No. 8 Oregon beats UCLA 49-31 for Pac-12 title (AP)

EUGENE, Ore. ? LaMichael James ran for 219 yards and three touchdowns and No. 8 Oregon beat UCLA 49-31 in the inaugural Pac-12 championship game Friday night for the Ducks' third straight conference title and a berth in the Rose Bowl.

Rick Neuheisel tipped his hat to the UCLA fans in his last game as coach. The former Bruins quarterback was fired this week after four seasons with his alma mater.

While the Bruins (6-7) played with passion for their outgoing coach and kept it closer than many thought they would, it was not enough to overcome the Ducks (11-2), who head to a BCS bowl for the third straight season.

Darron Thomas threw for 219 yards and three touchdowns, becoming Oregon's career leader with 63 TD passes.

James became the first rusher in Pac-12 history with three straight 1,500-yard seasons. He moved into a tie with USC's LenDale White (2003-05) for second on the league's career rushing TD list with 52.

Afterward, James and fellow running back Kenjon Barner danced, while other Ducks held roses clenched in their teeth. Fans swarmed the players as fireworks exploded above Autzen Stadium and confetti rained down.

"These guys go play," coach Chip Kelly said. "They're fearless competitors."

Neuheisel, fired following last weekend's 50-0 loss to No. 9 Southern California, hugged quarterback Kevin Prince as time ran out.

"Well, we weren't good enough, but it wasn't because we didn't have enough heart," he said.

Neuheisel's dismissal was part of a wave of coaching moves in the conference. Around the time he was fired, Arizona State let go of Dennis Erickson. Washington State parted ways with Paul Wulff, then quickly hired former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach a day later.

"They can take my job," Neuheisel said, gesturing to the locker room, "but they can't take those boys away from me."

Oregon will play the winner of the first Big 10 championship game Saturday between No. 11 Michigan State and No. 15 Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2. The bowl pairings will be formally announced on Sunday.

The heavily favored Ducks scored on their first series when James ran 30 yards for a touchdown. James went into the game as the nation's top running back with an average of 142.7 yards per game.

UCLA tied it when linebacker Patrick Larimore intercepted Thomas and ran 35 yards for a touchdown. Neuheisel pumped his fist in celebration.

Thomas scored on a 10-yard keeper and then found true freshman tight end Colt Lyerla alone in the end zone with a 7-yard scoring pass to make it 21-7.

UCLA narrowed it with Prince's flea-flicker to Nelson Rosario for a 37-yard touchdown.

Oregon was stung early in the game when dynamic true freshman De'Anthony Thomas fumbled after a hit by Tevin McDonald. Shaken up on the play, the versatile running back who earlier this week was named the Pac-12's co-freshman of the year on offense did not return.

James added a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 28-14 before Darron Thomas connected with Daryle Hawkins for a 25-yard TD reception.

UCLA's Tyler Gonzalez kicked a 44-yard field goal to make it 37-17 at halftime.

Prince scored on a 1-yard run early in the third quarter to pull UCLA closer to the Ducks, but James answered with a 5-yard TD dash to make it 42-24.

A Heisman Trophy finalist last season as a sophomore, James fell out of the running for the most part this season because he missed two games with a dislocated right elbow.

There has been speculation that James may skip his senior season at Oregon to go to the NFL. After the game, fans on the field chanted "One More Year!"

"Just being with my teammates, I cherish that," he said. "I don't think about `one more year.' I just think about today."

David Paulson caught a 22-yard touchdown pass midway through the third, which put Darron Thomas in front of Danny O'Neil (1991-94) for most passing TDs at Oregon.

Rosario pulled down a one-handed, 19-yard touchdown pass from Prince with less than two minutes to play. Prince completed 13 of 26 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns.

The addition of Colorado and Utah to the Pac-12 paved the way for a league championship game this season. In previous years, the team with the best conference record claimed the title.

While No. 9 USC (10-2, 7-2) finished atop the Pac-12 South, the Trojans are ineligible to play in the postseason because of NCAA sanctions, which put UCLA in the title game.

This week, the NCAA ruled that the Bruins could accept a bowl invitation even if they lost Friday. Because of Neuheisel's dismissal, offensive coordinator Mike Johnson will take over if UCLA is selected.

The Bruins have reached just one bowl game in the past three seasons. Athletic director Dan Guerrero said he wants to reward the Bruins' 18 seniors by going to a bowl even while the program is in upheaval.

Oregon went to the 2010 Rose Bowl in its first season under Kelly, losing to Ohio State. Last season the Ducks went to the BCS championship, where they fell to Auburn.

