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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

GULF OF BP OIL DISASTER - NEW NAME REQUESTED FOR GULF OF MEXICO - UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Since I began this blog, I have had this quote at the top:

"People who shut their eyes to reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone who insists on remaining in a state of innocence long after that innocence is dead turns himself into a monster." James Baldwin

It is fitting for the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. I do not understand why many still call it "oil spill". Perhaps we should have the map makers rename it as the Gulf of BP Oil Disaster. We put names on all the corporation-supported sports arenas and what not. Why not the Gulf-sponsored disaster?

The crazy comments being made by so many elected politicians* and not-elected USA citizens scare the living daylights out of me. They say things that only a thoughtless human being could say. It is like they believe since they say "it", then it is true, regardless of any truth or supporting evidence. They hold things simply are not true...in their brains: the economy disaster born of GW Bush and Cheney "daze", global warming, environmental damage, just anything "they" don't want to believe . Check out Sharon Angle

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


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No End in Sight - the movie

Over $1.8 Trillion of our tax dollars going to the Iraq War

My opinion: at best good citizenship means we not only vote, we " know" who we vote for and we are aware of what our government does in our name and we are continually involved in our government by "communicating" our values to our elected politicians. Also, ...my opinion: we are wrong to have gone to war in Iraq.

Obama keeps Blackwater to fight USA war - $120 Million Contract

Just some examples of our madness becoming what seems mainstream.

Just because we ignore what is done in our name in the USA, doesn't mean we won't have to reap the harvest of what we have sown with our stupid actions.

What will the price of our collective stupidity or lack of involvement in our government's accountability be?

And ...

Give Elana Kagan a break...Sessions said she isn't forth-coming....let's compare her forth-coming behavior and answering to this....(Sessions is even in this video)

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Sunday, June 27, 2010

WE MAKE CHOICES EVERY DAY THAT AFFECT NOT ONLY OUR OWN LIVES, BUT OTHERS'

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Uploaded by kamikatze07
We Are The World
Click the post title to go to Michael Jackson's Official Youtube Channel

We are the world

Written and composed by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie
(USA for Africa)

Lionel richie
There comes a time when we heed a certain call

Lionel richie & stevie wonder
When the world must come together as one

Stevie wonder
There are people dying

Paul simon
And its time to lend a hand to life

Paul simon & kenny rogers
The greatest gift of all

Kenny rogers
We cant go on pretending day by day

James ingram
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change

Tina turner
We are all part of gods great big family

Billy joel
And the truth, you know, love is all we need

Chorus:
Michael jackson
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving

Diana ross
Theres a choice were making
Were saving our own lives

Michael & diana ross
Its true well make a better day
Just you and me

Dionne warwick
Send them your heart
So they'll know that someone cares

Dionne warwick & willie nelson
And their lives will be stronger and free

Willie nelson
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread

Al jarreau
So we all must lend a helping hand

Chorus:
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So lets start giving

Bob dylan
There's a choice were making
We're saving our own lives
Its true well make a better day
Just you and me

Michael jackson
When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all

Huey lewis
But if you just believe theres no way we can fall

Cindy lauper
Well, well, well, well let us realize that a change can only come

Kim carnes
When we stand together as one

Chorus:
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving

There's a choice were making
Were saving our own lives
Its true well make a better day
Just you and me

We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving

Theres a choice were making
Were saving our own lives
It's true well make a better day
Just you and me

We are the world.

In 1985, "We Are the World", a song and charity single originally recorded by USA for Africa, was released. It was written by American musicians Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and co-produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian for the album We Are the World. The song was well received by music critics and was the recipient of several awards. The song was a worldwide commercial success, as it topped music charts throughout the world and became the fastest-selling American pop single in history, as well as the first single to be certified multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. "We Are the World" was the best selling pop single of all time until it was eclipsed by Elton John's 1997 version of "Candle in the Wind".

"We Are the World: 25 for Haiti" is a charity single recorded by the supergroup Artists for Haiti in 2010. It is a remake of the 1985 hit song "We Are the World", which was written by American musicians Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and was recorded by USA for Africa to benefit famine relief in Africa.


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Uploaded by
Michael Jackson

Thriller

Rock With You - Michael Jackson

Cirque du Soleil and Michael Jackson
Coming together in 2011-2012!


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Friday, June 25, 2010

PROOF THAT NOT ACCEPTING STATUS QUO CAN MOVE US IN THE DIRECTION OF JUSTICE



Enough’s advocacy team has called this week – and yesterday in particular – the most important moment for Congo in the U.S. Congress in years. In record numbers, advocates responded to the red alert calls to action, and pressed key senators to ensure that an amendment on Congo’s conflict minerals was included in the financial reform bill.

