Indiana complicates GOP's Senate math

FILE -This May 8, 2012 file photo shows then-Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock speaking to supporters in Indianapolis after he defeated incumbent Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. in the primary. Fresh signs that Democrats could snatch Indiana's Senate seat from the Republicans make it distinctly harder for the GOP to seize the Senate majority in Tuesday's election. The latest survey out of Indiana Friday showed Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly leading Republican Richard Mourdock by 11 percentage points after the GOP candidate's awkward debate comment last week that pregnancy resulting from rape is "something God intended." (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)

FILE -This May 8, 2012 file photo shows then-Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock speaking to supporters in Indianapolis after he defeated incumbent Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. in the primary. Fresh signs that Democrats could snatch Indiana's Senate seat from the Republicans make it distinctly harder for the GOP to seize the Senate majority in Tuesday's election. The latest survey out of Indiana Friday showed Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly leading Republican Richard Mourdock by 11 percentage points after the GOP candidate's awkward debate comment last week that pregnancy resulting from rape is "something God intended." (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)

This photo taken Nov. 2, 2012 shows Indiana Democrat Senate candidate Joe Donnelly meeting with supporters at a UAW union hall in Lafayette, Ind. Fresh signs that Democrats could snatch Indiana's Senate seat from the Republicans make it distinctly harder for the GOP to seize the Senate majority in Tuesday's election. The latest survey out of Indiana Friday showed Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly leading Republican Richard Mourdock by 11 percentage points after the GOP candidate's awkward debate comment last week that pregnancy resulting from rape is "something God intended." (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

FILE - This Oct. 15, 2012 file photo shows Indiana Senate candidates, Democrat Joe Donnelly, left, and Republican Richard Mourdock talk after participating in a debate in Indianapolis. Fresh signs that Democrats could snatch Indiana's Senate seat from the Republicans make it distinctly harder for the GOP to seize the Senate majority in Tuesday's election. The latest survey out of Indiana Friday showed Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly leading Republican Richard Mourdock by 11 percentage points after the GOP candidate's awkward debate comment last week that pregnancy resulting from rape is "something God intended." (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

(AP) ? Fresh signs that Democrats could snatch Indiana's Senate seat from the Republicans make it distinctly harder for the GOP to seize the Senate majority in Tuesday's election.

The latest survey out of Indiana Friday showed Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly leading Republican Richard Mourdock by 11 percentage points after the GOP candidate's awkward debate comment last week that pregnancy resulting from rape is "something God intended."

Mourdock has scrambled to recover since the gaffe, but it has taken a toll in the closing days of a competitive race. The Howey/DePauw University Battleground poll also showed that the tea party-backed state treasurer isn't winning over women, independents and a percentage of Republicans.

Mourdock also has struggled to satisfy backers of six-term Sen. Richard Lugar, the man he defeated handily in the May GOP primary.

"The only poll I'm talking about today is the new unemployment numbers," Mourdock told The Associated Press during a stop at his Indianapolis campaign headquarters on Friday.

The Labor Department reported that 171,000 new jobs were created last month while the unemployment rate ticked up to 7.9 percent.

GOP failure in the Hoosier state, combined with the likely loss of seats in Maine and quite possibly Massachusetts, would put Republicans in a deep hole ? down seven seats to a majority if President Barack Obama wins a second term, needing six if Romney prevails.

Facing that reality, the GOP would have to win all the competitive open seats now in Democratic hands ? Nebraska, North Dakota, Virginia and Wisconsin ? plus knock off incumbents in Montana, Ohio and perhaps Pennsylvania to assume control.

In cards, football and politics, it's called running the table and it's a tall order. Democratic currently have the Senate edge, 53-47.

"We're very hopeful about Indiana and other opportunities to win other Republican-held seats and help us keep the majority on election night," said Matt Canter, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. "Putting Republican-held seats in play is the key to success here."

The same poll showed Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney up 10 percentage points over President Barack Obama, who won Indiana in 2008 but is given little chance this year. Republicans say the GOP shift will help carry Mourdock to victory.

"Indiana is a Republican state with Mitt Romney and (gubernatorial candidate) Mike Pence carrying the top of the ticket," said Brian Walsh, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. "We're cautiously optimistic that we'll prevail."

Tightening races, new ad buys and a final dash for votes marked the closing days of a Senate campaign with a dozen competitive races, a significant number that remained as close as the presidential race. Republicans insisted that they had an opportunity in Pennsylvania to knock off first-term Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and a longshot chance to win New Mexico even though both campaign committees stopped spending in the state weeks ago.

Democrats were hoping for a strong Latino turnout in Arizona to help Democrat Richard Carmona take a GOP-held seat in his race against Rep. Jeff Flake.

