Many 22-year-olds head for spring break at the end of March. Ben Roethlisberger will go to Afghanistan and Iraq, where life is no day at the beach.
Roethlisberger, the Steelers' sensational rookie quarterback last season, will join a small group of NFL players on a nine-day USO tour of Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait at the end of the month. The group will visit military troops and help open the Pat Tillman Center, a USO facility in Afghanistan funded by the NFL.
"I'm looking forward to that," Roethlisberger said yesterday as he completed a second full week of workouts at the Steelers' UPMC facility.
"I'm excited to go over and see some of the troops over there, helping us. They support us and they make what we do seem so insignificant. We're just going to try to support them and have fun with it."
The USO tour will be March 29-April 7 with its main objective to open the center in honor of Tillman, a player who left the Arizona Cardinals to join the U.S. Rangers. He was killed last year in Afghanistan.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Smoke and Mirrors
From Jason Stark of ESPN:
Another team that has looked overrated early, according to scouts following them, is the Reds."I don't see how they can possibly have enough pitching," one scout said. "I don't like the relievers they've brought in. And I don't like their starters a lot better. Milton and Ortiz are home-run machines, pitching in a bad park to be a home-run machine. And Paul Wilson is a five-inning guy. With a really deep bullpen, that rotation might work. But I don't see it."
Another team that has looked overrated early, according to scouts following them, is the Reds."I don't see how they can possibly have enough pitching," one scout said. "I don't like the relievers they've brought in. And I don't like their starters a lot better. Milton and Ortiz are home-run machines, pitching in a bad park to be a home-run machine. And Paul Wilson is a five-inning guy. With a really deep bullpen, that rotation might work. But I don't see it."
Friday, March 11, 2005
The PBGC Is Busy
I fear we're going to see a lot more of this:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The agency that backs corporate pensions said Friday it was taking over United Airlines' pension plan for ground employees, saying the plan operated by the bankrupt airline was only 30 percent funded.
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. said it would guarantee payment of an estimated $2.1 billion in benefits out of the plan's $2.9 billion shortfall. The plan has more than 36,000 active and retired employees, the agency said.
What's the big deal? It's a big deal because the taxpayers are picking up the tab for these company's that have underfunded pension plans...and more are on the way.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The agency that backs corporate pensions said Friday it was taking over United Airlines' pension plan for ground employees, saying the plan operated by the bankrupt airline was only 30 percent funded.
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. said it would guarantee payment of an estimated $2.1 billion in benefits out of the plan's $2.9 billion shortfall. The plan has more than 36,000 active and retired employees, the agency said.
What's the big deal? It's a big deal because the taxpayers are picking up the tab for these company's that have underfunded pension plans...and more are on the way.
When It Rains, It Pours
University of Colorado officials investigating embattled professor Ward Churchill received documents this week purporting to show that he plagiarized another professor's work. Officials at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia sent CU an internal 1997 report detailing allegations about an article Churchill wrote.
"The article . . . is, in the opinion of our legal counsel, plagiarism," Dalhousie spokesman Charles Crosby said in summarizing the report's findings.
Churchill did not return calls to his home or office Thursday seeking comment.
"The article . . . is, in the opinion of our legal counsel, plagiarism," Dalhousie spokesman Charles Crosby said in summarizing the report's findings.
Churchill did not return calls to his home or office Thursday seeking comment.
You Know It's Time To Change Schools...
...when something like this happens.
Two people were shot in a fight that apparently began across the street from Woodward High School about 9 a.m. today.
Passersby who called 911 described the incident as several teens shooting at each other.
"I was dropping off my kids at (the Phoenix Community Learning Center in Jordan Crossing) and a bunch of kids were in the parking lot by the Shell station, and they were just shooting back and forth at each other," said witness Sean Daniels. "I told my kids to duck."
"These kids were running and shooting. There was a lot of gunfire exchanged," Daniels said.
Two people were shot in a fight that apparently began across the street from Woodward High School about 9 a.m. today.
Passersby who called 911 described the incident as several teens shooting at each other.
"I was dropping off my kids at (the Phoenix Community Learning Center in Jordan Crossing) and a bunch of kids were in the parking lot by the Shell station, and they were just shooting back and forth at each other," said witness Sean Daniels. "I told my kids to duck."
"These kids were running and shooting. There was a lot of gunfire exchanged," Daniels said.
P-Man is a Star
They dedicated the new physical fitness facility at the high school to Pops yesterday. And of course, the P-Man got his mug in the paper.
Check Mate
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Former world champion Garry Kasparov said on Friday he had retired from competition chess to devote himself to Russian politics and oppose President Vladimir Putin.
The world's number one chess player is a leading member of a liberal grouping known as Committee 2008, set up by liberals after their disastrous showing in the 2003 parliamentary election.
"I have done everything I could in chess and more. Now I plan to use my intellect and strategic thoughts in Russian politics," Kasparov said in a statement, quoted by Interfax news agency.
Kasparov, 41, announced his departure after winning a prestigious tournament in the southern Spanish town of Linares for the ninth time on Thursday.
The world's number one chess player is a leading member of a liberal grouping known as Committee 2008, set up by liberals after their disastrous showing in the 2003 parliamentary election.
"I have done everything I could in chess and more. Now I plan to use my intellect and strategic thoughts in Russian politics," Kasparov said in a statement, quoted by Interfax news agency.
Kasparov, 41, announced his departure after winning a prestigious tournament in the southern Spanish town of Linares for the ninth time on Thursday.
I Like Rod Barnes
Good move by Ole Miss:
OXFORD, Miss. — Mississippi and Rod Barnes have agreed to a four-year contract which will keep him as the Rebels' coach through the 2008-09 season, the school announced Wednesday.
Terms were not disclosed.
"Rod has made positive changes in the direction of our basketball program," Ole Miss athletic director Pete Boone said. "With our recent success in recruiting and aggressive play we exhibited this year, we are seeing a resurgence of a typically coached Rod Barnes team."
Barnes is 126-92 in his seventh season at Ole Miss. He coached Ole Miss to a school-record 27 wins and led the Rebels to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament in 2001, and followed that with another NCAA berth in 2002, but Ole Miss hasn't had a winning season since.
"While we aren't pleased with our performance over the last few years, as I know our fans have not been, we have made significant strides in areas that needed improvement," Barnes said. "We will achieve the success that our coaches, players and fans expect."
The Rebels (13-16) play South Carolina (15-12) on Thursday afternoon in the first round of the SEC tournament.
OXFORD, Miss. — Mississippi and Rod Barnes have agreed to a four-year contract which will keep him as the Rebels' coach through the 2008-09 season, the school announced Wednesday.
Terms were not disclosed.
