It’s one thing to return to the place where you met to pop the question, but it’s another entirely to bring along Paul Anka and a flash mob to give you a hand. Sure, it’s cheesy, but if ever there’s a time for cheese, it’s during a proposal.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Flash mob proposal
It’s one thing to return to the place where you met to pop the question, but it’s another entirely to bring along Paul Anka and a flash mob to give you a hand. Sure, it’s cheesy, but if ever there’s a time for cheese, it’s during a proposal.
Betting Odds: Crystal Palace v West Ham English League Championship 12BET 10/1 10PM(GMT+8)
West Ham boast a 50% winning record in competitive meetings with Crystal Palace (13 of 26). Palace have won four, with nine drawn.The pair have not played each other since Palace's 1-0 victory at the Millennium Stadium in May 2004, which gained them promotion to the Premier League. West Ham have only been beaten twice in a league game on Crystal Palace turf in May 1995, and April 2004.
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Betting Odds Barnsley VS Coventry City English League Championship 12BET 10/1 10PM(GMT+8)
Coventry hold a 25 wins to 15 lead over Barnsley, with 12 of their 52 league matches finishing level.Barnsley's 2-1 win in last season's corresponding fixture was their first victory in 13 clashes with the Sky Blues since 1998.These clubs have never met outside the league, and in 1997/98 this was a Premier League fixture.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The annual worldwide campaign is organized by major breast cancer charities to aid in increasing funds for research and awareness of the disease.
This October, the New England Patriots will recognize breast cancer Awareness month by wearing pink apparel at the Oakland game on Oct. 2 and against Dallas at home on Oct. 16. The Patriots' promotion of breast cancer awareness in October is part of the NFL and the American Cancer Society's "A Crucial Catch" campaign.
The NFL and the Patriots will also include on-field pink ribbon stencils, wall banners, pink goal post padding in both end zones, special game balls with pink ribbon decals, pink coins used for the coin toss, pink sideline caps for coaches and team sideline personnel, pink ribbon pins and pink equipment for the players to help raise awareness.
Last season, The NFL raised more than $1 million to benefit the American Cancer Society through auctioning off autographed game-worn pink merchandise and footballs at the NFL Auction.
Pink products will also be available in the Patriots ProShop, with proceeds from sales committed to breast cancer organizations.
In 2010, the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's season-long "Kick Cancer" initiative aimed to raise awareness about cancer and the importance of early detection through messages to fans and the distribution of educational material at home games in partnership with Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital - the founding hospitals of Partners HealthCare - and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
This October, the New England Patriots will recognize breast cancer Awareness month by wearing pink apparel at the Oakland game on Oct. 2 and against Dallas at home on Oct. 16. The Patriots' promotion of breast cancer awareness in October is part of the NFL and the American Cancer Society's "A Crucial Catch" campaign.
The NFL and the Patriots will also include on-field pink ribbon stencils, wall banners, pink goal post padding in both end zones, special game balls with pink ribbon decals, pink coins used for the coin toss, pink sideline caps for coaches and team sideline personnel, pink ribbon pins and pink equipment for the players to help raise awareness.
Last season, The NFL raised more than $1 million to benefit the American Cancer Society through auctioning off autographed game-worn pink merchandise and footballs at the NFL Auction.
Pink products will also be available in the Patriots ProShop, with proceeds from sales committed to breast cancer organizations.
In 2010, the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's season-long "Kick Cancer" initiative aimed to raise awareness about cancer and the importance of early detection through messages to fans and the distribution of educational material at home games in partnership with Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital - the founding hospitals of Partners HealthCare - and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Red Tide
Along the San Diego coastline, after night falls, look closely and you might see a neon, purplish-blue light out in the ocean, an effect of the phenomenon of the “red tide.”
For the past two weeks, San Diego has been visited by algal bloom, a water condition where billions of decaying, single-celled organisms gather in the ocean — commonly called the red tide. During the day, the ocean is colored a rusty red, but at night, the bioluminescent phytoplankton give a spectacular light show.
A writer at the Orange-County Register offers a tip on how to get the most out of the red tide at Doheny State Beach:
The blue glow occurs when the organisms in the water are “jostled,” causing a chemical reaction that gives off a flash of light, explained Peter J. Franks of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography on the blog Deep-Sea News .
Kevin Baird, who has been posting photos of the surf, referred to the glow as “SpongeBob’s aurora borealis.”
Experts say the red tide could stay around for several more weeks or months.
For the past two weeks, San Diego has been visited by algal bloom, a water condition where billions of decaying, single-celled organisms gather in the ocean — commonly called the red tide. During the day, the ocean is colored a rusty red, but at night, the bioluminescent phytoplankton give a spectacular light show.
A writer at the Orange-County Register offers a tip on how to get the most out of the red tide at Doheny State Beach:
In areas where the red tide was thick during the day, go to the damp sand at night and kick it up. The sand will light up like lightning, bursts that last just moments but will trip you out and have you kicking sand up for hours.Surfers who swim in the red tide at night have reported that their movement in the water left a glowing trail behind.
The blue glow occurs when the organisms in the water are “jostled,” causing a chemical reaction that gives off a flash of light, explained Peter J. Franks of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography on the blog Deep-Sea News .
Kevin Baird, who has been posting photos of the surf, referred to the glow as “SpongeBob’s aurora borealis.”
Experts say the red tide could stay around for several more weeks or months.
Herman Cain For President
If Herman Cain is elected president, he explains in This Is Herman Cain: My Journey To The White House, he's going to expect certain things from the people he hires. For example, "From the most junior clerical person to my chief of staff, White House personnel will be expected to have a copy of the Constitution of the United States nearby," he writes. It's a nice sentiment if, like me, you're charmed by CEOs of a certain generation. You know the type: they rose to the top prior to the Internet age, always had an executive assistant or secretary to help them manage their email, and talk about documents like the Constitution as though keeping hard copies on hand is important. What do the kids these days think, that the text of the founding document can just be called up at a moment's notice without even making any prior arrangements?
What those Cain staffers will surely notice, if they peruse their Constitution, is Article 2, where the office of the presidency is defined. But if Cain's forthcoming book, due for release October 4, is to be believed, their boss may decide to do the job differently than the framers intended. "I will define the office of the president; the office will not define me," Cain states. "As in every executive position I've ever undertaken, I will determine the parameters of my activities. And while I respect those who have served before me, I will not follow in their footsteps."
The alternative approach he'll take?
"I will create new footsteps."
Lest you worry that these footsteps might be created somewhere other than the Oval Office, relax. "Despite my high regard for the professionalism of those assigned to protect me, I and only I will in -- God forbid -- moments of national emergency determine when, where, and how I can best perform my duties as chief executive, because I happen to believe that the people want to see their president working in the Oval Office," he promises. "I believe that they are comforted and reassured by having him at the very center of presidential authority and responsibility."
In that office, fresh footprints in the carpet, there will be much work to do, so "I will reduce the number of protocol-oriented events that presidents are seemingly required to attend," Cain says. "At a time of deepening national crisis, I simply cannot afford to allocate valuable time to things that do not advance solutions to this nation's problems. That's why I have decided to sharply decrease the number of inaugural night balls." But don't those already only take place on one single night?
"Instead, Mrs. Cain and I will host a series of celebratory occasions, and they will be spread out during my first months in office." But won't that result in more time spent on "protocol-oriented events"?
Then there's this: "My guest lists for state dinners and other important occasions will be light on A list celebrities and heavy on normal Americans who work each day to restore our nation to greatness." What better way to spur productive diplomatic relations with foreign heads of state than inviting a lot of "normal" working class Americans to dine with them at formal state dinners held in their honor.
Of course, if Cain seems like he's departing from protocol, it's only because his aims are unique. "I will not come to Washington to do the usual, anticipated, accepted things," he writes. "Rather, paraphrasing the time-honored words of Abraham Lincoln, I will bring the nation a new birth of freedom, one that will be dedicated to the people who, together with me, will ensure that the American dream, one that patriots have pursued in good times and bad, will not perish from this earth."
That's what is great about having a CEO candidate instead of a regular politician. They're so practical and grounded, always offering specific, solution-oriented action items rather than vague, airy rhetoric. If only we'd elected a political outsider years ago we'd probably have had a new birth of freedom already.
What those Cain staffers will surely notice, if they peruse their Constitution, is Article 2, where the office of the presidency is defined. But if Cain's forthcoming book, due for release October 4, is to be believed, their boss may decide to do the job differently than the framers intended. "I will define the office of the president; the office will not define me," Cain states. "As in every executive position I've ever undertaken, I will determine the parameters of my activities. And while I respect those who have served before me, I will not follow in their footsteps."
The alternative approach he'll take?
"I will create new footsteps."
Lest you worry that these footsteps might be created somewhere other than the Oval Office, relax. "Despite my high regard for the professionalism of those assigned to protect me, I and only I will in -- God forbid -- moments of national emergency determine when, where, and how I can best perform my duties as chief executive, because I happen to believe that the people want to see their president working in the Oval Office," he promises. "I believe that they are comforted and reassured by having him at the very center of presidential authority and responsibility."
In that office, fresh footprints in the carpet, there will be much work to do, so "I will reduce the number of protocol-oriented events that presidents are seemingly required to attend," Cain says. "At a time of deepening national crisis, I simply cannot afford to allocate valuable time to things that do not advance solutions to this nation's problems. That's why I have decided to sharply decrease the number of inaugural night balls." But don't those already only take place on one single night?
"Instead, Mrs. Cain and I will host a series of celebratory occasions, and they will be spread out during my first months in office." But won't that result in more time spent on "protocol-oriented events"?
Then there's this: "My guest lists for state dinners and other important occasions will be light on A list celebrities and heavy on normal Americans who work each day to restore our nation to greatness." What better way to spur productive diplomatic relations with foreign heads of state than inviting a lot of "normal" working class Americans to dine with them at formal state dinners held in their honor.
Of course, if Cain seems like he's departing from protocol, it's only because his aims are unique. "I will not come to Washington to do the usual, anticipated, accepted things," he writes. "Rather, paraphrasing the time-honored words of Abraham Lincoln, I will bring the nation a new birth of freedom, one that will be dedicated to the people who, together with me, will ensure that the American dream, one that patriots have pursued in good times and bad, will not perish from this earth."
That's what is great about having a CEO candidate instead of a regular politician. They're so practical and grounded, always offering specific, solution-oriented action items rather than vague, airy rhetoric. If only we'd elected a political outsider years ago we'd probably have had a new birth of freedom already.
John Lackey
He also made it a season-long habit of appearing to show up his teammates on the field, constantly rolling his eyes and throwing his arms in the air while the ball was still in play.
But while both manager Terry Francona and general manager Theo Epstein agree the Red Sox need to see better pitching by Lackey in 2012, they disagree, to an extent, on the need to address the pitcher’s on-field histrionics.
“I don’t think you can put in a guy’s contract that’s he’s going to make a certain amount of money but he can’t roll his eyes,” said Francona during a press conference yesterday at Fenway Park [map]. “I don’t think guys in the clubhouse have a problem with Lack, nor do I.
“I think we certainly wish it would have gone better on the mound,” said the manager, “but I haven’t had a problem with Lack at all.”
But while Epstein pointed out the Sox knew of Lackey’s in-game emotions when they signed him as a free agent before the 2010 season, he differed from Francona in that he does believe the pitcher needs to clean up his on-the-field act.
