The shock of Timbaland Presents: Shock Value has turned to awe after spinning off three consecutive #1 hits. Set to be the fourth is "Scream" featuring Keri Hilson and Nicole Scherzinger.

Well Readers,

After seeing "darling" used twice on forums this week with a new derogatory meaning, I am still avoiding my traditional opening in case anyone should take it as an unsuitable salutatory address. I do hope this new usage is only temporary, a short-term fad, and the word not in danger of suffering any permanent added or change of definition as that would be sad. However such has happened before to words, "gay" is an example, where they have changed almost overnight. In this instance, just imagine what such a change might do to all those treasured romantic love-letters of yesteryear. "My Dearest Darling" becomes a bit of a travesty when interpreted along the lines of: "My Dearest Well-Shafted Glove-Puppet", doesn't it? One has to admit there is a certain loss of endearment, but that's life, and I suppose we must carry on.

As John Roberts, the Chief Justice administered the oath of office, green slime began to ooze fron the eyes of President Rudy Giuliani. The crowd gasped in horror as horns sprung from the President's head and children ran screaming for their lives. "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country", chuckled the Devil in Chief.

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today after Senate Republican Whip Trent Lott (Miss.) announced that he will step down before serving out the remainder of his term:

"As the person often credited with building the modern whip organization in the House, Trent's many contributions to this chamber are difficult to fully appraise -- but impossible to ignore. He often talked about his service in this House with great affection. Indeed, his 16 years here were enormously important to this chamber -- and enormously influential on how the House would come to be run once he left for the Senate.

One Sunday after morning worship, a man in our congregation handed me a prayer letter from his daughter and her family. They were missionaries in Africa, and he wanted as many people as possible to pray for them. "Sure, I’ll lift them up," I said politely, sticking the letter in my Bible, where it remained, pressed between the Old Testament prophets and an old bulletin.

One Sunday after morning worship, a man in our congregation handed me a prayer letter from his daughter and her family. They were missionaries in Africa, and he wanted as many people as possible to pray for them. "Sure, I’ll lift them up," I said politely, sticking the letter in my Bible, where it remained, pressed between the Old Testament prophets and an old bulletin.

I look in the mirror

At the lines on my face where she used to make me laugh,

I see before me the sun, which used to rise in hers,

What were the best 60 songs of 2006? The VIBE Editors have made their list -- and now, you can see, hear and comment on their choices exclusively on VIBE.com.

We're just getting started

The VIBE 60 comes out this week - counting down by 12 songs each weekday - leading up to Friday, December 15, when VIBE's #1 song of the year will be revealed.

Have you ever had a friend hit you with the classic word trap, "Have you stopped beating your wife?" Answer yes or answer no, and you incriminate yourself. This joke is based on the technique of using an implicit premise. While it may get a laugh, it is also used by politicians as more than a joke.

Political manipulation is most effectively accomplished when you control the framework in which others can argue and, ultimately, think. For example, if you want to get your viewpoint accepted without openly debating it, you make it an assumption, a premise for any other debates. Not only will you win the public over to your view, but you will effectively exclude the possibility of any serious opposition.