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28 novembre
Saturday, November 28, 2009 - Page updated at 06:44 PM
Apple Cup game thread
Bob Condotta
HUSKIES WIN IT 30-0 -- It's over. More later. First shutout for UW in this series since 1964. First shutout of any kind since 1997.
LOCKER OUT --- He's on the sidelines having rushed for a season-high 94 yards on 10 carries.
UW just fumbled the ball away at the Cougar two, a call reversed after film review, Bronson with the fumble, so it remains 30-0.
THIS ONE'S OVER --- A 15-yard TD run by Locker with 6:45 left seals it for Huskies.
Now 30-0.
POLK GOES OVER 1,000 --- A 13-yard run with just over nine minutes left put Polk over the number.
HUSKIES FORCE ANOTHER PUNT --- UW has the ball back at its own 46 with 10:08 to play, leading 23-0.
HUSKIES UP 23-0 --- With 11:03 left after another Folk field goal. Question how is if UW can hold on for its first shutout of any kind since a 27-0 blanking of USC in 1997 and first in Apple Cup since the Cougars did it 24-0 in 1968. UW's last shutout in the Apple Cup 14-0 in 1964.
UW OUTGAINED WSU 143-28 --- In the third quarter.
UW LEADS 20-0 AT END OF THREE QUARTERS --- Huskies on the move again with the ball at the Cougar 41 as the third quarter ends.
HUSKIES STOP COUGS --- Sort of. Two incompletions that each were really drops ends WSU's drive, the last one coming on a fourth-and-three at the 37 that was also a little high. UW has the ball back at its own 37.
LOCKER THROWS PICK --- A Locker pass intended for Jermaine Kearse was instead picked off by Xavier Hicks and WSU has the ball at its own 41 with 3:02 to play in third quarter.
COUGS GO THREE AND OUT --- Another three and out and a punt for the Cougs, with Cort Dennison getting a sack on third down to end the drive. UW takes over at its own 37 with 3:46 to play, now in firm control of the game.
LOCKER THREE CARRIES FOR 37 YARDS ON THAT LAST DRIVE --- And he has 49 on five for the game making this his third-best running game of the season.
HUSKIES TAKE 20-0 LEAD --- UW finally beginning to pull away going 75 yards on 12 plays in 6:59, capped by a 1-yard plunge by Chris Polk, to take a 20-0 lead with 6:11 to play in third quarter.
ATTENDANCE TONIGHT --- Is 68,697. That's the lowest attendance for a Seattle Apple Cup since Husky Stadium was expanded in 1987.
OSSAI BACK AT LG FOR HUSKIES --- And Middleton catches his first pass of the game at the 12:31 mark.
WSU GOES THREE AND OUT --- UW takes over at its own 25 with 13:10 to go in third. Lobbestael indeed QB for Cougs.
WSU QB --- Lobbestael warming up for Cougs. Looks like he'll go in.
SECOND-HALF KEYS --- WSU will get the ball first and we'll see who the QB is, which figures to tell a lot about how the Cougars' approach the rest of this game. If it's Wagner, WSU may really try to just run it and play it safe and see if they can keep it close.
UW seems to be trying to establish the run but hasn't been able to, especially considering the rushing defense it is going up against. But you'd think the Huskies will keep trying at that.
HALFTIME STATS --- UW has 43 yards rushing on 13 carries, WSU 43 on 17, so the Huskies attempts to dominate this one on the ground have so far not come to, uh, pass.
Locker is 10-19 for 144 yards and one touchdown, with Kearse the leading receiver with four receptions for 94 yards and one TD.
Each team has punted three times.
Dennison is UW's leading tackler with five while Foster has four and an interception.
UW has two sacks, one each of Lopina and Lobbestael.
LOPINA BEING TAKEN OFF ON A STRETCH --- While the rest of the team went to the loker room, Lopina was taken off on a stretcher out a back entrance, apparently en route to a hospital. Looks to be done for the day.
UW LEADS 13-0 AT HALFTIME --- Cougars just ran the ball on the last four plays, picking up a couple of first downs, to run out the clock with Wagner at QB. UW leads 13-0 at the break but not looking real scintillating. Huskies have a 187-116 edge in total yards but the rushing yards are tied at 46.
LOPINA SHAKEN UP AGAIN --- He took a hard hit from Cameron Elisara with his head hitting the ground at the 1:52 mark after scrambling to throw a pass. Walk-on Dan Wagner could be coming in for the Cougs.
LOPINA STILL AT QB FOR WSU --- Lobbestael sitting on bench.
HUSKIES ADD TO LEAD --- Locker passes to Kearse and Aguilar got UW in position for a 46-yard FG by Folk to make it 13-0 with 2:39 to play in the first half. UW has all three of its time outs so if Huskies can hold here, could add to lead again before half.
HUSKIES HOLD --- WSU went for it on fourth and four at the UW 33 but Lopina was sacked for a loss of seven by Darrion Jones and UW has the ball at its own 40.
UW TRIES TO BLITZ, FAILS --- Everyone who wants UW to blitz more needs to watch the third-down play there where the Huskies called a blitz, Dennison missed the tackle, and Lobbestael scrambled for 11. Huskies just don't seem to handle blitzing well this season.
Lobbestael got a little shaken up on the play and is coming out with Lopina going back in.
UW ONE FIRST DOWN, THEN PUNTS --- Cougs to take over at own 45 with 6:14 to go in second quarter.
FIRST DOWN, THEN PUNT FOR COUGS --- UW to get the ball back at its own 6 with 9:31 to play in the second quarter.
LONGEST TD PASS OF THE YEAR FOR THE HUSKIES --- it was as nice play-action as Locker faked handoff to Polk, then stepped up in the pocket and hit Kearse, who beat Terrance Hayward down the sideline and caught the ball in the end zone.
PLAY RESUMES, HUSKIES STRIKE QUICK --- UW needed just three plays to go 85 yards and score a TD, on a 50-yard pass from Locker to Jermaine Kearse on a play-action. That gives UW a 10-0 lead with 12:41 to play in the second quarter.
GAME DELAYED AT THE MOMENT --- A chain gang official is down on the UW sideline so the game is being delayed at the moment.
WSU ENDS THE SEASON BEING OUTSCORED 176-6 IN THE FIRST QUARTER --- And Cougars now forced to punt again so UW will have the ball at its own 15 with 13:52 to play in the second quarter ahead 3-0.
FIRST QUARTER ENDS WITH UW AHEAD 3-0 --- Huskies have a 60-41 edge in yards, 3-3 tie in first downs. WSU ends the quarter with the ball at its own 41 having just picked up a first down.
