Matt Said Jay Said Humility Edition

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Matt: Jaymaaaaaaaaaaannnn<br />Jay: I’M THE BEST BTR CO-HOST IN GAME!!!<br />Matt: Wha…<br />Jay: DON’T COME AT IWS WITH THESE WEAK UNFUNNY HOSTS! <br />Matt: Okay … <br />Jay: YOU RUN YOUR MOUTH AT US WE’LL SHUT IT FOR YA!!! <br />Matt: Who was talking? <br />Jay: EVERYBODY! IT’S TALK RADIO!!! <br />Matt: Which show are you talking about?<br />Jay: THOSE MEDIOCRE SHOWS! <br />Matt: Okay then. <br />Jay: OKAY THEN! AS LONG AS WE CLEAR ON THAT! <br />Matt: We’re clear. <br />Jay: CRYSTAL???<br />Matt: Crystal clear. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7MYNPdWgSXPM0gUppOlrUXp0mROBS7hBf-ubZtf90QY-_WtXxzc4MHimzNA6790hLumTsQ5FbSVlbn2SIAmXsUREkW0lAkNEB4pg2AJD4vfp-mPzXDbP7nkyeywrllQ5toWne6uyq41a/s1600/Erin+Andrews+Hot+Legs+Sexy+Richard+Sherman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7MYNPdWgSXPM0gUppOlrUXp0mROBS7hBf-ubZtf90QY-_WtXxzc4MHimzNA6790hLumTsQ5FbSVlbn2SIAmXsUREkW0lAkNEB4pg2AJD4vfp-mPzXDbP7nkyeywrllQ5toWne6uyq41a/s1600/Erin+Andrews+Hot+Legs+Sexy+Richard+Sherman.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jay: Uhh .. sorry … got caught up in the moment. <br />Matt: I know how emotional you are. <br />Jay: Internet radio is just so competitive man. <br />Matt: It’s hard-hitting! <br />Jay: Gotta bring the funny every damn week man. <br />Matt: No taking any bits or jokes off. <br />Jay: Can’t do it. <br />Matt: People really don’t understand that. <br />Jay: No they don’t. <br />Matt: They’re all like “show some class” and shit. <br />Jay: IKR?! And “be humble” WTF man? <br />Matt: Humility gets you beat in this business. <br />Jay: You can be humble in the middle of the ratings pack. <br />Matt: Exactly! <br />Jay: People can call me a “thug” if they want, but I’m not backing down. <br />Matt: That’s the nicest thing they call you. <br />Jay: I know and I don’t ca … What? <br />Matt: Oh nothing. <br />Jay: People call me names? <br />Matt: Nooooooooooooooo .. Not at all<br />Jay: I hope not. That would hurt my feelings. <br />Matt: Mine too! <br />Jay: IKR? You’re a very sensitive man. <br />Matt: That’s why the chicks dig me. <br />Jay: Totally. <br />Matt: Honestly, they don’t call you names. <br />Jay: Promise. <br />Matt: Only a few people do. <br />Jay: Damn … <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ0HT8QQtCsxotQLph-9H_K1juI3Q6mFuxMEBJoGRi90d2FIEku3cAkTpYywYLtiBs5fv0quOjkJ9mgYEBACPp2W-lyA-swnZSKDS0CKBzncgddBiQd6oxtSGyLtbDBQfII3QVia2sup6/s1600/Emmy+Rossum+Hot+Sexy+Nude+Shameless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ0HT8QQtCsxotQLph-9H_K1juI3Q6mFuxMEBJoGRi90d2FIEku3cAkTpYywYLtiBs5fv0quOjkJ9mgYEBACPp2W-lyA-swnZSKDS0CKBzncgddBiQd6oxtSGyLtbDBQfII3QVia2sup6/s1600/Emmy+Rossum+Hot+Sexy+Nude+Shameless.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Matt: So what are we doing on this week’s show? <br />Jay: What we were going to do LAST WEEK?<br />Matt: Oh yeah! Great idea! <br />Jay: If you’re throat holds out. <br />Matt: I’ve never missed a gig dude. <br />Jay: I know. You are BTR’s Iron Man. <br />Matt: So, 2014: The Year in Review? <br />Jay: Let’s do it. <br />Matt: It’s been a wild year! <br />Jay: Lots of ups and downs! <br />Matt: Triumphs and failures. <br />Jay: Taylor made for Paul Piatt poetry! <br />Matt: Totally. And we need some guidance from Rev. Moneymaker. <br />Jay: Agreed. Maybe a sponsor this week? <br />Matt: If I can scrounge one up. <br />Jay: I got some live audio of John Kerry meeting w/ the Russians too. <br />Matt: What a ball of fire that man is! <br />Jay: Inspiring! <br />Matt: And Schmoop has had an eventful 2014. <br />Jay: I’d like to have eventful times with Schmoop. <br />Matt: If I don’t survive this cold, have at it. <br />Jay: I’m not rooting for that. Just so you know. <br />Matt: I know you aren’t. Probably. <br />Jay: Got some great local stories from Redneckville for 2014 too. <br />Matt: Lots happening in Bagwine too! <br />Jay: Damn, this is going to be a full show! <br />Matt: And people might get to hear me die on the air. <br />Jay: RATINGS GOLD BABY! <br />Matt: That’s the way I want to go out. <br />Jay: So unselfish of you. <br />Matt: Right? <br />Jay: Okay we’re ready! <br />Matt: Let’s do this people! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7t0B3cx21JduaOPYCPqALiEMTtCf07pFouMwxxWnJZokPYuacN8bsdCYG5rolN5GHjMv-HZKvLZjn6yOI7690jjHP1_H6mwkTFfvNo3zvfSD9qF_8BNFENKggB7OVsvBtxlLpOa7qJRX/s1600/Lea+Michele+Hot+Sexy+Happy+New+Year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7t0B3cx21JduaOPYCPqALiEMTtCf07pFouMwxxWnJZokPYuacN8bsdCYG5rolN5GHjMv-HZKvLZjn6yOI7690jjHP1_H6mwkTFfvNo3zvfSD9qF_8BNFENKggB7OVsvBtxlLpOa7qJRX/s1600/Lea+Michele+Hot+Sexy+Happy+New+Year.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Be sure to tune into “<a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2014/01/20/2014-year-in-review" target="_blank">2014: Year in Review</a>” on IWS Radio Sunday at 8 PM ET!!!! <o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

Matt Said Jay Said Humility Edition

Matt: Jaymaaaaaaaaaaannnn Jay: I’M THE BEST BTR CO-HOST IN GAME!!! Matt: Wha… Jay: DON’T COME AT IWS WITH THESE WEAK UNFUNNY HOSTS! Matt: Ok...

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MISSING WOMAN in TEXAS: Leanne Bearden

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">MISSING PERSON in Texas </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Leanne Bearden </span></b></div><br /><b><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/23/us/texas-missing-woman/" style="color: red;">http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/23/us/texas-missing-woman/</a></b><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QU4UvzHja6g?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

MISSING WOMAN in TEXAS: Leanne Bearden

MISSING PERSON in Texas  Leanne Bearden http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/23/us/texas-missing-woman/

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Brother Ernie's GOLD and SILVER UPDATE

<b>The News UNIT confirms this disconnect which was observed over the last two days:</b><br /><b><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/01/gold-rises-and-disconnects-from-silver.html" style="color: red;">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/01/gold-rises-and-disconnects-from-silver.html</a></b><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PSXKPrhLvVU?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><b>...developing...</b>

Brother Ernie's GOLD and SILVER UPDATE

The News UNIT confirms this disconnect which was observed over the last two days: http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/01/gold-rises-and...

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SPECIAL REPORT: FOOD and WATER SHORTAGES

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>*****DISASTER ALERT*****</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Not only is the U.S. Stock Market collapsing but also we have a FOOD SHORTAGE CONCERN developing due to this winter's extreme weather conditions across the United States.  Perhaps the economic collapse and SHTF scenario is just ahead.  All interests should prepare for these rapidly deteoriating conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zuG8qFG1HsI?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tactical strategies you need to know</span> </b></div><br /><b>We could also see a NUCLEAR DISASTER.   Here are some initial safety precautions that you can take in the event of a NUCLEAR DISASTER and to avoid RADIOLOGICAL DISPERTION: </b></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/r_4B37RY9ZE?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Common Sense Survival Gear</span></b></div><br /><b>By May or June we could have some real problems.  Here's some basics on survival gear for preppers: </b><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zt-hVuVWwJ8?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe> <br /><br /><b>...developing...</b></div>

SPECIAL REPORT: FOOD and WATER SHORTAGES

*****DISASTER ALERT***** Not only is the U.S. Stock Market collapsing but also we have a FOOD SHORTAGE CONCERN developing due to this winter...

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The Best Economic Freudian Slip of 2014

<b>January 24, 2014</b><br /><a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/breakout/the-stock-market-correction-is-finally-here-152724880.html">The stock market correction is finally here</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>Hammered by weak economic data in Asia, South American turmoil and a stream of weak earnings reports from blue chips like IBM (IBM) and McDonalds (MCD), <span style="color: red;">the S&P 500 (^GSPC) is down sharply for the weak</span> and off more than 1% in 2014.</i></div><br />Emphasis added.<br /><br />I know it is only the 24th of January but I think we have a winner!