Republicans were counting on grabbing the Democratic-held Nebraska seat although the contest between Republican Deb Fischer and former Democratic Sen. Bob Kerrey was tighter, reflected in the sudden infusion of money and visiting campaign help.

The Democratic-leaning group VoteVets was spending $275,000 on ads for Kerrey, the former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient in the Vietnam War. Another war hero, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, campaigned for Fischer on Friday.

Kerrey picked up the endorsement of Vietnam veteran and former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel on Thursday.

"She has a proven record of fiscal discipline, of balancing budgets, of working together as a team," McCain said of Fischer. "Her relationship with Sen. Mike Johanns ? they would complement each other. They will not cancel out each other's vote. I'd also say that ? and I hope that this is taken in the correct fashion ? we do need more women Republicans in the United States Senate. And she represents, I think, something that a lot of women all over the country can look up to and aspire to."

In Connecticut, Obama made his first appearance for a Democratic Senate candidate in a campaign commercial, urging voters to back Rep. Chris Murphy in his race against wrestling empire executive Linda McMahon, who has spent more than $42 million of her own money.

The commercial is scheduled to begin airing Saturday.

Obama looks directly into the camera and says he knows Murphy and credits him with having "a real record of job creation" and "a jobs plan that puts the middle class first." McMahon has accused Murphy of not having a jobs plan.

Obama credited Murphy with supporting women's health issues and said he needs him "as a partner" in the Senate.

___

Associated Press writers Margery Beck in Omaha, Neb., Tom LoBianco in Indianapolis and Susan Haigh in Hartford, Conn., contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2012-11-02-Senate%20Races/id-8c98779ee5be4fdea85a880993b0f486

Kitty Wells Marissa Mayer Jon Lord weather.com yahoo news foxnews Colorado shootings

Italian Homophobia Study Reveals High Level Of Discrimination, Prejudice In Rome

  • New York

    From Scott G. Brown aka Gene Brown, a member and participant of the 1969 Stonewall Inn raid and riots: "My ailing health has prevented me from making this 1,200 mile trip by Bus for next week's Pride Parade, but I can, truthfully, say that I was there in June 2011."

  • Washington, D.C.

    From Ashley Bartolome: "I took these photos at the Pride Parade in Washington, DC on June 9, 2012." What I love about pride is not only seeing but feeling the acceptance of everyone there. Gays, lesbians, heterosexuals and families attend every year supporting with cheers and smiles. I make it a point to attend pride every year not just for myself, but to give a voice and be a face for all LGBT people who can't speak up due to their closets or fears. I want to show them that it's ok to be who they are and there are countless Americans who accept them. I also like to be there out of respect for the LGBT who have been killed by others - or by their own hands - because of their sexuality.

  • Sao Paulo, Brazil

    From Welton Trindade, journalist and a gay activist: "I took part of Sao Paulo LGBT Parade. The march was realized on Sunday, June 10. That was the 16th edition of the event. Well, I wanted to show my body but a parade, in my opinion, is not just fun! So I've decided to show my muscles and, in the same time, to send a good message. The solution: to write 'Poder gay' (or 'Gay power') on my chest! It was a great experience!"

  • Zurich, Switzerland

    Vorstand, the organization team from the Zurich Pride Festival is meeting Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga, from left: Chriss, Patrik, Nathalie, Simonetta Sommaruga and David.

  • Berlin, Germany

    From Eva Adams: "Hundreds of thousands came out to celebrate gay rights in Berlin this year and I had the privilege of riding on a hetero-leaning wagon in support...It was extra special to land at the Reichstag with tens of thousands behind us celebrating love and tolerance. I'm not able to pick a best photo but needed to share. Thanks for your project!"

  • Bologna, Italy

    From Marilena: "I was at this year's national italian Gay Pride in Bologna! It was my first pride and it was amazing! I felt surrounded by so much love and most of all I felt safe and proud of who I am! Baci!"

  • Brussels, Belgium

    From Evert Hermans & Birger De Rese: "We've been married for 4 years now. We're proud to have in Belgium legalized same sex marriage!"

  • Thessaloniki, Greece

    From Zafiro Hiliada: "The picture was taken during the first ever pride organized in my home town Thessaloniki, Greece which was my first pride as well! About 2,000 people turned up not to mention all those who came out in the streets and cheered us on! There are only two pride festivals in the country. This and the one in Athens. It was truly magical! The monument in the picture is called the White Tower, and its the city's most recognizable monument."

  • Seoul, South Korea

    From Nate Meyer: "I am an American teaching English here in South Korea, I recently

  • West Hollywood, California

    From married couple Andi & Carissa: "Our pup Simon enjoyed his first Pride Parade in West Hollywood on June 10!"

