By the way? If you want to feel really guilty about getting sucked into this two-b'it drama, read about the poor little girl whose illness has been co-opted for this foolishness.
Random bonus moment: Caroline shaves her face every day.
Monday, 31 May 2010
The Brownstone
By the way? If you want to feel really guilty about getting sucked into this two-b'it drama, read about the poor little girl whose illness has been co-opted for this foolishness.
Random bonus moment: Caroline shaves her face every day.
Kendra Wilkinson Exposed Video
The creator of the spoof claims Kendra herself has seen the videos and "couldn’t stop laughing".
Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson will address internet rumors about her sex tape during a segment on her E! reality series “Kendra”.NyDailyNews reports that during the segment Kendra will say about the sex tape, “It bothers me because people are going to judge me”.
There is no denying that Kendra Wilkinson stars in the sex tape “Kendra Exposed”. The shocker is she knew they existed. There were rumors that Kendra herself was trying to shop the tape around under a fake company. Reportedly Kendra will end up making half the earnings from the sales – which by all accounts is doing pretty well right now.
“Of course we had sex like every couple does and every now and then we would videotape it. There’s a lot of couples who do that,” Kendra is quoted as saying. “At that time I wasn’t a celebrity. I didn’t even know I was going to become a celebrity.”
Vivid Video recently obtained sex tapes of Kendra, which it dubbed as ‘Kendra Exposed’, and had released several screengrabs of them. The company earlier said it would soon release the tapes, whether or not Kendra approves. Meanwhile, Kendra was threatening to sue if the dirty videos are released – and also her marriage with NFL star Hank Baskett appeared to be getting hit hard by the scandal.
Rikishi
Rikishi-Fatu
Since last episode of the WWE, Rikishi boomed the Internet Search results and he got the top position among all the hot trends as per report of Google Trends USA.
Well, we should watch the last episode of Rikishi twin sons on WWE Raw 05/31/10. This videos is currently making the buzz among all WWE / WWF lovers. Let’s watch and clear the confusion on why Rikishi Fatu search is at top position.
Goliath Tiger Fish
Corn On The Cob On The Grill
Many delicious, appetizing and flavorsome dishes grace the celebrations of the Memorial Day. Corn on the Cob is one of the most loved dishes of this event. The dish is full of flavor and is very easy to prepare at the same time. To prepare the dish one needs to follow a very easy and plain recipe.
The internet is filled with many recipes that guide the viewers to cook Corn on the Cob. But here is a very simple and straightforward method of preparing Corn on The Cob on the Grill. To prepare the dish please follow the below mentioned simple steps:
Step 1: Get a healthy sized corn.
Step 2: Ready the grilling gear.
Step 3: Place a barbecue stick or a long folk through the corn.
Step 3: Now place the corn on the grill and let it cook for a short while.
Step 4: After cooking the corn, wrap it with a bacon slice.
Step 5: Use a brush to paste butter on the bacon covered corn.
Step 6: After applying butter tie the corn with a thread and heat it again.
Step 7: When the corn gets hot sprinkle salt and pepper on it.
Finally the dish is ready.
Canada Fire
The smell of burning was clearly visible on Monday morning in the streets of Montreal and Ottawa. Thousands of hectares burned in the center of Quebec, where 52 outbreaks of forest fires, of which eight were out of control, according to Society for the Protection of Forests Against Fire (Sopfeu), a government agency of the French-speaking province.
On Monday also issued the first smoke warning across southern Quebec, the area most densely populated of the province, as they reached the region of Ottawa in Ontario, due to the change of wind direction.
The U.S. Weather Service (NOAA) issued an alert that covers the states of Maine and New Hampshire, bordering Quebec and in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Public Health Agency of Quebec invited the “vulnerable people to be cautious,” recalling in a statement that “the smoke mostly affects people with respiratory or heart disease and asthmatic children.”
Duke Lacrosse
The NCAA title game went into overtime, but it only took Duke 5 seconds to score. Duke defenseman CJ Costabile scored just 5 seconds into overtime to give Duke Lacrosse the title.
The Duke Lacrosse team has been known in recent years for a scandal that occurred in 2006. The 2010 lacrosse team has done all it can to restore Duke's name to greatness.
“It’s a culmination of four years for the seniors,” Duke coach John Danowski said in an on-field television interview. “It’s a win, and it just means the world that these guys can
share in this.”
Guatemala Crater
The Tungurahua volcano throws ash into the air Saturday during an eruption in El Santuario, Ecuador. The ash has soared 6 miles above the crater, and hundreds have been evacuated
Guatemala Sinkhole
The sinkhole, which appears too extreme to be real, is shown below in a photo released by the Guatemalan government.
Resident blamed a poor below-ground drainage system, and said a security guard was killed
The Stand
After four terms in the U.S. Senate, a presidential campaign in 2000, capped by the GOP nomination in 2008, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., faces a serious challenge from J.D. Hayworth a former sportscaster turned six-term firebrand congressman from the Hill class of 94’, to conservative radio talk show host.
Make no mistake, McCain still leads the polls comfortably. Real Clear Politics gives McCain a 15-point lead. But as pollster Scott Ramussen notes McCain is hovering around 50 points - dangerous territory for an incumbent, particularly in a “throw the bums out” cycle.
Of all the Republicans in Congress, not one has more immigration baggage than McCain. In fact the only other figure on the national GOP scene with more is former President George W. Bush.
Throughout his presidency Mr. Bush called for “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” including a guest worker program and path to citizenship.
By 2007, John McCain, and none other than the late “Liberal Lion” of the Senate, Ted Kennedy, had co-authored the legislation and twice fought ceaselessly to get it to the Senate floor. Critics dubbed the bill amnesty and after a long bitter debate the measure was ultimately killed.
The fight and fallout left McCain so unpopular among conservatives and the GOP that it nearly killed his 2008 presidential bid. Ever since, McCain has accepted that politically border security must come before anything else. He is currently pushing a measure in the Senate for more National Guard troops on the border and is running an ad with a clearly staged law enforcement stroll called “Complete the Danged Fence.”
J.D. Hayworth has a response ad that encapsulates the hit on McCain in 30 seconds. Starting with file footage of McCain boasting about his comprehensive immigration bill.
Hayworth’s ad asks if voters have had enough of McCain. Some have.
McCain built a career by breaking ranks with his party, often compromising with liberals and infuriating the GOP. Despite being the GOP’s presidential standard bearer just two years ago, there is no shortage of frustration and sour memories among Arizona conservatives.
By way of reinforcements, McCain has even reached out and brought back his most trusted, longest serving, and arguably most skilled, advisers. Only three senior advisers served on McCain’s 2000 run against George W. Bush AND then again in the 2008 race: campaign manager Rick Davis, senior adviser, strategist and co-author Mark Salter, and strategist/super lobbyist Charlie Black.
Hayworth has a very steep hill to climb. McCain is unique and iconic: a war hero, a presidential nominee, a maverick, who is well organized with countless friends and favors spread all over Arizona.