At around 10:30 last night, after a full day of considering potential amendments, the conference committee accepted the conflict minerals language introduced by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) into the final version of the bill. Not only was it accepted without opposition during the voice vote, key provisions around independent audits were strengthened.

The House and Senate still need to vote on the full financial reform legislation (slated for next week), but advocates can claim an important victory for helping ensure that the conflict minerals component – with the strong provisions we advocated for – is part of that bill.

Reacting to the news, Enough’s John Prendergast said, "A year ago most members of Congress hadn't even heard of conflict minerals. In the middle of a turbulent legislative calendar, activists all over the country were heard loudly and clearly: We demand conflict-free products and we expect our legislators to do all they can to ensure that."

Watch how it played out in the committee:

Of course, we’ll be monitoring the vote on final passage of the financial reform bill closely, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, please join us in thanking the members of Congress who played a pivotal role this week in ensuring that the U.S. government takes a proactive role in addressing the conflict minerals trade in Congo. And perhaps most importantly, thank you to all of the Congo advocates and concerned consumers who mobilized on Facebook and over the phone this week to press Congress to take strong action to end the trade in conflict minerals from Congo. Congratulations – your message was heard.



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The Most Important Day for Congo in Congress in Years


Printer-friendly versionPDF version


Source: http://www.enoughproject.org/blogs/most-important-day-congo-congress-years

Over the last several months we've called on activists to help drive real change on the issue of Congo's conflict minerals by reaching out to members of Congress. Never before has our request been more urgent than now. Critical language requiring conflict minerals accountability is part of the financial reform legislation currently being finalized by Congress. The fate of this conflict minerals language is slated to be decided tomorrow.

Despite tech industry support and strong bi-partisan support of the language and the legislation it's derived from, manufacturing and retail industry groups are lobbying hard to have it removed. Even though tech companies have admitted it would cost one penny per product to ensure a conflict-free supply chain, lobbyists for manufacturing companies continue to argue that even this penny is too expensive. So this week we have called on activists to stand up against corporate lobbyists – clearly a penny is a very small price to pay to help end a conflict that has already left more than 5 million people dead.

The Congressional conference committee is currently working out differences between the House and Senate versions of financial reform with the goal of getting the legislation passed before July 4th recess. On Monday we called on activists to send Facebook messages to Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Bob Corker (R-TN), asking them to support the conflict minerals language. The fantastic online turnout helped convince Senator Lincoln’s senior legislative affairs team to meet with us to discuss the senator’s concern that auditing minerals supply chains will cost too much.

Today we're hoping to shore up support across the conference committee chairs and the Democratic conferees, the team deciding the final language. We need to let them know that there is broad grassroots support for conflict minerals audits and penalties. Tell them specifically that the cost of one penny per product is okay with you. Here's a sample script, but please feel free to use your own words:

"Senator {Insert Name}, a penny per product is a worthy price for ensuring that our consumer purchases aren't supporting a bloody and rapacious war in Congo. We all must recognize the full cost of our consumer products, and a penny is a small price to save human lives. Please join a bipartisan coalition in voting to keep conflict mineral audits and penalties in the Congo language that is part of the financial reform bill."

Click on each senator’s name to visit his Facebook pages and leave a comment. (You’ll have to click the "Like" button at the top to post a comment.) If you only have time to reach out to one, please direct your message to Senator Chris Dodd, the committee chairman.

* Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) *
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD)
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY)
Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL)

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Click the post title for President Obama contact form

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PHEW!! ISNER and MAHUT - it seemed like a final in a way, but it was only Round 1 - A MATCH OF A LIFETIME

John Isner
Photo credit: Getty Images
So a two or three years ago, I had a choice to make - get Mardy Fish's autograph or John Isner's at the International Tennis Hall of Fame grass courts here in Newport, Rhode Island. I decided to get John Isner's as he was younger and may turn out to be something some day.

Statistics

The Final Chapter of an epic tale: Isner 70 Mahut 68

The Wimbledon Marathon

Already in wikipedia Isner and Mahut_Match_at_the_2010_Wimbledon_Championships


Isner and Mahut given special awards

Click post title for Wimbledon website article: Miserable Mahut forced to grin and bear it
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www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news

According to the calendar, the opening day of the Championships was the longest day of the year, as it was midsummer. But John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, along with everybody else watching their match on Court 18, might disagree.

After their match was suspended for bad light on Tuesday, they arrived to start the concluding set at lunchtime on Wednesday - and were still there as the sun went down, having broken all known records but not the deadlock.


