So This is Thursday's EARLY AM Blog

Well yesterday went as well as it could go at work. No headaches and I could understand nearly everything I heard- WHOO-HOO!! It's just after midnight and I have to make lunch, finish laundry before work in a few hours. Here's what I saw on the ol interweb...

Beginning today, smokers will pay 50 cents more in tax on a pack of cigarettes in South Carolina.

According to a new annual study, SC has nearly cut it's national obesity ranking in half! In the state, three of 10 people are considered obese, according to the Trust for America's Health. Toss in those who are overweight and that adds up to nearly two-thirds of the population. The state ranks ninth in obesity nationwide, down from fifth last year, TFAH reports.

The 2-year-old son of former NFL star quarterback Randall Cunningham has died in what authorities on Wednesday called an apparent backyard hot tub accident.

A 9-year-old Connecticut girl who climbed to the roof of her house and attempted to crawl back inside through the chimney has been rescued after getting stuck. Assistant Fire Chief Jack Hennessey says the girl climbed up a house painter's ladder Wednesday morning, walked across the roof and tried to climb down the chimney. She almost made it to the fireplace before getting stuck in the flue at about 6:30 a.m.

Just 48 days after Microsoft began selling the Kin, a smartphone for the younger set, the company discontinued it because of disappointing sales. Microsoft also recently canceled a project to develop a tablet computer that would compete with Apple’s popular iPad.

CNN is reportedly talking to Joy Behar about Larry King's spot. He's retiring this fall (see yesterday's blog). Another report says a $10 million agreement was finalized with Simon Cowell bud and "America's Got Talent" co-host Piers Morgan before King retired on Tuesday.

The U.S. Embassy is advising travelers to exercise caution in Haiti after four U.S. citizens were recently killed in separate robberies near Port-au-Prince's airport.

How about the Russian spy babe?

So will Erin Andrews stay at ESPN? Her deal with the sports network was about to expire, but an ESPN exec says, "We hope to have a deal signed soon."

The Terrafugia, a flying car project developed by a small group of MIT graduates, passed an important regulatory hurdle this month when the FAA agreed it could be certified in the Light Sports Aircraft category even though it is about 110 pounds over the limit. The company argued that the extra weight was needed to comply with federal motor vehicle standards and that other light sports aircraft do not face that extra burden. The concept of a flying car has captivated the imaginations of commuters, pilots and manufacturers for decades. In this video interview with Forbes, Carl Dietrich, CEO of Terrafugia, explains that the craft has wings that fold up in less than 30 seconds. The first model, the Transition, is expected in full production next year. In the air, it will have a cruising speed of about 115 miles an hour, a range greater than 400 miles, and a 10,000-foot ceiling. On land, it will get about 30 miles to the gallon.

Judd Apatow is using his powers for good and is developing a new Pee-Wee Herman movie alongside Paul Reubens and Paul Rust, who is co-scripting this new flick with Reubens. Apatow will produce the flick, according to Variety.

Prince will release his new album, "20Ten," as a free giveaway with various European newspapers and magazines. In the U.K., Prince has signed up with tabloid newspaper the Daily Mirror and its associated Scottish title the Daily Record for the CD giveaway. More than 2.5 million copies will be distributed on July 10 with the newspapers.The deal will also include Prince's first British newspaper interview in more than a decade.

and finally, Comic book superheroine Wonder Woman has traded in her spangled hot pants for urban leggings and upped her street smarts in a 21st century make-over for the 69 year-old character. J.Michael Straczynski, the new writer for the DC Comics series, told the New York Times he wanted to "toughen her up and give her a modern sensibility" and change the outfit Wonder Woman has been wearing for almost seven decades. The new costume features dark leggings, a studded denim jacket, spurs on her heeled boots and gloves in a new look designed by Korean-American artist Jim Lee of "X-Men" fame. Wonder Woman keeps her starred headband and golden lasso but her long dark locks have been cut shorter and gone are the star-studded hip-huggers, undersized bustier and knee length, red go-go boots

We Are The World 25 For Haiti

I have to admit, I was skeptical when I heard about the 'We Are The World 25 For Haiti' initiative.I was around for Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas" which 4 months later inspired USA for Africa's "We Are The World".

