Sony PlayStation Network Undergoing Routine Maintenance After Weekend ...

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Coming into the weekend, Sony"sonline system, the PlayStation Network, has been experiencing some rough technical issues. The biggest being download times. Anybody who tried downloading Batman: Arkham Knightwas stuck waiting hours for it to finish. Other issues included error messages when trying to load up multiplayer releases such as Call of Duty, Destinyand others. Even those who were running single player adventures that require online pay were met with issues. Those issues have since been fixed and Sony will be undergoing maintenance this Monday.

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Sony did not say what the issue was, just that the routine maintenancewill be occurring several times throughout the next few days.

"Routine maintenance and improvements for PlayStation Network will be performed for approximately 1.5 hours on Monday, June 29, 9:30 p.m. PDT (June 30, 4:30 a.m. GMT) to June 29, 11:00 p.m. PDT (June 30, 6:00 a.m. GMT). Anyone who already has a PlayStation Network account can still sign in to their PlayStation Network profile, play games, and use most applications while this maintenance is carried out," Sony saidon their page.

During this time users won"t be able to access certain features such as PlayStation Video and Account Management on their PSNaccounts. All other features will still be okay according to them. Sony advises anybody with a PlayStation 4 should turn on their system before the maintenance.

"We strive to ensure that PlayStation Network services are available at all times," the company continued. "Occasionally we must take PlayStation Network offline to perform essential maintenance and implement feature enhancements. We are working hard to reduce the duration of each maintenance."

2015 Mstars News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Source: http://www.mstarz.com/articles/73457/20150629/sony-playstation-network-undergoing-routine-maintenance-weekend-download-issues.htm

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Jim Webb Writes His Own Books

From our July 1984 issue, a review of James Webbs third novel, A Country Such As This (Doubleday). Yesterday Webb announced hes running for president, the fifth Democrat to declare, and certainly the most distinguished literary talent in the race for either party. Which cant be good news for Hillary Clinton. Webb of course writes his own books. Clintons latest is egregiously plagiarized. (See this Washington Free Beacon report, which has yet to receive the attention it so richly deserves.) Maybe when they debate, Webb and Clinton could be asked about their different approaches to the art of writing and what it is they stand for as authors. Ed.

Why is everyone lying around like cowed puppies, peeing on their own tummies? Big Red Lesczynski

In modern fiction, popular acclaim and critical acclaim jibe infrequently, so its exciting when a new author comes along who attracts both. James Webb is such an authora popular novelist whom critics cant ignore, despite his penchant for coherent plots, genuine heroes, and the celebration of virtues which, in the root sense of the word virtue, are manly as well as admirable. His first novel, Fields of Fire (1978), tells it as it was in Vietnam, seen through minds unfogged by academic posturings: i.e., Marine Corps grunts, most of whom learn to be dependable even as they prefer to be anywhere else. His second novel, A Sense of Honor (1981), chronicles six hectic days in the lives of Annapolis midshipmen and junior officers, during which a wavering plebe must work out an answer to a blunt question proffered by an energetic first classman: Are you bigger than your g*****n self? Ignoring a modern preference for literary sludge, both novels nonetheless drew kudos from critics. Webb is popular, all rightbut how could the critics fault his shrewd perception and his near flawless craftsmanship?

One might cavil at portions of Webbs third novel, A Country Such As This. The cultural detail, though lush and resonant, clunks now and then with some off-key dialogue: e.g., the accent of a Japanese whose English is inconsistently broken (advancing within six pages from the preposterous You are surprise I speak your ranguage to the perfect General MacArthur came to Yokohama after he landed at Atsugi back to the labored You go Korea soon?), or the anachronism that butts into the raw diction of a Korean War serviceman (in the early 1950s, American males didnt yet speak with ironic passivity of getting laid). But the few linguistic blemishes quickly fade amid the exuberance of Webbs narrative and the ambitious sweep of his plot.