  • Shanghai, China

    From Abby Lavin, a volunteer with shanghaiPRIDE, who shares this image of a "Pink Picnic" (photo taken by Linda Li)

  • Tel Aviv, Israel

    From The Israel Project

  • Gran Canaria, Spain

    From Chris Wadsworth: "This is (left to right) myself, Gareth and Daniel at Maspalomas GayPride 2012 in Gran Canaria, Spain. The whole island (and thousands from all over Europe) turn up for the week long event every May to celebrate and meet LGBT people from all over the world!"

  • Meridas, Mexico

    From Memo Macas: "It was the first time that I ever participated in the event and I really enjoyed it, next year I'll go with my boyfriend to Mexico City's Pride Parade."

  • Baton Rouge, Louisana

    From Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge: "We made history in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Saturday, June 23, with the first ever statewide Equality March. Here's a picture of both the youngest and the oldest marchers!"

  • Philadelphia

    From Daniel Douglass, founder/director of Flaggots: "Here's a photo of FLAGGOTS performing to Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' at Philly Pride, June 10. FLAGGOTS are a group of friends from the color guard and drum corps community that come together to celebrate Pride in a most fabulous way. Founded in 1991, they have performed in at least one pride event a year for 23 consecutive years.'

  • Chicago

    From Karen Belgrad: "At my friend's apartment, overlooking the parade route, he casually tosses out beads...and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel catches them with ease! OK, and a little lunging!)"

  • Los Angeles

    Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sergeant Don Mueller and LAX Airport Police Officer David Ayala celebrate pride as they prepare to march with over 60 other openly gay officers in the 2012 West Hollywood CSW Pride Parade.

  • Waikiki, Hawaii

    From Bob Brennan: "Also there was a party at Allah Moana Beach Park. Everybody was gay that day."

  • Columbus, Ohio

    From Keli Stooksberry: The picture on the right is my friend Courtney talking to protesters. The picture on the left is of my partner DeAnna and I kissing in front of the protesters. This was my second pride and the first interaction with protesters. I was not surprised but still overwhelmed by their presence in such a wonderful and uplifting celebration. My friend Courtney had one of them speechless by the end of their conversation not by throwing obscenities his way but rather using her knowledge of scripture. Again, I was not surprised that the man she spoke with had no more knowledge of the bible than the words written on his sign but it was priceless to see him have nothing left to say because Courtney was right!

  • Baton Rouge, Louisana

    From John Desselle: "It only took what, 42 years, for Baton Rouge to have a state wide Equality March. Headed up by Capital City Alliance: www.ccabatonrouge.org, we had representatives from all over the state. About 300 people showed up for the march. Most went on to our Baton Rouge Pride Festival which was at LSU Student Union this year."

  • Queens, New York

    From Michael Cruz: "I am the Secretary of the Queens Pride Lions Club. We are the first LGBT Lions Club in NYC. Here is a photo of us marching in the Queens Pride 2012 parade on June 3."

  • Berlin, Germany

    From Teena Lashmore: "Hi from Berlin!"

  • Houston

    Melanie Pang (in pink) taking a photo with the men (and "noodles") of Jenni's Noodle House, a Houston favorite.

  • Indianapolis, Indiana

    From William George: "This is me at Indianapolis Pride 2012. I consider myself a Pride aficionado. I love all the togetherness and the fun times. This year's Indianapolis Pride was the largest the city had ever hosted, with the festival expanding to twice the size it was previously. The headliners were Deborah Cox and Cazwell. While I didn't get to see him in person, I snapped this picture next to a promotional poster of him."

  • Madison, Wisconsin

    Jenny Lee tells us: "I am the girl wearing the rainbow sarong, under the banner that says 'Coming out, coming together.' It was taken in August 22, 2011 during a Wisconsin Pride parade. None of my friends was in the event. I had just finished my run that day when I noticed that something was going on. When I realized it was a LGBTQ Pride event, I went home home, grabbed my sarong that I got in Thailand and jumped right into the parade to show my support and that's why the picture. I had only been in Madison, WI for about 3 months. I moved to the city for grad school. What I noticed about the community is that it's liberal, tolerant and I felt belong...I'm straight and I stand for equality."

  • Athens, Greece

    From gay superhero: "I didn't manage to be at the parade from the beginning, but that gave me the chance to find myself at the head of the march later, as they were going up Stadiou street. This is a central Athens street that saw a lot of disturbances during recent protests, including the death of three bank employees when their building caught fire. So it was nice to see a pacifist, colorful demonstration for a change."

