Critics See ‘Mixed Message’ in Lambert, Brown Decisions

From Mercury News:

ABC and its “Good Morning America” show have sparked controversy with recent decisions to cancel a scheduled performance by “American Idol” winner Adam Lambert while going ahead with a planned appearance by R&B star Chris Brown.

Lambert’s scheduled “GMA” performance was canceled the morning after he delivered a, sexually charged performance on last week’s American Music Awards, which included the singer kissing his male keyboard player and simulating oral sex with a male dancer.

Brown, who was convicted in August of assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna, is scheduled to do a pretaped “tell-all” interview with co-anchor Robin Roberts, and then will perform live in the studio, though the details of the studio are still being worked out. The appearance will reportedly air as early as next week, though no date has been announced.

Gay rights groups are among those blasting ABC for suggesting that domestic violence is preferable to openly gay behavior. Even some ABC staffers are uncomfortable with the decisions.

“The network is giving a mixed message,” one employee told the New York Post. “It doesn’t trust someone who shocked with an unpredictable show and a gay kiss, but then it is happy to go ahead with Chris Brown, who was convicted of felony assault.”

More here!

Chris Brown Swings a Sling…How Much Did That Cost?

I found a video on CNN.com (below) of Chris Brown actively serving out the part of his sentence for smacking up his ex (Cover girl & singer Rihanna) that entailed community service.   Although it’s a brief clip, there seems to be a few things wrong with this picture.

For one, I realize he’s used to smiling for the camera, but he seems a bit too happy for someone doing ‘free labor’ and secondly, there are obviously police stationed to protect him while he’s performing his community service.

Now, I happen to remember a specific time, when I was in college (in Virginia), and a friend of mine was sentenced to community service for a fireworks offense (it really was a friend, not me) and the next thing I new, I saw him riding down the road on the back of a trash truck.  The big difference being there was no police escort.  His ‘trash truck’ supervisor worked for the city and reported his hours.

So, with the obvious ‘protection’ standing around while Brown swings a sling at his own pace, the first thought that ran through my mind was, ‘How much is this costing tax-payers?’

Don’t get me wrong, I think what he did was a crime that deserves punishment, but this is one problem with this country.  While there are kids who don’t have food to eat, we’re going to spend extra tax dollars to have someone go out and cut down weeds?

Why wasn’t the judge a bit more creative in his definition of community service.  What is this teaching Chris Brown?  I’d say not much.  Also, wy isn’t he the one paying?  He should have been made to deliver ‘meals on wheels’ or perform some sort of work, at his own expense, that would actually maybe make a difference in someone’s life.

I really don’t think what he’s doing is teaching him a damn thing, and I sure don’t think him cleaning up an outdoor area at the cost of the tax payer, is a benefit to society.

Perhaps I’m wrong, but I’d really like to see community service sentencing be directed towards two goals.  One, helping others who are less fortunate, and two, providing a service that is NOT a cost to the tax-payer. (I hope I don’t sound like a tea-bagger…LOL)

Not to

Chrish Brown Sentenced to 5 Years Probation, Plus

Chris Brown has been sentenced to five years probation for physically assaulting ex-gal pal Rihanna. In addition to probation, his sentence includes 1,400 hours of community service, and he must attend a one year domestic violence counseling program.

See the video of sentencing below:

So what’s your opinion? Was his sentence too harsh, too light or fair?

Chris Brown Apologizes – “Forgive Me Please”

Yesterday, Chris Brown publicly apologized for the incident between him and Rihanna that led to him to plead guilty to felony assault charges last month. In the video apology that was up on his website, Brown offers a two minute apology and proclaims he still wants to live his life as a role model and says he ashamed of his misconduct. Watch the video below the take the poll to let us know what you think.

Chris Brown Gets Lighter Sentence for Pleading Guilty

From GayWired.com:

With Rihanna ready to testify under subpoena in the case of felony assault by singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to assault and receives a reduced sentence.

Brown avoided jail time with the last minute arrangement. He instead received a sentence consisting of five years probation, a year domestic violence rehabilitation classes, and one hundred and eighty days of community service. In addition, Brown must stay fifty yards away from his victim at all times, with an exception for ten yards at industry events.

The Judge at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Patricia Schnegg addressed the R& B singer, saying, “Mr. Brown, I think it’s commendable that you took responsibility for your conduct,” by pleading guilty to felony assault by means likely to cause great bodily injury.

If he violates the terms of his agreements, Brown faces four years in jail. The formal sentencing will be on August 5th.

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