Oregon had appeared to be in the running for another shot at the national championship game before losing 38-35 to USC at Autzen Stadium on Nov. 19.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111203/ap_on_sp_co_ga_su/fbc_t25_pac12_championship

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Establishing a texas holdem Budget as well as Attaining a texas holdem Bonus

Posted On Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 By admin

Nowadays is becoming more and more important to lead a simple life even though it is the era of technology and speed. Saving cash and living on a budget has proved to be tough for lots of people however it doesn?t have to end up like that. Having the plan can ease the pressure of struggling to save every penny.

Putting in balance what?s gained using what is purchased and spent can give a fair evidence of the budget situation. Living out of debt is becoming peoples? goal but few can manage to do that and it isn?t just the a lot blamed system or the financial crisis. Many people simply don?t have a savings plan ? and from there come all the problems. Being on debt doesn?t include headaches unless one looses his/her job. While being on debt is the most important to begin saving.

Making a checking account and earning from that deposit will prove to be highly beneficial and in time will offer you the possibility of reimbursing earlier the credit for the house, for the car and so on. Once some money is set aside, the cycle starts again with savings. It is necessary to pay for the house before children grow because then, other expenses show up. Tuitions, more costly clothing, books and laptops, rent and utilities and all these will prove to add up to important sums of money.

The children going to school shouldn?t however be a problem since at this time money ought to be already set aside for them. When youngsters are already in school, the time is right to think about their wedding, and where they?ll live from now on. However, continually some money should be put aside in case of emergency. Retiring funds shouldn?t be touched under any circumstances. These are the money for those people who?ve worked a lot, that have paid their part and struggled to maintain their job and deserve a decent life.

Special software might help people build a budget and maintain between its boundaries. When spending less than anticipated, more income should be put aside. When spending more, you ought to consider the need and not about the ?want?.

When going out, one should consider free events that take place throughout the year and many good taste events can be found for free. Local libraries and museums can be a great place to get out of the house, meet new people and share interesting ideas with. Going for a walk in the park with the entire family is a great way to spend an evening and even save some money in a fun, healthy and natural way.

Saving cash can offer the chance to build a budget for entering a Poker Room. People gain experience by playing and they might also win a Poker Bonus. Entering a Poker Site and being responsible about ones? finances are the key for a successful and entertaining experience which will also have the benefit of winning and upgrade ones? lifestyle.

Source: http://www.cavitations.info/games/establishing-a-texas-holdem-budget-as-well-as-attaining-a-texas-holdem-bonus/

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Raiders McClain at scene of fight, report of shots

BC-FBN--Raiders-McClain, 5th Ld-Writethru,742Raiders' McClain arrested on Ala assault chargesAP Photo ALDEC201, ALDM202, ALDM203Eds: Updates with attorney's comment. Adds AP Photos.

DECATUR, Ala. (AP) ? Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain was arrested Thursday on misdemeanor assault, firearms and other charges after police said he fired a gun during a fight in his Alabama hometown.

McClain, 22, held a gun beside a man's head during an altercation and the man begged him not to shoot, according to a statement released by Lt. John Crouch of the Decatur Police Department.

McClain, an All American at Alabama during his junior year, moved the gun but fired a round beside the man's ear, according to the statement. No one was shot, but police said a man who was injured in the altercation drove himself to a hospital, where he was treated and released.

McClain was released on $2,000 bond. He faces charges of assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and firing a gun inside the city limits. Another man identified as Jerradius Willingham, 23, was charged with assault and released after posting a $500 bond.

McClain's attorney Billy C. Burney II said the linebacker denies he fired a gun and said he was not involved in the fight.

"Mr. McClain asserts his innocence," Burney said in a statement. "We are confident that Mr. McClain will be cleared of all charges."

The Raiders had no comment.

McClain's agent, Pat Dye Jr., did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment

Raiders coach Hue Jackson said McClain was in Alabama for the funeral of his grandfather. Speaking before the arrest, he said McClain would play Sunday at Miami "as far as I know."

"I can tell you we understand and know exactly what's going on, and we feel very comfortable with our information and we don't have any further comment at this time," Jackson said.

McClain is the Raiders' second-leading tackler this season after joining the team as the eighth overall pick in 2010. Although he struggled as a rookie, the 6-foot-3-inch, 255-pounder had developed into a centerpiece of Oakland's defense this season despite being slowed by a sore left ankle.

Earlier this year McClain, the 2009 Butkus Award winner at Alabama, reported someone in Decatur shooting at his vehicle. There wasn't any indication whether the two incidents were related.

Police said the victim, whose name was not released, suffered injuries to his head and face during a fight with Willingham. He was bleeding when officers talked to him.