“He’s tried to change, but it’s something he can’t change,” Epstein said. “It’s an emotional reaction. We’ll continue to work with him on it.
“But that doesn’t make him a bad teammate. Behind the scenes, he’s actually well-respected.”
What to do about Lackey’s pitching?
“As far as rehabilitating John Lackey, I think it’s a big priority, for obvious reasons,” Epstein said. “And we have to attack it from a physical perspective, to see if there are things we can do different with him physically to put himself in a better position to have success on the mound.
“We have to attack it from a fundamental standpoint,” the GM added. “There are obviously some things we can do different with him fundamentally to get his stuff and his command to where it was. And from a mental standpoint . . . we’re going to leave no stone unturned.”
But while both manager Terry Francona and general manager Theo Epstein agree the Red Sox need to see better pitching by Lackey in 2012, they disagree, to an extent, on the need to address the pitcher’s on-field histrionics.
“I don’t think you can put in a guy’s contract that’s he’s going to make a certain amount of money but he can’t roll his eyes,” said Francona during a press conference yesterday at Fenway Park [map]. “I don’t think guys in the clubhouse have a problem with Lack, nor do I.
“I think we certainly wish it would have gone better on the mound,” said the manager, “but I haven’t had a problem with Lack at all.”
But while Epstein pointed out the Sox knew of Lackey’s in-game emotions when they signed him as a free agent before the 2010 season, he differed from Francona in that he does believe the pitcher needs to clean up his on-the-field act.
“He’s tried to change, but it’s something he can’t change,” Epstein said. “It’s an emotional reaction. We’ll continue to work with him on it.
“But that doesn’t make him a bad teammate. Behind the scenes, he’s actually well-respected.”
What to do about Lackey’s pitching?
“As far as rehabilitating John Lackey, I think it’s a big priority, for obvious reasons,” Epstein said. “And we have to attack it from a physical perspective, to see if there are things we can do different with him physically to put himself in a better position to have success on the mound.
“We have to attack it from a fundamental standpoint,” the GM added. “There are obviously some things we can do different with him fundamentally to get his stuff and his command to where it was. And from a mental standpoint . . . we’re going to leave no stone unturned.”
Demi Moore And Ashton Kutcher
Can a marriage survive on tweets alone?
It's not hard to wonder, looking at how Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher have dealt with the rumors about their marital discord over the past week. Amid a flurry of new tabloid reports about Kutcher's alleged infidelity, the actors and avid social media users took to Twitter to hint at how they're handling the situation.
"When you ASSUME to know that which you know nothing of you make an A[**] out of U and ME," Kutcher tweeted Thursday afternoon, as photos of him with an unidentified blonde made the rounds online. Early Thursday morning, Kutcher tweeted a link, without comment, to his Spotify account, where he was playing the Public Enemy song "Don't Believe the Hype."
Moore started stirring the pot earlier this month, when she tweeted a photo of her naked back with the message, "remember.....you've got your own back." She seemed more direct on Sept. 23, when she tweeted a quote from Greek philosopher Epictetus, writing, "When we are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself & study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger." On Monday, she wrote "I see through you...." and linked to a photo of herself lying down with her eyes closed, her mouth drawn in a line.
Beyond the tweets, there's evidence to suggest unrest: The couple spent their sixth wedding anniversary, Sept. 24, apart. While Moore, 48, promoted the short film she directed for Lifetime's "Five" anthology in New York, Kutcher, 33, partied with his former "That '70s Show" co-star Danny Masterson in San Diego, according to People magazine.
The two have been spending a lot of time on separate coasts. Moore's been in New York working on her upcoming movie "Magic Mike," while Kutcher's busy filming "Two and a Half Men" in Los Angeles.
The couple has weathered this storm before. Last year, amid tabloid reports that Kutcher had cheated on Moore, the couple embarked on a spiritual trip to Israel. At the time, Kutcher tweeted, "Asking 4 the energy 2 forge bonds with our similarities & find compromise in our differences."
What's their status now? Reps for Moore and Kutcher did not respond to ABCNews.com's requests for comment, and with the stars' workload, it's unlikely a romantic getaway is in the cards anytime soon. But getting together to take a couple cutesy twit-pics couldn't hurt their case. Kutcher may be realizing that -- he walked around in L.A. Thursday flaunting his wedding ring.
"Usually they brush these rumors off and let Twitter speak for them," said People magazine reporter Carlos Greer. "What's interesting, right now, is that they're not posting the lovey dovey photos that they normally post."
It's not hard to wonder, looking at how Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher have dealt with the rumors about their marital discord over the past week. Amid a flurry of new tabloid reports about Kutcher's alleged infidelity, the actors and avid social media users took to Twitter to hint at how they're handling the situation.
"When you ASSUME to know that which you know nothing of you make an A[**] out of U and ME," Kutcher tweeted Thursday afternoon, as photos of him with an unidentified blonde made the rounds online. Early Thursday morning, Kutcher tweeted a link, without comment, to his Spotify account, where he was playing the Public Enemy song "Don't Believe the Hype."
Moore started stirring the pot earlier this month, when she tweeted a photo of her naked back with the message, "remember.....you've got your own back." She seemed more direct on Sept. 23, when she tweeted a quote from Greek philosopher Epictetus, writing, "When we are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself & study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger." On Monday, she wrote "I see through you...." and linked to a photo of herself lying down with her eyes closed, her mouth drawn in a line.
Beyond the tweets, there's evidence to suggest unrest: The couple spent their sixth wedding anniversary, Sept. 24, apart. While Moore, 48, promoted the short film she directed for Lifetime's "Five" anthology in New York, Kutcher, 33, partied with his former "That '70s Show" co-star Danny Masterson in San Diego, according to People magazine.
The two have been spending a lot of time on separate coasts. Moore's been in New York working on her upcoming movie "Magic Mike," while Kutcher's busy filming "Two and a Half Men" in Los Angeles.
The couple has weathered this storm before. Last year, amid tabloid reports that Kutcher had cheated on Moore, the couple embarked on a spiritual trip to Israel. At the time, Kutcher tweeted, "Asking 4 the energy 2 forge bonds with our similarities & find compromise in our differences."
What's their status now? Reps for Moore and Kutcher did not respond to ABCNews.com's requests for comment, and with the stars' workload, it's unlikely a romantic getaway is in the cards anytime soon. But getting together to take a couple cutesy twit-pics couldn't hurt their case. Kutcher may be realizing that -- he walked around in L.A. Thursday flaunting his wedding ring.
"Usually they brush these rumors off and let Twitter speak for them," said People magazine reporter Carlos Greer. "What's interesting, right now, is that they're not posting the lovey dovey photos that they normally post."
50 50 Movie
When Will Reiser first found out he had cancer, he and his comedy-writer buddies (including Seth Rogen and "Pineapple Express" scribe Evan Goldberg) would jokingly wonder if Reiser's disease would bring them all a Make-a-Wish opportunity to hang with Led Zeppelin.
That rock-and-roll dream never came true, but Reiser's battle with, and eventual remission from, cancer did gift them all with one thing: "50/50," a comedy (out now) that is drawing rave reviews from critics and is being discussed as a possible contender come awards season. Though not all reviewers have found it easy to find yuks in a deadly serious topic, far more point to the film as an example that nothing is out of bounds when it comes to art and comedy; handled deftly, anything can lead to laughter and learning.
The Story
"Adam Lerner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a nice guy with a great job at a Seattle NPR station, a promising relationship with up-and-coming artist Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard), a best-friend-since-high-school named Kyle (Seth Rogen) to hang with -- and, as he learns to his horror in a doctor's office, cancer. ... Also woven deftly into the mixture is Anna Kendrick as a young (very young) therapist assigned to work with Adam; [Anjelica] Huston as the kind of mother who explains 'I want you to know that I smothered him because I love him' to anyone who will listen. ... It's not a perfect movie, but it doesn't matter. '50/50' takes on a bold subject and makes us laugh and cry. I thought I didn't want to see a cancer comedy; I was wrong." -- Moira McDonald, The Seattle Times
The Laughs
"Scenes where the pals trash a piece of once-important memorabilia in a backyard rampage and the after-effects of pot-laden cookies scored at the chemotherapy clinic show loopily grinning Gordon-Levitt at his best. Kudos to [director Jonathan] Levine for not letting Rogen's very funny comedic bits overshadow the proceedings. The actor dials it down ever so slightly and isn't afraid to be the butt of jokes -- watch for Gordon-Levitt's spot-on Rogen impersonation. The suggestion a bald head and a cancer diagnosis could be the ultimate pickup leverage leads Adam and Kyle into funny territory. But the hilarity turns with the exploration of deeper relationships as Adam finds new friends among the genial stoners of all ages at the chemo clinic." -- Linda Barnard, Toronto Star
The Writing
"[Reiser] draws on his personal battle with a rare form of that disease. His success rate in the delicate balance between comedy and the profound devastation of such an illness is much greater than 50/50, but the film is not without its tonal lapses. ... Reiser has written his characters with an indelible sweetness and vulnerability, which allows the cast to deliver performances with some depth. So a situation such as Kyle insisting that Adam and he should cruise girls at a bar looking for sympathy lays -- Cruisin' with the Big C as it were -- comes off as quite funny as does Adam's first chemo session where he ingests weed-laced sweets created by a fellow patient's wife and floats out of the hospital afterwards." -- Kirk Honeycutt, The Hollywood Reporter
The Dissenters
"In the pantheon of tastelessness designed to make you laugh at diarrhea, menstruation, masturbation, yeast infections, fellatio and worse, you can now add a stupid horror called '50/50.' Artificial, irresponsible, filthy and forgettable, it knocks itself cross-eyed trying to make you roar with laughter at chemotherapy, with the nauseating Seth Rogen milking most of the yuks. But a stoner comedy about cancer? I don't think so." -- Rex Reed, The New York Observer
The Final Word
"The reason '50/50' works is it's not trying to force us into any particular emotion. It fits in the emerging category of sad-man comedies such as 'Up in the Air' and 'Crazy, Stupid Love,' telling its downbeat tale with tenderness, sincerity and warmth. '50/50' isn't a cancer buddy comedy or a male weepie but a message movie. The message is that you can tackle pretty much any subject matter and tell a story any way you want to onscreen as long as it's absorbing." -- Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
That rock-and-roll dream never came true, but Reiser's battle with, and eventual remission from, cancer did gift them all with one thing: "50/50," a comedy (out now) that is drawing rave reviews from critics and is being discussed as a possible contender come awards season. Though not all reviewers have found it easy to find yuks in a deadly serious topic, far more point to the film as an example that nothing is out of bounds when it comes to art and comedy; handled deftly, anything can lead to laughter and learning.