"Rod has made positive changes in the direction of our basketball program," Ole Miss athletic director Pete Boone said. "With our recent success in recruiting and aggressive play we exhibited this year, we are seeing a resurgence of a typically coached Rod Barnes team."
Barnes is 126-92 in his seventh season at Ole Miss. He coached Ole Miss to a school-record 27 wins and led the Rebels to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament in 2001, and followed that with another NCAA berth in 2002, but Ole Miss hasn't had a winning season since.
"While we aren't pleased with our performance over the last few years, as I know our fans have not been, we have made significant strides in areas that needed improvement," Barnes said. "We will achieve the success that our coaches, players and fans expect."
The Rebels (13-16) play South Carolina (15-12) on Thursday afternoon in the first round of the SEC tournament.
Are Newspapers Extinct?
It appears they're heading that way:
The Prudential Equity Group issued a biting 72-page report this morning on the state of circulation and found that both quality and quantity continue to decline.
Among other findings, the report said that "other paid" circulation was up 34% in the last reporting period, which it labeled "troubling.". . .
In the below-average category, the L.A. Times experienced an overall circulation decline of 5.6%. Full-paid home delivery was down 10.8%, much worse than the 2.4% national average, the report said. Home-delivered copies through third party sales decreased "significantly," said the report.
The report noted a curious trend at the Times regarding other-paid circulation, calling the fluctuations and changes "peculiar." As one category drops another gains, with the rough total remaining constant. "A 158% increase in discounted copies also signals to us more trouble with circulation and selling at the cover price," the report said.
The Prudential Equity Group issued a biting 72-page report this morning on the state of circulation and found that both quality and quantity continue to decline.
Among other findings, the report said that "other paid" circulation was up 34% in the last reporting period, which it labeled "troubling.". . .
In the below-average category, the L.A. Times experienced an overall circulation decline of 5.6%. Full-paid home delivery was down 10.8%, much worse than the 2.4% national average, the report said. Home-delivered copies through third party sales decreased "significantly," said the report.
The report noted a curious trend at the Times regarding other-paid circulation, calling the fluctuations and changes "peculiar." As one category drops another gains, with the rough total remaining constant. "A 158% increase in discounted copies also signals to us more trouble with circulation and selling at the cover price," the report said.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Darfur Update
Out of sight, out of mind.
Women and girls in war-ravaged Darfur are continuing to suffer a high incidence of rape and sexual violence, according to a report issued today by Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). Stories of rape survivors told to MSF are a horrific illustration of the daily reality of the ongoing violence that has displaced almost two million people in Darfur.
Between October 2004 and mid-February 2005, MSF doctors in numerous locations in South and West Darfur treated almost 500 women and girls who were raped. MSF believes that these numbers reflect only a fraction of the total number of victims because many women are reluctant to report the crime or seek treatment.
Almost a third (28%) of the rape survivors who sought treatment from MSF reported that they were raped more than once, either by single or multiple assailants. In more than half the cases, the rape was accompanied by additional physical abuse. Women told MSF that they were beaten with sticks, whips or axes before, during or after the act of rape. Some of the raped women were visibly pregnant, as much as five to eight months, at the time of the assault. The majority of survivors of rape and sexual violence tell MSF that the attacks occurred when women left the relative safety of villages and displaced camps to carry out activities indispensable of the survival of the families, such as searching for firewood or water.
81% of the 500 rape survivors treated by MSF reported being assaulted by militia or military who used their weapons to force the assault. In Darfur, as in other conflicts, rape has been a regular and deliberate tool of war. It is used to destabilize and threaten a part of the civilian population, often a particular group.
Women and girls in war-ravaged Darfur are continuing to suffer a high incidence of rape and sexual violence, according to a report issued today by Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). Stories of rape survivors told to MSF are a horrific illustration of the daily reality of the ongoing violence that has displaced almost two million people in Darfur.
Between October 2004 and mid-February 2005, MSF doctors in numerous locations in South and West Darfur treated almost 500 women and girls who were raped. MSF believes that these numbers reflect only a fraction of the total number of victims because many women are reluctant to report the crime or seek treatment.
Almost a third (28%) of the rape survivors who sought treatment from MSF reported that they were raped more than once, either by single or multiple assailants. In more than half the cases, the rape was accompanied by additional physical abuse. Women told MSF that they were beaten with sticks, whips or axes before, during or after the act of rape. Some of the raped women were visibly pregnant, as much as five to eight months, at the time of the assault. The majority of survivors of rape and sexual violence tell MSF that the attacks occurred when women left the relative safety of villages and displaced camps to carry out activities indispensable of the survival of the families, such as searching for firewood or water.
81% of the 500 rape survivors treated by MSF reported being assaulted by militia or military who used their weapons to force the assault. In Darfur, as in other conflicts, rape has been a regular and deliberate tool of war. It is used to destabilize and threaten a part of the civilian population, often a particular group.
Why Didn't Somebody Think Of This Sooner?
Muslim clerics in Spain have issued the world's first fatwa, or Islamic edict, against Osama bin Laden. According to the Associated Press, the fatwa issued on the first anniversary of the Madrid train bombings, calls bin Laden an apostate and urging others to denounce the al-Qaida leader:
The ruling was issued by the Islamic Commission of Spain, the main body representing the country's 1 million-member Muslim community. The commission represents 200 or so mostly Sunni mosques, or about 70 percent of all mosques in Spain.
[. . .]The commission's secretary general, Mansur Escudero, said the group had consulted with Muslim leaders in other countries, such as Morocco - home to most of the jailed suspects in the bombings - Algeria and Libya, and had their support.
[. . .]The fatwa said that according to the Quran "the terrorist acts of Osama bin Laden and his organization al-Qaida ... are totally banned and must be roundly condemned as part of Islam."
It added: "Inasmuch as Osama bin Laden and his organization defend terrorism as legal and try to base it on the Quran ... they are committing the crime of 'istihlal' and thus become apostates that should not be considered Muslims or treated as such." The Arabic term 'istihlal' refers to the act of making up one's own laws.
The ruling was issued by the Islamic Commission of Spain, the main body representing the country's 1 million-member Muslim community. The commission represents 200 or so mostly Sunni mosques, or about 70 percent of all mosques in Spain.
[. . .]The commission's secretary general, Mansur Escudero, said the group had consulted with Muslim leaders in other countries, such as Morocco - home to most of the jailed suspects in the bombings - Algeria and Libya, and had their support.
[. . .]The fatwa said that according to the Quran "the terrorist acts of Osama bin Laden and his organization al-Qaida ... are totally banned and must be roundly condemned as part of Islam."
