Monday, December 31, 2012

Eagles fire Andy Reid after 14 seasons

PHILADELPHIA (AP) ? Andy Reid's worst coaching season with the Philadelphia Eagles ended Monday after 14 years when he was fired by owner Jeffrey Lurie, who said it was time "to move in a new direction."

The dismissal came one day after Reid and the Eagles were humiliated 42-7 by the New York Giants and ended their season at 4-12.

"Andy leaves us with a winning tradition that we can build upon. And we are very excited about the future," Lurie said in a statement released by the team.

Reid met with his players afterward and was sent off with a standing ovation.

"It's unfortunate. I feel we personally let him down," wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said. "It's a sad day."

Added rookie quarterback Nick Foles: "It's up to the players to make the plays."

Reid took over a 3-13 team in 1999, drafted Donovan McNabb with the No. 2 overall pick and quickly turned the franchise into a title contender.

He is the winningest coach in club history and led them to a run of four straight NFC championship games, a streak that ended with a Super Bowl trip after the 2004 season ? and a loss, 24-21, to the New England Patriots. The Eagles were seeking their first NFL title since 1960.

Still, Reid cemented Philadelphia as a football town and led the team to an unmatched level of success. But the team hasn't won a playoff game since 2008 and after last season's 8-8 finish, Lurie said he was looking for improvement this year.

Instead, it was worse.

Reid sounded like a man who knew he was going to be out of work when he addressed the media after the Giants game.

"I go in eyes wide open," Reid said, referring to his upcoming meeting Monday with Lurie. "Either way, I understand. Whatever he chooses will be the right thing. He always does things for the best interests of the Eagles."

In 2009, Reid and Lurie gave Michael Vick a second chance in the NFL after the former star quarterback spent 18 months in federal prison related to a dogfighting operation. Vick took over as the starter in 2010, had a remarkable season and led the Eagles to the NFC East title. But like rest of the team, Vick regressed the last two seasons.

Reid is due to make $6 million in 2013 in the final year of his contract. He is the franchise leader in wins (140) and winning percentage (.578) and led the Eagles to six division titles and five NFC championship games.. Reid grew up in Southern California and may welcome a return home. He already has said he wants to coach next season.

Aside from team troubles, the year was a painful one for Reid. He endured a devastating loss weeks before the season opener when his oldest son, Garrett, died at training camp after a long battle with drug addiction.

In October, Reid fired close friend and longtime assistant Juan Castillo, who was in his second season as defensive coordinator after coaching the offensive line for 13 years. He later fired defensive-line coach Jim Washburn.

After beating the defending Super Bowl champion Giants on Sept. 30, the Eagles lost eight straight games ? their worst losing streak in 42 years.

PhiladelpiaEagles.com posted video of Lurie and Reid addressing team employees, who gave Reid a big ovation. Lurie handed him a game ball.

"I have a hard time standing before people without a few boos involved. But I'm taking it, I'm taking it all in," Reid said. "These have been the greatest 14 years of my life."

He added: "Sometimes change is good. ... I know the next guy that comes in will be phenomenal. The ultimate goal is a Super Bowl. Everybody in this room, I wish you a big ring on the finger in the near future.

"Hail to the Eagles, baby."

___

AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/eagles-fire-andy-reid-14-seasons-151942361--nfl.html

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Some Thoughts on Negotiation (and Fiscal Cliffs) ? S. Anthony ...

I learned a lot about negotiation at Harvard Business School. I took classes from Max Bazerman (for my money, the best in the business) and John S. Hammond (no slouch either, one single insight he gave me has paid dividends for decades).

We did a lot of work on taking some of the more emotional, lizard-brain elements out of negotiating. We did a lot of work on expanding the pie (creating of new value) before any divvying up (claiming of value). The more you learn about expanding the pie, the more you find that there is always a better deal to be had for both sides.

I have yet to encounter a deal where more value can?t be created. But in order for this approach to work, both sides need to be willing to try to create more value first. Sometimes, one or both sides let a scarcity mindset and fear overrule the better decision of first creating value.

Here?s what I notice, especially as this pertains to politics and very often sales.

In order to be an effective negotiator, you must allow your partner to capture and claim some of the value that is being created and negotiated for. If you are the only one that can win, it?s very difficult to come to a deal. That?s because no one can accept a win-lose deal. You can?t. They can?t.

The more you try ensure that your partner in a negotiation can capture some of the value being created, the easier you make it for them to say, ?yes,? because they have their win. If they can claim that they ended up with a good deal to their stakeholders, then you make it easier still.

When grown ups sit down to negotiate, this is how both sides operate. When children sit down to negotiate, both sides are too busy trying to capture and claim value to ever come to an agreement. They quickly get to lose-win or win-lose, depending on which side of the table you?re sitting on.

If there is no way the person with whom you are negotiating is allowed to walk away with a win, then you are a poor negotiator.

Questions

Do your negotiations improve by you or your partner behaving as adversaries?

How might your results be improved if you approached every negotiation as if it were a problem solving exercise instead of an adversarial interaction?

How do you expand the pie in the deals that you create?

Have you ever had to negotiate with a client that was only interested in capturing and claiming value? How?d you deal with that client?


Join my weekly Newsletter or apply for membership in my exclusive Inner Circle Mastermind Group.


Source: http://thesalesblog.com/blog/2012/12/30/some-thoughts-on-negotiation-and-fiscal-cliffs/

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49ers Win NFC West Title With 27-13 Victory Over Cardinals

  • Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano acknowledges the fans after walking onto the field before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. Pagano is back as coach after nearly three months of treatments for leukemia. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Chuck Pagano

    Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano is greeted by family members after walking onto the field before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. Pagano is back as coach after nearly three months of treatments for leukemia. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

  • Chuck Pagano

    Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, right, is hugged by general manager Ryan Grigson after walking onto the field before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Chuck Pagano

    Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano signs autographs for fans before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

  • Chuck Pagano

    Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano watches as the Colts prepare for an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Chuck Pagano, Bruce Arians

    Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, right, watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, left, looks on. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

  • Chan Gailey

    Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey, second from left, and Bills players stand on the sidelines during a remembrance for the West Webster Fire Department firefighters who were ambushed while responding to a house fire on Dec. 24th before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

  • Domenik Hixon

    New York Giants wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan (12), Spencer Paysinger (52) and Domenik Hixon (87) greet a contingent of teachers, parents, and students from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. The school was the site of a mass shooting on Dec. 14. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)

  • Rueben Randle, Nnamdi Asomugha

    New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) catches a pass as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (24) defends during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

  • Matt Schaub

    Houston Texans' Matt Schaub (8) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

  • Mike Williams

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams (19) makes a touch-down catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Andy Dalton

    Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) passes against the Baltimore Ravens in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)

  • Justin Blackmon, Tommie Campbell

    Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon (14) beats Tennessee Titans defensive back Tommie Campbell (37) to the end zone to score a touchdown on a 30-yard pass play in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)

  • Mike Smith

    Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith speaks with Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

  • DeAngelo Williams

    Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) breaks away for a 65-heard run during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • LaRon Landry, C.J. Spiller

    New York Jets free safety LaRon Landry (30) moves in for a tackle on Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) during the first half an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

  • Reggie Wayne, Glover Quin

    Indianapolis Colts' Reggie Wayne (87) is tackled by Houston Texans' Glover Quin (29) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

  • Kyle Wilson, C.J. Spiller

    New York Jets cornerback Kyle Wilson (20) tries to run down Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) during the first half an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

  • Chris Crocker, Jacoby Jones

    Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Chris Crocker (33) after a short gain in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

  • Jason Snelling,Mark Barron

    Atlanta Falcons fullback Jason Snelling (44) runs as Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Mark Barron (24) makes the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Danieal Manning, Dwayne Allen

    Indianapolis Colts' Dwayne Allen (83) is tackled by Houston Texans' Danieal Manning (38) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

  • Mark Sanchez, Kyle Williams

    New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) is pressured by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

  • Andrew Luck, Whitney Mercilus

    Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck (12) throws while pressured by Houston Texans' Whitney Mercilus (59) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

  • Chris Johnson

    Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a 2-yard run against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

  • Lawrence Timmons, Thad Lewis

    Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) hits Cleveland Browns quarterback Thad Lewis as Lewis passes in the first quarter an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

  • Joe Flacco

    Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) passes against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

  • Ben Roethlisberger, Jabaal Sheard

    Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) passes over Cleveland Browns defensive end Jabaal Sheard (97) in the first quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

  • Jordan Shipley

    Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jordan Shipley runs untouched into the end zone as he scores a touchdown on a 5-yard pass play against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

  • LeSean McCoy

    Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (25) stiff-arms New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

  • Coby Fleener

    Indianapolis Colts' Coby Fleener reacts after scoring on a 1-yard touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Matthew Stafford, Julius Peppers

    Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks downfield while chased by Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (90) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

  • T.Y. Hilton, Quintin Demps

    Indianapolis Colts' T.Y. Hilton (13) makes a 70-yard touchdown reception against Houston Texans' Quintin Demps (27) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Henry Hynoski

    New York Giants fullback Henry Hynoski (45) catches a pass for a touchdown as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (23) defends him during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

  • Russell Wilson

    Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson passes during warm-ups before an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

  • Tom Brady

    New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouts as he takes the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

  • Louis Murphy, Johnny Patrick

    New Orleans Saints' Johnny Patrick (32) breaks up a pass intended for Carolina Panthers' Louis Murphy (83) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • Ryan Fitzpatrick, Muhammad Wilkerson

    Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass under as New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) tries to make a tackle during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)

  • Deji Karim

    Indianapolis Colts' Deji Karim, left, runs back a kickoff 101-yards for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

  • Antonio Brown

    Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) makes a catch for a touchdown in the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

  • Antonio Brown, Leonard Pope

    Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) and tight end Leonard Pope (45) celebrate after Brown made a touchdown catch in the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

  • Andy Dalton, Dannell Ellerbe

    Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) avoids a sack by Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)

  • Zach Brown, Tommie Campbell, Toney Clemons

    Tennessee Titans linebacker Zach Brown (55) intercepts a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Toney Clemons (17) in the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. Brown ran the interception back 30 yards for a touchdown. Also defending is Titans' Tommie Campbell (37). (AP Photo/Joe Howell)

  • Ryan Tannehill

    Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill warms up before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

  • Doug Martin

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs the ball alone on his way for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Will Heller, Major Wright

    Detroit Lions tight end Will Heller (89), defended by Chicago Bears strong safety Major Wright (21), falls into the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

  • Asante Samuel

    Atlanta Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel (22) reacts to an interception he made against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

  • Will Heller, Calvin Johnson

    Detroit Lions tight end Will Heller (89) is congratulated by teammate wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) after his touchdown during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

  • Arian Foster

    Houston Texans' Arian Foster (23) celebrates with his teammates following a 13-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

  • Eli Manning

    New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) reacts after throwing a toucdown pass to Rueben Randle during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

  • Greg Little

    Cleveland Browns wide receiver Greg Little (15) makes a catch in the back of the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

  • Thad Lewis, James Harrison

    Cleveland Browns quarterback Thad Lewis (9) throws for a touchdown pass as Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison (92) applies pressure in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. Harrison was penalized for roughing the passer on the play. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

  • Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/30/49ers-nfc-west-title-cardinals_n_2386333.html

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    Gay Viral Videos Of 2012: 'Call Me Maybe,' Sandy Hook Tribute, 'Homecoming,' Proposals And More

    The international relevance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues was confirmed numerous ways in 2012.

    These incredible videos -- all of which swept Twitter, Facebook and a number of other social media sites over the past year -- represent the LGBT community's political concerns as well as its often wicked sense of humor. From the poignancy of Shane Bitney Crone's "It Could Happen To You" (which explored the lack of rights offered to unwed gay couples) to a gay chorus' chilling rendition of a holiday classic in honor of Sandy Hook victims, these clips were certainly topical. And let's not forget the touching "Homecoming" and "Invisible Parents" videos, a sexy "Call Me Maybe" redux shot in West Hollywood and the French soccer players who smooched in a more-than-brotherly fashion on the field -- all of which made us smile.

    Take a look at HuffPost Gay Voices' picks for the 14 best gay viral videos this year:

    • Gay Men Will Marry Your Girlfriends

      Don't support marriage equality? Well, the hilarious folks at <a href="http://www.collegehumor.com">CollegeHumor </a> made an original video that got everyone's attention, especially the straight men who disagree with two guys getting hitched. The gay guys' argument? They'll make quiches with a side of hummus for breakfast and take her to a Broadway show. What gal wouldn't want that?

    • "Call Me Maybe" Meets West Hollywood

      It was the song that had everyone going crazy this summer. It's no surprise, then, that the danceable hit quickly got the West Hollywood treatment. This hilarious version stars Jennifer Lopez's backup dancer Matt McCall, drag queen Rhea Litre and gay porn star Nicco Sky.

    • Woman Proposes To Girlfriend At Hockey Game

      ?

    • It Could Happen To You

      This heart-wrenching video made by Shane Bitney Crone was made to commemorate and honor his longtime boyfriend's death. But Crone's video was more than just their love story, it was a poignant opportunity to show the inequalities same-sex couples face under current laws.