The Best Economic Freudian Slip of 2014

January 24, 2014 The stock market correction is finally here Hammered by weak economic data in Asia, South American turmoil and a stream of ...

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TGIF

I'm off to work.<br />Starting to feel a little better, the crud moved directly into my chest so I am hacking up nasty stuff.<br /><br />Speaking of chests, here is an outstanding example of one that looks very healthy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDVyyHiU5qSAA76P-fWivvfn4zU9QSMUXM5Hp9DYEb5ubQ4Ge8a4NHmqh1xvN5Nj-dKapezhZkeh_GQ1jCxYiZBlcA5KglbnX0IX2wZcpyG2rm5Uv3W_4IyYYLk7Bau1o7FavhjmX3w4s/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDVyyHiU5qSAA76P-fWivvfn4zU9QSMUXM5Hp9DYEb5ubQ4Ge8a4NHmqh1xvN5Nj-dKapezhZkeh_GQ1jCxYiZBlcA5KglbnX0IX2wZcpyG2rm5Uv3W_4IyYYLk7Bau1o7FavhjmX3w4s/s640/index.jpg" /></a></div>

TGIF

I'm off to work. Starting to feel a little better, the crud moved directly into my chest so I am hacking up nasty stuff. Speaking of che...

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Girlfriend Hollande defeated Elysee Palace

<script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* bleu 280 */ google_ad_slot = "8164661108"; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Investigates new details inside triangle formed by French President <b>Francois Hollande</b>, his girlfriend Valerie and Trierveyler mistress Julie Gayet. As reported by the French media, Trierveyler learn about the relationship with actress Hollande, defeated the president's office at the <b>Elysee Palace</b>, and then fell ill with stress in the hospital. </span><br /> <br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* biner3 */ google_ad_slot = "7346003106"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script><br /><br /><b>Valerie Trierveyler</b> did not contain the emotions and suppress anger. She burst into the office of civil husband and smashed everything that came to the hot hand. Among the destroyed antique vase was Louis XVI. Damage from binge Valerie, who was nicknamed The Rottweiler, amounted to more than $ 4 million. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, according to the newspaper Le Parisien, Valerie Trierveyler awaits trip to India for a charitable purpose. She will visit the slums of Mumbai and will give a gala dinner. <br /> <br /> However, last week the French newspapers reported that Francois Hollande has already made a choice in favor of 41-year-old actress Julie Gayet. If so, then Valerie Trierveyler with which the President has lived for nine years, will have to leave the Elysee Palace.<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* boton */ google_ad_slot = "4392536701"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 90; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script>

Girlfriend Hollande defeated Elysee Palace

Investigates new details inside triangle formed by French President Francois Hollande , his girlfriend Valerie and Trierveyler mistress Jul...

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U.S. MARKETS BEGIN MASSIVE SELL OFF

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>WALL STREET SHTF SCENARIO THREATENS INVESTORS</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqm8hZmOA67u67GezFgJma6-dOvqLCBjKHcGFLnVVdloqkhErTGm83IEhi-Wh28FkBa7ffCC6nA2yyWzFxafxI35_ze402IH646ubFz6jvmbmi5BZyaovhM8bKSxUgwa7lGwYJKOk-y2E/s1600/Wall-Street-sign-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqm8hZmOA67u67GezFgJma6-dOvqLCBjKHcGFLnVVdloqkhErTGm83IEhi-Wh28FkBa7ffCC6nA2yyWzFxafxI35_ze402IH646ubFz6jvmbmi5BZyaovhM8bKSxUgwa7lGwYJKOk-y2E/s1600/Wall-Street-sign-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>DJIA DROPS 318 POINTS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://markets.money.cnn.com/markets/overview/modules/chart.asp" src="http://markets.money.cnn.com/markets/overview/modules/chart.asp" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Wall Street Analyst Expects 50% CORRECTION</span></b><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Is TAPERING the right idea?</span></b><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">MIDDLE CLASS suffers heavy losses </span> </b></div><br /><b>More selling expected next week unless Federal Reserve intervenes.  Some analysts are selling all their positions.  GOLD and SILVER continue to be artificially suppressed.  When will the manipulation end?  Is this the beginning of the TOTAL ECONOMIC COLLAPSE? </b><br /><b><a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-about-a-50-crash-2014-01-23?dist=afterbell" style="color: red;">http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-about-a-50-crash-2014-01-23?dist=afterbell</a> </b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>PANIC SELLING CONTINUES AFTER HOURS</b></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><img height="257" src="http://www.finviz.com/fut_chart.ashx?t=YM&cot=124601,124603&p=m5" width="400" /> </b></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>EMBRACE THE PULLBACK says Greg Mannarino</b></span></div><br /><b>STOCK MARKET and PRECIOUS METALS investor Greg Mannarino says it's time to EMBRACE THE PULLBACK and expect a rally now this next week.  He has his STOCK PICKS posted online at  <a href="http://www.traderschoice.net/" style="color: red;">www.traderschoice.net</a>.</b><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/t5lxsqRKKnU?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QAa4l0Kh0u8?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br/><br/><iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YQruEGY4d30?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>...developing... </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

U.S. MARKETS BEGIN MASSIVE SELL OFF

WALL STREET SHTF SCENARIO THREATENS INVESTORS DJIA DROPS 318 POINTS Wall Street Analyst Expects 50% CORRECTION Is TAPERING the right idea? ...

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New School University Center

Here are some of my photos and commentary on <a href="https://www.som.com/project/university-center-new-school">SOM's New School University Center</a> from yesterday's inauguration.<br /><br />The building is located on the southeast corner of 14th Street and Fifth Avenue. The sizable building (what SOM's Roger Duffy called a "vertical campus" during the inauguration) includes 200,000 square feet of academic space on the first seven floors and 150,000 square feet for a 600-bed dormitory on the levels above. The setback marks the transition between the two major components, where the two-story library can also be found. This view is looking south down Fifth Avenue:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12119389664/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/12119389664_d79ea6de2e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Regular bands of glass and Muntz metal ("a sort of brass containing about 60 percent copper and 40 percent zinc" per <a href="http://archpaper.com/news/articles.asp?id=6246"><i>The Architect's Newspaper</i></a>) are broken by larger glazed sections that follow the stairs snaking down the building. This view is the Fifth Avenue facade near 14th Street (the worker just visible in the bottom-left corner, by the way, is part of the crew fixing the water main break that hit last week; Fifth Avenue was closed completely from 14th to 13th Street):<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12118988725/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="541" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/12118988725_42d727a66b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Around the corner, here is a close-up of the elevation on 14th Street:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12120154496/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="360" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/12120154496_d6046153ca_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Looking up at the Fifth Avenue facade, the scalar profile of the Muntz panels is particularly pronounced:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12120173996/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="360" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2835/12120173996_8d1704091c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />There is an entrance at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 13th Street, where one of the open, communicating stairs lands:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12120742896/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="800" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/12120742896_f72eed0ea2_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />A few steps beyond the now-standard security turnstiles is a sunken, tiered space that is open to the lobby:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12119218643/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/12119218643_90a320f1c0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Inside, the building is all about the stairs. There are so many stairs doing so many different things (winding, straight runs, bends, angles, bridges) that it was hard for me to remember where each of my photos were taken. In the case of this photo, the number on the wall helps:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12120206856/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="360" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/12120206856_15865cd6c7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />To convey the complexity – and hopefully some understanding – of the stairs, here's a diagram of them (via <a href="http://archpaper.com/news/articles.asp?id=6246">archpaper</a>):<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVctCFijbTFoVWzUxa1xOxhB7xULRuK6RBDG0RpWYtJQeeWFBNqZQsjAZ1cAsFnQSBEB9o4ZS2KX55RKX1NDZrb-KldYNNNAJcKFyW5RTEuTox0THAVb6NNzLN93F8UtfUMvNCjxn3WzgW/s1600/new_school_center_01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVctCFijbTFoVWzUxa1xOxhB7xULRuK6RBDG0RpWYtJQeeWFBNqZQsjAZ1cAsFnQSBEB9o4ZS2KX55RKX1NDZrb-KldYNNNAJcKFyW5RTEuTox0THAVb6NNzLN93F8UtfUMvNCjxn3WzgW/s640/new_school_center_01.jpg" /></a><br /><br />SOM must have had some fun getting the fire department on board with this design. An indication of the measured needed for what is basically an irregular atrium can be seen in the fire shutters, whose hidden presence is known through the gaps in the ceiling and tracks on the wall (just right of the signage on the wall):<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12118950315/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="800" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/12118950315_8d3b078f5d_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />Some of the most interesting parts of the building can be found where stairs "infiltrate" other spaces, such that circulation is not always separate from program:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12119841763/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="360" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/12119841763_a6d466914e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The snaking stairs and adjacent spaces are in various shades of gray, but some color can be glimpsed in the elevator lobbies:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12121101274/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="360" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/12121101274_0abd025cd0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Corridors saturated with color give direct access to the studios and other classrooms, as well as being the location for students' lockers:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12121377316/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="360" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/12121377316_793637dd55_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Many of these corridors are bare bones, such that without the colors they would feel like basement or service spaces (it's not surprising, given the expense of the stairs and exterior):<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12120712595/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="360" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/12120712595_1d06546847_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />A straight-run stair ascends from the 3rd or 4th floor (I can't remember which) toward the mid-level library where the inauguration took place:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12119605256/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7458/12119605256_71b63ffd51_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />This is the same stair as in the previous photo, looking down from near the top. Note the two types of windows – the narrow horizontal bands and the larger panes following the stair:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12120243696/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="360" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/12120243696_c6065a60cb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The larger glass is also found in the fire stairs, which are located immediately below the open, communicating stairs (think of the stairs as double-deckers, with open stairs above enclosed, fire stairs):<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12119594866/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="800" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2867/12119594866_41d46d092c_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />The straight run stair comes to a landing that winds up again to the top floor of the library:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12119359674/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/12119359674_bb64baee84_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />This view is looking down toward roughly where the previous photo was taken. Note the setback and snow-covered roof outside the expansive glass:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12118977905/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="800" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/12118977905_a300edffca_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />Here's a view that is a little bit to the right from the previous photo. The full-height glazing on this floor wraps from the south (left) to the west:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12119958974/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="360" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/12119958974_aa3a5d7a0a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />These windows offer some really interesting views of the buildings around the University Center. They are clearly from another time when seen through windows that are snaking rather than punched:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/12120226746/" title="New School University Center by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="New School University Center" height="800" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/12120226746_64e3d06970_c.jpg" width="540" /></a><br /><br />For those of you expecting to see photos of the inauguration festivities, which included an appearance from Sarah Jessica Parker, sorry, that's not my thing. You'll have to <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140123/greenwich-village/sarah-jessica-parker-helps-unveil-new-schools-university-center">look</a> <a href="http://gossipcenter.com/sarah-jessica-parker/sarah-jessica-parker-attends-new-school-university-center-grand-opening-1027057">elsewhere</a> for that.

