Palin Relaxing With Her Snuggie

Sarah Palin has written a book called Going Rogue.
It hits book stores today.
It’s being called a memoir of her life.

I’m sorry, a memoir? It’s not like she has this great history behind her life as a hockey Mom and ex Governor of Alaska. And certainly her political career has been beyond laughable.

So the question now is…
will Palin’s book end up on the bestseller list? Or go over like a fart in church?

Besides the obvious that will plague this book, (Palin’s lack of popularity) I read that her book was ghostwritten by Lynn Vincent. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot!
Why you ask? Whos’ Lynn Vincent?

Lovely Lynn is not only the ghostwriter of Sarah’s book, she is pretty cozy with well known, white supremacist, Robert Stacy McCain (no relation to McCain the maverick) and she co-wrote a book with him. 

Some snippettes The First Post about Lynn and Robert Stacy McCain,

She (Lynn) is also staunchly anti-gay, backing the controversial vote to re-criminalise gay marriage in California, and – this is where Palin and her publishers might have drawn the line, but didn’t – she is closely associated with a well-known white supremacist.

He is Robert Stacey NcCain, a former editor at the Washington Times, a paper he left two years ago after a steaming row with a colleague.

Another Vincent collaboration was with a retired general, William Boykin, former head of the US Army’s Special Forces Command. He described his career mission as to defeat Satan in order to save America as a Christian country. “We are hated because we are a nation of believers,” he said.

“Defeat Satan to save America as a Christian country”?
Yikes! What year is this again?

As mentioned previously, Lynn is also a credited author on Robert Stacy McCain’s book, “Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party”. Again, just lovely.

According to a comment left on Little Green Footballs

After resigning as governor in late July, Palin spent most of August in San Diego working with Vincent on the book, “Going Rogue: An American Life.” Rumors swirled about Palin sightings at Vincent’s condo complex in north San Diego County. Palin reportedly was joined here by her family and top aide, Meghan Stapleton. This month, Palin huddled with her editors in New York.

So out of all the ghostwriters that Palin had to choose from, she picked Lynne Vincent? As always, Palin shows her brilliance. And to think that she ran for VP. *shudders*

What did Mark Halperin of Time have to say about Going Rogue?

Based on discussions with various sources who have seen or been briefed on the book’s contents, here’s what you can expect from “Going Rogue”:

* just five chapters—but they are very, very long.

* some score settling with McCain aides she believes ill-served her (names will be named).

* a hearty bashing of the national media.

* an account of how her upbringing shaped her maverick sensibilities.

* a testimonial to the importance of faith in her life.

* a warm and personal tone, written in Palin’s own voice, despite the involvement of a collaborator.

Two things not in the book:

* Don’t look for hefty policy prescriptions.

* Once source who has seen  “Going Rogue” says it does not include an index.  That would give Palin a subtle revenge on the party’s Washington establishment, whose members tend to flip to the back pages and scan for their own names. If they want to know what Sarah Palin has to say about them, they will have to buy the book—and read the whole thing.

Let’s recap, shall we?
She picked a ghostwriter who is anti gay, who is a creationist, and who has has teamed up with white supremacist Robert Stacy McCain.
There’s nothing in the book on policy. (well no surprise, she can’t write what she doesn’t know)
There are FIVE chapters in her book with NO index.
She bashes the media big time, even though they are the ones who put her on the map.
She throws people she once worked with under the bus, and adds a touch of holy rolling goodness.

WOW! COUNT ME OUT.

Now according to Comcast News,

Palin doesn’t elaborate on her book compensation, describing the $1.25 million figure only as a “retainer” that appears to be a reference to her lucrative advance.

So $1.25 big ones for a ghostwritten ”memior”?
Again… wow!

I think once the right wingers are done buying Palin’s crappy book, (Elisabeth Hasselback probably camped out at Barnes and Nobles last night) this book may be headed right for the bargain bin.

Although it would make quite the dandy door stop! Gotcha!

