Emily Maynard is 'The Bachelorette

Emily Maynard is 'The Bachelorette: Its official, "Bachelorette" fans Emily Maynard, the girl who won Brad's heart during the last season of "The Bachelor," is going to be looking for a new love this summer on "The Bachelorette." Emily Maynard, the beautiful, sweet, young mom who captured America's and Brad Womack's heart on the 15th season of "The Bachelor," finally thought she had her happy ending. She accepted Brad's proposal and was looking forward to walking down the aisle. Unfortunately her relationship with Brad ended, along with her dream of moving to Austin with her daughter, Ricki, and starting a family. But Emily is ready for her luck to change and to bring her the love she so richly deserves. It's hard to meet men as a single mom, but Emily will have her pick of 25 bachelors when she gets a second opportunity to find love starring in the eighth edition of "The Bachelorette" when it premieres this spring on the ABC Television Network. Emily, 25, led a tragic but fulfilling life before meeting Brad. In 2004 she became engaged to famed NASCAR driver and team owner Ricky Hendrick. Sadly Hendrick died in a plane crash in October, 2004, leaving his fiancée pregnant with their child. The apple of Emily's eye and legacy of their love, Josephine Riddick "Ricki" Hendrick was born June 29, 2005. Instantly popular with "Bachelor" fans, Emily's strength, passion and southern charm - as a mother and as a woman - would make anyone happy to make her his wife. She found love again with Brad and, even though it didn't work out, she knows that the series can work. Among those 25 men, she is looking for someone who makes her laugh, doesn't take himself too seriously and can be her best friend. Emily is hoping that the third time is the charm. Emily feels incredibly grateful to have found her first love when she was very young, and despite not having dated a lot, knows what it's like to be truly in love. In the past seven years, she has been looking for someone with the same spark she has for life, and she believes that she will find her soul mate on 'The Bachelorette.' So there we go, "Bachelorette" fans. Who's excited? And we might even have Bentley to look forward to as well!

Florida primary: Does Twitter 'joy' for Romney signal victory?

Florida primary: Does Twitter 'joy' for Romney signal victory?: Republicans in Florida went to the polls Tuesday to cast what could be a decisive vote in the GOP race for the White House, a contest marked so far by the fluctuating fortunes of those still vying for their party's nomination. On Twitter, both nationally and in Florida, Mitt Romney's prospects appear bright, according to an analysis of social sentiment by San Francisco-based Kanjoya. Romney -- who suffered a stinging 12-percentage-point loss to Gingrich in South Carolina -- has been the subject of daily and hourly increases in "joyfulness," according to Kanjoya project manager Kumar Garapaty. MOOD METER: Track the nation's mood on the candidates to assess emotional language in social media, Kanjoya uses an algorithm that was derived from work done on the Experience Project, which has collected more than 14 million personal stories since 2007. Unlike in South Carolina, where Kanjoya analysts tracked rising "joy" around Romney to people tweeting happiness about his defeat, the sentiment Tuesday appeared to be tied to his chance of winning. As a self-proclaimed "30ish Republican Lady"  tweeted early Tuesday morning Happy voting day! Are you heading to the polls? Tell us what you're seeing. At his final campaign stop Tuesday, Romney told reporters: "If we're successful here, it'll be pretty clear that when attacked you have to respond and you can't let charges go unanswered." The strategy appears to be working. Over the last eight hours, Kanjoya has found 20% of the Romney tweets assessed as joyful contain the words "presidential, primary, leads, confident, victory." As for Newt Gingrich? Ten days after the former House speaker took South Carolina in a decisive victory, Kanjoya found an increase in "surprise" around Gingrich. The reason? Turns out it was only loosely tied to his performance on the campaign trail. Kanjoya analysts said the trend appears to be tied to the controversy about Gingrich playing the "Eye of the Tiger" song at his rallies. Kanjoya officials caution there are things to keep in mind when analyzing language for emotion. Company founder Armen Berjikly said language can be difficult to interpret correctly, with research finding people agree about the intent of statements about 80% of the time. And not all tweets can be assigned an emotion -- roughly 40% captured by their algorithm qualify.

