NEW YORK (Reuters) -- The round-the-clock availability that cell phones and pagers have brought to people's lives may be taking a toll on family life, a new study suggests.
The study, which followed more than 1,300 adults over 2 years, found that those who consistently used a mobile phone or pager throughout the study period were more likely to report negative "spillover" between work and home life -- and, in turn, less satisfaction with their family life.
Friday, January 06, 2006
I'm No Role Model
Bode Miller knows he puts his life at risk when he skis drunk, but the outspoken Olympic favorite admits he may try the dangerous activity again.
"Talk about a hard challenge right there. ... If you ever tried to ski when you're wasted, it's not easy," Miller told "60 Minutes" for a segment that will air Sunday. "Try and ski a slalom when ... you hit a gate less than every one second, so it's risky. You're putting your life at risk. ... It's like driving drunk, only there are no rules about it in ski racing."
Asked if the risk meant he would never ski drunk again, Miller replied "No, I'm not saying that."
"Talk about a hard challenge right there. ... If you ever tried to ski when you're wasted, it's not easy," Miller told "60 Minutes" for a segment that will air Sunday. "Try and ski a slalom when ... you hit a gate less than every one second, so it's risky. You're putting your life at risk. ... It's like driving drunk, only there are no rules about it in ski racing."
Asked if the risk meant he would never ski drunk again, Miller replied "No, I'm not saying that."
Who Will Replace Tom Delay?
From a Republican strategist:
The two likely candidates at the moment are acting Majority Leader Roy Blunt and Rep. John Boehner. This strategist says he likes them both, but made this tart observation: “It's Boehner, who is Mr. K St., versus Blunt, who left his wife of 30 years to marry a Queen of K St., a tobacco lobbyist--both trying to be leader of a party facing a K. St. scandal.”
What a bunch of boobs.
The two likely candidates at the moment are acting Majority Leader Roy Blunt and Rep. John Boehner. This strategist says he likes them both, but made this tart observation: “It's Boehner, who is Mr. K St., versus Blunt, who left his wife of 30 years to marry a Queen of K St., a tobacco lobbyist--both trying to be leader of a party facing a K. St. scandal.”
What a bunch of boobs.
Why UK Sucks
The Wildcats don't rank in the nation's top 140 teams in shooting percentage of any kind, and they're among the four worst teams in the Southeastern Conference in virtually every offensive category.
Bad Idea
Somebody stop it. Please.
The Israeli government is planning to give up a large slice of land to American Christian evangelicals to build a biblical theme park by the Sea of Galilee where Jesus is said to have walked on water and fed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish.
A consortium of Christian groups, led by the television evangelist Pat Robertson, is in negotiation with the Israeli ministry of tourism and a deal is expected in the coming months. The project is expected to bring up to 1 million extra tourists a year but an undeclared benefit will be the cementing of a political alliance between the Israeli rightwing and the American Christian right.
The Israeli government is planning to give up a large slice of land to American Christian evangelicals to build a biblical theme park by the Sea of Galilee where Jesus is said to have walked on water and fed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish.
A consortium of Christian groups, led by the television evangelist Pat Robertson, is in negotiation with the Israeli ministry of tourism and a deal is expected in the coming months. The project is expected to bring up to 1 million extra tourists a year but an undeclared benefit will be the cementing of a political alliance between the Israeli rightwing and the American Christian right.
They're Coming Around
European leaders on Thursday fretted over the fate of Ariel Sharon, a man once seen in Europe as a danger for the Middle East but now viewed as a more complex, even crucial figure.
The concerns reflect a subtle shift in Europe - where there has been surprised admiration for Sharon's dismantling of settlements, satisfaction with the role now played by Europeans on the Gaza-Egypt border, and a growing wariness with the Islamic world.
Sharon changed the political landscape in the Middle East by coupling open and responsive diplomatic relations with a brutal military campaign against the Islamists. Just as Sharon was pulling out of Gaza and closing settlements, he was reducing the number of Israeli vicitims of terrorism from 450 or so in 2002 to only 45 or so in 2005.
The concerns reflect a subtle shift in Europe - where there has been surprised admiration for Sharon's dismantling of settlements, satisfaction with the role now played by Europeans on the Gaza-Egypt border, and a growing wariness with the Islamic world.
Sharon changed the political landscape in the Middle East by coupling open and responsive diplomatic relations with a brutal military campaign against the Islamists. Just as Sharon was pulling out of Gaza and closing settlements, he was reducing the number of Israeli vicitims of terrorism from 450 or so in 2002 to only 45 or so in 2005.
The Greatest In The Next World Are The Least In This One
This world glorifies athletes, politicians, the wealthy, actors, CEOs, etc. These individuals receive there reward here.
The next world glorifies this.
The next world glorifies this.
