It is funny to remember when Hilary and Lindsay were fighting over Aaron.  Granted they were just young teens, but it is still amusing.  What did he really have to offer?  Blond hair and a smile?  Sort of like the popular boy in high school.  Quite a jump from him to Joel Madden for Hillary and from him to a whole slew of guys for Lindsay.

I guess the most surprising thing about this story is not that he got arrested but that it was only for pot.  Given what other young “celebrities” are into, marijuana doesn’t really seem too bad.

What is sad is that in all the stories that I read about him, he has been described as I described him above: by his relation to someone else (brother, ex-boyfriend).  He hasn’t even really done anything to make a name for himself and it is unclear what it is that he does with his time.

A quick glance at a press photo website shows that he has had recent appearances at a wrestling match, parties, fashion week, and the Kids Choice Awards.  I guess if you have one time fame you can milk that for as long as people can remember you?  Maybe young Aaron should stop going to so many parties and get a real job.  Although I suppose it is easier to be famous for being famous than be famous for being talented.  Just ask Paris Hilton.

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He still has to pay the back taxes that he owes and he plans to do so. His attorney Robert Bernhoft said, “Mr. Snipes has always been committed to doing the right thing, and after this trial is over he’ll make whatever amends are required. This is a man of integrity.”

Snipes said he was feeling “great” after the verdict –”a little confused, but great.” Perhaps he is confused about how much back tax he actually owes on $58 million in income? I wonder if any of that money was from his deal to peddle exercise equipment. It is weird to be watching an infomercial and see him peddling products. Maybe the commercial deal was a peremptory attempt to raise enough money to pay his tax debt?

Now that I think about it, how is it that people think that they can’t pay taxes? I mean everyone has to pay taxes. What makes him so special? Did he think that he could show his acting resume and he would get away with it. He could say, “Hey, but I was in Major League, remember? I stole all those bases? That was some funny shit.” His bad luck is that Uncle Sam is not a fan of formulaic baseball comedies. Or may Uncle Sam was mad that Snipes thought that he was too good for the sequel.

Wesley Snipes, tax fraud, tax evasion

That last item has already apparently had an effect on “manager” and “friend” Sam Lufti, who many had speculated was bad news for Brit Brit.  The court granted a restraining order which means that Sam will no longer be able to sponge off Britney and use her for his financial gain and/or fame pursuits.

Britney remains at this hour in a hospital under psychiatric watch.  Although many had speculated that she had a drug or alcohol problem, it appears all along it was a mental health problem.  Rumors have ranged from bipolar to multiple personality disorder to postpartum psychosis.  Whatever the diagnosis, I think keep the leeches away from her is an excellent idea.  I am just not sure that Jamie Spears is not one of them.

Daddy Spears has had his own problems in the past and I just hope that he is stepping up to the plate because he cares for his daughter and her health and not for any ulterior motives.  I am curious, also, why he was given control and not Britney’s mom (they are divorced).  Did they decide between them who would get the gig?  Did the judge decide? Did the fact that Mama Spears tried to capitalize off of her daughter in the past play a role? These are all things that will be revealed in time, I would imagine.

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Britney Spears, Sam Lufti, Jamie Spears, Lynne Spears

Like with many breaking stories, there are many varying reports about what happened. The police have stated that there was no foul play and that they suspect that the death was accidental. That sounds to me like a drug overdose, although some media outlets are suspecting a suicide.

I do not recall ever hearing of Ledger dealing with a substance abuse problem or depression, although now that I think about it, I don’t recall hearing too much about his personal life at all. He has a daughter with ex-girlfriend Michelle Williams. They met on the set of Brokeback Mountain and lived in Brooklyn before splitting up last fall. He is from Australia. That is about all I know.

I am sure that in the coming hours and days it will be revealed just what happened to him and more of his past will become public knowledge as a result. No matter the result of the police investigation or the coroner’s report, however, it is clear that the acting community has lost a truly wonderful actor. He was willing to take risks and do things that other actors would not, which is a mark of someone in it for the craft, rather than the money or fame.

My thoughts are with Michelle and their daughter, because it must be a truly tragic day for the both of them. I truly hope that they were told privately about his death before it was plastered all over the internet.

I suppose that spending a few days looking at dead bodies will go farther in convincing someone who has been convicted of driving under the influence about the consequences of their behavior than say, picking up garbage on the side of the road.

I don’t know what her tasks will be at the morgue, but I can’t imagine any job there would be pleasant. Interesting, sure, but unpleasant. There is some evidence that when people are faced with their own mortality or someone shown the consequences of their actions, it triggers something in their mind. Sort of the “ghosts of Christmas past” or “You were never born, George Bailey,” kind of thing.

I am hesitant to believe that Lindsay may have turned the corner on this addiction thing. Although she did have an alcohol slip-up recently, it appears that she is really working hard to change her lifestyle to one less centered on alcohol and partying and more centered on, you know, living.

What do you think? Is she on the right path for good or is it just a “wait and see” before she gets back into trouble?  I guess only time will tell.

Sidney Blumenthal was pulled over by police the night before the Clinton victory for speeding, allegedly going 70 miles per hour in a 30 miles per hour zone. When police suspected that that her was drunk due to an odor of alcohol, they administered a field sobriety test, which he failed.