The Story
"Adam Lerner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a nice guy with a great job at a Seattle NPR station, a promising relationship with up-and-coming artist Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard), a best-friend-since-high-school named Kyle (Seth Rogen) to hang with -- and, as he learns to his horror in a doctor's office, cancer. ... Also woven deftly into the mixture is Anna Kendrick as a young (very young) therapist assigned to work with Adam; [Anjelica] Huston as the kind of mother who explains 'I want you to know that I smothered him because I love him' to anyone who will listen. ... It's not a perfect movie, but it doesn't matter. '50/50' takes on a bold subject and makes us laugh and cry. I thought I didn't want to see a cancer comedy; I was wrong." -- Moira McDonald, The Seattle Times
The Laughs
"Scenes where the pals trash a piece of once-important memorabilia in a backyard rampage and the after-effects of pot-laden cookies scored at the chemotherapy clinic show loopily grinning Gordon-Levitt at his best. Kudos to [director Jonathan] Levine for not letting Rogen's very funny comedic bits overshadow the proceedings. The actor dials it down ever so slightly and isn't afraid to be the butt of jokes -- watch for Gordon-Levitt's spot-on Rogen impersonation. The suggestion a bald head and a cancer diagnosis could be the ultimate pickup leverage leads Adam and Kyle into funny territory. But the hilarity turns with the exploration of deeper relationships as Adam finds new friends among the genial stoners of all ages at the chemo clinic." -- Linda Barnard, Toronto Star
The Writing
"[Reiser] draws on his personal battle with a rare form of that disease. His success rate in the delicate balance between comedy and the profound devastation of such an illness is much greater than 50/50, but the film is not without its tonal lapses. ... Reiser has written his characters with an indelible sweetness and vulnerability, which allows the cast to deliver performances with some depth. So a situation such as Kyle insisting that Adam and he should cruise girls at a bar looking for sympathy lays -- Cruisin' with the Big C as it were -- comes off as quite funny as does Adam's first chemo session where he ingests weed-laced sweets created by a fellow patient's wife and floats out of the hospital afterwards." -- Kirk Honeycutt, The Hollywood Reporter
The Dissenters
"In the pantheon of tastelessness designed to make you laugh at diarrhea, menstruation, masturbation, yeast infections, fellatio and worse, you can now add a stupid horror called '50/50.' Artificial, irresponsible, filthy and forgettable, it knocks itself cross-eyed trying to make you roar with laughter at chemotherapy, with the nauseating Seth Rogen milking most of the yuks. But a stoner comedy about cancer? I don't think so." -- Rex Reed, The New York Observer
The Final Word
"The reason '50/50' works is it's not trying to force us into any particular emotion. It fits in the emerging category of sad-man comedies such as 'Up in the Air' and 'Crazy, Stupid Love,' telling its downbeat tale with tenderness, sincerity and warmth. '50/50' isn't a cancer buddy comedy or a male weepie but a message movie. The message is that you can tackle pretty much any subject matter and tell a story any way you want to onscreen as long as it's absorbing." -- Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Occupy Wall Street
When the Occupy Wall Street protests began nearly three weeks ago, skeptics claimed it was too disorganized and too unfocused to be successful. But the occupation hasn’t gone away – and that’s because, even as it has become more organized, the protest hasn’t adopted a specific platform.
Media coverage — even on the left — has been minimal, and what coverage has existed has been largely derisive. Cable’s liberal stalwart Rachel Maddow didn’t have a segment on the protest until last night, Mother Jones ran an article entitled “why #occupywallstreet isn’t working,” and Grist’s Dave Roberts said the occupation was “designed to discredit leftie protest.”
And, yet, the occupation is spreading. There are now occupations and solidarity demonstrations in dozens of cities around the country, including Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. (D.C.’s version is scheduled for Oct. 6.)The Air Line Pilots Association has joined the protests, the 34,000-strong Transit Workers Union Local 100 voted unanimously to support the protests, and several other major progressive groups, including MoveOn.org and the SEIU, are finally throwing their weight behind the movement.
To some degree, of course, the images from the protest have played a role in organically popularizing the movement. The pepper-spraying of innocent protesters last Saturday and the pictures of Wall Streeters doing their best Marie Antoinette impersonations — drinking champagne and mocking a protest march — have been particularly powerful.
The most important images, though, are in a collection of stories from what the protestors are calling “the other 99 percent” of America: people drowning in debt, people forced to choose between groceries and rent, people who work long hours for little pay and even less job security and yet are “the lucky ones.” There’s despair and sadness in these stories, but the most prevalent emotion is anger — at the few who were bailed out after crashing the economy and at leaders who have often ignored just how unequal the country has become. That anger is the one thing the protesters all agree on, and the biggest impulse driving the occupation forward.
As this anger demonstrates, despite what the skeptics demanded, these activists didn’t need to present yet another platform. Groups have been proposing platforms for years, under both Democrats and Republicans, and yet inequality continues to rise. Instead, simply changing the conversation is the best thing the protesters can do right now. While still in its earliest phases, the occupation is right to echo many Americans’ frustration that Wall Street and Washington have recovered, while the rest of the economy hasn’t. Should there be more specific ideas down the line? Of course. For now, though just focusing the conversation on Wall Street and inequality is victory enough.
Media coverage — even on the left — has been minimal, and what coverage has existed has been largely derisive. Cable’s liberal stalwart Rachel Maddow didn’t have a segment on the protest until last night, Mother Jones ran an article entitled “why #occupywallstreet isn’t working,” and Grist’s Dave Roberts said the occupation was “designed to discredit leftie protest.”
And, yet, the occupation is spreading. There are now occupations and solidarity demonstrations in dozens of cities around the country, including Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. (D.C.’s version is scheduled for Oct. 6.)The Air Line Pilots Association has joined the protests, the 34,000-strong Transit Workers Union Local 100 voted unanimously to support the protests, and several other major progressive groups, including MoveOn.org and the SEIU, are finally throwing their weight behind the movement.
To some degree, of course, the images from the protest have played a role in organically popularizing the movement. The pepper-spraying of innocent protesters last Saturday and the pictures of Wall Streeters doing their best Marie Antoinette impersonations — drinking champagne and mocking a protest march — have been particularly powerful.
The most important images, though, are in a collection of stories from what the protestors are calling “the other 99 percent” of America: people drowning in debt, people forced to choose between groceries and rent, people who work long hours for little pay and even less job security and yet are “the lucky ones.” There’s despair and sadness in these stories, but the most prevalent emotion is anger — at the few who were bailed out after crashing the economy and at leaders who have often ignored just how unequal the country has become. That anger is the one thing the protesters all agree on, and the biggest impulse driving the occupation forward.
As this anger demonstrates, despite what the skeptics demanded, these activists didn’t need to present yet another platform. Groups have been proposing platforms for years, under both Democrats and Republicans, and yet inequality continues to rise. Instead, simply changing the conversation is the best thing the protesters can do right now. While still in its earliest phases, the occupation is right to echo many Americans’ frustration that Wall Street and Washington have recovered, while the rest of the economy hasn’t. Should there be more specific ideas down the line? Of course. For now, though just focusing the conversation on Wall Street and inequality is victory enough.
Homeland
In Showtime’s new conspiracy thriller “Homeland,” Claire Danes plays a CIA agent who picks up some of her best ideas while in bars trying to pick up men. Damian Lewis is a Marine who returns from years of enemy imprisonment and torture looking like he walked out of Club Fed. Mandy Patinkin looks like Richard Kimble in “The Fugitive,” pre-shave.
“Homeland” is a spare and oftentimes bleak drama about strange, lonely people who prove to be unlikely central players in a plot to attack the United States.
So far it sounds like what might happen if a Sundance director made “24,” but it’s actually one of the best new shows of the season, thanks to grade-A performances by its three stars. (The pilot episode is online for free viewing at sho.com, so you can judge for yourself.)
“Homeland” may not win any Emmys, but it’s a notch better than almost anything debuting this fall on free TV. That is becoming a habit for Showtime, which just keeps closing the gap with HBO in subscribers and high-quality shows.
Howard Gordon was the co-creator of “24” and saw it through eight seasons that eventually tried even the most ardent fan’s patience. (How many constitutional crises and emergency presidents can even a fake USA handle?)
When it was good, though, “24” was very good, and its dialogues over the war on terror were better than anything you could hear on the Sunday yak shows.
“We were even involved with the debate on torture for a while there,” Gordon said at the TV critics’ fall previews in L.A. “We got painted with a right-wing brush, but really our staff was completely split along ideological lines, and we tried to reflect that in the stories.”
Gordon promises that “Homeland,” despite treading on “24’s” turf, will be different — much different. Nicholas Brody, the returning patriot played by Lewis, will be the opposite of “24’s” Jack Bauer. And the country’s fate won’t hang in the balance at the end of every episode.
“We’re mostly dealing with the human drama of a returning hero and a CIA agent who suspects him of having been turned,” Gordon said.
That suspicion appears to be confirmed in a dreamlike flashback in the first episode, where Brody seems to rat on another prisoner in exchange for leniency.
I hope that scene proves to be a red herring. It would be disappointing if Gordon and the show’s other creators, Alex Gansa (another “24” alum) and Gideon Raff, made a robotic Manchurian candidate out of Lewis, a Brit who has already been underused in a leading American role (on NBC’s “Life”).
On the other hand, Carrie Mathison, the spook played by Danes, is a fully developed character. She might be reason enough to keep tuning in. Mathison is obviously devoted to keeping the homeland secure, but it’s hard when you’re as insecure as she is. Pill-popping and Mr. Goodbar-seeking, she is a warrior who’ll do anything to advance her cause and/or career, including a classic out of Cleopatra’s playbook — snuggling up to her older male superiors (like the one played by Patinkin).
For me, at least, the show turns on two things: the relationship between Mathison and Brody, which is pushed forward in a brief but electrifying encounter in the pilot; and the way Brody is portrayed by the fictional news media, which is entrusted with the task of carrying the heroic narrative that Mathison, presumably, wants to undo.
Portrayals of the press on TV dramas are notoriously off-key, which always puzzles me — it’s not like you need to hunt around for good source material. It’s always on, 24/7, and it’s always the same.
Can House save ‘House’?
“You were a pretty big deal: What went wrong?”
Those are words of dialogue from Monday’s eighth-season premiere of “House,” spoken by a prison doctor to inmate Gregory House, M.D.
But those same words could have been uttered by any longtime viewer of TV’s squirreliest drama, which has redone itself more times than a Real Housewife while driving away formerly adoring critics and viewers alike.
There were all the cast members leaving, then coming back, the game-show competition, the unsuccessful attempts to replace Jennifer Morrison (Olivia Wilde, Amber Tamblyn) and, most disastrously, last season’s pointless if inevitable romance between House and Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein, who later left rather than accept a salary cut) and its absurd denouement, which has landed House in prison as Season 8 opens.
So why do people keep giving “House” the time of day? House, of course. Hugh Laurie continues to bring power and self-destructive intensity to the show’s soul center. Compared to the boxes his writers have put him in, jail looks easy.
In jail, at least, they’ve given him a lot of scenery to chew. Monday’s season premiere combines the savage social portrait of “Oz” with a psychological study of House’s character, or what remains of it, after all these years.
As long as you don’t ask too many pesky questions like, “Seriously, why is House in a creepy New Jersey prison?” it may be one of the best (and last, I predict) rides this wobbly star vehicle gives its fans before the wheels come off completely.
“Homeland” is a spare and oftentimes bleak drama about strange, lonely people who prove to be unlikely central players in a plot to attack the United States.
So far it sounds like what might happen if a Sundance director made “24,” but it’s actually one of the best new shows of the season, thanks to grade-A performances by its three stars. (The pilot episode is online for free viewing at sho.com, so you can judge for yourself.)
“Homeland” may not win any Emmys, but it’s a notch better than almost anything debuting this fall on free TV. That is becoming a habit for Showtime, which just keeps closing the gap with HBO in subscribers and high-quality shows.
Howard Gordon was the co-creator of “24” and saw it through eight seasons that eventually tried even the most ardent fan’s patience. (How many constitutional crises and emergency presidents can even a fake USA handle?)
