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| Massachusetts Town's New Law Inspires Other Cities To Help Young Vets Find Jobs Posted: 21 Oct 2008 04:58 AM PDT Despite military training, returning veterans face many obstacles to joining the workforce.
When Benjamin McCann returned home to Methuen, Massachusetts, this past April after serving two tours of duty in Iraq, the 25-year-old Marine knew he'd face some obstacles, but he never thought finding a job would be one of them. "I figured, 'Oh, I'm a former Marine, a veteran. [I'll] just write it on an application, all my credentials, everything I'm qualified to do. ...There's got to be something out there,' " McCann said. "So far, it's been nothing but dead ends." Although his primary military job was as a motor transport vehicle operator, McCann had hoped that his training and experience as a Combat Lifesaver in Iraq would have qualified him for work as an EMT. But he soon learned that despite his training and hands-on experience treating wounded Marines, he still lacked the state certifications necessary to do such work in the civilian world. (Learn about other veterans' issues and sign the petition for BRAVE, the Bill of Rights for American Veterans, here.) "When I first found out that it wasn't good enough, I was kind of a little discouraged," he said. "I went through all this training, and here I am getting shot down for jobs that I thought I was qualified for." Ben's story is not unique — not even in the McCann household. Ben's brother Alex, 26, also served in the United States Marine Corps and returned home in August. He, too, has had difficulties finding employment. Alex was initially hoping that his training and time served in Iraq would have qualified him for immediate work in law enforcement, but his brother's experience taught him otherwise. "I wanted to be a police officer, but I knew from the beginning — knowing what Ben had to go through — that I wasn't going to be qualified the way that they needed me to," he said. The brothers registered for classes that would help provide the necessary training and certifications necessary for careers with the police and fire departments. That was a good first step, but none of it helped them find work in the near term. "The bills keep piling up, but no paychecks come in," Ben told MTV News. This August, dismayed by Ben's difficulty finding work — and knowing Alex was soon to return home as well — their father, Richard McCann, decided to take the issue to the steps of Methuen City Hall. "I got frustrated with seeing Ben so frustrated," he said, "and that's when I started knocking on doors. I had attended a few meetings and voiced my opinions about the returning veterans and how we could help them." Jeanne Pappalardo, a first-term member of the Methuen City Council, decided to act after hearing McCann's plea. She put forth a resolution aptly named Veteran Preference for City Employment, a resolution that would make it easier for veterans to find work with the city of Methuen. Just last month, the Methuen City Council unanimously passed the resolution. "[Veterans] can come into City Hall ... get an application, fill out the application for any type of a job that they feel as though they are qualified to do, and put their name on this list," Pappalardo told MTV News. "If something becomes available, they will be called upon first." Although many cities and towns already give preference to veterans in their hiring practices, Methuen's measure took the additional step of codifying it in the city's laws and creating a signup list for unemployed veterans. "I felt as though that this would act as maybe a little bit of a comfort level for the veteran, knowing that their name is somewhere on a list here in the city of Methuen," Pappalardo said. Though veterans aren't the only ones feeling the brunt of the global economic downturn, Ben and Alex think veterans should be pushed to the front of the line for employment opportunities. "I think the vets should still be taken care of," said Alex, who has signed up on the City Hall list with his brother. "We went over to do what we had to do. Now I think back home we should be taken care of." The Veteran Preference resolution has done just that for Methuen's veterans, and it may soon do the same for returning vets in other cities and towns. Pappalardo told MTV News that several other municipalities had asked for a copy of the resolution to help them come up with similar legislation, which she gladly provided. "I just feel as though it is a token of our appreciation," she said, "for their dedication, fighting the war for us, keeping America free. And I think that's the least we can do for them." To help make BRAVE a reality, head to ChooseOrLose.com and sign your name so the next president knows that taking care of our young vets is a priority for this country.
Get informed! Head to Choose or Lose for nonstop coverage of the 2008 presidential election, including everything from the latest news on the candidates to on-the-ground multimedia reports from our 51 citizen journalists, MTV and MySpace's Presidential Dialogues, and much more. Related Videos | |
| Travis McCoy On Katy Perry's Cake Dive: 'She Did It On Purpose!' Posted: 20 Oct 2008 12:41 AM PDT Gym Class Heroes frontman also discusses possible collaborations with Perry, the Roots.
