REST IN PEACE MRS.BUNKER

Jean Stapleton, TV's Edith Bunker on

'All in the Family,'  dies at 90

Jun. 2, 2013

'All in the Family' star Jean Stapleton dies: Jean Stapleton died Friday at age 90. For fans of 'All in the Family', she will always live on as Edith Bunker.

Written by

LYNN ELBER

AP Television Writer

LOS ANGELES — Jean Stapleton’s Edith Bunker was such a dithery charmer that we had to love her. And because she loved her bombastic husband Archie, we made room for him and TV’s daring “All in the Family.”

It took an actress as smart and deft as Stapleton to create the character that Archie called “dingbat,” giving a tender core to a sitcom that tested viewers with its bigoted American family man and blunt take on social issues.

Stapleton, 90, who died Friday of natural causes at her New York City home, was the sweet, trusting counterpoint to Carroll O’Connor’s irascible Archie on the 1970s groundbreaking show from producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin.

“No one gave more profound ‘How to be a Human Being’ lessons than Jean Stapleton,” Lear said Saturday.

While Edith faced problems, including a breast cancer scare, with strength, it was the demanding Archie who presented her greatest challenge. Stapleton made her much more than a doormat, but the actress was concerned about what the character might convey.

Edith’s flighty manner, cheerfully high-pitched voice and family loyalty enchanted viewers, while Stapleton viewed her as oppressed and, she hoped, removed from reality.

“What Edith represents is the housewife who is still in bondage to the male figure, very submissive and restricted to the home. She is very naive, and she kind of thinks through a mist, and she lacks the education to expand her world. I would hope that most housewives are not like that,” Stapleton told the New York Times in 1972.

Her character regularly obeyed her husband’s demand to “stifle yourself.”

But Edith was honest and compassionate, and “in most situations she says the truth and pricks Archie’s inflated ego,” Stapleton added.

“She was unforgettable in that role,” Bette Midler posted on her Twitter account Saturday.

Roseanne Barr lauded Stapleton in a tweet as a “great actor whose range was unbelievable, deep and majestic.”

The stage-trained actress was little known to the public before “All In the Family,” the top-rated CBS sitcom that also starred Sally Struthers as the couple’s daughter and Rob Reiner as their liberal son-in-law Mike, aka Meathead.

Starbuck's Assistant Managers shouldn't get anything. They make enough.

Starbucks Tip Jar The Subject Of New York High Court Case

By Zach Walton ·

Who gets the money from the Starbucks tip jar? That’s the question currently up for debate in a New York courtroom this week.

CBS News reports that New York’s labor laws are currently being tested in the Court of Appeals. Baristas argue that only they are allowed to take money from the tip jar as they are the ones directly interacting with customers. Assistant managers don’t necessarily work directly with customers, but they feel that they are entitled to the money in the tip jar as well.

So, what’s the big deal? The big deal is that the courts now have to decide whether or not shift managers qualify as “agents” under New York labor laws. If the court rules that they are agents, then assistant managers would be barred by law from taking money out of the tip jar.

On the side of the baristas, they argue that Starbucks has not “seriously disputed that its shift supervisors are supervisors.” In other words, Starbucks has never explicitly told assistant managers that they are not supervisors. It should be noted that shift supervisors share in the tip pool with baristas while assistant managers are arguing in court to share in the tip pool.

As for the assistant managers, they argue that their inability to hire of fire employees makes them less of an agent and more of a low-level employee. They also argue that they do frequently interact with customers thus entitling them to tips.

What do the higher ups at Starbucks think about all of this? They argue that assistant managers shouldn’t get access to the tip jar because they are full-time, salaried employees. In other words, they get paid enough as it is. The tip jar is for the part-time baristas and shift supervisors to make a little more on top of their meager wages.

One federal judge has already ruled that shift supervisors aren’t agents, but she also said that New York’s labor laws don’t require companies to allow every eligible employee to collect tips. Now the Appeals Court must decide if assistant managers can share in the tips with everybody else.

As you would expect, the ruling from the Appeals Court would have wide ranging consequences beyond Starbucks and other coffee shops. If the court rules in favor of the assistant managers, tips will be spread across more people in service industries. It may be fair, but it would also force restaurants that practice mandatory tipping to charge more for tips so that everybody gets a fair share.

