Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/169383476?client_source=feed&format=rss
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Former Wisconsin governor Thompson launches Senate run (Reuters)
MADISON, Wis (Reuters) ? Former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson officially launched his campaign on Thursday for the Senate seat being vacated by four-term Democratic Senator Herb Kohl.
Thompson, a Republican, served four terms as governor and then as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the George W. Bush administration. He joins a field for the Senate seat that currently includes Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, and Republican Mark Neumann, a former congressman.
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, a Republican, is also vying for the seat. Fitzgerald was instrumental in passing controversial collective bargaining reform legislation in the state earlier this year.
Kohl, who has served since 1989, announced his retirement in May. Democrats in 2010 lost a long-time Senate seat held by the party when former Wisconsin Democratic Senator Russ Feingold was beaten by Republican challenger Ron Johnson. Feingold has decided not to run for any office in 2012.
Wisconsin is expected to be a major battleground in 2012, when Democratic President Barack Obama runs for reelection. If Republicans gain three seats in the 2012 Senate elections, the party could take over majority control of the upper chamber.
In announcing his candidacy, Thompson pledged to roll back big government regulations, implement free market solutions and create new jobs, according to his Web site.
"Our great nation is struggling with stubborn unemployment, record home foreclosures, business bankruptcies and failed leadership in Washington," he said in an open letter to his supporters.
"I refuse to stand on the sidelines and let our children and grandchildren inherit a diminished nation that is less prosperous, less competitive and less free," he added.
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Mike Tate responded to the announcement by labeling Thompson as a "flip-flopping politician who will say whatever, whenever to whomever to get elected."
Tate took specific aim at Thompson's position on Obama's health care reform, which he promises to repeal if elected.
"Time and again, he defended the president and the common sense approach that eventually was enacted," Tate said in a conference call.
"Now, in the face of attacks from Tea Party Republicans like Mark Neumann and Scott Walker's political machine, Thompson makes the ridiculous claim that he never supported the president and now wants the repeal of the very health care reform that he championed," he added.
(Writing and reporting by Brendan O'Brien; Editing by Mary Wisniewski and Cynthia Johnston)
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শনিবার, ৩ ডিসেম্বর, ২০১১
PFT: Martz blames his players ... again
Getty ImagesI was so excited by the fact that Rosenthal and I disagree on six games ? and that I feel very good about my position in each of them ? that I posted the weekly PFT picks without the perfunctorily pithy opening comments.
Yes, we disagreed on five games last week.? Yes, even though I picked the Packers when Rosenthal picked the Lions and the Broncos when he picked the Chargers, he got me on the other three and extended his season-to-date lead by a game.
It doesn?t matter.? This week, his 12-game lead gets cut in half.
For the week, he was 11-5 and I was 10-6.? For the season, he?s 120-56.? I?m 108-68.
Eagles at Seahawks
Florio?s take:?? Vince Young gets another crack at Pete Carroll, nearly six years after Young stole from Carroll an NCAA title that the NCAA would have stolen from Carroll last year.? The last time the Eagles faced a short week amid so many challenges and distractions, they blew out the Cardinals on Thanksgiving night, 2008.? Though this one won?t be a blowout, it?ll be enough to prolong for another week or two the ultimate demise of the Dream Team.
Florio?s pick:? Eagles 27, Seahawks 19.
Rosenthal?s take: The Seahawks quietly have a strong defense, the fourth quarter of last week?s game notwithstanding. The Eagles don?t do anything quietly. Just when you think their season has bottomed out, they find a way to go lower. Losing a third game to an NFC West team is the new rock bottom.
Rosenthal?s pick: Seahawks 20, Eagles 17.
Titans at Bills
Florio?s take:? The Bills are disintegrating and the Titans still see an opportunity to steal a playoff spot.? With Chris Johnson waking up and the rest of the team doing enough to get more wins than losses, look for the Titans to extend Buffalo?s misery, without having to resort to any Music City Miracles.
Florio?s pick:? Titans 24, Bills 16.
Rosenthal?s take: Buffalo?s meltdown has mostly been on the road. Things might look different at home against a mediocre opponent. Chris Johnson showed renewed quickness last week, but the Titans passing game remains limited. The receivers either can?t get separation or are in the wrong place. Matt Hasselbeck has worked wonders to get this team to 6-5.