    • 'Homecoming'

      Produced by the Coalition for Equal Marriage, a British marriage equality advocacy group, "Homecoming" depicts a soldier embracing his boyfriend on a military tarmac before a romantic proposal and passionate kiss. "All men can be heroes," a tagline reads. "All men can be husbands. End marriage discrimination."

    • Chow Down (at Chick-fil-A)

      What bigger LGBT story was there this year than Chick-fil-A? Amid all the anti-gay controversy the fast food chain stirred up, we could at least count on some of our favorite drag queens to lighten the mood.

    • Sandy Hook Victims Honored By Gay Men's Chorus

      A group of young students joined the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles for a poignant holiday tribute to the victims of the Sandy Hook tragedies in Newtown, Conn. On Dec. 15, 46 students from the Creative Planet School of the Arts joined the men for an arrangement of "Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy," made famous by David Bowie and Bing Crosby.

    • 'Invisible Parents'

      The British "Invisible Parents" ad depicts a young girl hitting an amusement park, taking a plane ride and finally celebrating Christmas with her gay fathers. "Look back and then, look forward," the narrator proclaims in voiceover. The clip was produced as part of the "Invisible Parents" campaign by the LGBT advocacy group AllOut, which is pushing for the recognition of same-sex parents in the European Union.

    • French Soccer Players Smooch After German Victory

      Mathieu Debuchy, a midfielder with Lille, passed the ball to Montpellier player Olivier Giroud, who scored. After their ultimate 2-1 victory over Germany, the two French national team players embraced in a passionate lip-lock that has gotten tongues wagging in the blogosphere. Whether or not there was any tongue involved in the kiss itself remains a mystery.

    • The Gay Rights Movement

      One of the most touching and thought-provoking videos of the year, "The Gay Rights Movement" by <a href="http://ryanjamesyezak.com">Ryan James Yezak</a>, had us contemplating where the LGBT movement has been and where it's going. This seven-minute clip includes historical political and cultural moments from the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell to a slew of gay hate crimes.

    • Shit Girls Say To Gay Guys

      "Hey, beeetch! Did you see this video?" The list goes on and on. From "I've always wanted a gay best friend" to the excessive uses of "fierce" and "bitch," "Shit Girls Say To Gay Guys" jumped onto the "shit so-and-so says" cultural meme bandwagon and became an instant hit.

    • 'Dawn of a New Day for Marriage Equality'

      After marriage equality wins in this year's general election, there's still more work -- and urging -- to be done. Morgan Freeman lent his inimitable voice to the Human Rights Campaign, proclaiming that, "freedom, justice and human dignity have always guided our journey toward a more perfect union" and that the road to full marriage equality has just begun.

    • Barack Obama Sings 'Born This Way' By Lady Gaga

      Forget President Obama's historic declaration in May that he supports full marriage equality. His "performance" of Lady Gaga's gay anthem, "Born This Way," might as well have been Obama's official coming out. The dubbed and edited video had us gagging. We can't wait to see the duet with Mother Monster herself!

    • CinderFella

      What gay boy hasn't dreamed of his own Disney fairytale complete with his own Prince Charming? American Idol alum Todrick Hall brings that fantasy to life in "CinderFella," mixing pop hits and Disney classics in this gay-friendly music parody, which went viral when it was released in July.

    Also on HuffPost:

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    Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/30/gay-viral-videos-2012-call-me-maybe-sandy-hook-homecoming_n_2384116.html

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    What&#39;s on tap | PoconoRecord.com

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    BASEBALL

    ESU BASEBALL WINTER CLINIC

    The ESU Baseball program would like to invite T-ball, Little League, middle school and high school players to attend a developmental clinic series with college-level instruction in hitting, defense, and pitching. Players will participate in their age group. The clinic will be held at Koehler Fieldhouse, cost is $50 per session. Attend all six sessions get one free ($250). The sessions are as follows:

    Sun, Jan. 20 ? 8-10 a.m. (Hitting)

    Sun, Jan. 20 ? 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Defense/Pitcher/Catcher)

    Sun, Jan. 27 ? 8-10 a.m. (Hitting)

    Sun, Jan. 27 ? 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Defense/Pitcher/Catcher)

    Sun, Feb. 3 ? 8-10 a.m. (Hitting)

    Sun, Feb. 3 ? 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Defense/Pitcher/Catcher)

    Prepare for the upcoming season. The hitting clinic consists of swing mechanics, station work, and live hitting. Defensive clinic consists of positional group work with pitchers and catchers working on proper mechanics and techniques.

    To attend, please contact ESU head coach John Kochmansky at 570-422-3263 or jkochmansky@esu.edu. A registration form is also available on the ESU baseball website via www.esuwarriors.com.

    TITANS BEGIN WINTER WORKOUTS

    The NorthEast Titans baseball club will soon start its annual winter workouts and conduct tryouts for its travel baseball teams (age as of April 30, 2013). The workouts will incorporate proven methods that emphasize proper mechanics and baseball fundamentals. If you are interested in travel baseball and/or you want to receive quality offseason instruction from experienced coaches, please contact Blaine Fardella at b.fardella1@gmail.com for the 10U level or Kevin Dillon (northeasttitansbaseball@gmail.com) at the 8U and 9U levels. The workouts will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Summit Lanes in Pocono Summit. Please note that you do not need to be a rostered player to participate in the workouts.


    BASKETBALL

    PYBA

    The Pocono Youth Basketball association is gearing up for the 2012-2013 season. We will begin registration in August during the open house at the various Schools on the PMSD West campus. This program is open to all boys and girls in grades 2nd-12th who live or attend school in the west part of the district. We will also have online registration. We are looking for coaches and volunteers as well. For further information please call our hotline at (570) 894-2575 or check out our website at www.PYBA1.com.

    S.T.A.R INSTRUCTIONAL BASKETBALL

    This program is designed for boys and girls ages 6?12. The main goals of this program are to ensure that every child has fun and has the opportunity to learn the game of basketball and rules of play. Come join Coach Victor on Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. at the YMCA. To pre-register, visit the YMCA at 809 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA or register online at www.poconoymca.org. For more information please contact Nicole Hill at 570-421-2525 or nhill@poconoymca.org.


    DOG SLEDDING

    POCONO MANOR DOG CARTING

    Arctic Paws Dog Sled Tours is a family owned local business that has been winter dog sledding at the Inn at Pocono Manor for the past eight years. Dog carting, uses a specially designed cart to exercise and train the Huskies. The sessions will be from 12-7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from April to November. Cost is $45 per person (must be at least five-years-old). For more information, see our website at www.arcticpawsdogsledtours.com. Or, call (570) 216-2551 or email pawscarting@yahoo.com.


