October 21, 2009
PepsiCo is the manufacturer of Amp energy drink which is known for its edgy advertisements. However, some people think their latest campaign has gone too far. The item in question is an iPhone App called “Amp up before you score” which offers tips on how to pick up married women, a sexual scorecard, and more. PepsiCo used Twitter to issue an apology after complaints that the app propagated stereotypes about women. Further fueling anger is the fact that even after the apology, the app remains available.
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October 20, 2009
Artist Shepard Fairey gained notoriety for creating the now-famous Barack Obama “HOPE” poster. Now he is in the news for admitting that he lied about the origin of the inspiration for that image. At first he stated it was from the Associated Press photo of Obama next to George Clooney. That would have fallen under a law called fair use which would allow him to use the image without paying for it. Now he has confessed that he lied and used a solo shot of Obama – a truth that is likely to undermine his fair use claim. In addition he attempted to destroy evidence to enhance his legal argument and this has caused his legal team to withdraw from the case.
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October 19, 2009
This past weekend Playboy Magazine broke new ground with a new collectable cover. Featured is animated character Marge Simpson from the television show The Simpsons. Playboy, which published its first magazine in December 1953 with Marilyn Monroe on the cover, has been suffering lately. Advertising pages have dropped 31% in the past year, newsstand sales have dropped 25%, and their distribution has dropped to 2.4 million. Therefore, they are looking for creative ways to get 25 year-old males back to the newsstands. And they have steeped this issue in history. It marks the first time an animated character appears on the cover, celebrates The Simpsons 20 year run, and the pose honors Darine Stern – Playboy’s first black woman on the cover of the October 1971 issue.
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October 18, 2009
On Thursday, October 15, 2009, people in the United States were gripped with images of a hot air balloon adrift with six year-old Falcon Heene as a cast away. For more than two hours the balloon was in the air and traveled over 50 miles while various agencies scrambled to find a way to safely bring down the balloon and save the boy. During that time, news stations showed live pictures, internet sites were frequently updated, and when witnesses stated that they saw a basket drop from the balloon, all seemed lost. After the balloon landed it was discovered that the boy was never on board, rather he was in a box in the attic of his family’s garage. When interviewed on live television about the events of the day, Falcon stated that they “did it for the show” and became physically ill on two other televised occasions. This story is still developing and officials are determining what (if any) charges can be filed against the family.
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October 17, 2009
In Berlin, Germany, a 22 year-old student was riding the ticket without a ticket. When this was discovered, he was removed from the train, which did not please him. To demonstrate how much he did not the treatment, he pulled down his pants and pressed his buttocks against the window. While he was busy mooning the train, he failed to realize that his pants were caught in the door. When the train departed, it took him with him – dragging his half naked body 200 meters before a passenger pulled the emergency brake. Physically, he escaped with only cuts and bruises but he faces a list of charges including, insulting the train staff.
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October 16, 2009
Wanted felons Daniel Lockheart and girlfriend Vanessa Collins did not have a good plan in their run from police. When officers closed in, the assault suspects ran into a large corn maze. However, for a while it may have seemed like a stroke of genius! That is because it took two hours for the police dogs to locate them in the 32 acre labyrinth. The maze, which had been evacuated around midday, was reopened that evening.
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October 15, 2009
Louisville, Kentucky has its first unified advertising campaign since 1982 but not all in the city are unified behind the message. The city has dubbed itself “Possibility City” and has spent $1.6 million to rebrand its image as fun, hip, romantic, risqué, and more. Some television ads spoof prescription drug commercials, others tout the city’s diverse cultural attractions, and others inform you that you can find a girl with a tattoo on a private area of her body. Some seem to find it low-class to portray the city in this way but many others, such as, the Visitors Bureau are enjoying it. Currently funds are being sought to extend the campaign through 2011.
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October 14, 2009
Zero tolerance rules on weapons in schools seem like a good idea on paper but in the real world, the context of the situation should also be considered. In Newark, DE, six year-old Zachary Christie has found himself in the crosshairs of this dilemma. Christie was so excited about becoming a Cub Scout that he brought a camping tool to use with his school lunch. The tool can be used as a fork, spoon, or knife. However, since this action violated the Christina School District’s Code of Conduct, the zero tolerance policy dictated a suspension and 45 days in the local reform school. Christie himself, sums up the situation in this way, “It just seems unfair. I think the rules are what is wrong, not me”. On October 13th, the Christina School Board voted unanimously to reduce sentences to a suspension ranging from three to five days for younger offenders.
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October 13, 2009
Singing karaoke at Bobby Valentine’s Sports Gallery Cafe’s in Stamford, CT can be dangerous. Just ask a 25 year-old woman who suffered a beating after getting off the stage. The victim (whose name was not released) was kicked and punched by six women who did not like her singing. She suffered a chipped tooth and bruises and was treated at a local hospital. All six assailants were arrested and released on $500 bail each. Bobby Valentine is a native of Stamford and enjoyed a 40 year professional baseball career.
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October 12, 2009
The Obama administration is fueling a feud against the Fox News Network. In an interview released with Time last Thursday, White House Communications Director Anita Dunn stated Fox is “opinion journalism masquerading as news.” On Sunday, October 11, Dunn appeared on CNN’s Reliable Sources commenting that Fox is “widely viewed as a part of the Republican Party . . .” and when Obama appears on Fox, it is not a news appearance, but rather an opportunity to debate opponents. During this segment, Dunn panders to CNN by stating about Fox, “But let’s not pretend that they’re a news network the way CNN is.”
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