The Daily Roundup for Mar 15

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Plenty Of Southern Republicans Still Think Barack Obama Is Muslim

It must be an election year because faith is back on the ballot for the presidential race in November. Although our President Barack Hussein Obama may not have a traditional name (by U.S. standards), he has certainly presented himself as a traditional Christian. However, Republicans in the south are not buying the fact that Obama isn't a Muslim, according to a recent poll.

Public Policy Polling took a survey of Republican voters in Alabama and Mississippi ahead of the GOP primaries to assess what the rocket scientists, ahem, fine people of the respective states thought of the remaining candidates chances. So far, Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney are deadlocked as the front-runners for those states. However, the PPP poll also posed the question of “Do you think Barack Obama is a Christian or a Muslim, or are you note sure?” The answers provided show a staggering ignorance to investigative reporting.

Alabama pollsters rang in at 14% saying that the President is a Christian, while 45% are saying otherwise. 41% of those polled said they're not too certain. In Mississippi, Republicans polled clocked in at 12% who think Obama is Christian while a whopping 52% of those polled said think he is Muslim; 36% were still on the fence figuring it out.

With all due respect to the fine people of Alabama and Mississippi, the lack of awareness from the Republican voting base is baffling and slightly embarrassing to say the least.

ITS HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIME AGAIN CHRONICLERS  

And they're loyal readers.

So lets all wish a Great Big Happy Birthday to.............

Julie and Michelle of Wilmington, Delaware

On behalf of me and everyone in Chronicleland I want to wish you all a Great Big Happy Birthday and God Bless you to have many many more!

Heavy D Still Owes Taxes … Even in Passing

According to TMZ, Heavy D’s estate owes the IRS approximately $44000, based on documents filed last month by the Franchise Tax Board in California, and he may still have to pay. TMZ reports that documents were filed last month by the Franchise Tax Board in California stating that Heavy D (real name Dwight E. Myers) has a tax lien against him in the amount of $43,967.87. The lien filed applies to the years of 2008 and 2009.

That’s just crazy!!

X Factor’ Contestant Stacy Francis: I ‘Really Don’t Care’ About Whitney Houston Drama

The former ‘X Factor’ contestant — who once had so much to say about her run-in with the singing legend — is suddenly keeping her mouth shut! Is she dissing Whitney’s family?
Just days before Whitney Houston‘s tragic death, the pop icon had a physical altercation with The X Factor contestant Stacy Francis over Whitney’s rumored on-and-off again boyfriend Ray J. When the incident was brought up during Oprah Winfrey‘s interview with Patricia Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law and best friend, Patricia made no effort to hide the fact that something had in fact transpired between the singers.

“[Stacy Francis] was wherever Whitney was at the party,” Patricia told the talk show queen. “Whenever I turned around, there she was!”

Following the interview, several outlets reached out to Stacy’s legal representative, Ed Shapiro, for a comment. He said, “Stacy called me last night and told me that if anyone wanted a response from her with regard to Oprah’s interview with the Houstons, to tell them, ‘I have nothing to say.’”

Then, on Mar. 12, someone tweeted, “They giving @stacyfrancis hell LOL!,” presumably about the Oprah’s Next Chapter interview, which aired Mar. 11 on Oprah’s OWN Network.

The singer replied moments later, saying, “actually they r not.. I really really don’t care.. That’s how it is when u know the truth..”

I don’t blame Stacy for not wanting to comment on the interview, but we think her tone is a little harsh. Could she be firing back at Whitney’s family? We also wonder what she means by “the truth.” Is there something we don’t know about her catfight with Whitney?

Do YOU think Stacy is disrespecting Whitney’s family with her tweet?
WOW….I see Stacy has come a long way from her X-Girlfriend days. Remember this?

Also when she was also working in VIM Jeans downtown Brooklyn and singing with Community C.O.G.I.C…Where are The Hartley’s when you need them?...LOL..

The Dream RETURNS To The Stage, Calls Out R&B Dudes For STEALING His Sound

After a two-year absence from live performing as we really cared, The Dream hit the stage recently and had a few choice words for R&B dudes stealing his swagger. He told the audience,

“I haven’t done a show in close to two years. And ever since then, there’s like, four niggas that sound like me now. I’m just being honest.”