It added: "Inasmuch as Osama bin Laden and his organization defend terrorism as legal and try to base it on the Quran ... they are committing the crime of 'istihlal' and thus become apostates that should not be considered Muslims or treated as such." The Arabic term 'istihlal' refers to the act of making up one's own laws.
Bengals Up To Old Tricks
The ESPN Insider rips the Bengals' front office:
At first glance, this looks like the most confusing and dysfunctional front office in the NFL, and it is difficult to analyze who has the power---but the Bengals believe in their system, and at the end of the day, that might be all that counts.
*As usual, at the top is Mike Brown, who runs the entire organization. Brown gives his coaches and advisers a lot of power in personnel decisions and will rarely go against Marvin Lewis.
*Katie Blackburn and husband, Troy, run the business side of the organization. Depending whom you talk to, they can be considered very efficient or a major roadblock when it comes to contracts and personnel -- but they do have significant power and are part of the Brown family.
*Further complicating things are the roles of Bill Tobin, John Cooper and Bruce Coslet. All three are listed as consultants and theoretically are film evaluators, but they have the ear of upper management, which adds more voices to the decision-making process.
*Pete Brown is senior VP of player personnel; Paul Brown Jr. is VP of player personnel; and Duke Tobin is director of player personnel, but most of his expertise is on the pro side. Longtime scout Jim Lippincott is director of FB operations and really the face of the muddled Bengals' front office; he keeps everything running and organized.
*There are no scouts in this organization, which means the coaches are heavily involved in player workout and personnel decisions. The way this department is set up, it gives the Bengals' coaches a lot of opportunities for film evaluation--but nothing substitutes an area scout knowing the players in his area. As a result, with coaches involved, the workout and film production becomes most important and character and intelligence are not scrutinized. There are a lot of titles here, but the power structure is most confusing.
At first glance, this looks like the most confusing and dysfunctional front office in the NFL, and it is difficult to analyze who has the power---but the Bengals believe in their system, and at the end of the day, that might be all that counts.
*As usual, at the top is Mike Brown, who runs the entire organization. Brown gives his coaches and advisers a lot of power in personnel decisions and will rarely go against Marvin Lewis.
*Katie Blackburn and husband, Troy, run the business side of the organization. Depending whom you talk to, they can be considered very efficient or a major roadblock when it comes to contracts and personnel -- but they do have significant power and are part of the Brown family.
*Further complicating things are the roles of Bill Tobin, John Cooper and Bruce Coslet. All three are listed as consultants and theoretically are film evaluators, but they have the ear of upper management, which adds more voices to the decision-making process.
*Pete Brown is senior VP of player personnel; Paul Brown Jr. is VP of player personnel; and Duke Tobin is director of player personnel, but most of his expertise is on the pro side. Longtime scout Jim Lippincott is director of FB operations and really the face of the muddled Bengals' front office; he keeps everything running and organized.
*There are no scouts in this organization, which means the coaches are heavily involved in player workout and personnel decisions. The way this department is set up, it gives the Bengals' coaches a lot of opportunities for film evaluation--but nothing substitutes an area scout knowing the players in his area. As a result, with coaches involved, the workout and film production becomes most important and character and intelligence are not scrutinized. There are a lot of titles here, but the power structure is most confusing.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Nice Defense
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- In a city where power-sharing between blacks and whites is still a work in progress, New Orleans' first black district attorney has been hauled into court by 44 whites who say they were illegally fired en masse and replaced with blacks when he took office.
The racial discrimination trial opened in federal court this week, with the white former employees seeking back pay and unspecified damages for emotional distress in a lawsuit against Eddie Jordan, the flashy New Orleans prosecutor who in 2000 put Edwin Edwards, Louisiana's high-rolling former governor, behind bars.
"While it may be OK for a new district attorney or sheriff to come up and clean house, you can't clean house with all of one race," Clement Donelon, a lawyer for the fired whites, said Tuesday. "You can't fire all the white people to hire your friends, and other black people."
Jordan has said that he had the right to choose his staff and that the firings were done for reasons of racial balance.
"This is not discrimination; this is a political effort to create diversity," his lawyer Philip Schuler told the jury of eight whites and two blacks. The lawyer noted that in New Orleans the workforce is overwhelmingly black - nearly 70 percent - and that Jordan merely wanted "a workforce more reflective of the community."
Now, is it just me, or did the defense attorney just admit to being guilty of racial discrimination? What does Mr. Schuler think the city is...a university.
The racial discrimination trial opened in federal court this week, with the white former employees seeking back pay and unspecified damages for emotional distress in a lawsuit against Eddie Jordan, the flashy New Orleans prosecutor who in 2000 put Edwin Edwards, Louisiana's high-rolling former governor, behind bars.
"While it may be OK for a new district attorney or sheriff to come up and clean house, you can't clean house with all of one race," Clement Donelon, a lawyer for the fired whites, said Tuesday. "You can't fire all the white people to hire your friends, and other black people."
Jordan has said that he had the right to choose his staff and that the firings were done for reasons of racial balance.
"This is not discrimination; this is a political effort to create diversity," his lawyer Philip Schuler told the jury of eight whites and two blacks. The lawyer noted that in New Orleans the workforce is overwhelmingly black - nearly 70 percent - and that Jordan merely wanted "a workforce more reflective of the community."
Now, is it just me, or did the defense attorney just admit to being guilty of racial discrimination? What does Mr. Schuler think the city is...a university.
Organic Food Meets Disney
This is for my friend Melissa Yates. I think she'd call this heaven on earth.
True or False?
Bush Announces Iraq Exit Strategy: 'We'll Go Through Iran'
WASHINGTON, DC—Almost a year after the cessation of major combat and a month after the nation's first free democratic elections, President Bush unveiled the coalition forces' strategy for exiting Iraq.
"I'm pleased to announce that the Department of Defense and I have formulated a plan for a speedy withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq," Bush announced Monday morning. "We'll just go through Iran."
Bush said the U.S. Army, which deposed Iran's longtime enemy Saddam Hussein, should be welcomed with open arms by the Islamic-fundamentalist state.
"And Iran's so nearby," Bush said. "It's only a hop, skip, and a jump to the east."
While this sounds like Bush, I'll say it's from The Onion.
WASHINGTON, DC—Almost a year after the cessation of major combat and a month after the nation's first free democratic elections, President Bush unveiled the coalition forces' strategy for exiting Iraq.
"I'm pleased to announce that the Department of Defense and I have formulated a plan for a speedy withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq," Bush announced Monday morning. "We'll just go through Iran."
Bush said the U.S. Army, which deposed Iran's longtime enemy Saddam Hussein, should be welcomed with open arms by the Islamic-fundamentalist state.