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John Isner and Nicolas Mahut: Hitting themselves into history


By John Feinstein
Friday, June 25, 2010

The best moments in sports are almost always those we least expect: The U.S. hockey team stunning the Soviet Union in the Lake Placid Olympics 30 years ago; Boris Becker winning Wimbledon 25 years ago when he was too young -- 17 -- to claim the world's most important tennis title; Tom Watson coming within inches of winning the British Open when he was too old -- 59 -- to compete for a major golf championship.

And then there are those moments that involve athletes most of us have never heard of and may never hear of again; moments that come out of nowhere and hold us spellbound. That's what John Isner and Nicolas Mahut did the past three days. They began a routine first-round match at Wimbledon on Tuesday, a long way -- literally and figuratively -- from historic Centre Court. They were sent out to play on Court 18, which is tucked into a corner of the Wimbledon grounds and has seats for a mere 782 people.

When they finally shook hands at the net on Thursday after playing five sets and 183 games -- the last 138 of them in the final set -- millions of people around the world were watching and wondering when one of them would finally crack or simply collapse. To put what these two men did into perspective, consider: Before this epic match, the longest fifth set in the history of Grand Slam tennis lasted 48 games -- 90 games fewer than Isner and Mahut played. The longest match in Grand Slam tennis history before this one lasted six hours and 33 minutes. The last set between Isner and Mahut took eight hours and 11 minutes.

In terms of other sports, we're talking about a 60-inning baseball game or a 10-quarter NFL playoff game. In other words, unreal.

While the numbers will be repeated often, they are a small part of what made this match special. There was no championship at stake. These were two little-known players fighting simply for the right to advance to the second round. Isner, who won the extraordinary final set, 70-68, will do well to survive his second-round match on Friday and is the longest of long shots to be playing the glamour rounds next weekend. At 25, he has never been beyond the round of 16 in a major tournament. He came to Wimbledon seeded 23rd -- meaning he was expected only to reach the round of 32.

Read full article at washington post


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Martina Navratilova's take on the longest matchBy Martina Navratilova


Source: LA Times

You know, I don't even know where to start.

Those guys [John Isner and Nicolas Mahut] were a great example of what our sport represents: two great athletes going at it, pushed beyond any limits we had thought about or that they had practiced for, and they've really set the bar high for everybody else.

These guys came through under amazing pressure time and time again, neither one flinching.

Isner won because he hit winners, not because one guy won it or lost it. It was an amazing effort emotionally, physically, gut-wise; they put everything in it.

At a certain point it can't be great tennis anymore. They can't run for shots, and you could tell they were physically saving themselves because you have to. If they had kept running, one of them would have lost because he would have gotten too tired. You start to think, 'Do I go for that or not? Is it worth it?'

At some point you have to think long-term when you realize there is no quick fix. I liken it to running a marathon, where you have to pace yourself. You can't go all out. But in a marathon you know where the finish line is. These guys didn't know that.

I could see Isner start saving himself, actually, at 5-all in the fifth, I thought.

Both of them, their serving was a thing of beauty. And still, when he had a chance at the end, Isner hit a winner. Amazing. They did the sport proud, and most impressively neither of them flinched mentally. They did not get nervous, never got nervous. I really saw no nerves.

I think whoever won this match was going to be so handicapped for the next. No doubt John [Isner] is fit, but I think it's going to be hard on him physically. I think it will hit him. It won't quite be an equal playing field.

I know this: What we saw here, we will never see again. It's not going to happen.

Navratilova, among her many Grand Slam victories, is a nine-time Wimbledon singles champion, a record.


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Thursday, June 24, 2010

PORTSMOUTH RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL BUDGET FOR 2010-2011 - IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SAY YOU CARE AND STAY HOME

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Uploaded by jmcdaid | May 04, 2009 | 0:43

Councilor Karen Gleason says schools must get back to basics


It is not enough to care and stay home.


The Portsmouth School Department proposed budget would mean an increase of $0.29 per $1,000 of house appraised value, an effective increase of 2.54%, and the increase on an average $350,000 house of $100.


There was a fight going on June 23, 2010 at Town Hall last night - Portsmouth, Rhode Island Town Council Budget Hearing 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.


There is only one reason not to attend the Portsmouth RI Town Council Budget Meeting July 14, 2010, 7:00 p.m. at the Portsmouth Middle School


if you are available


and you want Portsmouth Public Schools to be what they need to be for 2010-2011.


That reason is that you don’t care enough.


The 5-2 voting tradition on Portsmouth School budget by the town council is based on getting rid of the union at any cost. When we wake up and see what we lost because we weren’t available to show up – many will be stunned. Those members who vote to level fund (keep it where it was last year) the school budget say they care about the education of our community’s students. But that is not believable by watching them.