When it was good, though, “24” was very good, and its dialogues over the war on terror were better than anything you could hear on the Sunday yak shows.
“We were even involved with the debate on torture for a while there,” Gordon said at the TV critics’ fall previews in L.A. “We got painted with a right-wing brush, but really our staff was completely split along ideological lines, and we tried to reflect that in the stories.”
Gordon promises that “Homeland,” despite treading on “24’s” turf, will be different — much different. Nicholas Brody, the returning patriot played by Lewis, will be the opposite of “24’s” Jack Bauer. And the country’s fate won’t hang in the balance at the end of every episode.
“We’re mostly dealing with the human drama of a returning hero and a CIA agent who suspects him of having been turned,” Gordon said.
That suspicion appears to be confirmed in a dreamlike flashback in the first episode, where Brody seems to rat on another prisoner in exchange for leniency.
I hope that scene proves to be a red herring. It would be disappointing if Gordon and the show’s other creators, Alex Gansa (another “24” alum) and Gideon Raff, made a robotic Manchurian candidate out of Lewis, a Brit who has already been underused in a leading American role (on NBC’s “Life”).
On the other hand, Carrie Mathison, the spook played by Danes, is a fully developed character. She might be reason enough to keep tuning in. Mathison is obviously devoted to keeping the homeland secure, but it’s hard when you’re as insecure as she is. Pill-popping and Mr. Goodbar-seeking, she is a warrior who’ll do anything to advance her cause and/or career, including a classic out of Cleopatra’s playbook — snuggling up to her older male superiors (like the one played by Patinkin).
For me, at least, the show turns on two things: the relationship between Mathison and Brody, which is pushed forward in a brief but electrifying encounter in the pilot; and the way Brody is portrayed by the fictional news media, which is entrusted with the task of carrying the heroic narrative that Mathison, presumably, wants to undo.
Portrayals of the press on TV dramas are notoriously off-key, which always puzzles me — it’s not like you need to hunt around for good source material. It’s always on, 24/7, and it’s always the same.
Can House save ‘House’?
“You were a pretty big deal: What went wrong?”
Those are words of dialogue from Monday’s eighth-season premiere of “House,” spoken by a prison doctor to inmate Gregory House, M.D.
But those same words could have been uttered by any longtime viewer of TV’s squirreliest drama, which has redone itself more times than a Real Housewife while driving away formerly adoring critics and viewers alike.
There were all the cast members leaving, then coming back, the game-show competition, the unsuccessful attempts to replace Jennifer Morrison (Olivia Wilde, Amber Tamblyn) and, most disastrously, last season’s pointless if inevitable romance between House and Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein, who later left rather than accept a salary cut) and its absurd denouement, which has landed House in prison as Season 8 opens.
So why do people keep giving “House” the time of day? House, of course. Hugh Laurie continues to bring power and self-destructive intensity to the show’s soul center. Compared to the boxes his writers have put him in, jail looks easy.
In jail, at least, they’ve given him a lot of scenery to chew. Monday’s season premiere combines the savage social portrait of “Oz” with a psychological study of House’s character, or what remains of it, after all these years.
As long as you don’t ask too many pesky questions like, “Seriously, why is House in a creepy New Jersey prison?” it may be one of the best (and last, I predict) rides this wobbly star vehicle gives its fans before the wheels come off completely.
Delonte West
Delonte West, Renaissance man, is trying his hand at the furniture business.
Locked out of his primary job as an NBA player, West has looked into positions at Home Depot and Sam’s Club (in the knives department) while working on a rap album. Now, he has landed a gig at Regency Furniture Showrooms, a Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia chain, in order to “stay afloat during the lockout.”
West, who is a free agent in the basketball world, tweeted relentlessly about his first day on his new job and shared pictures (which you can see when his Twitter account calms down). He even shared a photo of his job application, complete with the explanation that he’d been convicted of a crime because of a “misunderstanding.”
Daniel King, a sales manager at the Brandywine store, confirmed to The Reliable Source that West is on the job. Or was on Thursday.
West, a graduate of Greenbelt’s Eleanor Roosevelt High School, is a familiar face around the store. “Sometimes he just stops by to say hi,” King said. “He can make some extra money, and it would make money for us.”
There was confusion initially about where West would be working. Selling furniture seems like a better thing for him than lifting it, but when Reliable Source checked in with Regency, he was in the warehouse.
Sure enough, West tweeted a photo of himself wearing a Regency shirt and chillin’, er, getting to know his new coworkers in the warehouse and “having fun at my new job.” Overall, he seemed pleased with a workday in the real world, saying Regency is a “cool place to be.”
Who knows how long Delonte will last at this, though? In August, he was pretty excited about selling knives.
“I actually might have work with Sam's [Club], BJ's, selling knives,” West told True Hoop’s Adam Reisinger. “That's pretty cool too. I get a microphone and everything.”
Locked out of his primary job as an NBA player, West has looked into positions at Home Depot and Sam’s Club (in the knives department) while working on a rap album. Now, he has landed a gig at Regency Furniture Showrooms, a Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia chain, in order to “stay afloat during the lockout.”
West, who is a free agent in the basketball world, tweeted relentlessly about his first day on his new job and shared pictures (which you can see when his Twitter account calms down). He even shared a photo of his job application, complete with the explanation that he’d been convicted of a crime because of a “misunderstanding.”
Daniel King, a sales manager at the Brandywine store, confirmed to The Reliable Source that West is on the job. Or was on Thursday.
West, a graduate of Greenbelt’s Eleanor Roosevelt High School, is a familiar face around the store. “Sometimes he just stops by to say hi,” King said. “He can make some extra money, and it would make money for us.”
There was confusion initially about where West would be working. Selling furniture seems like a better thing for him than lifting it, but when Reliable Source checked in with Regency, he was in the warehouse.
Sure enough, West tweeted a photo of himself wearing a Regency shirt and chillin’, er, getting to know his new coworkers in the warehouse and “having fun at my new job.” Overall, he seemed pleased with a workday in the real world, saying Regency is a “cool place to be.”
Who knows how long Delonte will last at this, though? In August, he was pretty excited about selling knives.
“I actually might have work with Sam's [Club], BJ's, selling knives,” West told True Hoop’s Adam Reisinger. “That's pretty cool too. I get a microphone and everything.”
Courageous
“Courageous,” a film about four police officers attempting to be good fathers and maintain their Christian faith, may be the most popular new movie release of the weekend. Yet odds are that you’ve never even heard of it.
The new movie — which opens on 1,161 screens nationwide and was co-written and directed by Alex Kendrick, the filmmaker behind past faith-based films such as “Fireproof” and “Facing the Giants” — is leading advance sales on Fandango and has been throughout the week, according to data provided by the online ticket retailer.
As of this morning, purchases for “Courageous” accounted for 26% of the transactions on the site; the only other new release that comes close is “50/50,” which was in fourth place with 7%. The film has also been trending throughout much of the day on Google.
But “Courageous” was not screened in advance for most critics (only four reviews can currently be found on Rotten Tomatoes) and the marketing push behind it does not even approach the media blitzes behind competitors like “50/50” and Anna Faris’s “What’s Your Number?”
Why? Because “Courageous,” while distributed by Tristar, which falls under the Sony umbrella, was made with backing from faith-based production companies and marketed primarily to members of the Christian community. And that economical, niche approach has proven, again and again, that it works.
Consider the following statistics.
“Fireproof,” the aforementioned 2008 Kendrick release that starred Kirk Cameron, cost about $500,000 to make, according to Box Office Mojo. It earned $33.4 million. “Facing the Giants,” released in 2006, brought in $10.1 million on a production budget of $100,000. And last year’s “To Save a Life,” grossed $3.7 million while running up a price tag of just $500,000.
These films make a profit because they are made modestly, and speak (as well as market) to an audience that craves what they provide: movies about spiritual subjects that, for the most part, can be seen by audience members of numerous ages. (All of the aforementioned releases were rated PG or PG-13.)
“Courageous” doesn’t need endorsements from film critics at major media outlets, nor does it need to spend millions of dollars on press tours and ad campaigns. It knows who its audience is and targets those people directly. Which — much as it may pain the movie-critic side of me to say this — is pretty smart.
“Courageous” probably won’t be the No. 1 movie at the weekend box office; it isn’t playing on enough screens to overtake the higher-profile releases that currently dominate the multiplex. But don’t be surprised to see it in the top 10. Clearly the interest is there, even if many people outside of the film’s target audience didn’t even know it existed until now.
The new movie — which opens on 1,161 screens nationwide and was co-written and directed by Alex Kendrick, the filmmaker behind past faith-based films such as “Fireproof” and “Facing the Giants” — is leading advance sales on Fandango and has been throughout the week, according to data provided by the online ticket retailer.
As of this morning, purchases for “Courageous” accounted for 26% of the transactions on the site; the only other new release that comes close is “50/50,” which was in fourth place with 7%. The film has also been trending throughout much of the day on Google.
But “Courageous” was not screened in advance for most critics (only four reviews can currently be found on Rotten Tomatoes) and the marketing push behind it does not even approach the media blitzes behind competitors like “50/50” and Anna Faris’s “What’s Your Number?”
Why? Because “Courageous,” while distributed by Tristar, which falls under the Sony umbrella, was made with backing from faith-based production companies and marketed primarily to members of the Christian community. And that economical, niche approach has proven, again and again, that it works.
Consider the following statistics.
“Fireproof,” the aforementioned 2008 Kendrick release that starred Kirk Cameron, cost about $500,000 to make, according to Box Office Mojo. It earned $33.4 million. “Facing the Giants,” released in 2006, brought in $10.1 million on a production budget of $100,000. And last year’s “To Save a Life,” grossed $3.7 million while running up a price tag of just $500,000.
These films make a profit because they are made modestly, and speak (as well as market) to an audience that craves what they provide: movies about spiritual subjects that, for the most part, can be seen by audience members of numerous ages. (All of the aforementioned releases were rated PG or PG-13.)
“Courageous” doesn’t need endorsements from film critics at major media outlets, nor does it need to spend millions of dollars on press tours and ad campaigns. It knows who its audience is and targets those people directly. Which — much as it may pain the movie-critic side of me to say this — is pretty smart.
“Courageous” probably won’t be the No. 1 movie at the weekend box office; it isn’t playing on enough screens to overtake the higher-profile releases that currently dominate the multiplex. But don’t be surprised to see it in the top 10. Clearly the interest is there, even if many people outside of the film’s target audience didn’t even know it existed until now.
Stacey Dash
Stacey Dash is back on the market, fellas! The former star of Single Ladies officially divorced her husband this week after she claimed he abused her throughout their short marriage.
Stacey Dash recently left her VH1 show Single Ladies -- and now she's actually a single lady. Dash, 45, officially divorced her husband of two years, actor Emmanuel Xuereb.
The Clueless actress filed for divorce from Xuereb in January 2010 after she claimed he physically abused her throughout their marriage. Authorities also granted her a restraining order, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The couple doesn't have children, though Dash does have two children from previous relationships: son Austin, who was born in 1991 and daughter Lola, born in 2003.
Dash isn't afraid to be honest when it comes to her past mistakes in love. She admitted that she's slept with all three of her husbands on the first date.
"Yes, I slept with all my husbands on the first night. And they said, 'Marry Me' and I said, 'yes,'" she told Smooth magazine last year.
The actress went to the 2010 Academy Awards as Jamie Foxx's date, though at the time she wanted to stay single. However, she was quick to clarify that she never consummated the relationship with him because she wanted to stay a -- you guessed it -- single lady.