    FISHING

    TROUT UNLIMITED OFFERS

    FLY-TYING CLASSES

    With the recent arrival of winter, now is the perfect time to hone and refine your essential fly-tying skills. In its continuing effort to provide free fly-tying classes and workshops to the general public, as well as its own members, the Brodhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited is offering a unique Saturday morning program to kick off its winter fly-tying programs and activities. On three consecutive Saturdays, Jan. 5, 12 and 19 from 9 am until 12 p.m., members of BTU will be on-hand at the Monroe County Environmental Education Center located at 8050 Running Valley Road in Bartonsville, right off Route 611, to teach their favorite and highly effective Pocono trout-catching patterns! The chief instructor for this course is PA State Champion fly-tier Scott Cesari, and he will be joined by the Master Fly-Tiers of the Brodhead TU Chapter. Bring your vise and fly-tying tools and learn how to tie flies that really catch trout from some of the best fly-tiers in the northeast, including Eric Baird, Tom Battista, Don Baylor, Gerry Bortz, Todd Burns, Will Daskal and Bob Stevens. As always, instruction for this comprehensive course is absolutely free; however, there is a small $15 fee that simply covers the material packets required to tie several flies for each of the patterns covered in class.

    For more information and to register for this ever-popular fly-tying class, contact BTU Chapter President, Tom Battista, at 570-236-1734, or send Tom an email at: mooseowl511@gmail.com. In addition, you can always get up to date information on the Chapter's website which is always just a click away at the following URL: http://www.BrodheadTU.org


    SKIING

    BIG POCONO SKI CLUB

    Come join the Big Pocono Ski Club for a more active life and a chance to meet new friends. Besides skiing, we also participate in tennis, biking, kayaking and golf. Day trips, picnics, seasonal parties and monthly dinners called "Mahogany Ridge" are also fun activities. We have monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month. We meet at the Chateau Resort on Cameback Road. For more information about our club, call (570) 620-9272 or (570) 646-0221. Members, please check your newsletter for other private club events.

    Jan. 4 ? Ski day at Elk Mountain - meet 9 Am in the lodge at Elk

    Jan. 10 ? General Membership Meeting - Chateau Resort, 7:30 p.m.

    Jan. 11 ? Skiing at Jack Frost - meet in lodge at Jack Frost - 9 a.m.

    Jan. 23 ? Mahogany Ridge - Studebaker's in Bartonsville 7 p.m.

    Feb. 4 ? Skiing at Camelback - meet in the West Cafeteria at Camelback - 8:30 AM

    Feb. 8-9 ? Ski trip to Wyndham, New York - call for more information

    Feb. 14 ? General Membership Meeting - Chateau Resort - 7:30 p.m. (special meeting about Snowmass trip)

    Feb. 23 to March 2 ? Annual Ski trip - Snowmass, Colorado (trip is closed).

    March 14 ? General Membership Meeting - Chateau Resort - 7:30 p.m.

    March 16th ? Bowling at Skylanes and dinner at Peppe's - more info to follow


    SOCCER

    NEW CHALLENGER SOCCER DIVISION

    Our new Challenger Soccer division will be presented through our partnerships with the Pocono Family YMCA and the Pocono Mountain School District and join the current offerings of baseball and basketball. These programs are for youth who are developmentally and/or physically challenged. Our newest offering is designed to help players to enjoy the sport of soccer in a fun, safe and non-competitive environment. Challenger sports opportunities began six years ago with the baseball team sponsored through our partnership with the Big Pocono Little League and has had terrific response. With our partnership organizations and sponsorships the Challenger crew is able to provide the opportunities for all kids to be participants, rather than spectators cheering for their siblings. In order to be able to move forward, we need the support of local companies for sponsorships of the four new soccer teams and donations from the community to help purchase equipment for the teams. Our goal is $1,500 of which $1,000 is via sponsorships. We have already received a commitment for one team sponsorship. Our season begins on Sunday, Oct. 6 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 11. If you have questions about our organization, please email bob.cooney@yahoo.com or call 973-896-4208.

    SPRING INTRAMURAL SOCCER SIGN-UPS

    FC Pocono offers the region's best, most cost-effective intramural soccer program. In person sign-ups for the Spring 2013 season will be held on Friday, Feb. 1 and Monday, Feb. 4 at Waterfront Park in East Stroudsburg/Marshalls Creek from 6-8 p.m. You can also sign up online starting Jan. 1. Program Benefits: Game Referees, Physical Exercise, Opportunities to Advance, Coaches Training, Intra-Club Competition, Low Stress/GREAT FUN! Sign up: www.fcpocono.org for players and coaches.


    YOUTH SPORTS CLASSES

    HIP HOP, BALLET AND TUMBLING

    The YMCA will be offering three new classes starting running on a monthly basis. The classes will include Hip Hop, Ballet and Tumbling. All classes will be approx. 45 minutes. Please pre-register at least one week before the start of classes. Tumbling & Ballet Combo for ages 3-6 will be held on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. Tumbling Ages 7 & up from 11:15-12 p.m. Hip Hop for ages 3-6 will be held on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. and at 6:15 p.m. for ages 7 & up. For more information contact Nicole at 570-421-2525 ext. 124 or stop by the YMCA to register in person or register online at www.poconoymca.org. Please register at least one week prior to the start of the program.


    POCONO DOME

    WINTER SOCCER LEAGUE

    Session I Indoor Soccer Leagues: 6v6 (5 plus keeper)

    8 week Season ? games played Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday evenings

    Leagues begin Jan. 20

    Boys and Girls Divisions ? U10, U12, U14, High School

    Adult Divisions ? Men's League, Women's League

    Team or individual registrations available

    Registration: visit www.poconodome.com for league schedule, pricing, and information

    Contact: Robert Sabola at Rsabola@neimansportsgroup.com

    Registration Deadline: Jan. 14

    LACROSSE LEAGUES

    Indoor Winter Lacrosse Leagues: 7v7 (6 plus keeper)

    6 week season ? games played Friday evenings

    Leagues begin Friday, Jan. 25.

    Grade School and High School Boys Divisions ? U9, U11, U13, U15, High School

    Team or individual registrations available

    Registration: visit www.poconodome.com for league schedule, pricing, and information

    Contact: Robert Sabola at Rsabola@neimansportsgroup.com

    Registration Deadline: Jan. 18

    FIELD HOCKEY LEAGUES

    Session I Indoor Field Hockey Leagues: 6v6 (5 plus keeper)

    8 week season ? games played Tuesday evenings

    Leagues begin Tuesday, Jan. 22

    Grade School, High School, and Adult Divisions ? U14, U16, U19, Women's Open

    Team or individual registrations available

    Registration: visit www.poconodome.com for league schedule, pricing, and information

    Contact: Robert Sabola at Rsabola@neimansportsgroup.com

    Registration Deadline: January 14, 2013

    BASEBALL LEAGUES

    Session I Indoor Baseball Leagues: 9v9

    8 Week Season ? games played Wednesday evenings

    Leagues begin Wednesday, Jan. 23

    Youth Divisions ? U8, U10, U12, U14

    Team or individual registrations available

    Registration: visit www.poconodome.com for league schedule, pricing, and information

    Contact: Tim Bremen at Tbremen@neimansportsgroup.com

    Registration Deadline: Jan. 14.

