Glenn Beck ripped an MSNBC promo in which anchor Melissa Harris-Perry explains that children belong collectively to society, not just their parents.

In the promo, Harris-Perry is pushing for society to take more responsibility to children, saying that until now children have been thought of as only belonging to their parents. Society hasn’t had a collection notion that they are everyone’s children, she said, and that needs to change.

“So part of it is we have to break through our kind of private idea that kids belong to their parents or kids belong to their families and recognize that kids belong to whole communities,” Perry says.

Glenn Beck devoted an hour of his show to the MSNBC promo, saying it doesn’t fall in line with the ideals of America.

“It’s almost a parody of reality,” Beck said of the MSNBC promo.  “It is so far beyond what we have ever thought as a nation, it’s remarkable.”

Beck said he was even more fearful that a large portion of the population would connect with the ad, the “20 to 30 percent of America: that would “gladly have the state take over so they don’t have to worry about it.”

“The idea behind this is going to be so appealing to so many people..” Beck said. “So many people are going to say, ‘I love that.’  Because I’m freaked out.  I don’t know what to do with my kids. They’re unruly.  They’re whatever.  I don’t know what to do. And so the state will relieve you of that.”

Glenn Back has tangled with MSNBC in the past. When the network commentator Ed Schultz claimed earlier this year that a civilian never stopped a shooting, Beck and his staff at The Blaze set out to prove Schultz wrong.

In the end, both the Weekly Standard and The Blaze found six examples of civilians stopping armed gunman on multiple school campuses and in a restaurant.

Here is MSNBC promo that Glenn Beck criticized, via Newsbusters:

Glenn Beck Calls MSNBC Promo A ‘Parody Of Reality’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Amanda Bynes was allegedly booted from a gymnastics class in New York City over the weekend. The actress, clad in fishnet stockings and a wig, was reportedly kicked to the curb after disturbing staff and patrons by engaging in a series of bizarre antics, which she later denied.

Amanda Bynes and erratic behavior seem to go hand in hand these days. A string of legal troubles, a drastic makeover, and a recent eating disorder admission have all become fodder for media headlines. Many fear that the 26-year-old is caught in a downward spiral, with no positive end in sight.

The latest incident to cause public scrutiny allegedly occurred this weekend while Bynes was participating in a gymnastics class. According to witnesses, the actress was behaving oddly from the moment she arrived.

“She immediately started acting strangely.” an anonymous source explained to The New York Post. “She lined up with the other gymnasts, and each took their turn to perform a roll. But Amanda just walked out on the mat, was spinning around in circles and mumbling to herself.”

According to the source, Bynes continued to shock and concern staff and fellow athletes at the Chelsea Piers Adult Gymnastics. During one part of the class, the actress reportedly sat on the floor and wept after her wig fell off during a cartwheel.

When the former child star showed no signs of reining in her bizarre behavior, she was allegedly asked to leave the premises by staff members. It was apparently Bynes’s second visit to the gymnastics class in roughly a month.

In 2012, Bynes was reportedly involved in a similar incident at a gym in West Hollywood. During a spinning class, she allegedly raised eyebrows by applying makeup mid-session, wandering about the room, and partially disrobing. She was eventually kicked out by employees.

In February, Bynes confessed her desire to drop her weight to an alarming 100 pounds during an interview with US Weekly. “I moved to New York City, and I love it! I lost four pounds since I moved,” the troubled star gushed. “I’m 121 pounds — my goal is 100 pounds.”

The actress has continued to reveal personal thoughts on her body image, most recently through her Twitter account. “I’m suing certain blogs and magazines saying I have a mental illness!” the seemingly unstable actress tweeted last week. “They take pictures anytime I’ve gained weight then write a fake story.”

A short time later she tweeted about the subject again, this time writing, “I have an eating disorder so I have a hard time staying thin.”

I have an eating disorder so I have a hard time staying thin.

— Amanda Bynes (@AmandaBynes) April 5, 2013

Bynes took to Twitter again today, disputing her alleged ejection from the gymnastics class over the weekend. She claims the stories are untrue and is threatening to bring legal action against sources that write about the alleged incident.

I’m suing every blog saying I was kicked out of gymnastics. What is wrong w/ u people? What would u do if u found fake stories about u?

— Amanda Bynes (@AmandaBynes) April 8, 2013

Do you think that Amanda Bynes is a victim of the media? Would you be surprised if Bynes was booted from a gymnastics class because of bizarre behavior?

[Top image via s_bukley / Shutterstock.com]

Bynes Booted From Gymnastics Class is a post from: The Inquisitr

Shortly after his son, Jack, denied rumors about his parents’ impending divorce, Ozzy Osbourne took to Facebook to address rumors that he and Sharon were splitting up and to admit to relapsing.