New School University Center

Here are some of my photos and commentary on SOM's New School University Center from yesterday's inauguration. The building is loca...

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Reputed N.Y. mobster nabbed in 1978 'Goodfellas' airport heist (BLOG)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CBjo_a9BgfJLibPJr_RzVOCGVkfu0QRn5n-PkSia_5cwDLhoWDBEUijQEU4dOJ9lLuGFpHM50EL1xLuCYMv1-2oPQQkxRuYyfYR3ioP9YudTlVh-FUuRIVz5LiZXXe4SnmX7cFgxvkg/s1600/2014-01-23T201619Z_3_CBREA0M1A7V00_RTROPTP_2_USA-LUFTHANSA-HEIST.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CBjo_a9BgfJLibPJr_RzVOCGVkfu0QRn5n-PkSia_5cwDLhoWDBEUijQEU4dOJ9lLuGFpHM50EL1xLuCYMv1-2oPQQkxRuYyfYR3ioP9YudTlVh-FUuRIVz5LiZXXe4SnmX7cFgxvkg/s1600/2014-01-23T201619Z_3_CBREA0M1A7V00_RTROPTP_2_USA-LUFTHANSA-HEIST.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10259" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">NEW YORK (Reuters) - Five people said to be part of a New York crime family were arrested on Thursday, including a 78-year-old man accused of participating in a notorious 1978 airport heist that inspired the movie "Goodfellas."</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10715" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">More than three decades after $5 million in cash and $1 million in jewelry was stolen from a Lufthansa airlines cargo building at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the FBI arrested Vincent Asaro, an alleged leader of the Bonanno organized crime family, on robbery charges.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10725" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Four other men, who prosecutors said were members of the New York-based gang, were arrested for other crimes.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"Vincent Asaro devoted his adult life to the Bonanno crime family, with a criminal career that spanned decades," said U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch in a statement. "Neither age nor time dimmed Asaro's ruthless ways, as he continued to order violence to carry out mob business in recent months."</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Asaro pleaded not guilty in a brief appearance at U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, and his attorney said he would fight the charges.</div><div class="body-related" style="background-color: white; clear: right; float: right; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; position: relative;"><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="8" data-uuid="99ea1474-b163-336c-83fd-00c04cbafef0" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/men-said-part-york-crime-family-appear-federal-photo-222525862.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Men said to be part of New York crime family appear&nbsp;&hellip;"></a><br /><div class="img-wrap" style="position: relative;"><div class="cta-overlay" style="-webkit-transition: background-color 0.24s linear; font-size: 13px; height: 226px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; transition: background-color 0.24s linear; width: 300px;"><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="8" data-uuid="99ea1474-b163-336c-83fd-00c04cbafef0" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/men-said-part-york-crime-family-appear-federal-photo-222525862.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Men said to be part of New York crime family appear&nbsp;&hellip;"><span class="clearfix title cta-text medium" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.24s linear; color: white; font-size: 16px; left: 5px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; top: 5px; transition: opacity 0.24s linear; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 270px; zoom: 1;"></span><span class="cta-text xsmall" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.24s linear; bottom: 5px; color: white; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 42px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.24s linear;">View gallery</span><span class="icon-slideshow icon-white-slideshow-xsmall" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.16s linear; background-color: #324fe1; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; bottom: 5px; cursor: pointer; height: 23px; left: 5px; line-height: 0; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-indent: -1000em; transition: opacity 0.16s linear; width: 32px; z-index: 1;"></span></a></div><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="8" data-uuid="99ea1474-b163-336c-83fd-00c04cbafef0" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/men-said-part-york-crime-family-appear-federal-photo-222525862.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Men said to be part of New York crime family appear&nbsp;&hellip;"><img alt="Men said to be part of New York crime family appear&nbsp;&hellip;" class="body-related-thumb" data-src-2x="" height="226" src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/_zGiZ9fhyJ7d9HaQ4BZsjA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTIyNjtxPTc1O3c9MzAw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2014-01-23T222525Z_1_CBREA0M1QAF00_RTROPTP_2_USA-LUFTHANSA-HEIST.JPG" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.3333s ease 0ms; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; display: block; opacity: 1 !important; transition: opacity 0.3333s ease 0ms; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible !important;" width="300" /></a></div><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="8" data-uuid="99ea1474-b163-336c-83fd-00c04cbafef0" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/men-said-part-york-crime-family-appear-federal-photo-222525862.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Men said to be part of New York crime family appear&nbsp;&hellip;"></a><br /><div class="body-related-title photo-caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: grey; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px 5px 0px 0px; position: relative; width: 300px;">Suspects said to be part of a New York crime family are seen in a courtroom sketch as they appear in …</div></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"I got a call from Martin Scorsese," joked attorney Gerald McMahon, referring to the director of the 1990 movie about the heist. "He wants to do a sequel to 'Goodfellas' and it seems that federal prosecutors are providing him with the script."</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">At the time of the JFK caper, the currency was being shipped to a U.S. bank from West Germany and the theft was the biggest cash heist ever in the United States. The stolen $5 million in cash would be worth $17.9 million in 2013 dollars, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"These ‘goodfellas' thought they had a license to steal, a license to kill, and a license to do whatever they wanted," said George Venizelos, FBI assistant director-in-charge, in the New York field office.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10729" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The gangsters involved in the heist had each been promised a $750,000 payment that most didn't get "either because they were killed first or it was never given to them," according to court papers filed in the Brooklyn court on Thursday.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10744" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Asaro resented the non-payment, according to a 2011 recording made by a cooperating witness.</div><div class="body-related" id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10776" style="background-color: white; clear: right; float: right; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; position: relative;"><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="9" data-uuid="7304b149-72e8-3af2-984a-5d9d6dd0b377" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/bonanno-crime-family-leader-vincent-asaro-escorted-fbi-photo-163815795.html" id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10775" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Bonanno crime family leader Vincent Asaro is escorted&nbsp;&hellip;"></a><br /><div class="img-wrap" id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10774" style="position: relative;"><div class="cta-overlay" id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10773" style="-webkit-transition: background-color 0.24s linear; font-size: 13px; height: 200px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; transition: background-color 0.24s linear; width: 300px;"><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="9" data-uuid="7304b149-72e8-3af2-984a-5d9d6dd0b377" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/bonanno-crime-family-leader-vincent-asaro-escorted-fbi-photo-163815795.html" id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10775" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Bonanno crime family leader Vincent Asaro is escorted&nbsp;&hellip;"><span class="clearfix title cta-text medium" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.24s linear; color: white; font-size: 16px; left: 5px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; top: 5px; transition: opacity 0.24s linear; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 270px; zoom: 1;"></span><span class="cta-text xsmall" id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10800" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.24s linear; bottom: 5px; color: white; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 42px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.24s linear;">View gallery</span><span class="icon-slideshow icon-white-slideshow-xsmall" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.16s linear; background-color: #324fe1; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; bottom: 5px; cursor: pointer; height: 23px; left: 5px; line-height: 0; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-indent: -1000em; transition: opacity 0.16s linear; width: 32px; z-index: 1;"></span></a></div><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="9" data-uuid="7304b149-72e8-3af2-984a-5d9d6dd0b377" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/bonanno-crime-family-leader-vincent-asaro-escorted-fbi-photo-163815795.html" id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10775" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Bonanno crime family leader Vincent Asaro is escorted&nbsp;&hellip;"><img alt="Bonanno crime family leader Vincent Asaro is escorted&nbsp;&hellip;" class="body-related-thumb" data-src-2x="" height="200" src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/M5c5sYx7.PkMvPAt60uWjw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTIwMDtxPTc1O3c9MzAw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2014-01-23T201619Z_3_CBREA0M1A7T00_RTROPTP_2_USA-LUFTHANSA-HEIST.JPG" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.3333s ease 0ms; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; display: block; opacity: 1 !important; transition: opacity 0.3333s ease 0ms; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible !important;" width="300" /></a></div><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="9" data-uuid="7304b149-72e8-3af2-984a-5d9d6dd0b377" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/bonanno-crime-family-leader-vincent-asaro-escorted-fbi-photo-163815795.html" id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10775" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Bonanno crime family leader Vincent Asaro is escorted&nbsp;&hellip;"></a><br /><div class="body-related-title photo-caption" id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10785" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: grey; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px 5px 0px 0px; position: relative; width: 300px;">Bonanno crime family leader Vincent Asaro is escorted by FBI agents from their Manhattan offices in  …</div></div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10754" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"We never got our right money, what we were supposed to get, we got fucked all around," Asaro told the witness, according to the papers. "That fucking Jimmy (Burke) kept everything."