Diversity News Publications Join Millions of Americans to oppose SOPA and PIPA bills

On Wednesday, January 18, 2012 Diversity News Magazine, an online and print consumer news magazine published by Diversity News Publications & Executive Editor-In-Chief Esteban “Steven” Escobar announced that they are on strike today to fight SOPA and PIPA.

They join Millions of Americans to oppose SOPA and PIPA bills. Also Diversity News Magazine website on strike today to fight SOPA and PIPA.

More about SOPA and PIPA

Members of Congress are trying to do the right thing by going after pirates and counterfeiters but SOPA and PIPA are the wrong way to do it.

1. SOPA and PIPA would censor the Web

The U.S. government could order the blocking of sites using methods similar to those employed by China. Among other things, search engines could be forced to delete entire websites from their search results. That’s why 41 human rights organizations and 110 prominent law professors have expressed grave concerns about the bills.

2. SOPA and PIPA would be job-killers because they would create a new era of uncertainty for American business

Law-abiding U.S. internet companies would have to monitor everything users link to or upload or face the risk of time-consuming litigation. That’s why AOL, EBay, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Mozilla, Twitter, Yahoo and Zynga wrote a letter to Congress saying these bills “pose a serious risk to our industry’s continued track record of innovation and job-creation.” It’s also why 55 of America’s most successful venture capitalists expressed concern that PIPA “would stifle investment in Internet services, throttle innovation, and hurt American competitiveness”. More than 204 entrepreneurs told Congress that PIPA and SOPA would “hurt economic growth and chill innovation”.

3. SOPA and PIPA wouldn’t stop piracy

To make matters worse, SOPA and PIPA won’t even work. The censorship regulations written into these bills won’t shut down pirate sites. These sites will just change their addresses and continue their criminal activities, while law-abiding companies will suffer high penalties for breaches they can’t possibly control.

There are effective ways to combat foreign “rogue” websites dedicated to copyright infringement and trademark counterfeiting, while preserving the innovation and dynamism that have made the Internet such an important driver of American economic growth and job creation. Congress should consider alternatives like the OPEN Act, which takes targeted and focused steps to cut off the money supply from foreign pirate sites without making US companies censor the Web.
If these bills pass, one infringement would be enough for a copyright holder to file to take down an entire website. YouTube could disappear overnight. Same with Vimeo, Flickr, Twitter, or even WonderHowTo. Enacting such a draconian law would stifle innovation from new web startups. It would be too risky to create a website where people could submit their own whatever. Even the White House has spoken out about its concerns, emphasizing that they “will not support” any bill “that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet.”

Sources: Google, http://www.businessinsider.com
Video courtesy of YouTube.com/EngineAdvocacy

James Risen, New York Times reporter subpoenaed by U.S. government

On Tuesday, May 24, 2011 the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press reported that the U.S. Department of Justice issued a subpoena yesterday for the testimony of a New York Times reporter in the trial of Jeffrey Sterling, a former CIA operations officer accused of leaking classified information, highlighting a trend of government attempts to use journalists’ testimony in cases against government employees who reveal government information in exchange for anonymity.

Federal prosecutors also filed a motion late Monday in support of the subpoena, anticipating that Pulitzer Prize-winner James Risen would seek to have the subpoena quashed. “His testimony is directly relevant to, and powerful evidence of, facts that are squarely at issue in this trial — including the identity of the perpetrator,” the motion says.


In December 2010, a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., indicted Sterling of O’Fallon, Mo., on 10 counts, including unauthorized disclosure of national defense information and obstruction of justice. The government had issued a subpoena for Risen’s testimony in that proceeding, but the trial judge granted his motion to quash without providing an explanation. A 2008 attempt to require Risen to testify before a previous grand jury investigating Sterling failed when that grand jury expired while Risen’s motion to quash the subpoena was pending.

Procedurally, the government’s decision to compel Risen’s testimony by filing a motion in limine — a tool generally used to focus the evidence to be used at trial — along with a subpoena is unusual. Department of Justice spokeswoman Laura Sweeney could not be reached for comment on the move.

Sterling is accused of giving Risen national security information under the condition of anonymity to be published in newspaper articles and Risen’s 2006 book “State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration.”

Risen’s lawyer, Joel Kurtzberg, confirmed to The Associated Press that Risen will ask a judge to quash the subpoena.

