BOYLE RUSHED TO HOSPITAL WITH EXHAUSTION: FAME IS THE CULPRIT

This reality star's meteoric rise changed her life overnight. She's not handling it well. Not everyone is made for, or cut out for being known by the public. read article

HUGGING: THE NEW KISSING

Its the new greeting. The new handshake. OK grandpa enough with the high fives. Hugging is the sh##t now.  Some schools are banning it or imposing lengths. What if you don't want to hug and are now seen as anti social. Here comes another generational issue . Texting was the last one. read article

OBMA'S IN NYC PART II

Two martinis and off to the Belasco Theatre for Joe Turner's "Come and Gone. The 1st couple share a night out on the town. In the Big Apple. read article

OBAMA'S DATE NIGHT IN NYC. GOP FIGHTS BACK. "NO DEMS SHOULD EVER HAVE FUN."

The Obama's flew into NYC for dinner and a play as the Prez made good on a campaign promise to his wife. The GOP responded by complainign that the country is in a recession and nobody , especially Dems, should be wasting money on gas, having fun, or smiling, for any reason. Never mind that the Bushies would take two month summer breaks like they were in sleep away camp. Wah wah wah. Republicans, crying about everything. How about shutting up and figuring out a direction for the party going forward instead.

TIANENMEN SQUARE: 20 YEARS LATER

How far has China come since their squashing the Democratic uprising brewing on the streets? read article

PAKISTAN GIVES THE MIDDLE FINGER TO THE TALIBAN

Pakistan is launching an offensive into Swat, an area where corpses lay on the street. The Taliban thought they'd roll in to yet another neighborhood, intimidate, and take the place. Not so fast. Pakistan is fighting even harder than they have been to get rid of these extreme militants (Above, pro Taliban supporters at a rally last week). 

ISRAELI WAR DRILLS

As tensions between Tehran and Israel mount, Israel is getting ready for war. No, I know, they're always ready, but I mean really ready. read article

OBAMA TEAM WONT RELEASE PAPERS ON WIRETAPPING CASE

Here comes a courtroom showdown. Governing is not campaigning that's for sure. read article

GAS PRICES UP 20 PERCENT IN MAY

Here we go again. That age old trick of rising prices in the Summer when EVERYONE drives. Bastards. Electric cars would be nice even only to stick it to those who raid our wallets whenever they want to.

PHIL SPECTOR SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS

..For second degree murder of actress Lana Clarkson.

THE BRONX IS BURNING: SOTOMAYOR STARS IN SHOCK AND AWESOME WEEK 4

TJ and the TUX ran the gamut on the Sonia Sotomayor appointment to the Supreme Court by President Obama. The Bronx , her original home, was the focus as well as the guys discussed the stellar mini series THE BRONX IS BURNING starring John Turturro as Billy Martin. 1977 NYC was a crazy place. The Blackout, mayor race, Yankees and Reggie Jackson, punk rock at CBGB, disco. Check it out. Oh, and check out today's show at www.eastvillageradio.com

BUSH RESPONDS: NO, NOT AT THE NATIONAL SPELLING BEE

Former President Bush responded for the first time at a speaking engamement to a few issues. On torture he said he did what was legal and the enhanced interrogation, to reiterate marksman Dick Cheney's comment a week earlier, saved lives. He wouldn't get into criticizing Obama because he didn't feel that was right and didn't liek it when it was done to him. He added that he hoped his legacy would be that he was a guy who did what he thought was right, not popular. 

SHOCK AND AWESOME SHOW 4

 Move your asses over Brooklyn, The Bronx is in the house as Obama's 1st supreme court appointee Sonia Sotomayor appears headed for DC despite Rush Limbaughcalling her a racist. North Korea plays with nukes like kids with kickballs in the playground and former Bush brain Karl Rove took on former Clinton strategist James Carville at Radio City in a heated exchange while shouts of "War Criminal" filled the Music Hall. Rudy Giuliani gets into a scuffle on the Mean streets of Southhampton proving nowhere on earth is safe. Shock and Awesome is back with a vengeance.

