Florida's Long Lines On Election Day Discouraged 49,000 People From Voting: Report

People in Iraq voted while under threat of getting their asses blown up...and people in Florida whined about long lines.

Cry me a river.

Yep, and I guarded some of those people while they did it. You wouldn't believe how happy they were just for the opportunity to vote. Americans are spoiled.

Whenever a topic like this comes up, I find myself wondering how many people who espouse the above sentiments also espouse the following:

1. America is the greatest nation on Earth.
2. America is a beacon of freedom to the oppressed peoples of the Earth.
3. The Supreme Court shouldn't take into account the decisions of foreign courts when looking for precedents upon which to base their decisions.

The fact is, a lot of Americans are working crap jobs for asshole bosses and making **** wages, living paycheck to paycheck. A long line is going to discourage them from voting.

Are there other options? Of course. Do we do a good job of making sure people are aware of them and encouraging them to do so? I'd say this is proof that we don't.

It never ceases to amaze me that, despite our largesse, technology and know-how, we continue to struggle when it comes time to cast a ballot or take a census.

Source: http://www.debatepolitics.com/breaking-news-non-msm/147278-floridas-long-lines-election-day-discouraged-49-000-people-voting-report.html

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GLORY Looking To Expand In The U.S., Japan Market

Source: MMA Weekly

GLORY Managing Director Marcus Luer has Japan and the U.S. as the two locations the promotion looks to visit in the coming year.

"We believe we are a worldwide company, but we will have a strong emphasis on core markets and that is U.S., Japan and the big New Year's Eve card is something we want to do every year," said Luer to MMA Weekly.

The GLORY ? DREAM New Year's Eve 2012 card takes place December 31 from Japan. It will air on a tape delay over two in days in the U.S. on the CBS Sports Network. Luer hopes to continue discussions with CBS about airing more of their shows.

The double card features several MMA bouts out of DREAM and GLORY has a 16 person heavyweight kickboxing tournament with the winner getting $100,000. Luer mentioned the following GLORY event is planned for February.

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Source: http://feeds.fightline.com/~r/fightline_news/~3/bqO0TXI3qBQ/

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Why Starting a Home-Based Business is a Good Idea ? Articlearn

Owning and operating a home-based business requires a lot of work to make it a successful endeavor.? These are the benefits of owning these types of businesses.

At some point in time, many individuals have aspired to own and operate their own home-based business because it will provide them with the freedom to gain financial independence and be their own boss.? There are numerous legitimate income opportunities to be had if a person is willing to do a little research and perform some due diligence in the process.

When aspiring entrepreneurs contemplate the viability of a profitable home based business, the first question that arises is: ?What makes a home-based business such a good idea??

The acronym ?JOB? stands for ?Just Over Broke.? Interestingly enough, this has never been closer to the truth before.? At some point in time, probably everybody has had the desire to be their own boss and operate a home based business.

The problem has always been that finding a viable business opportunity is not always that easy.? But when a person does and they get that first taste of success, there is no turning back.? The following content will present the major reasons why starting a home-based business is a good idea.

There is no one to answer to ? there is no boss threatening a person?s livelihood and their job security.? It is the greatest form of freedom and independence that anyone can experience when it comes to earning a living and loving their job.

Home-based businesses are not a 9 to 5 routine ? there is no weekly work schedule that has to be followed, no time clock to punch in and out on every day, without asking someone for a day off when it is needed.

There is no limit to the amount of money a person can earn ? having a regular job does not provide a person the opportunity to realize any type of substantial income.

The worst part of working for somebody else is that unless the person is a commissioned salesperson, their earnings will always be limited to the company pay scale.? There are two truisms about owning and operating a home-based business that always exists about earnings, when a person works for someone else:

o?? ?there will always be limits on a person?s earning potential

o?? ?the person will never get paid what they are worth

Keep the pajamas on all day if desired ? one of the things that a lot of people despise about their job, is the fact that they are oftentimes forced to wear clothing that they cannot stand.? This is especially true when they work for an employer that demands wearing a company uniform.? It?s even more aggravating, when the person has to take care of those uniforms themselves.? When a person has their own home-based business, they can wear what they want ? no shirt and tie is ever required.

The greatest investment a person can ever make is in themselves ? when a person invests in their own business, they are investing in themselves, and that is the best investment they can ever make in their lives.

Published in Business

Source: http://www.articlearn.com/why-starting-a-home-based-business-is-a-good-idea/

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More marketing tips for writers from Chuck Sambuchino's new book ...

(A quick note: ?I?ll be posting on?Drawing on the Power of Resonance in Writing, by David Farland, sometime early next week. If there?s a book you?re interested in learning about but don?t have the means to peruse yourself, please let me know. I?ll see what I can do about it.)

In the second section of Create Your Writer Platform: The Key to Building an Audience, Selling More Books, and Finding Success as an Author, author Chuck Sambuchino said writers should do two things right away: create a web site, and start using a few different ways to build a platform.

Web sites was discussed in detail at the beginning of the section. My first question was?can my WordPress blog count as a web site? That was answered in one sentence:

?Know that, by web site, I do not mean merely a blog.

I felt chagrined for a moment, until I read the following:

That said, if you have nowhere to turn to, just use WordPress?simple software that will guide you through creating a web site or blog or both.

If I understand right, one the advantages of a web site is a static landing page (compared to the fluid landing page of a blog).? There should be an ?about me? page with a short bio?not a long one, if you?re just starting out?and a head shot. A page listing your books or showcasing your portfolio is a good idea, and a ?contact me? page is essential.

Sambuchino spends an entire two pages discussing your head shot.

??You?ll need it for your website and interviews and lots of other places?and sooner is better for having it done because you ain?t getting any younger.?

He?s not kidding. That?s probably what makes me feel so shy about it.

