Monday, December 31, 2012

harshhaswani0: I think I need anger management. Advice?

Folks, I've been separated for nearly two months and I'm now working on self-improvement.

One area I identified that I need to work on is managing my anger.

My husband would bring out the monster in me. No, I would never throw things or hurt anyone in the process, but I'd drop a few F-bombs here and there and I'd certainly get LOUD.

Thing is, I generally don't have a temper. Most of my friends, even childhood friends, would be surprised if they were told that I have a temper. But I do.

People who know me too well and know how to push my buttons unleash that ugly side of me. My dad, my mom sometimes, and now my husband. I thought my temper problems were done with. That I was just an angry teen. That I'd overcome it. Apparently not.

Thing is, I'd been to individual counseling for an extended period of time before I got married. So I'm not sure that that's the route to go.

Does anyone recommend any self-help books or techniques to calm me down when I sense getting frustrated to the point of losing my cool?

Thanks in advance<3

Source: http://talkaboutmarriage.com/ladies-lounge/64155-i-think-i-need-anger-management-advice.html

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Source: http://harshhaswani0.blogspot.com/2012/12/i-think-i-need-anger-management-advice.html

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Reservations

The Seasons on Earth

The Seasons were mystical beings who controlled Spring,Summer,Autumn,and Winter from afar. But, what happens when they sneak away and decide to take a look at the planet in their own eyes.

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UCONN MEN'S BASKETBALL: Huskies top Washington to wrap up non-conference play

Connecticut's Tyler Olander, left, grabs a rebound from Washington's Desmond Simmons during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Hartford, Conn., Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Fred Beckham)

HARTFORD ? It wasn?t exactly a $6,917,500 performance, but a win is a win. And the UConn men?s basketball team finishes non-conference play and heads into the Big East at 10-2.

On a night when coach Kevin Ollie signed a five-year extension worth just south of $7 million, UConn was a tad shaky Saturday at the XL Center. Fortunately for UConn, its fellow Huskies from the University of Washington were even shakier, and UConn emerged with a 61-53 victory for the 6,600 or so snowstorm-braving fans.

?It was a good day in my life,? a beaming Ollie said afterwards.

Omar Calhoun scored 14 points, Shabazz Napier added 13 points and eight rebounds (and seven turnovers) and Ryan Boatright netted 12 to lead the East Coast Huskies. Enosch Wolf, coming off the bench for the first time in four games, hauled down a team-high nine rebounds as UConn won the rebounding battle (40-36) for just the second time in 12 games this season.

?That was a real physical game, especially on the rebounds,? said Wolf, the 7-foot-1 center. ?Coming in and fixing our biggest problem in this game, I feel really good.?

Ollie and athletic director Warde Manuel informed the team at its shootaround this afternoon about the coach?s contract extension.

?We were heading into tonight with a positive mindset,? said Calhoun. ?It definitely feels good. Coach Ollie?s a great guy, he wishes the best for everybody. He?s the guy who recruited me here. Everybody was happy for him.?

Added Wolf: ?We work so hard for him to get that contract. We all know he deserved it. They should have given it to him right away, we all know that. So now we?ve got to prove it that he?s the right guy. We?ve got to go even harder and can?t let down.?

As he walked from the locker room to the bench a few minutes before the opening tip-off, Ollie received a standing ovation from the crowd.

?My legs were shaking and everything,? he said. ?It was like the first game I stepped into the XL Center. I was excited for the moment. I just never thought it could happen for a guy out of South Central Los Angeles. But I?m an unrealistic thinker, just like Coach Calhoun.? Continued...

After an entertaining first 10 minutes or so, both teams got sloppy and struggled shooting for most of the rest of the game. UConn didn?t score a field goal the final 9? minutes of the opening half but still had a 31-26 edge at the break.

UConn upped its advantage to as much as 14 (44-30) after Calhoun?s alley-oop layup from R.J. Evans early in the latter half. But Washington would close to within four inside the final nine minutes.

However, Napier hit a rainbow jumper, and after a Washington free throw, UConn went on a 7-0 run, highlighted by Enosch Wolf?s press-breaking, alley-oop dunk from Calhoun.

?When I went up, I didn?t think I was going to get it, but I caught it,? said Wolf. ?I was happy he threw it, so I finally could get one.?

Washington fell to 8-5. C.J. Wilcox, who entered the game averaging nearly 20 per game, was held to five points on 2-for-12 shooting. Napier guarded him for most of the contest.

UConn begins its Big East slate on New Year?s Day at Marquette.

?I?m happy with 10-2, but I?m not satisfied,? said Ollie. ?Those are two different words. I think we can give a lot more, and I?m going to push the guys and will them to give them a lot more. They?ve been doing it.?

RIM RATTLINGS

?DeAndre Daniels (nine points) left the game in the waning minutes after banging his chin on the floor. He?ll need some stitches, but Ollie hopes he?ll be ready to go against Marquette.

?UConn has now won 13 straight games over Pac 10/12 teams, dating back to its NCAA tourney loss to UCLA in 1995. Continued...

?There were 12,720 tickets sold for the game, though only about half of that showed up due to the snowstorm.

Said Ollie: ?I know there?s a foot of snow out there, and for them to come out and support us like they did, it?s exceptional. It?s outstanding. They?re wonderful people that I love.?

To receive breaking news first, simply text the word nhsports to 22700. *Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.

Source: http://middletownpress.com/articles/2012/12/30/sports/doc50dfd65599d54384640146.txt

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Sunday, December 30, 2012

Ex-NBA player found dead

Updated?Dec 29, 2012 9:33 PM ET

?

Former NBA player Jerome Whitehead was found dead in a San Diego suburb last week, according to California authorities. Whitehead was 56.

Whitehead played for six NBA teams during his 11-year career. The 6-foot-10 forward/center was taken 41st overall by the San Diego Clippers in the 1978 draft.

Whitehead was the starting center on Marquette?s 1977 NCAA title team.

An autopsy revealed that Whitehead died as a result of gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused by alcohol abuse.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/jerome-whitehead-ex-nba-player-found-dead-122912

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Has Prenda Law committed Systemic Fraud upon the Courts ...

It has been alleged that Prenda Law, a law firm that has notoriously sued tens of thousands of file-sharers, threatened others with robocalls, and is reportedly not in good standing with the State of Illinois, has committed identity theft and has filed more than 200?fraudulent?cases. Specifically, it is alleged that in the past, a gentleman named Alan Cooper worked for John Steele (principal of Prenda Law) as a caretaker. John Steele later allegedly used Mr. Cooper?s identity without his knowledge or permission to register two offshore shell entities: AF Holdings and Ingenuity 13. Both of these entities were used to sue thousands of individuals who allegedly shared pornographic works via BitTorrent (See my posts tagged AF Holdings; See Fight Copyright Trolls posts tagged AF Holdings).

