You wouldn't see this in the NBA...or NFL...or major league baseball.
Double take on double fault
Verdasco reverses Roddick's fortune
By Bud Collins, Globe Correspondent May 6, 2005
ROME -- Though the storied pines of Rome, fluffy and billowing, have been sentinels at a tennis pit called Il Foro Italico for seven decades, they may never have overseen such a bizarre reversal of fortune as overtook Andy Roddick in the gloaming yesterday.
For five seconds, Roddick thought he'd won his way into the quarterfinals of the Italian Open, ever a hazardous venture on European dirt for American guys. So did everybody else in the joint, about 4,000 leftovers from the full-house crowd of 8,000, including the umpire, Fergus Murphy. The sun had fled, leaving the matinee chilly and grimly clouded, and the witnesses seemed satisfied to head for home, too.
"Yeah, for five seconds I was the winner," shrugged top-seeded Roddick, "but . . ."
Hearing Murphy declare, "Game, set, and . . ." Roddick was walking toward the net to shake the hand of the seemingly vanquished Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco.
Verdasco, a gangling 21-year-old lefthander, had double-faulted on match point. Or had he? The outstretched arm of the line judge signaled the ball wide of the center line at 3-5, 0-40. Roddick concurred, pointing toward the landing spot, and Murphy began his conclusive statement.
"Game, set, . . . but I never got to `match,' " he said. "Because Andy got to the mark and said the ball was good, and conceded the point to Verdasco."
What price, sportsmanship?
Answer: at least $22,000 in prize money, and a shot at the title.
The five seconds turned into another hour, as the match turned in Verdasco's direction: 6-7 (1-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-4.
"I don't think it's anything extraordinary," Roddick said, playing down his match-point gift. "Verdasco hit the serve and everybody went nuts, but I thought it was closer. So I went up and checked it, looked, and couldn't tell. Then I looked again, and it was in. I don't think it was anything spectacular on my part."
Think again. But it tells you the kind of guy Roddick is.
Friday, May 06, 2005
The Dumbest Man in America
In the course of a discussion on filibusters and Senate rules, Washington's top Democrat gave the 60 juniors a lesson in partisan politics, particularly about the commander in chief.
"The man's father is a wonderful human being," Reid said in response to a question about President Bush's policies. "I think this guy is a loser."
"I think President Bush is doing a bad job," he added to a handful of chuckles.
"He's driving this country into bankruptcy," Reid said, referring to the deficit. "He's got us in this intractable war in Iraq where we now have about 1,600 American soldiers dead and another 15,000 injured."
Republican National Communications Director Brian Jones issued a statement calling the senator's comments "a sad development but not surprising from the leader of a party devoid of optimism, ideas or solutions to the issues people care about most."
After the statement was released, Reid phoned the Review-Journal to acknowledge he thought he crossed the line. "You know the president is in Europe, probably sleeping," Reid said in an interview this afternoon. "But I called (Karl) Rove and apologized for what I said."
"The man's father is a wonderful human being," Reid said in response to a question about President Bush's policies. "I think this guy is a loser."
"I think President Bush is doing a bad job," he added to a handful of chuckles.
"He's driving this country into bankruptcy," Reid said, referring to the deficit. "He's got us in this intractable war in Iraq where we now have about 1,600 American soldiers dead and another 15,000 injured."
Republican National Communications Director Brian Jones issued a statement calling the senator's comments "a sad development but not surprising from the leader of a party devoid of optimism, ideas or solutions to the issues people care about most."
After the statement was released, Reid phoned the Review-Journal to acknowledge he thought he crossed the line. "You know the president is in Europe, probably sleeping," Reid said in an interview this afternoon. "But I called (Karl) Rove and apologized for what I said."
Yes!
Al-Libbi's Notebook Believed to Contain Valuable Contact Information, Source Says
U.S. officials are working feverishly to decipher numbers and apparent codes in a notebook retrieved from suspected al Qaeda leader Abu Faraj al-Libbi, ABC News has learned.
Al-Libbi -- believed to be third in command of al Qaeda leader after Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri -- was arrested by Pakistani authorities on Monday.
He is suspected of leading two failed assassination attempts on the life of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.
Sources said officials believe al-Libbi's seized notebook contains "hot" contact information. They said officials are hopeful the notebook contains useful information because al-Libbi was stunned when he was captured.
One senior official described al-Libbi as "shocked" and enraged.
