Great article on the human side of NFL coaching changes. In this case, Leslie Frazier.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Shaun Alexander in Bengal Stripes
Are the Bengals thinking about punting Rudy and making a run at Shaun Alexander. They may want to think again.
The little tantrum by Seattle running back Shaun Alexander after last week's division-clinching victory over Atlanta might cost him some money. Alexander will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, so he is looking at a nice new contract. But some personnel men around the league were already worried he was too much of a me-first kind of player before he complained openly about his not getting the ball at the goal line Sunday, which cost him the league rushing title by a yard. Alexander is also considered a bit aloof by his teammates, and there are questions about his ability to tough it out when things go bad. He's a good back, and he has had a heck of a year, but there are still concerns around the league as to whether he's worth paying big money. The Seahawks will get the first crack at trying to re-sign him before the free-agency period, so it will be interesting to see how they handle it.
The little tantrum by Seattle running back Shaun Alexander after last week's division-clinching victory over Atlanta might cost him some money. Alexander will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, so he is looking at a nice new contract. But some personnel men around the league were already worried he was too much of a me-first kind of player before he complained openly about his not getting the ball at the goal line Sunday, which cost him the league rushing title by a yard. Alexander is also considered a bit aloof by his teammates, and there are questions about his ability to tough it out when things go bad. He's a good back, and he has had a heck of a year, but there are still concerns around the league as to whether he's worth paying big money. The Seahawks will get the first crack at trying to re-sign him before the free-agency period, so it will be interesting to see how they handle it.
I'm Seeing A Pattern
Making matters worse, Cincinnati bound 6'10 center Abdul Herrera is again being forced to sit out and await clearance from the FHSAA to finish his senior season. Last year, Herrera missed several games before an appeal allowed him a one year eligibility extension.
"We expect it to be resolved by Friday,'' Jones said. "There's nothing that makes me anticipate Abdul won't be playing for us again after that."
"We expect it to be resolved by Friday,'' Jones said. "There's nothing that makes me anticipate Abdul won't be playing for us again after that."
No Love for Hugs
CINCINNATI, Ohio-- University of Cincinnati freshman basketball player Vincent Banks has been ruled academically ineligible for the 2004-05 season for failing to meet initial eligibility requirements, the university announced today. Banks is currently enrolled in classes at UC. Banks, a 6-2 guard from Atlanta, was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Georgia in 2003 after averaging 31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game at South High School. Last season, Banks was the leading scorer (23.0 ppg) for high school power Laurinburg (N.C.) Prep while leading his team to a 29-4 record.
Ok, somebody explain this to me. Vincent Banks goes to high school, spends a year at prep school, enrolls at UC, and spends over four months going to class and practicing with the team. All this time, he was NEVER eligible to even enroll in college.
How does this happen? Who's at fault?
Ok, somebody explain this to me. Vincent Banks goes to high school, spends a year at prep school, enrolls at UC, and spends over four months going to class and practicing with the team. All this time, he was NEVER eligible to even enroll in college.
How does this happen? Who's at fault?
That Was A Stupid Thing to Do
I really like Armstrong Williams, but his syndicate should fire him. This is inexcusable.
Seeking to build support among black families for its education reform law, the Bush administration paid a prominent black pundit $240,000 to promote the law on his nationally syndicated television show and to urge other black journalists to do the same.
The campaign, part of an effort to promote No Child Left Behind (NCLB), required commentator Armstrong Williams "to regularly comment on NCLB during the course of his broadcasts," and to interview Education Secretary Rod Paige for TV and radio spots that aired during the show in 2004.
Williams said Thursday he understands that critics could find the arrangement unethical, but "I wanted to do it because it's something I believe in."
Seeking to build support among black families for its education reform law, the Bush administration paid a prominent black pundit $240,000 to promote the law on his nationally syndicated television show and to urge other black journalists to do the same.
The campaign, part of an effort to promote No Child Left Behind (NCLB), required commentator Armstrong Williams "to regularly comment on NCLB during the course of his broadcasts," and to interview Education Secretary Rod Paige for TV and radio spots that aired during the show in 2004.
Williams said Thursday he understands that critics could find the arrangement unethical, but "I wanted to do it because it's something I believe in."
I Am Shocked II
Hollywood glamour couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have split, Pitt's longtime publicist confirmed Friday.
"We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate," the couple said in a joint statement released by Pitt's publicist Cindy Guagenti. "For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any speculation reported by the tabloid media. This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration."
"We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate," the couple said in a joint statement released by Pitt's publicist Cindy Guagenti. "For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any speculation reported by the tabloid media. This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration."
I Am Shocked
JANUARY 7--The finance director for Hillary Clinton's 2000 U.S. Senate campaign was indicted today on federal charges of filing bogus financial reports with the Federal Election Commission. According to the below indictment, David Rosen reported the false numbers in connection with a "Hollywood tribute" honoring Clinton. Investigators allege that a "wealthy individual" paid more than $1.1 million to underwrite the Clinton gala and that those payments were delivered through "several corporate entities controlled by him." While that whopping sum should have been reported to the FEC as an "in-kind contribution," prosecutors charge that Rosen covered up the real source of the money, and even caused the creation of a fictitious $200,000 invoice to aid his scheme. The August 2000 fundraiser was billed as a "Hollywood Tribute to William Jefferson Clinton," though the funds raised went to his wife's campaign kitty. The bash was held as the Brentwood estate of radio mogul Ken Roberts. While the so-called wealthy individual (referred to only as "C-1") is not named, he is clearly Peter Paul, an Internet entrepreneur who helped organize the bash. Clinton is not mentioned by name in the indictment,instead referred to only as "Senator A." The fundraiser was largely orchestrated by Aaron Tonken, a notorious L.A. con man who last August was sentenced to five years in prison following a guilty plea to a pair of fraud counts. The 39-year-old Tonken, who made his living defrauding donors and underwriters of charity events, now resides in the federal lockup in Taft, California, where he is scheduled to remain until April 2009.
Friday, January 07, 2005
More Than 1,000 Yards
That's over 10 football fields. Nice.
AR RAMADI, Iraq (Jan. 02, 2005) -- Seen through a twenty-power spot scope, terrorists scrambled to deliver another mortar round into the tube. Across the Euphrates River from a concealed rooftop, the Marine sniper breathed gently and then squeezed a few pounds of pressure to the delicate trigger of the M40A3 sniper rifle in his grasp.
The rifle's crack froze the booming Fallujah battle like a photograph. As he moved the bolt back to load another round of 7.62mm ammunition, the sniper's spotter confirmed the terrorist went down from the shot mere seconds before the next crack of the rifle dropped another. It wasn't the sniper's first kill in Iraq, but it was one for the history books.
On Nov. 11, 2004, while coalition forces fought to wrest control of Fallujah from a terrorist insurgency, Marine scout snipers with Company B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, applied their basic infantry skills and took them to a higher level.
"From the information we have, our chief scout sniper has the longest confirmed kill in Iraq so far," said Capt. Shayne McGinty, weapons platoon commander for "Bravo" Co. "In Fallujah there were some bad guys firing mortars at us and he took them out from more than 1,000 yards."
AR RAMADI, Iraq (Jan. 02, 2005) -- Seen through a twenty-power spot scope, terrorists scrambled to deliver another mortar round into the tube. Across the Euphrates River from a concealed rooftop, the Marine sniper breathed gently and then squeezed a few pounds of pressure to the delicate trigger of the M40A3 sniper rifle in his grasp.
The rifle's crack froze the booming Fallujah battle like a photograph. As he moved the bolt back to load another round of 7.62mm ammunition, the sniper's spotter confirmed the terrorist went down from the shot mere seconds before the next crack of the rifle dropped another. It wasn't the sniper's first kill in Iraq, but it was one for the history books.
On Nov. 11, 2004, while coalition forces fought to wrest control of Fallujah from a terrorist insurgency, Marine scout snipers with Company B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, applied their basic infantry skills and took them to a higher level.
"From the information we have, our chief scout sniper has the longest confirmed kill in Iraq so far," said Capt. Shayne McGinty, weapons platoon commander for "Bravo" Co. "In Fallujah there were some bad guys firing mortars at us and he took them out from more than 1,000 yards."
Somebody Please Silence This Man
Is there a bigger buffoon in the world today than Jacques Chirac. Uh....no.
FRENCH President Jacques Chirac made a new call today for an "international tax", saying such a levy would help generate funds to help poor countries and those hit by disasters such as the Asian tsunami."
These events stress the need to increase public aid towards development and to find innovative financing mechanisms such as an international taxation," Mr Chirac said in a New Year speech to the Paris diplomatic corps.
He said France would press the international tax idea this year at meetings of the Group of Eight - the G7 rich countries plus Russia - and at the United Nations, but gave no details of his proposals.
FRENCH President Jacques Chirac made a new call today for an "international tax", saying such a levy would help generate funds to help poor countries and those hit by disasters such as the Asian tsunami."
These events stress the need to increase public aid towards development and to find innovative financing mechanisms such as an international taxation," Mr Chirac said in a New Year speech to the Paris diplomatic corps.
He said France would press the international tax idea this year at meetings of the Group of Eight - the G7 rich countries plus Russia - and at the United Nations, but gave no details of his proposals.
I Just Love Kobe
There's nothing like comparing your rape charge to Jesus and tsunami victims.
KING: Does it [the tsunami] make your own adversity seem small?
BRYANT: Oh, absolutely.
KING: It dwarfs it, right?
BRYANT: Absolutely. You know, we all have crosses to bear. We all have crosses to bear. And you know, the cross that you are blessed to carry, may feel like a huge burden to you, but there's somebody out there who has a cross five times bigger than yours...
KING: You're not kidding.
BRYANT: ...that's carrying that cross. And then there's another person who has a cross bigger than his. And so we're all blessed in our own way, to be able to just wake up in the morning and to be able to receive the Lord's blessing, and to carry that cross and carry that burden, because it's a blessing, and that's how it should be looked. Because in the process of going through adversity, you're learning something. It brings you closer to God.
KING: Does it [the tsunami] make your own adversity seem small?
BRYANT: Oh, absolutely.
KING: It dwarfs it, right?
BRYANT: Absolutely. You know, we all have crosses to bear. We all have crosses to bear. And you know, the cross that you are blessed to carry, may feel like a huge burden to you, but there's somebody out there who has a cross five times bigger than yours...
KING: You're not kidding.
BRYANT: ...that's carrying that cross. And then there's another person who has a cross bigger than his. And so we're all blessed in our own way, to be able to just wake up in the morning and to be able to receive the Lord's blessing, and to carry that cross and carry that burden, because it's a blessing, and that's how it should be looked. Because in the process of going through adversity, you're learning something. It brings you closer to God.
History Was Made Last Night
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Richard Hamilton went into the NBA record book Thursday night with a bizarre distinction.
The Detroit Pistons swingman became the first player in league history to lead his team in scoring without making a field goal, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Hamilton, who had 14 points, missed all 10 of his shots from the floor and made all 14 free throws in a 101-79 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
"It was just one of those nights," he said.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
He Said What?
SAN JUAN (AP) -- New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya's plan to headline the team with Latin players makes it an attractive possibility for Puerto Rican slugger Carlos Delgado, the first-baseman said Wednesday.
I've got no problem with this. In fact, I completely understand. But can you imagine the uproar if a white dude said this about white players. Yikes!
I've got no problem with this. In fact, I completely understand. But can you imagine the uproar if a white dude said this about white players. Yikes!
Pitino...and The 'Ville...Stink
HOUSTON — Houston, we have a problem?
If only it were that simple for the University of Louisville men's basketball team, which succumbed to Houston 70-67 under a Texas-sized list of woes last night in its Conference USA opener in Hofheinz Pavillion.
...The Cards probably were lucky to be that close. Houston (9-5, 1-0) led by eight in the second half and squeezed off 21 more shots than Louisville. That happened because of the Cougars' 18 offensive rebounds and a season-high 24 turnovers by UofL.
If only it were that simple for the University of Louisville men's basketball team, which succumbed to Houston 70-67 under a Texas-sized list of woes last night in its Conference USA opener in Hofheinz Pavillion.
...The Cards probably were lucky to be that close. Houston (9-5, 1-0) led by eight in the second half and squeezed off 21 more shots than Louisville. That happened because of the Cougars' 18 offensive rebounds and a season-high 24 turnovers by UofL.
Mike Davis Better Dust Off That Resume
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The Indiana University basketball team dug a deep hole last month with a six-game losing streak, and eventually a losing record heading into Big Ten play.
That hole is beginning to look like the Grand Canyon.
Northwestern, which hadn't won a Big Ten opener since 1983, dominated inside against the Hoosiers on Wednesday night in a 73-52 victory before a crowd of 7,001 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
That hole is beginning to look like the Grand Canyon.
Northwestern, which hadn't won a Big Ten opener since 1983, dominated inside against the Hoosiers on Wednesday night in a 73-52 victory before a crowd of 7,001 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Fighting for Themselves
Tom Friedman of the (gasp!) NY Times gets it exactly right:
It needs to be clear that these so-called insurgents are not fighting to liberate Iraq from America, but rather to reassert the tyranny of a Sunni-Baathist minority over the majority there. The insurgents are clearly desperate that they not be cast as fighting a democratically elected Iraqi government - which is why they are desperately trying to scuttle the elections. After all, if all they wanted was their fair share of the pie, and nothing more, they would be taking part in the elections.