LOBBESTAEL AT QB FOR WSU --- Lopina out. WSU calls time on first play after having only 10 men on the field.
COUGS FORCE A FIELD GOAL --- Folk makes a 24-yard FG to put UW ahead 3-0 with 1:38 to play in the first. A little of a victory for the Cougs to hold the Huskies out of the end zone there as the UW offense does not seem in sync yet. Nick Wood played at guard for UW in place of Ossai on that drive.
FOSTER PICKS OFF LOPINA --- Foster picks off a pass intended for Simone and returns it to WSU 13. Lopina is down on the ground after taking a hard hit from Darrion Jones. 2:54 left in the quarter.
TA'AMU IN FOR ELISARA --- Not sure why but that's the change on defense for the second drive.
UW PUNTS --- One first down and a punt for the Huskies. Cougar defense fired up so far. WSU to start at its own 21 with 3:50 to play in quarter.
WSU PUNTS --- Cougs forced to punt after two first downs. Huskies take over at own 5 with 7:16 to go in first.
TWO FALSE STARTS ON COUGS --- The noise seems to be making an impact as WSU has had two false starts on this drive. They also just missed a TD on the overthrow of the double pass by Lopina.
GOOD ATMOSPHERE --- Officially, 66,500 tickets were sold before today, but the stadium has filled up pretty well and there seems to be a pretty fevered pitch here so far.
STARTING DEFENSE --- DTN and Jones at ends, Elisara and Thompson at DT, Butler, Foster and Gage at LB, Wells and Williams at safety and Trufant and Long at CB.
J. POLK ON THE PUNT TEAM --- So he's playing today.
WSU STARTS AT 42 ---- Looked like Simone had fumbled the punt for WSU but Quinton Richardson was called for interfereing with the chance to catch the ball so the Cougars will start at their own 42 with 11:52 to play in the first quarter.
UW GETS ONE FIRST DOWN, THEN PUNTS --- A personal foul penalty helps derail UW.
STARTING OFFENSE --- No surprises, Schaefer, Ossai, Tolar, Kelmete, Habben on the line, left to right, Polk at TB, Locker at QB, Middleton at TE, and the three WRs.
C. POLK BACK TO RETURN KO --- Any doubts about his shoulder quickly answered.
GAMETIME TEMPS --- 50 degrees and overcast and 15 MPH wins from the south.
WSU WINS TOSS, DEFERS --- UW to get the ball first.
TRIPPER JOHNSON, POE GAMEDAY CAPTAINS TODAY --- Joining the four season-long captains for UW --- Locker, DTN, Butler and Tolar.
KICKOFF NEARING --- Game is about 20 minutes away.
Lineups looked status quo for UW the way the warmups went but I'll list them once the game starts.
UW is in purple jerseys and white pants, a rare home look.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
Huskies Blog
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/huskies/archives/186575.asp
Huskies dominate Cougars 30-0 to win Apple Cup
Jake Locker threw for 196 yards and rushed for 94 more and the Washington Huskies shut out the Washington State Cougars 30-0 in the 102nd Apple Cup at Husky Stadium.
It won't be described as a pretty win in the years to come, but the Huskies handled business as predicted, dominating just enough in every category of the game to secure their first Apple Cup victory at Husky Stadium since 2003.
 WSU quarterback Kevin Lopina is helped off the field after the second time he was injured in the first half of Saturday's Apple Cup. (AP photo/Elaine Thompson)
With both programs suffering through some of the lowest points in recent memory, the game was filled with penalties, dropped passes, and inefficient drives. Washington dominated the battle of statistics, but failed to put the game away until late in the fourth quarter.
Locker and Chris Polk, who became the first freshman in Huskies history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, carried the load for the Huskies throughout the game. Polk finished with 130 yards on 25 carries.
Both teams got off to a sloppy start, trading drives that were stalled by penalties, as neither the Huskies or Cougars could get any kind of rhythm going in the first quarter.
Mason Foster set up the Huskies first score with an interception of a Kevin Lopina pass. Foster returned the ball to the Washington State 13-yard-line, but the Huskies offense stalled once again in the red zone and had to settle for a 24-yard Erik Folk field goal to take a 3-0 lead after one quarter.
Lopina was knocked out of the game on the play and would return only for a brief series. It was just the start of an assault the Huskies defense laid on the Cougars quarterbacks. Washington State had to finish the first half with its fourth-string quarterback under center. The Cougars were held to 163 total yards of offense.
After the game was delayed due to a member of the chain gang requiring medical attention on the sidelines, the Huskies came out strong, with Locker first rushing for 11 yards and then completing back-to-back passes to Jermaine Kearse for 74 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown strike that put the Huskies up 10-0.
An Erik Folk field goal later in the quarter gave the Huskies a 13-0 lead going into halftime.
The second half belonged to the Huskies as Locker produced a vintage performance, picking up most of his rushing yards after halftime. Locker and Polk led the Huskies on two long scoring drives that essentially put the game away in the third quarter.
Locker pulled out some throwback moves on the Huskies first scoring drive of the second half, rushing three times for 37 yards. Polk capped things off with a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Huskies up 20-0.
Washington was driving again when Xavier Hicks came up with an interception off a Jake Locker pass. The Cougars again drove into Huskies territory, but were stopped again on a fourth down try.
After that, the Huskies took over as the Cougars appeared to be out of gas. Washington put together another long drive that ended in a Folk field goal and added another touchdown in the fourth quarter on a Locker scramble to finish off Washington State.
Game Notes: The member of the chain gang who went down in the second quarter was hit during a punt return and had to be placed on a stretcher and carted off the field in an ambulance...WSU attempted some trickery on its first drive, when Dwight Tardy took a handoff and threw back to Lopina. Lopina had Gino Simone wide-open for a touchdown, but overthrew the receiver. WSU later successfully completed a halfback pass from Jeffrey Solomon to Simone for a first down...The Cougars finished the first half with their fourth-string quarterback under center at Lopina and Marshall Lobestael were knocked out with injuries.
· Return to Huskies dominate Cougars 30-0 to win Apple Cup
Apple Cup And Blanket Donations
Posted: 5:15 pm PST November 27, 2009Updated: 5:37 pm PST November 27, 2009
SEATTLE -- A reminder that you can bring a lot more to the Apple Cup than just fan spirit. St. Vincent de Paul will be there as well.
They'll have bins and volunteers collecting blankets, coats and cash to help those in need stay warm during the colder months.
