US Economy Ends Tough 2011 on a Upswing

(WASHINGTON) — The economy is ending 2011 on a roll.
The job market is healthier. Americans are spending lustily on holiday gifts. A long-awaited turnaround for the depressed housing industry may be under way. Gas is cheaper. Factories are busier. Stocks are higher.
Not bad for an economy faced with a debt crisis in Europe and, as recently as last summer, scattered predictions of a second recession at home. Instead, the economy has grown faster each quarter this year, and the last three months should be the best.
"Things are looking up," says Chris Rupkey, chief financial economist at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.
When The Associated Press surveyed 43 economists in August, they pegged the likelihood of another recession at roughly one in four. The Dow Jones industrial average was lurching up or down by 400 points or more some days.
(Read "Can the U.S. Recovery Continue Without Europe?")
There was plenty of reason for gloom. A political standoff over the federal borrowing limit brought the United States to the brink of default and cost the nation its top-drawer credit rating.
Most analysts now rule out another recession. They think the economy will grow at an annual rate of more than 3 percent from October through December, the fastest pace since a 3.8 percent performance in the spring of last year.
Many economists still worry that the year-end surge isn't sustainable, in part because the average worker's pay is barely rising. And Europe may already be sliding into a recession that will infect the United States.
The outlook could darken further if Congress can't break the impasse blocking an extension of a Social Security tax cut for 160 million Americans and emergency unemployment benefits.
Yet for now, the economy is on an upswing that few had predicted:
— JOBS: The number of people applying for unemployment benefits came in at 366,000 last week, down from a peak of 659,000 in March 2009. Even in good economic times, the figure would be between 280,000 and 350,000.
Employers have added at least 100,000 jobs five months in a row, the longest streak since 2006. And the unemployment rate fell from 9 percent in October to 8.6 percent last month, the lowest since March 2009.
(See the top 10 business blunders of 2011.)
Small businesses are hiring again, too, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.
Business is up at AG Salesworks in Norwood, Mass., which helps technology companies like Motorola find new customers. The firm has hired 26 workers to restore its staff to 56, erasing the job cuts from the recession. CEO Paul Alves plans to add an employee or two a month as long as growth continues.
"I do see more confidence than I saw 12 months ago," Alves says. "But it's good, not great. Robust isn't the word I'd use."
— SPENDING: The holiday shopping season has turned out better than anyone expected. Sales from November through Saturday were up 2.5 percent from last year. Americans have spent $32 billion online, 15 percent more than a year ago. Retails sales were up in November for the sixth month in a row. People are spending, in particular, on clothes, cars, electronics and furniture.
— CONSUMER CONFIDENCE: Americans felt better about the economy in November than they had since July, according to the Conference Board, a business group that tracks the mood of consumers.
The board's consumer confidence index climbed 15 points to 56 in November, the biggest one-month jump since April 2003. During the Great Recession, the index fell as low as 25.
"It seems like the confidence of the traditional American consumer is higher right now," says Jim Newman, executive vice president of operations at the digital marketing company Acquity Group, which has added 100 jobs since summer.
— GAS: Falling prices at the pump have freed more money for consumers to spend on appliances, furniture, vacations and other things that help drive the economy. The national average for regular unleaded has sunk to $3.21 a gallon since peaking at $3.98 in May, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge.
— INVENTORIES: Businesses are restocking shelves and warehouses, more confident that customers will buy their products. In October, their inventories were up 8.7 percent from a year earlier. An increase in inventories is expected to account for perhaps a third of growth this quarter.
(See photos of the recession of 1958.)
The battered housing market might be showing signs of recovery. Home construction rose more than 9 percent in November from October, driven by apartment building. And the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that sales of previously occupied homes rose 4 percent in November.
But housing is climbing out of a deep hole: The existing homes sold at an annual rate of 4.4 million — well below the 6 million that would signal a healthy housing market. And the real-estate agents' trade group revealed Wednesday that it overstated sales by 3.5 million during and after the Great Recession.
Once they peer into 2012, economists turn cautious. Bernard Baumohl, chief economist with the Economic Outlook Group, says that stronger consumer spending "is absolutely unsustainable. .... Wages have not kept pace with inflation all year."
The government says that once you adjust for inflation, weekly earnings dropped 1.8 percent from November 2010 to last month. Consumers have used savings or credit cards to finance their purchases. Once bills come due in early 2012, Baumohl foresees a cutback in spending.
Baumohl is so pessimistic that he expects the economy to shrink at a 0.2 percent annual rate in the first three months of 2012 and to end the year with no more than 1.8 percent growth.
Europe is almost sure to slide into recession, even if its policymakers find a solution to the continent's debt crisis. In the worst case, a chaotic breakup of the euro currency could ignite a worldwide financial panic.
Joe Echevarria, CEO of the accounting and consulting firm Deloitte LLP, says his company's clients are delaying hiring or expansion decisions to see if Europe's crisis will be resolved.
Another worry — again — is Washington. President Barack Obama and Republicans in Congress still had not broken their impasse Wednesday on how to extend a Social Security tax cut. Without an extension, taxes will go up $1,000 in 2012 for someone making $50,000. A couple making $100,000 each would pay $4,000 more.
Failing to extend the tax cut, combined with the end of long-term unemployment benefits and other federal budget cuts, could shave 1.7 percentage points from growth in 2012, warns Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics.
Forecasters are also chastened by the past two years. Since the Great Recession officially ended in June 2009, the economy has stalled twice just when it appeared to be gaining momentum.
In mid-2010, businesses slowed spending sharply. This year, the damage came from protests in the Middle East that drove oil prices higher at the start of the year, the earthquake in Japan in March, budget cuts by state and local governments and the stalemate in Washington.
But Joel Naroff of Naroff Economic Advisors says he thinks the fears about next year are overblown and the economy will grow 3 percent in 2012. Next year will be all about jobs. If job growth keeps accelerating, the economy is much more likely to meet Naroff's predictions than the pessimists'.
In addition, Naroff says, that's because consumers and businesses have grown more confident. If Europe averts disaster — a crackup of the eurozone — and endures only a mild recession, as Naroff expects, the impact on the United States will be minimal, he says.
"If you stopped the average person on the street and asked, 'Are you slowing your spending because of what's happening in Europe?' they'd ask, 'What planet are you from?'"
AP Business Writer Christopher Leonard in St. Louis contributed to this report.