The Playoffs Are Different
Said one veteran quarterback, who asked not to be identified when recalling his first postseason game: "Right before I left the locker room, I [vomited] my guts out. The first snap of the game? Hey, I thought I was going to [urinate] down my leg or something. All of a sudden, it's not like you can screw up a game, and just come back next week and [redeem] yourself. Screw up and there is no next week. For you or for 52 other guys all looking at you. I mean, that's pressure."
Who dey!
Who dey!
I Am That I Am - Which Means He Is Everywhere
An amazing story from an Army doctor in Iraq:
The Saturday before I left Iraq was one of the most amazing days of my life. I was scheduled to see patients and make rounds at the POW camp, and I asked the chaplain to join me. I wanted to say goodbye to the prisoners. Many of these Muslims had become Christians, and they had been asking for a baptismal service.
The chaplain suddenly decided to conduct a simple service. The POWs gathered their water bottles, and we pulled a cot out of one of the tents, setting it in the middle of the compound. One by one, the POWs sat on the cot and leaned back while we poured water over their heads and baptized them in the name of Christ. We baptized about a dozen that day.
During the baptisms, we asked each man if he wished to take a Christian name. One man asked me to write down each of the apostles' names so he could choose one. Another prisoner, named Afshin, asked me to suggest a name. I suggested James, the brother of Jesus, and told him that my father and brother are named James. Since my family name was on my uniform, Afshin asked about Morsch as well.
The chaplain asked me to baptize Afshin. I asked my friend what name he wished to take. He said, "I wish to take the name James Afshin Morsch." With tears in my eyes, I poured water onto his head, baptizing my Muslim friend into the fellowship of Christ. After our baptismal service, James pulled me aside and told me it was an Iraqi tradition to give a good friend a gift. He slowly slipped a ring off his hand.
"This is my wedding ring," he said. "I haven't seen my wife in many years, and I probably will never see her again. I'd like to give it to you."
I was stunned.
"No, James, you must keep it," I eventually said. "Someday you will see your wife again."
"No, I want you to have it," he said, as he pressed the ring into my hand.
We hugged and said a tearful goodbye, and then I walked out of the POW compound. It was time to return home.
I left on a plane full of wounded soldiers. The airstrip was under attack even as we taxied for takeoff. But I was at peace. God had brought me to Iraq to serve soldiers, civilians, and the enemy. But I saw that those categories are meaningless before God. He loves them all, and calls us to serve them all.
The Left calls this imperialism, religious subjugation, or worse. God calls it grace.
The Saturday before I left Iraq was one of the most amazing days of my life. I was scheduled to see patients and make rounds at the POW camp, and I asked the chaplain to join me. I wanted to say goodbye to the prisoners. Many of these Muslims had become Christians, and they had been asking for a baptismal service.
The chaplain suddenly decided to conduct a simple service. The POWs gathered their water bottles, and we pulled a cot out of one of the tents, setting it in the middle of the compound. One by one, the POWs sat on the cot and leaned back while we poured water over their heads and baptized them in the name of Christ. We baptized about a dozen that day.
During the baptisms, we asked each man if he wished to take a Christian name. One man asked me to write down each of the apostles' names so he could choose one. Another prisoner, named Afshin, asked me to suggest a name. I suggested James, the brother of Jesus, and told him that my father and brother are named James. Since my family name was on my uniform, Afshin asked about Morsch as well.
The chaplain asked me to baptize Afshin. I asked my friend what name he wished to take. He said, "I wish to take the name James Afshin Morsch." With tears in my eyes, I poured water onto his head, baptizing my Muslim friend into the fellowship of Christ. After our baptismal service, James pulled me aside and told me it was an Iraqi tradition to give a good friend a gift. He slowly slipped a ring off his hand.
"This is my wedding ring," he said. "I haven't seen my wife in many years, and I probably will never see her again. I'd like to give it to you."
I was stunned.
"No, James, you must keep it," I eventually said. "Someday you will see your wife again."
"No, I want you to have it," he said, as he pressed the ring into my hand.
We hugged and said a tearful goodbye, and then I walked out of the POW compound. It was time to return home.
I left on a plane full of wounded soldiers. The airstrip was under attack even as we taxied for takeoff. But I was at peace. God had brought me to Iraq to serve soldiers, civilians, and the enemy. But I saw that those categories are meaningless before God. He loves them all, and calls us to serve them all.
The Left calls this imperialism, religious subjugation, or worse. God calls it grace.
Why Not?
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A senior U.S. intelligence official told CNN on Thursday that the National Security Agency did not target CNN's chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour or any other CNN journalist for surveillance.
Judging by her reporting, Amanpour's certainly in the tank for the radical Islamists - if not on the payroll.
Judging by her reporting, Amanpour's certainly in the tank for the radical Islamists - if not on the payroll.
Possibly This Nation's Greatest Crisis
Marriage is great equalizer for blacks
By Roland Warren
As a happily married man, I have been troubled by the oft-stated myth that the institution of wedlock has never been central to the African-American heritage.