He added that he had a hard time getting his own records played in 2007 because of his sound...but now everybody had copied it.

He kept mum on who he was talking about.

And in the audience....

Jay-Z and Beyonce got a babysitter for Blue Ivy so they could catch the show!

Watch clips from The Dream's show here:

Some People….I tell Ya! 

Randy Moss Comes to Terms on One-Year Deal With San Francisco 49ers

On the same day that 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh was seen throwing to and working out wide receiver Randy Moss, ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that San Francisco has agreed to sign the veteran to a one-year deal. Thirty-five-year-old Moss had already worked out with the New Orleans Saints last week and reports came out that his speed and hands were still on point. He now comes to San Francisco, where the main receiver isn't a receiver at all, but rather tight end Vernon Davis.

Our question is this: How is Randy Moss going to ever be able to play on a team led by Alex Smith? How is a receiver that caught balls from Tom Brady, one of the best quarterbacks ever, going to play with a quarterback that has been in the league for six seasons and has only thrown for more than 3,000 yards once? We can't see things ending well when Moss gets three games into the season and only has seven catches for 113 yards. Maybe this is only the first of two big moves for the 'Niners this week.

Get ready for MORE Braxton Family Values!

Braxton Family Values, WEtv’s runaway hit reality show, starring Toni Braxton and the rest of the Braxton clan, has been renewed for a third season. The news comes as the ladies began to wrap up the drama-filled laughs of season two. You can caught the reunion show of season two on Thursday, March 29. Meanwhile, Tamar and her husband Vince, are getting their own spin-off. The couple will began shooting this month and the show will air this coming Fall. “On Braxton Family Values I am a sister, but on this show, it will be a whole different Tamar,” says Tamar. “Because I am his wife, I am successful and it’s a whole other different lifestyle.”

Toni’s little sister will juggle taping two reality shows — Tamar says she absolutely will still be apart of Braxton Family Values, while recording her long-awaited second solo album, and it’s a schedule she can balance easily.

Rihanna’s Pastor and Stylist Speak Out On her ‘looming” ‘Troubles’

Rihanna loves her tough girl act just as much as the next one of us, but it’s not something that she can keep up off stage– especially when people closest to her are speaking out about her bad girl ways and troubled sights.

Her Pastor Bishop Vibert Lowe spoke on the way that RiRi has been acting, and how it could impact the rest of her life. Especially his thoughts on Chris Brown, who seems to be quite the bit of focus since the two started to begin to be seen together, tweeting, and even making music together.

Her pastor shares:

“A lot of people have been praying for her and hoping that she will drop these bad habits. We feel it’s wrong for her to behave like this. As a young lady she’s not setting a good example. Young people look to her as a mentor, they regard her as an idol and copy her lifestyle. There are people on the island who think she parties way too hard. After all he [Chris Brown] did, I’d tell her to steer clear of him. He’s not the correct influence on her life. I don’t see her much when she comes back — she seems too busy — but she should spend more time in church.”

And one of Rihanna‘s closest stylists, Phil Bloch shared his own take on Ri’s path downhill– similar to her breast bearing outing over the weekend.

“I went to one of her concerts and was shocked by what I saw. She has no idea how to cope with this level of fame. She needs to calm down and behave — I think she’s a troubled girl. She’s talented and beautiful, but puts herself in dangerous situations.”

The Red Carpet for The Upcoming Blockbuster “The Hunger Games” in L.A

Stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth celebrate the premiere of the first of four planned films based on the trilogy of best-selling novels by Suzanne Collins. Directed by Gary Ross, the Summit Entertainment film is set in a dystopian future in which children are forced to fight to the death on live television, while some hold out hope of overthrowing the oppressive Capitol

Check out the cast and celebs who hit the red carpet.

The main star Jennifer Lawrence look Great in Gold! Jennifer Lawrence put her fabulous figure on full display in a gold backless Prabal Gurung gown, complete with cutouts — and she looked phenomenal when she came down the red carpet at the LA premiere of Hunger Games on Mar. 12!

