Stun gun image from Flickr.

What do Jermaine Jackson’s son, a stun gun, Michael Jackson’s son Blanket and Children Services all have in common? They were all in the same place at the same time recently, as Children Services went to the Jackson home to investigate after Jermaine’s son Jaafar ordered a stun gun online and then reportedly attempted to use it on Blanket. No, I am not kidding. That is the story. You couldn’t give me enough quick cash to make this stuff up.

Jackson family stun gun saga

First, TMZ reported Jaafar Jackson had ordered a stun gun online, but everyone in the house insisted security had intercepted it. Randy Jackson, Katherine Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and every other Jackson who talked to “the press” insisted the stun gun Jermaine Jackson’s son ordered never made it into the children’s hands. But then!

Today, it is widely reported that children in the Jackson household were recently playing with a stun gun, and Blanket Jackson, Michael’s 7-year-old son, was the intended target. Children Services paid a visit to the home last night to confiscate the stun gun. Today they will be ensuring certain internet protections are in place. Good thing; we don’t want minors illegally apply for online payday loans and using them to buy more weapons.

More details on the Jackson stun gun

As if this whole debacle weren’t enough, it appears there is more. TMZ says Children Services yesterday conducted a search of the property to find a second stun gun. TMZ reports:

We’ve learned there’s a conflict among people who live and work at the property. We know some members of the staff will tell DCFS that the stun gun was there for several days, before a member of security went upstairs and allegedly found Jaafar and other kids playing with the gun and pointing it at Michael’s sons Blanket and Prince.

Of course, Katherine, her lawyer and other adults in the house are saying that Jaafar did not target anyone with the gun. Katherine’s lawyer Adam Streisand also says Jaafar had been playing with the gun only a few minutes before security confiscated it. Originally, Katherine and Randy Jackson said the stun gun was intercepted by security and Katherine locked it away before it got to the children.

Simple to buy a stun gun

It is indeed pretty easy to buy a stun gun online. I found a Taser on sale for $350, the amount of many small cash advance loans. Jaafar would have only had to find a credit card. Buying a stun gun online is easy enough that any 13-year-old could do it.

Now that Children Services has confiscated the stun gun Jaafar Jackson purchased online, dealt with the “little Internet problem” and interviewed several members of the household, we can only hope the Jacksons can return to life as usual. Of course, the story keeps changing, so who knows when the Jackson stun gun saga will come to an end.

Sky Blu says this guy started it when Mitt Romney got into a fight with Sky Blu. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

I had to scroll down pretty far on TMZ and check out Perez Hilton’s blog to find stories that weren’t about Tiger Woods, but thanks to my patience and determination, I made it. And thus, I bring you my Top 5 favorite celebrity gossip stories of the day. There’s some good stuff!

1. Mitt Romney got in a fight with a rapper? On a plane?

You can’t make this stuff up. Former Republican primary presidential candidate Mitt Romney got into a scuffle on an airplane with Sky Blu, a member of rap group LMFAO. Sky Blu says the fight started because Romney put a “Vulcan grip” on him while asking him to put his seat up. In the end, cops kicked Sky Blu off the plane. But Sky Blu still says they can be drinking buddies if Romney drinks. (He doesn’t. Mormons don’t drink. Check out the video of Sky Blu’s explanation.)

2. Another day, another MJ lawsuit

Who wants instant cash from Michael Jackson now?

Some lady filed a lawsuit against the Michael Jackson estate saying he owes her money. When was the last day someone didn’t file a lawsuit against the Michael Jackson estate? Oh, sorry, am I boring you? Moving on …

3. Conan loves dolphins

Have you been wondering what Conan O’Brien is doing now that he doesn’t have a job? I certainly have. First of all, he grew a beard, of course. He is vacationing in Hawaii (good for him) and kissing dolphins. For real. There are photos.

4. What’s up with Lil Wayne’s grill?

Lil Wayne got his dental work done yesterday, and it took eight hours. He got eight root canals, and got a bunch of his tooth implants redone. Oh, and guess what, the few real teeth he has (and where would those be?) had to be repaired.

5. Adam Lambert made out with Ke$ha

Yep, that’s the whole story. I just included it because I think it’s awesome in every way.

The stars may have changed, but the message of hope and charity remains the same.

“We Are the World 2010” is currently in the works. Show Biz Gossips reports that a gathering of artists recently went down at Jim Henson Studios in Hollywood. By gathering, they mean nearly 100 musicians, all of whom want their work to help those affected by the Haiti earthquake. Native son Wyclef Jean and many others are in on the action. Michael Jackson – if he were still with us – no doubt would have returned for his second “We Are the World” performance.

Ki moun?

Who will be performing, you ask? Various reports indicate that “We Are the World 2010″ performers will include: Wyclef Jean, Kanye West, Will.I.Am, Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion, Usher, LL Cool J, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, Vince Vaughn (hmmm), Jeff Bridges, Mos Def, Rob Thomas, Justin Bieber, Jason Mraz, Pink, Sugarland, Adam Levine, the Jonas Brothers, Drake, Kid Cudi, Drake, Julianne Hough and more.

It may debut on the first night of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

Wyclef Jean and a cast of recording industry luminaries are gearing up to produce "We Are the World 2010" to benefit Haiti disaster relief.

Keep your eyes on NBC’s coverage on February 12, 2010. This hasn’t been confirmed, but according to Show Biz Gossip, “We Are the World-25 for Haiti” (the official title) will debut that night. It’s sure to be a big deal, much as the co-written and produced “We Are the World” was back in 1985 when Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones set their work to music, with friends. The original was geared to assist in African famine relief, and the single hit number one on worldwide music charts.

Kote nou ka achte…?

Where can you buy “We Are the World 2010?” It’s likely that you can get a copy at your local music store, on iTunes, or through a sponsoring Web site. More info on this to come, so watch for it, payday loans blog readers.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adanbouzoua/ / CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Image from Flickr.

Everyone from TMZ to the Los Angeles Times has confirmed that a snipped of song leaked over the weekend was Michael Jackson’s unreleased song “Another Day.” Jackson collaborated with Lenny Kravitz, among others, on the leaked song “Another Day.” Because of orders from the Jackson family and Sony Music Entertainment, the leak of “Another Bay” has been completely removed from the Internet — well, as close to “completely” as it gets these days.

This is the second Michael Jackson song leak to occur since his death, and it will likely be the first of many. There’s a whole bunch of unreleased Michael Jackson material out there, and it stands to make a lot of money as long as people can keep it under wraps.

Why wait?

Obviously, any Michael Jackson albums that come out in the future have the potential to handily outsell albums released before his death. As far as why the powers that be are waiting to release them, it could be a lot of things. For one thing, I am sure it has to do with the legal battles still going on over who owns his estate, his debt, his stuff — I’m sure that any left behind “intellectual property” (music) is tied up in the courts system just like everything else.

However, Sony does appear to be in a position to order the Internet to remove the Michael Jackson song “Another Day,” which means maybe they can order the songs released, too. So perhaps they are just waiting for a respectful amount of time to pass between his death and raking in the dough for the unreleased music he left behind.

Naturally, it is important that people be required to pay for Michael Jackson’s unreleased music in order for those who will profit from it to get top dollar. I am pretty sure that’s the main reason, if not the only reason, why Michael Jackson’s leaked song “Another Day” has been banned from the Internet.

Simpler, golden times for Michael Jackson. Will he and Shmuley Boteach find debt relief soon? (Photo: flickr.com)

Over the years, we witnessed the eccentricity of Michael Jackson. From his constant changing appearance and repeated debt relief missions to his legal issues, we ask ourselves the question: Why did he do it? What lead MJ to go that far? For instance, we remember him dangling his son over a balcony, the constant wearing of surgical masks, his Caucasian/Hispanic children, and him wearing pajamas to his court date. Now that Jackson is dead, it’s morbidly fascinating to see how many of his secrets float to the surface, and which person provides the fishing pole and bait, so to speak.