It's called "Comptetition of Caring." You don't have to go the game of course to make a donation, you can do it any St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in King or Snohomish Counties or head to their website at http://www.svdpseattle.org.
Italian police accuse Knox's parents of defamation
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by KING5.com Staff and Associated Press
Posted on November 28, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Updated today at 5:16 PM
PERUGIA, Italy — The parents of American student Amanda Knox are being investigated for alleged defamation for saying Italian police abused their daughter before arresting her in the 2007 slaying of her British roommate.
Curt Knox told AP Television News on Saturday that he and his ex-wife, Edda Mellas, received notice of the investigation Friday as they arrived in Italy for the final week of hearings in their daughter's case.
He said he found the timing odd, given that a verdict in the case is expected at the end of the week.
Italian news agency ANSA said Knox's parents were being investigated for alleged defamation stemming from an interview they gave Britain's Sunday Times in June 2008 in which the father alleged police had physically and verbally abused his daughter during questioning before she was arrested.
Police have denied harming Knox.
"We received some papers yesterday, it is true, we haven't see the file yet," Curt Knox said, declining to comment on the specific charges.
Both Curt Knox and Mellas said they thought the timing of the investigation was unusual.
"Well, it is odd that the timing is coming out now, five days before the end of the trial, and this is supposed to be something that happened over a year ago," Mellas said.
KING 5 News spoke with Anne Bremner, an attorney for the family. She said the accusation of defamation is significant. If Amanda Knox's parents are charged, they could be detained in Italy or disallowed from entering the country. That means if Amanda is found guilty, they'd never be able to see her.
Knox and Italian co-defendant Raffaele Sollecito are accused of murder and sexual violence in the 2007 death of Knox's roommate, Meredith Kercher, a university exchange student from Leeds.
Kercher's body was found in the apartment she shared with Knox in the central Italian city of Perugia on Nov. 2, 2007. Prosecutors believe the Briton was the victim of a drug-fueled sex game involving Knox, Sollecito and a third defendant, Rudy Hermann Guede of the Ivory Coast.
All three have denied wrongdoing.
Guede was convicted of the same charges in a fast-track trial last year and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He is appealing his conviction.
On Saturday, Sollecito lawyer Luca Maori spent six hours trying to refute the prosecutors' case in his closing arguments, saying only one person — Guede — was responsible for Kercher's death.
"The killer was one and only one," Maori said, adding that even if there were other footprints in the apartment it was logical since Knox and her other roommates lived there.
He said Sollecito was a "gentle, reserved, well-educated" young man who has been unjustly jailed for over two years for a crime he did not commit.
Sollecito's other attorney gives her closing arguments Monday, followed by closing arguments by Knox's lawyers.
A verdict is expected Friday or Saturday.
Prosecutors have requested life terms for Knox and Sollecito.
Story Published: Nov 28, 2009 at 6:33 PM PST
Story Updated: Nov 28, 2009 at 6:33 PM PST
Motorists drive by the accident scene at South 348th Street and 16th Avenue South, Federal Way.
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. - A State Patrol trooper was hospitalized Saturday after a suspected drunk driver in a pickup truck slammed into her patrol car at a busy intersection. Medics and other state troopers responded to the scene, at the intersection of South 348th Street and 16th Avenue South, at about 4:30 p.m. Investigators determined that the crash happened when the pickup driver was trying to turn north on 16th Avenue from westbound 348th Street "at a speeed way too fast for conditions," said Trooper Clifford Pratt. Pratt said the 46-year-old driver lost control of his pickup truck, slid across the two northbound lanes of 16th Avenue and slammed into the patrol car as it was starting a left turn from the opposite direction. "The patrol car was not engaged in stopping anybody - it was just like an everyday driver trying to make a left turn," Pratt said. "From out of nowhere this large pickup truck ... jumped the curb and struck her just at the driver's door." The trooper was rushed to the hospital. She was alert and conscious, but her condition was not immediately released. The pickup driver was not hurt. He was handcuffed and taken into custody on suspicion of DUI. Some drug paraphernalia also was found in his pickup, troopers said. Pratt said many lanes around the busy intersection would remain closed for some time during an investigation of the crash scene. The Huskies take the cup. Turning it back to Coach Sark. Huskies win!!!! Washington tops #WSU, 30-0 in the #Apple Cup. Trophy presentations coming up!
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- Leland Traiman, who runs a sperm bank in California, worries about his lesbian clients in more conservative parts of the country when he hears fellow gay rights activists talk about winning the right to wed.
- Seattle Times
- Colville Reservation tribal chairman gets national post
- Michael Finley, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, will lead a national organization working to recover mismanaged Indian Trust funds. Finley was elected chairman of the Intertribal Monitoring Association on…
- Seattle Times
- Job seekers fight anxiety and depression with social…
- Being unemployed and looking for a job can be an isolating experience, causing depression and anxiety. With Washington's jobless rate at 9.3 percent, support groups like Job Club Seattle can offer an antidote by offering moral support as…
- Seattle Times
- Park rangers recover man’s body at Grand Canyon
- (AP) GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - Officials at Grand Canyon National Park say a man’s body has been found 200 feet below the canyon’s South Rim. Park spokeswoman Maureen Oltrogge says the park’s communication center began getting calls Saturday…
- WNYT
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- 1 hour ago
 WPTV
- Fla. police eye Mich. in holiday killings probe
- JUPITER, Fla. -Investigators in Florida alerted Michigan authorities to be on the lookout Saturday for a man accused of shooting four relatives to death after a Thanksgiving dinner in South Florida. The suspect, Paul Michael Merhige, 35,…
- AOL
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- 1 hour ago
 Big Hollywood
U.S. news videosMouse over video thumbnails for a preview
- Family: Slain public defender in Oregon never spoke of fear of…
- PORTLAND, Ore. - Family members say an assistant federal public defender found slain in her Oregon home didn't express fear about retribution from her clients. And, they say, the 57-year-old was strong and fit, so it's hard for them to…
- Minneapolis Star Tribune
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- 1 hour ago
- La. Interstate Crash Kills 5; Critically Hurts 10
- A minivan packed with children blew a tire, clipped a delivery truck and rolled on a Louisiana interstate Saturday, killing five people and critically injuring another 10, state police said. Thirteen children who had been riding without…
- ABC News
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- 1 hour ago
 WJLA
- Longtime CBS News producer Bernard Birnbaum dies