“For the last year and a half, I have been drinking and taking drugs,” the former Black Sabbath frontman wrote. “I was in a very dark place, and was an a**hole to the people I love most, my family. However, I am happy to say that I am now 44 days sober.

Osbourne added, “Just to set the record straight, Sharon and I are not divorcing. I’m just trying to be a better person.” He ended the post with an apology for his “insane behavior” to Sharon and the rest of his family, as well as his friends, band mates, and fans.

Monday, Jack Osbourne wrote on Twitter to dismiss the rumors, writing, “…it’s all bulls**t. Last time I check a lot of British news papers weren’t amazing sources of accurate information. Moving on…”

A spokesperson for Sharon Osbourne also denied that she and Ozzy were heading for divorce, saying, “They’ve both got huge work commitments. She is at the hotel for work and he is starting his Black Sabbath tour. Of course they row but they are still together. Sharon and Ozzy have spent long periods of time apart before when she was working in the U.K.. The marriage is not on the rocks.”

The past year or so have been difficult for the “Prince of Darkness” and his family, who became reality TV stars ten years ago with their MTV series, The Osbournes. In June 2012, Jack Osbourne was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, two weeks after the birth of his daughter, Pearl Clementine.

“I was just angry and frustrated and kept thinking, ‘Why now?’” he told People magazine. He admitted to being angry for a couple of days before realizing that that would make things worse. He has since adapted the motto “adapt and overcome.” He has also said he plans to help raise awareness about the disease.

Sharon Osbourne took the diagnosis particularly hard, blaming herself for her son’s diagnosis.

“I keep thinking, ‘What did I do wrong? What did I eat or drink when I was pregnant?’ I feel like it’s somehow my fault,” she told Britain’s Hello magazine. 

Last month, daughter Kelly was rushed to the hospital after having a seizure on the set of Fashion Police. Possible causes ranged from an allergic reaction to epilepsy. Shortly after the episode, she wrote on Twitter that her life was like an episode of House and thanked everyone for their concern and well wishes.

Are you relieved that Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne aren’t getting divorced?

[Photo credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com]

Ozzy Osbourne Denies Split Rumors, Apologizes For ‘Insane Behavior’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

At a Tuesday morning press conference in Boston after yesterday’s Boston Marathon bombing, it was revealed no unexploded bombs were found in the aftermath as was originally reported.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Sen. Elizabeth Warren both spoke at the press conference in which what we know so far about the Boston Marathon attack was recapped, and authorities stressed that the investigation is in its initial stages — with little known about motive or who may be responsible.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Rick DesLauriers also spoke following Sen. Warren to debrief the public after the Boston bombing, followed by the ATF’s Gene Marquez and US Attorney Carmen Ortiz. (Ortiz is the prosecutor who targeted digital activist Aaron Swartz.)

Police say the area around the crime scene in Boston is being “collapsed,” shrinking from 15 blocks yesterday to 12 today and that people should plan for at least two more days of intensive investigation.

Boston DA Daniel Conley spoke a bit about the investigation and plans to keep the public and the media in the loop about the attacks in Boston.

A major focus of the conference centered around seeking any information or, more importantly, amateur footage from the finish line of the Boston Marathon — with particular stress placed upon all submissions being reviewed in the attacks’ wake.

THE FBI wants your video, photos from #Boston.Call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), hit prompt 3.May be a wait, fyi.

— Lisa Desjardins (@LisaDCNN) April 16, 2013

After the scheduled speakers at the Boston attacks press conference spoke, a question and answer period was opened up, with authorities failing to confirm who “might or might not” be in custody. Law enforcement also refused to discuss the nature of the device detonated at the Boston Marathon.

One reporter asked about the mystery man on a roof, but police refused to comment — adding they will be scrutinizing “every frame” of evidence submitted.

DA Conley asked those submitting potential evidence indicate a timeframe to save police from combing for data as they sort through the massive amount of imagery and footage. Conley confirms 176 “casualties,” with 17 critical and three confirmed fatalities. No one is in custody, he reiterates.

FBI Special Agent DesLauriers confirms that a “variety” of witnesses are being interviewed but cannot elaborate on “specific leads.” No threat information was received prior to the Boston Marathon, and no current threats are linked to the investigation.

No Unexploded Bombs Found After Boston Attack, BPD, FBI, And ATF Confirm At Press Conference is a post from: The Inquisitr

A lesbian couple denied a room won their case against a bed and breakfast in Hawaii. The couple was turned down for a room at the Aloha Bed & Breakfast when the owner realized they would be sharing a bed.

Diane Cervelli and Taeko Bufford booked the room in Hawaii Kai as they were visiting a friend who lived in the area. The California couple spoke with the owner upon checking in and were questioned when they requested only one bed.