LINE OF THE WEEK: James Carville to Karl Rove at the Radio City Debate with Charlie Rose moderating (picture above). "I know how it feels to have to defend a president. The difference is I hav eot defned 8 bad minutes, Karl has to defend 8 bad years."

NATIONAL SPELLING BEE CHAMPION

Kivya Shivashankar , 13 , won it all. 40,000 for her and her family in the one of the nation's favorite competitions. The pressure while watching these kids is often too much to take. Congrats! read article

Woman who tried to assassinate President Ford is out of prison

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

TJ AND THE TUX BOOK CLUB: The Age of the Unthinkable

If you read one book this summer "The age of the unthinkable" by joshua cooper ramo should be it.  Ramo explains why our world seems so daunting when it comes to foreign policy, terrorism, financial collapse, and disease.  Most of the frustration comes from the fact we are trying to solve 21st century problems with 20th century solutions.  The world has evolved and is more complex than we will ever understand.  How do we understand the evolution and protect ourselves.... accept that the concepts of "security" and "predictability" do not exist.  Forget everything you learned in school.  I should have written this book... damn it, if only i could spell.

The need for national referendums

When the state of California State Supreme Court upheld proposition 8 this week it came as no surprise.  The court simply upheld the view of the majority of the people who voted in the statewide referendum.  The whole issue of Gay Rights is amusing to me because those who oppose Gay Marriage often forget one historical detail; homosexuality has been around longer than both Christianity and Islam.  Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome all had plenty of homosexuality built into their societies.  Often the most respected minds and conquerors in all of western civilization were at least in part homosexual (think Alexander the Great and Plato).  But I digress, the real issue outlined by Gay Rights for me seems to be the lack of our ability as US citizens to hold federal referendums.  Our country allows for local and state votes, why not change the federal law to allow for a national vote of confidence on issues.  We could settle Gay Rights and Abortion issues once and for all.  Would this marginalize our beloved representative in the US congress? - Probably to some extent.  Why don’t we reorganize Washington into the place were issues, bills, and amendments are framed, and then hold national referendums to ratify laws.  This structural change in our system would create greater involvement and participation from all citizens, and it would reduce the lobbyist stranglehold on political action in this country.  This change would also solve issues quicker than our laborious legislative bureaucracy who hasn’t been able to agree on any major non-crisis legislation for decades.  A direct vote by the people would move us towards healthcare reform, tax reform, tort reform, educational reform, and a functioning energy policy.    

BOYLE FREAKS OUT

Too much pressure to go from mild mannered citizen to star overnight. For anyone. Susan 

Boyle, "Britians Got Talent" star who rose to fame recently for her startling vocal performance weeks back has apparently freaked out under stress regarding her recent fame. Profanity laced tirades with fans have been part of it. Overnight internet and reality stardom are not natural and happen too fast, faster than even overnight success used to happen. Her outburts are par for the course. We wish her well.

ROLLINS: DON"T FIGHT OVER SOTOMAYOR

Republican strategist Ed Rollins says everyone loves the underdog. First, the Kenyan president from a broken family. Now a Puerto Rican woman from the Bronx born without a silver spoon as well. Let's embrace that , it's a time for the country to be proud. Well said Ed.  Compare Rollins' view and class comments to Rush Limbaughs. Wow. read article

ROUBINI SAYS U.S ECONOMY NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET

Famous economist predicts a U shaped recessino for the U.S who many economists claimed will be looking up by the end of 2009. Not so fast. read article

Senators will allow Chinese Detainees to Live in U.S

D Senator Harry Reid(above). read article

LIMBAUGH CALLS SOTTOMAYOR AND OBAMA "RACIST"