A Country Such As This tells of one generation in the life of a country James Webb loves; a story of Americas great leap, well, sideways: from reluctant world power assuming terrible responsibilities in 1951 to world-weary democracy about to articulate its Weltschmerz with the election of Jimmy Carter in 1976; a sprawling, boisterous, tender, violent, sad, funny, agonizing tale of the good and the bad, the lovely and the ugly, the great and the small in a nation of grand ideals and grandiose uncertainties. Thats quite a haul, even for 534 pages, and even for James Webb, whotrue to form after Fields of Fire and A Sense of Honormisses little detail yet wastes few words.

Webb secures a tight pace by channeling the sprawl of his narrative through the tributaries of three principal characters, classmates at the Naval Academy. On Graduation Day in 1951, Judd Smith, Red Lesczynski, and Joe Dingenfelderinseparable as midshipmenlook forward now to separate choices of assignment. Juddsonia Smith, a Virginia hillbilly of Celtic-Indian stock, is the wild one, eagerly anticipating his commission in the Marine Corps and a combat tour in Korea; Stanislaus (Red) Lesczynski, Polish-American and Catholic, is the proper one, due shortly to marry his Sophia before entering Naval flight school; and Joseph Dingenfelder, Jewish and vaguely intellectual, is the sensitive one, ready for a Navy-sponsored stint at MIT. At their last meeting at Marios Bar in downtown Annapolis, the three become, literally, blood brothers. With the help of a steak knife and Judds Indian bravado, a promise is sealed. They will meet again, in exactly 25 years, right here in Marios. Well drink the Scotch and count each others wrinkles and tell lies. Just the three of us. No excuses, unless youre dead.

But we already know from the short prologue, set in 1976, that only one of them will be at the Old Town Tavern (formerly Marios Bar) 25 years after the promise, sipping the Scotch alone, scarred by those 25 years, and quietly missing his two friends. We dont yet know who returnsWebb drops enough hints in the prologue to suggest, in retrospect, any one of the threebut we arent too far into the rest of the novel before Webb makes it matter, deeply, that not all these three young men are going to reach age 47.

In Country, Webb repeats the technical formula of his two previous novels: a prologue neatly anticipating the novels mood, mise en scne, and consequent action; a studied omniscient viewpoint allowing him to set the private doubts of his characters in supple counterpoint to their actions; a military backdrop affording his brushstrokes a canvas whose texture he knows intimately. Working within that formula is Webbs agile prose, alternately laconic and expansive, matching dry comment to lucid image. For a sample, try this description of a minor character in Country:

He was not a big man but he had a sort of power in him; not the affirmative directness of the achiever who must win, but the simple tenacity of a man who has never won and thus does not really even think about winning, but rather sees life as a daily refusal to be beaten. His body carried the stringy, acquiescent toughness of the mountains. With his gnarled look and his mousy, gray-tinged hair, he could have been anywhere from thirty to sixty years old. He had clear blue eyes and a certain set in his square, creased face, a posture to it, the thin mouth wide and firm, unyielding, the hollows of his cheeks and the slight tilt of his head a promise that he meant exactly what he said, and the world be damned all to h**l.

Thats the Webb touch, whether hes nailing your attention to a combat scene, or just evoking your wonder at the quiet heroism of normal human endurance.

Webb himself is a certified American hero, graduate of Annapolis (class of 1968, a year which he says in Country went through America like a chainsaw out of control), Marine Corps company commander in Vietnam, twice wounded: Navy Cross, Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, National Achievement Medalthe works. He is also a writer disinclined to parade his own valor up and down the main street of his readers imaginations, a man taken up with the lives of othersof the young troops he led in Vietnam, of the veterans he has championed as a lawyer and congressional aide, of his family and friends, and of the characters in his novels.

A man of great ingenuity as well as a splendid character, Webb displays in his fiction a keen sense of human motivation. He is almost ruthless in his depiction of human foibles, yet never gives in to an easy cynicism, for he knows what humans are made of. A true artist, Webb lets go his characters, content to watch in fascination as they work out their destinies under the burden of their weaknesses and the fickleness of events.