Read more: http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,2102964,00.html#ixzz1hHiGdQVI

Baghdad bombings leave at least 60 dead, nearly 200 injured

REPORTING FROM BAGHDAD AND BEIRUT -- A string of explosions ripped through the Iraqi capital on Thursday, killing at least 60 people and injuring nearly 200 just days after the last U.S. troops left the country, police and health officials said.

The attacks came in the midst of a political standoff between the country’s main Shiite and Sunni Muslim factions, heightening fears of a return to the sectarian bloodletting that devastated the country a few years ago.

in different parts of Baghdad in a seemingly coordinated assault during the morning rush hour. Most of the targeted neighborhoods were predominantly Shiite, but some Sunni areas were also hit.

In the deadliest attack, a suicide bomber detonated an ambulance packed with explosives in front of a government anti-corruption office in the Karada neighborhood, shattering windows and setting cars ablaze. A police officer at the scene said at least 16 people were killed and 45 injured.

Iraq’s health ministry put the morning’s death toll at 60 and said at least 180 people were injured. But unofficial tallies collected by news services from police and health officials suggested that the number of casualties was higher.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility. But the seemingly coordinated attacks bore the hallmarks of Sunni insurgents linked to Al Qaeda, who regularly target Shiites and have previously sought to capitalize on political tension to ignite sectarian strife.

Iraq’s leaders were quick to link the attacks to the political crisis. In a statement, Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said the timing and locations of the bombings confirmed “the political nature” of the attacks.

This week, Maliki's Shiite-led government accused Sunni Vice President Tariq Hashimi of running a death squad that targeted government officials during the height of the sectarian fighting. An arrest warrant was issued and videotaped confessions were broadcast on state television from three of Hashimi’s bodyguards who said they had been ordered to commit murders.

Hashimi angrily refuted the claims at a news conference Tuesday, saying he was ready to stand trial but only in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, where he has sought refuge. Maliki demanded that the Kurdish authorities hand over Hashimi to face terrorism charges in Baghdad.

The warrant for Hashimi's arrest was announced the day after the last U.S. troops left Iraq, heightening suspicions among many in the Sunni minority that Maliki is trying to sideline their representatives in the country’s power-sharing government and consolidate his authority by arresting and intimidating rivals.

Maliki asked the Iraqi parliament on Sunday to issue a vote of no confidence in his Sunni deputy, Saleh Mutlaq, who had compared the prime minister to a dictator.

The Iraqiya coalition -- a large political bloc that is led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a secular Shiite, and includes Hashimi and Mutlaq as members -- began boycotting parliament on Saturday.

Surgery day

out to eat with my basketball team

Basketball tournament

at church, the Sunday before my surgery

at Northwood university for a DECA competition

1st place in basketball tournament

coat of arm

homecoming

Olympics

The ancient Olympics games came from the Greeks, they were a series of competitions held from representatives from various city-states. Ancient Greek Olympic games were held of Zues. The games were held every four years, or Olympiad. during the celebration of the games an Olympic opponent enacted so that athletes could travel from their countries to the games in safety. The prizes for the victors were wreaths of a group of family leaves. The games became a political tool used by city-states to assure dominance over their enemy. It is up to the world to keep the tradition alive.

The Games were also used to help spread Hellenistic culture throughout the Mediterranean. The Olympics also featured religious celebrations and artistic competitions. A great statue of Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world was constructed in Olympia to be in charge over the Games, and no longer stands in Olympia. Sculptors and poets would assemble each olympiad to display their works of art to would-be a customer.

The ancient Olympics were rather different from the modern Games. There were fewer events, and only free men who spoke Greek could compete. As long as they met the entrance on a standard rule, athletes from any country or city-state were allowed to participate. The Games were always held at Olympia rather than alternating to different locations as is the tradition with the modern Olympic Games. There is one major shared feature between the ancient and modern Games, the victorious athletes are honored, a festival, feast, and praised. Their deeds were a sign that something was about to happen and a related series of events so that future generations could appreciate their accomplishments.

Artistic expression was a major part of the Games. Sculptors, poets and other artisans would come to the Games to display their works in what became an artistic competition. Sculptors created works like Discus Thrower. Their aim was to highlight natural human movement and the shape of muscles and the body. Poets would be commissioned to write an ordinary form of spoken or written language in honor of the Olympic victors. These poems were passed on from generation to generation and many of them have lasted far longer than any other honor made for the same purpose.

This how we get our modern day Olympics, if it wasn't for the Ancient Greeks there wouldn't be a celebration of the athletes accomplishments. s time goes by a part of the Olympics change, new things will be created and old thing will soon go useless. The various city-states represent the rest of the world including America. Its not only political but it helps bring money into the various countries either helping them or putting them in dept. It is up to the world to keep the tradition alive.

2012 US race likely to be tough

Washington - One year to go until Election Day and the Republican presidential field is deeply unsettled, leaving President Barack Obama only to guess who his opponent will be. But the race's contours are starting to come into view.

It's virtually certain that the campaign will be a close, grinding affair, markedly different from the 2008 race. It will play out amid widespread economic anxiety and heightened public resentment of government and politicians.

Americans who were drawn to the drama of Obama's barrier-breaking primary battle with Hillary Rodham Clinton, and the up-and-down fortunes of the Republican ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin, are likely to see a more partisan contest this time, with Ohio and Florida playing crucial roles as they did in 2000 and 2004.

Failed leader

Republicans have their script; they just need to pick the person to deliver it. It will portray Obama as a failed leader who backs away when challenged and who doesn't understand what it takes to create jobs and spur business investment.