GOP chairman Micheale Steele , oops we meant Rush Limbaugh, no no we meant prominent voice of the GOP Rush Limbaugh, has called Supreme court appointee Sonia Sottomayor and president Obama as  reverse racists," lowering the disapproval of her appointment to the gutter. She once said Latino woman she is better equipped to judge things than a White man. Obama chose her anyway. We're guessing that's because the minority experience of racism, accidental putdowns, and other derogatory incidents occur more to minorities than to white men. The vantage point is a unique one and better equipped to understanding how and why certain reactions that become crimes , occur. Of course, she'll have to explain that herself. However, Limbaugh by taking this to the lowest common denominator has attached the GOP to the angry white racism card. Quick, someone call George Wallace, we found Rush a running mate for 2012. And Michael Steele apologized to this creep?  Republicans like to say that Obama is a weak appeaser. Ha ha ha!  For Limbaugh, its not  his viewpoints,  but his delivery , final judgements, and  harsh words that put him and his 24 million followers in a box. Too loyal to think outside of it, too small in numbers to make a difference, too divisive too steal moderates and Democrats. GOP, get it together. An intelligent yet  hotheaded extremist is running your show. You are pathetic right now if you let this continue to  happen. And dead in the water too. One of you better take the reigns and speak out or you'll be the next Whig party. Defunct. read article

TJ AND THE TUX BOOK CLUB: MELTDWON

Author Mike Chinoy describes the North Korean mindset and their nuclear capabilities. On CNN tonight he described the recent nuke tests as both posturing to its people as a sign  of power, and as a warning to the outside to stay away from the process of Kim Jong Il handing power to his son. buy book

MANY ECONOMISTS SAY RECESSION WILL END BY THE END OF 2009

Let's see about that. The problems that came to the forefront in 2008 under the Bush watch (George, above) now have 500,000 or so losing jobs monthly. End in 2009? We hope. read article

RUSSIA FEARS N KOREA SITUATION COULD GO NUKE

Drudgereport.com reports this , bringing to mind the classic Dr Strangelove (above) how one thing leads to another, then you got a nuclear war on your hands . read article

SURPRISE ATTACK FORCES SOLDIERS INTO SERVICE. IN PINK UNDERWEAR.

This is Black comedy. Kill or be killed we guess. Under sudden by Taliban in Afghanistan, attack this soldier got his fighting gear on and just went with it. 

ROVE CARVILLE DEBATE IN NYC GETS HEATED

Bush strategist and mastermind Karl Rove took on Clinton strategist, the "Rajun Cajun" James Carville in a packed Radio City with the legendary Charlie Rose moderating. Exchanges were heated, especially over Katrina,  Rove blamed Katrina on Dem Mayor Ray Negrin's poor execution of his own plan, while Carville mocked blaming Negrin ("he was 8 feet underwater!) and Bush for being unattentive to the threat of losing a city, while in San Diego. Rose promised no more Katrina, but Carville jumped back on it again.  On the legacy of Iraq Carvllie said it will be seen as "massive incompetence" while Rove said  that it "kept us safer." Protesters jumped the stage during an earlier exchange, and shouts of "War Criminal " directed towards Rove stopped the intriguing drama for minutes. The shouting ended when Carville , in defense of Rove told the lady "to put a sock in it." The best line of the night was when Carville said "I feel for Karl. I know what it's like to have to defend a president. The difference is I have to defend 8 bad minutes he has to defend 8 bad years." Cheers favored Carville throughout, which was to be expected in NYC,  but Rove had some crowd support, mostly during  his attack on  Nancy Pelosi's "drive by"  claims that the CIA lied about Waterboarding in 2002,  followed by her trip to China which he termed "getting out of Dodge" More on the debate later.

GONZALES SAYS NEW APPOINTEE GIVES HOPE

Bush Attorney General Alberto Gonzales (above) called it a proud day for Hipsanics and proof that there is opportunity in this country for all, but was unsure as to why Sonia Sotomayor said  a few years abck that wise Latina woman should be more capable than White Males to make decisions. So are we. She needs to expound on this one. Publicly. Just to set the record straight.