- NEW YORK — CBS News producer Bernard Birnbaum, who helped shape the public's view of issues ranging from poverty to the Watergate scandal while working alongside Walter Cronkite and Charles Kuralt, has died, the network said. Birnbaum died…
- Houston Chronicle
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- 2 hours ago
 TheInsider.com
- Ohio Inmate Seeks Hearing Over Execution Method
- COLUMBUS — An Ohio inmate fighting the state's new execution procedure is asking a federal court to intervene. Kenneth Biros is scheduled to die Dec. 8. He would be the first inmate executed under Ohio's change from a three-drug intravenous…
- WBNS 10TV Columbus
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- 1 hour ago
 WPTV
- Body of trapped 26-year-old who died in Utah cave won't be…
- SPANISH FORK, Utah - A Utah cave's narrow crevice that trapped and eventually killed a medical student will become his final resting place, and the dangerous cavern will be permanently sealed. State and county officials said Friday that any…
- Minneapolis Star Tribune
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- 8 hours ago
 Idaho Statesman
- FBI: Ex-Doctor Admitted Making Pipe Bombs
- CLEVELAND — Federal agents in Ohio say a troubled former doctor admitted making pipe bombs that were part of an arsenal seized at his apartment. An affidavit filed in federal court in Akron says 56-year-old Mark Campano of Cuyahoga Falls…
- WBNS 10TV Columbus
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- 13 hours ago
 Town Hall
- FAA Transcripts Show Efforts To Reach Flight 188
- After a Northwest Airlines plane flew past Minneapolis last month, air traffic controllers asked the pilots repeatedly for explanations about why they didn't heed radio calls, according to transcripts released on Friday. The Oct. 21 flight…
- WCCO
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- 6 hours ago
 SDNN: San Diego News Network
- Domestic abuse cases proceed _ even without victim
- This Sept. 20, 2009 photo shows Karla Giraldo waiting to testify in court at the trial of her companion State Sen. Hiram Monserrate in the Queens borough of New York. Monserrate was acquitted of more serious charges of assaulting Giraldo,…
- Billings Gazette
- ·
- 1 hour ago
 Houston Chronicle
- Iran will make own nuclear fuel if IAEA deal…
- Ahmad Khatami, speaking at a Tehran University prayer service to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, warned world powers that Iran will not be cowed by threats or swayed by "bribery" to give up its right to nuclear technology . He was…
- YAHOO!
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- 7 hours ago
 Wall Street Journal
- White House Crashers Met Obama
- WASHINGTON (Nov. 27) — A reality TV hopeful and her husband who crashed a presidential dinner met President Barack Obama in the receiving line, the White House said Friday, as a "deeply concerned and embarrassed" Secret Service acknowledged…
- AOL
- ·
- 3 hours ago
 New York Post
World news videosMouse over video thumbnails for a preview
- Dozens dead in Bangladesh ferry disaster
- DHAKA, Bangladesh — A triple-deck ferry packed with hundreds of travelers heading home for an Islamic festival capsized as they disembarked in southern Bangladesh, leaving at least 37 dead and scores missing, authorities said today. M.V.…
- New York Post
- ·
- 3 hours ago
 WHEC TV-10
- US man wanted for ecoterror sentenced in China
- BEIJING (AP) - An American man wanted for ecoterrorism attacks in the western United States has been sentenced to three years in a Chinese prison for making illegal drugs. Justin Franchi Solondz, 30, was given the sentence Friday, said an…
- Big Hollywood
- ·
- 1 hour ago
 CBS 13/CW31 Sacramento
- US soldiers: Afghan war more challenging than Iraq
- FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHANK, Afghanistan - Veterans of Iraq recall rolling to war along asphalted highways, sweltering in flat scrublands and chatting with city-wise university graduates connected to the wider world. Click to enlarge In…
- Herald Tribune
- ·
- 1 hour ago
 CBS News
- Geneva: Police use tear gas on WTO protest
- GENEVA -Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets Saturday to separate violent demonstrators from a protest of a meeting of top world trade officials, but the hooded "black bloc" activists were able to cause damage before 14 were arrested,…
- AOL
- ·
- 1 hour ago
 Idaho Statesman
- Russia: Bomb caused train crash that killed 26
- UGLOVKA, Russia (AP) -- A powerful homemade bomb sent a high-speed Moscow-to-St. Petersburg train careening off its tracks, Russian officials said Saturday, killing at least 26 people in what officials consider an act of terrorism. The head…
- WSVN-TV
- ·
- 1 hour ago
 WSVN-TV
- 3 Americans die, 4 people injured in cargo plane crash in…
- SHANGHAI - A Zimbabwe-registered cargo plane crashed in flames during takeoff from Shanghai's main airport Saturday, killing three American crew members and injuring four others on board. The accident closed two runways at the Pudong…
- Minneapolis Star Tribune
- ·
- 1 hour ago
 Pravda
- Amanda Knox's parents investigated for defamation
- The parents of American student Amanda Knox are being investigated for alleged defamation for saying Italian police abused their daughter before arresting her in the 2007 slaying of her British roommate. Curt Knox told AP Television News on…
- Seattle Times
- ·
- 2 hours ago
 CBS News
- Iran says Ebadi’s assets frozen for not paying taxes
- TORONTO: Iran denounced charges by the Norwegian government that it had illegally confiscated a Nobel Peace Prize winner’s medal and frozen her bank account, the IRNA news agency reported. Iran called the assertion an interference in its…
- IndiaTimes
- ·
- 5 hours ago
 Irish Times
- Tiger Woods: Injuries Caused by Wife, Not SUV
- Tiger Woods did not suffer facial lacerations from a car accident. They were inflicted by his wife, Elin Nordegren -- according to a conversation Woods had Friday after the accident. Tiger has yet to be formally interviewed by the Florida…
- TMZ.com
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- 1 hour ago
CNN 15
- Park rangers recover man’s body at Grand Canyon
- (AP) GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - Officials at Grand Canyon National Park say a man’s body has been found 200 feet below the canyon’s South Rim. Park spokeswoman Maureen Oltrogge says the park’s communication center began getting calls Saturday…
- WNYT
- ·
- 1 hour ago
WPTV
Today's top news videosMouse over video thumbnails for a preview
PImail (Local Stories) for 11/28/2009
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PImail (TV & Radio) for 11/28/2009
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ZENIT
The World Seen From Rome
Daily dispatch - November 28, 2009
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Letters to the Editors
Letters to the Editors
Obedience and the Laity
Article: Vatican: Obedience in Church Based on Respect Although the archbishop addresses his remarks to priestly obedience, all the same things apply to obedience by all Catholics. While the nature of the obedience may be different for the laity, the expectation of giving up oneself to the requirements of God remains the same. Jim Miller email this article | print this article | comment this article
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Spirit of the Liturgy
Article: ZENIT Launches "Spirit of the Liturgy" It is great to see ZENIT addressing the ways in which the Extraordinary and Ordinary Forms express the same lex credendi. I think this series has the potential of dispelling confusion and of confirming our Catholic heritage and identity (especially in our priests). As an author preparing a catechetical guide to the priest's prayers in the new English translation of the Mass, I will be looking forward to this series over the next several months! Jeffrey Pinyan email this article | print this article | comment this article