"The victim told officers that following the fight, he crawled to his car," the police statement said. "He said that when he reached his car, Rolando McClain produced a pistol and aimed it at him. He said that while he was still on the ground, McClain walked over to him and put the gun to his head."

Police said the victim told officers "he begged McClain not to shoot him and that McClain took the gun away from his head, held it next to his ear and fired it."

McClain was facing legal problems in Alabama before his arrest.

A University of Alabama student sued McClain in November 2010 claiming the former Crimson Tide star hit him with a car and assaulted him in 2008. Stanford Matthew Mangham filed suit in circuit court in Morgan County, where Decatur is located.

Mangham claims McClain intentionally hit him twice at an intersection on Nov. 13, 2008 and then slung Mangham to the ground, causing permanent injuries. He is seeking $75,000 plus punitive damages.

McClain's attorneys filed documents in court denying the student's claims.

That case is set for trial June 5.

McClain's ankle injury forced him to miss the Raiders' 38-24 loss to Denver on Nov. 6 when the Broncos ran for 299 yards, 118 from quarterback Tim Tebow. McClain reinjured his ankle on the first play of the second half in last week's 25-20 win over Chicago but came back later to finish the game.

Since McClain's return, Oakland has won three straight to take a one-game lead in the AFC West heading into Sunday's game at Miami.

Raiders veteran running back Rock Cartwright said he intends to talk to McClain about his situation whenever the linebacker returns to the team.

"All you can do is tell them things, try to give them help, but if they don't want to be helped, then they won't be helped," Cartwright said. "Once he gets back, I'll try to put a bug in his ear and see what's going on."

McClain signed a $40 million, five-year contract that included $23 million in guarantees with the Raiders on July 28, 2010.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2011-12-01-Raiders-McClain/id-c5117e6a498c48529027e7f76d5c9779

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Donald Trump as Debate Moderator Not as Crazy as it Sounds (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | Fox News' Greta Van Susteran interviewed Donald Trump, the flamboyant real estate mogul and TV personality. Trump announced that he would be moderating a Republican candidates' debate sponsored by Newsmax on Dec. 27.

The debate would take place in Des Moines, Iowa, a week before the Iowa Caucuses, would be sponsored by Newsmax, and would be broadcast on the Ion Network.

The odor of reality show and Trump staring balefully at some candidate and telling him, "You're fired!" for giving a wrong answer has already caused former Utah Gov. and ambassador to China Jon Huntsman to give it a pass. But the idea of a nonjournalist moderating a presidential debate is not as crazy as it sounds.

Trump is a national figure, with experience on TV, and with a proven interest in the issues. Let's face it, who would one want to see interrogating potential presidents of the United States, some journalistic drone from MSNBC or CNN with his liberal bias or "The Donald?"

One suspects that more people will tune into an interrogation conducted by the host of "The Apprentice" than by Bob Shieffer or Brian Williams, with all due respect to those fine pillars of the journalistic community. This will give the candidates a far wider audience to get their messages across than the standard news organization sponsored debate that people will more likely tune out of than not.

Trump has already promised some outside the box questioning, including things like relations between the United States and the OPEC countries, China, and India. The candidates have already answered questions about the standard subjects of health care, the economy, and terrorism ad infinitum and ad nauseum.

If the idea of a debate moderated by a non journalist catches on, then perhaps others could be set up along those lines.

For example, what about a debate moderated by men who have already held the job of president of the United States? George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have already worked together on disaster relief projects. Bush and Clinton have a perspective on being president that very few living people have indeed. Seeing those two tag teaming the people who propose to do the jobs they already held would be exciting and likely illuminating.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/politicsopinion/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111203/cm_ac/10588569_donald_trump_as_debate_moderator_not_as_crazy_as_it_sounds

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Democrats to pursue protections for voting rights (AP)

WASHINGTON ? Democrats say they are planning an unprecedented effort to protect voting rights in the 2012 election after several states passed voter identification laws and restrictions on early voting and same day registration.

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz says the party will oppose obstacles "essentially designed to rig an election when Republicans can't win these elections on the merits."

Party officials say they will try to overturn some of the measures, educate voters on the types of documents needed to vote in the states and pursue lawsuits if necessary.

Voter ID laws have passed this year in states like Wisconsin, Tennessee and Rhode Island. Efforts to restrict early voting have been approved in Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Supporters of the laws say they are necessary to eliminate voter fraud.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/democrats/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111201/ap_on_el_ge/us_voting_rights

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House panel votes to subpoena Corzine on MF Global

WASHINGTON (AP) ? A congressional panel has voted to subpoena former Sen. Jon Corzine to compel him to testify at a hearing next week about his role leading the investment firm MF Global, which collapsed after a disastrous bet on European debt.