Update:

Multiple sources have confirmed Michael Jackson has died of a cardiac arrest at the age of 50. Right now we aren’t sure what exactly led to Michael’s heart attack, but he has suffered from ill health and chronic disease for over a decade, as well as, very public trials which must have led to a tremendous amount of stress.

Here’s what CNN is reporting:

Jackson, 50, had been in a coma at the hospital, sources told CNN.

Brian Oxman, a Jackson family attorney, said he was told by brother Randy Jackson that Michael Jackson collapsed at his home in west Los Angeles, California, Thursday morning.

Family members were told of the situation and were either at the hospital or en route, Oxman said.

Fire Capt. Steve Ruda told CNN a 911 call came in from a west Los Angeles residence at 12:21 p.m.

Ruda said Jackson was treated and transferred to the UCLA Medical Center.

Asked specifics of the patient’s condition, he said he could not discuss them because of federal privacy laws.

The music icon from Gary, Indiana, is known as the “King of Pop.” Jackson had many No. 1 hits and his “Thriller” is the best-selling album of all time. Video Jackson “as big as it gets” »

Jackson is the seventh of nine children in a well-known musical family. He has three children, Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II.

At the medical center, every entrance to the emergency room was blocked by security guards. Even hospital staffers were not permitted to enter. A few people stood inside the waiting area, some of them crying.

A large crowd was also gathering outside the hospital, according to video footage.

Outside Jackson’s Bel Air home, police arrived on motorcycles. The road in front of the home was closed in an attempt to hold traffic back, but several people were gathered outside the home.

*********************************************
Reports are coming in about an emergency call to the home of Michael Jackson stating someone was having a cardiac arrest. TMZ is reporting Michael Jackson has died, though no other media reports are stating that at this time.

We will keep you posted as we learn more. WOW, just wow. Maybe he was as sick as writer and blogger Ian Halperin suggested.

You can file this under several categories, but I’d say B.S., Good For Laughs, and As If, are top on my list.

So word on the street, via our good friend, who’s gone Brangeloonie, Ian Halperin (at Ianundercover.com), our favorite troubled tartlet is pregnant, for now.

Here’s what Ian had to say:

IUC just learned from a close source in Lilo’s camp that the out of control actress is seven weeks preggo. “I swear she’s carrying,” the Lilo friend said. “She’s going through big emotional turmoil. She’s not sure if she’ll have it or go through with an abortion that she booked to have in the next few days. Saddest part is she has no idea who the father is. She must have slept with more than two dozen men in the past couple of months.” Please, lets send a message here loud and clear to Lilo what to do. IUC encourages her to have the child. What are your thoughts?

What are my thoughts you ask? BITCH PUHHHLEEEEESE! Now, granted, there is no doubt in my mind that Lindsay’s uterus has been used as punching bag WAY too many times, by WAY too many guys, that however does not mean we are going to see a pregnant Lindsay Lohan anytime soon. It’s not like this her first time on the Planned Parenthood line. I’m not judging, just saying.

Lindsay was spotted a few years back with pregnancy tests in hand while she was in the hospital for “asthma-related” illnesses. So, Lindsay knows the drill I am afraid. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but starlets, unlike say inner city youths and teen girls in Alaska, have access to the necessary tools needed to prevent this sort of thing, and the way Lindsay gets around, you’d think even SHE’D be smart enough to apply some common sense.

I vote this a NO, but then again, it’s not like we’ll ever really know, will we Lindsay. *wink, wink*

And unlike Ian, I DON’T encourage Lindsay to have a baby. I’d go so far as to say Lindsay shouldn’t own a dog, or a fish. Houseplants might even be too risky. Lindsay’s womb would need ten years of detoxing before it was hospitable enough to carry life, let alone her trainwrecked ass caring for a tiny newborn.

I shudder for all humanity if this is true.