Unfortunately, this view has permeated the African-American community and society at large. Now, it may be single-handedly holding back blacks in their pursuit of social, economic and educational progress.
According to testimony given last fall to a Senate subcommittee by Ron Haskins of The Brookings Institution, from 1970 to 2001, the overall marriage rate declined 17% but 34% for blacks. The overall rate for out-of-wedlock births is 33% compared with 70% for blacks.
These disappointing trends are critical because research has shown that marriage provides significant benefits for men and women. Most important, children who are raised by their married, biological parents do better across every measure of economic, social, health and educational well-being than children raised in other family arrangements. In fact, when comparing families of similar socioeconomic status, these black children have similar outcomes as their white counterparts. Marriage is the great equalizer.
Alex Haley wrote Roots based on the belief that he was the descendant of an African slave named Kunta Kinte. Roots tells the story of his family, starting with Kunta's birth. Although some of Haley's research has been contested, Roots can teach us some valuable lessons, including one that few seem to discuss.
Kunta Kinte escaped his master several times only to be caught each time. But one thing finally caused him to change course: his marriage and the birth of his daughter. Kunta "jumped the broom" with Bell, the plantation's cook. The ritual was used to formalize the husband-wife bond, since slaves could not legally marry. Bell soon gave birth to their first daughter, named Kizzy, an African word for "stay put." Kunta decided that creating a legacy of hope for his family was more important than escape.
Kinte's dedication to his family is not unique. In 1890, 80% of black families with children were headed by married couples, according to sociologist Andrew Billingsley. That figure has dropped to 39%. In 1950, 64% of black males older than 15 were married compared with 68% of white males. By 1998, only 41% of black males were married. From 1950 to '98, the percentage of never-married black women doubled.
This divergence in black and white marriage rates is not the legacy that Kunta Kinte left for us. It is time for African-Americans to change the path that is holding our children and families back so that we can rediscover the "roots" of marriage.
Roland Warren is the president of the National Fatherhood Initiative.
By Roland Warren
As a happily married man, I have been troubled by the oft-stated myth that the institution of wedlock has never been central to the African-American heritage.
Unfortunately, this view has permeated the African-American community and society at large. Now, it may be single-handedly holding back blacks in their pursuit of social, economic and educational progress.
According to testimony given last fall to a Senate subcommittee by Ron Haskins of The Brookings Institution, from 1970 to 2001, the overall marriage rate declined 17% but 34% for blacks. The overall rate for out-of-wedlock births is 33% compared with 70% for blacks.
These disappointing trends are critical because research has shown that marriage provides significant benefits for men and women. Most important, children who are raised by their married, biological parents do better across every measure of economic, social, health and educational well-being than children raised in other family arrangements. In fact, when comparing families of similar socioeconomic status, these black children have similar outcomes as their white counterparts. Marriage is the great equalizer.
Alex Haley wrote Roots based on the belief that he was the descendant of an African slave named Kunta Kinte. Roots tells the story of his family, starting with Kunta's birth. Although some of Haley's research has been contested, Roots can teach us some valuable lessons, including one that few seem to discuss.
Kunta Kinte escaped his master several times only to be caught each time. But one thing finally caused him to change course: his marriage and the birth of his daughter. Kunta "jumped the broom" with Bell, the plantation's cook. The ritual was used to formalize the husband-wife bond, since slaves could not legally marry. Bell soon gave birth to their first daughter, named Kizzy, an African word for "stay put." Kunta decided that creating a legacy of hope for his family was more important than escape.
Kinte's dedication to his family is not unique. In 1890, 80% of black families with children were headed by married couples, according to sociologist Andrew Billingsley. That figure has dropped to 39%. In 1950, 64% of black males older than 15 were married compared with 68% of white males. By 1998, only 41% of black males were married. From 1950 to '98, the percentage of never-married black women doubled.
This divergence in black and white marriage rates is not the legacy that Kunta Kinte left for us. It is time for African-Americans to change the path that is holding our children and families back so that we can rediscover the "roots" of marriage.
Roland Warren is the president of the National Fatherhood Initiative.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
A Must Have
TOKYO (Reuters) - Matsushita Electric Industrial, the maker of Panasonic products, said Thursday it has developed a prototype of a 103-inch plasma display panel, the world's largest such screen.
The prototype, which will be on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, appears to put Matsushita slightly ahead of South Korea's Samsung Electronics for bragging rights over who can develop the biggest flat-panel TV.
The prototype, which will be on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, appears to put Matsushita slightly ahead of South Korea's Samsung Electronics for bragging rights over who can develop the biggest flat-panel TV.
Trouble In Paradise
It looks like somebody in Katie Holmes' family finally realized that Tom is a freakin' raving lunatic.
Hold off on buying that first edition of "Dianetics" as a wedding present for Tom Cruise and his pregnant fiancée, Katie Holmes.