Like most of the world, Travis McCoy watched Katy Perry's Los Premios run-in with a Quinceañera cake on the Internet. Unlike most of the world, he had some insight into the situation. You know, because he's dating Perry and all. And according to him, what appeared to be one gigantic, frosting-fueled mistake was actually a very calculated way of capping off her already over-the-top performance. Or something like that. "She hit me right after the performance, 'Baby, you gotta see the performance! You gotta see the performance!' and I watched it. And I was like, 'Baby, did you fall?' and she's like, 'I did it on purpose,' " McCoy told MTV News backstage at the Love Sessions, a voter-registration party in Los Angeles. "I watched it a couple more times and ... it was on purpose. She did it on purpose. It was all planned. I think she murdered it, man. The whole Quinceañera thing. She's a step above, a step ahead, you know? And I've always backed her, you know? It is what it is." Of course, it's not just Perry's cake-filled shenanigans that McCoy has been addressing lately. There are also the whispers that the two are planning some sort of collaboration, and while McCoy admits that might be the case, it most certainly won't be of the singing variety. "This is Travvie and Katy, not Sonny and Cher, you know? I've been producing some stuff lately, and she's the only person I play it for. So maybe I'll produce some stuff for her, but we won't be doing any duets anytime soon," he laughed. "She's definitely got an ear, though, so I'll make some beats and I'll e-mail them to her and get her vibe. She'll hit be back, 'I love this one,' or, 'This one could use this or that.' "When she was recording her record she'd send me songs, and when we were making our record I'd send her songs," he continued. "So she sent me a demo of 'I Kissed a Girl,' and we were on tour, and I was playing it during our changeover, just watching the kids react. So she came out to one of our shows, and the song came out and she flipped out, like, 'What are you doing playing that?' and I took her to the side of the stage so she could watch the crowd react. And now, well, she's huge." But a Perry collabo isn't the only thing in the cards for McCoy and his Gym Class Heroes. They're currently on tour with the Roots, and McCoy hopes to get something on tape with them before their jaunt wraps in early November. "They've been a huge inspiration to us since we were kids — Illadelph Halflife and Do You Want More?!!??! and all the records since then. ... They're legendary masters, and I think a little bit of the Roots is rubbing off on Gym Class," McCoy said. "We're almost halfway through the tour, so I'm sure us and the Roots are gonna collaborate before the show's up. I mean, we've gotta." Related Artists | |
| Lil Wayne Named MVP At BET Hip-Hop Awards; T-Pain Fills In For Katt Williams As Host Posted: 20 Oct 2008 08:27 AM PDT Weezy also takes home Lyricist of the Year and People's Champ during Saturday's festivities.
ATLANTA — Lil Wayne can be called many things — Hottest MC in the Game, Best Rapper Alive, Mr. Milli First Week — but one title that doesn't fit: disillusioned. With 12 BET Hip-Hop Award nominations, Weezy arrived at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center on Saturday knowing it was his night. "These awards have been wonderful, especially when they call my name," Wayne told MTV News as he got ready for the show. "That's the best part about them. Twelve nominations — I think the only categories I'm not in are the female categories." Weezy beat out DJ Khaled, T.I., Jay-Z and Kanye West for MVP. He also took home Lyricist of the Year and People's Champ. More important, though, was Wayne's announcement that he's expecting a son "any day."