Sterling, who worked at the CIA from 1993 to 2002, had conflicts with the agency, including the filing of a racial discrimination complaint. The indictment alleges these issues served as his motivation for leaking the information.


In its motion, the U.S. government argues that Risen is an eyewitness to the alleged crimes, and no federal law exists that exempts a reporter from his or her obligation to testy.

“The question here, therefore, is not whether the testimony is probative of factual issues that will be before the jury, but whether there exists a reporter’s privilege — either under the First Amendment or common law — that exempts this eyewitness from being called, like any other citizen, to provide relevant facts under oath to the jury . . . the answer is no,” the government lawyers said in the brief.

Indeed, although 40 states and the District of Columbia have shield laws that exempt journalists from having to reveal their confidential sources, there is no such statute at the federal level. However, some federal courts have interpreted the Supreme Court’s 1972Branzburg v. Hayes decision as providing a qualified privilege protecting reporters against compelled disclosure of anonymous sources, especially in civil cases.

According to the motion, the government is also seeking non-confidential information from Risen that would not require revealing his source’s identity, including establishing venue for certain counts, authenticating his book, and providing “necessary foundation to admit the defendant’s statements in the book.” However, many federal courts extend the First Amendment-based reporter’s privilege to unpublished, non-confidential information obtained while newsgathering.


Risen and other reporters have relied on the reporter’s privilege before to avoid giving up source names. He and four other reporters were held in contempt of court in 2004 for refusing to reveal confidential sources in a lawsuit against the government brought by former Los Alamos scientist Wen Ho Lee. In that case, a judge ordered a fine of $500 per day until they complied with the order. The five news organizations involved – The New York Times, ABC News, The Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post — eventually agreed to pay an unprecedented $750,000 as its share of a settlement in exchange for getting the contempt charges dropped.

The case against Sterling represents a trend of the Department of Justice filing criminal charges against those who leak government secrets. Sterling is the fifth known leaker prosecuted by the Obama administration.

Among them is former National Security Agency official Thomas Drake, who faces a 10-count indictment after allegedly leaking government secrets to an unnamed reporter and then reportedly later lying about doing so. The reporter is believed to be Siobhan Gorman, then of the The Baltimore Sun, who wrote a series of articles about problems at the National Security Agency. Drake is scheduled to stand trial in Baltimore on June 13.



The other alleged leakers prosecuted by the Obama administration are: Stephen Kim, a former Department of State analyst who allegedly leaked an intelligence report to an unidentified reporter; Bradley Manning, a U.S. Army private alleged to have leaked classified information to WikiLeaks; and Shamai Leibowitz, a former FBI linguist who was convicted in May 2010 of charges related to the leaking of classified information to an unidentified blogger and sentenced to 20 months in prison.

About James Risen:
James Risen is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist for The New York Times who worked previously for the Los Angeles Times. He has written or co-written many articles concerning U.S. government activities and is the author or co-author of two books about the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and a book about the American public debate about abortion.

Sources: http://www.rcfp.org & Wikipedia

San Diego County DA Bonnie Dumanis Suing former CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

On Wednesday, May 11, 2011 San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis announced that her office has filed a civil lawsuit in San Diego County Superior Court, seeking to nullify the Governor’s commutation of Esteban Nunez’ prison sentence.  The lawsuit is believed to be the first-of-its kind in the nation filed by a District Attorney on behalf of the victims.

Nunez pled guilty to three felony charges in connection with his role in the assault on four young men, including Luis Santos who died as a result of the attack.  Nunez was sentenced to 16 years in state prison.  On his last day in office, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger commuted Nunez’s sentence to seven years.


“Once again, we are going to court seeking justice for the victims in this case— Luis Santos, Evan Henderson, Keith Robertson, Brandon Scheerer and their families.” said DA Dumanis.  “A governor who is considering a commutation has a constitutional duty under Marsy’s Law to include the voices of the victims.  In this case, that clearly didn’t happen.”

The civil suit names the Governor of California, Director of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and Warden of Mule Creek State Prison as defendants and respondents and Esteban Nunez as a real party of interest.  In the suit, the DA’s Office argues that the Governor was constitutionally obligated to notify the victims of crime of his intent to commute a sentence and provide them with an opportunity to be heard.  As a result of the Governor’s failure to do that, the victims’ constitutional rights were violated and the Governor’s Executive Order commuting Nunez’ sentence is void and unenforceable.