An attorney, Morgan Pietz, who represents a John Doe defendant in an Ingenuity 13 case, applied to the court for ex parte permission to take early limited discovery to determine the true identity of this Alan Cooper, on the basis that:

?A Very Limited Amount of Early Written Discovery is Appropriate in Light of Certain Facts Averred by One Alan Cooper of Minnesota, which Suggest Possible Systemic Fraud, Perjury, Identity Theft, and Lack of Standing.?

(emphasis added).

The court granted the ex parte application in full, allowing limited written discovery as detailed in the application. Things are going to get very interesting as we learn more about the true identity of Alan Cooper. I suspect Prenda Law will fight tooth-and-nail to avoid answering any questions, which in my opinion, further suggests that their ?ethically challenged? attorneys are guilty as alleged.

Regarding the answer to the question posted in the title of this post: We may find out soon.

If you, the reader, are involved in an AF Holdings or Ingenuity 13 case, you should bring this matter to the attention of the court.

Note: there are a number of other informative and insightful resources regarding Prenda Law?s and John Steele?s alleged fraud and identity theft that are worth reading:

  • Attorney Morgan Pietz attacks Prenda?s offshore businesses, SJD, Dec 3 2012.
  • Man charges porn trolling firm Prenda Law with identity theft, Ars Technica, Dec 5 2012.
  • John Steele?s Property Caretaker Intervenes In Copyright Trolling Case, Alleging Identity Theft, Techdirt, Dec 7 2012.
  • Porn trolling firm dogged by identity theft allegations, Ars Technica, Dec 11 2012.
  • Copyright Troll Prenda Law Dances Around The Simple Question: Which Alan Cooper Runs AF Holdings?, Techdirt, Dec 12 2012.
  • Beyond SOPA: the top nine tech policy stories of 2012,?Ars Technica, Dec 27 2012.
  • Big news: Judge Wright has granted a discovery aimed at solving the Alan Cooper mystery (and, potentially, uncovering a fraud of epic proportions), SJD, Dec 28 2012.

Source: http://copyrightclerk.com/2012/12/28/has-prenda-law-committed-systemic-fraud-upon-the-courts-perjury-and-identity-theft/

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Sheriff orders heat-packing 'posse' to patrol schools

A controversial plan from Arizona's Sheriff Arpaio will send armed members of his volunteer posse to some Phoenix schools to provide security. Oralia Ortega, of KPNX, reports.

By Miranda Leitsinger, NBC News

Arizona sheriffs and the state?s attorney general are pushing controversial programs to allow school officials and volunteers to carry guns in the wake of the shootings at a Connecticut school that left 20 children dead.

The latest proposal comes from Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the self-described toughest sheriff in America, who wants to station his ?posse? of volunteers outside of about 50 schools in Maricopa County within a week, according to KPNX, a local NBC station.


?

?Everybody else is talking about what their ideas are. They want new laws. This is immediate. I don't need a new law to send out my posse,? he told NBC affiliate, KPNX, on Thursday. ?I feel like we should do whatever we can outside of the schools.?

Arpaio?s volunteers number about 3,000, with 300 to 400 carrying weapons. They log about 100 hours of training and undergo background checks, just like deputies, according to KPNX.

He first sent out his posse in 1993 to guard malls over the holiday season because of violence at those venues in the past. He believed that program worked, saying there have been zero violent re-occurrences, azfamily.com reported.

Arpaio?s plan follows similar ones released earlier this week: Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu has proposed arming willing principals,?according to?ABC15.com, while Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne said he wanted to arm a designated employee in every school,?KPNX reported.

?Why not use these people we trust if they are willing to protect themselves and our children?? Babeu said.

Horne said a few counties have indicated they?d like to sign up for his program, though state law currently prohibits having firearms on public school campuses. Horne said he already has a sponsor for the necessary state legislation to implement his plan.

Anti-gun advocates and former educators denounced the idea of arming school staffers. Geraldine Hills, of Arizonans for Gun Safety, called it ?outrageous.?

?Cops aren?t teachers, teachers aren?t cops,? she told KPNX. ?It?s a very nice what-if scenario, this fantasy of the armed civilian hero. It doesn?t play out in real life.?

?I don?t feel that I would want to be in a position of being responsible for either a concealed weapon or securing a weapon on campus,? Gregg Baumgarten, a former principle outside of Phoenix, told the station. ?I just think it?s a recipe for disaster.?

The Arizona officials? stance echoed that of the National Rifle Association chief Wayne LaPierre, who said he supported putting armed guards and police in schools in response to the Newtown shootings in which the gunman, Adam Lanza, also shot six administrators dead. Police say Lanza shot his mother to death earlier at their home.

?If it?s crazy to call for putting police in and securing our schools to protect our children, then call me crazy,? LaPierre told NBC?s David Gregory. ?I think the American people think it?s crazy not to do it. It?s the one thing that would keep people safe and the NRA is going try to do that.?

Some districts said they were preparing to take LaPierre?s recommended action, while other educators cautioned that doing so would send the wrong message about education.

After a controversial press conference last week, NRA head Wayne LaPierre made an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" saying the American people would be "crazy" to not put armed guards in schools. Meanwhile, Newtown, Conn., continues coping with the death of 26 people during the tragic shooting. NBC's Ron Mott report.

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Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/28/16215255-arizona-sheriff-orders-armed-posse-to-patrol-schools?lite

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Saturday, December 29, 2012

China tightens Internet controls, legalizes post deletion

19 min.

China unveiled tighter Internet controls on Friday, legalizing the deletion of posts or pages which are deemed to contain "illegal" information and requiring service providers to hand over such information to the authorities for punishment.

The rules signal that the new leadership headed by Communist Party chief Xi Jinping will continue muzzling the often scathing, raucous online chatter in a country where the Internet offers a rare opportunity for debate.

The new regulations, announced by the official Xinhua news agency, also require Internet users to register with their real names when signing up with network providers, though, in reality, this already happens.

Chinese authorities and Internet companies such as Sina Corp have long since closely monitored and censored what people say online, but the government has now put measures such as deleting posts into law.

"Service providers are required to instantly stop the transmission of illegal information once it is spotted and take relevant measures, including removing the information and saving records, before reporting to supervisory authorities," the rules state.

The restrictions follow a series of corruption scandals amongst lower-level officials exposed by Internet users, something the government has said it is trying to encourage.

Li Fei, deputy head of parliament's legislative affairs committee, said the new rules did not mean people needed to worry about being unable to report corruption online. But he added a warning too.