Rookie of the Year went to Shawty Lo, and DJ Khaled won Best Hip-Hop Collabo for the "I'm So Hood" remix. He also took home the unofficial award for best speech of the night. With half of the hip-hop community standing behind him, including Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, Khaled thanked just about every rapper and employee at Koch and Def Jam. A whole slew of other winners won't be announced until the show airs on BET, on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Wayne said he was "thankful" during this award season, dating back to the MTV Video Music Awards in September. "The nominations already blow my mind," he said before the show. "By me winning the VMA — that was stupid. I already got the VMA at the crib." Though he appreciates the accolades, Weezy said he would rather be doing what he's been nominated for — making music. "Just another day at the job, man," he said of being at the show. "Just another distraction from what I really wanna be doing — being in the studio recording. That's my job to do these award shows and shows. My life is the studio recording." Despite all the promos, comic warlord Katt Williams was replaced by T-Pain, who still kept the whole crowd laughing. Pain could have a career in stand-up, should he ever want to moonlight. BET's Web site says Pain took over as host because he beat Williams in a dance battle. But the word from various sources was that Williams and BET had an irreconcilable difference at the 11th hour, causing Katt to up and leave. "I don't know what happened," Pain said diplomatically on the red carpet. "All I know is that they called me at 4:30 in the morning to come host." A rep for BET was unable to be reached for comment. During the hours before the show Saturday, hip-hop's elite were carrying out what would be the underlying theme of the whole weekend: rap unity. In the talent trailer park, you could see Rick Ross laughing with DJ Drama. Playaz Circle and Swizz Beatz were chillin' in Ludacris' trailer. T.I. was saying "what's up" to everybody in sight. Pharrell Williams had just left Wayne's tour bus minutes before the Birdman Jr. talked to MTV News. And Common couldn't stop smiling at all the love being shown. "I love hip-hop, and I love artists that love hip-hop," Common said. "When I get around the artists that are really passionate about the music and they really feel it, it's a good feeling, because you know you gonna get some good music. I'm looking at artists such as MC Lyte and Nas from the past, to some of the new cats, such as Lil Wayne, who are passionate about hip-hop, and that's when you know you gonna get a good mix." Common promised big things for the evening. "I'm rocking 'UMC,' and I'm rocking with N.E.R.D. [on] 'Spazz,' so we got a combination of performances," he said. "We just gonna give that energy we gave out on tour, just enjoying ourselves and rockin' the party." During the high-powered rock-and-roll romp of "Spazz," Lil Wayne couldn't fight the feeling and jumped out of his seat and onto the stage to rock out with his friends. Busta Rhymes also joined in, at the encouragement of Skateboard P. Most of the night's performances became instant highlights. T.I. and Ludacris set the tone, opening up with "Sitting on Top of the World." The sight of the former lyrical enemies/ kings of the town together for the first time? Wow! "Wait until you see what I do!" Young Jeezy forewarned Friday night. The Snowman didn't disappoint with "Crazy World." Jizzle from the Bottom of the Map brought a live band, an astounding operatic backup singer, pyrotechnics and even a blazer and tie as he killed a presidential-election-themed mini set. And you can't discount Rick Ross teaming with Nelly, or Plies with Ne-Yo — collaborations that brought the entire auditorium to their feet. But if there's one performance that can be labeled absolutely timeless, it was the tribute to the females of rap. The ladies were represented proudly with a stroll down nostalgia lane. The Lady of Rage, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo and Salt-N-Pepa were engaged in a medley that made hearts stop. To hear everyone scream "Raaaaaaaage!" during "Afro Puffs" was well worth the damage to your ear drums. On a sad note, Ice Cube was supposed to be a surprise guest of Game during a performance, but it was said onstage that a member of Game's family had been a victim of gun violence. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists | |
| Justin Timberlake Retires 'SexyBack,' Rocks With 50 Cent At Las Vegas Concert Posted: 20 Oct 2008 02:35 AM PDT Rihanna, Jonas Brothers, Leona Lewis join Timberlake at benefit for Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Justin Timberlake brought a star-studded lineup to his "Justin Timberlake and Friends: A Special Evening Benefiting the Shriners Hospitals for Children" concert at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas on Friday. 50 Cent, Rihanna, the Jonas Brothers, Leona Lewis, Will.I.Am, Maroon 5's Adam Levine, Boyz II Men and Lionel Richie graced the stage with him. The evening's highlights included Timberlake dueting with Levine, the two of them performing with 50 Cent, and Timberlake teaming up with Will.I.Am and Richie for the Commodores' hit "Easy," according to StarPulse.com. Will.I.Am also joined Timberlake onstage.