[Image: Gingerblokey]

WEED VS DIABETES

Marijuana: The next diabetes drug?

By  Maia Szalavitz      Thu May 23, 2013

Marijuana may help control blood sugar and help users stay slimmer, researchers say.

 Toking up may help marijuana users to stay slim and lower their risk of developing diabetes, according to the latest study, which suggests that cannabis compounds may help in controlling blood sugar.

Although marijuana has a well-deserved reputation for increasing appetite via what stoners call "the munchies," the new research, which was published in the American Journal of Medicine, is not the first to find that the drug has a two-faced relationship to weight.

Three prior studies have shown that marijuana users are less likely to be obese, have a lower risk for diabetes and have lower body-mass-index measurements. And these trends occurred despite the fact that they seemed to take in more calories. 

Why? "The most important finding is that current users of marijuana appeared to have better carbohydrate metabolism than nonusers," says Murray Mittleman, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the lead author of the study. "Their fasting insulin levels were lower, and they appeared to be less resistant to the insulin produced by their body to maintain a normal blood-sugar level." 

The research included over 4,600 men and women participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2005 and 2010. Among them, 48% had smoked marijuana at least once in their lives, and 12% were current cannabis smokers. The authors controlled for other factors like age, sex, income, alcohol use, cigarette smoking and physical activity that could also affect diabetes risk.

Even after these adjustments, the current marijuana users showed fasting insulin levels that were 16% lower than those of former or never users, along with a 17% reduction in another measure of insulin resistance as well. Higher levels on both tests are associated with Type II diabetes, which is linked with obesity.

Marijuana users also had higher levels of high-density lipoprotein, the so-called good cholesterol, which can protect against heart disease. And the regular smokers also boasted smaller waistlines: on average, they were 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) slimmer than the former users and those who had never smoked cannabis. Researchers don't yet know how to explain these correlations -- and since the study was not a controlled trial, it's not clear whether marijuana or some other factor in marijuana users' lifestyles actually accounted for the beneficial effects.

Studies showed, however, that the cannabinoid brain receptors affected by marijuana are deeply involved in appetite and metabolism. But the exact details of how the compound alters the relationship between appetite, caloric intake and insulin response isn't obvious yet.
      
One clue, however, may lie in the effects of a diet drug that was developed to have the opposite effect that marijuana has on the brain. That drug, rimonabant, produced significant weight loss and a drop in fasting insulin levels by affecting certain cannabinoid receptors in the exact opposite way that THC, marijuana's main psychoactive ingredient, does.

This action is complex: rimonabant doesn't simply block the receptor and keep the natural cannabinoids from activating it. Instead, while the natural cannabinoids elevate the normal level of activity already going on in the system, rimonabant lowers it so the result is precisely the reverse of activating the receptor naturally.

However, because of psychiatric side effects like increasing suicide risk, rimonabant was pulled from the European market and never approved in the United States.

How could both marijuana and a compound that has the opposite effect of pot act on the same brain receptors and lead to weight loss?

Natural marijuana includes many different potentially active compounds, and one of them -- rather than THC -- could be responsible for this effect. One potential candidate is a substance called cannabidiol, which also affects cannabinoid receptors, but in a different way from the way THC or rimonabant does.

Another possibility involves tolerance: repeated use of a drug can make receptors less sensitive over time. "The most likely explanation is that prolonged cannabis use causes the (receptors) to lose sensitivity and become inactive," says Daniele Piomelli, a professor of pharmacology at the University of California, Irvine, who was not associated with the new research.

"This has been shown to happen in people who smoke marijuana. This weakening of (these receptors) translates into a lower risk for obesity and diabetes because the inactive receptor would be unable to respond to our own cannabis-like molecules, which we know are important in keeping us chubby."

While marijuana may initially promote appetite and overeating, in the long run it has the opposite effect because it desensitizes cannabinoid receptors and may even protect against obesity.

So don't skip the gym and break out the bong just yet: there's still not enough data to tell whether marijuana, like alcohol, could have health benefits in moderation. Mittleman says the study relied on self-reported use of marijuana, which can be unreliable. However, he points out that since people are more likely to hide drug use than they are to falsely claim it, the findings could even underestimate marijuana's effects.