His notes on bios are to keep them short:

Over the years, I?ve noticed that long bios can actually hurt you. The more things you sell/mention (i.e., the more you stuff into a small space), the thinner everything becomes.

An entire chapter is devoted to blogging. Surprisingly, my favorite advice from that chapter is to avoid posts that are too personal or boring. Who doesn?t like to write about their personal life? I know I do. Since I work at home, it?s sometimes difficult to separate my work life from my home life, and I?m pretty sure that shows here.

Like Godin, Sambuchino suggests spending a significant amount of time on each blog post headline. At least five minutes per headline, he said?which can be difficult to do when your mind is bursting with thoughts for the next post.

The last portion of this section (Chapters Nine through Thirteen) deal with the optional things you can do to build your platform. They include:

• Starting an e-newsletter
• Article and column writing
• Public speaking
• Using social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, effectively
• Side doors to Platform

There?s just too much in those sections to write about, and there?s more to do than can possibly be done here. I sincerely appreciate Sambuchino?s advice at the beginning of this section, when he says you shouldn?t try to do everything.

You should not dive in everywhere. That?s right. I am officially telling you not to tackle every opportunity or go down every path.

Nice, isn?t it, to know there are so many options out there? And that you?re free not to use them, if you so choose?

This section of reading has left me with three questions for my fellow bloggers:

1. Has anyone reading this used WordPress to generate a web site? I?m intrigued. Is that different than what I?ve done with my blog?
2. Does the idea of having a head shot here make anyone else feel shy?
3. Who has experience with public speaking? What did you speak about, and what was it like?

I?m looking forward to your replies!

Due to a sick baby, this was as far as I read in Chuck Sambuchino?s book. I?ll be finishing it this afternoon, but this is as far as I plan to post. The final section is filled with case studies of authors who have been through what Sambuchino writes about in this book.?I recommend buying the book and keeping it on hand for future reference.

Posted on December 28, 2012 at 7:25 pm in Book Review, Marketing for Writers ??|??RSS feed |?? Respond ??|?? Trackback URL

Source: http://gwenbristol.com/2012/12/28/more-marketing-tips-for-writers-from-chuck-sambuchinos-new-book/

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56% of female university students get drunk in record time, Spanish study suggests

Dec. 28, 2012 ? Researchers from the HealthyFit group at the University of Vigo have studied university students' lifestyles; their analysis, which includes alcohol and illegal drug consumption habits, sport and food, concludes that most students indulge in unhealthy behaviour. One of the main results of the study points to the high consumption of alcohol.

"The amount drunk per unit of time is higher among women. In other words, even though male students drink more often, females do so more intensively in shorter periods of time, which is known as binge drinking," explained Jos? M? Cancela Carral, co-author of the study published by the Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Researchers randomly selected 985 students from different degree courses and in different years at the University of Vigo.

Of the females interviewed, 51.2% lead a sedentary lifestyle, while the percentage in males is 41.7%. When analysing students who maintain an appropriate level of physical activity, 38.6% of males do physical exercise, as opposed to only 20.9% of women.

"We were also surprised by the high consumption of illegal drugs among university students -- 44.9% of men and 30.9% of women -- which we understand could lead to significant future health problems, mainly related to the nervous system," underlined the researcher.

Anomalous attitudes to food were more evident among women (16.6%), although also present among men (8.8%). "However, the statistical analysis showed that this parameter depended on the degree the student was studying for," added Cancela. Such attitudes were much more common among those studying degrees related to education (19.2%) than among those studying courses related to health (6.3%).

Health network

Spanish universities set up a Healthy University Network in 2008, a project for healthy living for universities from all over Spain, the Spanish University Rectors' Association, the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport and some regional public health entities.

In the researcher's opinion, at many universities this network was nothing more than "a simple first step to get on the list and nothing else"; hence transversal content should be implemented in study plans related to food, physical exercise and healthy habits.

"In the light of the results, training and information courses are required in these areas, together with healthy leisure -- not just sports facilities -- to set up university guidance services for a healthy student lifestyle," concludes Cancela.

Genetic predisposition

A recent study published in the PNAS journal argues that the gene called RASGRF2 could be related to a predisposition to getting drunk.

According to scientists, this gene regulates the predisposition to drink excessive amounts of alcohol as it influences mesolimbic dopamine neuron activity, which is one of the ways dopamine is taken from one region of the brain to another.

Gunter Schumann, one of the main authors of the study, explained that even though we should not consider said gene to be the main cause -- as there are many environmental factors and other genes involved -- the study thereof helps to explain why some people are more vulnerable to alcohol than others.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Plataforma SINC, via AlphaGalileo.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal References:

1. Ver?nica Varela-Mato, Jos? M. Cancela, Carlos Ayan, Vicente Mart?n, Antonio Molina. Lifestyle and Health among Spanish University Students: Differences by Gender and Academic Discipline. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2012; 9 (8): 2728 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph9082728
2. D. Stacey, A. Bilbao, M. Maroteaux, T. Jia, A. C. Easton, S. Longueville, C. Nymberg, T. Banaschewski, G. J. Barker, C. Buchel, F. Carvalho, P. J. Conrod, S. Desrivieres, M. Fauth-Buhler, A. Fernandez-Medarde, H. Flor, J. Gallinat, H. Garavan, A. L. W. Bokde, A. Heinz, B. Ittermann, M. Lathrop, C. Lawrence, E. Loth, A. Lourdusamy, K. F. Mann, J.-L. Martinot, F. Nees, M. Palkovits, T. Paus, Z. Pausova, M. Rietschel, B. Ruggeri, E. Santos, M. N. Smolka, O. Staehlin, M.-R. Jarvelin, P. Elliott, W. H. Sommer, M. Mameli, C. P. Muller, R. Spanagel, J.-A. Girault, G. Schumann. RASGRF2 regulates alcohol-induced reinforcement by influencing mesolimbic dopamine neuron activity and dopamine release. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2012; 109 (51): 21128 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1211844110

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/JCkJkf4_4pY/121228084029.htm

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Patio Heaters: An Efficient Winter Investment - ArticlesWide.com

[unable to retrieve full-text content]HOME :: Shopping and Product Reviews :: Electronics ... For Patio Heaters and various refurbished and new ice machines, browse through www.iceandwine.com and get heavy discount on all our products. Article Source: ...