"And Iran's so nearby," Bush said. "It's only a hop, skip, and a jump to the east."
While this sounds like Bush, I'll say it's from The Onion.
Bad Law
I'm with the Dems on this one:
The bankruptcy bill would make it harder for people to abandon their debts by filing for bankruptcy.
The changes have been long sought by credit card companies, retailers and auto lenders but efforts died in the previous Congress in a standoff over the abortion language.
This year, House of Representative leaders have promised to move the bankruptcy legislation quickly if the Senate passes it without dramatic changes.
The Senate was expected to vote later on Tuesday on a motion to limit debate on the bankruptcy overhaul bill. If that passes, the measure could pass the chamber by the end of this week.
At the heart of the legislation is a means test that would determine if people filing for bankruptcy earn enough to pay off their bills. Some filers would be forced into repayment plans, rather than having their assets liquidated to repay creditors.
Instead of changing the bankruptcy rules, credit card companies (and others) should stop giving credit away to individuals with poor credit (or without the means to pay off debt). They make their beds, so they should sleep in them.
The bankruptcy bill would make it harder for people to abandon their debts by filing for bankruptcy.
The changes have been long sought by credit card companies, retailers and auto lenders but efforts died in the previous Congress in a standoff over the abortion language.
This year, House of Representative leaders have promised to move the bankruptcy legislation quickly if the Senate passes it without dramatic changes.
The Senate was expected to vote later on Tuesday on a motion to limit debate on the bankruptcy overhaul bill. If that passes, the measure could pass the chamber by the end of this week.
At the heart of the legislation is a means test that would determine if people filing for bankruptcy earn enough to pay off their bills. Some filers would be forced into repayment plans, rather than having their assets liquidated to repay creditors.
Instead of changing the bankruptcy rules, credit card companies (and others) should stop giving credit away to individuals with poor credit (or without the means to pay off debt). They make their beds, so they should sleep in them.
Quote of the Day
THE half-dozen black SUVs double-parked on East 57th Street were a clue that an important government figure was inside Tina Brown and Harry Evans' maisonette. The military uniforms meant federal. The well-connected couple was throwing a book party for "The Big Picture: The Logic of Money and Power in Hollywood" by Ed ward Jay Epstein. The well-protected guest was Asst. Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz.
When a literary liberal gushed to Wolfowitz, "Who would have thought that 8 million Iraqi citizens would turn out to vote?,"the neo-con replied with a smile, "I did."
When a literary liberal gushed to Wolfowitz, "Who would have thought that 8 million Iraqi citizens would turn out to vote?,"the neo-con replied with a smile, "I did."
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
This Would Be Great for the SEC
From Sports Illustrated's Seth Davis:
Buzz Peterson seems to be in trouble at Tennessee. If that happens, you may hear the school is interested in Bob Huggins. They can get him if they really go after him.
That would be huge! Love him or hate him, Hugs just wins...and a lot. He'd be perfect for UT. He's tough, he's a good recruiter, and there are great bars in Knoxville.
And don't forget that Hugs is a West Virginia grad. The Knoxville area is very similar to Morgantown.
Buzz Peterson seems to be in trouble at Tennessee. If that happens, you may hear the school is interested in Bob Huggins. They can get him if they really go after him.
That would be huge! Love him or hate him, Hugs just wins...and a lot. He'd be perfect for UT. He's tough, he's a good recruiter, and there are great bars in Knoxville.
And don't forget that Hugs is a West Virginia grad. The Knoxville area is very similar to Morgantown.
It Takes A Lickin'...
What kind of society are we living in when a coach can't lick his player's open wounds? Where's the tolerance? Where's the understanding?
HALSEY, Ore. Mar 8, 2005 — A state panel this week is expected to investigate a high school football coach who acknowledged licking one of his player's cuts.
The Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, which licenses and disciplines teachers and administrators, decided to look at the case after a parent complained that Central Linn High School coach Scott Reed's "repeated inappropriate behavior" threatened student safety and health.
The commission meets Thursday in Salem; it is expected to discuss Reed's case in executive session.
Reed, 34, who also teaches science at the school, was disciplined last year for licking the bleeding knee of an athlete. He acknowledged the incident during a police investigation after another parent complained that the coach had licked blood from other players.
The school district placed Reed on probation and required him to take a "bloodborne pathogens" course. The Linn County sheriff's office did not arrest him.
"Sometimes there are actions that are socially unacceptable or bizarre that aren't necessarily criminal," Sheriff Dave Burright said. "If he had done it against a student's wishes, at the very least we might have had harassment. But this contact wasn't forced or necessarily unwanted."
According to the police report, a parent reported in August that the coach had "licked an open wound on the knee" of one student athlete and had similarly licked others.
The student whose knee was licked told police the incident happened after Reed had given team members a pep talk about a coach licking and healing the wounds of injured players so they could get back in the game.
Other team members urged Reed to do the same for a bleeding scab on a player's knee. Reed asked permission, then knelt down and licked it. An athlete who witnessed the incident said Reed seemed to be "joking around" and the licked athlete was not offended.
Reed told the authorities that he licked that player's knee and had possibly done the same for other athletes, but could not recall.
HALSEY, Ore. Mar 8, 2005 — A state panel this week is expected to investigate a high school football coach who acknowledged licking one of his player's cuts.
The Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, which licenses and disciplines teachers and administrators, decided to look at the case after a parent complained that Central Linn High School coach Scott Reed's "repeated inappropriate behavior" threatened student safety and health.
The commission meets Thursday in Salem; it is expected to discuss Reed's case in executive session.
Reed, 34, who also teaches science at the school, was disciplined last year for licking the bleeding knee of an athlete. He acknowledged the incident during a police investigation after another parent complained that the coach had licked blood from other players.
The school district placed Reed on probation and required him to take a "bloodborne pathogens" course. The Linn County sheriff's office did not arrest him.
"Sometimes there are actions that are socially unacceptable or bizarre that aren't necessarily criminal," Sheriff Dave Burright said. "If he had done it against a student's wishes, at the very least we might have had harassment. But this contact wasn't forced or necessarily unwanted."
According to the police report, a parent reported in August that the coach had "licked an open wound on the knee" of one student athlete and had similarly licked others.
The student whose knee was licked told police the incident happened after Reed had given team members a pep talk about a coach licking and healing the wounds of injured players so they could get back in the game.
Other team members urged Reed to do the same for a bleeding scab on a player's knee. Reed asked permission, then knelt down and licked it. An athlete who witnessed the incident said Reed seemed to be "joking around" and the licked athlete was not offended.
Reed told the authorities that he licked that player's knee and had possibly done the same for other athletes, but could not recall.