    SOFTBALL LEAGUES

    Session I Indoor Softball Leagues: 9v9

    8 week season ? games played Thursday evenings

    Leagues begin Thursday Jan. 24.

    Fast-Pitch Grade School and High School Divisions: U12, U14, U16, U18

    Slow-Pitch Adult League ? Open Men's Division

    Team or individual registrations available

    Registration: visit www.poconodome.com for league schedule, pricing, and information

    Contact: Tim Bremen at Tbremen@neimansportsgroup.com

    Registration Deadline: Jan. 14.

    FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUES

    Session I Indoor Flag Football Leagues

    8 week season ? games played Sunday evenings

    Leagues begin Sunday, Jan. 13.

    Youth Divisions: U8, U10, U12

    Registration: visit www.poconodome.com for league schedule, pricing, and information

    Contact: Tim Bremen at Tbremen@neimansportsgroup.com. Registration Deadline: Jan. 7.

    DODGEBALL/ULTIMATE FRISBEE LEAGUES

    High School and Adult Recreation League Divisions: 10v10 Dodgeball and Kickball

    8 week season ? games played on Friday night

    Leagues begin, Feb. 1.

    Team or individual registrations available

    Ultimate Frisbee Open League: Age (16+) 8v8 Ultimate Frisbee

    8 week season ? games played on Sunday night

    Registration: visit www.poconodome.com for league schedule, pricing, and information

    Contact: Robert Sabola at Rsabola@neimansportsgroup.com. Registration Deadline: Jan. 21.


    AGILITY TRAINING

    Athletes and non-athletes in grades 6?12 who would like to reach your full potential mentally and physically by improving your speed, agility, quickness, flexibility and muscle recruitment, this is the program for you. If you are willing to work hard and bring energy to each session, you can improve your physical fitness while learning teamwork, sportsmanship and building self confidence.

    WHO ? 6th to 12th graders (boys and girls)

    Where ? Swiftwater Elementary Center

    When ? Session 1: Jan. 8-31, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30?7:30 p.m.; Session 2: Feb. 5-28, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30?7:30 p.m.

    Cost ? Each session is $99. Register for both sessions for $175.

    To register contact Kim Ernsberger, HJP Parks Recreation Manager at 570-629-0966 or e-mail Recmanager@hjpparks.org.


    TRACK & FIELD

    Holiday Clinic at ESU

    The staff of ESU track & field will be hosting its 5th annual Holiday Field Clinic at Koehler Fieldhouse Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 27-29 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. These are for field events ? Shot, Discus, Javelin, Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump. Learn the techniques and drills we teach our Warrior athletes to get ready for your upcoming season. Coach Merli will be providing hurdle sessions on Thursday and Friday. Cost is $55 per session and includes lunch. Come to one, two or all three sessions. There will be an indoor shot and indoor weight competition Saturday at 1 p.m. Details on the ESU Warriors website under the Men's or Women's Track Link. Contact Coach Merli at 570-422-3249 or cmerli@esu.edu. Don't forget our 26th annual Red & Black HS/Open Indoor track meet on Friday, Jan. 11 at 5 p.m. Your school does not have to sponsor indoor track to participate. Ages- youth through post collegiate and masters welcome. Details also on the ESU Warriors website under the track links.


    We reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the Community Rules. We ask that you report content that you in good faith believe violates the above rules by clicking the Flag link next to the offending comment or fill out this form. New comments are only accepted for two weeks from the date of publication.

    Source: http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121230/SPORTS/212300303/-1/rss02

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    Sunday, December 30, 2012

    Chinese archaeologists excavate 3500 kgs of ancient coins

    ').append($('#scplatformSocialToolBarMain').contents().clone()));$('.stb-boxstyle-l, .stb-boxstyle-r').append($('#scplatformSocialToolbarBox').contents().clone()).addClass('stb-boxstyle');jQuery.async('scp', function(){$.scp.async('\x2f\x2fmedia-social.s-msn.com\x2fs\x2fjs\x2f18.32\x2fue.min.js', function(){$('\x23pvtbtop').not('.stb-boxstyle-l, .stb-boxstyle-r').not($('\x23pvtbtop').next('div.stb-minitb').prev()).after($('').append($('#scplatformSocialToolBarMain').contents().clone()));$('.stb-boxstyle-l, .stb-boxstyle-r').not('.stb-boxstyle').append($('#scplatformSocialToolbarBox').contents().clone()).addClass('stb-boxstyle');});jQuery.scp.socialToolbar({"jsUrl":"//media-social.s-msn.com/s/js/18.32/ue.min.js","shareCountUrlBase":"//jp.social.msn.com/boards","ajaxStubBaseUri":"http://socialcf.kaw.msn.com/","responseBridgeUrl":"http://news.in.msn.com/responsebridge.min.htm","locale":"en-in","strings":{"lc_shrbtntooltipformatsingular":"Shared {0} time","lc_shrbtntooltipformatplurar":"Shared {0} times","lc_shrintro":"I thought you would be interested in this: {0}","lc_defml":"Email program","lc_hotml":"Hotmail","lc_gml":"Gmail","lc_yml":"Yahoo! 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    Source: http://news.in.msn.com/international/article.aspx?cp-documentid=251884738

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    Couple loses adoptive daughter after Russia signs ban

    After a roller coaster week, Kendra Skaggs sat down to vent on her blog. She had used that space to document her 13 month journey of adopting a young girl named Polina from Russia. But now, with that dream just weeks away from fulfillment, she described her frustration, fear and anger as she watched it being snatched away.

    "I have no control. I'm on the other side of the world and I can't hold and comfort my daughter as I wait to hear if we will forever be separated," she wrote in a passionate entry

    Her writing seemed to speak for hundreds of American parents whose hopes of adopting a Russian orphan were dashed today when Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a controversial ban on adoptions to the United States. The move is part of Russia's retaliation for a set of human rights sanctions passed by the U.S. Congress and signed by President Obama earlier this month. Critics, including the U.S. State Department, say the adoption ban is playing politics with the lives of children.

    Russia is the third most popular country for Americans to adopt from, but in recent years the issue has become a political football in Russia. Americans have adopted over 60,000 Russian children since the fall of the Soviet Union, but Russian officials have seized on the cases of 19 children who died after being adopted by Americans.

