Waldi, Bello und Fiffi haben jetzt die Chance groß raus zu kommen: denn momentan tourt ein Tiercastingtruck quer durch Deutschland. Dem vierbeinigen Gewinner winkt eine Gastrolle in Deutschlands wohl bekanntester Daily Soap „Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten“. Heute hat der Truck in Bremen halt gemacht und wir haben einmal geschaut, wie es um die Talente der Bremer Tiere bestellt ist…

WM-Viertelfinalspiel Uruguay - Ghana überzeugen: Es gab einen Sieger nach Punkten - und grenzenloses Mitleid mit dem Verlierer. Grenzeloses Mitleid hätten allerdings auch die Männer verdient, die anschließend in Waldis WM-Club kalauerten.

Otl Aicher is best known for his graphics for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, which incorporated a system of universally recognizable pictograms that has become the standard throughout the world. He also created the olympic's posters, postcards, tickets, and timetables....

Keinen Bock auf WM? Keine Lust auf Waldi, Poldi und Co? Hat Christian Buß auch nicht. Der SPIEGEL-ONLINE-Fernsehkritiker und bekennende Fußballhasser gibt deshalb in unserer kleinen Anti-WM-Rubrik "Alles außer Fußball!" TV-Tipps für ballfreie Stunden. Zum Auftakt: ein Brithorror-Trip.

Yesterday the London 2012 Olympics, owners of what may be the most widely panned logo in history, revealed yet another frightening piece of their fragmented branding puzzle: Olympic mascots Mandeville and Wenlock. As the legend goes, the cycloptic blobs were created from the last two drops of British steel used for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium (they built that thing with steel drops?). "That's why we're so shiny," they say on their Web site," reflecting the people, places and things we meet along the way as we travel around the U.K."

No one should get too upset about this: Olympic mascots have rarely predicted the success of the actual games. In fact, the best mascots have emblemized the most disastrous games. Here are our official findings.

The very first Olympic mascot was created for the 1972 Munich games. Design legend Otl Aicher's cherished identity for the games used variations on Olympic colors but specifically did not use red or black because of their Nazi connotations. Waldi, a Dachshund, became a symbol of pride for Germans, who hoped to show the world a new, violence-free Germany. But the Munich games themselves were overshadowed by the horrific hostage crisis chronicled in the film Munich.

Four years later, a beaver took the starring role for the 1976 Montreal Olympics, the only summer games ever to be played in Canada. As part of a beautiful identity designed by Yvon Laroche, Pierre-Yves Pelletier, Guy St-Arnaud and George Huel, admittedly, Amik looked much better rendered in sleek modernist forms on the poster than he did as a lifeless toupée. But Montreal's games were such an utter financial disaster--the stadium didn't get finished until after the games, and even then at a $1.5 billion debt to the city--that any economic troubles found in the city today can be attributed to the appearance of this beaver.

Say what you will about Victor Chizhikov's awkward-looking Misha with its aloof Communist grin and belt made from brass knuckles. This mascot helped warm Moscow's hearts during the coldest Olympics of all: The boycotted games of 1980. Even as over 60 nations refused to compete due to the USSR's invasion of Afghanistan, Misha's cuddly, watercolored outlines brought a sense of pride and solidarity to Moscow's residents. He was also the first mascot to star in his own cartoon show.

Here's Sam the Eagle (not to be confused with Muppet Sam the Eagle), designed by C. Robert Moore, who worked for Disney. It was 1984 and the games were in Los Angeles. Okay, a little Disney never hurt anyone, but let's be honest: This bald eagle looks like a chicken. Still, Los Angeles was able to parlay revenues--including lucrative TV broadcast deals--into a huge moneymaker for the city, making it the first American games that didn't rely on any government funding. These bird-legged games were the biggest financial success in Olympic history, raking in a $223 million profit.

Hodori was the sorry-looking tiger created for the 1988 Seoul Olympics by Kim Hyund, who was apparently heavily influenced by Kellogg's cereal and Garfield. Like the odd ribbon-hat that swirls around Hodori, national turmoil prefaced the Seoul games, including political unrest that forced its president out of power. But the games gave Seoul a chance to pack away its troubled past and present South Korea as a cultural enter of Asia, launching new trade relationships and positioning it as a fresh face of democracy. Even if that face was bright orange.

An anthropomorphic Cobi the Catalan sheepdog was designed for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Spanish designer Javier Mariscal was supposedly inspired by Picasso, hence the two eyes on the front of the head. Although residents at first despised Cobi for bastardizing Picasso and not being dog-like enough, by the end of the games, Cobi became a beloved symbol of the city, and Barcelona's revitalized urban center experienced a boom of tourism that turned it into world-class destination. All thanks to ugly sideways-eyed Cobi.

It's difficult to know what to say about Izzy the Whatizit, mascot for the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. This gladiator of LSD was named by a group of schoolchildren but was known best to Atlantans as the "Sperm in Sneakers." It was also the first computer-rendered mascot, designed by John Ryan, and underwent several updates to its figure to make it appear more athletic. The same could be said for Atlanta, which underwent such significant development the Olympics were credited with modernizing the city. Smart corporate sponsorships resulted in yet another Olympic games profit. Go Izzy!

Olly, Syd and Millie were not members of an aging punk band nor technicolor demons sent to destroy us from another dimension but a kookaburra, platypus and echidna picked to represent the Sydney Olympics. Designed by Matthew Hattan, their wild, '90s-hangover illustrative style frightened children, but it sure looked at home on customized cans of Coke. These games--the largest to date--were widely considered to be the "best summer games ever," a quote attributed to International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch during the closing ceremony.

Phevos and Athena, siblings named after Greek gods, were modeled to look like ancient statuary for the 2004 games. The mascots were widely panned for belittling Greek culture and for representing deities in such a crude way. But they sure did make great Beanie Babies. Despite the Dark Ages look of the mascots, these Olympics helped bring Athens into the modern world, overhauling their technological capabiities and urban infrastructure, and resulting in massive improvements to their airport and public transit (although now, sadly many of the venues have fallen into disrepair).

The Beijing mascots for the 2008 games were named the Fuwa, five anime-like creatures meant to be rendered in traditional Chinese folk art style, but were just creepy reminders that China's mascot population is five times that of the rest of the world. (Also? The middle one's head is on fire.) The jury is still out on the Beijing games--it will take a few years to see its true economic impact, as well as how it affected China's larger issues like censorship and human rights. But perhaps there's a lesson to be learned from the story of the artist who worked on these mascots: Han Mellin was forced to draw over 1000 figures before the government could decide on these five. The 72-year-old suffered two heart attacks during the process and became so frustrated with the project he has since refused credit for them.

[Our London 2012]

LONDON - They're not furry animals, neither male nor female and have no cutesy names.

London 2012 organizers unveiled the Olympic and Paralympic mascots Wednesday — one-eyed creations from the digital age named after two small English towns.

Officials predicted the mascots — Wenlock and Mandeville — will be a big hit with kids and help inspire young people to get involved in Olympic sports.

"We've talked to lots of children and they don't want cuddly toys," London 2012 organizing committee chairman Sebastian Coe said. "They want something they can interact with and something with a good story behind it."

The two mascots are based on a story by children's author Michael Morpurgo, in which they are formed by a welder from the last drops of steel from the girders of the Olympic Stadium in east London.

An animated film shows the figures brought to life and changing appearance, imitating athletes such as Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and British boxer Amir Khan and diver Tom Daley. The film shows them leaving on a journey that will take them across Britain from now until 2012.

"We want it to be fun," Coe said. "We want it to try to engage and reconnect young people to sport."

The mascots were unveiled to the media at the St. Paul's Whitechapel primary school in east London. Children "oohed" and "aahed' and cheered — perhaps with some advance coaching — when they saw the mascots and hugged and played with life-size versions in the playground. The mascots were later introduced nationally on BBC television.

"I don't think anyone is under the illusion that the Games are anywhere but London," London Olympics chief executive Paul Deighton said. "I don't think you have to brand everything as London, London, London. Everyone knows the games are in London."

Wenlock wears the Olympic rings as friendship bracelets, and its head is formed in the shape of a medals podium. Mandeville's head is shaped like a bicycle racing helmet. Each mascot has a single eye in the middle of its face representing a camera lens that will capture their experiences on the way to 2012.

Organizers said the mascots can be customized into different appearances and guises. One image shows them in red, white and blue Union Jack outfits.

Children will be able to interact with the mascots on their website and invite them to visit their schools and communities. Created by marketing agency Iris, each mascot will have its own Facebook and Twitter page.

"Why have one mascot when you can have millions?" designer Grant Hunter said. "It's a unique mascot, a world first. Everyone can make their own."

A limited run of T-shirts and pins went on sale Wednesday, but mascot toys won't be available until the two-years-to-go milestone on July 27. The mascots are also expected to feature in a cartoon series ahead of the games.

Organizers hope the mascots will receive a more positive reaction than the London 2012 logo, which was widely panned when it was unveiled in 2007 and was even blamed for triggering seizures among some television viewers.

The mascots will also be an important revenue-raising tool for meeting the London organizing committee's $3 billion operating budget. Deighton said the sale of mascots should raise 10-20 per cent of London's merchandising budget of $106 million.

The first official Olympic mascot was a colourful dachshund named Waldi at the 1972 Munich Games. Others have included Amik the beaver in Montreal 1972, Misha the bear in Moscow 1980, Sam the eagle in Los Angeles 1984 and Cobi the surreal dog in Barcelona 1992. The 2008 Beijing Games featured five mascots — a panda, antelope, swallow, fish and flame.

One of the most derided mascots in Olympic history was "Izzy," the amorphous blob from the 1996 Atlanta Games.

In the run up to the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, leading German graphic designer Otto Aicher decided that his dachshund Waldi was capable of embodying the ethos of the event. As the Games' first official mascot, the dog had a lot to live up to. But Aicher believed that Waldi's pointed snout, fluorescent coat and straight back would epitomise the "gaiety" and "spirit" of the contest. The animal possessed characteristics coveted by all competitive athletes, such as resistance, tenacity and agility. Crucially, he would also be popular with children.

Organisers have unveiled their mascots – creatures supposedly fashioned from droplets of steel used to build the stadium

In the end they were neither animal, vegetable nor mineral. Nor, as some cynics had predicted, did they resemble white elephants.

Instead, Wenlock and Mandeville, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic mascots, elicited mostly baffled reactions as to just what they were at their unveiling today.

With a metallic finish, a single large eye made out of a camera lens, a London taxi light on their heads and the Olympic rings represented as friendship bracelets on their wrists, they resemble characters dreamed up for a Pixar animation.

But London 2012 organisers, for whom the launch of the mascots marks the start of a crucial period in which the games will become public property, pointed to the delighted reaction of a hall full of primary school children at today's launch as evidence that they would connect with their target audience.

"They remind you of aliens, which is really weird and cool," said 10-year-old Ali. "It reminds you of the Olympics, which is worldwide so it's something you'll want to remember forever," added 11-year-old Zanyab as they cavorted with life-size mascots for the cameras.

The pair are based on a short story by children's author Michael Morpurgo that tells how they were fashioned from droplets of the steel used to build the Olympic stadium. They will be crucial in raising funds and spreading messages about the games.

Wenlock, named after the Shropshire town of Much Wenlock that helped inspire Pierre de Coubertin to launch the modern Olympics, and Mandeville, inspired by the Buckinghamshire town where the Paralympics were founded, will become very familiar over the next two years.

The chairman of the London organising committee of the Olympic games (Locog), Lord Coe, said the mascots were aimed squarely at children and designed with the digital age in mind. He said they had the most positive reaction in workshops to road test them.

Among the designs rejected at the start of an open pitch process were anthropomorphic pigeons, an animated tea pot and a Big Ben with arms and legs.

Children will be encouraged to interact with the characters, inviting them via Facebook, Twitter and the web to visit their school and, said Coe, inspiring them to take up different sports.

"The story itself is very rooted in the nations and regions. Young people will be able to decide where they go, what sports they pick up. There is a real interactivity there, it is a language and a flexibility that is driven by young people," he said.

The pair were introduced in an animated film that followed their story from the Bolton steelworks where the frame of the Olympic stadium was made. They will become a range of up to 30 cuddly toys, including versions based on celebrities and sports stars, as well as adorning badges, T-shirts, mugs and more.

Organisers hope Wenlock and Mandeville will rank alongside the more fondly remembered mascots, such as Waldi the dachshund from the 1972 Berlin games and Misha the bear from the 1980 Moscow Olympics – rather than the much maligned Izzy of Atlanta 1996.

"The games have got a few stupendous assets – the mascot, tickets, the volunteers, the torch relay – and you have got to really use those to bring home your key messages," said Locog's chief executive, Paul Deighton.

"If you link them together you begin to have a really powerful story that people will respond to."

The unveiling of the bold London Olympics logo in 2007 was controversial, with many criticising its graffiti-like design. Organisers, who hired Wolff Olins at a cost of £400,000 to design it, stood firm, arguing that it was supremely adaptable and perfect for the digital age. But they were forced to withdraw a launch film after it emerged that it had the potential to trigger epileptic seizures.