"When people exercise their rights, including the right to use the Internet, they must do so in accordance with the law and constitution, and not harm the legal rights of the state, society ... or other citizens," he told a news conference.

Chinese Internet users already cope with extensive censorship measures, especially over politically sensitive topics like human rights and elite politics, and popular foreign sites Facebook, Twitter and Google-owned YouTube are blocked.

Earlier this year, the government began forcing users of Sina's wildly successful Weibo microblogging platform to register their real names.

The new rules were quickly condemned by some Weibo users.

"So now they are getting Weibo to help in keeping records and reporting it to authorities. Is this the freedom of expression we are promised in the constitution?" complained one user.

"We should resolutely oppose such a covert means to interfere with Internet freedom," wrote another.

The government says tighter monitoring of the Internet is needed to prevent people making malicious and anonymous accusations online, disseminating pornography and spreading panic with unfounded rumors, pointing out that many other countries already have such rules.

Despite periodic calls for political reform, the party has shown no sign of loosening its grip on power and brooks no dissent to its authority.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Sally Huang; Editing by Nick Macfie)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Check for restrictions at: http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/china-tightens-internet-controls-legalizes-post-deletion-1C7755876

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Friday, December 28, 2012

Lisa Murkowski, Ron Wyden Propose Campaign Finance Reform

  • Sheldon Adelson And Family (R)

    Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas casino magnate, and his family have combined to give $53.69 million to super PACs in the 2012 election cycle. At first, Adelson pumped money into Winning Our Future, the super PAC supporting Newt Gingrich, but now he is funding groups backing Mitt Romney and congressional Republicans. Adelson is ranked on the <em>Forbes</em> list of the richest Americans at number eight, with $21.5 billion in net worth. Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam, gave $15 million to Winning Our Future. His daughters Sivan Ochshorn and Shelley Maye Adelson each chipped in $500,000. Another daughter and her husband each gave $250,000. Adelson and his wife have also given $20 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney), $5 million to Congressional Leadership Fund, $5 million to YG Action Fund, $2 million to Freedom PAC (supporting Connie Mack), $1.5 million to Independence Virginia PAC (supporting George Allen), $1 million to Ending Spending Action Fund, $1 million to Treasure Coast Jobs Coalition, $1 million to Patriot Prosperity PAC (supporting Shmuley Boteach for Congress) and $250,000 to Conservative Renewal PAC, $250,000 to Texas Conservatives Fund (both supporting David Dewhurst) and $190,000 to Hispanic Leadership Fund. Adelson remained in the number one spot among super PAC donors after counting contributions for August. He has allegedly <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/16/sheldon-adelson-to-lavish_n_1600149.html">given in excess of $70 million</a> when contributions to non-profit groups like Americans for Prosperity and the Republican Jewish Coalition are included. His involvement in politics revolves around his support for the state of Israel, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/11/sheldon-adelson-newt-gingrich-israel_n_1195867.html" target="_hplink">in particular the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>. His business, along with that of other super PAC donors, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/18/sheldon-adelson-bribery-super-pac-donors-fcpa_n_1602694.html" target="_hplink">is also under investigation</a> for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

  • Harold And Annette Simmons (R)

    Harold Simmons, the octogenarian Dallas businessman, combined with his wife Annette and his company, Contran Corp., to donate $26,765,000 to super PACs. Simmons is listed in <em>Forbes</em> magazine as the 33rd richest person in America with a net worth of $9.3 billion. Simmons and Contran donated $19.5 million to American Crossroads, $2.3 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Mitt Romney), $1 million to Make Us Great Again (supporting Rick Perry), $1.1 million to Winning Our Future (supporting Newt Gingrich) and $100,000 to Restoring Prosperity Fund (formerly Americans for Rick Perry). Annette Simmons gave $1.2 million to Red White And Blue Fund (supporting Rick Santorum). Simmons has also given $1.1 million to Texas Conservatives Fund and $500,000 to Conservative Renewal PAC, both super PACs supporting Senate candidate David Dewhurst. He gave another $50,000 to Strong Utah PAC, $10,000 to Conservatives Action Together and $5,000 to Freedom PAC, which supports Connie Mack for Senate in Florida. Simmons -- who explained that he is contributing money to super PACs to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/22/harold-simmons-obama_n_1371642.html">stop "that socialist," President Barack Obama</a> -- remains in second place among super PAC donors.

  • Bob Perry (R)

    Texas homebuilder Bob Perry contributed $21,465,000 million to super PACs. Perry is one of the most prolific donors in contemporary political history. He was a major backer of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the outside group that helped torpedo John Kerry's presidential campaign in 2004. Perry's net worth has been estimated at around $650 million. Perry has given $10 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney), $7.5 million to American Crossroads, $1 million to Congressional Leadership Fund, $1 million to Club for Growth Action, $750,000 to Independence Virginia (supporting George Allen), $500,000 to Texas Conservatives Fund (supporting David Dewhurst), $250,000 to Freedom PAC, $100,000 to Make Us Great Again (supporting Rick Perry, who is of no relation) and $15,000 to Maverick PAC.

  • J. Joseph Ricketts (R)

    J. Joseph Ricketts, the founder of TD Ameritrade and head of the family that owns the Chicago Cubs, has given $12.85 million to super PACs. Ricketts ranked 371 on <em>Forbes'</em> list of richest Americans in 2009, with a net worth of $1 billion. He has donated $12.25 million to his own super PAC, Ending Spending Action Fund. Ricketts has also given $500,000 the Campaign for Primary Accountability, a super PAC supporting challengers to incumbent Democrats and Republicans in contested congressional primary elections, and $100,000 to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney). Ricketts <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/17/joe-ricketts-jeremiah-wright-super-pac-ad_n_1525658.html" target="_hplink">became the focus of controversy</a> in May 2012 after the New York Times revealed that he was considering a proposal to fund, through a super PAC, advertisements attacking President Barack Obama with his relationship with his former pastor, the controversial Jeremiah Wright. After the publicity Ricketts and the consultants involved all stated that they were not going forward with the plan.

  • Fred Eychaner (D)

    Fred Eychaner, the Chicago-based media mogul who made his fortune with Newsweb Corp., has given $11.8 million to super PACs. He is a longtime funder of outside groups backing Democrats, having contributed $2 million to so-called 527 groups in the effort to defeat President George W. Bush in 2004. Eychaner is also a noted LGBT activist and has funded efforts to promote equality. Eychaner gave $3.8 to Majority PAC, $3.75 to House Majority PAC, $3.5 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Obama), $500,000 to Women Vote!, $200,000 to America Votes Action Fund and $50,000 to L PAC.

