And...

News Spotlight: Justice Questioning

It looks like it really is the end of the line for Troy Davis. After much doubt by many people that he murdered a cop, his last apparent chance to delay the case has been denied. I'm not usually one to get too wrapped up in opinions about innocence vs. guilt, but this one does tug at the conscience a bit. There are not just some factors to suggest he may be innocent, but too many factors. If he is innocent, may he rest in peace. And may the truth eventually come out so our justice system can have yet another example of why it needs to get its shit together.

From CBS News: "ATLANTA - A defense attorney says Georgia prison officials have blocked inmate Troy Davis from taking a polygraph test before his scheduled execution.

Attorney Stephen Marsh told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the Georgia Department of Corrections has denied his request to allow Davis to take a polygraph test. Davis is scheduled to die at 7 p.m. EDT Wednesday.

Davis has long claimed he is innocent of killing Mark MacPhail, an off-duty police officer working as a security guard in Savannah, Ga. But state and federal courts have repeatedly upheld his conviction.

Prosecutors and MacPhail's relatives say they have no doubt the right man is being punished.

Marsh had said he hoped the polygraph test would convince the state pardons board to reconsider a decision against clemency.

On Wednesday, supporters planned vigils outside Georgia's death row prison in Jackson and protests at U.S. embassies in Europe. Davis' attorneys planned another late appeal, this one aimed at blocking the execution by convincing a judge that some of the original evidence was questionable.

After winning three delays since 2007, Davis lost his most realistic chance at last-minute clemency this week when the state pardons board denied his request.

Some witnesses who fingered him at trial as the shooter later recanted, and others who did not testify came forward to say another man did it. But a federal judge dismissed those changed and new accounts as "largely smoke and mirrors" after a hearing Davis was granted last year to argue for a new trial, which he did not win.

Davis didn't want a last meal. He planned to spend his final hours meeting with friends, family and supporters. According to an advocate who met with him late Tuesday, he was upbeat, prayerful and expected last-minute wrangling by attorneys."

"The Hard Sell: Taboo In Advertising": Deadly Sex

Take a guess what this ad is about. Well it's not about rape, but it certainly is about sex. The inscription reads (in Portuguese) "Girls, protect yourself. Demand your partner to wear a condom." I've never known MTV to be very involved with social issues so I'm not exactly sure why this ad even exists. Either way, it is attention grabbing and makes a clear point about the possible link between death and sex.

Advertising Agency: Ogilvy, Portugal

News Spotlight: Hip Hop's Demon Child

While browsing the news today, I can across an MTV article pointing out that Tyler, the Creator thinks his competition for the VMA's Video of the Year "suck". Those would be Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," Beastie Boys' "Make Some Noise," Bruno Mars' "Grenade" and Katy Perry's "Firework." Well, actually he approves of Adele. Anyway, I was amused that someone was actually honest about how they feel about their rivals because artists usually spew that "I'm honored to be nominated with..." crap. Then I watched the video. And I was even a bit more amused and decided I should research him. This video is pretty representative of what he's about-sin, murder, and angst. The only part not apparent is that he also happens to rap a lot about raping women-a whole lot. Because of that, there's no way I'll ever be a "fan". As much as I love filthy, his lyrics are even too much for me. But I do respect the fact he's offering a new approach to hip-hop.

And I Quote...

“I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.” --George McGovern

Shout Out to Breaking Bad

I'd just like to give a warm welcome back and shout out to Breaking Bad. Unarguably one of the (if not the) best shows on television returned last night with a bang. Now that Walt has passed the threshold of "breaking" and is full-blown bad, the show is better than ever. Last night's episode was as impressive as usual and I am more than grateful to have my Breaking Bad fix back. TV may be mindless, but it sure in hell beats needing a meth fix.

News Spotlight: Robbery Fuckery

Here's some Tuesday morning fuckery for you. Musicians never dissapoint. At least he was being environmentally friendly with use of the cell phone and all.

From Los Angeles Times: "CONWAY, Mass - A musician, using a stickup note posted on his cell phone, robbed a Massachusetts pharmacy of prescription pain pills just hours before his scheduled rock concert, authorities said on Monday.

Michael Todd, 30, a bass player and singer with New York rock band Coheed and Cambria, was arrested Sunday at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts, several hours before the group was set to open for headliner Soundgarden.