We cannot liberate Iraq, and never could. Only Iraqis can liberate themselves, by first forging a social contract for sharing power and then having the will to go out and defend that compact against the minorities who will try to resist it. Elections are necessary for that process to unfold, but not sufficient. There has to be the will - among Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds - to forge that equitable social contract and then fight for it.
In short, we need these elections in Iraq to see if there really is a self-governing community there ready, and willing, to liberate itself - both from Iraq's old regime and from us. The answer to this question is not self-evident. This was always a shot in the dark - but one that I would argue was morally and strategically worth trying.
Because if it is impossible for the peoples of even one Arab state to voluntarily organize themselves around a social contract for democratic life, then we are looking at dictators and kings ruling this region as far as the eye can see. And that will guarantee that this region will be a cauldron of oil-financed pathologies and terrorism for the rest of our lives.
It needs to be clear that these so-called insurgents are not fighting to liberate Iraq from America, but rather to reassert the tyranny of a Sunni-Baathist minority over the majority there. The insurgents are clearly desperate that they not be cast as fighting a democratically elected Iraqi government - which is why they are desperately trying to scuttle the elections. After all, if all they wanted was their fair share of the pie, and nothing more, they would be taking part in the elections.
We cannot liberate Iraq, and never could. Only Iraqis can liberate themselves, by first forging a social contract for sharing power and then having the will to go out and defend that compact against the minorities who will try to resist it. Elections are necessary for that process to unfold, but not sufficient. There has to be the will - among Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds - to forge that equitable social contract and then fight for it.
In short, we need these elections in Iraq to see if there really is a self-governing community there ready, and willing, to liberate itself - both from Iraq's old regime and from us. The answer to this question is not self-evident. This was always a shot in the dark - but one that I would argue was morally and strategically worth trying.
Because if it is impossible for the peoples of even one Arab state to voluntarily organize themselves around a social contract for democratic life, then we are looking at dictators and kings ruling this region as far as the eye can see. And that will guarantee that this region will be a cauldron of oil-financed pathologies and terrorism for the rest of our lives.
Good Idea?
In today's Wall Street Journal, there's a piece by Bruce Gilley titled "An Immodest Proposal". In it, he writes:
"Here is an immodest proposal that could reduce global tensions, bring justice to millions, and cement China's emergence as a great power: Beijing should invade North Korea on humanitarian grounds and establish a China-backed transitional regime there. The U.S. and its allies in Asia should provide diplomatic and logistical support to the operation, while the U.N. should provide its legal blessing."
I'm not sure if this idea's crazy or ingenius.
"Here is an immodest proposal that could reduce global tensions, bring justice to millions, and cement China's emergence as a great power: Beijing should invade North Korea on humanitarian grounds and establish a China-backed transitional regime there. The U.S. and its allies in Asia should provide diplomatic and logistical support to the operation, while the U.N. should provide its legal blessing."
I'm not sure if this idea's crazy or ingenius.
Leslie's Out
The Bengals' defense improved from 2003 to 2004 but apparently not enough to save defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier's job.
Frazier, whose two-year contract had expired, was not offered a new deal, the club announced Wednesday. The decision had been made by as early as Tuesday, following a Monday night meeting involving Frazier and coach Marvin Lewis at Paul Brown Stadium.
Look, Marvin can hire or fire whomever he wants. But the Marvin/Frazier marriage NEVER made sense. Frazier is a protege if Jim Johnson in Philly, whose attacking, blitzing defenses are legendary. Marvin, on the other hand, is a conservative, fundamental, keep the offense in front of you type of defensive mind.Frazier is a good coach. But this was never going to work.
Interesting Development in Cali
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) will urge lawmakers to pass a sweeping overhaul of the state's public pension systems, including Calpers, the nation's largest pension fund, an aide said on Wednesday.
Schwarzenegger plans to use his "State of the State" address on Wednesday evening to back a plan that would scrap California's defined-benefit public pension plans in favor of defined-contribution plans similar to 401(k) retirement plans in the private sector.
Critics of that partial privatization, which mirrors Bush administration moves to shift Social Security (news - web sites) money into private accounts, call it an attempt to undercut the influence of Calpers as a corporate watchdog and curb its political activism.
Schwarzenegger plans to use his "State of the State" address on Wednesday evening to back a plan that would scrap California's defined-benefit public pension plans in favor of defined-contribution plans similar to 401(k) retirement plans in the private sector.
Critics of that partial privatization, which mirrors Bush administration moves to shift Social Security (news - web sites) money into private accounts, call it an attempt to undercut the influence of Calpers as a corporate watchdog and curb its political activism.
We Don't Torture
This proves that the U.S. doesn't torture prisoners...we send them to other countries to be tortured.
An Australian terror suspect being held at Guantanamo Bay has alleged he was tortured with dogs and electrodes while being interrogated in Egypt, it was reported Thursday.
Mamdouh Habib, a 48-year-old Egyptian-born father of four from Sydney, was arrested in Pakistan near the Afghanistan border three weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.
Australia believes he was later detained for a period in Egypt before being transferred to the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Egypt has not confirmed his presence in that country.
An Australian terror suspect being held at Guantanamo Bay has alleged he was tortured with dogs and electrodes while being interrogated in Egypt, it was reported Thursday.
Mamdouh Habib, a 48-year-old Egyptian-born father of four from Sydney, was arrested in Pakistan near the Afghanistan border three weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.
Australia believes he was later detained for a period in Egypt before being transferred to the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Egypt has not confirmed his presence in that country.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
I'm Now a Formula One Fan
Jan. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher joined the growing list of sporting donors to victims of the Asian tsunamis with a pledge of $10 million.
The Dec. 26 disaster that killed more than 150,000 was ``incomprehensibly tragic,'' Schumacher said on his Web site. Willi Weber, his manager, said on German television channel ZDF's ``Wir Wollen Helfen'' show last night that the 36-year-old Schumacher will make the donation.
``It's impossible not to keep thinking about it,'' Schumacher told his Web site. ``Our thoughts are with them and we hope that they will be spared further disastrous events.''
...Schumacher, a record seven-time F-1 world champion, is an ambassador for children's charity UNESCO and donated more than $1 million at a gala in November. He made $80 million last year, ranking him second behind golfer Tiger Woods on sport's list of highest earners, according to Forbes magazine.
The Dec. 26 disaster that killed more than 150,000 was ``incomprehensibly tragic,'' Schumacher said on his Web site. Willi Weber, his manager, said on German television channel ZDF's ``Wir Wollen Helfen'' show last night that the 36-year-old Schumacher will make the donation.
``It's impossible not to keep thinking about it,'' Schumacher told his Web site. ``Our thoughts are with them and we hope that they will be spared further disastrous events.''
...Schumacher, a record seven-time F-1 world champion, is an ambassador for children's charity UNESCO and donated more than $1 million at a gala in November. He made $80 million last year, ranking him second behind golfer Tiger Woods on sport's list of highest earners, according to Forbes magazine.
The USC Triumph
Here are three observations from last nights game courtesy of CNNSI. All three are right on the money.
6. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops didn't exactly rush to the aid of Mark Bradley, the Sooner senior who inexplicably tried to pick up a bouncing punt at the OU 3-yard line and promptly fumbled when it was still a 7-7 game in the first quarter. "I have no idea why Mark would have done that," Stoops said. "I was as shocked as anybody in the stadium. How do you explain that? I don't know. That goes back to Pop Warner football. Mark should have made a better decision. I'm not going to sit here and go any further in front of the whole media, but it's as bad a play as there is." Uh, thanks Bob, you probably went far enough. Now if somebody could kindly remove Mr. Bradley from the undercarriage of the OU bus.
As if I needed another reason to hate Bob Stoops. Can you say "arrogant ass".
7. It was interesting to hear ABC's announcers talking about USC's back-to-back championships while awarding the Trojans the crystal football that goes to the BCS champ. Does anyone else remember that last year at this time, that very same trophy was awarded to a different team (LSU) on the identical network? Are we now supposed to pretend that never happened?
This bothered me too. Somebody should have informed Wayne Huizenga about this when he was negotiating Saban's new contract with the Dolphins.
8. A blowout game such as this brings out the gallows humor in the press box. The 10 Spot's personal favorite was when one wag quipped that Jason White now intended to return for a seventh season to complete unfinished business. "This time," he intoned, "it's personal." In second place is this barb from SI.com's Stewart Mandel: "Even Ashlee Simpson performed better live than Oklahoma."
Ashlee Simpson is awful beyond words.
6. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops didn't exactly rush to the aid of Mark Bradley, the Sooner senior who inexplicably tried to pick up a bouncing punt at the OU 3-yard line and promptly fumbled when it was still a 7-7 game in the first quarter. "I have no idea why Mark would have done that," Stoops said. "I was as shocked as anybody in the stadium. How do you explain that? I don't know. That goes back to Pop Warner football. Mark should have made a better decision. I'm not going to sit here and go any further in front of the whole media, but it's as bad a play as there is." Uh, thanks Bob, you probably went far enough. Now if somebody could kindly remove Mr. Bradley from the undercarriage of the OU bus.
As if I needed another reason to hate Bob Stoops. Can you say "arrogant ass".
7. It was interesting to hear ABC's announcers talking about USC's back-to-back championships while awarding the Trojans the crystal football that goes to the BCS champ. Does anyone else remember that last year at this time, that very same trophy was awarded to a different team (LSU) on the identical network? Are we now supposed to pretend that never happened?
This bothered me too. Somebody should have informed Wayne Huizenga about this when he was negotiating Saban's new contract with the Dolphins.
8. A blowout game such as this brings out the gallows humor in the press box. The 10 Spot's personal favorite was when one wag quipped that Jason White now intended to return for a seventh season to complete unfinished business. "This time," he intoned, "it's personal." In second place is this barb from SI.com's Stewart Mandel: "Even Ashlee Simpson performed better live than Oklahoma."
Ashlee Simpson is awful beyond words.
Ok, This Might Be A Problem
Mohammed has become one of the most popular names for baby boys in England and Wales.
It entered the top 20 most commonly chosen names for 2004 baby boys for the first time ever, according to the Office for National Statistics.
It entered the top 20 most commonly chosen names for 2004 baby boys for the first time ever, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Ouch!
Man, talk about feeling convicted. This Christianity Today editorial smacked me in the face:
David Callahan, author of The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead, detects "a pattern of widespread cheating throughout U.S. society." He defines cheating as "breaking the rules to get ahead academically, professionally, or financially."
We might add "spiritually." More than 20 years ago, Eugene Peterson, in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, put his finger on the problem: "One aspect of the world that I have been able to identify as harmful to Christians is the assumption that anything worthwhile can be acquired at once. We assume that if something can be done at all, it can be done quickly, and efficiently."
If cheating is taking inappropriate shortcuts to achieve a good, even a holy end, much of evangelical Christianity stands guilty. We read one-minute Bibles, pray through five-minute devotions, or wander from one conference to another to get five keys to spiritual success. We expect spiritual maturity in 40 purpose-filled studies. Though such resources are designed as milk for the immature, we fear they are viewed as the meat of discipleship by too many.
As Peterson puts it, "The first step toward God is a step away from the lies of the world. It is a renunciation of the lies we have been told about ourselves and our neighbors and our universe." One of those lies is that we can have instant discipleship or short-cut spirituality.
Whether we're tempted to cheat in the world or in the pulpit or in our spiritual lives, it amounts to the same thing: an impatience with the way God has made life. We do well to remember that he has created us not to be tourists, who seek instant and intense gratifications, but to be pilgrims on a long journey.
Our destination is the heavenly city, but unlike other journeys, God has made it so that the views and trials, the experiences and people we meet along the way make this journey a "destination" of its own, a process by which we prepare for the moment we come "face to face" (1 Cor. 13:12).
Shortcut the journey, and we'll never enjoy the beatific moment.
An instant society needs to be reminded of the divinely ordered way—in business, in journalism, wherever. But first, we Christians need to get our own journey in order.
David Callahan, author of The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead, detects "a pattern of widespread cheating throughout U.S. society." He defines cheating as "breaking the rules to get ahead academically, professionally, or financially."
We might add "spiritually." More than 20 years ago, Eugene Peterson, in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, put his finger on the problem: "One aspect of the world that I have been able to identify as harmful to Christians is the assumption that anything worthwhile can be acquired at once. We assume that if something can be done at all, it can be done quickly, and efficiently."
If cheating is taking inappropriate shortcuts to achieve a good, even a holy end, much of evangelical Christianity stands guilty. We read one-minute Bibles, pray through five-minute devotions, or wander from one conference to another to get five keys to spiritual success. We expect spiritual maturity in 40 purpose-filled studies. Though such resources are designed as milk for the immature, we fear they are viewed as the meat of discipleship by too many.
As Peterson puts it, "The first step toward God is a step away from the lies of the world. It is a renunciation of the lies we have been told about ourselves and our neighbors and our universe." One of those lies is that we can have instant discipleship or short-cut spirituality.
Whether we're tempted to cheat in the world or in the pulpit or in our spiritual lives, it amounts to the same thing: an impatience with the way God has made life. We do well to remember that he has created us not to be tourists, who seek instant and intense gratifications, but to be pilgrims on a long journey.