</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10764" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">'DEAD, DISAPPEARED OR MURDERED'</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10811" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">James "Jimmy the Gent" Burke was played by Robert De Niro in the popular Scorsese movie adapted from the book "Wiseguy" by Nicholas Pileggi. Affiliated with the rival Lucchese crime family, Burke was the suspected mastermind of the brazen crime that stumped investigators for decades.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10821" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"A lot of the main characters, like Burke, either died, disappeared or were murdered," said Anthony DeStefano, a veteran New York crime reporter and author of the 2013 book "Vinny Gorgeous: The Ugly Rise and Fall of a New York Mobster."</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">A break in the case came after an FBI investigation of a New York property tied to Burke last summer turned up human remains. Burke himself died in prison in 1996 while serving time for the murder of a drug dealer.</div><div class="body-related" style="background-color: white; clear: right; float: right; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; position: relative;"><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="10" data-uuid="6d0dfd3d-5053-3ab1-9915-f3ea2be29aaa" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/thomas-di-fiore-escorted-fbi-agents-manhattan-offices-photo-163815880.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Thomas Di Fiore is escorted by FBI agents from their&nbsp;&hellip;"></a><br /><div class="img-wrap" style="position: relative;"><div class="cta-overlay" style="-webkit-transition: background-color 0.24s linear; font-size: 13px; height: 200px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; transition: background-color 0.24s linear; width: 300px;"><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="10" data-uuid="6d0dfd3d-5053-3ab1-9915-f3ea2be29aaa" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/thomas-di-fiore-escorted-fbi-agents-manhattan-offices-photo-163815880.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Thomas Di Fiore is escorted by FBI agents from their&nbsp;&hellip;"><span class="clearfix title cta-text medium" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.24s linear; color: white; font-size: 16px; left: 5px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; top: 5px; transition: opacity 0.24s linear; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 270px; zoom: 1;"></span><span class="cta-text xsmall" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.24s linear; bottom: 5px; color: white; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 42px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.24s linear;">View gallery</span><span class="icon-slideshow icon-white-slideshow-xsmall" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.16s linear; background-color: #324fe1; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; bottom: 5px; cursor: pointer; height: 23px; left: 5px; line-height: 0; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-indent: -1000em; transition: opacity 0.16s linear; width: 32px; z-index: 1;"></span></a></div><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="10" data-uuid="6d0dfd3d-5053-3ab1-9915-f3ea2be29aaa" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/thomas-di-fiore-escorted-fbi-agents-manhattan-offices-photo-163815880.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Thomas Di Fiore is escorted by FBI agents from their&nbsp;&hellip;"><img alt="Thomas Di Fiore is escorted by FBI agents from their&nbsp;&hellip;" class="body-related-thumb" data-src-2x="" height="200" src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/95Ogv2hl2UDlsZxKfwQTDA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTIwMDtxPTc1O3c9MzAw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2014-01-23T201619Z_1_CBREA0M1A7S00_RTROPTP_2_USA-LUFTHANSA-HEIST.JPG" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.3333s ease 0ms; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; display: block; opacity: 1 !important; transition: opacity 0.3333s ease 0ms; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible !important;" width="300" /></a></div><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="10" data-uuid="6d0dfd3d-5053-3ab1-9915-f3ea2be29aaa" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/thomas-di-fiore-escorted-fbi-agents-manhattan-offices-photo-163815880.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Thomas Di Fiore is escorted by FBI agents from their&nbsp;&hellip;"></a><br /><div class="body-related-title photo-caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: grey; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px 5px 0px 0px; position: relative; width: 300px;">Thomas 'Tommy D' Di Fiore is escorted by FBI agents from their Manhattan offices in New York …</div></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The Thursday indictment charges Asaro with the murder of Paul Katz in 1969, as well as robbery, conspiracy and other crimes tied to the 1978 heist.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Asaro and Burke strangled Katz with a dog chain because they thought he was cooperating with investigators, prosecutors said. His body was first buried in the basement of a vacant house in the New York borough of Queens and later moved to the location where it was found last summer, they said.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The papers also charge the men were involved in the 1981 torching of a building where a businessman had intended to open a nightclub catering to black people in the then mostly white neighborhood in Queens where the accused gangsters socialized.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The papers also mention a discussion between Asaro and the other indicted men about more recent crimes, including extortion, loan sharking and violence, as recently as 2013.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">FATHER, SON INDICTED TOGETHER</div><div class="body-related" style="background-color: white; clear: right; float: right; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; position: relative;"><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="11" data-uuid="9b7d5918-a00d-327b-bce8-ce7b5b5eabe3" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/family-members-vincent-asaro-alleged-leader-bonanno-organized-photo-222525559.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Family members of Vincent Asaro, an alleged leader&nbsp;&hellip;"></a><br /><div class="img-wrap" style="position: relative;"><div class="cta-overlay" style="-webkit-transition: background-color 0.24s linear; font-size: 13px; height: 200px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; transition: background-color 0.24s linear; width: 300px;"><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="11" data-uuid="9b7d5918-a00d-327b-bce8-ce7b5b5eabe3" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/family-members-vincent-asaro-alleged-leader-bonanno-organized-photo-222525559.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Family members of Vincent Asaro, an alleged leader&nbsp;&hellip;"><span class="clearfix title cta-text medium" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.24s linear; color: white; font-size: 16px; left: 5px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; top: 5px; transition: opacity 0.24s linear; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 270px; zoom: 1;"></span><span class="cta-text xsmall" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.24s linear; bottom: 5px; color: white; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 42px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.24s linear;">View gallery</span><span class="icon-slideshow icon-white-slideshow-xsmall" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.16s linear; background-color: #324fe1; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; bottom: 5px; cursor: pointer; height: 23px; left: 5px; line-height: 0; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-indent: -1000em; transition: opacity 0.16s linear; width: 32px; z-index: 1;"></span></a></div><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="11" data-uuid="9b7d5918-a00d-327b-bce8-ce7b5b5eabe3" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/family-members-vincent-asaro-alleged-leader-bonanno-organized-photo-222525559.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Family members of Vincent Asaro, an alleged leader&nbsp;&hellip;"><img alt="Family members of Vincent Asaro, an alleged leader&nbsp;&hellip;" class="body-related-thumb" data-src-2x="" height="200" src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/clNJZ0Wl_dLgmpwqoaVUVQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTIwMDtxPTc1O3c9MzAw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2014-01-23T222525Z_1_CBREA0M1QAG00_RTROPTP_2_USA-LUFTHANSA-HEIST.JPG" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.3333s ease 0ms; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; display: block; opacity: 1 !important; transition: opacity 0.3333s ease 0ms; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible !important;" width="300" /></a></div><a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-rapid_p="11" data-uuid="9b7d5918-a00d-327b-bce8-ce7b5b5eabe3" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/family-members-vincent-asaro-alleged-leader-bonanno-organized-photo-222525559.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="Family members of Vincent Asaro, an alleged leader&nbsp;&hellip;"></a><br /><div class="body-related-title photo-caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: grey; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px 5px 0px 0px; position: relative; width: 300px;">Family members of Vincent Asaro, an alleged leader of the Bonanno organized crime family, cover thei …</div></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Asaro was charged with four criminal counts, including robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, in connection with the Lufthansa heist.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">He is also charged racketeering and extortion for other alleged criminal activity.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Vincent Asaro and his son, Jerome Asaro, 55, are charged with stealing $1.25 million in gold salts from a Federal Express employee in February 1984. They are also accused of robbery conspiracy in the theft of $1 million from an armored car in the mid-1980s.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Three others defendants, Jack Bonventre, 45; Thomas "Tommy D" Di Fiore, 70; and John "Bazoo" Ragano, 52, are charged with multiple crimes, including racketeering and extortion, unrelated to the Lufthansa heist, officials said.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_10868" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Jerome Asaro and Ragano, wearing baggy sweatsuits and sneakers, pleaded not guilty to all charges in Brooklyn on Thursday, while Bonventre did not enter a plea as his lawyer was not yet present. Di Fiore was not present in court.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Much of the money from the 1978 heist has not been recovered, said DeStefano, who writes for Newsday: "Some of it went up the chain in tribute to the Luccheses, some of it went to Burke and his businesses and some of it is still unaccounted for."</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">(Additional reporting by Jonathan Stempel; Writing by Barbara Goldberg; Editing by Scott Malone, Nick Zieminski, Alden Bentley and Gunna Dickson)</div></div>

Reputed N.Y. mobster nabbed in 1978 'Goodfellas' airport heist (BLOG)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Five people said to be part of a New York crime family were arrested on Thursday, including a 78-year-old man accused o...