Colbert’s Super PAC Raises More Than $1 Million

Colbert’s Super PAC Raises More Than $1 Million: Stephen Colbert’s quasi-satirical presidential bid has raised serious cash over $1 million, as of Tuesday morning, the comedian announced. An announcement on the Web site of Mr. Colbert’s political action committee said the “super PAC” had filed $1,023,121.24 with the Federal Election Commission at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday. The super PAC once known as the “The Definitely Not Coordinating with Stephen Colbert Super PAC,” then the “Colbert Super PAC,” but officially as “Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow” raised money from viewers to fund things like a commercial shown in South Carolina that equated Mitt Romney with a serial killer. “We raised it on my show and used it to materially influence the elections – in full accordance with the law. It’s the way our founding fathers would have wanted it, if they had founded corporations instead of just a country,” according to a release on the Web site, with contact details of someone named Alberto Rèalnamè, the communications director and an online “Clicktivist Organizr,” at bottom. Donors listed in the 147-page document include Gavin Newsom, the lieutenant governor of California ($500). A representative from Mr. Newsom’s office confirmed in an e-mail that the lieutenant governor had in fact donated to the super PAC. Some celebrities’ names also turned up in the filing, including the actors Laura San Giacomo, star of “Hot in Cleveland” ($250), and Bradley Whitford, a star of “The West Wing” ($250) naturally. Mr. Colbert also received money from a Rolling Stones tribute group called “Sticky Fingers Band” ($400). None of these donors’ contributions to the committee could be immediately confirmed. In addition to the super PAC’s more notable donors, it also received small donations from several people with dubious identities, including one in Wisconsin whose name, when pronounced, makes an obscene phrase.

James Farentino dies of heart failure at 73

James Farentino dies of heart failure at 73: James Farentino, who appeared in dozens of movies and television shows, died Tuesday in a Los Angeles hospital. He was 73. A family spokesman told FOX News that Farentino died of heart failure after battling a longtime illness. A recognizable character actor, Farentino had recurring roles on "Dynasty," "Melrose Place," "The Bold Ones: The Lawyers" and "ER," playing the estranged father of George Clooney's character. He was also nominated for an Emmy in 1978 for his performance as Saint Peter in the television mini-series "Jesus of Nazareth." As for his films, his most notable was the 1980 science fiction film "The Final Countdown," co-starring Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen. Farentino had a tumultuous personal life. In March 1994, he pleaded no contest to stalking ex-girlfriend Tina Sinatra, daughter of Frank. In 2010, he was arrested at his Hollywood home on suspicion of battery when he tried to physically remove a man from his home.

Nick Cannon Kidney Failure

Nick Cannon Kidney Failure: As Nick Cannon continues to recover from what his wife Mariah Carey "mild kidney failure," the future of the health of the host of America's Got Talent is in question. Dr. Bryan Becker, immediate past President of the National Kidney Foundation, took time to chat with people about the condition of the cannon, and what may be ahead in terms of his health. What is mild renal insufficiency? Normally, when this happens, medically, we call it acute kidney damage. When Nick was being evaluated, someone probably did test his serum creatinine and creatinine was high and there was some decrease in kidney function. What causes decreased renal function, might have been due to an illness of any kind or take an over-the-counter as Motrin or Advil. Might also be due to dehydration. What kind of disease can cause this? Could be problems of pneumonia or stomach which decrease the fluid. How quickly it will recover? Depends on the cause. If it is connected only to the liquid, is probably going to recover very quickly once back fluid. If it is connected to the drug, it will take a couple of days to get out of the drug. If it is connected to another disease, it gets better over time. He could easily relapse? Depends on the cause, but usually when the person is acute, tends to get better.

Rick Santorum Rises To The Top

Rick Santorum Rises To The Top: Rick Santorum did not attract much attention a few weeks ago. On 15 December, the former Pennsylvania Senator has attracted about 20 people, as well as two reporters, an event the city of Sac city, Iowa. Later, in a coffee shop in Holstein, there were few more journalists and voters, but little enthusiasm. That night, Santorum was far from the middle of the stage a GOP debate in Sioux City.

Three weeks later, after he finished second, just eight votes behind former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the Iowa caucus, the mood was different. A crowd of supporters packed a ballroom in Stoney Creek Inn here, waving signs, chanting "we collect Rick" and singing "Amazing Grace" and "God Bless America." Events happening throughout last week attracted similar crowds and excitement, which shows a marked increase in support for Santorum following his so-called "surge" in the polls. Some Iowa voters said his results improved polling gave them more confidence that he was a strong candidate worthy of their votes. Katy Kauffman, a teacher of 48 years, who lives in suburban Des Moines, said after the event that she was elated when results started rolling. She was standing near the front of the camera, which was warm and packed with supporters. Organizers later asked them to lower their scores, in order not to impede the view of the cameras of the podium. Kauffman has caucused and voted in Iowa before, but she has never volunteered for a campaign or served as a captain caucus, the person who steps up to talk about their favorite candidate before the caucus vote. Did those things to Santorum this year, he said, because he felt inspired to support it. Not "I can think of nobody better than him," he said. Not "really can think of nobody better than him in the country, not just people who are running." Judging by the crowd that drew and members of the media who swarmed to cover its events, others were drawn to him as well in the last days of the Iowa campaign. On Monday, in an appearance in a position of a chain of pizza in Boone, Iowa, there were so many supporters in attendance that many paid to external sections of the restaurant. Couldn't see Santorum where crowded and he could only hear when he began to speak at a near scream. When Santorum visited Sioux City, Iowa, on Sunday, the pastor, who introduced came close to tears while talking about the need to change the direction of the country. Men and women stood on chairs and tables to see it. One woman said "amen" almost every time that Santorum finished a sentence. Later that day in Orange Rapids, Iowa, supporters watched raptly as Santorum spoke about abortion. The applicant is firmly opposed to abortion and says that the issue is more important to him, but it is discussed more frequently when appearing in front of evangelicals that he does elsewhere. Those voters, especially, often became solemn as he argued that the future of the country is hanging in the balance. "It is so sad," one woman said to another, looking solemn.Santorum prides himself on taking questions and giving answers verbose in response--until there are none left, and continued to hold hourlong question-and-answer sessions with voters to caucus night.If his strategy will work beyond Iowa remains to be seen, but certainly speak up here. There were a couple of things he mentioned in every stump speech without fail: its small staff Roadshow, the number of speeches that he had done already-a number in the decade with 370, he says-and the phrase "you can buy Iowans." Santorum's Campaign Manager, Michael Biundo, told reporters Tuesday night that the candidate's message will not change as he moved to New Hampshire, the State that will hold the first primary election on 10 January. "Things changed two weeks ago and it just keeps building from there," he said.