Rosenthal?s pick: Bills 24, Titans 21.
Chiefs at Bears
Florio?s take:? Kyle Orton wanted to return to Chicago.? He gets his wish, in a roundabout way.? But he won?t be starting and he may not be playing.? Which is good news for the team for which he wanted to return.
Florio?s pick:? Bears 27, Chiefs 17.
Rosenthal?s take: Todd Haley may not start Kyle Orton, which would be a shame. Orton?s revenge tour starts Sunday in Chicago and ends in Denver on January 1. Don?t discount the Chiefs no matter who starts at quarterback. Caleb Hanie?s pocket presence was Gabbert-like last week. He?s no better than Tyler Palko.
Rosenthal?s pick: Bears 17, Chiefs 14.
Falcons at Texans
Florio?s take:? Coach Gary Kubiak?s decision to entrust the offense to a rookie quarterback gets its toughest test against a team with an offense that has the firepower to test the Texans? much-improved defense.? Though Atlanta could still swipe a playoff berth in the NFC, the home team in this one has the horses to grind the clock, limit Matt Ryan?s chances, and ultimately outscore the Falcons.
Florio?s pick:? Texans 23, Falcons 20.
Rosenthal?s take: The Texans will have to throw more to win this week. The Falcons rush defense can slow down Arian Foster, especially if Houston stays ultra-conservative. I?m hoping for the sake of Texans fans that T.J. Yates shows promise, but it?s hard to see a fifth-round rookie beating many playoff-caliber teams.
Rosenthal?s pick: Falcons 22, Texans 17.
Raiders at Dolphins
Florio?s take:? The Dolphins played well enough to beat the Cowboys in Dallas.? The Dolphins will play well enough to beat the Raiders in Miami.? And the Raiders, still banged up, are due for a stumble.? Tony Sparano may not save his job, but he?ll definitely throw a wrench into the franchise?s plans to draft a quarterback in the top ten.
Florio?s pick:? Dolphins 24, Raiders 21.
Rosenthal?s take: Miami is favored by three partly because Oakland misses its big play threats. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Chaz Schilens, and Louis Murphy make too many mistakes. Michael Bush is playing well, but he?s no Darren McFadden. It?s a credit to Hue Jackson and Carson Palmer this team keeps winning. (And will keep winning.)
Rosenthal?s pick: Raiders 28, Dolphins 24.
Broncos at Vikings
Florio?s take:? Tebowmania invades the Twin Cities, along with a Minnesota native who has become one of the best young receivers in the NFL.? The only way to beat the Broncos is to build a big lead against them, something that the Vikings were able to do back in September, when they were blowing big leads.? Look for this one to remain close and for Tebow to generate a Vick-in-2002 highlight for the winning touchdown run, possibly in overtime.
Florio?s pick:? Broncos 23, Vikings 17.
Rosenthal?s take: Florio?s record would be a lot better if he didn?t go with the Vikings so often early in the year. This week, I?ll return the favor. The Vikings aren?t as bad as their record indicates. The Broncos aren?t as good as their winning streak indicates. Tim Tebow can?t exploit Minnesota?s big weakness in the secondary.
Rosenthal?s pick: Vikings 24, Broncos 21.
Colts at Patriots
Florio?s take:? Once the greatest non-division rivalry in the NFL, the absence of Peyton Manning has made this one a stinker.? The fact that the Colts haven?t won a game this year doesn?t help matters.
Florio?s pick:? Patriots 42, Colts 13.
Rosenthal?s take: Dan Orlovsky has awful luck, becoming the Colts starter just in time to face back-to-back AFC powerhouses on the road. (The Colts head to Baltimore next week.) I think Orlovsky will avoid going down in 0-16 infamy again, but in a week where the Colts can compete. Bill Belichick is going to enjoy this one.
Rosenthal?s pick: Patriots 38, Colts 17.
Bengals at Steelers
Florio?s take:? The Bengals get another chance to prove that they?re for real.? Though they have managed to keep it interesting against the Steelers and Ravens, at some point the Bengals need to win one of these games.? It?ll eventually happen, but the Steelers have been tougher than usual to beat at home this season, and they know they need to keep pace with Baltimore.? Injuries to the Cincinnati secondary coupled with an improving corps of young wideouts could be the difference.