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Only the Male American Idols Remain on BillBoard 200 Album Chart

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXAG-PRIhyns3fDfcvs2Scc3Gvb2pX22ewFSgIe4MUDN3OtCiDrWpkUNl4BZqylZjtIgjL-6ZSLHU_Pym0kkYUrjzC5rxz9Ypy3pYjpYq7Te2nylvnP0g_3L6WYsLohXkwYUHRqqSWVTS/s1600/bb200-20140124.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXAG-PRIhyns3fDfcvs2Scc3Gvb2pX22ewFSgIe4MUDN3OtCiDrWpkUNl4BZqylZjtIgjL-6ZSLHU_Pym0kkYUrjzC5rxz9Ypy3pYjpYq7Te2nylvnP0g_3L6WYsLohXkwYUHRqqSWVTS/s1600/bb200-20140124.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">orange= Daughtry, red = Scotty, med blue = Colton (dk green = Kelly, lt blue = Carrie, maroon = Phillip)</td></tr></tbody></table>After a 2013 when Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson both permanently lived on the <a href="http://www.mjsbigblog.com/billboard-chart-date-02012014.htm" target="_blank">BillBoard 200 album chart</a>, this week marks a rarity when neither of them has an album on the chart. In fact only three American Idol alumni remain on the chart, all of them male, and only one of them a winner of the show. Leading the group is "Baptized" by Season 5 fourth place finisher Daughtry at #70 after 9 weeks. Next on the chart is Season 10 winner, Scotty McCreery, at #120 with "See You Tonight" which sees its first week out of the Top 100 after 14 weeks. His numbers are listed on the <a href="http://www.roughstock.com/blog/country-album-chart-news-the-week-of-january-22-2013-jennifer-nettles-jon-pardi-rosanne-cash-debut-in-top-5" target="_blank">RoughStock Country blog</a>, so we know he sold another 3,000 in sales this week to bring his total to 190K. The only other Idol on the chart is Season 11 seventh place finisher Colton Dixon who popped on the chart last week at #132 and hangs on at #189. Colton will probably drop off the chart next week, leaving only Daughtry and Scotty on the chart to represent the Idols as Season 13 continues to develop. Will any of the contestants we have seen so far in any of the auditions be able to become the next Chris Daughtry or Scotty McCreery? (I think some of them would be happy enough to just be the next Colton Dixon.) There appears to be some talented contestants this year, both male and female contestants, and hopefully some promising individuals of both genders make it to the voting rounds (unlike last year!)

Only the Male American Idols Remain on BillBoard 200 Album Chart

orange= Daughtry, red = Scotty, med blue = Colton (dk green = Kelly, lt blue = Carrie, maroon = Phillip) After a 2013 when Carrie Underwood ...

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U.S. privacy board says NSA phone program illegal, should end (Blog)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskoi_9mHKM6rj4RJYdKBa3M6QxyZ6zT5FFaAWLNNQDdWHjeqWgvBNzTdrD9X7Ekq6umKRfYEmzHMGe-ht1Y52JPSiGoaxsyHMo8p8AMiQDKd9lxStiyShuDAEbFWuTAYW2U8wCqvpfiw/s1600/145ff41d-cbad-49f5-a7e7-7e83ce69d1c3_2014-01-09T213303Z_1_CBREA081NV600_RTROPTP_4_USA-SECURITY-RULING.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskoi_9mHKM6rj4RJYdKBa3M6QxyZ6zT5FFaAWLNNQDdWHjeqWgvBNzTdrD9X7Ekq6umKRfYEmzHMGe-ht1Y52JPSiGoaxsyHMo8p8AMiQDKd9lxStiyShuDAEbFWuTAYW2U8wCqvpfiw/s1600/145ff41d-cbad-49f5-a7e7-7e83ce69d1c3_2014-01-09T213303Z_1_CBREA081NV600_RTROPTP_4_USA-SECURITY-RULING.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_8329" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. National Security Agency's bulk collection of phone records provides only minimal benefits to countering terrorism, is illegal and should end, a federal privacy watchdog said in a report to be released on Thursday and reviewed by Reuters.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_8359" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The watchdog agency's report could further complicate efforts by both President Barack Obama and Congress to come up with possible reforms to NSA eavesdropping programs, which have been under harsh scrutiny in the wake of revelations by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_8369" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, which produced the new report, is an independent government agency within the executive branch that advises the President and Congress on how to ensure that counterterrorism operations also protect Americans' privacy.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">In its report, the board called on the government to end the NSA program that collects U.S. telephone records in bulk and to purge the data it had collected, adding ammunition to efforts by privacy advocates to win new restrictions on government surveillance programs.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"The Section 215 bulk telephone records program lacks a viable legal foundation under Section 215, implicates constitutional concerns under the First and Fourth Amendments, raises serious threats to privacy and civil liberties as a policy matter, and has shown only limited value," the board said in its report.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The board's conclusion that NSA's bulk collection of Americans telephone metadata lacks legal grounding goes further than both the president and an ad hoc panel he created to review NSA eavesdropping activities.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">In its report released last month, the review panel, which included former White House and intelligence officials, also raised questions about the value of telephone metadata collection in producing counter terrorism breakthroughs. The panel recommended that metadata collection should continue, but that data should henceforth be stored either by telephone companies or an independent third party.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">In a speech on Friday, Obama agreed that the storage of telephone metadata should be moved out of government hands but did not call for an outright halt to the collection of such data by the NSA. The president also said that such data should not be searched without judicial approval.</div><div class="body-related" style="background-color: white; clear: right; float: right; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; position: relative;"><a class="body-related-link body-related-slideshow go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize " data-list-id="3cabc1f0-426b-11e3-bf5e-3c6862d44085" data-rapid_p="13" data-type="slideshow" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/u-s-spying-controversy-1383251410-slideshow/" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="U.S. spying controversy"></a><br /><div class="img-wrap" style="position: relative;"><div class="cta-overlay" style="-webkit-transition: background-color 0.24s linear; font-size: 13px; height: 190px; left: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; transition: background-color 0.24s linear; width: 300px;"><a class="body-related-link body-related-slideshow go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize " data-list-id="3cabc1f0-426b-11e3-bf5e-3c6862d44085" data-rapid_p="13" data-type="slideshow" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/u-s-spying-controversy-1383251410-slideshow/" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="U.S. spying controversy"><span class="clearfix title cta-text medium" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.24s linear; color: white; font-size: 16px; left: 5px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; top: 5px; transition: opacity 0.24s linear; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 270px; zoom: 1;"></span><span class="cta-text xsmall" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.24s linear; bottom: 5px; color: white; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 42px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.24s linear;">View gallery</span><span class="icon-slideshow icon-white-slideshow-xsmall" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.16s linear; background-color: #324fe1; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; bottom: 5px; cursor: pointer; height: 23px; left: 5px; line-height: 0; opacity: 0; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-indent: -1000em; transition: opacity 0.16s linear; width: 32px; z-index: 1;"></span></a></div><a class="body-related-link body-related-slideshow go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize " data-list-id="3cabc1f0-426b-11e3-bf5e-3c6862d44085" data-rapid_p="13" data-type="slideshow" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/u-s-spying-controversy-1383251410-slideshow/" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="U.S. spying controversy"><img alt="U.S. spying controversy" class="body-related-thumb" data-src-2x="" height="190" src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/L7vjxPH1vUwLlDQKIJ3w0Q--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTE5MDtxPTc1O3c9MzAw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2014-01-17T174559Z_403431931_GM1EA1I04UI01_RTRMADP_3_USA-SECURITY-OBAMA.JPG" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.3333s ease 0ms; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; display: block; opacity: 1 !important; transition: opacity 0.3333s ease 0ms; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible !important;" width="300" /></a></div><a class="body-related-link body-related-slideshow go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize " data-list-id="3cabc1f0-426b-11e3-bf5e-3c6862d44085" data-rapid_p="13" data-type="slideshow" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/u-s-spying-controversy-1383251410-slideshow/" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 300px; position: relative; text-decoration: none;" title="U.S. spying controversy"></a><br /><div class="body-related-title photo-caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: grey; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px 5px 0px 0px; position: relative; width: 300px;">U.S. President Barack Obama is seen through a teleprompter as he speaks about the National Security  …</div></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">However, he left specific details of how the telephone data collection program should be reformed up to intelligence advisors, the Justice Department and Congress.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Congress is already sharply divided over what to do with the telephone metadata collection program, which collects data on millions of phone calls made in the United States but not the content of the calls.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Intelligence committees in both Houses recommend that current collection and storage arrangements be maintained, while Judiciary committees have recommended that such collection be outlawed.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The privacy board recommended against asking private parties to routinely store data for the NSA's use and said other existing laws could be used to access phone records if needed.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The White House on Thursday said Obama and members of the administration had earlier met with the board's five members and reviewed a draft of their report, taking the board's recommendations into account before the report's release.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"We look forward to its release and expect to factor it into our thinking on these issues moving forward," said White House National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden, but added: "Specifically on the Section 215 bulk telephony metadata program, we disagree with the Board's analysis on the legality of the program."</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_8387" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The five-member privacy oversight board itself split along party lines on the report, with three Democrats supporting and two Republicans writing separate opinions in opposition of ending the bulk collection program.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_8373" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"I don't believe the Board should go outside its expertise to opine on the effectiveness of counterterrorism programs. As those of us with law enforcement experience know, successful investigations use all available tools - there often is no "silver bullet" that alone thwarts a plot," said House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, a Republican and staunch defender of the NSA's work.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_8399" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The board, whose review was based in part on classified briefings and documents, said it found no terrorist attacks thwarted or previously unknown terrorist plots discovered through the program in the previous seven years.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_8409" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"We have not identified a single instance involving a threat to the United States in which the program made a concrete difference in the outcome of a counterterrorism investigation," the report said.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The board concluded that the NSA collection raises constitutional concerns with regard to U.S. citizens' rights of speech, association and privacy.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"Permitting the government to routinely collect the calling records of the entire nation fundamentally shifts the balance of power between the state and its citizens," it said.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_8466" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">It also called for Congress to authorize the creation of panel of outside lawyers to serve as privacy advocates in the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court that oversees NSA eavesdropping procedures. It also urged further declassification of FISC rulings.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_8439" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board was established at the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission in 2004. At the request of lawmakers and Obama last year, the board reviewed U.S. intelligence gathering programs and it will issue a separate report on Internet surveillance.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_8454" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">(Reporting by Alina Selyukh,; Additional reporting by Eric Beech, Steve Holland and Mark Hosenball; Editing by Stephen Powell and Chris Reese)</div></div>

