trublue

I guess the CMA assoc. findings could be looked at as suspect but, one would tend to think if you can't believe in the validity of their statements....then, we as a society really are in the "tank". However, I trust their position just as much as I would .....say.....CNN, MSNBC, or the other media with much of their reporting being slanted toward their "leaning". :D

As Observer stated many doctors will perform abortions....so, why is it so necessary to force doctors that oppose it to now perform the procedure. They (the govt.) will be creating more of a shortage of ob/gyn doctors than already exist. The reason I do not support it is because of my biblical beliefs, should doctors that have these same beliefs be required to set these aside because of the govt. See following: =========================================================================== The Christian Medical Association (CMA) reported 41 percent of its members said in a survey they had been “pressured to compromise Biblical or ethical convictions.†“Medical students have been reporting to us that they are deciding not to pursue careers in obstetrics and gynecology for fear of coercion to do abortions,†CMA Senior Vice President Gene Rudd said in a written statement. “Obstetricians are already being forced out of the profession because of soaring malpractice insurance costs. Forcing yet more obstetricians out of the profession simply for following the Hippocratic Oath and other medical ethical standards would only further harm patient access.â€

Listen closely to video at 1:12 and 2:12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV4Qy5u0E6I

Good luck Marion.....hope you get the job done. Believe in yourselves...the rest of us are just spectators.

Sorry....... I don't usually read the chat box. Will make more of an effort. :o

Hmmmmm.....is the word Republican to much "to bear" for some in the media ???? http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/02/msnbc_oh_god.html

I read this about Stafford the other day....and thought "some" might enjoy the read. ===================================================================== http://www.freep.com/article/20090218/SPORTS01/902180361/ February 18, 2009 Is Georgia's Matthew Stafford destined for Lions? If drafted by the team, he could be a fitting end to the Bobby Layne curse BY NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER Matthew Stafford knows what it would mean if the Lions draft him first overall April 25. He knows about Bobby Layne. And he is undaunted. "I know about the curse," Stafford said Tuesday in a phone interview from Phoenix, where he has been training since leaving Georgia after his junior season. "I know he went to my high school. I know it all, man. "It's crazy. It really is weird to think about. It's kind of a cool irony, I guess, that it could happen." Layne led the Lions during their glory years in the 1950s. But they traded him to Pittsburgh in '58, and he supposedly said they wouldn't win for 50 years. They have had one playoff victory and one Pro Bowl quarterback since. Now, 51 years later, the Lions are coming off the NFL's first 0-16 season. Before he was even hired, their new coach, Jim Schwartz, cracked in a news conference: "It's probably time to find a replacement for Bobby Layne." And here comes Stafford, who went to Dallas' Highland Park High, the alma mater of Layne and Doak Walker, another Lions Hall of Famer from the 1950s. Many mock drafts have Stafford going to Detroit first overall. It isn't because of the Layne thing. It's because analysts rank Stafford as the best quarterback available and the Lions need a QB for the future. Still, doesn't it seem like destiny? "I don't know if it's destiny, but I'd love to have the opportunity to be a Lion, for sure," Stafford said. "I think it's a great opportunity for me. It could