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Wal-Mart Deal A Mistake, 'Boss' Says

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 1, 2009

The Boss is owning up to a mistake.

In an interview with The New York Times, Bruce Springsteen says he shouldn't have made a deal with Wal-Mart. Last month, the store started exclusively selling a Springsteen greatest-hits CD.

Some fans were critical because Springsteen has been a longtime supporter of workers' rights, and Wal-Mart has faced criticism for its labor practices. Springsteen's team didn't vet the issue as closely as it should have, and he "dropped the ball on it," he told the Times for a story to be published in today's editions and previewed on its Web site.

Springsteen went on to say: "It was a mistake. Our batting average is usually very good, but we missed that one. Fans will call you on that stuff, as it should be."

"Millions of Springsteen fans have counted on Wal-Mart over the years to deliver his music into their lives, and we will continue to offer those fans this 'Greatest Hits' exclusive and his other popular albums at unbeatable prices," Wal-Mart said in a statement.

Springsteen released "Working on a Dream" last week and is performing the halftime show at today's Super Bowl.

Spears Obtains Restraining Order

Britney Spears has obtained a restraining order against former pal Osama "Sam" Lutfi and one-time boyfriend Adnan Ghalib, court records show.

Attorneys for Spears and her father, who is her legal conservator, received the order Friday. The documents state that Lutfi, Ghalib and lawyer Jon Eardley have been trying to gain control of Spears' affairs.

"The co-conservators are informed and believe that these three figures are working in concert to disrupt the conservatorship, with an utter disregard for Ms. Spears' health and well being," the documents state.
Lutfi was a manager and friend of Spears, whose mother once accused him of grinding pills into her food to control her. Ghalib, a paparazzo, had dated the singer.

The temporary order forbids Lutfi, Ghalib and Eardley from having contact with Spears, her parents and her children. A hearing on whether to extend the order is scheduled for this month.

The documents claim that Lutfi tried to contact Spears in late December by sending text messages to her hairdresser. The documents state Lutfi later started sending text messages to Spears and one of her father's attorneys, trying to arrange a meeting.

The documents state that Spears continues to inform Ghalib of her travel "and that he then arranges for paparazzi to meet and film her to his financial benefit."

Geraldine Wyle, an attorney for Jamie Spears, wrote that Lutfi and Ghalib have "disappeared," and private investigators had been trying to find the pair unsuccessfully for six weeks.

Today's Birthdays

Actress Sherilyn Fenn is 44. Lisa Marie Presley is 41. Comedian-actor Pauly Shore is 41. Actor Michael C. Hall is 38. Rapper Big Boi (Outkast) is 34. Country singer Julie Roberts is 30. TV personality Lauren Conrad is 23.

Source: The Associated Press

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