  • United Auto Workers (D)

    The United Auto Workers union has contributed $10,707,000 million to super PACs in 2012. The union has donated $8,309,000 to the UAW Education Fund, $1.1 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Barack Obama), $800,000 to Majority PAC, $250,000 to House Majority PAC, $208,000 to Working for Us PAC, $83,000 to Working For Us PAC, $25,000 to Defend Our Homes and $15,000 to America Votes Action Fund. (Pictured: Bob King, president of the United Auto Workers.)

  • National Education Association (D)

    The National Education Association, the largest U.S. labor union representing teachers, contributed $9,707,000 million to super PACs. The union gave $8.279 million to its own super PAC, the NEA Advocacy Fund, $500,000 to Moving Ohio Forward Action Fund, $440,000 to America Votes action Fund, $250,000 to DGA Action, $200,000 to American Bridge 21st Century $22,000 to America Votes Action Fund, $10,000 to Credo SuperPAC, $5,000 to Young Democrats of America (hybrid PAC) and $5,000 to the Patriot Majority PAC.

  • Service Employees International Union (D)

    The Service Employees International Union, the nation's fastest growing labor union representing close to 2 million people, contributed $9,435,907 to super PACs. SEIU is one of the most politically active unions in the country. SEIU has given $5,893,039 million to Florida Freedom PAC, $1 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Obama), $653,549 to House Majority PAC, $550,000 to Service Employees International Union PEA-Federal, $425,000 to Rethink PAC (opposing Scott Brown), $297,750 to Working For Us PAC, $250,000 to Majority PAC, $200,000 to American Bridge 21st Century, $120,000 to Sierra Club Action, $20,000 to Vote Your Values, $12,919 to Workers' Voice, $8,650 to Connecticut's Future PAC and $5,000 to Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

  • Republican Governors Association (R)

    The Republican Governors Association, a 527 political committee currently headed by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, gave $8,305,000 to the super PAC RGA Right Direction. William Koch, the lesser-known Koch brother, and two of his companies, petroleum, energy and minerals companies Oxbow Carbon and Huron Carbon, gave $4 million to Restore Our Future (backing Romney) and $500,000 to America 360 Committee.

  • James Simons (D)

    James Simons, the billionaire chairman of the hedge fund Renaissance Technologies, gave $7.5 million to super PACs. Simons is ranked 30 on the <em>Forbes</em> list of richest Americans, with a net worth of $10.5 billion. Simons gave $3.5 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Barack Obama), $3 million to Majority PAC, a super PAC that backs Democratic Senate candidates, and $1 million to House Majority PAC, backing Democratic House candidates.

  • AFL-CIO (D)

    The AFL-CIO, the nation's largest federation of unions, contributed $6,123,437 to super PACs. The federation, boasting 12.2 million members, is made up of 57 national and international labor unions. Its funds come from the dues paid by members. The AFL-CIO gave $5.95 million to its own super PAC, and that super PAC gave $100,000 to American Bridge 21st Century.

  • Specialty Group (R)

    This unknown, unlisted Knoxville, Tennessee company, Specialty Group Inc., made a massive $5.275 million contribution to FreedomWorks for America in early October. (Pictured: FreedomWorks for America, the group supporting by Specialty Group Inc's contribution.)

  • Robert Rowling And TRT Holdings (R)

    Robert Rowling, the Texas billionaire who runs the business holding company TRT Holdings, has contributed $5.135 million to super PACs in the 2012 election cycle. Rowling ranks 66 on <em>Forbes'</em> list of richest Americans, with a net worth of $4.7 billion. He gave $5 million to American Crossroads, $100,000 to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney) and $35,000 to Texas Conservatives Fund (supporting David Dewhurst).

  • American Federation Of State, County And Municipal Employees (D)

    The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the nation's largest public employee union with 1.6 million members, contributed $4,174,085 million to super PACs. AFSCME is very politically active in local and national politics. In 2011, it faced direct attacks in such states as Ohio and Wisconsin, when Republican governors sought to curtail collective bargaining rights for public employees. AFSCME gave $1 million to Majority PAC, $575,000 to American Bridge 21st Century, $986,788 to Workers' Voice, $529,630 to Moving Ohio Forward, $415,000 to House Majority PAC, $260,120 to America Votes Action Fund, $250,000 to Priorities USA Action (supporting Barack Obama), $200,000 to Working Families For Hawaii (supporting Mazie Hirono), $125,000 for Iowans for Integrity in Leadership, $100,000 to Committee to Elect An Effective Valley Congressman (supporting Howard Berman), $100,000 to Fair Share Action, $50,000 to the American Worker, $50,000 to Sierra Club Action, $50,000 to Ohio Families United, $44,900 to Working For Us PAC, $42,500 to Defend Our Homes, $25,000 to Women Vote!, $8,650 to Connecticut's Future PAC and $5,000 to Young Democrats for America.

  • Peter Thiel (R)

    Peter Thiel, the hedge fund manager, venture capitalist and early Facebook investor, has contributed $4.73 million to super PACs. Thiel, a radical libertarian, ranks 293 on the <em>Forbes</em> list of richest Americans, with a net worth of $1.5 billion. The majority of Thiel's money, $2.73 million, has gone to Endorse Liberty, a super PAC supporting Ron Paul in the Republican presidential race. He has since switched his giving to Club for Growth Action, the super PAC of the ultra-conservative free market Club for Growth. Thiel has given $2 million to the Club super PAC.

  • William Koch, Oxbow Carbon And Huron Carbon (R)

    William Koch, the lesser-known Koch brother, and two of his companies, petroleum, energy and minerals companies Oxbow Carbon and Huron Carbon, gave $4 million to Restore Our Future (backing Romney) and $500,000 to America 360 Committee.

  • Joseph Craft And Alliance Management Holdings (R)

    Joseph Craft and his holding company, Alliance Management Holdings, gave $4.35 million to super PACs. Craft is ranked 331 on the <em>Forbes</em> list of richest Americans, with a net worth of $1.3 billion. Alliance Management Holdings is a privately held company run by Craft with significant shares in the managing partner of Alliance Resource Partners. Craft and his company gave $3.35 million to American Crossroads and $1 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney).

  • Jerry Perenchio (R)

    Jerry Perenchio, founder of the Spanish language television network Univision, contributed $4.1 million to super PACs. Perenchio ranks 171 on the <em>Forbes</em> list of richest Americans, with a net worth of $2.3 billion. Perenchio gave $2.5 million to American Crossroads, $1.5 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Mitt Romney), and $100,000 to Our Destiny (supporting Jon Huntsman).