work out in the end, for sure." The Lions have already called. While Stafford and Lions general manager Martin Mayhew were in Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII, Mayhew played phone tag with Stafford's father, trying to find a time when they could meet. They never connected. But they will at the NFL scouting combine in the coming days. Stafford, who is to leave for Indianapolis today, expects to have more than the normal interview with the Lions. "I'm definitely going to try to make as much time as possible for them," Stafford said. Schwartz said interviewing Stafford will be "a group effort." It will involve everyone from Mayhew and Schwartz to likely offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and quarterbacks coach Jeff Horton. The Lions must vet potential No. 1 picks carefully. Whomever they choose, he likely will receive around $30 million guaranteed and become a cornerstone of the franchise. "I think when you talk about the slot there and how much money it's going to take and things like that, yeah, it is a different animal," Schwartz said. "I've said before, we want to make sure we get the right person there, not necessarily lock in to a particular position." Stafford said he just wants to be honest and be himself. "I want to win and do anything that it takes to get the job done," Stafford said. "I think in the end the stat that matters for the quarterback the most is the wins and what he can do to help his team around him. That's the job of a quarterback, and that's something that I pride myself in being pretty good at." If money weren't an issue, would Stafford rather be the No. 1 pick, go to a team like the Lions and deal with the enormous pressure, or would he rather go a little later to an established team with a better chance to succeed? "Truthfully, I'm a competitive person," Stafford said. "I really do love a challenge, and I would love to have a chance to be the No. 1 pick and coming to Detroit and trying something new." Former Cowboys personnel executive Gil Brandt, who lives about three blocks from Stafford's Dallas home, said: "He can handle the pressure, I'll tell you that. He reminds you a lot of Layne in that he's not a stiff, rigid guy. He's just a good guy." But ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said Stafford is not a "super elite" prospect, even though he could go No. 1. Kiper praises Stafford's arm strength but criticizes his inconsistency. Stafford plans to do drills like the 40-yard dash and vertical leap at the combine, but not throw. "I really don't know how much that's going to help my stock, to tell you the truth," Stafford said. "From what I hear, it's only about 15, 20 throws, and teams never really get to get a good look at how a guy can make NFL throws. "A lot of it's stationary targets and things like that, and I want people to understand that I can make all the throws when the bullets are flying and guys are running around." Stafford will throw at Georgia's pro day March 19. He said if the Lions want a private workout, he would love to throw for them, too. Layne and Walker have memorials honoring them at Highland Park High. Stafford? "No," he said, laughing. "Not yet." Contact NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA at 313-222-8831 or ncotsonika@freepress.com. Check out his Lions blog at http://www.freep.com/sports. Additional Facts How Stafford stacks up Matthew Stafford is the top-rated quarterback in this year's draft class. Here's how his 2008 numbers compare to three other QB prospects: QB CMP-ATT CMP% YDS TD INT RATING Stafford 235-383 61.4 3,459 25 10 153.54 Mark Sanchez 241-366 65.8 3,207 34 10 164.64 Josh Freeman 224-382 58.6 2,945 20 8 136.48 Nate Davis 258-401 64.3 3,591 26 8 156.97 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Congrats! I'm not surprised you got a full ride.