Dick Clark hopes 'Rockin' Eve' 40th anniversary is not his last

Dick Clark hopes 'Rockin' Eve' 40th anniversary is not his last: Tradition meant a lot of Saturday nighttime. Central Floridians who determined to greet 2012 via TV stuck overwhelmingly in prime clock time with ABC and Dick Clark, who have owned the nighttime. “American Idol” hosts Ryan Sea crest was the main host of the ABC festivities since Clark has reduced his role. A 10 p.m. Especial brought in 167,800 lookers. It was the most-watched plan topically in prime clock time. ABC turned over all of prime clock time to Clark. The network marked the 40th anniversary of Clark welcoming the New Year with a two-hour especial that averaged 125,800 lookers. The next 3 most democratic serial in prime clock time were three “NCIS” reruns on United States. The most-watched of them attracted 76,000 lookers. Next came 4 repeats of “The Big Bang Theory” on TBS. The most-watched of them had 64,200 lookers. The most-watched New Year’s Eve celebration on another network was NBC’s 10 p.m. Especial with Carson Daly. It placed No. 18 and brought in 32,500 lookers.

David Koch beats Mayor Bloomberg

David Koch beats Mayor Bloomberg: Wealthy New Yorkers are getting richer. Businessman David Koch retained his title at the big top of the list of rich New Yorkers as his chance grew to $25 billion to edge out Mayor Bloomberg once more, agreeing to the yearly list of the four hundred richest Americans put together by Forbes magazine. The list showed that while Bloomberg's fortune rose $1.5 billion to $19.5 billion since last year, it was not enough to catch the 71-year-old Koch, an oilman who's a big supporter of conservative causes and the Tea Party. Koch's chance was listed at $21.5 by Forbes in 2010. Mayor Bloomberg is the 2nd richest New Yorker, agreeing to Forbes magazine. REUTERS Mayor Bloomberg is the 2nd richest New Yorker, according to Forbes magazine. Forbes said the mayor's company, Bloomberg LP, has been very successful over the past year and "keeps adding office space and employees."At the same time, Donald Trump, who's flirted with running for president next year, also saw his chance rise $500 million this year to $2.9 billion. With seventy percent of the billionaires on the list being self-made, this year is all about the social media. The year’s greatest dollar gainer is Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg with a gain of $10.6 billion putting him at No.14 on the overall list with $17.5 billion.Zuckerberg was joined on the list with Facebook buddies Dustin Moskovitz (No. 91 with $3.5 billion), Eduardo Saverin (No. 212 with $2 billion) and Sean Parker (No. 200 with $2.1 billion). Meanwhile, Bill Gates retained his spot at the top of the list with $59 billion, followed by Warren Buffett (No. 2 with $39 billion) and Larry Ellison (No. 3 with $33 billion). While most Americans are feeling the effects of the ongoing recession, rich Americans are not. Collectively, Forbes found that all member of the Top twenty gained wealth this year -- with the exception of Buffett, who was down $6 billion compared to last year. Overall, net worth increased for 262 members -- almost two-thirds of the list. Net worth decreased for just seventy-two members.David Koch beats Mayor Bloomberg:

Breaking News Phoenix Jones' Arrested in Seattle

Breaking News Phoenix Jones' Arrested in Seattle: Seattle's masked superhero crime fighter "Phoenix Jones" is now fighting an assault charge for allegedly spraying pepper spray on folks who he claims were fighting. Seattle police force claim the folks were dancing. Phoenix Jones, who has been unmasked by police force as Benjamin Francis, was caught about 2:30 a.m. Sunday while still wearing his black and gold superhero costume, a bullet-proof vest and carrying 2 cans of pepper spray. Jones is a member of Rain City Superhero Movement, a group of self-proclaimed superheroes who say they patrol the streets to fight crime. He was charged with assaulting 2 folks who police force said were "dancing and having a good time" as they walked to their car. In this particular case, he perceived that this group was fighting and when we contacted them, they said they were not fighting," said Det. Mark Jamieson, a Seattle police force section public information officer. "Unluckily, he used force. He committed a crime, an assault versus these individuals. That's versus the law. The police force report by Officer Hosea Crumpton said cited a woman who was sprayed saying the four victims "began dancing and frolicking with each other. Suddenly she observed a human running full sprint towards her group. The human sprayed all 4 victims with pepper spray, the report stated. Francis, who was being filmed by a journalist at the time, told police he "ran into the crowd to break up the fight. Seattle Superhero Phoenix Jones Now Fighting Assault Charges He saw 2 white males fighting, but could not explain why 4 folks, including women, had been sprayed," the police force report said. In a video taken by a journalist who was with Jones when he was arrested and posted on Jones' Facebook page shows Jones rushing towards commotion and a crowd in a road beneath an underpass in downtown Seattle. It's unclear from the video whether the group is fighting or just messing around, as police force said. The police report said that Francis "has had a history of injecting himself in these incidents. Recently there has been increased reports of citizens being pepper sprayed by [Francis] and his group." Earlier that night several other nightclub patrons told police they had also been pepper sprayed by Phoenix Jones, but left the area before police arrived. Peter Tangen, a photographer and spokesman for Phoenix Jones, questioned how police can say the group was dancing and joking around when Jones was on-scene as an eyewitness and police were not when the situation occurred. The first thing Phoenix did was to scream out to call 911," Tangen said. "He's been doing this four or five nights a week this entire year and he has never been charged with a crime. To assert that he ran into a bunch of people dancing and pepper sprayed them is entirely inconsistent with what he has done consistently this entire year." Jones, the husband and father of two, is a self-proclaimed superhero who roams the streets of Seattle late at night allegedly protecting his fellow citizens. "I'm definitely not going to let my fellow citizens be assaulted and not do anything," Jones told "Good Morning America" in January. "It's a pretty simple message. Citizens need to be more accountable. Calling 911 is a great start, but it's not the end all to end all," Jones said. "Criminals feel free to just run wild in my city, and I'm not going to stand for it." Jones isn't the only one who feels this way. He is just one of many citizen superheroes around the country with similar groups in Orlando, New York and Salt Lake City among other places. Over the years, the citizen superheroes have grown more organized, with websites popping up to help them organize themselves such as Superheroes Anonymous and Real Life Superheroes. On these websites, participants can do everything from share their crime-fighting stories to learn about patenting their looks and names. The Salt Lake City group, called the Black Monday Society, is made up of 9 members that go out to patrol downtown Salt Lake City some times a month. They meet up at the Salt Lake City Library and fan out from there, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. While the group does break up fights, they also deliver meals to the homeless and balance their superhero lives with families and day jobs.Breaking News Phoenix Jones' Arrested in Seattle

Westboro Baptist Church

Westboro Baptist Church: Whatever your thoughts are about the "God Hates Fags" mantra of the Westboro Baptist Church, it can't be said that the organization doesn't know its rights and how to defend them in court. Once again the controversial, Kansas-based church has won a legal decision in Missouri. The newest came yesterday when the America Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit affirmed last summer's decision striking down the City of Manchester's funeral protest ordinance. In so doing, the court reaffirmed that peaceful pickets on world sidewalks near funerals are entitled to the protection of the 1st Amendment. In recent years Westboro Baptist Church has taken to protesting outside military funerals under their opinion that God is punishing America. Soldiers for their nation tolerance of homosexuality Manchester modeled its ordinance later an Ohio funeral protest statute that was found to be constitutional by a court in 2008. Yesterday's decision disagreed with that conclusion. Manchester's ordinance criminalized speech in a manner the 1st Amendment can't tolerate," said Anthony Rothert, legal director of the ACLU of Eastern Missouri, which represented the church. "Allowing speech we find offensive in public forums is one cost of the freedoms that define U.S.A.." Last year a federal court also threw out a Missouri state law restricting protests near funerals.Westboro Baptist Church