Shmuley Boteach Documents Time with Jackson

In light of celebrity Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s “The Michael Jackson Tapes” and new book on the market, Jackson isn’t made to appear realistic, or even human. He’s made to seem even stranger. During 2000 and 2001, Jackson kept in contact with Boteach on a daily basis while he explored Judaism. The two hit it off, considering Boteach complimented Jackson by calling him very handsome and even compared him to another great pop star, Britney Spears (if you can call that a compliment). Jackson then assisted the rabbi by speaking at his forum at Oxford University and revealing the clandestine information that would later form Boteach’s book.

At first read, you’d assume the book should shed light on lots of Michael Jackson’s awkward moments, but it never delivers on that hopeful expectation. In fact, the tapes raise certain questions that could never be answered. Here are four items things left me baffled after reading this book:

MJ’s Shrine to Shirley Temple (True or False?)

In the book, it is said that Michael Jackson had an unusual obsession with Shirley Temple. Jackson said an unidentified guy would travel with him, and the man’s sole responsibility was to set up a room-sized shrine to Shirley Temple before Jackson arrived. This leads a person to ask, “What was up with Michael Jackson’s fixation with children in general?” Remember the days of Jackson hanging out with Emmanuel Lewis and Macaulay Culkin? What made their relationship so cryptic and mysterious was that neither one divulged personal details of their friendship.

Michael and Janet

Boteach’s book never really discusses the true relationship between Michael and his sister, Janet. Some people have been questioning if they really did or didn’t get along. Numerous rumors, as well as Michael Jackson’s confessions, state that he did unfortunately pester Janet. Perhaps this is understandable in light of the treatment Michael received from his father and brothers.

One subject that wasn’t addressed was Janet’s vocals being turned down in the mix on their duet, “Scream.” As usual, rumors were spreading about Michael seeking debt relief right before the recording of the song. People began questioning if Michael tried to sabotage his sister’s solo for him to shine brighter for more album sales. It’s evident that Janet looked up to big brother Michael and wanted to follow in his footsteps. However, Michael Jackson didn’t seem interested in helping her. We could chock this up to his talent simply being greater than hers, or we could leave the subject unanswered as “The Michael Jackson Tapes” does.

MJ: Straight or Asexual?

There have always been questions centered on whether Michael Jackson was actually attracted to women or not. Some people assume that he was merely pretending, but with so little facts to back up his claim of heterosexuality, what is true and what is false? Boteach, however, doesn’t believe that Michael was gay at all, and provides multiple instances where Jackson showed interest in the opposite sex. Katie Couric, Princess Diana, Brooke Shields and Tatum O’Neal have all spent quality time with Michael, though he tells Boteach that he was never intimate with these women because of his bashfulness. Jackson admitted that he’s never had to ask a woman out, because they’ve all asked him first. Alas, the question of Michael Jackson’s true sexual nature will go unanswered in this lifetime.

Michael vs. Madonna. Why the “Beef?”

No one knows or has yet admitted what events transpired between Michael and Madonna to make the King of Pop say that she is “just not a nice person.” He left his comments at that, but the unanswered question is why. What happened between the two to make Jackson, someone who claimed to not dislike anyone in the world, find something objectionable about Madonna? And what made Michael vehemently claim that she was in love with him? The world may never know.

Boteach Provides Interesting Entertainment

There might be some individuals who are bent on glorifying the material Boteach has put together, simply because it has the names Michael Jackson and King of Pop attached. But information that is worth sharing and paying attention gives something to the reader or audience. I’m not 100 percent sure what “The Michael Jackson Tapes” uncover, but maybe all they’re meant for is what Michael Jackson himself gave to us: pure entertainment. And with the entertainment being distributed through Michael Jackson’s branded name, debt relief might forever be a thing of Jackson and Boteach’s financial past.

Image from every-passing-moment.blogspot.com.

Avid Michael Jackson fans have been eagerly anticipating the release of documentary film “This Is It” for quite sometime. Now, the day has finally come, as “This Is It” hits theaters tomorrow.

People will go to great lengths for Michael Jackson. After his death, people scraped together money and got unsecured loans to go visit Neverland Ranch or the Staples Center during the funeral. Michael Jackson’s undeniable — and possibly unparalleled — popularity will no doubt have fans flocking to theaters. However, that’s not the only reason I predict “This Is It” will be a box office smash.

Can’t compete with Michael Jackson

Besides having a built-in and enthusiastic fan base, “This Is It” also happens to be the only new film coming out this week. That is pretty surprising to me, considering that Friday is Halloween. It seems to me that releasing a big horror film on Halloween weekend would be a good idea.

So that leads us to the question of cause and effect. When “This Is It” makes tons of money at the box office, will it be because of Michael Jackson fans? Or will it be because there’s nothing else new in the theaters? Also, did all the other filmmakers decide not to release movies on the same weekend as “This Is It” because they were afraid they couldn’t compete? If that’s not the reason, what is? Why isn’t anyone releasing films over Halloween weekend?

Can’t compete with Halloween

Of course, another logical conclusion is that filmmakers and theaters assume that no one wants to go to the movies on Halloween. With trick-or-treating for parents and kids and so many parties going on, it’s understandable that people might assume opening a movie on Halloween would guarantee it a bad opening weekend.

However, I am sure that horror movie fanatics would love nothing more than to catch a scary, gory film on Halloween night. I’m sure if “Saw VI” came out on Halloween, plenty of the film series’ fans would make sure to include it in their plans. Obviously, the film has a huge fan base, as it’s currently second place for box office earnings. The only film making more money than “Saw VI” right now is “Paranormal Activity,” another scary movie.

About ‘This Is It’

I have seen trailers for “This Is It” that feature Michael Jackson dancing on stage just like the good old days. I am sure a lot of fans will be happy and comforted to see footage of the King of Pop in the days before he passed. Mostly, I think fans will be glad to have new images in their heads to replace the photos that came out following Jackson’s death.

The Official web site for “This Is It” says the documentary film is compiled from more than 100 hours a video. ” ‘This Is It’ will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place starting this summer.”

You can get tickets and see showtimes directly through the “This Is It” web site…

OK guys, let's be honest. Do you REALLY want to be a brooding vampire this Halloween? Oh, how original… (Photo: flickr.com)

For young children who love dress up and candy and kids at heart who will be attending Halloween parties in 2009, the race is on for the perfect costume. With some of these Halloween costume ideas for 2009 in mind, you’re sure to be a hit. In some cases, payroll loans may not even be necessary to fund your costume venture, although the reality is that if you want to go all-out on Halloween, you’ll typically need to spend some money.

Vamp it up

These are popular Halloween costume ideas (in 2009 or any other year). Taking a look at what’s popular, you’ll surely find devotees of Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” vampire series roaming the streets and parties near you. Bella (Kristen Stewart), Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob (Taylor Lautner) are bound to be popular choices, even though Jacob is a werewolf and Bella doesn’t become a vampire until “Breaking Dawn,” which is far from the movie theaters at this point.

But the vampire madness doesn’t stop with “Twilight.” Popular cable TV series like “True Blood” and network TV offerings like “The Vampire Diaries” will definitely have an impact on the vampire scene (and inspire lots of Halloween costume ideas in 2009). Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) and Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) will be popular choices from “True Blood,” as will Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) and Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) from “The Vampire Diaries.”

Michael and Farrah for tricks and treats

Celebrities have always been popular fodder for Halloween costume ideas, and 2009 will be no exception. Some might consider it to be of questionable taste to sport the “Thriller” getup of Michael Jackson or the golden tresses of Farrah Fawcett, but these pop culture icons are gold when it comes to dressing up teens and adults for Halloween. Personally, I’d be more entertained by a Halloween Billy Mays hawking a product, but tastes vary. Unfortunately, Kate Gosselin (tusk of blonde hair in front and uneven, fuzzy stuff with a sense of entitlement in back), Octomom (kids and Dr. Phil not included) will be out there, too.

Political bedfellows for a Halloween romp

This is an easy category here. Considering that America elected the first black president in its history, Barack Obama will be an easy choice. For women looking to sport smart fashions, Michelle Obama and Sarah Palin are strong choices (although Palin can be played with a rifle and waders, if you prefer). On the more controversial side, world political leaders like Kim Jong Il (who already looks like a cartoon character) and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (don’t wander into Muslim neighborhoods or apply for payroll loans with this mask on) can be an interesting choice. If you prefer American controversy, go for Rod Blagojevich and the big boy hair, Mark Sanford with hiking shoes and Appalachian Trail map, Dick Cheney with shotgun and executioner’s hood, or the “You Lie” guy (does he deserve to have his name be remembered?)