"I think love is amazing. I'm in love with love. I just don't know what it is in a relationship yet. I've been marrried three times and divorced three times. At this point, I'm trying to fall in love with myself. And hopefully after I do that, I'll be able to fall in love and stay in love with someone else," she told Smooth.
Stacey Dash recently left her VH1 show Single Ladies -- and now she's actually a single lady. Dash, 45, officially divorced her husband of two years, actor Emmanuel Xuereb.
The Clueless actress filed for divorce from Xuereb in January 2010 after she claimed he physically abused her throughout their marriage. Authorities also granted her a restraining order, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The couple doesn't have children, though Dash does have two children from previous relationships: son Austin, who was born in 1991 and daughter Lola, born in 2003.
Dash isn't afraid to be honest when it comes to her past mistakes in love. She admitted that she's slept with all three of her husbands on the first date.
"Yes, I slept with all my husbands on the first night. And they said, 'Marry Me' and I said, 'yes,'" she told Smooth magazine last year.
The actress went to the 2010 Academy Awards as Jamie Foxx's date, though at the time she wanted to stay single. However, she was quick to clarify that she never consummated the relationship with him because she wanted to stay a -- you guessed it -- single lady.
"I think love is amazing. I'm in love with love. I just don't know what it is in a relationship yet. I've been marrried three times and divorced three times. At this point, I'm trying to fall in love with myself. And hopefully after I do that, I'll be able to fall in love and stay in love with someone else," she told Smooth.
Holly Madison
It is a well-known fact that Holly Madison is incredibly proud of her assets. Those are her tools for raking in the big bucks!
Madison, who has showed off her infamous breasts in reality shows The Girls Next Door as well as Holly’s World is just trying to be a responsible and well-prepared woman. What if something would happen to them?
So why did the 31-year old just decide now to insure these said “money-makers”?
CBS News reports that Madison said, “I’ve heard about people getting body parts insured and I thought, ‘Why not?’, because if anything happened to my boobs, I’d be out for a few months and I’d probably be out a million dollars."
That’s a lot of money to lose so it’s always better to be safe than sorry! Just ask fellow stars Celine Dion, Adam Lambert, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Jamie Lee Curtis, Heidi Klum, and Mary Hart. Although these stars have everything from voices to legs insured for an impressive $1 million, nothing comes close to David Beckham’s insurance plan.
According to AHN, the soccer stud has his “kickers” insured for no less than $70 million!
Madison, who has showed off her infamous breasts in reality shows The Girls Next Door as well as Holly’s World is just trying to be a responsible and well-prepared woman. What if something would happen to them?
So why did the 31-year old just decide now to insure these said “money-makers”?
CBS News reports that Madison said, “I’ve heard about people getting body parts insured and I thought, ‘Why not?’, because if anything happened to my boobs, I’d be out for a few months and I’d probably be out a million dollars."
That’s a lot of money to lose so it’s always better to be safe than sorry! Just ask fellow stars Celine Dion, Adam Lambert, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Jamie Lee Curtis, Heidi Klum, and Mary Hart. Although these stars have everything from voices to legs insured for an impressive $1 million, nothing comes close to David Beckham’s insurance plan.
According to AHN, the soccer stud has his “kickers” insured for no less than $70 million!
Anwar Al Awlaki
The death of the American-born radical Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki is a "major blow" to al-Qaida, according to president Barack Obama.
But while the president welcomed the death of the "YouTube Bin Laden", the US authorities were in no hurry to overtly claim credit for the assassination as they managed the potential fallout of the killing in Yemen and across the Middle East.
Speaking a few hours after the drone strike that killed Awlaki, Obama made only a few brief remarks on the subject, describing his death as "another significant milestone" in America's fight against al-Qaida. The US regarded Awlaki as one of al-Qaida's most dangerous operatives because of his potential appeal to western radicals.
But Obama's low key speech stood in marked contrast to the assassination of Osama bin Laden, which was rapidly followed by media briefings and photographs of the president and his team observing the operation.
"This is further proof that al-Qaida and its affiliates will have no safe haven anywhere in the world," Obama said, before moving swiftly on.
In large part the reticence reflects US sensitivities about Yemen, a country in violent turmoil and where US involvement has provided a propaganda coup for Muslim radicals. Secret US diplomatic cables released last year by WikiLeaks and the Guardian reveal the secrecy that surrounded an offer by Yemen's president to Washington of "unfettered access" to carry out unilateral strikes against top al-Qaida targets on his soil.
The cable narrates how president Ali Abdullah Saleh effectively "outsourced" Yemen's own counter-terrorism efforts to the United States.
In line with the covert US approach detailed in the cables, details of the Awlaki operation remain scant. The Yemeni government announced that Awlaki was "targeted and killed" around 9.55am outside the town of Khasaf in a desert stretch of Jawf province, 87 miles (140km) east of the capital Sana'a. It gave no further details.
A senior tribal chief who helped bury the bodies in a cemetery in Jawf told the Associated Press that seven people were killed in the strike, their bodies completely charred. The chief said the brother of one of the dead, who had given the group shelter in his home, had witnessed the strike.
According to the chief, the witness said Awlaki was travelling in a pick-up with six other people on their way to neighbouring Marib province. They stopped for breakfast in the desert and were sitting on the ground to eat when they spotted drones, so they rushed to their truck. A missile struck the truck, leaving it a charred husk and killing all of those inside. The chief spoke on condition of anonymity because he did not want to be connected to the group, and he did not identify the witness.
US officials were unwilling to go into detail about America's role in Awlaki's killing. But it is likely that the hunt for Awlaki would have been overseen by the CIA, in large part to enable it to be classified as "covert action" that not only gives the American pursuers a freer hand in how they operate, but means they are not obliged to seek the approval of the Yemeni government.
The CIA launched a failed drone attack to kill Awlaki in May after Obama gave the unusual authorisation for the killing of an American citizen. It was revealed in June that the CIA is building a secret base in an unnamed Middle Eastern country to launch drone attacks within Yemen without the necessity of informing President Ali Abdullah Saleh's US-friendly but beleaguered administration, which has an uncertain future.
But the CIA has not been alone. Much of the pursuit of al-Qaida targets in Yemen has been carried out by the "hunter-killer teams" from the highly secretive Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), a military operation that has its own drones and can call on air strikes. It was members of the Navy's special operations forces under the command of JSOC who killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in May.
According to a recent book, Top Secret America, by Washington Post reporters Dana Priest and William Arkin, JSOC has launched intelligence operations and lethal raids, not only in countries where the US is fighting openly – Iraq and Afghanistan – but in Pakistan, Somalia, the Philippines, Nigeria and Syria. Also in Yemen. "The president has given JSOC the rare authority to select individuals for its kill list — and then to kill, rather than capture, them.
However, JSOC is not legally permitted to carry out covert operations – in which the US role is not acknowledged – of the kind pursued by the CIA. Technically JSOC's operations are defined as "traditional military activities" requiring disclosure. But Priest and Arkin write that is a fine distinction in practice.
"Many national security officials, however, say JSOC's operations are so similar to the CIA's that they amount to covert action. The unit takes its orders directly from the president or the secretary of defence and is managed and overseen by a military-only chain of command," they write.
The administration's unwillingness to detail US involvement also reflects the fact that this was a much more controversial operation than the assassination of Bin Laden. Awlaki was a US citizen, had not been indicted for any crime and the strike took place in a country where US forces are not officially waging war.
Whatever the legalities, Awlaki's death has sparked a debate over how significant his demise will prove to be. Professor Rohan Gunaratna, head of the the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research in Singapore, said Awlaki's killing was a significant blow to al-Qaida.
"Anwar al-Awlaki was not only the a ideological leader, he was an operational leader. He was a Bin Laden in the making but he would have posed an even greater threat because he understood the Western world, especially the Musilims living in the west," he said.
"Awlaki was the go-to cleric for English-speaking Muslims who sought to engage in violent jihad. He was the most influential radical tourism recruiter for Islamic revolutionary groups, and he was savvy about using new media, and old," said Charles Kurzman, author of The Missing Martyrs: Why There are so Few Muslim Terrorists.
But Kurzman said Awlaki's influence had ultimately proved minimal. "He saw revolutionary violence as an individual duty that was required of every Muslim. Fortunately virtually all Muslims disagreed."
Kurzman said: "Given that Awlaki's messages is sitting on the internet, easily accessible to millions of English-speaking Muslims, it's very interesting how few have taken him up on his demand that Muslims join the revolutionary movement."
Security officials on both sides of the Atlantic believe that Awlaki's death is further evidence that the strategy of targeting al-Qaida's leaders is working.
Crucially, say American officials, it is not just the top tier that has been removed.
"The attrition reaches right into the organisation,' said one US diplomatic source.
"You are now talking about the of people who the public have never heard of. The strength in depth that was so important a few years ago simply isn't there any longer. Once it was the 'number three' who was always taken out because he was exposed.
"Now it's numbers four to forty who are being hit, too."
There is also quiet satisfaction elsewhere. In Saudi Arabia, senior interior ministry officials say that al-Qaida, once a major security problem in the country, is now "dying if not dead".
Many of the top Saudi militants left their native land to take refuge in the Yemen which appears now to be less of a safe haven than they may have thought.
But while the president welcomed the death of the "YouTube Bin Laden", the US authorities were in no hurry to overtly claim credit for the assassination as they managed the potential fallout of the killing in Yemen and across the Middle East.
Speaking a few hours after the drone strike that killed Awlaki, Obama made only a few brief remarks on the subject, describing his death as "another significant milestone" in America's fight against al-Qaida. The US regarded Awlaki as one of al-Qaida's most dangerous operatives because of his potential appeal to western radicals.
But Obama's low key speech stood in marked contrast to the assassination of Osama bin Laden, which was rapidly followed by media briefings and photographs of the president and his team observing the operation.
"This is further proof that al-Qaida and its affiliates will have no safe haven anywhere in the world," Obama said, before moving swiftly on.
In large part the reticence reflects US sensitivities about Yemen, a country in violent turmoil and where US involvement has provided a propaganda coup for Muslim radicals. Secret US diplomatic cables released last year by WikiLeaks and the Guardian reveal the secrecy that surrounded an offer by Yemen's president to Washington of "unfettered access" to carry out unilateral strikes against top al-Qaida targets on his soil.
The cable narrates how president Ali Abdullah Saleh effectively "outsourced" Yemen's own counter-terrorism efforts to the United States.
In line with the covert US approach detailed in the cables, details of the Awlaki operation remain scant. The Yemeni government announced that Awlaki was "targeted and killed" around 9.55am outside the town of Khasaf in a desert stretch of Jawf province, 87 miles (140km) east of the capital Sana'a. It gave no further details.
A senior tribal chief who helped bury the bodies in a cemetery in Jawf told the Associated Press that seven people were killed in the strike, their bodies completely charred. The chief said the brother of one of the dead, who had given the group shelter in his home, had witnessed the strike.
According to the chief, the witness said Awlaki was travelling in a pick-up with six other people on their way to neighbouring Marib province. They stopped for breakfast in the desert and were sitting on the ground to eat when they spotted drones, so they rushed to their truck. A missile struck the truck, leaving it a charred husk and killing all of those inside. The chief spoke on condition of anonymity because he did not want to be connected to the group, and he did not identify the witness.