Prosecutors say Todd went to a Walgreens in nearby Attleboro Sunday afternoon and showed a pharmacy employee a text message on his Blackberry saying he had a bomb and demanding prescription painkillers.

"It is somewhat routine that in robberies, the robber gives a note to the clerk, but obviously this was a little bit more high-tech," said Gregg Miliote, spokesman for the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

A frightened employee allegedly then handed over a half-dozen bottles of oxycodone pills, and Todd fled the store, taking a taxi to his parked tour bus outside the hall, said Miliote.

Attleboro police managed to track down Todd after piecing together details from surveillance video at the pharmacy and a witness's description of the taxi, he said.

At his arraignment Monday in Attleboro District Court, Todd was charged with armed robbery and drug possession, Miliote said. Judge Dan O'Shea ordered Todd held on $25,000 cash bail.

"Michael Todd was arrested today on what we consider very serious charges and therefore he will not be finishing up the current tour," said a statement from the band on its Facebook page.

Musician Wes Styles will take on bass duties starting Monday for the remaining dates in Poughkeepsie, New York; Quebec City and Halifax, Canada; it added.

"We are surprised, to say the least, and will address the situation with Michael after the tour. For now, we just want to have a great time out here and finish with some killer shows," the band statement said."

"The Hard Sell: Taboo In Advertising": Bloody Mess

If you plan on going on a trip anytime soon, this effective ad from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will make you think twice before purchasing anything furry. "Don't buy exotic animal souvenirs." Got it? Ok good. The ad, created by Polish ad agency LOWE GGK, is very creative and conveys its point well. At the very least, it makes one think shot glasses and t-shirts will suffice.

News Spotlight: Tracy Morgan's Rant

It's officially not okay to make gay jokes. This is evident based on the call for Tracy Morgan's head for his Nashville stand-up routine in which he went on a rant about homosexuals. Of all entertainers, comedians usually get a pass to go as far as they want and to say as many fucked up things as they want without causing an uproar. There are the occasional outrages, but not many. The fact people booed him and walked out is a very clear sign that intolerant joking is not accepted anymore. I love my stand-up comedy filthy, but I also believe in gay rights so I would have to see it for myself to formulate an opinion on whether Morgan went too far.

From ABC News: "Comedian and "30 Rock" actor Tracy Morgan reportedly went on a vicious tirade against gay people during a standup show in Nashville.

Audience member Kevin Rogers, who is gay, wrote on his Facebook page called "Why I No Longer 'Like' Tracy Morgan, stating, "I figured at some point the gay jokes would fly and I'm well prepared for a good ribbing of straight gay humor. I have very thick skin when it comes to humor; I can dish and I can take."

He continued: "What I can't take is when Mr. Morgan took it upon himself to mention about how he feels all this gay s**t was crazy and that women are a gift from God and that 'Born this Way' is bulls**t, gay is a choice, and the reason he knows this is exactly because 'God don't make no mistakes.' Morgan's raunchy lewd statements also included how he'd stab his son to death if he said he was gay."

The Ryman Auditorium responded in a statement regarding Morgan's statements made in the June 3, 201 appearance, saying the theater "regrets that people were offended by statements" Morgan made, adding that it "does not control the content presented by people appearing on its stage, nor does it endorse any of the views of, or statements made by, such persons."

Morgan's rep issued a statement to gay rights Web site Unicorn Booty saying, "There is no comment. Thank you."

Calls to Morgan's rep by ABC News were not immediately returned.

This is not the first time that Morgan has been accused of homophobic slurs. In a 2009 Carnegie Hall standup show, audience members walked out within the first 30 minutes after Morgan again stated that homosexuality was a choice. An audience member told the New York Daily News, "There was a continuous flow of people getting up and leaving throughout the show. Middle-aged women were the most flabbergasted when he started mimicking explicit sex acts on stage.""

"The Hard Sell": Taboo In Advertising

The above ads depicting humanity crimes as sport with ties to the 2008 Beijing Olympics were part of a campaign done by advertising agency TBWA France for Amnesty International. The very powerful campaign focusing on human rights (or lack there of) in China, however, was refused by Amnesty for being too negative. Well, TBWA's office didn't want its hard work to go to waste and decided to enter it into the Cannes Lions advertising contest. And then shit hit the fan.