As reported by the SF Examiner, the owner asked the couple if they were lesbians. Preferring to be honest, they admitted their sexual orientation. The owners cited their religious views and refused to let them stay.

The couple, represented by Lambda Legal, filed a lawsuit against the owner of Aloha Bed & Breakfast for discrimination. The claim of discrimination was based on Hawaiian law that prohibits the denial of lodging in a public establishment due to race, color, religion, disability, heritage, or sexual orientation.

Jim Hochberg, attorney for the bed & breakfast, contends that his clients were simply expressing their opinion, which is protected under the First Amendment. He criticized the court’s opinion in favor of the lesbians who were denied the room, stating that “the public needs to be aware of this decision … it has far-reaching consequences.”

Hochberg discusses his opinion at alliancealert.com. In an interview, the attorney contends that his clients had the freedom to disallow the lesbian couple to stay in their home as it is against her religious beliefs. He points out that the bed and breakfast is not a public establishment under Hawaiian law as the couple simply rents rooms in their home.

As reported by Fox News, the judge did not agree with the defense and ruled in favor of the lesbian couple. By denying them a room, the judge ruled that the bed and breakfast owners violated Hawaii’s civil rights law.

Lesbians Denied A Room Win Case Against Bed And Breakfast is a post from: The Inquisitr

Gold prices today are bouncing back a little this morning by about one percent after the plummeting values on Friday and Monday. This includes many commodities, from gold-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to silver, platinum, and oil.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, gold prices were in free fall on April 15, slipping under $1,600 down all the way to $1,4000 from a previous high of over $1,900.

Gold prices today are down nearly 6.3 percent from yesterday, hovering around $1,350 an ounce. This 28 percent drop from gold’s all-time high of $1,895 on September 5 is the biggest two-day drop for gold in 30 years. The last time we saw such a big one-time gold crash was 30 years ago, back in 1983.

The gold ETFs were of course hurt along with the raw commodities. SPDR Gold Shares crashed nearly nine percent on Monday as more than 90 million shares traded hands, which exceeded the previous volume record of 79.2 million shares set on December 4, 2009.

So what was the trigger for this gold sell-off panic? One suspect is Goldman Sachs, which advised its clients to short gold, predicting it would fall to $1,450 an ounce by the end of the year. This spooked investors right when several other world altering events were taking place.

Speculation that Cyprus would sell about 85 percent of its 13.9 metric tons of gold holdings, or $525 million in gold, caused many investors to wonder if other European countries could follow suit.

The Federal Reserve’s most recent meeting showed they’re considering putting an early ending to its quantitative easing program, which would take away $85 billion a month in bond purchases. If QE4 ends then gold prices would suffer.

But it’s not like gold was specially targeted. All commodities, including  crude oil, silver, copper, and wheat, were all down at the same time, which just pushed the downward cycle further.

While gold prices today are up a little over one percent, do you think we’re in a bearish downward trend or is this just a good gold buying opportunity?

Gold Prices Today Bouncing Back Along With Silver ETFs is a post from: The Inquisitr

President Barack Obama sat down with Today’s Savannah Guthrie for an interview just hours before yesterday’s tragic explosions rocked the Boston Marathon. The interview aired on this morning’s episode of Today.

“I think we got a good chance of seeing it pass if members of Congress are listening to the American people,” Obama said after Gurthrie opened up with questions about gun control legislation.

Obama asserted that 90 percent of Americans think lawmakers should make it tougher for criminals or people with serious mental illness to obtain a gun.

“So the notion that Congress would defy the overwhelming interest of the American people after what we saw happen in Newtown, I think is unimaginable,” Obama said.

The conversation shifted to the topic of North Korea, which has drawn the ire of the internationally community in recent weeks with persistent threats to South Korea, Japan, and US bases in the region.

“This is the same kind of pattern that we saw his father engage in and his grandfather before that,” Obama said. “Since I came into office, the one thing I was clear about is we’re not going to reward this kind of provocative behavior. You don’t get to bang your spoon on the table and somehow you get your way.”

When asked if this was the closest the US has come to war with North Korea under Obama’s watch, the president recalled an incident when North Korea shot down a South Korea fishing boat.

“That wasn’t just words, that was action,” he said.

The president predicted that North Korea will continue to provoke the international community in the days ahead, but he expects the country’s gestures to calm down enough for attention to shift over to helping the government provide food to its people. The US does not believe North Korea has the capacity to put a nuclear warhead on a missile, but Obama has ordered defensive measures just in case.

Guthrie then pushed Obama on his recent budget proposal, asking about his willingness to ask Democrats to make a difficult vote that he was not willing to do prior to his own re-election.

“What I tried to do is put forward a budget that I think is a realistic compromise,” Obama said. “It does not give Republicans everything they want. Frankly, it does not include everything that I would like to see. What it does is put forward some of the ideas that Republicans suggested around entitlement reform that I think are reasonable policy.”