Florio?s pick:? Steelers 28, Bengals 24.
Rosenthal?s take: This is the Bengals? last stand in the AFC North. Andy Dalton did some good things against Pittsburgh last time out should be more prepared for the rematch. The bigger concern is the Bengals secondary. They don?t have enough bodies ? especially at safety ? to deal with the Steelers.
Rosenthal?s pick: Steelers 27, Bengals 21.
Panthers at Buccaneers
Florio?s take:? The Bucs finally get a break from their crippling schedule, which now features three of four games against three-win teams.? If Tampa blows this one, Raheem Morris should go ahead and leave now.
Florio?s pick:? Buccaneers 30, Panthers 20.
Rosenthal?s take: It?s a scary thought for the Bucs that they could be in the NFC South cellar with a loss Sunday.? Another scary thought: Carolina has the diverse running game to pound the Bucs? soft defense for four quarters.
Rosenthal?s pick: Panthers 29, Buccaneers 28.
Jets at Redskins
Florio?s take:? Once an intriguing rivalry given the pipeline of players between the two cities, this one has lost a lot of its pop.? In large part because the Redskins aren?t very competitive.? The Jets need this one badly, but perhaps not as badly as a head coach who hosts the Patriots next weekend.? Perhaps Mark Sanchez will get some extra motivation once he realizes that his inconsistency could put him on the Rex Grossman career arc.
Florio?s pick:? Jets 20, Redskins 14.
Rosenthal?s take: Rex Ryan seasons have a formula. First comes the early overconfidence. Then the humbling midseason swoon.? We?ve hit the portion of the schedule where the Jets go on a winning streak against bad teams with improbable fourth-quarter plays. It all wraps up with the Jets peaking in January.
Rosenthal?s pick: Jets 24, Redskins 21.
Ravens at Browns
Florio?s take:? The Ravens chased three big wins against good teams with deflating losses against bad ones.? Baltimore gets a chance to reverse the trend in Cleveland, where the team that used to be in Cleveland has won four out of five times.? And coach John Harbaugh never has lost there.? The Ravens can see the bye and the home playoff game(s) waiting for them the season?s finish line.
Florio?s pick:? Ravens 30, Browns 17.
Rosenthal?s take: Peyton Hillis returned to the starting lineup just in time to face the Ravens and Steelers four times in five weeks.? Hillis ran hard against the Bengals, but the Browns are too limited offensively to move the ball on Baltimore. This closing stretch will make Colt McCoy?s dreadful numbers even worse.
Rosenthal?s pick: Ravens 22, Browns 13.
Cowboys at Cardinals
Florio?s take:? An old NFC East rivalry renews, with the Cardinals having beaten the Cowboys two times in a row.? This year, the Cowboys have found a way to consistently outscore inferior teams, and that?s simply what the Cardinals are in relation to the current kings of the division these franchises once shared.? As long as the Cowboys don?t kick to Patrick Peterson.
Florio?s pick:? Cowboys 31, Cardinals 21.
Rosenthal?s take: All John Skelton does is win. That?s more proof that judging a quarterback by wins and losses is overrated. Kevin Kolb should be back, and he?ll upgrade the team?s passing game. That doesn?t mean they can beat Dallas. Arizona lost all four games they?ve played this year against teams that currently have a winning record.
Rosenthal?s pick: Cowboys 27, Cardinals 20.
Packers at Giants
Florio?s take:? The possibility that the Giants could upset the Packers will prompt at least one prominent commentator to say, ?That?s why they play the games.?? After this one ends, there?s a chance Giants fans will be saying, ?Why did they play this game??
Florio?s pick:? Packers 35, Giants 20.
Rosenthal?s take: Eli Manning should keep the Giants competitive, but the rest of the team has fallen apart. I?ve been waiting for weeks to pick the Giants in this game, but it makes no sense after New York?s implosion in the Superdome. Justin Tuck isn?t the same guy this year and Osi Umenyiora is hurt. The Giants don?t have much if they don?t have a pass rush.
Rosenthal?s pick: Packers 33, Giants 24.