The buzz is that the engagement of the happy couple has hit a few bumps and, after reportedly tense holidays spent at Holmes’ house, wedding plans may have been put on hold.
With a new year beginning, Cruise “decided to take the opportunity to mend fences with the family of his fiancée, Katie Holmes,” according to the upcoming issue of Life & Style Weekly. It didn’t go so well.
"Tom and Katie ended up leaving — three days earlier than planned,” according to a “close friend” of Cruise. “Katie was in tears, but that’s standard when it comes to dealing with family matters and Tom.”
A spokesman for Cruise denies the story, but there have been previous reports that Holmes’ lawyer father is not thrilled with the prospects of the two getting hitched.
“My honest opinion is that the wedding’s not going to happen,” a “friend of the couple” told the mag. “Neither one of them seems as enthusiastic as they once did about marriage.”
Hold off on buying that first edition of "Dianetics" as a wedding present for Tom Cruise and his pregnant fiancée, Katie Holmes.
The buzz is that the engagement of the happy couple has hit a few bumps and, after reportedly tense holidays spent at Holmes’ house, wedding plans may have been put on hold.
With a new year beginning, Cruise “decided to take the opportunity to mend fences with the family of his fiancée, Katie Holmes,” according to the upcoming issue of Life & Style Weekly. It didn’t go so well.
"Tom and Katie ended up leaving — three days earlier than planned,” according to a “close friend” of Cruise. “Katie was in tears, but that’s standard when it comes to dealing with family matters and Tom.”
A spokesman for Cruise denies the story, but there have been previous reports that Holmes’ lawyer father is not thrilled with the prospects of the two getting hitched.
“My honest opinion is that the wedding’s not going to happen,” a “friend of the couple” told the mag. “Neither one of them seems as enthusiastic as they once did about marriage.”
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
The National Education Association = Gangstas
We already knew that the NEA's top brass lives large. Reg Weaver, the union's president, makes $439,000 a year. The NEA has a $58 million payroll for just over 600 employees, more than half of whom draw six-figure salaries. Last year the average teacher made only $48,000, so it seems you're better off working as a union rep than in the classroom....
The NEA gave $15,000 to the Human Rights Campaign, which lobbies for "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equal rights." The National Women's Law Center, whose Web site currently features a "pocket guide" to opposing Supreme Court nominee Sam Alito, received $5,000. And something called the Fund to Protect Social Security got $400,000, presumably to defeat personal investment accounts....
There's been a lot in the news recently about published opinion that parallels donor politics. Well, last year the NEA gave $45,000 to the Economic Policy Institute, which regularly issues reports that claim education is underfunded and teachers are underpaid. The partisans at People for the American Way got a $51,000 NEA contribution; PFAW happens to be vehemently anti-voucher.The extent to which the NEA sends money to states for political agitation is also revealing. For example, Protect Our Public Schools, an anti-charter-school group backed by the NEA's Washington state affiliate, received $500,000 toward its efforts to block school choice for underprivileged children. (Never mind that charter schools are public schools.) And the Floridians for All Committee, which focuses on "the construction of a permanent progressive infrastructure that will help redirect Florida politics in a more progressive, Democratic direction," received a $249,000 donation from NEA headquarters....
The NEA is spending the mandatory dues paid by members who are told their money will be used to gain better wages, benefits and working conditions. According to the latest filing, member dues accounted for $295 million of the NEA's $341 million in total receipts last year. But the union spent $25 million of that on "political activities and lobbying" and another $65.5 million on "contributions, gifts and grants" that seemed designed to further those hyper-liberal political goals.
The NEA gave $15,000 to the Human Rights Campaign, which lobbies for "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equal rights." The National Women's Law Center, whose Web site currently features a "pocket guide" to opposing Supreme Court nominee Sam Alito, received $5,000. And something called the Fund to Protect Social Security got $400,000, presumably to defeat personal investment accounts....
There's been a lot in the news recently about published opinion that parallels donor politics. Well, last year the NEA gave $45,000 to the Economic Policy Institute, which regularly issues reports that claim education is underfunded and teachers are underpaid. The partisans at People for the American Way got a $51,000 NEA contribution; PFAW happens to be vehemently anti-voucher.The extent to which the NEA sends money to states for political agitation is also revealing. For example, Protect Our Public Schools, an anti-charter-school group backed by the NEA's Washington state affiliate, received $500,000 toward its efforts to block school choice for underprivileged children. (Never mind that charter schools are public schools.) And the Floridians for All Committee, which focuses on "the construction of a permanent progressive infrastructure that will help redirect Florida politics in a more progressive, Democratic direction," received a $249,000 donation from NEA headquarters....
The NEA is spending the mandatory dues paid by members who are told their money will be used to gain better wages, benefits and working conditions. According to the latest filing, member dues accounted for $295 million of the NEA's $341 million in total receipts last year. But the union spent $25 million of that on "political activities and lobbying" and another $65.5 million on "contributions, gifts and grants" that seemed designed to further those hyper-liberal political goals.
