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.

--

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.

--

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.

--

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?

--

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.’

--

ADAM GADAHN CAPTURED

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

Update: It’s not him?

--

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.

--

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.

--

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]

--

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]

--

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]

--

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]

--


Update: Durbin Tells Burris To Resign

Burris, not surprisingly, declined the invitation…:

In a meeting with Roland Burris today, Illionis Sen. Dick Durbin told Burris under the circumstance he should resign.

Burris said he would not.

Burris also told Durbin he has not made up his mind about running in 2010.


Burris: “I Have Nothing To Hide”

This after he admitted to attempting fundraising for Blagojevich…:

Get the Flash Player to see this content.

var params = { allowfullscreen: “true”, allowscriptaccess: “always”, wmode: “transparent” };
var attributes = { id: “longtail”, name: “longtail” };
var flashvars = {
file: “http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q9a3a-E3YM”,
width: “400″,
height: “280″,
controlbar: “bottom”,
playlist: “none”,
autostart: “false”,
bufferlength: “1″,
displayclick: “play”,
icons: “false”,
linktarget: “_blank”,
mute: “false”,
quality: “true”,…


Illinois Senate Ousts Blago 59-0

It looks like that last-ditch effort closing statement fell flat:

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted at his impeachment trial and thrown out of office Thursday, ending a nearly two-month crisis that erupted with his arrest on charges he tried to sell Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat.

Blagojevich becomes the first U.S. governor in more than 20 years to be removed by impeachment.

After a four-day trial, the Illinois Senate


Blagojevich Makes Closing Statement

Blagojevich will be impeached shortly afterward. You can watch it live here….

blagospeech

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrived at the state Capitol Thursday to deliver a “passionate” speech at his impeachment trial that could be a last-ditch attempt to keep his job just hours before a possible vote to remove him from office.

Upon his arrival, Blagojevich said he’s not giving up hope and that he’s going to keep fighting.

Blagojevich was


Audio: The Blagojevich Tapes

APTOPIX Illinois Governor Impeachment

Covert recordings of Gov. Rod Blagojevich — in which the governor discussed dealing with gambling legislation and an alleged interest in a corresponding campaign donation — were played for the first time in public today.

Full transcripts of the audio recording can be found here

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]


Photo Of The Day: 01/27/09

blagosear

During the testimony, aides posted huge placards on a stand at the front of the chamber with verbatim excerpts from the recordings — including an alleged quote from Blagojevich saying the Senate seat is a “f—king valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.

During one conversation with Harris, Blagoejvich is quoted as saying that the state might not be able to help the Tribune company with the Wrigley deal


Live: Blagojevich Impeachment

This could plausibly wrap up today — sending Blagojevich out:


Blagojevich On Good Morning America

You ready for this? He thought of Oprah for the Senate seat…:


Blagojevich’s Bizarre Press Conference


It’s Official: Burris Gets The Seat

Breaking news all across the board… Burris will fill Obama’s vacant seat:

Roland Burris is expected to take Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat this week, Democratic Senate leaders say.

Did the race card help him wiggle his way into an awkward situation?


Blagojevich’s INSANE Press Conference

I’d like nothing more than the last 45 minutes of my life back:

Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich said today the Illinois House’s impeachment vote was expected and part of a years-long battle against him.

“It happened kind of fast,” the governor said of the vote. “But again, kind of expected. And part of the process that has been the dynamic in Illinois.”

“From the very moment of my re-election I’ve been engaged in


Another Victory For Roland Burris

The Illinois Supreme Court this afternoon denied a writ of mandamus sought by Roland Burris to order Secretary of State Jesse White to affix his signature to Burris’ U.S. Senate paperwork. The court said there is nothing in state law that requires White’s signature on the appointment document.

Roland Burris could be seated any time now


Illinois House Impeaches Blagojevich

blago2

SPRINGFIELD—In a historic vote, the Illinois House has impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich, directing the Senate to put the state’s 40th chief executive on trial with the goal of removing him from office.

The vote by the House was 114-1 and marks the first time in the state’s 190-year history that a governor has been impeached, despite Illinois’ longstanding reputation for political corruption.

Rep. Milt Patterson (D-Chicago) was the lone vote against impeaching


Blagojevich To Face Impeachment Vote

The Illinois House committee investigating Gov. Rod Blagojevich released a draft report Thursday saying the panel believes the Democratic governor has abused his power and recommending the full chamber vote on impeachment.

The full House could vote on impeachment as soon as tomorrow


Fitzgerald Blunder Reveals Names

A big mistake in the Blagojevich case:

JANUARY 7–In a remarkable screw-up, a Department of Justice official today accidentally distributed to the media a document containing the names of nearly 20 confidential witnesses interviewed during a federal probe targeting the operators of a fraudulent investment scheme. In announcing felony charges against two men for their roles in an alleged $15 million Ponziesque swindle, the spokesman for Chicago U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald (he of