Rams at 49ers
Florio?s take:? The firing of Jack Del Rio possibly has primed the pump for other coaches to be prematurely punted.? If (when) the Rams get blown out in San Fran, Steve Spagnuolo could the next one to go.
Florio?s pick:? 49ers 30, Rams 7.
Rosenthal?s take: The Rams offense scored three touchdowns combined in their last four games. Brandon Lloyd scored all of them. That slump came against mediocre competition. They?ll be lucky to score one touchdown in San Francisco.
Rosenthal?s pick: 49ers 24, Rams 9.
Lions at Saints
Florio?s take:? With or without Ndamukong Suh, who has in many respects been ordinary this season, the Lions won?t be able to stop an offense that is largely unstoppable in the Superdome.? Unfortunately for the Saints, even running the table likely won?t prevent them from having to travel to San Francisco or Green Bay in the playoffs.
Florio?s pick:? Saints 38, Lions 24.
Rosenthal?s take: The Lions have lost four straight games to winning teams. The Saints haven?t lost at home all year, with three of those wins coming against winning teams. That doesn?t bode well for the Lions. Detroit will make this more interesting than New Orleans? last primetime game, but the result will be the same.
Rosenthal?s pick: Saints 34, Lions 28.
Chargers at Jaguars
Florio?s take:? This could be the most uninteresting Monday Night Football game since Raiders-Seahawks in 2006.? Or perhaps ever.
Florio?s pick:? Jaguars 17, Chargers 10.
Rosenthal?s take: It?s painful to pick a winner of this game. It may be even more painful to watch it. The Chargers defense versus Blaine Gabbert is the ultimate matchup of weakness against weakness. The difference here: Maurice Jones-Drew. He should go to the Pro Bowl for overcoming Gabbert.
Rosenthal?s pick: Jaguars 20, Chargers 17.
Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/30/martz-blames-players-for-execution-issues/related/
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US lawmakers blast plans for training Iraqi police (AP)
WASHINGTON ? Democrats and Republicans are joining together in harshly criticizing a State Department program for training Iraq's police force.
Lawmakers at House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing Wednesday said it was a waste of money to spend nearly $900 million in the 2012 budget year on Iraqi police training.
They cited an October report from a U.S. government watchdog that said the training program lacked focus, could become a "bottomless pit" for U.S. dollars and may not even be wanted by the Iraqis.
That audit also found that only about 12 percent of the money actually will go to helping the Iraqi police. It said most will pay for security and other items such as living quarters for trainers.
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Tucker takes over Jaguars, gets coaching audition
Jacksonville Jaguars interim head coach Mel Tucker chats during an NFL football news conference Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. Tucker was named to the position after Jack Del Rio was fired by team owner Wayne Weaver Tuesday morning. (AP Photo/Rick Wilson)
Jacksonville Jaguars interim head coach Mel Tucker chats during an NFL football news conference Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. Tucker was named to the position after Jack Del Rio was fired by team owner Wayne Weaver Tuesday morning. (AP Photo/Rick Wilson)
Jacksonville Jaguars interim coach Mel Tucker answers a question during a news conference Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, in Jacksonville, Fla. Tucker, the defensive coordinator, was named to the position after Jack Del Rio was fired by team owner Wayne Weaver on Tuesday morning. (AP Photo/Rick Wilson)
FILE - This Nov. 22, 2009 file photo shows Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars fired head coach Jack Del Rio Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. Tucker was named interim coach. (AP Photo/Phil Coale, File)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) ? Jacksonville Jaguars interim coach Mel Tucker spent part of the season using crutches and an electric scooter. Nowadays, he has recovered enough from a torn quadriceps muscle to be limping around.
His defense has been even more banged up.
The Jaguars (3-8) have three defensive starters on injured reserve, including both starting cornerbacks, and have been without several other key players on that side of the ball in recent weeks. There's hasn't been a noticeable drop-off, a credit to what Tucker has accomplished in his first season in control of the unit.
In short, Tucker has convinced the Jaguars he is one of the NFL's young, ascending coaches. What he does over the next five games, beginning Monday night against reeling San Diego, will determine whether he will replace fired coach Jack Del Rio on a permanent basis.