A Must Read
My man Howard Storm has a book out about his terrible death...and new life. It's a very compelling story, so the book should be good.
Domaine La Due
Check out the link I added to the right-side of the page. It's the web page for Domaine La Due, Doug Due's very own wine label...and quite tasty, I might add.
Be sure to pick up a case...or two...and share it with your friends (i.e. me).
Be sure to pick up a case...or two...and share it with your friends (i.e. me).
Why Can't We Do This?
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA – A few years ago, Martin Bruncko studied the flat tax at Harvard University. Today, the 28-year-old is flying to European cities to promote the idea, which he made a reality in his native Slovakia.
"In theory it was interesting, but we never thought we could do it in practice," says Mr. Bruncko, recalling class discussions at the Kennedy School of Government. "So it was fun to see that you actually can do it."
What flat-tax advocates like Steve Forbes and the Hoover Institution's Alvin Rabushka have been pushing in the United States for decades, Bruncko and a team of Western-educated wunderkinds in this country of 5 million achieved in one year.
Last January, Slovakia became the sixth Eastern European country to adopt a flat tax, which means all income-earners pay the same rate. Since then, Romania and Georgia have followed suit, creating a global proving ground for the concept. In the process, flat-taxers have moved Eastern Europe from a Communist backwater to an investment spring - pressuring its higher-taxed Western neighbors to adapt to the new environment.
"In theory it was interesting, but we never thought we could do it in practice," says Mr. Bruncko, recalling class discussions at the Kennedy School of Government. "So it was fun to see that you actually can do it."
What flat-tax advocates like Steve Forbes and the Hoover Institution's Alvin Rabushka have been pushing in the United States for decades, Bruncko and a team of Western-educated wunderkinds in this country of 5 million achieved in one year.
Last January, Slovakia became the sixth Eastern European country to adopt a flat tax, which means all income-earners pay the same rate. Since then, Romania and Georgia have followed suit, creating a global proving ground for the concept. In the process, flat-taxers have moved Eastern Europe from a Communist backwater to an investment spring - pressuring its higher-taxed Western neighbors to adapt to the new environment.
Reason #1,245 Why I'm Thankful Kerry's Not President
Here's John Kerry from the May 8, 2001 confirmation hearings for John Bolton to serve in his current position as Under Secretary for Arms Control:
On another issue of great importance to stability in Asia, Mr. Bolton has criticized the Clinton administration's efforts to freeze North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs as 'egregiously wrong.' This despite the undisputed facts that the 1994 Agreed Framework has successfully stopped Pyongyang's nuclear program and more recent talks have convinced North Korea to unilaterally suspend its missile tests until 2003.
Uh, yeah....right.
On another issue of great importance to stability in Asia, Mr. Bolton has criticized the Clinton administration's efforts to freeze North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs as 'egregiously wrong.' This despite the undisputed facts that the 1994 Agreed Framework has successfully stopped Pyongyang's nuclear program and more recent talks have convinced North Korea to unilaterally suspend its missile tests until 2003.
Uh, yeah....right.
Stumbling Into The Truth
I'm sure Mike Allen of the WaPo didn't intend for this to come out the way it did:
Allen took issue with that characterization of what news writers are doing. He said that news writers are trying to present both sides' points-of-view, hence the "he said, she said" quality to it, but that they're trying to present these points-of-view in such a way so that a discerning reader can tell who's right based on reading the story.
Allen took issue with that characterization of what news writers are doing. He said that news writers are trying to present both sides' points-of-view, hence the "he said, she said" quality to it, but that they're trying to present these points-of-view in such a way so that a discerning reader can tell who's right based on reading the story.
Like Robin Hood, Only With Parking
I'm pretty much agnostic when it comes to Wal-Mart. But Daniel Akst nails what's really going on with the world's largest retailer:
The recent bankruptcy filing of Winn-Dixie Stores, the supermarket chain, would seem to be the latest evidence that Wal-Mart, dreaded by competitors as retailing's 24-hour-a-day death star, has lost none of its price-cutting potency. The company's apparent invincibility is part of what galls its critics, whose opposition led to the cancellation of a proposed Wal-Mart in Queens.
The conventional criticism of Wal-Mart is that it's an insatiable capitalist juggernaut, reaping private benefit at the expense of the public good. The view retains some currency, I suspect, because many of Wal-Mart's critics haven't really shopped there.
The funny thing is that, for quite a while, this view has had the situation almost exactly backward. Instead of producing private benefit at public expense, Wal-Mart has been producing public benefit at private expense. And the equation is likely to become ever more lopsided.
Like the airlines, whose investors generously provide low fares and convenient service while forgoing gains for themselves, Wal-Mart has kindly mustered considerable capital from investors with the goal of providing all kinds of basic goods under one roof at convenient locations and amazingly low prices. These investors must be charitably minded because they aren't the main beneficiaries of Wal-Mart's business.
For several years now, the shareholders, who have more than $200 billion tied up in the company, have not done especially well. Since the end of 1999, Wal-Mart stock is off 23 percent, while Target is up 43 percent and Lowe's is up 95 percent.
The big winners during this period were the juggernaut's customers, who gained by having Wal-Mart drive down the price of consumer goods. Assuming that Wal-Mart investors are more affluent than its shoppers, the system offers a progressive transfer from rich to poor--from capital owners to less prosperous American consumers and hard-working Chinese factory hands. It's like Robin Hood, only with parking.
The recent bankruptcy filing of Winn-Dixie Stores, the supermarket chain, would seem to be the latest evidence that Wal-Mart, dreaded by competitors as retailing's 24-hour-a-day death star, has lost none of its price-cutting potency. The company's apparent invincibility is part of what galls its critics, whose opposition led to the cancellation of a proposed Wal-Mart in Queens.
The conventional criticism of Wal-Mart is that it's an insatiable capitalist juggernaut, reaping private benefit at the expense of the public good. The view retains some currency, I suspect, because many of Wal-Mart's critics haven't really shopped there.
The funny thing is that, for quite a while, this view has had the situation almost exactly backward. Instead of producing private benefit at public expense, Wal-Mart has been producing public benefit at private expense. And the equation is likely to become ever more lopsided.
Like the airlines, whose investors generously provide low fares and convenient service while forgoing gains for themselves, Wal-Mart has kindly mustered considerable capital from investors with the goal of providing all kinds of basic goods under one roof at convenient locations and amazingly low prices. These investors must be charitably minded because they aren't the main beneficiaries of Wal-Mart's business.
For several years now, the shareholders, who have more than $200 billion tied up in the company, have not done especially well. Since the end of 1999, Wal-Mart stock is off 23 percent, while Target is up 43 percent and Lowe's is up 95 percent.