Thus, in Country, Judd Smith stumbles from Marine Corps hero to FBI agent to podunk preacher, wounded more by a troubled marriage than by Chinese bullets in Korea or by a gun blast from a fugitive criminal; Joe Dingenfelder gives up his own happiness in a hopeless attempt to bring happiness to his wife Dorothy, herself caught up in the shrill demands of her temperament and flaky insistence of her New Age politics; Red and Sophia Lesczynski both have, above all, each other, their children, and a close-knit Polish-American community in Pennsylvania, a place to come to amid the frequent displacements of Reds military career, but a hometown threatened by labor troubles and bewildering social change. From his depiction of authentic characters buffeted by real events, Webb achieves a moving commentary on the character of a whole nation.

We are left to suppose that Americans make up a nation worthy of love, intense loyalty, and genuine pridein a word, patriotismyet a nation in whose character quite a bit has gone awry. And this has been Webbs consistent theme. In A Sense of Honor, for example, a midshipman AWOL for a compelling personal reason is involved in a fender-bender in Washington, D.C. while racing back to Annapolis during the wee hours of the morning to beat reveille. A lone sentence dropped in Webbs offhand description of that minor incident sums up what James Webb stands against and what his novelists eye can see that too much of America, a country such as this, has let itself become: The driver of the other car was walking around holding his neck, feigning whiplash.

Source: http://spectator.org/articles/63349/jim-webb-writes-his-own-books

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Women"s World Cup semifinals: Japan vs. England

Reigning champion Japan defeated England, 2-1, after an own goal in the 92nd minute in the Women"s World Cup semifinals on Wednesday at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.

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Japan celebrates a last-minute winning goal during the FIFA Women"s World Cup semifinal match against England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada.

(Credit: Getty Images / GEOFF ROBINS)

Japan players celebrate their first-half goal against England during the FIFA Women"s World Cup semi-final match in Edmonton, Canada on July 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO / GEOFF ROBINSGEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images

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EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: Karen Bardsley of England hangs from the cross bar during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. c*x/Getty Images)

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Japan"s Yuki Ogimi (17) is pulled down by England"s Laura Bassett (6) during the second half of a semifinal in the FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

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EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: Claire Rafferty of England looks dejected after conceding a penalty during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. c*x/Getty Images)

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Japan"s Rumi Utsugi and England"s Katie Chapman (16) vie or the ball during the second half of a semifinal in the FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

(Credit: Getty Images / Todd Korol)

EDMONTON, AB - JULY 1: Goalkeeper Karen Bardsley #1 of England kicks the ball during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Canada Semi Final match between England and Japan at Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Todd Korol/Getty Images)

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Japan"s Aya Miyama (R) tries to jump over England"s Jill Scott during their FIFA Women"s World Cup semi-final in Edmonton, Canada on July 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO / GEOFF ROBINSGEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images

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England"s goalkeeper Karen Bardsley runs into the net after making a save during their semifinal match against Japan at the FIFA Women"s World Cup in Edmonton, Canada on July 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO/GEOFF ROBINSGEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images

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EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: Aya Miyama of Japan is mobbed by team mates after scoring a penalty to make it 1-0 during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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England"s Claire Rafferty (3) and Japan"s Yuki Ogimi (17) watch as goalkeeper Karen Bardsley (1) makes a save during the first half of a semifinal in the FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

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EDMONTON, AB - JULY 1: Fara Williams #4 of England celebrates her penalty kick goal during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Canada Semi Final match between England and Japan at Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Todd Korol/Getty Images)

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EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: Fara Williams of England scores a penalty to make it 1-1 during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: Aya Miyama of Japan scores a penalty to make it 1-0 during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. c*x/Getty Images)

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England keeper Karen Bardsley lets in a goal on a penalty kick by Japan"s Aya Miyama during the first half of a semifinal in the FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

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England"s Lucy Bronze, Jade Moore and Fara Williams react after Japan scored on a penalty shot during the first half of a semifinal in the FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Japan players celebrate a goal on a penalty kick by Aya Miyama against England during the first half of a semifinal in the FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

(Credit: Getty Images / Todd Korol)

