[sunnykerr]

Digital TV - Delayed or not?
http://www.fanforum.com/f117/john-tr...dies-62872044/
O.J. Simpson sentenced to at least 15 years
Politics and celebrities - do they mix?
http://www.fanforum.com/f117/jennife...dead-62861464/
http://www.fanforum.com/f117/talente...50-a-62850044/
Miley Cyrus "Vanity Fair" Photo Controversy

Banner by 4N6 DNA

Chris Brown Set For Thursday Court Appearance LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- After reportedly reuniting with Rihanna last week, Chris Brown is set to appear in court on Thursday regarding his alleged assault of his singer girlfriend on February 8. As of Wednesday morning, no charges have been pressed by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office. On February 26, a spokesperson for the DA’s office told Access Hollywood that the case was “still under investigation.” “Absolutely nothing has changed,” the spokesperson said. “The LAPD still has an ongoing investigation and the case hasn’t been handed to the DA’s office yet.” In the early morning of February 8, after attending a pre-Grammy party honoring Clive Davis, Brown allegedly bit and hit Rihanna, who was hospitalized for the injuries. Brown turned himself in to police and made bail later that day. A photo apparently of a bruised Rihanna taken shortly after the alleged assault leaked onto the Internet on February 19. As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Rihanna and Brown have reconciled and are once again romantically involved. They reportedly spent the weekend at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ home on Star Island, Miami, and they are currently back in LA together.

Chris Brown Set For Thursday Court Appearance | Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos & Videos

I'm not a huge one for the celebrity stuff, but this story struck a chord with me. We obviously don't know what happened. I do think it's an interesting story in terms of how representative it is of what goes on in the lives of many women.

One of our three women will be in an abusive relationship at one time or another in her life. I'm not entirely sure what the statistics are for men, but we also know that there are men in abusive relationships as well.

Apparently, a plethora of websites have popped up begging Rihanna to reconsider going back to the man. If he did hit her, I would have to agree. You shouldn't reward abuse or be dismissive of it. Ever. But, of course, I'm not in her shoes and I wasn't in her shoes that night either. So who knows...

Any thoughts?

[vc318]

Yes, I have some thoughts on this - Rihanna is an idiot for taking him back and Chris Brown should be locked up for the rest of his natural life. I hope he gets locked up next to some hardcore Rihanna fan so that they mess him up really bad.

Done venting now.

[sunnykerr]

Jackson Eyes $400m Comeback Plan Michael Jackson could earn more than $400m (£283m) from a comeback deal involving new music and movies as well as concerts, his promoter has revealed. The pop superstar has announced 10 gigs at the O2 arena in London this summer. Randy Phillips, head of AEG Live, which is staging the gigs, said they had a wider deal that could cover a world tour and a 3D film based on Thriller. He also said: "We're talking to him about helping him figure a new plan for the release of singles, new music." Last tour Jackson appeared at the London venue on Thursday to announce his comeback concerts. He billed them as "the final curtain call" and "my final show performances in London". Speaking afterwards, Mr Phillips said: "These will be the last shows in London. Whether he will go on from here around the world... this will be his last tour. "All he's agreed to are the London shows at this point." He said AEG Live had a "broader relationship" with Jackson. "We have a film development deal that's part of this to do a film, Thriller 3D," he said. It would be a new film that could star Jackson himself, he said. Asked how much Jackson could earn from the ventures, Mr Phillips replied: "If we complete the full three-and-a-half year plan, he could gross over $400m in that time. London could be north of $50m (£35m)." The star made a five-minute appearance in front of hundreds of screaming fans on Thursday to announce the 10 London dates. His first words to fans were: "I love you so much. "This will be it. When I say this is it, it really means this is it," he added. "I'll be performing the songs my fans want to hear." Jackson had been expected to appear at the 02 arena at 1600 GMT, but arrived an hour and a half late for the announcement. The first concert at the 20,000-capacity venue will be on 8 July, with tickets costing between £50 and £75. They go on general sale on 13 March. Jackson last toured 12 years ago. In 2006, he performed at the World Music Awards in London, but disappointed fans by singing just a few lines of We Are The World.

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Jackson eyes $400m comeback plan

[vc318]

I wonder if Michael is really doing this for the fans. Isn't he hard up on money right now?

[sunnykerr]

He's really hard up for money right now, especially considering this isn't a man who shops at stores you and I frequent, you know?

Re: Rihanna story, though. I can't believe she went back to the bastard. I mean, I can't and I can, too. Wasn't her father addicted to drugs or something? All I'm saying is there might be a good chance that she grew up with a given example and it's hard to break away from what you know, even when your head knows it's not a good model.

[vc318]

Originally Posted by sunnykerr (View Post) He's really hard up for money right now, especially considering this isn't a man who shops at stores you and I frequent, you know?

Yeah that's why I think this won't be the last of Mr. Jackson.

Re: Rihanna story, though. I can't believe she went back to the bastard. I mean, I can't and I can, too. Wasn't her father addicted to drugs or something? All I'm saying is there might be a good chance that she grew up with a given example and it's hard to break away from what you know, even when your head knows it's not a good model.

I'm not sure about the dad but if that's the case then I'm not the least bit surprised that she took this guy back. If she doesn't watch herself the next thing you'll hear is that she's been murdered or something. She better get her head on straight.

