you remember on your show in the 1990s when i made the sensational claim that we had proof that whitney houston was being threatened by her drug dealer with death because she wasn't paying for her drugs that was before anybody knew that whitney was taking drugs. all this was borne out because whitney admitted she had been taking drugs since 1992. when she died her yearly intake of drugs was $230,000 and there were numerous cases not just that we claimed of h her being approached by drug dealers and threatened with physical harm and death and in one case bobby brown was kidnapped. there was a whole book written about this incident. he was kidnapped by a gang called the preacher gang and they tied him up naked, beat him, tortured him, pointed guns at his head and then had him call whitney and say you better bring $400,000 or we are going to kill your boyfriend. >> rod wheeler, former well known homicide. dick, you tell is us, what do you think of the credibility of the allegations you heard so far? what is most fascinating to me. those hotels the beverly hilton hotel has surveillance cameras ever

nearly a year ago whitney houston was found dead in a hotel with traces of cocaine in her system. sissy is expected to sit down with oprah winfrey next week for the first in-depth interview since the death of whitney houston. >>> beyonce will be joand which destiny -- joined by her destiny child band mates. michelle williams defended beyonce after she was criticized for singing to a track during the inauguration. >> that was a big moment for her and i wish people would let it go. >> booion say will -- beyonce will also perform solo at halftime superbowl show. >>> ringing true in maryland for the zoo. how they are battling the cold and keeping the animals safe. >> a work of art fit for the ravens. we will so you a gorgeous mural a artist has been work on for months now showing off our purple pride. >> reporter: good morning. topping america's money changing of the guard. today is tim geithner's final day as treasury secretary. meanwhile president obama wants former federal prosecutor mary joe white to head the sec. kia motors is putting 200 million to compensate owners admitting --

and we pay tribute to the late adrienne rich, whitney houston, and mark the centennial the birth of woody guthrie. all of that and more coming up. this is "democracy now!," democracynow.org, the war and peace report. i'm amy goodman. today, and a "democracy now!" special, looking back at 2012. we look at art, culture, and resistance. we begin with rattle robinson, founder and past president of transafrica, a law professor at pennsylvania state university, most recent book "makada" said at the dawn of the civil rights era following a young man coming of age in segregated richmond, virginia. through his blind grandmother and her visions, he discovers her his race and africa. he came to our studios on the eve of dr. king's birthday to talk about his new novel. he lives now in st. kitts. >> when i was a child growing up in richmond, virginia, we were called negros. no one i knew we were called that. no one knew the province of that word. it had no connection to what we might have been before we were blocked from review by that lethal, opaque space of slavery. so we did not know anything about

she is now recovering comfortably at a new york hospital and hopes to go home soon. >>> whitney houston'sr documents her fight with the drug war in her memoir. in the book sissy houston questions whether or not she could have saved her daughter. nearly a year ago whitney houston was found drowned in hotel bathtub with traces of cocaine in her system. sissy is expected to sit down with oprah within fry later this week for the first -- winfrey later this week for the first in-depth interview the since her daughter death. >>> new way now to display missing children making it much more visible. >> stay with us. we will tell you what state is using tractor trailers to reunite more families with missing loved ones. >> and boy scouts are changing with the times and an about face of a long held policy means a sweeping change for who makes up the troops. >> reporter: topping america's money, another union sees clear skies for an american airlines merger. the transport workers union agreed to terms if there's a deal with u.s. airways. giving the groundworkers a raise if there's merger. pilots and f

dick clark, the eternal teenager, and the tragic loss of whitney houston. tell you're angry about what's happened here. the blame game has begun. boowt of peleantola l opeleantola haou? >> it's everything. all a package. all a package. everything comes together, i think. but for me, the fans are one of the biggest things for me. i really enjoy just going out and performing for the fans. the energy that they give me. >> when we return, so many scandals. and one interview that went right off the rail. yes, i'm looking at you, robert blake. >> it's not about me, is it? >> yes, it is. because you open that door, charlie potatoes. i'm not going to sit here and let you or anybody else kick [ bleep ] out of me without defending myself. and you can take that to the [ bleep ] bank, charlie. if you want to show me the door, that's fine, too. >>> three big names. a scandal in tabloid headlines. each told me their sordid stories, only one had me actually fearing for my safety. here's a moment from an interview like none i have ever done before and i hope i don't have t