Obama has attracted vitriol from the left over his proposal to make cuts to Social Security and other entitlement programs. While the president has not received enthusiastic support from Republicans, some, such as former vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, have expressed optimism.

See Today‘s full interview with President Obama below:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Hours after the interview, two explosions went off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The premeditated attack left at least three people dead and over 100 wounded. Authorities are still investigating who was behind the attack.

“Any responsible individuals, responsible groups, will feel the full weight of justice,” Obama said in a televised statement given after the Boston Marathon explosions.

[Image by Elizabeth Cromwell (http://chesh.org/barack/DSC_0007.JPG) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons]

Obama Conducts Today Show Interview Just Before Boston Marathon Explosions is a post from: The Inquisitr

Actor and comedian Patton Oswalt took to Twitter and Facebook Monday to express his thoughts about the Boston Marathon bombing.

Oswalt quoted Mr. Rogers on Twitter, writing, “Look for the helpers. You’ll always find people who are helping.” The tweet quickly received over 8,300 retweets and 2,500 favorites.

Another tweet about an hour later quoted fellow comedian Paul Kozlowski, “…seconds after the explosions, you see hundreds of people running TOWARDS the carnage to help. Not away.” That tweet received more than 4,300 retweets and more than 1,400 favorites.

But it was on Facebook that Oswalt really opened up, penning a heartfelt post reminding people that there is still good in the world. The full post reads as follows:

“Boston. F***ing horrible.

I remember, when 9/11 went down, my reaction was, ‘Well, I’ve had it with humanity.’

But I was wrong. I don’t know what’s going to be revealed to be behind all of this mayhem. One human insect or a poisonous mass of broken sociopaths.

But here’s what I DO know. If it’s one person or a HUNDRED people, that number is not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent of the population on this planet. You watch the videos of the carnage and there are people running TOWARDS the destruction to help out. (Thanks FAKE Gallery founder and owner Paul Kozlowski for pointing this out to me). This is a giant planet and we’re lucky to live on it but there are prices and penalties incurred for the daily miracle of existence. One of them is, every once in awhile, the wiring of a tiny sliver of the species gets snarled and they’re pointed towards darkness.

But the vast majority stands against that darkness and, like white blood cells attacking a virus, they dilute and weaken and eventually wash away the evil doers and, more importantly, the damage they wreak. This is beyond religion or creed or nation. We would not be here if humanity were inherently evil. We’d have eaten ourselves alive long ago.

So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, ‘The good outnumber you, and we always will.’”

The post has received over 260,000 “likes” and over 195,000 shares on Facebook. The post also received over 10,000 comments.

“Look for the helpers. You’ll always find people who are helping.” — Fred Rogers, on what to do when scary things are on the news #boston

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 15, 2013

“…seconds after the explosions, you see hundreds of people running TOWARDS the carnage to help.Not away.” — Paul Kozlowski

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 15, 2013

What do you think of Patton Oswalt‘s tweets and Facebook post?

[Photo credit: Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com]

Patton Oswalt Tweets, Facebook Posts Go Viral After Boston Marathon Bombing is a post from: The Inquisitr

A newly married man landed in hot water recently when his other wife was found on Facebook.

A 38-year-old Australian woman was sharing news of her recent nuptials on Facebook when she received an alarming message from a stranger: “Hello, new Mrs. Keyet. How can you be Mrs. Keyet when I am still Mrs. Keyet? From the old Mrs. Keyet.”

The devastating message turned out to be true. Although the scoundrel husband had revealed a previous marriage to his new bride, she was led to believe that the union had been legally dissolved.

Mr. Keyet even continued the ruse during the couple’s recent civil ceremony, claiming to the presiding Family Court official that his first marriage ended in divorce.

However, after the alleged other wife was found on Facebook, the new Mrs. Keyet began to doubt her husband’s honesty.

She began researching court documents, desperately seeking legal proof that her husband wasn’t lying about the dissolution of his first marriage.

Sadly, there was no proof to be found. The new Mrs. Keyet soon realized that the original union, which took place nearly two decades ago, was still legally binding.

Crushed by the news that her husband had been deceiving her all along, the new Mrs. Keyet kicked him to the curb. She was soon granted an annulment by the Australian courts. Mr. Keyet did not bother to make an appearance during the legal proceedings, choosing instead to convey his feelings to his former bride by text message.

The short sentiment simply read, “I think I’ve put you through enough hurt.” The message apparently did not have much impact on his ex-wife. She is currently mulling over the possibility of bringing bigamy charges against him.

How would you react if your husband’s other wife was found on Facebook? Would you file bigamy charges against him?

Man’s Other Wife Found On Facebook is a post from: The Inquisitr

Congrats are in order for Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein and his fashion designer wife Georgina Chapman who added a baby boy to their family last week.