Nunez, along with a co-defendant, pleaded guilty in 2010 to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon.  The assault occurred during a fight near San Diego State University that left Luis Santos dead from knife wounds and three other victims injured.  Nunez’ guilty plea was accepted by the court with no promises for leniency and he was sentenced to 16 years in state prison for his crimes.  Nunez’ case was being appealed when the commutation was suddenly announced by Governor Schwarzenegger on his last day in office.  Victims in the case learned of the commutation through news reports.

“Marsy’s Law was designed to keep people from being re-victimized and the former Governor’s action violated that law,” said DA Dumanis.   “We don’t argue with the Governor’s constitutional ability to grant pardons or commutations.  Historically, the Governor was entrusted with this power in order to represent the conscience of the community and to insure against miscarriages of justice.  Instead, this last-minute commutation made without all the facts or input from the parties, only fueled the public’s mistrust of government and greatly diminished justice.”

“I support the effort of the District Attorney to achieve justice for the victim’s family and all of San Diego,” said City Attorney Jan Goldsmith.


Earlier this year, the District Attorney’s Office also announced support of Assembly Bill 648, which would require the applicant for a commutation of sentence notify the District Attorney 30 days before the governor acts upon the application.  The District Attorney must then notify the victims, and both the District Attorneys and the victims will have the opportunity to provide written recommendations to the Governor for or against the commutation or pardon.  AB 648 is being co-authored by California Assemblymembers Marty Block and Nathan Fletcher.

About San Diego County District Attorney:
The employees of the San Diego District Attorney, in partnership with the Community they serve, are dedicated to the pursuit of truth, justice and protection of the innocent and the prevention of crime through the vigorous  and  professional  prosecution  of those  who  violate the law.

Source: http://www.sdcda.org
Photo credit to: The San Diego County District Attorney Office

LAWA Response to KCBS-TV and its radio affiliates No Taxpayers’ Dollars Used for LAWA Executives Travel

On Tuesday, May 10, 2011 LAWA (Los Angeles World Airports) responded to KCBS-TV and its radio affiliates that No Taxpayers’ Dollars Used for LAWA Executives Travel.


Here is the statement issue by LAWA:

KCBS-TV and its radio affiliates have aired stories inaccurately reporting that taxpayers’ dollars are used to fund business travel by Los Angeles World Airports executives. Supporting documents, on-camera interview, and the following statement were provided KCBS-TV during the preparation of its stories:

“KCBS-TV received copies of LAWA’s travel policy and all travel expense reports dated January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) senior executives and the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners. KCBS also received expense reports for all LAWA employees who traveled using business-class fares during this same period.

LAWA’s established travel policy closely adheres to the City’s travel policy. The City Controller’s Office reviews and approves all expense reports, and has not notified LAWA of any violations.

LAWA commissioners and employees travel to: develop air service by recruiting new airlines to LAX and ONT; retain and expand air service from existing airlines at LAX and ONT; gain in-depth knowledge of best practices in airport operations, security, finance and other areas of management; tour new airport facilities; meet with state and federal officials; and attend industry conferences or other professional development events. In particular, LAWA senior executives traveled overseas to meet airline CEOs to describe the Bradley West Project and conduct press conferences with local and industry media on the LAX modernization program and new air service.

Unlike other City departments, LAWA’s customers (airlines and their passengers) extend beyond the City’s boundaries to over 65 international and 80 U.S. destinations.

Business-class fares are allowed under both the City and LAWA policies for transoceanic travel of extended duration. During this 15-month period, a total of 12 business-class seats were purchased:

1. • Feb. 14-17, 2010: LAX-Lima-LAX — one seat for air service development director
2. • April 16-21, 2010: LAX-Brisbane-Adelaide-Sydney-LAX — one seat for air service development director
3. • June 12-18, 2010: LAX-economy to Chicago-Madrid-London-Paris-Frankfurt-LAX — one seat for air service development director
4. • June 13-18, 2010: LAX-London-Paris-Frankfurt-LAX — two seats for executive director and deputy executive director
5. • June 13-21, 2010: LAX-London-Paris-economy to LAX — one seat for airport commissioner
6. • Oct. 10-14, 2010: LAX-Dubai-economy to Doha-first class to Abu Dhabi (cost less than economy)-drive to Dubai-LAX — three seats for executive director, deputy executive director and air service development director
7. • Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 2010: LAX-economy to New York-Tel Aviv-Paris-LAX — one seat for assistant police chief
8. • Dec. 5-8, 2010: LAX-economy to Dallas-San Jose, Costa Rica-Dallas-economy to LAX — one seat for air service development director
9. • March 26-29, 2011: LAX-Seoul-LAX — one seat for air service development director

