IR Blog Post 4- ESPN

Sports- ESPN

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/news/story?id=5974731&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

LeBron James: No regrets about '10

Fact Check:
1) LeBron James said, "It absolutely was a good year."
2) James lost to the Celtics in the NBA east championship series (many say he bailed on his team on purpose) and carried out "The Decision" in 2010 where he told a national audience that he wasn't returning to Cleveland.
3) The Miami Heat and James won 16 of their last 17 games; the Heat will have a 25-9 record going into 2011 after starting a poor 9-8.

Questions:
1) Did LeBron's agent tell him to have "The Decison?"
2) Can anyone stop the Heat right now??

Extra Details:
LeBron may not have made the smartest decision to air "The Decision" but you cannot solely blame him for the Celtics collapse in the playoffs last year. Even "The Decision" was not as bad as some people make it out to be. He had every right to leave Cleveland but some people make it out to be as if he was made to be there forever.
http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/fran_blinebury/12/31/resolutions/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1

Terms To Know:
Akron- A relatively large city where LeBron still calls home in Ohio.

IR Blog Post 4- Billboard 100

Arts- Billboard 100

http://www.billboard.com/news/michael-jackson-autopsy-tv-special-cancelled-1004137629.story#/news/michael-jackson-autopsy-tv-special-cancelled-1004137629.story

Michael Jackson Autopsy TV Special Cancelled

Fact Check:
1) The show, "Michael Jackson's Autopsy: What Really Killed Michael Jackson," was set to air in several countries in Europe and in the United Kingdom on January 13.
2) Discovery networks said, "Given the commencement of legal proceedings beginning next week, and at the request of Michael Jackson's estate, the scheduled broadcast of the medical documentary related to Michael Jackson's official autopsy has been postponed indefinitely."
3) Co-executors of his estate sent a letter to Discovery Networks calling the program "insensitive" and "in shockingly bad taste."

Questions:
1) Was this show really made just to prove to people he was dead?
2) Was the show already made so it could possibly still circulate?

Extra Details:
It would have been a disgrace if they did air this show. Even the executors of his estate thought it was stupid. There are way too many MJ lovers that want to know every single thing about him in every way possible. It's good that Discovery wised up but they should never have signed him in the first place.
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/12/31/discovery-pulls-michael-jackson-autopsy-show/

Terms To Know:
John Branca and John McClain- Co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate that spoke against the proposed show

IR Blog Post 4- FoxNews

Current Issues- FoxNews

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/12/31/indian-tea-tastes-different-climate-change-1665175282

Tea off: India's farmers say climate changing brew

Fact Check:
1) Growers in tropical Assam state say rising temperatures have led to a serious drop in production.
2) The rising temperatures are also changing the flavor of the teas.
3) The area in northeastern India is the source of the finest black and British-style teas.

Questions:
1) Are the Indians bitter because of the different taste? Does that mean it tastes bad?
2) Have the sales in their tea leaves dropped?
Extra Details:
The problem I see with this tea dilemma is that there are no facts given about temperature rises. This is all very subjective and while it could be true that the temperature has been rising, the proof is not given. It would be horrible to make a signature tasting tea leaf that is not as potent due to the climate.
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/monthly/INXX0188 (weather for the location of the tea farms in India)
Terms To Know:
Guwahati, India- A major city in eastern India with close to a million people. It is said to be the "Gateway" of the North-east Region.

IR Blog Post 3- FoxNews

Current Issues- FoxNews

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/12/16/grenada-churches-lament-christmas-eve-reggae/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+foxnews/world+(Internal+-+World+Latest+-+Text)

Grenada churches lament Christmas Eve reggae show

Fact Check:
1) The Grenada Conference of Churches condemns an event promoter to host the Dec. 24 show featuring various stars of Jamaican "dancehall."
2) The Grenada Conference of Churches feels as if it's an embarrassment to Christianity.
3) The group publicly came out to speak against the event on Thursday.

Questions:
1) What authority does this organization have?
2) Is there a leader behind the event?

