McCartney Lashes Out at 'meat-eating' Dalai Lama

In his never-ending fight for the cause of vegetarianism, Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has lashed out at The Dalai Lama for eating meat – and supposedly contradicting his Buddhist beliefs.

The famous singer initially tried to convert the Tibetian Spiritual leader to vegetarianism, insisting that it was “wrong” to eat meat.

In his tirade, McCartney wrote to The Dalai Lama to highlight that meat eaters create suffering for animals, and that this fact contradicted a basic tenant of Buddhism that its followers should “not cause suffering to any sentient beings”.

When the Dalai Lama explained that he had been told by doctors to eat meat for health reasons, this wasn’t enough for the passionate superstar.

"I found out he was not a vegetarian, so I wrote to him saying 'Forgive me for pointing this out, but if you eat animals then there is some suffering somewhere along the line'.” He told prospect magazine.

"He replied saying that his doctors had told him he needed it, so I wrote back saying they were wrong."

The high profile champion of the vegetarian cause has not made his invective exclusive to his holiness; he recently labeled celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay “stupid” for making disparaging comments about the vegetarian cause.

Entertainment Editor Jesse Perez: So we have got Macca attacking the Dalai Lama, and Ringo Starr refusing to respond to fan mail, and abusing fans.

Is it just me, or are the remaining Beatles turning into a bunch of dicks?

Source: livenews.com.au

"American Idol" Changes Its Tune A Little

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Fox is readying to announce some "American Idol" format changes.

The tweaks have been rumored online thanks to a memo leaked to a fan site. With the show's premiere set for January 13, the network is set to reveal the plans at a news conference on Monday. The changes include:

-- Fewer audition episodes and more Hollywood-round episodes. The shift increases the show's emphasis on talented performers and shies further away from the crash-and-burn spectacle of less-talented attention-seekers.

-- To further emphasize the focus on the most talented singers, the semifinalist rounds will feature the top 36 contestants instead of 24.

-- Adding some unpredictability, the "wild card" round will return, which gives eliminated contestants a chance to come back into the competition for one of the top finalist spots.

-- The network will not air an "Idol Gives Back" charity telecast next year, but does plan to hold the event in the show's ninth season. Moving forward, "Gives Back" will become an every-other-year event.

Earlier this year, Fox announced the addition of a fourth judge (songwriter Kara DioGuardi) and the departure of executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. The network doesn't expect the changes to result in a ratings reversal for the six-year-old show -- which has withstood broadcast's overall ratings erosion better than most -- but hopes the shake-up helps stem whatever audience drain might otherwise occur.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

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No-Show Queen Of Soul Pipes Up At Benefit Concert

NEW YORK – Organizers of a military benefit concert in New York say Aretha Franklin missed an award presentation but showed up for the main event hours later.

The Queen of Soul was a no-show when she was to receive the Torch of Freedom Award on Sunday in Times Square. The award was given by the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club.

A spokesman for the concert organizers says Franklin went on as scheduled later at the Nokia Theatre. She performed "New York, New York," a medley of military tunes and her classic "Respect."

It's unclear why Franklin missed the earlier engagement. Her publicist didn't immediately return messages.
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On the Net:
Military club: http://www.ssmaclub.org/

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Toto - "Africa" Music Video

Music video for "Africa" by Toto. From the album "TOTO IV". This song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1983.
©Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc
Official Toto Website -- www.toto99.com

Kid Rock "All Summer Long" Music Video

The Official Music Video for Kid Rock's "All Summer Long" off his album ROCK N ROLL JESUS

Yes We Can - Barack Obama Music Video

Congratulations, Mr. President.

-Lyrics-

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality.

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics...they will only grow louder and more dissonant ........... We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea --

Yes. We. Can.

Bruce Springsteen "Working" On A New Hit

NEW YORK (Billboard) – Triple A radio, a format targeted at older rock fans, has been kind to Bruce Springsteen in the past decade.

The good vibes continue this week for "Working on a Dream," the first single and title track from the Boss' upcoming album, which comes out on January 27 via Columbia. "Dream" debuted at No. 13 on trade publication Radio & Records' Triple A chart, making it only the fifth title to debut in the top 15 since the chart expanded to 30 positions in August 2006.

Springsteen is also the only artist to achieve that distinction twice; "Radio Nowhere" debuted in the same position in 2007 and eventually climbed to No. 2. Since the chart launched in 1996, Springsteen has notched five top 10s, including a No. 1 with "The Rising."

Springsteen debuted "Working on a Dream" during a November 2 rally for Barack Obama in Cleveland. Excerpts from the studio version soundtracked a package of NFL highlights that aired November 16 on NBC, while the full track hit digital retailers November 24. In its debut week, the song sold 8,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

A second new track from the album, "My Lucky Day," went live December 1 on Amazon and MySpace. Fresh off winning the top tour honor at the Billboard Touring Awards, Springsteen and the E Street Band will return to live duty February 1 as part of the Super Bowl halftime show in Tampa, Fla.
Reuters/Billboard

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