The mascots, conceived by London design agency Iris and costing, said Deighton, just "a few thousand pounds", are an important staging post from a financial and marketing point of view. They will pour up to £15m into the coffers of the organising committee via dozens of licensing deals, part of an overall licensing target of £70m to £80m towards Locog's £2bn privately raised budget.

In 1984, the LA games ushered in the money-spinning Olympic era. The event was the first to use its Disney-designed mascot to raise funds, since when they have become a cash cow for organisers.

But the story behind the mascots is also designed to help make the Olympics relevant to the whole nation. That will be crucial if organisers are to maintain support for a project that is also costing the public £9.3bn, particularly as cuts in public services begin to bite.

After a spell of behind-the-scenes work devoted to raising £700m in sponsorship revenues, Locog is entering a more public phase when everything it does, from the unveiling of the mascot to its ticket pricing policy, will come under scrutiny.

• Mascot to be unveiled on the One Show tonight
• Join the debate and send in your own entries

Tonight's the big one as the 2012 Olympic mascot is to be unveiled on the One Show at 7pm. Misha the bear cub represented Russia (well, strictly speaking the Soviet Union) in 1980 and, in keeping with the the games becoming a weapon in the Cold War, the US responded with Sam the eagle for LA in 1984. Far cuter was Germany's sausage dog (strictly speaking a dachshund) Waldi from Munich in 1972, while the Aussies bucked historical trends by adopting not one but three little chums to fly the flag for the Sydney 2000 games (and, strictly speaking, Olly the kookaburra represented Olympic generosity, Millie the echidna, the millennium and Syd, a platypus, Sydney and Australia itself), which was plenty to be going on with.

So, after the endless wrangling over the 2012 logo (and does anyone still not see Lisa Simpson there?), what will London offer the world as its cuddly, fluffy, man-in-a-suit representative? We'd love to hear your ideas and better still if you're feeling energetic why not crudely photoshop some and send them in to: gallery@guardian.co.uk (as a jpeg or gif, please put '2012' in the subject field) and we'll feature the best in a gallery.

9.15am: Good morning and welcome to our daily sports news blog. Throughout the day we'll update this page with stories, links and what's expected to happen in the hours ahead. Time permitting, we'll try to wade in below the line, answering your questions and comments.

Tonight's the big one as the 2012 Olympic mascot is to be unveiled on the One Show at 7pm. Misha the bear cub represented Russia (well, strictly speaking the Soviet Union) in 1980 and, in keeping with the the games becoming a weapon in the Cold War, the US responded with Sam the eagle for LA in 1984. Far cuter was Germany's sausage dog (strictly speaking a dachshund) Waldi from Munich in 1972, while the Aussies bucked historical trends by adopting not one but three little chums to fly the flag for the Sydney 2000 games (and, strictly speaking, Olly the kookaburra represented Olympic generosity, Millie the echidna, the millennium and Syd, a platypus, Sydney and Australia itself), which was plenty to be going on with.

So, after the endless wrangling over the 2012 logo (and does anyone still not see Lisa Simpson there?), what will London offer the world as its cuddly, fluffy, man-in-a-suit representative? We'd love to hear your ideas and better still if you're feeling energetic why not crudely photoshop some and send them in to: gallery@guardian.co.uk (as a jpeg or gif, please put '2012' in the subject field) and we'll feature the best in a gallery. GSR

The first Olympic mascot was introduced in 1972 at the Munich games. These mascots have become a very important element of the Olympics. It is an image that is unique and very popular because it materializes the spirit of the Olympics, promotes the history, and communicates the overall concept. This makes the Olympic bird mascot a must when it comes to the games. It is a must for children, for the general public, to display the uniqueness of each geographical area, and to relay the culture of the host city.

Waldi, the dachshund was the very first mascot in 1972. This is because the dachshund is a great representation of tenacity, resilience, and agility, which are the key elements an athlete possesses. This explains why he was a great choice as the first Olympic dragon mascot. He was dressed in multiple pastel colors to express the joy and the gaiety of the Olympics. The introduction of the Olympic mascot was perhaps the most memorable mascot moment.

On Wednesday, the Giants inked reliever Jeremy Affeldt to a two-year, $9.5 million extension, according to USA Today baseball writer Bob Nightengale .

On paper, it makes sense.

Affeldt, the Giants' left-handed setup man was effective for the Giants in 2009. He posted a 1.74 ERA and finished the 2009 season atop of the Major Leagues in holds (along with Minnesota Twins reliever Matt Guerrier) with 33.

Thus, if you look at it from most Giants fans' perspectives, Brian Sabean made a good deal, right?

Well, yes and no.

Is Affeldt a valuable commodity in the bullpen?

Absolutely.

Veteran relievers should not be taken lightly especially considering that this bullpen, for the most part, is pretty green when it comes to Major League experience. Affeldt provides a mentor figurehead to the bullpen, much like Randy Johnson was a mentor to the young starting rotation last season.

That being said, the fact of the matter is this: two-years, $9.5 million. Is Affeldt worth that?

Did his 2009 season merit those dollar amounts?

In my opinion, no. (His WAR (Wins Above Replacement) values agree with me too .)

I'll give a few reasons why Affeldt shouldn't have been inked for a two-year extension.


1.) His numbers in 2009 weren't that good.

Certainly Affeldt was lauded by Giants fans and media members alike, but in many ways, Affeldt's 2009 may have actually been worse than his 2008 in Cincinnati.

Case in point:

In 2009, Affeldt's strikeout rate dropped from 9.19 in 2008 to 7.94 in 2009. In all likelihood, Affeldt's 2008 (and even 2009 to an extent) K/9 numbers may have been an aberration.

He had never posted a K/9 rate higher than 7.76 in his Major League career prior to 2008 (and that 7.76 strikeout rate was in 2002, his rookie year). So, while it was a drop, his K/9 rate isn't too alarming (though it's not comforting).

What should make Giants fans worry the most were his struggles with control in 2009.

Yes, Affeldt did struggle with control in 2009. His walk rate increased dramatically (from 2.87 to 4.48) and his K/BB ratio also declined (from a solid 3.20 to a below-league average 1.77).

Affeldt also had a first-strike percentage of 54.8 percent, which is almost four points below the league average, and his lowest percentage since 2006 (when he split duty between Kansas City and Colorado).

And, while Affeldt did make 74 appearances in 2009, he only pitched 62.1 innings, a sign that he gets pulled early way too often. Now that could mean a variety of things. Either manager Bruce Bochy isn't patient enough with him (which is partially true) or Affeldt isn't getting the job done in his appearances.

Most likely it's a combination of both factors, but if you had to ask me which one factors more, I might be inclined to say the latter.

2.) Affeldt was tremendously fortunate in 2009.

Like I said, most Giants fans will point to two stats to merit Affeldt's extension: ERA and WHIP. Yes, he had a sub-two ERA. Yes, he had a WHIP of 1.17.

However, I will counter with three stats: FIP, BABIP, LOB percentage.

Affeldt's FIP (fielding independent pitching on an ERA scale) was 3.59, his BABIP (batting average of balls put in play) was .244 and his LOB (left-on-base) percentage was 86.4 percent. The league averages in those respective categories are 4.32, .303 and 71.9 percent.

So what does that say?

Affeldt got extremely lucky in 2009.

You cannot sustain a BABIP that low for consistent seasons. You cannot sustain a LOB percentage that high for two seasons. Eventually, your luck is going to run out and the law of averages is going to present itself, which is most likely going to be the case in 2010.

Another stat that most likely was an aberration? His 3.52 GB/FB ratio (compounded by a 65 percent ground ball rate). Affeldt has only posted a GB/FB ratio higher than 2 once (in 2005 with the Kansas City Royals). Granted, he has shown a progression to being a more ground ball-inducing pitcher (his GB/FB ratio increased from 1.50 in 2006 to 1.97 in 2008), but I find it highly unlikely that he'll have a GB/FB ratio that high again in 2010.

Does that mean Affeldt is going to be a bad pitcher in 2010? No, but he isn't going to be the borderline All-Star people made him out to be in 2009 again. He just won't get that many breaks two seasons in a row.

3.) The Giants have enough good options in the bullpen as it is.

I'm not saying Affeldt should be released tomorrow. However, I don't see why Sabean couldn't have just let Affeldt finish out the year, let him continue to mentor guys, and let the torch be passed to guys like Sergio Romo and Dan Runzler in 2011. Romo proved he could pitch as a late innings reliever in 2009.

Runzler has showed this Spring that he is ready for the Major League level. And, I'm not even counting wild-card options such as Guillermo Mota, Alex Hinshaw, Waldis Joaquin, Kevin Pucetas, and Henry Sosa, pitchers who could have a surprise impact in the bullpen in 2010 ala Justin Miller or Brandon Medders in 2009.

It's a tough reality, but it has to be known: Affeldt is not needed in this Giants bullpen like he was when the Giants signed him to a two-year deal after the 2008 season .

At the most, Affeldt is needed for one more year, but instead, the Giants have him for two, maybe three more seasons. Granted, could Affeldt bring in some trade value should the Giants fall out of playoff contention this season?

Maybe.

His contract isn't bad and teams always need arms.

However, if his numbers fall back to earth (which they most likely will), I wonder how much return the Giants could get on the left-handed setup man.

Chicago Sun-Times, Mar. 24, 2010" />Chicago Sun-Times, Mar. 24, 2010"> Chicago Sun-Times, Mar. 24, 2010 Newseum Image

March 24, 2010: An excerpt from a story in the Chicago Sun-Times:

Obama Inks $1 Trillion Health Care Overhaul

From the Associated Press

WASHINGTON --- Claiming a historic triumph that could define his presidency, a jubilant Barack Obama signed a massive, nearly $1 trillion health care overhaul on Tuesday that will for the first time cement insurance coverage as the right of every U.S. citizen and begin to reshape the way virtually all Americans receive and pay for treatment.

After more than a year of hyperpartisan struggle -- and numerous near-death moments for the measure -- Obama declared "a new season in America" as he sealed a victory denied to a line of presidents stretching back more than half a century. Democratic lawmakers cheered him on, giving the White House signing ceremony a rally-like atmosphere as they shouted and snapped photos with pocket cameras or cell phones.

Not everyone was cheering. The Democrats pushed the bill through Congress without GOP support, and the Republicans said Tuesday that those Democratic lawmakers would pay dearly in this November's elections. Opinion polls show the public remains skeptical, too, and Obama will fly to Iowa on Thursday for the first of a number of appearances that will be more like a continuing sales job than a victory lap.
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The Globe and Mail, Mar. 1, 2010" />The Globe and Mail, Mar. 1, 2010"> The Globe and Mail, Mar. 1, 2010 Newseum Image

March 1, 2010: An excerpt from a story in the Toronto newspaper, The Globe and Mail:

A record haul, a nation's triumph

By PAUL WALDIE 

These were indeed the best Games ever -- at least if the measure is Team Canada's medal haul.

Thanks to a remarkable final few days of competition, Canadian athletes won 14 gold medals in Vancouver -- twice as many as the team won in Turin, and more than any nation has ever won at a Winter Olympics. The previous record for gold medals was 13, set by Norway in 2002 and the Soviet Union in 1976.

This unprecedented success at the podium, punctuated by the men's hockey team's win Sunday, was about more than mere athletic achievement. It was also hard-won vindication for the Canadian Olympic Committee, which had endured persistent criticism about the way it funds the country's Olympic participants.
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Orlando Sentinel, Feb. 20, 2010" />Orlando Sentinel, Feb. 20, 2010"> Orlando Sentinel, Feb. 20, 2010 Newseum Image

February 20, 2010: An excerpt from a story in the Orlando Sentinel:

By JEFF SHAIN

Tiger Woods apologizes for past, talks about future
Tiger Woods doesn't say when he'll return to golf but adds, "I need to make my behavior more respectful of the game"

PONTE VEDRA BEACH -- Expressing remorse for times when "I didn't think normal rules applied," Tiger Woods apologized Friday to his mother, friends, business associates -- and by extension, the world -- for the affairs that have put his marriage on the rocks and his illustrious career still on indefinite hold.

"I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you," he said in a 13 1/2-minute speech before a private gathering at the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse.

"I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did. I'm embarrassed that I put you in this position. For all that I have done, I am so sorry."
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Toronto Star, Feb. 13, 2010" />Toronto Star, Feb. 13, 2010"> Toronto Star, Feb. 13, 2010 Newseum Image

February 13, 2010: An excerpt from a story in the Toronto Star:

Ecstasy and agony at the Olympics
Thrill of first day of Vancouver Games marred by tragedy

By ROSIE DIMANNO 

VANCOUVER -- Last coming in, first going out.

The final team to enter B.C. Place in Friday night's Opening Ceremonies; the top medalled nation when the Vancouver Olympics come to a close on Feb. 28. At least, that's the plan.

But, my God, how the unplanned and unimaginable can seize the day and squeeze the heart -- a pall hovering over events all yesterday with the shocking news that Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, only 21 years old, had died following a ghastly accident while training on the course in Whistler.

In the midst of all this youth and near physical perfection, the robust health of some 5,500 athletes, premature death came as a stranger, despite the risks involved in many of the Winter Games sports, some of which have veered off into "X'' Games recklessness.

