RNC threatens opening of high school football season

By ROB SHAW | The Tampa Tribune
Published: June 15, 2012
Updated: June 15, 2012 - 7:18 AM

TAMPA --

The opening Friday of?high school football season in Hillsborough County could be in jeopardy during the week of the Republican National Convention.

The same is true for any?fall sports events ? swimming, volleyball, cross country and golf ? scheduled?the week of Aug.?27.

That's because officials with the Hillsborough County school district are concerned about traffic and whether enough law enforcement officers will be available to provide security for the sporting events.

Some of the football games scheduled for Aug.?31 include Robinson at Jefferson, Blake at Leto and Brandon at Armwood.

"We are working with law enforcement to see if we need to postpone, reschedule or what," said Stephen Hegarty, spokesman for the school district. "It is quite possible it will be a completely different schedule."

So many Tampa police officers and Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies will be working during the convention, from Aug.?27 to 30, there may not enough of them available to work the athletic events.

Even on Aug.?31, the Friday after the convention ends, the officers and deputies who typically work football games may be too tired to pull extra duty.

"That's why this is such a challenge," Hegarty said. "I don't know what Friday is going to look like, and that is when we do football games."

The transportation issues revolve around teams located outside the downtown area that playing teams closer to the area where the convention will have a big impact.

Andrea Davis, spokeswoman for Tampa police, said the department has offered the district use of its school resource officers to work athletic events.

The department will have one officer at each middle school and each high school during the day ? even during the convention. Those officers, Davis said, could also staff any athletic events planned for the school.

But that may not be enough.

The number of officers assigned to a game depends on the magnitude of the rivalry and expected attendance. The need could range from as few as two officers to as many as eight, police said.

Off-duty law enforcement officers work football and volleyball games in the fall. Occasionally, they are hired for swim meets, too.

The first day of the school year is Aug. 21, the week before the convention.

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PFT: ALS victim explains why he's suing NFL

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Former Eagles and Patriots running back Kevin Turner, who now suffers from a crippling disease that he attributes to injuries suffered in the NFL, said today that he takes a backseat to no one in his love for football, but that he doesn?t believe the NFL has done enough to protect its players.

Speaking on a conference call arranged by the lawyers who filed the ?master complaint? against the NFL today, Turner talked about the struggles of living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig?s disease), and he said it?s past time for the NFL to make the game safer.

?I want this game to be around, to be a great sport, a sport that my own boys will be able to play and enjoy all the benefits I believe football has,? Turner said. ?But let?s face it and be honest: I feel like the NFL has, over the past couple decades, at least until ?08 or ?09, kind of turned a blind eye to the seriousness of not only concussions but sub-concussive hits and the cumulative effects of those, and how these retired players are having so much difficulty getting along in their daily lives.?

Turner believes the NFL needs to be forced into changes, including changes to players? practice routines. Turner mentioned two high-profile coaches of his who strongly believed in full contact at practice and would never change their practice habits by choice.

?Bill Parcells and offensive coordinator Jon Gruden were two very intense people who only knew how to practice one way,? Turner said.

The NFL has already taken some steps toward reducing the number of contact practices the players go through, but Turner suggested that the NFL won?t continue taking steps to make the game safer unless the players and former players drag them in that direction. Turner said his role in the lawsuit isn?t about bringing down the NFL, it?s about making the NFL better.

?I love football,? Turner said. ?I think anyone would be hard-pressed to find somebody who loved it more.?

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Oil & Gas - Argentina - Americas Petrogas spuds Vaca Muerta shale well

Canada's Americas Petrogas has commenced drilling on the La Hoya.x-1 (LHo.x-1) exploration well in the Totoral block in Argentina's Neuqu?n basin. T...

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93% Marvel's The Avengers

The Avengers is one of the wittiest, action packed and most satisfying installments in the entire Superhero genre. BUT it will not convert anyone with an aversion of big budget super hero movies to the dark side, it has all the elements you hate. But these elements, pulled off by ringmaster Joss Weedon has never been so well deftly executed.The movie succeeds for these three reasons, in this order: A) Performances: Starting with established beloved Iron Man character made iconic by Robert Downey Jr., and aptly giving him a dominant amount of screen time. Then, finally finding a successful Hulk/Bruce Banner in low key and wistful Mark Ruffalo - after 2 weaker Hulk outings (Eric Bana, Edward Norton). Then, casting a charismatic and hateful villain, Loki from Thor, played by Tom Hiddleston. Everyone else, from Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury, Scarlet Johannsen as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Chris Evans as Captain America are fine, but more than that, they all have something to play as characters and fit into an intricate story, bringing me to:B) Writing: With so many main characters, the bane of such films is that several of them are just meat puppets and are given little to do but wear the uniform and look cool. Here, each and every Avenger has a character with an clear obstacle to play and interesting conflict with each other. The wit is fresh and full of fantastic and natual sounding quips and gags. C) Terrific action sequences: The action sequences are coherent and exciting, I particuarly enjoyed the Johannsen ass kicking scenes. In most recent action films, including Hunger Games, action scenes are incoherent sequences full of jump cuts. The excitement is purely rhythmic, but the action is full of bad continuity and nonsense. Here, if you care about such things, you will find state of the art logical and well staged action, shot in the traditional style.On the down side: A) The overarching plot of Thor's brother Loki trying to destroy earth just because he can, is not interesting. Nor are the armies of robotic silver surfers that descend from heaven to wreak havoc. (Loki's performance is great, though) As an excuse to get these heroes together, this seems lame, the least inspired choice made by Weedon. The film is so strong in every other areas that it doesn't ruin the film. The tension between him and his brother Thor is a good character element, though. B) The locations are not very imaginative. The whole film is confined to the familiar areas of Manhattan, which seems uninspired to me.C) 3D adds nothing, as usual, it won't matter on the video release. I'm not sure if this one was short in 3D, or bumped up from 2D. It looked like the latter. This is disappointing, considering the strength of every other aspect of this movie.This film is worth your money and every buttered calorie of the popcorn you will be crunching. (If you like this sort of thing.)