While the vote was 4-3 at the June 23 meeting, it is only a vote that is provisional. It will change back to 5-2 - scoring a savings of $100 increase (on a house appraised at $350,000) over the upcoming tax year at best for those who want taxes to remain the same as this past year. Even if we get the increase of 21 cents per thousand provisionally voted for June 23, it doesn’t allow the School Department to receive what is needed to keep competitive sports at PMS and PHS, music, art. And this is after the School Department already cut needed special education teachers. The Portsmouth Taxpayers Association members are attending these meetings. The handful of us that stayed through to the end at 11:00 p.m at last night’s Town Council meeting can’t change the direction we are headed without more taxpayers showing up who truly care about the schools’ offerings. It is not enough to care and stay home.


The vote June 23 was to move the tax rate per thousand dollars from last year’s $11.26 to $11.47 in regards to the school budget. That isn’t enough, but better than what will most likely get voted, if any indication of past voting and comments will tell how the council members’ votes will fall in the end. The Portsmouth Taxpayers Association is in control of the current Town Council, so expect the school department’s budget to get what the Taxpayers Association wants.


We only will have control of what the council votes if we pressure them to vote a reasonable budget. (And for future budget years, if we vote for reasonable candidates in the upcoming election). Paying teachers according to what the Portsmouth Taxpayers Association members and their representatives feel the teachers deserve is what is driving the contention. The desire is to break the union – it came out repeatedly. And the children are the ones who lose out while adults play in a political playground with the community’s future.


What do you expect from the Portsmouth Public Schools? And at what cost will you be willing to give up what we have come to expect from the schools?

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Uploaded by PortsmouthSchools | June 09, 2010 | 9:57

June 2, 2010 Portsmouth RI School Department Budget Meeting

Website for Portsmouth RI

Students who want to go to college will be filling out applications to be accepted. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to apply for music or sport's scholarships at colleges if we don't have sports teams for scouts to come and watch the potential sports students or music and arts classes for potential college majors.

Not only do people look at tax rate when moving into a community, but a huge impact on worth of homes is the community public schools. But this fact gets lost in the effort to keep taxes at a level funding.

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According to the Town Charter, a "Budget Referendum," can be done with the required number of citizens signing a petition to do so. And the question to be voted on is written by the petitioners and verified as a valid question by the Town Clerk.

Stay tuned for a possible "Budget Referendum" to fund our community's students learning opportunities.

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$1.2 million increase was asked for by the Portsmouth School Department for 2010-2011 year - it was voted down by a 5-2 vote by the Portsmouth Town Council with the vote to "level fund" the school department. It would have increased the taxes $.29 per thousand dollars of appraised house values in town.

When I went to high school gasoline varied in price between 17 and 28 cents a gallon. Just saying….

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Uploaded by wane | March 05, 2010 | 0:45

COLUMBIA CITY VS. WAWASEE BOYS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

When I was in high school - graduated 1967 - my dad was the high school basketball coach in this very gymnasium. He was the very first coach of what was then a brand new school building and a newly consolidated county-wide high school....then called Columbia City Joint High School - as it joined many high schools in one. In Indiana, "Hoosier hysteria" is what we call basketball.

Dad with the CCJHS basketball team behind him when I was in high school

Dad and his daughter- moi


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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

GETTING TO KNOW PEOPLE OF OTHER CULTURES COULD HELP WHAT AILS US - EVEN WHEN THEY HAVE DIED


Memorial for Manute Bol in Washington on Saturday, after which Manute will be flown to southern Sudan to be buried next to his father.

Manute Bol remembered on Senate floor

Video: Remembering Manute Bol


U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) remembered Manute Bol on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday. Highlights:

"I do want to speak about the passing, the untimely passing of a giant, a giant in the heart of the Sudanese people, but also a literal giant. At 7 foot 7 inches tall, Manute Bol was a hero in his native home of Sudan, not for the fact alone that he was a pro basketball player in the United States, or for the fact that he killed a lion with a spear while he was working as a cow herder. Manute Bol was a hero because of his advocacy for his fellow countrymen, and a true, true humanitarian...

"Manute coined the idiom, the phrase 'my bad,' which quickly became the standard for the players owning up to their own errors on the court. My bad. To own up to one's own mistakes is a true measure of one's character, and it's no surprise that Manute leaves this legacy to the NBA.