Our destination is the heavenly city, but unlike other journeys, God has made it so that the views and trials, the experiences and people we meet along the way make this journey a "destination" of its own, a process by which we prepare for the moment we come "face to face" (1 Cor. 13:12).
Shortcut the journey, and we'll never enjoy the beatific moment.
An instant society needs to be reminded of the divinely ordered way—in business, in journalism, wherever. But first, we Christians need to get our own journey in order.
The Best of al Ja-Reuters
Jane Galt sticks it to Reuters...again. Man, it's like shooting ducks in a barrell.
This article in Reuters, provocatively titled "In U.S., So Many Obese, So Many Hungry" says that "In a nation where obesity is the second-leading cause of death, 33 million Americans don't know where their next meal is coming from -- a year-round paradox that only becomes more pronounced during the holidays."
This number makes no sense.
It makes no sense because 33 million people is more than 10% of the US population. Yet only 12.5% of the US population is below the poverty line, even with the recession-driven spike of recent years.
It especially makes no sense because those living below the poverty line have much higher incidence of obesity than those living above it. Either the remaining 2.4% of the population that is poor but isn't "food insecure" (the USDA figure they're using) is really whomping the hell out of those averages, or a lot of people who don't know where their next meal is coming from are managing to run into it anyway.
As it happens, the definition of "food insecurity" is rather more tame than "don't know where their next meal is coming from", as this article from the USDA makes clear:
"Food insecure" means being uncertain of having, or being able to acquire, enough food to meet basic needs because of lack of money or other resources. . . on a typical day, the prevalence of food insecurity with hunger is only about 13 to 18 percent of the annual rate. For example, in 1998 people in 3.7% of households were hungry at some point in the year because of inadequate resources."
Note the introduction of "food insecurity with hunger", a different, smaller category from "food insecurity". That is the actual number we should be looking at, and it is about 1/3 of the number Reuters gives us.
This article in Reuters, provocatively titled "In U.S., So Many Obese, So Many Hungry" says that "In a nation where obesity is the second-leading cause of death, 33 million Americans don't know where their next meal is coming from -- a year-round paradox that only becomes more pronounced during the holidays."
This number makes no sense.
It makes no sense because 33 million people is more than 10% of the US population. Yet only 12.5% of the US population is below the poverty line, even with the recession-driven spike of recent years.
It especially makes no sense because those living below the poverty line have much higher incidence of obesity than those living above it. Either the remaining 2.4% of the population that is poor but isn't "food insecure" (the USDA figure they're using) is really whomping the hell out of those averages, or a lot of people who don't know where their next meal is coming from are managing to run into it anyway.
As it happens, the definition of "food insecurity" is rather more tame than "don't know where their next meal is coming from", as this article from the USDA makes clear:
"Food insecure" means being uncertain of having, or being able to acquire, enough food to meet basic needs because of lack of money or other resources. . . on a typical day, the prevalence of food insecurity with hunger is only about 13 to 18 percent of the annual rate. For example, in 1998 people in 3.7% of households were hungry at some point in the year because of inadequate resources."
Note the introduction of "food insecurity with hunger", a different, smaller category from "food insecurity". That is the actual number we should be looking at, and it is about 1/3 of the number Reuters gives us.
The Orange Revolution is Almost Complete
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) -- Outgoing President Leonid Kuchma has formally accepted the resignation of Viktor Yanukovych as prime minister of Ukraine, the presidential press service said.
Yanukovych, prime minister since 2002, announced his resignation in a New Year's Eve address to the nation, but vowed to push ahead with his challenge to the results of the December 26 revote, which preliminary results show opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko winning.
Yanukovych, prime minister since 2002, announced his resignation in a New Year's Eve address to the nation, but vowed to push ahead with his challenge to the results of the December 26 revote, which preliminary results show opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko winning.
This is a Nice Gesture
Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O'Neal and four other NBA players have promised to donate $1,000 for every point they score in a game later this week to help victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.
Bob Sura of the Houston Rockets, Jalen Rose of the Toronto Raptors, and Pau Gasol and Mike Miller of the Memphis Grizzlies also are taking part in the $1,000-per-point donations, which will be made to UNICEF.
McGrady, Bryant and O'Neal will have to fork over quite a bit...in the $20,000 to $40,000 range. But Bob Sura? And Jalen Rose? They'll be lucky to score 5 points.
Bob Sura of the Houston Rockets, Jalen Rose of the Toronto Raptors, and Pau Gasol and Mike Miller of the Memphis Grizzlies also are taking part in the $1,000-per-point donations, which will be made to UNICEF.
McGrady, Bryant and O'Neal will have to fork over quite a bit...in the $20,000 to $40,000 range. But Bob Sura? And Jalen Rose? They'll be lucky to score 5 points.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Billick Must Go
What's Brian Billick's answer to the Raven's abysmal offense?
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh resigned under pressure Monday after meeting with head coach Brian Billick, who finally lost patience with the team's sputtering attack.
Nice. Isn't Billick supposed to be the offensive genius? Yet, his offenses have always sucked in Baltimore. If it wasn't for the stellar defensive personnel he inherited from GM Ozzie Newsome, he wouldn't have won any games over the past few years.
Must be nice being the top dog and canning the little guys for your incompetence.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh resigned under pressure Monday after meeting with head coach Brian Billick, who finally lost patience with the team's sputtering attack.
Nice. Isn't Billick supposed to be the offensive genius? Yet, his offenses have always sucked in Baltimore. If it wasn't for the stellar defensive personnel he inherited from GM Ozzie Newsome, he wouldn't have won any games over the past few years.
Must be nice being the top dog and canning the little guys for your incompetence.
Terrorism Knows No Class
I usually read things like this...
WASHINGTON - A rise in the number of Muslims in Western Europe, many of them poor and uneducated, is contributing to an increase in already deeply rooted anti-Semitism there, the State Department said in a report to Congress.
...yet continue to see things like this...
CAIRO, Egypt - The suicide bomber who killed 22 people when he blew himself up in a U.S. mess hall in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul was a Saudi medical student, an Arab newspaper reported Monday.
Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat identified him as 20-year-old Ahmed Said Ahmed al-Ghamdi, citing unnamed friends of the man's father. The friends said members of an Iraqi resistance group contacted al-Ghamdi's father to tell him his son was the suicide bomber who carried out the Dec. 21 attack, the deadliest on an American installation in Iraq.
Islamist terrorism is not fueled exclusively by the poor and downtrodden. They are just its victims. Like any revolution, Islamist terrorism is driven by educated, wealthy elites - most of them Saudis.
What would we do without our friends the Saudis.
WASHINGTON - A rise in the number of Muslims in Western Europe, many of them poor and uneducated, is contributing to an increase in already deeply rooted anti-Semitism there, the State Department said in a report to Congress.
...yet continue to see things like this...
CAIRO, Egypt - The suicide bomber who killed 22 people when he blew himself up in a U.S. mess hall in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul was a Saudi medical student, an Arab newspaper reported Monday.
Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat identified him as 20-year-old Ahmed Said Ahmed al-Ghamdi, citing unnamed friends of the man's father. The friends said members of an Iraqi resistance group contacted al-Ghamdi's father to tell him his son was the suicide bomber who carried out the Dec. 21 attack, the deadliest on an American installation in Iraq.
Islamist terrorism is not fueled exclusively by the poor and downtrodden. They are just its victims. Like any revolution, Islamist terrorism is driven by educated, wealthy elites - most of them Saudis.
What would we do without our friends the Saudis.
Nuke the Nukes
If we're already flying over, why not drop a few bombs.
Iran has reported flights by U.S. military aircraft over nuclear facilities near the borders with Afghanistan and Iraq.
Iran's state-controlled media said the overflights by U.S. aircraft were spotted near a range of nuclear facilities, including the Bushehr nuclear reactor constructed by Russia.
Iran has reported flights by U.S. military aircraft over nuclear facilities near the borders with Afghanistan and Iraq.
Iran's state-controlled media said the overflights by U.S. aircraft were spotted near a range of nuclear facilities, including the Bushehr nuclear reactor constructed by Russia.
Yuck!
I don't know what to think of this.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Workers at Kenya's main market killed some 6,000 rats, trucked away 750 tons (680 metric tons) of garbage and sucked 70 tons (64 metric tons) of human waste out of latrines in three days of the first major cleanup of the market in 30 years, an official said Tuesday.
The Wakulima Market, which supplies fresh food to most of Nairobi's 3 million residents, was a public health hazard, with rubbish piling up 2 meters (7 feet) deep in some places, said Local Government Minister Musikari Kombo.
First, I know Kenya is a poor country, but moving the garbage away from the fresh food supply doesn't seem like an economic issue. Just move it.
Second, 6,000 rats doesn't seem like that many for 750 tons of garbage and 70 tons of human waste. I would think they'd have to kill 60,000 rats...or 600,000.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Workers at Kenya's main market killed some 6,000 rats, trucked away 750 tons (680 metric tons) of garbage and sucked 70 tons (64 metric tons) of human waste out of latrines in three days of the first major cleanup of the market in 30 years, an official said Tuesday.
The Wakulima Market, which supplies fresh food to most of Nairobi's 3 million residents, was a public health hazard, with rubbish piling up 2 meters (7 feet) deep in some places, said Local Government Minister Musikari Kombo.
First, I know Kenya is a poor country, but moving the garbage away from the fresh food supply doesn't seem like an economic issue. Just move it.
Second, 6,000 rats doesn't seem like that many for 750 tons of garbage and 70 tons of human waste. I would think they'd have to kill 60,000 rats...or 600,000.
Learn to Love the Imperfect
This is an interesting article about one family's struggle with the evils of commercial television and the ghetto of its Christian alternative. But I just love this snippet:
In The Paradox of Choice, Swarthmore College sociologist Barry Schwartz asserts that choice overload is turning us into a nation of "maximizers," for whom only the best will do in every area of life. The downside is that we are less satisfied with our choices because the stakes are so much higher than they've ever been in the past.
Schwartz recounts a visit to the Gap to buy a pair of jeans. Although he was overwhelmed by the volume of available choices, the fact that he could purchase something with ultimate fit and comfort made anything less than perfection unacceptable. What had once been a relatively mundane errand was suddenly imbued with significance.
This is so true. We've created a cult of choice and perfection in our culture that is suffocating to life itself. We're no longer content (that's a bad word these days) with anything. There's always something better, something cheaper, something more "fulfilling." We have unlimited choices that seemingly leads to a "perfect" solution. Yet we're always left wanting more.
Next time you're making dinner or shopping for clothes, settle for something that's not quite right, something that doesn't quite meet your overheated expectations. Then be thankful for what you have, thankful for the imperfection that reflects our true selves.
I think this is why there is so little true tolerance in the world today - we're conditioned to receive perfection (at least in our society), and when we don't we are disappointed and discouraged.
In The Paradox of Choice, Swarthmore College sociologist Barry Schwartz asserts that choice overload is turning us into a nation of "maximizers," for whom only the best will do in every area of life. The downside is that we are less satisfied with our choices because the stakes are so much higher than they've ever been in the past.
Schwartz recounts a visit to the Gap to buy a pair of jeans. Although he was overwhelmed by the volume of available choices, the fact that he could purchase something with ultimate fit and comfort made anything less than perfection unacceptable. What had once been a relatively mundane errand was suddenly imbued with significance.
This is so true. We've created a cult of choice and perfection in our culture that is suffocating to life itself. We're no longer content (that's a bad word these days) with anything. There's always something better, something cheaper, something more "fulfilling." We have unlimited choices that seemingly leads to a "perfect" solution. Yet we're always left wanting more.
Next time you're making dinner or shopping for clothes, settle for something that's not quite right, something that doesn't quite meet your overheated expectations. Then be thankful for what you have, thankful for the imperfection that reflects our true selves.
I think this is why there is so little true tolerance in the world today - we're conditioned to receive perfection (at least in our society), and when we don't we are disappointed and discouraged.
Great News...Maybe
Oh, I hope this is true.
DUBAI, January 4 (Itar-Tass) - Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, whom the US occupation authorities declared to be the "target number one" in Iraq, has been arrested in the city of Baakuba, the Emirate newspaper al-Bayane reported on Tuesday referring to Kurdish sources. Al-Zarqawi, leader of the terrorist group Al-Tawhid Wa'al-Jihad, was recently appointed the director of the Al-Qaeda organisation in Iraq.
The newspaper's correspondent in Baghdad points out that a report on the seizure of the terrorist, on whom the US put a bounty of 10 million dollars, was also reported by Iraqi Kurdistan radio, which at one time had been the first to announce the arrest of Saddam Hussein.
DUBAI, January 4 (Itar-Tass) - Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, whom the US occupation authorities declared to be the "target number one" in Iraq, has been arrested in the city of Baakuba, the Emirate newspaper al-Bayane reported on Tuesday referring to Kurdish sources. Al-Zarqawi, leader of the terrorist group Al-Tawhid Wa'al-Jihad, was recently appointed the director of the Al-Qaeda organisation in Iraq.
The newspaper's correspondent in Baghdad points out that a report on the seizure of the terrorist, on whom the US put a bounty of 10 million dollars, was also reported by Iraqi Kurdistan radio, which at one time had been the first to announce the arrest of Saddam Hussein.
French Fry Rage
Now who wouldn't react this way:
DuBOIS, Pa. (AP) -- A Burger King customer berated the employees and nearly hit one of them with his truck after the clerk at the drive-thru window told him they were out of french fries, police said.