Extra Details:
While I'm all for saying "Merry Christmas" and all that, I don't see a huge signifance in this story. Maybe it's just that it's outside of the US so I don't care.
http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=25074

Terms To Know:
Grenada- Island country, very Christian

IR Blog Post 3- Billboard

Arts- Billboard

http://www.billboard.com/news/billboard-bits-usher-laughs-off-fan-s-kick-1004134863.story#/news/billboard-bits-usher-laughs-off-fan-s-kick-1004134863.story

Usher Laughs Off Fan's Kick to Face, Don Cheadle Starring as Miles Davis?

Fact Check:
1) During a concert at Madison Square Garden on Monday, a fan accidentally kicked Usher in the face.
2) To avoid embarrassment, Usher is trying to laugh ff the event.
3) Usher said, "In all my years, this is one of the most interesting experiences. I got a kick out of it!"

Questions:
1) Is there a video of Usher getting hurt?
2) Does he have a bruise?

Extra Details:
It's kind of embarrassing but I wish there was a video to watch. Maybe this will be an ongoing joke?
http://www.ushernow.com/


Terms To Know:
Usher- Popular singer/rapper

IR Blog Post 3- ESPN

Sports- ESPN

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5927893&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

NFL sends letter about sideline rules

Fact Check:
1) The NFL sent a letter to the 32 teams Thursday reminding them of the rules and restrictions for the bench area and sidelines.
2) The assistant coach for the Jets tripped a player of the opposing game.
3) The assistant was fined and suspended a few days ago.

Questions:
1) Is the punishment too harsh? Not harsh enough?
2) Has this happened before? Or in college games?

Extra Details:
It's awful to hear that such a great sports team would stoop down to a level like this. He should never coach in the NFL for what he did. Did he do this ever before?
http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-1/GM-Alosi-Now-Suspended-Indefinitely/6679af19-7487-4e93-8cd8-848347202cad

Terms To Know:
Nothing.

IR Blog Post 2- ESPN

Sports- ESPN

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5874550/qatar-russia-host-world-cups-us-shut-out

U.S. 2022 World Cup bid falls short

Fact Check:
1) Russia will host the world cup in 2018 and Qatar will host it in 2022.
2) The USA lost the 2022 bid to Qatar as the runner up.
3) The entire country of Qatar has 500,000 less people than the city of Houston and in area is smaller than Connecticut.

Questions:
1) Why Qatar????
2) How obvious does the World Cup panel want to make it that they hate the US?

Extra Details:
While I understand that the US hosted the World Cup in 1994, they are the most qualified to host it in 2022. The desert nation of Qatar has nothing going for them other than oil and gas. It regularly reaches over 100 degrees in the summer and is not suitable to host a world event. It was a poor decision by the FIFA team and their bias towards America was transparent.
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/vacationclimatology/monthly/QAXX0003

Terms To Know:
Qataris- People from Qatar

IR Blog Post 2- Billboard 100

Arts- Billboard 100

http://www.billboard.com/news/britney-spears-new-album-coming-in-march-1004133488.story#/news/britney-spears-new-album-coming-in-march-1004133488.story

Britney Spears' New Album Coming in March 2011

Fact Check:
1) Spears' March 2011 release will be her first since 2008's "Circus."
2) Britney Spears celebrated her 29th birthday today (Dec. 2) with this announcement.
3) The album "Circus" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, marking her fifth chart-topping set.

Questions:
1) Will her new album be as successful as her last one, Circus?
2) What has she been up to since her last album?

Extra Details:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/britney-spears-release-seventh-album-55709
This news article also hypes the new album and states her past success. While Britney is getting older, it's amazing to hear that she is only 29. All the early hype for this CD already makes me feel like it will be disappointing.

Terms To Know:
--Nothing--

IR Blog Post 2- Fox News

Current Issues- FoxNews

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/12/01/soviet-republic-giving-nuclear-materials-656026089/

Former Soviet republic giving up nuclear materials

Fact Check:
1) Belarus in 1994 gave up the nuclear weapons it inherited in the breakup of the Soviet Union, but it retained its highly enriched uranium stocks.
2) Belarus will transfer 485.01 pounds (220 kilograms) of highly enriched uranium to Russia.
3) In July, Clinton cited Belarus as among countries across the globe where a "steel vise" of suppression is "slowly crushing civil society and the human spirit."

