impiety wilkinson

Thursday, January 5, 2012

NFL Notebook: Bears fire GM Angelo

The Chicago Bears borrowed a page from the Indianapolis Colts in end-of-season house cleaning: fire the GM and keep the coach.

Chicago won four division titles and reached the Super Bowl while Jerry Angelo was general manager. The Bears also crumbled in a big way this season.

Now Angelo's out. Coach Lovie Smith, however, will remain.

Angelo was fired following a team collapse marked by injuries to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte and a drug scandal involving Sam Hurd.

A questionable draft record and an inability to fill big holes, particularly on offense, led the ouster of Angelo, who had been on the job 11 years.

"I think Jerry achieved a lot as general manager," Bears president Ted Phillips said. "He's a wonderful man, high character. I've enjoyed every day working with him. He's put his life's blood into the Bears."

The Bears also fired offensive coordinator Mike Martz after two seasons in Chicago. "After meeting with Mike this afternoon, we both felt it was best to move in different directions," Smith said.

Chargers

San Diego president Dean Spanos didn't feel he had to issue any ultimatums when he made the unpopular decision to bring back coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith despite the team missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season. "Everybody knows in this business that you've got to win," Spanos said. "That's the net bottom line. You don't have to say that." Feeling that he has a good team with a marquee quarterback in Philip Rivers, "Keeping this intact gives us the best chance to win and change this thing as quickly as possible," Spanos said.

Eagles

Chairman Jeffrey Lurie said coach Andy Reid will return for his 14th season in Philadelphia, though he left open the possibility for changes on the coaching staff. Speaking to reporters for the first time since training camp, Lurie expressed his displeasure with the team's 8-8 record and explained in detail why he chose to retain Reid after weeks of serious deliberation. "This was, without question, the most disappointing season since I've owned the team. It's completely unacceptable." However, Lurie added, "There's no doubt in my mind, if our focus is on trying to win a championship next year, the best coach for that is Andy."

Vikings

Minnesota elevated Rick Spielman to general manager, streamlining a nebulous power structure and making the first move toward reviving a team that matched the worst record in franchise history. Spielman was promoted from his previous role as vice president of player personnel, which he held since his hire in May 2006. He will now have final authority over all roster-related decisions, in addition to his previous duties running the scouting departments and the draft.

Dolphins

Miami made clear its intentions were to go after a big-name coach. They held true to their words when they announced they interviewed Jeff Fisher Tuesday. Fisher arrived at the team facility aboard owner Stephen Ross' helicopter, leaving the complex in the early afternoon.

Saints

New Orleans placed rookie running back Mark Ingram on injured reserve, ending his season. Ingram, who won the 2009 Heisman Trophy at Alabama, missed New Orleans' last four games because of a sprained toe on his left foot.

First published on January 4, 2012 at 12:00 am

Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12004/1201119-66-0.stm?cmpid=sports.xml

haynesworth haynesworth ohio issue 2 ohio issue 2 mississippi personhood mississippi personhood issue 2 ohio

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

wnep: Graffiti Found at Little League Complex: It was not the happiest of new years for members of one community orga... http://t.co/ay1341CM

Passer la navigation
Twitter sur votre mobile ? Cliquez ici m.twitter.com!
Passer cette ?tape
Connexion

Graffiti Found at Little League Complex: It was not the happiest of new years for members of one community orga... bit.ly/uFBAXy Il y a environ 2 heures via twitterfeed

wnep

Pied de page

Source: http://twitter.com/wnep/statuses/153602528171405313

zynga ipo zynga ipo joe arpaio sam hurd arrested presidential debate roddy white roddy white

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Strong Quadrantid Meteor Shower, One of 2012's Best, Peaks Wednesday (SPACE.com)

If you enjoy the sight of "shooting stars" then make plans to be out looking skyward during the predawn hours on Wednesday (Jan. 4) when a strong display of Quadrantid meteors may appear. This first meteor shower of the year may end up being one of the best meteor showers of 2012.