But what about the kids?

Children are what this holiday is truly about, so no Halloween costume ideas for 2009 roundup would be complete without a nod to youth. For little ones, Disney is a safe choice (from Hannah Montana to Mr. Incredible). For older kids, popular films like “G.I. Joe” and “Transformers” may be popular for those kids who don’t buy into the whole vampire thing. Personally, I’d rather be Optimus Prime, Harry Potter, Snakes Eyes (or even the Baroness for that matter) before I did the Pattinson. You’d have to literally make me undead before I’d ride the emo-angst-glowing bloodsucker wave.

I’m thankful that superheroes are back in vogue, thanks to Hollywood. I dressed as Spider Man when I was a preschooler, and would be proud to do the same again. Batman and the Joker are other options, although dressing your youngster as a sociopath (either of them) might not be the path I’d choose. I suppose it’s a matter how deeply you want to look at the legend. And whether or not you want to have to take out payroll loans to pay for the most lavish costumes available.

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I know that Michael Jackson died and that the Chevy Volt is expected to retail for around $40,000. I’ve heard of Twitter and I understand that Hillary Clinton had an emotional outburst in a foreign country.

Except for random news like this that I assimilate by accident, I don’t know anything about important events and trends. Sometimes when I need a break from my online search for fast cash from a cheap payday loan, I attempt to bring myself into cultural conformity by glancing at Google Trends, but I never have a clue what I’m looking at.

Effectively concise and to the point

Today, however, at number 67, wedged between cunagin sypher and starwood property trust was laconic, a word I recognized. How did a word like laconic make it to the Google Hot Trends list? With so many colorful search-terms to choose from — more to love episode 3, mutant parakeet, driven media, myfreecar, and erector spykee the spy robot, to name just a few – why would so many people, relative to total search volume, type something so pedestrian as laconic into their Google search bars?

Very brief in statement or expression

So I put my search for unsecured loans on the back burner, and clicked on laconic. Sure enough I didn’t understand what I was looking at. I resumed my search for the cheapest personal loan, but I couldn’t stay away from laconic. I came back to Google Trends just a minute later, and to my horror, laconic had already slipped to number 88 on the list, just after us mexico soccer and before mark boresow. I clicked on laconic again and began to study in earnest.

Tending not to speak frequently

The first thing I learned is that some Elvis reincarnation named Robert Pattinson delivered a “pretty laconic speech” at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards when he said “that to him Twilight fans ‘are the hottest hotties and the hottest teens.’” So I learned that when you haven’t had much practice speaking, one way to be laconic is to use a single free morpheme like hot as many times as you can in one short sentence.

Precise expression with an economy of words

The next thing I learned is that Jimmy Bedford died and that he was a lean, laconic Tennessean whose job it was to make sure Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey tasted just the way it had since 1866. For 20 years as master distiller he sipped whiskey without swallowing, and he once said, “People tell me I have more will power than anyone they’ve ever known.” From Jimmy Bedford’s story, I learned that without wasted words, 9.5 million cases of whiskey can be dispatched to 135 countries every year.

Terse and to the point

The next entry was more difficult to decipher. As near as I could tell, a horror punk group called Offcuts released a recording “that sounds at the same time laconic and mightily ?!*#ed off but they do it no favours in burying it with distorted screams.” From this, I learned that not everyone who uses a sesquipedalian term like laconic knows how to look it up.

Brevity of speech

Then I learned something important about TV-watching. Starting next March, there will be a new show called Lawman and it will be marked by Timothy Olyphant’s “easy drawl” and “laconic, very Elmore Leonardesque dialogue.” This wasn’t in the article, but I happen to know that Elmore Leonard is the author and screenwriter who said, “Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.” Thanks to Google Trends, I now also know that when the dialogue is short and terse and easy to understand, a new TV show can be a real “humdinger.”

Short, brief, and pithy

The next entry was a blog site called “Laconic Reply” from which I learned that even if you have your very own blog site and you put laconic in the name of it, you might still need 588 words to express your opinion that gender stereotypes are bad things. All because you didn’t look up laconic before you started blogging on your very own site.

Concise to the point of seeming rude, uninterested, or mysterious

I learned all this just today on Google Trends. But already I’m behind the times again, because laconic has now slipped off the Hot Trends list and neither jj hardy, marisa elise, porcini louisville, nor any of the other 97 entries means anything to me. So I’m going to concentrate on getting some quick cash now, because as luck would have it, it’s easier to fill out a personal loan application than it is to keep up with all these crazy trends.

The number of Xanax pills Michael Jackson was taking has made it into the news, and the search for information on “Xanax side effects” has begun.

Although “death” is not included among the Xanax side effects, Xanax does have a pretty lengthy list of side effects attached to it. However, more shockingly, CNN reports that the Los Angeles police chief and detectives are investigating whether Michael Jackson’s death was a homicide, an accidental Xanax overdose or an overdose of another kind. Police have ruled out death by cheap payday loans.

CNN reports:

Singer Michael Jackson took more than 10 Xanax pills a night, asking his employees to get the prescription medicine under their names and also personally traveling to doctors’ offices in other states to obtain them, said a confidential document from 2004 that CNN obtained Thursday.

The document from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department contains confidential interviews conducted with two of Jackson’s former security guards as officials prepared for Jackson’s child molestation trial in 2005.

Xanax pills cost and uses

Just to give you an idea of how much money Jackson was spending on Xanax pills, I found a web site that gave prices for buying it under that brand name. The highest dosage listed was 1 mg, and a bottle of 90 (the biggest bottle) cost a whopping $193.54. So, assuming a bottle lasted MJ nine days, that’s almost $650 a month.

Xanax is used to treating anxiety disorder and panic attacks. CNN reports that Jackson was taking Xanax to battle sleep disorder and insomnia.

Xanax side effects

Here is a list of possible Xanax side effects:

• euphoria
• drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, unsteadiness and impaired coordination, vertigo
• skin rash
• constipation
• disinhibition
• suicidal ideation (rare)
• urinary retention (infrequent)
• hallucinations
• ataxia, slurred speech
• short-term memory loss and impairment of memory functions
• anterograde amnesia and concentration problems
• decreased or increased libido
• dry mouth (infrequent)
• increase in appetite
• jaundice (very rare)

More details from CNN

Authorities are awaiting toxicology reports from the coroner’s office to determine the exact cause of death.

“And based on those, we will have an idea of what it is we are dealing (with): are we dealing with a homicide or are we dealing with an accidental overdose?” Bratton said.

The speculation that prescription drugs, particularly sedatives, could have played a role in Jackson’s death keeps coming up with each new nugget of information — and there have been many.

The Jackson family knows that the probe into his death can turn into a criminal case, a source close to the family told CNN on Thursday.

“The family is aware of a potential criminal prosecution,” said the source, who did not want to be identified.

In addiction cases, people develop a tolerance to drugs and have to take more and more pills, according to CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta said.

“No matter how you cut it, this is an extremely high dosage of Xanax,” Gupta said. “It is a huge red flag, even with the tolerance that I was talking about. This dosage is exceedingly high for any human being.”

Lil' George and his posse

Human beings admire those with dignity and grace. No matter how far the public taste strays into an ocean of trash, social graces are a braided rope thrown from the shores of home.

Do as George did

In saying this, I don’t mean that we should all go to finishing school to prepare for our high society coming-out parties before Lindsay Lohan pulls us beneath the waves like the Creature from the Black Lagoon. No, I’m talking about how we conduct ourselves. If we want to be treated with respect, it wouldn’t hurt to do as George Washington did. He studied “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” He transcribed these 110 rules to live by when he was a boy.

And you’re… how old? Get with the program and live better. Use payday loans and unsecured loans responsibly, too. It’s all part of being dignified.

He was the Father of Our Country

David Brooks writes in the New York Times op-ed piece “In Search of Dignity” that Washington’s rules of civility were difficult to follow, but he worked hard to cultivate them throughout his life. Historian Gordon Wood recognizes the efforts of America’s first president when he writes that “Washington became a great man and was acclaimed as a classical hero because of the way he conducted himself during times of temptation. It was his moral character that set him off from other men.”