The team from Georgia decided collectively, however, to stay in Vancouver, compete in their events, and even attend the opening ceremonies, wearing black arm bands and leaving a spot in their Parade of Nations formation for the lost friend. The opening ceremonies were formally dedicated to the memory of Kumaritashvili. The small and sombre-faced team received a stirring standing ovation.
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The Times-Picayune, Feb. 8, 2010" />The Times-Picayune, Feb. 8, 2010"> The Times-Picayune, Feb. 8, 2010 Newseum Image

February 8, 2010: An excerpt from a story in The Times-Picayune:

New Orleans Saints win Super Bowl XLIV for Who Dats everywhere

By BRUCE NOLAN 

At 8:15 p.m, when Jeremy Shockey's touchdown put the New Orleans Saints ahead late in the game, the crowds at Pat O'Brien's exploded. Fifteen minutes later, when Tracy Porter's interception sealed the deal, strangers were hopping up and down, high-fiving and hugging. And when the gun went off about 8:45 p.m., all of New Orleans -- and all lovers of New Orleans in faraway places -- leaped, or wept or punched the air for joy.

Dear Lord, Hallelujah! Who Dat Nation had reached the Promised Land.

After 43 seasons of marital loyalty, of occasional fan abuse and frequent heartbreak, the Saints and their battered, deliriously joyous city stood atop the world Sunday as the Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV in Miami.

It meant so much more than football.

It meant victory for a recovering city that in some places still bears the dirty water lines of Hurricane Katrina. Victory for people who lived two years in trailers. Victory for new post-Katrina friends who fell in love with New Orleans rebuilding it. Victory for New Orleanians cheering in exile from Alaska to Miami. Victory on Facebook and on Twitter. Victory on Bourbon Street, on Caffin Avenue, in Chalmette, in Lakeview and St. Tammany.

And it meant victory for countless New Orleanians like Desana Williams, who left Holly Grove in 1998 for a new life in Stafford, Va. But this weekend, Williams and his wife, Malaika, fought their way off the snowbound Atlantic seaboard to get back home for this.

They could be nowhere else, he said.
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Union Leader, Jan. 29, 2010" />Union Leader, Jan. 29, 2010"> Union Leader, Jan. 29, 2010 Newseum Image

January 28, 2010: An excerpt from a story in the Manchester, New Hampshire newspaper, the Union Leader:

'Catcher in the Rye' Author J.D. Salinger Dies

By HILLEL ITALE (AP Writer)

NEW YORK -- J.D. Salinger, the legendary author, youth hero and fugitive from fame whose "The Catcher in the Rye" shocked and inspired a world he increasingly shunned, has died. He was 91.

Salinger died of natural causes at his home on Wednesday, the author's son, actor Matt Salinger, said in a statement from Salinger's longtime literary representative, Harold Ober Associates, Inc. He had lived for decades in self-imposed isolation in a small, remote house in Cornish.

"The Catcher in the Rye," with its immortal teenage protagonist, the twisted, rebellious Holden Caulfield, came out in 1951, a time of anxious, Cold War conformity and the dawn of modern adolescence. The Book-of-the-Month Club, which made "Catcher" a featured selection, advised that for "anyone who has ever brought up a son" the novel will be "a source of wonder and delight -- and concern."
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The Washington Post, Jan. 28, 2010" />The Washington Post, Jan. 28, 2010"> The Washington Post, Jan. 28, 2010 Newseum Image

January 28, 2010: An excerpt from a story in The Washington Post:

First State of the Union speech by President Obama: 'We face a deficit of trust'

By ANNE E. KORNBLUT and MICHAEL D. SHEAR 

President Obama delivered an urgent plea for unity on Wednesday night during his first State of the Union address, seeking to recapture the energy that propelled him into office and to reverse his party's trajectory after a series of recent setbacks.

A year after entering the White House with a broad mandate, Obama reframed his agenda around a single, central mission: continuing the nation's delicate economic recovery. He focused on jobs, casting himself as the advocate of average citizens, and acknowledged that his administration had "some political setbacks this year, and some of them were deserved."

"But I wake up every day knowing that they are nothing compared to the setbacks that families all across this country have faced this year. And what keeps me going, what keeps me fighting, is that despite all these setbacks, that spirit of determination and optimism -- that fundamental decency that has always been at the core of the American people -- lives on," he said.
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San Jose Mercury News, Jan. 28, 2010" />San Jose Mercury News, Jan. 28, 2010"> San Jose Mercury News, Jan. 28, 2010 Newseum Image

January 28, 2010: An excerpt from a story in the San Jose Mercury News:

Apple tablet: Steve Jobs unveils $499-and-up iPad

By JOHN BOUDREAU

SAN FRANCISCO -- Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the biggest nonsecret in the tech world Wednesday -- a multimedia tablet computer named the iPad -- yet still managed to surprise his audience with the low price of the latest creation from the iconic Cupertino company.

The magazine-thin tablet, which starts at $499, is a full-color e-reader, game device and video player all in one that some analysts say could create a new and lucrative product line for a company with a track record for transforming consumer technology.

Users can navigate Web pages with their fingertips; a pinch of the multitouch screen zooms in on a satellite map, a tap on the right side turns a page. The iPad can be viewed vertically or horizontally -- the content instantly reconfigures to fit the position of the tablet. Although it comes with a virtual keyboard, Apple also offers a real keyboard that includes a docking station that can charge the iPad.
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The Boston Globe, Jan. 20, 2010" />The Boston Globe, Jan. 20, 2010"> The Boston Globe, Jan. 20, 2010 Newseum Image

January 20, 2010: An excerpt from a story in The Boston Globe:

Big win for Brown
Republican trounces Coakley for Senate, imperils Obama health plan

By MATT VISER and ANDREA ESTES 

Republican Scott P. Brown pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Massachusetts political history last night, defeating Democrat Martha Coakley to become the state's next US senator and potentially derailing President Obama's hopes for a health care overhaul.

The stunning, come-from-behind victory caps a dramatic surge in recent days as Brown, a state lawmaker from Wrentham once thought to have little chance of beating a popular attorney general, roared ahead of Coakley to become the first Republican senator elected from Massachusetts since 1972.
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The Miami Herald, January 14, 2010" />The Miami Herald, January 14, 2010"> The Miami Herald, January 14, 2010 Newseum Image

January 14, 2010: An excerpt from a story in The Miami Herald:

Massive damage stymies Haiti relief efforts as bodies pile up

By JACQUELINE CHARLES, LESLEY CLARK, FRANCES ROBLES AND TRENTON DANIEL

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Survivors of Haiti's devastating earthquake waded through thousands of bodies strewn around the Port-au-Prince morgue, as rescue workers from across the globe raced against the clock to reach the shattered nation.

With emergency crews from the United States, Spain and Venezuela already on the ground, others were being turned away from landing at the city's airport due to over-crowding.

President Barack Obama said U.S. troops were on their way in what he called "one of the largest relief efforts in history."

As crowds camped out in city parks, bodies lay along sidewalks as common citizens did their best to tend to the wounded.

The Haitian Red Cross now esimates the number of deaths at between 45,000 and 50,000.
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 12, 2010" />St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 12, 2010"> St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 12, 2010 Newseum Image

January 12, 2010: An excerpt from a story in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

McGwire comes clean on steroid use

By JOE STRAUSS

Mark McGwire, who rejuvenated baseball with his 1998 run to the single-season home run title and then became one of the faces of the game's steroid era with his uncomfortable testimony before Congress in 2005, said Monday that he used performance enhancing drugs for much of his career.

Describing it as "one of the toughest days of my life," McGwire made his admission through a prepared statement released by the Cardinals to The Associated Press. He later elaborated in a sometimes emotional 20-minute interview with the Post-Dispatch, followed up with select interviews with other national media and ended with a televised interview with Bob Costas on the MLB Network.
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San Francisco Chronicle, January 6, 2010" />San Francisco Chronicle, January 6, 2010"> San Francisco Chronicle, January 6, 2010 Newseum Image

January 6, 2010: An excerpt from a story in the San Francisco Chronicle:

Google versus Apple

By BENNY EVANGELISTA

The rivalry between Apple and Google intensified Tuesday as the Silicon Valley giants pushed into each other's home turf.

In separate developments, Apple -- an icon of consumer electronics -- bought a mobile-advertising startup, while online ad king Google began selling its own smart phone.

Apple is "on path to collide with Google," said analyst Tim Bajarin of Creative Strategies Inc. in Campbell.

And with a Google-branded phone "aimed directly at the iPhone, Google could clearly become one of Apple's biggest rivals in the future."
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Gulf News, Jan. 4, 2010" />Gulf News, Jan. 4, 2010"> Gulf News, Jan. 4, 2010 Newseum Image

January 4, 2010: An excerpt from a story in the Dubai, United Arab Emirates newspaper, the Gulf News:

Burj Khalifa offers amazing high-rise experience

By ARNO MAIERBRUGGER 

The Burj Khalifa is not only the tallest man-made structure ever built, it is also -- compared to other super high-rises worldwide -- a true multi-purpose building.

While other comparable skyscrapers like the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the Taipei 101 or the Willis Tower in Chicago (formerly Sears Tower) are mainly used for offices or business purposes, the Burj Dubai has it all: It comprises a hotel, residential apartments, offices as well as public facilities.

Enjoying a celebratory night with her boxing beau, Hayden Panettiere made the long trip overseas to watch Waldimir Klitschko defend his heavyweight title in Dusseldorf on Saturday night (March 20).

Looking sexy in a cleavage baring black outfit, the "Heroes" hottie soaked up the attention as her man beat up on Eddie Chambers, America’s No 1 heavyweight.

Talking to press after the bout, Wladimir cozied up with his petite actress girlfriend as he called out his potential next opponent, David Haye.

Klitschko told, “I will do the same to Haye as I did to Chambers… if I get him. I’m going to enjoy the process. It won’t be a quick fight. He will eat a lot of jabs. His face will be really messed up and look like a pizza when I have finished with him. I’ll beat him up, and knock him out late in the fight.”

SOURCE

 

Enjoying a celebratory night with her boxing beau, Hayden Panettiere made the long trip overseas to watch Waldimir Klitschko defend his heavyweight title in Dusseldorf on Saturday night (March 20). Looking sexy in a cleavage baring black frock, the "Heroes" hottie soaked up the attention as her man beat up on Eddie Chambers, America’s No 1 heavyweight. Talking to press after the bout, Wladimir cozied up with his petite actress girlfriend as he called out his potential next opponent, David Haye. Klitschko told, “I will do the same to Haye as I did to Chambers… if I get him. I’m going to enjoy the process. It won’t be a quick fight. He will eat a lot of jabs. His face will be really messed up and look like a pizza when I have finished with him. I’ll beat him up, and knock him out late in the fight.”

Enjoying a celebratory night with her boxing beau, Hayden Panettiere made the long trip overseas to watch Waldimir Klitschko defend his heavyweight title in Dusseldorf on Saturday night (March 20). Looking sexy in a cleavage baring black frock, the "Heroes" hottie soaked up the attention as her man beat up on Eddie Chambers, America’s No 1 heavyweight.

The worst part about all this losing is definitely the losing part. The not winning part, I can handle. But all this losing gets both samey and depressing. Perhaps it's time to change it. With Lou Walding out indefinitely, the...

Victoria's Micqualyn Waldie grew up hearing stories about how Jeune Bros. Tent and Awning -- once the family business -- provided sails for clipper ships plying the coast and outfitted gold miners.