'Manute had a gentle nature and an unmistakable humor. He was also a Christian, and his faith guided his advocacy for his fellow Sudanese brothers and sisters. Manute was the son of a Dinka tribal chief, and was given the name Manute, which means special blessing. Manute was indeed special, and what made him special was not his height, but his heart. Manute often returned to Sudan to visit refugee camps, and subsequently created the Ring True Foundation to assist those less fortunate than himself....

"The world needs more Manute Bols, individuals who dedicate their lives for others. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to Manute, his family, his friends and the people of Sudan."

By Dan Steinberg | June 22, 2010; 4:14 PM ET
Categories: Wizards

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View more news videos at: http://www.nbcwashington.com/video.


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Click this link to see the video pictured above:
George_Michael_interviews_Manute Bol
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Phil Jasner: Remembering the best of times with former NBA player Manute Bol

SOME PEOPLE said Manute Bol was 7-6. Most said he was 7-7. All I know is that he was and always will be bigger than life.

The former 76ers center - a renowned freedom fighter for his native Sudan - died of kidney problems and a rare skin disease Saturday in Charlottesville, Va. He was reported to be 47.

And that's part of the magic, the charisma, the lore of the Dinka tribesman. Some of what we know about him is fact, some is legend, stories told through the years. There are times when it's virtually impossible to separate fact from legend, and all you can do is laugh. Which is what Bol always did. He would tell stories, set up pranks, be the subject of pranks, then laugh. Invariably, he would laugh with you.

I was in the old Salt Palace in Salt Lake City when Bol, then a Sixer, stepped in to jump center against Mark Eaton, the Utah Jazz' massive 7-4 center.

"Man, you are big," Eaton said.

"No mon," Bol said in that hard-to-describe twang of his. "You are big. I am just tall."

I was in the Sixers' locker room at Saint Joseph's, then the team's practice site, when Bol giddily picked up a colleague's briefcase and hung it from a water pipe along the ceiling, leaving it several inches out of my colleague's reach. I remember the look of anguish on my colleague's face, then the subsequent sigh of relief when a 6-10 teammate of Bol's stepped out of the shower and volunteered to help.

Jim Lynam, then a rookie head coach with the then-San Diego Clippers, tried to draft Bol in the second round in 1983. Don Feeley, a former coach at Sacred Heart, had been in Sudan working for the U.S. State Department and helping as an assistant with the Sudanese national team and had seen Bol.

"He said they kept telling him about the big guy from the bush," Lynam recalled. "He had never seen him. Then, one day, the door opened and in stepped what he said was 'the biggest guy he ever saw.' ''

The Clippers' management told Lynam they wouldn't "waste" a second-round pick on this guy. Lynam waited until the fifth round. But the NBA wouldn't allow the pick. The executives overseeing the draft had never heard of Manute Bol.

Bol's passport said he was 21, but somebody somewhere came up with information that the age was incorrect. And under Bol's passport photo, it said he was 5-7.

"He said, 'They took my picture when I was sitting down,' '' Lynam recalled.

Bol landed at an English language center at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, played a year at Division II Bridgeport, spent a season in the United States Basketball League, then finally joined the then-Washington Bullets as a second-round pick in 1985.

"We were afraid for him, with his lack of weight [about 205 pounds]," then-Bullets assistant Fred Carter said. "Instead, he blocked shots with such ferocity that he had an advantage."

Carter also recalled that, because of Bol's height, in most hotel rooms he had to get on his knees to wash his face and brush his teeth. To sleep reasonably comfortably, Bol would place two single beds end-to-end. One year, at the Sixers' training camp in Lancaster, the team ordered a specially sized bed for him.

He bounced to the Golden State Warriors in 1988, then came to the Sixers in '90.

I wanted the first interview with him as a Sixer, and Frank Catapano, his New England-based agent, gave me a phone number in Egypt. My son insists that I located Bol in a hut; I just know that the phone line was scratchy and that Bol was difficult to understand from thousands of miles away. But I got what I wanted.

So what is fact and what is legend?

I have read that Bol was born in a village in a remote part of Sudan, where civil war had left millions dead. His grandfather, Bol Chol, was said to stand 7-10; he was also said to have been a powerful chieftan with 40 wives. Manute's father, Madute, was said to have been 6-8 and had seven wives and a large herd of cattle, a sign of wealth. When Manute joined his first basketball team, he was said to have walked 3 days from his village to take part.

When Manute married his second wife, he was said to have paid 150 cows for her. He reveled in telling NBA teammates and friends about how he had killed a lion with a spear.

"He was a unique guy," said Jeff Ruland, a teammate with the Bullets. "Like me, he had a great sense of humor. But he was also very caring. He would give you the shirt off his back. I got him as a rookie, and one night I took him to see an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie called 'Commando.' The rest of the season, he called me 'Commando.'