Source: http://www.articleswide.com/article/12168-Patio_Heaters_An_Efficient_Winter_Investment.html

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National Rifle Association vows to fight arms trade treaty at U.N.

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The leading U.S. pro-gun group, the National Rifle Association, has vowed to fight a draft international treaty to regulate the $70 billion global arms trade and dismissed suggestions that a recent U.S. school shooting bolstered the case for such a pact.

The U.N. General Assembly voted on Monday to restart negotiations in mid-March on the first international treaty to regulate conventional arms trade after a drafting conference in July collapsed because the U.S. and other nations wanted more time. Washington supported Monday's U.N. vote.

U.S. President Barack Obama has come under intense pressure to tighten domestic gun control laws after the December 14 shooting massacre of 20 children and six educators at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. His administration has since reiterated its support for a global arms treaty that does not curtail U.S. citizens' rights to own weapons.

Arms control campaigners say one person every minute dies as a result of armed violence and a convention is needed to prevent illicitly traded guns from pouring into conflict zones and fueling wars and atrocities.

In an interview with Reuters, NRA President David Keene said the Newtown massacre has not changed the powerful U.S. gun lobby's position on the treaty. He also made clear that the Obama administration would have a fight on its hands if it brought the treaty to the U.S. Senate for ratification.

"We're as opposed to it today as we were when it first appeared," he said on Thursday. "We do not see anything in terms of the language and the preamble as being any kind of guarantee of the American people's rights under the Second Amendment."

The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the right to bear arms. Keene said the pact could require the U.S. government to enact legislation to implement it, which the NRA fears could lead to tighter restrictions on gun ownership.

He added that such a treaty was unlikely to win the two-thirds majority in the U.S. Senate necessary for approval.

"This treaty is as problematic today in terms of ratification in the Senate as it was six months ago or a year ago," Keene said. Earlier this year a majority of senators wrote to Obama urging him to oppose the treaty.

U.N. delegates and gun-control activists say the July treaty negotiations fell apart largely because Obama, fearing attacks from Republican rival Mitt Romney before the November 6 election if his administration was seen as supporting the pact, sought to kick the issue past the U.S. vote.

U.S. officials have denied those allegation.

The NRA claimed credit for the July failure, calling it at the time "a big victory for American gun owners."

NRA IS 'TELLING LIES'

The main reason the arms trade talks are taking place at all is that the United States - the world's biggest arms trader, which accounts for more than 40 percent of global transfers in conventional arms - reversed U.S. policy on the issue after Obama was first elected and decided in 2009 to support a treaty.

Supporters of the treaty accuse the NRA of deceiving the American public about the pact, which they say will have no impact on U.S. domestic gun ownership and would apply only to exports. Last week, Amnesty International launched a campaign to counter what it said were NRA distortions about the treaty.

"The NRA is telling lies about the arms treaty to try to block U.S. government support," Michelle Ringuette of Amnesty International USA said about the campaign. "The NRA's leadership must stop interfering in U.S. foreign policy on behalf of the arms industry."

Jeff Abramson of Control Arms said that as March approaches, "the NRA is going to be challenged in ways it never has before and that can affect the way things go" with the U.S. government.

The draft treaty under discussion specifically excludes arms-related "matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State."

Among its key provisions is a requirement that governments make compliance with human rights norms a condition for foreign arms sales. It would also have states ban arms transfers when there is reason to believe weapons or ammunition might be diverted to problematic recipients or end up on illicit markets.

Keene said the biggest problem with the treaty is that it regulates civilian arms, not just military weapons.

According to the Small Arms Survey, roughly 650 million of the 875 million weapons in the world are in the hands of civilians. That, arms control advocates say, is why any arms trade treaty must regulate both military and civilian weapons.

Keene said the NRA would actively participate in the fight against the arms trade treaty in the run-up to the March negotiations. "We will be involved," he warned, adding that it was not clear if the NRA would address U.N. delegates directly as the group did in July.

The NRA has successfully lobbied members of Congress to stop major new gun restrictions in the United States since the 1994 assault weapons ban, which expired in 2004. It also gives financial backing to pro-gun candidates.

EXPLOSIVE ISSUE

European and other U.N. delegates who support the arms trade treaty told Reuters on condition of anonymity they hoped Newtown would boost support for the convention in the United States, where gun control is an explosive political issue.

"Newtown has opened the debate within the United States on weapons controls in ways that it has not been opened in the past," Abramson said, adding that "the conversation within the U.S. will give the (Obama) administration more leeway."

Keene rejected the idea of bringing the Newtown tragedy into the discussion of an arms trade treaty.

"I find it interesting that some of the folks that advocate the treaty say it would have no impact whatever within the United States but that it needs to be passed to prevent another occurrence of a school shooting such as took place in Newtown," he said. "Both of those positions can't be correct."

Obama administration officials have tried to explain to U.S. opponents of the arms trade pact that the treaty under discussion would not affect domestic gun sales and ownership.

"Our objectives for the ATT (arms trade treaty) have not changed," a U.S. official told Reuters. "We seek a treaty that fights illicit arms trafficking and proliferation, protects the sovereign right of states to conduct legitimate arms trade, and meets the concerns that we have articulated throughout."

"In particular, we will not accept any treaty that infringes on the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens to bear arms," the official added.