If you have not seen any pics of McCann during the off-season you'll be surprised. He's in unbelievable shape; also, though I haven't seen any pics, the word is Matt Diaz has taken the same route as McCann. http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2009/02/23/with-g-anderson-added-braves-ready-to-play/ With G. Anderson added, Braves ready to play 10:22 am February 23, 2009, by David O'Brien Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – We’re starting Week 2 of spring training, and it already seems like we’ve had a month or so of news. Now that the Braves have added Garrett Anderson, seemingly their last big need (outfield bat), maybe we can shift focus to what’s on the field, right? I’m sure you all are ready. I know I am. Grapefruit League plays starts Wednesday. Yes, we don’t have to wait much longer at all. By the way, I just watched Jason Heyward doing a baserunning drill, working on his leads and first step, and it’s something to see that 6-foot-4 frame unwind and that long stride start turning over. One of those guys who can blaze from home to second or first to third, but takes a little while to get into top gear because he’s just so big. Still, the man stole 15 bases last season at Class A Rome, which says something about his speed (did I mention he’s really tall? Listed at 220, but looks like he might have put on 10-15 pounds since hitting the scales for that weigh-in. I need to remember to ask him his weight later. He’s in terrific shape, not bulky but lean, narrow waist, wide back, big forearms.)…. So how will Anderson be used, in a platoon with Matt Diaz, the way the Braves seemed intent on using Ken Griffey Jr.? Or will Anderson, who hits lefties quite well, a lot better than Griffey in recent years, be used in more of an every-day role? I’ve got a feeling it’ll be the latter, with Diaz facing some lefties and Anderson staying in the lineup for others. Bobby Cox said yesterday that Anderson hits lefties and righties well, that it doesn’t matter, if that’s any indication of what he has in mind (and I don’t know that it was an indication, just putting it out there). Here’s a few stats I had in my Anderson story in today’s paper: After a sluggish start in 2008, he hit .337 over his final 69 games beginning July 1, posting 49 RBIs and a robust .871 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) in that stretch. While he doesn’t have the marquee name (or perhaps box-office appeal) of Griffey, it could be argued Anderson, who’s three years younger and not nearly as surgery-scarred as Griffey, was a better fit for the Braves. By that I mean, Anderson doesn’t have the history of injuries that have diminished Griffey’s once-towering defensive skills, and Anderson’s production against lefties hasn’t eroded like Griffey’s. Griffey hit .249 with 18 homers and 71 RBIs last season, including .202 with a .299 on-base percentage against lefties. That relegated him to a likely platoon role if he’d joined the Braves. Anderson hit .290 with a .333 OBP vs. lefties. (He’s never had big OBPs, because he doesn’t draw many walks. But Anderson also doesn’t strike out much — he’s only struck out 100 times once in 14 full seasons, and 85 or fewer times in eight seasons, including each of the past three.) He’s a guy who gets the proverbial “professional hitter” tag from baseball people, who talk about his quality at-bats and penchant for delivering key hits. Last saeson, Anderson hit .338 with runners in scoring position, including .356 with two outs. (Just FYI, Griffey hit .258 with runners in scoring position in 2008, including .239 with RISP and two outs.) Bottom line: Griffey might have been expected to hit a few more homers, but Anderson, who hasn’t hit 20 homers or driven in 100 runs in the past five years, is probably going to be more reliable, and the Braves won’t have to cross their fingers and hope he doesn’t pull a hamstring or hurt something else going after a ball. So in the end, it could work out better for them. They are still very left-handed in the lineup, and could have used a big right-handed bat between Chipper and Brian McCann. But given what was left, and what they had to spend, to get Anderson for $2.5 million and without giving up any prospects in a trade, seems like they came away OK. A few days ago, it seemed like they were serious about going with largely unproven guys in both center field and left field (the other half of the platoon with Diaz, at least). While that might have worked out, there’s a reasonable chance it would not have, too. And if the Braves didn’t make any significant outfield move after producing just 27 homers and a .367 slugging percentage by outfielders in 2008 (the lowest in the majors in both categories), then how would that have looked if their outfielders got off to a similar slow start in 2008? Could they have waited to see how the kids did early in spring? Maybe. But that’d also be assuming they could sign or trade for a proven veteran at the end of spring. They obviously weren’t comfortable with that, and can’t say I blame them. Besides, they got Anderson for the price of a utility infielder in previous offseasons. Too good a bargain to pass up. Anderson & Anderson: So if the Braves have Josh in center and Garret in left (and I don’t know if they will, but it’s certainly a possibility), I was wondering about Anderson & Anderson. Googled it, and the first name on the list was “the largest provider of Certified Anger Management Facilitator training in the world.” Good to know. I’ll jot that number down. Some of us could use it (I’m including myself). Pitching plans: Just in case anyone missed it, Bobby Cox announced the Braves’ early Grapefruit League pitching plans after the Sunday workout. Javier Vazquez, who’s scheduled to start Puerto Rico’s first WBC game March 7 in the San Juan, won’t pitch until March 2, an off day on the schedule. He’s ahead of others after making a few starts in winter ball to keep his arm in shape in prep for the WBC. Going on March 2 will put him on a regular every-five-days schedule, so he and Jair Jurrjens will pitch in an intrasquad “camp” game against Braves hitters that day. Here’s the rundown for the first seven days on the schedule: Jurrjens and Jo-Jo Reyes will pitch Wednesday’s opener against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla., each probably going two innings unless they run up big pitch counts in one of those innings. Braves starters generally work two innings in their first spring appearance. Jorge Campillo is set to start Thursday’s Dark Star (Disney) home opener against the Astros, when the bigger attraction will be the anticipated spring debut of Tommy Hanson, the top Braves pitching prospect. He’s scheduled to follow Campillo and pitch the same number of innings (two). Kenshin Kawakami — no doubt with large Japanese media contingent in tow — is scheduled to make his Braves debut with a Friday start against the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla., and Derek Lowe is scheduled for his Braves debut with a Saturday start against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. Charlie Morton is penciled in to start against the World Series champion Phillies on Sunday. After the March 2 off day, Hanson is to make his first start against the Panama WBC team March 3 at Wide World of Sports. Kawakami is scheduled to start March 4 at home against the Yankees.