  • American Federation Of Teachers (D)

    The American Federation of Teachers, the second-largest union in the nation with 1.5 million members, gave $3,866,558 to super PACs. The union donated $1,116,558 to the AFL-CIO Workers' Voices PAC, $1 million to Majority PAC, $1 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Barack Obama), $500,000 to House Majority PAC and $250,000 to DGA Action.

  • Robert And Rebekah Mercer (R)

    Robert Mercer (left), the co-CEO of the $15 billion hedge fund Renaissance Technologies, and his daughter, Rebekah Mercer, gave $3,804,354 million to super PACs. Robert Mercer contributed $1 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney), $1 million to American Crossroads, $600,000 to Club for Growth Action, $250,000 to Freedom PAC, $250,000 to Prosperity First, $239,354 to Republican Super PAC and $200,000 to National Horizon. Rebekah Mercer gave $50,000 to the Coalition for American Values and $15,000 to the Club for Growth.

  • Steve & Amber Mostyn (D)

    Steve and Amber Mostyn have contributed $3.428 million to super PACs in the 2012 election cycle. Steve, a multi-millionaire trial lawyer in Houston, Texas, and the president of the Texas Trial Lawyer Association, is a long-time donor to Democratic Party causes in both Texas and nationally. The Mostyns gave $2,003,850 to Priorities USA Action (supporting Obama), $1 million to House Majority PAC, $225,000 to Texans for America's Future and $200,000 to Planned Parenthood Votes.

  • Working for Working Americans (D)

    Working for Working Americans, a union-run super PAC, has contributed $3.375 million to other super PACs in the 2012 election cycle. The super PAC has given $2 million to House Majority PAC, $1.15 million to Majority PAC and $250,000 to Lunch Pail Republicans. (Pictured: Nancy Pelosi, leader of the House Democrats, whose efforts Working for Working Americans' contributions are aiding.)

  • John Childs (R)

    John Childs, the head of the Boston-based private equity firm J.W. Childs & Associates, has contributed $3.375 million to super PACs. Childs has contributed $1.125 million to Club for Growth Action, $1 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Mitt Romney), $1 million to American Crossroads and $250,000 to Congressional Leadership Fund.

  • Amy Goldman (D)

    Amy Goldman, the author and activist who has been called "perhaps the world's premier vegetable gardener," contributed $3.25 million to super PACs. Goldman is the heiress to the fortune of New York real estate titan Sol Goldman. Goldman gave $1.5 million to Planned Parenthood Votes, the super PAC of the women's health provider, $1 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Barack Obama), $500,000 to House Majority PAC and $250,000 to American Bridge 21st Century.

  • United Association (D)

    The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing, Pipe Fitting and Sprinkler Fitting Industry, commonly known as United Association, has contributed $3,404,500 to super PACs in the 2012 election. United Association gave $2,191,500 to Priorities USA Action (supporting Barack Obama), $500,000 to Workers' Voice, $325,000 to Majority PAC, $313,000 to House Majority PAC and $75,000 to The American Worker.

  • Crow Holdings LLC, Harlan Crow and Trammell Crow (R)

    Crow Holdings LLC, which manages the wealth of the late real estate developer Trammel Crow, its director Harlan Crow and his brother Trammel S. Crow have contributed $3.16 million to super PACs. Harlan Crow, Trammel S. Crow and the company combined to give $1.5 million to American Crossroads, $1.3 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney), $250,000 to FreedomWorks for America, $50,000 to Texas Conservatives Fund (supporting David Dewhurst), $35,000 to Campaign for Primary Accountability, $25,000 to American Unity PAC and $10,000 to Jan PAC.

  • Jeffrey Katzenberg (D)

    Jeffrey Katzenberg, the CEO of DreamWorks Animation, has given gave $3.15 million to super PACs. Katzenberg's net worth is estimated to be above $800 million. Katzenberg has given $3 million to Priorities USA Action, the super PAC supporting Barack Obama's reelection bid. He has also given $100,000 to Majority PAC, $25,000 to House Majority PAC and $25,000 to Committee to Elect An Effective Valley Congressman, the super PAC supporting Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), a staunch ally of Hollywood. Katzenberg is also a major fundraiser for the Obama reelection campaign, having brought in more than $500,000.

  • Communications Workers Of America (D)

    The Communications Workers of America, the largest telecommunications union in the world with a membership above 700,000, contributed $2,997,741 to super PACs in the 2012 election cycle. The union donated $2,280,578 to the Communications Workers of America super PAC, $440,000 to Independent Source, $150,000 to House Majority PAC, $57,000 to Progressive Kick Independent Expenditures, $45,000 to American Worker and $28,163 to Workers' Voice.

  • John Ramsey (R)

    John Ramsey, a 21-year old college student who inherited millions from his banker grandfather, contributed $2.84 million to super PACs. The majority of the young libertarian's contributions went to his own super PAC, Liberty for All. Another $450 went to Revolution PAC, which supported Ron Paul for the Republican nomination for president.

  • Cooperative Of American Physicians (I)

    The <a href="http://www.capphysicians.com/about_us" target="_hplink">Cooperative of American Physicians</a> is a medical malpractice and medical liability insurer. The group has contributed $2.79 million to its own super PAC. No other information has been provided on the source of the funds contributed by the cooperative.

  • Dealer Computer Services, CRC Information Systems, Fairbanks Properties, & Waterbury Properties (Bob Brockman) (R)

    Four companies -- Dealer Computer Services, CRC Information Systems, Fairbanks Properties and Waterbury Properties -- sharing the same address as The Reynolds & Reynolds Company headed by Bob Brockman, have given $2.75 million to super PACs. CRC Information Systems, Fairbanks Properties and Waterbury Properties combined to give $1 million to Restore Our Future and another $1 million to American Crossroads. The Reynolds and Reynolds Company gave $500,000 to American Crossroads. Dealer Computer Services has given $200,000 to the pro-David Dewhurst Texas Conservatives Fund and $50,000 to Restoring Prosperity Fund.

  • Kenneth And Anne Griffin (R)

    Kenneth Griffin, the head of the massive hedge fund Citadel, has contributed $2.58 million to super PACs. Griffin is ranked 173rd on the <em>Forbes</em> list of richest Americans. In 2008, he helped raise money for then-Sen. Barack Obama during the Democratic primary, but switched to support Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the general election. Griffin has since become increasingly critical of President Obama and what he considers to be class warfare rhetoric coming from the White House. He stated that the wealthy have "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/11/ken-griffin-mitt-romney_n_1337721.html" target="_hplink">insufficient influence</a>" in politics and urged the rich to donate to political efforts to preserve their position atop the food chain. Griffin has given $1.55 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Mitt Romney) and $1 million to American Crossroads. His wife, Anne, gave $30,000 to the Campaign for Primary Accountability.