I'm not exactly the biggest fan of pop music as it is right now. So many of the faces in this new video are people I have no CLUE as to who they are. The little boy who began the song/video - who is he? I read he was a Disney product. Was that a male or female who sang before Josh Groban? Usher did a decent "Huey Lewis" section of the song. The only "rock" oriented person there was the blonde chick who played with Michael Jackson- there was some tiny, half of a second shot of someone who resembled Carlos Santana maybe in the video. I suppose that kind of diversity isn't wanted.

Anyway, I think this is one of those rare occasions where a 'remake' or 're-imagining' works. I especially liked the little rap towards the end. Where was Eminem? I thought Jamie Foxx's tongue-in-cheek Ray Charles imitation was funny. The interwoven Michael Jackson footage and voice was interesting; even if the so called "duet" w/ sister Janet was obviously cheesy, it's all for a good cause, no? It was neat to see Lionel Ritchie and some old familiar faces from the original effort.

I personally think they could have had a very financially rewarding, very humorous opportunity by having people vote via donation as to whether or not Barbara Streisand or Celine Dion should be on the single or video. I personally would have given to see them removed or left off. Now I realize these womern have huge appeal and they will drive in donations from their fans worldwide into the effort. Heck, NAMBLA could do a charity record with these two on board and people would for the most part, blindly give to that event.

We really have to be careful about pouring all this money in Haiti. There needs to be at least a paper trail. Wyclef Jean's Haiti charity ran afoul with mismanagement and waste, but he publicly admitted so and "fixed" things. Nobody seems to remember all those deposed for one reason or another world leaders who had caches and just obscene amounts of UN and US aid stored away when their hideouts and palaces were raided. The most recent were a few of the street corner thugs in Haiti- and who could forget Saddam's sons' stashes?

There's gonna be a little corruption, a little "admin" cost in everything. We should really just watch where the money goes. That's all I saying. Give if you want. Just be aware that throwing money at something doesn't always solve the main problem.

Monday Evening FEBRUARY 1, 2k10

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HAPPY FEBRUARY EVERYBODY!!

SOOO the new $3.83 TRILLION dollar budget doesn't include NASA's effort to return to the moon in 2020. It DOES include a 1.56 trillion dollar deficit. It DOES contain over 9,000 'earmarks', or 'pork'. Whether you're a Republican or Democrat, somethings in Washington NEVER change.

Although President Barack Obama's push for a health care overhaul has stalled, conservative lawmakers in about half the states are forging ahead with constitutional amendments to ban government health insurance mandates.

Rip Torn was so intoxicated when he broke into a Connecticut bank Friday carrying a loaded gun that he thought he was home, taking off his hat and boots and leaving them by the door, according to court records. The 78-year-old actor was wearing the same battered boots Monday when he was arraigned on several charges after spending the weekend in a police holding cell near his hometown of Salisbury, in northwestern Connecticut. Torn, who did not enter a plea, was released on $100,000 bond a few hours later.

A U.S. attempt to shoot down a ballistic missile mimicking an attack from Iran failed after a malfunction in a radar built by Raytheon Co, the Defense Department said.

A popular and eye-popping mix of stars like Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga drew a TV audience of 25.8 million Americans to the Grammy Awards -- the biggest TV audience for the telecast in six years, according to preliminary television ratings on Monday.

A traffic reporter in a small plane put himself in the thick of a rush-hour tie-up when his aircraft had to make an emergency landing Monday morning on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Some of the new Super Bowl ads this year will be a hoot! One will reunite Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo as the Griswolds. One will feature Steeler Troy Palamulu as punxsutawney phil, and GoDaddy.com will feature Danica Patrick in several movie spookfs- one including her version of Kelly LeBrock's "Lisa" character from "Weird Science".

and finally--

Twenty-five years after star-studded anthem "We Are the World" raised millions of dollars to aid famine relief in Africa, celebrities of a different generation were set to gather Monday night to re-record the charity tune to benefit Haiti.