To paraphrase Forrest Gump: The Quadrantid meteor shower is like opening up a box of chocolates; you never know what you?re going to get!? Indeed, the Quadrantids are notoriously unpredictable, but if any year promises a fine display, this could be it.

Peak activity is due to occur early on Wednesday at about 2:30 a.m. EST (0730 GMT) and favors eastern North America. The Quadrantid meteor shower sky map here for this story shows where to look to see the display.

The Quadrantids (pronounced KWA-dran-tids) provides one of the most intense annualmeteor showers, with a brief, sharp maximum lasting but a few hours. Adolphe Quetelet of Brussels Observatory discovered the shower in the 1830s, and shortly afterward it was noted by several other astronomers in Europe and America.

The meteors are named after the obsolete constellation Quadrans Muralis the Mural or Wall Quadrant (an astronomical instrument), depicted in some 19th-century star atlases roughly midway between the end of the Handle of the Big Dipper and the quadrilateral of stars marking the head of the constellation Draco. The International Astronomical Union phased out Quadrans Muralis in 1922. [Amazing meteor shower photos]

Always difficult to see

Unfortunately, many factors combine to make the peak of this display difficult to observe on a regular basis:

Peak intensity is exceedingly sharp: meteor rates exceed one-half of their highest value for only about 6-hours (compared to two days for the August Perseids). This means that the stream of particles that produce this shower is a narrow one ? apparently derived within the last 500 years from a small comet.

The parentage of the Quadrantids had long been a mystery. Then Peter Jenniskens, an astronomer at the SETI Institute in Mountain View, Calif., noticed that the orbit of 2003 EH1 ? a small asteroid discovered in March 2003 ? ''falls snug in the shower.'' He believes that this 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) chunk of rock is the source of the Quadrantids; possibly this asteroid is the burnt out core of the lost comet C/1490 Y1.

As viewed from mid-northern latitudes, we have to get up before dawn to see the Quadrantids at their best. This is because the radiant ? that part of the sky from where the meteors to emanate ? is down low on the northern horizon until about midnight, rising slowly higher as the night progresses.?
The growing light of dawn ends meteor observing usually by around 7 a.m. local time. So, if the "Quads" are to be seen at all, some part of that 8-hour active period must fall between 2 and 7 a.m.

In one out of every three years, bright moonlight spoils the view.

Over northern latitudes, early January often sees inclement/unsettled weather.

It is not surprising then, that the Quadrantids are not as well-known as some of the other annual meteor showers, but 2012 may prove to be an exception. [12 Must-See Skywatching Events in 2012]??

Promising viewing prospects

According to Robert Lunsford of the American Meteor Society, maximum activity this year is expected on Wednesday morning, Jan. 4 at 2:30 a.m. EST (0730 GMT).

For those in the eastern United States, the radiant ? that point in the sky from where the meteors will appear to emanate from ? will be about one-third of the way up in the east-northeast sky. The farther to the north and east you go, the higher in the sky the radiant will be. To the south and west the radiant will be lower and the meteors will be fewer.?

Although the moon will be at a bright waxing gibbous phase, it will set by 3 a.m., leaving the sky dark for prospective meteor watchers until the first light of dawn appears at around 6 a.m.

Quadrantid meteors are described as bright and bluish with long silvery trains. Some years produce a mere handful, but for favorably placed observers, this could be a shower to remember; at greatest activity, according to Lunsford, "Eastern observers may be able to see 60-75 Quadrantids per hour."

"If your skies are very clear and dark, allowing you to see faint meteors, your rates could top 100 per hour. Observers located in the western portions of North American will have lower rates but will also have the opportunity to see Quadrantid 'earthgrazers,'" Lunsford added. "Earthgrazers are meteors that skim the upper portion of the atmosphere therefore lasting much longer than normal and producing long trails in the sky. These meteors can only be seen when the radiant lies close to the horizon. As the radiant rises, the meteor paths will become shorter with shorter durations."

Outside of North America, Quadrantid rates could reach around 15-30 per hour for places north of the equator, but observers south of the equator will have little chance of seeing any "Quads" since the radiant will have little chance to clear the horizon before morning twilight interferes.