Us Weekly reported the happy news on Monday, as the couple’s rep confirmed that Chapman, a co-founder of fashion house Marchesa and a Project Runway: All Stars judge, gave birth to the child on Thursday, April 11.

No word yet on the little guy’s name or weight.

“Georgina and son are doing extremely well,” a source told New York Post’s Page Six.

The couple, who started dating in December 2004 and married three years later, are already parents to daughter India Pearl, 2.

Weinstein, 61, also has three daughters — Emma, Lily and Ruth — from his previous marriage to Eve Chilton.

Chapman, 37, announced her pregnancy in December.

“Harvey and I are both over the moon,” she said at that time, adding that she planned to remain active throughout the pregnancy in order to keep her trim and slim figure.

“I do yoga, and I walk a lot,” Georgina said. “I don’t go crazy.”

Weinstein added that he and his wife didn’t know the baby’s sex, and he said he would be happy to have a son or a daughter.

“It could be Harvey and five daughters. I’d be happy either way,” he said in December. “After four girls, I don’t care if it’s a boy or a girl. It makes no difference to me.”

Two months after announcing their pregnancy, Georgina showed off her baby bump at the Academy Awards, when she walked the red carpet wearing a beautiful long ivory gown.

Chapman attended the event with her husband, who produced the best picture nominee Silver Linings Playbook.

Harvey Weinstein, best known as the co-founder of Miramax Films, is also responsible for producing hit movies such as The King’s Speech, Good Will Hunting, The Lord of the Rings and, most recently, Django Unchained.

Image: Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

Harvey Weinstein, Georgina Chapman Welcome Baby Boy is a post from: The Inquisitr

AEK Athens is a Greek football club that can now say they have literally been chased off the pitch by their supporters. In a match on Sunday against Panathinaikos the AEK Athens Union gave up an own goal in the 87th minute that sent their supporters into a furious sprint onto the pitch.

Both teams immediately stormed off through the tunnel as the fans swarmed them at the exits near the benches. AEK supporters frustration may not have been solely based on the own goal as AEK is currently in position to be relegated for the first time in their 89-year history.

AEK is one of the most successful football clubs in all of Greece and has won 29 national titles, including 14 Greek Cups. As of right now, AEK is below the cut line in the Greece Super League with 30 points. Panathinaikos also has 30 points, but holds the tie-breaker over AEK.

The match was abandoned after a delay of about 90 minutes as at least 15 people were injured during the free-for-all. The day after the fan invasion, AEK’s President Andreas Dimitrelos was taken to the hospital due to chest pains, according to Yahoo Sports.

Yahoo Sports also noted that Panathinaikos goaltender Spiros Vrontaras and team manager Haris Mavromatis suffered facial injuries while retreating to the dressing rooms.

Here’s video of the incident if you missed AEK’s supporters charge the pitch Sunday:

If the embarrassment of having your own supporters run you down isn’t enough, AEK will also more than likely receive a point-reduction due to the fan violence in Sunday’s match. The deduction will make things much harder for the Union as they only have one match remaining.

The loss of points should push AEK out of contention to get above the cut line and practically bring their season to an immediate end.  AEK supporters let out their frustration and may have sent AEK to the second division in the process.

The football anarchy didn’t end until 15 people were deemed injured while local police forced everyone off the pitch as they would with any sort of protest. AEK’s supporters may have got their point across to their struggling club, but it also may have cost AEK a chance at staying in Greece’s top league.

Does AEK Athens deserve to be penalized for their supporter’s outrage on Sunday?

AEK Athens Players Chased Off The Pitch After Own Goal [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Running backwards on Miami’s South Beach has earned one man a $77.50 ticket for obstructing traffic. A few days ago, a person that Miami Beach Police Sgt. Bobby Hernandez called “a concerned citizen” phoned 911 when they saw runner Alex Mesa going backwards on the street.

When the 911 responder asked what the emergency was, the unnamed caller reportedly said: “”He’s, like, running backwards in the middle of the street and zig-zagging through all the lanes. I just want you to pick him up before he gets himself killed.”

But Alex Mesa, who said that he’s HIV positive and has been running backwards for six years to inspire others, told the Miami News-Herald and a local TV station that isn’t the whole story.

According to Mesa, the police have seen him running backwards for years and never complained to him about it. He said that he didn’t get the ticket for obstructing traffic but because the officer didn’t like his attitude.

Hernandez agreed that the police originally intended to just give him a warning. However, Mesa argued and said he wouldn’t stop running backwards. The eccentric jogger pointed out that he deliberately runs slowly, with full awareness of what’s around him, in a neon green tracksuit that makes him easy to see.

But he did admit to running backward in the street, claiming that it was safer because it offered better visibility than running on the sidewalk.