It's Official
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Lynn Swann, the former Pittsburgh Steelers star and veteran football commentator for ABC Sports, is expected to declare his candidacy for Pennsylvania governor Wednesday.
Swann planned to open a three-day tour of the state at a rally in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night, before flying to similar events in six other cities -- Erie, Altoona and Scranton on Thursday, and Philadelphia, Allentown and Lancaster on Friday.
Swann planned to open a three-day tour of the state at a rally in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night, before flying to similar events in six other cities -- Erie, Altoona and Scranton on Thursday, and Philadelphia, Allentown and Lancaster on Friday.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Quote of the Day
"Honestly, this is probably going to strike a nerve with a lot of people. But my most memorable Christmas memory was having all of my uncles and aunties out of prison for one Christmas, and that includes me. We had a lot of run-ins with the law, and to have us all out at one time was great." -- Washington Wizards forward Caron Butler
I'm Reluctantly Becoming a Notre Dame Fan
Leaning against a green cart, Weis, still decked out in the black shirt, slacks and shoes, was joking with some assistant coaches and needling some student managers when Tyler Bruggman, an 11-year-old fan, walked up. Wearing his silver and black Pop Warner jersey, Bruggman, who came to practice with his father, Curt, a life-long Notre Dame fan who teaches at Scottsdale Community College, simply wanted an autograph from Weis.
Weis smiled, shook Bruggman's hand, signed his hat and noticed the young man looking at Weis' obscenely large Super Bowl championship ring. "Do you want to try it on?" Weis asked. While Bruggman was left speechless, Weis took off his ring. "Here," he said as he handed the pricey piece of jewelry to the kid. "Put it on." Bruggman, grinning from ear to ear, put the ring on and clinched his fist tightly so it wouldn't fall out of his tiny index finger. He then took a picture with Weis, who smiled just as wide as Bruggman for the camera.
What transpired next is what makes Charlie Weis, Charlie Weis. He noticed Bruggman's No. 11 jersey and asked him if he played football. "Yeah, I'm a quarterback," he said. "Who's your favorite player," Weis asked. "Tom Brady," Bruggman answered. Weis smiled and gestured the kid to come closer. "Check this out," he said as he pulled out his cell phone and scrolled through a who's who list of football greats, Belichick, Bettis...before highlighting Brady. "Should we call him?" Weis asked. "Do you want to talk to him?"
Still speechless, Bruggman simply nodded his head. "Hold on," Weis said as he pushed his cell phone to call Brady. "Let's see if he picks up. If he doesn't, you're going to hear some loud music [that he put on] so people who shouldn't have the number hang up." After a few rings Weis shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, he's not there... listen." He then handed the phone to Bruggman, who couldn't believe he was even listening to Brady's voice mail.
Weis continued to engage Bruggman in conversation. "So you any good?" he asked. "Can you sling it?" Bruggman smiled and nodded his head, prompting Weis to ask for a football from one of the equipment managers. "Let's see," he said.
As the kid grabbed a football, Weis joked with Curt Bruggman, who was standing nearby. "I hope this isn't a recruiting violation," Weis said. After Tyler threw a couple of tight spirals to the equipment manager, Weis raised his eyebrows and said, "Not bad." He then shook hands with the Bruggmans and thanked them for coming to practice.
"He didn't have to do that," said Curt Bruggman afterward. "He didn't know us. He did it because he wanted to. He is so down to earth and warm to kids. It was such a special moment for my son."
If that wasn't enough, Weis walked to the edge of the practice field, where a group of kids from a local youth organization were assembled, and spoke to them for a few minutes. "You know what makes those guys over there special?" Weis said, pointing to his players behind him. "They're not only good football players, but they're also good students. It's important to be good students. I had a couple of guys who weren't good students and I didn't bring them on the trip."
As the kids eyed the players behind Weis, the coach smiled and asked, "You want to meet them? OK, do this for me. Go and point out the ugliest one and ask him for an autograph. I'll help you out with the first one." Weis then pointed to tight end Anthony Fasano. "Hey Anthony!" As soon as Fasano turned around the kids ran toward the tight end. "OK, OK, [Brady] Quinn hop in there and help out," Weis said as he walked toward his players. "You too Darius [Walker]. C'mon and meet with these kids."
While the kids got autographs and took pictures with all the players, Weis walked over to a group of players who had just gotten a drink and were slowly walking toward the kids. "Hey, fellas," he said. "Let's go. It's not about you right now." With Weis, it seems, it never is.