Glosslip’s own Dawn Olsen will be a guest tonight on Ian Halperin’s Live TV Chat show. We will discuss all the important topics of the day, like why is Brad Pitt so whipped, is Angelina Jolie the devil, which disease will ultimately consume Michael Jackson, who is “toothy tiles” (google it) and our favorite, why outing gay actors is “uncool” (to use Jenny Aniston’s phrase). We will also be taking questions from the chatroom and most likely, we will discuss Tommy Cruise’s favorite crazy cult, Scientology.

Join us, but bring a blindfold to shield your eyes. To watch, click here.

Does that bare spot on your wall over the sofa just scream out for something to fill it in?  Are you a monolimb who needs a glove to keep only one hand warm?  Is the dirt driveway at the end of your doublewide in need of special gates to keep intruders out?  Then you’re in luck, because Michael Jackson is having one whopper of a rummage sale:

As the former King of Pop is rumoured to be almost bankrupt, he is selling off furniture and art from his California ranch.

The auction will be conducted in Beverly Hills by Julien’s Auctions between April 22 and 25, with some of the proceeds going to The MusiCares Foundation.

So if you’re in the area, or just want to get some memorabilia, clear your calendar and pick yourself up some one-of-a-kind treasures!  From a set of sparkly gloves to a Ms. Pac-Man game to a Rolls Royce with 24k trim inside worth upwards of $200,000, you too can live like an emotionally stunted body-dysmorphic recluse!

In other MJ news, it is now being rumored that he is suffering from a staph infection which is causing him a lot of pain and could be permanently disfiguring (more so than he already is):

MICHAEL JACKSON is suffering from an acute MRSA-type skin infection which threatens to EAT his flesh.

The singer has been receiving antibiotics via a drip in a bid to beat the superbug, which sources say has spread throughout his body.

Jacko, 50, revealed painfully-inflamed skin on his face and hands as he visited a Beverly Hills clinic where he is being treated.

The stricken pop legend may have contracted the infection following plastic surgery on his NOSE, it was feared last night.

The 50-year-old Billie Jean singer is said to have a severe “staph” infection, resistant to conventional antibiotics.

Experts warned it threatened to develop into a terrifying flesh-eating disorder which could kill off areas of the superstar’s skin and leave him in need of major reconstructive surgery.

Jacko has been receiving antibiotics via an IV drip in a bid to beat the condition.

But the skin on his face and hands looked inflamed when he was snapped on his way to a Beverly Hills clinic during another week of intense treatment.

A source revealed last night: “Michael Jackson has a severe staph infection that he contracted during work to reconstruct his nose.

“The disease is an MRSA-style infection because it is resistant to conventional antibiotics, so he has been visiting a clinic to get antibiotics via an IV drip.

“The infection has spread throughout his face and body and is being aggressively treated by doctors.

“There’s a chance it could turn into a flesh-eating disorder where it begins to kill off his skin so he’s being very carefully monitored.”

FOD (Friend of Dawn) blogger and author Ian Halperin has recently declared that MJ is suffering from a serious lung disease that could be fatal:

NYT bestselling author and celeb biographer and blogger, Ian Halperin has issued a challenge to beleaguered pop idol Michael Jackson to prove he is NOT dying of deadly lung disease. As was reported in several news outlets over the last few weeks, Jackson was said to be suffering from a “rare genetic condition called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency” and would die within 6 months if he didn’t receive a lung transplant. In addition, Halperin, who has written a book on the troubled star, states that Jackson is most at risk from “chronic gastrointestinal bleeding” and has lost vision in one eye.

Of course, Jackson’s camp and his “official one and only spokeperson”, a Dr. Tohme Tohme (seriously?) have emphatically denied these claims as “a total fabrication” and claim that in fact, Jackson is great health and pursuing many lucrative and fancy business deal.

The National Enquirer (hey don’t laugh, they’ve gotten some big stories right lately) is also corroborating Jackson illness, and cite painkillers as a source of much of Jackson physical deterioration over the years:

A source close to the star divulged: “It’s tragic. His condition is just so far gone, I’d be surprised if he lasts six months.

“Painkillers and booze have caught up with him. The only way he was able to cope with the stress of sex scandals and his roller-coaster life was to mask the pain with substance abuse.