Supporters of the treaty also worry that major arms producers like Russia, China, Iran, India, Pakistan and others could seek to render the treaty toothless by including loopholes and making key provisions voluntary, rather than mandatory.

The United States, like all other U.N. member states, can effectively veto the treaty since the negotiations will be conducted on the basis of consensus. That means the treaty must receive unanimous support in order to be approved in March.

But if it fails in March, U.N. delegations can put it to a vote in the 193-nation General Assembly, where diplomats say it would likely secure the required two-thirds majority.

(Editing by Todd Eastham)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/national-rifle-association-vows-fight-arms-trade-treaty-061206196.html

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Reaction to death of Norman Schwarzkopf

Reaction to the death Thursday of retired Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf:

___

"With the passing of Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, we've lost an American original. From his decorated service in Vietnam to the historic liberation of Kuwait and his leadership of United States Central Command, Gen. Schwarzkopf stood tall for the country and Army he loved. Our prayers are with the Schwarzkopf family, who tonight can know that his legacy will endure in a nation that is more secure because of his patriotic service." ? President Barack Obama.

___

"Barbara and I mourn the loss of a true American patriot and one of the great military leaders of his generation. A distinguished member of that 'Long Gray Line' hailing from West Point, Gen. Norm Schwarzkopf, to me, epitomized the 'duty, service, country' creed that has defended our freedom and seen this great nation through our most trying international crises. More than that, he was a good and decent man ? and a dear friend. Barbara and I send our condolences to his wife, Brenda, and his wonderful family." ? former President George H.W. Bush.

___

"With the passing of General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, America lost a great patriot and a great soldier. Norm served his country with courage and distinction for over 35 years. The highlight of his career was the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm. 'Stormin' Norman' led the coalition forces to victory, ejecting the Iraqi Army from Kuwait and restoring the rightful government. His leadership not only inspired his troops, but also inspired the nation. He was a good friend of mine, a close buddy. I will miss him. My wife, Alma, joins me in extending our deepest condolences to his wife, Brenda, and to her family." ? former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

___

"The men and women of the Department of Defense join me in mourning the loss of Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, whose 35 years of service in uniform left an indelible imprint on the United States military and on the country. The son of a decorated Army officer, Gen. Schwarzkopf followed his father's legacy of service by enrolling in West Point in the 1950s. His bravery during two tours in Vietnam earned him three Silver Stars, and set him on the path lead our troops into battle in Grenada, and then to take charge of the overall allied effort in the first Gulf War as commander of United States Central Command. Gen. Schwarzkopf's skilled leadership of that campaign liberated the Kuwaiti people and produced a decisive victory for the allied coalition. In the aftermath of that war, Gen. Schwarzkopf was justly recognized as a brilliant strategist and inspiring leader. Today, we recall that enduring legacy and remember him as one of the great military giants of the 20th century. My thoughts and prayers are with the Schwarzkopf family in this time of sadness and grief." ? Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

___

"I was saddened to learn today of the passing of Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, a fellow West Point graduate, former CENTCOM commander and one of the 20th century's finest soldiers and leaders. I join the civilian and military leaders of our country, and servicemen and women, past and present, in mourning his death. Gen. Schwarzkopf embodied the warrior spirit, serving with distinction in three conflicts over his 35 years of dedicated service. The hallmark of his remarkable career was the swift and decisive victory over Saddam Hussein's forces after they invaded Kuwait. The thoughts and prayers of the Joint Chiefs and the Joint Force are with Gen. Schwarzkopf's family and friends." ? Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/apdefault/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-12-27-Obit-Schwarzkopf-Reaction/id-1271f3872e144ba0914f0c9ff22c9415

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21-inch iMac 2012 (Thin) Review: Looks Only Get You So Far

Gadgets get thinner. Apple's gadgets more than most. That's just the natural order of things. But while thin and light are two of the chief virtues of mobile, and prettier is always better, the new deskbound iMac has to prove it's more than just a diet plan. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/01f7UzzsIjE/21+inch-imac-2012-thin-review-looks-only-get-you-so-far

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tahminalucchi: My Pair of Boots: Old Fort- Wing Family Home ...

The Wing Fort House is located at 69 Spring Hill Road, East Sandwich, Massachusetts. Open Tuesday through Saturday from June 15 to September 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is a small admission fee. For off-season visits please call the Caretakers at (508) 833-1540. Cousins, if you ever have the opportunity, this is a "must do" visit. It is something you will never forget and something you will never tire of talking about.

The oldest house in New England owned and occupied continuously by the same family for over three centuries. Built in 1641.? In 1646 it became the home of Stephen Wing, one of the early settlers of Sandwich, son of the Reverend John Wing and Deborah Bachelor. Stephen?and his descendants occupied the house from then on, adding on as families grew and changing tastes dictated. Now restored, it is furnished almost entirely with Wing family antiques showing the different periods of its long history. The house is maintained by the Wing Family of America and open to the public.

?This house is a must see on my list of Historic Landmarks!

Source: http://mypairofboots.blogspot.com/2012/12/old-fort-wing-family-home.html

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Source: http://tahminalucchi.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-pair-of-boots-old-fort-wing-family.html

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Source: http://asaeuv.posterous.com/tahminalucchi-my-pair-of-boots-old-fort-wing

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Source: http://fboftmepv.posterous.com/tahminalucchi-my-pair-of-boots-old-fort-wing

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Stocks whipsawed by 'fiscal cliff' talks, end flat

NEW YORK (AP) ? The stock market erased most of an early loss in late trading after Republicans said they would reconvene the House of Representatives Sunday in hopes of piecing together a last-minute budget deal.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed with a loss of just 18 points Thursday, erasing an early deficit of 150. At the closing bell the index stood at 13,096. It was the Dow's fourth straight loss.

In addition to the latest budget drama in Washington, investors were also reacting to a sharp drop in consumer confidence this month.

