Facebook...Winklevoss twins lose appeal! Porn-loving 9th Circuit Judge Alex Kozinski rebuffs litigants!

The Social Network– an Oscar-winning flick - chronicled the launch of Facebook and the tawdry rags-to-riches tale about its founder and the legal wrangling that erupted in the courts thereafter on the heels of accusations that the cocky start-up maestro - Mark Zuckerberg - stole the original idea out-from-under former business partners Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.

In my own review of the box-office hit, I underscored my sentiments.

The “idea” is the thing.

Post: 10/03/2010

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/10/social-networkfacebook-nerd-revenge.html

In the final analysis, a person who invented the “light bulb” is the genius, not the individual who imagined one in the shade of blue (to use an analogy).

In spite of that glaring reality, Zuckerberg vigorously argued to all within earshot - that without his expertise the Winklevoss pipe dream would never have gotten off-the-ground – let alone been transformed into a viable marketable enterprise on the competitive world-wide-web.

Like it or not, one glaring fact remains.

The Harvard “boys” - to the manor born with silver spoons in their mouth – were the true visionaries who hatched up the original concept (not Zuckerberg).

Undoubtedly - that’s why the anti-social (!) CEO relented - and agreed to give the two sticks-in-the-muds their due.

Consequently, an out-of-court settlement was proffered up for big bucks in favor of the dynamic duo.

End of story, right?

Not!

Shortly after Facebook took off on the Internet– and met with phenomenal success – the Winklevoss litigants did an about-face.

On the grounds that the stock was grossly overvalued when the settlement was - signed, sealed, and delivered - the poor sports elected to pursue the litigation with renewed vigor (no doubt emboldened by the “Social Network” movie script which appeared to validate their rip-off claims) with the ultimate aim of cashing-in for a bigger pay-off.

Yesterday, the grumblings of a disreputable Judge in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal handed down a verdict - that was not only a stunner – but a  less than Judicial-sounding one!

“Tough Luck,” Chief bench warmer Alex Kozinski snapped without an ounce of compassion.

“The Winklevosses are sophisticated parties who were locked in a contentious struggle over ownership rights in one of the world’s fastest-growing companies,” he quipped in the court’s 3-0 ruling.

In part, the decision rested on evidence in the lower-court record which Kozinski stressed was legally-binding.

The controversial Judge was referring to a statement in the agreement that barred inclusion of any evidence gleened during a mediation session – including, but not limited to - misrepresentations about the value of the company stock.

“At some point litigation must come to an end,” Kozinski concluded.

This, from a Judge with dubious standing in the community-at-large - in legal circles, too - a “black sheep” who has demonstrated a nasty disregard for the rules (particularly when it pertains to his own inappropriate conduct).

California voters, lawyers, and Court Officials may recall that Judge (I use the term very loosely) Kozinski has been criticized in the past for frequenting web sites that exalt (and condone) sleazy pornography and for “downloading” disturbing erotic images to his laptop.

In addition, Kozinski has thumbed his nose at critics in the past - who lamented on the heels of the scandal - that it was highly improper (disgusting?) for a sitting Judge to flaunt his sexual perversions so publicly.

Meanwhile, in the other camp, the Winklevoss attorney has cried foul over the ruling.

According to Jerome Falk, Kozinski’s opinion raises “extremely significant questions of Federal Law” that deserve further legal scrutiny.

For good reason, a full review by the 9th Circuit may be on the horizon.

Dig a little deeper, Mr. Falk.

There may be a few greased palms involved, especially where the California court system is involved!

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz



Anti-Social Social hub founder?

Oprah Winfrey...OWN network to feature reality show & travelogue!

Oprah Winfrey intends to throw her considerable weight behind a couple of new shows she’ll launch in the New Year on her own network deep in the heart of cable land.

“My vision for OWN is to create a network that inspires our viewers and makes them want to be who they are on their best day,” the once top-ratings-getter announced this past week.

What about when they’re down 'n out and suffering the blues?

