Nine Inch Nails, R.E.M., Pearl Jam Join Campaign to Close Guantanamo

NINA group of musicians joined a campaign on Tuesday that asks the Obama administration to close down the terror suspect camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, reports MTV News.

The musicians are all angered after hearing that their songs are reportedly being blasted at ear-bleeding levels in an attempt to break uncooperative terror suspects. Artists including Nine Inch Nails, R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine, Steve Earle, Billy Bragg, and Rosanne Cash have announced their support for the National Campaign to Close Guantanamo.

Part of the effort entails the National Security Archive in Washington, D.C. filing a Freedom of Information Act request. This is in an effort to uncover classified records that prove the use of loud music as a means of interrogation. A report by the Senate Armed Services Committee in November, 2008 makes reference to the use of loud music to unhinge terror suspects. One instance involved the case of a Mauritanian prisoner who was allegedly blasted with songs such as Drowning Pool’s “Bodies” to cause him stress because he believed that listening to music was forbidden. Drowning Pool has apparently so far not objected to the use of its music at Guantanamo Bay or other U.S. detention sites.

Some of the songs reportedly played at high volumes close to the prisoners at the camp are Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” Don McLean’s “American Pie,” Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.,” Nine Inch Nails’ “March of the Pigs,” Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” the Meow Mix cat food jingle, music from Sesame Street, the “I Love You” song from Barney, as well as songs by R.E.M., Pearl Jam, AC/DC, Britney Spears, Marilyn Manson, the Bee Gees, and more.

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Fox Network Chooses Lie to Me Over Obama

Barack ObamaOh the priorities of the Fox network.

According to E! News, the network has decided to nix the airing of President Obama’s prime-time press conference on Wednesday timed to mark his 100th day in office, and instead continue with the regularly scheduled program of “Lie to Me”- a show about a man who can read liars.

The network did however say in a statement yesterday, that it would “alert Lie to Me viewers to the press conference with an onscreen graphic.”

Other competitors such as ABC, CBS and NBC, have all booked the 8 pm Wednesday slot for President Obama.


A President’s Best Friend Obamas Welcome New Puppy

BoThe White House welcomes it’s latest addition, the presidential pooch.

According to E! News, President Barack Obama and the first family welcomed a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog on Saturday. The dog is named “Bo” due to Michelle Obama’s late father being nicknamed Diddley, as in Bo Diddley, and because their cousin has a cat named Bo.

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Sasha And Malia Dolls Get New Name

Ty Inc., the toy company responsible for Beanie Babies, is reportedly changing the names of it’s dolls “Sweet Sasha” and “Marvelous Malia”.

Although the dolls shared the names of U.S. President Barack Obama’s daughters Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, the toy company said the dolls we’re not inspired by the first daughters.

“We believe it is inappropriate to use young, private citizens for marketing purposes,” said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, the first lady’s spokeswoman, in a statement.

Ty Inc. has placed a “Retired” banner over both dolls on the TyGirlz Collection website. It has been reported the toy company plans to change the dolls names to “Sweet Sydney” and “Marvelous Mariah.”

“We appreciate the company’s response to this matter,” McCormick Lelyveld told The New York Times.


First Daughters Invited To appear On ‘Hannah Montanna’

Billy Ray Cyrus, father of “Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus, said in an interview with “Access Hollywood” that Malia Obama, 10, and Sasha Obama, 7, have been invited to appear on an episode of the Disney Channel show.

“You know the ‘Hannah Montana’ film comes out in April. Maybe something might happen around then.” Cyrus said to Access hollywood, according to MTV News.

“I think that would be really cool, and if anything, [we would] have them visit the set,” said Miley Cyrus to ‘Access Hollywood’ when asked about the possible appearance of the first daughters on ‘Hannah montana.’

“They are kind of like me before I started my own career,” Cyrus adds. “[They] are kind of put in it because their dad … so I would want it to be normal, and they could come hang out on the set with normal girls. I think that would be fun for them.”

“Hannah Montana: The Movie” is set to release on April 10, 2009 in the U.S. In the film, Miley Stewart Miley Cyrus) and her father, played by her real-life dad Billy Ray Cyrus, take a trip to their homeland of Crowley Corners, Tennessee.


Artists Celebrate Obama’s Victory

Soulja Boy Tell’em, Bow Wow, and Maino are just a few of the many artists who cast ballots for the very first time. Other artists such as Will.i.am showed their support for Barack Obama through tracks for the elected president of the United States.

“It’s just incredible to know that Barack Obama is our president,” Usher told MTV News. But Usher wasn’t the only one who was more than happy with the result of last night’s election, Kanye West posted a message on his blog that read, “Hi mom, Obama won!”