‘Girls Next Door’ star’s breasts get $1M insurance policy

‘Girls Next Door’ star’s breasts get $1M insurance policy: Holly Madison, Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriend, who co-stars in the reality show "Girls Next Door”, took $ one million insurance policy with Lloyd's of London to convince her breasts, told People magazine Thursday. Madison, who currently appears in "Peepshow," Las Vegas 'Planet Hollywood', because: “If anything happened to my boobs, I’d be out for a few months and I’d probably be out a million dollars. I thought I’d cover my assets.” Madison had plastic surgery in 2001, changing her size from an A-cup to a D-cup. She has discussed the surgery openly, citing confidence and self-esteem issues as her reason for the big change. This is not the first case of entertainment icons insuring their bodies. In the ’80s, Van Halen front man David Lee Roth took out a $1 million insurance policy on his sperm. And Mary Hart, who made her fame on Entertainment Tonight, had an insurance policy on her legs. Silver screen legend Betty Grable was known in her day as “the girl with the million dollar legs” because her “gams” “as they were called then” were insured for that much. But today's disk can only be Heidi Klum. Project Runway host has told the tabloid TV show Extra this month that the legs are insured for $ 2,000,000.‘Girls Next Door’ star’s breasts get $1M insurance policy:

Chris Christie Ron Paul should kidnap

Chris Christie Ron Paul should kidnap: Ron Paul can win. He can kidnap Chris Christie. Hold Christie hostage in a cabin. With Christie now receiving the media adoration once given to the buffoon Donald Trump, and then poured on the hapless Rick Perry, my kidnap plan could propel Paul to the White House. Here's how it would work: all morning, outside the cabin, Paul could host a news conference to end the Christie kidnap. Imagine: With the media herd hungrily assembled, Chris Mathews would breathlessly ask Paul: "When will you release Christie?” Ron would reply: "I'll that discuss that soon, but first I want to discuss my plans to end secrecy of the Federal Reserve Board" to the huge audience. Matt Drudge and Roger Ailes would have a field day with the Christie kidnap. Drudge would banner in bold: CHRISTIE TAKEN PRISONER. Media coverage would surge. Ailes, who's turned Republican debates into a fact show, as Howard Kurtz brilliantly writes in Newsweek, would apply Fox money to hire a mercenary army to liberate Christie, with live coverage of the liberation on the Bill O'Reilly show. But before the Ailes force lands the next morning, with Christie still in custody, Paul would emerge before the hungry media herd again. Wolf Blitzer would ask: "When will you release Christie?" Ron would reply: "Wolf, I'll discuss that soon, but first I want to discuss why I believe America is militarily overextended, which skyrockets our national debt.” Carville might say: It's about time! Castellanos might say: This could propel Paul, but the big winner is Mitt Romney. Gergen might say, an interesting strategy, but we have to balance all considerations. Think about it. Ron Paul would have the biggest audience in history, and could address the nation about its future, while the media herd awaits the Christie release. Of course, I'm kidding. If you think these sounds like the great film “Network,” you are right. But I am making some big points here. First, Ron Paul, Herman Cain and Jon Huntsman are all, for different reasons, being treated as national non-persons by the political media. 2nd, political media has become a national freak show that moves from one flavor of the month to the next, without seriously addressing the things that voters care deeply about. Like jobs, wars, mortgages and poverty. Who looked more asinine, Donald Trump running for president against the president's birth certificate, or political TV personalities who treated him seriously as a potential commander in chief? Poor Rick Perry. He never understood that the beast that praised him, as it now praises Christie, will devour him, as it will devour Christie if he runs, which he's almost certainly too smart to do. 3rd, it is impossible to have a serious discussion about serious issues on political TV. The nation hungers for serious politicians who will address serious matters, and for political television that doesn't treat the audience as though they're political consultants or village idiots. But the country hungers in vain, which is why a lot of eyeballs turn elsewhere while left, right and center mass audiences move to different media. I oppose the idea of Ron Paul kidnapping Chris Christie. It would trick political media into covering candidates and issues it ignores. It would work! But as Richard Nixon said: It would be wrong.Chris Christie Ron Paul should kidnap.

Celebrating His Hip Celeb Dad Style, Will Smith Turns 43 Today:

Celebrating His Hip Celeb Dad Style, Will Smith Turns 43 Today: Today, September 25, 2011, is a very hot day for celebrity birthdays! In addition to Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, and Heather Locklear, celebrity father Will Smith as a birthday today. Will turns 43-years old today, and we can’t help but wonder if he’ll be going out on the town with his wife Jada to celebrate, or staying at home with the kids! Will is such a fun and hip dad, which is easy to tell by looking at his laid-back style. He always looks great on the red carpet, and he also looks genuinely happy in photos, which is not something that can be said about all celeb dads. Here are photos of some of Will’s best red carpet looks through the years. We wish him a very happy birthday,Celebrating His Hip Celeb Dad Style, Will Smith Turns 43 Today:

Congress isn’t acting, ‘so I will’ Obama on No Child Left Behind:

Congress isn’t acting, ‘so I will’ Obama on No Child Left Behind: Earlier this morning, announced that President Obama's policy may exclude from the federal No Child Left behind (NCLB) Act, after a long dissatisfaction with the 9-year national educational policy. (A complete look at what the White House wants states to give in exchange for an exemption from the federal education law, read the Independent American division, here.) "Congress has failed to remedy those deficiencies previously. I asked Congress for a while, we go to a concerted effort to correct this now, "the president said during a media event inside. "Our children only get one shot at a good education.  They cannot afford to wait any longer.  So, given that Congress cannot act, I am acting.” The president stood with U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and various state government and education leaders. Underlying the bipartisan collaboration the administration has fostered on the state level, Gov. Bill Haslam (R-Tenn.) introduced Obama, stating he looks forward “to the federal government narrowing its role in education.” Haslam added: “Education decisions are best made at the state and local level. Under the 2002 legislation, students are permitted to transfer to new schools if their current schools fail to meet state proficiency two years in a row. Even more costly, 20 percent of an under-performing school’s federal dollars is redirected to fund tutoring services for low-income students after three years of missing state standards. The buildup of high-stakes testing that determine whether the state is meeting proficiency benchmarks  called Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) was established by the federal law but allowed for states to craft the specifics. Though the president’s remarks were light on the details having his administration staff lay out the terms in a closed session with journalists Thursday education policy analyst Ulrich Boser of Center for American Progress said the live event demonstrates his commitment to education policy. “The president has the bully pulpit  in light of the impending United Nations vote on Palestinian statehood and a looming government shutdown,” Boser said,” this is significant from a policy and political perspective that he did speak about it.” During a briefing to reporters Thursday, senior administration officials laid out the White House’s expectations before granting states the option to opt out of the punitive portions of NCLB, calling it the “flexibility package.” Broadly, states would need to develop a set of instructional standards that are college- and career-ready, They asked to adopt School Improvement Grant provisions like turning around the bottom five percent of schools in terms of performance while having plans in place to improve schools with low graduation rates and subsets of the student body that are considerably behind their peers. Kristen Amundson, head of communications at education think tank Education Sector based in Washington, D.C., said the emphasis on flexibility, and by extension, the dearth of expected quantifiable outputs, is intentional. “The department seems very sincere in laying out general parameters for improving systems without hard numbers. I would be surprised if they did,” she said. Congress isn’t acting, ‘so I will’ Obama on No Child Left Behind:

Chris Christie Reconsidering 2012 Run, Will Decide in Days

Chris Christie Reconsidering 2012 Run, Will Decide in Days: The governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, is reconsidering its decision not to enter the 2012 presidential race, and he says he has not left the top Republican donors to know in a few days of his plans, NewsMax has learned. During the past few weeks, several leading Republican donors and fundraisers have been urging the popular Republican governor to reconsider his decision not to run and to enter the GOP primary. These Christie supporters note that significant GOP support has remained on the sidelines of the primary fight. Many leading fundraisers have yet to commit to any current primary contender, including frontrunners Rick Perry and Mitt Romney. Newsmax has learned that the effort to draft Christie culminated in a hush-hush powwow held in the past week with Christie and several notable Republican billionaires. A source familiar with the meeting suggested that Christie seemed inclined to enter the race but said he needed more time.Chris Christie Reconsidering 2012 Run, Will Decide in Days:

Chris Christie Reconsider Run 2012

Chris Christie Reconsider Run 2012: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to reconsider its decision not to enter the 2012 presidential race - and he says he will leave early Republican donors in a few days to know about their plans, Newsmax has learned. In recent weeks, several major donors and fundraisers Republicans have urged the popular Republican governor to reconsider his decision not to run and enter the Republican primary. These supporters Christie said the strong support of Republicans stayed away from the main event. Many leading fundraisers have yet to commit to any current primary contender, including frontrunners Rick Perry and Mitt Romney. Newsmax has learned that the effort to draft Christie culminated in a hush-hush powwow held in the past week with Christie and several notable Republican billionaires. A source familiar with the meeting suggested that Christie seemed inclined to enter the race but said he needed more time. Christie promised to make a final decision “within two weeks,” the source said. Another source involved in GOP fundraising tells Newsmax that that uncommitted fundraisers and donors have been receiving phone calls from top political aides to Christie, seeking their feedback about his possible entry into the race. Earlier this week Christie hinted at the effort to draft him when he spoke at a special forum that included Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. Christie suggested to an audience at New Jersey’s Rider University that the current GOP candidates are not answering the public’s appetite for real leadership. “I think what the country is thirsting for, more than anything else right now, is someone of stature and credibility to tell them that and say, ‘Here’s where I want us to go to deal with this crisis,’” Christie said. Christie continued: “The fact that nobody yet who’s running for president, in my view, has done that effectively is why you continue to hear people ask Daniels if he’ll reconsider and ask me if I’ll reconsider.” Christie has consistently and categorically stated that he would not run for president in 2012, noting he had significant work still to accomplish in New Jersey. But New Jersey and New York Republican donors and bundlers who have backed Christie also have been courted in the past several months by Texas Gov. Perry’s campaign. Christie older employees have been quietly urging his supporters not to commit Perry, who show, Christie was still mulling the offer and would make a final decision after New Jersey legislative races will be completed in November. But in a rapidly changing landscape may be changing the primary program. Perry's rapid rise in the polls, and the indication may be fading - with annoying questions about Romney's ability to lead the party back-up copies of the Massachusetts health law program Obamacare eerily similar to Barack Obama - could have created the opportunity for Christie.