About human beings

This code Washington strove to follow was based on the same underlying idea that informs the United States Constitution: that human beings are flawed and must work to govern their passions. The belief is that artificial systems of government must be in place to help regulate unchecked desires or chaos will reign. Do not give in to personal interests over those of the greater good, do not carry on in public and treat rashness with healthy skepticism. Rely on yourself first. Be polite to others. It’s all part of the code.

America lacks manners

So what’s the point that Brooks is trying to make here, aside from the fact that too many people like to play with Lindsay in the muck? The “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation” and any dignity code they spawned are all but gone. Brooks blames shameless self-promotion; flinging our feelings around like Jackson Pollock’s paint; confessing everything to everyone (no matter how inane); and “radical egalitarianism,” with its negative view of high manners.

Violators of the code

We see violators of the code every day. Arrests, scandals, embarrassing drunks in bars and co-workers who must tell you about their random and sundry rashes. But the ones that stumble into the media spotlight make for an interesting study. Mark Sanford offers no apology to his wife or South Carolina constituency during his press conference. He rambles on and hopes the gloss of a book – a book – will blind others to his titanic failing and complete lack of personal dignity. Michael Jackson lives in perpetual childhood and pain unto death, then the world feeds on the carcass. Then Sarah Palin comes forward to resign from the Alaska governorship. She expects us to be inspired by her authority and trust, but she actively works to stir attention in the tabloids. Learn how to behave with dignity and you will be treated with dignity. Homespun charm isn’t enough.

Governing your passions

Do you fly through your life in pursuit of one passion after the next, without any real steering mechanism? Try some of the “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation” on for size. The roots of dignity and ethics are there, but you have to plant them in order to make them work in your own life. How you do that is up to you. One financial piece of advice I’d offer is that instead of running up a credit card bill you pay off over time (hence paying a lot more money than you needed in the first place), try payday loans and unsecured loans instead. One-time fee of $15 to $30 per $100 loaned is typical and inexpensive.

Then there is Barack

Brooks likes to point out that not all celebrities lack dignity. Whatever disagreements you may have over some of his policies, President Obama “exemplifies reticence, dispassion and the other traits associated with dignity,” writes Brooks. Will Barack Obama bring dignity back to a country that badly needs it?

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Wait, wait, wait. This isn’t THAT kind of article. It’s THIS kind of article…

Whether you’re straight, gay, bi or asexual, it’s your own business. No one else’s. And your sexual orientation has absolutely no bearing on whether you can obtain pay day loans for quick cash.

But since everyone and their sex therapist is feeding upon the flesh of the media image that has been created for Michael Jackson, let’s talk about the significance of being asexual. According to Brooke Shields, she and Michael “instantly became friends” when he was 19 and she was 13. The reason for this, she claims, is that there was no sexual tension to get in the way.

Who’s on first? What’s second base?

The child stars spent a lot of time together, but instead of developing a sexual attraction, the relationship took a different course. Shields said he became “more asexual” as they grew. Yet he was curious about her previous relationships.

“He was like a little kid who talked about the bases – what first base was, what second base was,” Shields said. “It sounded very odd to the outside, I can imagine, but to the inside, to someone who’s never really left his bubble, you can understand how he would be curious.”

Is that as far as it went for him?

Nobody knows for sure, or if they do, they aren’t telling. I believe that is as it should be, considering how personal one’s sexuality is. But putting Michael aside for the moment, here’s an interesting question: What’s so great about sex?

Think about it. Think of the sum total of humanity’s visual arts, stories, poems, songs, dances, from the sublime to the crass. Look at science, evolution, our emotions and everything in-between. Even the Songs of Solomon or similar ancient literature. Sex is integral to who we are.

Science Daily suggests that the answer isn’t as evolutionarily obvious as it would seem. They refer to a recent article from American Naturalist magazine that sex evolved as a defense against parasites.

When ultra-efficiency = danger

The human race is still learning about sexuality. However, from an evolutionary standpoint, it is crystal clear that reproduction is necessary to ensure the survival of a species. Asexual reproduction seems quite efficient, in that it doesn’t require a partner. Furthermore, if an entire species has this ability, the odds of survival would seem great based upon the sheer math.

Why don’t the birds and bees take care of things before leaving home, then? Many scientists believe that asexual organisms are particularly susceptible to parasites. This susceptibility leads to a thinning of the herd, because perfect copies will all have the same vulnerability. If an enterprising young parasite or fatal disease strikes pay dirt and finds this opening, an entire species can be lost.

But what do you get when two crazy kids of any species get together and exchange genes (and jeans, if they’re into that)? You get genetically unique, genetically diverse offspring, often with different vulnerabilities. So parasites can’t Jonestown a carbon copy race formed via asexual budding.

Does diversity work?

When it comes to reproduction, yes, although more studies would be helpful. Scientists Jukka Jokela, Mark Dybdahl and Curtis Lively observed Potamopyrgus antipodarum (freshwater New Zealand lake snails) for 10 years, beginning with 1994. It’s one of those rare species that feature some populations that reproduce sexually and others that are asexual.

What did they find? Clones plentiful in the beginning were more frequently brought down by parasites over time. Some of these types became completely extinct. But the sexual snail populations remained stable. They lived to couple another day.

“The rise and fall of these female-only lineages was surprisingly fast and consistent with the prediction of the parasite hypothesis for sex,” Jokela said. “These results suggest that sexual reproduction provides an evolutionary advantage in parasite rich environments.”

Oh, don’t forget that pay day loans and quick cash can diversify your budget when short-term troubles come to call. Diversity is good that way, too.

We live in a parasite-rich environment, don’t we?

As great an entertainer and kind heart as he may have been, a race of Michael Jacksons would not have survived. The TMZs, Stars and Enquirers of the parasite kingdom would have burned out the gene pool. But I digress. It isn’t a fact that Michael Jackson was asexual. I tend to believe that he was extremely repressed and never grew out of childhood as a defense mechanism against abuse. I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.

I wish Michael Jackson the peace he may have found only rarely in life.

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Nona Paris Lola Ankhesenamun Jackson, if that is her real name, has re-filed her civil claims petition alleging that she was Michael Jackson’s secret wife. Just in case this is the first time you’ve heard of Nona Paris Lola Ankhesenamun Jackson, I’ll emphasize the word “re-filed.”

This woman has been trying for quite some time to get her hands on Michael Jackson’s fortune, and his death has given her another opportunity to continue her charade. I don’t know if she’s using short-term loans or Kool-Aid to pay her legal counsel, but her story is so full of holes a lawyer would have to be crazy to help her.

From StarPulse:

The woman who claimed she was the biological mother of Michael Jackson’s three children has re-filed her family law case in Los Angeles Superior Court

Nona Paris Lola Ankhesenamun Jackson, who has claimed to be Jackson’s secret wife, filed for a legal separation from the King of Pop in December and prior to that went public with claims she carried the pop star’s children, Paris, Prince Michael and Prince Michael II, to term – and called Jacko’s official ex, Debbie Rowe, an impostor.

The woman, who has described herself as “a black Jew born in Britain,” also went to court in 2006 in a bid to lay claim to Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, child support payments and shared custody of the pop star’s three children. Nona Jackson claimed she’s known Jackson since he was a teenager, and that she’s written over 3,000 songs for him.

The lawsuit was thrown out in 2006 and rejected again in 2007, but the case wasn’t dismissed completely – Nona Jackson was told to make a better presentation of her evidence.

The biggest Jackson joke

I have heard many, many, many punchlines about Michael Jackson — we all have. But this has got to be the biggest joke that Michael Jackson is involved in I’ve ever heard. This woman filed for child support and custody of her alleged kids before she filed for a separation?

Of course, I could continue to point out the countless facts that make her case nothing more than a laughing matter, but that almost seems like it would validate its existence. Instead, I’ll share Nona Paris Lola Ankhesenamun Jackson’s “demands” included in the petition she filed today. From TMZ:

Nona Paris Lola Ankhesenamun Jackson, who lives in London, asks “that all my husband’s properties, monies and assets must be transferred to me immediately” and “my husband’s body must be returned to the coroner’s body [sic] or the mortuary immediately.”