Ah, superficial old money-bags-Oprah is at it again.

On the occasion of her 25th Anniversary, the in-your-face ego-driven talk how host threw in the towel at ABC, after noting to a dubious press that it “felt right in her bones” to move on.

One offering slated to broadcast on the OWN  network is - Visionaries - which will focus on artists and the creative process.

At press time, it was announced there will be in-depth profiles on Lady Gaga and James Cameron (for starters!) to look forward to.

There will also be a reality show utilizing behind-the-scenes footage from the last season of the Oprah Winfrey show which she produced.

Just betcha die-hard fans will lap up shots of Oprah cruising into the studio in her luxury sedan, undergoing transformations (!) in the make-up chair, and heading up pep talks with the show’s head honchos.

But taking a bath?

Old flubber will need a ton or two of suds to hide all that blubber from the prying eyes of her fans!

In the flagship show - Oprah’s New Chapter - the ambitious voice piece will take the whole kit ’n kaboodle on the road and explore the four corners of the earth at whim (from the Taj Mahal to the Great Wall of China - and I expect - to a babbling brook or two in-between if it takes her fancy).

The rotund little whirlwind has promised there will a hands-on approach at the spanking new baby network.

“My sleeves are all rolled up all the way they can be,” she chirped.

The OWN network is a joint venture between Harpo Inc. (Oprah’s production company) and Discovery Communications, Inc. slated to start-up at the stroke of midnight 2011.

Two previous start-dates misfired, so I expect at this juncture, Oprah is crossing her stubby little fingers and praying to the Gods of cable to pull through for her.

To many, the career move is a step down - in spite of the fact the principals are projecting a viewership of 80 million - in the shadow of media giants NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, CNN.

Break a nail, Oprah!

 

http://www.thetattler.biz

Mystic...fortune-teller's forecast right on! Fog is lifted...

Spirit healing!

(laying on of hands)

Mystical symbolism on U.S. Dollar

(Influence of Masons)

One day I was window-shopping on the 3rd Street promenade when I noticed a mystic offering up psychic forecasts to passers-by.

He was easy to spot; after all, his broad smile, wide shoulders, magnetic personality jumped right out among the multitudes drifting down the open-air marketplace.

Right away I knew he was authentic.

How?

Instead of propping up a make-shift sign with a fee etched on its face, he was inclined to accept donations only.

For those of you familiar with past posts, you probably remember the one I penned about my own psychic abilities and my involvement in the arcane arts many few moons ago!

Prophecy
A Gift from God

Post:  10/29/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2007/10/prophecya-gift-from-god.html

Because of my background in this area, I was able to discern from his approach - and the reading in general - that he knew his stuff (so-to-speak).

Of course, if you have ever had a reading, you know that sometimes a prediction can seem a little bizarre or beyond the realm of comprehension on the occasion it is uttered up.

But, remember, anything (and everything) is possible under the sun!

True to form, a couple of predictions threw me for a loop that day, although I was capable of holding judging  in view of my own personal and professional experiences over the years.

For instance, when he noted there would be quite a few cowboys around me  in the near future, I smiled.

There haven't been any men - of any stripe or persuasion  - in the picture for months!

Frankly, I haven't been in the mood (or right state of mind)  to entertain any romantic notions.

But, sure enough, two days later when I drove into Las Vegas, I suddenly found myself smack dab in the midst of a posse of Cowboys  because (unbeknowst to moi beforehand) the Rodeo had gallopped into town.

Subsequently, I ended up penning a post about that event, bolstered up with images of virile cattle men.

Surprisingly, about the same time, the Gene Autry Museum invited me to a special discussion on two celebrated western-style shirts (featured in Brokeback Mountain)  on exhibit there.

So, of course, I penned an article on that landmark event.

I laughed when he noted I was in a creative field of work and that I affected quite a few lives as a result.

Indeed - a good or bad review of a film, tv show, or red carpet event - has the capacity to do just that!

When he drifted on to planetary aspects, he was quite knowledgeable about the influence of the midheavens, too.