Hernandez’s rebuttal? “You can run backwards, forwards, sideways, on a bike or on a skateboard, but you cannot obstruct traffic.” He added that officers witnessed the 44-year-old weaving between vehicles.

In recent years, running backwards has been promoted as a way to help the body recover from or even avoid exercise injuries while still retaining the calorie-burning benefits of jogging. The unusual exercise may even provide healthy stimulation to the brain.

A University of Milan, Italy study said that backwards running is particularly good for people with bad knees and that it burns more calories at the same speed than when you’re running forward.

Maybe so, but arguing with a cop is rarely the best way to get out of a ticket. Alex Mesa now plans to challenge the citation for backwards running in court.

[Dublin marathon photo of backwards runner by "Musical Photo Man" via Flickr and Creative Commons]

Running Backwards May Be Better Exercise But Gets Miami Traffic Ticket is a post from: The Inquisitr

Can’t wait to see those “Jifs” on the interwebs.

Alison Brie Imitates Popular Internet Memes [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Lips! Who wants to color some lips?!

Diary Of An Ex Disney Employee [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Are you ready for Facebook video ads to start appearing in your news feed? We have known for months that the social giant was prepping the ads, and a new report now suggests they are almost ready for primetime.

According to the report, Facebook is in talks with various agencies who would become responsible for filling the available ad spaces upon initial launch.

Under terms of Facebook’s agreement, users would be hit with as many as three video ad units per day. Those videos would appear in four different ad location options.

According to AdAge, Facebook has not finalized the video format that will be used. It is believed that Facebook will automatically play videos and that they will show on the right-hand side of the user’s Facebook news feed.

While the desktop version will showcase Facebook Video Ads, the social network is not believed to be ready for a mobile ad version. Mobile video ads can be more tricky since many users don’t want their already over-priced mobile data going towards Facebook video ads. Facebook could lower the quality of mobile videos, offer shorter viewing times, or do away with  mobile video ads over the short-term.

Ad agency executives have been claiming that Facebook will cap the ads at just 15 seconds each. The social network leader is believed to be asking for $1 million per spot per day. If the rumors are true, Facebook Video Ads will arrive in June or July.

A total of $4 million per day would mean almost $1.6 billion in extra ad revenue for the social network each year.

Facebook may be able to draw some advertisers away from paying TV ad spots. The real question, however, is whether or not the company can serve video ads without distracting from all of the other ads it now tries to cram down users’ throats.

We should have Facebook video ads confirmation soon. The company is known to roll out its platform slowly to select users before release it out of beta form.

Will you leave the social network if Facebook video ads take over your news feed?

Facebook Video Ads Coming To News Feeds is a post from: The Inquisitr

A former judge is accused of ordering deputies to plant drugs and make a false arrest of a woman who accused him of sexual harassment. Former Judge Bryant Cochran, The Murray County Georgia Sheriff’s Department, and several others were name in the lawsuit filed by Angela Garmley.

Garmley was a primary witness in a sexual harassment lawsuit that eventually led to Judge Cochran’s resignation. Cochran was accused of propositioning Gramley in exchange for a “favorable ruling” in a case that was pending in his court. The conversation reportedly happened when the two were alone in the judge’s chambers.

As reported by Times Free Press, Garmley claims that the former judge asked for her phone number and constantly harassed her via text and phone calls. She states that Cochran repeatedly asked her sexual favors and nude photos.

Intimidated by the judge, Garmley eventually sent him a picture of herself wearing only panties. She later contacted an attorney about the continuing harassment.

As the accusations were made public, several employees of the Murray County Court came forward with similar stories. Yesenia Galvan, Virginia Rector, and Sonya Petty filed a complaint with the U.S. Attorney, accusing Cochran of sexual misconduct.

As reported by Courthouse News, The Murray County employees accused the former judge of touching and making comments about their breasts, making lewd jokes, and otherwise intimidating the women with sexual advances.

Cochran eventually resigned from his position as judge, but the lawsuits continue. Most recently, the former judge is accused of ordering deputies to plant drugs and falsely arrest Angela Garmley, his first accuser.

Garmley was arrested by Murray County Sheriff’s deputies one day before Cochran turned in his resignation. She was arrested for possession of drugs that she claims were planted in her vehicle in an effort to reduce her credibility as a witness.

An investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation revealed that the methamphetamine was indeed planted in Gramley’s car by sheriff’s deputies. Two deputies were terminated as a result of the investigation.

The criminal charges against Gramley were dropped, but she is seeking damages for civil rights violations, emotional distress and negligence. She holds former Judge Cochran responsible for the incident as he ordered the deputies to plant the drugs, which led to her false arrest.

Judge Ordered Deputies To Plant Drugs And Make False Arrest is a post from: The Inquisitr

The show must go on. As much of the country sat in shock after two bombs went off near the finish line at the Boston Marathon, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, and Craig Ferguson and were getting ready to take the stage.