Here is my favorite part of the document Nona Paris Lola Ankhesenamun Jackson filed L.A. County Superior Court:

She now claims, “Though he died to this earth he lives with my father [Satan the Devil] Khalid Lucifer.”

The doc says “For any questions, I can be contacted at [email address removed] or leave my children alone.”

Many Michael Jackson fans are planning to get some Neverland Ranch photos when they go to the public viewing of Michael Jackson’s body on Friday. However, there’s a rumor floating around that the Michael Jackson viewing will be postponed.  That’s bad news for fans who plan ahead and have already gotten secured loans to be able to afford the trip.

Already many Neverland Ranch photos show fans who have traveled there to mourn Michael Jackson. I found a photo slideshow that displays fans holding candlelight vigils, gifts left at the gate and Neverland Ranch photos taken from an aerial view, so you can see the full property. None of these photos show Neverland Ranch in its amusement-park phase, but you can see what’s been going on in the past few days: Check out the slideshow.

More Neverland Ranch photos

It’s common knowledge now that Neverland Ranch is now a dilapidated property. But I was able to find Neverland Ranch photos of the property in various states. Here are some Neverland Ranch photos from the BBC. These photos were taken a couple of years ago when Neverland Ranch was headed for foreclosure. They show the Ferris wheel, the bumper car arena, train station, the zoo and carousel after they were no longer in use.

I also found a collection of Neverland Ranch photos on Flikr, taken at night. Looking at the elaborate fairgrounds, one can start to understand how even the man with the best-selling record in the world was unable to keep it up and how it ended up in foreclosure.

Where there’s a will

No doubt a legal battle will ensue over Michael Jackson’s remaining fortune. However, the headlines today are about Jackson’s children. A custody battle between their grandmother and their mother could be on the way. In the meantime, the kids are with their grandma.

Financially, what Michael Jackson will leave behind is tough to put a number on. Though he still owned many valuable things, many reports say he didn’t have much left in the way of liquid assets. He also still had debts, according to some news sources.

More money matters

Michael Jackson has indeed had a complicated financial history. His album “Thriller” sold more copies than any other album in the world, and royalties have continued to roll in for the music video. Multiple people have gone after Michael Jackson seeking royalties for the “Thriller” music video, as recently as a few months ago. The woman who played his date in the video, Ola Ray, likely has a very long wait to find out whether she’ll get the royalties owed her.

Michael Jackson was no stranger to lawsuits. The big one, of course, was the lawsuit he settled out of court in which he was charged with child molestation. That settlement reportedly cost him $22 million. I’m sure even that was a tiny fraction of the money he’s pulled in over his career, but reports say that his lavish spending and poor money management have left little to be inherited.

Photo: miguelajavier.wordpress.com

Sadly, recent weeks have brought what seems like a flood of celebrity deaths to the public eye. Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, Billy Mays – and the list goes on. Understand that death comes to the human race every day of the year; it just seems like more is occurring of late because these deaths make the headlines rather than just the obituaries. I don’t think it’s a matter of fairness. No, it is simply the way the public interest works. People die, and those who remain take pay day loans for quick cash to fund the funerals and memorials.

Some people in life are fighters. In the case of Nicaraguan Alexis Argüello, this was literally true. Born in 1952, this Hall of Fame boxer became the sixth man to hold the title belt in three separate weight classes – featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight. He was known at “The Explosive Thin Man.” Now Alexis Argüello, former mayor of Managua, Nicaragua, is dead. He was 57 years old.

Shot to the heart

Filadelfo Aleman reports for the Associated Press at http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jB3fyKo1sweIvu7NmkBbaUm_PDjwD995N0D80 that the three-time world boxing champion was discovered dead in his Nicaragua home. The news was initially reported by his Sandinista Party’s Radio Ya. Interestingly, Argüello took issue with the Sandinistas during the 1980s after the party had gobbled up his property and bank accounts. Perhaps the best way to beat them is truly to join them. Sure, the opposing party made claims that Argüello’s election stemmed from a fraudulent vote, but it was never proven. Considering that Argüello held the Nicaraguan flag during the opening ceremonies of a recent Olympic Games, he may just have been popular with the Nicaraguan people.

A warrior in and out of the ring

Considered by numerous boxing authorities to be one of the greatest (if not the greatest) lightweight boxer in the 20th century, Alexis Arguello complied a career record of 82 wins against only 8 losses. Of his wins, 65 came as the result of a knockout. After suffering a technical knockout in his first professional fight in 1968, he raced back with wins in 36 of his next 38 fights.

In one of his most notable fights, Argüello defeated Alfredo Escalera in a brutal 13-round slugfest. Many boxing experts consider it to be one of the most brutal fights in history, as Escalera’s eye, mouth and nose were cut, bruised and busted early in the fight. Argüello himself suffered numerous facial cuts. The ring doctor advised Argüello to go to the hospital for treatment, but Argüello was on a tight schedule to get back to Nicaragua, so the doctor performed plastic surgery on Argüello’s face while they were traveling via train. Argüello was awake during the surgery.

“Champion of the poor”

News of Alexis Argüello’s death kept Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega at home. He had planned to travel to Panama to attend President-elect Ricardo Martinelli’s inaugural ceremony.

“We are upset,” said Rosario Murillo, a presidential spokeswoman. “This is a heartbreaking announcement. He was the champion of the poor, an example of forgiveness and reconciliation.”

Ortega’s office has declined to discuss the details of Alexis Argüello’s death with the media. It is also unclear as to whether money needs to be raised for Argüello’s funeral service. In a capitalist nation, pay day loans would always be available for quick cash…

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When it comes to quality music, who are you going to take: the O’Jays or Ne-Yo? Michael Jackson or Lil’ Wayne? Perhaps the younger performers I use as examples here have the common sense and humility to admit that they could only hope to aspire to the example to the example those greater entertainers have set. But considering how empty-headed the music of Ne-Yo and Lil’ Wayne is (no funk, no soul, doesn’t make me want to move, intellectually offensive, wouldn’t sell me a cash advance if I were a Madoff victim), I have serious doubts as to whether they can see beyond the overblown pigs’ trough of their own hype.

Even Jamie Foxx, who should stick to comedy and biopics, fancies himself worthy of dressing like the departed Michael Jackson and moonwalking as a “tribute” during the 2009 BET Awards. The Jamie Foxx moonwalk is yet another tacky and tasteless testament to the lack of imagination on the part of television networks. I’m curious as to whether he was cajoled into doing that, or whether it was his own idea. Either way, everyone loses. Cash loans for a critical thinking class would be in his future, but I’m sure he thinks he’s too cool (and rich) for school.

And the fans back me up

Check out some of the user comments left on Entertainment Weekly’s live blog of the 2009 BET Awards. Nearly all of them are critical of the entire event. “Boring” and “tacky” are just two of the words used to describe a listless show that was punctuated only by a touching tribute Janet Jackson gave for her departed brother Michael (see video below).

Many fans say Beyonce sounded tired, and she was the headline performer. Certainly not enough to distract us from the “Beat It” monstrosity that not only was tasteless, but offensive. Do they need emcees to continually scream “make some noise?” And are sheeple dumb enough not to know when to applaud anymore? Or perhaps the truth is that they’re smart enough to know when to WITHHOLD applause. Take a look at what’s going on here and see how sour and hollow this sounds. Sticking with videos of the “King of Pop” in his glory days would have been both more appropriate and a more fitting tribute to his legacy.

I think what we have here is a lack of real talent in the over-commercialized hip-hop world. There are too few skilled artists. Unless individuals with talent start to hit the scene, this music will die before its time.

Class in a vacuum

Janet Jackson and family patriarch Joe Jackson attended the BET Awards in order to simply be a part of a presentation honoring the legacy of Michael. Joe, who was known to be a harsh taskmaster, sat beside the ubiquitous Reverend Al Sharpton at the event. Apparently moved by the tribute, Joe Jackson told the media “I wish the world had recognized him when he was living. Right now, he’s bigger than ever. But I wish he was here to see all this, to hear all this.”