Don't forget to bundle up!

Finally, so far as weather conditions are concerned, a large high pressure system is expected to dominate the weather across much of the eastern United States and Canada for the peak of the shower meaning skies for these areas should be mainly clear for prospective meteor watchers.

However, it is also expected to be unseasonably cold (perhaps "unreasonably" is a better term to use!), with sub-zero readings possible over parts of upstate New York and New England with sub-freezing temperatures possible down into the Deep South. As one astronomer said prior to a mid-winter meteor watch: "Take the advice of a man whose teeth have chattered on many a winter's night ? wrap up much more warmly than you think is necessary!"

Editor's note: If you snap an amazing photo of the Quadrantid meteor shower would like to share it with SPACE.com, contact managing editor Tariq Malik at?Most Amazing Leonid Meteor Shower Photos

2012 Meteor Shower Skywatching Calendar

January 2012 Skywatching Events

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/space/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/space/20120103/sc_space/strongquadrantidmeteorshoweroneof2012sbestpeakswednesday

lsu state of play the national defense authorization act the national defense authorization act bcs rankings lsu football lsu football

Bachmann, Perry plan to head south after Iowa vote (AP)

DES MOINES, Iowa ? Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann plan to make their next ? and possibly last ? stands in South Carolina instead of chasing the rest of the GOP presidential pack to New Hampshire.

Neither candidate is a sure bet to survive past Tuesday's leadoff Iowa caucuses. But both say they'll jump ahead to the first Southern state to vote, a recognition that they have little hope of making up ground in the nine days before New Hampshire's primary. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is heavily favored in his neighboring state, but a few others are in pursuit.

Perry, the Texas governor, heads straight to Greenville, S.C. on Wednesday. Bachmann, a Minnesota congresswoman, will spend part of three days in that state beginning Wednesday, her campaign manager said.

The two campaigns could face pressure to fold if they don't pull off surprising third-place-or-better finishes in Iowa. In Bachmann's case, the latest polling has her in last place among the six candidates campaigning hard.

For the last week, Bachmann has pushed back on daily questions about her ability to move on if she can't climb out of the basement in Iowa, the state where she was born.

"Well, we've bought tickets to head off to South Carolina," she said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." She has a South Carolina staff of at least a dozen and backing from influential tea party activists there.

Asked this weekend if he could conceive of a scenario where she drops out ahead of South Carolina, Bachmann campaign manager Keith Nahigian told The Associated Press, "Not at this point."

Nahigian said Bachmann doesn't intend to arrive in New Hampshire until Friday ahead of back-to-back weekend debates there. Perry also plans to participate in those debates.

Bachmann has invested little time in New Hampshire in the six months she's been in the race. In October, five full-time staff members for her there quit.

Perry is also a footnote in most New Hampshire polls and hasn't devoted much effort to the state lately.

Romney is far ahead of his rivals in New Hampshire. But former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman practically moved into a state where independents can vote, bypassing an Iowa contest where social conservatives tend to hold sway. Texas Rep. Ron Paul and Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich also plan to aggressively compete in New Hampshire.

"I think New Hampshire is a good place to start the debate for South Carolina," Gingrich said Sunday.

___

Associated Press writer Philip Elliott contributed to this report from Des Moines and Shannon McCaffrey from Marshalltown, Iowa.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/gop/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120101/ap_on_el_pr/us_republicans_bypassing_nh

world aids day 2011 chester mcglockton chester mcglockton arsenic los angeles weather big ten acc challenge scott disick

Monday, January 2, 2012

Iraq official warns of abuse of security forces

BAGHDAD?? Iraq's parliament speaker warned Monday that human rights violations are putting the country's fragile democracy at risk, the latest pronouncement in a rapidly developing sectarian spat that threatens to destabilize the country after U.S. troops pulled out.

The televised comments by Osama al-Nujaifi, one of the country's top Sunni officials, are yet another salvo in a growing political crisis sparked when Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government issued an arrest warrant for the country's top Sunni politician last month.