"He thought he was invincible," the source said. "He was caught with his pants down. This was not the time and place of his choosing."
Al-Libbi was trying to destroy the notebook when he was apprehended, multiple sources said.
U.S. officials are working feverishly to decipher numbers and apparent codes in a notebook retrieved from suspected al Qaeda leader Abu Faraj al-Libbi, ABC News has learned.
Al-Libbi -- believed to be third in command of al Qaeda leader after Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri -- was arrested by Pakistani authorities on Monday.
He is suspected of leading two failed assassination attempts on the life of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.
Sources said officials believe al-Libbi's seized notebook contains "hot" contact information. They said officials are hopeful the notebook contains useful information because al-Libbi was stunned when he was captured.
One senior official described al-Libbi as "shocked" and enraged.
"He thought he was invincible," the source said. "He was caught with his pants down. This was not the time and place of his choosing."
Al-Libbi was trying to destroy the notebook when he was apprehended, multiple sources said.
Stating the Obvious
Look, our popular culture is a cesspool. It's blatantly obvious. But my advice to mothers out there is to turn off the boob tube, deny (or at least limit) internet access, and take away the video games. We got rid of cable TV and the world didn't stop.
WASHINGTON – Forget about the "mommy wars," in which stay-at-home mothers were supposedly locking horns with their working sisters, at least in popular perception.
What's really happening with American mothers of all stripes - from full-time homemakers to full-fledged workaholics, all income levels, all racial backgrounds - is worry about popular culture, and what feels like a tsunami of forces threatening parents' ability to impart positive values to their children, according to a new survey of more than 2,000 mothers. Moms report a cultural onslaught that goes far beyond Hollywood movies and TV, and into the world of the Internet, electronic games, and advertising.
"We heard mothers talking about the kind of hypersexuality that's out there, about violence and disrespect, about body image, all the things that are not exactly news, but cutting across a huge and diverse sample of mothers," says Martha Farrell Erickson of the University of Minnesota, lead researcher on the study, released by the Institute for American Values in New York. "What they would really like to see is mothers and fathers joining forces more effectively to take on some of these issues."
WASHINGTON – Forget about the "mommy wars," in which stay-at-home mothers were supposedly locking horns with their working sisters, at least in popular perception.
What's really happening with American mothers of all stripes - from full-time homemakers to full-fledged workaholics, all income levels, all racial backgrounds - is worry about popular culture, and what feels like a tsunami of forces threatening parents' ability to impart positive values to their children, according to a new survey of more than 2,000 mothers. Moms report a cultural onslaught that goes far beyond Hollywood movies and TV, and into the world of the Internet, electronic games, and advertising.
"We heard mothers talking about the kind of hypersexuality that's out there, about violence and disrespect, about body image, all the things that are not exactly news, but cutting across a huge and diverse sample of mothers," says Martha Farrell Erickson of the University of Minnesota, lead researcher on the study, released by the Institute for American Values in New York. "What they would really like to see is mothers and fathers joining forces more effectively to take on some of these issues."
I Thought They Were Talking About Law School
The 25 students in jeans and T-shirts could have been in any career that requires hustle. The classes, covering topics such as effective marketing, stress reduction and legal issues, could have been part of any professional development seminar.
But this was "Whore College," and any illusion it was just another corporate how-to for young go-getters abruptly ended at the sex toy display and was stripped away for good during a graphic demonstration that put a whole new twist on the concept of hands-on training.
"We are still illegal," instructor Kimberlee Cline said before her 20-minute demonstration. "If we want to be treated as business professionals, we need to act ethically within the industry."
Presented in conjunction with the San Francisco Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival, the class Wednesday at an erotic art gallery was billed as away for working girls and guys to polish their skills in a supportive atmosphere.
It was the first time the biennial festival, begun in 1999 to showcase films about and by sex workers, included a session devoted to how to maintain a satisfying career.
But this was "Whore College," and any illusion it was just another corporate how-to for young go-getters abruptly ended at the sex toy display and was stripped away for good during a graphic demonstration that put a whole new twist on the concept of hands-on training.
"We are still illegal," instructor Kimberlee Cline said before her 20-minute demonstration. "If we want to be treated as business professionals, we need to act ethically within the industry."
Presented in conjunction with the San Francisco Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival, the class Wednesday at an erotic art gallery was billed as away for working girls and guys to polish their skills in a supportive atmosphere.