"He told me he had killed a lion with a spear, and I said, 'You probably killed it with one of your free throws.' We laughed a lot, but he had a lot of grief in his life, and he did a lot of good for his people."

He was a specialist in the NBA. He didn't have a lot of skill, but he could block and intimidate shots. He averaged five blocks as a rookie and, in the course of his career, once blocked 11 shots in a half, eight in a quarter. In a game against the Orlando Magic, he rejected four successive shots.

And, amazingly, he loved taking threes. He was an astounding 20-for-91 with the Warriors in '88-89, and playing for the Sixers in '92-93 knocked down six of 12 in the second half of a loss to the Phoenix Suns. He finished his career with 1,599 points, 2,647 rebounds and 2,086 blocks.

Bol would donate virtually all of his salary to the rebel movement in Sudan, and to feed the hungry there. He would make personal appearances, then donate his fee. He beat the Chicago Bears' legendary William "Refrigerator" Perry in a celebrity boxing bout. He signed a 1-day contract with a minor league hockey team in Indianapolis, even though he could not skate.

"He was a great person who enjoyed life," said Rick Mahorn, Bol's teammate with the Sixers. "He was proud of his heritage, very confident in his size. He enjoyed being with people who were honest and truthful. When he told me about killing the lion, I told him it must have already been an old, dead lion. But if he took it, he could dish it out as well."

I can remember days at St. Joe's when Charles Barkley or Mahorn would come rushing out of the locker room, a barefoot Bol chasing them, hurling his sneakers at them. I never really knew what went on to precipitate those scenes.

I do know that the first time he stepped into the shower room at St. Joe's, his teammates dubbed him with a nickname that I can't repeat here.

Ruland wondered about Bol's age.

"I always thought he put down a lower number so he could play more years," Ruland said. "For all I know, he could have been 70 when he died."

Mahorn viewed Bol's passing as "a sad moment."

"He was a good player, a good friend," Mahorn said. "And once you were his friend, you were always his friend. That's just how he was. Every moment with him was just fun, but he was a soldier, proud of who he was, trying to help everybody around him."

Source: www.philly.com/dailynews/sports


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In early June, six leading Sudanese doctors were arrested by the Sudanese Government's National Security and Intelligence Services (NISS) and detained without charge for their membership in the Doctors' Strike Committee, which has called for improvements in salaries and working conditions.

The violence against the Doctors' Strike Committee members is escalating. Yesterday, another committee member, Dr. Hisham Abdulgani, was reportedly arrested while leaving Khartoum hospital after meeting with several consultants and government officials who had invited him to discuss a peaceful resolution to the dispute. Just today, NISS agents reportedly entered the house of another Committee leader, Dr. WalaEldin Ibrahim, and his wife, mother and children were questioned as to his whereabouts.

In 2003, doctors came together to demand better working conditions from the Government of Sudan. After a brief strike, the government accepted a 12-point agreement with the physician activists, which included a salary increase.

Seven years later, that agreement has yet to be implemented. Doctors formed a new Doctors' Strike Committee in early 2010, and held a series of strikes that ended when the government agreed to implement the agreement in April 2010. However, Sudan's Ministry of Health then withdrew the agreement in mid-May, and the Doctors' Committee called a meeting for June 2, to decide next steps. Before the meeting could be held, several doctors were arrested, one severely beaten.

On June 2, doctors and medical students from the University of Khartoum organized a protest to demand the release of their colleagues. Officers of the NISS attacked the peaceful protesters, badly injuring several of them. During the first week of June, more doctors were arrested, and other members of the Doctors' Strike Committee were forced into hiding. There are reports that some of the doctors have been severely beaten.

Today, the doctors remain on strike until their colleagues are released, and medical students have been assigned to cover hospital duties across Sudan. At least seven doctors are in prison, and are at risk of abuse or torture. Other doctors and their families continue to be threatened.

The Sudanese medical system is in crisis. The Doctors' Strike Committee is negotiating with the Sudanese Government for their colleagues' release.

Your voice can make a difference. Take action today.

Email the Embassy of Sudan and the Sudan Mission to the UN, and call on the Government of Sudan to release the six doctors detained in early June: Dr. Alhadi Bahkeit, Dr. Ahmed Alabwabi, Dr. Ashraf Hammad, Dr. Mahmoud Khairallah, Dr. Abdelaziz Ali Jame, Dr. Ahmed Abdullah KhalafAllah, as well as Dr. Hisham Abdulgani, immediately and unconditionally. And demand the government peacefully resolve talks with the Doctors' Strike Committee so that physicians can return to work and the health of all Sudanese can be promoted and protected.