Weis smiled, shook Bruggman's hand, signed his hat and noticed the young man looking at Weis' obscenely large Super Bowl championship ring. "Do you want to try it on?" Weis asked. While Bruggman was left speechless, Weis took off his ring. "Here," he said as he handed the pricey piece of jewelry to the kid. "Put it on." Bruggman, grinning from ear to ear, put the ring on and clinched his fist tightly so it wouldn't fall out of his tiny index finger. He then took a picture with Weis, who smiled just as wide as Bruggman for the camera.
What transpired next is what makes Charlie Weis, Charlie Weis. He noticed Bruggman's No. 11 jersey and asked him if he played football. "Yeah, I'm a quarterback," he said. "Who's your favorite player," Weis asked. "Tom Brady," Bruggman answered. Weis smiled and gestured the kid to come closer. "Check this out," he said as he pulled out his cell phone and scrolled through a who's who list of football greats, Belichick, Bettis...before highlighting Brady. "Should we call him?" Weis asked. "Do you want to talk to him?"
Still speechless, Bruggman simply nodded his head. "Hold on," Weis said as he pushed his cell phone to call Brady. "Let's see if he picks up. If he doesn't, you're going to hear some loud music [that he put on] so people who shouldn't have the number hang up." After a few rings Weis shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, he's not there... listen." He then handed the phone to Bruggman, who couldn't believe he was even listening to Brady's voice mail.
Weis continued to engage Bruggman in conversation. "So you any good?" he asked. "Can you sling it?" Bruggman smiled and nodded his head, prompting Weis to ask for a football from one of the equipment managers. "Let's see," he said.
As the kid grabbed a football, Weis joked with Curt Bruggman, who was standing nearby. "I hope this isn't a recruiting violation," Weis said. After Tyler threw a couple of tight spirals to the equipment manager, Weis raised his eyebrows and said, "Not bad." He then shook hands with the Bruggmans and thanked them for coming to practice.
"He didn't have to do that," said Curt Bruggman afterward. "He didn't know us. He did it because he wanted to. He is so down to earth and warm to kids. It was such a special moment for my son."
If that wasn't enough, Weis walked to the edge of the practice field, where a group of kids from a local youth organization were assembled, and spoke to them for a few minutes. "You know what makes those guys over there special?" Weis said, pointing to his players behind him. "They're not only good football players, but they're also good students. It's important to be good students. I had a couple of guys who weren't good students and I didn't bring them on the trip."
As the kids eyed the players behind Weis, the coach smiled and asked, "You want to meet them? OK, do this for me. Go and point out the ugliest one and ask him for an autograph. I'll help you out with the first one." Weis then pointed to tight end Anthony Fasano. "Hey Anthony!" As soon as Fasano turned around the kids ran toward the tight end. "OK, OK, [Brady] Quinn hop in there and help out," Weis said as he walked toward his players. "You too Darius [Walker]. C'mon and meet with these kids."
While the kids got autographs and took pictures with all the players, Weis walked over to a group of players who had just gotten a drink and were slowly walking toward the kids. "Hey, fellas," he said. "Let's go. It's not about you right now." With Weis, it seems, it never is.
Because I Know You Care
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Mercedes-Benz was the most mentioned brand in 2005's biggest rap hits, found a survey released this week.
Mercedes received 100 mentions, while Nike came in second with 63 mentions and former No. 1 Cadillac took third with 62, according to American Brandstand 2005, a report by Agenda Inc., a San Francisco-based marketing firm. The report tallies which products were most name-dropped in the 106 songs that reached the Billboard Top 20 this year...
...Top ten brands:
1. Mercedes-Benz
2. Nike
3. Cadillac
4. Bentley
5. Rolls-Royce
6. Hennessy
7. Chevrolet
8. Louis Vuitton/Cristal (tie)
10. AK-47
However, this little nugget struck me as important:
It was unclear how many of the product mentions were paid placements -- advertising industry analysts quoted in AdAge said that revealing such a deal would likely undermine both the rapper and the brand's credibility.
Mercedes received 100 mentions, while Nike came in second with 63 mentions and former No. 1 Cadillac took third with 62, according to American Brandstand 2005, a report by Agenda Inc., a San Francisco-based marketing firm. The report tallies which products were most name-dropped in the 106 songs that reached the Billboard Top 20 this year...
...Top ten brands:
1. Mercedes-Benz
2. Nike
3. Cadillac
4. Bentley
5. Rolls-Royce
6. Hennessy
7. Chevrolet
8. Louis Vuitton/Cristal (tie)
10. AK-47
However, this little nugget struck me as important:
It was unclear how many of the product mentions were paid placements -- advertising industry analysts quoted in AdAge said that revealing such a deal would likely undermine both the rapper and the brand's credibility.
Sigh!
January 3, 2006 -- In what's surely the scariest development of the young new year, allhiphop.com reports that "Dirty Dancing" star Patrick Swayze wants to release a rap single. The actor, who had a massive hit in 1987 with "She's Like the Wind," told the site he's working on a new tune which will show that "rap rhythms [are] an emotional undercurrent for ballads." Swayze is no stranger to keepin' it real - he starred in Ja Rule's video for "Reign" - but didn't have a "timeline" for when his foray into hip-hop would be released.