It was the first time the biennial festival, begun in 1999 to showcase films about and by sex workers, included a session devoted to how to maintain a satisfying career.
More Barry Bonds weirdness
SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds' three recent knee operations were performed by a prominent doctor who has a history of troubles with state medical authorities.
Dr. Arthur J. Ting has been reprimanded twice by the Medical Board of California, and currently is on probation for unprofessional conduct, the Arizona Republic reported Thursday.
Ting, the team physician for the NHL's San Jose Sharks who has treated many prominent Bay Area athletes, completed his first probation in 1998. According to the newspaper, Ting was placed on five years' probation on April 5, 2004, because of a second incident of unprofessional conduct.
A medical board spokeswoman didn't immediately return a phone call Thursday from The Associated Press.
Ting has performed three operations on Bonds' troublesome left knee since January. On Monday, Ting performed an emergency surgery to clean out a bacterial infection in Bonds' knee, according to the San Francisco Giants slugger's Web site, where he releases the only available updates on his condition.
According to documents obtained by the Republic, a complaint to the medical board in May 2003 alleged that Ting employed an unlicensed technician who saw patients and wrote prescriptions. Many patients believed the technician was a doctor.
The complaint also accused Ting of prescribing "dangerous drugs and controlled substances to friends and acquaintances, particularly athletes, for whom he kept no medical records or for whom the medical records were fictitious, inadequate or inaccurate."
Ting signed an agreement with the board on Jan. 4, 2004, acknowledging he "was negligent in his supervision of subordinates," but he denied all other allegations in the complaint.
Ting was ordered to pay for the $15,000 investigation. The board revoked his license, but stayed the revocation while he served five years' probation.
Dr. Arthur J. Ting has been reprimanded twice by the Medical Board of California, and currently is on probation for unprofessional conduct, the Arizona Republic reported Thursday.
Ting, the team physician for the NHL's San Jose Sharks who has treated many prominent Bay Area athletes, completed his first probation in 1998. According to the newspaper, Ting was placed on five years' probation on April 5, 2004, because of a second incident of unprofessional conduct.
A medical board spokeswoman didn't immediately return a phone call Thursday from The Associated Press.
Ting has performed three operations on Bonds' troublesome left knee since January. On Monday, Ting performed an emergency surgery to clean out a bacterial infection in Bonds' knee, according to the San Francisco Giants slugger's Web site, where he releases the only available updates on his condition.
According to documents obtained by the Republic, a complaint to the medical board in May 2003 alleged that Ting employed an unlicensed technician who saw patients and wrote prescriptions. Many patients believed the technician was a doctor.
The complaint also accused Ting of prescribing "dangerous drugs and controlled substances to friends and acquaintances, particularly athletes, for whom he kept no medical records or for whom the medical records were fictitious, inadequate or inaccurate."
Ting signed an agreement with the board on Jan. 4, 2004, acknowledging he "was negligent in his supervision of subordinates," but he denied all other allegations in the complaint.
Ting was ordered to pay for the $15,000 investigation. The board revoked his license, but stayed the revocation while he served five years' probation.
The West Has Spoken
By all accounts (i.e., what the media tells us), the war against Islamic terror - and more specifically the war in Iraq - is wildly unpopular. As a result, the three leaders of this war - John Howard, W, and Tony Blair - are likewise unpopular. Hmmm. Then how do you explain this:
John Howard - re-elected handily (and his party picks up seats).
George Bush - re-elected handily (and his party picks up seats).
Tony Blair - re-elected handily (his party loses seats).
Very interesting.
John Howard - re-elected handily (and his party picks up seats).
George Bush - re-elected handily (and his party picks up seats).
Tony Blair - re-elected handily (his party loses seats).
Very interesting.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
This Is Unbelievable
Apparently, the Bluebirds have not learned a lesson. Arrogance, arrogance, arrogance. And this kid's dad is a fool.
Hearing slated for Highlands appeal
By Feoshia HendersonPost staff reporter
An appeal hearing for Highlands High School has been set for next month in the case of the football star who the state athletic association deemed ineligible for the 2004 season.
In an April ruling, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association made the school forfeit games in which running back Michael Mitchell participated - all except the opener and state championship.
KHSAA bylaws permitted the Fort Thomas school to hold on to its state championship, though, with a 2-13 record. The record had been 14-1 before the KHSAA ordered the forfeits.