[sunnykerr]

The thing about MJ is that he really does seem to have very little contact with the real world, so it's not like you can apply common reasoning to his decision-making, you know? Like the whole sleepover with boys drama. Once you've been sued for sexual misconduct, who would seriously continue with the sleepovers? Well, he did.

Anyway, I do hope, for his sake, that the financial rewards of these concerts help him out a bit.

As to Rihanna... whatever the situation was, I do seem to recall that she came from what was not anyone's idea of an ideal childhood, which is why I'm really thinking that she's just reproducing the example she had growing up. Kinda makes me hope that Tina Turner finds her somewhere at some point and tells her what's what.

[Cristofle]

Rihanna's story is tragically all too common; death at the hands of a boyfriend or husband is the leading cause of death in girls 14-25. On average, women are beaten over 30 times before ever speaking to the authorities, so it's highly unlikely it was the first time, particularly given the brutal nature of the attack. Abusers test their power over time. This story will end in one of two ways: she'll either leave him or he'll kill her. I really, really pray it is the first.

The reaction of both the media and the public to this story has really pissed me off (although I'm in no way surprised). Rihanna is a footnote, an afterthought, in "Oh, I hope Chris Brown can come back from this."

[Nad]

Re Michael Jackson: His fans are obviously pretty ecstatic about the news (judging by those who were at the press conference). Not sure if it's a wise move though - he hasn't done any concerts in 12 years, mind you - so if this project doesn't work out, who knows. Since I think it's more a money issue right now, good for him if that helps him out a bit.

re Rihanna: It is hard to believe she went back to Chris Brown after what he did. I hope she'll have the strength to leave him soon or finds someone who helps her doing it, otherwise things will probably end badly

[vc318]

Kinda makes me hope that Tina Turner finds her somewhere at some point and tells her what's what.

Gosh, I hope so. She needs to find her quick.

The reaction of both the media and the public to this story has really pissed me off (although I'm in no way surprised). Rihanna is a footnote, an afterthought, in "Oh, I hope Chris Brown can come back from this."

Yeah, let him get his help... behind bars. I just find it hard to forgive someone who chooses to go to the party capital of the world - MIAMI - and soak it up in the sun on a jet ski. Yeah, talk about showing major remorse.


Chris Brown in Miami on Feb. 26

Does this look like someone hurting to you?

[sunnykerr]

No it does not look like someone who's regretting his actions one bit. To attempt to be fair, though, no one can hold a single emotion in their heart 24 hours a day. The boy (he is only 19 after all) should be taking some INTENSIVE anger-management classes, followed up with massive therapy to get at the bottom of his abusive behaviour, but I also think that entertainment reporters have a knack for taking a moment and making a story out of it.

Not that any of it excuses him for his actions. It doesn't. I just refuse to believe that one moment is indicative of anything.

As to MJ..., bleh, I wish him the best. But, you know, here's another who could benefit from tremedous amounts of therapy.

[vc318]

Not that any of it excuses him for his actions. It doesn't. I just refuse to believe that one moment is indicative of anything.

But if something can drive you to hit someone, then you need help no matter what. Saying that "I'm sorry" just doesn't cut it.

[sunnykerr]

Oh, absolutely. I think "excuses his actions" was the wrong way to put it. I don't think anything he can say or do justifies his actions at this point. He did something horrible and there's nothing he can do to take it back. The only thing he can do is get the massive amounts of help he so clearly needs. And, even then, it won't wipe away what he did.

[Cristofle]

I think the danger of even looking at it like that in this particular situation is how incredibly dangerous- and profoundly rare- the myth of redemption is for domestic abusers. Every woman who's ever been hit and takes the man back (in other words, almost every woman who ever gets hit) tells herself he can change. Tells herself if he gets help, and she just behaves a little better, he won't hit her again. And a LOT of abusers will promise to go into therapy and even do it. It essentiallly never makes one bit of difference. Men who hit you, no matter how much they promise they've seen the light of their ways and have been enlightened by therapy or found God or whatever other excuse they decide to give, WILL HIT YOU AGAIN.

So my concern is not really that he get therapy, because years and years of research and statistics suggest it likely won't help him. My concern is that she get away from him. Certainly, there is nothing redeemable about this particular relationship. Maybe 10 years down the line, something could change in him, but I doubt it. Men who beat up women don't stop. They just don't. When a man abuses a woman, it is one case where if he does it once, I'm going to define him by it. I AM going to define him by that moment, and I think he deserves nothing more.

[sunnykerr]

Oh, I think she should get as far away from him as she can. Nowhere in my belief that he should get help is there any delusion that he will change any time soon or that there is any scenario in which she should remain with him.

Though I wouldn't ever want to eliminate the hope that everyone can change, I do agree that it's just not the general rule with those who are physically abusive. Besides, his ability to change is utterly irrelevant as far as she's concerned. For her own sake, she should get as far away from him as she can. Because she also needs help. To stay with him is to engage in the worst kind of self-destructive behaviour, as it endangers her in every way imaginable. Her physical safety is obviously at issue, but her emotional and psychological welfare are also very much threatened here.

To stay with an abuser... she must think this is love. Or that she is, even in the smallest of ways, responsible for this. Any scenario that has her staying with him is absolutely devastating to her sense of self and of self-worth. So I don't for one minute think that she should stay with him.

When I say he needs to get massive amounts of help, I really do believe it. But, you know, it's irrelevant to her decisions here. Regardless of whether he gets help or not, she should get out of there and fast.