    In 2010, a 7-year-old adopted boy named Artyom was put on a plane back to Russia alone by his adoptive mother from Tennessee with little more than a note saying she did not want him anymore. The case touched off a wave of fury in Russia and adoptions to the United States were nearly halted.

    The Many Adventures of Vladimir Putin

    Just a week ago Kendra and her husband visited Polina at her orphanage outside Moscow. The bubbly 5-year-old suffers from spina bifida, a condition that has left her numb from the waist down and unable to walk. They showed Polina photos of her new bedroom and told her about her new family. They played together, hugged each other, and promised to see each other soon when they returned in January to bring her home to Arkansas.

    The adoption ban legislation, meanwhile, had just been introduced by Russian lawmakers. Kendra had hoped their case, which was nearly completed, would sneak in under the wire. She held out hope again after a Moscow court approved her adoption on Monday. All that was needed was a 30 day waiting period before they could bring Polina home.

    It appears even that was too late. The law goes into effect on Jan. 1, but Russian officials have said even cases of 52 children who are within weeks of traveling to the United States are now frozen. Authorities have pledged to find new homes for them in Russia.

    For the Skaggs family, it is agonizing to be so close to bringing her home, yet so far. Kendra fears Polina will think she was abandoned again.

    "It's the fear of what she is going to think, that we forgot her," she said in an interview with ABC News.

    "She's out there and I can't take care of her," she said, crying softly. "I can't help her. I can't tell her I love her. So it's really hard."

    She also worries what will happen to Polina in Russia, a country with scarce accommodations for the handicapped.

    "Russia really isn't set up for people with disabilities. You can't get into the metro even to get around because it's just levels and levels of stairs that you have to go up and down and there's no handicapped access to the buildings," Kendra said.

    Putin's Adoption Ban Breaks Kendra Skaggs' Heart

    Hundreds of thousands of children languish in what are often described as Russia's under-resourced orphanages. Many of them, like Polina, have special needs, which is one of the reasons they may have been given up at birth. Often those children face an uncertain future once they leave the orphanage system when they turn 18.

    Kendra described Polina as a fiercely independent, intelligent, and determined young girl.

    "She's very loving, very kind. She loves to sing and dance to music and listen to the music," she said.

    In a home video that Kendra and her husband took with their cell phones, a beaming Polina proudly counts to 10 in English. In another she waves hello to her new grandparents. An overjoyed look envelops her face as she realizes that she will soon have grandparents. In another she tells Kendra she loves her.

    With no way of contacting Polina, Kendra said she wishes she could send her a simple message.

    "I would tell her we love her and to be strong and that were going to do everything we can to come back and get her. Everything that's in our power. We want to bring her home with us and have her to be our daughter," she said.

    "I'd give anything to go see her and just wrap her in my arms and tell her I love her and to bring her home," she said.

    At the end of their last visit, Kendra, mindful of the pending legislation, broke down in tears as she said goodbye. This time it was Polina who comforted her.

    "Don't cry mommy, be strong,'" she said.

    Also Read

    Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mom-loses-russian-girl-weeks-adoption-150709061--abc-news-topstories.html

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    Saturday, December 29, 2012

    wise self improvement | self improvement made easy: Leaders Must

    If you want to serve as a leader, then actually act like one, and be a leader. That means a leader must step forward while others stand on the sideline. Judge someone as a leader not by what they do regarding popular programs and ideas. Rather they must be judged by whether or not they stand up for what they believe, and take what are often difficult or challenging positions. Certainly it is challenging and even stressful at times to stand alone on principle, if you really believe in something. Leadership is about inner strength and fortitude, and doing and saying what needs to be do e, even if it may at times be unpopular or out of fashion.

    1. I recall serving for nearly a decade, many years ago, as the Treasurer of a non profit. it seemed obvious to me that this particular organization, if it did not take steps to address putting their financial house in order, would soon be facing the prospect of insolvency. Although I was often overwhelmingly opposed, I continued to chastise, coerce, and demand that the Board acted responsibly. Years later, almost every one of my proposals was enacted, and although waiting as long as they did had a negative overall compacted fiscal and financial impact, the fact that they eventually did what was needed guaranteed the road to solvency and relevance. The interesting aspect, however, is that the very same people who openly bad mouthed me, and derided my point of view, eventually championed the battle, and were more than glad to take full credit for the accomplishment. However, the important thing is not who got the credit, but that what needed to get done, did.

    2. Leadership must never be about one's ego or popularity. Rather, it is about webbing effectively, and bringing an organization to achieve and perform to its potential, and to accomplish worthwhile missions. Great leaders always begin with a vital vision, and that vision always acts to motivate them to commit to a greater extent, try harder, care more, and make more efforts to include others in the quest. The true mark of a great leader is not only getting followers to care, but developing the ones with the most potential, to become future true leaders.

    It all begins with a leader's adherence to a basic principle or tenet, and using that to bring himself to bravely take a stand, when others resist. All organizations benefit from great leadership.

    Source: http://wiseselfimprovement.blogspot.com/2012/12/leaders-must-take-stand.html

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    Source: http://avodai.posterous.com/wise-self-improvement-self-improvement-made-e

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    Source: http://reselection-metro.blogspot.com/2012/12/wise-self-improvement-self-improvement.html

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    White House meeting a last stab at a fiscal deal

    President Barack Obama waves to reporters as he steps off the Marine One helicopter and walks on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, as he returns early from his Hawaii vacation for meetings on the fiscal cliff. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

    President Barack Obama waves to reporters as he steps off the Marine One helicopter and walks on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, as he returns early from his Hawaii vacation for meetings on the fiscal cliff. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

    House Minority Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer of Md., pauses during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, where he urged House Republicans to end the pro forma session and call the House back into legislative session to negotiate a solution to the fiscal cliff. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

    Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. walks to the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

    (AP) ? Amid partisan bluster, top members of Congress and President Barack Obama were holding out slim hopes for a limited fiscal deal before the new year. But even as congressional leaders prepared to convene at the White House, there were no signs that legislation palatable to both sides was taking shape.

    The Friday afternoon meeting among congressional leaders and the president ? their first since Nov. 16 ? stood as a make-or-break moment for negotiations to avoid across-the-board first of the year tax increases and deep spending cuts.

    Obama called for the meeting as top lawmakers alternately cast blame on each other while portraying themselves as open to a reasonable last-minute bargain.

    Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid all but conceded that any effort at this late date was a long shot. "I don't know timewise how it can happen now," he said.

    For Obama, the 11th-hour scramble represented a test of how he would balance the strength derived from his re-election with his avowed commitment to compromise. Despite early talk of a grand bargain between Obama and House Speaker John Boehner that would reduce deficits by more than $2 trillion, the expectations were now far less ambitious.