U.S. privacy board says NSA phone program illegal, should end (Blog)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. National Security Agency's bulk collection of phone records provides only minimal benefits to countering...

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Snowden: 'No way I can come home and make my case to a jury' (BLOG)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_5298" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRh_Q5t6LXheJ8tF0mYNfWg8ItF4LmkRHxcxuck26oQYzX0xyBHio8bz1E2e24j1ByGzWauX_CqxVzKUWIFmLl9t7dPo3GIj0fzdOz7Q83NbBZEA8c0qiiI8-WyM8SHpXlngYJdRL0qA/s1600/eba12472f6218502490f6a706700bc73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRh_Q5t6LXheJ8tF0mYNfWg8ItF4LmkRHxcxuck26oQYzX0xyBHio8bz1E2e24j1ByGzWauX_CqxVzKUWIFmLl9t7dPo3GIj0fzdOz7Q83NbBZEA8c0qiiI8-WyM8SHpXlngYJdRL0qA/s1600/eba12472f6218502490f6a706700bc73.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden wants to return to the United States, but he believes he would not be able to get a fair trial because current whistle-blower protection laws do not cover NSA contractors.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_5350" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Snowden responded to questions submitted by Twitter users with the hashtag <a data-rapid_p="10" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AskSnowden&src=tyah" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">#AskSnowden</a>. His answers were posted to <a data-rapid_p="11" href="http://freesnowden.is/asksnowden.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">FreeSnowden.is</a>, a fundraising website launched last year in support of his asylum. In May 2013, Snowden fled the United States to Hong Kong before he was granted asylum in Russia.In what was <a data-rapid_p="9" href="http://freesnowden.is/asksnowden.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">billed as a live online chat</a>, Snowden said his return "is the best resolution for the government, the public, and myself, but it’s unfortunately not possible.<br /><br />"This is especially frustrating," he wrote, "because it means there’s no chance to have a fair trial, and no way I can come home and make my case to a jury."</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The 30-year-old fugitive also denied a report that he stole passwords and misled co-workers at the agency. "I never stole any passwords, nor did I trick an army of co-workers," Snowden wrote.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Snowden conceded that some spying is necessary for national security.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"Not all spying is bad," he wrote. "The biggest problem we face right now is the new technique of indiscriminate mass surveillance, where governments are seizing billions and billions and billions of innocents’ communication every single day. This is done not because it’s necessary — after all, these programs are unprecedented in US history, and were begun in response to a threat that kills fewer Americans every year than bathtub falls and police officers — but because new technologies make it easy and cheap.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"I think a person should be able to dial a number, make a purchase, send an SMS, write an email, or visit a website without having to think about what it’s going to look like on their permanent record," he continued. "It’s not good for our country, it’s not good for the world, and I wasn’t going to stand by and watch it happen, no matter how much it cost me."</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">He added: "When we’re sophisticated enough to be able to break into any device in the world we want to ... there’s no excuse to wasting our time collecting the call records of grandmothers in Missouri."</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">The live chat came as Attorney General Eric Holder <a data-rapid_p="12" href="http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/23/22417513-holder-clemency-for-snowden-too-far-but-open-to-resolution?lite" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">told MSNBC</a> the United States “would engage in conversation” if the former government contractor accepted responsibility for leaking government secrets.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">But Holder said granting clemency to Snowden "would be going too far."</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Last week, President Barack Obama <a data-rapid_p="13" href="http://news.yahoo.com/nine-questions-about-obama-s-nsa-spying-overhaul-184312594.html" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">announced an overhaul of the NSA spy program</a>.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">But the president, who has said he believes Snowden should stand trial, declined to discuss clemency in a recent interview.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">“I do not have a yes/no answer on clemency for Edward Snowden," Obama told the New Yorker magazine. "This is an active case, where charges have been brought.”</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_5369" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Earlier this week, U.S. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Mich., <a data-rapid_p="14" href="http://news.yahoo.com/snowden-help-from-russians-193641893.html" id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_5378" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">expressed concern that Snowden might have had help from Russia</a> in pulling off his leak.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_5354" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"I believe there's a reason he ended up in the hands, the loving arms, of [a Russian Federal Security Service] agent in Moscow," Rogers said on "Meet the Press" on Sunday. "I don't think that's a coincidence, No. 1. ... I don't think it was a gee-whiz luck event that he ended up in Moscow under the handling of the FSB."</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_5392" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Snowden quickly denied the spy allegations.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_5402" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">“This ‘Russian spy’ push is absurd," Snowden <a data-rapid_p="15" href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2014/01/snowden-calls-russian-spy-story-absurd.html" id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_5411" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">told the New Yorker</a>.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_5422" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Still, Snowden remains hopeful the United States can fix the damage caused by the NSA spying program he exposed.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1390515788334_5432" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">"What makes our country strong is our system of values, not a snapshot of the structure of our agencies or the framework of our laws," he wrote. "We can correct the laws, restrain the overreach of agencies, and hold the senior officials responsible for abusive programs to account."<br /><br /><br />yahoo.com</div></div>

Snowden: 'No way I can come home and make my case to a jury' (BLOG)

National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden wants to return to the United States, but he believes he would not be able to get a fair tria...

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Bond girl Olga Kurylenko is expecting a baby?

<script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* bleu 280 */ google_ad_slot = "8164661108"; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Native Ukrainian town of Berdyansk, and now French actress <b>Olga Kurylenko</b>, who plays Bond girl in "Quantum of Solace", apparently expecting a baby. This is evidenced by picture, which appeared on the network. </span><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* biner3 */ google_ad_slot = "7346003106"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script><br /><br />Picture posted Model Elena Perminov, which itself is now under the heart of the third child. Girls decided to compete bellies who have more. And if not just <b><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/11/olga-kurylenko-in-arms-of-unknown-man.html" target="_blank">Olga Kurylenko</a></b> played up his girlfriend, soon and look forward to the birth of another star kid. <br /><br />Recall that Olga Kurylenko is not married, but meets the 50-year-old millionaire Danny Huston.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WY1hyjH9B8Mv-chz8VnxGS4PN25di3FTG-bYZYP9zLjsHc4rUfu5biAMUSSQN_2D8Iwxherdtie0LTbD_3UeO302Pz0M-J7hearbKQiPox-GQGoJkmWk4eqTR_Jt3-fCqaK7Yihp/s1600/Olga+Kurylenko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WY1hyjH9B8Mv-chz8VnxGS4PN25di3FTG-bYZYP9zLjsHc4rUfu5biAMUSSQN_2D8Iwxherdtie0LTbD_3UeO302Pz0M-J7hearbKQiPox-GQGoJkmWk4eqTR_Jt3-fCqaK7Yihp/s1600/Olga+Kurylenko.jpg" /></a></div><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* boton */ google_ad_slot = "4392536701"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 90; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script>

Bond girl Olga Kurylenko is expecting a baby?

Native Ukrainian town of Berdyansk, and now French actress Olga Kurylenko , who plays Bond girl in "Quantum of Solace", apparentl...

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Kelly Osbourne and Matthew Mosshart broke up because of infidelity?

