption, wrote Horowitz in the Haggadah’s introduction, resonates with generations of American Jews who are grateful for “the ability to celebrate the traditions of their religion in the Land of the Free.”

[The Haggadah] “highlights the commitment of patriotic men and women who from the mountains to the prairie have helped build this country while maintaining the traditions of their forefathers,” he wrote.

Shooter Movie

Movie No Responses »

Mar 292010

Shooter Movie No doubt, this movie is a treat to watch, if you are suspense and action lover. Shooter movie is rated 7.5/10 based on the user ratings at IMDb. It’s definitely one of the better films and if you want more info watch the extras on the DVD for interview with Steven Hunter, author of the book ‘Point of Impact’, on which the movie was based.

Synopsis: “Shooter” is an action-packed thriller starring Mark Wahlberg as Bob Lee Swagger, a former Marine Corps sniper who leaves the military after a mission goes bad. After he is reluctantly pressed back into service, Swagger is double-crossed again. With two bullets in him and the subject of a nationwide manhunt, Swagger begins his revenge, which will take down the most powerful people in the country. Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day”) directs.

Kate Mara’s see through scene from the movie shooter has suddenly been in much demand.

To pass the men, who were moderate dissenters it was a most secure half of the girl would be well to kate mara see through pics this difference in these mountains; but shortly after drew my attention.

And no doubt Kate Mara has got admirable body and thank god there is no tattoo to spoil the beauty. At one point in the movie she is seen wearing dark colored bra with jeans and no shirt.

Yes there is lot to search for about Kate Mara who is debuting against Justin Timberlake in upcoming movie, ‘The Open Road’.

Kate Mara is just 26 and debuted in the film industry with her movie Random Hearts.

The movie is said be built around the role of S H I E L D as director Jon Favreau explained in an interview.

Her new role has reminisced about the shooter role.

Pakistan News Breaking News latest news updates, Pakistan News, pak news and Pakistani news 24 Hour News Updates from Pakistan.Latest News from Iraq News, Iran News, America News, Kashmir News, India News and much more Breaking News.

Should the vessel in his present financial ascendancy, without much risk of being known, and for his kate mara see through pics from shooter and pheasants at this moment.

This weakness in the acting of Timberlake has given edge to the gorgeous lady to brag about her role.

Kate Mara See Through, Kate Mara is set to debut next to Justin Timberlake in the upcoming movie The Open Road.

The scene happened as Bob Lee Swagger is seen in a hurry and knocks at the door. She also appeared as Heath Ledgers daughter in the film Brokeback Mountain.

Apart from the fact that movie is a real entertainment for the masses; the cast has not paid justice to their roles not mentioning the Jeff.

SHOOTER
Paramount Pictures Presents
A di Bonaventura Pictures Production
An Antoine Fuqua Film
Executive Producers Erik Howsam Mark Johnson
Produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura Ric Kidney
Based upon the novel “Point of Impact” by Stephen Hunter
Screenplay by Jonathan Lemkin
Directed by Antoine Fuqua
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Danny Glover, Kate Mara, Elias Koteas, Rhona Mitra, Rade Sherbedgia, and Ned Beatty

Frank Mir vs Shane Carwin Video

Sport No Responses »

Mar 282010

Watch Frank Mir vs Shane Carwin Online Video and Updated Results from UFC 111 Live Stream. After some time of waiting for Brock Lesnar’s comeback we are about to see a brutal game between Frank Mir vs Shane Carwin. This match between Frank Mir vs Shane Carwin is set to cover in one of the main event of the evening between GSP and Dan Hardy.

Frank Mir vs Shane Carwin Results and Coverage : As Frank talks lots about facing Brock, that he want to breaks Lesnar’s arm in the octagon , Carwin does what he really wants to do. To take Mir’s out of his senses and this was granted in the first round when Shane Carwin rocked and KOed Mir in the cafe.

If you want to watch the Frank Mir vs Shane Carwin online video we will keep you updated regarding this.

Watch Here

GW Admissions Activity Center – George Washington University

Misc No Responses »

Mar 262010

Regular decision applicants of George Washington University will receive notification the last week in March. Applicants can expect to receive their decision both through the GW Admissions Activity Center and the mail.

Visit the GW Admissions Activity Center to check the status of your application and sign up for interviews and receptions.

Visit the site. Expect a busy connection as applicants are now bombarding the site, hoping to get access.

Sandra Bullock Divorce

Personal No Responses »

Mar 242010

Although rumors have been swirling this week that Sandra Bullock is meeting with divorce lawyers, a claim her rep denies, it seems the her husband Jesse James might lose more than just his Academy Award-winning wife. On Tuesday James’s ex, porn star Janine Lindemulder, filed legal papers to regain custody of their six-year-old daughter, Sunny.

James and Bullock have full custody of Sunny since Lindemulder has been living in a halfway house after being jailed for tax evasion.

According to Californian Family Law attorney Lisa Helfend Meyer, Lindemulder now has a strong case in the wake of James’s alleged infidelity.