Gregg Luttman, 22, made an obscene gesture at the drive-thru clerk on New Year's Day, then walked into the restaurant and cursed at the staff, Sandy Township police Sgt. Rod Fairman said.
When he returned to his pickup truck, he saw restaurant workers taking down his license number and put the vehicle in reverse, nearly hitting one of them, Fairman said.
After being stopped on a highway a short distance away, Luttman scuffled with police and kicked out the back window of a police car, Fairman said.
Luttman was charged with assault, reckless endangerment and other offenses. He was freed Monday on $2,500 bail.
DuBOIS, Pa. (AP) -- A Burger King customer berated the employees and nearly hit one of them with his truck after the clerk at the drive-thru window told him they were out of french fries, police said.
Gregg Luttman, 22, made an obscene gesture at the drive-thru clerk on New Year's Day, then walked into the restaurant and cursed at the staff, Sandy Township police Sgt. Rod Fairman said.
When he returned to his pickup truck, he saw restaurant workers taking down his license number and put the vehicle in reverse, nearly hitting one of them, Fairman said.
After being stopped on a highway a short distance away, Luttman scuffled with police and kicked out the back window of a police car, Fairman said.
Luttman was charged with assault, reckless endangerment and other offenses. He was freed Monday on $2,500 bail.
Quote of the Day
"['Desperate Housewives'] has nothing to say about the vicissitudes of the average or even the well-to-do American stay-at-home wife; it is neither feminist, nor pro-feminist nor proto-feminist nor post-feminist. Feminism has as little to do with Desperate Housewives as it did with Sex and the City. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine in either case what outright misogynists would have done differently." - Germaine Greer, in the Guardian.
Weight Watchers Rules
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (AP) -- A review of 10 of the nation's most popular weight-loss programs found that except for Weight Watchers, none of them offer proof that they actually work at helping people shed pounds and keep them off.
Only Weight Watchers had strong documentation that it worked -- with one study showing that participants lost around 5 percent (about 10 pounds) of their initial weight in six months and kept off about half of it two years later.
However, the researchers who conducted the review published in Tuesday's Annals of Internal Medicine stressed that the lack of scientific evidence should not be viewed as an attack on diet programs.
Obesity is merely a symptom of an underlying issue. The problem with most, if not all, weight loss programs is that they only deal with the symptom (too much weight) and not the real problem. As a result, these findings are not all that surprising.
Only Weight Watchers had strong documentation that it worked -- with one study showing that participants lost around 5 percent (about 10 pounds) of their initial weight in six months and kept off about half of it two years later.
However, the researchers who conducted the review published in Tuesday's Annals of Internal Medicine stressed that the lack of scientific evidence should not be viewed as an attack on diet programs.
Obesity is merely a symptom of an underlying issue. The problem with most, if not all, weight loss programs is that they only deal with the symptom (too much weight) and not the real problem. As a result, these findings are not all that surprising.
A Stupid Actor Is As A Stupid Actor Does
Richard Gere a dupe for terrorists. No, I don't believe it.
If It's Not Close, They Can't Cheat
That's the title of a book released earlier this year by Hugh Hewitt detailing the long history of Democratic party election fraud. Well, they're at it again - this time in Washington state.
OLYMPIA -- Democrat Christine Gregoire was declared Washington's next governor yesterday, but Republican Dino Rossi refused to quit the race and cited thousands of "mystery voters" in King County as ample ammunition for continuing the fight.
The state Republican Party obtained a list of the people who voted in King County as part of a larger request for information designed to show systemic problems with the election.
The data showed that 895,660 people voted in the state's largest county. That's a problem, Republicans said, because King County tallied 899,199 votes -- 3,539 more votes than there were voters.
"We want the names of those people now," Rossi said. "You shouldn't be able to certify an election with 3,500 mystery voters."
OLYMPIA -- Democrat Christine Gregoire was declared Washington's next governor yesterday, but Republican Dino Rossi refused to quit the race and cited thousands of "mystery voters" in King County as ample ammunition for continuing the fight.
The state Republican Party obtained a list of the people who voted in King County as part of a larger request for information designed to show systemic problems with the election.
The data showed that 895,660 people voted in the state's largest county. That's a problem, Republicans said, because King County tallied 899,199 votes -- 3,539 more votes than there were voters.
"We want the names of those people now," Rossi said. "You shouldn't be able to certify an election with 3,500 mystery voters."
Trade is Good
While foreign aid is necessary, the real engine behind the growth of global wealth is trade. Free, unrestricted trade is the enemy of poverty.
According to a recent study by the World Bank, 2004's growth reflected "an expansion without precedent over the past 30 years." Equally encouraging, the report notes that "the rapid growth of developing economies ... has produced a spectacular, if not historic, fall in poverty."
Amazingly, the World Bank report did not get much coverage in our mainstream media. It seems the press was more interested in covering the evils of globalization than in taking notice of how world trade -- which grew by an astounding 10.2 percent this year -- is driving economic growth. . . .
It is undeniable that 2004 was a great year for the poor. The World Bank's prediction that global poverty will continue plummeting is particularly encouraging. But if we are ever to wipe poverty from the face of the Earth, our next generation of leaders must first understand what makes the global economy tick -- the fundamental relationship between free trade and economic growth.
According to a recent study by the World Bank, 2004's growth reflected "an expansion without precedent over the past 30 years." Equally encouraging, the report notes that "the rapid growth of developing economies ... has produced a spectacular, if not historic, fall in poverty."
Amazingly, the World Bank report did not get much coverage in our mainstream media. It seems the press was more interested in covering the evils of globalization than in taking notice of how world trade -- which grew by an astounding 10.2 percent this year -- is driving economic growth. . . .
It is undeniable that 2004 was a great year for the poor. The World Bank's prediction that global poverty will continue plummeting is particularly encouraging. But if we are ever to wipe poverty from the face of the Earth, our next generation of leaders must first understand what makes the global economy tick -- the fundamental relationship between free trade and economic growth.
Social Security Reform
I think this is a reasonable - and necessary - change:
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration has signaled that it will propose changing the formula that sets initial Social Security benefit levels, cutting promised benefits by nearly a third in the coming decades, according to several Republicans close to the White House.
Under the proposal, the first-year benefits for retirees would be calculated using inflation rates rather than the rise in wages over a worker's lifetime. Because wages tend to rise considerably faster than inflation, the new formula would stunt the growth of benefits, slowly at first but more quickly by the middle of the century.
The White House hopes that some, if not all, of those benefit cuts would be made up by gains in newly created personal investment accounts that would harness returns on stocks and bonds.
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration has signaled that it will propose changing the formula that sets initial Social Security benefit levels, cutting promised benefits by nearly a third in the coming decades, according to several Republicans close to the White House.
Under the proposal, the first-year benefits for retirees would be calculated using inflation rates rather than the rise in wages over a worker's lifetime. Because wages tend to rise considerably faster than inflation, the new formula would stunt the growth of benefits, slowly at first but more quickly by the middle of the century.
The White House hopes that some, if not all, of those benefit cuts would be made up by gains in newly created personal investment accounts that would harness returns on stocks and bonds.
Monday, January 03, 2005
"I Have the Utmost Respect for Life"
This is chilling. I think this sums it up:
I have the utmost respect for life; I appreciate that life starts early in the womb, but also believe that I'm ending it for good reasons. Often I'm saving the woman, or I'm improving the lives of the other children in the family. I also believe that women have a life they have to consider. If a woman is working full-time, has one child already, and is barely getting by, having another child that would financially push her to go on public assistance is going to lessen the quality of her life. And it's also an issue for the child, if it would not have had a good life. Life's hard enough when you're wanted and everything's prepared for. So yes, I end life, but even when it's hard, it's for a good reason.
I have the utmost respect for life; I appreciate that life starts early in the womb, but also believe that I'm ending it for good reasons. Often I'm saving the woman, or I'm improving the lives of the other children in the family. I also believe that women have a life they have to consider. If a woman is working full-time, has one child already, and is barely getting by, having another child that would financially push her to go on public assistance is going to lessen the quality of her life. And it's also an issue for the child, if it would not have had a good life. Life's hard enough when you're wanted and everything's prepared for. So yes, I end life, but even when it's hard, it's for a good reason.
Bengals Much Better This Year
In the postulate-smashing math of the NFL, eight does not always amount to eight. During their break-even 2003, for instance, the Bengals were the equal of the losing teams (117-139) they played. This season, they shot par on a much tougher course (139-117).
My Girl Sandra
I never liked her as an actress, but she's one heck of a philanthropist.
Sandra Bullock chips in $1M for tsunami relief
On-again, off-again Austin resident Sandra Bullock has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross for tsunami disaster relief in southern Asian and eastern Africa.
"At this critical time, I am grateful to Sandra Bullock for, once again, demonstrating her leadership, compassion and belief in our global humanitarian mission," says Marsha Evans, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Sandra continues to enable our lifesaving work and is a model for personal generosity."
In 2001, the actress donated $1 million to the Red Cross in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Sandra Bullock chips in $1M for tsunami relief
On-again, off-again Austin resident Sandra Bullock has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross for tsunami disaster relief in southern Asian and eastern Africa.
"At this critical time, I am grateful to Sandra Bullock for, once again, demonstrating her leadership, compassion and belief in our global humanitarian mission," says Marsha Evans, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Sandra continues to enable our lifesaving work and is a model for personal generosity."
In 2001, the actress donated $1 million to the Red Cross in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
You Can Vote in Iran
Tehran, Jan 3, IRNA -- The upcoming Iraqi elections will be held in six Iranian provinces on January 28-30, it was announced here on Monday. Director General of the Interior Ministry`s Alien and Foreign Immigrants Affairs Bureau Ahmad Hosseini told IRNA that voting centerswill be set up in six Iranian provinces to allow Iraqis residing in the Islamic Republic to participate in the elections.
On the basis of an agreement reached between Iran, Iraq and the UN, the Iraqi elections will be held in the Iranian provinces of Tehran, Qom, West Azarbaijan, Kermanshah, Khuzestan and Khorassan, he added.
An independent commission in charge of holding the Iraqi electionshas announced that the elections will be held in 14 world countries, including Iran, simultaneously, Hosseini added. Over 200,000 Iraqi nationals are living in Iran, he said, adding that some 12,000 Iraqis have repatriated to their home country so far.
Hosseini further announced that those people holding the Iranian identification card but have been born in Iraq can take part in the elections.
On the basis of an agreement reached between Iran, Iraq and the UN, the Iraqi elections will be held in the Iranian provinces of Tehran, Qom, West Azarbaijan, Kermanshah, Khuzestan and Khorassan, he added.
An independent commission in charge of holding the Iraqi electionshas announced that the elections will be held in 14 world countries, including Iran, simultaneously, Hosseini added. Over 200,000 Iraqi nationals are living in Iran, he said, adding that some 12,000 Iraqis have repatriated to their home country so far.
Hosseini further announced that those people holding the Iranian identification card but have been born in Iraq can take part in the elections.
Essence Magazine Takes a Stand
Stanley Crouch points out that black media (well, at least, part of it) has finally decided to take on the cesspool that is the hip-hop music industry.
The most successful black women's magazine, Essence, is in the middle of a campaign that could have monumental cultural significance.
Essence is taking on the slut images and verbal abuse projected onto black women by hip hop lyrics and videos.
The magazine is the first powerful presence in the black media with the courage to examine the cultural pollution that is too often excused because of the wealth it brings to knuckleheads and amoral executives.
This anything-goes-if-sells attitude comes at a cost. The elevation of pimps and pimp attitudes creates a sadomasochistic relationship with female fans. They support a popular idiom that consistently showers them with contempt. We are in a crisis, and Essence knows it.
When asked how the magazine decided to take a stand, the editor, Diane Weathers said, "We started looking at the media war on young girls, the hypersexualization that keeps pushing them in sexual directions at younger and younger ages."
The most successful black women's magazine, Essence, is in the middle of a campaign that could have monumental cultural significance.
Essence is taking on the slut images and verbal abuse projected onto black women by hip hop lyrics and videos.
The magazine is the first powerful presence in the black media with the courage to examine the cultural pollution that is too often excused because of the wealth it brings to knuckleheads and amoral executives.
This anything-goes-if-sells attitude comes at a cost. The elevation of pimps and pimp attitudes creates a sadomasochistic relationship with female fans. They support a popular idiom that consistently showers them with contempt. We are in a crisis, and Essence knows it.
When asked how the magazine decided to take a stand, the editor, Diane Weathers said, "We started looking at the media war on young girls, the hypersexualization that keeps pushing them in sexual directions at younger and younger ages."
More Election News
From the Iraqi Arabic newspaper Alsabaah this morning. The poll was of 4,974 Iraqis living in and around Baghdad:
Will the security problems cause you to?
Not come out and vote the day of elections = 18.3%
Come out and vote the day of elections = 78.3%
No opinion = 3.4%
Do you support military action against the terrorists?
Yes = 87.7 %
No = 11.1%
Don’t Know = 1.2%
Will the security problems cause you to?
Not come out and vote the day of elections = 18.3%
Come out and vote the day of elections = 78.3%
No opinion = 3.4%
Do you support military action against the terrorists?
Yes = 87.7 %
No = 11.1%
Don’t Know = 1.2%
A Must Read
Many college basketball players are spoiled punks. Not this one.