La seguidores de Universitario en la red social se burlaron de la reciente contratación del ex aliancista como asistente de Juan Reynoso

O Botafogo derrotou o Olaria por 2 a 0 em partida disputada neste domingo (14/3), no Engenhão, pela quarta rodada da Taça Rio, que equivale ao segundo turno do Campeonato Carioca. Parte do segundo tempo foi disputada debaixo de forte chuva que provocou, inclusive, a interrupção da partida por 18 minutos por falta de energia elétrica. Com o resultado, o Botafogo assumiu, provisoriamente, a primeira posição do Grupo B com nove pontos ganhos. Já o Olaria que sofreu sua primeira derrota para uma equipe considerada grande na competição está em sétimo lugar do Grupo A com seis pontos. Enquanto a bola teve condições de rolar, o Botafogo encontrou muita dificuldade para impor seu ritmo de jogo mas soube aproveitar as oportunidades para definir a vitória. Na próxima rodada, pela Taça Rio, o Botafogo enfrentará o Flamengo enquanto o Olaria receberá o Vasco. O jogo O fato de jogar na casa do adversário e diante de uma equipe de maior expressão técnica não atemorizou o Olaria, que começou atuando de forma ofensiva. Logo aos quatro minutos, após cobrança de escanteio e desvio de Loco Abreu, Tiago pegou a sobra e chutou forte para boa defesa do goleiro Jéfferson. A resposta alvinegra veio no minuto seguinte, em cabeçada de Fahel que foi salva pelo zagueiro Rafael em cima da linha. Aos oito minutos, Araruama avançou sem ser incomodado e bateu forte para nova defesa de Jéfferson. Mesmo sem jogar bem, o Botafogo marcou o primeiro gol aos 18 minutos. Caio fez ótima jogada pela direita e cruzou para a área. Preocupada com Loco Abreu a defesa bariri não viu o zagueiro Antonio Carlos subir livre para meter a cabeça e colocar nas redes de Henrique. A vantagem não fez o Botafogo melhorar, nem o Olaria piorar de rendimento. O jogo continuou equilibrado com as duas equipes errando muitos passes quando se aproximavam da área. Aos 25, Waldir recebeu fora da área e chutou por cima do travessão, No ataque seguinte, Aleilson estava em boa posição quando tropeçou no gramado e perdeu a bola em lance bisonho. O Botafogo seguia com dificuldades para chegar ao ataque principalmente por causa da má atuação do meia Lúcio Flávio que não conseguia entregar a bola em boas condições para os atacantes. Aos 38 minutos, Waldir cruzou fechado, o goleiro Jéfferson afastou mal e a zaga botafoguense aliviou o perigo. A pressão da equipe dirigida por Dé continuou e o Botafogo só conseguia realizar boas jogadas quando a bola estava com Caio que dava trabalho aos zagueiros como aconteceu aos 40 minutos, quando ele foi ao fundo e cruzou mas a defesa do Olaria evitou que a bola chegasse a Loco Abreu. Aos 42 minutos, novamente o Olaria incomodou em chute de Cacá que Jéfferson defendeu com alguma dificuldade. No último minuto, Aleilson teve a chance do empate, mas furou na hora do chute. O segundo tempo começou debaixo de forte chuva que tornou o gramado muito pesado o que prejudicava a movimentação dos jogadores. Aos cinco minutos, o Botafogo ampliou. Lúcio Flávio descobriu Gabriel livre na esquerda e o lateral entrou ma área e chutou. A bola bateu em Diego e voltou para o jogador alvinegro que forte para colocar a bola nas redes. O Olaria tentou manter o entusiasmo e Tiago arriscou de longe e Jéfferson teve dificuldades para fazer a defesa. Aos 14 minutos, faltou luz no estádio e o jogo foi interrompido. O técnico Joel Santana, assustado com os raios, pediu a suspensão da partida. O treinador disse que nunca tinha vivido uma situação daquela. Depois de 18 minutos, a partida foi reiniciada e como não havia condições de se trocar passes, as duas equipes apelavam para os chutões com o objetivo de colocar a bola na área. O técnico Dé, do Olaria, exigiu do quarto árbitro o final da partida alegando que os jogadores poderiam sofrer uma contusão séria. Por causa da reclamação, o técnico do Olaria foi expulso de campo. Aos 21 minutos, um chutão da defesa acabou encontrando Loco Abreu livre na área. O atacante uruguaio tentou encobrir o goleiro do Olaria, mas a bola acabou saindo. Aos 24 minutos, Loco Abreu foi agredido com uma cotovelada por Diego dentro da área mas o árbitro nada marcou e expulsou os dois jogadores. A chuva diminuiu nos minutos finais da partida, mas o panorama do jogo permaneceu inalterado com o Botafogo administrando a vantagem e o Olaria lutando, sem sucesso, para marcar o primeiro gol.

[1]Image via Wikipedia Glenn Greenwald has an insightful post [2] assailing Dana Milbank's "split-the-difference" compromise [3] on KSM, Guantanamo Bay and other civil liberties issues, as an example of "warped DC centrism." His conclusion: Just to clarify the rules of Washington centrism:  if you believe in this and insist on its adherence, then you're a purist-extremist who is the equivalent of Liz Cheney: "I consider [trial by jury] as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution." --Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 1789. ME 7:408, Papers 15:269 [4]. You're also a non-centrist extremist who must be rejected if you believe in this and don't want to "compromise" on it: No person shall be . . . deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law . . . . In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. -- Fifth and Sixth Amendments, U.S. Constitution [5]. I hope those purity rules are clear, because in Washington they definitely are. There's nothing I can really add, except to say the mainstream media's willingness to ignore the legitimacy (indeed, constitutionality) of facts and arguments and instead instinctively seek the "middle ground" between what Democrats and Republicans say, is one of the most corrosive elements of America's political culture. Read Glenn's post [6]. [1] http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Constitution_Pg1of4_AC.jpg [2] http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/03/13/centrism/index.html [3] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/12/AR2010031203099.html?hpid=opinionsbox1 [4] http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/jeff1520.htm [5] http://topics.law.cornell.edu/constitution/billofrights [6] http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/index.html

15% cut in Assembly budget ordered by Pérez

The Assembly will cut about $7.5 million deeper into its spending next year by order of new Speaker John A. Pérez to demonstrate shared sacrifice during California's economic recession.

Pérez announced during a swearing-in ceremony Friday that he is directing that the Assembly's budget be cut by 15 percent, which would total about $22.4 million in a projected budget of $149.4 million next year.

Rather than by imposing furloughs, layoffs or pay cuts, the 15 percent cut is expected to be implemented by cutting expenditures, such as furnishings, equipment, maintenance and perhaps travel, according to Jon Waldie, Assembly administrator.

The Assembly thus far has avoided the thrice-monthly furloughs imposed on most state workers or the once-monthly furloughs imposed on Senate aides.

Pérez's 15 percent reduction ups the ante in belt-tightening ordered by his predecessor, Karen Bass, who diverted about 10 percent of the Assembly budget in each of the past two years, and roughly the same percentage for the final six months of 2007-08.

– Jim Sanders, Bee Capitol Bureau

Campbell regrets defending anti-Israeli professor Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tom Campbell apologized Friday for defending a professor at the University of South Florida in 2002 who had called for the "death" of Israel and promoted "jihad."

At a news conference held at the start of the California Republican Party convention in Santa Clara, Campbell said he had made an error in protesting the dismissal of Sami Al-Arian to the university's president.

"That was an error, and I deeply regret it," Campbell said. "I saw only the material relevant to the question of whether he was misrepresenting himself as speaking on behalf of that university. I did not see other things he had said but I could have and should have and I regret the error."

He said he had also erred in not returning campaign donations from Al-Arian.

– Jack Chang, Bee Capitol Bureau

Judge orders new wording in summary of Prop. 14

Open primary opponents may not have enough money to mount a huge campaign against Proposition 14 this June, but Sacramento Superior Court Judge Allen Sumner ordered changes Friday to the ballot summary and fiscal impact statement that lawmakers wrote for the measure last year.

Sumner ordered that the summary contain new wording to make it clear that political parties whose candidates don't finish in the top two in the primary could not participate in the general election.

The California School Employees Association sued the Legislature, which placed the measure on the June ballot, seeking to strike language saying the measure "gives voters increased options" and "encourages increased participation."

On that point, Sumner actually expanded the title language to "Elections. Increases right to participate in primary elections."

He also said there was too little data to say whether the cost of administering elections would rise or fall if the measure passes.

– Dan Smith, Bee Capitol Bureau Chief

There are times when one sees a thing that truly gets the neurons firing and jumping from vine to vine across that grand old bibliography in the old noggin.

I was disgusted when I saw this video. Once more the black superpublic is proven true as both concept and fact--the line between private and public is blurring more and more each day. In short, our triumphs, foibles, and disgraces do indeed walk down the street when school let's out. Or they choose to display themselves on Youtube (see the obligatory prison inspired, homosocial, sequel to the video where said knucklehead chooses to perform shirtless with his "boy").

Ultimately, in the Age of Obama the ign'ts win again. Question: where is mom? Where is dad? Where is some authority figure to talk sense into these two fools? Random question: who the hell furnished this space? A mattress, a mirror, and a chair? Talk about low rent.

If you want to be further appalled read the comments section for this video on Youtube. There you will find an odd display of pidgin English, 'hood speak, and text abbreviated language that might as well be a language from another world.

Coming full circle, The Ghetto Kamasutra reminded me of Orlando Patterson's NY Times piece on the ghetto underclass, the cool pose, and how social scientists and others often misread (and by extension misunderstand) the "culture," life choices, and decision-making processes of the urban poor. Patterson's piece is a new classic worthy of being read in its entirety:

SEVERAL recent studies have garnered wide attention for reconfirming the tragic disconnection of millions of black youths from the American mainstream. But they also highlighted another crisis: the failure of social scientists to adequately explain the problem, and their inability to come up with any effective strategy to deal with it.

The main cause for this shortcoming is a deep-seated dogma that has prevailed in social science and policy circles since the mid-1960's: the rejection of any explanation that invokes a group's cultural attributes — its distinctive attitudes, values and predispositions, and the resulting behavior of its members — and the relentless preference for relying on structural factors like low incomes, joblessness, poor schools and bad housing.

Harry Holzer, an economist at Georgetown University and a co-author of one of the recent studies, typifies this attitude. Joblessness, he feels, is due to largely weak schooling, a lack of reading and math skills at a time when such skills are increasingly required even for blue-collar jobs, and the poverty of black neighborhoods. Unable to find jobs, he claims, black males turn to illegal activities, especially the drug trade and chronic drug use, and often end up in prison. He also criticizes the practice of withholding child-support payments from the wages of absentee fathers who do find jobs, telling The Times that to these men, such levies "amount to a tax on earnings."

His conclusions are shared by scholars like Ronald B. Mincy of Columbia, the author of a study called "Black Males Left Behind," and Gary Orfield of Harvard, who asserts that America is "pumping out boys with no honest alternative."

This is all standard explanatory fare. And, as usual, it fails to answer the important questions. Why are young black men doing so poorly in school that they lack basic literacy and math skills? These scholars must know that countless studies by educational experts, going all the way back to the landmark report by James Coleman of Johns Hopkins University in 1966, have found that poor schools, per se, do not explain why after 10 years of education a young man remains illiterate.

Nor have studies explained why, if someone cannot get a job, he turns to crime and drug abuse. One does not imply the other. Joblessness is rampant in Latin America and India, but the mass of the populations does not turn to crime.

And why do so many young unemployed black men have children — several of them — which they have no resources or intention to support? And why, finally, do they murder each other at nine times the rate of white youths?

What's most interesting about the recent spate of studies is that analysts seem at last to be recognizing what has long been obvious to anyone who takes culture seriously: socioeconomic factors are of limited explanatory power. Thus it's doubly depressing that the conclusions they draw and the prescriptions they recommend remain mired in traditional socioeconomic thinking.

What has happened, I think, is that the economic boom years of the 90's and one of the most successful policy initiatives in memory — welfare reform — have made it impossible to ignore the effects of culture. The Clinton administration achieved exactly what policy analysts had long said would pull black men out of their torpor: the economy grew at a rapid pace, providing millions of new jobs at all levels. Yet the jobless black youths simply did not turn up to take them. Instead, the opportunity was seized in large part by immigrants — including many blacks — mainly from Latin America and the Caribbean.

One oft-repeated excuse for the failure of black Americans to take these jobs — that they did not offer a living wage — turned out to be irrelevant. The sociologist Roger Waldinger of the University of California at Los Angeles, for example, has shown that in New York such jobs offered an opportunity to the chronically unemployed to join the market and to acquire basic work skills that they later transferred to better jobs, but that the takers were predominantly immigrants.

Why have academics been so allergic to cultural explanations? Until the recent rise of behavioral economics, most economists have simply not taken non-market forces seriously. But what about the sociologists and other social scientists who ought to have known better? Three gross misconceptions about culture explain the neglect.

First is the pervasive idea that cultural explanations inherently blame the victim; that they focus on internal behavioral factors and, as such, hold people responsible for their poverty, rather than putting the onus on their deprived environment. (It hasn't helped that many conservatives do actually put forth this view.)

But this argument is utterly bogus. To hold someone responsible for his behavior is not to exclude any recognition of the environmental factors that may have induced the problematic behavior in the first place. Many victims of child abuse end up behaving in self-destructive ways; to point out the link between their behavior and the destructive acts is in no way to deny the causal role of their earlier victimization and the need to address it.

Likewise, a cultural explanation of black male self-destructiveness addresses not simply the immediate connection between their attitudes and behavior and the undesired outcomes, but explores the origins and changing nature of these attitudes, perhaps over generations, in their brutalized past. It is impossible to understand the predatory sexuality and irresponsible fathering behavior of young black men without going back deep into their collective past.

Second, it is often assumed that cultural explanations are wholly deterministic, leaving no room for human agency. This, too, is nonsense. Modern students of culture have long shown that while it partly determines behavior, it also enables people to change behavior. People use their culture as a frame for understanding their world, and as a resource to do much of what they want. The same cultural patterns can frame different kinds of behavior, and by failing to explore culture at any depth, analysts miss a great opportunity to re-frame attitudes in a way that encourages desirable behavior and outcomes.

Third, it is often assumed that cultural patterns cannot change — the old "cake of custom" saw. This too is nonsense. Indeed, cultural patterns are often easier to change than the economic factors favored by policy analysts, and American history offers numerous examples.

My favorite is Jim Crow, that deeply entrenched set of cultural and institutional practices built up over four centuries of racist domination and exclusion of blacks by whites in the South. Nothing could have been more cultural than that. And yet America was able to dismantle the entire system within a single generation, so much so that today blacks are now making a historic migratory shift back to the South, which they find more congenial than the North. (At the same time, economic inequality, which the policy analysts love to discuss, has hardened in the South, like the rest of America.)

