News Junkie - Live Wire

ROBERT FEDER’S GIMMICK

It’s a subject I’ve left mostly alone, not because I’ve been told not to address it but because I’m hesitant to give airtime or blog space to a man who still calls Web traffic ‘hits‘ and has an unhealthy obsession with WGN Radio. Tonight, on the podcast, I’ll dive into the mud on this one. Stay tuned.

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FOX/CNN/MSNBC DISSECTED

Some great analysis of the current cable media landscape from CJR today. I disagree with a few points (especially the bit about MSNBC offering a rainbow of opinons) but this quote is interesting:

From personal experience covering news around the world, you almost always run into a CNN crew or stringer. You almost never run into a Fox reporter, and never one from MSNBC.

Read the whole thing at CJR’s website.

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ROY ASHBURN: “I’M GAY”

California State Senator Roy Ashburn admits to being a homosexual in an interview today on KERN. You can listen to the interview in this post and read the details here. Ashburn vows to carry on.

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BETTY WHITE TO SNL

After a massive online movement to draft her into the hosting duties at Saturday Night Live, Betty White confirms she will appear on the show.

But will she host?

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PETA TARGETS SEAWORLD

PETA sees a wounded opponent in SeaWorld after last month’s killer whale attack. Their latest mantra: “Let whales and dolphins ‘out of prison.’

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ADAM GADAHN CAPTURED

HUGE news out of Pakistan: American-born al-Qaeda leader Adam Gadahn has been arrested.

Update: It’s not him?

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NYT ON SCIENTOLOGY

‘Breaking With Scientology’ won’t hit print until tomorrow but you can read the New York Times assault on Scientology online right now.

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PHOTOS: TOYOTA HEARINGS

Executives from Toyota Motor Corp made the journey to Washington D.C. this morning to face down angry customers seething over their company’s recall follies. Take a look at these pictures from today’s event.

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THE BLOOM BOX

I can’t decide if the Bloom Box is the greatest invention ever or if I’m a bit like an old lady being conned by a slimy auto mechanic. Regardless, you have to watch this video. [Video]

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SCOTTY LAGO PHOTOS

Snowboarder Scotty Lago leaves the Olympic village in Vancouver after sexually suggestive photos of the bronze medalist and his trophy surfaced online. Lago says he’s in a ‘blackout’ and can’t talk about the event until next month. [View The Photos]

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RAY GOSLING ARRESTED

What happens when you admit to a murder on British public television? Well, you get arrested, of course. BBC presenter Ray Gosling arrested on suspicion of murder. [Details]

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TIGER WOODS PRESSER

Tiger Woods will finally reemerge from the shadows this Friday. The golf pro and reported sex addict is planning on holding a press conference at the PGA headquarters at 11AM Eastern. [Details]

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UNIVERSITY OF AL SHOOTING

3 dead after a shooting at the University of Alabama. Female shooter is in custody. No motive just yet.

Update: 1 wounded. Shooting actually occurred at the University of Alabama campus in Huntsville, not on the main campus. Is this the first school shooting (in recent memory) with a female gunman?


BILL CLINTON HOSPITALIZED

Former President Bill Clinton hospitalized in New York. President underwent heart procedure involving two stents. Bill Clinton has a history of heart problems and had a quadruple bypass years ago.


GLENN BECK SLAMS MEDINA

Glenn Beck goes after Texas politician Debra Medina for her connection to the 9/11 truth movement. Listen to the testy exchange in The News Junkie Forum.

Link: Glenn Beck Slams Debra Medina


HIV MYSTERY IN CHINA

A mystery illness is spreading through China. Hordes of people think they have some airborne version of HIV and fear the government is ignoring them to avoid political fallout.

So what is this mystery disease?


MISS ME? BILLBOARD

So who was behind that ‘Miss Me?’ billboard featuring George W. Bush that everyone’s buzzing about? A group of small business owners.


RE: SUPER BOWL PREDICTIONS

Last chance to get in those Super Bowl predictions… Here is the forum thread where you can post them. Not registered? Click here to register now. Then, login and reply to the Super Bowl prediction post. If you can’t find it, look in the News Dump section. It’s that easy.


PATERSON SEX SCANDAL

The New York Times will print a bombshell piece in Sunday’s paper revealing the affairs of New York Governor David Patterson.


UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS

The unemployment rate has dropped to 9.7%. That’s down from 10% which seems like good news but the economy still shed 200,000 jobs.


THE NFL IN CHINA

A great report from MSNBC: NFL in China


LEXUS BRAKE RECALL?

In the wake of the disastrous Toyota accelerator recall, it looks like the company may recall hybrid Lexus vehicles over faulty brakes.


SUPER BOWL PREDICTIONS

Contest time!

Forum Contest: 2010 Super Bowl Predictions

Details at the link above. $50 gift card prize!


GROUNDHOG DAY 2010

Question: Did Punxsatawny Phil see his shadow?


2010 OSCAR NOMINATIONS

The 2010 Oscar nominations have been announced.


SUPER BOWL WEATHER

It looks like weather could be a factor for the Super Bowl in Miami. Heavy rains forced some early schedule changes and it may rain on Sunday.


SUPER BOWL 2010 ADS

CBS has sold out all of it’s available slots for commercials during this year’s Super Bowl. I’ll be posting all of the best Super Bowl ads here as they air. Let’s get started with a few ads that were banned by CBS censors.