The big winners during this period were the juggernaut's customers, who gained by having Wal-Mart drive down the price of consumer goods. Assuming that Wal-Mart investors are more affluent than its shoppers, the system offers a progressive transfer from rich to poor--from capital owners to less prosperous American consumers and hard-working Chinese factory hands. It's like Robin Hood, only with parking.
Great Choice
WASHINGTON, March 7 - President Bush is nominating Undersecretary of State John R. Bolton, a blunt-spoken hawk with a history of skepticism toward the United Nations, to be the United States ambassador to the organization, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced today.
Monday, March 07, 2005
That's High Praise
"I never played with or coached a player with the guts that Nick Van Exel has," former Nuggets coach and general manager Dan Issel said. "If the game was on the line, there is not a player in the NBA right now that I'd rather take a shot."
Multiplicity
From the NY Times:
THERE are couples with a lot in common, and then there is Deborah Fisher and Joel Murphy.
Both are artists specializing in kinetic sculpture. They are nearly the same height, close to the same weight, and they both favor T-shirts, jeans, boots and short hair.
They also share a strong distaste for traditional relationships. "We talk a lot about not falling into the trap of gender roles," Mr. Murphy said.
Who in the hell would want to marry him- or herself? I can barely tolerate one of me...what would I do with two?
I think 20 years ago, these two would have attended The Alliance School (see below).
THERE are couples with a lot in common, and then there is Deborah Fisher and Joel Murphy.
Both are artists specializing in kinetic sculpture. They are nearly the same height, close to the same weight, and they both favor T-shirts, jeans, boots and short hair.
They also share a strong distaste for traditional relationships. "We talk a lot about not falling into the trap of gender roles," Mr. Murphy said.
Who in the hell would want to marry him- or herself? I can barely tolerate one of me...what would I do with two?
I think 20 years ago, these two would have attended The Alliance School (see below).
Thank You, America
Small "d" democrats in Iraq and Afghanistan thank America for all they've done. If only big "D" Democrats in America could do the same.
The Alliance School
Ashley Werner does not mince words when describing her experience as a lesbian at Milwaukee's Pulaski High School.
"If you are even remotely different, (the students) harass and make fun of you," Werner said. The 17-year-old junior said she is teased, called names and singled out almost every day. The situation was no better when Werner attended Clintonville High School as a freshman and sophomore. "I decided that I had had enough with Clintonville and moved down here," Werner said.
Werner hopes her situation will improve next year. She plans to attend the Alliance School, a charter high school that will focus on students who feel discriminated against or bullied. That might be a Goth student, a painfully shy student or a gay one. All three have enrolled in the school, which plans to open in August.
The school will be the first of its kind in the state, and possibly the nation, its founders say.
This is a bad idea for a number of reasons, but these three stick out:
1. When did schools stop punishing students for this sort of crap? Look, teasing and harassment are a part of growing up (which many adults fail to realize), but it appears that some of the more severe instances go unpunished these days. Schools need to crack down on this nonsense, in addition to a number of other things.
2. Bullying and harassment, while generally wrong, tend to serve a greater purpose by curbing craziness that might otherwise appeal to the typical student. For example, the Goths. Students shouldn't harass other students just because they look goofy. But then again, a little bit of harassment goes a long way in curbing the level of goofiness.
3. Society is specialized enough as it is. One of the few places that this specialization is somewhat minimized is in the public schools (which is one of the reasons I send my kids to public schools). Going to school with kids that have different racial, economic, religious, philosophical, etc., backgrounds help socialize kids to those differences...which ironically leads to greater cohesion and uniformity. That has been the experience of this nation...the melting pot. The Milwaukee School System doesn't seem to care about that.
"If you are even remotely different, (the students) harass and make fun of you," Werner said. The 17-year-old junior said she is teased, called names and singled out almost every day. The situation was no better when Werner attended Clintonville High School as a freshman and sophomore. "I decided that I had had enough with Clintonville and moved down here," Werner said.
Werner hopes her situation will improve next year. She plans to attend the Alliance School, a charter high school that will focus on students who feel discriminated against or bullied. That might be a Goth student, a painfully shy student or a gay one. All three have enrolled in the school, which plans to open in August.
The school will be the first of its kind in the state, and possibly the nation, its founders say.
This is a bad idea for a number of reasons, but these three stick out:
1. When did schools stop punishing students for this sort of crap? Look, teasing and harassment are a part of growing up (which many adults fail to realize), but it appears that some of the more severe instances go unpunished these days. Schools need to crack down on this nonsense, in addition to a number of other things.
2. Bullying and harassment, while generally wrong, tend to serve a greater purpose by curbing craziness that might otherwise appeal to the typical student. For example, the Goths. Students shouldn't harass other students just because they look goofy. But then again, a little bit of harassment goes a long way in curbing the level of goofiness.
3. Society is specialized enough as it is. One of the few places that this specialization is somewhat minimized is in the public schools (which is one of the reasons I send my kids to public schools). Going to school with kids that have different racial, economic, religious, philosophical, etc., backgrounds help socialize kids to those differences...which ironically leads to greater cohesion and uniformity. That has been the experience of this nation...the melting pot. The Milwaukee School System doesn't seem to care about that.
This Is Long Overdue
Betsy Hoffman, the embattled president of the University of Colorado, said today she is resigning her post.
Hoffman's announcement comes as Colorado's flagship university faces mounting pressure over alleged use of sex, alcohol and drugs in its recruiting of football players.
Hoffman also has been embroiled in a controversy over Ward Churchill, an ethnic studies professor who wrote an essay comparing some victims of the 9/11 terror attacks to a Nazi leader.
Hoffman, who has served as CU president for five years, submitted a letter of resignation today to the CU Board of Regents.
Hoffman's announcement comes as Colorado's flagship university faces mounting pressure over alleged use of sex, alcohol and drugs in its recruiting of football players.
Hoffman also has been embroiled in a controversy over Ward Churchill, an ethnic studies professor who wrote an essay comparing some victims of the 9/11 terror attacks to a Nazi leader.
Hoffman, who has served as CU president for five years, submitted a letter of resignation today to the CU Board of Regents.
Life Imitating Art
Ok, wasn't this the plot in The Godfather III. From Newsweek:
Its roots go back to the late 19th century, when Italian banks were all small, regional and Roman Catholic. In 1894 a modernizing government brought in Austrians and Germans to set up the first national bank, Banca Commerciale, to finance Italy's growing industrial sector. Other so-called secular national banks were founded by Italians who were also baptized, but did not publicly express Catholic beliefs. The Catholic bankers have been reasserting influence in recent years, gaining control over Banca Commerciale, and crossing a milestone when Fazio approved a string of acquisitions through which his ally Cesare Geronzi created a powerful new Rome bank, Capitalia, in 2002. "This occurred in a transparent way, and there isn't anything bad about it," says Bocconi University finance professor Michele Calcattera.