“But the end result is an addiction that will kill him.”

And Ian is now reporting that the staph infection is a separate illness which is affecting his treatment for Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency:

[...] reliable sources inside Jackson’s camp tell me that the reason for his visits to the clinic are in fact to receive regular injections of alpha-1 antitrypsin, a substance that is derived from human plasma and which is often used to effectively treat the symptoms of Alpha 1.

While I have been told that the treatment has succeeded in arresting the most severe symptoms that Jackson was suffering as recently as last December, there have been some “setbacks” in recent weeks.

It’s possible that one of those setbacks has been the onset of an MRSA bug as has been reported by the British tabloids today but so far I’m told the stories aren’t true.

Just last week, Perez Hilton posted an item noting that “there may be something seriously wrong with the King of Pop” and showing a photo of Jackson leaving the clinic with puffy disfigured hands.

According to medical literature, one of the symptoms of Alpa 1 Anitrypsin deficiency is panniculitis, characterized by subcutaneous inflammation of the skin similar to the symptoms seen in the photo posted by Perez.

Michael’s camp, predictably, is denying the whole thing.

Could it be that it is this infection that is the cause of Michael’s illness instead of the lung problem?  Or, as Ian alleges, is it a combination of the two, or perhaps something else entirely…could it be that everything is finally catching up with him and it is all combining to make him one sick man?  With Michael Jackson, you never know, but it is obvious to all that he is one sick man and any supposed “comeback” is, quite obviously, not going to happen, at least not any time in the near future.

Those poor children.

Oh, that silly Michael Jackson.  His endearing shenanigans never seem to stop.  The latest funny in the comedic saga that continues to twist around MJ’s life comes from director John Landis, who directed the now-iconic Thriller video back in the day…seems he’s a bit miffed that he’s been denied, oh, about a million dollars in royalty fees:

Jackson was sued yesterday by one of his old friends, director John Landis, who says he’s owed around a million dollars by the singer in royalties for their classic “Thriller” video. This comes on the heels of settling a $7 million lawsuit with Prince Abdulla of Bahrain.

Landis was one of Jackson’s last friends and supporters, so the suit is a last resort effort on his part.

It is also being revealed that Michael continues to borrow, and borrow, and borrow, with no visible way of paying back the money:

At the same time, I am told that Jackson borrowed heavily again through Thomas Barrack’s Colony Capital so he could afford his $100,000 a month rental in Beverly Hills. The refi came as Jackson let Barrack become his partner in Neverland, where Colony now holds a $24 million note.

The few people left around Jackson who know his perilous financial situation are wondering why he borrowed more money and question where this is all going to end. One place might be bankruptcy court, as 50 year old Jackson — whose on paper 50% ownership of Sony/ATV Music is leveraged every which way — continues not to take any real responsibility for his own finances.

Certainly, the new questions are forming around Jackson’s mysterious manager and confidante of the moment, Dr. Tohme Tohme. He’s just the latest in a long line of people with various agendas who’ve passed through the former pop star’s life.

This on the heels of news broken by Dawn’s favorite celeb blogger Ian Halperin, which is that Michael is allegedly dying of a disease which is stealing his eyesight and ability to walk:

As was reported in several news outlets over the last few weeks, Jackson was said to be suffering from a “rare genetic condition called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency” and would die within 6 months if he didn’t receive a lung transplant. In addition, Halperin, who has written a book on the troubled star, states that Jackson is most at risk from “chronic gastrointestinal bleeding” and has lost vision in one eye. [...]

The National Enquirer (hey don’t laugh, they’ve gotten some big stories right lately) is also corroborating Jackson illness, and cite painkillers as a source of much of Jackson physical deterioration over the years:

A source close to the star divulged: “It’s tragic. His condition is just so far gone, I’d be surprised if he lasts six months.

“Painkillers and booze have caught up with him. The only way he was able to cope with the stress of sex scandals and his roller-coaster life was to mask the pain with substance abuse.