it makes you happy ok well how they were talking about whitney houston's death i don't know what she got a lot of hits on you tube it was a lot of. yeah she saw a lot of albums afterwards you know it's it's the old adage you want to be successful you should die ok and elizabeth what do you think about the list i just read out. i am a great believer in soft power i'm a great believer in what graham she called the superstructure to culture popular culture i have found it in culture which i haven't and i think these things matter to people i think especially the fact that you can share. videos on you tube music . and that you can discuss this with people on social networks i think that actually matters and i think politicians don't always follow i was fascinated by the fact that though some do and for instance the the last israeli operation in gaza was also fought on the thought of the social network where you hand on the one side you had the hamas with the same brigade twitter account and the i.d.f. twitter account and they were. sending out different thoughts and i think if we mis

we just heard from whitney houston's mom yesterday, and she -- >> she has that new book coming out. >brown and how he didn't help with whitney's drug situation. now we're hearing from her brother michael who says he is the one who started her on the path to taking drugs, which is remarkable because everyone blamed bobby brown. listen to the interview that he gave to oprah winfrey. >> did you introduce her to drugs? >> i would say yes. >> people thought bobby brown was the one that introduced the drugs. but she was already doing drugs by the time she met bobby brown? >> yeah, yeah. bobby was -- yeah, he was after. i felt responsible, i always have. i feel like i should have taken better care of her. >> that's got to be hard for mom to listen to that. >> and look at sissy, look at mom listening to the fact that one child was responsible for introducing the other child to drugs. i mean, i think that's remarkable. and oprah, she still gets these incredible interviews. people talk to the oracle. so really i think just shed light on the entire whitney houston thing. another layer of pain fo

it has been nearly a year since the tragic death of whitney houston. we'll talk to cissy houston in a moment. first the highlights of whitney's incredible career. ♪ one moment in time >> she was called, quite simply, the voice. ♪ when i'm race iing with desti♪ >> with her vast arsenal of soulful ballads. ♪ where do broken hearts go >> and top hits. ♪ there's a boy i know >> it's easy to understand why whitney houston was the most honored female artist of all time. at the pinnacle of her career, she also starred in box office hits. ♪ will always love you i ♪ ♪ didn't we almost have it all >> but behind all that profound talent there was a troubled marriage to singer bobby brown and drug abuse. her musical legacy will not soon be forgotten. ♪ >> cissy houston's new book is called "remembering whitney:a mother's story of life, loss and the night the music stopped." i see you smile when you look at those images. >> i have a lot of smiles for her. she's great. >> so many people loved your daughter from afar. but she was your little girl. >> not as much as i

dick clark, the eternal teenager, and the tragic loss of whitney houston. >> i can tell you're angrys happened here. the blame game has begun. a lot of people want to blame bobby brown. a lot of people want to blame the music business. some people want to blame everyone. what do you think? >> well, it's all of the above and a whole lot more. but it boils down to you. you know, i was introduced to certain people and to certain opportunities to use recreational drugs, and it boils down to whether i want to do it or not. and she was a strong-willed, strong-minded girl. and i can't say that it's anybody's fault. >> would she have ever gone down that route, do you think, without bobby brown in her life? >> well, if not him, somebody else. if she wants to get high, if you want to get high, you're going to get high. >> do you think she had that tendency anyway? >> i think that we all as artists, because we're highly sensitive people, and this machine around us, this so-called music industry is such a demonic thing, it sacrifices people's lives and their essences at the drop of a dime. >> wh