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The first sign something was wrong with Mohamed Tangara surfaced well before Arizona's first official basketball practice in October.
University of Arizona assistant coach Josh Pastner was working with the rugged freshman forward from Mali in September, astounded by his sudden lack of stamina about a month into preseason workouts.
Tangara never stopped trying -- the Wildcats recruited him in part because of his relentless drive to succeed -- but he simply could not explode the way Pastner saw him do at Mount Zion Academy in North Carolina.
"Sometimes, he wasn't able to dunk as much or jump as much as he can," Pastner said. "It wasn't because of his ability. It wasn't that he couldn't do it, because he can. And he would keep pushing himself."
Pushing himself nowhere. Pastner began to suspect the tank was empty. He had seen signs of it before: He knew Tangara, eager to send every possible penny to his impoverished homeland, had limited his daily high school diet with an appalling frugality.
"I remember going to his dorm room, where he had cheese crackers and cheese nibs," Pastner said. "He had a thing of saltine crackers, and that was it. He kept saying it was the cheapest thing so he could save all his money. He was living on pretzels and crackers. It was amazing."
At the same time in September, then-Arizona strength coach Brad Arnett began to notice that Tangara was not exploding in the weight room, either. Tangara was regressing.
So Arizona staffers weighed Tangara. Alarmed, they notified coach Lute Olson.
"The trainer and strength coach came to me and said Mohamed had lost eight pounds," Olson said. "They were concerned he was not getting enough to eat. They didn't think he had energy."
Olson, who recruited inner-city athletes from Chicago during his days at Iowa and has had several Arizona players come out of relative poverty in other cities, said he had never seen anything like it. He had never seen an athlete strive so hard to send money home.
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The first sign something was wrong with Mohamed Tangara surfaced well before Arizona's first official basketball practice in October.
University of Arizona assistant coach Josh Pastner was working with the rugged freshman forward from Mali in September, astounded by his sudden lack of stamina about a month into preseason workouts.
Tangara never stopped trying -- the Wildcats recruited him in part because of his relentless drive to succeed -- but he simply could not explode the way Pastner saw him do at Mount Zion Academy in North Carolina.
"Sometimes, he wasn't able to dunk as much or jump as much as he can," Pastner said. "It wasn't because of his ability. It wasn't that he couldn't do it, because he can. And he would keep pushing himself."
Pushing himself nowhere. Pastner began to suspect the tank was empty. He had seen signs of it before: He knew Tangara, eager to send every possible penny to his impoverished homeland, had limited his daily high school diet with an appalling frugality.
"I remember going to his dorm room, where he had cheese crackers and cheese nibs," Pastner said. "He had a thing of saltine crackers, and that was it. He kept saying it was the cheapest thing so he could save all his money. He was living on pretzels and crackers. It was amazing."
At the same time in September, then-Arizona strength coach Brad Arnett began to notice that Tangara was not exploding in the weight room, either. Tangara was regressing.
So Arizona staffers weighed Tangara. Alarmed, they notified coach Lute Olson.
"The trainer and strength coach came to me and said Mohamed had lost eight pounds," Olson said. "They were concerned he was not getting enough to eat. They didn't think he had energy."
Olson, who recruited inner-city athletes from Chicago during his days at Iowa and has had several Arizona players come out of relative poverty in other cities, said he had never seen anything like it. He had never seen an athlete strive so hard to send money home.
Great Hire
LSU just got themselves a very good football coach.
LSU's saga of a search for its new football coach has ended at Les Miles.
The Oklahoma State coach, who led the Cowboys to three bowls in four seasons, has accepted an offer as LSU's successor to Nick Saban. Miles will be introduced at a 1 p.m. ET news conference Monday.
At least five and as many as six current Oklahoma State assistants are expected to leave Stillwater with Miles to join his LSU staff, sources have told Gottlieb. The main sticking point in the negotiations had been that Miles insisted that his assistants be given three-year contracts, the same insistence that Miles had during his tenure at Oklahoma State.
In his four years at Oklahoma State, the 51-year-old Miles was 28-21. This was the third consecutive year that the Cowboys had gone to a bowl game, which hadn't happened at OSU since 1985.
LSU's saga of a search for its new football coach has ended at Les Miles.
The Oklahoma State coach, who led the Cowboys to three bowls in four seasons, has accepted an offer as LSU's successor to Nick Saban. Miles will be introduced at a 1 p.m. ET news conference Monday.
At least five and as many as six current Oklahoma State assistants are expected to leave Stillwater with Miles to join his LSU staff, sources have told Gottlieb. The main sticking point in the negotiations had been that Miles insisted that his assistants be given three-year contracts, the same insistence that Miles had during his tenure at Oklahoma State.
In his four years at Oklahoma State, the 51-year-old Miles was 28-21. This was the third consecutive year that the Cowboys had gone to a bowl game, which hadn't happened at OSU since 1985.
Quote of the Day II
"When you look in the dictionary and look up the word courage, you see my picture." -- Marion Barry
Quote of the Day I
"The pundits have never liked me. Is it the way I look? The way I sound?" -- John Kerry
Must See TV
LAS VEGAS
WHEN ED IS KIDNAPPED, DANNY AND MIKE RACE AGAINST TIME TO FIND HIM -- DURAN DURAN GUEST STARS -- When Ed (James Caan) is kidnapped, Danny (Josh Duhamel) and Mike (James Lesure) begin a frantic search of the city to find him. The fact that Ed refuses to let them contact autorities or pay the kidnapper's ransom only makes their search more difficult. Sam (Vanessa Marcil) arranges a Vegas-style wedding for one of her clients, but it comes to a screeching halt when their lucky rings are lost. Elsewhere, Mary (Nikki Cox) and Delinda (Molly Sims) collaborate when the Montecito hosts a popular 80's rock band (Duran-Duran). Marsha Thomason also stars. TV-14
WHEN ED IS KIDNAPPED, DANNY AND MIKE RACE AGAINST TIME TO FIND HIM -- DURAN DURAN GUEST STARS -- When Ed (James Caan) is kidnapped, Danny (Josh Duhamel) and Mike (James Lesure) begin a frantic search of the city to find him. The fact that Ed refuses to let them contact autorities or pay the kidnapper's ransom only makes their search more difficult. Sam (Vanessa Marcil) arranges a Vegas-style wedding for one of her clients, but it comes to a screeching halt when their lucky rings are lost. Elsewhere, Mary (Nikki Cox) and Delinda (Molly Sims) collaborate when the Montecito hosts a popular 80's rock band (Duran-Duran). Marsha Thomason also stars. TV-14
Iraqi Election Fever
From Saturday's Washington Post:
The number of Iraqis making sure they are properly registered to vote has surged dramatically, officials said Saturday, calling the rise evidence of enthusiasm for the Jan. 30 elections despite continuing security concerns that have blocked the process in two provinces.
After a slow start to the six-week registration process that began Nov. 1, the number of voters making corrections to official voter lists more than doubled in the final week, according to a final tally quoted by election officials Saturday.
Officials said that more than 2.1 million people went to local election offices to assure that eligible members of their households could vote. About 1.2 million forms were submitted to add names to the voter lists, an involved process that requires providing proof of identification and residence.
As one commentator has mentioned, this is shocking:
"Iraqi voter rolls derive from food ration lists, so registration isn't required. That piece of information from Karl Vick explains why the voter information centers didn't get a lot of attention from ordinary Iraqis earlier on, a development that some media outlets apparently misinterpreted as a reluctance to register for the election. Having 2.1 million people out of 25 million take the time to confirm their status demonstrates a high degree of interest in the process and points to a rather large turnout."
The number of Iraqis making sure they are properly registered to vote has surged dramatically, officials said Saturday, calling the rise evidence of enthusiasm for the Jan. 30 elections despite continuing security concerns that have blocked the process in two provinces.
After a slow start to the six-week registration process that began Nov. 1, the number of voters making corrections to official voter lists more than doubled in the final week, according to a final tally quoted by election officials Saturday.
Officials said that more than 2.1 million people went to local election offices to assure that eligible members of their households could vote. About 1.2 million forms were submitted to add names to the voter lists, an involved process that requires providing proof of identification and residence.
As one commentator has mentioned, this is shocking:
"Iraqi voter rolls derive from food ration lists, so registration isn't required. That piece of information from Karl Vick explains why the voter information centers didn't get a lot of attention from ordinary Iraqis earlier on, a development that some media outlets apparently misinterpreted as a reluctance to register for the election. Having 2.1 million people out of 25 million take the time to confirm their status demonstrates a high degree of interest in the process and points to a rather large turnout."
Damn Statistics
President Bush's recent talk about reducing the deficit is great. But this is also about the time they start monkeying with the numbers. My case in point:
To show that President Bush can fulfill his campaign promise to cut the deficit in half by 2009, White House officials are preparing a budget that will assume a significant jump in revenues and omit the cost of major initiatives like overhauling Social Security. To make Mr. Bush's goal easier to reach, administration officials have decided to measure their progress against a $521 billion deficit they predicted last February rather than last year's actual shortfall of $413 billion. By starting with the outdated projection, Mr. Bush can say he has already reduced the shortfall by about $100 billion and claim victory if the deficit falls to just $260 billion.
To show that President Bush can fulfill his campaign promise to cut the deficit in half by 2009, White House officials are preparing a budget that will assume a significant jump in revenues and omit the cost of major initiatives like overhauling Social Security. To make Mr. Bush's goal easier to reach, administration officials have decided to measure their progress against a $521 billion deficit they predicted last February rather than last year's actual shortfall of $413 billion. By starting with the outdated projection, Mr. Bush can say he has already reduced the shortfall by about $100 billion and claim victory if the deficit falls to just $260 billion.
Pope Ratzinger?
This is an encouraging development:
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, the chief architect of Pope John Paul II's traditionalist moral policy, has long been a bugaboo for liberal Catholics. But they had stopped worrying that the German might one day ascend to St. Peter's throne. His hard-line views and blunt approach had earned him the epithet of panzerkardinal and too many enemies. Well, their worrying may now resume. Sources in Rome tell TIME that Ratzinger has re-emerged as the top papal candidate within the Vatican hierarchy, joining other front runners such as Dionigi Tettamanzi of Milan and Claudio Hummes of Sao Paolo. "The Ratzinger solution is definitely on," said a well-placed Vatican insider.
Ratzinger is a humble man, an outstanding theologian, and a defender of liberal ideals...three important qualities in a Pope.
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, the chief architect of Pope John Paul II's traditionalist moral policy, has long been a bugaboo for liberal Catholics. But they had stopped worrying that the German might one day ascend to St. Peter's throne. His hard-line views and blunt approach had earned him the epithet of panzerkardinal and too many enemies. Well, their worrying may now resume. Sources in Rome tell TIME that Ratzinger has re-emerged as the top papal candidate within the Vatican hierarchy, joining other front runners such as Dionigi Tettamanzi of Milan and Claudio Hummes of Sao Paolo. "The Ratzinger solution is definitely on," said a well-placed Vatican insider.
Ratzinger is a humble man, an outstanding theologian, and a defender of liberal ideals...three important qualities in a Pope.
Saturday, January 01, 2005
The Stinginess Continues
CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) - The United States is pledging $350 million to help tsunami victims, a tenfold increase over its first wave of aid, President Bush announced Friday.
"Initial findings of American assessment teams on the ground indicate that the need for financial and other assistance will steadily increase in the days and weeks ahead," Bush said Friday in a statement released in Crawford, Texas, where he is staying at his ranch.
"Our contributions will continue to be revised as the full effects of this terrible tragedy become clearer," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this epic disaster."
"Initial findings of American assessment teams on the ground indicate that the need for financial and other assistance will steadily increase in the days and weeks ahead," Bush said Friday in a statement released in Crawford, Texas, where he is staying at his ranch.
"Our contributions will continue to be revised as the full effects of this terrible tragedy become clearer," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this epic disaster."
Friday, December 31, 2004
Stat of the Day
Here are the average strength of schedules for SOME of the top programs in the country over the past 10 seasons, not including this season.
1. Kentucky 7.9 out of 330 D1-A schools
2. Duke 11.4
3. Maryland 14.6
4. Kansas 15.3
5. Indiana 17.0
6. Wake Forest 17.1
7. Arizona 26.3
8. Louisville 26.6
9. Michigan St 28.1
10. Ga Tech 29.6
11. UC 31.0
12. Illinois 33.4
13. UCONN 36.4
14. Florida 38.5
15. Oklahoma 40.9
1. Kentucky 7.9 out of 330 D1-A schools
2. Duke 11.4
3. Maryland 14.6
4. Kansas 15.3
5. Indiana 17.0
6. Wake Forest 17.1
7. Arizona 26.3
8. Louisville 26.6
9. Michigan St 28.1
10. Ga Tech 29.6
11. UC 31.0
12. Illinois 33.4
13. UCONN 36.4
14. Florida 38.5
15. Oklahoma 40.9
Hee Hee
This is wonderful. The U.S. has gone from not doing enough (too stingy) to doing too much.
United States President George Bush was tonight accused of trying to undermine the United Nations by setting up a rival coalition to coordinate relief following the Asian tsunami disaster.
The president has announced that the US, Japan, India and Australia would coordinate the world’s response. But former International Development Secretary Clare Short said that role should be left to the UN.
“I think this initiative from America to set up four countries claiming to coordinate sounds like yet another attempt to undermine the UN when it is the best system we have got and the one that needs building up,” she said.