  • Los Angeles

    Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck march in the 2012 West Hollywood CSW Pride Parade with over 60 openly gay peace officers from the LASD, LAPD, FBI and other police departments throughout southern California.

  • Toronto, Canada

    From Melissa: "This is me and my partner Jean. The first picture was taken at Toronto Pride in 2010 -- we are just up on Church Street. Our first pride and we are still very happily together 3 years later!"

  • Brooklyn, New York

    From Bob: "Five-year-old corgi Carter (recently rescued from a shelter in Alabama) steps out Brooklyn to celebrate his first LGBT Pride in New York City."

  • Philadelphia

    From right to left: Stephanie (far right) with girlfriend Jackie (left of me) along with best friends Erika and Katie at Philadelphia Pride in front of the Ben Franklin Bridge at Penns Landing.

  • New York City

    Sharon Needles performs at the Barefoot Wine Pride Kick Off Celebration in NYC on June 20.

  • Boston

    From T.J.

  • Boston

    From T.J.

  • Amarillo, Texas

    Happy Gay Pride 2012 from Amarillo, TX -- Route 66 Cadillac Ranch!

  • Amarillo, Texas

    Happy Gay Pride 2012 from Amarillo, Texas -- Cadilliac Ranch!

  • Charleston, West Virginia

  • Boston

    From T.J.

  • Waikiki, Hawaii

    From Bob Brennan: "It was a gay (happy) sunny day on O'ahu. First there was a parade from Allah Moana Beach park to Kapiolani Park where there was a celebration. Also there was a party at Allah Moana Beach Park."

  • Detroit, Michigan

    From Gary.

  • Huntington, New York

    From Maosung Yao: "I went to [Long Island Pride] with my partner Walter last weekend and we had a good time with our friends as well. The pride was great even thought it was small.

  • Denver, Colorado

    From Adam Barnhardt: "I'm the one with the rainbow mohawk, the one with the Pink hair and football gear is Emilio Cordova, and the one in white with the body paint is Loa Brannigan. We were featured in Metro State's student newspaper for our bizarre homemade outfits and all around theatrical method of showing pride in our true colors."

  • Los Angeles

    From Angela Huerta, rider: "First time [Kristin Holloway and I] participated in Dykes on Bikes!"

  • New York City

    Sharon Needles performs at the Barefoot Wine Pride Kick Off Celebration in NYC on June 20.

  • Sacramento, California

  • Washington, D.C.

    From Ashley Bartolome: "I want to show them that it's ok to be who they are and there are countless Americans who accept them. I also like to be there out of respect for the LGBT who have been killed by others -- or by their own hands -- because of their sexuality."

  • Washington, D.C.

    The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) is a multicultural youth agency for youth of all backgrounds with the mission to support youth and their families to live, work, and study with dignity, hope and joy. LAYC staff and youth participants walked in the parade with hand-made tie-dye t-shirts handing out candy and information about LAYC's LGBT support services. We had a fantastic time feeling the love and support of the community.

  • Phoenix

    From Betty Viveros: "I got the greatest experience to participate in my first of many PRIDE festivals in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this year. I went with a group of my closest friends who are all, like myself are huge LGBQT supporters. Walking around shirtless guys and half-naked girls never looked so hot...literally. It hit 100 degrees that weekend!"

  • New York City

    Sharon Needles fans root her on at the Barefoot Wine Pride Kick Off Celebration on June 20.

  • Providence, Rhode Island

    From Mark Peters, who took this photo of Providence's "Nighttime Illuminated Pride Parade" on June 16.

  • Boston

    Miss Trans New England

  • Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/01/italy-homophobia-study-rome-_n_2059799.html

    downton abbey season 2 2013 dodge dart shameless kwame brown martin luther king day blue ivy devil inside

    This is your brain on politics: Neuroscience reveals brain differences between Republicans and Democrats

    ScienceDaily (Nov. 1, 2012) ? New research from the University of South Carolina provides fresh evidence that choosing a candidate may depend largely on our biological make-up. That's because the brains of self-identified Democrats and Republicans are hard-wired differently and may be naturally inclined to hold varying, if not opposing, perceptions and values. This study showed a strong link with broad social connectedness with Democrats, and a strong link with tight social connectedness with Republicans.

    With the U.S. presidential election just days away, new research from the University of South Carolina provides fresh evidence that choosing a candidate may depend more on our biological make-up than a careful analysis of issues.

    That's because the brains of self-identified Democrats and Republicans are hard-wired differently and may be naturally inclined to hold varying, if not opposing, perceptions and values. The USC study, which analyzed MRI scans of 24 USC students, builds on existing research in the emerging field of political neuroscience.