US officials were unwilling to go into detail about America's role in Awlaki's killing. But it is likely that the hunt for Awlaki would have been overseen by the CIA, in large part to enable it to be classified as "covert action" that not only gives the American pursuers a freer hand in how they operate, but means they are not obliged to seek the approval of the Yemeni government.
The CIA launched a failed drone attack to kill Awlaki in May after Obama gave the unusual authorisation for the killing of an American citizen. It was revealed in June that the CIA is building a secret base in an unnamed Middle Eastern country to launch drone attacks within Yemen without the necessity of informing President Ali Abdullah Saleh's US-friendly but beleaguered administration, which has an uncertain future.
But the CIA has not been alone. Much of the pursuit of al-Qaida targets in Yemen has been carried out by the "hunter-killer teams" from the highly secretive Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), a military operation that has its own drones and can call on air strikes. It was members of the Navy's special operations forces under the command of JSOC who killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in May.
However, JSOC is not legally permitted to carry out covert operations – in which the US role is not acknowledged – of the kind pursued by the CIA. Technically JSOC's operations are defined as "traditional military activities" requiring disclosure. But Priest and Arkin write that is a fine distinction in practice.
"Many national security officials, however, say JSOC's operations are so similar to the CIA's that they amount to covert action. The unit takes its orders directly from the president or the secretary of defence and is managed and overseen by a military-only chain of command," they write.
The administration's unwillingness to detail US involvement also reflects the fact that this was a much more controversial operation than the assassination of Bin Laden. Awlaki was a US citizen, had not been indicted for any crime and the strike took place in a country where US forces are not officially waging war.
Whatever the legalities, Awlaki's death has sparked a debate over how significant his demise will prove to be. Professor Rohan Gunaratna, head of the the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research in Singapore, said Awlaki's killing was a significant blow to al-Qaida.
"Anwar al-Awlaki was not only the a ideological leader, he was an operational leader. He was a Bin Laden in the making but he would have posed an even greater threat because he understood the Western world, especially the Musilims living in the west," he said.
"Awlaki was the go-to cleric for English-speaking Muslims who sought to engage in violent jihad. He was the most influential radical tourism recruiter for Islamic revolutionary groups, and he was savvy about using new media, and old," said Charles Kurzman, author of The Missing Martyrs: Why There are so Few Muslim Terrorists.
But Kurzman said Awlaki's influence had ultimately proved minimal. "He saw revolutionary violence as an individual duty that was required of every Muslim. Fortunately virtually all Muslims disagreed."
Kurzman said: "Given that Awlaki's messages is sitting on the internet, easily accessible to millions of English-speaking Muslims, it's very interesting how few have taken him up on his demand that Muslims join the revolutionary movement."
Security officials on both sides of the Atlantic believe that Awlaki's death is further evidence that the strategy of targeting al-Qaida's leaders is working.
Crucially, say American officials, it is not just the top tier that has been removed.
"The attrition reaches right into the organisation,' said one US diplomatic source.
"You are now talking about the of people who the public have never heard of. The strength in depth that was so important a few years ago simply isn't there any longer. Once it was the 'number three' who was always taken out because he was exposed.
"Now it's numbers four to forty who are being hit, too."
There is also quiet satisfaction elsewhere. In Saudi Arabia, senior interior ministry officials say that al-Qaida, once a major security problem in the country, is now "dying if not dead".
Many of the top Saudi militants left their native land to take refuge in the Yemen which appears now to be less of a safe haven than they may have thought.
Gerrard goes back to Hull a Cardiff player
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| Gerrard on holiday last season |
How much are the Hull City fans looking forward to seeing their 'Player of the Season' from last season, not a lot now he is back in a Cardiff City shirt.
The player in question defender Anthony Gerrard spent the whole of last season on loan with the Humberside club after he losing the faith of then manager Dave Jones.
During his time on loan surprisingly featuring in both games against the Bluebirds when Cardiff who had Hull midfielder Seyi Olofinjana on loan come to a deal to play in the games. Gerrard played 44 games, scoring 5 goals.
He returned to Cardiff to an uncertain future, Hull would have like to sign him, but with the aftermath of the play-off failure the club was waiting on the much-fabled Dave Jones report of the next step. It came to pass Jones was sacked and in came a new boy giving everyone a fresh start to prove themselves which Gerrard did.
While Gerrard will be one of the lynch pin of the Cardiff City defence while tomorrow former loan player Seyi Olofinjana, will be out recovering from knee surgery and out for some time. I hope the Hull fans give Gerrard a good reception tomorrow.
Road on the Welsh and English Cups
Weekend for Cup games for lower league teams in the England and Wales for the teams this blog is following.
In the FA Cup Merthyr Town were the chosen team mainly because of the Welsh connection. For some reason or another I missed the last round were they took on Cinderford Town at home. The game ended all square at 1-1 so on to a reply and all things come to an end eventually. The Welsh club surcome to a 2-0 defeat so end their FA Cup dreams.
So now, Cinderford lead the way to Wembley in May with a tough trip to Eastleigh.
The route so far
Second Round Qualifying Sat 1 Oct 2011 Eastleigh v Cinderford Town
(Reply) First Round Qualifying Tues 20 Sept 2011 Cinderford Town 2-0 Merthyr Town Att N/A
First Round Qualifying Sat 17 Sept 2011 Merthyr Town 1-1 Cinderford Town Att 309
Preliminary Round Sat, 3 Sept 2011 Merthyr Town 1-0 Longwell Green Sports Att 345
(Reply) Extra Preliminary Round Wed, 24 August 2011 AFC Bitton 1- 2 Merthyr Town Att 248
Extra Preliminary Round Sat, 20 August 2011 Merthyr Town 2-2 AFC Bitton Att 323
Tomorrow it is also Round 1 of the Welsh Cup and the competition is no longer regionalised. This blog started of following one team from the Northern section and one the Southern. After two rounds local Cardiff team Splott Albion and still in but the original north team Llanberis were knock out by Builth Wells who are face Dinas Powys is weekend.
The route so far
Round One Sat Oct 1 2011 Dinas Powys v Builth Wells
Round One Sat 1 Oct Bridgend v Splott Albion
Southern Section 2nd Qualifying Round Sat, 3 Sept 2011 Splott Albion 1-0 AFC Llwydcoed Att N/A
1st Qualifying Round Sat, 26 Aug 2011 Trethomas Bluebirds 0-1 Splott Albion (AET) Att N/A
Northern Section 2nd Qualifying Round Sat, 3 Sept 2011 Brickfield Rangers 1-4 Builth Wells Att N/A
1st Qualifying Round Sat, 26 Aug 2011 Builth Wells 3-2 Llanberis AttN/A
In the FA Cup Merthyr Town were the chosen team mainly because of the Welsh connection. For some reason or another I missed the last round were they took on Cinderford Town at home. The game ended all square at 1-1 so on to a reply and all things come to an end eventually. The Welsh club surcome to a 2-0 defeat so end their FA Cup dreams.
So now, Cinderford lead the way to Wembley in May with a tough trip to Eastleigh.
The route so far
Second Round Qualifying Sat 1 Oct 2011 Eastleigh v Cinderford Town
(Reply) First Round Qualifying Tues 20 Sept 2011 Cinderford Town 2-0 Merthyr Town Att N/A
First Round Qualifying Sat 17 Sept 2011 Merthyr Town 1-1 Cinderford Town Att 309
Preliminary Round Sat, 3 Sept 2011 Merthyr Town 1-0 Longwell Green Sports Att 345
(Reply) Extra Preliminary Round Wed, 24 August 2011 AFC Bitton 1- 2 Merthyr Town Att 248
Extra Preliminary Round Sat, 20 August 2011 Merthyr Town 2-2 AFC Bitton Att 323
Tomorrow it is also Round 1 of the Welsh Cup and the competition is no longer regionalised. This blog started of following one team from the Northern section and one the Southern. After two rounds local Cardiff team Splott Albion and still in but the original north team Llanberis were knock out by Builth Wells who are face Dinas Powys is weekend.
The route so far
Round One Sat Oct 1 2011 Dinas Powys v Builth Wells
Round One Sat 1 Oct Bridgend v Splott Albion
Southern Section 2nd Qualifying Round Sat, 3 Sept 2011 Splott Albion 1-0 AFC Llwydcoed Att N/A
1st Qualifying Round Sat, 26 Aug 2011 Trethomas Bluebirds 0-1 Splott Albion (AET) Att N/A
Northern Section 2nd Qualifying Round Sat, 3 Sept 2011 Brickfield Rangers 1-4 Builth Wells Att N/A
1st Qualifying Round Sat, 26 Aug 2011 Builth Wells 3-2 Llanberis AttN/A
Thursday, September 29, 2011
English League update: News analysis teams in the English League Champion...
English League update: News analysis teams in the English League Champion...: During the 2011-12 season, the start of the championship battle engine power is to analyze the 24 clubs in the league. To make sure you know...
News analysis teams in the English League Championship 12BET 30/9
During the 2011-12 season, the start of the championship battle engine power is to analyze the 24 clubs in the league. To make sure you know what has changed?. Strengths or weaknesses, they are nothing. It is possible, like in the next 10 months from now.
Barnes Valley
Team Manager: Keith Hill.
Season: No. 17 in the Championship.
Strengths: The staff coaches set is Keith Hill, on David's Little Cross site has been doing a great job I was waiting to help Dale and Barnes Olympians to win the players to come. another 8 people to shift from team to escape death. To be one of the favorite to win promotion. And they have succeeded as well.
Weaknesses: The loss to 66 goals last season Hill had to be a big panel. But it is not easy. Especially after they sell lighters Jason Kell, the co-league derby.
Key: Ricardo Wa state may bring experience to help repair. But their offensive line to watch out for now is that Danny Hay House, after shooting six goals since moving from Bristol City in January.'s. Craig Davies and his new partner would fill the missing as well.
Birmingham City
Team Manager: Chris Hughes, a ton.
Season: ranked No. 18 in the Premier League, dropped the class.
Strengths: They know how to form it back into the floor. I can move up to within one year of Premier League loss of the last two (2006-07 and 2008-09 seasons).
Weaknesses: There is money to buy a few new players. There is no substitute players came from Roger Johnson, Craig Gardner and Barry Ferguson, as well as it should be.
The key: a hard place. St. Andrew's. I need calm. They are already familiar. The veteran and captain Stephen Carl would help a lot.
Team Manager: Ian Hall, Lower Way.
Season: No. 19 in the Premier League, dropped the class.
Strengths: Wayne City Hall, still playing with spirit. Which had been so successful. It is the main obstacle has always been to make it through. This is a new and Barry Ferguson to demonstrate that they have a good team spirit intact.
Weaknesses: major players like Charlie Adam, David Vaughn and DJ Campbell, CA had to be moved away, it still requires a lot of time to prove itself. That will become the new core of the team or not.
The key: Barry Ferguson is not a perfect representation Adams. But it is still a quality team. And leadership quality as well.
Last season: Champions League, promoted.
Strengths: With the added offensive game with the player open a new one, Craig Mack, Kelly - Smith, Williams, Buckley, VA Hospital Insurance Co., with the car this evening Loire Loire. to help others in the team as the main character, Craig Noon.
Weaknesses: The front face of Tommy, Phil and Michael and Adam Elliot's place down the field missed the beginning of the season. And a good player instead.
The key: In this evening Lois Lois returned to Newcastle in the same jurisdiction. After a broken leg last season. Now back at Brighton again with a 6-month loan contract, but he also played in the League Championship as well as the day or not?