Obama will highlight his opponent's ties to the conservative tea party movement and its priorities of advocating deep spending cuts and opposing tax increases. He will say Republicans are obsessed with protecting millionaires' tax cuts while the federal debt soars and working people struggle.

On several issues, voters will see a more distinct contrast between the nominees than in 2008. Even the most moderate Republican candidates have staked out more rigidly conservative views on immigration, taxes and spending than did Arizona Senator McCain.

Democrats say Obama has little control over the two biggest impediments to his re-election: unemployment and congressional gridlock.

The jobless rate will stand at levels that have not led to a president's re-election since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Largely because of that, Obama will run a much more negative campaign, his aides acknowledge, even if it threatens to demoralise some supporters who were inspired by his 2008 message of hope.

Appeal to independents

The tea party, one of the modern era's most intriguing and effective political movements, will play its first role in a presidential race. After helping Republicans win huge victories in last year's congressional elections, activists may push the Republican presidential contenders so far right that the eventual nominee will struggle to appeal to independents.

"It's going to be extremely different, with much more hand-to-hand combat, from one foxhole to another, targeted to key states," said Chris Lehane, who helped run Democrat Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign.

Republican consultant Terry Holt agreed. "You can expect a very negative campaign," he said. "In 2008, Barack Obama was peddling hope and change. Now he's peddling fear and poverty."

Obama and his aides reject that characterisation, of course. They say the Republican candidates are under the tea party's spell, noting that all of them said they would reject a deficit-reduction plan even if it included $10 in spending cuts for every dollar in new taxes.

Both parties agree that jobs will be the main issue. The White House predicts unemployment will hover around 9% for at least a year, a frighteningly high level for a president seeking a second term.

Raise taxes

Republican lawmakers, who control the House of Representatives and have enough power in the Senate to use procedural manoeuvers to prevent votes on legislation, have blocked Obama's job proposals, mainly because they would raise taxes on the wealthy. The candidates, echoing their Republican colleagues in Congress, say new jobs will follow cuts in taxes, regulation and federal spending.

With the economy struggling and Obama hemmed in legislatively, his advisers sometimes say the election will be a choice between the president and his challenger, rather than a referendum on the administration's performance.

"That's a very genteel way of saying 'Were going to rip your face off,'" said Dan Schnur, a former aide to McCain and other Republicans, and now a politics professor at the University of Southern California. Obama has little choice but to try to portray the Republican alternative as worse than his own disappointing record, Schnur said.

Some Republican candidates would be tougher targets than others. Texas Governor Rick Perry promotes his state's significant job growth, leaving Democrats to grouse that he was a lucky bystander rather than the cause.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney says his years in the private sector make him best suited to lead an economic expansion. But Obama's allies have gathered details of jobs that were eliminated when Bain Capital, a takeover firm that Romney headed, restructured several companies.

Revive the economy

Obama can't fine-tune his strategy until Republicans pick their nominee, and that may take months. So he's spending part of this year travelling to some of the most contested states, telling disappointed liberals he still deserves their strong backing and trying to convince centrists that he can revive the economy.

Obama's overall job-approval rating was 46% in an Associated Press-GfK poll from October. Only 36% of adults approved of his handling of the economy, a worrisome number for any incumbent.

Yet 78% said he's a likeable person, which forces Republicans to be careful. It's possible Obama will run a more cut-throat campaign than will his challenger. For now, anyway, Romney calls Obama "a nice guy" who doesn't know how to lead.

Republican insiders see Romney as their most plausible nominee. He has run the steadiest and best-financed campaign thus far, relying on lessons and friends picked up in his unsuccessful 2008 bid.

But the Republican race has been unpredictable, and Romney has struggled to exceed one-fourth of the support in Republican polls. Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota emerged as his main challenger last summer, only to be supplanted by Perry. A few halting debate performances hurt Perry, and former pizza company executive Herman Cain replaced him at or near the top of the polls, along with Romney.

Political experience

Last week, Cain tried to swat down allegations of sexual harassment from the 1990s. Party activists are waiting for the impact. Some, however, think Cain's lack of political experience and his unorthodox style, which includes largely ignoring Iowa and New Hampshire, the states with the first two nominating contests in January, are more likely to bring him down.

Two schools of thought run through Republican circles. One holds that Romney is the logical nominee and will consolidate the party's somewhat grudging support after conservatives stop flirting with longshots such as Bachmann and Cain. Republicans have a history of nominating the runner-up from previous primaries, and Romney fits that bill.

The competing theory holds that Americans are angrier at government and the two parties than political pros realise, and the tea party is just the start of a potent, long-lasting movement. Under this scenario, Romney can never placate conservative voters because of his establishment ties and the more liberal positions he once held on abortion, gay rights and gun control.

If this view is right, the shifting support for Bachmann, Perry and Cain is more than a flirtation, and someone will emerge as the "non-Romney" who wins the nomination.

Veterans of past presidential campaigns tend to doubt this outcome. But even with Obama's economic woes, plenty of Republican insiders worry that Romney's inconsistency on important issues and voters' doubts about his authenticity could let the president slip away.

Third Bush term

Romney should have put his Republican rivals "in the rear-view mirror" by now, said Mike McKenna, a Republican lobbyist who has tracked focus groups and polls in various states. "The problem is, a huge part of the party views him as a third Bush term."

McKenna said pundits don't realise that the tea party movement was as much a rejection of the high-spending, high-deficit practices of President George W Bush and Republican lawmakers as it was a reaction against Obama's health care reform plan. With his ties to the northeastern New England states and the party establishment, Romney "looks like the lineal descendant of Bush," McKenna said.

He said he fears that a lot of conservatives will sit out the 2012 election if Romney is the nominee.

Plenty of strategists reject that view. They think conservatives' deep antipathy toward Obama will cause them to overcome their misgivings and fully back Romney.

David Axelrod, Obama's top political adviser, points to issues Obama can cite success on, from health care and undermining al-Qaeda to reviving the auto industry and ending the Iraq war.

