Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/169207680?client_source=feed&format=rss
man up wayne newton naomi wolf ron paul 2012 mitt romney columbus dispatch social security increase
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Next-Gen Touchscreens Will Resist Your Greasy Little Fingermarks [Science]
leftover turkey recipes hugo hugo the muppets percy harvin percy harvin best cyber monday deals
CMT honors 5 top country stars; Hank Jr. pulls out
Brad Paisley, left, and Joe Walsh perform together at the CMT Artists of the Year television taping on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Brad Paisley, left, and Joe Walsh perform together at the CMT Artists of the Year television taping on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Taylor Swift walks back to her seat after receiving her CMT Artists of the Year award during the television taping on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Hank Williams Jr., left, performs with Jason Aldean at the CMT Artists of the Year television taping on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Kenny Chesney is presented his CMT Artists of the Year award by former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, left, and New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, right, during the taping of the program on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Brad Paisley, left, and Joe Walsh perform together at the CMT Artists of the Year television taping on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) ? Brad Paisley fully endorses the format of the CMT Artists of the Year celebration.
Paisley was one of five country music stars honored Tuesday night during a taping of the second annual event, joining Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum and Taylor Swift. He loved the idea of already knowing he was taking a trophy home when he showed up.
"It's great," Paisley said in an interview before the event, which will air Dec. 13. "It's neat. It's not like an awards show where you have to wonder if you're going to win. And if you don't, they were mean. They psyched you out. And it's one where they feed everybody and give you alcohol. We need more of those shows."
It was a night full of cross-pollinated moments, with host Rob Lowe, Lionel Richie, William Shatner, Joe Walsh, Gavin DeGraw, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, The Avett Brothers and The All-American Rejects on hand to celebrate country's biggest entertainers. But it was Hank Williams Jr. who turned in the night's most buzzed about moment, leaving the stage quickly mid-song after singing his part during a duet with Aldean.
Williams' spokesman Kirt Webster said after the taping that Williams left because he didn't feel like he was giving an adequate performance while joining Aldean on his song, "Tattoos on This Town." Williams told the show's producers the night was meant to honor Aldean, a friend. Turning in a poor performance would only ruin that effort, Webster recounted.
Aldean did a second run-through of the song after Williams left without problem. The singer praised Williams as a hero in an interview before the show and said it had been fun hanging with him during rehearsal.
"It was really kind of funny watching him go about music the way he does," Aldean said. "He's kind of like, 'OK, this is the way y'all do it. I'm going to do it the way I do it.' It's just the way it is. And you go, 'It's Hank,' you know. 'Make it sound like you want it to sound, bro.' But he's awesome. I don't know what else to say about the guy. He's the real deal as far as country singers go."
Williams has been in the news quite a bit recently. A political analogy he made on television involving President Barack Obama and Adolf Hitler led to the pulling of his "Monday Night Football" theme song by ESPN. But he rallied and turned it into something of a public-relations victory, issuing a new song and appearing on "The View" where he found a sympathetic reception. He soon joined Paisley and Carrie Underwood earlier this month on the Country Music Association Awards, stealing the show with a single word.
He gave Paisley a necklace before Tuesday night's taping that bore his Ruger-like eagle logo with "Hank" engraved on the front and the words, "Thanks, Brad," engraved on the back. Paisley wore it with his camouflage sports coat.
"I'm honored to be friends with him," Paisley said.
Paisley and Chesney were first-time honorees at the event, which recognizes country's top achievers in touring, album sales and radio and video play.
A second trophy from CMT served as perfect book ends for Aldean, Swift and Lady A, who all reached milestones in the 12 months since. For Swift, that year included winning entertainer of the year at the CMAs and artist of the year at the American Music Association Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards.
"This year especially has been crazy," Swift said. "Award season has been so amazing."
___
Online:
http://www.cmt.com
Associated Presstomb of the unknown soldier tomb of the unknown soldier marlins marlins reo reo chilis
Friday, December 2, 2011
US lawmaker blocking Obama's pick for Russia envoy (AP)
WASHINGTON ? A Republican senator is blocking President Barack Obama's nominee to become ambassador to Russia over suspicions the U.S. might provide Moscow with sensitive missile defense information.
The administration says it has no plans to provide such data. But it says the assurances sought by Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., are so broad, they would prevent any substantial cooperation on missile defense.
The dispute with Kirk further complicates the Obama administration's efforts to get U.S.-Russian relations back on track at a time of increased tensions over missile defense.
It also has political overtones ahead of next year's elections. The White House considers improved relations with Russia, including the signing of a major arms reduction treaty, to be one of the big foreign policy successes of Obama's presidency. Republicans have accused Obama of granting too many concessions to Russia and getting little in return.
Kirk is holding up the nomination of Michael McFaul, a senior adviser to Obama on Russia. In an interview with The Associated Press, Kirk said he wants written assurances that the United States will not provide Russia with any currently classified information on the missile defense system.