But McCain is also unique as the principal GOP sponsor of immigration reform with Ted Kennedy; if Hayworth hits that message right, the August primary could be McCain’s last race
Audie Murphy
Becoming a member of The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is something Burke has always aspired to. She is said be completely overwhelmed and honored. The Sergeant was quoted saying “Being named to the SAMC means everything to me; I studied for this for a year and had no expectation of getting it on my first try. It’s all very surreal to me. But having accomplished this shows me that I actually am good at something.”
The SAMC is a military organization that recognizes America’s finest; the men and women who have serve our country.
The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club was named after the legendary and most decorated soldier of the WWII era Sergeant Audie Murphy
Rave Motion Pictures
Rave and its managers together with a new group of investors have formed Rave Cinemas LLC to make the acquisitions. In a statement to the publick, Rave Cinemas said Monday that it has already acquired 29 theaters from National Amusements Inc. and plans to buy up to six more from the company. It will operate the news cinemas on top of their already established 21 theaters.
Details regarding the deal weren’t disclosed to media and the public
John Cazale
Presented by Brett Ratner (who is among those featured discussing the actor), the movie shrewdly opens by asking people on the street to identify Cazale's picture. Those few who can generally name him only as "Fredo," his character in the first two "Godfather" films.
Reminiscing about Cazale brings out the best in his contemporaries, from Al Pacino and Gene Hackman to Meryl Streep (with whom he was involved) and directors Francis Ford Coppola and Sidney Lumet, who cast Cazale at Pacino's urging in "Dog Day Afternoon."
Clearly a labor of love, the project judiciously sprinkles in clips of Cazale's work, while racing through his biography in order to explore his filmography. Various tidbits do emerge, though, including what even Cazale's friends saw as his surprising success with women.
If there's a minor quibble here, it's that Shepard wasn't more generous with scenes from "The Godfather" saga, instead devoting considerable time to younger actors -- mainly Steve Buscemi, Sam Rockwell and Philip Seymour Hoffman -- who drew inspiration from Cazale's performances.
Given the iconic nature of "The Godfather" (the documentary derives its title from perhaps the most memorable scene in Part II), showcasing Cazale's contribution to those films speaks as powerfully as any of the commentary.
For anyone weaned on classics of the '70s, HBO's invitation to "I Knew It Was You" is indeed an offer they shouldn't refuse
Justice For Girls
Bugman Pest and Lawn, Inc. and its employees allegedly violated Utah's pesticide laws over 3,500 times during the 10 months prior to the deaths of 4-year-old Rebecca and 15-month-old Rachel Toone.
On February 5, Coleman Nocks, an independent contractor working for Bugman Pest and Lawn, deposited Fumitoxin aluminum phosphide pellets in holes in the Toone family's lawn within seven feet of the front door to the family's home. Manufacturer's recommendations warn that the product should be used at least 15 feet from any structure occupied by human beings or animals.
The entire Toone family fell ill later that evening. Four-year-old Rebecca Toone died the following day; her 15-month-old sister Rachel died February 9.
But reports now indicate that the misuse of the deadly chemical wasn't limited to just Nocks. Investigators have uncovered misuse of Fumitoxin by other exterminators working for Bugman Pest and Lawn. On seven occasions during the ten months preceding the girls' deaths, the company used too much Fumitoxin, and six times the pesticide was applied too closely to residences, according to the numerous violations that were issued.
Assistant Layton City Attorney Steve Garside said last month that Coleman Nocks would be charged with two counts of negligent homicide, a class A misdemeanor, in the deaths of the two young girls. His arraignment is scheduled for June 8.
Ray Wilson, Sr., owner of Bugman Pest and Lawn, said Nocks used the chemical independently, without consulting with the company first.
Marshalls Store Locator
Hulse has maintained an address in Nampa and has family here, Nampa Police Department Lt. Brad Daniels said. No details are available yet regarding why Hulse was in Washington when her baby was born.
Jaden had been in the hospital since his birth, and hospital officials said he continued to need medical attention. Police said the baby was likely going through drug withdrawal and possibly suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and fever.
Hulse talked to Mount Vernon police officers, who said she indicated she would seek medical care of her own choice for her child.
Hulse cut a locator bracelet from Jaden's ankle at 5:12 a.m. Wednesday and hospital staff responded, urging the 24-year-old not to take the infant. Despite efforts from medical staff to prevent her from leaving, Hulse and her husband walked out of the hospital with the baby wrapped in a hospital blanket. Hulse then apparently traveled to Nampa with her son.
The Skagit Valley Herald reported that Hulse's sister brought Jaden to Mercy Medical Center in Nampa that same evening for medical care.
Nampa police received a request Wednesday from the Mount Vernon Police Department to attempt to locate Hulse.
Nampa police officers worked in cooperation with authorities from Mount Vernon and the US Marshall’s Service and contacted her by cell phone. Officers located her a short time later at a residence in the 1000 block of Nectarine Street. She was taken into custody without incident a short time later at that residence on unrelated warrants.
She is booked at Canyon County jail on a felony charge of insufficient funds in Nampa and a Valley County hold for failure to appear.
Hulse has a felony drug case pending against her in Skagit County Superior Court, according to the Skagit Valley Herald.
Jaden is currently receiving medical treatment at a Boise hospital. The 2-year old was located at the residence on Nectarine Street with Hulse. Both children were placed into the custody of the Department of Health and Welfare pending a shelter care hearing.
Nampa police officers continue to work with Mount Vernon investigators. No further local charges are pending against Hulse, Daniels said.
Baked Beans Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup dried navy beans
4 cups water
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon chili powder
1 small onion, chopped
Procedures:
1. Place the navy beans into a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let stand 8 hours to overnight. Or, bring the beans and water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Once boiling, turn off the heat, cover, and let stand 1 hour. Drain and rinse before using.
2. Place the beans in a large saucepan with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 1 hour.
3. Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Stir the ketchup, maple syrup, brown sugar, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and chili powder together in a small bowl; set aside.
4. Once the beans have simmered for 1 hour, drain, and reserve the cooking liquid. Pour the beans into a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish and stir in the chopped onion and the molasses sauce. Stir in enough of the reserved cooking liquid so the sauce covers the beans by 1/4 inch.
5. Cover, and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C), and cook 6 hours longer. Stir the beans after they have cooked for 3 hours. Once the beans are tender and the sauce has reduced and is sticky, remove from the oven, stir, recover, and allow to stand 15 minutes before serving.
Israel Flotilla
The sea battle follows a series of diplomatic setbacks for Israel, including the expulsion recently of Israeli diplomats from Britain and Australia after those governments accused Israel of forging passports used in the alleged murder of a Palestinian official in Dubai. (Israel has said there is no evidence linking Israel to the murder.)
Most recently, Israel failed last week to prevent a United Nations conference on nuclear weapons from singling it out for scrutiny as part of a pledge to work for a Middle East nuclear-free zone.
"Seemingly on the surface, the incident itself is not a strategic crisis for Israel, but Israel is already deep in trouble ... since [the Netanyahu] government came to power," says Yossi Melman, a security and defense expert, who writes for Israel's Haaretz newspaper.
The battle triggered harsh condemnation from Palestinian officials and Israel's Arab neighbors, including those few with relations with Israel. Jordan said the "horrible crime cannot be justified." Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak issued a statement condemning what he called "excessive use of force," according to Egypt's state news agency.
