In preparation for the December auction of various items from the 55,000-square-foot rental property in the heart of Los Angeles where Michael Jackson spent his last days, the Julien’s auction house allowed the Today show inside for a tour.

Take a tour of his inner sanctum, previously off limits to everyone, including his kids and security. As for the auction, Inquisitr reported it here as well.

Take a Tour of the Rented Mansion Where Michael Jackson Died (Video) is a post from: The Inquisitr

Think of the kids and dump all that soda from the fridge right now before they go all Natural Born Killer on you.

Well, okay maybe it’s not that bad but according to a new study conducted by David Hemingway and Sara Solnick where they followed 1,878 Boston high school students and kept track of their soft drink consumption they found that students that drank more than 5 non-diet soda a week were 9-15% more likely to turn aggressive.

They go on to state in the paper that heavy use of carbonated non-diet soft drinks was significantly associated with carrying a gun or knife, and that violence towards their peers, family members. Now the two researchers didn’t come right out and say that over consuming soda drinks leads to violent behavior but they did note that the “soda-violence” boost remained after factoring out things like race, age, body mass, tobacco  and drug use.

Now before you fall off your chair laughing yourself silly, which I have already done twice while trying to write this post, the researchers say that there is still a lot more studying to be done before they can come to any conclusive conclusion when it comes to soda influenced violence; but you can read what they have found out so far over here.

via Geekosystem

All that soda could be turning our kids violent says new study is a post from: The Inquisitr

First it was cigarettes after all they are suppose to be responsible for being a drain on the healthcare system and such an easy target (even though in 2007-2008 cigarette taxes netted the Canadian government $11 billion). Not that the health-cost door has been opened it now makes way for all kinds of things to start being the next great tax pig at the trough.

Right now in the US the debate is going on about how a 7 cent take on soda pop could net individual states with billions of extra money

The Center for Science in the Public Interest believes that many states might be able to close gaps in their budgets by placing a tax on soda and other sugary drinks.

The health advocacy group released a study this week that estimates budget-strapped states — including California — could generate a combined $10 billion a year by levying a tax of 7 cents per 12-ounce can of Coke or other beverage. Currently, 25 states impose special taxes on sugary drinks.

The group, which is lobbying for such taxes and has suggested a national excise tax on sugared drinks, said raising the price of the beverages would reduce consumption. It believes that would lower the incidence of obesity, diabetes and other costly chronic diseases.

Source: LA Times – Soda tax could close states’ budget gaps, health advocacy group says

Of course there is the big incentive – the same as when cigarette smokers were made out to be the worst thing to happen since Genghis Khan – people’s health. After all we all know how drinking all that sugared carbonated crap is the cause of so many of our health woes. One has to wonder though if these are the types of excuses being used to tell us what we can put into our bodies how long will it be before we see an additional McDonalds tax or a KFC tax after all aren’t all those foods just as responsible for obesity and just about any other health woe you want to name.

Interestingly enough the opponents to such taxes see it as yet another form of government intrusion on personal choice. Funny they never said that when it came t o smoking.

The next tax cash cow – anything bad for your health is a post from: The Inquisitr

Stacy Keach Hospitalized

The details of Stacy Keach’s hospitalization have not been released: His spokesperson tells the Los Angeles Times Keach went in for an “undisclosed ailment.” He is expected to be released sometime today, according to the New York Daily News.

About Stacy Keach

Stacy Keach, 67, is currently playing the part of Richard Nixon in a touring version of “Frost/Nixon,” the play-turned-movie (and now back to being a play) about the now-infamous 1977 interview. The Ahmanson Theatre, which is behind the production, apparently got word on Tuesday that Keach would not be at the show. An understudy was set to take his place.

Keach’s on-screen career dates back 1953, when he appeared on a TV show called “Cavalcade of America.” His first credited movie role was 1958′s Joy Ride.

Actor Stacy Keach Hospitalized is a post from: The Inquisitr

Don Imus’ Prostate Cancer

Don Imus, who is 68 years old, said his prostate cancer is in what’s considered “stage two.” That indicates the cancer has not yet spread outside of the localized region. (From the National Cancer Institute: “In stage II, cancer is more advanced than in stage I, but has not spread outside the prostate. The Gleason score can range from 2-10. Stage II prostate cancer may also be called stage A2, stage B1, or stage B2 prostate cancer.”)

“The prognosis couldn’t be better,” Imus said.

“I have great confidence in my doctors. I’ll be fine. If I’m not fine, then I won’t be fine. And it’s not a big deal.”

Imus has seen his share of controversy over the years. He was fired from CBS Radio following his comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team in 2007 (he referred to them as “nappy-headed hos”). He has since moved his program over to the ABC Radio Network.

Don Imus Battling Prostate Cancer is a post from: The Inquisitr

Crystal McCahill Arrest

Crystal McCahill was arrested in January when police say she drove through a red light in Chicago, according to police reports obtained by local media outlets. McCahill, who was said to be driving a 2005 Volkswagon Passat, was listed as having more than twice the legal blood-alcohol limit.

The police report, as cited in the Sun-Times, indicates that McCahill “mumbled” and had a “strong odor” of alcohol on her breath, along with “red-bloodshot and glassy eyes.” She is listed as telling police she had “three shots at Climax,” a nightclub where she said she works.

Crystal McCahill, 25, is scheduled to be Playboy’s Miss May. She has also appeared on the E! reality show “The Girls Next Door.”

Crystal McCahill Mugshot

Playboy’s Crystal McCahill Arrested on DUI Charges [MUGSHOT] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Robin Williams in the Hospital

Robin Williams reportedly went to the intensive care unit at a hospital in the area after complaining of shortness of breath. Doctors recommended he take a full week of rest, the Los Angeles Times learned.

Williams, 57, has been touring with his “Weapons of Self Destruction” show since September. The show is set to go through 80 different cities.

As of now, Williams is scheduled to take the stage in Jacksonville, Fla. next Monday.

Robin Williams Hospitalized Over Heart Trouble is a post from: The Inquisitr

Ed McMahon has struggled with bone cancer and related complications for some time. His current hospitalization is said to be related to pneumonia and “other medical problems.”

“It’s serious,” a spokesperson tells Reuters. “He’s an 85-year old man with a number of medical issues going on.”

McMahon’s 86th birthday is next week. As for where he is hospitalized, his representatives indicate only that he is not at Los Angeles’s Cedars-Sinai, a facility against which he currently has a medical malpractice suit pending.

McMahon is best known for his role on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson, as well as his later gig as the host of “Star Search.”

Ed McMahon Hospitalized, Condition Said to be “Extremely Serious” is a post from: The Inquisitr