Hmmmmm?
WASHINGTON (AP) - Former District of Columbia Mayor Marion Barry was robbed at gunpoint at his apartment by some youths who had helped him carry his groceries.
Barry, who wasn't injured in the Monday night robbery, said he gave the youths a couple of dollars for helping unload groceries from his car and they left. They returned, however, and after Barry let them into his Southeast apartment, they pointed a gun at his head and took his wallet, which contained cash and credit cards, Barry told WRC-TV.
Ok, Barry pays the youths for helping him unload groceries and the youths leave. So far so good. But then they return later and he lets them into his house where they pull a gun and rob him? Fat chance. Can you say "drug deal gone bad".
Barry, who wasn't injured in the Monday night robbery, said he gave the youths a couple of dollars for helping unload groceries from his car and they left. They returned, however, and after Barry let them into his Southeast apartment, they pointed a gun at his head and took his wallet, which contained cash and credit cards, Barry told WRC-TV.
Ok, Barry pays the youths for helping him unload groceries and the youths leave. So far so good. But then they return later and he lets them into his house where they pull a gun and rob him? Fat chance. Can you say "drug deal gone bad".
Gotta Love the AP
This caption accompanies the picture of a mother of 3 suicide terrorists:
Um Nidal, mother of three Palestinian martyrs delivering a speech at a celebration at the18th foundation anniversary of Palestinian militant group, Hamas, on Friday Dec.30, 2005, in the Syrian capital, Damascus. Hamas organized a celebration at Yarmouk refugee camp southern Damascus with participation of 2000 palestinians. (AP Photo / Bassem Tellawi)
Um Nidal, mother of three Palestinian martyrs delivering a speech at a celebration at the18th foundation anniversary of Palestinian militant group, Hamas, on Friday Dec.30, 2005, in the Syrian capital, Damascus. Hamas organized a celebration at Yarmouk refugee camp southern Damascus with participation of 2000 palestinians. (AP Photo / Bassem Tellawi)
Monday, January 02, 2006
Quote of the Day
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I'm just a caveman. I fell on some ice and later got thawed out by some of your scientists. Your world frightens and confuses me! Sometimes the honking horns of your traffic make me want to get out of my BMW... and run off into the hills, or wherever... Sometimes when I get a message on my fax machine, I wonder: "Did little demons get inside and type it?" I don't know! My primitive mind can't grasp these concepts. But there is one thing I do know - when a man like my client slips and falls on a sidewalk in front of a public library, then he is entitled to no less than two million in compensatory damages, and two million in punitive damages. Thank you. -- Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer
I Say $20 An Hour
For the last few months, Valentin Alonso, 31, has sold doughnuts, scooped ice cream, mopped floors and delivered food for a combination Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin' Donuts shop in Spanish Harlem.
He has been paid $6.50 an hour, a bit more than the state minimum wage of $6, which rises today to $6.75 for 360,000 workers in New York.
His wife, Janery Melendez, 28, has a part-time maintenance job for the City Department of Parks and Recreation. Their earnings must cover $990-a-month rent for an apartment in Long Beach, N.Y.; rising fuel costs; health insurance; and the costs of raising their 12-year-old son, Luis.
"You know what 12 years old means?" said Mr. Alonso. "It means another bill. It means sneakers. It means a jacket. It means school supplies."
Mr. Alonso does not think much of the new minimum wage. "You need a minimum wage of $9 an hour just to begin to survive in New York."
Today's rise is the second stage of a three-year increase. The minimum wage will rise again, to $7.15 an hour, on Jan. 1, 2007. The national rate is $5.15.
For workers who get tips, the minimum wage will go to $4.35 from $3.85, and will rise again next year, to $4.60.
If you're for a minimum wage, you obviously discount any economic impact that such a law makes. So why not just make it $20 an hour. Hey, businesses make a lot of money...they can pay it.
He has been paid $6.50 an hour, a bit more than the state minimum wage of $6, which rises today to $6.75 for 360,000 workers in New York.
His wife, Janery Melendez, 28, has a part-time maintenance job for the City Department of Parks and Recreation. Their earnings must cover $990-a-month rent for an apartment in Long Beach, N.Y.; rising fuel costs; health insurance; and the costs of raising their 12-year-old son, Luis.
"You know what 12 years old means?" said Mr. Alonso. "It means another bill. It means sneakers. It means a jacket. It means school supplies."
Mr. Alonso does not think much of the new minimum wage. "You need a minimum wage of $9 an hour just to begin to survive in New York."
Today's rise is the second stage of a three-year increase. The minimum wage will rise again, to $7.15 an hour, on Jan. 1, 2007. The national rate is $5.15.
For workers who get tips, the minimum wage will go to $4.35 from $3.85, and will rise again next year, to $4.60.
