Auto bailout passes in House

Today a choice was made to pass the $14 billion bailout plan in the House, in Washington. The plan is to help bailout Detroit's "Big Three" motor companies. Democrats hope that the emergency aid bailout could happen by week's end. The White House, though it has not made a complete agreement with congressional Democrats, dispatched administration officials to Capitol Hill to make a case for the bailout. The plan would provide money within days to General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC, while Ford Motor Co. — which has said it has enough liquidity to stay afloat — would be eligible for federal aid as well.

Guns for Groceries

The program designed to exchange guns for groceries has brought in a record number of weapons this year as residents hit hard by the economy look under the bed and in closets to find items to trade for groceries. Today the program Gifts for Guns ended its drive in Compton, California. In past years people have wanted gift cards to places like Target and Best Buy, but this year the gift card that is in most high demand is for groceries. With the economy going down the drain, people are finding it hard to put food on the table for their families. The Gifts for Guns program is a great way to help people get money they need for food for them and their families, and it is also a great way to decrease the chances of violence and murder. 1,000 weapons were expected to be handed in this year. Authorities said 590 guns and two hand grenades were handed in during the last weekend in November, more than the total amount collected in any year. Each gun handed in was worth $100 in groceries and each assault rifle was worth double that.

Judge blocks suspensions of Vikings' Williamses

The NFL's anti-doping policy is strict, and is not taken lightly when abused. Even when it is claimed to be a mistake, it is still a difficult situation to be in. The Vikings' Defensive Tackles, Pat and Kevin Williams, are in this situation right now. A temporary restraining order has been issued at the players request. The Williamses were among six players suspended for four games for testing positive for a diuretic that can be used for masking steroids. They claim that the substance containing the diuretic did not list all of its ingredients and that NFL scientists and lawyers withheld information about the substance from players. The Williamses are a huge part of the Vikings' team, and a key piece to there success this season. The Vikings have a 7-5 record and are sitting in first place at the top of the NFC North. The two Pro Bowl tackles are the foundation of one of the league's top run defenses. Without the Williams Wall, the Vikings would not be as well off as they are at the time being. Ellis Wyms, the backup to Kevin Williams, said that they are probably the most dedicated teammates that he has. Luckily for the Vikings, the Williams Wall is intact. At least for now.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8889258/Judge-blocks-suspensions-of-Vikings'-Williamses

The Plaxico Burress problem

Today I read an article on nfl.com about the New York Giants, and the many issues they are having with one of their star receivers; Plaxico Burress. In the past, the Giants have had many problems with Burress. He has been suspended from games and fined multiple times. Teammates say that Burress has some personal problems, including abusing alcohol. Sources also say that Burress doesn't let many people get close to him and he doesn't let people be a part of his life. The most recent Plaxico Burress incident, includes him shooting himself in the leg at a nightclub in New York. Burress has posted a $100,000 bail and could serve up to 3 years in prison at worst. The Giants face a tough choice. Plaxico Burress is a work in progress.

Outside Reading

For today's outside reading, I read the article about how Anders Lee won the Star Tribune's Metro Player of the Year award. He is not only a dominant force in the hockey rink, but also managed to pull off this award. After rushing for 1,104 yards and an astonishing 32 touchdowns, and passing for 1,982 yards, he proved to be a legitimate Division I recruit in two sports. He is being recruited as a football player by Northern Illinois, North Dakota State and the Gophers. He is also being recruited as a hockey player by Harvard and still has recruiting trips set up with Denver, Notre Dame and, again, the Gophers.

Daunte Culpepper

Recently I read an article on ESPN.com about how Daunte Culpepper will possibly be coming out of retirement to play again in the NFL. The Quarterback visited the Detroit Lions and has initiated contract negotiations following a workout with the team. After leaving the Lions' training facility, Culpepper said it was a good team workout. Contract negotiations weren't completed but Culpepper says he is playing to stay in touch with the team.

Heroes of September 11, 2001

Towers of Life

They stood hushed and glimmering in the night,
Giants able to frame the moon,
Slumbering magnificently in their might.

Day breaks and the sun gently warms their skin,
Veins begin to pulse with life,
The sprit of a thousand of kin.


Evil tears towards them through the brilliant morning sky,
Propelled by the blackest of hate,
Guided by a lie.

Barely risen they stand with no defense,
Innocent and distracted they are not prepared,
The pain about to be inflicted intense.

Like a bolt of lighting that shatters the morn,
Evil crashes once then twice into their sides,
Their bodies are scorched and torn.

Horribly crippled they continue to stand,
Holding onto life until the last,
Orders are given, they take the command.

The battle is brief, the giants begin to yield,
Life drains from every artery,
Their fate is sealed.

Collapsing to zero,
First to one knee then to the next,
From their dust will emerge so many a hero.

The question is asked,
How can such evil exist.
JDK





























“Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew. “
- President George W. Bush, December 11, 2001
























Above is the 9/11 Medal of Valor. It was awarded to both the living heroes of 9/11 and to the families of the deceased. The heroism, courage, bravery and sacrifice that took place on that day perhaps can bring solace to the familes who lost their heroic loved ones. This is a tribute to the terrible, yet heroic day of September 11, 2001.

Outside Reading

Recently I have been reading some of John McCain's autobiography, "Faith of My Fathers." The beginning of the book is telling the reader alot about John McCain's military background. Both his father and grandfather were apart of the military and both held commanding positions as four-star admirals in the U.S. Navy. John McCain, following in his grandfather and father's footsteps joined the military and became a naval aviator in the Vietnam War.

The Unspeakable Odyssey of the Motionless Boy

On the night of November 5, 1999, a young boy named Erik Ramsey was on his way home with a friend, when they were in a terrible car crash. Erik's friend managed to escape, but with a chunk of metal in his skull. Firefighters had to pry Erik out of the wreck with the Jaws of Life. Eric was 16 at the time. The article is mainly about finding ways to communicate for people with Locked-In syndrome, but also about Erik's life. Electronic recievers implanted in his brain help him to be able to pronounce words, and medical advances are still being made to help people basically hear the thoughts of a victim of being Locked-In.

Minnesota-Bound Quarterback

Recently I read an article about a hopeful high school football star. Moses Alipate is looking to Minnesota for college football. Even though it's his senior year at Jefferson high school and for his first 2 years playing varsity football there, the Jaguars had a combined record of 2-16. Even though his team's record isn't looking so hot, Alipate still manages to be the No.9 quarterback in the nation. Obviously for him, hard work and dtermination have paid off and it seems he will have a sucessful college, and likely NFL career.

Codi and Hallie

Codi and Hallie are two very different people and I think they realize that. In Codi's letters to Hallie she is always saying things that show how different they are. Codi feels that she is lost, and she is trying to find her place and where she belongs. Hallie on the other hand, seems to feel a sense of belonging. She is more in control and makes more decisive decisions. Hallie is always jumping into things, while Codi is more fearful from some of her past experiences. Codi and Hallie have things in common as well. They are both caring and feel deeply because of the different difficult experiences they have had. Codi and Hallie are two very different people, but at the same time feel alot of the same emotions.

Iron Man

Recently I read an article in Stack Magazine, by Josh Staph, about how Reggie Bush has been working hard in the weight room, getting ready for the 2008 football season. Reggie's goal was to be stronger and bounce back from a past injury for a great season. Throughout the article there were pictures and diagrams showing the different exercises and workout methods that Reggie did and used. I think that after working out all off-season, Reggie is ready for a great third season in the NFL.