A Look Into The Top Four Play-Off Contenders For The Eastern Conference
March 14, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) With a little over 4 weeks remaining in the regular season of the NBA before the ultra-intense play-offs begins, here is a closer look into the top four teams of the Eastern conference, one of which will represent the East against a powerhouse team from the West.
Boston Celtics – The acquisition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in the off-season by the Celtics is evidently paying off for Coach Doc Rivers and GM Danny Ainge. Holding a sizeable lead in the standings over all the teams in the league means a home-court advantage throughout the festivities on April up until June when a new champion reigns. Garnett will undoubtedly takeover the leadership role from Paul Pierce and his intensity will be the key to the Celtics success. If the team can stay relatively healthy and play together with their newly signed players in veterans PJ Brown and Sam Cassel, then they have the chance to go all the way.
Detroit Pistons — The Pistons are still the team to beat in the East. With a solid starting line-up and a clearly developing bench, they will prove to be a tough match for any opponent in a seven game series both in the East and out West. Chauncey Billups will handle the leadership responsibilities and his cast of play-off savvy veterans like Richard Hamilton, Antonio McDyess, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince will provide ample support. Expect a Pistons versus the Celtics East finals but not before a fight from the next two teams in the league.
Orlando Magic – This team is the dark horse in the East. Any team with All-star and Slam Dunk king champion Dwight Howard manning the middle will always have a fighting chance against the better teams in the league. Another factor going for the Magic is the gigantic improvement of forward Hedo Torkuglo from a dependable player into an all-star caliber forward this year. The 6′-10″ Torkuglo handles the rack most of the time and is the key initiator to the Magic offense. He can see the court pretty well with his height and his three point shooting makes him a unique asset. With the addition of Rashard Lewis and a possible comeback of Toni Battie on the play-offs, the Magic are primed for an upset.
Cleveland Cavaliers – The defending Eastern Conference champions Cleveland Cavaliers are on a tough spot. After a dismal start, they decided to break up their roster and trade for marginal players in the league. But with Lebron James, anything is absolutely possible, something which he proved last year. If their key players such as Bobie Gibson, Z Ilgauskus and Sasha Pavlovic could return to favorable health, then the Cav’s are poised to hit another run and make a serious attempt for the division crown again this year with LBJ at the helm.
The remaining teams in the Eastern conference holds no real chance of getting out of the first round. The Washington Wizards if healthy can certainly make a run at it but will prove to be futile as the case the last couple of years. The Toronto Raptors are too inconsistent and young to be considered contenders this year while the Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets and the Atlanta Hawks are their to complete the cast.
“Window Dressing” for Failed Strategy, MPP Charges
March 14, 2008
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Drug Czar John Walters’ scheduled appearance at a press conference this morning to announce a new SAMHSA report on the dangers of teen inhalant abuse flies in the face of his office’s misplaced priorities, officials of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. said today. MPP noted that Walters’ just-released National Drug Control Strategy virtually ignores deadly inhalants while continuing Walters’ obsessive focus on marijuana, the least dangerous of illicit drugs.
“It’s long been known that inhalants kill, but John Walters has ignored the problem since he became drug czar, while maintaining an obsessive focus on marijuana,” said Aaron Houston, MPP’s director of government relations. “The 2008 National Drug Control Strategy mentions inhalants exactly twice, once in a graph and once in the acknowledgments section — but it mentions marijuana 116 times, 28 in the introduction alone.
“As a parent, I’m appalled at the drug czar’s priorities,” Houston continued. “As the media advisory for Walters’ press conference points out, inhalants can kill the very first time you use them, and their use often comes before marijuana or other drugs. We absolutely think kids shouldn’t smoke marijuana, but marijuana has never caused a fatal overdose, and it doesn’t cause the sort of permanent damage to the brain, liver and other organs that inhalants like solvents and paint thinner can. The lives of our children are being sacrificed to John Walters’ obsessive crusade against marijuana, and one window-dressing press conference isn’t enough to change that.”
Walters is scheduled to appear with SAMHSA officials and others at a 9:30 a.m. National Press Club news conference today to discuss the new inhalants report.
With more than 23,000 members and 180,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://MarijuanaPolicy.org.
###
Fast, Decisive Action Needed at U.S. Land Ports
March 14, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) U.S. and Canadian officials will meet in tiny Jackman, Maine this March 2008, and, if winter permits, sink a ceremonial shovel into the cold, hard earth. Aside from some local coverage, the kickoff event for a new Land Port of Entry probably won’t receive much attention. At least not the attention it deserves.
The Jackman groundbreaking is more than just pomp – a tangible step toward easing the fierce border congestion spawned by heightened trade with Canada and Mexico, made worse through years of inattention to our land ports.