“But the end result is an addiction that will kill him.”

(And in case you were wondering if that photo of Michael is real, here he is with his kids when he is in the wheelchair.  Same time as above, different angle.)

Michael has been offered many opportunities to perform and make some serious change in return, but has thus far turned them all down for various reasons:

One of Jackson’s biggest problems is that he won’t return to remunerative work. I told you two weeks ago that he recently was offered a great gig: 10 shows minimum, 30 max, at $1 million apiece to perform the “Thriller” album at London’s Millennium Dome. It was a solid offer from AEG Live. But he wouldn’t do it.

He also wouldn’t appear at the Grammys. He also refused to pitch in on “Thriller” publicity — most of it was done by producer Quincy Jones. It seems no one has ever told Jackson the old adage that 99 percent of life is just about showing up.

Working isn’t always fun, but it can be done. Say what you will about Michael’s sister, Janet, but she keeps going, making money. She’s made three albums in four years, tours constantly and knows how to play the game. Unlike Michael, Janet understands that she’s not entitled to anything. She goes out and gets what she wants and needs. Maybe Michael should take a lesson from his little sister.

Okay.  Srsly.  Let me see if I’ve got this all straight:

• Michael has not only refused to do any sort of serious work for a paycheck, but has now disintegrated into a state where he probably could not work even if he wanted to (which it seems he doesn’t).
• Michael could possibly be suffering from a disease which could kill him fairly soon if  something doesn’t happen, leaving his children with a tangled knotted mess of finances and a shady manager in charge of it all.
• Even though he has less income coming in than bills going out, he continues to spend money like it grows on trees.
• He is continually allowed to borrow money, again and again, even though he doesn’t have any way of paying back the debts he already owes, and even though he has a consistent track record of spending more than he makes and of picking people to keep around him who are questionable at best.

By using this logic, Joe Schmoe The Ragpicker from up the road can go down to the bank and tell them that it’s okay that he doesn’t have any real means of income other than the change people occasionally put in his hat, and it’s okay that he spends money as fast as he gets it, and it’s okay that he is already millions of dollars in debt to the bank from previous loans, and let’s just forget his previous bad spending habits and that he has this bad habit of not repaying loans, and don’t pay attention to all those shadowy figures back there that came in with him holding their hands out, and never mind that annoying cough…because, look, he can dance and walk backwards!  He used to be somebody, back in the day!  So he needs some more money now, like, millions if you’ve got it to spare…that’s okay, right?

If you or I or anyone else went to the bank with a record like Michael’s, they’d laugh us out of there so fast we wouldn’t know what happened.  Yet Michael, because he is MICHAEL JACKSON, is allowed to have money hand over fist.  Yes, he was extremely talented…but that doesn’t mean he should be given a free pass.  And I’m sure there will be about a zillion comments telling me how jealous I am, how wonderful MJ is, how precious he is, how he’s on the verge of a major comeback, and who cares about his money habits?  He’s MICHAEL JACKSON!!!!!!!!1!  OMG!!!!!11!!1!

Is it any wonder we are in a recession, when people’s thinking is as screwed up as this?

Fellow blogger and celebrity biographer Ian Halperin will be hosting a live chat tonight with American Idol star and media sensation Sanjaya Malakar.

Malakar, who has a new memoir out, Dancing To The Music In My Head: Memoirs of the People’s Idol, will be talking questions and chatting with fans at 9:00pm EST, with Ian Halperin on his blog www.ianundercover.com.

To participate in the chat, click here.

If I get a chance to ask Sanjaya a question, it will be what hair products does he use. Seriously, dude has the lovely locks on the planet.

When I was a wee little lass and considered becoming a famous, ahem, celeb blogger, I would read all the gossip rags fervently, but one of my favorite guilty pleasures was the “Blind Item” pieces. It was always a fun challenge to try and figure out which celebrity knucklehead was caught doing something naughty. Like the sort of like NYT’scrossword puzzle, but for gossip sluts like me.