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A Representation of Values
Article: Remaining Neutral The crucifix represents, to me, the values we hold ... and those values should not be a threat to anyone, of any persuasion or belief. It is a sign to all that our civilization and culture owe so much to the Christian faith -- as well as others. For years I have a card with the prayer of St. Francis on my desk in a public school. Whenever anyone mentioned it -- sometimes suggesting I remove it -- my standard answer was that it wasn't a prayer -- it was a statement of my goals in teaching, and as such it was truly non-denominational. The prayer came off the desk finally when I retired. Dan Hogan email this article | print this article | comment this article
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Partly Correct
Article: Remaining Neutral Brian Westly was partly correct when he said "Real religious freedom requires that the state remain neutral, by not promoting nor denigrating other people's religious views." Public schools teach world/national/state history. When it comes to past wars, I doubt that they remain neutral when they present whatever point of view such as the United States against the British. Public schools could maintain crucifixes in classrooms by allowing other religious symbols in as well. It is important that our youth understand what the various religions are about instead of isolating or polarizing them. By removing the crucifixes, this indeed denigrates the faith that the majority of Anglo-Saxon pilgrims who came to this country (the US) to establish freedom from religious persecution, free to live out their faith to the extent it does not offend. Jesus of Nazareth died on a cross regardless of whether someone does not believe that he is God. The school could use that as a historical symbol of what happens when a ruler conquers and interferes with another country's religious beliefs and practices. Rev. John Zimmerman Diocese of Charleston, SC email this article | print this article | comment this article
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Celebrate With the Visitandines
Article: Pontiff Welcomes Visitationists to Cloister On behalf of the Visitation Order in the United States, I convey my gratitude for this coverage and article. However we refer to ourselves as Visitandines, not Visitationists. We'd also like you to know that in 2010 the Visitation Order celebrates the 400th anniversary of its foundation by St. Francis de Sales and St Jane de Chantal. The Holy Father Pope Benedict 16 has granted a plenary indulgence, with the normal conditions to those who worship with us throughout 2010 in a Monastery Chapel. Please rejoice with us! Sr. Susan Marie Kasprzak email this article | print this article | comment this article
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NWCN.com Top Stories on 11/28/2009
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At least 37 die in Bangladesh ferry disaster
Scores missing; docked vessel was full of people going home from festival
The Associated Press
updated 10:26 a.m. PT, Sat., Nov . 28, 2009
DHAKA, Bangladesh - A triple-deck ferry packed with hundreds of travelers heading home for an Islamic festival capsized as they disembarked in southern Bangladesh, leaving at least 37 dead and scores missing, authorities said Saturday.
M.V. Coco, traveling from the capital Dhaka, went down late Friday as it arrived at Nazirhat town in the coastal district of Bhola, 64 miles (104 kilometers) to the south. Some survivors said the boat hit a river shoal as it approached the terminal, breaking the hull and allowing water in. As passengers scrambled to disembark, the vessel then tipped and partially sank in the Tetulia River.
"As I saw water in the lower deck I jumped through the window and swam ashore," said Shahidul Islam, a survivor. "Also, many passengers were frightened after seeing water in the lower deck and started rushing out causing the boat to tilt on one side."
The ferry was crowded with people heading home to celebrate the Eid al-Adha festival, but it is unclear how many were on board. Dhaka's private ETV television station said the ferry was carrying more than 1,500 people but many had already disembarked when the vessel went down.
The ferry had a sanctioned capacity of 1,000 passengers, police officials said. Authorities usually don't keep passenger lists to make clear how many are on board.
Gas torches were used to cut open submerged cabins, and local residents joined divers to search for survivors inside the ferry. Police and fire brigade divers pulled 37 bodies from the sunken part of the vessel before darkness halted rescue work for the night, said Saiful Islam and Showkat Hossain, local police officials supervising the effort. Many of the dead were women and children.
Officials did not say how many people were missing. ATN television station said up to 80 people were still unaccounted for.
Police said they were waiting for a rescue vessel coming from the southern city of Barisal to pull the submerged ferry from the water.
"The picture about the death toll will be clear once the ferry is salvaged," Islam said.
Hundreds of anxious relatives massed on the sandy river bank and searched for missing loved ones.
Some complained that rescue work was slow as officials were on holiday for Saturday's Eid celebration.
"The ferry sank just before midnight Friday, but rescuers did not arrive until the morning," said survivor Sohel Hossain.
Ferries are a key mode of transport in this delta nation of 150 million people. Accidents blamed on lax rules, overcrowding and faulty boats are common.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34179233/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/
The White House Blog
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Posted by Secretary Tom Vilsack on November 28, 2009 at 12:49 PM EST
I have seen the consequences of a health care system in need of reform – too few insured, too costly for others and too little quality for all. Unsustainable growth in the cost of health care and the continued denial of coverage to millions of Americans is evidence that our health care system has failed.
These failings are amplified in rural America, where folks pay more for health care than their urban counterparts, but are still more likely to experience chronic illness and poor health. I applaud the National Farmers Union for their recent endorsement of the U.S. Senate's health care reform bill and their prior support of the House’s bill. Their support of the legislation and thier courage in this critical debate says a great deal about the need for reform and the consequences for rural America if we do not get it.
Consider the following statistics:
- Rural Americans pay 39% of their total health care costs, out of pocket – the highest percentage for all Americans.
- Almost one in four Americans living in towns with less than 2,500 people have no health insurance coverage.
- Rural Americans are more likely than their urban counterparts to postpone or forego medical care because of the cost – 9% say they delayed care and 7% skipped treatment.
- Approximately 80% of Rural Americans are self-employed or work for a small business – two groups greatly impacted by the rising cost of health care premiums.
- Rural residents are more likely to report fair to poor health status than urban residents, have a higher mortality rate and are more likely to have a chronic condition.
For more information, check out this recent report detailing how health insurance reform will impact rural America.