EDMONTON, AB - JULY 1: Fara Williams #4 of England scores on her penalty kick during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Canada Semi Final match between England and Japan at Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Todd Korol/Getty Images)

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England"s Claire Rafferty (3) knocks down Japan"s Saori Ariyoshi (19) in the box during the first half of a semifinal in the FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Japan scored on a penalty shot following the play. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Japan keeper Ayumi Kaihori reacts after England"s Fara Williams scored on a penalty shot during the first half of a semifinal in the FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

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EDMONTON, AB - JULY 1: Toni Duggan #18 of England loses the ball to Nahomi Kawasumi #9 of Japan during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Canada Semi Final match between England and Japan at Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Todd Korol/Getty Images)

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EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: Jill Scott of England in action with Aya Miyama of Japan during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. c*x/Getty Images)

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EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: Nahomi Kawasumi of Japan controls the ball during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. c*x/Getty Images)

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EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: England manager Mark Sampson looks on during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. c*x/Getty Images)

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EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: Claire Rafferty of England fouls Saori Ariyoshi of Japan to concede a penalty during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. c*x/Getty Images)

(Credit: AP / Jeff McIntosh)

Japan"s Saori Ariyoshi (19) and Mizuho Sakaguchi (6) celebrate after their Aya Miyama scored on a penalty shot against England during the first half of a semifinal in the FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

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England"s Fara Williams celebrates after scoring on a penalty shot against Japan during the first half of a semifinal in the FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

(Credit: Getty Images / Todd Korol)

EDMONTON, AB - JULY 1: Katie Chapman #16 of England and Azusa Iwashimizu #3 of Japan go up for a header during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Canada Semi Final match between England and Japan at Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Todd Korol/Getty Images)

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England"s Fara Williams (4) and Japan"s Mizuho Sakaguchi (6) vie for the ball during the first half of a semifinal in the FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

(Credit: Getty Images / Todd Korol)

EDMONTON, AB - JULY 1: Lucy Bronze #12 of England tries to stop the kick of Nahomi Kawasumi #9 of Japan during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Canada Semi Final match between England and Japan at Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Todd Korol/Getty Images)

(Credit: Getty Images / Kevin C. c*x)

EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: Laura Bassett of England in action with Shinobu Ohno of Japan during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. c*x/Getty Images)

(Credit: Getty Images / Todd Korol)

EDMONTON, AB - JULY 1: Lucy Bronze #12 of England is pulled back by Aya Miyama #8 of Japan during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Canada Semi Final match between England and Japan at Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Todd Korol/Getty Images)

(Credit: Getty Images / Kevin C. c*x)

EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: The England team line up during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. c*x/Getty Images)

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EDMONTON, AB - JULY 1: Team members from Japan pose for a team photo during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Canada Semi Final match between England and Japan at Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Todd Korol/Getty Images)

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A Japan fan watches the team warm up for a FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer semifinal against England in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

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An England fan watches the team warm up before a FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer semifinal against Japan in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

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An England fan wears his team"s jersey and also sports Canadian flags before a FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer semifinal between Japan and England in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

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A Japan fan holds flags before a FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer tournament semifinal between Japan and England in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

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EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: Japan fans soak up the atmosphere before the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

(Credit: Getty Images / Kevin C. c*x)

EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: A fan looks on during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. c*x/Getty Images)

(Credit: AP / Jeff McIntosh)

Japan fans cheer before a semifinal between Japan and England in the FIFA Women"s World Cup soccer tournament, Wednesday, July 1, 2015, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

(Credit: Getty Images / Kevin C. c*x)

EDMONTON, AB - JULY 01: Fans look on during the FIFA Women"s World Cup Semi Final match between Japan and England at the Commonwealth Stadium on July 1, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Kevin C. c*x/Getty Images)

Source: http://www.newsday.com/sports/soccer/women-s-world-cup-semifinals-japan-vs-england-pictures-1.10600067

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Why Rihanna Almost Didn"t Wear Her Show-Stopping Met Gala Dress

07/02/2015 at 11:59 AM ET

We need you to take your eyes away from Rihannas just-released NSFW music video, b***h Better Have My Money, just for a second. Because her famous Met Gala dress is also making headlines. Why? Because the designer, Chinese couturier Guo Pei, didnt want her to wear the canary yellow gown and fur-trim cape that sent the Internet into a meme-frenzy.