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Darfur In the News

BBC: Three Rwandan peacekeepers 'killed in Darfur'. The peacekeepers, from Rwanda, came under attack in West Darfur, an official with the joint UN-African Union force told Reuters news agency. Twenty-seven troops from the peacekeeping force known as UNAMID have now died since the UN took joint control in 2008. After a period of relative calm, there has been a recent increase in the number of deaths in Darfur. About 600 people died in fighting in Darfur last month - the highest monthly toll since 2008.

Reuters: Cyprus probes weapons on Sudan-bound ship. Cyprus has intercepted a vessel carrying military equipment thought to be bound for Sudan, under an arms embargo by the United Nations and the European Union. A security source said authorities were investigating whether the cargo contravened a U.N. arms embargo on all armed groups operating in Sudan's Darfur region, the site of a seven-year conflict pitting government troops and allied militias against rebel fighters. Asked about the cargo, Cyprus' Commerce Minister Antonis Paschalides said: "I cannot specify right now what material it is, whether it is tanks, not tanks or other things, but there is definitely military material which comes under export control."

Sudan Tribune: UK earmarks $100 million dollars for Southern Sudan referendum. The United Kingdom has earmarked $100 million US dollars for the conduct of the upcoming referendum in Southern Sudan. The money will be availed through the British International Foreign Development organization that will be based in Juba. Last week the US allocated sixty million dollars to assist in the process of the upcoming referendum in Southern Sudan. Ambassador Kay stressed the importance of making the referendum a success, adding that it was to avoid repeating mistakes committed during the recent elections. Vice President Machar had earlier stressed the importance of revealing specific assistance budgets by international community partners so that the government prepares accordingly.

Reuters: Prosecutor probes Swedish link in Sudan crimes. Sweden's public prosecutor opened a criminal investigation on Monday into allegations that Swedes working for a consortium of oil companies during the Sudanese civil war may have been complicit in human rights abuses. The consortium -- made up of Lundin Oil, Malaysian firm Petronas, Austrian energy group OMV and a Sudanese state-owned firm -- signed a deal in 1997 with Sudan's government to exploit oil in disputed areas, European Coalition in Oil in Sudan (ECOS) wrote. The start of exploration set off a vicious war as the government sought to take control of oil fields in the area, leading to thousands of deaths and the forced displacement of local populations, ECOS wrote in its report.

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Sunday, June 20, 2010

FOR HEATH LEDGER FANS - BY JOHANNA and tiny tinkerbell

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Uploaded by my friend Johanna - jopicca June 18, 2010
Text of jopicca
A short video with (some rare) pictures and screenshots of Heath Ledger.
The title of the song is Sleep by Poets of the Fall, from the album Signs of Life.


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Uploaded by TinyTinkebell June 13, 2010
Text of TinyTinkebell
Heath Andrew Ledger (DOB 4th April 1979) very rare photos from start to finish.
I thought I'd use a more upbeat song this time.

All my worries help me put the past behind
All around us this worlds in a hurry
While we stand still in time
Feels like we're moving to the rhythm of the music,
When we're together
Everything just comes together, baby
So inspired by the movement
We can't lose it

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Saturday, June 19, 2010

FREE FOR RESIDENTS JUNE 20, 21, 2010 NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

So I went to the International Tennis Hall of Fame today, thinking it was free. Once a year, local residents are free at different places around the area. Well, it is tomorrow and Monday that the venues are free, but they were nice enough to let me in, today.

I tagged along with a small band of tourists, while the volunteer guide tried to inform us of the Tennis Hall of Fame and what it had to offer - but much of the time - 3 of the 4 people were walking off on their own and she had no one to talk to, but one of us. They others were all from Brazil and I was from ...well, here....where the Hall of Fame is located.

I have never been inside the museum, just to the tennis tournament held on the grass courts there. The inside pictures (below) were taken today. And the grounds pictures were taken in 2009.

The guide wasn't as fond of Rafa as I am - she thinks he should go to Africa like Roddick and Federer and Rafa shouldn't wear the watch that he wore at The French Open. And one of the men from Brazil likes Rafa, but likes his current on-court clothing, which I don't. I started this Facebook page: RAFA NADAL BRING BACK LONG PANTS SLEEVELESS TOPS

But this is the kind of thing that I read and know Rafa is the man.

This is the Hall of Fame and you aren't supposed to be inducted until after you have been retired for five years, although one man was. The guide thought this was because he had some legal problems in his country at the time and they inducted him to let him leave his country. I have no idea. She also didn't like Borg, because he is the only inducted player to choose not to show up for his inductee ceremony - the same year as Billie Jean King.