These numbers aren’t just statistics – they tell the real story about the health and well-being of rural Americans. When high costs or lack of insurance deters someone from seeking needed health care, illnesses go undiagnosed and long term costs increase.
Soaring health care costs are also hurting rural economies and businesses. Small businesses create most new jobs in rural America, but they are at a disadvantage in our current health care system, paying up to 18% more per worker than large firms for the same health insurance policy. And over the last 16 years the number of small businesses offering health care has dropped to less than 40%. We can overcome this by creating a new insurance exchange where individuals and small businesses will have greater leverage to bargain for better prices and quality coverage.
The debate we are having is a good one and it will result in legislation more beneficial to the American people. But we cannot forget - we have been debating health care reform since Harry Truman was President and the status quo is unsustainable. We must seize the unprecedented opportunity for reform that will improve the health care security and stability that Americans value, strengthen our economy and maintain the character of our rural communities for decades to come. The time is now. Rural America can’t wait any longer.
Tom Vilsack is Secretary of the Department of Agriculture
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Posted by Dan Pfeiffer on November 27, 2009 at 5:14 PM EST
In today's Washington Post, Charles Krauthammer takes great pains to paint a bleak picture of health care reform as "monstrous," "overregulated," and rife with "arbitrary bureaucratic inventions." The columnist's argument may be cogent and well-written, but it is wholly inaccurate.
Krauthammer describes a "better choice" for health reform as having three elements: tort reform, interstate purchasing and taxing employee benefits. All three elements are part of the current effort.
And while Mr. Krauthammer may try to label reform legislation as a package of programs linked only by "political expediency," the legislation actually is designed to take health care off the unsustainable path it is currently on by improving the health of all Americans and reducing costs for families, small businesses and the government. Some examples from the Senate bill:
- An independent Medicare Commission that would develop and submit proposals to Congress aimed at shoring up the long-term financial health of Medicare, slowing Medicare cost growth that is hurting seniors and the budget, and improving the quality of care delivered to all Medicare beneficiaries. (Section 3403)
- A program to ensure that uninsured individuals with pre-existing conditions can buy affordable health coverage. (Section 1101)
- New programs to expand the health care workforce so we can ensure there are more doctors and nurses in this country. (Sections 5102, 5201, 5202, 5203, 5204, 5205, 5206, 5207, 5309, 5310, 5311, 5312)
- New prevention and wellness programs such as tobacco cessation and programs to combat childhood obesity. (Sections 4001, 4002, 4003 and 4004, 4107, 4306)
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Posted by Austan Goolsbee on November 27, 2009 at 4:07 PM EST
The President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board released the following statement today:
Statement from PERAB Chairman Paul Volcker on Tax Task Force
The tax subcommittee of the PERAB was scheduled to release its report on December 4th. But we have received more than 500 submissions of serious tax reform ideas from the public both in person and on our website and we had to cut them off to meet the original deadline.
I want us to review as many suggestions as possible and to have sufficient time to fully consider the hundreds of suggestions that have come in already. I have asked the Administration to extend our deadline and to reopen the website for submissions so that we can hear the widest possible range of ideas.
We still have the same specific mandate: to discuss the pros and cons of a spectrum of reform ideas relating to tax simplification, enforcement of existing tax laws and reform the corporate tax system without considering policies that would raise taxes on families making less than $250,000.
The PERAB is not tasked with providing its own policy recommendations for the Administration and the final report will be an almanac of options from a broad range of viewpoints.
We will be reopening the web submission form and extending the deadline for any suggestions in keeping with our mandate (suggestions may also be submitted via email) and will be scheduling more public meetings over the coming weeks. We expect to report back to the Administration after the holidays.
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Posted by Macon Phillips on November 26, 2009 at 12:00 AM EST
Happy Thanksgiving!
Given the holiday, we are releasing the President's weekly address today. In this video, President Obama calls to our attention the men and women in uniform who are away from home sacrificing time with family to protect our safety and freedom. He also talks about the progress of health care reform, the Recovery Act, and job creation to ensure that next Thanksgiving will be a brighter day.
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Posted by Rashad Hussain on November 25, 2009 at 4:05 PM EST
Pilgrims from over 160 countries, including nearly 20,000 Americans, have gathered in Saudi Arabia for the annual performance of the Hajj. They have assembled in Mina and will travel to Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mecca to offer the rites of pilgrimage. On Friday, Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha. The President issued the following statement today marking the beginning of Hajj and the upcoming Eid holiday:
Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to all those performing Hajj this year, and to Muslims in America and around the world who are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha. The rituals of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha both serve as reminders of the shared Abrahamic roots of three of the world’s major religions.
During Hajj, the world’s largest and most diverse gathering, three million Muslims from all walks of life – including thousands of American Muslims – will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat. The following day, Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha and distribute food to the less fortunate to commemorate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son out of obedience to God.
This year, I am pleased that the Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with the Saudi Health Ministry to prevent and limit the spread of H1N1 during Hajj. Cooperating on combating H1N1 is one of the ways we are implementing my administration's commitment to partnership in areas of mutual interest.
On behalf of the American people, we would like to extend our greetings during this Hajj season – Eid Mubarak.
Translations available in Arabic, Persian, Dari, Urdu, Pashto, Russian and French.
Rashad Hussain is Deputy Associate White House Counsel
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Posted by Heather Zichal on November 25, 2009 at 3:36 PM EST
Some exciting announcements today from the White House on our efforts to combat climate change and lay the foundation for a clean energy economy! The President will be attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP 15) next month, and he will take with him an emissions reduction target to drive progress toward a comprehensive and operational Copenhagen accord.
Over the last 10 months, the Administration, under the President’s active leadership, has made remarkable progress in addressing climate change and accelerating a clean energy renaissance domestically and abroad (see a list of accomplishments below). These aggressive initiatives have laid the foundation for a meaningful agreement in Copenhagen and longer term for a new, sustainable and prosperous clean energy future.
The international climate summit will bring together delegations from 192 nations and will be visited by approximately 15,000 people. For the first time in the series of these conferences, the U.S. delegation will have a U.S. Center, providing a unique and interactive forum to share our story with the world. The Center will host over 70 events during the two-week conference that will highlight the strong actions the U.S. is taking at home as well as the leadership role the U.S. is pursuing internationally to combat global climate change.
Activities in the Center will include a series of presentations by senior Cabinet and Administration officials including: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Energy Secretary Steven Chu, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, along with Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, Office of Science and Technology Policy Director John Holdren, and Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner. Topics will range from energy efficiency investments and global commitments to renewables policy and clean energy jobs.