Not surprisingly, traffic and tempers have flared to the boiling point. On average, about $2 billion in trade cross the nation’s 163 border crossings each day, along with 350,000 vehicles, 135,000 pedestrians and 30,000 trucks.
Jackman is getting a new facility because the old one is woefully outdated. If only this Northern outpost were the exception! But the story’s the same in countless Northern and Southern border towns, where lanes intended to facilitate trade and travel are too often choked with cars, trucks and exhaust fumes.
America, her visitors and her neighbors deserve a better front door, one that is welcoming, secure and mutually profitable.
That is why I announced several months ago that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) – responsible for building and maintaining our nation’s land ports - was committed to bringing new resources and energy to this urgent task. The President has asked us to meet a higher standard at the borders focusing not solely on security, but also facilitating the free flow of legitimate trade and travelers. So, I want GSA to build what we can, where we can as fast as we can.
Over the past several months, we have:
- Significantly cut the time it takes to build and design a land port;
- Encouraged state and local leaders to send us practical solutions to relieve congestion;
- And urged greater participation from the private sector, as infrastructure enhancements are a perfect opportunity for public-private partnerships.
GSA currently has 27 land port projects valued at $1.8 billion. Included in the mix are new inspection booths, roads, bridges, and secondary checkpoints. The building boom is underway at Jackman and Calais, Maine, San Ysidro, Calif., San Luis, Ariz., and many other cites.
In moving forward, we’ve learned some valuable lessons. Those lessons will be part of the agenda in May, when GSA sponsors a unique land ports conference in San Diego. The event will bring together numerous experts on issues ranging from city officials sharing insights on how sister cities can improve commerce and security, to utilizing public-private partnerships to stimulate new border projects, opportunities for local, small businesses to participate in the building boom at our land ports, and to being prepared in case of a catastrophic event at the borders of the U.S.
Such topics warrant our undivided attention. Ports of Entry are critical facilities that not only control the secure flow of legitimate trade and travel across our borders; ports also provide foreign visitors their first glimpse of our great nation.
I don’t want that view ruined by frustration, traffic and smog. I don’t want one more study telling us what we already know - that the borders are unbearably congested. The time to act is now, and at GSA, we are committed to action.
Lurita Doan is Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration
Ghost (Hunters) in Your Long Island Neighborhood!
March 12, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) PR - Turn on almost any channel on the television and you’ll find shows on ghosts, hauntings and other paranormal activity. Let’s face it; the paranormal is all the rage now. But did you know that Long Island has its very own ‘ghost busters’?
Despite the plethora of paranormal groups on Long Island, the Long Island Society for Paranormal Research (LISPR) is the only TAPS Family member in lower New York State (TAPS are the well-known investigators of Sci-Fi’s Channel’s Ghost Hunters).
LISPR, which was founded by Peter Franz in 2003, uses state of the art equipment to come up with a scientific explanation for strange paranormal activity. The all-volunteer group gathers information about a case through research, interviews, and word-of-mouth.
Investigations consist of scientific experiments that include Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP), photo analysis, dramatic temperature change, electro-magnetic field anomalies, and other various testing.
All investigations are FREE OF CHARGE. LISPR will never, under any circumstances, use a Ouija board or conduct a séance of any kind. LISPR’s goal is to help families and individuals who are confused and concerned about what is going on, and to collect proof of ghosts and life after death.
LISPR has investigated over 40 private homes, as well as some of Long Island’s notable haunted houses, cemeteries and roads, including Raynham Hall, Sweet Hollow Road, Mount Misery, Old Bethpage Village and the Suffolk County Cemetery.
LISPR has also had speaking engagements on subjects such as ghost hunting, haunted Long Island and Long Island Legends. Two more topics will be added in the fall of 2008: Demonology, and Monsters and Legends. Later this year the group will be giving a presentation at Hofstra University.
For more information about the Long Island Society for Paranormal Research, or to make arrangements for LISPR to come and give a presentation at your location, please visit www.lispr.com
Obama Captures Mississippi Primary, Clinton Denounce Ferraro’s Statement
March 12, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Barack Obama won the Mississippi primary with relative ease after capturing 90 percent of the black vote while salvaging 25 percent of the white people for the state to add majority of the 33 delegates up for grabs in Mississippi and extend his sizeable lead against top rival Hilary Clinton.
Early returns coming in from over 25 percent of Mississippi’s total number of precincts have Obama leading with 58 percent to Clinton’s 42 percent. Current delegate count stands with Obama gathering 1,585 to Clinton’s 1,473. Both candidates need to secure at least 2,025 to win the Democratic Party nomination during the Democratic National Convention to be held this summer.
Meanwhile, New York Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton denounced Geraldine Ferraro’s comments regarding Barack Obama and his race by saying, “I do not agree with that,” the former first lady also added “It’s regrettable that any of our supporters — on both sides, because we both have this experience — say things that kind of veer off into the personal. We ought to keep this on the issues. There are differences between us on approaches to issues such as health care and energy.”