. >>> coming up, remembering two of the biggest names in music, whitney houston and dick clark. >> thisbeaver that bit your hand? >> not the same beaver, but exactly like this. here, touch the beaver. >> no. [ horse neighs ] hold up partner. prilosec isn't for fast relief. try alka-seltzer. kills heartburn fast. yeehaw! at legalzoom, we've created a better place to handle your legal needs. maybe you have questions about incorporating a business you'd like to start. or questions about protecting your family with a will or living trust. and you'd like to find the right attorney to help guide you along, answer any questions and offer advice. with an "a" rating from the better business bureau legalzoom helps you get personalized and affordable legal protection. in most states, a legal plan attorney is available with every personalized document to answer any questions. get started at legalzoom.com today. and now you're protected. get started at legalzoom.com today. i've always had to keep my eye on her... but, i didn't always watch out for myself. with so much noise about health care... i tu

john: after michael jackson and whitney houston sales went up sharply. michael jackson occupied the top three the week he died also more than 40 times the previous week whitney houston sold 600 copies than 64,000 the next week. >> all of a sudden people think they need to get it. there is nothing for the company to do. >> they want to buy when the star dies. they sold the movie rights, the musical rights, they made half a billion dollars since his death. the have to market that be sensitive that they cannot look empathetic. john: and on the story of how puerto rico began with john d. rockefeller -- rockefeller 1914. there was a man named ledbetter he realized if he had a press release the media would report to on what he said. what he suggested to rockefeller was carried a bunch of times in your pocket and hand them out. we will make sure the photographers are there. then they will not see you as a man who takes of bubble bath with cash. john: today they would. >> it is a much different environment. >> they are more parsimonious today but he also said te

. >>> coming up, remembering two of the biggest names in music, whitney houston and dick clark. >> thisbeaver that bit your hand? >> not the same beaver, but exactly like this. here, touch the beaver. >> no. [ male announcer ] break the grip of back or arthritis pain with odor free aspercreme. powerful medicine relieves pain fast, with no odor. so all you notice is relief. aspercreme. >>> the world lost some beloved entertainers this year, from larry hagman and andy griffith to davy jones of the monkees and adam yauch of the beastie boys, but two stand out, dick clark, the eternal teenager, and the tragic loss of whitney houston. >>> i can tell you're angry about what's happened here. the blame game has begun. a lot of people want to blame bobby brown, a lot of people want to blame the music business, some people want to blame everyone. what do you think? >> well, it's all of the above and a whole lot more, but it boils down to you. you know, i was introduced to certain people and to certain opportunities to -- to use recreational drugs, and it boils down to whether i want to do it or n

give you a contract by the end of the week. >>> whitney houston back in the news. book coming out by her mother, cissy houston. she said she kind of wanted to put it out there so people didn't think the worst about her daughter. believe it or not, we're coming up on the one-year anniversary of whitney houston. remember that? it was the night before the grammys out there in beverly hills. but she reveals a few interesting details. one of which is the -- we've all talked about the impact bobby brown had on her life. according to the book, she says i do believe her life would have turned out differently. it would have been easier for her to get sober and stay sober. instead, she was with someone that wanted to party. to me, he never seemed to be a help to her in the way she needed. she has no contact with bobby brown these days. and she points out that whitney could be mean and difficult and in one line even said in my darkest moments i wondered whether she loved me. she always told me she did, but she didn't call me much or see me as much as i hoped she would. so a v

didn't whitney houston tell you, crack is whack. put it away, justin.houston tell you, crack is whack. put it away, justin. like it has for so many people before. when taking lunesta, don't drive or operate machinery until you feel fully awake. walking, eating, driving, or engaging in other activities while asleep, without remembering it the next day, have been reported. lunesta should not be taken together with alcohol. abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations, or confusion. in depressed patients, worsening of depression, including risk of suicide, may occur. alcohol may increase these risks. allergic reactions such as tongue or throat swelling occur rarely and may be fatal. side effects may include unpleasant taste, headache, dizziness, and morning drowsiness. ask your doctor if lunesta is right for you. then find out how to get lunesta for as low as fifteen dollars at lunesta.com. there's a land of restful sleep. we can help you go there on the wings of lunesta. let's get a recap, merv. [ merv ] thanks, other merv. mr.