Kirk said he is particularly concerned that the administration could offer Russia data on the speed of interceptors planned for Europe in order to ease Russian fears that the system could knock out Russian ballistic missiles.
He said he also is concerned about Russia's "record of espionage and cooperation and dialogue with Iran." He said precise data on the interceptor speeds could help Iran evade the U.S. defenses. The U.S. insists its missile interceptors are aimed at countering a threat from Iran.
The administration says that while it is not considering such an offer, it does not want to limit its options by ruling out any exchange of sensitive information they say would be essential for any substantial missile defense cooperation.
"In the future, some classified information exchange may benefit the United States," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a statement.
U.S. missile defense plans in Europe have been one of the touchiest subjects in U.S.-Russian relations going back to the administration of Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush.
One of Obama's earliest moves to ease tensions was the administration's 2009 announcement that it would revamp Bush's plan to emphasize shorter-range interceptors. Russia initially welcomed that move, but has more recently suggested that the new interceptors could threaten its missiles as the U.S. interceptors are upgraded.
U.S. talks with Russia over missile defense cooperation have nearly broken down. Russia recently threatened to target missiles at the U.S. missile defense systems in Europe and just commissioned a radar in Kaliningrad, near the Polish border, capable of monitoring missile launches from Europe and the North Atlantic.
publishers clearing house scare tactics stacy keibler stacy keibler dancing with the stars season 13 cast tay sachs tay sachs
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Comedian Patrice O'Neal dies, had suffered stroke (AP)
NEW YORK ? Veteran stand-up comic Patrice O'Neal, who gained a wider following through TV and radio and helped roast Charlie Sheen, died Tuesday from complications of a stroke he suffered last month. He was 41.
O'Neal's manager, Jonathan Brandstein, said he died in a New York-area hospital.
"Many of us have lost a close and loved friend; all of us have lost a true comic genius," Brandstein said in a statement.
O'Neal appeared on Conan O'Brien's and David Letterman's TV shows and was a frequent guest on the "Opie & Anthony" radio show on Sirius XM. His performance was a highlight of the Comedy Central roast of Sheen, who had been fired from the hit CBS comedy "Two and a Half Men," in September.
Sheen said in a tweet Tuesday, "The entertainment world as well as the world at large lost a brilliant man."
He added, "Patrice had that rare `light' around him and inside of him. I only knew him for the few days leading up the Roast. Yet I will forever be inspired by his nobility, his grace and his epic talent. My tears today are for the tremendous loss to his true friends and loving family."
Other entertainers also mourned O'Neal on Twitter.
"RIP Patrice O'Neal. You made us laugh til we cried," comedian Sarah Silverman said.
Actor Jay Mohr said, "Just heard. Goodnight brother. Damn. Just ridiculous. Terrible. Beyond sad."
O'Neal had half-hour specials on Showtime and HBO and was the host of "Web Junk 20" on VH1. He appeared in numerous television shows including "Arrested Development," "Chappelle's Show" and "The Office."
O'Neal suffered a stroke on Oct. 19 after battling diabetes. He is survived by his wife, Vondecarlo, his stepdaughter, Aymilyon, his sister, Zinder, and his mother, Georgia.
Brandstein, his manager, said the family wished to thank "all of the fans and friends who have expressed an outpouring of love and support for Patrice these past weeks."
coriolis effect giants patriots yolo steelers vs ravens keystone xl pipeline jack dempsey lake malawi
China cuts bank reserves in policy shift to lift economy (Reuters)
BEIJING (Reuters) ? China's central bank cut reserve requirements for commercial lenders on Wednesday for the first time in three years, a policy shift to ease credit strains and shore up an economy running at its weakest pace since 2009.
China's policy change came just hours before coordinated action by major central banks, including the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, to ease credit strains in world markets buffeted by the euro zone debt crisis.
Official concern is rising that the global economy is on a slippery slope as the euro zone struggles to decisively tackle its two-year crisis. Global markets rallied on the combination of central bank news.
China's central bank said on its website it lowered the amount of cash that banks have to set aside by 50 basis points, effective Dec 5. That cut the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for the biggest banks to 21 percent from a record high 21.5 percent, freeing up funds that could be used for lending.
"This is a big move -- this is easing," said Stephen Green, China economist at Standard Chartered Bank in Hong Kong. "It's a clear signal that China is on a loosening mode. The next move will be another RRR cut in January."
The cut releases between 350 billion yuan and 400 billion yuan ($54.8 billion to $62.7 billion) into the banking system, analysts estimated.
The People's Bank of China (PBOC) joins the central banks of Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand and the euro zone, among others, in easing monetary policy, a reflection of the alarm that the euro zone debt crisis and a sluggish U.S. economy could drag the world back into a recession.