June 2, 2012

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Disney's new diet for kids: No more junk food ads

Disney's packed sliced sweet apples is held with other Disney food products, at the Newseum in Washington, Tuesday, June 5, 2012, during a news conference where first lady Michelle Obama and Walt Disney Company announced that Disney will become the first major media company to introduce new standards for food advertising on programming targeting kids and families. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Disney's packed sliced sweet apples is held with other Disney food products, at the Newseum in Washington, Tuesday, June 5, 2012, during a news conference where first lady Michelle Obama and Walt Disney Company announced that Disney will become the first major media company to introduce new standards for food advertising on programming targeting kids and families. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

First lady Michelle Obama speaks at the Newseum in Washington, Tuesday, June 5, 2012, where she joined the Walt Disney Company to announce that Disney will become the first major media company to introduce new standards for food advertising on programming targeting kids and families. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

First lady Michelle Obama speaks at the Newseum in Washington, Tuesday, June 5, 2012, where she joined the Walt Disney Company to announce that Disney will become the first major media company to introduce new standards for food advertising on programming targeting kids and families. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

FILE-In this photo Feb. 6, 2012, file photo, the Disney Soda Fountain & Studio Store marquee is seen on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. The Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday, June 5, 2012, its programming will no longer be sponsored by junk food, becoming the first major media company to ban such ads for its TV channels, radio stations and websites intended for children. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

NEW YORK (AP) ? There won't be any more candy, sugary cereal or fast food on TV with the morning cartoons.

The Walt Disney Co. on Tuesday became the first major media company to ban ads for junk food on its television channels, radio stations and websites, hoping to stop kids from eating badly by taking the temptation away.

First Lady Michelle Obama called it a "game changer" that is sure to send a message to the rest of the children's entertainment industry.

"Just a few years ago if you had told me or any other mom or dad in America that our kids wouldn't see a single ad for junk food while they watched their favorite cartoons on a major TV network, we wouldn't have believed you," said Obama, who heads a campaign to curb child obesity.

The food that doesn't meet Disney's nutritional standards goes beyond candy bars and fast-food meals. Capri Sun juice (too much sugar) and Oscar Mayer Lunchables (high sodium) won't be advertised. Any cereal with 10 grams or more of sugar per serving is also off the air. A full meal can't be more than 600 calories.

Disney's rules ? which won't take effect until 2015 ? follow a proposal by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to take supersized drinks over 16 ounces out of convenience stores, movie theaters and restaurants, removing choices to try to influence behavior.

Getting rid of junk food ads will make it easier to keep the family on a healthy diet, said Nadine Haskell, a mother of two sons, 8 and 11.

"If they see a commercial on TV, then the next time we go to the grocery store they'll see it and say they want to try it," said Haskell, of Columbus, Ohio.

Disney declined to say how much revenue it stands to lose from banning unhealthy food. CEO Bob Iger said there might be a short-term reduction in advertising revenue, but he hopes that advertisers will eventually adjust and create products that meet the standards.

The ban would apply to TV channels such as Disney XD, children's programming in the Saturday-morning block aired on Disney-owned ABC stations, Radio Disney and Disney-owned websites aimed at families with young children. The company's Disney Channel has sponsorships, but does not run ads.

Aviva Must, chairwoman of the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts School of Medicine, said Disney could succeed where the government has made little progress.

"There seems to be limited taste for government regulation," said Must, who has studied childhood obesity for decades. "So I think a large company like Disney taking a stand and putting in a policy with teeth is a good step."

Even though many fast-food chains and food companies are rolling out healthier options like apples and salads, Disney said it still could deny the companies' ads.

Leslie Goodman, Disney's senior vice president of corporate citizenship, said Disney will consider a company's broader offerings when deciding whether to approve ads.

"It's not just about reformulating a meal for a single advertising opportunity," Goodman said. The company will need to show that it offers a range of healthy options, she said.

Disney said there are ads now running on Disney channels that would not meet the new standards. Two Kraft products won't make the cut: Oscar Mayer Lunchables, some of which have 28 percent of the recommended daily sodium intake, and Capri Sun, which has just 60 calories per serving but has added sweeteners.

Disney declined to name other companies' offerings, but said most sugary cereals won't be allowed.

Kraft said it welcomed Disney's decision, noting that it advertises very few brands to children under age 12.

Margo Wootan, nutrition policy director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said that while some snack foods of limited nutritional value may still be advertised, the worst of the junk foods will be eliminated under the new policy.

"Disney's announcement really puts a lot of pressure on Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network and other media to do the same," she added.

A spokesman for Nickelodeon declined to comment.

Disney launched internal nutrition guidelines in 2006, with the goal of making 85 percent of its consumer food and drink products healthy. The remaining 15 percent was reserved for special treats, such as cakes for birthday celebrations. The company also stopped using toys in kid's meals to advertise its movies.

Disney on Tuesday also introduced its "Mickey Check" seal of approval for nutritious foods sold in stores, online and at its parks and resorts.

"The emotional connection kids have to our characters and stories gives us a unique opportunity to continue to inspire and encourage them to lead healthier lives," Iger said.

The Better Business Bureau and 16 major food companies, including Coca-Cola Co., Burger King Worldwide Holdings Inc. and Mars Inc. have also pledged to ensure by 2014 that ads aimed at children are devoted only to better-for-you foods.

McDonald's, which is part of the initiative, said in a statement Tuesday that it will continue a dialogue with Disney about its new guidelines.

Associated Press

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