The form fitting frock helped Jen flaunt her assets — and she totally stole the spotlight! and all eyes were definitely on her.

More pics

Amandla Stenberg,

Donald Sutherland who plays the diabolical President Snow,

Isabelle Fuhrman, who appears in The Hunger Games as Clove

Kalia Prescott wears an elegant gown

Karan Kendrick She plays Atla. Nice dress. But the eye makeup is TOO HEAVY! Still a nice look.

Ensemble actors Leven Rambin, Dayo Okeniyi, and Jacqueline Emerson who are all in the film pose together at the premiere of the film.

WIllow Shields poses at the premiere of The Hunger Games. She appears in the film as Primrose Everdeen.

Kelly Osbourne smiles at the premiere

Josh Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Liam Hemsworth, stars of The Hunger Games, pose together

Jennifer Lawrence, and Liam Hemsworth,

Actor Liam Hemsworth and his girlfriend singer Miley Cyrus arrive

Nice this is one of the most anticipated films this season….It opens March 23!

EDDIE MURPHY CONSIDERING JAMES BROWN ROLE

Eddie Murphy has been busy promoting his latest film A Thousand Words. While promoting the film he spoke on the possibility of him portraying James Brown in a biopic about the legendary entertainer’s life. “There’s the most incredible script that Spike Lee worked on that’s James Brown. It has everything in it, but you have to get with the people who have the rights to James’ story. I think it’s like four different people,” Eddie said. Although the movie isn’t even in production yet, Eddie is considering taking on the role. “I just hope it comes together in the next few years. I’m 50. I ain’t going to be able to do a split in a few years. My split days are coming to an end very shortly,” he joked

Jackie & Doug Christie to Release XXX Porn Film

Jackie Christie knows that the days of “Basketball Wives” and its income are not forever, so she and her NBA husband Doug are working to expand their brand in 2012. But it’s not just your usual expansion of clothing lines, fragrances and endorsements– which they shared with the audience of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show.
Jackie and Doug have got a book out titled “No Ordinary Love,” and beyond their time on TV as one of the only couples to actually be married on “Basketball Wives” (who would’a thought?!)– Jackie and Doug are clearly freaks.
But now they’re looking to get into the adult entertainment industry and produce a XXX porn flick or two. But it’s not really all that people have got it made out to be. Jackie and Doug won’t be “acting” in these movies. We’ll surely get to see who it is that this pair picks to star in their triple-x-rated-film.

FIRST LOOK: DRAKE FEAT. RIHANNA “TAKE CARE” VIDEO

Drake and Rihanna travel to new heights in the artistic visual for their budding hit collaboration “Take Care.” The video, directed by Yoann Lemoine, features grayscaled, intimate scenes with the hit-making duo, cinematic close-up shots of a bird, bull, and fish moving in artsy rhythm to the Jamie XX produced cut, and a group of muscular male performers acting out tribal dance scenes. We have your first look at the forthcoming video, which judging by these images, looks to be epic.

See more shots below…

Stay tuned for the full visual coming soon! Are you excited for the “Take Care” video??

NE-YO ANNOUNCES FIRST SINGLE & ALBUM RELEASE DATE, TALKS NEW LIQUOR & HAT LINE

Ne-Yo isn’t perfect and his forthcoming album title will co-sign that, but after much speculation the singer/songwriter has announced the first single and scheduled release date for his forthcoming album The Cracks In Mr. Perfect.
Ne-Yo looks to pay homage to a special lady with the lead single “Don’t Make ‘Em Like You No More,” produced by Chuck Harmony, he recently told AOL’s TheBoombox. He announced the album is expected to hit stores on June 26, and will also include production from Stargate and No I.D.

Music isn’t the only thing on his plate this year though, as he looks to further his professional career with his new alcoholic beverage, ‘Malibu Red,’ and his fashion line ‘Francis Alargo.’
The liquor, which is a joint venture with the Malibu brand, is a 70-proof mixture of coconut rum and silver tequila. Billed by Ne-Yo as a “party in a bottle,” the 33-year-old has been drinking the mixture long before the idea became a brand. “Me and my team, we been drinking it for a little while,” he tells The BoomBox, of the product, which hits stores this month. “We took it over to the people [at] Malibu. They allowed me to be chief creative officer of the whole situation.”