    "The differences are significant and real," said lead researcher Roger Newman-Norlund, an assistant professor of exercise science in the Arnold School of Public Health and the director of USC's new Brain Stimulation Laboratory.

    The study focused on the mirror neuron system, a network linked to a host of social and emotional abilities. After declaring their political affiliations, the subjects were given questionnaires designed to gauge their attitudes on a range of select political issues. Next, they were given "resting state" MRIs which made it possible to analyze the strength of connections within the mirror neuron system in both the left and right hemispheres of their brains; specifically the inferior frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus and angular gyrus.

    The results found more neural activity in areas believed to be linked with broad social connectedness in Democrats (friends, the world at-large) and more activity in areas linked with tight social connectedness in the Republicans (family, country). In some ways the study confirms a stereotype about members of the two parties -- Democrats tend to be more global and Republicans more America-centric -- but it actually runs counter to other recent research indicating Democrats enjoyed a virtual biological lock on caring for others.

    "The results were a little surprising," Newman-Norlund said. "This shows the picture is more complicated. One possible explanation for our results is that Democrats and Republicans process social connectedness in a fundamentally different way."

    While political neuroscience and study is still largely in its infancy, the implications for future races could be big as politicians and campaign strategists learn how to exploit brain differences to make more effective, biologically targeted appeals to voters.

    The research also suggests that maintaining an open mind about political issues may be easier said than done. In fact, bridging partisan divides and acting contrary to ideological preferences likely requires going against deeply ingrained biological tendencies. And while there is evidence that mirror neuron connections can change over time, it's not something that happens overnight, Newman-Norlund said.

    "The (brain) differences could be a result of genetics, experiences, or a combination of both," he said. "It takes a lot of effort to see the other side and we're not going to wake up one day and all start getting along."

    Understanding the differences and their origins, however, is a step in the right direction, he said.

    Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

    Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:


    Story Source:

    The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of South Carolina. The original article was written by Jeff Stensland.

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


    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/strange_science/~3/UmH4WhwWqA0/121101105003.htm

    barry larkin jay z new song torrie wilson alabama lsu bcs national championship bcs national championship 2012 bcs championship

    Green Blog: Obama and Christie Survey New Jersey Damage

    President Obama has completed his helicopter tour of storm damage in New Jersey with Gov. Chris Christie. The two lavished praise on each other before boarding Marine Force One for their hourlong survey of the devastation. Some political commentators have found the situation ironically humorous, given Governor Christie?s acerbic attacks on the president in the past.
    Thursday, 7:49 a.m. | Updated Mark Landler and Michael Barbaro?s article is here.

    Source: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/31/obama-and-christie-survey-new-jersey-damage/?partner=rss&emc=rss

    zimmerman charged bonobos charles manson al sharpton actuary elon musk fox mole

    Interview with Debra Spark Author of The Pretty Girl: Novella and ...

    ?

    Debra Spark.

    Debra Spark is author of the novels Coconuts for the Saint, The Ghost of Bridgetown and Good for the Jews. She edited the best-selling anthology Twenty Under Thirty: Best Stories by America?s New Young Writers. Her popular lectures on writing are collected in Curious Attractions: Essays on Fiction.

    Spark?s recent release is a fiction collection titled The Pretty Girl: Novella and Stories. I had the pleasure to speak to her on my Somerville Community Access TV show Poet to Poet: Writer to Writer. Spark currently teaches at Colby College in Maine.

    Doug Holder: In your new collection The Pretty Girl: Novella and Stories you have many references to Jewish culture, literature, etc?. Can you tell us a bit about your background?

    ?

    Debra Spark: I grew up in the suburbs of Boston, but much of my family is originally from the New York City area. I had a secular Jewish background. As a friend told me once about himself: ? I am so secular I am Baptist.?(Laugh) But we were very culturally Jewish?we celebrated the holidays, etc?

    ?

    DH: Your protagonist Andrea, in your title novella in the collection The Pretty Girl, has made a study of her elderly aunt Rose. Rose is a resident of the Chelsea section of Manhattan, and as we learn had a tumultuous as well as colorful past. I found that through my interviews of people I learn about myself. Do you think Andrea was trying to learn about herself?

    ?

    DS: I wasn?t thinking that. She is really interested in her aunt, and this aunt is someone she loves. She is curious about what her young life had been like. She is passionate about her inquiry because she loves her, and perhaps she sees things in her aunt that she perhaps doesn?t have in her own life. I mean Andrea is not a pretty woman. She was concerned with her weight and her sense of her physical self. When her aunt was young she was pretty. Andrea wanted to know what it was to live a life as an attractive woman.

    ?