The House Agriculture Committee voted Friday to issue the subpoena. Committee Chairman Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., said Corzine hadn't yet confirmed that he would come and "his testimony is essential to fulfill our objectives."

It woulkd be a rare appearance by a former member of Congress asked to testify under oath about a matter under federal investigation in which he was involved.

Regulators are investigating whether MF Global used money from customers' accounts for its own purposes as its financial condition worsened.

An estimated $1.2 billion or more may be missing from customer accounts.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2011-12-02-MF%20Global-Corzine-Congress/id-27ad2f5e06b541848fbf5b29efd8b4de

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Rising child poverty rates could be a 'taste' of what's ahead (The Christian Science Monitor)

New York ? In a troubling snapshot of the declining finances of Americans, considerably more school-age children are living in poverty than in the pre-recession year of 2007, the US Census Bureau reported Tuesday.

Of all 3,142 counties in the US, 653 counties saw significant increases in poverty for children ages 5 to 17, according to the 2010 Census Bureau survey. Only eight counties saw a decrease. Nationally, 19.8 percent of schoolchildren qualify as poor ? and one-third of all counties now have child poverty rates above that threshold. About one quarter had child poverty rates significantly lower than the national average.

Among counties with at least 100,000 people, the highest child poverty rates were in Texas' Cameron County (44.9 percent) and Hidalgo County (44.6), Bronx County in New York (41 percent), Webb County in Texas (38.9), and Missouri's St. Louis County (38.6). Among all counties no matter their size, Georgia's Burke County (pop. 23,367) had the highest share of children in poverty, at 47.7 percent.

RECOMMENDED: A long, steep drop for Americans' standard of living

The Census information has important uses. The Department of Education uses the data in its formula for allocating more than $14 billion a year in federal funds, of which a significant amount is directed to school districts with high concentrations of poor students. Other programs, such as those that distribute federal money to libraries and school superintendents, also piggyback on the data, and even some states and counties use the information to divide up their funds.

The Education Department expenditures are ?one of the main programs to allocate federal funds directly to school districts based on their school-age children,? says Wes Basel, branch chief of the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE), a program of the Census Bureau.

Unless the economy improves markedly, future data could be worse. Unless Congress acts, extended unemployment-insurance benefits will expire at the end of the year. So, too, will the expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the child tax credit. These all aid low income families. Congress will also need to decide whether to extend the payroll tax cut, which gives about an extra $1,000 to each household. This tax cut has been helping the middle class.

?Because many of these forms of added assistance are expiring, the rise in poverty shown here unfortunately may be a taste of what is to come,? says Arloc Sherman, a senior researcher at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal-leaning think tank in Washington. ?We estimate the programs overall ? and other recent initiatives ? are keeping about 7 million people above the poverty line.?

According to the government, the official poverty line for a family of four is $22,314 a year in income.

At the same time as federal programs are in jeopardy, state and local budgets are also being cut, notes Mr. Sherman. ?We are seeing cuts in social services like we have not seen in recent memory,? he says.

One state with a significant number of poor children is Florida, which ranks fourth in terms of school-age children in poverty, says Beth Davalos of the Families in Transition (FIT) program in Seminole County, which lies south of Orlando.

In Seminole County, the number of homeless schoolchildren, some 1,200 students, is up 30 percent over a year ago, according to Ms. Davalos.

A recent episode of CBS's "60 Minutes" profiled the FIT program, focusing on three families who lived in their vehicles while their children attended school. The Metzger family, for example, included a 16-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy living with their dad, an out-of-work carpenter, in the back of a truck. All their food was canned, and their only restrooms were in gasoline stations. Since the show aired, the FIT website has set up a way for people to contribute to the families.

?What is happening here is that the shelters are at 100 percent of capacity and people living with other people ? sleeping on sofas and floors ? can only do it for so long,? says Ms. Davalos. This leads them to either sleeping on the streets or in their vehicles.

The FIT program has some money to help families, but the money comes with certain stipulations. ?The first question we ask is what is your income?? says Davalos. ?If you don?t have some income, you are not eligible for funding,? she explains. ?We are not going to be giving money to people who are going to be in the same situation a few months later.?

Davalos says homelessness is especially tough on children. Two weeks ago, Davalos found a family at a gas station. They had just been evicted from a motel where they had been living and had no money. They were still taking their 5 year old to kindergarten but the child was upset.

?That little 5 year old was so troubled over where it would be sleeping, it was not thinking about 2 + 2,? says Davalos, who put them back in the motel where they had been.

?It?s very stressful for kids with adult worries when they are supposed to be playing, dreaming, and learning,? she says.

RECOMMENDED: A long, steep drop for Americans' standard of living

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Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/parenting/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20111130/ts_csm/430342

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