“Obama’s election as president is a beautiful testament to the American collective consciousness that is flowering,” Russell Simmons told MTV News. “This more loving consciousness will be necessary to protect us from some of our hurtful human choices and tendencies. We will need it to create balance with the constantly emerging advances in technology so, going forward, we can use these advances in a positive way to lift up Mother Earth and all her inhabitants.”

The excitement wasn’t contained to the United States, artist’s from outside the country were happy with the result of the election as well, “I just got the news arriving in the U.K. I’m so proud of Americans for making that change happen!!! Let’s go towards a great new future!!!!” said Estelle in an email to MTV News.


Jay-Z Rocks with Obama

McCain was right. Obama is like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.

Barack Obama receives a shout out in Jay-Z’s new single, “Jockin’ Jay Z (Dope Boy Fresh,” forever solidifying his name in popular culture, like Spears and Hilton.

He is not longer just the presumptive Democrat presidential nominee. He’s a pop culture reference.

Jay-Z raps “I rock with Obama but I ain’t no politician. And I chill with the thugs and the gangsters too. I ain’t a Blood but I’m warring with the boys in blue. Crooked officer, crooked officer. Why you wanna see me in a coffin, sir?”

Obama’s camp has yet to respond of acknowledge the reference. Jay-Z’s album. The Blueprint 3, has no tentative release date.

Now that Obama is being used in the rap song lexicon, look for “I got more gold than Michael Phelps” in a rap song soon.


Barack Obama, John McCain Reveal Favourite Songs

There’s one person that has the vote of both U.S. presidential hopefuls: Frank Sinatra.

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain have each unveiled their top 10 favourite songs, with Ol’ Blue Eyes making it onto both of their lists.

Obama’s Sinatra pick was “You’d Be So Easy To Love,” while McCain’s choice was “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”

Beyond that, the two candidates differed widely in their musical tastes. Obama, 46, offered a list that was a mix of old and new, with the Fugees’ “Ready Or Not” being his No. 1 song. The rest of his favourites ranged from Aretha Franklin’s “Think” and Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire,” to U2’s “City of Blinding Lights” and Kanye West’s “Touch the Sky.”

Also making his list was will.i.am’s “Yes We Can,” a pro-Obama song based on one of his speeches and featuring guest vocals from various celebrities.

McCain’s list was made up exclusively of older tracks, with “Dancing Queen” by ABBA topping the 71-year-old’s list. It followed by such tunes as Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou,” ABBA again with “Take A Chance On Me,” The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” and Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World.”

Blender magazine, which asked the candidates for their song choices, features both lists in their September issue.

Here are the candidates’ top 10 favourite songs:

Barack Obama:

Fugees – “Ready Or Not”
Marvin Gaye – “What’s Going On”
Bruce Springsteen – “I’m On Fire”
The Rolling Stones – “Gimme Shelter”
Nina Simone – “Sinnerman”
Kanye West – “Touch The Sky”
Frank Sinatra – “You’d Be So Easy To Love”
Aretha Franklin – “Think”
U2 – “City of Blinding Lights”
will.i.am – “Yes We Can”

John McCain:

ABBA – “Dancing Queen”
Roy Orbison – “Blue Bayou”
ABBA – “Take A Chance On Me”
Merle Haggard – “If We Make It Through December”
Dooley Wilson – “As Time Goes By”
The Beach Boys – “Good Vibrations”
Louis Armstrong – “What A Wonderful World”
Frank Sinatra – “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”
Neil Diamond – “Sweet Caroline”
The Platters – “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”


Angelina Jolie Undecided on Her President

Not only do movie producers want her, but Presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama also want Angelina Jolie on their side. Unfortunately, the Oscar winner has yet to make up her mind.

According to E! News, Angelina Jolie has “not decided on a candidate.”

“I am waiting to see the commitments they will make on issues like international justice, refugees and how to address the needs of children in crisis around the world,” says Jolie, 33.

But is Jolie leaning more to one side than the other?

”I think people assume I’m a Democrat. But I’m registered independent and I’m still undecided. So I’m looking at McCain as well as Obama.”

Other celebs to openly express their presidential choices are Oprah and most recently, Paris Hilton. While Oprah is personally endorsing Obama, Paris Hilton has opted for another candidate: herself.


Clooney Backs Obama

Hollywood superstar GEORGE CLOONEY has thrown his support behind US presidential candidate BARACK OBAMA, and has even offered to campaign for the Illinois senator.

Staunch Democrat Clooney is excited by Obama’s “true rock star” presence and hopes he can win at the 2008 presidential elections.

Clooney says, “I’ve never been around anybody who walks into a room and everyone just stops and listens to him.

“He’s magnetic and charismatic in a way that we haven’t had for a long time. I would certainly go out and fundraise for him.”

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