So what are some of the cultural factors that explain the sorry state of young black men? They aren't always obvious. Sociological investigation has found, in fact, that one popular explanation — that black children who do well are derided by fellow blacks for "acting white" — turns out to be largely false, except for those attending a minority of mixed-race schools.

An anecdote helps explain why: Several years ago, one of my students went back to her high school to find out why it was that almost all the black girls graduated and went to college whereas nearly all the black boys either failed to graduate or did not go on to college. Distressingly, she found that all the black boys knew the consequences of not graduating and going on to college ("We're not stupid!" they told her indignantly).

SO why were they flunking out? Their candid answer was that what sociologists call the "cool-pose culture" of young black men was simply too gratifying to give up. For these young men, it was almost like a drug, hanging out on the street after school, shopping and dressing sharply, sexual conquests, party drugs, hip-hop music and culture, the fact that almost all the superstar athletes and a great many of the nation's best entertainers were black.

Not only was living this subculture immensely fulfilling, the boys said, it also brought them a great deal of respect from white youths. This also explains the otherwise puzzling finding by social psychologists that young black men and women tend to have the highest levels of self-esteem of all ethnic groups, and that their self-image is independent of how badly they were doing in school.

I call this the Dionysian trap for young black men. The important thing to note about the subculture that ensnares them is that it is not disconnected from the mainstream culture. To the contrary, it has powerful support from some of America's largest corporations. Hip-hop, professional basketball and homeboy fashions are as American as cherry pie. Young white Americans are very much into these things, but selectively; they know when it is time to turn off Fifty Cent and get out the SAT prep book.

For young black men, however, that culture is all there is — or so they think. Sadly, their complete engagement in this part of the American cultural mainstream, which they created and which feeds their pride and self-respect, is a major factor in their disconnection from the socioeconomic mainstream.

Of course, such attitudes explain only a part of the problem. In academia, we need a new, multidisciplinary approach toward understanding what makes young black men behave so self-destructively. Collecting transcripts of their views and rationalizations is a useful first step, but won't help nearly as much as the recent rash of scholars with tape-recorders seem to think. Getting the facts straight is important, but for decades we have been overwhelmed with statistics on black youths, and running more statistical regressions is beginning to approach the point of diminishing returns to knowledge.

The tragedy unfolding in our inner cities is a time-slice of a deep historical process that runs far back through the cataracts and deluge of our racist past. Most black Americans have by now, miraculously, escaped its consequences. The disconnected fifth languishing in the ghettos is the remains. Too much is at stake for us to fail to understand the plight of these young men. For them, and for the rest of us.

Orlando Patterson, a professor of sociology at Harvard, is the author of "Rituals of Blood: Consequences of Slavery in Two American Centuries."

SYDNEY - A fingerprint is scanned at Argus Soloutions August 11, 2005 in Sydney, Australia. The Australian Federal Government are considering including biometric data such as fingerprints, iris scans, or facial recognition on a national identity card in a bid to combat fraud, illegal immigration and terrorism. Details of individuals' biometrics would be stored on the card in an algorithmic code to prevent identity theft. (Photo by Ian Waldie/Getty Images)

Filed under: The Cram

At the end of February, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Commission (IABC) met at the University of Iowa to make a formal recommendation on the fate of grain alcohol in the state of Iowa after a Drake University student nearly died from Everclear overconsumption.

The recommendation included four parts: consider drafting a rule to require registration for highly concentrated alcohols (called HCAs, these consist of at least 50 percent alcohol, meaning they're greater than 100-proof), limit HCAs to one listed size, limit listed products to no higher than 151 proof, and investigate opportunities for education on highly concentrated alcohols in college communities as well as design educational materials to be applied to bottles for distribution.

Roots of the IABC Plan

The recommendations were first formulated on Jan. 26 during a public forum titled "I Think..." that the IABC hosted at Drake University. Turnout was low, with only about 25 in attendance, but those who showed up had vested interests in the decision. Lynn Walding, administrator of the Iowa Alcohol Beverages Division (IABD) to which the IABC reports, opened the meeting and presented a slideshow explaining that, in addition to the Drake student's near death experience, many other tragedies have been caused by Everclear overconsumption.

In attendance was Donn Lux, President and CEO of Luxco Corp., the makers of Everclear and several other HCAs. Lux, who traveled from St. Louis, appeared disinterested throughout the forum, including when Luxco's Iowa State Manager Jeremy Thompson read a statement in which Luxco offered to help expand alcohol education for students.
Many attendees agreed public education could only do so much. More were in favor of limiting size selection -- Everclear is available in 4 different bottle sizes while most HCAs are only available in 1 or 2 different sizes. The committee pointed out that the IABD had already lowered alcohol content levels months ago when it banned 190-proof Everclear (the Drake student had been drinking 151-proof). When the committee began discussing increasing the cost or taxes on HCA, several of the public objected.

 

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Mais de 15 anos depois da desapropriação de uma área de 600 hectares, entre Sobradinho e Planaltina, o assunto se transformou em uma batalha judicial, que envolve a disputa por uma indenização de mais de R$ 200 milhões. O terreno foi desapropriado em 1994 para a criação de um ponto de captação de água da Companhia de Saneamento Ambiental de Brasília (Caesb) — usado para o abastecimento da capital federal. De lá para cá, o suposto dono da área foi declarado falsário pelo Ministério Público do Distrito Federal e pela Justiça e a propriedade das terras voltou para as mãos dos antigos herdeiros. Essa história que parece não ter fim ganhou agora novos capítulos. A Justiça reinseriu o suposto falsário na ação e proibiu os herdeiros de entrarem no processo, dando continuidade pela luta por essa indenização milionária.

Para criar a estação de captação Corguinho, às margens da BR-020, a Caesb desapropriou uma área equivalente à do futuro Setor Noroeste. O terreno foi classificado como zona de proteção de mananciais e, por isso, não pode mais ser ocupado nem para fins urbanos, nem mesmo para finalidade rural, já que qualquer intervenção pode comprometer a qualidade da água. O Decreto 16.156/94, assinado pelo então governador Joaquim Roriz, tornou as terras públicas. Para a conclusão do processo, faltava apenas o pagamento da indenização a Sebastião Falcão Trindade, que se apresentava como dono do lote e tinha à época o registro em cartório de toda a área.

Mas, em 2001, o Ministério Público do Distrito Federal entrou com uma ação civil pública, acatada posteriormente pela Justiça, pedindo o cancelamento das matrículas e a nulidade da escritura de compra e venda apresentada por Sebastião Falcão Trindade. O pedido foi baseado em uma perícia do Instituto de Criminalística. “O Laudo Documentoscópico 9557/2000 concluiu categoricamente pela falsidade material da aludida escritura pública”, justificou o juiz Waldir da Paz Almeida, que determinou o cancelamento da matrícula e da escritura das terras, em 2003. A Polícia Civil concluiu que o caso era mais um em meio à enxurrada de denúncias de grilagem e falsificação de documentos, comuns na década de 90.

O começo
As terras em questão pertenciam originalmente à antiga Fazenda Serandy, de propriedade dos irmãos Valeriano Leite da Fonseca e Aureliano Carlos da Fonseca. Eles adquiriram a gleba de 1.075 hectares em 1919. Em 1994, quando o espólio tentou registrar a área para transferi-la para a empresa Martinez Empreendimentos Imobiliários — de propriedade de Fábio Starace Fonseca, um dos herdeiros — os advogados descobriram que as terras teriam sido vendidas para Orlando Benatti em 1945 e, posteriormente, revendidas para Sebastião Falcão Trindade.

Depois de descobrir essa transação até então desconhecida, os herdeiros entraram com uma ação de anulação de registro de imóveis. Mas com medo de que o processo se arrastasse por muito tempo, acabaram fazendo um acordo com Sebastião Falcão Trindade, pelo qual teriam direito a uma área de quase 500 hectares. Para isso, pagaram ao réu R$ 300 mil. Na área destinada aos herdeiros, foi implantado o condomínio Alto da Boa Vista, que foi regularizado no ano passado. Os 600 hectares restantes permaneceram sob o domínio de Sebastião e, logo depois, foram desapropriados.

Com a ação do Ministério Público do DF e com a decisão da Justiça, a matrícula e a escritura de toda a área foram canceladas, ou seja, as terras teriam que voltar para as mãos dos herdeiros de Valeriano e Aureliano Fonseca. O pagamento da indenização pela desapropriação foi suspenso. Logo depois disso, Fábio Starace Fonseca, detentor de 98% dos direitos hereditários da área, ingressou como parte na ação de indenização contra a Caesb, aberta inicialmente por Sebastião Falcão Trindade. Fábio e os advogados da sua empresa exigiam na Justiça o pagamento de valores atualizados. Em 2008, a 7ª Vara de Fazenda Pública excluiu Sebastião da ação e incluiu os herdeiros.

Em junho do ano passado, com a criação da Vara de Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento Urbano, o caso foi remetido para o juiz titular dessa vara, Carlos Divino Rodrigues, que marcou uma audiência para debater o caso. O magistrado entendeu que Fábio Fonseca não teria legitimidade para ingressar no processo de pedido de indenização porque ainda não tem o registro formal da área. Mesmo como herdeiro legítimo, ainda falta a averbação da reserva legal até que o cartório entregue os documentos.

Em novembro do ano passado, a Vara de Meio Ambiente e Desenvolvimento Fundiário retirou Fábio Fonseca e os demais herdeiros do processo. “Essa decisão é absurda, uma aberração. O juiz agiu com parcialidade”, reclama o advogado da Martinez Empreendimentos e dos herdeiros, Márcio Carvalho. Além de recorrer dessa decisão, o advogado entrou com um pedido de exceção de suspeição, pedindo uma troca de juiz no caso. Carlos Divino se declarou imparcial para continuar à frente do processo e cabe agora uma decisão superior no Tribunal de Justiça do DF.

Sen. Abel Maldonado, right, Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, left, and Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee use a cell phone on the Assembly floor last month. Some 36 states have curbs on electronic communication on the floor, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

As he took the gavel as California's 68th Assembly speaker, Assemblyman John A. Pérez pledged to crack down on lawmakers exchanging text messages with lobbyists during floor sessions and committee hearings.

"Now, I'm a big believer in technology, but sometimes we need to limit its reach," Pérez said in a speech during Monday's ceremony.

But Pérez's call for more technological transparency and a similar, more stringent measure being pushed by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg could end up being more for show than substantive change.

While the spirit of the proposals was widely embraced, questions remain about how the new rules could be enforced and whether they would actually diminish the influence lobbyists have on the legislative process.

"I think it's common sense," said Assemblyman Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles. "(But) I don't know how you enforce it and I don't know how pervasive it is. I think maybe in my three-year legislative career I've gotten three or four texts (from lobbyists) at the most."

Lobbyists are banned from the Senate and Assembly floors, but have long had access to legislators' ears during floor sessions and committee hearings, waiting outside the room or sending messages through staff, written notes, phone calls or e-mail.

But Pérez says the immediacy of a text and the inside access of contacting a lawmaker's personal cell phone merit more restriction.

"Anybody can send us a letter. Anybody can send us an e-mail, but a text message is something you can only receive if you have somebody's phone number, and that is a differential access," Pérez said.

Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, said he was concerned by reports from staff that lawmakers are getting texts during committee hearings and then "mouthing lobbyists' words from their seats."

"Members should be present, should be focused, should be talking to each other when we're having our committee hearings," Leno said. "There's enough time on the outside for lobbyists to get members' ears."

Lobbyist Jackson Gualco countered that the text messaging is just reality of living (and lawmaking) in a "world where now everyone expects everything to be instantaneous or nearly so."

"I respect the fact that the speaker wants to make sure that the inner sanctum of the Assembly floor, which is really the sole space where the members aren't otherwise surrounded by aides or lobbyists, is kept intact," said Gualco, the president of the Institute of Governmental Advocates, an organization that represents lobbyists. "But things are so fast-moving on the floor these days that there are times when members are going to want to know, 'Is this amendment helpful or hurtful? Is this going to impact the constituents?' "

How pervasive and widespread the issue is depends on who is asked.

"I think the reality is there is a lot of communication and text messaging on the floor and we do have communiques coming from across the street," said Assemblyman Isadore Hall, D-Los Angeles.

But others, including Pérez, said they rarely, if ever, exchanged text messages with lobbyists.

"I was born in Jurassic Park. I still don't know how to text, nor do I have to," said 67-year-old Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucaipa.

Pérez said he doesn't want constituents to "worry that special-interest lobbyists are secretly sending messages of opposition or support to us as we deliberate."

Gualco, however, said most text exchanges he had during sessions or committee hearings were actually initiated by the lawmakers.

"The situation I've run into is the members are texting me and saying, 'We just got these amendments on the desk, have you looked at them?' " he said. "I have never sent a communication to a member either on the floor or in committee saying, 'You should vote this way.' "

Legislative bodies in 36 states – including California, which bans Assembly members from talking on cell phones on the floor – have enacted some sort of restriction on cell phone, e-mail or other electronic communication from the floor, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

But Pérez's proposal, which restricts only text messages sent to or from lobbyists, as opposed to all electronic communications, could prove especially difficult to enforce.