  • George Soros (D)

    George Soros, the noted hedge fund investor and long-time Democratic donor, has contributed $2.525 million to super PACs when including contributions that he gave in October. Soros became famous for his political contributions after he gave more than $30 million to 527 groups to defeat former President George W. Bush in 2004. He has reached a mythological status with some conservatives as a wildly influential figure in world politics. In reported contributions, Soros has given $1 million to American Bridge 21st Century, $1 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Barack Obama), $425,000 to House Majority PAC and $100,000 to Majority PAC.

  • Foster Friess (R)

    Foster Friess, the Wyoming investor, contributed $2.52 million to super PACs, mostly to those supporting the presidential candidacy of Rick Santorum. Since Santorum dropped out of the race, Friess has shifted his contributions to help Mitt Romney and congressional Republicans. Friess is estimated to be worth above $500 million. He has given $2.1 million to Red White and Blue Fund (supporting Santorum), $100,000 to Restore Our Future (supporting Mitt Romney), $100,000 to FreedomWorks, $50,000 to Leaders for Families (also supporting Santorum), $50,000 to Freedom PAC, $25,000 to Friends of the Majority, $25,000 to USA Super PAC, $10,000 to Freedom Born Fund, $10,000 to Arizonans for Jobs, $10,000 for Independence Virginia PAC,$10,000 to Club for Growth Action, $5,000 to Fund for Freedom and $872 to Jan PAC.

  • Chevron (R)

    Chevron, one of the nation's five largest companies, gave $2.5 million to Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC to elect Republicans to the House of Representatives.

  • Weaver Popcorn (R)

    Weaver Popcorn, the Indiana-based popcorn maker owned by Michael Weaver, has contributed $2.4 million to American Crossroads, the super PAC founded by Republican operative Karl Rove. The company is one of the largest popcorn companies in the United States and is best known for their Pop Weaver brand.

  • Paul Singer (R)

    Paul Singer (pictured far right), the hedge fund titan in charge of Elliot Associates, contributed $2.258 million to super PACs through June 2012. Singer has an estimated worth of $900 million. He has given $1,158,211 million to American Unity, a super PAC meant to support pro-gay marriage Republican candidates for office, $1 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney) and $100,000 to Club for Growth Action.

  • William Dore (R)

    William Dore, the Louisiana energy executive, gave $2.25 million to Red White and Blue Fund (supporting Santorum). This was the biggest foray into political giving by Dore, who has previously cut large checks for Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Republican Governors Association. He is estimated to be worth in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Credit: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_KzFkneorU" target="_hplink">YouTube</a>

  • Jon Stryker (D)

    Jon Stryker, an architect and heir to the Stryker Corporation fortune, has contributed $2.25 million to super PACs. Stryker has given $2 million to Priorities USA Action, the super PAC supporting Barack Obama, and $250,000 to House Majority PAC. Stryker is worth $1.1 billion and ranks 375th on the Fortune 400 richest Americans list. He is a noted GLBT activist having donated money to groups including the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. Stryker is also the founder of the Arcus Foundation, the largest grant maker for gay and lesbian activism in the nation. Stryker has spent big in the past to help elect Democrats and oust Republicans from office in his home state of Michigan. (Pictured: President Barack Obama, the candidate supported by Stryker's contribution.)

  • Julian Robertson (R)

    Julian Robertson, the hedge fund titan and founder of Tiger Management, contributed $2.25 million to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney) in the current election cycle. Robertson is ranked 166 on the <em>Forbes</em> list of richest Americans, with a net worth of $2.4 billion.

  • FreedomWorks (R)

    FreedomWorks, the conservative nonprofit organization, contributed $2,236,514 to its super PAC, FreedomWorks for America. The group is run by former Rep. Dick Armey and was instrumental in organizing the original Tea Party protests in 2009. The super PAC has been active in Republican Senate primaries backing Richard Mourdock's successful campaign to beat Sen. Dick Lugar in Indiana. The group also also thrown its weight behind Ted Cruz in Texas and Don Stenberg in Nebraska. Stenberg lost his primary to state Sen. Deb Fischer and Cruz faces a run-off election against Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. The group is also spending money to defeat Sen. Orrin Hatch in Utah. FreedomWorks has been spending money to help elect Tea Party Senate candidates like Cruz and Mourdock in the general election.

  • National Association Of Letter Carriers (D)

    The National Association of Letter Carriers' political action committee, the Committee on Letter Carriers Political Education Fund, gave $2,225,919 to super PACs during the 2012 election cycle. The union gave $1,213,919 to the AFL-CIO super PAC, Workers' Voice, $512,000 to House Majority PAC and $500,000 to Majority PAC.

  • Jon Huntsman Sr. (R)

    Jon Huntsman Sr., the billionaire Utah industrialist, contributed $2.22 million to a super PAC supporting the presidential candidacy of his son, Jon Huntsman Jr. Huntsman Sr. has given away much of his fortune in recent years and is estimated to be worth slightly north of $1 billion. Huntsman's contributions to Our Destiny, the super PAC backing his son in the Republican primary contest, came under scrutiny based on the laws banning coordination between super PACs and campaigns.

  • Irwin Jacobs (D)

    Irwin Jacobs, a founder of Qualcomm, has contributed $2.2 million to super PACs. Jacobs is worth $1.15 billion and ranks 372nd on the Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans. Jacobs has given $2 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Barack Obama) $100,000 to Majority PAC and $100,000 to American Bridge 21st Century.

  • National Association of Realtors (I)

    The National Association of Realtors, the primary trade association for realtors, has contributed $2,110,485 to its own super PAC in the 2012 election cycle. The group has long been a player in congressional elections and has already spent significant amounts to help Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) hold his newly redistricted seat in the 2012 elections.

  • National Air Traffic Controllers Association (D)

    The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has given $2,106,597 to super PACs during the 2012 election cycle. The union represents 20,000 controllers, engineers and other professionals involved in air traffic control. The union gave $1.25 million to Priorities USA Action (supporting Barack Obama), $600,000 to Majority PAC, $156,597 to the AFL-CIO Workers' Voice and $100,000 to House Majority PAC.

  • Warren Stephens, Stephens Investment Holding & Stephens Inc. (R)

    Warren Stephens, the head of Stephens, Inc., has contributed $2.05 million to super PACs. Stephens is tied for the position of 130th richest American, according to Forbes. Stephens has given $1.5 million to American Crossroads, $500,000 to Restore Our Future (supporting Romney) and $50,000 to Congressional Leadership Fund. (Pictured: Stephens, right, with President George W. Bush.)