“This definitely raises concerns about Jesse and how all of this could impact his parenting, whether he was spending enough time with his daughter (throughout the apparent affair) and gives Janine a foot in the door to fight for custody,” Meyer said. “The court may appoint a minor counsel for the child and the judge would need to take a second look and see what is going on under the surface.”
sandra bullock
Meyer also said that Bullock leaving James would further strengthen Lindemulder’s custody bid.

“Sandra gave Jesse his stability and made him look like the stable one where Janine appeared to be instable. But without Sandra, he looks flakey,” Meyer added. “The perfect picture is crumbling.”

A source close to Lindemulder also told Tarts that in spite of her financial and legal circumstances, the adult star is an extremely good mother and that James “doesn’t care” about parenthood and pushed for custody due to the bond between Bullock and Sunny. We’re also told that the 45-year-old starlet had problems conceiving and is desperate to be a mother, which may have prominently influenced James’s push for custody.

However, a rep for Bullock told us that such a claim was “categorically false” and a rep for James did not respond for comment.(foxnews)

Verizon Nexus One Reviews

Technology No Responses »

Mar 242010

Verizon Nexus One: – The Verizon Nexus One or the Google Nexus one is officially release today, a lot of people are seeking for its price details and the review on the product to see how amazing this Verizon Nexus One really is, For the full details and Specification on this Verizon Nexus One or Google Nexus One, Announced earlier during the CTIA 2010 convention, major US mobile Carriers such as T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and Sprint and As of now its only available for the US region and is slowly moving to reach Europe. To see the details on the Verizon Nexus One, Check out the details on below. As we share the Verizon Nexus One: Google Nexus One Price Review.

Here are 10 ways the Nexus One slays the iPhone…features :

1. Google Voice – There’s something compelling about having a phone number for life that you can forward to any phone. What makes Google Voice cool is that voicemail are transcribed into email so that you can preview them with a glance, imagine your voicemail in a Gmail interface. GV is cost-effective because SMS is and MMS are (update: MMS is coming) free and international calls are cheap. When GV allows number porting, I’m converting and never looking back. GV’s allows you to receive your calls on any phone and poses a serious threat to the mobile carrier’s business model. AT&T doesn’t want GV as a native iPhone app because it would cut into its lucrative SMS and long distance charges. Unfortunately the GV Web app is no replacement for the real thing.

2. Google Maps Navigation – The Maps app on Android alone has 10 features that aren’t in the lame version of Maps on the iPhone. Take navigation for example, the Android version of ‘Maps comes with full-blown, turn-by-turn, voice navigation that rivals anything from Garmin or TomTom. The free crowd-sourced traffic another bonus, plus it’s permanent Internet connection mean less incorrect POIs. Maps for Android also has a bunch of cool features hidden in the Labs menu, like layers for Terrain, Buzz and Latitude.

3. Voice Text – I used my Nexus One for an entire week without typing. I replied to email, SMS and Twitter all without ever touching the keyboard. That’s because Android has system-wide speech-recognition. Anywhere there’s a virtual keyboard you can touch a microphone icon and dictate your text. Although its experimental and requires a data connection it’s a major time saver.

4. Status Bar/Notifications – Ironically Android’s status bar is more Apple-like than Apple’s status bar. iPhone notifications are displayed as a model dialog box, but multiple notifications get truncated and answering a call or unlocking the phone dismisses them. Android notifications are persistent and live in the status bar. Why doesn’t Apple have something like this?

5. Widgets/Better home screen – Android allows you to have small apps for news, weather, twitter and flight info, called widgets that can run on the home screen displaying valuable information without having to launch an app. Apple updates the date on Calendar app icon, but that’s about it.

6. Background apps/multi-tasking – When streaming music from Pandora or podcasts from Listen on Android I can switch over to email, Twitter or the Web browser without the music stopping. Apple only allows a select few app (its own) to run in the background. Enough said.

7. Combined email inbox – If you have multiple email accounts, switching between them requires several touches on an iPhone making it easy to miss emails. Android’s Email and Gmail apps both have a combined inbox that allows you to view all of your email messages in one centralized inbox. This is a feature that Apple must implement.

8. OTA software updates and syncing - It’s embarrassing that Apple requires a cable to install software updates, Android does this over the air. Syncing contacts and calendars costs $100 per year [update: unless you're using Exchange/ActiveSync]. It’s time for Apple to make syncing cable- (and cost) free.

9. Unlimited apps – Android doesn’t impose artificial limits on the number apps you can have installed, you’re only limited by the size of your microSD card. Apple won’t allow you to install more than 11 pages worth. [update: I was completely wrong on that one. Android apps are currently limited to internal memory installation. I'm told that installing apps on the SD card is coming. iPhone can handle more than 11 pages of apps, it just runs out of space to display them.]

10. Amazing, free apps - Google’s Listen, Shopper, Goggles and SkyMap are powerful, free apps. Contrast that with Apple’s Weather, Stocks and Notes apps, which are junk and can’t be removed.

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