The KHSAA hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. June 6 at the association's Lexington offices. The hearing is a day after Mitchell, a senior, is set to graduate from the high school.
The 17-year-old was ruled ineligible by the KHSAA but was approved to play in Campbell Circuit Court.
Mitchell has obtained a court injunction allowing him to play baseball and run track, which the KHSAA has appealed, thus keeping him from participating.
On Friday, he'll be back in Campbell Circuit Court before Judge Julie Reinhardt Ward in an effort to run on the track team.
Highlands attorney Don Ruberg said the school was being cautious following the KHSAA's sanctions.
"We've got two different bodies telling us two different things. Both of them have the power to impose sanctions if we don't obey them," Ruberg said.
"One's saying you can't play the boy; one's saying the boy's eligible to play. All we're trying to do is what we feel is right. I would certainly love KHSAA and the courts to give us something that's at least theoretically possible to comply with."
The school feared what is known as the "death penalty" - violating existing sanctions - if it allowed Mitchell to run, Ruberg said. The death penalty would bar all Highlands High students from playing sports.
"Right now if we let him run track pursuant to the court order (and) in light of the sanctions that have been imposed, as well as the finding of lack of institutional control and three years' probation, there's no doubt in my mind that KHSAA would impose further sanctions, up to and including the death penalty," he said.
Mitchell's eligibility to play high school sports came into question in 2004 when he and his family moved from Florence to Fort Thomas. Mitchell transferred to Highlands High from Covington Catholic, but KHSAA said it wasn't a bona-fide move because it was athletics-motivated. It ruled that he must sit out a year.
Mitchell later asked Highlands for permission to run track this spring. The school decided against it following KHSAA's sanctions, which also mandate three years' probation, a $1,500 fine and a two-game suspension of football coach and Athletic Director Dale Mueller next season.
The boys' track team is well into its season. The first track meet was March 24, according to the Highlands Athletic Boosters Association Web site.
Mitchell had foot surgery last month and was unsure if he would be able to participate in spring sports. His father, Maurice Mitchell, said he is healthy and working with a personal trainer three times a week.
Maurice Mitchell said Highlands should follow the court rulings, not the KHSAA.
"I believe in the rule of law, I believe in the law of this country. And I believe the court has the final say-so in a dispute, not an organization," he said.
Maurice Mitchell said his son was stunned by the controversy surrounding his eligibility.
"He's really a nice kid, very respectful. He has never been any trouble whatsoever. And what has happened has all been a total shock to him. He didn't do anything wrong."
Hearing slated for Highlands appeal
By Feoshia HendersonPost staff reporter
An appeal hearing for Highlands High School has been set for next month in the case of the football star who the state athletic association deemed ineligible for the 2004 season.
In an April ruling, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association made the school forfeit games in which running back Michael Mitchell participated - all except the opener and state championship.
KHSAA bylaws permitted the Fort Thomas school to hold on to its state championship, though, with a 2-13 record. The record had been 14-1 before the KHSAA ordered the forfeits.
The KHSAA hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. June 6 at the association's Lexington offices. The hearing is a day after Mitchell, a senior, is set to graduate from the high school.
The 17-year-old was ruled ineligible by the KHSAA but was approved to play in Campbell Circuit Court.
Mitchell has obtained a court injunction allowing him to play baseball and run track, which the KHSAA has appealed, thus keeping him from participating.
On Friday, he'll be back in Campbell Circuit Court before Judge Julie Reinhardt Ward in an effort to run on the track team.
Highlands attorney Don Ruberg said the school was being cautious following the KHSAA's sanctions.
"We've got two different bodies telling us two different things. Both of them have the power to impose sanctions if we don't obey them," Ruberg said.
"One's saying you can't play the boy; one's saying the boy's eligible to play. All we're trying to do is what we feel is right. I would certainly love KHSAA and the courts to give us something that's at least theoretically possible to comply with."
The school feared what is known as the "death penalty" - violating existing sanctions - if it allowed Mitchell to run, Ruberg said. The death penalty would bar all Highlands High students from playing sports.
"Right now if we let him run track pursuant to the court order (and) in light of the sanctions that have been imposed, as well as the finding of lack of institutional control and three years' probation, there's no doubt in my mind that KHSAA would impose further sanctions, up to and including the death penalty," he said.