"We're going to have a very robust debate," he said. "The Republicans say if we just cut taxes and spending and regulations, we will grow. And I think the American people understand it's more complicated than that."

Licensed jobs hit in new immigration law

Tighter state regulations could delay papers for various professions.

Enforcing a major part of Georgia’s strict new immigration law could delay licenses for tens of thousands accountants, nurses and many other professionals by an additional three to four months, Secretary of State Brian Kemp said Friday.

Part of House Bill 87 requires people applying for public benefits — including professional licenses — to present a “secure and verifiable” form of identification such as a driver’s license or passport.

The aim of HB 87 is to block illegal immigrants from obtaining public benefits to which they are not entitled. That new requirement is set to take effect Jan. 1.

That provision, Kemp said, will force his staff to attach copies of these identification documents to about 256,000 applications for licenses next year.

It now takes his office 25 to 30 days to process new licenses and about two weeks for renewals. The increased paperwork could delay turnaround times by 90 to 120 days, Kemp said.

People applying for the licenses will be allowed to submit copies of their identification electronically, but those who decide to hand-deliver them will need their documents reviewed, scanned and attached to the applicants’ files, a spokesman for Kemp’s office said Friday.

State law requires certain professionals, including dentists and nurses, to obtain licenses before they can perform their jobs in Georgia. For example, about 55,000 nurses must renew their license before Jan. 31, 2012.

Kemp’s office supports 43 professional licensing boards, which issue 200 different licenses, including those for foresters, geologists and used car salvage dealers. He said his office is urging professional organizations to notify their license holders to prepare for the delays.

“The last thing we want to happen is to keep Georgians from working, but it is also our duty to uphold the laws of this state,” Kemp said.

Kyle Jackson, the Georgia state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, called the potential delays troubling. And the Georgia Nurses Association said licensing delays could sideline nurses and affect patient care.

“Anytime a licensed professional is delayed in renewing their license or obtaining a new license, not only is the nurse affected by that delay, but also the employer is affected, patient care delivery is affected and ultimately Georgia’s tax base is affected,” said Deborah Hackman, the association’s CEO.

Kemp said he is working with Gov. Nathan Deal’s office and seeking additional state funding to hire more staff.

On Friday, he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that his office had not yet decided how much additional money and staff it will need. Meanwhile, state officials are looking at ways to prevent the delays through legislation.

Deal signed HB 87 into law in May, hailing it as a victory for state taxpayers who have borne the costs of illegal immigration. The law is partly patterned after a groundbreaking law Arizona enacted last year.

Parts of both Georgia and Arizona’s laws are tied up in federal courts amid legal challenges brought by civil and immigrant rights groups. Both states are appealing. The provision in Georgia’s law that requires people to show certain forms of identification for public benefits has not been placed on hold by the courts.

The author of HB 87 — Republican Rep. Matt Ramsey of Peachtree City — said in an email Friday that he drafted the law to give government agencies “flexibility to develop processes to make the bill’s requirements as efficient as possible for the taxpayers and encourage state and local agencies to do so.”

“We will continue to work with those agencies to ensure that intent is carried out,” Ramsey said.

Jets look to beat Bills in crucial AFC East matchup

ORCHARD PARK — Welcome to the AFC East playoffs.
The Jets begin a November stretch that includes three divisional games when they face the surprising Bills today. The outcomes of today’s game and next week’s with the Patriots will let us know if the Jets are still contenders in the division, ready to chase the wild card, or on playoff life-support.
Coach Rex Ryan’s crew swears they’ve fixed the problems that plagued them early in the year. Today, we find out. At 4-3, this is a pivotal game. The Bills and Patriots are tied atop the division with 5-2 records. The Jets can’t afford to fall further behind.

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“I don’t think [the division] is flipped on its head. There’s a lot of football left to be played. We plan on being at the top of the division when it’s all said and done,” Ryan said. “We’re not worried about, ‘Let’s wait until week whatever, 12 or 13.’ We’re ready to make our move right now, and that’s our intention.”
The Jets have won five of the last six meetings with the Bills and have not lost at Ralph Wilson Stadium since 2007. But these are not the same old Bills.
“They’re playing at a high level right now,” Jets safety Jim Leonhard said. “You look and not a whole lot has changed, but they’re making plays, they’re flying around, they’re playing with great energy. Obviously the coaching changes they’ve made have helped the organization out. They’re feeling pretty good about themselves. They’re definitely a team that you can’t look past. They’re beating up on some pretty good teams. You can’t take them for granted.”
Here’s how the The Post sees today’s game breaking down:
MARQUEE MATCHUP
Bills RB Fred Jackson vs. Jets LBs David Harris, Bart Scott and Calvin Pace. Jackson is having a monster season. He has rushed for 100 yards in five games this season, the most in the NFL. Jackson has been as good receiving as he has running. His 1,074 yards from scrimmage are second in the NFL.
The Jets say their run defense is not as bad as the numbers indicate. It’s time for them to show it. The linebackers will be key because Jackson has broken tackles all season. The linebackers can’t let him get into the secondary.
BOUNCEBACK FROM BYE
Ryan’s Jets have been terrible after the bye, losing in both of his seasons as head coach. Ryan still gave the players six consecutive days off. The Jets amped up the speed in practice this week to shake off the rust.
“I feel good about our preparation,” Ryan said. “I feel good about where we are, and obviously, it’s a big challenge going to Buffalo, where they are undefeated and tied for first in our division, so they’re a good football team. This will be a big challenge whether you’re coming off a bye or not, but I feel good about our plan. Obviously, my history is not good.”
TAKE YOUR PICK
Mark Sanchez has cut down on turnovers recently, throwing just one interception in his last three games. He needs to be careful against the Bills. Buffalo has 14 interceptions, the most in the NFL. The Bills take a lot of chances on defense, which the Jets hope could open some things up to take chances downfield.
ROAD WEARY
The Jets are 0-3 away from MetLife Stadium. They point to who they have played on the road as the main reason why they’ve struggled. They also did not have center Nick Mangold for two of those games.
Getting that first road win is not going to be easy today. The Bills are 4-0 at home and averaging 34.3 points a game in their three at Ralph Wilson Stadium (they played one game in Toronto). This game has taken on a playoff-like feel in Buffalo because the Bills have been down for so long. The Bills will wear all-white uniforms at home for the first time in 25 years, and the team has asked fans to wear white to the game.
WILD THING
No one has to tell the Jets what Brad Smith can do. The longtime Jet left for Buffalo over the summer. Now, the Jets have to try to stop him. Smith has seen limited duty in the Wildcat for the Bills, but the Jets expect a heavy dose today.
Even if the Bills don’t run it a ton, Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said the threat of the Wildcat already has taken its toll.
“It might not be that effective, but what effect did it have on the opposing staff and defense?” Pettine said. “Did we have to spend extra meeting time on it? Absolutely. Did we spend extra time gameplanning just for the Wildcat? Absolutely. Will we get two or three plays of it? Maybe. Will we get 10? I don’t know, but that’s something you’ll never know the effect it had because it’s like a body-blow. There is a hidden value to it.”
GO GREENE
The Jets have bullied the Bills over the last few years. Under Ryan the Jets have rushed for 273, 276, 249 and 318 yards against the Bills. If there’s ever a day for Ground and Pound, it is today. Shonn Greene broke the 100-yard barrier against the Chargers. The Jets need him to do it again.
brian.costello@nypost.com
COSTELLO'S CALL
The Jets have had trouble stopping the run this season.
That feeds right into Fred Jackson’s hands. Throw in a rabid crowd at Ralph Wilson Stadium, and the Jets are in trouble.


Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/playoff_atmosphere_for_divisional_orSjjm9AV7NnBqFSweeDhM#ixzz1cwayEmmw

LSU Vs. Alabama Recap: How It Impacts Stanford And BCS Rankings

The No. 1 LSU Tigers won a gritty defensive battle Saturday evening, defeating the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide 9-6 in overtime in Tuscaloosa. Both teams had some opportunities to get some bigger scores, but both defenses absolutely locked down the opposition.

Alabama lost the toss in overtime and started on offense. A quick three and out with a five-yard penalty and a five-yard sack forced the Tide to attempt a 52-yard field goal. Cade Foster missed, setting up LSU for what would prove to be an easy score. The Tigers rushed for 3 yards followed by 15 yards to set up first and goal at the seven yard line. LSU centered the ball and attempted a 25-yard field goal on 3rd and goal. Drew Alleman's kick was true and LSU retained their number one ranking.

LSU is now in the driver's seat for one half of the BCS national title game. They still have to beat No. 7 Arkansas at home and the SEC East winner in the conference title game, so this is no gimme. Nonetheless, they have established themselves as the best team in the country right now.

Alabama's loss leaves the BCS in a tricky situation. This was an incredibly close loss to the best team in the country. It was a home loss, but this was not some random team in the SEC. The question becomes how far the Crimson Tide drop in the Week 11 BCS Rankings. Oklahoma State escaped with a wild 52-45 victory over a ranked Kansas State team. Is it enough to get them past Alabama? It should be, but the voters can be tough to figure out. The computer ratings will also be hard to determine given that this was No. 1 vs. No. 2 and improves Alabama's strength of schedule.

For Stanford and Boise State, they are left waiting to see how much work they have left in front of them. If I had to make a prediction right now, I think Oklahoma State climbs to No. 2 and Alabama drops only one spot to No. 3. The Crimson Tide remain in the thick of the national title race, even though they likely won't win their conference. We could indeed see a rematch of this game in a couple months.

Events, November 4

Events, October 25

Events, November 3

Events, November 1

Events, October 8

Events, October 14

State of Us Eco.

the state of Us economy is worse than it looks. Many are looking to the expansion of factory production, proving once again how the economy is ignorant. "when states experience economic hardship they turn to gambling. Almost all gaming increases are related to the economic downturn.A recent push to build casinos slot parlors at race courses, particularly States whose residents pop over the border to spend, and generally lose their hard-earned gambling cash, are looking to increase betting opportunities in their own backyard to keep the money in state in the Northeast, echoes similar moves elsewhere in the early 1990s when economic recession hit.

The economy is getting to be an annual ritual. Officials in New York, California, Florida and Washington this year have all expressed concerns about the outlook. The problem comes partly from short-term issues, including a weak economy and woozy real estate markets, but more basic problems explain the capacity of states to forecast them accurately. Efforts to drag state tax systems into the modern age are making slow progress against a wave of anti-tax fervor and resistance from businesses. As a result, states are less able to count on sales and corporate tax revenue,(The amount of money that a company actually receives during a specific period), forcing them to rely on personal income taxes, a volatile revenue source.

US employers added fewer workers than expected last month but the latest jobs data provided welcome news for President Barack Obama, as the unemployment rate edged down to its lowest in six months. The unemployment rate edged down to 9% from 9.1% in September and is the lowest since April. It was a small move but should still give some boost to Obama as he battles stubbornly high unemployment. A financial professor cautioned that while employment continued to grow, the pace is still too slow to keep pace with US population growth or to curve back all jobs lost in the downturn. It bodes ill for the high unemployment rate, which has more than doubled since before the global financial crisis.

The American job market improved modestly in October, and economists looking deeper into the numbers found reasons for having hopefulness or at least what counts for optimism in this agonizingly (to make great effort) slow economic recovery. One government survey that tracks the job market by canvassing households found a gain of 277,000 jobs in October and an average of more than 300,000 jobs a month since August. The number of people considered long-term unemployed, meaning they have been looking for work for at least six months, fell by 366,000, to 5.9 million. That is the fewest since April.