Al-Maliki, a Shiite, controls the ministries that oversee Iraq's police and military. Some of Iraq's minority Sunnis, who fear being marginalized, accuse the prime minister of using the security forces to try to consolidate power.

"The armed forces should not be a tool to repress people and the armed forces should not interfere in political matters," al-Nujaifi said, citing concerns about "serious violations" including the use of excessive force, detainee abuse and faulty legal procedures.

Only on msnbc.com
1. Rock Center: Farmland prices booming in Iowa
2. Arab League: Syria army retreats but killings continue
3. Romney and Santorum battle it out
4. McCarthy locked lips with cop on New Year's Eve
5. Need a hand? Find someone humble
6. Can you really lose weight? Motivation matters
7. Swimmers take icy plunge on New Year's Day

"Human rights will not become a reality in a situation where the political process is snarled. ... Losing these rights will destroy democracy," he added.

Story: Fearful, Iraq's Sunnis leave mixed neighborhoods

The parliament speaker, a member of the Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc, al-Maliki's main political rivals, spoke a day before parliament was scheduled to hold its first session of the new year.

Iraqiya suspended its participation in parliament last month to protest al-Maliki's control of key posts, particularly those overseeing security forces.

U.S. troops completed their pullout from Iraq two weeks ago after a nine-year war.

Also Monday, a group that tracks casualties in Iraq said the number of civilians killed in the country's violence increased slightly in 2011.

In its annual report posted online, Iraq Body Count recorded 4,063 civilians killed last year, up from 4,045 in 2010.

On Sunday evening, a convoy carrying Finance Minister Rafia al-Issawi was struck by a roadside bomb in Ishaki area, 70 kilometers north of Baghdad, according to Zayed Majid, an adviser to the minister.

He said the minister was not hurt, but two bodyguards were wounded.

Al-Issawi is a Sunni member of Iraqiya. It was not clear whether he was the intended target of the blast.

The head of the provincial health directorate where the blast occurred, Dr. Raed Ibrahim, confirmed the account.

___

Associated Press writers Sameer N. Yacoub and Qassim Abdul-Zahra contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45848143/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/

deion sanders shld 2012 sec football schedule medifast miami heat van halen pro bowl

Obama delays request for $1.2T debt limit increase

Article updated: 12/30/2011 1:52 PM

On Dec. 23, President Barack Obama speaks at the White House in Washington. On Friday, Obama delayed his request for another $1.2 trillion increase in the nation?s debt limit at the request of congressional leaders.

Associated Press

HONOLULLU ? President Barack Obama is delaying his request for another $1.2 trillion increase in the nation?s debt limit at the request of congressional leaders.

It?s basically because of a technicality.

The White House had been ready to ask for the increase Friday because the government is within $100 billion of exhausting its current borrowing authority. Congress would then have 15 days to reject the request, though Obama would veto any objections in order to ensure that the government does not default on its obligations.

But with Congress not due to return to Washington until mid-January, lawmakers asked Obama to delay his request so they would be in session during the 15-day window period allowed for objections.

?The administration is in discussions with leaders in both houses to determine the best timing for submission of certification and any subsequent votes in the two houses,? White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Friday.

A senior administration official said Obama will make his request within days. The Treasury Department will use accounting measures to ensure that the nation does not reach its debt limit before the $1.2 trillion increase is finalized, said the official, who requested anonymity because the person lacked authority to speak publically.

Source: http://dailyherald.com/article/20111230/business/712309825/

kc chiefs kc chiefs judy garland duggars j r martinez j r martinez long island serial killer

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Microsoft slow to respond to Android, iPhone challenges

Welcome to your Personalized User Bar. Here, you can manage your account, sign up for newsletters, navigate to site sections, and share interesting content on social networks. You also can receive alerts on upcoming events, new products, or subscription/account activities.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vertical_18/~3/06vy7B7CT1o/microsoft-slow-to-respond-to-android.html

cotto ncaa bowl games bowls honey badger brooke mueller herman cain harry potter and the half blood prince