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The singer arrived fashionably late to the red carpet wearing the intricate designthat required the assistance of three people to help her up the famous Met steps. The look weighed 55 lbs. (thanks to the statement train-slash-cape) and according to Womens Wear Daily, took Pei two years to make.

RELATED PHOTOS: Last Nights Look: Love It or Leave It? Vote Now!

And, of course, itended up being the most talked-about style moment (really, people were comparing it to pizza, Big Bird, scrambled eggs and more) atthe star-studded event. But Pei said she was surprised the look got so much attention. I actually didnt think the dress was the right one for her, shetold WWD. I thought it would be too heavy and too hot, but she was so touched the moment she put it on.

Before collaborating on the design with Rihanna, Pei was relatively unknown in the West, but is working on expanding her business internationally, with an exhibit this month at Paris Muse des Arts Dcoratifs. She alsorecently launched a Parisian boutique that caters to Western tastes.

RELATED VIDEO: Did Rihanna Steal Her Latest Song #BBHMM?

Rihanna is also expanding her fashion design chops with an accessories line called $CHOOL KIlls set to feature bags and purses with a launch date still TBD.

What do you think of the Peis comments? Do you think the dress was a good choice for Rihanna? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Colleen Kratofil

Source: http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2015/07/02/rihanna-met-gala-2015-guo-pei-dress/

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Dukes of Hazzard Reruns Pulled From TV Land Schedule Amid Confederate ...

File Photo: The "Dukes of Hazzard" General Lee car is displayed at the Barris Star Car Collection Auction at the Petersen Automotive Museum on May 13, 2005 in Los Angeles, California.

The Dukes of Hazzard are done...for now.

TV Land has pulled all reruns of the 80s series from its schedule, just one week after Warner Bros. "elected to cease the licensing" of replicas and models of the show"s iconic, Confederate flag-laden car, the General Lee, E! News has confirmed.

The flag has been thrown into sharp focus in the wake of the tragic Charleston church massacre, with many, including South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, calling for its removal from the Charleston statehouse due to its racist roots.

Retailers like Walmart also announced they would be taking the flag off their shelves, and even "Scandal"s" Papa Pope (Joe Morton) appeared on "The Nightly Show" to weigh in on the continued use of the flag, saying, "You think you love this country, what you love is that corruption of the red, white and blue you call valor. What you love is the satisfaction that mess brings when people feel they need to give that flag some credence like it stands for something more than hate."

MORE: Dukes of Hazzard star Ben Jones defends the use of the confederate flag

The General Lee, with a Confederate flag painted on the top, is perhaps the show"s biggest and most recognizable item, aside from Daisy Duke"s short shorts, and while many are on board with the decision to discontinue the car"s merchandising, the show"s stars do not seem to agree.

Ben Jones, who played Cooter on the series and is currently the proprietor of a Dukes of Hazzard museum called Cooter"s Place, weighed in on Facebook with a lengthy post explaining that his museum will continue to carry and sell the flag, saying, "I think all of Hazzard Nation understands that the confederate battle flag is the symbol that represents the indomitable spirit of independence which keeps us "makin" our way the only way we know how. That flag on top of the General Lee made a statement that the values of the rural south were the values of courage and family and good times."

In an interview with THR, Dukes star John Schneider also defended the show"s use of the flag. "I take exception to those who say that the flag on the General Lee should always be considered a symbol of racism," Schneider said. "Is the flag used as such in other applications? Yes, but certainly not on the Dukes. If the flag was a symbol of racism, then Bo and Luke and Daisy and Uncle Jesse were a pack of wild racists and that could not be further from the truth."

The Dukes of Hazzard ran from 1979 to 1985 on CBS.