It also drew a tough response from several European allies, who publicly challenged Israel on whether it used disproportionate force in the standoff. But the biggest risk from the incident could be a further, sharp deterioration in relations between Israel and Turkey, analysts said.
The two regional powers had enjoyed a once-close relationship, and often conduct joint military drills. But beginning with Turkey's harsh criticism of Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip from December 2008 to January 2009, that relationship has been under strain.
Some of the flotilla's ships, which Turkey alleges Israeli's navy seized in international waters, were Turkish owned. Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel and has said it will cancel a number of planned exercises with the country.
The incident also could have repercussions for U.S.-brokered peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, a key Washington priority. Any disruption to talks could put more strain on the U.S.-Israel relationship, which has been chilled in recent months by Israel's insistence on continuing West Bank and East Jerusalem settlement-building. Mr. Netanyahu, who was scheduled to visit the White House this week for a meeting that Israeli and U.S. officials hoped would help mend frayed ties, canceled his trip to fly back to Israel and deal with the crisis.
The action also threatens Israel's stated top strategic priority: keeping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. Washington is pushing a fresh set of sanctions against Iran at the U.N., but the international uproar over the violent flotilla boarding could distract from that effort, draining support from some key, nonpermanent members of the Security Council.
"If we are getting on the nerves of the world, this will imperil the country and our real security goals," said Mr. Melman, the security expert
Veterans Day
The president's helicopter landed at about 11:00 a.m. For the Memorial Day service scheduled for noon. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is expected to join Obama in Elwood. Also at the ceremony will be Sen. Dick Durbin and freshman U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson, who is running against Adam Kinzinger, a captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
The White House released Obama's statement about the history of Memorial Day the the reasons that Americans observe the patriotic holiday, Obama stated, 'It’s fitting every day to pay tribute to the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America. Still, there are certain days that have been set aside for all of us to do so. Veterans Day is one such day – when we are called to honor Americans who’ve fought under our country’s flag..' The entire statement by Obama is at Obama asks Americans to observe Memorial Day.
The President of the United States normally observes Memorial Day at the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.
Bolder Boulder 2010
The following is my little chronicle of the first BolderBoulder morning I haven't run it in years...anda slideshow of fun pics I took too.
5:30am, May 31, 2010: It’s about an hour and a half from the start of the 32nd annual BolderBoulder 10k, when the first few waves of more than 50,000 runners will begin the 6.2-mile course through this gorgeous city and finish at the CU stadium, to the roar of crowds filling the stands and cheering the racers, runners and walkers on to their victory.
I live about three blocks away from the BolderBoulder start, and I can’t imagine the insanity that must have taken over that area. Actually, I can: this is the first year of several that I won’t be participating in the BolderBoulder. I got lazy about signing up, which ended up being a good thing, as I am currently recovering from a nasty virus that hit me out of nowhere about five days ago. I’m not quite sick, enough, to not jog over to the start line and snap some photos of the first few waves.
So, enough of my babbling....go check out the slide show! I was fortunate enough to get some awesome shots, and it was a customarily beautiful Boulder day for it. Go BolderBoulder 2010!
Arlington National Cemetery
He said the United States has "a sacred obligation" to provide its servicemen and women — "these new warriors" — with everything they need to carry out their jobs. President Barack Obama was to preside over a separate holiday observance near Chicago later Monday.
Biden honored America's war dead at the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. He was joined by Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Biden also personally left a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, a marble structure holding the remains of unidentified U.S. service members who died during war.
CHICAGO (AP) — President Barack Obama is paying his respects to America's war dead.
The president is scheduled to lay a wreath and deliver remarks Monday at a Memorial Day observance at the Abraham Lincoln Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., south of Chicago.
Presidents traditionally participate in an annual Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, as Obama did last year, his first as president.
Some veterans groups have criticized Obama for not appearing at the nation's most hallowed burial ground this Memorial Day. Vice President Joe Biden will help lay the wreath at Arlington instead.
Obama spoke at the Lincoln cemetery in 2005. He and his family spent the holiday weekend at their home in Chicago
Cooking Channel
Today's listings include all new Cooking Channel shows, but tomorrow viewers will find older Food Network programming mixed with the new shows throughout the day. The variety of programs is refreshing and new for Food Network viewers, a welcome set of new faces with a whole new outlook on food.
So far today viewers have been able to learn Indian cooking with Anjum Anand and Chinese cooking with Ching-He Huang. At the moment, Laura Calder is introducing viewers to her versions of classic french dishes. The day will continue with Rachel Allen's Bake, Bill's Food and Bill's Holiday with Bill Granger, learn Italian dishes with David Rocco, and then spend Chuck's day off with Chuck Hughes.
Costco Hours
In the United States, the main competitors operating membership warehouses are Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club.Although Sam's Club has more warehousesthan Costco, Costco has higher total sales volume.Costco employs about 142,000 full- and part-time employees,including seasonal workers. As of September 2009[update] Costco had 55 million members.For fiscal year 2009, which ended on August 31, 2009, the company's sales totaled $71.42 billion,$1.28 billion of the revenue was net profit.Costco is #24 on the Fortune 500.The ACSI (The American Customer Satisfaction Index) named Costco number one in the specialty retail store industry with a score of 83 in Q4 2008.
Costco is headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, United States and was founded in Kirkland, Washington[citation needed] with its first warehouse in nearby Seattle.Costco has locations in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the United States
Memorial Day Quotes
A national moment of remembrance will take place at 3 p.m. local time.
Today, on Memorial day, let us remember the sacrifices made by men and women in the US army for the country of America.
Here are some inspiring Memorial day quotes:
The brave die never, though they sleep in dust:
Their courage nerves a thousand living men. — Minot J. Savage
And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me. — Lee Greenwood
We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them. — Francis A. Walker
“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one
of those men who goes into battle.” — Norman Schwarzkopf
Gettysburg Address
Invocation will be at 11 a.m., followed by a performance of the "Star Spangled Banner" by the Newburyport High School Marching Band, under the direction of Joe Nuccio. The vocalist is Newburyport's Barron Brissett Jr., a retired Air Force veteran and professional baritone. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Kelly Bennett and her two sons, Nick and Daniel. Then, introductions of elected officials and guest speakers will take place.
There will be a re-dedication of Brown's Square with a historical recitation by noted local historian, World War II veteran and orator, Arnold Lessard.
The procession will move to the waterfront, where fallen Coastguardsmen, Navy and Merchant Marines will be honored. The NHS Marching Band will play the Coast Guard Hymn, the Newburyport Police Honor Guard will render a rifle volley of three shots, and a wreath will be thrown from the Coast Guard Cutter.
The parade continues up State Street to the Veterans' Cemetery at 12:45 p.m. for a benediction. Nock Middle School students will recite the Gettysburg Address, the NHS marching band will play solemn music and Taps, and the Honor Guard rifle volley will take place.
A reception barbecue lunch will take place afterward at the Veterans' Stadium at NHS. Veterans and their families eat free.
Rain will move the ceremony inside to the City Hall Auditorium.