The Standard & Poor's 500 closed down nearly two points at 1,418. The Nasdaq ended down four points at 2,985.

Slightly more stocks fell than rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume was below average at 2.8 billion shares.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stocks-whipsawed-fiscal-cliff-talks-end-flat-210810496--finance.html

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The Most Comprehensive Account Of How Fiscal ... - Business Insider

The Wall Street Journal's Patrick O'Connor and Peter Nicholas?are out today with?a detailed breakdown of how negotiations to avert the year-end fiscal cliff broke down this week.

AP

The Journal's account paints a picture of President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner being fairly close to a comprehensive deal last weekend. That's when Boehner conceded for the first time on income tax rate increases and a lift on the debt ceiling, and Obama blinked on entitlements by being open to a tweak in Social Security CPI.

But neither side was willing to blink further. The WSJ details one meeting early in the week:

Mr. Obama repeatedly lost patience with the speaker as negotiations faltered. In an Oval Office meeting last week, he told Mr. Boehner that if the sides didn't reach agreement, he would use his inaugural address and his State of the Union speech to tell the country the Republicans were at fault.

At one point, according to notes taken by a participant, Mr. Boehner told the president, "I put $800 billion [in tax revenue] on the table. What do I get for that?"

"You get nothing," the president said. "I get that for free."

Politico's Mike Allen provided more context to Obama's quote ? since Rep. Tom Cole and other Republicans had been open to rate increases, so Obama didn't feel like he had to give up anything in return.

Boehner also became frustrated earlier in negotiations at the White House's request to permanently lift the debt ceiling and demanded reform to Medicare and other programs.

"You're asking me to accept Mitt Romney's tax plan. Why would I do that?" Obama said.

But a comprehensive deal finally fell apart in a meeting Monday, spurring Boehner to move to "Plan B," which he ultimately failed to bring to a vote. Obama insisted on $1.2 trillion in new tax revenue and would not commit to an additional $100 billion in spending cuts. Boehner held a meeting with other Republican leaders.

His lieutenants made clear they preferred Plan B to the one Mr. Boehner was trying to broker.

The speaker called the president with news the House would move ahead with the backup bill, which would preserve Bush-era rates for all income below $1 million. The president was incensed.

On Thursday, Boehner failed to earn enough broad Republican support to bring the bill for a vote. On Friday evening before flying to Hawaii,?Obama said he was still optimistic about a comprehensive deal, but he urged Congress to pass at least a scaled-back deal that held off planned tax increases and some spending cuts while extending unemployment benefits.

Read the full WSJ story here >

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/fiscal-cliff-deal-talks-negotiations-obama-boehner-taxes-cuts-2012-12

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Cee Bee to lock horns with Cashen Camchadka in William Hill - Bettor

Cee Bee to lock horns with Cashen Camchadka in William Hill - The Home Of Betting

Cee Bee will be eying a strong run in the William Hill - The Home Of Betting at Newcastle in England on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. Most of her opponents have been struggling for consistency, so she will look to take advantage of that in the end.

However, the young bitch has also not been able to deliver winning results with consistency, which will make things a bit difficult for her in the Grade A3 competition. Despite that, she will be confident of finishing on top of the table with ease.

Her performances in this class have been good and no one can rule her out of contention today. She has got the tools to be successful over 480 metres, as both her speed and stamina are impressive.

However, she is not going to enter the competition from an ideal position, which will hurt her chances of winning the race. She has been slotted in trap number three and there is a chance of getting blocked from that place.

The overall distance to cover in the race is not a long one, so it will be important for all of the greyhounds to be quick at the start. The ones who fail to do so will suffer heavily in the end.

Looking at these things, Cee Bee is not rated as the lone favourite to succeed today. She has been priced 3 to 1, but a similar starting price has been awarded to Cashen Camchadka, who might get the attention of the punters more than anyone at Newcastle.

The latter of the above two greyhounds has been delivering some decent performances for her team, but she too has not been much consistent overall. Therefore, she will be under immense pressure and it will not be easy for her to walk away with an easy victory.

The J. Fenwick?s trained bitch finished in third place during her last race, which shows that her form is not bad. However, she will definitely need to put in some extra effort in order to claim the William Hill - The Home Of Betting.

She is going to break into the contest from trap number one, which will give her a chance to surprise her opponents at the end of the day.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely of the writer?s and do not reflect bettor.com?s official editorial policy.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Cee-Bee-to-lock-horns-with-Cashen-Camchadka-in-William-Hill-The-Home-Of-Betting-a209702

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Google Play Books Gets "Read Aloud" and Other New Features

Google Play Books got a nice update last night, with a Read Aloud feature, and pinch-to-zoom and double-tap-to-zoom. The Read Aloud feature sounds really robotic—even more than Siri or other voice command prompts—but it gets the job done. It's nowhere near as polished as something like Amazon's integration with Audible audiobooks, but it's also totally free. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/9WrkoHQ8bAE/google-play-books-gets-read-aloud-and-other-new-features

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Montgomerie, Schofield chosen for golf's hall

LONDON -- Colin Montgomerie has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame by the slimmest of margins.

Montgomerie and Ken Schofield, head of the European Tour for nearly 30 years, were announced Tuesday as the latest inductees. They fill out the 2013 class that includes Willie Park Jr., Fred Couples and Ken Venturi.

Montgomerie won the European Tour money list a record eight times. He received 51 percent of the vote on the international ballot. That makes two inductees in this class - Couples was the other - who got in through a special provision. If no one gets the minimum 65 percent, the player with the most votes gets elected as long as it's more than 50 percent.

The induction ceremony will be May 6 in St. Augustine, Fla.

