| Lessons of the Chesapeake Sweep
It was a failure of leadership and imagination in Washington – the culmination of decades of decisions that were made or put off without regard to the realities of a global economy and the growing inequality it's produced. It's a Washington where George Bush hands out billions in tax cuts year after year to the biggest corporations and the wealthiest few who don't need them and don't ask for them – tax breaks that are mortgaging our children's future on a mountain of debt; tax breaks that could've gone into the pockets of the working families who needed them most. It's a Washington where decades of trade deals like NAFTA and China have been signed with plenty of protections for corporations and their profits, but none for our environment or our workers who've seen factories shut their doors and millions of jobs disappear; workers whose right to organize and unionize has been under assault for the last eight years.
Don't blame Duluth cops for action of one
But it's probably not what you were expecting. To recap: A Duluth police officer, Jay Dailey, 42, was jailed Saturday after being treated for a gunshot wound. He is said to have been shot during a confrontation with Fulton County police officer Paul Phillips, who also was injured. Dailey faces four counts of felony aggravated assault. Gwinnett Police have not said much about what happened, but witness statements to the media paint this picture: Phillips was flagged down to help a distressed woman on Level Creek Road in Sugar Hill. He was off duty but in uniform and driving a marked patrol car. After Phillips stopped to help, Dailey began shooting, hitting Phillips once. Phillips returned fire. There are a lot of details yet to come as this story develops.
You have 24 extra hours to fill this year - here are 29 ways you could ...
Here are some more movie-type ideas for Friday. Have a: • Boleyn day. Catch the opening of "The Other Boleyn Girl" (review, Page 9). Natalie Portman is Anne, Scarlett Johansson is Mary and Eric Bana is King Henry, who, we believe, gets all big and green whenever he's angry. Then rent the first season of "The Tudors." Or simply find some naughty sisters to hang out with. • Flint day. "Semi-Pro" was filmed in Flint. Watch it and then rent other Flint films - especially "Roger and Me" and highlights from the 2000 NCAA basketball championship. • A REAL Flint day. Drive (carefully) to Flint and see "Semi-Pro" there. • Or just catch all the new movies at once - "Semi-Pro," "The Other Boleyn Girl" and "Penelope." It will require some attitude adjustments.
Daddy's Little Girl
Heath takes a break to relax with his 7-month-old daughter Matilda in June of 2006. On being a new dad, Heath said, "Matilda is adorable, and beautifully observant and wise. Michelle and I love her so much. Becoming a father exceeds all my expectations. It's the most remarkable experience I've ever had - it's marvelous." More SlideshowsHeath LedgerMatilda Ledger Profile Pages .
Avril Lavigne Announces `Bright & Colourful` Tour
Avril Lavigne says her new tour will be the most "bright and colourful" yet. The 'Sk8er Boi' singer has revealed the 'Best Damn Tour' - which begins in Victoria, Canada, on March 5 - will feature spectacular dances, giant TV screens and a "pink-sparkled drum kit".
She said: "The show is going to be very upbeat and the production will be bigger in the sense of dancers during a couple of songs, giant TV screens, a pink-sparkled drum kit and flags.
"Over time, I've sort of learned how I need to be on stage, and I'm more confident. It's just more dynamic, brighter and more colourful. I'm excited about it because I've been working on the show for a very long time now. And it's just going to be really fun to finally go play."
Avril says the inspiration for her recent LP 'The Best Damn Thing' was imagining her fans enjoying her performing the tracks live.
Christian jam grew into behemoth
Winter Jam started with a pretty humble goal: The guys in the Christian band NewSong wanted to find a way to get fans to fight through the cold and come to winter concerts. So, they teamed up with another headlining Christian act and hit the road in January 1994. It went so well they did it again, and again, and kept adding more acts. Winter Jam 2008 comes to the World Arena on Sunday night, and the 15th version has grown into a monster. Seven bands will take the stage for whirlwind sets, led by Christian megastars MercyMe (who hit mainstream success with "I Can Only Imagine"). Young Christian stars join them, with the pyrotechnic-fueled rock of Skillet and the sister act BarlowGirl. And new voices get a showcase, such as "American Idol" finalist Mandisa. There are even BMX riders and skaters.
Starbucks to close 100 stores, scales back openings
He assumed the role of chief executive, replacing the recently departed Jim Donald. In addition to scaling back its openings, the company no longer will sell breakfast sandwiches, a move undertaken last year. In a statement, Schultz said that "by reducing the number of openings, we expect to optimize our resources and potentially reduce cannibalization of our existing stores." A Starbucks spokeswoman said the firm is not discussing the location or timing of any of the closures. .
Tennis successes plentiful in 2007
A bunch of national championships and a few world titles. Charleston tennis has never been more successful than in 2007. The year's success stories once again were led by world champions Diane Fishburne and Brenda Carter, but league tennis and high schools fared well, too. And don't forget about the Family Circle Cup as it prepares to celebrate its 35th anniversary in a few months. Even though a Grand Slam tournament-class field withered and practically dried up from injury withdrawals, the Family Circle Cup barely missed setting Daniel Island attendance records last April. Only tornado-like conditions on championship Sunday held the premier women's tournament back. Fishburne moved up to the women's 50 division, recovered from knee surgery, and still surged to the world's top ranking in singles in her age group.
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