Quebec Fires
The forest fire protection agency of Quebec, SOPFEU, said in the morning that the number of wildfires in the Quebec area was 52, some of this fires are still totally out of control.
The majority of the fires is concentrated in the St. Lawrence Valley zone, which is a heavily populated zone, however the central Quebec area is not safe eighter.
Because of the heavy winds new wildfires are beginning and the smoke from the existing ones is steered into New England and St. Lawrence Valley.
Portland polices said that they started to receive smoke alarm calls from midday. It is hoped for Monday afternoon that the wind will shift, steering the smoke away from New England and St. Lawrence Valley.
Quebec authorities are hoping that on Tuesday morning a heavy spread rain will begin over the Quebec area, this could help the firefighters efforts, how ever it very well could spark new fires with lightnings. It also may happen that the much needed rain will keep away from Quebec, Canada.
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Tosh.0
It reminds me of MST3K for the ADHD. Can't sit through a whole movie listening to pithy comments? Well, Tosh.0 is the show for you with quick shots of bizarre stuff.
Comedy Central has renewed for another season, and there are rumors of a third season, too.
For those of you who can't manage to watch it on TV, you can see it on the Internet on Cast TV or Hulu, or check out this article for more suggestions: How to watch Tosh.0.
I've managed to catch only one episode on TV, but I liked it well enough that I'm going to see what I can see on the Comedy Central website
Jim Nabors
Jim Nabors was the most beloved of the many singers who performedthe tune at the 500. Since 1946, Indianapolis Motor Speedway has played the song, following the "Star-Spangled Banner" and "Taps." In 1972, Jim Nabors made his first appearance and has been singing almost every year since then.
Jim Nabors currently lives in Hawaii. When he's been too ill to make the trip, as in 2007, he's appeared on video screens and encouraged the crowd to sing along.
Jim Nabors was born and raised in Alabama. He started singing in his high school's glee club and church choir.
The son of Mavis and Fred Nabors, Jim was born and raised in Sylacauga, Alabama, where he first began singing in his high school's glee club and church choir.
Mike Conway
Mike Conway injures left leg in airborne crash
INDIANAPOLIS -- IndyCar driver Mike Conway was flown to an Indianapolis hospital for evaluation following a horrific crash at the end of the Indy 500.
ZOOM
Mike Conway's car goes airborne and crashes into a wall between the third and fourth turn in the last lap of the Indianapolis 500 at The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday May 30, 2010.
Conway was battling Ryan Hunter-Reay for position between turns three and four when the two collided. The 26-year-old Englishman's No. 24 car flew up into the catch fence then fell back toward the track, nearly taking out defending champion Helio Castroneves.
Horrific last-lap crash: Amazing photo gallery of Conway incident, plus other accidents.
The ensuing caution helped Dario Franchitti hold off Dan Wheldon for the win.
Hunter-Reay said he had run of gas and had "nowhere to go." Earlier in the race, Hunter-Reay bumped Dixon in the pits. In that incident, Hunter-Reay said he tore ligaments in his right thumb and will have surgery on Monday.
Conway complained of a left leg injury following the wreck. He was immediately taken to Methodist Hospital for evaluation. He was flown because of the heavy post-race traffic.
Conway, who led briefly in the later stages of the race, finished 19th.
ncaa baseball regionals 2010
Ashley Judd
We’ve witnessed in the past few years how Judd was involved in political activites. Back in 2008, she gave her support to Barack Obama, and last year, she appeared in a one-minute video advertisement for the Defenders of Wildlife Action fund, in which Judd condemned Alaska governor, Sarah Palin for supporting aerial wolf hunting.
Judd is active in humanitarian and politcal causes. She got appointed as Global Ambassador for YouthAids.
In the past three years, her involvement in films were only once a year. The last one was when she portrayed the role of Carly, in the 2010 film, Tooth Fairy.
Ashley Judd is currently the advertising “face” of American Beauty.
Dario Franchitti
Franchitti, the Scot, dominated most of the race, leading all but 12 of the first 146 laps.
The race began with a excitement then there was a crash on the first lap, followed by another crash a few laps later.
Veteran driver Davey Hamilton was the oldest participant in the field at 47. He went into the wall just a few seconds into the race.
He complained afterward that Tomas Scheckter caused the wreck.
In addition, Bruno Junqueira crashed a couple of laps later and John Andretti hit the wall on lap 65.
San Francisco residents watched the Indianapolis 500 on channel 7 and were fascinated by it.
Francis Witham a local San Francisco resident said, "It was an amazing race. I am sorry about the crash and hope everyone is okay. We were all just as excited as Ashley Judd was to see her husband Franchitti win."
Soundset 2010
Rolling Thunder 2010
The Rolling Thunder is an event that takes place annually and has been going on for 23 years. In this event motorcycle riders come together to ride freely on a predetermined track that has the maximum number of spectators so that everyone knows what these riders are riding for. The event is not restricted to club members and anyone who is part of the biking culture could come to join the cause.
This event is carried out every year so that when enough people know about it maybe the government would assign a special committee to veteran affairs especially POW and MIA issues that haven’t been resolved.
The main theme of the Rolling Thunder event is freedom and that is the reason that it is based on motorcycle riders because they are the people who understand freedom when they ride off in the sunset in free air. These motorcyclists remind the American people of the soldiers who gave their lives so that all American citizens could enjoy the freedom that they have right now.
Indy 500 Schedule
This year is the 94th running of the Indy 500. There’s a full Indy 500 schedule of events despite the fact that the race itself doesn’t start for hour yet.
Excitement really builds as the race nears. Racers are also getting ready to grab victory. Helio Castroneves is widely favored among the racers. This will be the fourth time if he wins this year. On the other hand, Indy car racing’s most popular driver Danica Patrick was booed earlier for giving negative comments.
2010 Indianapolis 500 TV Schedule:
12:00 p.m. ET – 1:00 p.m. ET – ABC – The Indianapolis 500 Pre-Race coverage
1:00 p.m. ET – 4:30 p.m. ET – ABC – The Indianapolis 500 – Live coverage of 94th running
Kekkaishi
The story was adapted by the Sunrise Anime Studio and made it a 52-episode series from 2006 to 2008 from Yellow Tanabe’s Kekkaishi supernatural action manga. The original mangga has been running in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine since 2003.
The Kekkaishi anime will premiere on Adult Swim, a late night television block in Cartoon Network in the United States this Sunday at 12:30 a.m. EDT. Its first episode entitled “Scars” will repeat at 4:30 a.m.
Mike Russow
In the seconds after the knockout, Russow almost looked embarrassed and wasn't in celebratory mode.
"No man, this was an awful fight," Russow told UFC analyst Joe Rogan.
Rogan said it was the most dramatic one-punch comeback win he had seen in 10 years.
"I didn't execute my gameplan," said Russow. "(The knockout) was a shock."
The 6-foot-3, 253-pound Duffee (6-1, 1-1 UFC) came out quickly and overwhelmed Russow in the opening three minutes. He landed uppercuts and right hooks. Russow, a wrestler by trade, couldn't sniff a takedown but he took all the big Duffee shots. By the end of the first, the thickly muscled Duffee looked to be losing energy. In the second, the pace slowed. Duffee thwarted four takedown attempts and landed some nice shots. It got even more sluggish at the start of the third when Russow (13-1, 2-0 UFC) pulled off the hail mary punch.