Mitchell's eligibility to play high school sports came into question in 2004 when he and his family moved from Florence to Fort Thomas. Mitchell transferred to Highlands High from Covington Catholic, but KHSAA said it wasn't a bona-fide move because it was athletics-motivated. It ruled that he must sit out a year.
Mitchell later asked Highlands for permission to run track this spring. The school decided against it following KHSAA's sanctions, which also mandate three years' probation, a $1,500 fine and a two-game suspension of football coach and Athletic Director Dale Mueller next season.
The boys' track team is well into its season. The first track meet was March 24, according to the Highlands Athletic Boosters Association Web site.
Mitchell had foot surgery last month and was unsure if he would be able to participate in spring sports. His father, Maurice Mitchell, said he is healthy and working with a personal trainer three times a week.
Maurice Mitchell said Highlands should follow the court rulings, not the KHSAA.
"I believe in the rule of law, I believe in the law of this country. And I believe the court has the final say-so in a dispute, not an organization," he said.
Maurice Mitchell said his son was stunned by the controversy surrounding his eligibility.
"He's really a nice kid, very respectful. He has never been any trouble whatsoever. And what has happened has all been a total shock to him. He didn't do anything wrong."
This is Not Good
DETROIT (AP) - Standard & Poor's Ratings Services cut its corporate credit ratings to junk status for both General Motors Corp. (GM) and Ford Motor Co. (F), a significant blow that will increase borrowing costs and limit fund-raising options for the nation's two biggest automakers.
Shares of both companies fell 5 percent or more after Thursday's downgrades, and the news sent the overall market lower.
The decision by one of the nation's most respected ratings agencies comes as the two iconic American automakers are losing market share at home to Asian automakers, seeing sales soften for their most profitable models and are facing enormous health care and post-retirement liabilities.
Shares of both companies fell 5 percent or more after Thursday's downgrades, and the news sent the overall market lower.
The decision by one of the nation's most respected ratings agencies comes as the two iconic American automakers are losing market share at home to Asian automakers, seeing sales soften for their most profitable models and are facing enormous health care and post-retirement liabilities.
Oooops!
Don't you hate it when you sign a $50 million contract and then can't think of anything funny to write.
Comedy Central announced that the highly anticipated third season of Dave Chappelle's show will not make its May 31 premiere date. "Comedy Central has suspended production on the third season of Chappelle's Show until further notice," network spokesman Tony Fox said. The first season currently ranks as the all-time top-selling TV show on DVD ...
Comedy Central announced that the highly anticipated third season of Dave Chappelle's show will not make its May 31 premiere date. "Comedy Central has suspended production on the third season of Chappelle's Show until further notice," network spokesman Tony Fox said. The first season currently ranks as the all-time top-selling TV show on DVD ...
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
The Howard Dean of the Right
Please shut up:
Federal judges are a more serious threat to America than Al Qaeda and the Sept. 11 terrorists, the Rev. Pat Robertson claimed yesterday.
"Over 100 years, I think the gradual erosion of the consensus that's held our country together is probably more serious than a few bearded terrorists who fly into buildings," Robertson said on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."
"I think we have controlled Al Qaeda," the 700 Club host said, but warned of "erosion at home" and said judges were creating a "tyranny of oligarchy."
Confronted by Stephanopoulos on his claims that an out-of-control liberal judiciary is the worst threat America has faced in 400 years - worse than Nazi Germany, Japan and the Civil War - Robertson didn't back down.
"Yes, I really believe that," he said. "I think they are destroying the fabric that holds our nation together."
Federal judges are a more serious threat to America than Al Qaeda and the Sept. 11 terrorists, the Rev. Pat Robertson claimed yesterday.
"Over 100 years, I think the gradual erosion of the consensus that's held our country together is probably more serious than a few bearded terrorists who fly into buildings," Robertson said on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."
"I think we have controlled Al Qaeda," the 700 Club host said, but warned of "erosion at home" and said judges were creating a "tyranny of oligarchy."
Confronted by Stephanopoulos on his claims that an out-of-control liberal judiciary is the worst threat America has faced in 400 years - worse than Nazi Germany, Japan and the Civil War - Robertson didn't back down.
"Yes, I really believe that," he said. "I think they are destroying the fabric that holds our nation together."