“Only really the UN can do that job,” she told BBC Radio Four’s PM programme. “It is the only body that has the moral authority. But it can only do it well if it is backed up by the authority of the great powers.”
Ms Short said the coalition countries did not have good records on responding to international disasters.
She said the US was “very bad at coordinating with anyone” and India had its own problems to deal with.
“I don’t know what that is about but it sounds very much, I am afraid, like the US trying to have a separate operation and not work with the rest of the world through the UN system,” she added.
United States President George Bush was tonight accused of trying to undermine the United Nations by setting up a rival coalition to coordinate relief following the Asian tsunami disaster.
The president has announced that the US, Japan, India and Australia would coordinate the world’s response. But former International Development Secretary Clare Short said that role should be left to the UN.
“I think this initiative from America to set up four countries claiming to coordinate sounds like yet another attempt to undermine the UN when it is the best system we have got and the one that needs building up,” she said.
“Only really the UN can do that job,” she told BBC Radio Four’s PM programme. “It is the only body that has the moral authority. But it can only do it well if it is backed up by the authority of the great powers.”
Ms Short said the coalition countries did not have good records on responding to international disasters.
She said the US was “very bad at coordinating with anyone” and India had its own problems to deal with.
“I don’t know what that is about but it sounds very much, I am afraid, like the US trying to have a separate operation and not work with the rest of the world through the UN system,” she added.
The BCS Screwed Cal?
Uh, I don't think so.
Instead, they walked off the field embarrassed. A double-digit favorite, 10-1 Cal, ranked fourth in the nation in scoring defense, gave up 597 yards in a 45-31 loss to a Texas Tech team that earlier this season lost to New Mexcio.
Instead, they walked off the field embarrassed. A double-digit favorite, 10-1 Cal, ranked fourth in the nation in scoring defense, gave up 597 yards in a 45-31 loss to a Texas Tech team that earlier this season lost to New Mexcio.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Is This What Happened to the WMDs?
Interesting story from Bill Gertz in the Washington Times today.
A Pentagon official who publicly disclosed information showing Russian involvement in moving Iraqi weapons out of that country has been dismissed.
John A. Shaw, the deputy undersecretary of defense for international technology security and formerly an aide to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, was forced to leave his position Dec. 10 as the result of a "reorganization" that eliminated his job, defense officials said.
...In October, Mr. Shaw told The Washington Times that he had received foreign intelligence data showing that Russian special forces units were involved in an effort to remove Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction in the weeks before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began in March 2003.
In a letter to Mr. Rumsfeld, Mr. Shaw said that information about the covert Russian role in moving Iraqi arms to Syria, Lebanon and possibly Iran was discussed during a meeting that included retired Air Force Lt. Gen. James Clapper, head of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency; the head of Britain's MI6 intelligence service; and the head of a foreign intelligence service that he did not name.
...After Mr. Shaw's disclosures, the Pentagon released spy satellite photographs of Iraqi weapons facilities that showed truck convoys at the plants, apparently in preparation to move materials. Further corroborating Mr. Shaw's account, a Russian newspaper reported that two retired Russian generals had received awards from Saddam's government 10 days before the coalition assault on Iraq began.
I don't know if Shaw is on the up-and-up or not, but this story from The Moscow News corroborates his generals story:
Reports in the Russian media about two retired Russian generals receiving awards from Saddam's government 10 days before the coalition assault on Iraq began corroborated Shaw's report.
A Pentagon official who publicly disclosed information showing Russian involvement in moving Iraqi weapons out of that country has been dismissed.
John A. Shaw, the deputy undersecretary of defense for international technology security and formerly an aide to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, was forced to leave his position Dec. 10 as the result of a "reorganization" that eliminated his job, defense officials said.
...In October, Mr. Shaw told The Washington Times that he had received foreign intelligence data showing that Russian special forces units were involved in an effort to remove Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction in the weeks before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began in March 2003.
In a letter to Mr. Rumsfeld, Mr. Shaw said that information about the covert Russian role in moving Iraqi arms to Syria, Lebanon and possibly Iran was discussed during a meeting that included retired Air Force Lt. Gen. James Clapper, head of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency; the head of Britain's MI6 intelligence service; and the head of a foreign intelligence service that he did not name.
...After Mr. Shaw's disclosures, the Pentagon released spy satellite photographs of Iraqi weapons facilities that showed truck convoys at the plants, apparently in preparation to move materials. Further corroborating Mr. Shaw's account, a Russian newspaper reported that two retired Russian generals had received awards from Saddam's government 10 days before the coalition assault on Iraq began.
I don't know if Shaw is on the up-and-up or not, but this story from The Moscow News corroborates his generals story:
Reports in the Russian media about two retired Russian generals receiving awards from Saddam's government 10 days before the coalition assault on Iraq began corroborated Shaw's report.
This is Encouraging
WASHINGTON Dec 30, 2004 — Sen. Joe Lieberman, traveling in the Middle East Wednesday, said there is strong support in Iraq for the Jan. 30 election, and postponing it would only be a victory for the insurgents.
In a telephone call from Tel Aviv, Israel, the Connecticut Democrat said conditions in Iraq, including an increase in trained Iraqi security forces, have improved since his last visit in July. And he said the escalating violence aimed at intimidating Iraqis to postpone the election or not vote is not working in most of the country.
In a telephone call from Tel Aviv, Israel, the Connecticut Democrat said conditions in Iraq, including an increase in trained Iraqi security forces, have improved since his last visit in July. And he said the escalating violence aimed at intimidating Iraqis to postpone the election or not vote is not working in most of the country.
The Biggest Story of 2004
I agree with Peggy Noonan's biggest story of 2004:
The biggest story of the year happened just as big-thinking journalists went on vacation after filing their "Ten Biggest Stories of 2004" pieces. Life has a way of surprising us.... The biggest story of 2004 has come, has not yet gone, and will be with us for some time. Two thousand five begins on Saturday. For the new year, two thoughts. Remember it can all be swept away in a moment, so hold it close and love it while you've got it. And may we begin 2005 pondering how much we have in common, how down-to-the-bone the same we are, and how the enemy is not the guy across the fence but the tragedy of life. We should try to make it better. We should cut to the chase.
The biggest story of the year happened just as big-thinking journalists went on vacation after filing their "Ten Biggest Stories of 2004" pieces. Life has a way of surprising us.... The biggest story of 2004 has come, has not yet gone, and will be with us for some time. Two thousand five begins on Saturday. For the new year, two thoughts. Remember it can all be swept away in a moment, so hold it close and love it while you've got it. And may we begin 2005 pondering how much we have in common, how down-to-the-bone the same we are, and how the enemy is not the guy across the fence but the tragedy of life. We should try to make it better. We should cut to the chase.
Taking Jesusland Seriously
Maybe the Washington Post is beginning to take Jesusland more seriously. Check out this tidbit from today's front page story:
Not only was water cascading over the lagoon side of the peninsula but it was pouring in directly from the mouth of the estuary about two miles away. Sanders feared the converging currents would swamp the small craft. At that point, Sanders said, he recalled a line from the Book of Isaiah: "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall raise up a standard against it."
He raised his hand in the direction of the flood and shouted, "I command you in the name of Jesus -- stop!" The water then seemed to "stall, momentarily," he said. "I thought at the time I was imagining things."
No snarky comments, no references to the man's hatred of homosexuals, nothing. This is a promising development.
Not only was water cascading over the lagoon side of the peninsula but it was pouring in directly from the mouth of the estuary about two miles away. Sanders feared the converging currents would swamp the small craft. At that point, Sanders said, he recalled a line from the Book of Isaiah: "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall raise up a standard against it."
He raised his hand in the direction of the flood and shouted, "I command you in the name of Jesus -- stop!" The water then seemed to "stall, momentarily," he said. "I thought at the time I was imagining things."
No snarky comments, no references to the man's hatred of homosexuals, nothing. This is a promising development.
Urge to Kill Rising
While most people react to massive tragedies with a renewed focus on the things that truly matter, many continue on with their shallow, vulgar lives.
IT seems almost impossible.
Just days after the tidal wave disaster, one of the devastated beaches was returning to normal yesterday. On Sunday, Patong Beach was hit by a wall of water that swept into Phuket, claiming at least 120 lives.
Parasols, chairs, and other beach paraphernalia were swept to the top of the tree-lined beach, dragging helpless holidaymakers with them. It was at this beach that six-month-old Melina Heppell, of Perth, disappeared from her father's arms when the huge wave struck.
For some tourists yesterday, however, the tragedy was becoming a memory, albeit a vivid one, as they made the most of the weather and topped up their tans.
Many in bathers and bikinis, some lounged on sunbeds and others took a dip in the water that had claimed so many lives a few days earlier.
Their fun in the sun came despite warnings that aftershocks could follow the disaster that is likely to have killed as many as 100,000.
As many Westerners waited for news of missing loved ones others arrived to take holidays as usual.
Engineer Paul Cunliffe, from Manchester, arrived on an almost empty flight from Malaysia. Gin and tonic in hand, Mr Cunliffe said he and two friends were booked into a beach-front hotel that had escaped serious damage, and had been assured of a "wonderful holiday".
"Our friends think we're mad. The only risk we face I think is if there's another quake. We love the place that much and we thought we would take the risk," he said.
Further south at Surin Beach, where 10 died, tourists also were out in force.
IT seems almost impossible.
Just days after the tidal wave disaster, one of the devastated beaches was returning to normal yesterday. On Sunday, Patong Beach was hit by a wall of water that swept into Phuket, claiming at least 120 lives.
Parasols, chairs, and other beach paraphernalia were swept to the top of the tree-lined beach, dragging helpless holidaymakers with them. It was at this beach that six-month-old Melina Heppell, of Perth, disappeared from her father's arms when the huge wave struck.
For some tourists yesterday, however, the tragedy was becoming a memory, albeit a vivid one, as they made the most of the weather and topped up their tans.
Many in bathers and bikinis, some lounged on sunbeds and others took a dip in the water that had claimed so many lives a few days earlier.
Their fun in the sun came despite warnings that aftershocks could follow the disaster that is likely to have killed as many as 100,000.
As many Westerners waited for news of missing loved ones others arrived to take holidays as usual.
Engineer Paul Cunliffe, from Manchester, arrived on an almost empty flight from Malaysia. Gin and tonic in hand, Mr Cunliffe said he and two friends were booked into a beach-front hotel that had escaped serious damage, and had been assured of a "wonderful holiday".
"Our friends think we're mad. The only risk we face I think is if there's another quake. We love the place that much and we thought we would take the risk," he said.
Further south at Surin Beach, where 10 died, tourists also were out in force.
It Keeps Getting Worse
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- The death toll in Acheh, the region worst hit by last Sunday's tsunami, may exceed 400,000 as many affected areas could still not be reached for search and rescue operations, Indonesia's Ambassador to Malaysia Drs H. Rusdihardjo said Thursday.
He said the estimate was based on air surveillance by Indonesian authorities who found no signs of life in places like Meulaboh, Pulau Simeulue and Tapak Tuan while several islands off the west coast of Sumatera had "disappeared".
He said the latest death toll of more than 40,000 in Acheh and northern Sumatera did not take into account the figures from the other areas, especially in the west of the region.
"Aerial surveillance found the town of Meulaboh completely destroyed with only one buiding standing. The building, which belonged to the military, happens to be on a hill," he told reporters after receiving RM1 million in aid for Indonesia's Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund here Thursday.
Rusdihardjo said there were about 150,000 residents in Meulaboh, which was located 150km from the epicentre of the earthquake while Pulau Simeuleu had a population of 76,000.
He said the estimate was based on air surveillance by Indonesian authorities who found no signs of life in places like Meulaboh, Pulau Simeulue and Tapak Tuan while several islands off the west coast of Sumatera had "disappeared".
He said the latest death toll of more than 40,000 in Acheh and northern Sumatera did not take into account the figures from the other areas, especially in the west of the region.
"Aerial surveillance found the town of Meulaboh completely destroyed with only one buiding standing. The building, which belonged to the military, happens to be on a hill," he told reporters after receiving RM1 million in aid for Indonesia's Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund here Thursday.
Rusdihardjo said there were about 150,000 residents in Meulaboh, which was located 150km from the epicentre of the earthquake while Pulau Simeuleu had a population of 76,000.
Merry Christmas
This is unbelievable:
Snow-emergency pay decision today
Hamilton County commissioners will decide today whether to pay employees who were not required to report for work during the Dec. 23 snow emergency. The snow emergency prohibited all non-emergency vehicles from being on the road. Some think employees shouldn't have their pay reduced or lose vacation because it would have been unlawful to drive to work, said David Krings, county administrator.
So the county thinks it might be a good idea not to pay workers because they were prohibited - by law - from going to work. Man, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Snow-emergency pay decision today
Hamilton County commissioners will decide today whether to pay employees who were not required to report for work during the Dec. 23 snow emergency. The snow emergency prohibited all non-emergency vehicles from being on the road. Some think employees shouldn't have their pay reduced or lose vacation because it would have been unlawful to drive to work, said David Krings, county administrator.
So the county thinks it might be a good idea not to pay workers because they were prohibited - by law - from going to work. Man, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
More Stingy Americans
Another $35 million from Pfizer.
The colleagues of Pfizer express their deepest sympathy and condolences to all those affected by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Asia and the east coast of Africa.