Duffee, a former linebacker at Southern Illinois, was the rage of the sport after he destroyed Tim Hague at UFC 102. He was heavily hyped and promoted in the lead-up to UFC 114. Duffee told everyone to back off a little and that he still needs time. Russow's win also proves that looks mean little. During the fight, Rogan said Russow's puffy body compared to Duffee's chiseled physique was like a before and after photo. In the end, it didn't matter because Russow's chin was more sturdy.
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Amir Sadollah
Even though it seems to be a boring fight in the Spike TV special Dong Hyun Kim real show how dominating he is on the ground. As chances gets into knocking out Kim on stand up fight still Kim always successfully taken down Amir.
Kim clearly won this fight and well good luck on his next opponent.
Check out the UFC 114 live stream coverage this May 29, 2010 at 10:00 pm ET so watch UFC 114 Live stream tonight.
Duke Lacrosse
The Duke Blue Devils know the feeling.
About four weeks ago, Virginia women's lacrosse player Yeardley Love was found dead in her apartment, and murder charges soon were brought against men's lacrosse player George Huguely.
About four years ago, three members of Duke's lacrosse team were charged with the sexual assault of an exotic dancer, a case that dominated headlines for a year and threatened to decimate Duke's program.
Today, the rivals with more than a conference in common meet in the national semifinals (6:30 p.m., ESPN2) at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.
"We're simply trying to do the best we can," Virginia coach Dom Starsia said. "There aren't a lot of directives for what we've been through."
While it may not be fair to compare a murder case to a sexual assault case, especially in light of the eventual exoneration of those accused in the Duke case, Duke's players certainly can relate to dealing with the glare of the national spotlight.
In 2006, when a Duke team that appeared capable of reaching the Final Four had its season cancelled in light of the allegations, current Duke coach John Danowski was the parent of a Duke player. Danowski, head coach at Hofstra at the time, had a son, standout Matt Danowski, on the Blue Devils' roster.
"I wasn't here in 2006 when everything happened, but I know guys don't really want to talk about it," Danowski said. "Very quickly -- whether it's healthy or unhealthy -- they just want to move on with their lives. Other people can be angry, but they have so much going on with school, with their futures, internships, jobs, friends, that it doesn't really consume them.
"Kids are extremely resilient."
Danowski does know what it's like to compete in the Final Four with emotion at the forefront. In 2007, less than two months after Duke's charged players were cleared, the Blue Devils fell just short of the NCAA championship.
"The first year was so unique with everything that went on," Danowski said. "The whole year was not about lacrosse; it was about so many other things, and at the end it became way too emotional."
With the Virginia's men playing for themselves but also for the grieving women's team, Starsia understands that the same thing could happen to the top-ranked Cavaliers, but he also knows there's little he could or should do about it.
Roy Halladay
CAPTIONBy Wilfredo Lee, AP
Saturday he was even better than that – downright perfect.
The Philadelphia Phillies ace retired all 27 Florida Marlins he faced, throwing the 20th perfect game in history in a 1-0 victory at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.
Facing three pinch hitters in the ninth inning, Halladay got Mike Lamb on a deep fly to center, struck out Wes Helms looking – the right-hander's 11th strikeout of the game, a season high – and induced a groundout to third from Ronny Paulino, with third baseman Juan Castro ranging to his left to gobble it up.
Always stoic on the mound, Halladay (7-3) broke into a big smile as his teammates rushed in to congratulate him. Catcher Carlos Ruiz was the first one to reach Halladay, and the two embraced in the infield as the rest of the team promptly joined in.
"We felt like we got in a groove early and about the fifth or sixth I was just following Chooch,'' Halladay said in an on-field TV interview, calling Ruiz by his nickname. "I can't say enough about the job he did today. Mixed pitches. For me it was really a no-brainer.
"Early in my bullpen (before the game) I felt like I was hitting spots more than I have been, and I felt like I just carried that out there.''
Halladay got a nice play in the eighth on Jorge Cantu's hot smash, with Castro going down to his knees to snare it, recovering and throwing to first in plenty of time. When Cody Ross popped to short to end the eighth, Halladay showed no emotion, simply walking to the dugout with his head bowed a bit, tugging once on the left shoulder of his gray jersey.
This was the second perfect game in Phillies history – Hall of Famer Jim Bunning threw one against the New York Mets on June 21, 1964 – and the second one in the majors this month. The Oakland A's Dallas Braden performed the feat against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 9.
It is the first time in the modern era there have been a pair of perfectos in the same season. In addition, the Colorado Rockies' Ubaldo Jimenez threw a no-hitter in April.
Halladay's was the third perfect game in the last 10 months, with Mark Buehrle doing it last July 23 for the Chicago White Sox against Tampa Bay.
Halladay had a complete-game one-hitter last September against the New York Yankees, though with far less drama, thanks to Ramiro Pena getting a double to right field in the sixth inning.
Even before Saturday, Halladay had certainly lived up to expectations since being acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in a multi-team trade, going 6-3 with a 2.22 ERA in his first 10 starts.
Halladay, the 2003 AL Cy Young Award winner, was within one out of a no-hitter on Sept. 27, 1998, in just his second major league start, pitching for the Blue Jays against Detroit. Pinch-hitter Bobby Higginson ended that on the first pitch he saw, hitting a solo home run.
On Saturday, the crowd of 25,086 was with Halladay much of the way, especially in the ninth.
Paulino fouled the first pitch into the seats along the first-base side, took ball one, swung and missed for strike two, then hit a groundball to third. Castro ranged to his left to get it and threw across to first baseman Ryan Howard, who caught the ball and jumped in the air.
It was over, and the Phillies mobbed Halladay, surrounding him in a circle as stadium workers immediately — and inexplicably — ran out to sweep the mound and plate area.
In a week that saw the hard-hitting Phillies get shut out on three straight days by the New York Mets, Halladay delivered the most masterful pitching performance of all.
Philadelphia has thrown 10 no-hitters, the last by Kevin Millwood in 2003. It was the second time the Marlins had been no-hit, the lone other coming by the Dodgers' Ramon Martinez on July 14, 1995.
The NL East leaders' lone run off Josh Johnson (5-2) came in the third, and fittingly in this battle of aces, it was unearned. Wilson Valdez singled, then scored when Chase Utley's fly to center skipped off Cameron Maybin's glove for a three-base error.
Valdez scored easily and Halladay had all the support he needed.
Kendry Morales
Morales suffered the fracture on Saturday afternoon while celebrating his own walkoff grand slam at home plate. It's a horrible blow to the Angels, who have relied on Morales' power for a few years. According to the Orange County Register, he could miss the remainder of the 2010 season.
Lakers vs Suns Game 6
Channing Frye hit a long jumper just before the timeout to tie the score.
Ron Artest is looking like an offensive whiz so far, his latest was a fallaway jumper. Artest has hit four of six shots and has nine points.