<script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* bleu 280 */ google_ad_slot = "8164661108"; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago, Kelly Osbourne and Matthew Mosshart announced parting. We then became very upset that Cal will not be able to try again wedding dress, even though it was planned. However softened news reports that the pair finished their relationship on a friendly note.</span><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* biner3 */ google_ad_slot = "7346003106"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGRUeoliGA0DQZS5VqoyGixETnSGJWZt48yG3CvhLW6D0aw0U9gVYf7FzhCe7RA28fr9n0IQvOos7S5KWZXmoR1H9PIg3CnNA3gJp3DXsTV4z9vNRaH4jneARgF3OW6zM445rstjH/s1600/Kelly+Osbourne+and+Matthew+Mosshart+broke+up+because+of+infidelity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kelly Osbourne and Matthew Mosshart" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGRUeoliGA0DQZS5VqoyGixETnSGJWZt48yG3CvhLW6D0aw0U9gVYf7FzhCe7RA28fr9n0IQvOos7S5KWZXmoR1H9PIg3CnNA3gJp3DXsTV4z9vNRaH4jneARgF3OW6zM445rstjH/s1600/Kelly+Osbourne+and+Matthew+Mosshart+broke+up+because+of+infidelity.jpg" title="Kelly Osbourne and Matthew Mosshart" /></a></div><br /> <br /> But no such luck. As usual, found a source that gleefully shared his version of Kelly parting with another suitor. He argues that Osborne for several months felt that her beloved is something wrong. Her jealousy grew into what she asked for help to know: <br /> <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"> She asked her friends to follow him while she works. </blockquote><br /> Surveillance was not useless. "Spies" Kelly was told that Mosshart at different times of the day, on different days for some reason went to different hotels for Los Angeles. Then jealous fiancee checked the computer and phone negligent groom. There found evidence that he engaged in "perverse connection" with other women. <br /> <br /> Summed Source: <br /> <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"> Kelly was furious and broke off the engagement. </blockquote><br /> Whatever was wish Kel quickly find "their" man with whom will not have to leave because of his ugly deeds.<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-8441125172513237"; /* boton */ google_ad_slot = "4392536701"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 90; //--></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script>

Kelly Osbourne and Matthew Mosshart broke up because of infidelity?

A couple of weeks ago, Kelly Osbourne and Matthew Mosshart announced parting. We then became very upset that Cal will not be able to try aga...

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Mob Wives: Recap “Eat Worms B*tch,” Ep 408