  • Laborers' International Union (D)

    The Laborers' International Union, which represents a half-million construction workers, has given $2.025 million to super PACs. The union gave $1.3 million to House Majority PAC, $650,000 to Majority PAC, $70,000 to Workers' Voice and $5,000 to The American Worker.

  • Richard Roberts (R)

    Richard Roberts, an adviser at Mutual Pharmacy, has given $2.1 million to super PACs in the 2012 election cycle. Roberts gave $1 million to Treasure Coast Jobs Coalition, $750,000 to Restore Our Future, the super PAC supporting Mitt Romney, $250,000 to American Crossroads and $10,000 to Patriot Prosperity PAC. (Pictured: Mitt Romney, the candidate supported by Roberts' contribution.)

  • The Morses, The Villages & Other Companies (R)

    H. Gary Morse, his wife, their children, the retirement community they operate, The Villages, and a number of subsidiary companies have combined to contribute $2,003,400 to super PACs in the 2012 election cycle. The Morses and their companies contributed $1,753,400 to Restore Our Future (supporting Mitt Romney), $200,000 to American Crossroads and $50,000 to Freedom PAC (supporting Connie Mack). H. Gary Morse is part of Romney's Florida finance team and has hosted fundraisers for the former Massachusetts governor. The family's super PAC giving has all gone to support Romney's bid. Through September, a series of subsidiary companies controlled by The Villages and H. Gary Morse contributed $1.25 million to Restore Our Future and American Crossroads.

  • Anne Cox Chambers (D)

    Anne Cox Chambers, the owner of the media company Cox Enterprises, has contributed $2 million to Priorities USA Action, the super PAC backing President Barack Obama. Chambers is also the daughter of failed 1920 Democratic presidential nominee James Cox. Chambers is the 26th richest American, according to the Forbes 400 list, with a net worth of $12 billion.

  • Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/28/lisa-murkowski-ron-wyden-campaign-finance_n_2375470.html

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    US shuts embassy in Central African Republic

    WASHINGTON (AP) ? The State Department has closed its embassy in the Central African Republic and ordered the ambassador and his diplomatic team to leave the country as rebels there continue to advance and violence escalates, U.S. officials said Thursday.

    A Pentagon spokesman, Lt. Col. Todd Breasseale, said that at the State Department's request, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta had directed U.S. Africa Command to evacuate U.S. citizens and designated foreign nationals from the U.S. Embassy in Bangui "to safe havens in the region."

    State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said the U.S. Embassy had temporarily suspended operations, but not diplomatic relations with the country.

    "This decision is solely due to concerns about the security of our personnel and has no relation to our continuing and long-standing diplomatic relations" with the Central African Republic, Ventrell said in a statement.

    Shortly after announcing the evacuation Thursday, the State Department warned U.S. citizens against travel to the Central African Republic, saying it could not "provide protection or routine consular services to U.S. citizens" and urging Americans who have decided to stay to "review their personal security situation and seriously consider departing" on commercial flights. Four days earlier, the State Department had issued a warning recommending against travel to the country and authorizing its non-emergency personnel in Bangui to leave.

    U.S. officials said about 40 people were evacuated on an U.S. Air Force plane bound for Kenya. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the details of the operation.

    The departure of Ambassador Laurence Wohlers and his staff comes as the president of the Central African Republic on Thursday urgently called on France and other foreign powers to help his government fend off rebels who are quickly seizing territory and approaching this capital city, but French officials declined to offer any military assistance.

    Rebels have seized at least 10 towns across the sparsely populated north, and residents in the capital of 600,000 people fear insurgents could attack at any time.

    The developments suggest the Central African Republic could be on the brink of another violent change in government, something not new to the impoverished country. The current president, Francois Bozize, himself came to power nearly a decade ago in the wake of a rebellion.

    Speaking to crowds in Bangui, Bozize pleaded with foreign powers to do what they could. He pointed in particular to France, Central African Republic's former colonial ruler.

    About 200 French soldiers are already in the country, providing technical support and helping to train the local army, according to the French defense ministry.

    French President Francois Hollande said Thursday that France wants to protect its interests in Central African Republic and not Bozize's government. Paris is encouraging peace talks between the government and the rebels.

    President Barack Obama late last year sent about 100 U.S. special operations forces to the region ? including Central African Republic ? to assist in the hunt for Joseph Kony, the fugitive rebel leader of the notorious Lord's Resistance Army. Forces have been hunting the elusive warlord in Central African Republic, South Sudan and Congo.

    ___

    Associated Press writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

    ___

    Online:

    http://bangui.usembassy.gov/service.html

    Associated Press

    Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2012-12-27-US-Central%20African%20Republic/id-fac5a6a92c8f468eaeb14084b2e06ba5

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    PFT: Jets' McElroy hid concussion symptoms

    CaldwellAP

    A decade ago, Cyrus Mehri and the late Johnnie Cochran demonstrated that the NFL was doing a poor job of giving African-American coaches fair opportunities to progress to the highest levels of the sport.? Mehri and Cochran made such a compelling case that the NFL installed the ?Rooney Rule,? which requires at least one minority candidate to be interviewed for every head-coaching vacancy.

    Today, only a minority of head coaching jobs are filled by members of minority groups, with five African-American head coaches (Marvin Lewis, Mike Tomlin, Romeo Crennel, Lovie Smith, Leslie Frazier) and one Hispanic head coach (Ron Rivera).? That?s six, out of 32.

    As Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports explains, only one of 32 teams has an offensive play-caller who also is African-American.? And as of a few weeks ago, the number was zero; Jim Caldwell inherited those duties in Baltimore once Cam Cameron was fired.

    ?We are very, very conscious of this issue, and it?s something that needs to be addressed,? John Wooten, chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, told Silver. ?We have alluded to it and spoken to it directly, and we feel our only course of action is to push more people up the pipeline.?

    And that seems to be the biggest problem.? African-American coaches aren?t being positioned to naturally mature into the role of play-caller on offense.?Really, the reason why there aren?t a lot of guys calling plays is that you have to have people ascending to quarterbacks coach and jobs that lead to coordinator positions.? And that?s simply not happening,? Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told Silver.? ?There are a lot of good coaches who aren?t getting those opportunities.?

    As Silver points out, only two NFL quarterbacks coaches are African-American:? Karl Dorrell of the Texans and Craig Johnson of the Vikings.? Curtis Modkins serves as offensive coordinator in Buffalo, but head coach Chan Gailey calls the plays.

    ?This is the biggest travesty that?s taking place in this league, and every black coach is well aware of it,? an anonymous African-American assistant for an AFC team told Silver.? ?They don?t promote you from running backs coach or receivers coach to offensive coordinator.? When guys do get coordinator titles, they have to be position coaches at the same time, and they don?t get paid as much as other coordinators, because they?re not the play-callers.? And in a lot of cases, guys believe they?re really there for locker-room reasons, to ?take care of? the minority players.?

