This afternoon, Mike Huckabee spoke at a National Rifle Association event in Louisville, Kentucky. In the middle of his 20 minute speech a noise came from offstage. Mike Huckabee looked over his shoulder and without missing a beat said..

“That was Barack Obama, he just tripped off a chair. He’s getting ready to speak. Somebody aimed a gun at him and he dove for the floor.”

Wow! I’m not one to jump on every little statement or flub, but that was crazy.

In the heat of Barack Obama’s former pastor troubles (see how I ignore him) Mike Huckabee was the voice of reason on the Republican side. He practically defended Barack, saying that he (Huckabee) grew up in the South and there are a lot of preachers that say wild things. So I find it hard to believe that Mike Huckabee would make an.. assassination joke.

Since it was an NRA event, it was probably a reference to Barack Obama’s strong stance on gun control >> he’s scared of guns.

I could be wrong. But I hope not.

In the speech, Huckabee said.. “I’m not sure Senator Obama or Senator Clinton really get it.”

Barack Obama’s campaign hasn’t responded to his comedic stylings.

Since KFC is handing out free hot and spicy to R&C, will Crown chicken do the same for Jayms Madison? Jayms Madison is an aspiring singer who is posting videos in a series called The Jayms Madison Show.

They peek into her ongoing journey and talent development in the music business. Jayms is working with one of Rihanna’s songwriters, Frankie Storm, who wrote “Please Don’t Stop the Music.”

Here she is with Executive Vice President of Warner Music Group, Kevin Liles.

Like a reality show, one of the videos has a moment in a Crown chicken spot in Brooklyn, NY.

This video came to mind yesterday when I was deciding between Chinese food and a two piece and a biscuit from Crown aka every lil off-brand chicken spot in the hood.

More on Jayms Madison at her Myspace (call up Crown, they’ll sponsor you.. << jokes )

One of the perks of being a celebrity is the freebies tossed their way, just for a glimmer of sunshine they can bring to a company’s product or service. Rihanna and Chris Brown are discovering this.

After being candidly photographed in KFC last week and the flood of blog posts and TV celeb chatter, KFC’s chief marketing officer sent Rihanna and Chris Brown a Thank You letter and an offer for a free chicken meal (including the Colonel’s Hot Wings - for lunch or dinner) at any KFC in the country.

Here’s a copy of the letter..

I can’t believe the big thanks is a free meal.

I can see it now, Rihanna and Chris Brown - a couple of hundred thousand dollar kids - slapping a copy of the letter on the counter when the cashier says.. “$12.99.” KFC did say they’d donate a lil something to a charity if they’re spotted on another “hot-date night,” but I fully expect a TV commercial to follow this.

As long as they aren’t dancing around in Hammer pants for Popcorn Chicken.

That first dancing MC Hammer/KFC commercial doesn’t seem to be on the web, but he got clowned hard for that foolishness. Beginning of his downfall. Hah.

Jury selection for R. Kelly’s golden shower trial was completed today. The 12 people chosen are a mixture of eight Whites and four Blacks; four alternates were also selected: two Black, one Hispanic and one White. R. Kelly’s lawyers complained that more Blacks weren’t on the jury. Pointing out that the prosecution challenged (therefore dismissed) half of the Blacks they had selected. The prosecution hit back, saying all of the defense challenges were about Whites.

But it wasn’t all race accusations and tension in the court room.

A 68-year-old Romanian man, said he believes in the justice system and the presumption of innocence.
In his eyes, on day one, the score is “zero to zero.”

R. Kelly mostly scribbled on yellow index cards. I’m guessing the words will turn up in a song in the not to distant future. When the Hispanic guy, selected as an alternate, told the judge that pictures don’t always tell the whole truth, R. Kelly nodded his head in agreement. He’ll be invited to the pool party if R. Kelly skates this.

Want the full jury profile? Check The Chicago Tribune’s “Gavel to Gavel”

The quick snip.

THE BIG TWELVE

The Romanian Immigrant.
68-year-old white man who immigrated to the United States 30 years ago. Knows Kelly is a singer but didn’t know the genre. Promised to be a diligent juror. “When I go to bed at night, I want to have a clear conscience,” he said. “I’m probably not the smartest guy, but I’ll do what’s best and fair.”

The Athletic Trainer.
White woman in her 20s. Works for a suburban high school and has a master’s degree.

The College Grad.
White man who recently graduated from a Midwest university. Has prior convictions for marijuana possession and underage drinking. Too young to remember O.J. Simpson’s trial, but said he followed NFL star Michael Vick’s dog fighting case.