To help bring the events from Copenhagen back home, the State Department will be running a website dedicated solely to COP 15 events, as well as a Facebook page. More info coming on all the ways you can keep up will follow soon.
These are definitely exciting times as we work collectively to address the challenge of climate change and advance the opportunities of a new clean energy future.
Highlights of actions and accomplishments on climate change and energy by the Obama Administration in the last 10 months.
Domestic Leadership
Recovery Act: The U.S. is investing more than $80 billion in clean energy through its Recovery Act – including the largest-ever investment in renewable energy, which will double our generation of clean renewable energy like wind and solar in three years.
Efficiency Standard for Automobiles: President Obama announced the first ever joint fuel economy/greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks in May. The new standards are projected to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program with a fuel economy gain averaging more than 5 percent per year and a reduction of approximately 900 million metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions.
Advancing Comprehensive Energy Legislation: Passing comprehensive energy and climate legislation is a top priority for the Administration and significant progress has been made. In June, The U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act that will promote clean energy investments and lower U.S. greenhouse gas emissions more than 80 percent by 2050. The Senate continues to advance their efforts to pass comprehensive legislation and move the U.S. closer to a system of clean energy incentives that create new energy jobs, reduce our dependence on oil, and cut pollution.
Appliance Efficiency Standards: The Administration has forged more stringent energy efficiency standards for commercial and residential appliances, including microwaves, kitchen ranges, dishwashers, lightbulbs and other common appliances. This common sense approach makes improved efficiency a manufacturing requirement for the everyday appliances used in practically every home and business, resulting in a significant reduction in energy use. Altogether, about two dozen new energy efficiency standards will be completed in the next few years.
Offshore Energy Development: Within the Administration’s first 100 days, a new regulatory framework was established to facilitate the development of alternative energy projects in an economic and environmentally sound manner that allows us to tap into the vast energy potential of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The National Renewable Energy Lab estimates that development of wind energy alone on the OCS may provide an additional 1,900 gigawatts of clean energy to the U.S.
Emissions Inventory Rule: For the first time, the U.S. will catalogue greenhouse gas emissions from large emission sources – an important initial step toward measurable and transparent reductions.
International Leadership
The Major Economies Forum (MEF): President Obama launched the MEF in March 2009, creating a new dialogue among developed and emerging economies to combat climate change and promote clean energy. At the July L’Aquila summit, MEF Leaders announced important new agreements to support the UN climate talks and launched a new Global Partnership to promote clean energy technologies.
Eliminating Fossil Fuel Subsidies: The President spearheaded an agreement at the Pittsburgh G20 summit for all G20 nations to phase out their fossil fuel subsidies over the medium term and to work with other countries to do the same. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation nations followed the G20 lead at their summit in Singapore, expanding the number of countries committing to these subsidies. According to the International Energy Agency, this measure alone could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions 10 percent or more by 2050.
Bilateral Energy and Climate Partnerships: The U.S. is accelerating its collaboration with China, India, Mexico, Canada and other key international partners to combat climate change, coordinate clean energy research and development, and support the international climate talks.
Energy and Climate Partnership for the Americas: President Obama proposed a partnership with our neighbors in the western hemisphere to advance energy security and combat climate change. An early product of this cooperation is Chile’s Renewable Energy Center, which receives technical support from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Phasing Down HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons): The U.S. joined Canada and Mexico in proposing to phase-down HFC emissions, a very potent greenhouse gas, in developed and developing countries under the Montreal Protocol. This represents a down payment of about 10% of the emission reductions necessary to cut global greenhouse gas emissions to half their current levels by 2050.
Heather Zichal is Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change
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Posted by Nicola Goren on November 25, 2009 at 2:53 PM EST
As we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, let us also pause and acknowledge that many of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table. The President and the First Lady are calling on all of us to come together to solve hunger in our communities.
In this spirit, the Corporation for National and Community Service in coordination with the White House and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is launching the United We Serve: Feed a Neighbor initiative. The new initiative raises awareness of hunger issues and equips Americans with the resources to mobilize against the hunger crisis.
Here’s what you can do to get started fighting hunger today:
Nicola Goren is the Acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service
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Posted by Molly Fedick on November 25, 2009 at 1:11 PM EST
Download Video: mp4 (160MB) | mp3 (7MB)
Today at the White House, the President officially pardoned not one turkey, but two -- sparing both “Courage” and “Carolina,” a request from his compassionate daughters, Sasha and Malia. Before sending the birds to a life of “peace and tranquility” in Disneyland, the President took the time to express his gratitude for life’s blessings, and remind Americans that Thanksgiving is also a time to think of those less fortunate:
When my family and I sit around the table tomorrow, just like millions of other families across America, we'll take time to give our thanks for many blessings. But we'll also remember this is a time when so many members of our American family are hurting. There's no question this has been a tough year for America. We're at war. Our economy is emerging from an extraordinary recession into recovery. But there's a long way to go and a lot of work to do.
In more tranquil times, it's easy to notice our many blessings. It's even easier to take them for granted. But in times like these, they resonate a bit more powerfully. When President Lincoln set aside the National Day of Thanksgiving for the first time -- to celebrate America's "fruitful fields," "healthful skies," and the "strength and vigor" of the American people -- it was in the midst of the Civil War, just when the future of our very union was most in doubt. So think about that. When times were darkest, President Lincoln understood that our American blessings shined brighter than ever.
This is an era of new perils and new hardships. But we are, as ever, a people of endless compassion, boundless ingenuity, limitless strength. We're the heirs to a hard-earned history and stewards of a land of God-given beauty. We are Americans. And for all this, we give our humble thanks -- to our predecessors, to one another, and to God.
So on this quintessentially American holiday, as we give thanks for what we've got, let's also give back to those who are less fortunate. As we give thanks for our loved ones, let us remember those who can't be with us. And as we give thanks for our security, let's in turn thank those who've sacrificed to make it possible, wherever they may be.
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Posted by Norm Eisen on November 25, 2009 at 1:08 PM EST
Building upon last month’s historic release of nearly 500 White House visitor records, today the White House releases more than 1,600 records of visits to the White House in response to another month’s worth of requests. You can view all the records in a searchable database in our Disclosures section.
We announced earlier that in December the White House would -- for the first time in history -- begin posting all White House visitor records under the terms of our new voluntary disclosure policy. As part of that initiative, we also offered to look back at the records created before the announcement of the policy and answer specific requests for visitor records created earlier in the year.