Well, there is one king among the “blind item” writers ruling the land and that’s Ted Casablanca (E! Online’s, The Awful Truth. Ted’s snarky, snide, quippy and most importantly, he knows lots of dirty secrets of Hollywood.

Glosslip was lucky enough to be invited by our cohort and fellow blogger Ian Halperin to join him tonight, at 8:00pm EST for his LiveChat feature, at Ianundercover.com to talk to Ted, who will be a guest.

To join us for tonight’s chat, click here.

You can be sure I will be asking many a question about Scientology and Brangelina!

Hope to see you there!

Glosslip insiders have revealed that the Daily Mail’s story on Jett Travolta, titled “Did John Travolta’s weird faith seal son Jett’s fate?” was pulled from their website after threats from the Church of Scientology.

This is nothing new in the world of Scientology. Almost a year ago, gossip site Gawker was threatened with legal action from the highly litigious “religion” after posting a “for Scientologist’s eyes only” video featuring Tom Cruise discussing his strange religion. Gawker, citing fair use laws, refused to pull the video, and have been reaping a traffic bonanza since. The mega YouTube has also been at the center of Scientology’s lawyers wrath, waging a constant war between users uploading material which is critical of the group and the constant cease and desist letters they received from the Church. With the barrage of stories following the tragic death of 16-year old Jett Travolta, one has to wonder how much overtime the lawyers have been putting in trying to keep the media from looking too closely at their dangerous history of medical mishaps based on the groups anti-psychiatry beliefs.

So while the in depth story at the Daily Mail has been pulled, we were fortunate to find that the internet savvy group and Scientology critics, Anonymous, have the full version of the story on their site. I will post after the jump in its entirety. If you are interested in additional commentary and other details about this story, visit the forum thread at WhyWeProtest.net.

But wait, there’s more…

NYT bestselling author and celeb biographer and blogger, Ian Halperin has issued a challenge to beleaguered pop idol Michael Jackson to prove he is NOT dying of deadly lung disease. As was reported in several news outlets over the last few weeks, Jackson was said to be suffering from a “rare genetic condition called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency” and would die within 6 months if he didn’t receive a lung transplant. In addition, Halperin, who has written a book on the troubled star, states that Jackson is most at risk from “chronic gastrointestinal bleeding” and has lost vision in one eye.

Of course, Jackson’s camp and his “official one and only spokeperson”, a Dr. Tohme Tohme (seriously?) have emphatically denied these claims as “a total fabrication” and claim that in fact, Jackson is great health and pursuing many lucrative and fancy business deal.

The National Enquirer (hey don’t laugh, they’ve gotten some big stories right lately) is also corroborating Jackson illness, and cite painkillers as a source of much of Jackson physical deterioration over the years:

A source close to the star divulged: “It’s tragic. His condition is just so far gone, I’d be surprised if he lasts six months.

“Painkillers and booze have caught up with him. The only way he was able to cope with the stress of sex scandals and his roller-coaster life was to mask the pain with substance abuse.

“But the end result is an addiction that will kill him.”

Halperin, with his reputation and book on the line, isn’t backing down and is willing to stand by his story, and like the old saying goes, he’s putting his money where his mouth is.

Insiders close to the author have told Glosslip that Ian’s team have sent word to Michael Jackson that they are willing to pay the full expense of flying Jackson to one of the leading lung clinics in the world — The Cleveland Clinic (or any of the other top-notch clinics of Jackson’s choosing) and pay for a full medical examination of the ailing star. From Halperin’s perspective, this would clear up any misinformation and if the author is wrong, and Jackson IS healthy, Halperin will hold a press conference and tell the world he was wrong and retract his statement. Our insiders said Ian is hoping he is wrong, as he wishes the star nothing but good health.

We await word on the outcome of this challenge. One final caveat to this mystery of he said/he said, is why Jackson’s own spokesperson claimed Jackson was too ill to travel to Bahrain and testify in the lawsuit pending against him, and why has he been photographed several times wheelchair bound and wearing a surgical mask?

Clearly, something isn’t right.