    Although there were no guarantees of a deal, Republicans and Democrats said privately that any agreement would likely include an extension of middle-class tax cuts with increased rates at upper incomes, an Obama priority that was central to his re-election campaign. The deal would also likely put off the scheduled spending cuts. Such a year-end bill could also include an extension of expiring unemployment benefits, a reprieve for doctors who face a cut in Medicare payments and possibly a short-term measure to prevent dairy prices from soaring, officials said.

    To get there, Obama and Reid would have to propose a package that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell would agree not to block with procedural steps that require 60 votes to overcome.

    Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday, McConnell cautioned: "Republicans aren't about to write a blank check for anything the Democrats put forward just because we find ourselves at the edge of the cliff."

    Nevertheless, he said he told Obama in a phone call late Wednesday that "we're all happy to look at whatever he proposes."

    If a deal were to pass the Senate, Boehner would have to agree to take it to the floor in the Republican-controlled House.

    Boehner discussed the fiscal cliff with Republican members in a conference call Thursday and advised them that the House would convene Sunday evening. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., an ally of the speaker, said Boehner told the lawmakers that "he didn't really intend to put on the floor something that would pass with all the Democratic votes and few of the Republican votes."

    But Cole did not rule out Republican support for some increase in tax rates, noting that Boehner had amassed about 200 Republican votes for a plan last week to raise rates on Americans earning $1 million or more. Boehner ultimately did not put the plan to a House floor vote in the face of opposition from Republican conservatives and a unified Democratic caucus.

    "The ultimate question is whether the Republican leaders in the House and Senate are going to push us over the cliff by blocking plans to extend tax cuts for the middle class," White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer said. "Ironically, in order to protect tax breaks for millionaires, they will be responsible for the largest tax increase in history."

    Boehner, McConnell, Reid and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi are all scheduled to attend Friday's White House meeting with Obama. Vice President Joe Biden will also participate in the meeting, the White House said.

    Despite the urgency to act, the rhetoric Thursday was quarrelsome and personal.

    The House of Representatives is "being operated with a dictatorship of the speaker," Reid said on the Senate floor. He attributed Boehner's reluctance to put a version of Senate bill that raised tax rates on incomes above $250,000 for couples to fears he could lose his re-election as speaker next week.

    "Harry Reid should talk less and legislate more if he wants to avert the fiscal cliff," countered Brendan Buck, a spokesman for Boehner.

    If a deal is not possible, it should become evident at Friday's White House meeting. If that occurs, Obama and the leaders would leave the resolution to the next Congress to address in January.

    Such a delay could unnerve the stock market, which performed erratically Thursday amid the developments in Washington. Economists say that if the tax increases are allowed to hit most Americans and if the spending cuts aren't scaled back, the recovering but fragile economy could sustain a traumatizing shock.

    But a sentiment is taking hold that despite a black eye to its image, Congress could weather the fiscal cliff without significant economic consequences if it acts decisively next month.

    "Going over is likely because at this point both sides probably see a better deal on the other side of the cliff," Jared Bernstein, Biden's former economic adviser, wrote in a blog post Thursday.

    By letting current tax cuts expire and rise, Bernstein and others say, Republicans would be voting to lower taxes next month, even if not for all taxpayers. Democrats ? and Obama ? would be in a stronger position to demand that taxpayers above the $250,000 threshold pay higher taxes, instead of the $400,000 threshold that Obama proposed in his latest offer to Boehner.

    And the debate over spending cuts, including changes to politically sensitive entitlement programs such as Medicare, would have to start anew.

    ___

    Associated Press writers Alan Fram, Charles Babington and David Espo contributed to this report.

    ___

    Follow Jim Kuhnhenn on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jkuhnhenn

    Associated Press

    Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-12-28-Fiscal%20Cliff/id-4f35560ba2df40c0ba7c565a959e532c

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    Friday, December 28, 2012

    Django Unchained Review: There Will Definitely Be Blood

    Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/12/django-unchained-review-there-will-definitely-be-blood/

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    johncarrickxy: news local: Boat Transportation | Sports n Recreation

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    Japan's new inflationary strategy: wrong target

    The cause of Japan's deflation isn't monetary, it's demographic. Inflationary policy won't work in the long term.

    By Stefan Karlsson,?Guest blogger / December 27, 2012

    People exercise with wooden dumbbells during a health promotion event to mark Japan's "Respect for the Aged Day" at a temple in Tokyo in September. The population of Japan is expected to fall by 30 percent to less than 90 million by 2060, with 2 in 5 people being 65 or older, a government agency survey showed in January.

    Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters/File

    Enlarge

    Japan has during the latest decade lagged most countries in GDP growth and it has also had low but relatively persistent price deflation. This has by some been interpreted as evidence that even low levels of deflation is harmful to the economy.

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    However, if you adjust for population growth, Japanese growth has actually been in line with U.S. growth and somewhat higher than the average for Western Europe. And if you further adjust for the fact that Japan's population is aging much faster than elsewhere, growth has actually been higher. Total GDP may have grown slower, but GDP relative to its working age population has been growing somewhat faster than the average for rich countries.

    As a result, unlike both the U.S. and Western Europe it has?a higher employment to population (in the 15 to 64 year age span) than a decade ago, and a lower unemployment rate. This clearly indicates that the source of Japan's economic stagnation is demographic, not monetary.

    This didn't stop Japanese voters from electing a new government that promised to create at least 2% in yearly inflation and has threatened to remove the Bank of Japan's formal independence unless it does a lot more to inflate. Since an "independence" that depends on it following orders isn't really independence, this means that the Bank of Japan's independence has in effect already been abolished.

    Storm-damaged New York hospital partially reopens its doors

    NEW YORK (Reuters) - The NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City partially reopened its inpatient facilities on Thursday, nearly two months after it was flooded by Superstorm Sandy and sustained damages that could exceed $1 billion.

    Storm damage in New Jersey, New York City's outer boroughs and New York state's Long Island captured most of the world's attention after the second-costliest hurricane in U.S. history made landfall on October 29, obscuring much of the damage sustained in Manhattan.

    The emergency department at the Manhattan hospital could remain closed until the end of 2013.

    At the height of the storm, the hospital was forced to evacuate its 322 patients, including 20 babies in intensive care, when it lost power and its rooftop back-up generators shut down because flooding knocked out fuel tanks in the basement.

    Other major hospitals in Manhattan were also badly damaged.

    Bellevue Hospital Center, one of the country's oldest hospitals and the city's main trauma treatment center, said this week that it was receiving ambulances for the first time since Sandy struck, and that full services were not expected until early February.

    Recovery was still under way in other parts of Manhattan. About 10 percent of office space in downtown Manhattan, which includes the Financial District around Wall Street, was still closed as of late last week, according to a report by the real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle.