Pérez, deferring to the Rules Committee on the details of how the ban would be implemented, stopped short of endorsing confiscating BlackBerrys or mobile phones during session but said he would take that step "if that's what it comes to."

Assembly Chief Administrative Officer Jon Waldie said that Pérez and the Rules Committee could consider a range of options, including self-policing and instructing the sergeant-at-arms to enforce the restrictions.

Assembly Chief Sergeant-at-Arms Ronald Pane said that while he sees the proposal as a "good step for the institution," figuring out how to implement the ban would be challenging.

"We're doing so many things at one time that we're going to have to have a set of eyes just for that," he said. "A lot of it is going to be the members are going to have to take it upon themselves and when they come into the chamber turn their devices off."

Steinberg spokeswoman Alicia Trost said the Senate measure, which also targets e-mail use and lobbying by legislative staff on the floor, is meant to serve as "a reminder of what the rules are: that lobbyists are prohibited on the floor, and that includes communication via cell phone or BlackBerry."

Even if such bans were enforced, some said attacking specific technologies wouldn't change the existing practice of lobbyists communicating with legislators throughout the process.

"I guess," Gualco quipped, "we'll just have to go back to sending smoke signals."

Assemblywoman Noreen Evans uses a cell phone on the Assembly floor. Speaker John Pérez is targeting text messages from lobbyists.

Sen. Abel Maldonado, right, Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, left, and Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee use a cell phone on the Assembly floor last month. Some 36 states have curbs on electronic communication on the floor, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

As he took the gavel as California's 68th Assembly speaker, Assemblyman John A. Pérez pledged to crack down on lawmakers exchanging text messages with lobbyists during floor sessions and committee hearings.

"Now, I'm a big believer in technology, but sometimes we need to limit its reach," Pérez said in a speech during Monday's ceremony.

But Pérez's call for more technological transparency and a similar, more stringent measure being pushed by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg could end up being more for show than substantive change.

While the spirit of the proposals was widely embraced, questions remain about how the new rules could be enforced and whether they would actually diminish the influence lobbyists have on the legislative process.

"I think it's common sense," said Assemblyman Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles. "(But) I don't know how you enforce it and I don't know how pervasive it is. I think maybe in my three-year legislative career I've gotten three or four texts (from lobbyists) at the most."

Lobbyists are banned from the Senate and Assembly floors, but have long had access to legislators' ears during floor sessions and committee hearings, waiting outside the room or sending messages through staff, written notes, phone calls or e-mail.

But Pérez says the immediacy of a text and the inside access of contacting a lawmaker's personal cell phone merit more restriction.

"Anybody can send us a letter. Anybody can send us an e-mail, but a text message is something you can only receive if you have somebody's phone number, and that is a differential access," Pérez said.

Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, said he was concerned by reports from staff that lawmakers are getting texts during committee hearings and then "mouthing lobbyists' words from their seats."

"Members should be present, should be focused, should be talking to each other when we're having our committee hearings," Leno said. "There's enough time on the outside for lobbyists to get members' ears."

Lobbyist Jackson Gualco countered that the text messaging is just reality of living (and lawmaking) in a "world where now everyone expects everything to be instantaneous or nearly so."

"I respect the fact that the speaker wants to make sure that the inner sanctum of the Assembly floor, which is really the sole space where the members aren't otherwise surrounded by aides or lobbyists, is kept intact," said Gualco, the president of the Institute of Governmental Advocates, an organization that represents lobbyists. "But things are so fast-moving on the floor these days that there are times when members are going to want to know, 'Is this amendment helpful or hurtful? Is this going to impact the constituents?' "

How pervasive and widespread the issue is depends on who is asked.

"I think the reality is there is a lot of communication and text messaging on the floor and we do have communiques coming from across the street," said Assemblyman Isadore Hall, D-Los Angeles.

But others, including Pérez, said they rarely, if ever, exchanged text messages with lobbyists.

"I was born in Jurassic Park. I still don't know how to text, nor do I have to," said 67-year-old Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucaipa.

Pérez said he doesn't want constituents to "worry that special-interest lobbyists are secretly sending messages of opposition or support to us as we deliberate."

Gualco, however, said most text exchanges he had during sessions or committee hearings were actually initiated by the lawmakers.

"The situation I've run into is the members are texting me and saying, 'We just got these amendments on the desk, have you looked at them?' " he said. "I have never sent a communication to a member either on the floor or in committee saying, 'You should vote this way.' "

Legislative bodies in 36 states – including California, which bans Assembly members from talking on cell phones on the floor – have enacted some sort of restriction on cell phone, e-mail or other electronic communication from the floor, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

But Pérez's proposal, which restricts only text messages sent to or from lobbyists, as opposed to all electronic communications, could prove especially difficult to enforce.

Pérez, deferring to the Rules Committee on the details of how the ban would be implemented, stopped short of endorsing confiscating BlackBerrys or mobile phones during session but said he would take that step "if that's what it comes to."

Assembly Chief Administrative Officer Jon Waldie said that Pérez and the Rules Committee could consider a range of options, including self-policing and instructing the sergeant-at-arms to enforce the restrictions.

Assembly Chief Sergeant-at-Arms Ronald Pane said that while he sees the proposal as a "good step for the institution," figuring out how to implement the ban would be challenging.

"We're doing so many things at one time that we're going to have to have a set of eyes just for that," he said. "A lot of it is going to be the members are going to have to take it upon themselves and when they come into the chamber turn their devices off."

Steinberg spokeswoman Alicia Trost said the Senate measure, which also targets e-mail use and lobbying by legislative staff on the floor, is meant to serve as "a reminder of what the rules are: that lobbyists are prohibited on the floor, and that includes communication via cell phone or BlackBerry."

Even if such bans were enforced, some said attacking specific technologies wouldn't change the existing practice of lobbyists communicating with legislators throughout the process.

"I guess," Gualco quipped, "we'll just have to go back to sending smoke signals."

Assemblywoman Noreen Evans uses a cell phone on the Assembly floor. Speaker John Pérez is targeting text messages from lobbyists.

Sen. Abel Maldonado, right, Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, left, and Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee use a cell phone on the Assembly floor last month. Some 36 states have curbs on electronic communication on the floor, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

As he took the gavel as California's 68th Assembly speaker, Assemblyman John A. Pérez pledged to crack down on lawmakers exchanging text messages with lobbyists during floor sessions and committee hearings.

"Now, I'm a big believer in technology, but sometimes we need to limit its reach," Pérez said in a speech during Monday's ceremony.

But Pérez's call for more technological transparency and a similar, more stringent measure being pushed by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg could end up being more for show than substantive change.

While the spirit of the proposals was widely embraced, questions remain about how the new rules could be enforced and whether they would actually diminish the influence lobbyists have on the legislative process.

"I think it's common sense," said Assemblyman Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles. "(But) I don't know how you enforce it and I don't know how pervasive it is. I think maybe in my three-year legislative career I've gotten three or four texts (from lobbyists) at the most."

Lobbyists are banned from the Senate and Assembly floors, but have long had access to legislators' ears during floor sessions and committee hearings, waiting outside the room or sending messages through staff, written notes, phone calls or e-mail.

But Pérez says the immediacy of a text and the inside access of contacting a lawmaker's personal cell phone merit more restriction.

"Anybody can send us a letter. Anybody can send us an e-mail, but a text message is something you can only receive if you have somebody's phone number, and that is a differential access," Pérez said.

Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, said he was concerned by reports from staff that lawmakers are getting texts during committee hearings and then "mouthing lobbyists' words from their seats."

"Members should be present, should be focused, should be talking to each other when we're having our committee hearings," Leno said. "There's enough time on the outside for lobbyists to get members' ears."

Lobbyist Jackson Gualco countered that the text messaging is just reality of living (and lawmaking) in a "world where now everyone expects everything to be instantaneous or nearly so."

"I respect the fact that the speaker wants to make sure that the inner sanctum of the Assembly floor, which is really the sole space where the members aren't otherwise surrounded by aides or lobbyists, is kept intact," said Gualco, the president of the Institute of Governmental Advocates, an organization that represents lobbyists. "But things are so fast-moving on the floor these days that there are times when members are going to want to know, 'Is this amendment helpful or hurtful? Is this going to impact the constituents?' "

How pervasive and widespread the issue is depends on who is asked.

"I think the reality is there is a lot of communication and text messaging on the floor and we do have communiques coming from across the street," said Assemblyman Isadore Hall, D-Los Angeles.

But others, including Pérez, said they rarely, if ever, exchanged text messages with lobbyists.

"I was born in Jurassic Park. I still don't know how to text, nor do I have to," said 67-year-old Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucaipa.

Pérez said he doesn't want constituents to "worry that special-interest lobbyists are secretly sending messages of opposition or support to us as we deliberate."

Gualco, however, said most text exchanges he had during sessions or committee hearings were actually initiated by the lawmakers.

"The situation I've run into is the members are texting me and saying, 'We just got these amendments on the desk, have you looked at them?' " he said. "I have never sent a communication to a member either on the floor or in committee saying, 'You should vote this way.' "

Legislative bodies in 36 states – including California, which bans Assembly members from talking on cell phones on the floor – have enacted some sort of restriction on cell phone, e-mail or other electronic communication from the floor, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

But Pérez's proposal, which restricts only text messages sent to or from lobbyists, as opposed to all electronic communications, could prove especially difficult to enforce.

Pérez, deferring to the Rules Committee on the details of how the ban would be implemented, stopped short of endorsing confiscating BlackBerrys or mobile phones during session but said he would take that step "if that's what it comes to."

Assembly Chief Administrative Officer Jon Waldie said that Pérez and the Rules Committee could consider a range of options, including self-policing and instructing the sergeant-at-arms to enforce the restrictions.

Assembly Chief Sergeant-at-Arms Ronald Pane said that while he sees the proposal as a "good step for the institution," figuring out how to implement the ban would be challenging.

"We're doing so many things at one time that we're going to have to have a set of eyes just for that," he said. "A lot of it is going to be the members are going to have to take it upon themselves and when they come into the chamber turn their devices off."

Steinberg spokeswoman Alicia Trost said the Senate measure, which also targets e-mail use and lobbying by legislative staff on the floor, is meant to serve as "a reminder of what the rules are: that lobbyists are prohibited on the floor, and that includes communication via cell phone or BlackBerry."

Even if such bans were enforced, some said attacking specific technologies wouldn't change the existing practice of lobbyists communicating with legislators throughout the process.

"I guess," Gualco quipped, "we'll just have to go back to sending smoke signals."

Assemblywoman Noreen Evans uses a cell phone on the Assembly floor. Speaker John Pérez is targeting text messages from lobbyists.

Paul Waldie Vancouver - Published on Monday, Mar. 01, 2010 5:12AM EST Last updated on Monday, Mar.

Morreu ontem o gremista Salim Nigri. Ele sofreu um AVC no dia 18 de fevereiro e estava internado no Hospital de Clínicas. Era torcedor e conselheiro do Grêmio. Nigri foi o autor da frase: "Com o Grêmio, onde estiver o Grêmio". A frase depois foi adaptada por Lupicínio Rodrigues, que a usou no hino do clube.

Salim era um raro contador de histórias. Tanto que foi, também, personagem coluna de David Coimbra na Zero Hora. Ele relembrou algumas publicações em seu blog.

Até a pé nos iremos em francês

Pouco antes da Copa do Mundo de 1998, a professora Janete Sessim, da Aliança Francesa, recebeu uma curiosa ligação.

Uma voz grave e melodiosa, parecida com a do Lauro Quadros, lhe perguntou sem explicação prévia:

- A senhora é gremista?

Janete inflou o peito:

- Muito!

- Então a senhora vai fazer um trabalho por amor ao Grêmio - informou a voz, febril de confiança.

Quem ligava era o Salim Nigri.

Apresentou-lhe uma proposta intrigante: a professora teria de traduzir o Hino do Grêmio para o francês a fim de que fosse gravado em fita cassete e apresentado, na Copa, como uma autêntica composição gaulesa em homenagem ao Tricolor.

- Mas como o senhor vai fazer isso? - quis saber a professora.

- Aí a senhora deixe comigo.

Janete se pôs a trabalhar. Fez uma versão da composição de Lupicínio na língua de Balzac e Zinedine Zidane e ainda arranjou outro professor da Aliança Francesa, um pianista, para gravá-la. Enquanto isso, o Paulo Sant´Ana recebia uma curiosa ligação. Aquela voz maviosa, parecida com a do Lauro Quadros, propunha:

- O que tu achas de comprar em Paris um disco com o Hino do Grêmio em francês?

O Sant´Ana saltou:

- Supimpa!

- Pois é o que tu vais dizer no ar, na Gaúcha, quando estiveres lá na Copa - recomendou o Salim, começando a expor o plano.

O Sant´Ana, gaiato que é, ficou encantado com a idéia. Dias depois, já da França, ele ligou para a rádio a fim de fazer seu comentário matinal.

- Imagina que encontrei aqui em Paris um disco com o Hino do Grêmio em francês! - contou.