The economy will continue to become worse. In order for it to get better it has to fall. people are continuing to lose jobs. We are at a crisis. Some people worry about how they going to survive the next day. People are also depending on unemployment checks, but that can only take them so far. No one wants to live like that. But then too nobody that is suffering like that are not doing things to make it better. We have a say in this, we should start saving more than what we buy. There are various ways to help keep yourself stable. Put yourself on a budget, no one wants to cut out on the spenses they make daily but yet complain. Do something about instead of having to suffer, it only makes things right.

Parent conference

Teachers picture

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Teachers picture

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Teachers pictures

Ancient government

This six weeks i learned that Governments of the foundations period changed throughout the years or periods. Ancient Greece  is the civilization  lasting from the eight to the sixth centuries BC to the end and beginning of the middle ages. Classical Greek culture had a powerful influence on the Roman empire, which carried a version of it to the Mediterranean region and Europe.  The Greek philosophers on the constitution of Carthaginians was that the Greek settlers wanted their independence so they went on a rebellion which eventually turned into the Roman  consulship.This was worth speaking about. They did not agree with the kings and they didn't want to listen to them and the elders so they opposed them.

After destruction of Brutus and Cassius, there was no longer an army. Tacitus was the senator and historian of the Roman civilization which wrote books. The annal is among the first known rare historic records to mention Christ. The Hebrew said in Samuel the lord will appoint from his commanders of groups of thousands and hundreds of soldiers. He will command and approach them to do as he say which is farming and agriculture. he wants the daughters to be the bakers. If you don't obey the lord will not answer to what you want. The people of the kingdom didn't believe what Samuel's warning said so they went along with the other nations and had a king rule.
The heaven attracts kindness is sent from death and spirits. criminals get away with things like its OK but its not. others suffer for their offenses. Those who have no crime are blamed and is discriminated. there is no stopping of the troubles. People stop caring and move away like leaders and fighters, unwilling to help those who need it. Those in various states have the same problem but everybody act like its OK . But then turn to god for help, but its to late your evil ways have took over.

China's first emperor had made its laws manifest, he encouraged farming. He was during the warning state period; Qin had unified China. After he had unified china he and his chief advisor had passed a series economic and political reforms. He created a way for the Chinese to become successful. He believed the common people know peace and have lay aside weapons and amour. He has regulated many local customs caring for the common people.
Egyptians who had a leader that decides to rule a great number of men. Help Justice not be disturbed since it hasn't since the age of Ptah.. to keep the laws clear and make sure they aren't broken or violence isn't taken place. They don't want no one to inspire men with fear. Ptah doesn't want no one to provide peace ; it will be then be that only they will freely give what has been from them by fear. There was many types of acts that were pursued in different ways many government that were alike and different but they have mostly changed over the periods of time; Most have their own oppion

Dallas sets record with 70th 100-degree day

The National Weather Service said the high Tuesday at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport reached triple digits for the 70th day this year. It broke a record from the 1980 summer that was considered the standard-bearer for Texas heat waves.

Wichita Falls broke its 1980 record several weeks ago, and Tuesday marked its 100th day of 100 degrees this year, according to weather service figures.

Dallas-Fort Worth became the 15th market among 19 around Texas to break a record for triple-digit days this year.

Several Texas cities have nearly doubled records, and College Station broke a 94-year-old record this year.

College Station broke a 94-year-old record this year.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Updated 5d 1h ago

• Comments 63

DALLAS (AP) – The Dallas-Fort Worth area has joined a long list of Texas cities with a record number of 100-degree days in 2011

Bank of America upheaval an opportunity for local competitors

Giant drops 30,000 jobs, makes other cost-cuts

On the day last week that Bank of America announced sweeping cost-cuts, including the elimination of 30,000 jobs, executives at BlueRidge Bank celebrated a milestone for the three-year-old financial company.
The Frederick-based community bank opened a retail branch in Towson, doubling its staff and adding to its existing commercial lending business in the Baltimore region.
"We're expanding in contrast to other banks that are downsizing," said J. Brian Gaeng, chief executive of BlueRidge Bank celebrated a milestone for the three-year-old financial company

Bank of America's move to slash $5 billion a year comes as many financial institutions look for ways to boost profits in the face of a sluggish economy and new regulations that are expected to drive up costs. Although Bank of America — the largest financial institution in Maryland — did not provide a breakdown of job reductions by region, the Baltimore area is expected to get hit with layoffs and other cuts, analysts say.
But the upheaval also offers a potential upside here: Opportunities for smaller banks like BlueRidge to snatch up new clients and expand their business, and potential benefits for consumers.
"The smart bankers are saying … 'Could we get some of their loan clients, deposit relationships? Could we buy some of the branches?'" said Brian Casey, a Towson banking consultant.
For consumers, the continuing shake-up in the local banking market could mean better service and products, as competitors and community banks seek to attract new clients, analysts said. Some customers are looking for a more personal touch after seeing their banks change hands many times, banking consultants said.
"They've been disgruntled with their current banks," said Anita Newcomb, who runs a banking consulting firm in Columbia. "That has created opportunities for community banks."
Added Clifford Rossi, a former bank executive and regulator who teaches at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, "You might see some slight benefit for the community banks, but don't count Bank of America out."
Financial institutions nationwide, still recovering from the financial crisis, are shoring up capital levels and dealing with problem loans.
Baltimore's banking market, too, has undergone changes in the wake of the mortgage crisis. Six banks in the state have failed, while a dozen others remain under federal supervision to raise more capital.
Two longtime Maryland institutions, Mercantile Bankshares Corp. and Provident Bankshares Corp., have been sold to out-of-state banks.
Over the years, Bank of America has established a significant footprint in Maryland. It holds $22.5 billion in deposits, or nearly 20 percent of the market, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
In the Baltimore region, the bank has an even larger share, with 26 percent of the market and more than 100 branches.
The company employs about 4,000 workers in Maryland, including about 1,100 at a credit card operations center in Hunt Valley.
Nancy Bush, a banking analyst and a contributing editor at SNL Financial, said Baltimore will be less affected than other markets by the job cuts because "it's still a growth market.
"Northern Virginia, Maryland and D.C. That whole market is very desirable in the banking industry," she said. "Because of the federal government and job growth, Baltimore will be one of the markets where they don't want to disturb too much of their retail footprint."
Still, Bank of America has been shedding jobs in Maryland. The bank laid off 39 people at its Hunt Valley card services center and an additional 18 people at an office in Columbia this year, according to state labor officials.
The bank said its latest restructuring, announced Sept. 12, will address consumer banking, credit card and home loan businesses, along with technology and support operations. Attrition and elimination of unfilled positions will make up a "significant" portion of the job cuts, the bank said.
Bank of America also plans to close about 10 percent of its branches in the coming years.