Derek Fisher drew a foul on Grant Hill and hit all three free throws to give the Lakers a 25-23 lead with about 5:20 left in the quarter.
Get news and stories direct from our Sports desk to your inbox with our daily L.A. Sports Connection newsletter. Sign up »
Kobe Bryant returned to the game after getting a cut on his finger bandaged and hit a three, then shot an airball on his next three.
The Lakers have done a good job denying Amare Stoudmire the ball; he took only one shot in the first six minutes of the quarter.
First quarter, 6:45 remaining: Lakers 19, Suns 19
So far it's an even shooting contest. The Lakers are shooting 80% from the field, the Suns 75%.
Ron Artest is looking for his shot early and took three shots, and made all of them, in the first four minutes. Artest has seven points to lead the Lakers in scoring.
Meanwhile, Jason Richardson leads the Suns with seven pionts.
Kobe Bryant drew a foul on Grant Hill while hitting a bankshot. He hit the free throw to give the Lakers a 17-14 lead. Bryant had a cut on his finger and came out to get it bandaged; he was replaced by Shannon Brown.
Andrew Bynum has been getting deep position in the paint and has hit his first two field goals. Suns center Robin Lopez already has two fouls in the first two-plus minutes and has gone to the bench.
But he was replaced by Channing Frye, who hit a three on his first possession.
Lakers vs. Suns Game 6, Pregame
One key tonight for the Lakers, who hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals series, will be how many turnovers their defense can force from the Phoenix Suns.
In the Suns' two wins in this series, both at Phoenix, they have averaged only seven turnovers a game, while in their three losses at Staples Center the Suns have turned the ball over an average of 14 times a game.
Of course, defense is a relative rarity in this series, with both teams scoring more than 100 points in every game. In Game 5, when the Lakers escaped thanks to Ron Artest's last second put-back basket of a Kobe Bryant airball, they did hold the Suns to a series low of 101 points, though Phoenix still shot 46.8% from the field.
UFC 114 Start Time
We’ve been making predictions on all of the major UFC 114 fights and none is more anticipated than the main event between “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans. These two have been at each other’s throats with nothing but trash talk since their stint as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter and again in the weeks leading up to their fight. Now it’s time to finally figure out who will come out on top and Rashad Evans is the small UFC 114 betting favorite.
Sports Interaction is the place to bet on UFC 114 and you will want to place your bets with these guys. Open an account with Sports Interaction and get a 100% bonus – up to $116 free! Click here to open your UFC 114 betting account with Sports Interaction now.
“Rampage” Jackson gained fame in the Pride organization before coming over to the UFC and capturing the light heavyweight title. Jackson is 30-7 over the course of his lengthy mixed martial arts career and has notable wins over Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, Dan Henderson, and Ricardo Arona. Although “Rampage” has excellent slams and nice wrestling skills he’s been more apt to rely on his brutal power and vastly improved boxing skills in recent bouts.
Rashad Evans is a former collegiate wrestler that will bring a career record of 14-1-1 into his UFC 114 fight against Jackson. Evans has a ton of power and decent head movement when standing but he has relied on his wrestling and smothering ability in recent fights after getting knocked out cold by former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida. Rashad Evans has wins over Thiago Silva, Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, and Lyoto Machida after winning the reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter as a heavyweight.
UFC 114 predictions here call for a bet on Quinton “Rampage” Jackson due to the fact that I think his striking is better and that it’ll be extremely tough for Rashad to take him down. Jackson has excellent takedown defense and he should be able to connect on an early bomb to end the fight before he goes on to challenge Mauricio “Shogun” Rua for the UFC light heavyweight title.
True Romance
Dennis Hopper died Saturday morning at his home in Venice, Calif.., after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 74.
Hopper, who starred with his friend James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause" and "Giant" in the 1950s, has more than 200 performances in film and television listed on the Internet Movie Database, ranging from bit parts in "Cool Hand Luke" and an episode of "Naked City" to classic performances in "Blue Velvet," "True Romance," "Apocalypse Now" and many other films.
Hopper will forever be remembered, though, for directing and starring in 1969's "Easy Rider," the bikers-in-search-of-America film he made with Peter Fonda, which also first introduced Jack Nicholson to a mass audience. The movie signaled an end to the traditional Hollywood system and the beginning of a new brand of outlaw filmmaker with the ability to connect to mainstream audiences.
But Hopper was never again able to match the success of "Easy Rider" as a director, and he spent many years battling both his tendency to indulge in substance abuse and a bad reputation.
In 1986, though, Hopper bounced back with two films that re-established his career -- "Hoosiers" and "Blue Velvet." He earned a supporting actor Oscar nomination for "Hoosiers," playing an alcoholic basketball coach, but it was his fierce turn as the gas-huffing fiend Frank Booth in David Lynch's "Blue Velvet" that wowed most critics.
In the years since, Hopper appeared in blockbusters such as "Speed" and "Waterworld" while signing on to numerous cheesy films such as "Super Mario Bros." And every once in a while, he'd find a gem like "Paris Trout" or "Elegy," or his small, perfect role in "True Romance."
"You can only do what's offered to you, sometimes you have choices and sometimes you don't," Hopper told The News in an August 2008 interview
."I've done over 150 movies. A lot of them, unfortunately, are only seen in Eastern Europe and Fiji, and they love bad movies there by the way," Hopper said.
Still, Hopper said he continued to love acting.
"I still feel the same way about acting as when I was a kid," he said. "It's always a challenge and you're always learning."
And he knew he'd been lucky to survive his tumultuous youth.
"I never thought I'd live to be 30," Hopper said.
Victoria Duffy
In March 2010 Hopper filed papers on court saying Duffy had absconded art belonging to him valued in $1.5 million and she wouldn’t return it. That same month hopper was granted a restraining order against Victoria Duffy.
There are no news of her and his death. We imagine that she wasn’t present given all the divorce history.
Jennifer Bunney
Jennifer Bunney in 2006. (Getty)
Bunney, who is looking much blonder these days, among other things, dished on her friend's separation to the gossip site. She said: "Heidi has spent so much time with Spencer and now she wants to be able to spend more time with herself and friendships."
A more recent pic of Jennifer Bunney. (TMZ)
The former Hills star is apparently talking to all the gossip sites. She dished to RadarOnline, as well, telling the outlet: “Heidi and I are moving into a Malibu beach house this summer. We’re really excited to do girly things and show people who we really are and that we’re really fun, sweet and loyal girls.”
USA VS Turkey
He played 65 minutes in Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat to the Czech Republic in East Hartford, Conn., making his first appearance in seven months since rupturing the patellar tendon in his left knee. It raises questions about how quickly he will be able to recover between matches in the World Cup.
“There’s nothing wrong with Gooch,” the team spokesman Michael Kammarman said of Onyewu. “We expect to see him in the second half.”
(Onyewu entered the game after halftime and played the entire second half. Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey scored goals in the second half to give the United States a 2-1 victory.)
The American lineup featured Dempsey at forward with Altidore, the expected World Cup alignment.
In the midfield, the Americans started Landon Donovan and Benny Feilhaber on the wings, with Ricardo Clark and Michael Bradley in the middle.