Rogério Mendelski, o apresentador da época, duvidou. O Sant´Ana, vitorioso:

- Pois então escute.

E colocou a gravação no ar:

- Même à pied nous iroooons...

Em casa, ao pé do rádio, o Salim comemorou com a mulher:

- Olha só, velha, o Grêmio é mesmo um sucesso mundial!

***

Quando o Papa abençoou o Grêmio

Na primeira partida das finais contra o São Paulo, em 1981, no Olímpico recém-concluído e regurgitante de torcedores, o Grêmio teve um pênalti a seu favor. O escalado para bater foi o centroavante Baltazar. Bateu. Errou. O Grêmio acabou vencendo por 2 a 1, dois gols de Paulo Isidoro.

Baltazar, ao sair de campo, conformou-se:

- Deus está reservando algo melhor pra mim.

Estava. No dia da final, 3 de maio, Baltazar recebeu a bola de Renato Sá, matou no peito e mandou no ângulo de Waldir Peres. O Grêmio era campeão brasileiro pela primeira vez.

O Salim Nigri jura que, no momento em que a bola tocou a medalhinha de Nossa Senhora que Baltazar levava no peito, nesse momento João Paulo II assinava, no Vaticano, a bênção papal conferida ao Grêmio.

Ontem, depois da eleição do novo papa, o Salim ligou, excitado:

- Alguém tem que fazer esse papa abençoar o Grêmio! Alguém tem que fazer isso!

Tem que. Mas também haveria de ter Baltazar, Paulo Isidoro, Renato Sá...

***

As luzes de Salim

Mal saído dos 20 anos, Salim Nigri começou a ficar cego. Não demorou muito para que seus olhos se apagassem para sempre. Mas hoje, aos 80 anos de idade, a vida de Salim é cheia de luz. Graças ao Grêmio. Salim passa o dia a ouvir as notícias de futebol nas emissoras de rádio.

Bem informado, planeja brincadeiras, ações de marketing e, claro, gozações com os colorados. Passa o dia a se divertir.

Salim teria todos os motivos para ser um desses tristes fanáticos que todos os dias enviam imeils mal-humorados para as redações de jornal, poderia ser um desses pobres de espírito que agridem outras pessoas ou que deixam seu dia azedar por causa de um mero jogo de futebol. Mas, não: o Salim é inteligente, criativo e vivaz.

Nunca odiou os colorados. Para ele, o Inter é adversário, não inimigo. O futebol seria muito mais saudável e muito mais bonito, se todos tivessem as luzes do Salim.

Aliás, depois da conquista do Inter, o Salim ligou:

- Então, o Inter é campeão da América?

- É...

- E antes do Inter, quem foi?

- O São Paulo.

- E antes do São Paulo?

- O Once Caldas.

- Ah, o Once Caldas foi campeão da América...



Um patrimônio gremista.



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Didgeridoo originally appeared on About.com Holistic Healing on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 00:10:37.

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On December 26, 1908, Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns and became the first African-American heavyweight champion, or how it was called back then, the first colored champion.

Alas, the notion of the “Great White Hope was born.”

Indeed people were clamoring for the defeat of the newly black champion. They claimed for a great white hope to eliminate this newfound threat.

And the rest became history.

It isn’t an easy task to define "The Great White Hope." In fact, I don’t think there is an exact definition.

Currently, there are a lot of great white fighters like Waldimir Klitschko, Vitali Klitschko, Ricky Hatton, Lucian Bute, and Carl Froch, among others.

So why is the notion of “The Great White Hope” still lingering among the boxing community?

Furthermore, I haven’t seen any of the fighters I mentioned above tied to the notion of a great white hope.

However, there is one fighter that has been referred as “The Great White Hope”: Kelly Pavlik.

Now, I’m certain that Pavlik doesn’t remotely care whether he's a great white hope. However, there have been various articles published labeling him as "The Great White Hope."

Nevertheless, his nationality (American) makes him stand out and be considered a great white hope.

I honestly don’t know any white American fighters that are champions and serious contenders except for Kelly Pavlik. So perhaps is that the meaning of the great white hope?

Additionally, the idea of the Great White Hope originated in America, where James J. Jeffries became the first boxer to take the mantle of “The Great White Hope.”

Not too long ago, Gerry Cooney was labeled “The Great White Hope”, although he never embraced it and distanced himself from being labeled as such. Isn't Rocky suppose to be an unofficial "Great White Hope"?

So is “The Great White Hope” a white American fighter? More than likely.

Is it something else? Perhaps.

Is the great white hope a dead notion only used to fuel race issues? Definitely: Sex and racism sell.

What do you guys think?

 

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It's like chain smoking.  No sooner was the David and Sean Goldman case extinguished than the case of another New Jersey man begins to smolder.  David Goldman spent almost five years getting custody of his son Sean after his wife took the boy to her native Brazil "for a two-week visit."  She never came back.  The [...]

U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Bradford Waldie recently received a Bart Holaday scholarship for two years of study at Oxford University of England.

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THERE WAS a little girl in Jeff Walding's dining room one recent evening, but her big, sparkling blue eyes were peering out from several framed photographs scattered across the table, not in person.

A propósito de Wilmer Aguirre y su espectacular actuación ante Estudiantes de La Plata, repasemos las noches mágicas de Flavio Maestri, Jorge Nunes, Julinho, Julio Rivera y Waldir Sáenz

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Five Sentenced in Terrorist Plot in Australia The Epoch Times 8, 2005, in Sydney, Australia. (Ian Waldie/Getty Images) Five Sydney men, who are unnamed for legal reasons, were sentenced to between 23 to 28 years in ... Plotters Jailed for Australian Terror ConspiracyVoice of America Five Sydney terror attack plotters sentencedBBC News Australia's jihad attack plotters jailed up to 28 yearsDaily Times AFP -Sky News -Reuters all 491 news articles »

O Avaí venceu o Metropolitano por 1 x 0 na tarde deste sábado (13/2), no Estádio da Ressacada, em Florianópolis. Com o resultado, o Leão garantiu a vaga nas semifinais do primeiro turno do Campeonato Catarinense. Segundo colocado, com 18 pontos, os comandados de Péricles Chamusca enfrentarão o Hermann Aichinger, que se classificou no terceiro lugar, com 15 tentos. Em um jogo de pouquíssimas chances e de baixo nível técnico, os donos da casa, que contaram com o veterano Sávio entre seus titulares, aproveitaram uma das únicas oportunidades, aos 34 minutos do segundo tempo, com Leonardo, para balançar as redes adversárias e garantir os últimos três pontos da fase de classificação do Estadual. Adversário do Avaí na próxima quinta-feira, às 21h50 (de Brasília), o Hermann Aichinger, que já estava classificado, cumpriu tabela contra o lanterna Juventus e não passou do empate por 1 x 1, no Estádio João Marcatto, em Jaraguá do Sul. Julinho abriu o placar para os visitantes aos três minutos de jogo, mas Ramon empatou no primeiro lance da etapa complementar, garantindo o segundo ponto dos donos da casa, após nove jogos disputados na primeira fase da competição. Em Chapecó, o atual vice-campeão catarinense, Chapecoense, empatou por 1 x 1 com o Joinville, líder isolado da competição, com 19 pontos. Os dois gols saíram na segunda etapa da partida. Os donos da casa abriram o placar com Waldison, aos 26 minutos, mas cederam o empate aos 32, quando Cris balançou as redes para o JEC. Ainda não se sabe quem o Joinville enfrentará, já que o Imbituba, com 15 pontos, pode tomar o lugar do Metropolitano, atual quarto colocado, com 18, caso vença o Brusque por quatro gols de diferença. A partida estava marcada para as 16h (de Brasília) deste sábado, mas o Tricolor do Vale atrasou, adiando a decisão da última vaga. O jogo teve início às 18h.

Um recado aos que insistem em dizer que carnaval não é tradição em Belo Horizonte: a primeira folia da capital foi organizada pelos operários que a construíram em 1897. Eles pintaram os rostos e desfilaram batendo latas e tambores. Naquele momento, nasciam os blocos caricatos. As fantasias se modernizaram, mas os pés continuam no asfalto para a alegria dos passistas. Hoje, 10 blocos invadem a Via 240, no Bairro Novo Aarão Reis, na Região Norte, com grande responsabilidade: abrir a folia belo-horizontina. Com o samba na ponta da língua, a partir das 19h, eles percorrerão 300 metros animando cerca de 25 mil pessoas.

E, para não faltar brilho à festa, o suor na preparação do desfile escorreu pelos rostos dos integrantes até poucos minutos antes do show na passarela do samba. Em busca do terceiro título no carnaval de BH, o bloco Bacharéis do Samba não descansou. “São detalhes que fazem a diferença e precisamos caprichar. Até o último instante, trabalhamos na confecção de fantasias e adereços. Mas tudo vale a pena, quando pisamos na avenida”, conta Fernando Junqueira, presidente do bloco.
O bloco foi criado em 1965, no Bairro São Pedro, Região Centro-Sul. Mas a maior parte dos integrantes da escola mora no Morro do Papagaio, na mesma região. “Carnaval é a festa de todo mundo: a maior comemoração popular do Brasil. É muito bonita essa mistura na avenida”, relata Adriana Gelape, que ajudou na costura das fantasias.

O barracão improvisado é na casa de Fernando, no São Pedro, e os ensaios reúnem 300 pessoas nas ruas do bairro. “Ganhamos o título em 2007 e 2008. Estamos ensaiando muito para sairmos vitoriosos novamente este ano”, diz Angelita Aparecida Pereira, princesa do bloco, reforçando que ano passado o grupo ficou em segundo lugar. Outros nove blocos saem hoje e as escolas de samba começam a festejar amanhã (confira programação).

POLÊMICA Foram muitos sustos até o desfile. Até ontem, as escolas de samba e os blocos não sabiam se a festa ocorreria. “Nossa vontade é garantir a folia e, graças ao esforço de todos, vamos brincar o carnaval. Mas o aperto foi muito grande porque só recebemos a ajuda da Belotur hoje (ontem). É impossível comprar material com apenas um dia de antecedência. Cheques
pré-datados são os responsáveis pelo desfile deste ano”, reclama Jairo Pereira, presidente da Associação Cultural dos Blocos Caricatos.

As escolas estão sem dinheiro até hoje. “Faltavam alguns detalhes da documentação, que deve ser entregue à Belotur. Cada escola se virou para conseguir montar o carnaval. A verdade é que todo ano a organização da folia fica para a última hora. Cumprimos o cronograma, mas a Belotur só nos atende para definir regulamento e orçamento no fim do ano”, diz o presidente da Associação Cultural SambaDez, Luiz Carlos Novais.

A Belotur informou que o repasse para as escolas de samba e blocos caricatos atrasou por causa da documentação dos próprios sambistas. As escolas de samba têm até 8 de março para apresentar todos documentos e receber a verba deste ano. O regulamento do desfile só foi divulgado no fim de janeiro e as escolas e blocos tiveram até segunda-feira para se inscrever no concurso. A Belotur repassa R$ 37,5 mil para os blocos e R$ 200 mil para as escolas. Eles contam ainda com repasse da Cemig. São R$ 9 mil para cada bloco e R$ 28 mil para cada escola.

SERESTA Ontem à noite, marchinhas dos antigos carnavais embalaram o público na Barragem Santa Lúcia, na Zona Sul de BH, na edição especial do Minas ao Luar, em que a seresta dá lugar aos ritmos da festa de momo. A animação ficou por conta de Waldir Silva e seu conjunto, com seleto repertório dos antigos carnavais, para alegria de centenas de pessoas. O evento, que era realizado na Praça Duque de Caixas, no Bairro Santa Tereza, mudou de endereço para oferecer mais conforto aos foliões. A promoção é uma parceria do Sesc com a prefeitura, por meio da Belotur.
PROGRAMAÇÃO

Blocos
Hoje
19h – Infiltrados
19h40 – Piratas da Pedro II
20h20 – Corsários do Samba
21h – Metralhas do IAPI
21h40 – Aflitos do Anchieta
22h20 – Inocentes de Santa Thereza
23h – Mulatos do Samba
23h40 – Bacharéis do Samba
00h20 – Invasores do Santo Antônio
1h – Por acaso

Desfiles das Escolas de Samba
Amanhã
20h – Imperatriz de Venda Nova
21h – Grêmio Cultural e Recreativo Galoucura
22h – Grêmio Recreativo Escola Estrela do Vale
23h – Academia do Samba Império de Nova Era
00h – Escola de Samba Inconfidência Mineira

Segunda-feira
20h – Unidos da Onça
21h – Mocidade Independente Bem-te-vi
22h – Chame-chame
23h – Acadêmicos de Venda Nova
00h – Canto da Alvorada
1h – Ares Unidos Guarani

The San Francisco Giants will be reporting to Spring Training in less than a week. With that said, the roster is almost completely set, and there is a definite lack of substantive story-lines that are permeating other big-league camps, and have even come up in the Giants camp in past years.

Aside from Tim Lincecum's, there are no clear position battles (second base in 2009), comeback stories (Russ Ortiz in 2007), or over-hyped contracts (Zito, Renteria). 