By Hanah Cho, The Baltimore Sun

6:01 p.m. EDT, September 18, 2011

Taser issue at Cowboys-Jets baffling

Archive

Tom Hauck/Getty ImagesSecurity guards get some instructions before a game. Wonder if a taser is mentioned?

Are you baffled by the story last weekend of the Dallas Cowboys fan who got into a brouhaha with a former Marine at MetLife Stadium? The baffling part is that Leroy McKelvey ended the dispute by tasering the other guy.
Come again? The NFL tries hard to please everyone but, as far as I know, it never sells tasers during games. "Get your taser, right here! Can't enjoy the game without a taser!"
McKelvey apparently brought it in. And according to his son, New York DJ Charlamagne Tha God, he was wearing it on his hip.
That's not good.


Perhaps the problem is too many of the folks hired to put on a yellow "Security" shirt and inspect the incoming crowd are as old as I am. To me and others, all the new electronic gizmos look alike. You could hold me up by pointing your BlackBerry at me and I'd never know the difference.
So the yellow shirts have got to try a little harder. Besides, for some of us, a little pat down is the highlight of the week.
Before we get to some truly tasty dishes in the main portion of this Sunday Brunch, here are a few more appetizers:
• Did you hear NFL Network deep thinker Michael Irvin explain the symbolism of the Colts not being prepared for the loss of Peyton Manning? His comment went like this: ""The young ladies today ... they're not learning from mom ... how to cook. We're losing recipes. ... That's the reality." Sure it is, Michael. Thanks to the NFL, we have a serious recipe gap.
• Please be on the lookout for an erratic war eagle displaying signs of a severe concussion. If found, please alert the University of Alabama athletic department as they promise to give the eagle all the care it deserves.
• We're going to be asked every Monday night if we're ready for some football. Will anyone care if we aren't?
• Be honest: Would you really hate it if we had a 50-game NBA regular season that didn't start until football was nearly over?


• Late Breaking News: After the NFL's opening weekend drew 107.4 million TV viewers, NFL owners have confirmed there will be another lockout in 2012.
Now the main courses of the Brunch, which are particularly fine: • We often close with sports humorist Greg Cote of the Miami Herald but this time he leads off with one of his outstanding notes columns. This one begins with his search for a nickname for the Miami Dolphins' defense after it gave up a historic amount of passing yardage to Tom Brady. Read his notes here.


• Let's jump to The Wall Street Journal for two strong stories about golf. First John Paul Newport examines the names of the 13,000 registered golf courses in this country. My favorites are Nutters Crossing and Krooked Kreek, which probably says more about me than it does about golf. You decide by reading it here.


• In our second selection from the Journal, Stephen Miller tells us about Ralph J. Lomma, 87, who died last week. Mr. Lomma opened about 6,000 miniature golf courses in this country over the last 60 years. If you ever hit a ball through a windmill and into an alligator's mouth, chances are you had Mr. Lomma to thank. Check it out here.


• Our prized feature of the Brunch is a long and compelling examination of the NCAA titled "The Shame of College Sports." It's from The Atlantic and it's written by Taylor Branch, who happens to be a Pulitzer Prize winner. Read this here and you'll understand why.


• We close with a shameless plug. I comment on and predict the outcome of every NFL game along with providing a free contest where you can try to beat me and everyone else. Try it here.

Have a great Week 2.

Jerry Greene is a regular contributor to ESPN.com and can be reached at osogreene@aol.com

GOP Frustration Grows With Obama Approach to Jobs, Deficit

Published September 18, 2011

| FoxNews.com

AP

President Obama gestures as he speaks on his American Jobs Act legislation Sept. 14 at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C.

Republican frustration is growing with President Obama's revamped approach to deficit reduction and job creation, as he prepares to unveil the latest plank in his economic roadmap Monday.
The tone from the party has changed markedly over the past two weeks. When Obama delivered his jobs speech to Congress earlier this month, GOP leaders greeted the address with blanket statements welcoming the opportunity to work together on proposals that will grow the economy.
But then the president proposed paying for those items with tax increases. And in the president's plan for long-term deficit reduction set for release Monday, he's expected to call for a new tax rate for people making more than $1 million a year.
Republicans who want the next phase of deficit reduction to focus on entitlements ripped into Obama on Sunday, urging him to take a new tack before it's too late.

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., chairman of the House Budget Committee, questioned whether the stage could be set for a bipartisan agreement. 

"When the president does things like this, it leads me to believe that he's not in bipartisan consensus-making mood. He's in a political class warfare mode and campaign mode. And that's not good for our economy," Ryan said on "Fox News Sunday."
Obama's deficit-reduction plan will be pitched to the bipartisan "super committee," which is trying to find about $1.5 trillion in deficit savings over the next decade -- the president will push for at least $2 trillion in savings, in part to cover the cost of his $447 billion jobs plan.

Ryan said the committee would have been a "good vehicle" through which to achieve tax reform by striking deductions, simplifying the code and lowering tax rates -- all while cutting spending. He said details coming out of the White House cause him to "second-guess myself." With some calling on the bipartisan committee to go big, Ryan suggested Washington shouldn't get its hopes up. 