He was charged with aggravated DUI due to the excessive speed with which he was driving. No word on if he took a Breathalyzer test or had blood taken to determine his blood alcohol content (BAC). There are times when people fail a field sobriety test, but are not legally intoxicated in terms of the BAC. Given his hard work on the campaign, he may have been simply exhausted and unable to perform the routine maneuvers in the field sobriety test.

If he had a few drinks that night, it may have been to make himself feel better, because according to polls at the point, Clinton was about to lose her second contest. Of course the polls were wrong and she went on to a victory over Barack Obama.  Maybe this will be a lessen to others not to hit the booze in despair until you determine if you really have something to be in despair about.

Blumenthal is expected to be arraigned later this month. No word on whether he will continue with the Clinton campaign or will be replaced by another, less arrest-prone advisor.

Source and Photo Source: TMZ

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According to reports, Spears was supposed to hand over her two sons to ex-husband Kevin Federline’s bodyguards, per their custody arrangement. She refused and police were called.

What happened when the police arrived is still a bit foggy. We know that Federline’s lawyer showed up, presumably with a copy of the court order and the police determined that it was indeed Federline’s time to have the kids. Following this, the police called an ambulance and Britney was sent to the hospital for an evaluation. She was behaving oddly, likely due to being under the influence of drugs, and she will have to have a psychiatric evaluation.

Even less clear is why, reportedly, one of the kids, Jayden James, went to the hospital in a second ambulance. Was he injured? Sick? Kevin Federline and the other child were also seen at the hospital.

Britney likely had a stressful day, after being deposed for all of fourteen minutes by Federline’s lawyer. This is the deposition that she has already missed twice. When she showed up late, they only had 14 minutes to question her.

No word on how long Britney will be at the hospital.  If they determine that she is a danger to herself or others, she might be staying awhile. This whole situation has really gone beyond mere amusement or train wreck watching and has collapsed into what reminds me of an episode of Intervention. Sad really doesn’t even begin to describe the whole situation.  It seems pointless to even hope for a good resolution for this whole thing, where it is clear that it has already damaged so many.

Sources: People magazine, Perez Hilton

Photo Source: TMZ

Britney Spears, Jayden James Federline, Kevin Federline

 

Mischa Barton: arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and suspected possession of marijuana.  She was pulled over after the police witnessed her straddling two lanes of traffic and failed to use an indicator.  What is she even doing with herself these days?  Seems like she pretty much disappeared from the face of the earth after leaving The OC to do other projects.  Maybe her other project was partying?  Also gives me another opportunity to remind you: if you drunk or in possession of drugs, please do your very best to obey the traffic rules.

Danielle Fishel (best known as Topanga on Boy Meets World): arrested on a drunk driving warrant.  Although she had disappeared for awhile after the show ended, she had recently gotten work on the Tyra Banks Show, as well as with Nutrisystem.  Doesn’t she know all the calories that are in alcohol?

Rebecca De Mornay: two misdemeanor counts of DUI stemming from an October arrest. What has she done lately?  Maybe this is a trend: former actresses who are no longer getting work, hit the bottle to feel better, get arrested for drunk driving and then producers say, “Oh, I forgot about her!  I shall hire her!”  Hmm.  Maybe.  Or it could just be that celebs are like regular people in that they drink too much and think that they are okay to drive. 

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The Mitchell report is a culmination of a lengthy investigation to determine what players were using banned substances. Many of the names were gathered from Kirk Rondonski who worked as a clubhouse attendant for the New York Mets and sold illegal substances to many players. The list of players implicated, which includes both current and former players includes:

Roger Clemens
Miguel Tejada
Andy Pettitte
Barry Bonds
Mike Stanton
Chuck Knoblauch
Jason Grimsley
Brian Roberts
David Justice
Mo Vaughn
Paul Lo Duca
Eric Gagne
Glenallen Hill
Gregg Zaun
Rondell White
Hal Morris
Todd Hundley
Larry Bigbie
Lenny Dykstra
David Segui
Matt Herges
Kevin Brown
Mike Lansing
Denny Neagle
FP Santangelo
Ron Villone
Kent Mercker

In his presentation of the report, George Mitchell recommended that baseball look forward and not punish players for past conduct. He said that ongoing, lengthy disciplinary proceedings will draw out the matter and will prevent everyone from moving forward. He stressed, however, that testing going forward is the key to righting baseball and assuring that players will be clean. Richard McLaren added that the current testing is imperfect, as it does not catch everything and players have learned how to circumvent it.

Mitchell pointed out that the report is in no way comprehensive and does not implicate all of the players who have in the past, or are currently using performance enhancing drugs. He stated that his source revealed that he talked with many players who told him that they had other sources for getting the drugs and did not need his services.

Certainly there are many other players who never had contact with Rondonski, so this list could just be the tip of the iceberg in terms of violations.

Given that so many of the players named in the report are now retired, I am not sure what will happen to those listed. The current players will likely be under more scrutiny and if they continue to play, I am sure that they will hear it from the fans at opposing stadiums, much like Barry Bonds did this last season.

Should championships or post-season awards be taken away? Should these players be kept from the Hall of Fame? These are questions I don’t know the answer to. All I know is that many of the successes by players during the time of rampant steroid use will always be questioned and have an asterisk, if only in our minds.

The full report is here. (pdf)

Mitchell Report, Major League Baseball, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Miguel Tejada, Andy Pettitte