HERE WE GO: IS IT LUNCHTIME YET? ROMNEY CALLS APPOINTMENT "TROUBLING"

Citing fears that she will not just interpret law but look to add in her own political philosophy which is dangerous, former Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney (above) became one of the first from the GOP to object to federal judge Sonia Sotomayors appointment to the Supreme court by the president. We predicted lunchtime would sound off the Republican guns. Well, we're eating lunch here in NYC so yes, things are in snyc at Shock and Awesome HQ today.

Others have released statements voicing their opinions on her as partisan hearing await this long process. read article

AHMADINIJEAD PROPOSES DEBATE WITH OBAMA

Oh lord please, whatever you do, please, pullease! let this happen. read article

S KOREA CLAIMS N KOREA HAS LAUNCHED EVEN MORE TEST MISSILES

In addition to the nuke tests of a few days ago, N Korea (leader Kim Jong Il and generals, above)is apparently testing more missiles. For what purpose no one really knows. Maybe they plan on attacking Mars or Jupiter. Strange country.  Keep an eye on them world, they are not playing with a full deck. read article

SOTOMAYOR TO BE NAMED SUPREME COURT JUDGE

Sonia Sotormayor will be the first Hispanic woman and second woman to be on the Supreme court when President Obama announces his 1st appointee at 10:15 am. As far as her track record goes, 99 percent of her decisions get upheld. Bush and Clinton both sought her as well. Obama wanted intellectual firepower, it looks as though he's got it. We wait patiently for a complaint by the GOP over this. Let's give it until lunchtime.

CHENEY

He's been part of Washington since 1969 when he worked for a congressman before working under Don Rumsfeld. His White House run began with Gerald Ford. Alot of years. Alot of stories. Advised Ford to use the US Justice department to exact revenge on a Seymour Hersh article in the NY Times in 1975 regarding Project Jennifer, a plan to retrieve a Russian sub which was not published in 1974, when it was written only to be published later with details on its delay. Later he became manager for Fords 1976 re election campaign. Say what you want and you will I'm sure, but in the least, he's a very interesting character who has a long and storied political  life.

To say the least. He's not done, if his recent run on talk shows is any indication. An honest tell all biography would certainly be intruiging.

GOP IN TATTERS AS THE POWELL CHENEY RIFT HIGHLIGHTS THE DISARRAY.

Dick Cheney came out publicly last week accusing former Sec of State Colin Powell of not being a Republican. Cheney went further and proclaimed that hot headed talk show host Rush Limbaugh was more of a Republican than Powell was. Powell responded yesterday on Face the Nation by telling host Bob Schieffer that he was , in fact, still a Republican. That voting for the "right person" has always been his trademark and Obama in 2008 was the right choice. Powell then added that Limbaugh should be open to criticism just like everyone else, that GOP chairman, Michael Steele did not, and should not have, essentially backed down to Limbaugh publicly, apologizing the way he did last month. The Steele apology came off the heels of his remark in downplaying Limbaughs voice , calling him solely an "entertainer." 

 Powell is right. So was Michael Steele in trying to temper the value of Limbaugh. Incendiary  viewpoints by Limbaugh and other loud mouth small minded extremists on the right who call the economy  "Socialist," and our  National security "less safe" in an Obama administration due to Diplomacy, closing Gitmo and denouncing Torture, won't help the GOP going forward. 

Understanding instead why both the economy crashed, as well as the negative fallout of Torture, which  helped the enemy recruit, allowed opponents an easy media spin, and hypocrisy of the U.S asking the world to follow laws, would be humbling and wise . 