    DAMAGE ESTIMATE OVER $1 BLN

    As of Thursday, NYU Langone said it could once again perform surgery on patients that would involve overnight stays, and that its intensive care and neurology units were open. More than 50 inpatients were being seen on Thursday, a spokeswoman said.

    Other services, such as its labor wards and pediatric and cancer departments, would reopen on January 14.

    The hospital's emergency department on the ground floor was under construction as part of an expansion program when the storm hit, and the damage was still being repaired, the hospital's statement said. In the meantime, the hospital has set up a temporary urgent care center that will receive walk-in patients and redirect more serious cases to other places in the city.

    The hospital resumed some outpatient services within a week of the storm.

    The total cost of repairing damaged infrastructure and replacing state-of-the-art medical equipment was likely to exceed $1 billion, a spokeswoman said. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, had already allocated $114 million, she said, and the hospital was waiting to see how much would be covered by insurance.

    Images of critically ill patients being evacuated in the stormy darkness at NYU Langone and, the following day, the evacuation of some 725 patients from the nearby Bellevue, prompted concerns from some emergency experts that hospitals in New York and elsewhere are not prepared for times when the hospital itself is affected by a disaster.

    Bellevue, though still closed to inpatients, has been operating outpatient clinics, walk-in emergency care and pharmacy services since November 19.

    (Editing by Daniel Trotta and Jan Paschal)

    Source: http://news.yahoo.com/storm-damaged-york-hospital-partially-reopens-doors-201445642.html

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    Chief of staff: Bush getting excellent treatment

    FILE - In a Tuesday, June 12, 2012 file photo, former President George H.W. Bush, and his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush, arrive for the premiere of HBO's new documentary on his life near the family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. Bush spokesman Jim McGrath said Wednesday, Dec. 26. 2012 that doctors at the Houston hospital where Bush has been treated for a month remain ?cautiously optimistic? that he will recover. Still, no discharge date has been set, and McGrath says that doctors are being cautious because at Bush?s age ?sometimes issues crop up that are beyond anybody?s ability to discern or foretell.?(AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

    FILE - In a Tuesday, June 12, 2012 file photo, former President George H.W. Bush, and his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush, arrive for the premiere of HBO's new documentary on his life near the family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. Bush spokesman Jim McGrath said Wednesday, Dec. 26. 2012 that doctors at the Houston hospital where Bush has been treated for a month remain ?cautiously optimistic? that he will recover. Still, no discharge date has been set, and McGrath says that doctors are being cautious because at Bush?s age ?sometimes issues crop up that are beyond anybody?s ability to discern or foretell.?(AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

    (AP) ? Former President George H.W. Bush, who has been hospitalized for more than a month, is getting excellent medical treatment and would advise people to "put the harps back in the closet," his longtime Houston chief of staff said Thursday evening.

    But Jean Becker also pointed out in her statement that the 88-year-old Bush is sick and likely will be in the hospital for a while after a "terrible case of bronchitis which then triggered a series of complications."

    Bush, the oldest living former president, has been in intensive care since Sunday. He was admitted to Methodist Hospital in Houston on Nov. 23 for treatment of what his spokesman Jim McGrath described as a "stubborn" cough. He had spent about a week there earlier in November for treatment of the same condition.

    Becker said "most of the civilized world" contacted her Wednesday after disclosures Bush had been placed in the intensive care unit after physicians were having difficulty bringing a fever under control.

    "Someday President George H.W. Bush might realize how beloved he is, but of course one of the reasons why he is so beloved is because he has no idea," Becker said in the at-times lighthearted statement that made multiple references to jokes and the former president's sense of humor.

    She said updates about Bush's condition have been limited "out of respect for President Bush and the Bush family who, like most of us, prefer to deal with health issues in privacy." She said another factor was "because he is so beloved we knew everyone would overreact."

    "I hope you all know how much your love, concern and support are appreciated," Becker said.

    While the president's treatment was "unequaled anywhere," she said prayers also were needed and welcomed.

    "I am thinking heaven has not seen such a barrage of prayer intentions since 'It's a Wonderful Life,'" she said, referring to the classic Christmas movie.

    It was hoped Bush would be well enough to spend Christmas at home. But while his cough improved, he developed a persistent fever and his condition was downgraded to "guarded."

    The former president has had visits from family and friends, including longtime friend James Baker III, his former Secretary of State. Bush's daughter, Dorothy, arrived Wednesday from her home in Bethesda, Md. Other visitors have included his sons George W. Bush, the 43rd president, and Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor.

    Bush and his wife, Barbara, live in Houston during the winter and spend their summers at a home in Kennebunkport, Maine.

    Bush, the 41st president, had served two terms as Ronald Reagan's vice president when he was elected in 1988 to succeed Reagan. Four years later, after a term highlighted by the success of the 1991 Gulf War in Kuwait, he lost to Democrat Bill Clinton amid voters' concerns about the economy.

    Bush was a naval aviator in World War II ? at one point the youngest in the Navy ? and was shot down over the Pacific. He's skydived on at least three of his birthdays since leaving the White House, most recently when he turned 85.

    He left New England for an oil business job in West Texas in 1948. He's also been a Republican congressman from Texas, U.S. ambassador to China and CIA director.

    Bush suffers from a form of Parkinson's disease that forced him in recent years to use a motorized scooter or wheelchair for mobility.

    Associated Press

    Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-12-27-Bush%20Hospitalized/id-b426ad3bb1bb435b8196c0d7fb78ee63

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    Thursday, December 27, 2012

    Canon Cinema EOS-1D C hits stores in Japan today, expected stateside later this week

    Canon Cinema EOS1D C hits stores in Japan today, expected stateside later this week

    At $11,999, this latest Canon 1D is hardly set to become a DSLR bestseller, but there are certainly a few pro shooters willing to line up for an incredibly versatile 18-megapixel 4K cam, with EOS lens compatibility and a full-frame sensor. We were expecting Canon's top-of-the-line beast to sell for just shy of $15,000, so this new sub-$12k sticker is a pleasant surprise. You'll also need to invest in a battery of high-speed (at least 100MB/s) CF cards -- the 1D C captures 4096 x 2160 video at 24 frames per second with an approximate file size of 3.76 gigs per minute of footage, according to the camera's instruction manual, which you'll find, along with a purchase link, at the source link below. The EOS-1D C is expected to hit stores in the US later this week, but a few lucky shooters have been out and about capturing demo reels for the last few weeks -- you'll find some of that footage after the break, along with a few more clips at the coverage links below.

    Continue reading Canon Cinema EOS-1D C hits stores in Japan today, expected stateside later this week

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    Source: Texas Media Systems (purchase), Instruction manual, Canon (Japan)

    Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/a3g7zEwUXqk/

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