The controversy sparked after Ferraro, who serves as a member of Clinton’s fundraising team and was a Democratic Party vice presidential candidate on 1994 said, “If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept.”
In an interview with CNN yesterday, Obama countered Ferraro’s statement and her involvement in the Clinton campaign in saying, “We’ve been very measured in terms of how we talk about Senator Clinton, I’m not sure that we’ve been getting that same approach from the Clinton campaign. Obviously I think I would be the better nominee, But I have been careful to say that I think Senator Clinton is a capable person and that should she win the nomination, obviously I would support her.”
Madonna Inducted To Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame At Waldorf Astoria
March 12, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Somewhat of a surprise occurred at the induction ceremonies of the annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when pop princess Madonna was immortalized among Rock and Roll gods and goddesses on Tuesday in a sparkling event held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.
The Rock & Roll hall of fame acknowledges industry changing artists specifically in the Rock & Roll genre. Past inductees included some of the best-known and the most influential artists and producers who have in some major way influenced the music industry, particularly in the area of rock and roll. Former inductees includes Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley.
In her acceptance speech, Madonna acknowledged life-changing advice one of her teachers in high school gave her when she was just 14 years old. “When I was 14, a teacher once told me to “Follow my dreams”. Thirty-five years later, people are still encouraging me to believe in my dreams, what more could I ask for? Even the people who “said I was talentless, that I was chubby, that I couldn’t sing, that I was a one-hit wonder, they helped me, too,” she said. “They inspired me because they made me question myself repeatedly and pushed me to be better.”
Nomination process for the annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction is severely disciplined. A committee which consists of musical historians selects names from four categories ranging from performers, non-performers, early influences and Sidemen. The names selected are then elevated for voting among the industry’s top experts including industry insiders, producers and journalists taking into consideration several criterions such as longevity of the individual in the industry and his/her considerable influence in the field of music.
Pop artist and teen icon Justin Timberlake welcomed Madonna into the Hall of Fame in a speech peppered with comedic twists regarding his experience with Madonna. “The world is full of Madonna wanna-bees. I might have even dated a couple. But there is truly only one Madonna. I felt ill one day while working on Madonna’s new album and she asked whether I wanted a B-12 shot. I said sure, expecting a doctor to show up, but Madonna pulled out a syringe and said, “Drop ‘em. After I pulled my pants back up, She looked at me and said, ‘That’s top shelf,’ and that was one of the greatest days of my life,” he said.
Federer Defeats Sampras In Exhibition At Madison Square Garden
March 12, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) In a battle against world number ones of different era, current top-ranked tennis player Roger Federer defeated former world number one Pete Sampras 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6) at a sold out Madison Square Garden in New York.
Pete Sampras who will turn 37 this August owns the record for most number of Grand slam events won in professional tennis with 14 championship trophies in his belt, winning the last one on his last professional game at the flushing meadows in New York in the 2002 US open while the 26 year old Swiss master Federer in pursuit with 12 Grand slams for his brilliant career. Sampras also holds the most number of seasons finished as the number one player in the world after holding that honor for six straight years. Federer has been the world number one player for the last 200 weeks.
Playing in front of an estimated 19,690 adoring fans at the Garden which included Golf superstar Tiger Woods, business tycoon Donald Trump, Regis Philbin and Anna Wintour sitting at front row, both Federer and Sampras produced magnificent shots and groundbreaking strokes which mirrored their respective successful careers at the professional level. Federer won the first set with relative ease after he held serve using four consecutive smashing aces and a two handed fist pump to celebrate. Sampras produced shot making trickery reminiscent of the Pistol Pete of old to claim the second set after winning the tie-break 7-4. But in the end, the youthful exuberance of Federer overwhelmed Sampras as the Swiss champion claimed the match and the $1 Million prize after he captured the deciding third set tiebreaker 8-6.
”I don’t think winning or losing was really the issue tonight. I think we both tried to do our best and have a fun night, and that’s what it turned out to be. It turned out to be this thriller match, This is maybe why so many people came out: You don’t often get the No. 1 in his prime playing against maybe the greatest player of all time,” Federer said.
Sampras for his part earned a little less than the million Federer won but more importantly won the hearts of his adoring fans. In one instance after Sampras won a point on a serve and volley tactics, a spectator rang out the chorus “You still got it, Pete!” The first and only meeting between the two at the professional level occurred at the 2001 Wimbledon where Sampras won 7 of his 14 slams. The youthful Federer edged fading Sampras on that match which was viewed by many as a changing of the guards among tennis legends. “It was a great night for tennis; Roger’s got more important things to worry about than playing me. I was happy I took the second set so we could give the crowd more tennis, I was a little disappointed I didn’t come up with the win.” Sampras said.