Republicans should not overlook their own recent history. George Bush won the 2000 election by being SIMPLE . This message was in tune with what voters needed especially after listening to wonky Al Gore and watching Bill Clinto use banana peel words to dodge impeachment. Bush, the "misunderestimated" candidate, connected with people on a "beer test" type of level. You could drink a beer with George and feel comfortable. Trying to win reelection in 2004 against flip flopper John Kerry, despite victory replaced by Insurgency and embarassing torture photos out of Abu Ghraib, Bush told us "you may not agree with me all the time but you know where I stand. Unlike Kerry at the time who voted for the Iraq war but not the 87 Billion needed to fund it. Unlike the GOP now, who don't stand for anything except defending their practices since 2000 as well as Bush era members legacies. 

The Powell Cheney rift symbolizes the disarray that the party is in right now. It lacks direction. It lacks vision. That's obvious.  It lacks accountability for the past 8 years and better find some. I'm not talking about any GOP members needing to  apologize to the country publicly for the recession or Iraq, I'm talking about future candidates internally  knowing what the priorities of the country have to be going forward in order to better insure peace and prosperity. These don't include social issues like abstinence, abortion and gay marriage, issues that the Conservative base will fight for though their group is dwindling in numbers. Fake bold message like Bush's 2003 " Mission Accomplished" are hollow , as North Korea's nuke tests will prove. Instead, a  sound understanding of contentious regions and though out responses taken after listening to the opinions, facts, and judgements of people with expertise from all sides of the fence is more effective of a defense strategy in both the short term and the long run. 

This Cheney Powell battle  is good for the party only if the result neutralizes the extreme voices like Limbaugh and Cheney. Guys who right or wrong in their opinions, deliver them with angry tones and incendiary language, turning off future voters the GOP will need if they want to be the majority again.

SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS N KOREAN TEST

As South Koreans protested (above), the U.N Security council met on this Memorial Day to condemn the N Koreans for conduciting their 2nd nuclear test, for no apparent reason other than political posturing. China said that it was an act of defiance to the interntional community. Well now that the World has spoken, what is the world going to do about it? It's nice to see everyone unified on any subject matter. That;s the first step. A proper response must follow the public statements of disapproval.

N KOREA PISSES THE WORLD OFF WITH NUKE TEST: U.N SECURITY COUNCIL WILL MEET AT 4:30 TODAY

Japans PM said Japan wont stand for this, President Obama called N Koreas nuke test a grave defiance of international law, Gordon Brown, Britians PM called the act misguided and erroneus. One U.S security expert called this a "political act, not a military one." We call it a moronic act, done by a country who lives in secrecy and tries to strike fear in its neighbors and South Korea all the time with this nonsense. The U.N Security council has scheduled an emergency meeting for 4:30 today. Don't drive down the FDR today. It's gonna be a mess. Just like this situation is. A slap on the wrist is not enough. The world needs to smack N Korea around for their irresponsibility and arrogance. Immediately.

MEMORIAL DAY

Not to over state the obvious but all those at the Shock and Awesome show want to send our deepest thanks to those and their families involved with protecting the country in the U. S military. We also want to send our condolences to those families who have lost loved ones in the recent string of wars and conflicts. Too often, War is politicized on both sides from the point of view of those for action and those against it. 

We won't take the time here on this holiday to discuss administrative strategies, gameplans, and decision making that has taken place over the last ten years. We WILL remind ourselves that when each incident on the War on Terror is isolated and broken down from a point of view of national security with how much intel we had at the time,  we could all be more humble and less dogmatic with our thoughts.  Pundits and experts who like to rewrite history by taking actions out of context without acknowledging the culture of the moments in which they were born, do nothing to help truly frame the situation accurately.

With that in mind, this day HAS to be about saluting those who simply do their jobs and risk their lives for the country. Happy Memorial day to the men and women in uniform. And thank you.

AHMADINIJEAD DENIES FACEBOOK BAN WAS HIS IDEA

In Farsi, when people in Tehran type in the address for Facebook it says the site cannot be reached. President Ahmadinijead though says that he is  "looking into this" and that he is for the "maximum number of freedoms" and expressions. OK, who is calling bullshit first? Want me to do it? Fine. Bullshit! IN fact, if the president of a country whose average age is 27 now is smart, he'd start his own facebook page. Twitter too. And fast. The elections in Iran are next month he still has time to win a few more votes, make a few more friends.