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/18/3147542/montgomerie-schofield-chosen-for.html

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My Kids - Embrace the Chaos

You know when your kids are fighting about something trivial and they are both at fault; neither of them are listening to each other and they are kicking and punching and maybe a little head butting. Perhaps they are fighting over who gets to cuddle with the dog, but the dog ends up getting a little beat up in the middle of the fracas.

You have two choices: sit between them and negotiate or send them to their rooms. But for negotiating to work there has to be some buy-in. So you have a choice, send them for time-outs or give yourself one and hope that they learn to co-exist.

Welcome to Ontario's educational system. We have two sides unwilling to negotiate with each other and our kids are the ones suffering.

The government has not created any faith by forcing through a contract that wasn't negotiated and therefore put worker's rights at risk. But for all intensive purposes the teachers union didn't want to negotiate. (Yes, I know the union would say otherwise but my son would also say that he didn't kick his brother when I saw him kick his brother.)

Is this really about sick days? Not really, which is a good thing because it is hard to feel sympathetic for teachers on the sick days issue.

Is it about worker's rights? Absolutely. But has the union lost the sympathy of the public? Most probably.

So everybody made mistakes and now the Ontario education system is stuck in some kind of limbo between strike and agreement. The teacher's union put a "pause" on all extra activities to show everyone how hard teachers work. There are no extra-curriculars, sports, after-school meetings or field trips.The union representatives will insist that this does not affect students' education. But it does affect students.

Yes, those are the?extras but to some kids they are the everything. Some kids thrive on extra-curriculars and need them to feel part of their school. The Grade Sixes are losing their turn to be the leaders of their teams and be the stars of the school plays. The high schoolers are losing important experience that can lead to university scholarships. It denies kids a chance to shine, and that does affect their education.

But the union leadership will tell you that the kids are not suffering because of the "pause", they will tell you that it is a great bargaining chip. They are wrong. Many teachers don't like the pause either, they can see that kids are getting the short end of the stick because of the protracted non-negotiations.

Today there is a one-day strike that is leaving kids at home and parents scrambling. Personally, I prefer the one-day strike to the "pause" but I am lucky enough to have a flexible schedule that allows me to be home today to watch my kids, and some others as well. Not all parents are so lucky, nor can they afford the pricey, one-day camps that have sprung up across the city. My guess is there are a lot of kids home alone today.

But still, the message is that kids aren't suffering.

At the local middle school, students organized a walk-out to protest the situation and the teachers told them that they weren't allowed to miss school.

Just another example of the mixed messages that are being perpetuated by all sides of this debate. The union and the government need to solve this but just like two kids squabbling over something trivial, they have lost the point, and possibly the skills to make this happen. Their behaviour is showing them to be terrible role models to our kids.?

What do you think of teacher strikes?

Want more chaos? Last year, I wondered if anyone sent Christmas cards anymore, this year I have received even less.

Enjoy this post? 'Like' the Embrace the Chaos Facebook page to get each post directly in your newsfeed?

?

Source: http://www.embracethechaos.ca/2012/12/my-kids-school-is-on-strike-today.html

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Religion, 'Evil' Slip Into Media Reports on Shootings - FishbowlDC

It?s not just FNC?s Mike Huckabee who injected religion into the massacre at Sandy Hook elementary school. He was just more explicit about it.

The dust had barely cleared before Huckabee blamed the incident, at least in part, on the secularization of schools. ?We ask why there is violence in our schools, but we have systematically removed God from our schools,? he said on FNC Friday. The remarks made news and some in the media criticized Huckabee for what they saw as an oversimplified view.

But conservative commentator Erick Erickson said nearly as much in a column for RedState today. Erickson referred to the shooter, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, as ?an evil creature? and said ?liberal pundits? who ?mock? religion ?have chosen the very society that generates the heinous act we saw on Friday ? a society replacing ourselves and our standards with those of God.?

But the word ?evil? itself, a word often associated with religion, has been bandied about to describe what happened Friday and not just by conservatives?

At a vigil in Newtown, Conn., last night President Obama referred to the ?unconscionable evil? that took place. Last week, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Mallow said ?evil visited this community.?

Noting that Lanza has been diagnosed by much of the news media as ?mentally ill,? University of London Historian Lindsey Fitzharris wrote in The Guardian today: ?Very little discussion ? if any ? was given to the role of personal responsibility in this tragic event.It is an age-old question: what is evil? ??I want to remind the US and the world of one thing: evil is about choice. Sickness is about the absence of choice.?

In the New York Daily News: ?[Lanza] killed himself after wreaking pure evil.?

Even the AP, practically the Pope when it comes to reserving judgement, got in on it, publishing a story that characterized the tragedy as ?pure evil.?

Maybe Huckabee and Erickson are wrong about secularization having caused the shooting. But they?re not alone in suggesting it was caused by something unnatural.

Source: http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowldc/lanza-evil-huckabee-erickson-sandy-hook_b91923

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Who should I follow on Twitter? Microsoft edition

2012 has been pretty busy for Microsoft. We've seen the new, very different, Windows 8, not to mention a new version of its mobile OS and no end of hardware permutations from PC and laptop makers. With that in mind, this time on WSIFOT, we've assembled a together who you should be adding to your timeline to keep abreast of Redmond's machinations. Alongside a chunk of official Twitter accounts from Microsoft, we've also focused in on the writers and MS employees that set the agenda for Windows, Xbox, Windows Phone -- and the rest. Is there someone missing? As always, these lists are constantly changing, so let us know your suggestions through Twitter or in the comments.