Unlike most City departments, LAWA receives NO revenue from the City’s General Fund and must generate our own funding for operating LAX, LA/Ontario International and Van Nuys airports, and aviation property in Palmdale. LAWA also receives NO state or federal funds for our operating costs, other than partial reimbursement of our costs associated with compliance of federally mandated security measures.

No local, state or federal taxpayer dollars are used to pay for LAWA’s travel expenses, including these 12 business-class seats that totaled $98,547, or 0.012 percent of our $817.5 million operating budget during these past 15 months.

LAWA is receiving a return on its continuing investment in overseas travel. Within the past year, four international carriers new to LAX (Air Berlin, Alitalia, Turkish and Iberia) and two existing airlines (Emirates and All Nippon Airlines) introduced a total of 30 new weekly international flights representing nearly one million annual seats at LAX. This new service generated $4.3 million in actual new revenues to LAWA for the same 15-month period. Estimated Fiscal Year 2012 revenues from these airlines, based on the airlines’ current airport traffic and projected schedules, is over $9.5 million.

It also should be noted that the 30 new weekly flights (equivalent to four daily flights) have significant positive impacts to our region, as the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation reports that one average daily, roundtrip, transoceanic flight to/from LAX generates $623 million in economic output annually, and sustains 3,120 direct and indirect jobs in Southern California with annual wages of $156 million.”


About LAWA: Los Angeles World Airports is the Los Angeles city department that owns and operates a system of three airports: Los Angeles International (LAX), LA/Ontario International (ONT) and Van Nuys (VNY). Each plays an integral role in helping to meet the Southern California regional demand for passenger, cargo and general aviation service. Each airport makes a distinct contribution to the strength of the system as it provides a high level of safety, security and service for its customers, communities and stakeholders. LAX is the sixth busiest airport internationally and third in the U.S. ONT ranks 59 among U.S. airports. VNY ranks 25 internationally in the number of flight operations, and is the world’s busiest general aviation airport. Los Angeles World Airports is a self-supporting branch of the City of Los Angeles, governed by a seven-member Board of Airport Commissioners. The Board is composed of public-spirited business and civic leaders who are appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council. For more information visit LAWA at http://www.lawa.org/

Sources: LAWA  Photos credit to: LAWA

Posting is in part sponsored by: Ingrid’s Cafe

Editor’s Note: What do you think about this investigation by KCBS-TV Channel 2 which it was broadcast on Monday, May 9, 2011 at their 11:00 pm news. Do you care about the expensive trips the LAWA executives did?

Breaking News: Osama bin Laden Killed by the United States

On Sunday, May 1, 2011 Barack H. Obama, the 44th President of the United States announced that Leader of al Qaeda & terrorist Osama bin Laden Killed by the United States. Please read here President Obama speech and watch the video.

Remarks by the President on Osama Bin Laden:
THE PRESIDENT:  Good evening.  Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.

It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in our history.  The images of 9/11 are seared into our national memory — hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke billowing up from the Pentagon; the wreckage of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where the actions of heroic citizens saved even more heartbreak and destruction.

And yet we know that the worst images are those that were unseen to the world.  The empty seat at the dinner table.  Children who were forced to grow up without their mother or their father.  Parents who would never know the feeling of their child’s embrace.  Nearly 3,000 citizens taken from us, leaving a gaping hole in our hearts.

On September 11, 2001, in our time of grief, the American people came together.  We offered our neighbors a hand, and we offered the wounded our blood.  We reaffirmed our ties to each other, and our love of community and country.  On that day, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family.

We were also united in our resolve to protect our nation and to bring those who committed this vicious attack to justice.  We quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda — an organization headed by Osama bin Laden, which had openly declared war on the United States and was committed to killing innocents in our country and around the globe.  And so we went to war against al Qaeda to protect our citizens, our friends, and our allies.