N KOREA NUKE TEST MEASURE 4.7 ON THE RICHTER SCALE

"We are gravely concerned." the State Dept said in a release in response to N Koreas latest show of power for no apparent reason. Great. Another problem Obama has to deal with as if he's not busy enough. Dick Cheney probably thinks Obama is soft for not doing a nuke test of his own in response. Those appeasing Dems.

EX SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT COMMITS SUICIDE

STating his life would be a burden to others after reports broke that he supposedly took 6 million in bribes while he was President of South Kore from 2003-2008, the former South Korean president, Roo Moo Hyun  (above), jumped to his death by his home while hiking in the mountains. read article

GEITHNER SAYS GOP CHARGES OF SOCIALISM ARE " RIDICULOUS"

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner responded to GOP charges of Socialism in the way that it needed to be framed. By calling it "ridiculous." If the GOP wants to re shape and re frame their party goign forward, and they need to do both, they ought to not go to the extreme viewpoint of the change being put in place and should see what in the system is broken and why change IS needed instead. read article

POWELL: I'M STILL A REPUBLICAN BUT..

The party needs a new look. I vote for the best qualified and Barack Obama was that person in 2008. These were thoughts from Colin Powell,  the former Secretary of State under George Bush on Face The Nation today. Powell who answered Dick Cheney's claims that he is "not a  Republican"as well. read article

NYC 2ND SWINE FLU DEATH

Not the viral fear we all thought but still lingering. read article

PASSERBY PUSHES WOULD BE SUICIDE JUMPER OFF BRIDGE IN CHINA FOR BEING SELFISH

read article

POWELL ON FACE THE NATION SUNDAY

Is he still a Republican? Nation host Bob Schieffer will start with that question as he interviews the former Secretary of State whose support of Obama during the '08 campaign was recently politicized by the former VP Dick Cheney . Cheney said he considered talk show perosnality Rush Limbaugh more a republican than Powell at this point. read article

DOLLAR HITS '09 LOW

The dollar is in danger of becoming monopoly money. read article

W SETTLES IN TO NEW ROLE AS POOPER SCOOPER.

W told a New Mexico high school in self deprecating fashion that life is returning to normal as he held " plastic bag in hand" to pick up some doggy poo. It's long drop from leader of the free world to a regular Joe. The former President has always been one to disarm a room with such tactics.

SHOCK AND AWESOME SHOW 3: IN THE BOOKS

Besides discussing the value of "Wingwomen" and the annoying people who use credit cards to purchase nonsense items at the deli, Ian Storer from 80millionstrong.org joined us to discuss the Millenium generation coalition. The Bookie aided the dynamic duo in creating odds for events such as will Gitmo be closed by 2010. The Obama Cheney dual, Nancy Pelosi and the CIA, what George Bush is up to, can the Two State Solution in the Middle East move from talk to action. All this and more. Go to www.eastvillageradio.com to listen to todays show.

SHOCK AND AWESOME SHOW 3: TODAY 10 am

Shock and Awesome with TJ and the Tux, Show #3, will air live on www.eastvillageradio.com. Call in or stop by the 1st ave studios and voice your thoughts on Obama and Cheneys dual, Pelosi and the CIA, and other topics of intrigue that took place this past week. If you're heading home from a long night, don't fret, you're invited to join us as well.

SPEAKING OF 30 SECOND ADS..NOTHING TOPS DAISY GIRL

President Obama mentioned in his 50 minute speech yesterday on Torture and National Security that it will be easy to politicize the GITMO issue with 30 second soundbites, meaning commercials made by opponents to attack the Presidents line of thinking. No ad was more controversial than the 1964 "Daisy Girl" ad that helped LBJ paint GOP candidate Barry Goldwater as a nuke loving threat to safety. The ad was pulled soon after, but had a devastating effect. watch it