The back line featured Jonathan Spector, Carlos Bocanegra, Jay DeMerit and Clarence Goodson, with Tim Howard in goal.
Doctor Who Cold Blood Torrent
A canal, its banks swollen to bursting, was to their right. In the convoy near Basra city were two men called Paul McGee and Stephen Ferguson, both members of the Scots Guards and close friends. They tried to control their fear, letting their training take over and praying for a safe return to base. Just another routine evening on duty in Iraq.
Then Ferguson, who was driving in front, swerved, possibly to avoid what he thought was an IED, lost control and plunged into the canal. McGee, driving behind, didn't hesitate. He leapt from his vehicle and dived into the water. For over 20 minutes he desperately tried to free his friend. He struggled to open the hatch against the weight of water, eventually managing to drag Ferguson out of the vehicle and up onto the bank. As they waited for medics to arrive McGee gave the kiss of life, begging him to hold on and reassuring him that help was on its way.
Ferguson was picked up by helicopter and eventually flown back to a military hospital in the UK, but having spent so long under water, his brain was damaged and he never regained full consciousness. A week later his life support machine was turned off. McGee came home for the funeral and wept in Ferguson's father's arms as he apologised for failing to save his son.
McGee on tour with the Scots Guard. He was a victim of a different type of war being waged on Britain's streets. Knife crime
Six months after Ferguson's death, McGee received the Queen's Commendation For Bravery. His mother recalls how he was told to stand by and await a call from his commanding offi cer; he then turned around calmly to tell her the news. She screamed out loud and rushed off to the local shop to buy a bottle of wine.
'What mother wouldn't be proud?' she says. 'I wanted to celebrate. But Paul said to me, "Mum, I lost a good friend that night. It's no cause for celebration."'
October 25, 2009, was a similarly foul night with driving rain and a fierce gale. This time in Scotland. McGee had finished his tour of duty in Iraq and had taken a new job as the face of Scots Guards recruitment in Glasgow. His role involved visiting schools and youth centres espousing the merits of Army life, and it was one he relished. He had also met the woman he wanted to marry.
McGee had been to a local charity dinner with his girlfriend Helen Laycock and both their mothers. They'd all had a drink so they took a taxi back to Lochwinnoch, the sleepy lochside town just 30 minutes outside Glasgow where Paul lived with his mother Anne and his sister Kelly.
The four of them chatted in the taxi: Anne McGee sitting in front; Helen and her mother, Ann, with Paul in the back seat. As the taxi turned o ff a country lane, they almost hit a car ahead of them that was crawling along with only fog lights on. The taxi driver swerved to avoid it and flashed the driver to warn him to turn his headlights on.
Ian Wallace (left) who was jailed for assaulting McGee's mother; and McGee's killer, 18st Barry McGrory (right)
'Watch it, that could be a psycho,' joked Helen. They all giggled but no one noticed the car follow them.
The driver of the other car, Barry McGrory, didn't turn his headlights on. Instead he and his friend Ian Wallace followed the taxi in silence and in darkness, the rain making them unseen and the wind making them unheard. For 20 minutes they drove behind the taxi as it wound through the quiet Scottish countryside, past the edge of the loch, along past the pub and the post o ffice and right up to the front door of Anne McGee's home in McConnell Road.
As the taxi came to a halt, Wallace pounced. He appeared at the driver's door and as the taxi driver wound his window down Wallace began screaming obscenities at him.
'I'm Ian Wallace, who do you think you are flashing me? Don't you know who I am?'
He started to throw punches through the window, then opened the door trying to drag the driver out. Helen reached for the door handle but felt Paul's hand over hers trying to open it first. Helen's mother tried to pull the driver away but Wallace turned upon her, biting her on the finger right to the bone.
Paul was incensed. Now outside the car he started to throw punches back at Wallace. A fitter man and a better fighter, he was getting the better of their assailant. But Wallace, who was drunk (he later admitted to a police doctor he'd drunk two litres of strong cider every day of his adult life) hit back hard. The two men grappled and punched. Anne screamed at the taxi driver to go, thinking it would be safer for him. No one had any doubt Paul could knock out the man. The taxi drove away.
But what they had all failed to notice was Barry McGrory sitting quietly in the other car. Watching and waiting. Calmly and quietly.
McGee and Wallace were by now on the ground, both exhausted.
'At that stage the fight was over,' recalls Helen.
McGrory opened his vehicle door, pushed past her and crouched down - her first instinct was that he'd come to drag his friend Wallace away. Then as he stood up she saw something glinting in his hand.
She screamed: 'What have you just done? What have you done to my Paul?'
McGrory looked her calmly in the face as Wallace got up, then the two got back in their car and drove away. Helen and Anne leant over Paul. He was staring into the distance trying to focus.
He managed to whisper: 'Can you move away a bit? I can't breathe properly.'
Helen and her mother, both trained sta ff nurses, frantically tried to search Paul's body for wounds, but couldn't find any due to the thick jacket he was wearing. Helen lifted his head out of a puddle and held his hand as his mother cradled him in her arms. In the same way that less than two years earlier Paul had begged his fallen Army comrade to hold on and reassured him help was coming, Paul's loved ones begged him not to die and told him that an ambulance was on its way. Having survived bombs and mortar attacks he died helplessly on his mother's doorstep, a victim of a diff erent type of war being waged on Britain's streets. Knife crime.
McGrory had stabbed McGee six times, the fatal blow had pierced his heart.
In many ways McGee is just another statistic, but one that also represents another son, brother and lover lost. Guardsman McGee also, as his commanding o cer said, 'died standing up for right. Paul died as he had lived, a quiet hero.'
The e ffect on Paul's family has been devastating. His mother is too scared to leave her house alone; his sister shakes constantly and her friends say she's lost more than three stone in weight. And his girlfriend is unable to move on - her Facebook page still says she's in a relationship with Paul, and she spent Christmas and Valentine's Day at his grave.
'My friends get to go out with their boyfriends on a Saturday night; mine lives in the ground,' she shrugs.
McGrory and Wallace are both 28 years old, just a year younger than McGee who was a few weeks short of his 29th birthday when he died. All three were from similar working-class backgrounds, from the same area, and in their early years all three men had attended the same school, Johnstone High.
Yet one had gone on to be a soldier decorated for bravery, while Wallace was an unemployed alcoholic with ten previous convictions for assault, and McGrory was a man capable of stabbing another in cold blood, who nicknamed the hunting knife he always carried with him 'my baby'.
There were 252 knife homicides across England and Wales in 2008/09. Last year there were 57 knife-related killings in Scotland, where the murder rate with a knife is two and half times higher than in England and Wales. A 48 per cent increase in stab-related hospital admissions between 1997 and 2007 in England is a clear indication knives are being used to inflict more serious wounds and are causing more fatalities than ever before.
Police outside the McGees' house in Lochwinnoch, where Paul was stabbed to death
In 2008, 5,239 people were admitted to NHS hospitals in England with a stab wound. These figures do not include people who are pronounced dead before hospital admission took place, which is thought to be 80 per cent of all fatal stabbings.