Bristol City
Team Manager: Keith Miller Lane.
Season: Top 15 in Championship.
Strengths: Keith Miller played his first season as a full military control. And increased post offensive option in the panel flutter of Adonis, Albert Mahdi will be the top-up Neil Kilkenny was a great clutch players from Leeds.
Weaknesses: Mill Lane is not happy about much during the past season. I would also like to get more players in various positions but Nicky Maynard and remains a long-term contract with the club.
Key: Nicky Maynard on a single bad moment. If his goal as ever. And sign a new contract. Atmosphere where Ashton was even more vivid.
Auburn Valley
Team Manager: Eddie Howe.
Season: ranked No. 8 in the Championship.
Strengths: They can also keep many players who helped them to promotion in 2009, Martin Perry Peterson has hit 19 goals in a season. Back to fitness again. And likely to be paired with Jay Robert Rodriguez to help us score more.
Weaknesses: The pressure from fans. To return to the Premier League as quickly as possible. Do not see how that is possible with Eddie's first season with full military control. It is only 4 years in professional football, only the hole. And it is certainly a difficult test.
Key: Chris Mack, Cannes missed several shots down the field in the past two seasons because of injuries. But now back to fitness. Complete and sign a new contract. He is a player who can control the game's middle-class as well.
Cardiff City
Football: Mac's normal discharge.
Season: ranked No. 4 in the Championship, second round of the playoff game.
Strengths: Anthony Gerrard said the team does not share their political subdivisions. Or remove itself as a major The end to the era of Dave Jones' players before they have even more to lose Craig Bellamy, Jay Bothwell Roy, Chris Burke and Michael show off the stack. Page-level team of Kenny Miller and Robert.
Robert Earl Shaw is to supplement the army was satisfactory. The subject of Peter's Village Nottingham is good as well.
Weaknesses: front left is where a lot of problems last season. And now it is seeking to fix the Mac spit will be able to get pressure from the fans with high expectations and long, especially when it is compared to Swansea who are successful now. then.
Key: Earl Shaw is a fan favorite. I will have the opportunity to celebrate the show's unique goals. To see each other more than ever.
Coventry City
Team Manager: Andy Thorpe Green.
Season: ranked No. 18 in the Championship.
Strengths: the anus, Joe Murphy, Keith Randall will represent the West Woods is a good experience. And the ability to pay its football team has added a link to strengthen the midfield has always been on the panel.
Weaknesses: Loss of West Wood, midfielder Aaron Icelandic tycoon Bernard Nissan and striker Marlon King has moved out of the contract during the off season after they are definitely back to Mr. Murphy. I have a new player in the Kohn Arena Thor has very few options.
The key: to move out of the King, the pressure fell to Justice Keith Lucas, the former head of the spear in left Everton, aged 22 years alone, he shows great instincts shot late last season. If you have a little luck. After I beat the pillar or beam time. It has become a darling of the fans is not difficult.
Crystal Palace
Team Manager: Friedman.
Season: No. 20 in the Championship.
Strengths: Friedman to create an incentive for the team. Back to George Burley As a result, the better the results are positive and the hope of this consultant. Based on a play of the young Wilfred Sahara from the youth team. Created as a quality defensive player.
Weaknesses: a little capital, making it difficult to grab new players to help Friedman has always fully control the first season. To maintain the club's win away to be killed again. The brace is very important in football, Darren Ambrose, an imitation ฆo Moroni and Sahara to the next.
The key: a simulation of the Robert to play here, one of the exceptional behavior of the League Championship, the season is important, but he may have to work hard all the time. It is the same.
Derby County
Team Manager: Nigel's column.
Season: Top 19 in Championship.
Strengths: Frankfurt News feeds Holding the anal team. The move comes less than 21 years lighters Kell, Jason Barnes, a former captain of Liverpool, which is matched to the panel's Sean Barker. "Iron out their" stronger for sure.
Weaknesses: Lack of reserves in the banks in full. Even if a request to purchase the John he's only left the Watford side, but still want to midfield reactive to replace Robbie Savage who hung stud plus the post off to score a championship a few people. in place of Chris Commons.
Key: Nathan Tyson has been stretched out to play and fell to the New Forest to shoot less. I was in Pride Park to play the striker's clutch hit the target. And hope to win fans as soon as possible. Despite moving from team to their respective antagonists.
Doncaster Rovers
Team Manager: Sean diode Chris Koll.
Season: Top 21 in Championship.
Strengths: trying to hold the prolific team of Billy Sharp. It can fire 15 goals despite not being able to pitch the last 2 months of the season. The hernia passes.
Weaknesses: There are fewer players available. This makes them almost into the season. The main character in the long run, lose a lot of people come together.
The key: the owner of record is the best player in the history of Billy Sharp recovery from a previous hernia. And hope for the record, he scored 15 goals last season.
Hull City
Season: No. 11 in the Championship.
Strengths: There are great players. A good track record. Promising to make a good selection. The team is losing a very tough fighter's Community Forum of West Africa could become the most prolific Robbie Brady James Chester was born right in the league as well.
Weaknesses: Fry's, one could point to a goal was not enough. There is no middle ground commander in chief of the creative game.
Key: Jimmy s ass off if it can be released. In addition to reducing expenditure. It has a lot of money to buy new players the chance to win the class has added a separate section in the stadium's Community Forum of West Africa is one of the team.
Ipswich Town Beach
Team Manager: Paul G. Wells.
Season: ranked No. 13 in the Championship.
Strengths: the coming of a new three year's show is Michael, Nathan Michael, MD and Jay M. Manuel - Thomas. The goal is to help the team more. After that it was their problem for years.
Weaknesses: The team moved up to 7 people will need time to adjust to match the play of both teams. And colleagues under long enough.
Key: Michael Cho's is the new hope of the club. To have fired 20 goals per season. Or at least be a chance that there is not much. The score was. To make a difference in close games.
Leeds United
Team Manager: Simon Grayson.
Season: ranked No. 7 in the championship.
Strengths: They do a good job last season. The offensive game is awesome, but his translation of Lugano, a long stay, 7 months, Blue Tea Nagano Beck, he's just recovering from surgery, hamstring, so Billy pay the router with Ross Mack Court took up The striker played the main characters together. If I score a landslide again.
Weaknesses: The panel is still a big problem. Ever feel lost in the league last season to 70 goals to get a few players. It gives them a chance to win a championship and I constantly battle this season.
Key: Robert Grasse's demand for fast MAX Graphite del if the two people to form It's hard to find anyone in the Championship will stop paying them, either ball or score a goal.
Leicester City
Team Manager: Sven - Eric's San Francisco run.
Season: ranked No. 10 in the Championship.
Strengths: The strength to say is Eric Johnson's options more diverse. Almost all new players with good potential. It's a super star one. Can create the atmosphere in the stadium now.
Weaknesses: Everyone has a different mission. This team has two players for each position so that all people are satisfied with the ride back up. This panel also makes a lot of confidence. They lost last season to 71 goals at Preston North End, which falls to just 8-ball.
Key: Matt Mills Essen I think the people of New York was born in Leicester, where players have confidence in He would leave the Premier League with a chance to kick the Wolfe Island to the main force of Eric Johnson in the championship battle.
Bolton and Middlesbrough matches
Team Manager: Tony Mo's Bray.
Season: No. 12 in the Championship.
Strengths: Tony Bray's modern army has full control to the first season. And the final authority on all the boxes. But after a difficult period several years ago. A legend at the club he was a consultant to improve morale.
Weaknesses: No player goes up to 9 people in the off season.
Barnes Valley
Team Manager: Keith Hill.
Season: No. 17 in the Championship.
Strengths: The staff coaches set is Keith Hill, on David's Little Cross site has been doing a great job I was waiting to help Dale and Barnes Olympians to win the players to come. another 8 people to shift from team to escape death. To be one of the favorite to win promotion. And they have succeeded as well.
Weaknesses: The loss to 66 goals last season Hill had to be a big panel. But it is not easy. Especially after they sell lighters Jason Kell, the co-league derby.
Key: Ricardo Wa state may bring experience to help repair. But their offensive line to watch out for now is that Danny Hay House, after shooting six goals since moving from Bristol City in January.'s. Craig Davies and his new partner would fill the missing as well.
Birmingham City
Team Manager: Chris Hughes, a ton.
Season: ranked No. 18 in the Premier League, dropped the class.
Strengths: They know how to form it back into the floor. I can move up to within one year of Premier League loss of the last two (2006-07 and 2008-09 seasons).
Weaknesses: There is money to buy a few new players. There is no substitute players came from Roger Johnson, Craig Gardner and Barry Ferguson, as well as it should be.
The key: a hard place. St. Andrew's. I need calm. They are already familiar. The veteran and captain Stephen Carl would help a lot.
Blackpool
Barry Ferguson moved to act in place of Charlie Adam on the team, Blackpool.
Team Manager: Ian Hall, Lower Way.
Season: No. 19 in the Premier League, dropped the class.
Strengths: Wayne City Hall, still playing with spirit. Which had been so successful. It is the main obstacle has always been to make it through. This is a new and Barry Ferguson to demonstrate that they have a good team spirit intact.
Weaknesses: major players like Charlie Adam, David Vaughn and DJ Campbell, CA had to be moved away, it still requires a lot of time to prove itself. That will become the new core of the team or not.
The key: Barry Ferguson is not a perfect representation Adams. But it is still a quality team. And leadership quality as well.
Brighton & Hove Albion's
Team: Boston Volvo Gustav made out. Last season: Champions League, promoted.
Strengths: With the added offensive game with the player open a new one, Craig Mack, Kelly - Smith, Williams, Buckley, VA Hospital Insurance Co., with the car this evening Loire Loire. to help others in the team as the main character, Craig Noon.
Weaknesses: The front face of Tommy, Phil and Michael and Adam Elliot's place down the field missed the beginning of the season. And a good player instead.
The key: In this evening Lois Lois returned to Newcastle in the same jurisdiction. After a broken leg last season. Now back at Brighton again with a 6-month loan contract, but he also played in the League Championship as well as the day or not?
Bristol City
Team Manager: Keith Miller Lane.
Season: Top 15 in Championship.
Strengths: Keith Miller played his first season as a full military control. And increased post offensive option in the panel flutter of Adonis, Albert Mahdi will be the top-up Neil Kilkenny was a great clutch players from Leeds.
Weaknesses: Mill Lane is not happy about much during the past season. I would also like to get more players in various positions but Nicky Maynard and remains a long-term contract with the club.
Key: Nicky Maynard on a single bad moment. If his goal as ever. And sign a new contract. Atmosphere where Ashton was even more vivid.
Auburn Valley
Team Manager: Eddie Howe.
Season: ranked No. 8 in the Championship.
Strengths: They can also keep many players who helped them to promotion in 2009, Martin Perry Peterson has hit 19 goals in a season. Back to fitness again. And likely to be paired with Jay Robert Rodriguez to help us score more.
Weaknesses: The pressure from fans. To return to the Premier League as quickly as possible. Do not see how that is possible with Eddie's first season with full military control. It is only 4 years in professional football, only the hole. And it is certainly a difficult test.
Key: Chris Mack, Cannes missed several shots down the field in the past two seasons because of injuries. But now back to fitness. Complete and sign a new contract. He is a player who can control the game's middle-class as well.
Cardiff City
Kenny Miller returned from Turkey. For a striker for Cardiff.