Continue reading Who should I follow on Twitter? Microsoft edition

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Gaming, Laptops, Internet, Software, HD, Mobile, Microsoft

Comments

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/S70feBBjnv0/

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Broncos rout Ravens 34-17 for 9th straight win

Denver Broncos running back Jacob Hester to lifted into the air my teammate tackle Orlando Franklin after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Denver Broncos running back Jacob Hester to lifted into the air my teammate tackle Orlando Franklin after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning reacts to a touchdown by running back Jacob Hester during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker, left, is knocked out of bounds just short of a touchdown by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith during the first half of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno is stopped by Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, top, and defensive back James Ihedigbo, bottom during the first half of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker pulls in a touchdown pass as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Cary Williams looks on during the second half of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

BALTIMORE (AP) ? The Denver Broncos no longer can be considered a notch below the best in the AFC, nor can they be viewed as a team that can succeed only when Peyton Manning puts up dazzling numbers.

Their 34-17 rout of the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday showed just how good these Broncos can be.

Chris Harris returned an interception 98 yards for a momentum-turning touchdown, and Denver cruised to its ninth straight victory in surprisingly easy fashion.

"You come to the Ravens' house and beat them handily, it's definitely a statement game," Harris said. "We definitely wanted to show to everybody that we're an elite team."

Manning threw for 204 yards and a score in his ninth consecutive win against Baltimore, the first with the Broncos (11-3).

But he was merely a role player in this one, because Denver's defense dominated the Ravens, who sputtered in their first game with Jim Caldwell as offensive coordinator.

This was supposed to be a test for Denver, which was 0-5 in Baltimore and was eager to face a quality opponent on the road.

"Pat Bowlen has owned the team for 29 years and has averaged 10 wins a season, but it's the first time he's won in this building," Broncos coach John Fox said. "I was proud to see that for him."

Down 10-0 late in the first half, the Ravens had a first-and-goal at the Denver 4 when Harris stepped in front of Anquan Boldin, picked off a pass by Joe Flacco and sprinted down the right sideline with Flacco in pursuit. The quarterback tripped up Harris, who tumbled into the end zone, leaving Flacco flat on his stomach and with a cut lip.

"He just ran the out route and I was waiting to see when he was going to look back at the quarterback," Harris said. "As soon as he looked back, I looked back and the ball was there. I just made a play on the ball."

It was the longest regular-season interception return in Broncos history, and it turned a close game into a rout.

"I made a mistake. No other way to say it," Flacco said.

"Baltimore had some momentum there on the drive and looks like they're probably going to get the touchdown ? plus they get the ball the first series of the second half," Manning said.

"So just a huge play. The turnover is good, the fact that he took it all the way to the house for a touchdown was even bigger. Big play, big swing in the game, in the momentum. I thought it kind of jump-started everything in the second half for us."

The Ravens (9-5) were playing their first game under Caldwell, who replaced the fired Cam Cameron. Baltimore's offense sputtered in the first half, gaining only 119 yards and committing two turnovers that led to 10 Denver points.

It was 31-3 in the fourth quarter before Flacco threw touchdown passes of 31 and 61 yards to tight end Dennis Pitta.

"We couldn't get anything going until late," coach John Harbaugh said.

Baltimore has lost three straight ? including two in a row at home for the first time since December 2007.

Despite the defeat, the Ravens qualified for the playoffs for a fifth straight season when Pittsburgh lost to Dallas on Sunday night. That gave the Ravens a wild-card berth, but they hope to enter the postseason as division champions.

Baltimore still leads the AFC North, but its lead has shrunk to one game with two to play.

"We're a 9-5 football team and we feel like we're 0-14 right now," Flacco said.

Caldwell's debut was a resounding flop. Flacco went 20 for 40 for 254 yards, lost a fumble and threw an interception. Ray Rice ran for 38 yards on 12 carries and the Ravens produced a meager 56 yards rushing.

Baltimore's previous two defeats were by three points apiece. This one wasn't even close, and the stadium was near empty in the middle of the fourth quarter.

"As a player, I am embarrassed for our city," safety Ed Reed said.

Denver, on the other hand, appears poised to reach the postseason with confidence and momentum. The AFC West champions haven't lost since Oct. 7, at New England. The Broncos, who can still capture the top seed in the conference, finish with home games against Cleveland and Kansas City.

Baltimore's first offensive series under Caldwell lasted three plays and ended badly. Flacco fumbled on a third-and-1 plunge and the Broncos recovered at the Denver 47, which led to a 27-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

In the first quarter, Baltimore totaled 21 yards on 12 plays, punted three times and lost a fumble.

Denver went up 10-0 when Jacob Hester ran in from the 1 to cap an 11-play, 78-yard drive. Baltimore answered with three more unproductive plays before punting. On their fifth drive, the Ravens finally got their initial first down ? on a 14-yard run by Bernard Pierce with eight minutes left in the half.

Pierce eventually left the game with a concussion, as did wide receiver Torrey Smith, who hit his head after attempting to make a leaping catch near the sideline in the third quarter.

Denver pulled away with two third-quarter touchdowns. Manning threw a 51-yard scoring pass to Eric Decker, and after the Ravens went three-and-out, Knowshon Moreno ended a 39-yard drive with a 6-yard run to make it 31-3.

Decker caught eight passes for 133 yards and Moreno finished with 118 yards rushing on 22 carries.

NOTES: Rice passed 1,000 yards rushing for a fourth straight season. ... Terrell Suggs returned for Baltimore after missing one game with a torn biceps and made one tackle. ... Hester's score was the second rushing touchdown of his career and the first since his rookie season in 2008. ... Pitta had seven catches for 125 yards.

___

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-12-16-FBN-Broncos-Ravens/id-996a5129302e41d3b703311552592452

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Internet broadband subscriber base much below 40 mn target: Govt ...

New Delhi: There were 22.86 million Internet subscribers in India at the end of March 2012 ? way below the target that was set for 2010.

The number of Internet subscribers as reported by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for the last three years was 16.18 million (2009-10), 19.67 million (2010-11) and 22.86 million (2011-12), Minister for Communications and IT Kapil Sibal said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

The government had set the target of achieving 6 million, 18 million and 40 million Internet users for the years 2005, 2007 and 2010 respectively, under the Broadband Policy 2004, the minister said.