In addition to the music and beverages, 2012 will also mark the expansion of his Francis Alargo hat line, which is currently sold at Saks 5th Ave.
“I decided to do hats first,” he explains. “That’s what I’m most well known for. It was gonna be hats or suits. I been wearing hats my whole life. I was the one kid who was allowed to wear hats in school. We’re about to move into flat caps, beanies and skullies. We originally started with fedoras and then later on we’re gonna [expand].”
Although hats are the main focus of Francis Alargo, he doesn’t rule out following in the clothing footsteps of Kanye West, Jay-Z or Diddy, among others. But being that so many celebrities have chosen the designer route, he’ll make the official leap once he can stand out from the pack.

“It’s very, very possible,” Ne-Yo admits. “I just gotta figure out what’s gonna make Francis Alargo be separate from other designers out there.”

Kony 2012 filmmakers under fire for funding from anti-gay Christians

Since their video advocating against Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony became an internet sensation just one week ago, the charity Invisible Children has come under severe scrutiny. 

The charity’s ties to far right Christian groups and philanthropists bring the group’s intentions into question by sceptical critics.
Specifically, the financial dealings between Invisible Children and the National Christian Foundation, as well as two California activists who campaigned actively against the proposition to allow same-sex marriage.

In the charity’s 2006 report, they give ‘special thanks’ to the Caster Family Foundation, and in 2007 they do the same to Terry and Barbara Caster.

The Casters were very prominent in their fight to ban same sex marriage in their home state, and their association with the charity has raised questions on the values of both the charity and their donors.
'Make Him Famous': Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony has become a household name in the last week, thanks to an immensely popular campaign by Invisible Children
The same questions are raised by the hundreds of thousands of dollars that the National Christian Foundation gave to Invisible Children on a yearly basis.
The name of National Christian Foundation clearly shows a religious affiliation, but not the true extent to which doctrine dominates their donations.

In addition to giving Invisible Children $350,000 in 2007 and $414,000 in 2008 to the group, the National Christian Foundation also gave money to a number of anti-gay rights groups and proponents.
One such group is Ed Silvoso's Harvest Evangelism, which works with Ugandan author Julius Oyet who actively promotes the Anti-Homosexuality bill in the African country. The bill criminalizes homosexuality and allows for some cases of ‘aggravated homosexuality’ to be punished by death.
The immense success and popularity of the Kony 2012 video- which garnered over 75 million views so far- has prompted much criticism about its tactics and their perceived over-simplification of the problems faced by Ugandans. 

 So much criticism, in fact, that the charity’s CEO Ben Keseey addressed some of the pressing questions in a second video that was released early Monday evening. 
‘In this light it's been difficult to read some of the comments about Invisible Children but I understand because for many people they just learned about Invisible Children a couple days ago through the Kony 2012 movie,’ Mr Keseey said in Monday’s video.

‘I understand why a lot of people are wondering “is this just some slick, kind of fly-by-night slactivist thing” when actually it’s not at all.
‘It’s connected to a really deep thoughtful very intentional and strategic campaign.’
Now, given their financial dealings, many are concerned about the true heart of said strategic campaign.
Uganda’s largest independent newspaper also caused problems for the charity on Monday when they published an article featuring a 2008 photo of the Invisible Children founders holding two assault rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher as they pose with members of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army during stalled peace talks with Kony.

New video: 

The Daily Monitor cited the picture as evidence of 'a neo-colonialist mentality where the white charity worker came off as the long-waited saviour' and slammed the filmmakers as self-interested Westerns hoping to make it big in Hollywood, with little understanding for the Ugandan people they are claiming to help.

Love & Hip Hop Atlanta Cast REVEALED! Who’s On/Off & Whose Mama Wants to Fight?

Production for VH!’s Atlanta version of Love and Hip Hop is on and poppin!

The cast is set and the show has been filming around town for several weeks now. So without further ado, here’s the TEA of characters who’ll be featured on Love & Hip Hop Atlanta.