The deceased brothers were identified as Navdeep Singh Dhaliwal, 22, and Kanwaldip Singh Dhaliwal, 20, who had gone to Australia for studies in 2008-09.

Waldir Pimenta asked me whether it is possible to test the condition max(a,b) / min(a,b)  < r without computing max(a, b) or min(a, b). Here a> 0, b> 0, and r > 1. (If r ≤ 1, the condition is always false.) The inequality has to be evaluated in an inner loop of a real-time image processing [...]

O Fluminense garantiu no meio de semana, com um triunfo por 3 a 0 sobre o Boavista, a vaga nas semifinais da Taça Guanabara, primeiro turno do Campeonato Carioca. Na segunda posição do Grupo A com 15 pontos, um a menos que o Flamengo, o Tricolor encerra a sua participação na fase de classificação neste domingo, às 19h30 (de Brasília), enfrentando o Olaria no Estádio Olímpico João Havelange, o Engenhão, no Rio de Janeiro.

Apesar de ainda ter chances de terminar a chave na primeira colocação, o Fluminense não parece muito preocupado com isso, pois não há vantagens nas semifinais para os líderes de grupos.

Já para o Olaria o jogo tem mais importância, já que o somatório da pontuação dos dois turnos será usado para critérios de desempate e de vagas na Copa do Brasil de 2011 e na Série D do Campeonato Brasileiro deste ano. O time da Rua Bariri é o terceiro colocado do Grupo A, com 11 pontos, e está empolgado após arrancar empate por 3 a 3 com o Flamengo, na quarta-feira passada.

Cuca, técnico do Fluminense, adota o discurso de que a vitória será muito importante para o time, porém deixa escapar nas entrevistas que a importância é muito mais pelo aspecto moral do que pelo fato de terminar a chave na primeira posição.

"O Fluminense tem condições de terminar o grupo na primeira colocação e precisamos trabalhar para que isso aconteça. Para nós será muito importante chegar com moral nas semifinais", disse Cuca.

O fato de o Olaria ter empatado com o Flamengo no meio de semana serviu de alerta para o treinador do Fluminense. Cuca está alertando seus jogadores sobre as dificuldades que eles terão pela frente no compromisso deste domingo.

"O Olaria vem fazendo uma grande campanha e até a rodada passada estava disputando vaga nas semifinais. O time deles é muito bem armado e mostrou contra o Flamengo que pode nos criar muitos problemas no compromisso deste domingo. Vamos precisar entrar em campo ligados, sem perder a concentração um único minuto. Com certeza eles vão querer jogar no nosso erro e por isso temos que diminuir essa margem de risco", afirmou o treinador do Tricolor.

Cuca faz mistério em relação ao time que pretende mandar a campo, mas é certo que vai poupar todos os jogadores pendurados com dois cartões amarelos, para não correr risco de perder algum deles na semifinal. Com isso, serão preservados os laterais Mariano, Thiaguinho e Júlio César; o zagueiro Gum; o volante Éverton e o meia Marquinho. O atacante Willians, expulso contra o Boavista, também fica de fora.

Pelo lado do Olaria, o técnico Dé está otimista em relação a uma outra boa atuação de sua equipe na partida diante do Fluminense. "Antes de quarta-feira o nosso grupo já sabia que seria muito complicado vencer o Flamengo e o Fluminense e garantir vaga nas semifinais. Mas fizemos um grande jogo e conseguimos um ponto importante na quarta-feira. Agora podemos novamente nos esforçar e pontuar diante do Fluminense", disse Dé.

O treinador não poderá contar com o zagueiro Thiago Eleutério, expulso contra o Flamengo. Renato será o substituto. No restante a base será a mesma do empate com o Flamengo.

FICHA TÉCNICA
OLARIA X FLUMINENSE

Local: Estádio Olímpico João Havelange, o Engenhão, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Data: 7 de fevereiro de 2010 (Domingo)
Horário: 19h30 (de Brasília)
Árbitro: William de Souza Nery (RJ)
Assistentes: Hilton Moutinho (RJ) e Gilberto Pereira (RJ)

OLARIA: Ângelo; Ivan, Diego, Renato e Amarildo; William, Romário, Vinícius e Araruama; Aleílson e Waldir
Técnico: Dé

FLUMINENSE: Rafael; Digão, Cássio e Leandro Euzébio; Diogo, Maurício, Diguinho, Darío Conca e Dieguinho; Kieza e Alan
Técnico: Cuca

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - O Fluminense garantiu no meio de semana, com um triunfo por 3 a 0 sobre o Boavista, a vaga nas semifinais da Taça Guanabara, primeiro turno do Campeonato Carioca. Na segunda posição do Grupo A com 15 pontos, um a menos que o Flamengo, o Tricolor encerra a sua participação na fase de classificação neste domingo, às 19h30 (de Brasília), enfrentando o Olaria no Estádio Olímpico João Havelange, o Engenhão, no Rio de Janeiro.

Apesar de ainda ter chances de terminar a chave na primeira colocação, o Fluminense não parece muito preocupado com isso, pois não há vantagens nas semifinais para os líderes de grupos.

Já para o Olaria o jogo tem mais importância, já que o somatório da pontuação dos dois turnos será usado para critérios de desempate e de vagas na Copa do Brasil de 2011 e na Série D do Campeonato Brasileiro deste ano. O time da Rua Bariri é o terceiro colocado do Grupo A, com 11 pontos, e está empolgado após arrancar empate por 3 a 3 com o Flamengo, na quarta-feira passada.

Cuca, técnico do Fluminense, adota o discurso de que a vitória será muito importante para o time, porém deixa escapar nas entrevistas que a importância é muito mais pelo aspecto moral do que pelo fato de terminar a chave na primeira posição.

"O Fluminense tem condições de terminar o grupo na primeira colocação e precisamos trabalhar para que isso aconteça. Para nós será muito importante chegar com moral nas semifinais", disse Cuca.

O fato de o Olaria ter empatado com o Flamengo no meio de semana serviu de alerta para o treinador do Fluminense. Cuca está alertando seus jogadores sobre as dificuldades que eles terão pela frente no compromisso deste domingo.

"O Olaria vem fazendo uma grande campanha e até a rodada passada estava disputando vaga nas semifinais. O time deles é muito bem armado e mostrou contra o Flamengo que pode nos criar muitos problemas no compromisso deste domingo. Vamos precisar entrar em campo ligados, sem perder a concentração um único minuto. Com certeza eles vão querer jogar no nosso erro e por isso temos que diminuir essa margem de risco", afirmou o treinador do Tricolor.

Cuca faz mistério em relação ao time que pretende mandar a campo, mas é certo que vai poupar todos os jogadores pendurados com dois cartões amarelos, para não correr risco de perder algum deles na semifinal. Com isso, serão preservados os laterais Mariano, Thiaguinho e Júlio César; o zagueiro Gum; o volante Éverton e o meia Marquinho. O atacante Willians, expulso contra o Boavista, também fica de fora.

Pelo lado do Olaria, o técnico Dé está otimista em relação a uma outra boa atuação de sua equipe na partida diante do Fluminense. "Antes de quarta-feira o nosso grupo já sabia que seria muito complicado vencer o Flamengo e o Fluminense e garantir vaga nas semifinais. Mas fizemos um grande jogo e conseguimos um ponto importante na quarta-feira. Agora podemos novamente nos esforçar e pontuar diante do Fluminense", disse Dé.

O treinador não poderá contar com o zagueiro Thiago Eleutério, expulso contra o Flamengo. Renato será o substituto. No restante a base será a mesma do empate com o Flamengo.

FICHA TÉCNICA
OLARIA X FLUMINENSE

Local: Estádio Olímpico João Havelange, o Engenhão, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Data: 7 de fevereiro de 2010 (Domingo)
Horário: 19h30 (de Brasília)
Árbitro: William de Souza Nery (RJ)
Assistentes: Hilton Moutinho (RJ) e Gilberto Pereira (RJ)

OLARIA: Ângelo; Ivan, Diego, Renato e Amarildo; William, Romário, Vinícius e Araruama; Aleílson e Waldir
Técnico: Dé

FLUMINENSE: Rafael; Digão, Cássio e Leandro Euzébio; Diogo, Maurício, Diguinho, Darío Conca e Dieguinho; Kieza e Alan
Técnico: Cuca

São Paulo (SP) - O Corinthians recuperou a liderança do Campeonato Paulista, pelo menos provisoriamente. A equipe comandada por Mano Menezes aproveitou a fragilidade do Sertãozinho e para aplicar uma goleada por 4 a 0 na tarde deste sábado, no Pacaembu, com gols de Chicão, Jorge Henrique, Marcelo Mattos e Edno.

Agora com 14 pontos ganhos, o Corinthians poderá ser ultrapassado por Santos (13 pontos), Botafogo-SP (13), São Paulo (11) e Ponte Preta (11) no complemento da sétima rodada do Estadual. Já o Sertãozinho caiu para a última posição da tabela, com somente 4 pontos e nenhuma vitória conquistada.

Corinthians e Sertãozinho voltarão a jogar no sábado de Carnaval. O time da capital visitará a Portuguesa no Canindé. Já o do interior tentará se recuperar contra a Ponte Preta (única algoz corintiana em 2010) no estádio Moisés Lucarelli.

O jogo - Os primeiros oito minutos de Roberto Carlos em campo foram completamente distintos dos últimos oito, quando ele foi expulso no clássico contra o Palmeiras. Desta vez, o veterano apareceu bastante no ataque. Fez diversos cruzamentos, sempre interceptados pela defesa do Sertãozinho. Mais tarde, aplicou até um chapéu em Ricardo Lopes e levantou o público em uma cobrança de falta.

Roberto Carlos não era o único jogador do Corinthians que estava inspirado. Como era previsível, o time de Mano Menezes começou o jogo no ataque. Abriu o placar logo aos 7 minutos do primeiro tempo. O goleiro Luiz Henrique soltou a bola após um chute de Tcheco. Atento, o zagueiro Chicão aproveitou o rebote e completou para dentro.

O Corinthians se acomodou depois do gol. Quando finalmente conseguiu transpor o meio-campo, o Sertãozinho levou perigo ao goleiro Felipe. O atacante Léo Mineiro ganhou espaço pelo lado esquerdo e chegou a acertar a trave aos 13 minutos. Um cartão amarelo mostrado a Harison, no entanto, foi o suficiente para voltar a acuar o time do interior paulista. O atleta punido pela arbitragem acabou substituído por Adoniran.

Reanimado pelos gritos de sua torcida e do técnico Mano Menezes, o Corinthians retomou o controle do confronto. Chicão quase balançou as redes novamente, agora com uma cabeçada. Luiz Henrique defendeu com os pés. O goleiro também salvou uma finalização de Iarley. Aos 43, porém, nada pôde fazer para evitar o gol de Jorge Henrique, que chutou no canto, de fora da área.

O panorama do jogo não mudou no segundo tempo. Roberto Carlos demonstrava ainda mais disposição ofensiva, com chutes de longa distância. Foi assim que o Corinthians ampliou o marcador. Aos 14 minutos, o lateral esquerdo passou a bola para Marcelo Mattos, que acertou o gol em conclusão da entrada da área. Contestado recentemente, o volante chorou e foi abraçado por seus companheiros.

O Sertãozinho tentou evitar uma goleada, com Washington no lugar de Léo Mineiro (um dos melhores em campo pelos visitantes). No Corinthians, duas mudanças foram forçadas por contusões. Tcheco e Dentinho deixaram o campo de maca e acabaram substituídos por Jucilei e Morais. Já Edno ganhou uma oportunidade quando Iarley saiu, por opção técnica.

Mesmo diminuindo o ritmo nos minutos finais de partida, o Corinthians conseguiu marcar mais um gol. Aos 38, Edno recebeu a bola de Jorge Henrique e bateu rasteiro para fechar o placar: 4 a 0, liderança provisória assegurada e festa no Pacaembu.

FICHA TÉCNICA
CORINTHIANS 4 X 0 SERTÃOZINHO

Local: Estádio do Pacaembu, em São Paulo (SP)
Data: 6 de fevereiro de 2010, sábado
Horário: 17 horas (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Guilherme Cereta de Lima (SP)
Assistentes: Marcio Luiz Augusto e Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis (ambos de SP)
Público: 16.780 pagantes (total de 19.133)
Renda: R$ 535.044,00
Cartões amarelos: William (Corinthians); Harison, Marcus Vinícius e Pablo (Sertãozinho)
Gols: CORINTHIANS: Chicão, aos 7, e Jorge Henrique, aos 43 minutos do primeiro tempo; Marcelo Mattos, aos 14, e Edno, aos 38 minutos do segundo tempo

CORINTHIANS: Felipe; Alessandro, Chicão, William e Roberto Carlos; Marcelo Mattos, Elias, Tcheco (Jucilei) e Jorge Henrique; Dentinho (Morais) e Iarley (Edno)
Técnico: Mano Menezes

SERTÃOZINHO: Luiz Henrique; Ricardo Lopes, Erivelton, Pablo e João Paulo; Magal, Marcus Vinícius, Everton e Harison (Adoniran); Léo Mineiro (Washington) e Mendes (Waldir)
Técnico: Paulo Comelli