BBA that's great that you're informing kids and parents that help can be found for free if the process "seems" overwhelming. You and Observer are both "smarter than the average bear".....:) however, others may be hesitant to take it on .....but if this post will help any parent or kid that had concerns, hopefully, your posting will reassure them.

According to the following .........UVA http://tabbathletics.com/index.php?sport=13&action=news&news_id=78

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/education/22fafsa.html?em Excerpt: "Most everyone agrees that something is very wrong with the six-page federal form for families seeking help with college costs. Created in 1992 to simplify applying for financial aid, it has become so intimidating — with more than 100 questions — that critics say it scares off the very families most in need, preventing some teenagers from going to college."

Excerpt: "Knapp, a Virginia Tech signee, won his third state championship, becoming the fourth Eagle to reach the feat. "This was probably the most fun of the three," Knapp said. "Just because of all the fans and I'm not the only one who won." Knapp turned his typical shaggy hair-do into corn rows for the finals and controlled Peachtree Ridge's Alan Gigoaleav most of the match for a 12-4 victory." http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=7&ArticleID=56570

http://www.roanoke.com/datasphere/wb/187122

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29296796 excerpt from the following NYTimes article: "But just as with the billions for schools, infrastructure projects and state aid, the stimulus will channel so much money so fast to some two dozen inspector-general offices, as well as a new Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, that it might be difficult to spend it all wisely. And some experts warn that the government might now need auditors for its auditors and new overseers for inspectors general, who typically answer directly to Congress." :(

Pot smugglers go airborne in ultralights Risky treetop flying can evade radar, be an end run around border enforcement The Associated Press Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.19.2009 PHOENIX — No longer stuck on the ground, drug smugglers are taking to the air by using ultralight aircraft to bring their drugs into the United States through Southern Arizona. Federal officials say the ultralights packed with drugs can evade radar by flying at treetop levels. It may be another way to smuggle drugs into the U.S., but it's certainly not the safest. In the past four months, three of the kite-winged aircraft have crashed while hauling loads of marijuana into Arizona. One smuggler was caught after crash-landing near Marana Oct.10, 80 miles north of the border. A second pilot-smuggler died Nov. 18 when his machine smashed into a Yuma lettuce field. A third unidentified pilot clipped a power line in December while being chased by a Customs and Border Protection drone. Because the pilot was paralyzed in the crash near Tucson, prosecutors elected to deport him to Mexico rather than file charges. Rick Crocker, deputy special agent in charge for Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Tucson, said the cheap, low-flying aircraft present a new challenge for drug interdiction along the border. "The ultralight smuggling may be due to the hardening of the border (with greater enforcement)," Crocker said. "We're trying to get a handle on it." During the 1980s and '90s, smugglers often used alternative small airplanes to deliver drugs to America. But greater improvements in radar, interceptor aircraft and an Aerostat surveillance blimp near Fort Huachuca took a toll on smugglers, who decided it wasn't worth the risk. Since then, smugglers have thought it over and decided ultralights are a cheap, stealthy alternative for bringing drugs across the border. The plane is powered by a rear propeller and maneuvered by a pilot seated on what resembles a tricycle. The wings are triangular and made of fabric. Two-seaters are offered on the Internet for about $20,000, a minimal expense considering the estimated $180,000 value of a single marijuana load. Crocker would not discuss details of ICE investigations except to say, "We're trying to identify where the aircraft are purchased, who the bad guys are and the whole nine yards." The people who sell ultralights say they are not intended as cargo planes for bringing pot to Arizona. "These aircraft are designed to carry a person, not a payload," said John Kemmeries, who distributes ultralights in Arizona. http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/border/280867.php