john: after michael jackson and whitney houston sales went up sharply. michael jackson occupied the top three the week he died also more than 40 times the previous week whitney houston sold 600 copies than 64,000 the next week. >> all of a sudden people think they need to get it. there is nothing for the company to do. >> they want to buy when the star dies. they sold the movie rights, the musical rights, they made half a billion dollars since his death. the have to market that be sensitive that they cannot look empathetic. john: and on the story of how puerto rico began with john d. rockefeller -- rockefeller 1914. there was a man named ledbetter he realized if he had a press release th media would report to on what he said. what he suggested to rockefeller was carried a bunch of times in your pocket and hand them out. we will make sure the photographers are there. then they will not see you as a man who takes of bubble bath with cash. john: today they would. >> it is a much different environment. >> they are more parsimonious today but he also said tel

whitney houston died february 11th in a hotel bathtub the night before the grammys awards.uston's drowning was accidental with drug and alcohol use as contributing factors. >>> coming up at 6:00, losing weight and getting in shape is the most popular new year's resolution. and same-sex marriages are now legal in the state of maryland. how several couples are exercising their new rights. those stories and more coming up at six. now a preview of what's ahead at 6:30. >> losing weight is tough enough, especially after the holidays, but this diet warning may help you drop those stubborn pounds. what to look north next time -- for the next time. >>> okay. i'm an advocate for greasy food for a hangover, but this a huge bur gemplet an australian man created this hangover burger. but he includes fried eggs, bacon and it tipped the scales at 220-pounds and served as a new year's day stack for more than a dozen australians. yikes. >>> we saw dozens of copycat performances of it but the reign of gangnam style will be coming to an end. he performed during dick clark's rockin' new year'

. >>> and the mother of late superstar whitney houston opens up about life, loss, and her daughter's legacy. >>> now, keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports, and much more. i'm richard lui along with bill karins. thank you very much for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a terrific day. >>> welcome to the big easy. the niners are arrive in new orleans. >>> with them through it all the fan who gets the invite of a lifetime. meet the man handpicked to cheer his 49ers to victory live against the ravens. >>> san jose flyers scrambling to rebook flights as investigation into boeing's 787 dreamliner continues. >>> a live look into the galaxy. a spectacular shot of a full moon. how about that to energize your day. good way to start your week on this monday, january 28th. this is "today in the bay." >>> good monday morning. just about 4:31. thanks for joining us. i'm jon kelley. >> i'm laura garcia-cannon. lots to get to this morning. let's check the forecast now with meteorologist christina loren. good monday m

i could be wrong so -- >> jon: you are going to whitney houston 1991. >> she was also record.y loved it. it was a huge hit, but i think it was, too. >> jon: i would also think as somebody who dances as well you have to do that sometimes because you are running around and you are out of breathe unless right now asking that question: i'm winded. [ laughter ] >> right. sometimes. you do. all performers have to do it at some point. yeah. >> jon: me as well. >> you record the jokes just in case. >> jon: no, nobody cares. we prerecord the heckles. [ laughter ] what about this? back to the action. when do you -- or maybe you don't sleep. you are coming off the world tour. you are doing the movies you have -- what is it twins? >> yes, i have twins. >> jon: how old are the twins? >> they are going to be five next month. they are getting so big. >> jon: how do you go on a world tour with two kids? do they go with you? >> yes. i had never been on a world tour. i toward but never the whole entire world. his to sign on for like seven months. and the thought of just doing the tour for me wa

all haters came out. 3.5 million with whitney houston's daughter.t back down to what her normal rating was. they said what it showed people could find the channel when she had something good on but they chose not to go there. that's the danger. >> i hate to go glass half empty but, let's remember that her daily talk show for 20 years, she got 6 or 7 million viewers every day for a regular show. she gets 3.2 million when she has the biggest interview in all of journal i'll? only guy we want to hear more from is manti te'o. melissa: that would have been even better. i thought it took a little thunder out what she was doing but maybe not. i'm reading what is the problem? why are people not finding this channel. yeah it is way up there. i don't know. you find it and once you lock in and maybe you're there and they're going away. people don't feel as connected to her anymore. they don't see her. her q is high. >> bingo. still beloved but not connected the way. they used to watch her every single day. this shows only airs prime time once a week. what the