Not everyone agrees. With close ties to the Vatican and Opus Dei, Fazio travels to Catholic pilgrimage sites and is widely seen in Italy as the latter-day champion of white finance. He became Bank of Italy governor in 1993, and is an ardent follower of Saint Thomas, the medieval Catholic philosopher who inveighed against financial speculation. Fazio's critics accuse him of approving the merger plans of fellow "Catholic bankers," while denying others, including foreigners. Sergio Siglienti, former president of Banca Commerciale, says, "Fazio doesn't believe in the common market; for me he doesn't believe in the market, either." Fazio declined interview requests.
Its roots go back to the late 19th century, when Italian banks were all small, regional and Roman Catholic. In 1894 a modernizing government brought in Austrians and Germans to set up the first national bank, Banca Commerciale, to finance Italy's growing industrial sector. Other so-called secular national banks were founded by Italians who were also baptized, but did not publicly express Catholic beliefs. The Catholic bankers have been reasserting influence in recent years, gaining control over Banca Commerciale, and crossing a milestone when Fazio approved a string of acquisitions through which his ally Cesare Geronzi created a powerful new Rome bank, Capitalia, in 2002. "This occurred in a transparent way, and there isn't anything bad about it," says Bocconi University finance professor Michele Calcattera.
Not everyone agrees. With close ties to the Vatican and Opus Dei, Fazio travels to Catholic pilgrimage sites and is widely seen in Italy as the latter-day champion of white finance. He became Bank of Italy governor in 1993, and is an ardent follower of Saint Thomas, the medieval Catholic philosopher who inveighed against financial speculation. Fazio's critics accuse him of approving the merger plans of fellow "Catholic bankers," while denying others, including foreigners. Sergio Siglienti, former president of Banca Commerciale, says, "Fazio doesn't believe in the common market; for me he doesn't believe in the market, either." Fazio declined interview requests.
Something's Happening Here....What It Is Ain't Exactly Clear
KUWAIT, March 7 (Reuters) - Around 500 Kuwaiti activists, mostly women, demonstrated outside parliament on Monday to demand female suffrage amidst tensions in the Gulf Arab state over a government drive to grant women political rights.
"Women's rights now," chanted the crowd, which included women dressed in abayas, or traditional long black cloaks. Some of the demonstrators wore veils over their faces.
"Our democracy will only be complete with women," said a placard written in Arabic. "We are not less, you are not more. We need a balance, open the door," said one written in English.
"Women's rights now," chanted the crowd, which included women dressed in abayas, or traditional long black cloaks. Some of the demonstrators wore veils over their faces.
"Our democracy will only be complete with women," said a placard written in Arabic. "We are not less, you are not more. We need a balance, open the door," said one written in English.
Does This Strike Anyone Else As Suspicious?
Moscow, March 5 - The chief of Ukraine's security service said Saturday that the country's former interior minister, Yuri F. Kravchenko, had shot himself twice in the head on Friday, refuting speculation that he had been killed by someone else.
Inadequate Help
Tom Friedman points out the EU's inadequate military infrastructure:
If you put all the E.U. armies together, they total around two million soldiers in uniform - almost the same size as the U.S. armed forces. But there is one huge difference - only about 5 percent of the European troops have the training, weaponry, logistical and intelligence support and airlift capability to fight a modern, hot war outside of Europe. (In the U.S. it is 70 percent in crucial units.) The rest of the European troops - some of whom are unionized! - do not have the training or tools to fight alongside America in a hot war. They might be good for peacekeeping, but not for winning a war against a conventional foe....
The U.S. is building 180 C-17 long-range lift aircraft to transport troops and tanks anywhere in the world, and 112 C-5's, to replace the aging C-141's. The European NATO members have exactly four C-17's. They all belong to Britain and even those are leased from Boeing. The Europeans are so short of long-range lift aircraft that they basically have to depend on leased Russian and Ukrainian Antonov transports to get to the battlefield. George Robertson, the former NATO secretary general, used to ask them what they would do if a war broke out during the Christmas season, when most of the Antonovs are leased to toy companies shipping electronic games around the world.
If you put all the E.U. armies together, they total around two million soldiers in uniform - almost the same size as the U.S. armed forces. But there is one huge difference - only about 5 percent of the European troops have the training, weaponry, logistical and intelligence support and airlift capability to fight a modern, hot war outside of Europe. (In the U.S. it is 70 percent in crucial units.) The rest of the European troops - some of whom are unionized! - do not have the training or tools to fight alongside America in a hot war. They might be good for peacekeeping, but not for winning a war against a conventional foe....
The U.S. is building 180 C-17 long-range lift aircraft to transport troops and tanks anywhere in the world, and 112 C-5's, to replace the aging C-141's. The European NATO members have exactly four C-17's. They all belong to Britain and even those are leased from Boeing. The Europeans are so short of long-range lift aircraft that they basically have to depend on leased Russian and Ukrainian Antonov transports to get to the battlefield. George Robertson, the former NATO secretary general, used to ask them what they would do if a war broke out during the Christmas season, when most of the Antonovs are leased to toy companies shipping electronic games around the world.
Bad Move, Phil
On Tuesday, Phil Mickelson playfully called out Tiger Woods on PTI.
And then, on Sunday, Woods comes from behind to defeat Mickelson in a tournament that carries the name of one of Mickelson's biggest sponsors.
Coincidence? I report, you decide.
And then, on Sunday, Woods comes from behind to defeat Mickelson in a tournament that carries the name of one of Mickelson's biggest sponsors.
Coincidence? I report, you decide.
Ever Heard of a Treadmill?
I grew up having watched only two soccer players: Pele and Diego Maradona. Pele was, well, Pele. Maradona willed the Argentinean national team to greatness.
I don't know what Pele's up to these days, but here's Diego. Yikes.
I don't know what Pele's up to these days, but here's Diego. Yikes.
David Crail On The Loose
I saw David Crail on a Crimestoppers report this morning. Apparently David, his mom, and I believe a sister were picked up in Over-the-Rhine over the weekend on drug charges. David's mom was in possession of a crack pipe...nice.
Anyway, David feigned sickness - he claimed he had cancer. He later escaped from the hospital and is on the lose.
You can take the boy out of Newport, but you can't take...well, you know the rest.
Anyway, David feigned sickness - he claimed he had cancer. He later escaped from the hospital and is on the lose.
You can take the boy out of Newport, but you can't take...well, you know the rest.