Pfizer today announced plans to commit medicines, funds, and logistical support to the relief effort following this catastrophic disaster. Pfizer will donate $10 million to local and international relief organizations operating in the region. These will include the American Red Cross/International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Rescue Committee, Catholic Relief Services, CARE, UNICEF, and Save the Children as well as local relief organizations.
Within hours of the disaster Pfizer colleagues began working with local governments and relief organizations to assess which of the company's medicines are needed. As a result of these assessments, Pfizer will contribute approximately $25 million worth of the company's healthcare products which includes the anti-infective products Zithromax, Zyvox and Diflucan. Pfizer organizations in Asia have already begun donating Pfizer medicines and discussing logistical support issues with local health and relief officials.
The colleagues of Pfizer express their deepest sympathy and condolences to all those affected by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Asia and the east coast of Africa.
Pfizer today announced plans to commit medicines, funds, and logistical support to the relief effort following this catastrophic disaster. Pfizer will donate $10 million to local and international relief organizations operating in the region. These will include the American Red Cross/International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Rescue Committee, Catholic Relief Services, CARE, UNICEF, and Save the Children as well as local relief organizations.
Within hours of the disaster Pfizer colleagues began working with local governments and relief organizations to assess which of the company's medicines are needed. As a result of these assessments, Pfizer will contribute approximately $25 million worth of the company's healthcare products which includes the anti-infective products Zithromax, Zyvox and Diflucan. Pfizer organizations in Asia have already begun donating Pfizer medicines and discussing logistical support issues with local health and relief officials.
UK Update II
Sheray Thomas disclosed his previously undisclosed illness last night:
Speaking for the first time about major surgery he underwent in October, Sheray Thomas said doctors discovered a tumor, a frightful prognosis and difficult recovery that has the Kentucky sophomore cherishing each new day.
I thought maybe it was mono or something similar (he lost 30 pounds). It turns out it was much more serious.
Speaking for the first time about major surgery he underwent in October, Sheray Thomas said doctors discovered a tumor, a frightful prognosis and difficult recovery that has the Kentucky sophomore cherishing each new day.
I thought maybe it was mono or something similar (he lost 30 pounds). It turns out it was much more serious.
UK Update
Yep, they had a 6:00 a.m. practice this morning.
"Practice probably won't be much fun," junior guard Ravi Moss said.
"Practice probably won't be much fun," junior guard Ravi Moss said.
You Go Tubby
UK killed Campbell last night, but had a very lackluster second half performance.
"We've got to be able to concentrate all the time," junior Kelenna Azubuike said. "We've got to play like grown men. There is a time for joking and stuff and a time to be serious. We need to learn that a little better."
Asked what it might take to learn that lesson, Azubuike didn't flinch.
"We are going to learn the hard way in the morning," Azubuike said.
"We've got to be able to concentrate all the time," junior Kelenna Azubuike said. "We've got to play like grown men. There is a time for joking and stuff and a time to be serious. We need to learn that a little better."
Asked what it might take to learn that lesson, Azubuike didn't flinch.
"We are going to learn the hard way in the morning," Azubuike said.
Disband the UN...NOW!
To quote Alanis Morissette, the UN is like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife. My God, what a bunch of gutless, worthless bureaucrats. The UN is the greatest friend evil has ever known.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The U.N. World Food Program suspended food convoys to the Darfur region in western Sudan after rebel forces attacked the market town of Ghubaysh and the government retaliated, U.N. humanitarian officials said.
The relief agency halted three convoys of 70 trucks carrying more than 1,300 million tons of food destined for El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Tuesday.
The attack Monday on Ghubaysh in West Kordofan follows weeks of insecurity in Darfur in which both rebel and government-backed forces have attacked each other.
It was the second attack by the rebel Sudan Liberation Army since December 19 when the Sudanese government agreed to an immediate cessation of hostilities, U.N. officials said.
The recent insecurity has effectively blocked overland access from central Sudan to the Darfur region for U.N. and other relief agencies, the U.N. Humanitarian office known as OCHA said.
As a result, some 260,000 people will miss their December rations in South Darfur as well as eastern parts of West Darfur, it said.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The U.N. World Food Program suspended food convoys to the Darfur region in western Sudan after rebel forces attacked the market town of Ghubaysh and the government retaliated, U.N. humanitarian officials said.
The relief agency halted three convoys of 70 trucks carrying more than 1,300 million tons of food destined for El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Tuesday.
The attack Monday on Ghubaysh in West Kordofan follows weeks of insecurity in Darfur in which both rebel and government-backed forces have attacked each other.
It was the second attack by the rebel Sudan Liberation Army since December 19 when the Sudanese government agreed to an immediate cessation of hostilities, U.N. officials said.
The recent insecurity has effectively blocked overland access from central Sudan to the Darfur region for U.N. and other relief agencies, the U.N. Humanitarian office known as OCHA said.
As a result, some 260,000 people will miss their December rations in South Darfur as well as eastern parts of West Darfur, it said.
Uh Oh!
Ok, this gives me pause:
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Six commercial airliners in the past four days have had their cockpits illuminated by laser beams while attempting to land, a government official told CNN Wednesday.
The incidents have happened "all over the place" and in "kind of odd places," the official said without elaborating.
None of the flights was affected.
The government official, who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity, said it was unclear whether this week's incidents were the result of "kids who got a laser light for Christmas" or whether there is "some deliberate attempt to target aircraft."
Kids with laser lights? Are you kidding me?
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Six commercial airliners in the past four days have had their cockpits illuminated by laser beams while attempting to land, a government official told CNN Wednesday.
The incidents have happened "all over the place" and in "kind of odd places," the official said without elaborating.
None of the flights was affected.
The government official, who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity, said it was unclear whether this week's incidents were the result of "kids who got a laser light for Christmas" or whether there is "some deliberate attempt to target aircraft."
Kids with laser lights? Are you kidding me?
We Are Stingy
I stand corrected, we are stingy. Hey, if the NY Times says it's so, it must be true. Apparently American generosity doesn't count unless it comes from the government.
The New Media
The "blogization" of media continues, even in the wake of natural disasters. So says Der Spiegel:
"Blogs are at the forefront of the tsunami recovery effort. While traditional media drags awaiting publication, and government hotlines jam or go unanswered, bloggers have hopped into the fray, providing needed information to relatives desperate to find loved ones and those hoping to join the rescue efforts."
"Blogs are at the forefront of the tsunami recovery effort. While traditional media drags awaiting publication, and government hotlines jam or go unanswered, bloggers have hopped into the fray, providing needed information to relatives desperate to find loved ones and those hoping to join the rescue efforts."
OSU Update
It appears Maurice Clarrett was telling the truth:
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger said athletic officials will sanction a businessman who gave improper benefits to Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith.
The benefits led to Smith's suspension from Wednesday night's Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, where the No. 22 Buckeyes defeated Oklahoma State 33-7.
Geiger said 46-year-old Robert Q. Baker, who shares a luxury suite at Ohio Stadium, gave Smith an unspecified benefit at the Columbus business he used to run, in violation of NCAA rules.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger said athletic officials will sanction a businessman who gave improper benefits to Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith.
The benefits led to Smith's suspension from Wednesday night's Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, where the No. 22 Buckeyes defeated Oklahoma State 33-7.
Geiger said 46-year-old Robert Q. Baker, who shares a luxury suite at Ohio Stadium, gave Smith an unspecified benefit at the Columbus business he used to run, in violation of NCAA rules.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Southgate Gets to Keep Its School
Southgate school supporters reveled in a victory Tuesday night as voters gave the tiny, independent school district a gift to start the new year: enough money to keep operating.
District school officials had said that, without the 41 percent tax increase, approved in September by the school board, the district would have had to discuss a merger with a neighboring school system.
By a 57 percent margin, voters told the school board they didn't want to see that happen. The vote was 362 to 274 in an election that drew 43 percent of the registered voters.
The new tax rate, which jumped from $5.22 per $1,000 of assessed value to $7.38, will bring in $150,000 a year more for the district's budget, now about $1 million annually. The increase would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $216 more a year in school taxes.
District school officials had said that, without the 41 percent tax increase, approved in September by the school board, the district would have had to discuss a merger with a neighboring school system.
By a 57 percent margin, voters told the school board they didn't want to see that happen. The vote was 362 to 274 in an election that drew 43 percent of the registered voters.
The new tax rate, which jumped from $5.22 per $1,000 of assessed value to $7.38, will bring in $150,000 a year more for the district's budget, now about $1 million annually. The increase would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $216 more a year in school taxes.
More Stinginess
The tsunami fundraising over at amazon.com has surpassed the $2 million mark. One web site has raised more money than most countries have donated to this point. Those stingy Americans.
Are You a Female, Large and in Charge, and Looking for a Man...
...then travel to the Arab world. Apparently, rotundness is a very attractive quality over there.
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania -- Jidat Mint Ethmane grew up in a nomad family in this impoverished nation in the western Sahara. When she was 8, she says, her mother began to force-feed her. Ms. Ethmane says she was required to consume a gallon of milk in the morning, plus couscous. She ate milk and porridge for lunch. She was awoken at midnight and given several more pints of milk, followed by a pre-breakfast feeding at 6 a.m.
If she threw up, she says, her mother forced her to eat the vomit. Stretch marks appeared on her body and the skin on her upper arms and thighs tore under the pressure. If she balked at the feedings, her mother would squeeze her toes between two wooden sticks until the pain was unbearable. "I would devour as much as possible," says Ms. Ethmane. "I resembled a mattress."
Today, Ms. Ethmane, 38 years old, is slender because her family ran out of money to continue the force-feeding technique, known as gavage. The term stems from the French word for the process used to force-feed geese to make foie gras. Yet in a recent interview in her family's one-room house, Ms. Ethmane says she still believes in the practice. "Beauty is more important than health," she says. Her husband, Brahim, agrees: "It is thin women who are not healthy."
The belief that rotund women are more desirable as wives helps explain why much of the Arab world -- which stretches from the Persian Gulf in the east to Mauritania in North Africa -- is experiencing an explosion of obesity. About half of women in the Middle East are overweight or obese, according to the United Nations' World Health Organization. In some communities, many of which were nomadic until a few decades ago, oil wealth has dramatically improved living standards. The resulting urbanization has introduced some Western habits: high consumption of sugar, fat and processed foods and more sedentary lifestyles.
In Bahrain, 83% of women are obese or overweight, according to International Obesity Task Force, a London-based think tank that tries to persuade countries to tackle the problem. In the United Arab Emirates the figure is 74%; in Lebanon it is 75%, the groups says. By comparison, about 62% of American women are overweight or obese. The prevalence of childhood obesity in the Middle East has risen rapidly in recent years and diabetes is spreading across the region, according to WHO.
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania -- Jidat Mint Ethmane grew up in a nomad family in this impoverished nation in the western Sahara. When she was 8, she says, her mother began to force-feed her. Ms. Ethmane says she was required to consume a gallon of milk in the morning, plus couscous. She ate milk and porridge for lunch. She was awoken at midnight and given several more pints of milk, followed by a pre-breakfast feeding at 6 a.m.
If she threw up, she says, her mother forced her to eat the vomit. Stretch marks appeared on her body and the skin on her upper arms and thighs tore under the pressure. If she balked at the feedings, her mother would squeeze her toes between two wooden sticks until the pain was unbearable. "I would devour as much as possible," says Ms. Ethmane. "I resembled a mattress."
Today, Ms. Ethmane, 38 years old, is slender because her family ran out of money to continue the force-feeding technique, known as gavage. The term stems from the French word for the process used to force-feed geese to make foie gras. Yet in a recent interview in her family's one-room house, Ms. Ethmane says she still believes in the practice. "Beauty is more important than health," she says. Her husband, Brahim, agrees: "It is thin women who are not healthy."
The belief that rotund women are more desirable as wives helps explain why much of the Arab world -- which stretches from the Persian Gulf in the east to Mauritania in North Africa -- is experiencing an explosion of obesity. About half of women in the Middle East are overweight or obese, according to the United Nations' World Health Organization. In some communities, many of which were nomadic until a few decades ago, oil wealth has dramatically improved living standards. The resulting urbanization has introduced some Western habits: high consumption of sugar, fat and processed foods and more sedentary lifestyles.
In Bahrain, 83% of women are obese or overweight, according to International Obesity Task Force, a London-based think tank that tries to persuade countries to tackle the problem. In the United Arab Emirates the figure is 74%; in Lebanon it is 75%, the groups says. By comparison, about 62% of American women are overweight or obese. The prevalence of childhood obesity in the Middle East has risen rapidly in recent years and diabetes is spreading across the region, according to WHO.
More Good Work From Porter Goss
WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 - The head of the Central Intelligence Agency's analytical branch is being forced to step down, former intelligence officials say, opening a major new chapter in a shakeup under Porter J. Goss, the agency's chief.
The official, Jami Miscik, the agency's deputy director for intelligence, told her subordinates on Tuesday afternoon of her plan to step down on Feb. 4. A former intelligence official said that Ms. Miscik was told before Christmas that Mr. Goss wanted to make a change and that "the decision to depart was not hers."
Ms. Miscik has headed analysis at the agency since 2002, a period in which prewar assessments of Iraq and its illicit weapons, which drew heavily on C.I.A. analysis, proved to be mistaken. Even before taking charge of the C.I.A., Mr. Goss, who was a congressman, and his closest associates had been openly critical of the directorate of intelligence, saying it suffered from poor leadership and was devoting too much effort to monitoring day-to-day developments rather than broad trends.