That McGee's murder happened in the Scottish countryside reveals another worrying trend: that knife crime is leaving the more traditional deprived urban locations for villages and suburbs. The Home A ffairs select committee on knife crime in 2009 found a small but consistently steady increase in knife assaults in non-urban areas.
The majority of knife crime off enders are young men aged 18-24 from deprived urban areas. Teenage gang-related knife stories, such as the murder of Sofyen Ghailan at Victoria Station in London in March, an incident in which 35 schoolchildren were involved and which happened in front of horrified commuters, make routine headline news. In cases like that victims are mostly other gang members. But those statistics are also changing - perpetrators now fit wider age and race profiles and the number of girls carrying knives has also risen sharply, as has the number of victims killed in random stranger attacks with no prior connections to their assailants.
Rob Kennedy was Stephen Ferguson's best friend. McGee met Kennedy when he received his bravery award and they became close friends. Kennedy shakes his head with bewilderment.
'Some boys just took a di fferent path,' he says. 'I don't know why but I think it got decided as teenagers. Of my closest friends at school, three of them are now heroin addicts. One lad I knew has had two brothers die of addictions and he's still a dealer. Can you believe that? I went to one of the lads' funeral and another of the lads I knew at school came up to me and had a go at me. He said, "I know you think you're better than us because you have a job." I replied, "Yeah, actually I do. I'm nothing special, I'm a truck driver and I've never signed on in my life. So yes, I do think I'm better than you lot."'
McGee's mother Anne and sister Kelly at his funeral
Just opposite Johnstone High is a notorious council estate called Sandyflats. Rows of Sixties houses off er a glimpse of Glasgow's underclass. Burnt-out cars litter the roads and many houses are boarded up. It's here that the extended Wallace family live. Outside
Wallace's cousin's house, where he was supposed to be babysitting on the night of the murder, several children run up and down the street. I recognise one of them as Wallace's niece. I'd seen her in court two days before giving evidence via a video link. Tearfully she'd described being woken up by the sound of Wallace washing his clothes (which the prosecution alleged was an attempt to destroy DNA evidence) in the middle of the night. Her mother didn't return from her night out until 2pm the following day.
But occasionally, among the wrecks and rubbish, there's a glimpse of a neatly tended lawn, a family having a BBQ and a water fight in the sunshine.
'We all had tough times as kids,' says Kennedy, 'but the story doesn't always have to be about crime. It's about who you are as a person.'
Ironically, both McGee's parents and McGrory's parents had moved house looking for a better future for their children, the McGrorys to Erskine, the McGees to the quiet village of Lochwinnoch. It was, says Anne McGee, the type of place where kids could play freely for hours on end.
'You'd nae have to worry about them and knew they'd come home when they got hungry and tired.'
Few people in either Johnstone or Erskine said they remembered McGrory. One neighbour described him as 'a kind of zombie boy. He never said hello to anyone. He'd just walk past you like he never saw you.' Apart from his girlfriend, who told the court in his defence she'd never known him to be confrontational, Wallace appears to have been his only real companion.
Last month, McGrory was found guilty of McGee's murder and Wallace of assaulting Anne McGee and Helen's mother, Ann. Both men had initially been charged with murder but the murder charge against Wallace was later dropped. McGrory then mounted a special defence blaming Wallace for the stabbing. The advocate who defended McGrory, Thomas Ross, had two years earlier successfully defended him on a di fferent attempted-murder charge. McGrory had chased a man and stabbed him in the head and face, seriously injuring him and disfiguring him for life. The jury learned this only after bringing their guilty verdict.
McGrory was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 20 years for what the judge called an 'utterly senseless crime'. Wallace got 15 months. The judge said his profile suggested he is extremely likely to o ffend again.
Ben Kinsella was murdered in 2007
Eighteen-stone McGrory barely registered emotion in court, hand-cuff ed to two prison o fficers and separated from the public gallery by a sheet of reinforced glass. The glass was a throwback from when the same court room was used in the trial of the Lockerbie bomber. Over the ten-day trial at Glasgow High Court he wore the same brown shirt every day, occasionally darting glances at Wallace, his co-accused. Wallace was the more confident and cockier of the two, sporting a mullet and a Pu a jacket.
The public gallery was packed with both people and tension. Every day McGee's relatives and friends had to walk the intimidating gauntlet of a crowd of McGrorys. Without speaking, both families naturally gravitated to opposite sides of the gallery but were still too close for either side's comfort. During breaks, both families were forced to share the same outside space for smoking. When McGrory was pronounced guilty his family shouted abuse and called the McGees - the victim's family - 'scum'.
As witnesses for Wallace and McGrory took the stand, one thing was crystal clear: employment was not a factor in their lives. A stream of cousins and girlfriends gave evidence on their behalf, and when asked to state their occupation all had the same reply. None.
On the night of the killing McGrory and Wallace, together with his girlfriend Kerry Gribben, were babysitting his cousin's two small children. The two men left Gribben with the children and went out to buy alcohol and drugs. What they were doing on the country lane when the taxi fatefully flashed them is still not known. Gribben told how she woke up at around 2am to hear Wallace and McGrory come back to the house shouting at each other.
Jimmy Mizen was murdered in May 2008
She said: 'Ian was shouting, "What did you do that for?" Barry replied, "Your face was turning blue, I had to do something, so I plugged him."' When asked what she understood by the term 'plugged' she replied, 'There's only one thing it can mean. Stabbed.'
Twenty-two-year-old Gribben, a pathetic figure who admitted she can barely read or write, is heavily pregnant with Wallace's baby. She already has a two-year-old son and knows the term 'plugged' all too well. Her first child's father was stabbed to death in front of her by a man she'd met and brought home for sex. Despite sobbing pitifully when this was referred to in court, on the night of McGee's murder she described with a chilling lack of empathy how after McGrory left the house, Wallace calmly put his clothes in the washing machine, had a bath and went to bed. Both fell straight to sleep. Her justification for not calling the police as soon as she'd heard about the stabbing was to say: 'Well I didn't know the boy was dead at that point did I?'
Like the parents of Jimmy Mizen and former EastEnders actress Brooke Kinsella, whose brother Ben was murdered in 2007, the McGee family have launched a campaign to introduce mandatory minimum custodial sentencing for those caught carrying knives. The petition, which has so far attracted nearly 11,000 signatures, was presented to the Scottish parliament in March.
The problem is clear: less than a quarter of people convicted of possessing an o ffensive weapon were jailed last year. Of those who are jailed, more than half re-o ffend within a year of release. In the same year knives were estimated to have been used in 138,000 robberies, woundings or assaults in England and Wales. The organisation Kids Count estimates that knife crime costs the state in the region of £1.25 billion per year - a figure which, as the profile of both off enders and victims widens, is only set to grow.
McGee's younger sister Kelly says, 'Paul was our hero and a real hero who risked his life for his country. To die like he did... his death can't be in vain, it just can't be.'
As she looks at the framed photo of Paul resplendent in his Guardsman's uniform, which dominates the family living room, she says: 'This happened in Lochwinnoch, a place where nothing ever happens. If it can happen here to someone like my brother, then believe me when I say it's happening everywhere.'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)