"I think Mel has been one of the bright spots of our football team this year, taking charge of the defense and calling the defensive plays," owner Wayne Weaver said. "I was very explicit with Mel that it's an interim position, that at the end of the season we're going to conduct ... a very extensive coaching search to make sure that we bring in someone that can help us really build this franchise and return to what we expect ? into a winning franchise.
"I did assure Mel that he would have an opportunity to be interviewed for the job, and I think he certainly deserves that and he's earned that."
Tucker's promotion was welcomed news in Jacksonville's locker room on an otherwise tough day Tuesday, with players praising him for his attention to detail and his no-nonsense attitude.
"What you see with him and what he says, that's him," linebacker Paul Posluszny said. "He's very true to that. He doesn't try to put on a show or an act of anything like that. He's very true with the way he presents himself and the things that he says."
Del Rio hired Tucker as his defensive coordinator in 2009, but Del Rio mostly handled the calls during Tucker's first two years. That changed in January, when Weaver told Del Rio to give play-calling duties.
The defense hasn't been the same since.
The unit was one of the worst in the league the last two seasons, failing to pressure quarterbacks and struggling to slow down anyone on the back end.
The turnaround wasn't all Tucker's doing.
The Jaguars spent more than $100 million in free agency to upgrade a defense that ranked 28th in the league last season and allowed a franchise record 419 points. They signed Posluszny, fellow linebacker Clint Session, defensive end Matt Roth, cornerback Drew Coleman and safety Dewan Landry. They also traded for safety Dwight Lowery.
Tucker had little time to get them to gel, but he made it work better than anyone expected.
Jacksonville's defense has held seven of its 11 opponents under 300 yards, giving the offensively challenged team a chance to win every game. The unit, which ranks fourth in the league in total defense, has forced at least one turnover in five consecutive games. Recently, they have remained stout despite losing Rashean Mathis, Derek Cox and Session for the season, and playing without Roth and fellow defensive linemen Terrance Knighton and Aaron Kampman.
"Good players make a good coach," Tucker said. "I believe in keeping it simple, simple enough where we can line up and play fast and we can be relentless and we can be aggressive. But we have enough where we can be confident in regards to covering whatever we need to cover, whatever offenses throw at us, multiple sets, things like that.
"The thing that you'll see when you watch our defense is that they play with great technique and fundamentals. They play hard, they're relentless, they play through the echo of the whistle and those are things we believe in and those are things we emphasize every day, and you get what you emphasize."
Tucker, 39, began his coaching career as a a graduate assistant at Michigan State under Nick Saban in 1997. He coached defensive backs at Miami (Ohio), LSU and Ohio State before moving to the NFL with the Cleveland Browns in 2005. He was Cleveland's secondary coach for three years before getting promoted to defensive coordinator.
Having never been a head coach, Tucker doesn't plan on getting overly involved with the offense.
After all, the last time he stepped out of his realm, he painfully injured his leg while playfully fielding punts in practice.
Nonetheless, he knows this is a big opportunity.
"I'm always motivated to do the best that I can, and right now, my focus is on these next five weeks to do everything that I possibly can to get this team prepared to play," Tucker said. "There's a certain brand of football that we need to show out there. It's relentless, it's attention to detail, it's high effort, it's high energy, it's high impact. Those are things that we're going to work on.
"In terms of my future as a head coach, that's for another day. ... Only time will tell what opportunities I will have in the future, but I am confident and comfortable where I am right now."
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Report: Conn. utility not prepared for Oct. storm (Providence Journal)
Google Mulling Quick-Shipment Partnerships For Online Shoppers
With online retail shopping growing every year, it's no surprise that practically everyone wants in. Web-based companies are falling over themselves providing recommendation engines, web storefronts, payment systems, and backend management. Google is in most of those fields already, but it's probable that they feel somewhat frustrated at being unable to siphon users away from major retailers like Amazon. So many searches lead right there, but Google is unable to monetize what are clearly purchase-oriented users. It's not a new situation, of course: if you want to find stuff, you use Google. If you want to get stuff, you use Amazon. But Google has increasingly been placing itself in the getting stuff business, and may soon expand into real goods, by way of partnerships with retailers and shipping providers.Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/3TJVmVtFSWY/
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