"We sent letters," Timberlake told MTV News about how he secured such a strong lineup. "We had to go through publicists, but we sent letters. I actually had more responses than we were able to use. [For] the event we got like everybody and their mother on the list. It's a great, great organization. They've helped so many kids, even over the last year. So that's what we're doing. We're rocking out for the kids." Timberlake — who also held a golf tournament supporting the organization — admitted he's already lining up guests for next year's concert. Timberlake officially "retired" his 2006 hit "SexyBack" at Friday's show, and also told MTV News that he's focusing on working with other artists, rather than his solo career, for the time being. "As far as myself I don't have that ... I could change [my mind] next week, but I don't have the bug to jump in and start the whole process again, and touring again. I do love it, but it's tiring," he admitted. In addition to his recent work with Madonna and T.I., he also talked about tracks he recorded with Rihanna. "[Recently] I worked with Rihanna, hopefully working on her next record," he said. "She's on a roll. I think she sort of has something different to offer. You can use her voice as a template for many different styles. She has a keen fashion sense and on top of that she's hot. Whatever it is, she's got it." However, he declined to get into details about who else he's been working with. "I've been working with different people here or there," he said. "I feel weird. You'll hear it when it comes out. I would love to give you everyone but there's some stuff that might not work out due to business stuff, unfortunately. "I'm going to go pimp myself to Leona Lewis, 'cause I think she's an amazing singer!" he offered, then gave a joking offer to artists: "Give me a buzz! Just call me. I got beats, too," he laughed. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists | |
| Ozzfest Will Return In 2009, But It Won't Be Free, Says Sharon Osbourne Posted: 20 Oct 2008 09:46 AM PDT Tour's mastermind says next year will be 'back to business as usual,' most likely with Ozzy headlining.
Following this year's single-day destination Ozzfest in Dallas and 2007's free tour, the future of the festival has remained something of a mystery. The drastic measures of the past two years led some to assume that, after 13 successful years, Sharon Osbourne's brainchild was running out of steam. And then Warped Tour mastermind Kevin Lyman's Rockstar Energy Mayhem festival — which featured Slipknot, Disturbed, Mastodon, DragonForce and Machine Head — seemed to step on Ozzfest's territory in the congested, highly competitive summer touring field.
When MTV News caught up with the Osbournes at the Scream Awards in Los Angeles over the weekend, the couple discussed what's in store for the tour's 14th year. Will 2009's Ozzfest be gratis once again? "No, don't you know that there's a depression on?" Sharon Osbourne replied, defiantly. "Are you mad? We're going back to what we originally were. We've given the real good fans a free show for one time, and now, it's back to business as usual." When pressed for next summer's lineup, she smiled, "We can't tell you now!" "It's too early. We just got done with the last one," said son Jack Osbourne, who did suggest that the festival's namesake will likely return to anchor the bill. So far, the only rumor that's been picking up steam is that AC/DC may be performing — but that was also one of the rumors that preceded this year's event, which included Metallica, Ozzy, System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian, Hellyeah, Korn frontman Jonathan Davis, Cavalera Conspiracy, Shadows Fall, Apocalyptica and In This Moment. Related Videos Related Artists | |
| Mr. Blackwell, Creator Of Worst-Dressed List, Dead At 86 Posted: 20 Oct 2008 08:13 AM PDT Critic skewered celebs -- from Barbra Streisand and Zsa Zsa Gabor to Madonna and Britney Spears -- for 48 years.
Famed fashion critic Mr. Blackwell, whose annual worst dressed list blasted celebrities for their poor fashion choices, died Sunday of complications from an intestinal infection, his rep told The Associated Press. He was 86. Blackwell, born Richard Selzer in 1922, tried his hand at acting and modeling, but later found success as a costume and fashion designer. He started his annual worst dressed list in 1960, taking jabs at everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Elizabeth Taylor to Madonna. "From ghetto glam to rhinestone cowgirl to Mrs. Guy Ritchie: Any way you label it, she's still just kitschy, kitschy, kitschy," he wrote about the Material Girl. In 1968, he hosted a show called "Mr. Blackwell Presents," and also appeared as himself in TV shows including "Matlock" and "Matt Houston." In 1992, he sued Johnny Carson for claiming that he had added Mother Teresa to his list, saying the comment exposed him to hatred and ridicule, AP reported. NBC's responded that the "Tonight Show" host was obviously kidding. Recently, Blackwell criticized Victoria Beckham, who topped last year's list, by saying "In one skinny-mini monstrosity after another, pouty 'Posh' Beckham can really wreck-em." Last year, Amy Winehouse came in at number two, and Mary-Kate Olsen — who he said "resembles a tattered toothpick trapped in a hurricane" — made the list as well. Blackwell never shied away from speaking his mind. He once called Mariah Carey "shrink-wrapped cheesecake," and he described Christina Aguilera: "Is she a boring and body-baring bungle —'; or just auditioning for 'Sheena, Queen of the Jungle?' " "The list has whimsy," he said about the worst-dressed list. "It's camp." Head here for a complete list of Mr. Blackwell's worst-dressed winners. Related Artists |
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