The ad won an award. It got lots of attention online. The Chinese were pissed and called for boycotts. Amnesty denied all ties to the ads, reporting its original rejection. And TBWA Worldwide claimed the France office entered the contest unknowingly to everyone else in the agency and put out an investigation. So basically, everyone backtracked and didn't want anything to do with the campaign. And what a shame. It is a very innovative and creative concept. And the fact it has a real message on top of the creativity makes it brilliant.

Rihanna: "Man Down", Controversy Up

Rihanna is catching a lot of flack for her new "Man Down" video. I saw someone post a comment with a good point about why it's ok for violence to be shown in movies, but as soon as a musical artist puts it in a video, it's too much. I give her props for at least going against the grain and tackling a serious issue. And yeah, she looks really hot as usual.

And I Quote...

“Men are like a fine wine. They all start out like grapes, and it's our job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into something you'd like to have dinner with.” --Kathleen Mifsud

News Spotlight: Death Celebration

In case you live under a rock (or possibly in an Afghan cave), you are aware that the American population is in a state of euphoria over the death of Osama Bin Laden. I don't want to make a big political statement or start a debate, but I will say nothing is more fitting on a blog about "taboo" than pointing out the fascination human beings have with conflict and death.

And I Quote...

“I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out.” --Bill Hicks

And I Quote...

"Yeah, though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no evil, for I am the meanest son of a bitch in the valley.” --Joel Rosenberg

Street Walking Nightmare

I missed the memo, but apparently Anti-Street Harassment Day was held the other day. Living in NYC, this is a constant issue and the attention from men is exhausting. I think this form, cited as one of the ways to fight back, is fantastic. My iPod has been my best defense so far, but maybe I should pass these out. I was always curious if it was as rampant as I thought it was, but since there is an actual movement for it, I have my answer.

And I Quote...

“People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing.” --Will Rogers

News Spotlight: Chris Brown and a New Shit Fit

Another day, another Chris Brown rage. This guy constantly wants to beat someone's ass. Geez.

From New York Daily News: "Chris Brown may need a few more anger management lessons.

Even though a Los Angeles judge has commended him for turning his life around since pleading guilty to felony assault in 2009, the R&B artist had a massive meltdown at the "Good Morning America" studios in Manhattan on Tuesday.

Brown, 21, became angered during his live interview with co-host Robin Roberts, who asked repeated questions about his domestic violence incident with Rihanna, even though he was there to promote his new album, "F.A.M.E.," which was released on Tuesday.

After the interview, Brown allegedly took his rage out in his dressing room, where he yelled loud enough to warrant a visit from security and broke a window. Shattered glass fell onto 43rd St. and Broadway, reported TMZ.com, which posted a picture of the smashed window.

Brown reportedly then took off his shirt and confronted a "GMA" producer before leaving the building and skipping a planned second performance, which was to air on the "GMA" website.

A short time after his exit, Brown took to his Twitter account to express his displeasure over the interview and thank his fans for their continued support.

"I'm so over people bringing this past sh-t up!!!" he tweeted. "Yet we praise Charlie sheen and other celebs for there [sic] bullsh-t!"

"All my fans!!! This album is for you and only you!!!" he wrote in a second tweet. "I'm so tired of everyone else!! Honestly!! I love team breezy!!""Thank you to everyone who supports my music!!!" he wrote in a third.

"Key Word (music) !!! Love y'all."

A rep for Brown has yet to comment on the matter."

"Dirty Joke" : Lucky Day

A police officer was patrolling the highway when he sees a guy tied up to a tree, crying. The officer stops and approaches the guy. "What's going on here?", he asks. The guy sobs, "I was driving and picked up a hitchhiker. He pulled a gun on me, robbed me, took all my money, my clothes, my car and then tied me up." The cop studied the guy for a moment, and then pulled down his pants and whipped out his dick. "I guess this isn't your lucky day, pal!"

"Bad (Not Bad Ass) Tattoo" : Baby Cannibalism

As a modern woman, I fully understand that not all women are destined to grow up to be mommies. I will take it even further and say it is okay for a woman to not be fond of children at all. I mean, obnoxious baby hollers while you're trying to enjoy brunch is enough to encourage a tube tying. However, baby cannibalism is not the way to go. There are alternatives. And mental wards. Seek them out.