    Eventually, the absence of a pipeline of African-American offensive minds will make it hard to find viable African-American head coaches, since all current minority head coaches have defensive backgrounds.

    ?The whole thing we have to do in terms of building this pipeline is make teams more conscious of the fact that [position coaches] want to get involved,? Wooten said. ?I tell these running backs, receivers and quarterbacks coaches, ?Go to the head coach and general manager and tell them you want this as an opportunity to learn.?? You learn by being in game plan meetings, when plays are being installed.? You listen and learn.?

    Real change may come only if the Rooney Rule, which since its adoption has been extended to G.M. positions, is also applied to coordinator jobs.? However, Wooten isn?t recommending that.

    ?I just feel that the head coach has to have the right to select his people,? Wooten said.? ?If they can?t see who?s the best out there for them, they?re gonna perish anyway.?

    Wooten is right, but the Rooney Rule doesn?t require minority candidates to be hired.? It only requires them to be considered, an important reality given that head coaches immediately tap into their network of friends, cronies, and (sometimes) family members when filling out their staffs.? If nothing else, requiring coaches to interview at least one minority coordinator candidate will help position coaches become better prepared to interview for coordinator positions ? and eventually to get them.

    In the end, it?s a simple analysis.? If the NFL believes the Rooney Rule remains viable ten years later when the number of minority head coaches has expanded to six, the NFL should take a hard look at whether the Rooney Rule should be applied one level lower, given that the number of minority play-callers is one and, as of the first of the current month, it was zero.

    Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/27/mcelroy-concealed-concussions-symptoms/related/

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    Basement Remodeling Contractor in Newton | Basement Remodeling

    10224207 great lakes renovations 4198424330 300x246 Basement Remodeling Contractor in NewtonBasement remodeling offers almost unlimited opportunity to add living space for your family. Basement finishing also increases the value of your home. ?Your Basement Remodeling Contractor in Newton will check for radon gas, dampness, leaks, mold, or other moisture related problems, as well as cracks in the walls and foundation. Then comes basement design (you?ll want to make sure windows, doors, air ducts and etc. are accounted for of it could be a headache to deal with later), lighting and plumbing installation, construction?the list goes on and on.


    New England Home Improvement?is a professional remodeling contractor. Call today to get started on your project 508-232-6223.??Our company provides a full range of interior and exterior home improvement services including kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, basement remodeling, complete home renovations, home additions, ?roofing, siding, replacement windows, Newton Home Renovation, porches, doors and more. You can count on New England Home Improvement to take care of your home remodeling project from start to finish.

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    Source: http://www.footbridgemedia.com/basement-remodeling/basement-remodel/basement-remodeling-contractor-newton/

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    Wednesday, December 26, 2012

    Top 2012 Posts: New Homes are Less Expensive to Maintain ? Eye ...

    With the end of 2012 approaching, we here at NAHB?s Eye on Housing thought we would take a look at the updates that attracted the most readers over the last year.? In April, we took a look at the cost advantages of new homes.

    ??????????

    April is new homes month. And one of the virtues of a newly constructed home is the savings that come from reduced energy and maintenance expenses.

    Data from the 2009 American Housing Survey (AHS) offer proof. The AHS classifies new construction as homes no more than four years old.

    For example, for routine maintenance expenses, 26% of all homeowners spent $100 or more a month on various upkeep costs. However, only 11%? of owners of newly constructed homes spent this amount. In fact, 73% of new homeowners spent less than $25 a month on routine maintenance costs.

    Similar findings are available for energy expenses. On a median?per square foot basis, homeowners spent 78 cents per square foot per year on electricity. Owners of new homes spent 65 cents per square foot per year.

    For homes with piped gas, homeowners spent on average 53 cents per square foot per year. Owners of new homes spent 38 cents per square foot per year.

    These data highlight that a new home offers savings over the life of ownership due to reduced operating costs. This is one of the many reasons that the current system of appraisals needs updating to reflect the flow of benefits that come from features in a new home.

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    Source: http://eyeonhousing.wordpress.com/2012/12/26/top-2012-posts-new-homes/

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    A MotherHood Experience: Welcome Baby M!

    A MotherHood Experience: Welcome Baby M! skip to main | skip to sidebar

    Welcome Baby M!



    Saturday, December 22nd at 2:52AM we gave a warm (early) welcome to our newest addition to the family, Baby M! She came to us right before Christmas, a tiny gift weighing 5 lbs 8oz. The sweetest bundle of joy, I fell instantly in love with her.?

    My mother was there for the birth along with my hubby for support. I needed it as her birth was quite painful but quite fast - she really wanted to come out and meet everyone!?

    We ended up getting the OK to go home on the 23rd provided we come back on Christmas Eve for a follow-up and tests etc. So, the morning of the 24th I gathered up Baby M and took her to the hospital. We waited an hour after the tests for results and then it happened.?

    Baby M had to be admitted to the NICU for Jaundice as her bilirubin levels were quite high. They had hoped it would only take six hours under the bili-lights and another test so she could be home for Christmas morning but this wasn't the case.?

    Our Baby M stayed the night Christmas Eve at the NICU and Christmas day was spent on pins and needles waiting for phone calls - good or bad. During the gift opening at home with the older two kids we got both bad and good news. Her jaundice was clear but another problem arose - she couldn't hold any formula down which was causing a concern to the nurses and doctor.?

    With her blood test clear the hospital called me to get some insight about my previous?preemie? our son, who had?re-flux??Re-flux?did not allow him to properly digest food and we had to sleep him elevated and burp frequently with feedings to avoid him spitting up his meal. Around?6 pm?that evening the hospital called with good news, our Baby M was ready to come home, she was diagnosed with?re-flux?and changing her sleep position is what helped.?

    My mom was again right there to help bring me back to the hospital but this time to bring our Baby M home! I went from being in a?somber?mood to being overjoyed within a matter of seconds from that fateful phone call. There is no feeling worse than helplessness when it comes to your children and loved ones being sick.?

    My one and only Christmas wish this year was to have my three babies under one roof for Christmas. I got my Christmas wish.

    It has been an emotional roller coaster the past five days and the ride is just beginning with this little one as we embark on a new journey as a new family of five. Every day is a new blessing with this baby.

    Welcome to the family Baby M, Welcome Home!?



    Disclosure: Personal post by AME. All comments, opinions and images are those of the author and are copyrighted.?

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    Source: http://www.amotherhoodexperience.com/2012/12/welcome-baby-m.html

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