If you're for a minimum wage, you obviously discount any economic impact that such a law makes. So why not just make it $20 an hour. Hey, businesses make a lot of money...they can pay it.
Do You Believe In Magic?
Former President Jimmy Carter, in an interview for the January issue of GQ magazine, reveals how, on the recommendation of then-CIA director Stansfield Turner, he once authorized a psychic to make targeting decisions--while "in a trance"--for America's satellite surveillance system:
GQ: One of the promises you made in 1976 was that if you were elected, you would look into the [UFO] reports from Roswell and see if there had been any cover-ups. Did you look into that?
Carter: Well, in a way. I became more aware of what our intelligence services were doing. There was only one instance that I'll talk about now. We had a plane go down in the Central African Republic--a twin-engine plane, small plane. And we couldn't find it. And so we oriented satellites that were going around the earth every ninety minutes to fly over that spot where we thought it might be and take photographs. We couldn't find it. So the director of the CIA came and told me that he had contacted a woman in California that claimed to have supernatural capabilities. And she went in a trance, and she wrote down latitudes and longitudes, and we sent our satellites over that latitude and longitude, and there was the plane.
GQ: One of the promises you made in 1976 was that if you were elected, you would look into the [UFO] reports from Roswell and see if there had been any cover-ups. Did you look into that?
Carter: Well, in a way. I became more aware of what our intelligence services were doing. There was only one instance that I'll talk about now. We had a plane go down in the Central African Republic--a twin-engine plane, small plane. And we couldn't find it. And so we oriented satellites that were going around the earth every ninety minutes to fly over that spot where we thought it might be and take photographs. We couldn't find it. So the director of the CIA came and told me that he had contacted a woman in California that claimed to have supernatural capabilities. And she went in a trance, and she wrote down latitudes and longitudes, and we sent our satellites over that latitude and longitude, and there was the plane.
Classic NY Times
From Roger Simon:
From the New York Times of May 27, 1999:
"The report, entitled "Development of Surveillance Technology and Risk of Abuse of Economic Information", was published on May 10 and provides a detailed account of Echelon and other intelligence monitoring systems.
According to the report, Echelon is just one of the many code names for the monitoring system, which consists of satellite interception stations in participating countries. The stations collectively monitor millions of voice and data messages each day. These messages are then scanned and checked against certain key criteria held in a computer system called the "Dictionary." In the case of voice communications, the criteria could include a suspected criminal's telephone number; with respect to data communications, the messages might be scanned for certain keywords, like "bomb" or "drugs." The report also alleges that Echelon is capable of monitoring terrestrial Internet traffic through interception nodes placed on deep-sea communications cables.
While few dispute the necessity of a system like Echelon to apprehend foreign spies, drug traffickers and terrorists, many are concerned that the system could be abused to collect economic and political information. [bold mine]"
Well, those "few" who dispute the necessity of a system like Echelon to apprehend foreign spies, drug traffickers and terrorists, now evidently includes the New York Times. The newspaper appears to have forgotten entirely about the Echelon program they once reported on. Selective amnesia? Of course anyone with a computer can get plenty of info on Echelon and the NSA dated 1998, 1999, etc. when another administration was in place. I can remember reading about it in various quarters and remarking to people how all our email and cell phone calls were scanned for key words. Our lives were no longer private. It was hardly secret, in fact pretty close to public knowledge - to everyone but Chuck Schumer apparently.
From the New York Times of May 27, 1999:
"The report, entitled "Development of Surveillance Technology and Risk of Abuse of Economic Information", was published on May 10 and provides a detailed account of Echelon and other intelligence monitoring systems.
According to the report, Echelon is just one of the many code names for the monitoring system, which consists of satellite interception stations in participating countries. The stations collectively monitor millions of voice and data messages each day. These messages are then scanned and checked against certain key criteria held in a computer system called the "Dictionary." In the case of voice communications, the criteria could include a suspected criminal's telephone number; with respect to data communications, the messages might be scanned for certain keywords, like "bomb" or "drugs." The report also alleges that Echelon is capable of monitoring terrestrial Internet traffic through interception nodes placed on deep-sea communications cables.
While few dispute the necessity of a system like Echelon to apprehend foreign spies, drug traffickers and terrorists, many are concerned that the system could be abused to collect economic and political information. [bold mine]"
Well, those "few" who dispute the necessity of a system like Echelon to apprehend foreign spies, drug traffickers and terrorists, now evidently includes the New York Times. The newspaper appears to have forgotten entirely about the Echelon program they once reported on. Selective amnesia? Of course anyone with a computer can get plenty of info on Echelon and the NSA dated 1998, 1999, etc. when another administration was in place. I can remember reading about it in various quarters and remarking to people how all our email and cell phone calls were scanned for key words. Our lives were no longer private. It was hardly secret, in fact pretty close to public knowledge - to everyone but Chuck Schumer apparently.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