Today’s production of records is in response to over 300 requests from the public during the month of October. Those requests have yielded over 1,600 responsive records. Consistent with our earlier announcement that we will only release records that are 90 days or older, this group of records covers the time period between January 20, 2009 to August 31, 2009. All of these have been added to the online database of published visitor records in an accessible, searchable format for anyone to browse or download.
Today’s release advances the President’s historic commitment to increasing government transparency and openness. This Administration’s concrete commitments to openness include putting up more government information than ever before on data.gov and recovery.gov, reforming the government’s FOIA processes, providing on-line access to White House staff financial reports and salaries, adopting a tough new state secrets policy, reversing an executive order that previously limited access to presidential records, and webcasting White House meetings and conferences. The release also compliments our new lobbying rules, which in addition to closing the revolving door for lobbyists who work in government have also emphasized expanding disclosure of lobbyist contacts with the government.
Several of the most frequent White House visitors in today's release are, not surprisingly, Administration officials who come to the White House as part of their daily work. For example, Tom Perrelli and Spencer Overton - each an appointed official in the Administration - have visited the White House many times.
Finally, as we noted last month, sometimes rather than providing clear information transparency can have confusing or amusing results. With an average of 100,000 White House access records created each month, many White House Visitors share the same name as celebrities. In October, requests were submitted for the names of some notable figures (for example Michael Jordan and Michael Moore). The famous individuals with those names never actually came to the White House, but we have included the individuals that did visit and share those names.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Norm Eisen is Special Counsel to the President for ethics and government reform
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Posted by Molly Fedick on November 25, 2009 at 11:12 AM EST
At 11:28 AM EST, President Obama will speak at the official pardoning of the White House turkey. The ceremony will take place in the Rose Garden and give one lucky turkey a second chance at life. Watch it through WhiteHouse.gov/live
And in case you missed it, check out yesterday’s preview:
Download Video: mp4 (46MB)
[UPDATE: This event has now concluded.]
Posted Nov 28th 2009 1:11PM by TMZ Staff
Tiger Woods' wife, Elin Nordegren, changed the story she told the first officer on the scene, according to law enforcement sources.
The Windemere Police Department says Tiger's wife went outside, saw that her husband had struck a fire hydrant and a tree, and then went back inside the house for a golf club to use to try and extricate him from the vehicle. But we've learned Nordegren told a very different story to the Florida Highway Patrol, and it does not involve going back in the house for a club. Our sources will not allow us to be more specific.
 And we've learned there was no blood found on the steering wheel of Tiger's SUV -- putting into serious doubt that Tiger sustained his injuries from the crash.
As we first reported, Tiger had a conversation with a friend yesterday, in which he said his wife had confronted him over reports he was involved with another woman ... and that his wife scratched his face up during the argument. Tiger told the friend he then left the house, started driving off and his wife then came out with a golf club, striking the vehicle. Tiger then became distracted and hit the hydrant and then a nearby tree.
We're told cops will interview Tiger and his wife later today.
UPDATE: A neighbor tells TMZ they saw cops show up at Tiger's house this morning -- only to get turned away again. Tiger's wife, Elin, was spotted (below) driving out of the Isleworth subdivision in Windermere earlier today.
UPDATE 3:05 PM ET -- We're told cops are back at Tiger's house. Let's see if they actually get in the front door this time.
UPDATE 5:00 PM ET -- The FHP says they were turned away again -- that Tiger and his wife were not available to be interviewed by troopers. They are going to try again tomorrow.
Filed under: Tiger Woods
Posted Nov 28th 2009 1:08PM by TMZ Staff
Tiger Woods did not suffer facial lacerations from a car accident. They were inflicted by his wife, Elin Nordegren -- according to a conversation Woods had Friday after the accident.
Tiger has yet to be formally interviewed by the Florida Highway Patrol -- that should happen this afternoon. But we're told Tiger had a conversation Friday -- with a non-law enforcement type -- detailing what went down before his Escalade hit a fire hydrant.
We're told he said his wife had confronted him about reports that he was seeing another woman. The argument got heated and, according to our source, she scratched his face up. We're told it was then Woods beat a hasty retreat for his SUV -- but according to our source, Woods says his wife followed behind with a golf club. As Tiger drove away, she struck the vehicle several times with the club.
 We're told Woods became "distracted," thought the vehicle was stopped, and looked to see what had happened. At that point the SUV hit the fire hydrant and then hit a tree.
We're also told Woods had said during the conversation Friday he had been taking prescription pain medication for an injury, which could explain why he seemed somewhat out of it at the scene.
Filed under: Tiger Woods
Posted Nov 28th 2009 12:36PM by TMZ Staff
In the world of celebrity, all worlds lead to Kevin Bacon. In the world of celebrity scandal ... it's Gloria Allred.
TMZ has learned Rachel Uchitel -- aka the person the National Enquirer calls the Other Woman in the Tiger Woods saga -- decided at 3:00 AM today she needed to lawyer up. She left a message for Gloria Allred at her office -- and quickly got a return call.
We've learned Rachel has hired Gloria and is considering, among other things, suing the National Enquirer for defamation. As we first told you, Rachel called the National Enquirer's report that she had an affair with Tiger Woods "bulls**t."
Could a news conference with Gloria and Rachel be far behind. We think not?
BTW -- we've also learned Rachel left a message for a second lawyer -- Mark Geragos. We just found out Geragos did indeed call Rachel back, but she didn't pick up the message until a few minutes ago. Who would Rachel have picked!?!
Filed under: Tiger Woods
Posted Nov 28th 2009 6:07AM by TMZ Staff
Tiger Woods doesn't like hitting his golf shots into the trees -- so hitting one with his SUV really sucks.
WFTV in Orlando obtained photos of Tiger's Escalade after it smacked into a tree early Friday morning. Tiger was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and released shortly thereafter.
Sources tell TMZ Woods and his wife, Elin Nordegren, were arguing right before the accident over allegations Woods had an affair.
Filed under: Tiger Woods
Posted Nov 28th 2009 6:05AM by TMZ Staff
The woman accused of having an affair with Tiger Woods says she has never slept with him and calls the entire story "bulls**t."
TMZ spoke with Rachel Uchitel, the woman the National Enquirer named as Woods' mistress. She said she has met Tiger before, but never had sex with him. She claims the "sources" that spoke to the Enquirer were each paid $25,000 for their story.
Sources tell TMZ Woods and his wife, Elin Nordegren, were arguing over the alleged affair right before Tiger's accident yesterday.
Filed under: Tiger Woods Read more: http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz0YC9MsX7BRead more: http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz0YC9MsX7B
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