Jay Leno, David Letterman, and Jimmy Fallon all aired reruns last night and haven’t commented on the disaster yet.

O’Brien, who grew up in Boston, took a moment at the start of the show to address the incident at the marathon.

O’Brien said that most of his family still lives in Boston and that his thoughts and prayers were with his hometown.

Conan said: “First, I did wanna start by mentioning what an upsetting and sad day it has been … Boston is my home town, it’s where I grew up, and it’s where my family lives. So I just wanted to take a moment to say that, like everyone here, my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston and everybody who’s been affected by this absolutely senseless act.”

“That said, it is our job to do a show. And we’re gonna try and entertain you the very best we can,” O’Brien said. “Which, given our track record, gives you people a 20 percent chance of having a good show tonight, and I think that’s pretty good.”

Here’s the video from Conan’s opening monologue.

Craig Ferguson also addressed the incident on his show. Ferguson took a little different approach, however, and didn’t even make an attempt at a joke.

Ferguson said: “Is anyone else sick of this s—? I seem to have to say that too often. I have to not say it’s a great day for America for some random act of madness or terrorism … This is on my mind, I can’t pretend it’s not there … People say ‘Craig your job is to make people laugh at the end of the day.’ But I can’t not think about it. I can’t pretend it’s not there.”

Kimmel opened his show with the same tone as Ferguson and Conan. Kimmel said that the events in Boston were terrible and he didn’t understand why it happened. But, Kimmel added, he has a job to do.

Kimmel said: “Well, it was a terrible day. Very bad things happened today for no good reason, and our thoughts are with the people of Boston and everyone who is suffering as a result of the bombings at the marathon.”

“It’s a disgusting thing. I don’t understand it. But my job is to make you laugh and so I will try to do that. And I will probably fail. I’m failing already.”

Boston Marathon Bombing: Conan, Kimmel, Ferguson Send Well-Wishes To Boston is a post from: The Inquisitr

Lab-grown kidneys have been successfully transplanted into rats, functioning as normal kidneys.

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston have bioengineered functioning rat kidneys in the laboratory. This incredible achievement may eventually lead to the ability to create replacement organs, an virtually inexhaustible supply for people with kidney disease, who suffer from renal failure, or develop cancer.

Kidneys, located in the retroperitoneum of the abdominal cavity, are regulatory organs essential in the urinary system. They serve a homeostatic function balancing electrolytes, sustaining an acid–base equilibrium, and maintaining proper ratios of salt and water therefore regulating blood pressure.

The kidneys also produce hormones including calcitriol (hormonally active form of vitamin D), erythropoietin (glycoprotein responsible for red blood cell production), and the enzyme renin (component that regulates the body’s mean arterial blood pressure).

Cellular metabolism generates numerous by-products that require elimination from the bloodstream. These by-products are eventually expelled from the body during urination, the primary method for excreting water-soluble chemicals from the body. Urine is produced from kidney excreted wastes such as urea and ammonium. These bean shaped filters are also responsible for the reabsorption of water, glucose, and amino acids.

Kidneys are the body’s natural filter, screening the blood, which is fed through via renal arteries and veins. Each kidney removes waste which is then diverted to a ureter and travels to the urinary bladder.

Although not life-threatening, kidney stones (barbed, calcified deposits) are a painful nuisance and can be treated with medication and ultrasounds. A common symptom of kidney stones is a sharp, excruciating pain in the medial/lateral segments of the lower back. Immediate medical advice is recommended to insure it is simply a kidney stone and not something worse.

Kidneys, like any other biological mass composed of cells, are subject to disease and cancer; the most common is renal cell carcinoma. Cancers, cysts, and some other renal conditions can be managed with removal of the kidney (nephrectomy). People can survive with a single kidney.

When renal function is found to be persistently poor, dialysis and kidney transplantation may be necessary.

According to participating researchers and Dr. Harald C. Ott, senior author of the study paper published in Nature Medicine, the rat kidneys produced urine in the laboratory as well as when transplanted into rats. Although groundbreaking, the researchers admit the work is still in early stages, too early to create a fully functioning kidney for humans just yet, as issues such as bleeding and clotting need to be resolved first. But it hints at the future possibility.

The kidneys were created by stripping donor kidneys of their cells (decellularization), leaving behind a scaffold of collagen and other aspects of the extracellular matrix. The process uses chemical detergents to wash away native living tissue, leaving a network of proteins that retains the structure of the blood vessels and other components of the organ. New cells that regenerate tissue were added to the exposed framework.