The number of wireline Internet users stood at 6.7 million (2005), 10.36 million (2007) and 18.69 million (2010).

Representational Image. Getty Images

The policy had set the target for broadband users at 3 million, 9 million and 20 million for 2005, 2007 and 2010. The actual numbers stood at 0.90 million (2005), 3.13 million (2007) and 10.99 million (2010).

An Internet connection with a speed of 256 kbps and higher is categorised as broadband as per the policy.

Sibal said the main impediments hindering the growth of Internet and broadband in the country include ?lack of interest in private operators, for broadband expansion in rural areas, being non-remunerative?.

Difficulty in laying optical fibre cable (OFC) network due to the issues related to right of way clearances and high cost of right of way charges, he said.

Other obstacles, Sibal said, are high back haul cost, low PC penetration, high cost of customer premises equipment, low literacy levels, lack of local content and poor power supply.

On government?s plans to provide Internet facility at cheaper rates, he said the government has approved a scheme for creation of a National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN) to provide broadband connectivity to 247,864 village panchayats.

The project will be funded by USOF and initial estimated cost of project is Rs 20,000 crore. The project is proposed to be completed in 2 years.

NOFN project is being executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle ? Bharat Broadband Network Ltd, a company incorporated on 25 February, 2012, under Indian Companies Act 1956. It is fully owned by central government, with equity participation from the government, BSNL, Railtel and Powergrid.

Replying to another query in Rajya Sabha, Sibal said, ?On completion of the NOFN project, non-discriminatory access to the network will be provided to all the categories of ISPs.?

?These access providers/service providers like mobile operators, ISPs, cable TV operators, content providers can launch various services in rural areas. Various applications for e-health, e-education, e-governance etc will be provided,? he added.

PTI

Source: http://www.firstpost.com/tech/internet-broadband-subscriber-base-much-below-40-mn-target-govt-557507.html

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Man in Mitt Romney mask robbed a Virginia bank

NEW YORK (Reuters) - An entire classroom of students is unaccounted for following a shooting at an elementary school in suburban Connecticut on Friday, a local newspaper reported. The Hartford Courant, citing unnamed sources, said at least 20 people were shot and that many of the shootings took place in a kindergarten classroom at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. CBS News, citing unnamed officials, reported at least 27 people, including possibly 18 children, were killed when at least one shooter opened fire at the school in Newtown, Connecticut. (Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/man-mitt-romney-mask-robs-virginia-bank-162850096--politics.html

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Jordin Sparks To Pay Tribute To Whitney Houston On 'Divas'

She will be joined by Ledisi and Melanie Fiona at the show, airing live on Sunday on VH1.
By Jocelyn Vena

Jordin Sparks
Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1698955/jordin-sparks-whitney-houston-vh1-divas.jhtml

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Susan Rice's surprise withdrawal saves Obama a fight

UN ambassador Susan Rice, once perceived as a natural replacement for Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, has withdrawn her name from the nomination process. It now seems likely that President Obama will pick Senator John Kerry for the role.?

By Steve Holland,?Reuters / December 13, 2012

This file photo shows UN Ambassador Susan Rice leaving a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington. Rice has withdrawn from consideration for secretary of state.

AP Photo/ Evan Vucci, File

Enlarge

Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the?United Nations?and a close confidante of President Barack Obama, withdrew her name from consideration as secretary of state on Thursday in the face of what promised to be a contentious?Senate?confirmation battle.

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Rice has drawn heavy fire from Republicans for remarks she made in the aftermath of a Sept. 11 attack on the?U.S. mission?in?Benghazi,?Libya, in which four Americans were killed, including Ambassador?Chris Stevens.

"I am highly honored to be considered by you for appointment as secretary of state,"?Rice said in a letter to Obama. "I am fully confident that I could serve our country ably and effectively in that role. However, if nominated, I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive and costly."

Her decision increases the odds Obama will turn to Senator?John Kerry, chairman of the?Senate Foreign Relations Committee?and the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, to replace Secretary of State?Hillary Clinton?when she steps down early next year.

Rice's surprise withdrawal spares Obama a potentially bruising nomination fight in the?Senate, even as he grapples with congressional Republicans over tax, debt and spending policy to avoid the "fiscal cliff."

An announcement of Obama's national security team could come as early as next week. Officials say Obama is giving serious consideration to nominating former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel as his defense secretary to replace the departing Leon Panetta.

Obama had harbored hopes of picking Rice, 48, as the nation's chief diplomat. She was an early foreign policy adviser to him when he ran for president in 2008 and became the first black woman to serve as U.S. ambassador to the?United Nations. She was widely seen as a natural replacement for Clinton.

But?Rice has faced relentless criticism from Republicans about comments she made days after the attack in?Libya.

She went on five Sunday television shows on Sept. 16 to say that preliminary information suggested the assault was the result of protests over an anti-Muslim video that was made in?California?rather than a premeditated strike.

The video, posted on the Internet under several titles including "Innocence of Muslims," mocked the Prophet Mohammad and portrayed him as a womanizer and a fool.?

'Strength of character'

U.S. intelligence?officials have since said that militants with ties to al Qaeda affiliates were involved in the attacks, and acknowledged there were no protests.?Rice?has said she relied on talking points from intelligence agencies when she spoke, and Obama has angrily denied suggestions the?White House?played down terrorist connections for political purposes.

The?White House?has said Rice's comments were based on the best information she had at the time.

The?Libya?controversy, combined with a combative style and an eagerness to engage in partisan politics, undermined Rice's case, and visits she made to Capitol Hill in late November seeking to bolster her potential nomination did not help.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/BkK6VW2t_WU/Susan-Rice-s-surprise-withdrawal-saves-Obama-a-fight

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