Republican Presidential Candidates Face Off In Florida

Republican Presidential Candidates Face Off In Florida: The nine candidates vying for the Nomination Committee Republican presidential candidate must remove the primary debate in Florida Thursday night. Two-hour event is sponsored by Fox News, and Google. GOP contenders participating in the Forum are: .. U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), the former Godfather Pizza CEO Herman Cain, former chairman of the House Newt Gingrich, the former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, a former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R- Texas), Texas Governor Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. Talking is the third election season; Perry White House hopeful announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Despite leading the GOP primary pack in national polls, the Lone Star State Republican has found himself having to fend off an increasing number of attacks from rival contenders in recent weeks, below, a live blog of the latest developments to unfold in Thursday night's debate in Florida.Republican Presidential Candidates Face Off In Florida

Cedric Benson Surprise suspension

Cedric Benson Surprise suspension : Cedric Benson served jail time only days prior to Cincinnati’s first game against Cleveland, but he didn’t hear from Commissioner Roger Goodell, which had many Bengals fans believing they were out of the woods. Not so. The league has swept in to suspend Benson three games, according to Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports. Fantasy owners don’t have to panic (yet) because Benson will play this week pending an appeal that will be heard on Tuesday, according to Silver. What’s shocking about this is that Benson isn’t being punished for what he went to jail for “he already met with Goodell last summer in relation to the 2010 assault charge that landed him in the slammer in late August”. Instead, he’s been suspended for an assault charge he’s facing stemming from an incident that took place in July. During the lockout, No other player has been penalized by the league for bad behavior during the work stoppage. Kenny Britt and Aqib Talib went unscathed despite some fairly serious legal mishaps during that time period. So we’ll see if this gets messy or if Benson takes his medicine after what is likely to be a lost appeal. If that happens, Benson’s fantasy owners will pay quite the price. Benson, who was off to a fast start in 2011, is slated to go up against the beatable Bills, Jaguars and Chiefs in Weeks 4, 5 and 6.Cedric Benson Surprise suspension

GOP Debate Talk

GOP Debate Talk: Hours before the sixth debate, the Republican candidate for president, the mood among the crowd was one of giddy anticipation. Disappointment soon faded with the field. The political landscape has blossomed. And even if at times a sharp elbows thrown among the candidates, the possibility of regaining the White House is limited to wounded ego and hurt feelings. Spanky McFarland would be running, and if Obama would win, I vote for him, "said Neil Moore, a Republican from Chicago, and 30 years of union man, who was outside the Convention Center. Spanky McFarland did not vote on the ticket. But the point Moore is the same. Among the issues he felt when it comes to choosing candidates, eligibility is of paramount importance. That's why, as he says, his "mind," said his vote for Mitt Romney, while his "heart says," Rick Perry. I like Ron Paul, "says Moore.”I think it's a very intelligent man. But I do not think that his approach is very good. I do not know how else to say. Moore had to say no more. The crowd in the presidential debate Thursday night echoes these sentiments. If you do not agree on what was an eligible candidate. Romney certainly has the polish to take on Obama. But that wasn't necessarily a strong selling point. Listen," said Sherri Ortega of Florida, channeling a line she's heard ad nauseam on conservative talk radio, "we can never be good enough for the Democrats to vote for us so stop trying to be like Democrats. Romney has had six years to sharpen up his stances," she added. Perry, she said, should be given some "time to think about them. By "them" Ortega means, most specifically, Social Security, over which Romney and Perry have had some of their sharpest disputes. The former Massachusetts governor has insisted that Perry's talk of Ponzi schemes, illegality, and state-run retirement programs makes him vulnerable in a general election contest. Perry counters that he's simply talking straight. It's fixable," says Moore, apparently siding with Romney on this one. "Rise the retirement age. Lower the benefit levels over time to adjust for longer life expectancy. Give people an option to choose [a private plan]. And keep your freaking hands out of it. Quit stealing from it. I like the system. I want it improved. But not everyone thinks Social Security reform is that simple or, for that matter, all that toxic to discuss. It's a total Ponzi scheme, and I'm glad Perry said it," said a Florida woman who remained nameless. "Things were fine before Social Security was put in place. People took care of each other. Communities looked after each other. Florida State Senate President Mike Haridopolos, speaking in an interview with The Huffington Post, noted that the program was "not the third rail it used to be. Haridopolos, who is not affiliated with any campaign, pointed to the willingness of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to talk about reforming Social Security during his successful campaign in 2010. While Perry may have gone too far in some of his rhetoric, Haridopolos added, there is widespread agreement with him on the need for changes to the system. "If the governor had his chance, he'd probably walk back some of the comments about it being a Ponzi scheme, but we need a real plan for Social Security," Haridopolos said. For others, Perry's bluntness was a virtue in its own right. Steve Hogan, 65, Palm Beach County, voted for Romney in the 2008 primary, but said he was leaning toward Perry at this time. He is basically honest, "said Hogan, the governor of Texas," and people realize you cannot tilt your words to make he look better. You can tell them a little 'clumsy, but he says what he means. I think the Americans are ready. Gaston Larranaga, 66, who came to Uruguay in the United States at age 23, enlisted in the Navy and then worked for IBM, has also said it was Perry Background despite Romney voted in 2008."I am on Social Security, and I am concerned about children who do not matter," said Larrañaga. "People are smarter now. There are a lot of things have been said all older people. I do not buy it. Perry is guilty of a language inconspicuous" Larrañaga said. "I think he can sell." Unlike Hogan and Larranaga, most of about a dozen participants surveyed said their minds yet to come up with a candidate who does not want to support. But even among the undecided masses, the fundamental question in the Republican field was the same.GOP Debate Talk