Hugo Is On The Move
If any doubts remained about President Hugo Chávez's plans for Venezuela's destiny, they have been erased by his decree to "rescue" unproductive lands and assign them to "groups of the population" and "organized communities" from rural areas. Private property is history, so Chávez is proceeding to strengthen the failed agrarian reforms of socialist Venezuelan governments from the 1960s, '70s and '80s, renaming them the "agrarian revolution."
The new Land Law authorizes the government to expropriate land that bureaucrats consider underutilized and to do the same in those cases in which the government discovers an error in a title of land. Venezuelans already know the modus operandi of Chávez's bureaucracy. In trying to obtain a birth certificate, an identification card, a passport, a certified copy of any legal document and even in registering the elderly to receive pensions, each "mistake" represents a potential source of income for each official, and at the same time, a delay of several months for each citizen's request.
Hmmm, sounds a bit like the Newport and Norwood City Councils.
The new Land Law authorizes the government to expropriate land that bureaucrats consider underutilized and to do the same in those cases in which the government discovers an error in a title of land. Venezuelans already know the modus operandi of Chávez's bureaucracy. In trying to obtain a birth certificate, an identification card, a passport, a certified copy of any legal document and even in registering the elderly to receive pensions, each "mistake" represents a potential source of income for each official, and at the same time, a delay of several months for each citizen's request.
Hmmm, sounds a bit like the Newport and Norwood City Councils.
Are the French Moving...Gasp...Unilaterally?
Let's hope so:
Without much publicity, France has moved the replenishment ship Var to the eastern Mediterranean. The Var contains facilities for running commando operations, as well as facilities for about 200 commandoes and their equipment. France apparently believes that the situation in Lebanon is going to get out of control. Since World War II, France has been something of a big brother for Lebanon, especially the Lebanese Christians. This particular relationship goes back some 800 years, to the time of the Crusades. Currently, the Lebanese are out in the streets protesting the continued presence of Syrian troops in the country. If France is going to get involved, it won’t be with a lot of troops. But you can do a lot with a hundred or so commandoes.
Without much publicity, France has moved the replenishment ship Var to the eastern Mediterranean. The Var contains facilities for running commando operations, as well as facilities for about 200 commandoes and their equipment. France apparently believes that the situation in Lebanon is going to get out of control. Since World War II, France has been something of a big brother for Lebanon, especially the Lebanese Christians. This particular relationship goes back some 800 years, to the time of the Crusades. Currently, the Lebanese are out in the streets protesting the continued presence of Syrian troops in the country. If France is going to get involved, it won’t be with a lot of troops. But you can do a lot with a hundred or so commandoes.
Donovan Apologizes
The SEC fined South Carolina when its fans rushed the floor in celebration of a victory over Kentucky on Feb. 15.
After Florida beat the Cats, Coach Billy Donovan apologized.
One of his players, freshman Al Horford, jumped into the first row of the student section to celebrate with the Rowdy Reptiles. David Lee, Corey Brewer, Anthony Roberson and Adrian Moss jumped onto the sideline press table to gyrate for the fans. Lee and Roberson stripped off their jerseys and posed bare-chested.
"I've got a major problem with that ... ," Donovan said of Horford's actions. "One thing I respect about Kentucky, when they win they act like they've been there before."
Donovan labeled Florida's actions as "a level of immaturity."
Said the Florida coach, "To me, we shouldn't be a team storming the floor or running around out there and jumping on the tables. If that happened, I apologize to Kentucky."
Florida's not alone? UNC's fans stormed the court after beating Duke yesterday. That's North Carolina. Man, how the mighty have fallen.
After Florida beat the Cats, Coach Billy Donovan apologized.
One of his players, freshman Al Horford, jumped into the first row of the student section to celebrate with the Rowdy Reptiles. David Lee, Corey Brewer, Anthony Roberson and Adrian Moss jumped onto the sideline press table to gyrate for the fans. Lee and Roberson stripped off their jerseys and posed bare-chested.
"I've got a major problem with that ... ," Donovan said of Horford's actions. "One thing I respect about Kentucky, when they win they act like they've been there before."
Donovan labeled Florida's actions as "a level of immaturity."
Said the Florida coach, "To me, we shouldn't be a team storming the floor or running around out there and jumping on the tables. If that happened, I apologize to Kentucky."
Florida's not alone? UNC's fans stormed the court after beating Duke yesterday. That's North Carolina. Man, how the mighty have fallen.
68? 68?
WASHINGTON (AP) - A leading Republican senator is proposing to raise the Social Security retirement age from 67 to 68, while Democrats maintain their opposition to the president's plan to overhaul the retirement program with private investment accounts.
Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel's plan would raise the age that retirees could receive full benefits, beginning in 2023. "We are living longer," Hagel said Sunday on CBS'"Face the Nation.""So when you look at the total universe of this, I think that makes some sense to extend the age."
Now, at least somebody's talking about raising the retirement age. But seriously, 68? When Social Security was created, the age participants could begin receiving full retirement benefits was 65...while life expectancy was just over 60 years. Now, when life expectancy is slightly under 78 years (and advancing fast), we're going to increase the retirement age to only 68.
For my generation, 70 is much more plausible. And even 72 isn't out of the question.
Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel's plan would raise the age that retirees could receive full benefits, beginning in 2023. "We are living longer," Hagel said Sunday on CBS'"Face the Nation.""So when you look at the total universe of this, I think that makes some sense to extend the age."
Now, at least somebody's talking about raising the retirement age. But seriously, 68? When Social Security was created, the age participants could begin receiving full retirement benefits was 65...while life expectancy was just over 60 years. Now, when life expectancy is slightly under 78 years (and advancing fast), we're going to increase the retirement age to only 68.
For my generation, 70 is much more plausible. And even 72 isn't out of the question.
And Now...The Rest of the Story
There's always more to the story than meets the eye:
ROME -- Italian agents likely withheld information from U.S. counterparts about a cash-for-freedom deal with gunmen holding an Italian hostage for fear that Americans might block the trade, Italian news reports said yesterday.
The decision by operatives of Italy's SISMI military intelligence service to keep the CIA in the dark about the deal for the release of reporter Giuliana Sgrena, might have "short-circuited" communications with U.S. forces controlling the road from Baghdad to the city's airport, the newspaper La Stampa said.
ROME -- Italian agents likely withheld information from U.S. counterparts about a cash-for-freedom deal with gunmen holding an Italian hostage for fear that Americans might block the trade, Italian news reports said yesterday.
The decision by operatives of Italy's SISMI military intelligence service to keep the CIA in the dark about the deal for the release of reporter Giuliana Sgrena, might have "short-circuited" communications with U.S. forces controlling the road from Baghdad to the city's airport, the newspaper La Stampa said.
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