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryhXsQT-5yuwh9Bs7B3V1Xwe0e5rSg6vFbFis_ka3tiQ1vy6h49LL3TT3HjyJl0OnpWMbjU2ZgSatkgPp_fAyJ9ILcW_qRN2ux6Km9d7vXbhPls4y1tX9DVdlqO_LqqM5s2zBgqUvfHY/s1600/Renee+Penny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryhXsQT-5yuwh9Bs7B3V1Xwe0e5rSg6vFbFis_ka3tiQ1vy6h49LL3TT3HjyJl0OnpWMbjU2ZgSatkgPp_fAyJ9ILcW_qRN2ux6Km9d7vXbhPls4y1tX9DVdlqO_LqqM5s2zBgqUvfHY/s1600/Renee+Penny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Renee stands alone...again!</span></b></div><br />Drita meets with her music producer, Anthony, in the studio. She did great on “the last thing” says Tony, almost like it was so long ago he couldn’t remember it. Neither can I. She wants to lay down a new track that sounds different and “Money Bags” is just perfect, she loves it. She is going to “blow it out the f*ckin’ box.” Method Man was there, says Anthony, and Drita freaks out because he is her favorite rapper OR one of her top five rappers, you decide. So she is buggin’ out over do a rap song with him. See, maybe it’s just me, but if Drita was going to do another rap song shouldn’t it have been on the heels of the first one? Anyway good for her. (Insert eye roll)<br /><br />Renee is justifiably furious after leaving Alicia’s house because she all but called her a “rat.” Big Ang blames Alicia’s comments on her being on edge. Renee says Alicia was insinuating she was a “rat” and “no one in 44 f*ckin’ years” has ever said Renee was a rat because she is not. Big Ang thinks Alicia still has a thing about Renee and Carla on the wire tap. Renee reads her a text from Alicia saying she knows she has her best interests at heart, but whoever she is talking to does not. Renee is pissed about her allegations. Renee is trying to get past her own problems and now Alicia wants to bring her down! Seems like Ang keeps making excuses for Alicia, even though she is supposed to be very close with Renee and her family, I don’t get it. Alicia didn’t have any proof and yet she attacked Renee at her dinner table when Renee went there to support her. No one said a word in Renee’s defense. WTH? Big Ang defends Renee on Twitter?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaAL06JIc86Q5Ip_L1dlxyUCe2FkmnVzEvBmjrVW7Z9V2f-x7lMCWuVrcvyrSlN9WJiV6G4GFfHcKPN1JY5vIU2hot8hgLoL9McisKKnAGK_AyOo6W8xGSJxzaukcqO8ThaM5lcRgjHM/s1600/ang+tweet+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaAL06JIc86Q5Ip_L1dlxyUCe2FkmnVzEvBmjrVW7Z9V2f-x7lMCWuVrcvyrSlN9WJiV6G4GFfHcKPN1JY5vIU2hot8hgLoL9McisKKnAGK_AyOo6W8xGSJxzaukcqO8ThaM5lcRgjHM/s1600/ang+tweet+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Next thing we know, Drita is “apologizing” to Alicia for stressing her out more with their visit. Really Drita? What did anyone do to stress out Alicia?  Drita says she thought the comment she repeated, about Alicia knowing everything her husband does, came from Alicia to Renee. Alicia is pissed that Renee is digging up dirt about her, from other people who heard the wire taps, and is afraid it is going to hurt her case. She feels Renee is behind her business being leaked to the press. Seems like Alicia wants her business kept private so is that why she put herself on national television airing all her own dirty laundry? Why doesn’t anyone say that to her face because I am dying to hear the answer! But, Drita seems to be siding with<b> <i>poor, poor pitiful</i> </b>Alicia. Once again a friend of Renee’s is siding with the “outsider” she just met 5 minutes ago. Alicia says she wants to sit down with Renee and give her a chance to explain herself. Excuse me? “Explain herself?”  I don’t think Renee has anything she needs to explain. If you don’t want people talking about you, then don’t give them anything to talk about, Alicia!<br /><br />Drita is trying to write a rap song to go with the words “money bags,” but she is completely stumped. She says writing is usually easy for her, but apparently she has writer’s block. She shows Aleeya what she is doing, writing words to the beat. I could do without these rapping scenes, I think they are “fillers.” Next.<br /><br />Natalie is out with her boyfriend, London. They have been together a year and a half now. She loves him. She wants to talk about their future, long time goals. He lives in New York and she lives in SOUTH Philly. She wants him to move to Philly where her family and business are located. The long distance relationship is hard. He says he is taking it one day at a time. She can’t keep doing the back and forth forever. I agree with her, she should stay in Philly and let him go back and forth, and leave us all the hell out of their bedroom scenes.<br /><br />Renee’s house. Renee hates the words “leak, rat, snitch” that Alicia throws around. Then she gets a letter from Junior and her skin begins to crawl. She is in complete shock. She calls her friend, Nikole, to tell her about his letter. Junior’s letter says he has a year to go and then he wants to get back together with her. He loves her and wants to start over. He says he can forgive her and hopes she can forgive him. Renee has nothing to be forgiven for and wants nothing to do with him. AJ walks in and she asks him to have a seat. She is agitated and she wants him to see Junior’s letter. AJ stops her cold, and he says if this has to do with his father he doesn’t want to hear it, he is moving forward. Renee says she wants to be left alone and doesn’t want Junior bothering her. I don’t understand how anyone in witness protection are allowed to write letters home which could make an “enemy” aware of their location? Junior cooperated with the Feds on several mobsters, including Renee’s father, and he thinks he can just stroll the streets of New York again? The skeptic in me doubts there even is a letter from Junior, but it makes for good television.<br /><br />Natalie drops in on Alicia. Alicia says she is irate. She says she called Renee to invite her to lunch to discuss what happened at her house. One of Alicia’s friends told her to look at Renee’s twitter, she has a message on it for Alicia. Why hasn’t Alicia seen it for herself, they follow each other on Twitter? Anyway, Alicia is beyond pissed. People are telling Alicia everything Renee is tweeting, oh dear, and they are hurtful and malicious things about her. <b><i>Poor, poor pitiful me</i>.</b> Alicia says Renee is sharing everything about Alicia with her best friend Carla. Natalie is more convinced than ever that she wants nothing to do with Renee. So does that mean she will quit or be fired from Mob Candy and Mob Wives? We can only pray! Alicia wants Renee to come clean and admit she is talking about her. I’m still waiting for Alicia to come clean about lots of things, but it ain’t happening.<br /><br />Renee meets her friend Carla, who she has known for 35 years. They grew up together with many other friends, in Staten Island. She is filling Carla in on all the stuff going on with Alicia. Renee says Alicia came to her house and talked about Renee and Carla being on the wire taps. Carla tells Renee that years ago she got a letter from the Federal government saying that she was on the wire tap. Renee now knows that the tapes are not as secret as Alicia thinks. Renee tells her that Alicia doesn’t want Carla to be friends with Edward. Renee feels Edward is still close to Carla. Carla says he even asked her to help pick out a gift for Alicia. Carla says Alicia can’t comprehend the term “friendship.” Carla is a married woman with a child, and she remained friends with Edward. Renee says Alicia is implying that Renee is feeding Carla information and Carla is spreading it all over Staten Island. Carla says if she has an issue with her then she should take it up with her, “her door is open and her phone rings…ring it.” Renee says she isn’t the enemy but Alicia is treating her like she is. Carla says Alicia needs to come to her if she has any problems.<br /><br />Back to London and Natalie in bed…with all the camera men around, how romantic! Love and chemistry…TAKE 1! They talk about getting a place together in New York, she feels it’s a step in the right direction. This is a step towards settling down and she seems happy. And really, who cares? Another filler scene as far as I am concerned.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9hZrjCUAcRpaEqGGGHcbTAUCBb9u4pxMlHmzrA5VVQIxBntR79rnIcfEMLlcGiC2f2TWDyJrS-Bp3aZSit4MPMR3U3hFHI30QkDeq_U4txaeP6AQ5KCjFouwhSbIPQGLs5XiB1oALGk/s1600/ang+tweet+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9hZrjCUAcRpaEqGGGHcbTAUCBb9u4pxMlHmzrA5VVQIxBntR79rnIcfEMLlcGiC2f2TWDyJrS-Bp3aZSit4MPMR3U3hFHI30QkDeq_U4txaeP6AQ5KCjFouwhSbIPQGLs5XiB1oALGk/s1600/ang+tweet+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Here again Ang sides with Renee on Twitter, but</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>never speaks up on the show?</b></div><br />Drita pops in at Ang’s to tell her about Alicia freaking out over Renee’s tweets. “Tweets?“ Really? Is that what should be of concern with her sentencing hanging over her head? What about the restitution to the truckers whose pension money you took? What about the fines the Feds want you to pay? I would think those two things would bump down the “tweets” on your list of concerns. Ang says she knows Renee wants to kill Alicia. Drita and Ang thinks it’s “nice” that Alicia invited Renee to lunch to discuss their issues. But now Alicia is pissed because of Renee’s tweets about the “damsel in distress act is getting old.” They both feel if someone has something to say, say it to the person’s face, not on twitter, text or facebook. Drita tells her Alicia is hurt and no one has ever treated her that way. Drita and Big Ang side with Alicia yet again. They feel Renee needs to respect Alicia if she wants respect. Hold up! I think it’s the other way around…Alicia attacked Renee twice without provocation! Wow what backstabbers! Is there even enough room on this blog for my comments?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>***</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>TWO CENTS time out: Alicia confronted Renee twice, in an aggressive and accusatory manner, at what should have been a couple of nice gatherings. First she accused her of not telling her that Carla and Eddie were still “friendly” and eating Chinese food, because she heard her name on the tapes. This is what I want to know…WHY is Alicia just now listening to the tapes and hearing Renee’s name? She has already pled guilty to the embezzlement charges that happened 3 years ago. You mean to tell me she didn’t listen to the tapes during the past 3 years to see if she could explain away the “guilty” parts before pleading guilty? I think listening to the tapes on the show were, at best, a scripted “reenactment” of what may have happened long ago. And if so, she already knew Renee was mentioned long before signing up with Mob Wives. How about that?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KOb1zfujktdiOz2_Tzm4NcEpNpEHd8gO5v7rRBqRKUxKDrRZB4ApAw3pqPnOIYZCEAafVUiF56w7Jrwaz7KbTyhuIavYETZl9WTRexHKniMIZ1V5NNjBKpDPgwXJp04rQsAtowS40Zk/s1600/alicia+bg+mouth+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KOb1zfujktdiOz2_Tzm4NcEpNpEHd8gO5v7rRBqRKUxKDrRZB4ApAw3pqPnOIYZCEAafVUiF56w7Jrwaz7KbTyhuIavYETZl9WTRexHKniMIZ1V5NNjBKpDPgwXJp04rQsAtowS40Zk/s1600/alicia+bg+mouth+2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>This was pretty much Alicia's expression</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>all through the sitdown, enough said.</b></div><br />Then she went ballistic and accused Renee of talking to the newspapers about her “business” because who else could it be? Gee, I don’t know. It could have been anyone in Staten Island or Philly, that’s who. The media, especially The New York Post, seems to be especially interested in Alicia’s business. She has been dubbed the “Wise Gal.” So when she posts her “sexy” pictures in Vegas on social media, she should expect them to pick up on it and ask lots of questions. Alicia put her business out there…by being on a nationally televised REALITY show and tweeting her own pictures. Then she wants to point the finger at Renee without one iota of evidence? Stick a fork in me I’m <b>D-O-N-E</b>, done.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikGY-zEVzrlpJkz6p246WoXitdBPwz4eGMf8Ec9hOKoYZKYCxleqjEx9oHxJRQ9QHFezmMT_M_7LxUxiqM_8qXXwR4abT_c2_iJrihVcaQc7DiHKH1ruYY7fNF7hs2jxbb1yGjuUiTxM/s1600/renee+alicia+big+mouth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikGY-zEVzrlpJkz6p246WoXitdBPwz4eGMf8Ec9hOKoYZKYCxleqjEx9oHxJRQ9QHFezmMT_M_7LxUxiqM_8qXXwR4abT_c2_iJrihVcaQc7DiHKH1ruYY7fNF7hs2jxbb1yGjuUiTxM/s1600/renee+alicia+big+mouth.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Doesn't Renee look great?</b></div><br />Renee and Alicia, both wearing black, meet up at a restaurant. They are going to have it out, like a showdown at the OK Coral. I can hear “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” theme song playing in my head! The tension is so thick you can cut it with a “butter knife!” Where is that Facciolo chick when you need her? Renee denies saying anything malicious to anyone about Alicia. Renee says it was simple conversation with people she knew, many of whom heard the tapes themselves. Renee tells Alicia she is getting defensive. Alicia is screaming. Renee doesn’t know what Alicia’s issue is. Alicia says she has every right to be mad at Carla. Alicia says she feels Renee is going back to Carla with everything she says. Renee wants to know if Alicia is implying Renee is a snitch. Renee is furious to be accused of something that is the worst thing you can call someone in her lifestyle. Alicia says she didn’t call her a rat. Alicia insists Renee was tweeting about her. “The Damsel in distress act is old,” tweet. Renee says those tweets were not about her. Alicia becomes more irate because Renee won’t own her tweets. Alicia says she knows what Renee is up to and she should bring it on. Renee says Alicia is out of her mind. Alicia asks if Renee was talking about her “supposedly” having a boyfriend. Renee says yes she had conversations about that, everyone on SI knows everyone’s business. Don’t forget the people in good old Philly, Renee, they know lots of things too. Alicia accuses Renee of trying to get all kinds of dirt on her and then tweets it out and won’t own it. They keep screaming at each other.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLE7Xa9nSenZEJYnwwsdAUWffJWSK7YMl3nIUSJNBioIHMCAndkiiGhp99LTJPm06lOlYWtH5XHnaCf1KJBsgUSHt9Z_d8wa1-PcTXm8LGYMdhqG-8Lb5NUF7IR6zSV_KAFVpJdkkFNk/s1600/alicia+big+mouth+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLE7Xa9nSenZEJYnwwsdAUWffJWSK7YMl3nIUSJNBioIHMCAndkiiGhp99LTJPm06lOlYWtH5XHnaCf1KJBsgUSHt9Z_d8wa1-PcTXm8LGYMdhqG-8Lb5NUF7IR6zSV_KAFVpJdkkFNk/s1600/alicia+big+mouth+3.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">"I am a f*ckin' Goddess!"</span></b></div><br />Alicia thinks she is a goddess. Mob Mistress dubs her the <b>“Goddess of Stolen Pensions & Cooking Books.” </b>Renee tells her, “You are not that f*ckin’ interesting! You are not my type of person and I don’t like you as a person, I truly don’t, you are the ignorant fool.” Way to go Renee! Alicia says a so called friend of Eddie’s would never talk to her like that. What about the way you attacked a friend of Eddie’s when she was there just trying to help you, Alicia? Renee believes that ever since Alicia heard Renee’s name on the tape she has had it in for her. I believe the words “Chinese food and Carla” seem to set Alicia off. Alicia should get off Twitter and tend to her restitution, fines, boutique, children, and her Boo.<br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: black; width: 520px;"><div style="padding: 4px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="288" src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/embed/mgid:uma:video:vh1.com:996631/cp~series%3D2216%26id%3D1720945%26vid%3D996631%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Avh1.com%3A996631" width="512"></iframe></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 4px; padding: 4px; text-align: left;">Get More: <a href="http://www.vh1.com/shows/mob_wives/season_4/series.jhtml" style="color: #439cd8;" target="_blank">Mob Wives (Season 4)</a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>CHECK OUT the final scene of last night's show!</b></div><br /><br />P.S. I do not know what s going on this season, but something stinks like limburger cheese!  I expected to see more of a New York/Philly war, but what I see is everyone against Renee. Four against one. It’s unbalanced and doesn’t have the ring of truth to it. What long time friends are going to side with an outsider over their own very long time friend? Drita and Ang are either following a script or have lost it.<br /><br />P.S.S. I think I speak for all fans when I say we would love for Karen to step in, at least in the finale, and she tell Alicia what she didn’t like about all the things she had to say! Now that would be the dream finale of season four!<br /><div><br /></div>

Mob Wives: Recap “Eat Worms B*tch,” Ep 408

Renee stands alone...again! Drita meets with her music producer, Anthony, in the studio. She did great on “the last thing” says Tony, almost...

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