Here are the people who WILL be on the show…

Rasheeda and her husband Kirk Frost will reportedly be the headliners on the show. Frost manages 

Rasheeda in her music career and also partners in her “I’m Bossy” accessories business. The two have managed to maintain a successful relationship thus far by keeping it OUT of the public eye.

Many people were surprised to hear Rasheeda was married with an 11 year old son, so it’ll be interesting to see what storyline develops with the pair on air.

Producer Stevie J is also officially on board.

Stevie J (born Steven Jordan) is originally from upstate New York and you may recognize his name as rapper EVE’s ex booski. [Stevie J is a music industry vet and is now an Atlanta resident. 

He’s a musician, singer, record producer and songwriter and was an in-house producer and writer during the 90’s on Sean “Puffy” Combs’ Bad Boy Records.
His credits include 90′s classics like 112′s “Only You” featuring Notorious B.I.G,”Mo Money Mo Problems”, Nasty Boy”, “Notorious Thugs” featuring Bone Thugs, “Another”, “You’re Nobody”, and “Last Day” just to name a few of Biggie’s classics.

In addition to Eve, Stevie J was also linked to Whoopi Goldberg’s daughter, Alexandria Martin. He’ll reportedly be on the show with his girlfriend, “MiMi” and an up & coming female artist he’s developing.

Diamond and Lil Scrappy used to be THE hood couple prince and princess in Atlanta before Scrappy’s money got funny and Diamond started flouncing around town with Soulja Boy.

Cue Scrappy’s Mama (aka Mama D) and her on-air Atlanta radio interview where she called Scrappy’s long-time love a “low down dirty b*tch” for what she did to her son.

I’ve heard that Scrappy & his mom’s addition to the cast has Diamond feeling some kinda way (Mama D seriously wanted to fight the girl for what she did to Scrappy) and word is Diamond may already be OUT if she can’t stand the heat.
Scrappy and Mama D are rumored to be kinda like the “Jim Jones/Mama Jones” of Atlanta… so yup you guessed it! Love & Hip Hop Atlanta is gonna be a hot ghetto mess!

Madonna on Whitney Houston: ‘I Wish I Could Sing Like That’

As one of few reigning pop monarchs left, many have been keen on Queen of Pop Madonna‘s thoughts on the passing of pop icon Whitney Houston.
While for years the two were touted as rivals as they dominated 80s and 90s charts with few comparison, Madge took to UK paper The Sun to remember the ‘I Will Always Love You’ singer and also share her thoughts on late “blue eyed soulstress” Amy Winehouse.

Get into her words below:

Madonna, via ‘The Sun’:
“I, probably like everybody else, was hit by this shocking sense of disbelief – especially with Whitney Houston. It had not been a secret, the struggles Amy had been through — both brilliant, brilliant artists and obviously both huge losses.

“But when these things happen, I’m always shocked by the first thing you say — ‘It’s such a loss’ — which doesn’t quite cover it. Then you reflect and you think, ‘How did it happen? How did the people around them allow it to happen?’ We’ve lost so many great artists that way when you think about it. So history just kind of repeats itself over and over.
“One thing I was struck by with Whitney Houston is I remember she sort of came out as a singer around the same time I did. I remember looking at her singing and hearing people talk about her, and just thinking, ‘Oh my God. She’s such a beautiful woman and my God, what an incredible voice. I wish I could sing like that.’

I just remember being extremely envious of her and also touched by her innocence.

“I was watching a documentary about Serge Gainsbourg, the French songwriter, and there’s a famous talk show he did that happened a while back when Whitney was just starting. It was funny, because I’d just watched it the week before she died, where he was making a kind of play for her on national television and he was basically saying in French that he wanted to ‘f’ her — and the look of shock on her face…
“I mean, she was so innocent and so young, and so cute, and really she blushed. And I was thinking, ‘We are all innocent at one stage in our life. It’s just interesting, the paths our lives take. I was struck by that — how well she started and where she ended up and the tragedy of it.”

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
“Your Gut Reaction”

I know you have that look on your face because you think people are staring at you like you were caught red-handed stealing $5 DVDs, but really it’s because they are grossed out at the smudge marks your gut is leaving on the bin.

SEE YA!!!

EFREM