Monday, May 02, 2005
Today's Top Ten
Top Ten Cool Things About Being The New Pope
10. Can always spot the Popemobile in crowded mall parking lots.
9. Conservative values. Liberal expense account.
8. Always gets preferred seating at any Applebee's.
7. Free "Get out of Hell" card.
6. No longer necessary to tip the pizza delivery guy -- just bless him.
5. Can now legitimately put "My other car is a Popemobile" bumper sticker on pick-up.
4. Infallibility makes you unbeatable at Scrabble.
3. Papal robes go for a lot of money on eBay.
2. Those jerks who made fun of you in high school? Excommunicated.
1. Same old celibacy, but new flashy gear and bling-bling.
10. Can always spot the Popemobile in crowded mall parking lots.
9. Conservative values. Liberal expense account.
8. Always gets preferred seating at any Applebee's.
7. Free "Get out of Hell" card.
6. No longer necessary to tip the pizza delivery guy -- just bless him.
5. Can now legitimately put "My other car is a Popemobile" bumper sticker on pick-up.
4. Infallibility makes you unbeatable at Scrabble.
3. Papal robes go for a lot of money on eBay.
2. Those jerks who made fun of you in high school? Excommunicated.
1. Same old celibacy, but new flashy gear and bling-bling.
Is Journalism Getting Better?
Has journalism become an ethical cesspool, or just been forced to adopt greater standards of cleanliness?
In the past month alone, four reporters for major newspapers have been ousted, and a columnist was suspended, for ethical missteps. The drip-drip-drip of disclosures about sloppiness, fabrication and plagiarism have further eroded the media's reputation, leading to a one-strike-and-you're-out policy at many outlets. . . .
Media bosses are getting tougher on wayward staffers not just because of a greater sense of professionalism, but because outsiders -- led by bloggers and other critics -- have stepped up the pressure. In the Internet age, there's no rug under which to sweep these problems.
"Because we are self-policing so much better, it makes it seem like there's a tremendous cascade of ethical violations," says Thomas Kunkel, dean of the University of Maryland's journalism school. "There used to be a lot more in the way of shenanigans and monkey business that we either didn't know about or, if it was caught, it was winked at. There was a boys-will-be-boys quality about it -- they were mostly boys -- and they would get a slap on the wrist at best."
In the past month alone, four reporters for major newspapers have been ousted, and a columnist was suspended, for ethical missteps. The drip-drip-drip of disclosures about sloppiness, fabrication and plagiarism have further eroded the media's reputation, leading to a one-strike-and-you're-out policy at many outlets. . . .
Media bosses are getting tougher on wayward staffers not just because of a greater sense of professionalism, but because outsiders -- led by bloggers and other critics -- have stepped up the pressure. In the Internet age, there's no rug under which to sweep these problems.
"Because we are self-policing so much better, it makes it seem like there's a tremendous cascade of ethical violations," says Thomas Kunkel, dean of the University of Maryland's journalism school. "There used to be a lot more in the way of shenanigans and monkey business that we either didn't know about or, if it was caught, it was winked at. There was a boys-will-be-boys quality about it -- they were mostly boys -- and they would get a slap on the wrist at best."
Not So Fast
One of the greatest freedom fighters of the 20th century resigns.
JERUSALEM -- Cabinet minister Natan Sharansky, cited as an inspiration by President Bush for promoting democracy, resigned Monday to protest the planned Gaza withdrawal, which he called a "tragic mistake" that will encourage Palestinian violence and deepen the rift in Israeli society.
Sharansky, a former Soviet dissident who was minister for Diaspora Affairs and Jerusalem, served in Cabinets during the past nine years and repeatedly criticized Israeli prime ministers for what he said was their mishandling of negotiations with the Palestinians.
In his letter of resignation to Sharon, obtained by The Associated Press, Sharansky wrote that he opposes making unilateral concessions to the Palestinians.
"As you know, I was opposed to the disengagement plan from the outset, on the basis of my deep belief that every concession in the peace process made by the Israeli side must be accompanied by democratic reform on the Palestinian side," Sharansky wrote.
He told Israel Army Radio that he considers the disengagement plan "a tragic mistake that exacts a high price and also encourages terror."
JERUSALEM -- Cabinet minister Natan Sharansky, cited as an inspiration by President Bush for promoting democracy, resigned Monday to protest the planned Gaza withdrawal, which he called a "tragic mistake" that will encourage Palestinian violence and deepen the rift in Israeli society.
Sharansky, a former Soviet dissident who was minister for Diaspora Affairs and Jerusalem, served in Cabinets during the past nine years and repeatedly criticized Israeli prime ministers for what he said was their mishandling of negotiations with the Palestinians.