The Vaguely Aware of Kelly Guy.
White man with only a slight idea of Kelly’s celebrity. Said he could put aside whatever he’s read about Kelly in the newspapers.

The Business Executive.
As the father of two young kids, he said child pornography is “as low as it gets.” The man, who is white, believes Kelly is guilty but promised to keep an open mind. Appears to be in his mid-30s.

The Pastor’s Wife.
She and Kelly both live in Olympia Fields, though the woman says she hasn’t heard much about him. The woman, who is black, is active in the Baptist church. Appears to be in her 50s.

The Christian.
A black man who appears to be in his 50s. Only knows Kelly for the song “I Believe I Can Fly,” though he suspects his kids may know more about him. Does not like to see pornographic material on public display.

The Student.
A white woman studying criminal justice in college. Hopes to be a cop someday. Only knows one or two of Kelly’s “old” songs. Appears to be in her early to mid-20s.

The Teacher’s Aide.
A black woman who works at a Catholic school. Says her friends have discussed the videotape at the center of the trial and are split about Kelly’s innocence. Some say he’s the man in the video, others insist it’s not him. Appears to be in her early 30s.

The Chef-in-Training.
A black man who is attending culinary arts school. He says he doesn’t know too much about the case. Appears to be in his late 30s or early 40s.

The Prolific Juror.
A white man who has served on juries in two civil lawsuits. Appears to be in his late 40s or early 50s.

THE ALTERNATES

The Young White Guy.
White male in his 20s who interned at a local radio station and applied to the Chicago Police Department before changing his mind. His uncle has been convicted of child pornography charges. Says he can still be fair.

The Apple Guy.
Young Latino male who works for Apple. Said he knows of the case but can put aside what he knows. Also won’t be upset by graphic images. “A picture can say 1,000 words but facts can/may be different,” he wrote on his questionnaire.

The Retired Deputy.
A 60-something retired Cook County sheriff’s deputy, sailed through questioning. Said she believes in following the rules. Told the judge she doesn’t like porn but can suffer through for the sake of justice.

The Last Woman.
Middle-aged black woman. Neither side had any strikes when the woman entered the jury room, so she answered a bunch a perfunctory questions and made the cut.
---
Images: (Chicago Tribune)

Today John Edwards made his decision to endorse Barack Obama. I wish I was surprised, but from everything Edwards said during interviews earlier this week, it was clear he wasn’t supporting Hillary Clinton.

Throughout this primary season, Barack Obama has been able to get major endorsements to clean up a mess.

Ted Kennedy gave Barack Obama tremendous credibility after Bill Clinton tried to relate his success to something like Jesse Jackson’s; Bill Richardson stepped in when the typical breeze was blowing; and John Edwards comes right after Hillary Clinton pulled off a 41% win in West Virginia.

He’s a Muslim

Gotta love those West Virginian voters.

John Edwards Endorses Barack Obama - Part 1

“We’ve been in this kind of place before. In times of war, great depression, deep divisions that tore at the soul of this nation. We came together and we went to work to make sure that we passed on a stronger and better country to our children.

We will meet this challenge again, this is who we are.”

John Edwards Endorses Barack Obama - Part 2

“This is our moment. This is our time to take down these walls, to close our divide, and build one America that we all believe in. If you want that. If you believe in that.. then join me in helping send Barack Obama to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue!

Because what all of us believe, is in this America that we love so much, no matter who you are, no matter who your family is, and no matter what the color of your skin, none of those things will control your destiny.

And that one America that I talked about, is not only possible, but it will be achieved under President Barack Obama!”

And the picture of the day is.. Diddy and Cassie cuddling up in Central Park. The pictures were snapped by someone at G-Style magazine, while Diddy’s bodyguards weren’t paying attention. Maybe that should be FORMER bodyguards, someone is getting fired.

The description says it all..

Date: Mother’s Day, May 11
Time: 2:19 pm
Location: Central Park

While we here would have figured Diddy would be somewhere with the mother of his toddler twin girls Kim Porter, here he is spotted in Central park with another young woman.

Cassie has been quoted in various publications and stated that she and Diddy are just friends. People we let you be the judge.

This shatters any of the friend/grooming the artist explanations of their frequent public sightings. Remember that Roberto Cavali Halloween bash?

Toya @ Toya’s World also dug up this video.

Diddy and Cassie are outside Bad Boy headquarters premiering her new single “Official Girl.” While introducing the song, Cassie says.. “Everyone wants to be the official girl.. ” Instantly there is this funny look on her face, like she said something.. personal.

This close friendship was made official.. a long time ago.