But whether that's true, and whether marijuana might be a window into understanding how to best control glucose and insulin to prevent diabetes, isn't known yet.

"It is much too early to say," says Mittleman. "We need much more research to better understand the biologic responses to marijuana use. We really need more research to allow physicians and patients to make decisions based on solid evidence." An editorial that accompanied the study also urged government action to reduce barriers to such research.

Even with 18 states now approving marijuana for medical uses, the politics of pot will always overshadow research efforts to understand how cannabinoids work in the brain -- or affect disease. But, as Piomelli says, "the (new) study suggests that smoking marijuana (may) protect people against obesity and diabetes." And following up on that finding could yield new insights into how to tackle one of our biggest public-health issues. 

This story was initially published on TIME.com.

NEW TRAILER FOR THE WOLVERINE!!!

Saoirse Ronan.... Is she the Scarlet Witch in Avengers 2?

I'm dying to see this!!!

AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D... COMING THIS FALL!!!

LinkedIn: Prostitutes no longer allowed

LinkedIn updated its terms to ban prostitutes and escorts, who use the site to get "endorsed" by clients.

By KRISTEN BUTLER, UPI.com

Professional networking site LinkedIn updated its privacy policy and user agreement, and one particular clause now bans escorts and prostitutes from creating profiles promoting adult services.
According to the terms, users may not, "even if it is legal where you are located, create profiles or provide content that promotes escort services or prostitution."
Prostitution is a "skill" for which you can be endorsed by other users on the site, though the attribute also seems to apply to law firms, legal and advocacy groups, law enforcement and religious outreach groups.
Though some are surprised that sex workers use LinkedIn to build a network of clients from the site's 200 million users, it's no surprise to the many social media-savvy escorts themselves. CNNMoney last month covered sex workers who use the internet to grow their businesses, and many consider themselves entrepreneurs.
Kitty Stryker, a self-described "steampunk courtesan" with a base rate of $350 per hour, has a day job as a social media marketer for a Bay Area startup. "Everything I know about social media marketing I learned doing sex work," she said. "Currently I'm using Hootsuite a lot; I'm using Klout a little bit. I also use Twitter calendar, which is just this simple free thing, but it's got very interesting analytics data."
Siouxsie Q, a stripper, sex worker and activist is proud of her work and talks about it frequently on her podcast. "I have a Tumblr, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, I have two websites, and I have Google Voice," she said.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/05/14/LinkedIn-Prostitutes-no-longer-allowed/6491368539092/#ixzz2TN1pQcyD

Arnold Schwarzenegger Eyes The Toxic Avenger by Silas Lesnick May 13, 2013

Arnold Schwarzenegger ("Terminator" series, Total Recall) is in negotiations to star in writer/director Steve Pink's (Hot Tub Time Machine) big budget action comedy The Toxic Avenger, produced by Akiva Goldsman, Richard Saperstein, Charlie Corwin, Stephen Kessler and Michael Benaroya. Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz will executive produce. The announcement was made today by International Film Trust's (IFT) President Ariel Veneziano who will handle all international rights to the film alongside IFT's Head of Sales Christian de Gallegos.

Set to be introduced to buyers at Cannes 2013, The Toxic Avenger is currently in pre-production and scheduled to start principal photography this fall.

Loosely based on Lloyd Kaufman's classic Troma franchise, The Toxic Avenger is the tale of a high-school kid who gets dunked in a vat of toxic waste by a corrupt chemical company. He survives the ordeal with one major side effect: upon contact with toxic chemicals, he transforms into a monster with superhuman strength. Schwarzenegger would play "the Exterminator," a former black ops agent, who trains Toxie to use his powers for good. Together they take on the lurking menace created by the polluters, and the polluters themselves.

"Moviegoers around the world were thrilled when Arnold Schwarzenegger returned to acting so effortlessly filling the gap that he left behind," said producer and IFT co-founder Michael Benaroya. "He is the ultimate action hero with a natural comedic versatility and will be pitch perfect in The Toxic Avenger."

"Our film is a perfect combination of commercial genre, star power and award winning filmmakers to set it apart from other titles on offer at Cannes this year. 'The Toxic Avenger' is a blockbuster in waiting with franchise potential. The buyers will love it," said IFT President Ariel Veneziano.