Over the last 10 years, thanks to the tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals, we’ve made great strides in that effort.  We’ve disrupted terrorist attacks and strengthened our homeland defense.  In Afghanistan, we removed the Taliban government, which had given bin Laden and al Qaeda safe haven and support.  And around the globe, we worked with our friends and allies to capture or kill scores of al Qaeda terrorists, including several who were a part of the 9/11 plot.

Yet Osama bin Laden avoided capture and escaped across the Afghan border into Pakistan.  Meanwhile, al Qaeda continued to operate from along that border and operate through its affiliates across the world.

And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.

Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden.  It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground.  I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan.  And finally, last week, I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice.

Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.  A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability.  No Americans were harmed.  They took care to avoid civilian casualties.  After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.

For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies.  The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda.

Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort.  There’s no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us.  We must –- and we will — remain vigilant at home and abroad.

As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not –- and never will be -– at war with Islam.  I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam.  Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims.  Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own.  So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.

Over the years, I’ve repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was.  That is what we’ve done.  But it’s important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding.  Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.

Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts.  They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations.  And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates.

The American people did not choose this fight.  It came to our shores, and started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens.  After nearly 10 years of service, struggle, and sacrifice, we know well the costs of war.  These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief, have to sign a letter to a family that has lost a loved one, or look into the eyes of a service member who’s been gravely wounded.

So Americans understand the costs of war.  Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed.  We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies.  We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda’s terror:  Justice has been done.

Tonight, we give thanks to the countless intelligence and counterterrorism professionals who’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome.  The American people do not see their work, nor know their names.  But tonight, they feel the satisfaction of their work and the result of their pursuit of justice.

We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country.  And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day.

Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores.

And tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11.  I know that it has, at times, frayed.  Yet today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.

The cause of securing our country is not complete.  But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to.  That is the story of our history, whether it’s the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place.

Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are:  one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.  May God bless you.  And may God bless the United States of America.

Also former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton Statements on Osama Death

“I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude,” the former president said in a statement. “The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.” said George W. Bush.

“I congratulate the President, the National Security team and the members of our armed forces on bringing Osama bin Laden to justice after more than a decade of murderous al-Qaida attacks.” said  Bill Clinton.


Sources: Video and Text Courtesy of The White House from The Office of the Press Secretary

Statement by LADWP General Manager Ron Nichols Regarding Delayed Billings

On Monday, April 25, 2011 The LADWP General Manager Ron Nichols released the following statement regarding a report on KNBC Channel 4 on delayed billings.

“The LADWP processes 50,000 bills per day and has approximately two million water and electric meters, which generate over 12 million bills per year. Commercial meters are billed monthly and residential meters are billed bi-monthly.
Over 99% of all LADWP bills are billed on time. Only about ¼ of one percent of our customers can experience multiple periods of delayed bills due to activities such as field investigations, meter surveys or replacements, or situations where a meter cannot be accessed by a meter reader.
The examples cited in the KNBC story were not in any way representative of this extraordinarily favorable rate for on-time billing. However, we understand that delayed billing is troubling to any customer affected in this way. That is why when these situations are identified we work with the customer to pay off the amount due over an extended period of time equal to the length of our delay. In the event that payment arrangement is a burden to the customer, LADWP accommodates customer repayment plans.
Next month LADWP will launch a new bill format that will provide better and clearer information to our customers regarding amounts due, historical usage information and other useful features that will make identifying a delayed bill easier.
We regret these situations when they occur and will work with any customer who has experienced a delayed bill to successfully resolve the matter in as fair and compassionate a way as possible.”


Source: http://www.ladwpnews.com

Photo credit to: Google

Editor’s Note: We have to agree with Mr. Ron Nichols when he says they work with customers when they are having financial hardship. They work with the customer to bring their account current.

Rest In Peace John Cossette, Statements from Family, The Recording Academy & The Latin Recording Academy

On Tuesday, April 26, 2011 Neil Portnow, President/CEO The Recording Academy® & Gabriel Abaroa President/CEO The Latin Recording Academy® released the following news statement on Producer John Cossette who died at age 54 on April 26th.


“It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our dear friend and colleague, John Cossette. John was a remarkable live television producer — and most recently Broadway musical producer — with many credits and accolades to his name. However, it was his warmth, easygoing nature, passion for music and the arts, and tireless dedication to the GRAMMY Awards^® and Latin GRAMMY Awards^® that was unmatched. We were incredibly lucky to have benefitted from John’s creative guidance and leadership but more importantly, to have called him our friend. Our sincerest condolences and deepest heartfelt sympathiesgo out to his family and friends during this difficult time. He will be terribly missed.”