    DH: In Rose?s NYC apartment there is a painting titled ?The Pretty Girl? We later learn that it is Rose herself as a young girl. And the painting was by a man who she had an affair with, and shared a traumatic event. It must be a constant reminder to Rose of this trauma, but to the outside world this painting of a young woman with an enigmatic smile must have been a mystery. Why would Rose want to be constantly reminded of this tragic part of her life by the painting? And is a painting a good literary device?

    ?

    DS: It reminds her of the early part of her life. When she was being painted she was the object of great devotion and love; even though that became perverted because of things that happened afterwards. A painting is a good literary device. A self-portrait always has a story behind it.

    ?

    DH: So often young people never think of the elderly as once having vibrant, creative, and sexual lives. Andrea seems more aware than most.

    ?

    DS: Yes I agree. Rose is a fictional version of my aunt Ethel. I always thought that she was much more interesting?much more vibrant?much more fun that the average person her age.

    ?

    DH: Do you go by the old adage: write what you know?

    ?

    DS: Lorri Moore told me that the relationship between the autobiography and the actual work is a little like the relationship with the ingredients in the kitchen cupboard and the cake. So although everything I write about is made from aspects of my life, I don?t think it is recognizable. I mean when you eat a cake, you don?t say ?Ah, I got some baking soda here.? So that is how it is with my books. It is all of me. It is all parts of me. None of it is directly me. I don?t like that an old adage you mentioned. I think if you don?t know something before you sit down to write; then make an effort to learn about it.

    ?

    DH: You teach writing at Colby College in Maine and elsewhere. How do you introduce seminal writing students to creative writing?

    ?

    DS: I always start off the semester by telling the students within every writer there are two writers. The writer who wants to write and the writer who wants to prevent the writer from writing. So there is the person who has good ideas and wants to get them down, and then there is the censor?the person who wants to edit. I learned this from one of my teachers the writer John Hershey. As a teacher I can?t teach you to have imagination, but I can teach character, plot, grammar, that type of thing. If I am a good teacher I can get students to access their imagination. I try to get these two writers in balance.

    ?

    DH: What was it like for you starting out as a writer?

    ?

    DS: I went to college and graduate school. I had a lot of early luck. When I came back to Cambridge, Mass. in my early 20?s, I was adjuncting and doing freelance editing. I had a lot of writer friends and there was always something to go to: readings, etc? It was quite a lot of fun. My life now is different. I am middle-aged and I have a child. I have a hard time getting my own writing done. Even back then I did have a hard time finding time, come to think of it. It is hard for me to balance work, motherhood and art. I do things when I can.

    I did a lot of book reviewing early on. I tell my students to do this although the world is different now. But it is good to have your name out there. There are now a lot of online opportunities.

    ?

    DH: If your child said he wanted to be a writer what would you say?

    DS: I would be worried. It is hard to make a life as a writer. Obviously I would support him if he really wanted it. It seems like a bigger challenge than it was 20 years ago. The true answer is that I would want him to do what he really wants to.

    ?

    Source: http://www.thesomervillenews.com/archives/31883

    golden globe winners the express zappos hacked jane fonda jon huntsman bit coin huntsman

    THE CONNING TOWER: Hollander named USA Track & Field ...

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    INDIANAPOLIS - Cal Poly?s Laura Hollander (Huntington Beach, Calif.) has been named USA Track & Field?s Athlete of the Week after winning the Big West Conference Cross Country Championships in a course record time of 19:12.6.

    Hollander led the 6 km race wire-to-wire to break the previous course record by 45 seconds. The true freshman became only the second athlete to break 20 minutes since the Big West Championships moved to a 6 km distance in 2003.

    Hollander led her team to win the overall conference title with 43 points.

    ?It was nice to get the individual win and also to have the team win meant a great deal to me,? Hollander said. ?It was a fun day to be a Mustang. I feel even more proud to win because it was the first ever individual win for a Cal Poly athlete.?

    Hollander?s conference win is the latest in her undefeated college season that includes wins at the Pac 12 Preview and Wisconsin Adidas Invitational.

    ?This whole season for me I've simply tried to enjoy each race and run to the best of my ability each time,? Hollander said. ?I love running and racing so its been really fun.?