To make the regenerated rat kidneys, human cells were implanted into the blood vessel portions of the organ, and kidney cells from newborn rats were used for the other parts. The kidneys were then put into an incubating chamber for up to five days, allowing the tissues to germinate. It took many attempts to establish the precise technique best used to feed the cells into the organ, as if it was growing in an embryonic rat.

According to the New York Times, About 17,000 people with end-stage kidney disease receive a donor organ each year in the United States, but more than five times as many patients are on waiting lists. In 2011, nearly 5,000 people died while awaiting transplants. Bioengineered kidneys, especially if made using nonhuman sources, could ease or eliminate this organ shortage.

[Image via Shutterstock]

Boston Lab Bioengineered Functional Kidneys is a post from: The Inquisitr

Many celebrities have taken to Twitter or released statements reacting to the Boston Marathon bombing on Monday. Actor Mark Wahlberg, director Ben Affleck, and the cast of the upcoming Star Trek Into Darkness have all taken a break from their schedules to grieve with the nation.

Early Monday afternoon, two bombs went off near the finish line at the Boston Marathon. Three people were killed and 150 or more have been injured. Authorities believe that the bombing was intentional, but they do not have anyone in custody or any persons of interest so far.

At the New York premiere of his film Pain & Gain, Mark Wahlberg, a Boston native, wasn’t in the mood to do red carpet rounds after hearing news earlier in the day.

“I really didn’t even want to come tonight. I hadn’t really heard much – I spoke to my mom, and most of my family seems to be OK. It’s such a big event, there’s so many people there. It’s horrible man. It’s f–king disgusting, man. I just – I’m very upset,” he said.

Hours after the Boston Marathon bombing, the cast of Star Trek Into Darkness took to CinemaCon in Las Vegas to promote the upcoming sequel. Even they seemed a bit unenthusiastic.

“We were all on the way out here just talking (about how) it is hard to go and pimp your movie on a day like this, when the nation is sort of coming together,” said writer and producers Damon Lindelof.

“This is part of the job for us,” cast member John Cho explained. “(But) it was a weird feeling. I’m just going to say that. It’s so sobering.”

“I was horrified. It’s just unfathomable,” remarked Zachary Quinto. “It’s an amazing city and I know it’s stronger than one tragedy like this. But it is certainly enough to set everybody back in an unfortunate and profound way.”

Actor and director Ben Affleck, who grew up in the Boston area and has shot and directed many films in the city, expressed his sorrow over the Boston Marathon bombing on Facebook.

“Such a senseless and tragic day. My family and I send our love to our beloved and resilient Boston,” Affleck posted.

Many other celebrities took to Twitter to express their grief and condolences after the Boston Marathon attack:

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the city of Boston and all of those affected by this terrible incident.

— Justin Timberlake(@jtimberlake) April 15, 2013

There was an explosion by the finish line about 5 minutes after I finished- I’m ok but I’m sure there are many hurt.

— Joey McIntyre (@joeymcintyre) April 15, 2013

My heart is breaking for everyone effected or injured in the explosion at the Boston Marathon. God bless you all! My prayers are with you!

— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) April 15, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the explosions in Boston.

‘F–king Disgusting’: Celebrities React To Boston Marathon Bombing is a post from: The Inquisitr

Carnival has stated that it will repay the US government for the cost of recent rescue efforts.

Since taxpayers were saddled with picking up the tab for incidents involving the cruise ships Triumph and Splendor, the company explained that it will repay some of the money. Carnival previously stated that it would not fork over any cash in the matter.

The cruise line revealed that it intends to make voluntary payments to the US Treasury Department in an effort to cut down on the amount spent by taxpayers. Carnival added that no one from any government agency requested repayment for rescue efforts.

“It should be clearly noted that at no point in time has Carnival stated that it would refuse to reimburse federal agencies if they sought remuneration,” the company said in a statement.

However, Senator Jay Rockefeller has been extremely vocal about Carnival’s abuse of federal taxpayer’s money. In a letter to Carnival CEO Micky Arison, Rockefeller said the US Coast Guard had spent around $4.2 million assisting the company with over 90 serious incidents in the past five years.

Rockefeller wrote in his correspondence:

“These costs must ultimately be borne by federal taxpayers. Given that you reportedly pay little or nothing in federal taxes, do you intend to reimburse the Coast Guard and Navy for the cost of responding to either the Carnival Splendor marine casualty or the Carnival Triumph marine casualty.”

Carnival originally stated that it wouldn’t repay the nearly $800,000 in costs associated with Triumph’s rescue in February. The company explained that “maritime tradition that holds that the duty to render assistance at sea to those in need is a universal obligation of the entire maritime community.”

It would seem the company has had a change of heart in recent days. However, it’s currently unclear how much the cruise line intends to cough up to cover these costs.

Do you think Carnival should be required to repay the money spent to rescue its vessels at sea?

Carnival To Repay US Government For Rescue Efforts is a post from: The Inquisitr