. >>> did whitney houston's brother introduce her to drugs? >>

. >>> the mother of whitney houston is releasing a book about the life of her daughter. she talks about the star's childhood and her drug problem and convenientual death. >>> and daredevil nick lawendy will back across u.s. highway 41 without a safety harness. he's done it before in othercities including here in baltimore. >>> droik around parts of minnesota was treacherous with the roads covered in snow, ice and sleet. the conditions played a big role in the crashes they dealt with there. no one was seriously injured but dozens required medical attention. the accidents included three jackknife tractor trailers andand one that was a situation there and we saw nasty roads and today it's about the fog. >> it could have been worse when you see the video. but you reach in and pull it out and here is what we are dealing with today. >> we have the fog this morning. and we do have some thunderstorms that are going to be on the way. but in the men time take it easy on the the roadways and clouds hovering and temperatures are on the mild side. i must say. we have a warm front tha

one of the most famous renditions, whitney houston at super bowl 25 was lip-synched, too. ♪ and the rocket'seporter: some people are speculating beyonce was actually using something called a backing track. in big venues and unpredictable conditions, singers often use it to guide a live performance, a version they hear in their ear piece so they can sing along. why hasn't she said one way or the other? >> because my guess is they probably did have a prerecorded track in the back, and to try to explain that and break it down, it almost sounds like she's making excuses. >> reporter: the track recorded in a studio can sound a lot more polished than what's coming out onstage. isolating a singer's live mic can be cruel sport in the youtube era. these are supposedly clips of britney spears in las vegas. >> i, barack hussein obama do solemnly swear. >> reporter: of course, an inauguration is no mere performance. this is a national ritual. >> preserve, protect, and defend. >> reporter: an occasion built around a president's solemn promise. this is supposed to be history, not show biz. but history is

. ♪ and i >> from music icon whitney houston to disco queen donna summer to robin gibbs. >> the starsho touched our lives. the stars we'll never

. >>> coming up monday on "today," an exclusive live interview with whitney houston's mother, cissy.erview since losing her daughter. >>> a man living rent free in a florida mansion, and it's all legal. kerry sanders is in boca raton, florida. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, willie. the house behind me here is valued at $2.5 million. and a 23-year-old has figured out a way to live here rent free and mortgage free. he reportedly has been here the last six months and despite the fact that neighbors have been complaining, it appears there's very little they can do to get him out. andre barbosa is living in style, calling this 7,500-square-foot mansion in florida home. the foreclosed house is complete with a spiral staircase, gourmet kitchen, marble floors, five bedrooms, six bathrooms and stunning waterfront views. neighbors are not happy. and they want him kicked out. >> he's a squatter. and that can pull a neighborhood down faster than anything. >> reporter: last month barbosa filed paperwork with the county, claiming what is called adverse possession. legal experts say he ma

the much-praised whitney houston performance, the super bowl performance of the national anthem in '91hs after that, whitney did a concert returning from the gulf war and did an acappella performance of it. the performance was recorded before, half lip-synced, happen performed but brilliant no less. >> kelly clarkson said she performed live. don't know if that was a jab. access hollywood posed a question, what do you think of the lip-syncing. 72% said it's a big deal. are we making too much of this? >> yeah. it's much to do about nothing. diana ross sang live for her super bowl half time show in '96, so she might want to take a page from her and have a moment for the super bowl. >> something told me you would sneak diana ross in. >> you knew i would. >> thank you very much, patrick riley. >>> moving to other entertainment news. bradley cooper may want to start training now. the oscar-nominated actor has said he's very interested in playing lance armstrong in the film adapt take of the upcoming book "cycle of lies." cooper thinks armstrong is fascinating character. >>> colombian shakira