    Now in its 11th year, USATF?s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on www.usatf.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

    2012 Winners: January 5, Landon Peacock; January 11, Kirubel Erassa; January 18, Shalane Flanagan; January 26, John Nunn; February 1, Gunnar Nixon; February 8, Jenn Suhr; February 14, Jillian-Camarena Williams; February 22, Brycen Spratling; February 28, Chaunte Lowe; March 7, Eric Broadbent; March 14, Ashton Eaton; March 21, Jeanne Daprano; March 27, Wallace Spearmon; April 3, Trevor Barron; April 9, Kevin Castille; April 18, Brittney Reese; April 25, Amy Sproston; May 2, Leo Manzano; May 9, Stephanie Brown-Trafton; May 16, Allyson Felix; May 23, Nick Hartle; May 30, Kimberlyn Duncan; June 6, Jessica Cosby and Meghan Vogel; June 13, Jesse Williams; June 20, Shelby Ashe; June 27, Ashton Eaton; July 4, Allyson Felix; July 12, Christian Cantwell; July 18, Gunnar Nixon; July 25 Evan Jager; August 1, Denzel Harper; August 15, Allyson Felix; August 23, Reese Hoffa; August 29, Carmelita Jeter; September 5, Matt Tegenkamp; September 12, Aries Merritt; September 19, Ben True; September 26, Willie Banks; October 3, Jan Holmquist; October 10, Dathan Ritzenhein; October 17, Alana Hadley; October 22, Sarah Baxter; October 31, Laura Hollander

    About USA Track & Field

    USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track & field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, the World's #1 Track & Field Team, the most-watched events at the Olympics, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport, and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States: www.usatf.org.

    Click here to forward this mailing with your personal message.

    This email was sent to: keithconning@aol.com
    This email was sent by: USA Track & Field
    132 East Washington Street, Suite 800, Indianapolis, IN 46204

    Source: http://theconningtower.blogspot.com/2012/10/hollander-named-usa-track-field-athlete.html

    burmese python national signing day ferris bueller god bless america earned income credit super bowl commercials florida primary 2012

    iPad mini review

    DNP iPad mini review

    The iPad mini has been rumored for nearly as long as the original iPad has existed, but it wasn't clear early on how many of those rumors were based on fact and how many were based on hope. Hope, that was, for a smaller, more portable tablet that would bring access to all the Apple ecosystem had to offer, in a package you could easily hold in one hand. Specifically, a package more affordable than the 10-incher.

    That's this, the 7.9-inch, $329 iPad mini that sports a screen with the same resolution as the iPad 2 -- only smaller. As we put this one through its paces it quickly became clear that this is far more than a cheaper, smaller iPad. This is a thinner, lighter device that deserves independent consideration. In many ways, it's actually better than the 10-inch slate from which it was born. But is it better for you? Join us after the break as we find out.

    Continue reading iPad mini review

    Filed under: ,

    iPad mini review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

    Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/30/apple-ipad-mini-review/

    cj wilson ellsbury brad pitt and angelina jolie brad and angelina herniated disc sacramento kings luke scott

    Sandy menaces U.S. coast, closing schools, markets, businesses

    (Reuters) - Hurricane Sandy, a mammoth storm menacing the East Coast, took aim at the most densely populated U.S. region on Monday, forcing hundreds of thousands to seek higher ground, halting public transport and closing schools, businesses and government departments.

    About 50 million people from the Mid-Atlantic to Canada were in the path of the storm, which forecasters say could be the largest ever to hit the U.S. mainland. It is expected to topple trees, damage buildings and cause widespread power outages over the next few days.

    Sandy, which killed 66 people in the Caribbean and has brought lashing rains to coastal areas and snow at higher elevations, will cause extensive flooding when it moves inland, forecasters said.

    The websites of forecasting services indicated early Monday the storm will strike the New Jersey shore near Atlantic City Monday night.

    While Sandy does not pack the punch of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005, its winds stretch some 520 miles from its eye, meteorologists said.

    New York and other cities and towns closed their transit systems and schools and ordered mass evacuations from low-lying areas ahead of a storm surge that could reach as high as 11 feet.

    All U.S. stock markets will be closed on Monday and possibly Tuesday, the operator of the New York Stock Exchange said late on Sunday, reversing an earlier plan that would have kept electronic trading going on Monday.

    Sandy forced President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney to cancel some campaign stops and fueled fears that it could disrupt early voting - encouraged by the candidates this year more than ever - before the November 6 election.

    The United Nations, Broadway theaters, New Jersey casinos, schools up and down the Eastern Seaboard, and myriad corporate events are also being shut down.

    'DON'T BE STUPID'

    Officials ordered people in coastal towns and low-lying areas to evacuate, often telling them they would put emergency workers' lives at risk if they stayed.

    "Don't be stupid, get out, and go to higher, safer ground," New Jersey Governor Chris Christie told a news conference.

    Forecasters said Sandy was a rare, hybrid "super storm" created by an Arctic jet stream wrapping itself around a tropical storm, possibly causing up to 12 inches of rain in some areas, as well as up to 3 feet of snowfall in the Appalachian Mountains from West Virginia to Kentucky.