He pointed out that Pluto was in my chart quite prominently over the past couple of years (a negative influence) which caused some difficulties in my life.

Of course, I knew this cosmic pull  to be true, because years ago I had an in-depth horoscope prepared which indicated that Pluto factored into my destiny from time to time.

However, he noted that the probematic vibration was coming to an end, as the 9th planet  moved out of my chart.

True!

I confess that over the past year or so my health has been the worst it's ever been in my entire life.

Over the past few months, for instance, I have been hustled in and out of the hospital about a dozen times or so, in fact.

During that time frame, there were a dizzying number of tests and physical exams to undergo.

And, a raft of medicines and painkillers to quell the pain and discomfort, too.

Regular readers may recall posts in which I got the dates mixed up (some of that was attributed to computer glitches, I swear),  misspelled names, or wasn't as coherent in my reporting as I normally tended to be (for good reason, if the truth be known).

Yes, sometimes it was the painkillers (and/or prescription drugs) that were responsible for the fog that enveloped (and hindered) me.

On occasion, I'd return to my car, totally exhausted on the heels of performing a few chores.

Before I could turn the key in the ignition - on occasion, I simply passed out - overwhelmed with drowsiness and incapable of prying my eyes wide open to get through the tail end of the day.

Consequently, the uncontrollable struggles, may have caused a tongue or two to wag  after  passers-by happened across me in the neighborhood asleep at the wheel.

Uh-huh!

The locals probably thought I was a bit tipsy or high on drugs, eh?

Of course, then there was the issue of my sleeping disorder diagnosed this past year.

Rather than fall asleep at the wheel (like I did one day on Highway 15 on a trip back from Las Vegas)  I oftentimes elected to just curl up in the back seat of my vehicle until the exhaustion passes over (and I could - at long last - drive home safely).

I tried the "stimulants" my doctor prescribed as an alternative, but was forced to stop, when I found myself stuttering, grinding  my teeth, and staring blankly into space whenever I stopped into a cafe for a tea or coffee.

The heck with that!

But, then, in January - as predicted - Pluto started to shift.

Suddenly, in San francisco one day, I felt like I was coming out of a fog and able to function at full steam once again.

In retrospect, I am thankful I had my blog to focus on, because it was all that  kept me going in a very dark period during the past twelve months or so.

Now, thank God, I am starting to make plans and set goals and get enthusiastic about life again.

In a sense, I feel reborn, for some inexplicable reason.

Amen!

Edgar Cayce healed with help of spirit guides!

Pluto's orbit

(my birthday  is in May)

 

http://www.thetattler.biz

Barack Obama...why a win for the black candidate is threatening to some!

We hold these truths to be self evident...


Last week, the mainstream press reported that a worker on payroll at a factory back east fessed up that a handful of fellow card-carrying union members, wouldn't vote for Obama because he is black.

On the other hand, one white middle class man - who asked to remain anonymous - confided to a reporter that he was specifically voting for McCain because the Republican is "white".

The writing is on the wall.

Barack is a likable-enough fellow, capable of running the country, without doubt.

But, when a handful of Americans gaze into their crystal ball, an Obama win appears downright threatening.

Some argue that once the candidate for change unpacks and settles into the sumptuous digs at the White House - that he may be inclined to not only swiftly "clean house" - but make a concerted effort to bring other "blacks" into the fold.

For example, Obama may opt to hire administrative staff from his pool of friends and business associates, who - for the most part - may have roots in the black community.

That's a realistic expectation, given human nature.

Have you ever gone into a local post office and noticed a predominant number of the workers are either African-American, Asian, or Latino?

The reason for this should be obvious.

The supervisors in charge of hiring are looking out for their "own".

To a visionary few (or a handful plagued by paranoia) an Obama stint at the White House has the potential to effect a significant shift in power from one race to another.

Something tells me - the wrinkly old white dudes running this country now - are sitting up and taking notice.

Expect skullduggery in the future, Obama.

After all, the stakes are getting higher!