Among those scheduled to perform on the revamped track the night after the Grammy Awards were Akon, Jason Mraz, Bono, Wyclef Jean, Carlos Santana, Enrique Iglesias, Usher, Toni Braxton and Lady Gaga. The session will be held at the same recording studio where the original was cut - the historic A&M complex in Hollywood.

Quincy Jones, who produced the 1985 anthem, announced last week that he planned to redo the song to benefit recovery from the deadly Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.

The session was all the talk at Sunday night's Grammy festivities. Music producer RedOne said being asked to participate was "the biggest honor a musician can ever do."

"Having Quincy, our father of music ... and Lionel Richie asking me to contribute and help, I said of course, because this is not about me," he said. "It's about Haiti."

Written by Michael Jackson and Richie, the original "We Are the World" thundered up the charts when it was released on the radio and in record stores in March 1985.

An unprecedented number of top pop musicians gathered at A&M the night of Jan. 28, 1985, following the American Music Awards, to record the tune. The song featured 45 American superstars, including Jackson, Richie, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan and Cyndi Lauper.

The record raised more than $30 million for USA for Africa, a nonprofit organization founded by the singers to fund hunger relief in African nations.

Happy Tuesday!

Good Tuesday!

Today finds me exhausted- for a variety of reasons not just because of work. Yesterday was very busy here at work and like yesterday, today I'm playing around with fire trucks and helicopters again.

Some things I saw yesterday and this morning on the net was.....

Haiti's still in the dumper and despite progress being made, the photo ops and rubber bullets are flying. Regardless of which political jersey you wear, Haiti IS politicized by the White House. These things usually are in my opinion. Rahm Emanuel was crucified in the press and the right wingers by making the statement "never let a good crisis go to waste"- or " never let a serious crisis go to waste". While it is appalling and a weasel like statement at first, it's pretty much a smart way to react to something unavoidable that you HAVE to deal with politically.

Hugo Chavez and the French are criticizing the US's "occupation" of Haiti. --Feh..

Students at Ebinport Elementary in Rock Hill, SC have raised over $1,000.00 at their Haitian Relief Lemonade stand.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Conan O'Brien is close to signing a nearly $40 million deal to walk away from his job hosting NBC's "The Tonight Show," in a new move that will also award severance pay to his employees. The deal, which has been fiercely negotiated for the last week, will give O'Brien $32.5 million to go on garden leave until September. This would prevent him from hosting any other TV shows if he pockets the cash, but gives him an option to sign other deals. The remaining $7.5 million will go in severance pay to about 200 of Conan's "Tonight Show" employees after they expressed outrage about the prospect of going penniless after relocation across the country months ago.

Jay Leno FINALLY gives us his version of how this whole debacle began - http://www.hulu.com/watch/121471/the-jay-leno-show-jays-pov#s-p1-sr-i1

New Jersey's 55th crime boss/governor, Christopher J. Christie will be sworn in today.

Meanwhile Fox News is projecting Massachusetts State Senator Scott Brown as the winner in the special election today. Not really, but it sure seems like that. Obama made the obligatory appearance over the weekend for fellow Democrat State Attorney General Martha Coakley. Apparently George Soros and his money are no where to be seen as I can tell. This is important obviously as it will take away the Democrat's invulnerability in regards to a filibuster proof senate.

Japan Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection today

A Michigan weapons company is under fire for branding thousands of rifle scopes used by US soldiers and Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan with passages from the Bible. U.S. military rules prohibit any service member from proselytizing while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, which are primarily Muslim nations.

British candy maker Cadbury has accepted a takeover offer worth $19.5 billion from U.S. food conglomerate Kraft Foods.