CREDIT CRUNCH
China's unusually high reserve rate requirements have made life difficult for private-sector companies. While they account for 75 percent of urban employment, they find it far harder to secure bank loans than politically well-connected state-owned enterprises.
Worried about a destabilizing jump in unemployment, Beijing is eager to lend them a hand. In recent weeks, China has seen a spate of major strikes in its export powerhouse in the Pearl River Delta.
Ten of 19 analysts in a Reuters poll on Tuesday had predicted China would cut its bank reserves in December by 50 basis points. Eight had expected a move in the first quarter of 2012 and one not until the second quarter.
Purchasing managers' data on Thursday could confirm the pressure on China's manufacturers from the global slowdown after a flash PMI from HSBC last week suggested the sector was shrinking.
As recently as the middle of 2011, China was still tightening monetary policy to combat stubbornly high inflation, which rose in July to a three-year high of 6.5 percent.
However, as the economy felt the chill of a slowdown in global activity and inflation eased, Beijing adopted a policy of "fine tuning" that included loosening credit for cash-starved small firms.
Beyond growth concerns, capital outflows driven by the global market jitters also help explain the central bank's move, said analysts. Capital inflows have been the main source of money supply growth in China.
"I think the move is partially driven by capital outflows in November. Also, it may indicate that the economy has weakened quite bit and that the official PMI reading does not look very good," said Zhiwei Zhang, China economist at Nomura.
There are fewer maturing central bank bills due in December, which also put strains on liquidity conditions for banks.
MORE EASING AHEAD
The cut in the reserve ratio was the first since December 2008 and marks a monetary policy shift to an easing bias.
"The move sends a clear message that the central bank is ready to relax its policy stance," said Shi Chenyu, an economist with the investment banking unit of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.
The central bank could have achieved the same loosening on credit quietly, said Mark Williams, chief economist at Capital Economics in Britain.
"The fact that it chose to act in this more public way is a signal not only that policymakers are loosening but that they want to be seen to be doing so. Accordingly, we see this as a decisive shift in policy stance," he said in a note.
Ting Lu of Bank of America/Merrill Lynch expects the central bank to cut reserves requirements three times, by a total of 150 basis points, before the end of next year.
Analysts said the China news would boost riskier assets on hopes that easing policy in China will boost the country's demand.
World stocks jumped 2.6 percent on the combined news from global central banks and China markets are expected to rally when they open for trading on Thursday.
Few analysts expect China to start cutting interest rates anytime soon though.
China's interest rates are already negative when adjusted for inflation. Policymakers worry that cutting them now would only prompt savers to pull money out of the banking system in search of better returns elsewhere, thus crimping bank lending.
China's economic growth has eased for three straight quarters due to tight credit at home and flagging demand overseas. The economy grew 9.1 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, its weakest pace since the second quarter of 2009.
Data since has suggested a further slowdown. The red-hot property market is showing signs of cooling as sales fell in October from a year earlier for the first time in six months.
A flash purchasing managers' index from HSBC on Nov 23 showed that China's manufacturing sector shrank in November, reviving worries of a hard landing for the world's fastest growing major economy.
HSBC releases the final figures on Thursday alongside an official survey that analysts forecast will show that the factory sector stalled in November.
Such data would back a forecast this week from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development forecast that China's growth will slow in 2012 to below 9 percent for the first time in a decade.
(Additional reporting by Lu Jianxin and Shao Xiaoyi; Editing by Neil Fullick and Don Durfee)
dean ornish dean ornish yom kippur yom kippur diamondbacks wolf creek wolf creek
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Geek shopping site threatens to leave you broke
This Is Why I'm Broke
By Rosa Golijan
I don't really know what I expected to find on a site called "This Is Why I'm Broke" when I first heard about it a few months ago, but I certainly didn't think that it would become the main stop for my geeky holiday shopping needs.
Yet here I am ??debit card in one hand, mouse in the other.
This Is Why I'm Broke
This Is Why I'm Broke is not a traditional shopping site ??meaning that it's not an retailer or reseller and won't take any of your money. Instead it'll provide you with a collection of some of the silliest, geekiest, and strangest items on the Internet?? along with links to online shops which offer them.
There are things like?water jet packs, suit pajamas, flying radio controlled sharks, jedi bath robes, 7-foot gumball machines, custom bobbleheads, glow-in-the-dark toilet paper ... and well, you're probably starting to get the idea. This Is Why I'm Broke basically lists everything a geek's dream store would contain?? which should make holiday shopping a breeze.
Related stories:
Want more tech news, silly puns or amusing links? You'll get plenty of all three if you keep up with Rosa Golijan, the writer of this post, by following her on?Twitter, subscribing to her?Facebook?posts, or circling her?on?Google+.
john galt post office hours post office hours coptic coptic breaking bad season finale breaking bad season finale
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)