In his letter of resignation to Sharon, obtained by The Associated Press, Sharansky wrote that he opposes making unilateral concessions to the Palestinians.
"As you know, I was opposed to the disengagement plan from the outset, on the basis of my deep belief that every concession in the peace process made by the Israeli side must be accompanied by democratic reform on the Palestinian side," Sharansky wrote.
He told Israel Army Radio that he considers the disengagement plan "a tragic mistake that exacts a high price and also encourages terror."
Bad Idea
(CBS) A college production tells the story of Matthew Sheppard, a student beaten to death because he was gay. And soon, it could be banned in Alabama.
Republican Alabama lawmaker Gerald Allen says homosexuality is an unacceptable lifestyle. As CBS News Correspondent Mark Strassmann reports, under his bill, public school libraries could no longer buy new copies of plays or books by gay authors, or about gay characters.
"I don't look at it as censorship," says State Representative Gerald Allen. "I look at it as protecting the hearts and souls and minds of our children."
This guy's wandered off the reservation. Gay author's or actors or whatever are not the problem. They are what they are and are part of who we are. They are no threat to
"the children". Look, the alcoholic across town is no threat to my children. The alcoholic teacher instructing my kids on the joys of getting loaded is.
Republican Alabama lawmaker Gerald Allen says homosexuality is an unacceptable lifestyle. As CBS News Correspondent Mark Strassmann reports, under his bill, public school libraries could no longer buy new copies of plays or books by gay authors, or about gay characters.
"I don't look at it as censorship," says State Representative Gerald Allen. "I look at it as protecting the hearts and souls and minds of our children."
This guy's wandered off the reservation. Gay author's or actors or whatever are not the problem. They are what they are and are part of who we are. They are no threat to
"the children". Look, the alcoholic across town is no threat to my children. The alcoholic teacher instructing my kids on the joys of getting loaded is.
This Is Sweet
"Why can't I make my own decision?"
That was the blunt question to a judge from a pregnant 13-year-old girl ensnared in a Palm Beach County court fight over whether she can have an abortion.
"I don't know," Circuit Judge Ronald Alvarez replied, according to a recording of the closed hearing obtained Friday.
"You don't know?" replied the girl, who is a ward of the state. "Aren't you the judge?"
Against a backdrop of state and federal efforts to pass a parental notification law for teen abortions, the exchange was typical of L.G.'s pluck as she argued that she had the right and capability to make her own decision, despite a move by the Department of Children & Families to seek a judge's permission for her abortion.
"I think if I want to make the decision, it's my business and I can do that," she told the judge.
The DCF is the teen's legal guardian after she was taken away from her parents for abuse or neglect. State law allows minors to have abortions without notifying their guardians. Experts say the law extends to wards of the state, raising the question of why this girl's decision has ended up before a judge.
I think the girl has a point. Our society - in this case the State of Florida - has determined that killing a child in the womb is fine...a mere medical procedure. The State of Florida has also determined that children have the "right" to kill their offspring without the consent of their parents or guardians.
I just hope this "plucky" little girl doesn't want a tattoo. That, I'm sure, requires parental consent.
That was the blunt question to a judge from a pregnant 13-year-old girl ensnared in a Palm Beach County court fight over whether she can have an abortion.
"I don't know," Circuit Judge Ronald Alvarez replied, according to a recording of the closed hearing obtained Friday.
"You don't know?" replied the girl, who is a ward of the state. "Aren't you the judge?"
Against a backdrop of state and federal efforts to pass a parental notification law for teen abortions, the exchange was typical of L.G.'s pluck as she argued that she had the right and capability to make her own decision, despite a move by the Department of Children & Families to seek a judge's permission for her abortion.
"I think if I want to make the decision, it's my business and I can do that," she told the judge.
The DCF is the teen's legal guardian after she was taken away from her parents for abuse or neglect. State law allows minors to have abortions without notifying their guardians. Experts say the law extends to wards of the state, raising the question of why this girl's decision has ended up before a judge.
I think the girl has a point. Our society - in this case the State of Florida - has determined that killing a child in the womb is fine...a mere medical procedure. The State of Florida has also determined that children have the "right" to kill their offspring without the consent of their parents or guardians.
I just hope this "plucky" little girl doesn't want a tattoo. That, I'm sure, requires parental consent.
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