CDC Studies Findings: 1 In 4 US Teen Girls Have An STD
March 12, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) A new study conducted by Centers of Disease and Prevention in Atlanta found that one in every four teenage girls in America protract and are carriers of a sexually transmitted disease.
The study was commenced after researchers enrolled 838 American teens across the nation ranging from 14 to 19 years of age. Results show that over 26 percent of the total number of respondents has an STD translating to over three million teenage girls nationwide if the study represents the whole geographies of the US. Only half of the total number who was polled admitted to having sex and of that 50 percent figure who admitted sexual activity, a startling 60 percent of them have an STD.
Dr. Elizabeth Alderman who serves as an adolescent medicine specialist at Montefiore Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital in New York said, “This is pretty shocking, To talk about abstinence is not a bad thing, but teen girls — and boys too — need to be informed about how to protect themselves if they do have sex.”
Sexually Transmitted Disease or STD is described as an infection that has a considerable probability of transmission between humans or animals by means of sexual contact which includes vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. STD can easily be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the penis, vulva, and through the mouth. The visible membrane covering the head of the penis is a mucous membrane, though it produces no mucus. Health officials have long advised the use of condoms when performing sexual activities to reduce risk of incurring the disease.
“Those numbers are certainly alarming, this figures reflect the sad state of sex education in our country. Sexuality is still a very taboo subject in our society. Teens tell us that they can’t make decisions in the dark and that adults aren’t properly preparing them to make responsible decisions.” said sex education expert Nora Gelperin.
Space Shuttle Endeavor Blasts To The Sky
March 11, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) A crew of seven headed by Commander Dominic Gorie of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was successfully launched into orbit on their way to the Space Station on board Space Shuttle Endeavor on a 16-day mission which is the longest of its kind to enlarge and add innovations to the Space Station.
The crew’s mission is to deliver a newly innovative Canadian designed robot to the Space Station which would help in maintaining the exterior of the facility while attaching a Japanese-made compartment designed to serve as a future laboratory in space. The mission will increase the total numbers of international participants to the Space Station project adding both Japan and Canada to existing members in the US, Europe and Russia.
“It’s really exciting to see the international aspect of the International Space Station come to fruition on this flight,” said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA’s associate administrator for space operations. “This is really the international year.”
The Shuttle was launched at exactly 2.28 AM at Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, Brevard County, Florida which is a rare occurrence since majority of space voyages are initiated in broad daylight. “Good luck and Godspeed, and we’ll see you back here in 16 days,” launch director Mike Leinbach radioed to the astronaut’s right before liftoff.
Commander Gorie quickly replied, “Banzai,” Dominic Gorie said, a Japanese exclamation of Joy. “God truly has blessed us with a beautiful night here, Mike, to launch, so let’s light them up and give Him a show.”
On board Endeavor is a $200 million two-armed Canadian robot named “Dextre” which is designed to decrease spacewalking activities among astronauts as it performs outdoor cleaning and maintenance for the Space Station while the first installment of three parts for a $6.7 Billion Japanese Space station laboratory called “Kibo” which means “hope” tags along as it prepares installation by the crew. The second part could be installed later this year on a separate mission while the third and final piece is projected to be completed next year.
Gas Prices at the Pump Approache Record Highs
March 11, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Prices at gas stations nationwide surged over 0.7 cents overnight to approach all-time high figures set on May of last year to finish at $3.222 a gallon or 0.005 cents off of the record which stands at $3.227 per gallon, a figure experts believe could easily be surpassed by a day’s start of business.
According to AAA records and Oil Price Information Services, May of last year holds the record as the highest nationwide average pump price per gallon in history with high demands for oil especially during summer and spring time added with supply outages being the key factors for the increase in Oil prices back then. Estimates by both companies have gas price at the $4 per gallon level by summer this year which would hold true to the general consensus by the public gathered in a recent survey conducted nationwide for consumers.
Meanwhile at the New York Mercantile Exchange, Sweet and Crude Oil prices jumped to another milestone in setting a new high for inflation-adjusted rates with a single day increase of $2.75 for April deliveries to close the day with a record $107.90 per barrel. It also set a new in-day trading high after it reached $108.21 after noontime before it settled down to its closing figure. The increase in oil prices pried investors away from Wall Street which contributed to the struggling stock market.
The sharp increase in Oil Prices both at pump stations and at the broader markets are determined by several factors including scarce supply after OPEC declined a US-government request to increase the export of Oil to the country. Another factor was the much publicized squabble between US and the Venezuelan government over the frozen assets Venezuela incurred after it violated rules while the current mayhem at Nigeria which is one of the biggest oil-producing regions in Africa contribute to the increase in oil price.