Then Janet Jackson took the stage before a brief video tribute aired. It was an emotional moment that resonated, a tonic that almost made viewers and attendees forget the slap-dash production put on by the failing BET Network. Janet said, “My entire family wanted to be here tonight but it was too painful. To you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family. He will forever live in all of our hearts. On behalf of my family and myself, thank you for all of your love, thank you for all of your support. We miss him so much. Thank you so much.”

Jamie, Jamie, Jamie

You can act. You can do some comedy. You can dance. You can sing. You are talented – don’t destroy your career with bad decision-making like this ever again. Michael Jackson is a pop music god. Imitation isn’t the sincerest form of flattery when the body’s still on the cooling board.

Speaking of good music, I have to refer to America’s past, present and future. Jazz is an original art form with a history of talented musicians who testified as to its greatness. That the youth of America – African-American or otherwise – has lost touch with this vital, living music is criminal.

What passes as music for too many youths today, while slickly produced, seldom has any kind of social conscience. It’s brainwashing bump and grind. It isn’t tribal, it isn’t sexy and it definitely won’t get you anything that lasts longer than a small sugar rush. Give me Ben Webster playing “My Romance” and I’ll show you what real sex sounds like. In-your-face booty shaking and gangsta talk are peacock feathers poseurs use to cover their no-talent backsides. In the event you’ve already spent your album advance on Cristal for your bathtub, try a cash advance for the cash loans you’ll need for music lessons.

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Everyone who has ever owned a radio, television or computer knows who Michael Jackson is. He has millions of fans, millions of critics, but very few who were ignorant to his existence. I grew up listening to Michael Jackson, and still sing his songs at karaoke.

He has always been there. He’s always been in the news, even when he wasn’t making albums. He was always a presence. The second CD I ever owned was “Dangerous.” In fact, “Thriller,” which sold more copies than any other album in the world, came out the year I was born. On that album alone, Michael made enough money go go through life without ever thinking of taking out a short-term loan.

100 million thrilled by ‘Thriller’

“Thriller” has not only sold more copies than any other album, but it did so by a long shot. “Thriller” has sold 109 million copies. The second highest-selling album in the world sold 45 million copies. “Thriller” the music video won Greatest Music Video of All Time.

“Thriller,” the video, the song, the album and the dance might be responsible for earning Michael the title King of Pop.

Memories of Michael

I think I first started listening to Michael Jackson when I was 8 or 9 years old. My friends and I memorized many of the songs on “Dangerous” even before I owned the CD. I had one friend who particularly loved to sing “Will You Be There.”

I remember everyone getting a big kick out of it when one of my friends dedicated “Black or White” to another friend of ours at a junior high dance.

Big name

Michael Jackson sure did know how to make a big production out of things. All of his music videos were larger than life. His concerts were gigantic spectacles. I never got to see the King of Pop in person, but I have seen enough video to know they were quite the big deal.

Everything with Michael was always pretty extreme. The albums, the lawsuits, the scandals, the marriages, everything. Every move he made was captured by the paparazzi, and many of them were blown out of proportion. From catching his hair on fire in 1984 to holding his baby over a balcony, the world’s attention was always on Michael Jackson.

Me and Michael

I went backward as far as familiarizing myself with Michael Jackson’s music. I was into “Dangerous” first, and though I never owned any other albums, I eventually became familiar with all of his previous singles. I didn’t ever get into the music that he wrote and performed after “Dangerous,” but I guess I just didn’t believe that he could beat “Bad” or “Beat It” or “Billy Jean.”

Later I came across the Jackson  5 song “I Want You Back,” and it instantly became my favorite song. “Black or White,” “I Want You Back,” “The Way You Make Me Feel” and “Beat It” are regulars in my karaoke repertoire. In fact, my favorite Michael Jackson song of all, ”The Way You Make Me Feel,” is the ringtone on my phone.

Very few people’s lives were untouched by Michael Jackson. I have seen all manner of different reactions to his death, from jokes or outright glee to utter sadness. In my circle of friends, and by everyone who went to that junior high dance, I know he will be missed.

On June 25,2009, the King of Pop died. The outpouring of emotion from Michael Jackson fans everywhere slowed the World Wide Web to a crawl and showed just how much he will be missed. Nobody will miss him more than his own children, Prince,12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7. According to Nick Graham of The Huffington Post, the likely caregiver of the children will be Michael’s mother Katherine. However, godfather and osteopath Mark Lester has yet to determine exactly how custody will be handled. By legal agreement, Debbie Rowe (mother of Prince and Paris) is not an option. The mother of Blanket has never been revealed publicly.

At the height of his music career, Michael Jackson was without a doubt the most successful recording star on Earth. Unfortunately, recent years have proven that regular life off the stage and out of the studio has been more than a challenge for him. Medical conditions, personal eccentricities and accusations of child molestation swirled around him, and a large number of people believed that the former Jackson 5 star brought it on himself.

Financial and emotional debt

Whatever the case, Michael Jackson became increasingly reclusive over the years. He became more reclusive as time went by, perhaps as a way of hiding not only from the media, but from his tremendous debt. $500 million is the price tag on Jackson’s debt at the time of his death, while his annual income was $19 million from royalties. All told, Michael Jackson supposedly had been worth $1 billion in total assets. How the debt will be handled and the estate distributed remains to be seen, but one would hope that his children will be taken care of for the rest of their lives. They should never need to rely upon pay day loans or any other form of cash loans, assuming their possible fortune is handled reasonably.

Will the children be thrown to the wolves? RightJuris.com thinks back to the Anna Nicole Smith media debacle at the time of her death. The vultures are circling, preparing to feast upon the bones of swirling rumor and innuendo, just as they were with her. Did daddy die due to abuse of medication?  What will happen to his estate? Like Anna Nicole Smith and others, Michael’s fame insulated him from life’s realities. He was advised by “yes men” who told him what he wanted to hear while friends who genuinely tried to help him were shut out.

They need a stable influence

Michael Jackson’s children deserve to have a shot at normal life, or at least as normal as the children of Michael Jackson can have. Considering that their father has been one of the most sued and otherwise controversial entertainers in history, I wish them luck. Like Elvis, Michael had a mega-successful career that had ended in mega-debt. He auctioned some of his memorabilia from the Neverland Ranch, but the red numbers are still there. That isn’t something his children should have to shoulder. With proper estate management, I hope that the debt will eventually be handled and Prince, Paris and Blanket can spend their days being children, growing and finding their own lives. They deserve it.

The above photo of Jackson with Debbie Rowe is one of the few photographs that depict one of Michael’s children without a mask. It is understandable that Michael wanted to protect their privacy, but look at the picture here. The poor girl looks like Michael Myers. Fantasy and play are important to children, but there must be certain limits. Part of me can’t shake the idea that Michael dressed them up in harlequin masks and the like because their excursions into the real world were fantasy games to him. I certainly don’t know this to be a fact, but considering that Michael’s own childhood was stolen from him, it’s possible that he never stopped trying to relive it. Each moment in the limelight for Michael Jackson, I could almost hear the ticking clock – moments borrowed before a sad end, like borrowed time, emotional pay day loans and cash loans taken when there wasn’t enough left inside to repay.

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In a single day, America lost two titanic pop culture icons in Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. For one, release came after a painful, protracted battle with cancer. For the other, death came without warning in the form of cardiac arrest. For both the deceased, friends, family and legions of fans worldwide have taken time to remember the legends – and the private people who lived them. Such ultra-celebrities have scant room for private lives. If they needed unsecured loans for fast cash, everyone would know.

Even bishops in Ethiopia know something is up. That must be why they’ve chosen now of all times to reveal the Ark of the Covenant to the rest of the world.

“…dogs and cats, living together…”

Hillel Fendel reports for Israel National News that an Ethiopian church leader claims the Ark of the Covenant has been concealed within his church in the city of Axum for centuries. Rumors of it being located in the city have circulated for some time, but this is the first time there has been talk of someone revealing it there. Copies of the vessel have been found in many other Ethiopian churches.

Abuna Pauolos, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, paid a recent visit to Rome and Pope Benedict XVI. While in Rome, Pauolos made his announcement to news media. He announced his full intentions at a press conference this morning in Rome.