"We should hold our expectations down on the select committee and let's just get another down payment on debt. There's so much spending that needs to be cut," Ryan said.
Ryan also slammed the president's jobs proposal, which includes a blend of tax breaks, infrastructure spending and local government aid. While he expressed interest in one proposal to retrain the long-term unemployed, Ryan said that even the payroll tax cut component of Obama's plan is a bad idea.
"It hasn't worked, and especially when you're taking these temporary tax rebates and paying for them with permanent tax increases, that is actually self-defeating," he said. "So, we just don't want to go with ideas that have already proven to fail."
Other Republicans complain that, with the president taking his case to voters in battleground states, the debate has been imbued with too much politics almost from the start.

Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell last week called the jobs bill a "campaign proposal." 

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" that the millionaire tax idea is a "political move," pushing instead for ideas that would "flatten the tax code." 

But McConnell also said Sunday that "the window's not closed" to working with the president.

"There actually are things we agree on," McConnell said on NBC's "Meet the Press." 

Citing bipartisan cooperation that yielded agreements on welfare reform during the Clinton administration and tax reform during the Reagan administration, McConnell said periods of divided government present "the perfect time to do big stuff."
Despite the rhetoric on both sides, McConnell predicted a "major bipartisan accomplishment" out of the deficit committee. As for the millionaire tax -- which the White House is calling the "Buffett Rule," after Warren Buffet who complained he was paying taxes at a lower rate than his secretary -- McConnell said it's a bad idea in a downturn.
"If he's feeling guilty about it, I think he should send in a check," McConnell said of Buffett.
While Ryan dismissed many of the proposals in Obama's jobs plan, other GOP figures expressed an interest in striking a deal on at least some of them

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus complained Sunday that the White House was offering a "take-it-or-leave-it" proposal on jobs. "This shtick of them wanting compromise ... is a joke," he said on Fox News. But he said the payroll tax breaks could represent an area of bipartisan agreement. 

Graham also suggested Republicans could get behind the payroll tax idea.
Meanwhile, Democrats defended the president's approach to the dual challenges of high debt and high unemployment.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said a new tax rate on those making more than $1 million a year is "certainly" a good idea, for those "who are wealthy and comfortable and wouldn't even notice it." 

"I wonder if (House Speaker) John Boehner knows what it sounds like when he continues to say the position of the Republican Party in America is that you can't impose one more penny in taxes on the wealthiest people," Durbin said on "State of the Union." 

"The president's proposed 'Buffett Rule' is right on target as overall the very wealthy in our country have seen their incomes skyrocket while middle class income has stalled and poverty has risen," Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, said in a statement. 

As for Republicans opposed to the payroll tax break extension, Obama said during his address to Congress Sept. 8 that Republicans should not break their no-tax-hike pledge when middle-class earnings are on the line.
"I know that some of you have sworn oaths to never raise any taxes on anyone for as long as you live. Now is not the time to carve out an exception and raise middle-class taxes," the president said.

Former President Bill Clinton, speaking on ABC's "This Week," said now is the time for an agreement, not a stalemate. 

"According to all this economic analysis, it will create between 1.5, 2 percent increase in GDP growth. It will put a million or two million people to work, and we'll be on the way back," Clinton said Sunday. "We need some signal out of Washington that they understand that cooperation is good economics, even if conflict is

Graduation

 



Me and the siblings at trey's graduation he graduated from Poteet high school

Baskeball

Me with Lacenia and tiffany at the Skyline varsity fall league shootout

Nail shop

My sister took me to get my eye brows done for the first time, She said its time for me to start acting like a lady :)

Graduation





My sister is now a graduate from the University Of Texas



football game

Track meet

personal obituary

Aleah Amoni Shervon Williams was born in dallas, Texas at Baylor hospital on february 29, 1996. She is the middle of five siblings. Ashley, George, Amaya, Gemon and German. Her brothers and sister motivates her , but her parents and grandparents helps her stay successful in life; they make sure she has everything she needs.  She has accomplished so much as a young person. She started soccer when she was four years old and has been playing nonstop for twelve years. She has played on Four different teams. She started with the Texas Belles in Mesquite Texas,but decided she wanted to play select soccer. She moved to Genesis Elite Soccer Club in Garland Texas were she played Plano lead. Then two years ago she left genesis to play for a division 1 League. Revolution Premire is the current team she plays for but they have commerced to become F.C Dallas. Soccer is not the only talent she has, last year as a freshman; Aleah made the junior varsity basketball team at Skyline high school. She not only good at sports she is good at academics also. she is currently taking honor class and is in a cluster at skyline called Travel and Tourism. Aleah is inspired by her sister Ashley to be successful, she watched how her sister was the top of her class and wants to do the same.

When Aleah grows up she wants to go to college to be a sports trainer. Even though she loves sprts her mothe and grandmother tells her school work is more important than sports. You can't be successful without education.

Summary of summer vaction

This summer i traveled to Wichita, Kansas for nationals track; my brother had made it in the 400. He had to compete against people all over the united states. We met lots of new people and we got to interact with different people. The hotel that we stayed at was the Super 8, it was a small city and many tourist had bring money into their state. The weather was kinda like Texas but it was different kind of dry not Texas dry. Soon as we got to the stadium, they had a ceremony to congratulate the kids for making it that far. The started ceremony by bringing each region onto the track. We were region 12, the biggest region. We had really represented because we had so much talent and plus we came home with the most wins overall. Even though my brother didn't win a medal he came in nineteenth place out of sixty-seven boys. He was proud of his self and so were we. I had trained with him the day before he ran.We had went to this school that had a track and we ran four one hundreds. He was a little nervous, but i gave him a prep talk. I told him" you didn't come all this way for nothing, don't worry about what everybody Else does just focus on you. Stay positive and keep god first and you will be blessed. You deserved to be here." He took what i said to heart. and went out there and gave it his best and that's all that matters. He might have came home empty handed but least he didn't come home saying what ifs and doubting his self. He felt good about what he did and he wants to do the same thing but win next year. It was a vacation to me but not for him it was a job. He couldn't go swimming and stay up late and play games in the lobby like we did. He had to rest.