Rafa was well represented in the museum, although of course, he hasn't been inducted yet. According to the volunteer guide, one of the three main inductees for 2011 will be Andre Agassi.


The court as you enter


The picture below is what is at the base of the pictured statue above.


Picture from the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI
What men once wore.

What women wore to play tennis in at one time. Must have been a slow game.


Free to residents June 20 and 21, 2010
www.onaquidneck.com

Here is what is free for residents......

June 20 & 21 - Newport County Attraction Days - Free Admission to Area Attractions for Residents & hospitality workers
The Attractions Council of Newport County invites all Newport County residents and employees of the hospitality industry to visit many great local attractions on Sunday, June 20, 2010 and Monday, June 21, 2010. A total of 19 attractions/organizations are participating, including for the first time several attractions located in Bristol. Visitors showing proof of residency (driver's license or other identification with an address) or proof of hospitality employment (business card, employee ID or pay stub) will enjoy free admission or another value as noted when visiting the attractions listed below. Please call the individual attractions for operating schedule and other detailed information.

Amazing Grace Harbor Tours/Oldport Marine
401-662-0082 www.OldPortMarine.com
Free harbor tour. Sunday June 20 only.
Audubon Society Environmental Education Center
401-245-7500 www.asri.org
Free admission
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
401-253-2707 www.Blithewold.org
Free admission
Coggeshall Farm Museum
401-253-9062 www.CoggeshallFarm.org
Free admission
Firehouse Theater
401-849-3473 www.FirehouseTheater.org
Special June 21 performance: The Bit Players at 7pm. Limited seating, reservation required
Greenvale Vineyards
401-847-3777 www.Greenvale.com
Free tasting
Historic Fort Adams
401-841-0707 www.FortAdams.org
Free admission
International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum
401-324-6033 www.TennisFame.com
Free admission
Museum of Newport History
401-846-0813 www.NewportHistorical.org
Free admission
Museum of Yachting
401-847-1018 www.MOY.org
Free admission
Newport Art Museum
401-848-8200 www.NewportArtMuseum.org
Free admission Sunday, June 20 only. Closed June 21.

Newport Grand Slots
401-849-5000 www.NewportGrand.com
$5 in Reward Points when signing up for a Grand Rewards Card - Points valid for food or beverage within Newport Grand Slots. New Members only, 18+
Newport Mansions
401-847-1000 www.NewportMansions.org
Free admission to The Breakers, The Breakers Stable & Carriage House (open Sunday only), Chateau-sur-Mer, Chepstow, The Elms, Green Animals Topiary Garden, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House, Kingscote, Marble House, and Rosecliff, and a 10% discount at all Newport Mansions Stores.
Newport Vineyards & Winery
401-848-5161 www.NewportVineyards.com
Free tour & tasting
Norman Bird Sanctuary
401-846-2577 www.NormanBirdSanctuary.org
Free admission
Redwood Library & Athenaeum
401-841-5680 www.RedwoodLibrary.org
Free admission & 10% off purchases
Sakonnet Vineyards
401-635-8486 www.SakonnetWine.com
Tour, tasting & logo wineglass
Save The Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium at Easton's Beach
401-324-6020 www.SaveBay.org
Free admission
Sightsailing of Newport / Bowens Wharf
401-849-3333 www.SightSailing.com
Free cruise aboard Schooner Aquidneck
Touro Synagogue and Loeb Visitors Center
401-847-4794 www.TouroSynagogue.org
Free admission



Suzanne Lenglen at the International Tennis Hall of Fame

Suzanne Lenglen and me
at the International Tennis Hall of Fame
Bellevue Avenue
Newport, Rhode Island
June 19, 2010

All photo credits: Sandra Hammel

Roland Garros has a court named after Suzanne Lenglen

This is Rafa's actual clothing from the Australian Open 2010
and the trophy isn't Rafa's trophy....it is some other winner's trophy (I can't remember whose) who donated it or loaned it to the museum.
But it is just like the one Rafa won. Also, pictured below.



This is Venus Williams outfit that caused a stir in Paris this year at The French Open. It arrived yesterday at the museum.


I can't remember which tournament this trophy is for.
I think it the trophy that the winner takes home from Wimbledon.




What once was the Library
now is just an exhibit at the Hall of Fame museum

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BdaSailor June 19, 2010The start of the 2010 Bermuda Race which took place on June 18, 2010 of Newport, R.I. in a flood tide and 10kts of southwesterly breeze.

Music: Vanessa Amorosi's Absolutely Everybody



Click post title for a video I made of Sachuest Beach - near my home.


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