Are the tablets inside? Geraldo wants to know

“Soon the world will be able to admire the Ark of the Covenant described in the Bible as the container of the tablets of the law that G-d delivered to Moses, and the center of searches and studies for centuries,” preached Pauolos. “The Ark of the Covenant has been in Ethiopia for many centuries. As Patriarch, I have seen it with my own eyes, and only a few, highly-qualified persons could do the same – until now.”

For those of you who aren’t familiar, the Ark of the Covenant – also known as the Ark of Testimony – is discussed in the Biblical book of Exodus. According to the story, it held the Tablets of the Law as given to Moses by Yahweh (as history suggests, you can invent your own spelling). The Ark traveled with the People of Israel on their trek toward the Promised Land.

Ark of the Covenant: World Tour

Since an Ark doesn’t make for a suitable end table, the People of Israel needed a place to store said Ark. The threads of history suggest it was first placed in the Shilo Tabernacle, then centuries later in the Holy Temple of King Solomon. Since the conquering of Jerusalem in about 586 B.C. by the Babylonians, the whereabouts of the Ark have been a mystery. Some believe the Templars and Freemasons have had a hand in guarding the receptacle. Popular legends suggest that it was brought to Ethiopia. Or it could be under the Temple Mount, or deep inside a cave at Mt. Nevo in Jordan. That is, if it’s not in the Vatican, a bunker in Utah, or under my gluteus maximus as I sit and write this stuff.

Experts on these matters consider the Ethiopian speculation to be rather dubious. Stuart Munro-Hay, author of “Quest for the Ark of the Covenant: The True History of the Tablets of Moses,” has come forward to say that Abuna Pauolos definitely does not have possession of this holy vessel. How could he, as French archaeologist and occasional Nazi ally Dr. Rene Belloq has already exclaimed, “Once again, Mr. Pauolos, you see that there is nothing you can possess which I cannot take away.”

Melting their aspirations

Don't open the Ark... or this will happen to you

That Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson have died is very real. My condolences to their family, friends and loved ones. Each in their own special way was able to entertain us and raise our aspirations. The glare of the media was not always kind to them, often for good reason. But I find it disturbing that people like those in Ethiopia come out of the woodwork with stories about the Ark of the Covenant at a time like this. In fact, I didn’t even know Joan Van Ark made any kind of covenant… when was that on “Knotts Landing?” Was it a deal for unsecured loans of fast cash?

Seriously, the Ark of the Covenant has ages of mythology behind it. Archaeologists, writers, religious groups and people of varied persuasions have fantasized about this box. Is it ornate, or is it simple? Will it finally justify the truth of Young Earth creationism and cause Richard Dawkins’ eyes to burst into flame? Or is this a… hoax?

The world may never know.

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Michael Jackson had a heart attack today. Someone from his Los Angeles home called the police about 12:20 p.m. California time today. TMZ reported that a family member said Michael Jackson is “in really bad shape.” TMZ also said a reporter spoke to Michael’s dad, Joe Jackson, shortly after he was placed in the hospital. Joe Jackson reported said  Michael is “not doing well.” Now, various news organizations have reported that Michael Jackson, 50, is dead.

Reports say paramedics had to administer CPR after Michael Jackson because he wasn’t breathing when they arrived at his home, and Fox News said he was not breathing when he reached the hospital. His family was with him at UCLA Medical Center when coroners pronounced him dead. The Los Angeles Times reported that he was in a coma for a period of time before his death. Fox News reports that there have been allegations that some sort of pills were somehow linked to Michael Jackson’s heart attack.

Financial security

Michael Jackson’s huge fortune will no doubt be passed on to his family. Michael Jackson has been making money since long before payday loan stores were around. In fact, he’s been pulling in the big bucks since he was just 7 years old as a member of the Jackson 5.

Now, Michael Jackson is a young heart attack victim at only 50 years old. But in his 50 years he managed to earn himself the title King of Pop.

Best music video ever

Not only has Michael Jackson sold millions upon millions of records, he made what MTV deemed
The Greatest Music Video Ever Made, “Thriller.” The 14-minute mini film has been the subject of numerous pop culture references as well as a few lawsuits.

Multiple people involved in the production of “Thriller” have said that Michael Jackson didn’t pay the proper amount of royalties. One of those people was Ola Ray, who played his date on the video.

Music and lawsuits

Michael Jackson hasn’t released an album since 2001. He has been involved in a lengthy lawsuit in which he was accused of child molestation. Jackson settled the lawsuit out of court by giving the family $22 million. That means he was never found guilty of the charges.

After Michael Jackson’s lengthy career and superstardom, $22 million probably didn’t hurt him too badly financially. However, the damage to his reputation had been done.

Reaction to Michael Jackson’s heart attack

The news of Michael Jackson’s heart attack has been met with mixed reactions. Michael Jackson’s fans are as loyal as his critics are venomous. Here are some of the comments posted on TMZ’s web posting about Michael Jackson’s heart attack, before news got out that he was dead:

I can’t stand Micheal jackson. He is a pedophile. However, I do not wish him to die of a heart attack.

Drama queen. A little too much Jesus juice.

shamona! HEE HEE!!

It is sad that people still make jokes during this serious moment of possible death…Best of luck to the Jackson family and the kids.

Poor Michael I hope he’s OK!!

Money is tight when you’re unemployed, and now your face can be, too. On June 5, Reveal Cosmetics will be giving free Botox injections to the first 50 unemployed persons who get in line at the company’s office in Arlington, Virginia. In a press release, the company explained that this public service is intended “to help smooth over prospects for recently unemployed, active job seekers.”

Only qualified persons need apply

It doesn’t seem fair that only unemployed people should get free Botox, but that’s the grim reality. If you haven’t been laid off from work yet, remember to quit your job before you rush to get in line, because you must bring your resume and “proof of unemployment” to qualify for the free injections. Also, there will be employment recruiters on site.

Applicants must be willing to make a commitment

Reveal didn’t mention that the smoothing effects last only a few months and Botox injections must be repeated to maintain results, but even unemployed people know that.  This is where the online loans come in. After a few months, when you’re gainfully employed again and money is still tight but your face is not, you can always get payday advances to finance future Botox injections.  And that’s good news, because a recent study suggests that four in 10 people who use Botox have a compulsion to do so repetitively.

An absurd beginning and a somber ending

Michael Jackson, Joan Rivers, Kenny Rogers, and the infamous Jocelyn “Cat Woman” Wildenstein didn’t get that way overnight. But every great success story starts somewhere, and Botox may be just the place. While you’re researching those before-and-after photos online, think about the serious if rare medical complications, too.

Botox is a form of Clostridium Botulinum, the deadly food poisoning bacterium that causes botulism. Botulism is a paralytic illness that typically starts with the muscles of the face and then spreads towards the limbs. In severe forms, it leads to paralysis of the breathing muscles and causes respiratory failure. Cosmetic surgeons administer Botox by injecting botulism-causing bacteria into the facial muscles to paralyze or weaken the muscles that form wrinkles. How safe that is depends on whom you listen to.

The Feds

Botox product labels warn of risks such as difficulty swallowing and breathing as well as adverse side effects near the injection site, such as drooping eyelids after injections for frown lines. In February, the FDA announced that Botox injections have been linked to serious reactions, including death.

Russell Katz, director of the neurology products division at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said, “we don’t rule out the possibility” that serious adverse reactions could occur with cosmetic use. “The FDA has received fewer than 100 reports of adverse reactions linked to the injections,” Katz said, adding that “different people have different numbers.”

The consumer advocates

Following the FDA announcement, Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen Health Research, said an analysis of the FDA data showed that “between Nov. 1, 1997, and Dec. 31, 2006, the makers of the drugs had reported 180 U.S. cases of people developing serious conditions after receiving injections.” Those 180 cases included 16 people, four under the age of 18 who have died in circumstances related to Botox injections.

Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, has petitioned the FDA to strengthen warnings on Botox labels because of serious adverse reactions. Katz said the FDA already had been looking into the problem when it received the petition.

The drug manufacturers

In a statement responding to Public Citizen’s petition, Sef Kurstjens, chief medical officer at Botox-maker Allergan summed up the usual drug-manufacturers’ point of view: “In its entire history, there has never been a single reported death where a causal link to Botox Cosmetic was established.”