Ms. Miscik's departure is the latest in a series of high-level ousters that have prompted unease within the C.I.A. since Mr. Goss took over as director of central intelligence in September. Of the officials who worked as top deputies to Mr. Goss's predecessor, George J. Tenet, at least a half-dozen have been fired or have retired abruptly, including the agency's No. 2 and No. 3 officials. Much of the top tier of the agency's clandestine service is also gone.
The official, Jami Miscik, the agency's deputy director for intelligence, told her subordinates on Tuesday afternoon of her plan to step down on Feb. 4. A former intelligence official said that Ms. Miscik was told before Christmas that Mr. Goss wanted to make a change and that "the decision to depart was not hers."
Ms. Miscik has headed analysis at the agency since 2002, a period in which prewar assessments of Iraq and its illicit weapons, which drew heavily on C.I.A. analysis, proved to be mistaken. Even before taking charge of the C.I.A., Mr. Goss, who was a congressman, and his closest associates had been openly critical of the directorate of intelligence, saying it suffered from poor leadership and was devoting too much effort to monitoring day-to-day developments rather than broad trends.
Ms. Miscik's departure is the latest in a series of high-level ousters that have prompted unease within the C.I.A. since Mr. Goss took over as director of central intelligence in September. Of the officials who worked as top deputies to Mr. Goss's predecessor, George J. Tenet, at least a half-dozen have been fired or have retired abruptly, including the agency's No. 2 and No. 3 officials. Much of the top tier of the agency's clandestine service is also gone.
Mumme-ball is Making a Comeback
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA: Coach Hal Mumme has been confirmed as a finalist for the New Mexico State head coach vacancy. "He's one of three or four finalists," said Dart Volz, SLU assistant athletic director for media relations. The job became open when Tony Samuel was fired Nov. 24.
Mumme went 20-26 as head coach at Kentucky (1997-2000) before leaving in the wake of NCAA recruiting violations.
Mumme went 20-26 as head coach at Kentucky (1997-2000) before leaving in the wake of NCAA recruiting violations.
More Tragedy from the Ghetto
There are two things that leave the black, inner-city wallowing in crime: (1) Fatherlessness that leads to an unhealthy desire/need for "respect" ("respect" for your game, for your girl, or even for your car); and (2) Tolerating the acts of criminals.
Here's my case in point.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Vanderbilt running back Kwane Doster was shot to death after his friends and a group of other men exchanged "trash talk" about their cars, Tampa police said Tuesday.
Police continued to appeal for help in making an arrest in the Sunday morning shooting. Police said they have suspects, but need witnesses who might have seen who fired the fatal shot.
Doster, 21, was shot to death at a sandwich shop after visiting a local club with two friends about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
While leaving the club, Doster's friends had a discussion with three other men about their cars, said Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin. Both groups were driving what Durkin described as "show" cars, and the arguments centered on whose car was better.
The two groups met again at a stoplight, where they again exchanged words and mean stares, Durkin said. The suspects were riding in an orange Infiniti.
Blocks later, Doster and his friends pulled into a sandwich shop. The Infiniti pulled up, one man got out and opened fire with a handgun, Durkin said.
Doster, who was sitting in the back seat of his friend's car, was killed with a single shot. No one else was injured.
After recently visiting the Underground Railroad Freedom Center, I can clearly see the legacy of slavery in today's society and what that great evil has wrought. But it's clearly time for black America - and specifically black men - to stand up and be counted.
As is always the case, the cause of our problems can be found in the mirror.
Here's my case in point.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Vanderbilt running back Kwane Doster was shot to death after his friends and a group of other men exchanged "trash talk" about their cars, Tampa police said Tuesday.
Police continued to appeal for help in making an arrest in the Sunday morning shooting. Police said they have suspects, but need witnesses who might have seen who fired the fatal shot.
Doster, 21, was shot to death at a sandwich shop after visiting a local club with two friends about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
While leaving the club, Doster's friends had a discussion with three other men about their cars, said Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin. Both groups were driving what Durkin described as "show" cars, and the arguments centered on whose car was better.
The two groups met again at a stoplight, where they again exchanged words and mean stares, Durkin said. The suspects were riding in an orange Infiniti.
Blocks later, Doster and his friends pulled into a sandwich shop. The Infiniti pulled up, one man got out and opened fire with a handgun, Durkin said.
Doster, who was sitting in the back seat of his friend's car, was killed with a single shot. No one else was injured.
After recently visiting the Underground Railroad Freedom Center, I can clearly see the legacy of slavery in today's society and what that great evil has wrought. But it's clearly time for black America - and specifically black men - to stand up and be counted.
As is always the case, the cause of our problems can be found in the mirror.
Now That's Stingy II
Don't you think they could have waived that passport fee thing just this one time:
At the airport in Bangkok, other governments had set up booths to greet nationals who had been affected and to help repatriate them, she said.
That was not the case with the U.S. government, Wachs told her mother. It took the couple three hours, she said, to find the officials from the American consulate, who were in the VIP lounge.
Because they had lost all their possessions, including their documentation, they had to have new passports issued.
But the U.S. officials demanded payment to take the passport pictures, Helen Wachs said.
The couple had managed to hold on to their ATM card, so they paid for the photos and helped other Americans who did not have any money get their pictures taken and buy food, Helen Wachs said.
"She was really very surprised" that the government did so little to ease their ordeal, she said.
At the airport in Bangkok, other governments had set up booths to greet nationals who had been affected and to help repatriate them, she said.
That was not the case with the U.S. government, Wachs told her mother. It took the couple three hours, she said, to find the officials from the American consulate, who were in the VIP lounge.
Because they had lost all their possessions, including their documentation, they had to have new passports issued.
But the U.S. officials demanded payment to take the passport pictures, Helen Wachs said.
The couple had managed to hold on to their ATM card, so they paid for the photos and helped other Americans who did not have any money get their pictures taken and buy food, Helen Wachs said.
"She was really very surprised" that the government did so little to ease their ordeal, she said.
Not Bad Money, But...
This comes in at over $500,000 a year, but I would have thought a monarch would make more than this:
A Moroccan magazine has taken the unprecedented step of publishing details of King Mohammed VI's salary.
The French-language magazine Tel Quel says the monarch earns less than a typical company director in the developed world, under $45,000 a month. The annual expenses of the royal court are said to be around $250m.
A Moroccan magazine has taken the unprecedented step of publishing details of King Mohammed VI's salary.
The French-language magazine Tel Quel says the monarch earns less than a typical company director in the developed world, under $45,000 a month. The annual expenses of the royal court are said to be around $250m.
More NY Times Hogwash
The NY Times (of course) takes the networks to task for "sugar-coating" the legacy of deceased NFL great Reggie White. What did they "sugar coat"?
All three networks accentuated the positive and offered the idealized, saintly view of a man in a violent sport reaching out to those he sacked as well as to the downtrodden. That may be the way football folk want to remember White - and the safe path taken by CBS, Fox and ABC - but it failed to acknowledge the considerable controversy he caused when he labeled homosexuality a sin. "It's not a race" that can be compared with being black, he added.
So Reggie thought homosexual acts are sinful. Hmmm, that puts him in pretty good company. Let's see, there's Moses, Jesus and Paul. Who else? Well, our President and most Americans. Who else? Mohammed and all of Islam. Anyone else? Even the Dali Lama (but don't tell Richard Gere).
So who's left out? Oh yeah, employees of the NY Times.
All three networks accentuated the positive and offered the idealized, saintly view of a man in a violent sport reaching out to those he sacked as well as to the downtrodden. That may be the way football folk want to remember White - and the safe path taken by CBS, Fox and ABC - but it failed to acknowledge the considerable controversy he caused when he labeled homosexuality a sin. "It's not a race" that can be compared with being black, he added.
So Reggie thought homosexual acts are sinful. Hmmm, that puts him in pretty good company. Let's see, there's Moses, Jesus and Paul. Who else? Well, our President and most Americans. Who else? Mohammed and all of Islam. Anyone else? Even the Dali Lama (but don't tell Richard Gere).
So who's left out? Oh yeah, employees of the NY Times.
Good Old Fashioned Horse Sense
It sometimes pays to be an animal.
COLOMBO, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan wildlife officials are stunned -- the worst tsunami in memory has killed around 22,000 people along the Indian Ocean island's coast, but they can't find any dead animals.
Giant waves washed floodwaters up to 3 km (2 miles) inland at Yala National Park in the ravaged southeast, Sri Lanka's biggest wildlife reserve and home to hundreds of wild elephants and several leopards.
"The strange thing is we haven't recorded any dead animals," H.D. Ratnayake, deputy director of the national Wildlife Department, told Reuters on Wednesday.
"No elephants are dead, not even a dead hare or rabbit," he added. "I think animals can sense disaster. They have a sixth sense. They know when things are happening."
COLOMBO, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan wildlife officials are stunned -- the worst tsunami in memory has killed around 22,000 people along the Indian Ocean island's coast, but they can't find any dead animals.
Giant waves washed floodwaters up to 3 km (2 miles) inland at Yala National Park in the ravaged southeast, Sri Lanka's biggest wildlife reserve and home to hundreds of wild elephants and several leopards.
"The strange thing is we haven't recorded any dead animals," H.D. Ratnayake, deputy director of the national Wildlife Department, told Reuters on Wednesday.
"No elephants are dead, not even a dead hare or rabbit," he added. "I think animals can sense disaster. They have a sixth sense. They know when things are happening."
Now That's Stingy
Glenn Reynolds puts the smack down on all those "stingy" U.S. suggestions:
STINGINESS UPDATE: The Amazon tsunami relief total is now well over $1 million -- and several readers who were compulsively hitting "refresh" report that it crossed the million-dollar-mark at 6:38 Eastern. It is kind of hypnotic to see the numbers going up every time you reload the page.
Meanwhile, Tim Blair notes that France has sent $177,000:
That French figure seems impossibly low, but it checks out here and here (100,000 euros = $A177,000 = $US135,400). France is also sending rescue workers to Thailand and humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, but please ... $177,000? Andrew Sullivan probably makes more during his Pledge Week.
And while amateurs outperform the French government, the United States government is sending $35 million plus two Naval groups. Not that that has stopped people from bitching about the United States' response. It's almost as if they're determined to find fault no matter what.
However, at this rate the Amazon donations will soon pass the German government's contribution of 2 million Euros (2.7 million dollars), too.
STINGINESS UPDATE: The Amazon tsunami relief total is now well over $1 million -- and several readers who were compulsively hitting "refresh" report that it crossed the million-dollar-mark at 6:38 Eastern. It is kind of hypnotic to see the numbers going up every time you reload the page.
Meanwhile, Tim Blair notes that France has sent $177,000:
That French figure seems impossibly low, but it checks out here and here (100,000 euros = $A177,000 = $US135,400). France is also sending rescue workers to Thailand and humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, but please ... $177,000? Andrew Sullivan probably makes more during his Pledge Week.
And while amateurs outperform the French government, the United States government is sending $35 million plus two Naval groups. Not that that has stopped people from bitching about the United States' response. It's almost as if they're determined to find fault no matter what.
However, at this rate the Amazon donations will soon pass the German government's contribution of 2 million Euros (2.7 million dollars), too.
Put Me In Coach
Now I've heard of arguments with your coach, but this is a bit extreme.
NFL Security has interviewed Rams coach Mike Martz and offensive tackle Kyle Turley about an incident during which Turley allegedly threatened to kill Martz, sources have told ESPN.
Turley
Martz and Turley allegedly engaged in a shouting match that culminated in Martz filing a report with NFL Security regarding the alleged death threat, sources said.
The argument began after Turley, who's on injured reserve after re-injuring his surgically repaired back early in training camp, heard that Martz questioned the tackle's dedication to rehabbing his injured back. Turley decided to confront his coach.
And knowing Kyle Turley (a notorious nutjob), I would have taken this threat very seriously.
NFL Security has interviewed Rams coach Mike Martz and offensive tackle Kyle Turley about an incident during which Turley allegedly threatened to kill Martz, sources have told ESPN.
Turley
Martz and Turley allegedly engaged in a shouting match that culminated in Martz filing a report with NFL Security regarding the alleged death threat, sources said.
The argument began after Turley, who's on injured reserve after re-injuring his surgically repaired back early in training camp, heard that Martz questioned the tackle's dedication to rehabbing his injured back. Turley decided to confront his coach.
And knowing Kyle Turley (a notorious nutjob), I would have taken this threat very seriously.
Work for Free - It's Fun
Something tells me this won't go over too well:
NEW YORK (Reuters) - US Airways, the bankrupt No. 7 U.S. airline, is seeking volunteers from non-union staff to work for free at its troubled Philadelphia operations over the New Year's weekend, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.
The airline canceled nearly 400 flights over Christmas weekend, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or without luggage after three times the normal rate of flight attendants and baggage handlers based at Philadelphia called in sick.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - US Airways, the bankrupt No. 7 U.S. airline, is seeking volunteers from non-union staff to work for free at its troubled Philadelphia operations over the New Year's weekend, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.
The airline canceled nearly 400 flights over Christmas weekend, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or without luggage after three times the normal rate of flight attendants and baggage handlers based at Philadelphia called in sick.
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