Also the Cossette Family released ”We are deeply saddened to report that John Cossette, 54, has passed away. We ask that you please respect our privacy during this incredibly emotional time. We appreciate everyone’s love and support, and further details regarding funeral arrangements will be forthcoming in the next few days.” ~Rita Cossette, and daughters Maria and Rose Cossette.


Source: The Recording Academy

BREAKING NEWS: Lindsay Lohan Sentenced to 120 Days Jail Time

CBS Los Angeles reports that Actress Lindsay Lohan has been ordered taken into custody after a judge has ruled the actress violated her probation in the theft of a necklace from a Venice jewelry store.

Lohan, whose grand theft case was just reduced to a misdemeanor charge, has been fighting the accusation that she stole the necklace from the store, Kamofie & Co. Lohan has claimed she borrowed the $2,500 necklace with the knowledge of the store’s owners.

A judge sentenced the actress to 120 days in jail for violating her probation, which includes also 480 hours of community service.

Attorney are preparing an immediate appeal, after which the judge can grant bail. Lohan will likely be freed on bail.


A misdemeanor charge carries a potential penalty of a year in jail. A trial for the misdemeanor charge has been tentatively set for June 3.

Kamofie & Company is located at 1350 Abbot Kinney, suite 102 • Venice, CA 90291.

Source: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com

Photo credit to: Koi Sojer / PR Photos


Editor’s Note: We contacted via email Kamofie & Co asking for their reacting to the judge ruling. We will update story posting as soon we heard from representatives of the company.

F.Y.I.: Sources to Diversity News Magazine tell us that she will not be the total 120 days in jail, she may just get 1 week. What do you think? Please leave your comments. Thanks

Entertainment Executive Woman Suing dating site Match.com for Male Sexual Assault

On Thursday, April 14th, 2011 Attorney Mark L. Webb  announced that he filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court a civil lawsuit on Wednesday on behalf of his entertainment executive client identified only as Jane Doe vs. Match.com. The women met the Match.com member at the Urth Cafe in West Hollywood, CA last year and on the second date the man decided to follow her to her home and that is where he sexually attacked her.

Match.com is being suit by a victim who was  sexually assaulted to begin protecting their subscribers from known sexual predators. On April 5th, a demand letter from her California attorney Mark L. Webb, Esq. was issued to Match.com’s legal counsel Marshall Dye and holding company IAC (Nasdaq: IACI) chairman Barry Diller. Mr. Webb has been retained by a successful entertainment executive, who wishes to be named as Jane Doe at this time, while she assertively calls for change to Match.com’s policies. Jane Doe claims she was brutally forced into oral copulation by another Match.com member who had been convicted six separate times for sexual battery.

Jane Doe, an Ivy League graduate, currently working in television and film, met Alan Paul Wurtzel, another Match.com member, on Match.com in 2010. According to Jane Doe, they set up a date, after which, Mr. Wurtzel viciously sexually assaulted her. Felony charges against Mr. Wurtzel are currently pending in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Basic screening would have revealed Mr. Wurztel’s prior history, banned him from Match.com and prevented this attack.

“This ordeal completely blindsided me because I had considered myself savvy about online dating safety,” states Jane Doe. “It started with what seemed like a pleasant date at Urth Café in West Hollywood. Things quickly turned into a nightmare, beyond my control. Match.com must begin to take some responsibility in protecting paying subscribers. I do not want this to happen to anyone else.”

Mr. Wurtzel was not a garden variety Match.com member. He was a serial sexual predator, as cursory examination of public records would have disclosed.  His record in Los Angeles County, California at Central Arraignment Court (Case Number LAA5CR02442-01) alone indicates six separate convictions for sexual battery in the period preceding his attack on Jane Doe.

“Match.com should not permit its website to be used to facilitate meetings between innocent members of the public and convicted s exual predators who are easily discoverable, as was Mr. Wurtzel” states Mr. Webb. “We ask that Match.com voluntarily institute a basic screening process that disqualifies from membership anyone who has a documented history of sexual assault. This history could be rapidly uncovered through simple, inexpensive technological means, roughly estimated at less than five dollars a subscriber.”