With or without credit repair, passion is something you must have if you plan on having victory over your obstacles. Passion is something that should be with you 24 hours of the day; it gives you reason to question ideas, challenge statistics, and excel when others say you can’t.

Successful People are filled with Passion

There are a lot of successful individuals who had to pull every ounce of passion from themselves in order to make it in the field they are currently in today. I’ve listed just four people who are great examples of the powerful effects passion can have on our lives:

Elton John

This man has endured through a 4-decade career and has managed to sell over 200 million records, more than even Michael Jackson, and he holds the award for most successful album (Thriller). Elton John also started playing the piano at the tender age of three, which proves that talent was abundant in him from an early age, but so was passion. Anyone who works at something for hours, even though they might not be any good at first, has loads of passion. Aside from the constant depression Elton John suffered through, he never wavered in his unyielding devotion to create music. This is a wonderful example of passion personified.

Michael Jackson

How could I leave the King of Pop’s name out of this article? With his greatest selling album, Thriller, surpassing platinum record selling status and barging into the diamond rank, it’s no wonder he’s been in the game for a long time. But things didn’t start off easy for Michael, or his brothers. When the Jackson 5 was first established, Michael wasn’t even a part of the group. He longed to belong, to fit in with his siblings, and soon passion took over. After entering into a local school talent show, he wowed the audience and his father, Joseph Jackson, and the rest is history. Did the passion stop there? No! Michael and his brothers had to perform for 5 more years before a chance audition for Motown’s former president Barry Gordy, catapulted them to the top of the pop music charts.

Eminem

I know you’re wondering why this guy’s name is affiliated with Mr. John and Jackson. Well, he has earned his spot at the top of the music charts. Marshall Bruce Mathers III had his share of knockdowns and disappointments. Being a Caucasian male, it was very difficult for Eminem to garner respect from his fellow emceeing peers. Though a young Eminem had talent, his skin color made it increasingly hard to break into the rap music industry, and Vanilla Ice’s reign on rap music didn’t seem to make Marshall’s chances any better. Of course, passion had to fill his heart, and he endured the ridicule, persecution, and slander, all in the name of passion for hip-hop. Had he lost his drive to do what he loved, we wouldn’t have a face to associate the name Slim Shady.

Suffice it to say these gentlemen shouldn’t need to seek credit repair any time soon. But a friend of mine did:

A Tale of Passion

A friend of mine decided that he was going to take his love of playing the guitar to opening a music shop. At first, lots of people (family as well as friends) doubted his abilities.

“David,” they’d say, “you can’t even keep a minimum balance in your savings account!”

They said everything they could to persuade him to reconsider and maybe join someone’s paying band, or better yet get a “real” job. Cruel, it may have seemed, but I knew that their negative comments were only fueling David’s passion… or so I thought.

The comments went directly to David’s head when he applied for a bank loan and was denied for having bad credit. He was stunned to find out that a steady income and equity couldn’t land him a loan. I suggested to him that his passion needed to increase. I told him that a fire needed to be lit under him, and the only way to light that fire was to prove that his idea wasn’t wrong.

David went to the library and read books on starting businesses, performed countless searches online, and even took a business class. After 2 months, David put over $2,000 in his savings account.

“How did you do it?” I asked him.

“I guess I didn’t care about the money or succeeding. I was studying and researching all that stuff, because I was actually interested… Oh, and the credit repair advice I got along with a much needed cash advance helped.” I smiled and thought to myself, look at what passion can bring.

Modern-day Ola Ray

It’s official, Ola Ray has filed a lawsuit against Michael Jackson for falling short on royalty payments for “Thriller.” Ola Ray played Jackson’s date in the the 14-minute music video, which won the Video Vanguard Award for The Greatest Video in the History of the World.

Circumstances more clear now

In an earlier article, I reported that Ola Ray was claiming Jackson had never paid royalties to her. However, now that more details on the case are emerging, it’s been made clear that Ola Ray is suing for payments she should have gotten since 1998.

Daily News reports:

A Jackson attorney reportedly paid an unspecified amount to Ray through the Screen Actors Guild in 1998, but payments to date have fallen short.

Whew, 11 years of royalty payments for “The Greatest Video in the History of the World.” That’s got to be some serious cash. Jackson is going to need a lot more than a quick payday loan to settle up.

About Ola Ray

Before Ola Ray co-starred in the 14-minute musical mini film for “Thriller” in 1983, she was a “Playboy” model. She appeared as a centerfold in 1980.

Ola Ray is now 48 and lives in California. Daily News reports she is filing the lawsuit because she “wants a jury to end her nightmare of trying to collect royalties.”

Ola Ray still pursues acting, modeling and music work.

Two suitors

Ola Ray isn’t the first to sue Jackson for a share of the profits from the legendary video. John Landis, the film’s videographer and director, is also suing Jackson for “Thriller” royalties. Landis’ lawsuit claims Jackson owes him four years worth of royalties.

Waiting on a fortune

Everyone is aware of the phenomenal fame “Thriller” has achieved, and that includes Ola Ray’s lawyer, Jason Feldman.

“We’re expecting it to be a significant sum that she’s owed,” he said. “The video continues to sell a lot worldwide and was just released again for it 25th anniversary.”

Pop culture staple

It’s true that “Thriller” continues to be referenced, used or otherwise features in all types of media. Under the “cinema” section alone on Wikipedia, it lists 14 instances in pop culture cinema where “Thriller” is used or referenced.

There are 26 listings under references to “Thriller” on TV, as well as dozens more listings in which other music videos, video games and even some books reference the classic.

Gotta spend money to make money

When “Thriller” was made, it was the most expensive music video of its kind. The bill for the zombie fest came to $500,000, which was worth a lot more in 1983.

Of course, “Thriller” was and is more than just a music video. It’s more of  a full fledged short subject or mini-film. Ola Ray knows “Thriller” deserves to be recognized as more than a music video, and she deserves her share for contributing to its fame.

In 1983, the “Thriller” music video, co-starring Ola Ray, hit the airwaves. Ola Ray played Michael Jackson’s date in the famous, 14-minute video, and 26 years later, she wants her cut.

Ola Ray claims in a lawsuit that she hasn’t been paid royalties for “Thriller,” which won two Grammys and four MTV Awards.

Price of fame

When the “Thriller” video came out, it was the most expensive music video ever made. It cost $500,000. However, Wikipedia points out that “Thriller” was “less a conventional video and more a full-fledged short subject or mini-film.”

I’m sure any cash advance loans taken for the making of “Thriller” were swiftly repaid. The video quickly became famous worldwide, and is still one of the most-referenced music videos — if not the most — in pop culture.

Let the royalties flow

Under the “cinema” section alone on Wikipedia, it lists 14 instances in pop culture cinema where “Thriller” is used or referenced. Some listings, such as character Sammy’s outfit in “The Wedding Singer” probably don’t require payment for using it.  However, for the scene in “13 Going on 30,” that features not only the song but the choreography, there is no doubt some cash exchanged hands.

Ola Ray is looking for her piece of that and possibly hundreds of other transactions. There are 26 listings under references to “Thriller” on TV, as well as dozens more listings in which other music videos, video games and even some books reference the classic.

Who owns ‘Thriller’?

Michael Jackson this year sold the rights to “Thriller” to The Nederlander Organization. Perhaps this is what prompted Ola Ray to demand her cut. The Nederlander Organization reportedly plans to stage a Broadway musical based on the “Thriller” music video.

Because of this transaction, Jackson has already been sued for royalties by “Thriller” music video director John Landis. Landis is suing for four years worth of royalties. Furthermore he says Jackson was not allowed to sell the rights to “Thriller” without his permission. The rights sold for $400,000.

Does Ola get interest?

Ola Ray doesn’t know how much Jackson owes her, but she says she never got her cut of the Thriller profits. If that is indeed the case, and if she wins her lawsuit, she’ll  be entitled to 26 years worth of royalties.

“Thriller” was the most expensive music video of its time, and I’d be willing to bet it one of the biggest moneymakers when it comes to music videos as well. It won the Video Vanguard Award for The Greatest Video in the History of the World. It surprises me that Ola Ray didn’t go after her piece of the pie before.