    At 2 a.m. (0600 GMT), the National Hurricane Center said Sandy was centered about 425 miles south southeast of New York City. The storm was turning toward the coast and moving at 14 mph and would bring a "life-threatening" surge, hurricane-force winds and heavy snows in the Appalachian mountains.

    Worried residents in the hurricane's path packed stores, searching for generators, flashlights, batteries, food and other supplies in anticipation of power outages. Nearly 284,000 residential properties valued at $88 billion are at risk for damage, risk analysts at CoreLogic said.

    Transportation is grinding to a halt, with airlines cancelling flights, bridges and tunnels closing, and Amtrak scrapping nearly all of its passenger rail service on the East Coast. The federal government told non-emergency workers in Washington D.C. to stay home.

    "This is a serious and big storm," Obama said after a briefing at the federal government's storm response center in Washington. "We don't yet know where it's going to hit, where we're going to see the biggest impacts.

    Utilities from the Carolinas to Maine reported late Sunday that a combined 14,000 customers were already without power.

    The second-largest oil refinery on the East Coast, Phillips 66's 238,000 barrel per day (bpd) Bayway plant in Linden, New Jersey, was shutting down and three other plants cut output as the storm affected operations at two-thirds of the region's plants.

    Oil prices slipped on Monday, with Brent near $109 a barrel. "With refineries cutting runs, we're likely to see a build-up in crude stocks which could be driving bearish prices at the moment," said Michael Creed, an economist at National Australia Bank in Melbourne.

    EVACUATION ORDERS

    New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered the evacuation of some 375,000 people from low-lying areas of the city, from upscale parts of lower Manhattan to waterfront housing projects in the outer boroughs.

    While Sandy's 75 mph winds were not overwhelming for a hurricane, its exceptional size means the winds will last as long as two days, bringing down trees and damaging buildings.

    "This is not a typical storm," said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett. "It could very well be historic in nature and in scope, and in magnitude because of the widespread anticipated power outages, and the potential major wind damage."

    Even with all the warnings, some people tried to carry on with their plans.

    "I just don't buy into the hype," said Kate Sullivan, a 40-year-old computer specialist from Alexandria, Virginia, who was headed to Baltimore-Washington International airport for a planned flight to Los Angeles. "I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up in LA by the end of the night."

    (Additional reporting by Edith Honan, Caroline Humer, Paul Thomasch and Janet McGurty in New York, Barbara Goldberg in New Jersey, Gene Cherry in North Carolina, Dave Warner in Philadelphia, Tom Hals in Milford, Delaware, Mary Ellen Clark and Ebong Udoma in Connecticut, Matt Spetalnick in Washington. Writing by Philip Barbara; Editing by John Stonestreet)

    Source: http://news.yahoo.com/evacuations-shutdowns-east-coast-storm-004900195.html

    warren buffett 2012 nfl schedule dishonored april 18 delonte west vanessa williams nicklas backstrom

    Both Nexus 7 Models Are Out of Stock Ahead of Cheaper Replacements

    We're not getting that big Android event we were supposed to get today, but it looks like things are still moving along somewhat as planned. But while Google may not show off its shiny new tablets in person today, the old models are now out of stock at the Google Play store, clearing the way for the new ones, whenever they come out of hiding. More »

    Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/Pf-_LM3r5K0/both-nexus-7-models-are-out-of-stock-ahead-of-cheaper-replacements

    focus on the family packers vs giants giants score 2012 golden globe nominations texans lana del rey snl enemy of the state

    Google removes Nexus Q from landing page, further distances itself from a curious launch

    Google removes Nexus Q from landing page, distances itself further from a curious launch

    Google had already yanked the "In Stock" status from its Nexus Q as we awaited a re-envisioning of its purpose, but today's Nexus launch is making it ever clearer that we may never hear from the bizarre orb again. Launched in July with an almost unbelievably small set of features, it took but a few weeks for Google to postpone the proper launch while sending free units to those who pre-ordered. Now, its placement on the Nexus landing page has been removed entirely, with the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 roaming the page alone. The Q's placement in the Play Store remains, but an ominous "This device is not for sale at this time" message accompanies it. Google had not returned a request for comment at the time of this article's publication, but we'll update should we hear back.

    Update: Google returned a comment, but it's certainly not much to go on: "We don't have anything to share at this time."

    Filed under: , ,

    Google removes Nexus Q from landing page, further distances itself from a curious launch originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink   |  sourceGoogle Play Store, Nexus landing page  | Email this | Comments


    Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/Acfn6zqCmjM/

    recent earthquakes fbi most wanted list stuttering james van der beek dyngus day indonesia quake stephen strasburg