The position of Mr. Webb and his client Jane Doe could lead to legal action, including a temporary restraining order requesting no further members be signed-up with Match.com, until s e xual predator screening is installed. The letter issued may be followed by preliminary injunction.



MySpace and Facebook agreed in 2008 to institute more stringent security standards. In 2009, MySpace, in response to a subpoena by the Attorneys General of Connecticut and North Carolina, provided names of 90,000 registered s e x offenders. According to the Safer Online Dating Alliance [saferonlinedating.org], Russell Research conducted a national survey of registered voters, which determined that there is significant support for criminal background screening legislation for online dating at a national level. Specifically, 77% of registered voters would support urgent passing of state legislation that makes it a requirement for online dating sites to prescreen members against criminal databases. Moreover, 83% of female registered voters would support the same legislation.

SOURCE: The Law Offices of Mark L. Webb

Editor’s Note: FYI: Match.com is also a dating site for Man to Man and we know their are other man, women, gay and bi dating and hook up sites similar to this one that their members are drug users and attack others sexually or for money.

As of date of this posting we have contacted Match.com Public Relations Department via telephone and left message asking for their response to this case. We will update posting as soon we heard from them.

San Francisco Sentinel Publisher threatens legal action against San Francisco Police Department

On March 28, 2011 Kacey Deamer from The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press reported that The San Francisco Police Department in the past 10 months has revoked several press passes previously granted to online media outlets.

The department’s policy has not changed; officials are simply beginning to enforce it, the department said.

However, the founder of one of the six news outlets denied renewal of their press passes, online newspaper the San Francisco Sentinel, argued that, under the police department’s policy, the Sentinel should not have been denied.


“It’s actually wrong on their own terms,” said Pat Murphy, founder of the Sentinel. Murphy explained that the department had said they searched the Sentinel‘s website for coverage of “breaking police news, as they decide it,” during the past year and found nothing. “I did my own search and we certainly covered a street shooting, both the story and photos right after it broke,” Murphy said.

“I’m going to do everything I can to bring a class-action lawsuit,” Murphy said of his plans to take legal action. He also noted that “the constitutionality of the police trying to determine what breaking news is for every member of the media in the country needs to be clarified. I think that it’s us, not them, who have a right to determine that.”

San Francisco Police Department spokesman Lt. Troy Dangerfield said the department has had problems with unauthorized use of general press credentials, citing examples of them being used to gain access to concerts and mayoral events, and even to receive free tickets. To prevent such misuse, the department has decided to more closely follow its own guidelines in renewing passes and granting new ones, he added.


As requests for press pass renewal come in, the department is “doing the research to see if [the media have] done what was required, which is regular police and fire stories,” he said.

According the the department’s press pass form: “Only persons employed by newsgathering media who are required to cover breaking news and to pass through police and fire lines on a regular basis qualify for a press pass.”

“The press passes are for breaking police and fire news,” Dangerfield said, and are given “to bloggers as well as the mainstream media.” The news outlets that are not regularly covering breaking police and fire news are those that are denied renewal. Thus far, six news outlets have been denied renewal. It is easy to follow the guidelines, Dangerfield said: “In this city, you can write a story about us every day.”

Dangerfield said in response to some of the media reactions: “The people that are protesting I believe are legitimate media, not a question in my mind, it’s just that they’re not doing police and fire stories.”

The San Francisco Sentinel posted the above story on their website adding the following statement: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Sentinel staff press pass renewals were approved through 2011 and staff continue to wear their valid SFPD press passes, refusing to voluntarily or by consent surrender them.)

About Kacey Deamer:  Kacey is a Journalism and Environmental Studies major at Ithaca College. She has previously interned at the Press & Sun Bulletin, a Gannett newspaper in Binghamton, NY. On campus she has been active in student media, including the student newspaper and an alternative campus magazine. While in DC, she plans to enjoy local restaurants and farmer’s markets, as well as long walks at the National Zoo. Kacey Deamer is a Journalism Intern for Winter/Spring 2011 at The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. For more information you can visit http://www.rcfp.org


Sources: The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, San Francisco Sentinel

Editor’s Note: We do not understand this argument, why the San Francisco Police Department thinks that they can decided what is news? We editor’s are the one who decide that in the newsroom and nobody can tell us what is consider newsworthy. I guest the San Francisco Police Department are desperate for attention and media coverage, they should concentrate in protecting their citizens in a big city.

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