Dolores Hope, Wife Of Bob Hope died at age 102us

Dolores Hope, Wife Of Bob Hope died at age 102: Dolores Hope, sensual expression of the singer who was married to Bob Hope for 69 years and sometimes sang on his shows for U.S. troops and the face of television, has died at the age of 102 Hope family spokesman Harlan Boll said Hope died Monday of natural causes at home in Los Angeles. He did not elaborate. Bob Hope has died at age 100, July 27, 2003. On his 100 birthday, hope seemed little changed: His white hair was richly landscaped, her skin smooth and her voice warm and deep. It was brought to the party in a wheelchair, but was awake and happy as she greeted old friends and asked for photos. Hope thought, "I thought it would be just another birthday."In 1933, when Bob Hope was appearing in his first Broadway show, "Roberta," his friend and fellow cast member George Murphy persuaded him to visit the Vogue Club to "hear a pretty girl sing." She was Dolores Reade, a dark beauty whose singing of "It's Only a Paper Moon" entranced the young comedian. "I'll never forget what a wonderful singer she was," said Rip Taylor. "In fact, that's how Bob and Dolores met. It seems to me that they were always laughing." Hope returned every night and soon he was escorting her to her hotel after her shows. They married Feb. 19, 1934, and she quit nightclubs to join his vaudeville act. Then she retired. "Bob was the hot thing in New York then," she recalled in 1997. "I thought I'd better stay home and take care of Bob." When they moved to Hollywood in 1938 for the beginning of his film career, Dolores stayed home and devoted her time to raising the four children the Hopes adopted: Linda, Anthony, Kelly and Nora. "I had such a huge admiration for both of them," said Julie Newmar. "The quality it takes to get just one year older, says a lot about that fact that she lived to 102." She continued singing at parties, and in the 1940s she began accompanying Hope on his Christmas trips to entertain U.S. troops. In 1966 she sang "Silent Night" to hushed thousands of GI's who then rose and gave her a thunderous ovation, many with tears in their eyes. In 1990, Mrs. Hope accompanied Bob on his last Christmas visit to American forces, visiting troops who were in Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm. Marie Osmond, Ann Jillian and the Pointer Sisters did not perform, to avoid offending Saudi sensibilities about women entertainers. But Dolores Hope was approved and sang "White Christmas" to a rapt audience. "She was the first lady of the USO," said Carol Channing. "They didn't come any more patriotic, caring or talented than Dolores." She was born Dolores DeFina in 1909 in New York's Harlem to an Italian father and Irish mother, and grew up in the Bronx. Her diction faintly echoed the Bronx upbringing. “My father died when I was young, and not only was my mother, my sister and me, "she said in 1982." Do we have a family in need? I've always liked what General Eisenhower said: "We were poor and did not know." "She started singing from the beginning, he worked as a model and Ziegfeld showgirl and 20 sang with the group of George Olson. She adopted the name Dolores Reade, borrowed from stage actress Florence Reed. In her 80s, Dolores revived her singing career, recording three albums of old and new standards and appearing at New York's Rainbow and Stars as guest with Rosemary Clooney. Aside from overseeing two homes the 18,000 square-foot mansion in North Hollywood and the 25,000 square foot hilltop homes in Palm Springs Dolores Hope worked indefatigably for numerous charities. From 1969 to 1976 she served as president of the Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Desert, Calif., then becoming chairwoman. In 1982, she explained her philosophy: "I like being with people, but I also need my time alone, I think it is terribly important to have time during the day when you stop and take all the energy you have spent. And pull back, to find the source of your energy so you work from there. "By Bob Thomas contributed to the Associated Press Associated Press Writer Derrik Lang J. Fun to this report.