Questions:
1) Why are they waiting until 2012 to give up the nuclear materials.
2) Was this decision made possibly to lead other countries to do the same?

Extra Details:
http://www.newsok.com/in-boost-for-obama-belarus-gives-up-nuke-material/article/feed/218784?custom_click=pod_headline_asia
This news article says that the decision made by Belarus boosts Obama's image. The questions are how much did Obama do to influence this situation and will this really affect his reelection

Terms To Know:
Astana- Capital of Kazakhstan

IR Blog Post 1- ESPN

Sports- ESPN

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5859464&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

Plaxico Burress' agent upbeat for 2011

Fact Check:
1) Burress went to prison in September 2009 for violating New York's gun laws and was expected to serve 20 months with credit for good behavior.
2) Burress comes up for potential full release on June 6, 2011, but also will be on probation for two years.
3) In an incident in the fall of 2008, Burress accidentally shot himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub with a gun that had not been licensed in New York.

Questions:
1) Has Plaxico been training and working out in jail?
2) What two teams have been contacting him? Giants?

Extra Details:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=2139
Burress' statistics show the caliber of a player he once was. Burress can be a steal for a team wanting to get a solid receiver averaging 15 yards per catch. Many people are saying that he might be able to rebound like Michael Vick has but it may be harder for a wide receiver to get back in shape.

Terms Or People To Know:
Drew Rosenhaus- NFL agent trying to get Plaxico a team to sign with

IR Blog Post 1- Billboard 100

Arts- Billboard 100

http://www.billboard.com/news/willie-nelson-arrested-charged-with-pot-1004130716.story#/news/willie-nelson-arrested-charged-with-pot-1004130716.story

Willie Nelson Arrested, Charged with Pot Possession in Texas

Fact Check:
1) Willie Nelson was charged with marijuana possession after 6 ounces was found aboard his tour bus in Texas.
2) The tour bus pulled into a checkpoint on Friday when the officer found the pot; Nelson was among three people arrested.
3) Nelson was held briefly, a $2,500 bond paid before being released.

Questions:
1) What is Willie Nelson's past records with the law?
2) Is he too old to be on tour and smoking weed for that matter?

Extra Details:
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2010/11/27/willie-nelson-arrested-for-possession-of-marijuana/
Willie Nelson is getting old and this article talks about him being caught with moonshine earlier in the year and mushrooms in 2006. Nelson should call it quits and relax.

Terms Or People To Know:
Hudspeth County- Just east of El Paso, Texas.

IR Blog Post 1- FoxNews

Current Events-FoxNews

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/11/28/china-calls-urgent-talks-north-korea/

North Korea Deploys Missiles Near Yellow Sea Border

Fact Check:
1) North Korea has deployed surface-to-air missiles near the Yellow Sea border.
2) North Korea is preparing to fire the Soviet-made missiles.
3) Eight months ago, a South Korean warship went down in the western waters, killing 46 sailors.

Questions:
1) Will China decide to fight with or aid South Korea, stay neutral, or aid North Korea?
2) What does Obama want to do in response to North Korea's actions?

Supportive Opinion:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40407097/ns/world_news-asiapacific
McCain talks about how China is a key factor in these war games and how they should have been harsher to rogue North Korea. I completely agree that China has the power to bring North Korea "to its knees" as McCain said through economic sanctions.

Terms Or People To Know:
Wu Dawei- Chinese Vice Foreign Minister

What I'm Following

Check out some RSS feeds that I'm following...

The only place for politics- FoxNews.com
The worldwide leader in sports- ESPN.com
Number one for top 100- Billboard.com

E-Reading

I partake in online reading quite often. You might find me reading news articles and random stories such as some FoxNews, Yahoo headline stories, and StumbleUpon articles.

Reading: Meaning vs. Pleasure

When people decide to read for pleasure, they will pick a book that interests them. Usually they will read a book with an interesting theme, written by a favorite author, or the book recommended by a friend. Reading for meaning is usually picking a book that has an inspiring theme.

I honestly never read on my own anymore because it is too time consuming and I do not enjoy sitting still and reading for that long. I used to read the Harry Potter series in elementary school for pleasure.A few years ago I read The Alchemist for meaning. Never really have I read a book for pleasure and meaning on my own.

-John