PHOTOS: More of TV"s biggest scandals

Published at 4:20 AM PDT on Jul 2, 2015

Copyright E! Online

Source: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/Dukes-of-Hazzard-Reruns-Pulled-From-TV-Land-Confederate-Flag-311303431.html

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Here"s what"s trending: Another shark attack; Bill Cosby; Macy"s dumps Trump

There"s no need to ever feel left out again at the water cooler conversation. Here"s a rundown of the stories currently trending in the world, the country and your backyard.

Here"s what"s trending

Another attack: A 68-year-old man was bitten by a shark Wednesday in waters off North Carolina"s Outer Banks. It was the seventh recorded attack for the state"s coastal waters, according to officials. The man was bitten in his ribcage, lower leg, hip and both hands.

Episcopalians vote yes: At their general convention in Salt Lake City, Episcopalians voted to allow church weddings for same-s*x couples. The weddings will begin in churches after Nov. 1. While the vote allows for marriages to take place, bishops can prohibit the ceremonies in their diocese, and clergy are allowed refuse to perform the services.

In this Nov. 6, 2013 file photo, comedian Bill Cosby performs at the Stand Up for Heroes event at Madison Square Garden. (John Minchillo/Invision/AP, File)

Bill Cosby not charged: Comedian Bill Cosby, who has been accused of sexual assault by more than two dozen women, will not face charges in New Jersey on allegations brought by one of those women. Lili Bernard, who met Cosby when she appeared on "The Cosby Show" in 1992, claimed Cosby drugged and assaulted her. Prosecutors in Atlantic City say they have ended their investigation into the claims and that no charges will be filed against Cosby.

Macy"s dumps Trump: Macy"s has announced that they are ending their relationship with Donald Trump over comments he made about Mexican immigrants. The company issued a statement that read in part, "We are disappointed and distressed by recent remarks about immigrants from Mexico. ... In light of statements made by Donald Trump, we have decided to discontinue our business relationship." Fixing prices:The Justice Department is investigating several airlines over claims they coordinated the supply of seats on flights, an important factor in determining fares. American, United, Delta and Southwest have all confirmed that they are part of the investigation and all the airlines say they are cooperating, according to the Wall Street Journal.

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Source: http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/07/heres_whats_trending_another_s_1.html

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Phoenix Suns Serious Contenders For Free Agent LaMarcus Aldridge

The Phoenix Suns have emerged as serious contenders in the bid to sign top free agent power forward LaMarcus Aldridge. The team made a strong pitch to the 29-year-old All-Star, who is reportedly seeking a team that can best offer a run at an NBA championship.

Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough pulled the surprise move of the summer by adding free agent Tyson Chandler, the shot-blocking center that Aldridge is reportedly enamored with. Phoenix is pitching its run-and-gun system, which seems tailor-made for the finesse and steady play of Aldridge. If things go the Suns" way, coach Jeff Hornacek will have a bonafide superstar who will anchor the team"s half-court offense. This was apparently what impressed the Portland Trail Blazers superstar the most, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

All of a sudden, they get an agreement with Chandler today, and McDonough marches Chandler into his meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge and says, "Here you go." And then things got serious between Aldridge and the Suns. They were really a secondary team. That changed today," Wojnarowski said.

The Suns now join the San Antonio Spurs and Trail Blazers as front-runners to sign Aldridge. The free agent forward already met with the Spurs, who used their championship charm to entice the free agent, including a meeting with coach Gregg Popovich. The Spurs traded center Tiago Splitter to the Atlanta Hawks to free up cap space to sign a max player in the mold of Aldridge. With Tim Duncan leaning toward staying an extra year and Manu Ginobili still on the fence about returning, the five-time NBA champion Spurs hope to add another weapon and a future franchise player once Duncan retires.

Aldridge still has scheduled talks with the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors after already meeting with Western Conference suitors such as the Suns, Spurs, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers. He is expected to make his decision by the weekend or next week.

Source: http://www.ibtimes.com/phoenix-suns-serious-contenders-free-agent-lamarcus-aldridge-1993431

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