Football: Mac's normal discharge.
Season: ranked No. 4 in the Championship, second round of the playoff game.
Strengths: Anthony Gerrard said the team does not share their political subdivisions. Or remove itself as a major The end to the era of Dave Jones' players before they have even more to lose Craig Bellamy, Jay Bothwell Roy, Chris Burke and Michael show off the stack. Page-level team of Kenny Miller and Robert.
Robert Earl Shaw is to supplement the army was satisfactory. The subject of Peter's Village Nottingham is good as well.
Weaknesses: front left is where a lot of problems last season. And now it is seeking to fix the Mac spit will be able to get pressure from the fans with high expectations and long, especially when it is compared to Swansea who are successful now. then.
Key: Earl Shaw is a fan favorite. I will have the opportunity to celebrate the show's unique goals. To see each other more than ever.
Coventry City
Team Manager: Andy Thorpe Green.
Season: ranked No. 18 in the Championship.
Strengths: the anus, Joe Murphy, Keith Randall will represent the West Woods is a good experience. And the ability to pay its football team has added a link to strengthen the midfield has always been on the panel.
Weaknesses: Loss of West Wood, midfielder Aaron Icelandic tycoon Bernard Nissan and striker Marlon King has moved out of the contract during the off season after they are definitely back to Mr. Murphy. I have a new player in the Kohn Arena Thor has very few options.
The key: to move out of the King, the pressure fell to Justice Keith Lucas, the former head of the spear in left Everton, aged 22 years alone, he shows great instincts shot late last season. If you have a little luck. After I beat the pillar or beam time. It has become a darling of the fans is not difficult.
Crystal Palace
Team Manager: Friedman.
Season: No. 20 in the Championship.
Strengths: Friedman to create an incentive for the team. Back to George Burley As a result, the better the results are positive and the hope of this consultant. Based on a play of the young Wilfred Sahara from the youth team. Created as a quality defensive player.
Weaknesses: a little capital, making it difficult to grab new players to help Friedman has always fully control the first season. To maintain the club's win away to be killed again. The brace is very important in football, Darren Ambrose, an imitation ฆo Moroni and Sahara to the next.
The key: a simulation of the Robert to play here, one of the exceptional behavior of the League Championship, the season is important, but he may have to work hard all the time. It is the same.
Derby County
Team Manager: Nigel's column.
Season: Top 19 in Championship.
Strengths: Frankfurt News feeds Holding the anal team. The move comes less than 21 years lighters Kell, Jason Barnes, a former captain of Liverpool, which is matched to the panel's Sean Barker. "Iron out their" stronger for sure.
Weaknesses: Lack of reserves in the banks in full. Even if a request to purchase the John he's only left the Watford side, but still want to midfield reactive to replace Robbie Savage who hung stud plus the post off to score a championship a few people. in place of Chris Commons.
Key: Nathan Tyson has been stretched out to play and fell to the New Forest to shoot less. I was in Pride Park to play the striker's clutch hit the target. And hope to win fans as soon as possible. Despite moving from team to their respective antagonists.
Doncaster Rovers
Team Manager: Sean diode Chris Koll.
Season: Top 21 in Championship.
Strengths: trying to hold the prolific team of Billy Sharp. It can fire 15 goals despite not being able to pitch the last 2 months of the season. The hernia passes.
Weaknesses: There are fewer players available. This makes them almost into the season. The main character in the long run, lose a lot of people come together.
The key: the owner of record is the best player in the history of Billy Sharp recovery from a previous hernia. And hope for the record, he scored 15 goals last season.
Hull City
Nigel Pearson
Team Manager: Nigel Pearson. Season: No. 11 in the Championship.
Strengths: There are great players. A good track record. Promising to make a good selection. The team is losing a very tough fighter's Community Forum of West Africa could become the most prolific Robbie Brady James Chester was born right in the league as well.
Weaknesses: Fry's, one could point to a goal was not enough. There is no middle ground commander in chief of the creative game.
Key: Jimmy s ass off if it can be released. In addition to reducing expenditure. It has a lot of money to buy new players the chance to win the class has added a separate section in the stadium's Community Forum of West Africa is one of the team.
Ipswich Town Beach
Team Manager: Paul G. Wells.
Season: ranked No. 13 in the Championship.
Strengths: the coming of a new three year's show is Michael, Nathan Michael, MD and Jay M. Manuel - Thomas. The goal is to help the team more. After that it was their problem for years.
Weaknesses: The team moved up to 7 people will need time to adjust to match the play of both teams. And colleagues under long enough.
Key: Michael Cho's is the new hope of the club. To have fired 20 goals per season. Or at least be a chance that there is not much. The score was. To make a difference in close games.
Leeds United
Simon Grayson
Season: ranked No. 7 in the championship.
Strengths: They do a good job last season. The offensive game is awesome, but his translation of Lugano, a long stay, 7 months, Blue Tea Nagano Beck, he's just recovering from surgery, hamstring, so Billy pay the router with Ross Mack Court took up The striker played the main characters together. If I score a landslide again.
Weaknesses: The panel is still a big problem. Ever feel lost in the league last season to 70 goals to get a few players. It gives them a chance to win a championship and I constantly battle this season.
Key: Robert Grasse's demand for fast MAX Graphite del if the two people to form It's hard to find anyone in the Championship will stop paying them, either ball or score a goal.
Leicester City
Team Manager: Sven - Eric's San Francisco run.
Season: ranked No. 10 in the Championship.
Strengths: The strength to say is Eric Johnson's options more diverse. Almost all new players with good potential. It's a super star one. Can create the atmosphere in the stadium now.
Weaknesses: Everyone has a different mission. This team has two players for each position so that all people are satisfied with the ride back up. This panel also makes a lot of confidence. They lost last season to 71 goals at Preston North End, which falls to just 8-ball.
Key: Matt Mills Essen I think the people of New York was born in Leicester, where players have confidence in He would leave the Premier League with a chance to kick the Wolfe Island to the main force of Eric Johnson in the championship battle.
Bolton and Middlesbrough matches
Team Manager: Tony Mo's Bray.
Season: No. 12 in the Championship.
Strengths: Tony Bray's modern army has full control to the first season. And the final authority on all the boxes. But after a difficult period several years ago. A legend at the club he was a consultant to improve morale.
Weaknesses: No player goes up to 9 people in the off season.
Top 100 F*cks In Movies
With box office opportunities of the utmost importants, producers often work to minimize the foul language in films. The general rule, according to the MPAA, is that more than four instances of the word "f*ck" -- in a non-sexual capacity -- nets the film an R rating. The threshold is even lower for sexual "f*cks."
So, if they're going to go over the line and shrink their potential audience pool, they might as well make it worth it, right?
Thanks to an enterprising film fan with a lot of patience and a YouTube account, we can now watch some of the best instances of R-rated films embracing the f-bomb -- and we can do so in neat, grammatically-organized fashion. Mewlists put together this supercut of 100 of the best uses of "f*ck" in film, separated into categories such as "As a Question," "As a Substitute For Mess Up/Screw Up," "As An Adjective/Adverb," and "As An Interjection."
Included, amongst many others, are a number of Quentin Tarantino's films, some Coen Brothers' films, and a lot of Joe Pesci. Enjoy!
Does This Deodorant Ad Go Too Far?
Women Wrestle Over Large Egg To Demonstrate Rules Of Rugby
Insert comments on making passes, tackles, and hookers -- all of which are actually rugby terms.
This thoughtful lesson is brought to you by the good people at Lynx Effects Australia. If you haven't had enough of an eyeful, check out their website, where they tout their deodorant as a safeguard against "premature perspiration." Yowza!
International break up and coming
CARDIFF CITY boss Malky Mackay will be looking to get Saturday's trip to Hull City over so he can nurcher his wound troops during the two-week international break fresh for the return of league football with a home game against Ipswich Saturday 15 Oct .
However, he will have to wait on international managers to have their pick from his squad with Scottish boss Craig Levein first in for three. The chosen Don Cowie, Kenny Miller and David Marshall all expected to be in the squad for the away trips to Liechtenstein and Spain.
Others way with their national team Darcy Blake with the Welsh squad, but without injured Rob Earnshaw, Aron Einar Gunnarsson with Iceland. Each of the countries will be hoping they get through the weekend and are fit to join up with their squads. All five are key to Mackay plans and he will be hoping they all come through with any injuries.
However, he will have to wait on international managers to have their pick from his squad with Scottish boss Craig Levein first in for three. The chosen Don Cowie, Kenny Miller and David Marshall all expected to be in the squad for the away trips to Liechtenstein and Spain.
Others way with their national team Darcy Blake with the Welsh squad, but without injured Rob Earnshaw, Aron Einar Gunnarsson with Iceland. Each of the countries will be hoping they get through the weekend and are fit to join up with their squads. All five are key to Mackay plans and he will be hoping they all come through with any injuries.
Don’t worry be happy
It is a loving morning and I'm happy to have seen my team bag three points last night at the Cardiff City Stadium not just the points, but the manner they achieved it. They were plenty of guts on show last night for the fan at the game and those listening on the radio. Maybe the manager/players and fans put up a circle for protection around the stadium expecting the worst form a free scoring top of the table Southampton. I know many fans who when to the game thinking a point would be a good outcome.
Everyone at the game and listeners around the world would have noticed the atmosphere a 100% better than recent game something we need to hear at every game. Last night was also helped along by a great turnout from Southampton (2,000).
The doom and gloom surrounding the game, injuries and all that was washed away with a brace of goals from Kenny Miller.The Cardiff City striker has come in for some stick over his lack of goals, but tonight even any doubters have to stand up a give him a chap. His first goal of two come via the old route-one style of football with goalkeeper David Marshall credited with the assist with Miller on handed to head the ball over the Southampton keeper into the back of net. Aron Gunnarsson provided the assist for his second goal it was a close range effort into the bottom right corner of the Southampton goal.
About last night he said,
“I always want to score goals, but chances have been few and far between. I was fortunate to get on the end of a couple tonight."
It was a pity Cardiff could not keep a clean sheet keeper Marshall deserved one along with the back four who could a useful visitors attack. Warning lights were flash when Cardiff lost Kevin McNaughton and Filip Kiss both nursing knocks but hopefully both will make the trip to Hull City Saturday.
Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay said after the game,
"We were looking to try and make sure we even had a bench tonight. The options were probably not what we'd have hoped for, but, in terms of positions, it was what we had left fit in the building.
"It was a test for us but we had to be brave and believe in the players and tactics we had to beat Southampton.
"There is a togetherness in the squad and that has grown as the weeks have gone along, and everyone wants to do well for each other. There are no fractures in our team and that is paying off.
"I'm delighted for Kenny. He has been a proven goalscorer throughout his career and his hard work has finally paid off with goals.
"The first goal was a really good counter-attack as David (Marshall) kicks it early to Kenny and he's been ever so brave because the goalkeeper can easily smash him in that situation.
"Then he took his second goal incredibly well. It was a lovely finish. But he also put in a lot of work off the ball and channel runs that he deserved those two goals."
Southampton boss Nigel Adkins who was doing some punditry at the Leicester game Sunday must have had jumped up and down watching Mackay injury problems mount.However, he was truly mugged last night and told the press after the game,
"I counted that we had six real good chances in the latter part of the game. Rickie Lambert had two headers which you would put your mortgage on him to score.
"Richard Chaplow has shaved the post and de Ridder also missed before he scored. But we're still top and that is a positive for us."
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