(Photo Credit: Daniel Deme / WENN.com)

Read more about:

• The Toxic Avenger

1939 Photo Of Jay-Z Look-Alike Sparks Conspiracy Theories (Taken from the Inquisitr)

A 1939 photo featuring a Jay-Z look-alike went viral this week after it was unearthed at a library in New York.

The photo was found by the Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture at the New York Public Library earlier this week. The  photograph was taken by photographer Sid Grossman in Harlem in 1939 and features a Jay-Z lookalike.The man in the photo wasn’t identified by Grossman but there are plenty of theories floating around out there.

One theory is that Jay-Z is a vampire. The blood-sucking beasts don’t age the way humans do and some people believe that the rapper could be hundreds or thousands of years old. That would explain the singer’s in depth knowledge of New York City.

Another theory is that Jay-Z is a member of the Illuminati. The secret society reportedly rules the world from behind the scenes and some believe that Jay-Z has found his way into the ranks. Of course, that doesn’t really explain the 1939 photo of the Jay-Z look-alike.

The most plausible theory is that Jay-Z is a time traveler. The singer recently wrote several songs for the movie The Great Gatsby and may have wanted to travel back to 1920s New York to get some inspiration. Naysayers of this theory say that The Great Gatsby took place in the 1920s and the photos is dated in 1939. But come on, if you had a time machine, you wouldn’t check out some other time periods as well? Maybe Jay-Z is working on a depression era blues album…

What do you think? Is Jay-Z a vampire (like Nicolas Cage) a member of the Illuminati, or a time traveler (like John Travolta).?

Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/660575/1939-photo-of-jay-z-look-alike-sparks-conspiracy-theories/#gCSS3CCv6wvVqyML.99 

Disney Animation Confirms First Marvel Movie Big Hero 6

by Spencer Perry

May 09, 2013

Last June, we reported about potential plans for Walt Disney Animation Studios to work on their first Marvel property with Big Hero 6 and after almost a year, it turns out those reports were true. Directed by Don Hall, Big Hero 6 is an action comedy adventure about brilliant robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who finds himself in the grips of a criminal plot that threatens to destroy the fast-paced, high-tech city of San Fransokyo. With the help of his closest companion—a robot named Baymax—Hiro joins forces with a reluctant team of first-time crime fighters on a mission to save their city. Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring comic-book style action and all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, the CG-animated Big Hero 6hits theaters in 3D on November 7, 2014. Check out the concept art for Big Hero 6 as well at the animation below. Are you looking forward to the animated film?

Watch the CinemaCon Footage for The Wolverine!

by Spencer Perry

A few weeks ago, we reported on the latest trailer for The Wolverinewhich premiered at CinemaCon. Now the footage has made its way online for you to watch as well! The trailer features some new footage, the most exciting of which is Will Yun Lee's Kenuichio Harada in his full Silver Samurai costume. Check it out below! Opening in 3D and 2D theaters on July 26, the action adventure stars Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hal Yamanouchi, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima and Brian Tee. Based on the celebrated comic book arc, the film takes Wolverine (Jackman) to modern day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world, he will face a host of unexpected and deadly opponents in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality.

Private Eyes by THE BIRD AND THE BEE

I'm usually not a fan of covers but these 2 do it so well.

First (low-res) glimpse at the poster for Spike Lee's 'Oldboy' remake

 One upcoming adaptation that has fans divided is Spike Lee‘s remake of Oldboy

with fans firmly in either the “Hell yeah” or “Hell no” camp. Regardless of how you feel, it’s due in theaters later this year and the first snapped photos of the teaser poster have hit the internet.

Granted, these are not official, so they’re low-res shots, but still, it gives us a good look at the posters and the styling for the movie

Here’s the brief summary from the film’s IMDB page:

An advertising executive is kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement. When he is inexplicably released, he embarks on an obsessive mission to discover who orchestrated his punishment, only to find he is still trapped in a web of conspiracy and torment.

Starring Josh Brolin, Samuel L. Jackson, Elizabeth Olsen and Sharlto Copley, Oldboy is due out in theaters on October 11th.

-Alisha Grauso