Want to see pics from upcoming movie called "Predators"? http://www.collider.com/2010/01/16/behind-the-scenes-pictures-from-nimrod-antals-predators/

“Paranormal Activity 2 will be released October 22 of this year. One of the SAW movie series directors is set to helm.

JJ Abrams is working to get a sequel to 'Cloverfield" made this year.

Ghostbusters 3 is still set to begin production later this year.

Oh yeah, there are plans to remake Hawaii 5-0 and bring it back to television.

Mark Strong, who played the villain Lord Blackwell in "Sherlock Holmes" is rumored to play Sinestro in DC Comics big screen adaptation of 'Green Lantern'. According to Variety, the 1980s comic book origin story "Emerald Dawn" as a basis for the film.

It looks like Marvel Comics is ending all 4 monthly issues of 'The Avengers' in April. Haven't read for how long or when an eventual restart would begin.

A 42-year-old Taiwanese man with a history of high blood pressure has died of a stroke likely triggered by over-excitement from watching the blockbuster "Avatar" in 3D, a doctor said Tuesday

Today in RECALL news- Some 390 tons of ground beef produced by a California meat packer, some of it nearly two years ago, is being recalled for fear of potentially deadly E. coli bacterium tainting, U.S. officials said on Monday.

Chrysler is recalling many of it's 2009/ 2010 vehicles (Jeep included) because of potential faulty brakes. Chrysler also bought a 60 second Super Bowl ad.

and finally, drivers in downtown Moscow squinted in disbelief as an electronic highway billboard blazed a two-minute pornographic video instead of its regular advertising clips. Late-night traffic on one of the Russian capital's busiest roads slowed Thursday as a couple's explicit escapades appeared on the 9-by-6-meter display.
The screen's owner, 3 Stars, told the AP that a hacker attack was likely to blame. Some people took pictures of the sight with their mobile phones and posted them on the Internet.

OK, NOW It's Wednesday.

Sad to read the news this morning about last night's tragic and devastating news... "Lane Kiffin Quits Vols To Take USC Job"

Just what the heck is going on in Knoxville? Lane Kiffin leaving after only 1 season to coach the Trojans? I keep reading where Vols fans are mourning- they're not mourning- they're pissed off.

Mark Bradley with the Atlanta Constitution Journal writes: "This is what you get when you entrust your program to a brat. He hits town talking big, and he leaves you in a Big Orange lurch. Ten years from now — heck, 10 minutes from now — we’ll be looking on Lane Kiffin’s season in K-Town and saying, “What the heck was that?” Called Urban Meyer a cheat, choppered down on Georgia high school stadiums, smirked at every abrogation of NCAA bylaws and then … poof, he’s gone. Like Keyser Soze. Gone so fast you wonder, “Was he here at all?” "

what a day!

oh yeah, some people got shook up in disease ravaged, virtually destroyed anyway Haiti. Looks like US aid will get there quicker than it does for domestic disasters... but that's another blog

here's some other stuff going on this morning

HE MADE IT DISAPPEAR!! - Federal prosecutors closed a two-year rape investigation of magician David Copperfield on Tuesday without filing charges, and police in nearby Bellevue say his accuser made a false sexual assault claim against another man last month.

THAT CLOSE! -A mystery object from space is about to whizz close by Earth on Wednesday. It won't hit our planet, but scientists are stumped by what exactly it is. Astronomers say it may be space junk or it could be a tiny asteroid, too small to cause damage even if it hit. It's 33 to 50 feet wide at most. NASA says that on Wednesday at 7:47 a.m. EST, it will streak by, missing Earth by about 80,000 miles.

HERE WE GO AGAIN - DC Comics has announced that they will be reuniting the popular JLI line-up in a 26 issue bi-weekly series titled "Justice League: Generation Lost," written by Keith Giffen and Judd Winick.
In other comics news- in March's "Uncanny X-Men" #522, Kitty Pryde will be returning to the X-Men


more later