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Security/Default.aspx?id=424464 Rancher not guilty of violating illegal aliens' civil rights Chad Groening - OneNewsNow - 2/19/2009 5:45:00 AM An immigration reform attorney doubts that four illegal aliens will be able to collect any of the money awarded them by a federal jury in a lawsuit against an American rancher who detained them on his property. Border enforcement advocate Mike Hethmon says the case was a real victory for his client Roger Barnett. The jury in Tucson ruled that Barnett did not violate the civil rights of six illegal immigrants who claimed he detained them at gunpoint on his ranch in 2004. The eight-member panel also ruled that the rancher was not liable on claims of battery and false imprisonment. But the jury did find Barnett liable on four claims of assault and four claims of emotional distress, and ordered him to pay $77,804 in damages, $60,000 of which were punitive. Hethmon is general counsel of the Immigration Reform Law Institute, which represented Barnett. He says the case was a huge setback for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, or MALDEF, which represented the illegal aliens. "All in all it was a real victory for folks who have been greatly concerned about the illegal alien advocacy groups' attempts to intimidate private citizens like the Barnetts," he points out. "It's also, we believe, a big setback for the Mexican government, which we discovered was clearly involved in this case." It is very unlikely, Hethmon believes, that the plaintiffs will actually receive anything. "There are numerous legal grounds for objecting to the way that this emotional distress claim was presented to the jury," he contends. "In any case, the Arizona constitution prohibits the award of punitive damages to illegal aliens." Hethmon says by rejecting the claims that the Barnetts violated the plaintiffs' civil rights, the jury provided family members the opportunity to seek full recovery of attorneys' fees.

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/border/110321.php Excerpt: "The Mexican national was like hundreds of other drug couriers except for one important distinction: He transported the marijuana by strapping it to a motorized hang glider, something that looks like a lawn mower in the sky."

You are so right!!!! Good catch.

I'm gonna add to your list HW. Heath Shuler > QB for TN, second in Heisman voting and played for the Redskins. (Now a "blue dog" conservative dem representing NC (Asheville area) in Congress. Talk of him running for senate in 2010.( Hoping there's more dems like him to enter politics.) Todd Helton > QB that was injured and then one, Peyton Manning entered and we all know the rest. Todd however, was truly a great baseball player that later signed with the CO Rockies. In 2001 Helton signed a 9 yr. contract for 141.5 million (Peyton signed a 7 yr. contract w/the Colts in 2004 for 98 million.) The Colquitts > A multi-generational family who've had impressive kicking records at TN. Britton, Craig (his father), Dustin (his brother), and Jimmy (his cousin) known as the "first family of fourth down."

It has been awhile but I think you are correct about the "heart" assumption.

I guess it's kinda like when one has been the "only" child for so long.....and then little bro. or sister arrives and the attention is "divided". In the end, we're all Virginians but w/the "H's" (hokies or hoos, or for you, hoos or hokies) defining one's allegiance.

I would have to disagree on this Observer. I knew someone that had ataxia....granted they were wheel chair bound ....but they lived into their fifties. Now, that could have been the exception but this person was lucid, interacted w/ppl and didn't die from cancer. Yes, complications eventually did account for his death but he lived with this progressive disease for over 30 years. I think to get into any "experimental" trials in the U.S., you must be referred by a doctor/doctors/or medical facility and then it's only after all "approved" medical applications have been exhausted..... someone can correct me if I'm wrong about that.

How so????? I'm being honest in asking that question, I thought VT entry into the ACC was good for UVA. Are you equating it along the same lines as Miami coming into FL ST. territory???